Fuji Hibachi Sushi & Lava Bar — Restaurant in Maryland

First I would like to note I have been to this restaurant several times for both togo and dine in both with and without my kids but this is the first time I have experienced this horrible service. I went for dinner for my birthday with my friend, her 2 year old, and my 5 and 6 year old. My 5 year old has a ton of food aversions so I decided to just order him some wings and do a side of the hibachi noodles (his usual) and my daughter was going to do the soup and just noodles (her usual) however I was cutoff while ordering my 5 year old’s just for the waitress to tell me that all of the children had to order the kids hibachi no exceptions since it was 5 of us and in their words hibachi had to make up 18% of our check to reach a certain amount of their mandatory 18% gratuity. Although I have been here with my same two kids and even though we read the full two page printout of their rules about the increased prices that would be more than what would be printed in the menu and how ordering your food at a table and not at the hibachi grill can cause your food to taste vastly different, and how they do not offer refunds if your food comes out nasty, nowhere did it state this rule that children in the restaurant had to eat or order the full kids hibachi meal. Even though the chicken and the noodles that we were going to order in place of the kids meal added up to more than the kids hibachi meal and my friend and I both ordered the shrimp, scallop and fillet hibachi which is one of the most expensive options for hibachi on their menu, and we both ordered alcoholic beverages and would have ordered more than one and dessert since we were celebrating my birthday, they decided to argue with us that our children had to get the hibachi because to them it cost more and their gratuity would have been larger. While we were there the restaurant was empty besides another two top table that was finishing up , two people they sat at our table and another family of five or so that had walked in after us with about 8 other empty tables. I could understand if they were saying “hey we have to move you to a table you cant be at a grill if most of your party doesn't order hibachi,” but they were small kids and they said themselves the food ordered to a table and not the grill taste different and the restaurant was empty so it wasn’t like we were holding up seats from a line of people waiting for the grill. Also if this is a rule it should be listed on their two pages of rules they have at the front of the menu or stated before seating a party. We ended up telling them we no longer wanted to eat there and still decided to pay for the fountain drinks that had just been delivered to the table so the kids could take them but they still tried to charge the 18% gratuity, up-charged for all of the drinks and tried to charge my friend for the water she ordered. The manager and waitress were rude from the beginning and very unprofessional and unpleasant. To tell the waitress “just get them out of here” because a person asked questions and never even come to the table to address us yourself as the “manager” is uncalled for. Idk if they have new management, owners, or what but they are definitely going downhill and are not the place I know and use to love. Also beware of anything on the menu that does not have a price listed because they will make it whatever price they feel like charging you know the moment. Even with the restaurant being dead and empty, service was still slow as well. I would say they ruined my bday but we found somewhere else to go and had a great time and my kids were able to still get their...

Greetings. My husband and I were invited to have lunch at Fuji by our close friends to celebrate their 40th marriage anniversary. It was our first visit there, and we were elated. Both our families and friends were seated automatically at the hibachi table (later, we found out there was also an optional dining area that was for customers who didn't want hibachi). The party consisted of 11 adults, one small child, and an infant. We immediately received menus to place our orders. Our patient and wonderful host took each of our selections and returned with a round of our choice beverages. So now, here's the dilemma. Ugh! After waiting for an additional 15 minutes, the host returned with a message from the kitchen. She said that since there were only five of us who chose hibachi, so we had to purchase two extra hibachi meals to make up the difference for the number of customers sitting at the hibachi table. WHAT? You are kidding me. That's nonsense! So, you give us a menus, but try and make us eat hibachi only. Nope, not good service. Outraged, our friends asked to speak with the manager. The manager comes out with a mad attitude. She tried to convince our friends about their method of operation for serving large numbers of guests surrounding the hibachi table, and that at least 9 of our 11 had to order hibachi when seated at that table, regardless if the desire was to only order choice foods from the menu. Of course, without a doubt in my mind, when the manager saw a large party, it was assumed that we all were ordering hibachi. Fuji never even mentioned the dining area option for ordering from the menu only. No doubt, more money for Fuji. However, the manager tried feverishly to convince it was how they operate and literally argued loudly and angrily, where customers at the adjacent tables stopped to listen. Her voice was so high, and she talked over top of our friend's voice, not wanting to hear what was being said. After the manger semi-calmed her rage, she said that she'll allow it in our favor that time. Our whole party was uncomfortable and thought to leave, thinking our food would be compromised. Anyways, we stayed. Once the cook came out with the food, he proceeded to our table, then turned his back, and proceeded to cook on the table of guests that came in way behind us. As soon as we noticed and were about to address that issue, hurriedly, here comes our server 5 minutes later. After all that mess, our cook was really ho hum and not as jovial and show playful as we knew it to be the norm in these types of Also, the food portions was minimal and subpar restaurants. As we watched the other tables, there was show play, excitement, and laughter. At this point, we were really outdone. After about 20 minutes of eating time, our fun day was dampened by such unprofessionalism. Our morale became confusing and quiet, having to go through such stupidity. A few of us asked for take out containers, as we just wanted the time in this place to be over. Needless to say, my husband and I will never ever come to this restaurant again! The embarrassed faces of our friends afterward made us sad. So, we didn't talk about the experience to them and now we all are relieved. I know they appreciated us sharing their special day, but we will definitely celebrate someplace else next time. Fuji, let your guests know your method of operation before hand, that way, you will know how and what dining area to seat them. It's called...

I have been there multiple times and tonight was the worst experience I have ever had. I don't typically write reviews but I feel like this is extremely important. My sister called a week and a half ago to make a reservation for mother's day. We booked a table. Upon entering we were told it was going to be a 35 minute wait. Even though we were on time for our reservation. We were also told that they don't make reservations and that it was first come first serve. So why take our name and how many people? Thankfully we were put at our table within 15-20 minutes, instead of the 35 that they said. When placing our order I asked about the difference between the white rice and fried rice and was told that fried rice is served with every meal. Even though the menu stated other wise we we're thinking it was a mother's day special. Food was excellent as always. However bill time came. With a party of 4 (my mother, husband, son and I) and then another party of 4 ( my sister and her 3 children). The receipt stated we owed an 18% gratuity (even though on the menu it stated 5 or more people). Also, they tried to charge me for 3 soft drinks even though my son was the only one to get a sprite and then the rest of my party got water. They also tried to charge us an upcharge of $2.50 per meal for fried rice even though "the meal came with it". My sister's bill was the same. My sister and I both tried to fight our bill however, we we're told that we would have to pay it even though did not agree to half the thing on our receipt. The waiter eventually came up to us about 15 minutes later trying to offer me $10 cash to make up the difference that would have to be taken off. Apparently if anything is disputed with the check, it's the waiters to responsibility to pay for it. After fighting for a half hour and the "manager and hostess" telling me it's not my business to know how they treat their employees, they finally took off the up charges, and extra items on our bill (including two extra drinks and an 18% gratuity). The fact that it took a half hour to pay the bill and the manager and hostess basically laughing in mine and my sisters face and blaming it on the waiter (who by the way was not even the one to take our order) was absolutely ridiculous. At the end of the day, the restaurant that I have grown to love, will no longer be a place I go. I'm hoping that this review will prepare for the treatment that you will get in this restaurant because unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened. Point blank period, the waiters and waitresses at this restaurant, along with their managers, do absolutely nothing. The chefs and cooks are the only ones that actually take care if their customers.

Edit, my 5 year old son was splashed with some hot chicken oil on his fingers. The only person who actually cared that he was crying, was our chef and the waiter, my 5 year old currently has marks on his fingers due to this and a manager was never called over to see what he could do regarding...