Tokio Table - Japanese Steakhouse — Restaurant in Portland

My family & I had a negative experience at Tokio table and will not support their business again. Looking at previous reviews, I understand the common theme of discrimination.

Our reservation was scheduled for 8pm and we were seated roughly around 8:30. We completely understood, especially with Portland’s food scene. As we sat down, we weren’t addressed from any of the servers or chefs. Mind you, we’re an African American family & had a group of 4. Our seating arrangement was organized with the thought pattern of segregation. We were seated with only people of color. I didn’t think anything of it but started to gauge in small talk with the other group seated with us (party of 6, also African American). The party of 6 made a reservation for 7:30 and wasn’t seated until 8:30 ( with us). We noticed a family come in after both of our reservations and proceed to get a table/have a chef immediately cooking for the table. Around 9:10, I went to the front & asked to speak to a manager to understand the long delay. He proceeds to tell me that there extremely busy/overbooked.. I kindly asked him to understand how reservations worked, he doubted that we made a reservation but corrected himself after I shared the reservation name. After the correction, I asked why we haven’t placed our orders or had a chef support our positive experience, he relayed that their process is solely based on the servers ticket submission. I kindly addressed that we connected with the server as soon as we were seated but haven’t received service… (he didn’t address the problem).

I went back to my table and didn’t receive attention/chef until 9:50 (when the table that walked in after us finished their entire meal & paid the bill). At that time, our chef didn’t finish cooking our meal until 10:20.. once again, our reservation was scheduled for 8pm & Tokio closes at 10pm… they also tuned off the lights in most of the sections in the building (yes, it was after hours). As soon as our meal was cooked. The head manager never addressed the situation or problem & when I brought it up to him again during the payment transaction, he mentioned that he was scared by my tone of voice…I kindly asked him to understand their business model & why we received poor service. He couldn’t give me a reason behind it and offered a 5% discount. I responded by letting him know it’s not about the money/check, it’s about understanding how to treat people.. as I said that, he smirked and asked if I was in the industry.

Once again; my experience was poor and I hope others are...

I have been coming to Tokio Table for years now. I’ve brought my dad, my best friends, my boyfriend, and I frequently go solo. A few things: the owner has been there every single time I’ve been in. He is warm and welcoming and clearly cares about his restaurant. Very seldom do you see owners working the floor when in a restaurant. Their sushi used to be on the menu daily, but during the pandemic they had to revise their menu and I believe it to be a weekend menu item only now. This may come across as an inconvenience to some, however it is a smart decision made my the owner. I’ll say it with my full chest: Tokio Table has the best sushi in Portland. The quality of fish is is unmatched. If the quality of their product goes down due to business or supply chain shortages, rather than serving sub par items, the owner chooses to nix it all together rather than serving a product that isn’t up to their standard. Many restaurants are facing these same challenges and choose to serve lower quality items; Tokio Table does not. If you’re there when they’re serving sushi- GET IT. The service is incredible. Again, I’ve been coming for years. I’ve never had a server or chef who didn’t go above and beyond for me (picky eater). Order their drinks. The house cocktails and wine selection are phenomenal. Japanese beer is also on the menu.

Those 4 items are just a bonus in addition to the great food and atmosphere. Portions are large, menu items are priced appropriately, and the overall vibe is unmatched. They cook steaks perfectly every time. I’ve even made friends while dining with others at the teppan tables! I’ve ever seen anyone leave looking unhappy. I love this place. You will too. You should try coming in if you’re on the fence....

Fairly good quality food but the server must have been drunk....for the price and lack of service it is a never return for us.

Here's the meal: We show up on time for our reservation as a party of 6. We are seated with a party of 2 which is typical for these restaurants. The server suggests not ordering appetizers as the miso soup, salads, then veggies and meat from the entre is plenty. We decline apps. The party of two orders apps. We should have. The server asks 3 or 4 times how the table is paying (2 unrelated groups, 2 checks). He then has to re-ask about our drinks. He then takes the dinner order. Asks again about who is with whom. Then he literally comes back 4 times to ask about the entre orders. We repeat the order each time. 6 people 6 entres. Quite easy. When the chef comes to cook the server still had missed one of us entirely. 6 people, 5 orders.

The server never served soup. The server never brought salads. Nobody offered refills. No manager checked on the table after asking about the missing soup and salads.

When it comes time for checks (and the first check back since food order) guess what he wondered again??? Who is with whom...it's the obvious party of 2 and the rest of the table, just like the last 4 times you asked....

For a party of 6, 2 kids, a $200 check should have far better service. We left a 20% tip because we weren't sure if the chef, who was very entertaining, was paid partly out of the table tip. The server was literally the worst server I've ever had at any restaurant in my life.

Literally go...