Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse — Restaurant in Walla Walla

This rating is not a reflection of the quality of the food or the majority of the staff at this restaurant—we have ordered here many times and have always had great experiences. I’m sharing this solely to bring awareness to an incident that took place during our recent visit, in hopes that the owners can address it.

We came in with several friends and children for hibachi. Our server was initially friendly but quickly became overly enthusiastic in a way that felt abrasive and uncomfortable. When he returned with his grill equipment, he attached a very loud portable speaker to his iPad and began blasting contemporary Christian music, accompanied by repeated “amens” and “praise God.” While not personally offensive to me, it created a very awkward atmosphere for our table and the surrounding diners.

Things escalated when, before even starting to cook, he said, “let’s all pray for…” and named a political figure. By then, our toddler was overwhelmed and frightened—first by his loud behavior and then by the flames when he finally started the grill. We took her outside to calm her down, only to have the server place his hand on her empty high chair and say he would pray for her because “this has never happened with other kids.” At that point, we decided to leave.

I was genuinely appalled by how unprofessional this was. Again, this is not intended as a criticism of the restaurant as a whole or even a personal attack on the server. We’ve always enjoyed dining here, but I hope management becomes aware of this incident and takes steps to ensure a more appropriate and comfortable experience...

The sushi was delicious. The hibachi was very salty. Loaded with salt, teriyaki or soy and I'm pretty sure MSG. I also noticed that it is the exact same menu as Shiki so they must be the same business operating under different names.

My negative review is based on 2 things: we came as a group of 6 for the hibachi grill, which is meant for group seating, we all paid separately and were charged an 18% gratuity for being a group of 6. Had we not known each other, we would have still all sat at the same table but not had to be charged the gratuity.

My main complaint is that our chef, BJ, spent the entire time we were there preaching about Jesus, pushing his religion and church, forced our group into a prayer which included many controversial political figures, repeatedly asked for "amens", blessed this and that, "praise the Lord" the ENTIRE meal, and we were forced to listen to Christian gospel at a very loud volume. If I wanted to attend church, I wouldn't have gone to a Japanese steakhouse. Highly inappropriate, and it soured the entire experience. For this reason, I will...

Ya know, i try really hard not to leave negative reviews as I run a business but kind of annoyed. First, they seated me and my family in the bar. I'm pretty sure that's illegal in Washington state when my children are literally all under the age of 11.

Second, the service was half assed, they didn't refill any of our drinks or even offer any drink but water.

Third, the food was mediocre. I mean it was oo, but the avocado over powered every bit of sushi because the ratio was way wrong.

Finally, to require an 18% gratituity just because I have 4 children is asinine. There has been only 1 other place who's ever done this and I have never returned. So that will happen here.

Requiring a 18% grat just because we were a table of 6 (4 kids under 11) is just crazy.

So to recap, bar seating with minors, really horrible service (not even drink refills) and a huge fee because of family size.

Will not return. I have been here 5 or 6 times and this will be the last.

Side note: when your employee leaves MADDEN 2024 on the t.v., clearly you need a new...