Teriyaki Madness — Restaurant in Madison

Had hopes this place would meet the fix I needed. Trying to find a teriyaki place similar to the teriyaki houses experienced in my college days in Seattle. This place wasn’t even close.

Had read a review mentioning how messy the place was in the customer area and took a quick scan of the place on my way to the counter. Everything seemed in order (more on that later). My first impression was the girl at the counter, not sure if she was hung over, sick or what, but she was pale, slow moving, slow to respond, and could barely hear her when she barely whispered out an answer to a question. Asked her to repeat and the effort portrayed to say, “yeah” was concerning. Even worse when she asked if it was eat in.

Ordered anyways and took my drink cup to the drink area, not visible walking in. Prior review was correct. Not usually very critical of this cause I know customers can be sloppy but it was an absolute MESS. Heading to the tables, first seat encounter had all sort of stuff on it and table was sticky. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tables totally sticky. I wiped the least sticky down slightly wetted with my unsweetened tea.

Food was brought out pretty quick. Figure I can over look the above for good food as I often do at so many of the dives I love to frequent. This was not the case.

Upon opening my plastic container lid, it was what looked like a flat frozen chicken breast from Costco on of rice with a bit of teriyaki sauce lightly drizzled over. Luckily additional sauce on the table, regardless of the stickiness I do mean bottle.

Sautéed/steamed vegetables were 4, so hence the 2 stars.

When leaving the girl at the counter was on one knee resting her arms on the counter, on her phone paying for something with credit card.

Wasn’t busy in there so I suggest management has a discussion regarding intermittent wipe downs and clean ups of the customer area.

This day in age, I sure do hope she was just...

The food here is brilliant, so you must be wondering why I've chosen to leave one star. For the price you pay, the portions are ridiculously small. Having looked through reviews over the years, I notice the portion sizes (thanks for the pics, reviewers!) have become smaller and smaller each year. I ordered a large Spicy Chicken Bowl with fried rice two weeks ago (the container is huge), and when I put my fork into the rice, it touched the bottom of the container almost immediately! I tried again another day, just in case it was just an off day for them, and it was the same thing. What a disappointment. Each and every response to a review from the restaurant's owner here is generic, and suggests they will improve on the complaints to ensure they retain business. Seems that has not been done because I see similar complaints from over a year ago. I'm broken because the food is really really good, but it just isn't worth the money you pay. Also, it would help for your workers to say hello when customers approach with an order (a smile helps too.) Do better, folks. I wish to return, but I know I'll be wasting my hard-earned money.

EDIT: You can see that the owner did not read to understand the feedback I provided. You do not need to add more bowl sizes. Put more food in the bowls!!! You are entirely too expensive for the portions you give. I’ve since tried the restaurant again and...

Would've given a 5 because the food is really fresh and good. The last time I was in, I had been given a free bowl, I ordered and still got another bowl for my husband and my total was several dollars above what 1 bowl would cost but they were busy. I asked the cashier and she assured me 1 was free. So while I sat and waited I looked at my receipt and sure enough, she only took off a random $7 instead of making the one bowl completely free. I walked up and kindly told her the issue and she said "I did the best I could.". I asked for her to get someone who could make it right. She was maybe right at the legal age to work and her and her young co-worker not only were disrespectful, but they mean mugged me till I got my food and were then whispering about me when I sat back down. I shouldn't feel uncomfortable like that over a mistake SHE made. Free is free. Not the "best" you can do... I like the food but after that I'm not sure...