Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in San Francisco

A Flavorful Feast - 5 Stars for Gyu Kaku in SF!

Rating: ★★★★★

Review:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gyu Kaku in San Francisco, and I can’t stop raving about the amazing experience I had. It’s my utmost delight to leave a 5-star review for this exceptional restaurant!

The food at Gyu Kaku was simply delectable. I had the Kobe beef and yaki beef, and they were both cooked to perfection, delivering a burst of flavors with every bite. The meats were tender, succulent, and utterly satisfying. The cucumber salad was a refreshing side that perfectly complemented the richness of the beef dishes, creating a harmonious and delightful combination.

I’m an avid fan of green tea, and Gyu Kaku did not disappoint in this aspect. The green tea was soothing, with just the right balance of flavors, adding an authentic touch to the meal. Even the water was consistently replenished, ensuring that my dining experience remained enjoyable and refreshing.

But what truly set my dining experience apart was the exceptional service. My waitress was an absolute gem - kind, courteous, and attentive throughout the meal. Her warm and friendly demeanor made me feel right at home, and she went above and beyond to ensure that I had a memorable experience. Her dedication to providing top-notch service did not go unnoticed, and I made sure to leave her a generous tip as a token of my appreciation.

I’ve been to Gyu Kaku locations in Los Angeles with my godfather in the past, and I’m thrilled to say that the San Francisco branch lived up to the high standards I’ve come to expect from this esteemed restaurant chain. Gyu Kaku consistently delivers the best, and this experience was no exception.

From the inviting ambiance to the exquisite dishes and exceptional service, Gyu Kaku in San Francisco truly deserves praise. It’s a restaurant that creates unforgettable dining memories and brings people together.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Gyu Kaku to anyone looking for a memorable and delicious Japanese BBQ experience. My gratitude to the entire team for providing such an outstanding culinary adventure. I will undoubtedly return for more delightful meals and cherished moments at Gyu Kaku. Bravo to Gyu Kaku for being a true culinary gem in...

TL;DR - Delicious Japanese BBQ in a lively environment in SF's Yerba Buena District. I didn't realize, but turns out this is a national chain with over 70 locations!

FOOD - Essentially, you order raw meats and vegetables and cook it yourself on a charcoal grill at the table. Everything we had was quite good! Our favorites included: Spicy Tuna Volcano (4 for $9) - By far our favorite Steamed Chili Dumplings (5 for $8) - Delicious Prime Kalbi Short Rib - Delicious Aged Harami Skirt Steak - Delicious Umakara Pork ($7) - Good, but not our favorite Spinach Garlic ($5.45) - Delicious, very creamy / buttery Asparagus ($6) - Too much white stalk, very fibrous

DESSERTS - S'mores were enticing ($3.50), but a bit lackluster due to only 2 small pieces of chocolate. Probably their highest margin item! I'd pass on it next time. I'd try the Taiyaki Ice Cream ($6.45) next time.

PRICING - Reasonably priced, with several easy bundles with everything you need. Without drinks for a normal sized meal, expect $30-$50 per person. Most of the bundles end up around $40-$50 per person as well.

DRINKS - Full bar, but pretty basic cocktails, ranging from $9-$14 each. I liked the Frozen Sangria Triple Berry Smoothie! They also have sake, shochu (soju), umeshu, wine, and hard spirits (whiskey, rum, etc). Plus fountain beverages, tea, and even smoothies.

SERVICE - Surprisingly busy! Despite having a reservation, we waited over 20 minutes on a random Tuesday night at 8:30pm. The Manager at the door wasn't particularly friendly, so first impression wasn't great. But once we got seated, our servers were friendly and food came out very quickly.

LOCATION - On Howard Street between 4th and 5th in San Francisco's Yerba Buena District, in the broader South of Market (SOMA)...

Good Food, But Disappointing Service Regarding the Lunch Menu

I recently dined at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in San Francisco at 4:30 pm, specifically with the intention of enjoying their lunch menu, which is advertised on their website as being available until 5 pm. We were looking forward to this meal and had already planned what we wanted to order based on the lunch offerings.

However, after being seated, we noticed that we were given the regular menu instead. When we asked the waitress about the lunch menu, she informed us that it is only available until 4 pm, despite the website clearly stating 5 pm as the cutoff. This was quite disappointing, as the primary reason we chose to dine at Gyu-Kaku at that time was for the lunch menu.

While I must say that the food we did end up ordering was good, the experience was marred by the misleading information on their website and the lack of accommodation by the staff. It would be helpful if Gyu-Kaku updated their website to reflect the correct hours or honored what is advertised, as this discrepancy can easily lead to customer frustration.

Overall, while the quality of the food was enjoyable, the misleading lunch menu hours and the unhelpful response from the staff when we raised the issue left us with a less than ideal experience. We hope this feedback helps improve their service for...