Benihana - Temecula, CA

Review summary

1. R

   Richard

   San Francisco

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The cooks really make the experience. Back in the early days, i understood chefs to be trained in Japan- absolute pro in culinary showmanship. Later, i remember tables served by Hispanic gentlemen wearing name tags of Japanese names like "Sato". They had a great sense of showmanship- could cook and entertain. Loved it! Last night... just sad. No showmanship, no talent for working a table, and worst of all- couldn't cook. Forgot soy sauce in the fried rice??? Really? Timing was awful. One dish at a time. Took nearly 2 hours to finish cooking the table. Memories of the artists back in the day, filleting the shrimp appetizer so masterfully- could barely see the filet knife it moved so fast. To take a line from the Simpson's sushi bar episode- our cook with the shrimp seemed to "hack (it) like a blind woodsman" 3 other Teppanyaki places in the Temecula, CA area, ill be heading to one of them next time I'm in town!
   

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2. D

   Don

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   The cook was horrible tonight. He overcooked the food, was too busy talking instead of cooking. Then he passed out a card promoting his side cooking business. Who does that when you’re on the clock at your current job? The waitress was horrible. She was no where to be found when needed. I’m not sure I would go back to this Benihana. I’ll drive further to other ones because this one can’t get it together. We are paying way to much for food to have horrible food and service.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Central Coast

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   We had reservations at 6pm did not get seated until 45 minutes after our reservation. The cook did not start cooking until 7:30.
   

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4. A

   Anna

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   13 reviews

   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Go early cuz it gets crowed and not enough chefs for that many people
   

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5. C

   Clara

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Came for Christmas dinner with a reservation and called in TWICE the day of to confirm our reservation to make sure we didn’t have to encounter long wait times that Benihana is so notorious for. No one warned us for the insane overbooked scene we were about to walk into on either phone calls. We drove a great distance for a Christmas dinner that was simply ruined by you guys. And at that time, all the other restaurants were nearing their closing time, leaving us having to drive back home with two hungry children and no Christmas dinner. Benihana has to do better and avoid overbooking. Over 45 people were in front of us according to the hostess and manager who were BOTH unapologetic and acting like it’s the norm. How disgraceful.
   

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6. A

   Angelina

   San Diego

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Why have a reservation system if you can’t honor reservations?? I felt so bad for the staff, they said corporate does not allow them to ask people to leave or put a time limit on their table. I understand that’s not typically wanted by any guest but when they’re 1.5 hours behind on all reservations, then service is rushed, the whole experience is just not worth it. Either limit the tables or the reservation time slots. All staff were so nice and worked to be so helpful and make sure nobody was going hungry. Food was just ok. The show felt rushed and quiet. For $50 a person, it’s not worth it. Plus, the cook used the same flavoring on everything so the entire dish tasted the same. Had a small hair on my food so definitely lost my appetite and fell exhausted since we had to eat so late. Giving the overall experience a 3 stars because the crowd was fun and the staff did everything they could to make it work. They worked hard and did their best.
   

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7. M

   Mil

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   I booked reservations for 7pm yesterday, which they accepted. When me and my group came in at 7, they told us that it would be a 50 minute wait even though we had reservations. I pushed but the host coldly said “full house. Sorry about that”. I came back after 50 minutes and she told me there’s still 6 tables ahead of me. I asked why they accepted my reservation then only to waste our time and make us wait two hours. They were dismissive. We left to Habachi Buffet which was excellent.
   

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8. A

   Amy

   Los Angeles

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Wait was horrific even though we had a reservation! Reservation was at 6:15 we didn’t get sat till 715 and I didn’t have a glass of water in front of me until 8 o’clock. We got home at 10:15 and we live nearby so that blows!
   

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9. J

   Joe

   Orange County

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Super disappointed. I made a reservation for 3:45 PM. I get there to check in at 3:35 PM and the hostess could not have been any more rude. I went to the front counter “ I’m here to check in and gave her my name” she said is there anything else I can help you with? I said how long until I’m seated? She said there is 10 tables ahead of me and it’s probably going to take 1 hour and 30 minutes. I said I have a reservation for 345 and she said.” there is lots of people ahead of you and there’s nothing I can do.” in a very rude and condescending tone. What is the point of making reservations if you can’t be seated on the time that you make a reservation for. Super disappointed. 
   

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10. C

    Cheri

    Orange County

    27 reviews

    2.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3

    Sadly we will not dine at this location again. This was our third visit with a very long delay to be seated. Our reservation (albeit on Christmas Eve) was at 6:15. We were not seated until 7:45. We sat at the table for half an hour after being seated before the chef showed up. Finished at 9:45. The fried rice was burned and the shrimp appetizer was served very last. Everything was off and it was not our usual Benihana experience. The staff seemed unconcerned about the wait time.
    

    Benihana - Temecula, CAResponded 3 days ago

    Hey Cheri, We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience at Benihana - Temecula, CA. It's our priority to provide timely service and delicious food, and we apologize for falling short during your visit. We understand how frustrating it can be to wait, especially on a busy day, and we're sorry for any inconvenience caused. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our service and food quality. We hope you'll give us another chance to make it up to you in the future. Best, The Management Team
    

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