Yamato Japanese Steak House — Restaurant in Ocala

We visited Yamato Japanese Steak House on a week night in the fall of 2025. We went fairly early to avoid any possible crowds that may cause wait times. Yamato is kind of different from every other restaurant of this type that I’ve been to. It didn’t give us the feel of a Japanese garden and/or Minka (Japanese house), that normally accompany such restaurants . Yamato kind of felt like a small warehouse that is decorated with a Japanese theme. I guess with a name like Yamato, they must be going for a more powerful or industrial theme like the famous battleship Yamato shares its name with. Then for the first time ever for us, Yamato Japanese Steak House had something else that every other Japanese steak house/hibachi normally has. Neither of us saw any person connected with Yamato that looked like they had any Asian connection. I guess it really didn’t matter, but I’ve never been to any type of Asian style restaurant of any kind, that didn’t have somebody of Asian decent. It wasn’t a good or bad thing, just an observation of many years of past experiences. Our server was very attentive. But there were not a lot of tables at the moment since it was still early. Be that as it may, she still did a great job. Our chef did ok. But the typical hibachi show one would see at a hibachi dinner was way less show than a normal hibachi show. But it wasn’t terrible either. More of a minimal hibachi experience. The food wasn’t the best we’ve ever had. But it was good. I had scallops that were good. The fried rice was a little bland. But with some added sauce, it was decent. I did like the noodles as well. The wife felt pretty much the same. I think she liked the vegetables more than I did, but that is normally the case. :) The portion was of good size and most folks will not go home hungry. It’s probably safe to say that a lot of folks might take left overs home with them. Yamato is not inexpensive. But we felt that the prices were reasonable for what we got. But peoples opinions do and will differ. All in all, Yamato was not the best hibachi experience that we’ve ever had. But it was decent. The food was decent. The price was decent. The experience itself, was decent. Not the best ever in all respects. But decent. Decent enough that I’m sure that we will return in the future. As a bonus: Yamato (as of this time) offers a free meal to folks on the day of their birthday. I do not know the details and restrictions. Only that proof of your birthday by ID or birth certificate is required. It makes total sense to me to provide proof. Otherwise it would be some person’s birthday every time people sat down. Unfortunately, some people will always try to take advantage of a good thing. As such, I agree with requirements of proof. Besides, it is a bonus free meal to entice business. Be thankful for what it is, not what some people may think...

This is an unfortunate review of a restaurant. We are a family of 5. We went with our 3 girls for an early dinner. We shared our table with a couple who giggled at our 6 year olds mature polite request to the waitress. The waitress laughed and said how smart she was. It led us to a conversation with the couple. They have 2 children one of which is autistic. I said how awesome it was that they made time to day date because it important. She said we never do this but it’s his birthday tomorrow and he is a truck driver and goes out tomorrow. I said oh no, but I love that it led to y’all having a sweet early bird dinner together. The (amazing) waitress came over and the woman asked if his birthday was tomorrow could they extend the free dinner to him. The waitress said I know they are strict about it being on the actual birthday but I’ll ask the manager. She later came back to say he denied their request. I thought to myself oh he just needs to hear the circumstances. When I approached him about it on the side he stated “I have denied service men and women that are deploying the next day since it wasn’t their actual birth day.” I stood stunned. He further said “I hear these stories by the hundreds for people wanting a birthday meal not on the actual birthday. Which I don’t know if the reasons are true or not, but owners strictly say no every time and check receipts.” I said you know when it comes to service men and women or a good working class truck driver you should be ashamed at how you are responding. Things are so expensive these days and this request in the world of money only mentality, it is small request you are denying. You are a part of this same population. He responds “ I am an Oliver Anthony fan too but my answer is still no.” 😮 Um then you are a part of the problem too son. Let me say, I usually tow the line. I am all about rules. I understand the ole adage if I bend once I would have to bend always. I also understand that in the world that is so broken, we should operate in a different manner than to be so stone cold and almost proud of the fact that we are denying people that actually work and contribute a fun token of appreciation. We personally paid for the guys dinner and won’t return again. Take this as you will, but it was our experience. I chose to spend my hard earned...

If I could zero stars I would. We have been patrons there for years and not just on special occasions. My in laws were visiting from out of town and it was my sister in laws birthday and she wanted hibachi so we decided to go where we always do, Yamato, they do a special birthday discount that we go for all the time with other family so it was a perfect choice. My sister in law is severely mentally handicapped and doesn’t have an ID which they normally require for the birthday special (understandably) but I went in to put down for a party of 9 and to explain the situation with the ID but that it was in fact her birthday day and to please understand and give her the birthday special anyway. I was immediately told absolutely not by the host so I asked to speak to a manager (was never offered just told no so I had to ask). The manager came out and I explained it to him saying I wouldn’t lie about this to avoid paying an extra $16 for a party of nine and these were extenuating circumstances. The manager told me no then I started to get minimally upset because I felt this was totally unjust and not needed, just make your loyal customers happy and it’s OBVIOUS she is handicapped. He then stated “I didn’t have to start being a certain type of way”... still do not know what that meant as I have been in retail management for over 15 years and dealt with irate customers and pride myself on never being “one of those people”. After he said that I told him I’m not being a type of way I just think this is ridiculous and only then did he finally say “well this one time we will let you do the birthday special” but I had decided they didn’t deserve our money or loyalty after this point. Totally disgusted with the attitude of the manager I nor my family will ever eat there again, they lost out on a $200 check which Edo ended up getting from us because we went there after instead. Edo is the way to go, friendlier staff, food is great and they didn’t give us any problems for her birthday plus it’s in the same plaza so if you are over there go to Edo instead. To the staff and management of Yamato, learn some customer service skills and treat your patrons better, you have lost our...