Wako Japanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Pensacola

The situation worsened significantly when my entire party, consisting of four people, encountered rotten shrimp from the "shrimp on a stick" order. This was distinctly different from the teriyaki shrimp and was undeniably rotten, both in smell and taste. It was, without a doubt, the most disgusting food I have ever consumed. We all immediately spit it out, and our stomachs turned.

We brought this issue to our server's attention, who was very understanding and apologetic. He confirmed that a similar incident had occurred the previous day and personally smelled the shrimp, acknowledging how "very bad" it was. He then informed us he would speak with his manager.

The manager, who identified himself as Ray (though he lacked a name tag or any formal identification), approached our table. Instead of offering an apology or a solution, he informed us that if we wanted a discount for the rotten shrimp, we would actually have to pay more due to an à la carte charge. My brother appropriately questioned why we would be charged more for being served bad food, especially since we hadn't even requested a discount; we were simply informing them of the problem. Ray's attitude suggested that by bringing this to his attention, we were "complainers." As someone who dines out frequently, I have never encountered such an unprofessional management style.

The situation escalated further when two women at an adjacent table began yelling at us, accusing us of trying to get something for nothing. My husband and others in our party responded, explaining that we were merely reporting the rotten shrimp and were not trying to exploit the situation, but rather expected a reasonable resolution, especially since we were feeling unwell and had to leave due to nausea. The verbal altercation continued with both sides yelling. Instead of de-escalating the situation, Ray complimented the table yelling at us, further exacerbating an already tense environment.

At this point, I simply wanted to leave. I handed Ray my American Express card, asking to be checked out so I could throw up. Ray then returned without the check and offered a 10% military discount. When I expressed that it was insufficient given the circumstances, he threatened to remove even that discount. I told him to do as he pleased, informing him that his unprofessional behavior would be included in my review. His response, delivered with a laugh, was, "one review won't hurt us."

This comment was incredibly disrespectful, especially coming from someone who should value regular customers like myself. We are typically generous tippers, and to be treated with such disdain after being served rotten food and experiencing such a hostile environment was shocking. When we stated we would not be returning, Ray mentioned that he had seen us many times and we had never caused issues before. We reiterated that we had never received rotten food from them before. He then inexplicably brought up a former employee named Kristen, suggesting the restaurant had declined since her departure, implying this was an excuse for serving unsafe food. It became clear that they were aware of the rotten shrimp and were willing to serve it to avoid food waste, even at the cost of customer health.

We ultimately paid full price for a meal that made us all sick. We received no discount, no apology, and no offer of a complimentary item. The experience left us with upset stomachs, horrendous service from the manager, and a story that is almost unbelievable. We have since learned that Wako has several other health-related reports filed against them and is reportedly close to being shut down.

This review is not an exaggeration, nor is it an attempt to harm a business or gain anything for nothing. My sole purpose is to warn others. While I am not telling you not to eat there, I urge you to be aware of the potential health risks and the abysmal management practices. The restaurant's actions are damaging their own reputation. You have...

This was an appalling experience, and if I could give fewer stars, I would. Our server was excellent and tried his best to help us. My husband and I have dined at this restaurant countless times without a single bad experience. With family visiting, we thought it would be the perfect place to take them. We are all very easygoing, and there were four of us dining in.

Everything started off perfectly – the service was fast, prompt, and delicious, as always. That is, until we were served rancid food. My brother-in-law ordered the shrimp skewers, a dish we had highly recommended and loved ourselves. They looked perfectly fine when they arrived, but had a very strange smell. Knowing the restaurant charges for unfinished portions, we felt compelled to try them to avoid an à la carte charge for the shrimp. This was, honestly, the worst mistake of my life.

The shrimp tasted incredibly rancid and disgusting, akin to a trash can filled with weeks-old food scraps and water. It was truly vile. Despite looking normal, there was something seriously wrong with the food. We calmly informed our server that we believed the shrimp was bad and had lost our appetite. He quickly apologized and expressed concern about the amount of food we had ordered, though we were far from finished with our all-you-can-eat meal.

At this point, both my husband and brother-in-law started looking visibly ill. We urged the server and kitchen staff to try the food themselves. Upon his return, the server confirmed that the shrimp was indeed bad! It's crucial to state that at no point did we ask for a discount or try to cause a problem beyond our concern about getting sick. We are not the type of people to seek freebies, and having worked in the industry for years, I understand how things operate.

The server promptly reported the issue to his manager, Raymond, who then approached our table. We calmly explained the situation. After listening, Raymond bafflingly stated it would be impossible to serve bad food because they have a "process" for daily preparation. I countered, "Even your server said the food was bad; how can you tell me that? That has Shigella written all over it!" Raymond again deflected, insisting bad food couldn't be served. This is not an exaggeration – of course, any establishment can serve bad food!

I reiterated, "Either way, my husband and brother-in-law are sick right now and will have to throw up, but they'll be hungry afterward. Your 'process' doesn't change how they're feeling, and my sister-in-law and I have lost our appetites." Raymond's response? "I have been doing this for two and a half years, and this has never happened." What relevance does this have to our situation with rancid food? He then asked, "Well, what do you want me to do about it?" I replied, "What do you mean? You're the manager; shouldn't you be the one telling me?"

Raymond then began explaining their à la carte policy and how the shrimp compared to the total check. Throughout this entire explanation, he never once acknowledged that our food was rancid, never apologized, and genuinely seemed not to care. We allowed him to talk about policy for another minute before cutting him off. My family and I stated, "Look, are you going to help us or not? All you keep talking about is policy and wasting our time. You haven't offered a single solution when we asked for one. Just give us our check. You don't even care if one of us gets violently ill."

For the record, both my husband and brother-in-law were violently ill and vomiting their brains out when we arrived home. I will be contacting the health department in the morning. Raymond made a grave error by admitting that another customer had experienced the exact same issue with the shrimp. You are aware of this and are facilitating it? You are going to kill someone! The proper authorities need to...

The absolute gem of a server at this incredible sushi restaurant! From the moment I walked in, Travis greeted me with the warmest smile and made me feel right at home. His enthusiasm for the food and the restaurant was contagious, and he truly went above and beyond to make my dining experience unforgettable.

Not only was Travis incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and the various sushi options, but he also took the time to explain each dish in detail and offer his personal recommendations. His passion for sushi was evident in every dish he served, and it was clear that he truly cared about providing the best possible experience for his guests.

As for the restaurant itself, Wako is a true hidden gem in the world of sushi. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with a modern twist that sets it apart from other sushi restaurants. The menu is filled with an array of fresh and innovative dishes that are sure to delight even the most discerning sushi connoisseurs.

From the perfectly crafted nigiri to the indulgent sashimi platters, every bite at Wako is a culinary delight. And with Travis at the helm, you can rest assured that your dining experience will be nothing short of exceptional.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an unforgettable sushi experience, look no further than Wako and make sure to ask for Travis as your server. His enthusiasm, passion, and impeccable service will truly elevate your dining experience to new heights. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Travis is not just a server at Wako, he is a true sushi aficionado and a master of hospitality. His genuine love for the art of sushi shines through in every interaction, as he takes the time to connect with each guest and ensure that their dining experience is nothing short of perfection.

Travis's attention to detail is impeccable, from recommending the perfect sake pairing to making sure that every dish is presented beautifully and served with care. He is always ready with a friendly smile and a wealth of knowledge about the menu, and he is more than happy to answer any questions or offer suggestions to make your meal truly unforgettable.

But what truly sets Travis apart is his passion for creating memorable dining experiences. He takes the time to get to know each guest, their preferences, and their dietary restrictions, and he goes above and beyond to tailor their meal to their liking. Whether it's crafting a custom sushi platter or surprising you with a special dessert, Travis's dedication to his craft and his guests is truly unparalleled.

In short, Travis is not just a server - he is a dining experience in and of himself. His enthusiasm, expertise, and genuine hospitality make him an invaluable asset to Wako and a true standout in the world of sushi dining. So next time you visit Wako, be sure to ask for Travis and prepare to be wowed by his exceptional service and passion for sushi. You won't be...