Shogun Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar — Restaurant in New Braunfels

Poor management, Michael should not be a manager! Great staff! We came here for my birthday last minute because of technical difficulties at home, so to be fair we already were a little edgy but the hostess and bar staff changed that with a swiftness and were great.

Fast forward to sitting at the table, our waitress started strong and even by the end only small hiccups that might have lead to a 15-20% tip but wouldnt have dropped the review any stars. The chef was great but overcooked the salmon and rice, again, minor things considering we had 9 protiens ordered across 7 people with 2 different major allergies. I was astounded how well the allergies were cared for by our waitress and chef which would have absolutely give. This review 5 stars.

Then comes the check. I ordered the shogun special, but being alergic to chicken needed to substitue that for the calamari (only 1 dollar difference on the menu) i advised was told their might be a small upcharge and said i was happy to pay the small upcharge for the change. When the bill came it was 14 dollars more for that change, which at that point i could have gotten the filet/lobster/chicken/AND added calamari ala cart for cheaper than their upcharge. I kindly brought the reciept to the front and explained and then our waitress (Sunny) took it to her manager (Michael) who yelled at her and came to talk to me. At this point he tried to argue with me about the 1 dollar difference so i pulled out the menu and showed him and he still tried to tell me thats not the way that works and Shogun has a no substitution policy (not written on the menu by the way) and that his Sunny should have told me that. He then said this is not how things work and he could change it and take my meal out of Sunnys check since it was her mistake if i wanted. I told him i didnt agree to this price and im not sure why anyone should have to pay this much, you didnt cook the chicken....you shouldnt be charging me or anyone for it. He agreed to fix it "this one time" then went to the regisfer and yelled at her. It was hard to hear some of what he said but he laughed at her, called her stupid, said she would pay, and then made her stand next to him when he came back woth a fixed check. Michael then told me (with Sunny next to him on the verge of tears) that this is HER fault and ge would see to it she gets more training "until she understands what she did wrong" (to me it sounded like she was about to get whipped with a switch until she agreed not to be bad anymore or something) and then asked me to have a good night.

To be clear, i found Sunny and made sure she knew i wasnt mad, gave her the cash michael was about to take from her for the mistake, and told her i disagreed with how he handled things, but again this is no way to treat your employees. Mistakes happen, when my employees or kids break something im not making them pay for the spilt milk or lost productive time. I pull them in private, coach them accordingly, and move on. ALL of this happened in front of the bar, 20ft from the front door in the dead middle of the restaurant. WHO DOES THIS?!

I dont know how corporate tolerates management like this, but to be fair they may not know hence this review. Hipefully this shines a light, but if i ever see Michael managing again it will be the last time i visit any Shogun. My sincerest apologies go...

After we read the reviews we were excited to try this place. However If I could give this place zero stars that was the goal. This was our first time at this establishment on Sunday March 9,2025 in the afternoon. It was my family of five two adults and three kids. We had two adult meals two kids meals and my youngest only had steamed rice and an appetizer. Which we paid close to $200 for which is absolutely absurd but that's not even why I'm writing this review. My main grievance is in regards to the hibachi chef Henry. We frequent many hibachi restaurants in San Antonio, Austin and surrounding areas and are very familiar with the protocol and the fun of sitting around a grill and having talented chefs preformed while cooking however this was absolutely not the case at this restaurant visit. First off our chef came to the table hollering, blaring music like purple rain and other songs that were completely inappropriate around kids and I mean blaring with the speaker I guess he was just making an entrance to the S-show he was about to perform. During his performance / grilling he got to the part where he finished lighting up the grill to prepare to cook and took out his water or sprayer which was a little boy who peed which we've seen before at other facilities however he drenched not sprayed absolutely drenched my son. We let that slide thinking okay my son's not upset about it it was all in good fun, however after or during should I say that he made absolutely inappropriate comments as oh you've been P-Diddy'd as if everyone at the table thought that was great humor and appropriate and it was gross and an absolute turn off. On to the show well from then on it seemed like the majority of his tricks especially the rice bite catching was directed at my son, I kid you not he attempted to throw small sized ball portions at my son to catch after the 3rd attempt which my son was obviously disintrested in catching he tossed or thru a hole spatula full of rice at him which really piss me and my husband off my son was getting frustrated still trying to be a good sport but my husband and I could tell as everyone at the table could EXCEPT HENRY the so called chef that his mannerism was completely OUT OF CONTROL. My husband told him to leave our son alone. I don't know if that chef was off his meds or just completely geeked out of his mind but he gave the furthest service from sober minded with good judgment and his food was nothing to brag about. The waitress brought my kids some bubbles as if to apologies but the damage was done. We paid our outrageous bill due to the fact that I didn't notice that the menu stated if you have a party of 5 or more they would charge gratuity- our was $25+! Mind you for only 2 adult meals (+$25ea) 2 kids meals and an appetizer/steamed rice alacart and 0 alcoholic beverages. Listen we LOVE HABACHI -HOWEVER-I wouldn't recommend this place to ANYONE, ESPECIALLY A FAMILY! AND TO MANAGEMENT REVIEW THE CAMERAS-HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND WASTEFUL! I WOULD THIS GIVE HENRY A DRUG TEST! I WOULD HATE THIS OUTRAGEOUS BEHAVIOR AND S SERVICE/ FOOD TO STAIN THE ESTABLISHMENT. The whole experience -not including meeting our table guest who were super sweet and equally as embarrassed, as they talked up the place prior to what felt like a circus show entered well felt just that like a circus act...

COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE My husband and I dined in on 6/13/25 around 8:30pm two hours before closing. We sat at hibachi with just two other people. The server’s name was Abby. She was hardly seen throughout the entire experience, which made drink refills a hassle. I asked for an unsweet tea once the soups and salads came out, and it never came. The chef even finished cooking everyone’s meals and still there was no drink for myself. The chef realized I had nothing to drink and had to yell the server’s name to even get her to come over to our table. She seemed very irritated to bring my drink and refill it. Not only did we have to seek her out and ask for refills, we had to ask on the other couple’s behalf whom we didn’t know because we saw them try to get her attention for drinks as well as that was her only job. Now the time is around 9:50pm, and there is still a bunch of people in the restaurant eating. I noticed the server only came over towards the end as she was wanting us to ask her for the bills. My husband and I were still eating, so we had not filled out the tip portion yet. We only gave her the card to pay for the meal since she was taking the other couple’s card after they asked. Minutes later, she returns and with the snarkiest tone asks us to sign our receipt so she can close out. I have never felt this horribly rushed by a server just because she wanted to leave early. She then stood over my shoulder to wait for me to fill out the tip. I couldn’t believe the rudeness, so I tipped low as she did not deserve much. I had already tipped the chef in cash since he was exceptionally friendly and attentive. His name was Joseph Moreno. As the server walked away after collecting my tab, she turned back at me throwing her hands in the air and making the ugliest face. I asked her if she had a problem, then she yelled “do you have a problem?” We started going back and forth. She was now yelling in the middle of the restaurant, which made her coworkers and other customers turn to her. I was enraged because where I’m from, asking if I have a problem while throwing your hands in the air, is an automatic fight. I kept my cool and explained everything to the manager Sunny. She didn’t have much to say, but she did apologize. I demanded my ticket back, so I could remove Abby’s tip. Sunny assured me that she would not be tipped as I removed it. When we left the restaurant, Abby still tried to cause a scene by yelling “have a good night” to be sarcastic. Now, days later I see that my card was charged with the tip that I scratched out. I am fuming. I called the restaurant and spoke to another manager named Ricky. He was very understanding and wants Abby reprimanded just as much as I do. Ricky shared with me that he can not find the receipt that I have a picture of. THIS IS SHADY BUSINESS ESPECIALLY AFTER SPEAKING TO A MANGER WHO WAS PRESENT THAT NIGHT(Sunny) AND KNEW THERE WAS TO BE NO TIP DUE TO THE DISRESPECTFUL/BAD SERVICE. Abby stole from me and the restaurant, so she will do it again if no manager holds her accountable. She needs to be dealt with immediately and my money refunded ASAP. Also, whoever knew about Abby still taking the tip and hiding my receipt needs to be...