Benihana — Restaurant in Anaheim

This was the worst service I’ve ever experienced in a restaurant. This location is absolutely terrible and all of their 1 star reviews need to be taken seriously. Worst management ever.

My boyfriend and I called in at 8:45 to make sure it wasn’t too late to place a pick up order and we were assured that it would be fine as long as we get our order in by 10pm. We ended up placing a pick up order over the phone at 9:15pm and was told to pick it up at 10:20 pm. (We paid over the phone before arriving.)

When we arrived they informed us that they didn’t have any record of our pick up order and that they would look into it for us. About 15 minutes later they came out and said that they found it and it was an error on their end and the system placed the order for tomorrow night instead of tonight. Joe let us know that he could still make it for us and that it wasn’t a problem. We thanked him and patiently waited. About 45 minutes later the sweet server comes out and brings us our food. We opened it to make sure everything was right and we saw that they gave us cold scraps from the grill as our steak and shrimp. The steak was without a doubt scraps that didn’t make it on to the plates earlier in the night. It was filled up with 90% fat and tendons. They made us wait 45 minutes to give us a cold plate filled with rejected food from earlier in the night that probably took them about 10 minutes to throw together.

We then asked if we could speak to the manager and Joe came out to greet us. We told him our concerns with the quality of the meat while showing it to him and he assured us that what we were served was accurate and fresh. Skating passed the fact that this is a health code violation, he said that we got the proper ounces of meat and that if anything wasn’t up to standards then it would only be the chefs fault for cutting the meat like this. I told him that I wish he would’ve just let us know that they didn’t have the time or proper amount of food to fulfill our order and we would’ve been fine with just picking it up tomorrow instead. He then said that they have plenty of food and lack of food isn’t an issue. He told us that we got the proper amount and proper quality of food and sent us on our way.

If a manager is comfortable with serving this quality of meat to customers then upper level management should find that to be incredibly alarming. Joe was probably the worst manager I’ve ever dealt with. You should never let guests leave with this low level quality of meat no matter what. I would have much rather been told that we would not be able to get our food tonight then to be served scraps with a smile on his face. Once we got home and really were able to look at the food it was even worse than we originally thought.

On a brighter note, whoever was the closing sushi chef on 12/27 was an absolute pleasure. He is the best employee you guys have. He was incredibly sweet and informative. He was great at making small talk and ensuring a great guest experience.

Joe on the other hand is ill-equipped and lacks every good trait even an entry level manager should have. He has no business working with the general public let alone...

This is all regarding an experience at the Anaheim CA location. They didn't answer their phone for almost an hour, so we could NOT make a reservation, or even speak to anyone. They say our entire table down and we basically all looked at each other for an hour because the "chief" was missing in action. My husband and I ordered coffee prior to food...guess what? NO COFFEE!? For a restaurant that is known for their intense drinks ie..saki, and patrons getting plastered, it's very irresponsible not only for the customers, but the community to release drunk patrons into the community and freeways without the option to stay and wake up a bit before/after the meal. *At this point I walked up to the hostesses and expressed my frustrations this far...i was told "oh, we are so sorry, this is pretty normal...WOW!' We both ordered the Benihana Special, which was NOT very special. The chef places an entire strip of zucchini on my plate without cutting it up, I had to request that he slice it up. The steak was not only of a lower quality than we were used to (for the past 20 years), the lobster pieces (traditional served back in the shell on the customers plate was missing all together), however pieces of shell both lobster and shrimp were scrambled throughout the meal on or plates in addition the large fat portion from our steaks then served back onto our plates. Finally, when dessert options were offered, this Japanese restaurant was out of their signature green tea ice cream. In conclusion: our entire table who were all strangers to each other were collectively disgusted with the entire experience. When the checks came we had had enough so a table companion of our spotted a "manager" who was anything but that, was located, I got up and asked her to step aside so I could explain the evening issues, including the fact that the hostesses told me "we don't have manager right now" , about 30 minutes prior, and all she said was "oh...I'm sorry." I explained to her what being a "manager actually means, and what the managers roles actually are. Then this high school student"manager" came back and offered me a 20$ off my next visit, insulted. The entire table collectivly mumbled as I reminded the "manager" that the entire ordeal was experiences by all the guests at our table (8) 3 bills. She came back with the same sorry coupons and we all rejected the insult and proclaimed this would be the final time we would ever come back to Benihana. Go at your own risk. I work hard for my money and go there for the "experience"...but...

From the moment we stepped into Benihana Anaheim, it was clear we were about to embark on an unforgettable dining experience but what we received was something far beyond expectation. Chef Oscar and his outstanding team transformed an evening meal into a symphony of flavor, fun, and flawless hospitality.

Let’s start with Chef Oscar is a true artist of the grill and a showman with heart. With knife skills that would make a samurai pause in admiration and a charismatic energy that instantly lights up the table, Oscar doesn’t just cook he performs magic right before your eyes. Each flick of the wrist, every slice, every sizzle was met with smiles, laughter, and wide eyed amazement from everyone at our table, young and old alike.

Oscar has that rare gift of making each guest feel like they’re the most important person in the room. His ability to engage with humor, warmth, and professionalism is unparalleled. You’re not just watching a chef you’re enjoying a full culinary show with someone who lives and breathes hospitality. The hibachi shrimp toss, the volcano onion trick, and the perfectly seasoned fried rice all had us applauding like we were front row at a Broadway show.

But Oscar doesn’t stand alone. Honestly, the entire Benihana Anaheim team deserves a standing ovation. From the friendly and efficient host staff to the incredibly attentive servers, every single member radiated kindness and professionalism. The ambiance was vibrant but relaxed, the restaurant impeccably clean, and the service was nothing short of five-star.

Our meals? Superb! Every bite was a harmonious blend of bold flavor and perfect texture. The filet mignon was melt in your mouth tender, the seafood was impeccably fresh, and the signature sauces elevated each dish to new heights. Even the cocktails and desserts were divine which was clearly crafted with care and served with flair.

It’s rare to find a place where the food, the show, and the people come together in perfect harmony, but Chef Oscar and the Benihana Anaheim team have created something truly special. They don’t just serve meals, they create memories! Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, they’ll make you feel...