Nao Japanese Grill - Pigeon Forge

I was in the mood for sushi, but there was a sign stating that sushi was only available after 4 PM. Instead, I ordered a steak and shrimp hibachi to go for $20. I noticed that the prices were inconsistent between the board outside and the website. The fried rice was disappointing—essentially just plain white rice with a hint of soy sauce, as if they accidentally spilled some on it, and it didn’t have any of the usual vegetables like peas or carrots. The portions of meat and vegetables were also underwhelming. Despite the quick service, I wouldn't recommend this place and wouldn't choose to order from them again.

Staff here is great, felt welcome and our food came out fast 5 stars on that) I have had better hibachi, but I feel like I got my money?s worth from the portion sizes. If I am in the area longer than 3 days again, I would probably go back at least onemore time. 3 stars on food) Overall 4/5

The woman at the register was very friendly, but overall, this restaurant is only average at best. While the meat and vegetables were good (I highly recommend trying the hibachi sauce), the rice was quite bland, and the miso soup was just okay. The gyoza was decent, but what really stood out to me was that many of the tables were not cleaned, which made the experience a bit uncomfortable. In the end, I definitely feel that the $60 we spent wasn't worth it.

The only positive aspect of this experience was Trina, the cashier, who sincerely apologized for the delay and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and ensure we didn’t leave. I saw at least two customers walk out due to the long wait for the cooks. On the plus side, the ambiance is lovely. The decor is beautiful, the bathrooms are impressive, and even the kitchen looks great. The food itself was quite good; the steak was cooked perfectly, and the vegetables were delightful. While the chef's skills may be impressive, the long wait time of nearly an hour really detracted from the overall experience.

I would give this place 10 stars if possible! It’s some of the best, if not the absolute best, fast food-style Japanese cuisine we've ever had. Our chicken and steak were cooked to perfection, and the staff were fantastic—very friendly! My husband really appreciated the employees who changed the TV to the Carolina football game for him, so he gives them bonus points! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the area.