ITSUMO RAMEN — Restaurant in Lincoln

I've never had authentic ramen or bao, and so was really excited to go to Itsumo. My husband works nights, so it took a lot of shifting things around to get there, but we were determined. After trying for a couple of weeks, we finally got a day set and were so excited to try something new - especially with the good reviews we'd seen. We showed up at 3pm, to discover they would be closed until 4:30. Our fault, should've done our research. So we went to The Mill for an hour or so to enjoy some coffee.

While waiting, we went over the menu and chose our meals. Totally psyched, we headed back to Itsumo. Paid for parking. Waited in the car about 10 minutes, then moved to the chairs in front of the restaurant. There were already staff there, and the owner came past us and said hello as he entered. It was clear we were waiting. Four thirty arrived, and we entered. We were approached by a child carrying a menu, and were informed that the restaurant wouldn't be opening this afternoon. The girl was cute - but really? We'd been waiting outside for at least five minutes - nobody could've come out to tell us? Couldn't be bothered to put a sign on the door? Heck, the owner couldn't have mentioned it to us as he went past where we were waiting? Instead, a child is sent to do the manager's job?

I've heard this has been problem for this owner's other restaurants in the past, and I now understand why. It just seemed so disrespectful of our time, the money we spent on parking, and our enthusiasm for eating there. I'm not easily offended, and I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt - maybe a family member had been hospitalized with covid or similar - but even then you apologize to customers and notify anyone waiting as soon as possible. You put up a sign and change your online hours to show you're closed.

We went to Yia Yia instead - they never disappoint! And while we were eating on the patio, we saw many other customers attempt to enter, only to be turned away at the door. One guy actually tried the door, checked his phone (for hours, I assume) and returned to try again. In addition, this place accepts orders for delivery services - I can't imagine the nightmare for a customer trying to get a refund because the place closed unexpectedly. And the frustration of the delivery folks with angry customers/bosses who don't necessarily believe that a business would do such a thing. I don't know what this guy's problem is, but the fact that he closed and couldn't be bothered to inform waiting customers himself made it really clear to us that he doesn't want our business or our money - or that of any of the other people who were refused service. I might give it a try again later - but honestly, it's not...

I had high hopes but left unsatisfied. I can't believe anyone with taste buds find this place delicious. Customer services was terrible!! The owner should be concerned!

When we first got there, the place was empty. We stood there for 5 minutes before a kitchen staffer saw us and went to hunt for someone to seat us. Upon sitting 4 other couples arrived. We all waited for service on all levels.

One couple actually got up and left because they never had anyone approach their table. The servers even had the nerve to say thank you to them as they left. It was cringe worthy. Later the two servers argued over whose table it was and who dropped the ball. Prior to the couple leaving the servers were clearly just standing around doing nothing.

Took forever to get drinks, but food came fast once ordered. Food was mediocre at best. My husband and I had tofu noodle dishes; mine with ramen his with udon. My noodles weren't all the way cooked (uncooked ramen IN a ramen house?!) and his tasted like raw dough. Broth was meh and tofu and veggies were flavorless. My husbands spicy peanut broth was the only good thing in either dish. I was so disappointed I didn't even finish. I noticed others didn't finish either and all left before us.

Once we were ready to pay we sat forever to get our server to return to our table. Not sure if it was an off night or what, but I will never come back and won't recommend...

After waiting weeks for the shop to open, and an hour and a half for their evening service, we arrived promptly at 4:20 and waited outside for ten minutes masked and ready. Upon entering at 4:30 (the time evening service was supposed to begin) we were told by the little girl in the lobby that the shop was closed until the next day. There were no signs or notes on the door informing of this closure, no indication that the shop was going to be unavailable for business. The staff could even see us waiting outside and never bothered to come out and tell us directly that this was the case, either. As a result of this I’m unlikely to ever give this shop a second chance. They are repeating the past mistakes of Abu Ramen. When you’re planning to be closed for a service it behooves the proprietor to ensure their customers are not alienated and understand what is going on. Either the child was correct and they were closed and they showed a blatant disregard for the potential customers or the girl was wrong and is damaging the business’s reputation and shouldn’t be allowed in the front end. Either way the fault lies with...