Ichiban Grill - Hibachi & Sushi — Restaurant in Monroe

Sorely disappointed...

We had been waiting for this place to open for quite some time.. Granted, this is their opening week, but they should have been on their A-Game.

As it has booths and seating at the sushi bar, it is clearly a place your order at the door, and go find a seat with a number. So, there is no table service after the food is delivered or name is called. As we found a table, I stood by, waiting for it to be bussed and cleaned. This did not happen. I noticed a trashcan with a tray on top. I took that as we are to bus our own table. I removed the previous occupants' trays and waited to see if there would be someone with cleaner for the table. There was not.

When I got a styrofoam cup for the drinks fountain, they had a stale dirty water odor inside of them. I did not want to finish my drink, it was so bad.

The sushi was so so, nothing spectacular. Titanic roll and a rainbow roll. Two hibachi entrees: both of them, the meat was over cooked, tough and bland. Shrimp was overcooked. The noodles were overcooked and way too soft. They tasted as if they were finished with mirin or something sweetly acidic. Did not go well with the rest of the meal. The rice was dry and flavorless. Almost as if it were old. It only perked up when the tasteless white seafood sauce (yum yum sauce) was added. (Basically a sweetened mayonnaise that soaked into the rice, giving it the fluffiness it should have come with.) Sadly, as everything was overcooked, the vegetables were undercooked.

While contemplating the meal, I watched several people walk out, realizing that it was takeaway seating and not table service.

Finally, the prices set are for a restaurant with service and not at take-away dining. I think I'll head back over to the other hibachi place for better quality, better service, and lower prices.

I know this is opening week, and they have thier kinks and growing pains, but this.. is not...

Was going to get a haircut and thought I would try a new place for lunch. When I walked in, I told the young lady at the register that it was my first time, but I'd like to order takeout. She was kind enough to walk me though their menu and sizes and even offer some recommendations to try. I ended up selecting the chicken hibachi and a side of egg rolls. When I got home 30 minutes later, I pulled out my food, not knowing what to expect. I can be pretty picky about my egg roles and chicken hibachi at places. I tried an egg roll first and to my delight they were still hot and delicious (some of the best I've had at a takeout place). The chicken hibachi was a huge portion. It was so much food that I had to dump it into a Tupperware container just to mix it up. I hesitantly tried their yum yum sauce, but it was also very good. I added in a little extra soy sauce and mixed and I was blown away by how good it was. There is only one other takeout place that rivals the food in my opinion, and that's inoko express, though sadly we don't have one in Monroe. This will absolutely be my new Japanese take out spot...

UPDATED- This is the second time I’ve been here (about a year had passed) and let me tell you, the food has the best quality I’ve seen in hibachi in a long time. I would dare to say that ichiban is better than Tokyo 😱 I KNOW. crazy right? No way. This place makes AMAZING egg drop soup (the perfect way) and their fried rice is always amazing with huge portions for a very affordable and reasonable price. I BEG the owners, please, never change unless it’s for the better😍 -old review- WOW. Can I say this is the best egg drop soup I’ve ever had. The egg flowers were massive! They also add green onion! No peas and carrots, just the way it is intended to be eaten. The hibachi is made to order and they give you such a big portion!!! I asked for oil, no butter, and it was amazing! I was so surprised. They Definitely earned a customer for life! The lady at the window was so sweet too! Affordable prices and great service!...