Japanese Cowboy — Restaurant in Gainesville

This is my 2nd time coming here to Japanese Cowboy. The first time I supported their business was back in March during Spring break. I got the vegetable hibachi with noodles on that occasion. The food was good but I was promised yum yum sauce to go with it. And let’s be honest vegetables taste plain on their own so I was excited to have the yum yum sauce to add some extra flavor. I got home and there wasn’t any yum yum sauce. The only reason it was so heartbreaking is because the owner I believe a nice older man had promised me the yum yum sauce. So I had gotten my hopes up for it and I had gotten excited! And again I was eating the vegetable hibachi so it really needed some extra flavor. With it being just vegetables. I also see from the reviews all the other customers get their yum yum sauce. So I was naturally disappointed to not receive mine that day.

I went here to Japanese Cowboy again today at 6:30pm for dinner. I spent $21.00 on the Chicken and Steak hibachi and 3 crab rangoons. I did receive 1 yum yum sauce this time. However I told the young girl taking my order today what had happened and that I had supported their buisness back in March during spring break and that I hadn’t received my Yum Yum sauce that day. All I was asking for was 1 more extra yum yum sauce. I even offered to pay for 1 extra yum yum sauce for $1.50. And she still wouldn’t let me even pay for it. That was crazy that I wasn’t allowed to even pay for an extra sauce. I was also very nice and there was no customer service or friendliness shown to me. I don’t understand after spending $21.00 on my order why I couldn’t pay for 1 extra yum yum sauce especially since I was a returning customer and I had supported their buisness.

I was given unacceptable customer service today and it really hurt my feelings. I will not be returning. Its a shame because I love supporting local small businesses and if I had been treated better today I would have continued to support this business. I like to spend a decent amount of money on food sometimes. So it’s a shame this happened.

There was also a black piece of what looked like dirt on the fork they gave me and I took a picture of it to show with my review. The moral of this story is treat paying customers decently and they will support you. I was not treated properly so I will not be returning. Even though I wish things were different because I love supporting small local businesses.

I would also like to state once more I tried to pay for an extra sauce for $1.50 and I was still refused. I would have paid for it. I also never leave bad reviews. So there is a reason for my review today.

I also want to state that the young woman that responded to my review most definitely had at least a slight attitude with me and she also intially said she would try to look up my order from March to see about giving me 1 extra yum yum sauce. She then said she couldn’t give me the sauce because she couldnt find my order from March. So even though she was claiming she was completely out of any more sauce for the night I don’t think that was completely true. The sauce containers are already small. So I believe there was enough sauce for me to pay for 1 more sauce. She did not have to act like that.

She also intially responded to this review with a slight attitude and then edited it. Again I never leave bad reviews especially for restaurants. So if I’m leaving this review there is a problem.

My Dad also just recently passed away. Which is clearly not there problem. But i say that just to say you never know what someone else is going through and kindness...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Japanese Cowboy is an absolute gem!

From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the creative fusion of Japanese flavors with a bold, Western twist. The dishes are packed with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and you can really tell the care that goes into every plate. Whether it’s the perfectly seasoned wagyu burger with a hint of umami or the crispy karaage chicken with smoky BBQ notes, every bite was unforgettable.

The atmosphere is fun and welcoming, and the staff are friendly and passionate about what they do. They’re happy to explain the menu and offer great recommendations. I especially appreciated how fast and attentive the service was without feeling rushed.

If you’re looking for something unique and delicious, Japanese Cowboy delivers in every way. Highly recommend for anyone who loves good food and wants to try...

I had an amazing experience here! I ordered the Super Combo, and every bite was incredible—the steak was tender, the chicken was juicy, the shrimp were perfectly cooked, and the veggies were fresh and flavorful. The crab rangoons? Absolutely delicious—crispy on the outside with a rich, creamy filling that’s hard to beat.

The portions were more than generous, and I was impressed by how quickly everything came out—no long wait, just fast, fresh food. The beautiful outdoor seating was the cherry on top—comfortable, clean, and perfect for enjoying a great meal.

Best of all, the husband and wife running it were warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. This place delivers on both food and hospitality. I’ll definitely be back—and bringing friends with...