Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in New Orleans

I looked forward to a once in a very long time date night with my partner. We chose Gyu-Kaku for the occasion as we have many times before. Our reservation was at 9:15. We arrived on time and were sat around 9:30. Anh, our waiter, greeted us after about 10 minutes and immediately asked what we planned to order for our main course, along with our beverages. After several parcels of food arrived at the table we finally received two sodas. Another 15 minutes or so. Anh delightfully reminded us that it was “almost closing time” as we asked for our missing soups. This was likely around 9:50. We received our main course before our second appetizer was brought to the table, Anh forgot to enter it whilst entering our first appetizer. Furthermore, as we enjoyed our main course, Anh reminded us again that the kitchen was closing soon. Considering our order was complete, there was no logical reason to mention this to us. It was very apparent that we were being rushed. Ahn then decided to rush the patron seated to our rear by regurgitating the same statement. The patron became uncomfortable, exclaiming that he “didn’t know yet”. As we wrapped up the disaster of an experience we had by stacking our remaining dishes to the side of the table soured by our night being rushed, Anh took our card to the payment station. Our card declined, Anh didn’t know however as he handed our receipt booklet back to us with a declined slip inside instead of the usual customer/merchant copy pair. Out of sheer morality and the last morsel of patience my partner and i had to offer, we decided to let another waitress know about it. When we called her to the table, we explained that the card declined and returned the card to be run again. At the moment of exchange, she chuckled in glee announcing to us that it was her fault as she rushed Anh in the payment process. Overall, this experience was a real let down. My partner and I left in low spirits and will likely never return. If this restaurant cannot handle the amount of patrons seated regardless of the time of night, it shouldn’t seat as many. Had we been sat on time, and our food/ beverages been delivered in a reasonable amount of time, we may have been able to get out of Anh’s way faster.

Also, we had to ask for everything the entire time we where there. No utensils, tongs, plates, bowls, napkins, or drinks. He also failed to inform us about food included in our meal choice that was out, didn’t bring it, then said he “forgot to mention it” and assumed we wouldn’t notice the several missing items for such a high price. We even had to ask him to change the grill because they are supposed to do that. I’ve visited the locations in Los Angeles as well, the meat tasted like lighter fluid. His service didn’t even deserve a tip and I’ve worked in the service industry for many years. Worst service I’ve...

THIS IS A PSA FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR A PARTY OF 5 OR MORE

I use to love coming here to eat, especially for special occasions.. but not anymore!

With COVID going on we have to make reservations due to limited seating. So when I called to make a reservation for 6 guests at 6:30PM, the girl told me because it's a party of 5 or more they will need to have a credit card on file just in case we no showed, which I totally get. I was also told that someone will call me the day of my reservation to confirm my reservation.

The day comes and I receive no confirmation call from them. I didn't think much of it because I never had a problem before. Well come the evening of my reservation, around 5PM, the weather became bad and it was raining pretty hard and in New Orleans, there's no telling if the streets will be flooded. So all of my guests (besides my husband) decides to cancel on me. So I called to cancel my reservation, and the girl who took my call just said "ok, no problem, sorry you can't make it". No big deal right? I'm thinking that's a courteous thing to do, to call 1 1/2 hours in advance to cancel.

Well... I check my bank account the following day and I find I have been charged $60! I'm shocked because I thought by notifying them and canceling 1 1/2 hours in advance that I had done the right thing and not be charged. My husband then calls them, and the girl who answered said that because I didn't cancel 6 HOURS in advance, I had been charged $10 per person. She takes my information down for the manager to call me back and notes that there's no guarantee that I'll get that $60 back. I have yet to hear anything back from their manager. I also emailed the company and have yet to get a response either.

Charging $10 per person is fine and all for not showing up, I get it. I understand that this is for insurance purposes and there's limited seating due to COVID. But not ONCE did anyone I spoke to mention this new rule or even made it a point to inform me of what needs to be done in order to not be charged or that I needed to cancel 6 HOURS in advance or "are you sure you want to cancel? You're still going to be charged"!!! That's an absurd amount of time because anything can happen within 6 hours!!!

Needless to say, I will not be dining with them ever again and they have lost a customer.

Just make sure you ask about charges for canceling whether you have 6 guests or even 1. Who knows, they may switch it up on us without informing...

Reservation made for 6pm over the phone for 4 people, arrived at 6 20pm, sat with no problem. As we're looking through the menu, the hostess comes up and asks if we think we'll be done by 8 as there's another party scheduled to come in and they would need our table. We explained we didn't want to be limited in how long we could sit for dinner, and the hostess said she understood and could move the other party around if anything. We continued eating, ordering several items along with a pre determined option for four people. Not once does another employee come up and tell us that they'll definitely need our table. The waitress continues taking our orders. We've ordered four 32oz beers and a bottle of sake. Obviously we're willing to make it worth having us there. Fast forward a couple of hours and the manager comes up and tells us we have 10 minutes to finish. The entire table is obviously upset. I speak to the manager and explain the interaction with the hostess and the lack of communication over the phone or when we arrived at the restaurant. He says he understands, he's very sorry, and he will comp the meal. I explain it wasn't the hostesses fault or the waitresses, just a misunderstanding between their staff and himself. Over ten minutes go by and no one comes to the table; at this point the party is ready to leave. I get up once more and explain to the manager we would like to see the total bill so we can determine the appropriate tip for the waitress. He provides the bill and its only a 15 percent deduction to the total. I ask about the total comp and he says this was all he can do. I explain thats not what he first stated and took the bill with me. He then comes to the table and reduces it a little more. We pay and leave.

I apologize for the novel, but this was arguably the worst dining experience I've ever had. Been to gyu Kaku in other cities and have never had this experience. Felt it needed to be shared. Manager's name was Charlie...