Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - Brandon

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - Brandon reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. M

   Millie

   Tampa2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   As usual, great meal at Kobe steakhouse! Prices have increased a bit, but it’s still a good value for the money.
   

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2. W

   Wendy VIP

   Fort Lauderdale1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Our chef ichiban was awesome. Friendly, funny, talented just great. Awesome experience
   

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3. r

   robert

   Tampa1 review

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Waited almost 3 hours for chef even with reservations. Did not sign happy birthday to my daughter nor bought the cup cake after several requests and I added to the reservation.
   

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4. A

   Ana

   Philadelphia5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   The food was amazing — and there was a LOT of it! Our chef was incredible, super talented and made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend this place… but fair warning: fast all day before you go, because you’re gonna need the room!
   

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5. J

   Jerry

   Tampa5 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Usually the service is great but tonight the server didn’t stay on top of things and most of our drinks were empty several times. The manager standing nearby should have noticed but his head was in his phone the whole time ( must have been March Madness)
   

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6. D

   Donna

   Charleston1 review

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   This was our teenage granddaughter’s first time at a Hibachi restaurant. She loved it! All of the servers and staff were excellent! We love Kobe’s!
   

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7. M

   Michelle

   Orlando4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 23 March 2025

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

   We made a 6:30 reservation, and arrived 10 minutes early. Our drive time to this location is one hour 15 minutes to one hour 30 minutes, so hard to judge. We certainly didn't expect to be seated early, we just checked in at 6:20. We waited until 7:05 to be seated. That was frustrating, but not the end of the world. It got worse from there. We were seated and it took probably 10 minutes for them to get our drink order, and another 10 to get the drinks. These were not bar drinks - tea, sprite and water. No one at the table, including the other party, ordered bar drinks. Long story short, it took over an hour for them, from the time we sat down, to start cooking for us. At 8:05 one party at our table got up to find a manager, but right then the food arrived. That's how I know what time it was and how long it took. It should never take over 30 minutes to get your "reserved" table and another hour for them to start cooking! The food was good and the chef (Tai) was hilarious and did a great job. But that's where the good stops. This issue of waiting far too long has progressively gotten worse at this location. The last time we went, we said we wouldn't do it again and we did. Shame on us for that, but we don't have a location near us. Needless to say, we left at 9:30, so a 3-hour ordeal. They had a problem with the tableside billing unit, and of course - after all of this - we were overcharged. Noticed it today on my text receipt. So now I'm waiting for a manager to get back with me on that as I had to leave them a voicemail. We really love Kobe, and have been going there for probably 15 years in all, at various locations. This one just seems to disappoint more and more. I'm not in the restaurant industry, but something tells me this place is overbooking reservations, causing standing room only in the lobby and outside, excessive wait times and some very ticked off patrons. Please get this fixed!
   

   Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - BrandonResponded 6 days ago

   We deeply regret the experience you had with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns. We will continue to review the matter internally with our staff, in addition to evaluating our training program for opportunities to improve. Again, please accept my apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced.
   

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8. RG

   RichG

   Wilmington7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 23 March 2025

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

   We have been coming to Kobe’s for many years and have visited many locations around central Florida. We live in Lakeland and Brandon is what we consider our “home” resturant. Our chef tonight was the best chef we have ever had. He was outstanding. We had no children in our party but he was awesome with the children that were with the other group. He went above and beyond and really made the whole experience awesome. I think he said his name was Ty by his name tag had a name that I cannot pronounce but stars with a “M”. We were at table 5 and were seated at 5:30 on 3/23. Thanks for the awesome show and service.
   

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9. S

   Stephanie

   San Francisco1 review

   1.0

   Dined on 23 March 2025

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

   This had to have been the worst experience ever! The restaurant was overbooked and short staffed. We had reservations at 4:30 and were seated then. We didn't even get acknowledged for drink orders or appetizers until almost 5 pm. We had our salads and soups shortly after while we were waiting for the appetizers. The entire table, including 2 other parties, all ordered appetizers. We didn't start getting our appetizers until 5:30; 1 hour later! The chef had already started cooking our meals and was already serving some of the main course. 2 of the parties, including myself, tried to cancel the appetizer. We were told they were still coming and we couldn't cancel it. The rest of the sushi roll appetizers finally came 1 hr and 15 minutes into our dinner experience! The chef cooking was noticeably rushed probably due to being short-staffed. All the food was overcooked according to us and the other parties at the table. On top of it, after charging at least $40 per plate and up, they used artificial eggs! My bill was over $120 so I expect real eggs at least. Service and food was horrible and I feel like they really don't care since it's now a mandatory 18% gratuity. I realize this experience is not to be rushed but by no means should it be 2 1/2 hours with the first half hour just waiting to be acknowledged. I will not return even though this used to be one of my favorite dining experiences.
   

   Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - BrandonResponded 6 days ago

   We deeply regret the experience you had with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns. We will continue to review the matter internally with our staff, in addition to evaluating our training program for opportunities to improve. Again, please accept my apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced.
   

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10. R

    RICHARD

    Tampa1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 23 March 2025

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

    We had server Muffin and Chef Tai, I have been to kobe many times before but our experience this trip was absolutely amazing, we had dinner and a comedy show because of these 2 amazing employees, anytime we go to kobe from now on we only want to be severed by server Muffin and Chef Tai. There is an expectation of service when you go out to eat but never had i imagined that the service was going to be this phenomenonal. These 2 employees need to be recognized as what service should really be like. Thank You Muffin and Chef Tai for a wonderful experience.
    

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