Hibachi's Buffet — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

Absolutely Horrendous Experience – This Place Should Be Ashamed

Let me start by saying that I never leave reviews—good or bad—but my experience at this so-called “hibachi” buffet in Madison was so unbelievably awful that I feel morally obligated to warn others before they waste their time, money, and appetite.

I gave this place not one, not two, but three chances—and each visit somehow managed to be worse than the last.

First Visit: Went to the bar expecting fresh, flavorful food. Instead, I was served what I can only describe as ice-cold rubber chicken—completely flavorless and clearly sitting out for far too long. The rice was dry, the vegetables were soggy, and nothing tasted remotely fresh. I chalked it up to bad timing and decided to give them another shot.

Second Visit: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me—but I gave them another chance because sometimes restaurants just have off days, right? Wrong. I went back and again chose the chicken, thinking surely it couldn’t be as bad as last time. But not only was it once again stone cold, it tasted like it had been cooked three days ago and reheated in a microwave that gave up halfway through. It was borderline inedible.

Third Visit (the final straw): Against my better judgment, I gave them one final opportunity, hoping maybe—just maybe—the hot food bar would offer something redeemable. Big mistake. Yes, it was hot this time—but absolutely disgusting. The food was greasy, slimy, overcooked, and drenched in mystery sauces that did nothing but mask how rotten everything tasted. I couldn’t even finish the plate. I felt physically ill.

I went up to the front to politely ask for a refund of the $58 my wife and I wasted on this stomach-turning experience. That’s when things went from bad to infuriating. A) They couldn’t even understand what I was saying. The lack of basic communication skills was beyond frustrating. I wasn’t being rude—I was just trying to explain the situation. B) When they did finally grasp what I was asking, they told me they wouldn’t refund anything unless I got a medical note proving I had a bad reaction to the food. A medical note?! Are you kidding me? What kind of business makes customers jump through hoops to get their money back for food that was clearly not safe to eat? This isn’t a clinic, it’s supposed to be a restaurant. The only thing that should require a medical note is surviving a meal here.

The staff was unapologetic, unhelpful, and frankly seemed more concerned with shooing people away than providing anything close to customer service.

Let me be very clear: this was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food is revolting, the service is non-existent, the policies are absurd, and the management is clearly asleep at the wheel. I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy.

Save your money. Save your stomach. Save your sanity. Go anywhere...

⚠️ One Star: Health Hazard and Absolute Waste of $73

Location: By the Nashville Nightmares Date of Visit: 11/2/2025 Party Size: 2 Adults, 2 kids Total Cost: $73

This was easily the worst $73 I have ever spent. The experience was utterly revolting, and I genuinely left convinced that I would end up with food poisoning. This establishment operates with zero regard for food safety or basic hygiene.

Extreme Food Safety Violations (0/5) The crucial hibachi grill station was a complete mess. Cross-contamination was rampant and actively happening on the grill top. The quality of the raw protein waiting to be cooked was even more alarming: the raw chicken was sitting out, looking both gooey and dried out at the edges. This is an immediate sign of improper handling and storage, and it made the entire section unusable.

Pathetic Selection and Quality (0/5) The general buffet lines were lukewarm, dried out, and offered absolutely terrible value. The salad bar, which should be a simple standard, contained only lettuce, a sad, pre-mixed concoction of cucumber and tomato, and dressings. We paid a premium price for what felt like dangerous, day-old leftovers.

Disgusting Environment (0/5) The lack of cleanliness extended everywhere. The dining area was messy, and even the bathroom was absolutely disgusting, indicating a total failure of management to maintain even the most basic standards of sanitation.

This is not just a bad restaurant; it is a serious health concern. Do not risk your family's health or your wallet here. We will...

WOW! It's amazing to think how deeply A Christmas Story has impacted our lives. Like the family depicted in the movie, our family now enjoys finding the local Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day and having dinner there. You aren't looking for high-quality, top shelf, off-the-chain food to mesmerize you or leave you speechless. It doesn't even matter if it's kinda dirty, its okay, it's to be expected. Remember, you're wanting the feel of realness, which includes banter, laughter, jokes, quality time with the family. As you are absorbed into your family you'll hopefully more than likely forget about the weird smell, the unattended kids running back and forth to the buffet, seeing them reach with their cute little germ-infested hands and get food off of the buffet stands. Ah yes, the spirit of the holidays! What makes it worthwhile is the lovely smile of our server, Robbie. She has worked at this location for 32 years and went above and beyond as a server to make our Christmas experience extra special. She gave us candy and gave my wife a hand signed, personalized Christmas card! She was amazing! We night go back just to...