Zuki Hibachi Grill & Sushi (Zuki East) — Restaurant in Evansville

My family and I had the incredible displeasure of eating here last night. The server that we had was neglectful and incredibly rude.

She was gone from the main dinning room for the majority of evening that we were there and failed to regularly check in her tables. Our drinks sat empty for over 80% of the time we were there. I was so thirsty when we left I had to stop and buy a bottle of water.

I had to ask for everything, she did not offer anything or take ownership of her job responsibilities. We ordered sushi, when she brought the sushi she did not bring chopsticks or a dish for soysauce. When I asked for these things she did give us the chopsticks but then pointed to the table and rudely stated that the soy sauce was there. Even though that is not what I was asking for.

My child ordered the children's hibachi and specifically told the server that she wanted chicken and vegetables. It was not until the chef served vegetables to everyone at the table except for my child that we found out that the kids hibachi did not come with vegetables. This is something that the server should have explained to us during ordering since my child specifically told her she wanted vegetables.

The server also did not ask my child if they wanted soup or salad like she asked all of the adults at the table. I assumed that the kids meal did not come with soup or salad. Until they brought the soup and salad to the table and gave my child soup. I thought that was also rude of the server not to give my child a choice.

At the end of the meal I asked for two to go boxes but she only gave us one. The table the proceeded to sit there for another 15 minutes to pay for our meal even though we were all done eating.

When the server finally came back to have us pay I was so floored by the horrible service that I tipped her under 20% which is incredibly unlike me. We normally tip at least 25% if not higher. When the server saw me tip her a low % she glared at me and immediately walked off. She did not even offer me a receipt. When I called after her and requested my receipt you could tell she was annoyed by my request.

Additionally, a different server possibly a busboy brought out the soup and salad and rather than passing the soups and salads out to everyone he had everyone take their own soup or salad off the tray.

On an opposite note the chef was wonderful. He was engaging and kind hearted and the food was delicious.

I will also say we were disappointed with portion size of the food. You used to get both a soup and salad with the dinner hibachi, now you have to pick just one. There was a lot less food than what you use to get.

We will not be...

I am only posting this in hopes that the owner will see it and take immediate action. I have been coming to Zuki since the Nagasaki days. For about 10 years I had come in twice a week. Today was my first visit in MONTHS and the ONLY reason I came in today was because my mom bought me a gift card for Christmas. Now I will explain why. Just imagine for a second that a woman would be so disrespectful to her man that she will leave a bad taste in the entire city of Evansvilles mouths and ruin her boyfriends business and reputation the way that Mel has and continues to do. This owner has built an empire that he should be so proud of. The food is amazing and so if the staff. The staff is so fabulous that my kids and I always get seated and then I go make rounds to give them hugs. This particular woman knows she can do what she wants, providing the most poor customer service, disrespect her co workers and her customers to no end. First she will come take our order and while I’m ordering, she will interrupt me by sticking her finger in my face so she can respond to her text messages. This happens every single visit. Everyone in the restaurant has to sit there for 2 hours chasing down other servers to simply get 1 single refill. Then we have to beg to pay so we can finally get out of there. This is not ok. Today I went in during lunch just so I can avoid having her as a server. The service I had today was amazing because I had a server that did her job and was so kind and polite to the whole habachi table. It’s not fair to the rest of the staff that they have to do her job for her and apologize while she collects the tips. Mr owner, I’m telling you now that I talked to my customers all day yesterday about this gift card and they ALL said the same thing about this business. Your girlfriend is ruining it. You may love her, the rest of us want to love your...

First off, this review is after a culmination of visits, and strictly for the hibachi side. Our most recent visit drive the star count down from most likely a solid 4 stars.

Service is truly hit and miss, and it starts at the hosting podium. There is no real communication as to what the procedure is, or how long the wait will truly be, as they do their best to try and fill the most amount of seats at each table - understandable - so don't go expecting to be sat immediately, unless you have a full party. And even then, wait times may vary.

When it comes to the wait staff - much like any other restaurant, there are good servers and there are not. This one, however, seems to have a staff that is much more on the not-so-good. Multiple visits all have required repeatedly asking for drink refills - for each person at the table after several minutes of EVERYONE being out of drinks. But that's AFTER waiting 10-15 minutes after being day before you ever even see your wait staff.

Now.. the dinner show - aka the hibachi chef - is also a hit and miss. There are plenty of good chefs, who make the show fun and entertaining. However, having brought little ones to the table, it could be just my perception, but those chefs who have done great shoes in the past without little ones at the table, have been less than enthusiastic.

The food portions are more than generous, and that in and of itself is 5 stars. So definitely bring your appetite.

All in all, if you are looking for a solid hibachi restaurant, this is a good choice. If you didn't have a great experience the first time, you will eventually. And, vice versa.

It hasn't ever been so bad to prevent or stop us from going, just leaves us disappointed about 50%...