Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in New York

The Flushing location of Gyu-Kaku will always remain one of my favorite locations. Even though they seem the busiest (located on a very active corner in Main Street, Flushing) location in NYC, the service (for the most part) is really on point and it remains one of the best deals for AYCE (all-you-can-eat) Japanese bbq (yakiniku).

This location was the original location to have an AYCE menu and I only know of one other location in NY that offers such a menu option. They navigated through the pandemic utilizing outdoor dining and even had takeout options at the time.

The interior is the same. You have to walk up the stairs to the first floor waiting area where usually there is an employee greeting you and confirming your reservation at the podium. Props to Jenny whom is usually there when I have dined in recently always welcomes me back. The best way make sure you get a table and wait the least amount of time is setting a reservation either by phone call or using the Open Table app (that is probably the easiest).

Aside from the AYCE menu (only Monday - Thursday) there is also a course menu and an a la carte menu for individual pricing and bbq sets. The pricing had gone up a bit for ayce but it is still a good deal with a time limit of 90 minutes per table. They have three tiers to choose from -

Premium (37 items) Ultimate (55 items) Supreme (72 items)

Each subsequent tier contains everything from the previous one. I usually choose ULTIMATE because it offers a lot of the meats and appetizers I would usually order a la carte. The Supreme contains unique items like duck breast (very tasty), spicy tuna volcano (their classic appetizer), miso butter salmon (you already know this will taste delicious if you like salmon). So when you peruse the menu, you have options. And everyone at your table has to order the same ayce (no sharing).

The course menu contains sets for groups of two to six people. My favorite from there is the Meat Lovers which I sometimes order when I am not doing the ayce because it is a good value and enough food for me (even though it is meant for two people). There are other courses so you can browse to see which one is best for yourself or your party,

The a la carte menu has the individual items and prices but has one special item that I do enjoy ordering when not doing ayce or a meal set. The Harami in secret pot is a half pound of skirt steak and is quite a treat when those small portions do not cut it for you. You have your pick of all the seafood, chicken and vegetables here.

They also offer A5 Wagyu which is a very expensive cut of meat. The wagyu they offer has a certification for those who doubt its authenticity. When cooked correctly on the grill the meat melts in your mouth when you bite into it, It is good for special occasions or if you wanted to try something different from the other cut of meat they have.

Dessert. Always save room for dessert. The restaurant made a deal with Lady M a while back to offer their crepe cakes. There used to be a few different flavors but the one they have on menu is the green tea flavor cake. Each cake comes with a scoop of vanilla or green tea ice cream. They also offer a very decadent green tea tiramisu (used to be seasonal but they made it a permanent dessert), various flavors of mochi ice cream (ask your server what is available that day) and red bean past taiyaki (fried dough shaped like a fish). The chocolate lava cake comes out hot and gooey and is one of their popular items. They still offer the classic s'mores if you like that combo of chocolate and marshmallow,

The staff changed a bit but as I mentioned above the service there I consider some of the best. I would like to give some proper recognition to Pang, Andy, Palm, Jose, Victor and Alan for always treating their customers well while working diligently. I do not know the name of some of the new staff but they also deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication.

Thanks to Chris, Ethan, Tim and Victor for great...

I don’t know who was our server but he ruined whole experience of our eating out.

First of all this restaurant need to be clear about gratuity tip. They told us we are big group and they will be charge 20% gratuity tip. We agree with it and at the end we check receipt. But there was no tip include. We asked server and he said it is not included. So I asked again that is it mean we can choose the percent. HE SAID YES. And guess what, sever took our card and pay and he charge the tip without any notice. 20%!! we was gonna tip lower than 20% cause of their horrible service…

Today was my friend’s birthday.

I BRING ICECREAM CAKE. I double check that they can put it in the freezer, they said yes. I bring the cake to host and he just leave it outside even I told him it is ice cream cake. I told him again this is icecream cake if you can not put it in freezer we will eat right now. Finally he said he will put it in the freezer… Ok that’s fine ice-cream cake is not usual, but the main part happened when we ask to bring it out. It was surprise to my friend. After we finish eating I sneaked out from table and go to sever and ask to bring out the cake to celebrate. OMG what is wrong with him. He came to our table and ask aloud in-front of birthday boy “do you need cake right now, and do u wanna celebrate or just only bring the cake”. Jesus now birthday boy know we have something. Ha.. after that he came to our table again… “Which one is ur cake is it rainbow cake? Are u sure?” I gave up at that point. They bring the cake out after whole as mass and tryna sing the song not even with smile just clapping with mad face facing somewhere else. If they will do like this don’t let the customer know they have birthday service. I was done with it. They even NOT BRING UTENSILL(spoons) to eat, NO PLATE to share just the cake. We was not able to eat and so done, we want the box back so we can bring home and eat in peace. They told me they lost the box and string. They end up find box and bring it but with tofu pieces stick on it… and tape with box tape cause they lost string…

Cake was melt, we forgot what we ate in there today cause of dealing with tip and cake.. So exhausted… So...

Stepping into Gyu-Kaku in Flushing, Queens, I was instantly enveloped in a welcoming aura that resonated deeply with my half-Asian heritage. Not quite the same as being 'at home', but it was a heartwarming reminder of the familiar. This Japanese barbecue gem, nestled in an area teeming with a vibrant Asian community, offered an experience that was both comforting and new. The journey begins with an intriguing ascent up the stairs to the host table, followed by a brief wait in a cozy room, and culminating in a climb to the bustling bar and waiting area. This multi-level adventure added a unique charm to the evening, reminiscent of a similar experience I had at a restaurant in Yokohama. The layout, while distinctly Japanese in spirit, was uniquely adapted to its Queens setting, creating a cultural bridge that I found particularly special.

The food at Gyu-Kaku, without drawing direct comparisons, was truly impressive. The quality of the meats was top-notch, rivaling some of the best I've encountered. Our group opted for the all-you-can-eat menu, and the staff, especially Ke, did an exceptional job of explaining the rules with patience and clarity. What amazed me the most was the staff's ability to keep up with our boisterous group of eight, never missing a beat with our orders. This level of attentiveness and efficiency is likely a contributing factor to the numerous trophies proudly displayed in the restaurant, a testament to their commitment to service excellence.

Beyond the exemplary service, the atmosphere of Gyu-Kaku stood out. The staff's warm and understanding approach made us feel truly welcomed, a sentiment that enhanced the dining experience. As we enjoyed the variety of delicious meats and the lively ambiance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection – not just to my Asian roots, but to the broader narrative of cultural exchange and appreciation. Gyu-Kaku in Flushing is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of Japanese culinary art, a place where the essence of Japan is lovingly recreated in the heart of Queens. For anyone looking to savor authentic Japanese barbecue with a touch of New York flair, this is a destination not...