Benihana - San Diego, CA

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Baja California

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   It was awsome ! Our walter as Chef were great !

   Report
2. MP

   MontseP

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food3service1ambience1

   Took 1h and 45 minutes for the cook to come to our table. Long and boring wait without explanation from waiters. Then the cook was really boring, almost no talking and poor Showcooking. It was my birthday and the guest were bored. Very disappointed

   Report
3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Miami

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food5service5ambience5

   So yes, it was 3 hours from entering restaurant to leaving restaurant. Reservation was towards the end of the night on a Monday, so can’t speak of wait times for a busier weekend. Cook mentioned there were only 5 cooks for the whole restaurant, which isn’t his fault, and apologized for the hr wait for him to start and thanked everyone for being patient. From there, the table was laughing and having a great time! Nicolas was a great cook and entertainer. Not sure if you can request cooks when booking, but if you can, ask for Nicolas!!

   Report
4. J

   Jenn

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall2food3service1ambience2

   We waited 45 minutes for our drink order to be taken.

   Report
5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My sister and I enjoyed our time together and the company of the family who sat at our grill table.

   Report
6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food4service2ambience3

   An hour and 45 minute wait for the chef AFTER we were seated at the table!! I spoke to the Manager who said he gets yelled at every day regarding the same issue. He further said Corporate insists they fully book reservations despite their chef/staffing shortage. Doesn’t matter how good the food is. The overall experience was completely ruined.

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Horrible experience, reservations at 9:30 didnt get our cook till 11, food was not ready fully till 12:05. Horrible experience.

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8. L

   Letnonelsebesaidtheworst

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food5service1ambience1

   We had to wait an hour and a half to get a cook after we got seated. This is after we had a reservation at 8. We didn’t get our ice cream which we paid for and while the cook was there, he was letting the servers know that they forgot certain items we had ordered. Not impressed, very disappointed!!

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9. D

   Diner

   San Diego

   6 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food3service2ambience1

   Too long of wait between courses

   Report
10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall3food5service4ambience4

    Food and service was excellent- park off site if you can. valet parking was pay first and walk to your car to get it. Total reserved parking and Not valet.

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Big delay in being seated and served but attentive service. Food good and bountiful, but not much of a "show" any longer

    Report
12. JS

    JohnS

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience2

    Out waitress was wonderful. The chef took 1 hour 15 minutes to arrive at our table. Fried rice used to be part of the 5 course dinner but no longer and no one told us until it’s was over and we asked. The walls are scrapped and need painting desperately. Honestly, the only good thing was the valet and our waitress! Very disappointing.

    Report
13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We had a reservation for 8, your table will not be assigned till full party is in. The food server and chef were excellent. The filet mignon cooked as we asked. Everything was excellent. The chef was really knowledgeable and did an excellent job. It is expensive but once in a while and for special occasions does not hurt

    Report
14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Jesse put on a show , will definitely be coming back.

    Report
15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food3service1ambience2

    We waited approximately an hour from the time we were seated at the table for our chef to arrive. Our orders were taken, I received the incorrect appetizer, and we were given our salad and soup…then we waited by the heated hibachi. Once our chef arrived, our food was over cooked and under seasoned. When our ice cream arrived, it was close to a child sized scoop. The chef at the table next to ours was yelling at the top of his lungs…this location just keeps deteriorating.

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Grandmother’s Birthday Dinner

    Report
17. MS

    MarkS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server and chef was outstanding. The chef jokes were total improve and great.

    Report
18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Tyler, our waiter, and Kevin, our chef, we’re both excellent! Tyler was very attentive to our needs. Kevin was extremely personable, and was a joy to talk to. His show was also exemplary. However, after being seated and taking our order we were informed by Tyler that it would be an hour before our chef would be at our table. The manager should have come by personally and informed us of the delay, as well as providing a reason for the delay.

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19. DB

    DanielleB

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our chef was awesome and kept us smiling and laughing. Food was delicious! Wish it was known each meal didn’t come with rice and it was additional bc we had a ton left over.

    Report
20. AR

    AnthonyR

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 August 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    I wouldn’t go here the service was horrible hour and half for server to come to our table got our order wrong and horrible at every thing

    Report
21. SD

    SDmom

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 7 August 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience4

    It must have been an off day at Benihanas. Our reservation was at 2:45, got seated at 3:00, drinks at 3:30, the table next to us had a screaming baby, the waiter was a bit slow and could have brought our salad and soup sooner, we were entertained by the chef on the other table, but we were starving and hoping for food to fall on the floor. our chef didn’t come till after 4:00pm. The chef was nice, and the food was good. He did seem a bit off kilter. He did forget the spicy sauce for my rice. I asked him for more ginger sauce and he forgot. We didn’t leave till after 5pm. It was the longest Benihana dinner ever! But my family was happy and the food was good. So, since the price was $250, I guess it was worth it for 3 hours long! Ha! Oh and we did have two empty seats, I think that is why the long delay, waiting for someone else to come?

    Report
22. JW

    JamesW

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 7 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    As we’ve come to expect, an overall very good experience. The food was very good, though prices have gone up to the point where it feels a little overpriced. Ray, our chef, was excellent and entertaining.

    Report
23. T

    Teresa

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 7 August 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience4

    Reservation was at 8pm and cook started making food at 9:20pm, no notification from restaurant of being short staffed they just kept on saying the cook will be here soon, no apologies or advanced notice in case one decides to leave and not wait that long, cook gave my party of two the wrong portion of meat and the other party forgot to serve one out of the three proteins from the plate selected. Once we were done eating the cook cake back and prepared another portion of my party’s meat saying they gave us the wrong portion again no apologies or anything like that

    Report
24. SS

    SteveS

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience4

    It was my anniversary and I’ve never had such a bad experience at benihanas. Reservations at 4:30 and the chef didn’t show up till 5:50. The chef didn’t do anything entertaining and just talked to one person at the table. Also , We were shorted rice and shrimp. Which they ended up getting more. The chef cooked one thing at a time which by the time I got my steak, It was an hour later. I barely touched my food because I wanted to eat everything together. On another note , he over cooked my steak and my wife’s salmon. So 2 and a half hours later we ask for the check. Literally waited another 30 min for them to come bring us boxes and the check. 3 hours later … we finally leave with a full take out box and disappointed in our dinner.

    Report
25. J

    Jess

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Its an experience like no other. Service is good. Food is great. Chef was very entertaining. I would highly recommend this place to friends & family.

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a fan favorite. Our extended family makes this a night out when we come for our beach week!

    Report
27. E

    Edgar

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 August 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    Made a reservation at 830pm didn't eat till 10 30 pm What's the point of making a reservation if we are not gonna be attending until 2 hours later. And why did the chef take from our chicken fried rice and put it in a container and took it with him ? Server never came back to offer water or anything either . There was no apology over the 2 hour wait . I come here often and even the food did not feel portioned properly

    Report
28. DS

    DebbieS

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 5 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Birthdays. Jesse was the best! Haven’t had much of a fun experience there lately until this visit. Jesse made it so fun!

    Report
29. CP

    ChastityP

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Rating wasn’t great due to the fact that we had to sit for an hour before our chef came out. Took forever to get out appetizers as well.

    Report
30. M

    Momocita

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love going to Benihana on my birthday. Good food and exceptional service.

    Report
31. m

    maggiek

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nicole was awesome!!!!

    Report
32. DH

    DianaH

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our Chef was so good, cooked everything perfectly and put on a great show!

    Report
33. DS

    DarrenS

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall2food4service2ambience1

    It took 20 minutes to be seated. Then another hour for a chef to come to our table. This was with a reservation that we were on time for! The restaurant is LOUD. The tables are close together. So good luck having your own conversation. You can’t even hear the person next to you. Also. Be prepared to be at the restaurant for a long time. It’s an experience. Not a quick bite. We also hated the clanging of the flare cooking. Don’t expect it to be like eating in Japan. The chefs don’t clang like this. They are all about respect for their tools. We lived in Japan for a long time and was expecting it to be somewhat similar. This was definitely an American take.

    Report
34. JM

    JohnM

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience3

    I've been a regular here for years and this was the worst experience yet. First I ordered a Mai Tai as soon as I was seated. 20 minutes later it finally showed up, well after our soups did. The dark rum float on the top was clearly not there so i asked to see a manager. Another 20 minutes later he showed up, brought me another drink and explained they were out of dark rum. Then our orders got messed up with my wife getting lobster instead of shrimp. Fortunately we were able to keep the lobster. The chef was moving at the speed of sound until in the middle of the fried rice preparation, he discovered that there was no rice on his tray and had to leave and run to the kitchen to get some. It was just chaotic start to finish. Oh, and my wife and I have a great collection of pictures from our Benihana outings and I guess they don't do that anymore either. It just seems like they want to get you in and out as fast as possible, even though it was nearly an hour before our chef showed up.

    Report
35. MD

    MichelleD

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    I made reservations with my family to celebrate my daughters 18th Birthday it took 30 minutes after arrival to be seated our server took 20 minutes to come and take drink orders. Our chef came out Afterwards just to let us know they were short on staff. From beginning to end we were there for over 3 hours. Its safe to say it was an unpleasant visit.

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36. B

    Bere

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall2food5service1ambience2

    The chef was amazing. He made sure we had a great experience and show. He really took the time to entertain the table and cooked the food with pride. Unfortunately the server was not good at all. She had a bad attitude, we had to ask her constantly to clear our empty glasses and beer bottles. We asked her for sriracha sauce and she replied we don't have any and literally walked away. When we asked the chef he said it has been discontinued however we are now making our own would you like to try it? That it the servers job as well to accommodate our requests if possible. She seemed to be annoyed when she was asked to do anything extra. She would either turn her head or walk away mid sentence. I had to track her down to pay our bill.. i have noticed that the service at Benihana is declining and each time I visit i am leaving less and less happy and that is very unfortunate since i have been eating there for over 25 years.

    Report
37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    It was my sister’s birthday. We had fun and the chef was entertaining.

    Report
38. S

    Shayn

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our chef was amazing & funny! Really appreciate the birthday gift from Benihana‘s! Thank you!

    Report
39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service, fun atmosphere and delicious food.

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server and chef were amazing! And as always the food was excellent.

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