Azuma Sushi and Teppan Wyoming & Paseo Del Norte — Restaurant in Albuquerque

We made a reservation for Friday night at 7:30 pm for ten people. The entire party got to the restaurant between 10-15 minutes early and we let the host know we were there, in which he acknowledged our reservation. As 7:30 pm came around we watched the hosts seat several other parties. I went to the hosts about ten minutes after our scheduled reservation time, and he proceeded to tell me that we will have to wait 25-30 minutes. I told him we had a reservation and he said “all the tables are full”. After waiting thirty minutes, we approached the hosts again and they tell us “Sorry you will have to wait longer. What we made is not really a normal reservation, but we are next”. Another thirty minutes passed, by this time it was 8:30 pm and an hour past our reservation, and the host proceeded to sit two big parties ahead of us. We then approached the hosts asking to speak to a manager, in which they point us to her. At this point there is another large group that has been waiting 1 1/2 hours that approached her with us. When we asked to talk to her she said “I’m busy, you can sit and wait”. I remind you we had been sitting and waiting for over an hour past our reservation already. When we spoke to her about the situation she proceeded to say that we didn’t have a reservation and that it’s “not their fault”. This was a lie as when we first checked in the host had acknowledged our reservation in reading the full name it was under and time. Throughout the entire time we were waiting we were sitting at the bar, and the bartender was wonderful. As two members of our party continued to talk to the manager, getting nowhere, the bartender proceeded to seat us on his own. The manager then told the other two members of our party it’s fine if we sit, but we won’t have a cook for at least 20 minutes. This is after we had now been waiting for almost 1 1/2 hours past our reservation. The manager also did not offer any kind of apology or remedy for our seemingly ridiculous wait. At this point we left the restaurant.

It is unbelievable to me that a manager can blatantly lie to their customers and show such disrespect and a lack of concern. However, after reading several reviews I see that this type of service is a pattern, and while their excuse is that they “get busy” but will “work harder in the future” this is obviously not true as it continues to happen. After this experience we will never be back or recommend this...

Visit quite often and usually love taking my kids for a great show and meal. Today was definitely the worst ever trip. Gave 1 star experience but gave 2 stars as our Server Romona was awesome for how busy she was, she was everywhere but our drinks always got the correct attention on refills. Was sat about 6:15-6:20pm tonight 3/22/23. After about 35 minutes our server told us she needed us to move to a different spot as she was trying to close the area we where seated. As we finished picking up our belongings and got out of our seats to finally start moving over the hostess comes in and seats others right where we where asked to move, so frustrating putting in the effort. After 45, probably closer to 50 minutes waiting for our chef he finally comes. Like I said before the show is one reason I like to take my kids which we had the most boring unexciting chef ever. No personality, no talking to us, very bland experience that I wish I would of just asked to sit in a booth for. Then during our dinner service we where asked about how we wanted our steak temperature. My daughter had asked for medium rare, I asked for medium well. When it's time for him to start serving the steak he plates my daughters, then instantly plates mine which added to the frustration as there is no way that one plate had medium rare and the other had medium well when he severed off the same pile of steak he had cooked all together. Then when he serves my youngest kids meal plate of teriyaki steak I notice he doesn't add any other sauces to hers over our Azuma steak we ordered on the other two plates. At the point of waiting and getting shuffled around with kids to end up in the same spot I was just ready to head home. I feel if I would of voiced my feelings before getting a chance to cool off after spending almost $80 on a meal which my experience sucked sorry for the lack of words it would of been over escalated. Probably going to be some time before I can rebuild my courage to come back for another attempt as I feel I could of had a better experience spending $20 at McDonald's for our meals. Like I said before the server was the only bit of good this evening and she definitely deserves 5 stars as she was definitely trying her best with being what looked to be over worked compared to the other...

Hubby has been frequenting Azuma (Original) for special occasions for more than 10 yrs. I being a NM & Albuquerque transplant I have only been here 10 years. They opened up a second location due to the popularity and wait times being often over an hour long [and sometimes 2]

Hubby prefers the original Teppan Grill on San Mateo for the memories. Most Grills have bar height seating, and a more traditional Japanese look. I will say it is often has dimmed lighting in the evenings for a bit more "romantic feel". Both Azumas also a Sushi seating and Grill seating. Both locations have very similar prices. The seating for larger [fluffier] people as myself often feel there isnt much elbow room, as they try to maximize space to reduce the weight. Both dining locations have the ability if Sushi is wanted while at the Grill, they will take your order & serve it to you. The one major item I would change about both locations is the limited waiting area, and often there is standing room only while you wait.

This all being said, to talk about the second restaurant. This location, they often sit 10 people at each of the grills. Here on Paseo Del Norte they have easier to maneuver elbow room. One has the space to put a high chair beside you, and not feel like you may be infringing on someone's space.

This location has a more modern feel than the original. Beautiful interior decor at the door & waiting area. The Grill area almost reminds me of a kitchen island/'U' for standard chair height. Nice stone tops to allow all to see the grill & the show. You will see alcohol adverts posted all around, as they have a full bar in the front Sushi area. The front Sushi area has higher back booths, for a bit more isolated feel to ones dining. While on the otherhand, the grill becomes often a community table feel.

My husband and I appreciate this, when families bring their kids. We see the wonderment of the show through their eyes. Something that reminds us of when we would bring the kids on special occasions.

I could easily rave about the service & chefs. Being one of the higher end restaurants in town (not the top, but up there...) Service almost always is spot on. Once in a while, someone may just have a rough night, but I have never walked out of this restaurant for...