Benihana - Downey

Took my daughter for her bday. Reservations were at 6p once sat we didn’t get no service for an hour. 7:45p a cook finally showed up by then we were starving. Service was horrible. Seemed way understaffed. No one should wait over an hour to get a glass of water. Never again will I go to this location . Manager wasn’t one bit sincere.

My first time and my last time at Benihana. We had reservations at 4:45pm and weren't seated until 5:18pm. We didn't receive drinks for 45 minutes. A highchair wasn't provided for my child until 1 hour after we were seated. Server dropped 6 stacked bowls. Chef came and had his hat over his eyes so we couldn't see his face or eyes, making it hard to hear him. Server never brought my child's milk. I never received the mushrooms with my order. My steamed rice didn't arrive till after the cooking was done. Chef dripped sweat from the side of his face onto the grill and kept cooking. His lighter didn't work so he didn't do the onion on fire or any tricks like the butterfly or cracking eggs into his hat like the other tables had going on. We spoke to managers three time and items still weren't addressed and service did not improve. I went to change my infant and the woman's changing table was in the handicapped stall which was out of order. The manager told me to use the one in the men's bathroom and the changing table was at an angle, unsafe and a hazard if my child were to roll off. He tried to tell me it was safe, it is unacceptable. After Chef arrived, the server never came back to provide refills or check on us. It was my son and mother in law's birthday and no one offered dessert which came with the meal until we were standing ready to go. The other party also complained about how unattentive the service was. I understand staff is short handed but this was unacceptable. 3 hours we left very disappointed and unsatisfied.

My husband and I are regulars at Benihanas. My husband and I believe that chief Austin was an inexperienced cook. Our rice was cooked too long. It was extremely hard and dry to the point where I could only chew it on one side of my mouth because it hurt the other side. My husband had to remind Austin to add garlic butter to the rice. Austin was very nice and friendly, but he needs more practice in the cooking area before hitting the main floor.

Definitely wouldn’t choose this location again! Food was not good, charged for two items I didn’t receive. Don’t mind paying for what I got but you can not charge me for something I didn’t get. I was told that they were not taking off my receipt bc I received it when that was not true. All the had to do was ask the cook, he had just finished us. Wait was so long for a cook to arrive, we waited at the table almost 2 1/2 hrs before being served. It was awful. I have ate at Benihana on more than one occasion and never had this problem. After this experience I would rather choose any other place beside them.

Had a reservation for 9pm didnt getvour table till 10 pm. Staff all seemed ready to go.