This is a staple for me in Gainesville. I have never had a bad food experience here, and everything I've tried has been excellent. My go-to meal is fried Udon, but the Sushi is really a star here in Gainesville. I recommend getting an executive roll, like Flying Dragon, for a great sushi experience. All regular entrees have been great. My favorite is Broccoli (Kung Pao). I prefer Newberry Bento over Archer. The atmosphere is much nicer and you generally don't have to wait in line outside the door.
(5)
Hung L.
Nice clean place. Modern decor. Self served mixed cola machine. A little pricy but the food was fresh and delicious.
(5)
Judy L.
Made a quick stop for dinner on the way back from Disney on a Monday night at 6pm. You take a menu at the entrance and order at the counter before sitting down at either an indoor or outdoor table. FOOD: - Mongolian Beef Bento Box: the Mongolian Beef was very salty. It's as if it was sitting out in a buffet line. I would say the same for the Lo Mein. As if it was sitting for a while. - Sushi combo box: For my sushi combo box, I choose the Florida roll, Spicy UF roll, & California roll. I thought they were all just okay. - We also ordered two bubble teas: Mango green tea with mango jelly & Milk tea with boba. These were okay. Not as great as the bubble tea stores that you find in Atlanta. Overall, I do not see myself returning to this location's Bento Cafe. Everything was mediocre. I know there are several sister Bento Cafe's in Florida that I would like to visit.
(3)
Siri B.
3 stars because they just raised their price + small portion :-(
(3)
Lane M.
Mt. Fuji roll!!!!! They also have some new wings that are pretty good... Service is friendly, as always.
(4)
Lindsey P.
great service but my rolls of sushi were falling apart. wish there was a wasabi in Gainesville.
(2)
Daniel M.
This place used to be great but the prices have gone up to a point where I no longer feel it matches the quality. Sadly I probably won't be eating here much anymore. I'd rather spend the extra buck and eat at Dragonfly now.
(3)
Brian A.
The bento boxes here are amazing and its the only place in town that makes a good milk tea. I'm a huge fan of the boxes as the ginger salads are perfect and the deserts are a great way to end the meal.
(5)
Chris K.
Bentos strives to be a trendy place to eat, and at one point might have been, but over the years the restaurant has begun to show its age. The dining room just doesn't seem clean like it used to be. The tables and eating utensils (not the chop sticks) usually seem dirty. The nice lighting inside the restaurant isn't going to hide a poorly cleaned dinning room. At this point I try to avoid dining in here. I do still get food to-go though. Their menu is pan Asian with plenty to choose from. The food on average is average. It's something to eat to get full, not something to eat to thoroughly enjoy. I recommend their beef bulgogi and chicken katsu. I prefer to get their noodle bowls upgraded to udon noodles over their bento boxes. I avoid their miso soup and salads (tough and drowned in ginger dressing). If you need a quick bite to eat before going to see a movie next door, this is an ideal location to visit. As long as Gainesville has freshmen, they'll have an audience. But as someone whose eaten here quite a bit over a long period of time, they aren't fooling me into thinking this is a cool place to eat with top notch food.
(3)
James L.
Very tasty for a good price. Never had the sushi, but the spicy creamy chicken is my fave. Young staff can be a little testy, but overall good experiences there. Line can be very long so I'd call in your order. Not a ton of indoor seating. Still four stars for tastiness.
(4)
Michel A.
Love eating at this place. They have a large selection on the menu and food is always good. My Gf loves the teas.
(4)
Elly L.
Amazing place to hangout at and have a small meal! Their bento boxes are really good and come with so many things. My boyfriend likes their rice bowls and has visited 3 times already! Really cool soda machines, too. They have AC problems sometimes but it's not too bad.
(5)
Kiana M.
This place is amazing. I don't understand the negative reviews. Sure, it's going to be busy depending on certain times. If you're going out for takeout or to dine in anywhere on a Friday or Saturday night in a college town what do you expect? Sometimes the lines move slow because of all the choices on the menu, or because the cashier is explaining a dish to a customer. But I've never waited too long to complain. At my most recent visit, something made me really upset though. I purchased a fountain drink and then walked to the back where they have one of those high tech fountain machines with all the choices. They only had seagrams ale and water available. I thought it was terrible that they let me buy a fountain drink when that's all they had. I'm confident they weren't aware though. I also didn't say anything, so I'm sure they would have helped. Just keep that in mind and check the fountains before buying soda.
(5)
Dana S.
Okay, I love Bento. They have a ton of selections. My brother got the general tso bento box and it was pretty good. I got the create-a don which a create a sushi bowl with salmon,crab and shrimp. I loved it! Gotta have the spicy mayo though. I thought the Starburst (strawberry banana) milk tea boba was okay, but the actual boba balls were made just right. Can't wait to try more when they open one in Tampa hopefully soon! The prices aren't bad either.
(5)
Kasey G.
Most of their sushi rolls are pretty good. I gave a three star rating mainly because they can be a hit-and-miss. I like the mango roll, but there have been times where it has been pretty mediocre. Their milk teas are really good.
(3)
Kenneth P.
The Environment: Great for groups, very young feeling, and pretty hip! Definitely a good place to be. The Food: I had the spicy creamy shrimp in a rice bowl. It was... DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The flavor was very unique, not like anything I had tried before. There's also alcohol and a huge menu. But I think it'd be worth trying again!
(4)
Chelsea M.
My boyfriend and I love this place. He gets the Mongolian beef rice bowl, and I get the Mexican roll. Other favorites of mine are the crunch, masarap, and Florida rolls. Their spicy mayo is also the best around.
(5)
Sarah R.
Love this place for a quick Asian cuisine. Not pricey, nice atmosphere. Sometimes they get really busy but that's because everyone in town loves them. The sashimi tuna is my favorite, comes with avocado which I love! Their udon noodle bowl is my second favorite.
(4)
Erin S.
Love their Bento boxes, especially the chicken katsu. Crab wontons are good. I have yet to try the sushi here though. They have decent food & atmosphere, unfortunately they don't stand out to me when deciding on dining options. I tend to only go here when others suggest. They're not bad, just not exceptional either.
(3)
Luzelena C.
Great food and a good price. My go-to place for something quick and delicious. Bento boxes are always great, but the spicy beef udon noodle soup is my favorite!
(4)
Cassie R.
I've been to Bento Blue (as they call this particular location) many, many times since its opening, and although results have varied with each visit, it's still a place that I return to with some sense of anticipation. As far as the food goes, it's nothing particularly original, but usually pretty solid. On some occasions, the bento box side dishes can be a little dried out (the green beans and noodles, most often), and one time I ordered sushi with WAY too much vinegar in the rice, but usually, the food is really tasty. I usually stick with the chicken katsu bento box or the Mexican roll, with a lover's (strawberry + mango) milk tea. The milk teas are definitely part of the charm, but like the food, some of the flavors can be hit-or-miss. I've never had any problems with the service; the staff has always treated me well, never any mistakes in my orders, and I'm still a bit impressed with how they find you in your seat. Altogether, Bento isn't the greatest restaurant in the world, but it provides me with a sense of comfort and familiarity and maybe even reliability that keeps me coming back.
(4)
Danny A.
I had the Coconut Chicken Curry Bento Box. It had noodles, a mini salad, the chicken coconut curry, rice, green beans, and for some reason a Rice Krispie treat. The salad noodles and rice were perfect. The curry coconut chicken was so-so. It wasn't very good, too average. I was confused why there was a rice krispie treat because it had nothing to do with it. We also had the Zombie Roll which was unique and I liked it. I have never seen sushi with tiny red caviar and some fried green vegetable. It tasted good and I liked the variation of sushi. However, there was a cockroach in the men's bathroom. I told a woman and she said she'll do something to get it out.
(3)
A L.
Great food, great daily freebies and deals, even options for low-carb eaters! Their sushi is amazing, but you can definitely load up on food for cheap with their Bento box. Their garlic ginger chicken is to die for! Limited indoor seating, but they do have an outdoor area and delivery options.
(5)
Sara L.
Bento is a great place for casual Asian food. The food is good...I have had some questionable dishes but when you order right, you will be satisfied. I love the spicy cream chicken or shrimp! Sushi is quite good. It is the only place in town that I will eat sushi. Try the spicy UF roll. The best part are the amazing prices. You get a lot of very tasty food for extremely fair prices.
(4)
Sean C.
My daily sushi go to. Can't beat the price for the quality sushi. Can get very busy so calling ahead and getting take out and sitting outside it a good idea. Daily specials too
(5)
Bradley E.
The food is great, but the service tends to be terrible. Borderline rude employees and slow service are the norm. If you call in a pickup order and they say 20 minutes, give it at least 30 and on occasion nearly 45 before you actually get your food. It's just frustrating and they never seem to acknowledge how slow they are.
(3)
Coleen T.
I recently went gluten-free... so I have ventured into the world of sushi which I never really had before. Bento has become one of my quick options for food... it's really easy to make any dish gluten free by asking for steamed chicken or shrimp instead of fried. I have a favorite creation that I stick to... it's a spicy tuna roll with a few additions (cream cheese, avocado and cucumber). Check out this place, it's pretty good!
(4)
Susan M.
Nothing like the Bentos in Orlando. very disappointing. the food not really that good and the service. What service. you order,and dont ask questions. If you want fast food atmosphere and don't care about polite workers , its your place. I realize its a College town but taking my order and being rude doesn't justjfy me putting money in a tip jar. Very very dissapointing. I won't be back.
(1)
Jarrod H.
I love bento! Best place in Gainesville for a quick Asian meal. I went here probably 500 times in college and ordered the chicken teriyaki bento box 95% of the time. I also drowned everything I got in spicy mayo so everything was great.
(5)
Maria F.
Went there on my birthday and had the pork chop udon soup which was AMAZING! I don't recommend getting the bento boxes because I always find the noodles and green beans too salty. Service was quick but the only complaint was that the cashier wasn't really paying attention and she forgot my boba tea order....
(4)
Jaime B.
I've been eating at Bento's for 5 years now. It has always been great. Spot on in service, taste, atmosphere, price. Plus it's consistent. I've never left going, "I don't think I'll be going there again." Once or twice I have gotten some fishy fish but in a span of years, that's a damn good track record!! As far as their food goes, I've tried many things. My favorites are the Thai coconut curry, curry katsu, I always get noodles because I love the consistency and texture of the noodles they use. You can also get rice and now they offer brown rice for +1 (dollar). I've ordered pretty much all of the rolls on the menu. My favorite is the yoshi roll because I love conch but they have a variety of rolls for all tastes and preferences. And if they don't have what you want, you can always "create-a-roll". Their sashimi bowls are awesome and come with quite a bit of sashimi, fish eggs, seaweed salad and, most the time, avocado. Love the teas here. Lover's fruit green tea with lychee jelly is the best. I wouldn't recommend their milk tea as once I ordered a taro milk tea with boba and the boba were not fresh and the taro milk left little to be desired (I get my milk teas from lollicup...excellent). I also never would recommend a bento box. It sounds good in theory to have such a large variety but some of the items on it just aren't good and noodle/rice bowls are cheaper (and you'll likely have leftovers). Tl;dr If you haven't been to Bento's, you should try it. It is reasonably priced and the food is delicious.
(5)
Lola N.
So I am from fort lauderdale... Back home there isn't great bubble tea. The best place we had was lollicup. Lollicup close though. So for me to go to Gainesville and find this place was a miracle. Of course, it's thru recommendation! I tried the sushi and I had the bubble tea. I had a mocha magic! It was great:) I love it. The sushi was great. I saw someone order a crunchy salmon roll, it look great and taste even better! let me tell you the price was a bonus! We ate 2 rolls, and soda, and a bowl of rice of bulgogi for $25.00 ? Maybe 30 but that's nothing compare to what we usually pay! I love it! It's fun! The environment is great :) all the girls are pretty and kind too!! Love it!
(5)
Julie A.
I have been craving their Almond Joy Boba Milk Tea endlessly for months since the last time I came here. I surely got my fix this time -- a LARGE serving of it! My craving will be satisfied for the next few months.... =) Yes, I can get others to imitate it, but there's nothing like the original. A holy trinity of flavors (coconut, chocolate, and almond) mixed evenly into a milk tea treat mixed with tapioca pearls. By the way, they don't have ramen here. I asked. =(
(5)
Meg I.
Ordered the red curry over rice, and it literally tasted like nothing. It was like eating styrofoam packing peanuts and then every once in a while my mouth would feel hot. Tofu was undercooked and the pad thai had a fishy taste. Bland, boring, and not worth the hype.... it's like the Kim Kardashian of Asian food.
(2)
Carlos H.
My friend and I came here yesterday when I came up to take a vacation in Gainesville and I have to see I was extremely impressed with this place. The menu is so diverse, it's pretty to find Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines all perfectly combined on a menu, and I pretty much decided to go in all different directions in my ordered. I ordered a bulgogi steak bento box with a thai tea boba and also ordered a California Roll and Eel Roll. The order was out in only a matter of minutes. The bento box was delicious and perfectly filling, I think the bulgogi at Sa Ri One in Tampa was a little better, but that doesn't mean this bulgogi tasted bad at all, it was quite delicious. The thai tea was perfectly made, not too much ice and strong flavor with very sweet and tender boba balls that didn't freeze up like I've had happen to me at some other places that I order thai tea at with boba. The sushi tasted very fresh, the crab in the California Roll was great, and the Eel Roll tasted good as well, it didn't have it's normal overpowering taste though so I won't say it is the best sushi I have had, but it was pretty good and certainly worth it. The establishment is very nicely set up, appearing as a relaxing place with couches and a cool vibe to it, they even had the Initial D anime on two of their televisions, which I found to be pretty cool. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Gainesville.
(5)
Andria M.
This is my favorite sushi in Gainesville! My husband and I come here all the time. It's great. He loves the spicy cream shrimp!
(5)
Mike W.
Bento Cafe, or Bento Blue as the Bento folks like to call it, was the first Bento restaurant of their now six or more establishments in Gainesville, Orlando, and Jacksonville. It opened in either 2003 or 2004 and just short of a decade of business, it is starting to show some wear to its somewhat-sleek interior. Certainly, after Bento Red (Archer Road) expanded, the atmosphere at Bento Blue seems rather plain and even in need of work in places. I've had no less than three first dates here though and have fond nostalgia for the place so I'd probably hate to see too much of a change, in all candor. As for the food, their menu of bento-box and rice bowl pan-Asian dishes has remained much the same for years though now and then new menu items have been added. Their sushi is good, but not great, as one would expect for the quasi-fast-food approach at hand. The bento boxes come with white rice, noodles, green beans, a salad with ginger dressing, and a small dessert like a cookie and that's not changed since opening day as far as I know. Sometimes these sides are quite good, other times the noodles are tough or rice overcooked. The main dishes themselves vary a lot, but I've recently noticed they're often overly salty--especially those like the basil stir-fry that have a lot of a sauce with them. The katsu fares very well though and the General Tso's chicken is ok. The sushi . . . often pretty good, sometimes not good at all. The krab delite nigiri and the Mexican rolls are my favorites though and always impressive, albeit simple. The more complex rolls . . . well, more to go wrong I suppose and sometimes that's exactly what happens. Bento's fun, but the Bento Red location is better than this one: I'd probably give that location four stars instead of three. I would not choose either just for sushi on nights I want to go out for sushi though. Mahzu is light-years better in that regard. The bento boxes and decently-priced, informal, meals with friends are what Bento's all about and it's great for that, but be well prepared that things can be a bit off at times . . . and quite salty very often.
(3)
Ryan F.
Bento is always consistent with quality and affordable Asian fusion. The best deal is the sushi bowl IMO. More fish than a roll at the same price.
(4)
Johnny L.
Note: I also wrote a review for the Bento's on Archer. "You can't write reviews on places with the same name!".....Well screw you. Yes I can. Though they have the same name, they seemed like two different places. The service here was seriously lacking. And there was only one register open for the whole place?? The lines extended out to the corner of the plaza and the place was tiny already. Good thing they have outside seating. The menu did have some items I didn't recognize from the Archer one. So in my most recent visit, I tried the Seafood rice bowl. Sounded good enough (Shrimp, scallops, and squid with veggies on rice). My friend got the Japanese Udon Bowl with beef. We also shared a Gainesville Roll. The seafood bowl wasn't that great. The sauce wasn't that good and it was dumped over tiny pieces of shrimp, scallops, and chewy squid. The Gainesville Roll was good, and the Japanese Udon Beef Bowl looked good enough. I've had other things here before, but it was a while back so I will not comment based off memory, but they were'nt memorable. The food was still pretty good, but the times I've been here have never been as good as the times I've gone to the one on Archer. Bad Luck maybe? I mean...it is the same restaurant as the one on Archer, right?
(3)
Courtney D.
This is my favorite place in Gainesville. It's a great environment with both indoor and outdoor seating and always great music. They have a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle and rice bowls, sushi, and boba drinks. I have never been disappointed. I prefer this location to the Archer Rd location. It's smaller but service is faster and they don't charge extra for sauces.
(5)
Dena P.
The food was good and cheap depending on what you get. There's all sorts of asian food from korean, chinese to japanese. It gets really crowded from time to time because lots of college kids come here to get "bento" lunchbox style food. They also serve bubble tea which was pretty cheap. Also a sushi bar to eat at. The location is great because it's in a new/clean plaza with lots of other restaurant that are great to visit too. Bento is expanding their restaurant which is a plus! A great place to visit if you're in the area!
(5)
Michael W.
Bentos cafe focuses on the experience and the atmosphere. But their food is pretty well presented and adequate. This is my 4th time going this semester. I always get the bento box teriyaki beef but this time I got the General tso Chicken bento box. Before I criticize the general Tso Chicken, I want to clarify that I can make my own General tso chicken and I can make it good hehe. Anyhow, the general Tso chicken's presentation was good. The chicken was nicely done with the crispiness. The sauce was done well also, however when you eat the chicken with the rice. It feels like the sauce is not there. The sauce doesn't have the power to overcome the blandness of the rice. The sauce supposed to have that power, not the saltiness of the sauce but the flavor of the sauce. It felt like the General Tso sauce was DILUTED.... Anyhow , every time I make my chicken, I make sure it is strong enough to over come the rice's flavor. Anyway, the side of veggie (brocolli) was weak! They gave me 3 pieces of Brocolli. So cheap :-( Anyhow, overall the food was good. The ginger salad was good and the lomein along with the little cake dessert.
(4)
Nico S.
Yay! My friend used to try and convince me to go here with her, but I always thought it was a bit overpriced, so I usually just ate a burrito from next door while she inhaled the Bento box (minus the plastic). Tonight D and I went with our hard earned garage sale cash, $24. Yum! Glad we made that decision. We ordered the Spicy Cream Chicken, the Florida roll, and the Gainesville roll, all to share. I ended up eating more of the sushi, however. The fish was plenty, the rice, sticky but not mushy, seaweed not overpowering the taste nor texture of it's contents. We called in take out for the fear of not making it in time for outdoor seating, and it was made just in time for our arrival. Good hours, nice staff, tasty Thai tea with boba FTW!
(4)
Richard W.
This bentos isnt as good as the bento red on archer, but it's still ok. Their bentos and noodle bowls are both pretty good, but dont seem to be as good as their red location. It's not "authentic" but it is good. The decor is well done to look trendy with a blue and black theme. Like the other one, its a good place to go to grab a bite with some friends.
(3)
Melissa P.
I had the sushi combo. Great price and great food.
(4)
Melenie S.
Out of all the sushi places that I have been to around town Bento definitely has the best deals. You cannot beat the prices to the amount of meat you get in a sushi roll. Usually many places skimp on the ingredients but not this place. Their dons (sashimi rice bowls) are also a good choice to make on the menu, as they also give you a lot for your buck. They also have deals on certain days that if you buy two rolls a free order of edamame comes with it. Aside from sushi, the restaurant provides an array of cooked food as well. Ranging from teriyaki chicken to curry which are all decently sized. However I must warn that if you come on a weekend be prepared to wait for your food because the place does get packed and the service gets slow. Overall a good place to eat at with reasonably priced food. Will come back again.
(4)
Katherine K.
Bento (blue) is great if you have a craving for boba tea and sushi. I've only had their sushi, but I'm looking forward to trying something from the other menu. The dragon roll is SO good. So is lust, especially if you like spicy mayo. Inexpensive, good and quick (even if there's a line).
(4)
Sasha P.
I used to eat sushi at Bento RELIGIOUSLY during my junior year at UF. I can't say I've had any of the entrees at Bento but they always look tasty when I see other people order them. To be honest, they just don't look like they would fill me up. But I'm sure they are tasty. Bento is really good about call-in orders. I used to do this all the time because the place gets PACKED! When I say packed, I mean that the line to order is out the door like Chipotle when they give away free burritos. Every time I go, I order either the Flying Dragon or the Red Dragon, ALWAYS. I love tempura shrimp, crab and avocado and both of these rolls has each. The only difference between the two is that the Red Dragon is topped with tuna and the Flying Dragon is topped with eel. Along with one of these two rolls, I usually order a bunch of other random rolls that I haven't tried before. Depending on my mood, I order a Mango Bubble Tea. Completely DELICIOUS!!!
(4)
GLEN R.
If you are a college student and want bang for your buck this is the place!
(5)
Natalie W.
Meh it's ok !! Maybe I'm a sushi snob but I'd rather pay more and get better quality. Not really a fan ... I mean it wasn't the worst place ever but I'd rather eat elsewhere.
(2)
Bryan H.
This place was awesome. The menu selection is not overwhelming but have tons of choices. The food was authentic and very good. My kids loved the soda dispensing machine. It was a little costly but still very worth it.
(5)
Rachel E.
Can I give bento blue six stars? I've only lived in GVL 4 months and it's my favorite restaurant. My girl and I eat here weekly and sometimes more. The noodle bowls and special Mexican roll are my favorite. We've tried basically everything except the soup. Dumplings are always incredible. Edamame is always cooked perfectly. The rolls are to die for. I enjoy the chicken and shrimp dishes but thats a personal preference. The curry is perfect, just enough to make your nose run down your face. The line is usually out the door so we often get it togo but the service has always been decent. Ive noticed the rolls can be made a bit sloppy on Friday or Saturday nights but it's not big complaint. I didnt like sushi before I came here and now it's all I ever want. And I'm just gonna put this out there... I would eat spicy mayo with everything if I could.
(5)
Belen C.
I love this Bento SO much more than the one on Archer. They don't nickel and dime you. Period. If you ask for an extra sauce, it's free. In fact they have eel sauce, spicy mayo, and the like right in front to pump into plastic ramekins. I love their rolls, especially my current obsessions: National Champ roll and their Lust roll. I'm also a huge fan of their Spicy Cream Shrimp. Their fish is nice and fresh. I've never had a nigiri or sashimi that I didn't love. Tip: If you plan to go when it's busy call ahead and ask for takeout, that way you can avoid the ridiculous lines that form during nights and weekends.
(5)
Keilani R.
You know, I like Bento. I prefer Bento Blue (Newberry) to Bento Red (Archer), if only because the latter is often crowded and kind of unorganized. The sushi is pretty good (and pretty cheap), and the Boba tea (almond is my favorite -- with pearls, which are made of tapioca and make for a really interesting drink experience) is fantastic. I would probably go to Bento just for some Boba tea.
(4)
John L.
So I've been back quite a few times and have had their Bulgogi and Teriyaki. I am happy to report that I have not gotten sick once. That being said, Bento has become my go to place for Meat-N-Rice/Noodle dishes though I am not blown away by their Bento boxes. There is always at least one component of the bento box that is sub-par (the first time it was the noodles and dessert, last time it was dessert only). I generally stick to the rice/noodle bowls and teas. It 'aint Momofuku Noodle Bar (nowhere close) but it does fill a niche.
(3)
Daniel P.
So delicious! Everything was great from service to the food and even the atmosphere! The decor is trendy and so cool looking. Very clean. Anything on the menu is great so don't feel too picky! Plus it's inexpensive for the amount of high quality food you get.
(5)
Anna K.
Went here while in town searching for housing in the area with the husband. We had some sushi and the general Tso's rice bowl. The sushi was good but the rolls need to be better rolled as they fell apart as you pick them up. The general Tso's rice bowl has tasty but I feel it could have been spicier. The tables that we sat at where sticky and probably could have been wiped down alot better between customers. The final decision: I would go back again. Food was decent and worth another try.
(3)
Brandon D.
5 stars for sushi in its price-category. The consistency of Bentos is amazing- especially for the reasonable prices. I've probably eaten Bentos 100+ times- more pick up than eat-in. My favorite = gator roll (w/ side of spicy sauce), steamed dumplings, miso soup, and strawberry shortcake bobo tea with pearls- though some people prefer without pearls. As an aside, the staff seems really happy- like they have good camaraderie- I think happy people take more pride in their food.
(5)
Wesley C.
oops . . . accidentally posted the review for the other location here! so i'll write this one too . . . this is the "original" bento . . . and what *made* this location special was that they had traditional taiwanese dishes that were on small slabs of wood posted on the column next to the ordering register . . . they had xue hua rou si mien (snow bowl) which was one of my (and my dad's) favorites . . . unfortunately, apparently not enough people ordered it and they took it off the menu . . . but anyway, their schezuan beef noodle soup is another great choice.
(4)
Jesus J.
I've never had the sushi here, but the food entrees are delicious. I always get the rice bowl (you can also get a bento box), which includes your choice of entree atop a bed of white rice in a large bowl. The quality of the meat is good and the vegetables have always been fresh and cooked properly. I recommend the spicy Korean chicken (it's not that spicy), red curry beef (very spicy), or the sweet and sour chicken. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Dim lighting, with some tables having fluorescent light bulbs within the tables. Some staff members can be friendly, and some can be stoic. After your meal, you leave your trash and empty plates at the table and an employee will take care of it. This is good if you just want to eat, then get up and go.
(4)
abigail b.
i ordered to-go here (for the first time) and this is what happened: i had a very sad, long, complex day -- one that calls for yummy food over rice -- and i didn't feel like dealing with bento bros. so i ordered something new (gasp), the spicy creamy shrimp rice bowl, and a chicken teriyaki bowl for the boy. i also ordered an almond milk tea with mango jellies. yes, i ordered mango jellies and strayed from the usual tapioca pearls. call me crazy if you'd like. the milk tea was fine, but the jellies were scarce. they were good, and that made it even worse. there weren't even really enough to see them at the bottom of the cup. i had maybe a tablespoon of them in there. the spicy creamy shrimp, i found out when i got home, was chicken. it was fried chicken mixed with a sweet sauce and sauteed in their spicy mayo. i love their spicy mayo. this was pretty disgusting. it reminded me of an extremely bad take on the dim sum walnut shrimp -- and it was chicken. the breading wasn't even crispy. it was like someone fried it in funnel cake batter, very pancake-y. the teriyaki chicken was meh. the sauce wasn't thick like teriyaki sauce is supposed to be. it tasted just like a sweetened soy sauce. i was trying to choose between bento and mi apa for dinner, and i really should have listened to advice and gone for mi apa. dammit.
(2)
MeXOhXMe X.
The Boba Teas are delicious and a favorite of mine. I especially like the almond joy flavor. The sushi is good, nothing special, but still good. Various side dishes such as Miso soup or edamame are also average, but still hit the spot. I love the different bowls, however. The Tofu Thai Curry bowl over rice is always delicious. As is a variety of other tofu bowls. I love how they have many tofu options, which is great for vegetarians. The boxes are okay, but I prefer getting the bowls due to the large portion size. Well priced and has a nice atmosphere. I also like the convenience of the location. This is a restaurant I frequent and would recommend if you're looking for something cheap, good, and better than just some quick drive thru. Great before or after a movie over at Royal Park!
(4)
Tracy R.
Won't be back. I ordered a simple green tea and a veggie delight roll which the server told me was vegan. The green tea had tons of sweetner in it and was $6! The server exchanged it for a glass of water when I said I wanted unsweet green tea. I waited about 20 minutes for one sushi roll and guess what...they messed up my order and served me a veggie delight roll with cream cheese (not vegan). When I told the manager, so offered to pay me for the difference and I had to demand a full refund. She never even offered to remake the roll to fix their error. She made it seem like I was a bother to her
(1)
Lauren J.
I realize that I like this place way more than I should. I wanted to give four stars but simply couldn't in good conscience. Let's say that these three stars are really 3.5. This Bento is always packed with a line out the door at peak meal times. That being said, I would expect that they would have a more efficient ordering system. Instead there is only one register manned by 3-5 college aged girls that are confusingly taking phone orders and my order simultaneously. Somehow it all gets figured out, but the ordering process takes forever. I like to order the chicken red curry bento box. In a fast food type place like Bento, I would never expect that the curry would be spicy, but it is, nice and spicy, yum. I usually have to doctor it up a bit because its a little bland, but with a little spicy eel sauce and a touch more sriacha it tastes just the way I like it. The bento box comes with Lo Mein noodles (uncharacteristically my favorite part), rice (more carbs please), stir fried green beans, crappy wilted ginger salad, and some version of a little debbie dessert. Ok, I know this doesn't sound too great, but again I like it so much more than I should. I crave this sad little plate of fast Asian fusion, I realize its wrong, but it feels so right. The thing about Bento is that the service is awkward. I always go with a friend or two, and the food never comes out together. I feel strange diving into my dinner while my date waits for his/her meal to arrive. If you wait politely, however, you will wait forever, sometimes food has been spaced as much as ten minutes apart...awkward. All that being said I still love this place, I think the kicker for me is the self service sauce bar. The bar has sriacha, eel sauce, spicy eel sauce, shrimp sauce, and spicy mayo. I love being able to gluttonously gorge on these sauces without facing the shame of actually asking for them. I visit Bento usually once every two weeks, with no intention of stopping. I may never understand my strange Bento addiction, but love can be perplexing.
(3)
Kristen C.
OK, let me preface my review by stating that this was my absolute favorite spot during my sophomore and junior years at UF. Now, three years later, it's not the same. The sushi doesn't taste as fresh as it used to and the service has also fallen below the mark. The last time I ate at Bento, my miso soup came out after my sushi rolls and it was lukewarm (and lacking tofu!!). What happened to the Blue Bento I used to know?????
(3)
Curtis D.
Really good sushi and the bento box chicken was good,
(4)
Tim F.
I originally hated this place, but it was one of my girlfriend's favorite places to go, and I have to say that it has grown on me. I really like it now and have been tons of times. I especially like this location, as opposed to the one on Archer Road. I usually get the sweet and sour chicken bento box, and most of the time at the Archer location the chicken is soggy and tastes much worse than the chicken from the Newberry location. Also, this place has some pretty good sushi. It definitely isn't the best I've ever had, but most of the times I have gotten it it has been very good. I also get the Boba teas every once in a while and they are definitely worth a try as well.
(4)
Sal G.
I have had some Bubble Teas close enough to compare. The pearls at Shing Wang in North Miami Beach are much better; but I will have to return since Bento Cafe is the only place I can find that has Pineapple flavored milk teas. Sigh...
(5)
Belle C.
I've visited Bento twice on my lunch break. The first time I had a smoked salmon, avocado, and scallion roll and a shrimp tempura roll. Both were fine but nothing special. Mall sushi, I call it. I don't think I'd try their raw fish. On my second visit I had the spicy cream chicken bento box. The chicken was nicely crispy with a very flavorful sauce, but the sides weren't worth bothering with. Probably better to order the meat entree with a rice bowl and skip the mushy green beens, cold noodles, wilted salad, and dry cake that comes in the bento box. I don't like the food well enough to want to go have a sit-down meal there, but it's an acceptable choice for quick, inexpensive takeout.
(3)
Adam W.
i'm really writing this for my wife. she is a big fan. we both like this corner since it has a nice variety of food options for us, namely moe's, coldstone, coffee culture, gators dockside and this place. i have also ate here a few times. the food is good, not the best sushi in town, but good. if you judged by the lines, people must find this place freakin' awesome 'cause it seems to almost always have a line. one thing my wife likes alot is their endless dispenser of spicy mayo sauce. they recently introduced a children's menu. i think it is a bit pricey for what you get.
(4)
Cherry J.
I have to post here showing my Bento love. I could eat here every day and never get sick of it. From my Bento Orlando review: "Hayai, Yasui, Umai!" (Quick, Reasonable, Delicious!) Bento may be quick and cheap, but their food--a fusion of Asian cuisine, from sushi to curries and more--is absolutely delicious (almost addictive!) When busy, the set-up is like that of Crispers and other similar restaurants; customers line up, order, and then sit down and wait for their food to arrive. During slow periods, a more traditional sit-down-and-order system is utilized. Despite the inexpensive price, the decor is impeccably hip. The tables are lit up, dance music plays in the background, and flat screen TVs playing Japanese animation (and the occasional football or basketball game) are found throughout. The menu has plenty of variety. Sushi lovers can indulge at a very reasonable price (all of the rolls are $6.95 or less) and for those who are intimidated by raw fish, there are plenty of chicken and beef options to choose from. Beer, wine, sake, and bubble tea are all available in addition to the soda fountain. Aside from the sushi, Bento's menu of entrees is generally available in either a "bowl" or "bento box" form. Customers choose an entree (for example, red curry chicken) and either order a large portion on top of a bowl of rice or a smaller portion served with ginger salad, lo mein noodles, some nice green beans, rice, and dessert (usually a small piece of cake). For good Asian food it's a steal at $7.95 per order. My recommendations: the red curry box, the peanut curry box, and spicy Korean chicken noodle bowl.
(5)
Evan H.
I used to work in Gainesville and my co-workers and would go to Bento every Monday for lunch. Great food, great value, great restaurant. It's one of the few places I miss in Gainesville.
(5)
Coty S.
Can they keep up with all of the customers? Sure they can! There is often a line, but don't be discouraged, because the line moves fast and you are guaranteed an excellent meal. The only thing about this location is that they do not serve duck, but everything else on the menu is the same if not better. Their food is authentic, nutritious, trendy, exiting, and fulfilling at once. The atmosphere is amazing with groovy ambient techno and glowing tables. There are families, college students, and elderly couples are dining there and enjoying all that they have to offer. Gainesville is so lucky to have such an amazing local business in their town that caters to everyone, offering a taste of Taiwanese teahouse culture, rivaling some of the greats, such as Saints Alp Teahouse. Most meals are about $6.50 and come in a Bento box as a six course meal. The food is a terrific mix of Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese. Noodle bowls, soup bowls, rice bowls, sushi, tempura, bento boxes, and teriyaki. The highlight of the dining experience is the bubble tea. If you have not tried it, then you are missing out. In the hot Florida months, my favorite is Jasmine Green tea with green apple syrup and lychee jelly.
(4)
Gramley A.
Great alternative when everybody wants to go to Moe's. I am not a huge fan of Moe'sbut will go here anytime. My friends and I always eat outside in between Moe's and Bento's have grown to call it "m-entos"
(4)
Jana E.
You can't go wrong for the price...but Red Bentos is better because it has Jasmine Milk Bubble Tea! I love the sushi boxes, donburis, and spicy cream shrimp.
(5)
Robyn C.
When in Gainsville...visit Bento Cafe. After hearing about it for years - this little place is known to visitors even though it may be difficult to find (this location especially) The atmosphere is pretty dope and this location's theme is blue, as in ICE. The restaurant itself has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a very trendy place to frequent. Don't be surprised if you find professors, students - Asians and non-Asians alike there. The food is good (with the exception of the little desert in the Bento Box), the sushi is acceptable. I was a little weirded out by the fact that they didn't put eel sauce on my eel rolls. In fact, I had to get up and get it myself - or rather, have my bf get it for me. I'm not going to lie, the service was surprisingly fast and the fact that they have all college kids working there makes me feel like it's a fun place to be. Oh, the Bubble tea is also very good - probably the best in Gainesville. If not the only.
(4)
Laura G.
I think I've only eaten here twice or three times in person, but I've lost count of how many times I've ordered take out from here. Their Bulgogi Noodle Bowl is on of my favorites. It's not the best service, but the food is great. If you're hungry, don't be shy about hitting Bento up.
(4)
Lauren A.
This place def. gets five stars in my book....why? Because its super cheap and delicious!! I love their sashimi bowls...and of course their spicy mayo!!! I really don't like their bento boxes but if you do decide to get one...katsu chicken or fish is def. the best!!! :)
(5)
carlson j.
pad thai really bad. extremely dry, 2 layers of noodle and bottom layer was just boiled noodle. not authentic too commercialized
(2)
John S.
Bento Blue (Archer Rd. is Bento Red): awesome prices, fast and friendly service, big parking lot and no upcharge for spicy sauce! They're hitting all the right buttons for an awesome place (unlike Bento Red). Cons? its small and dark inside. The music is really loud. Its sort of like walking into Hollister.
(4)
Merinette S.
Nothing to rave about, but nothing to complain about either. The place has a nice atmosphere(blue lights & stainless steel) and the service is generally great, but the menu is boring and the food is just so-so. There is nothing unique or exciting here and the vegetarian options are less than impressive. You can get a nice big tasty bowl of spicy tuna sashimi here for ~$7, but it's not the best sushi joint in town--even for the moderate price range. This is a good option if you have a large group of people with a major disagreement about where to get dinner, as there is an adjourning southwestern restaurant and a smoothie bar which share the same outdoor seating(so your group can eat at different restaurants and still sit at the same table).
(3)
Logan f.
Its decent. SOmewhat quick, but okay.
(3)
mary p.
Eat here all the time. Both locations are fun, friendly, good selection of sushi and noodle bowls. Bento boxes are great value. I have never had a negative experience at either one.Love the environment...it's counter service, but friendly delivery ...
(4)
Kir-Sheng C.
I love this restaurant and highly recommend it. The food has always been good here--the sushi is decent, depending on the chef. Done right, the sushi is delicious--I've always liked the volcano roll or the red dragon. The tuna don is also pretty good--the wakame and the tuna makes for great texture as you bite in to it. The szechuan beef noodle soup is also great--it's similar to the niu rou mian that's found in Taiwan--pretty authentic and it tastes good. The boba tea is pretty good too. The boba's consistency and texture is second only to Lollicup. I've always been a fan of the katsu chicken--compared to other restaurants, it's always crunchy and tender--but the katsu pork has a little too much fat in it. Overall, I love this restaurant and I go here almost once a day. Some of the reviews on here are incredible--sushi is rolled loosely so when you bite in to it, the sushi *bursts.* And food not coming out all at once? Really? You're going to complain about that? Or that the food isn't "vegan" because there's cream cheese in it? (Hello! Read the ingredient list on the sushi menu!).
(5)
S Z.
I have eaten here three times. The first was horrible but I thought maybe it was just because they were busy, so I came back and it was decent, the third time was once again horrible. The rolls are sloppily rolled, the fish was tough and low quality. I have had better sushi at the grocery store- which is sad. It you want good sushi just spend an extra two bucks and go to a higher quality local, or just hit up Publix down the street.
(2)
Nicholl M.
What can I say, when I am in Gainesville, Bento is defiantly on the to-do list. The Miami roll is to die for, I have dreams about it. The Bento boxes aren't too bad either. They consistently deliver great food.
(4)
Cathy M.
For what it is (casual, affordable, and tasty) i give it 5 stars... I had a mexican sushi roll, which is tempura shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and it was delicious...also had a teriyaki chicken rice bowl, pretty good. they have specials, and since i went on a tuesday, it was "2-for-1" teas. I went for thai iced tea...it's a pre-packaged tea, but nevertheless, tasted great. I'll be back when i'm in the area for work :)
(3)
Katie S.
Good asian fusion. Good lo mein. Fast-food-ish.
(3)
Danny D.
I just discovered the joy of putting Sriracha sauce in my veggie rice bowl. I can feel that ulcer coming.
(4)
Cammeo V.
I like this place a lot. I highly recommend the tea with the pearls in it. It's crazy, but good. I really enjoy coming here with friends because it has a modern feel and we all love our sushi! I look at it as a Panera Bread but a sushi place.
(5)
Francesco L.
In the spirit of full disclosure, my girlfriend and my barber got violently sick after eating the vegetable noodle bowl and a bento box. This could be a fluke. That said, I still like this place. Generically very asian. Great place to bring kids or people who don't like foreign food. Not too pricey. Fare share of students hanging out but not obnoxious or greek.
(3)
James B.
Bento's is a place to go if you want a quick bite of decent food to eat. They offer food in rice bowls or in a bento box with some sides. I recommend not ordering from that side of the menu due to the lack of consistency, cold (meaning not kept hot when it should be) sides, and smaller portions. The only thing I ever enjoyed were the noodle soup bowls. I ordered the chicken katsu udon bowl and I added vegetables for an extra charge. The katsu was somewhat crispy, but nowhere near as good as can be. I'm not quite sure if they use a panko crust, and if they did it's not very good. The soup overall was fine, the udons were average, and the watery soup lacking depth but still somewhat tasty. The better bowl out there is the sliced Szechuan beef. In the sushi area, they mostly serve rolls and they have just average quality fish. You can easily tell because they heavily dress their rolls with a bunch of stuff, but hey, at least it's edible. I don't dare try their nigiri. Service is fine. 2.5 stars overall!
(2)
Hannah C.
Bento is amazing. I have never eaten at the same place so many times (at the height, more than 4 times a week) and still craved it; so much so that when I make it back to Gainesville this is the one place that am guaranteed to make a stop at. The menu is huge, the sushi is great, the bento boxes (repetitive, I know) are filling, and all for a pretty good price. The wait can sometimes be a little much, but in my opinion it is well worth it, plus the semi-wait service (you order at the counter and the food is brought to your table) dulls the pain. However, if you can't handle the wait at all feel free to call ahead, stop by ten minutes later, and take it home, or have the audacity to eat it there! There are no words to describe how much I love and miss Bento... Oh, I don't recommend getting the shrimp tempura, in a roll it's great, but just the tempura...not so awesome.
(5)
Ramon R.
Great sushi at best price and ambiance. You can have a great sushi meal without going broke here. Always busy because of this.
(4)
Mark G.
Oh man,i love Bento! I eat here all the time.Qay better than the overrated-gas-inducing Moe's.Bento blows that joint out of the water. Cheap,tasty Bento boxes,fast service from hot honeys ;-`) sealed the deal for me.
(4)
Robert S.
If the concept of metropolitan Asia could manifest itself into a haze of some sort, fill a room, and shout at you, that would be fairly close to the atmosphere experienced here. But if you're unfortunate enough to be in this area, your other options are Moe's and Bonefish or some bullshit, so you may as well get some rice or something here.
(2)
Mark Y.
I LOVE BENTO. This place is a tiny gem that is worth the visit. The food, service are great. The one downfall with Bento is if you get there at the wrong time you can have a long wait in line to place your order (I guess it says something about the food though) Didn't fancy their Boba tea. worth the visit
(4)
Dani W.
There was a time when I was eating Bento about four to five times a week. I miss that time. I miss that food. I miss Bento.
(5)
Patrick Q.
I have heard a lot of good things about this place. When I lived in japan bento boxes were a staple. I was excited to try this place. The price is very reasonable, the menu has a lot of options and the boxes are cleverly put together. My wife's sushi looked good and my sister in law's Unadon looked and smelled great. This place showed that the owners know their stuff. It is nice to be able to get a variety of japanese, thai and chinese food. The gripe that I have and my explanation for an "I've experienced better" was that my Chicken Katsu did not have the Katsu sauce on it. I was looking forward to that taste. Had I known that they didn't serve it that way it wouldn't have bothered me. The sauce was a spicy japanese mayo (which was good). When I asked the server for some katsu sauce she responded "soy sauce?" I said no the katsu sauce. She pointed out the spicy mayo and said that is how they serve it. I'm not one to aggravate the people who handle my food, so I said "not the Japanese katsu sauce? oh, ok." I was a little frustrated at the server's shortness and her hurry to get back behind the counter. I was surprised because the quality of the food I got for 7.50 was great and the smartly put together menu makes me think the absence of a sauce named after the food is a little weird. Maybe my server was a bum and couldn't wait to get back to socializing. I would go back and give it another try. I would order the same thing again even without the beloved katsu sauce. I want to try the donburi, but am a little nervous about what sauce they may substitute. If the service is better and at least don't act like I am making a crazy request I will probably change my rating to a 3 or maybe even a 4 star.
(2)
Vincent W.
The place is unique and the prices aren't bad. But I think the food could be better. Giving it a 3 stars b/c it was one of the first places I found in Gainesville that had the asian milk tea, which isn't too bad considering they use powder but a little pricey. The food was ok, sushi wasn't anything special. It's a place you go once in a while to change things up and different atmosphere.
(3)
April O.
Excellent udon bowls. Other reviewers are correct about their sushi; it's a good grade but not excellent, and doesn't at all compare to the better sushi restaurants in town. Bento boxes are a mixed bag; the meat dish/main course is usually piping hot, while the surrounding side dishes are inevitably cold (as in, "not kept warm" rather than "meant to be cold"). The boba tea is delicious--they used to have fruit bits for the "pearls," which made for a more interesting drink. Sadly, they've returned to tapioca only. Visit the Newberry Road shop if you have a choice--the Archer Road location is more difficult to get to/park at, more disorganized, and the food isn't as skillfully prepared. The rating takes a star hit on behalf of the second store--it's that bad.
(3)
Alex E.
It's fast food pan-asian cuisine, but it's really pretty tasty and for the price... wow. Go here if you're in the mood for some quick asian food, but don't fancy fried, MSG-laced stuff. The sushi is unremarkable. You won't regret ordering it, but it's certainly not going to wow you.
(4)
Celeste A.
I had heard great things about this place, so I decided to venture away from my favorite sushi place in town. Upon walking in, I feel like I am in a mad dream with a mix of my junior high school cafeteria, a techno bar, and a run down McDonalds. Upon entering, you grab a large laminated sheet which is the menu. Then you walk along a half wall to get to the register. You place your order (don't dare ask for any special sushi dish because they have never heard of things which aren't on the menu). You then go sit down. The tables are small, no booths and are stocked with only low sodium soy sauce. You then take your flimsy plastic cup to the drink dispensers (think Moe's with less space). Then you have the option to get sauces. Unlike Moe's cute little sauce bar, you are met with giant pump dispensers which don't work very well. The spicy mayo has way to much of a grocery store mayonnaise flavor. The eel sauce is also very plain. The sushi we ordered was brought to the table. All three rolls tasted very similar - each overpowered by the large chunks of cream cheese inside. The sushi rice was good, the eel was too warm, the shrimp tempura was above average. Oh, also, no coke products. We ordered a coke and a sprite and were given cups only to find Pepsi products after paying (blah!). I saw no Japanese people behind the counter. A decent fast food type joint if you don't mind the techno music playing along with sports on one tv and an Asian B movie on the other. Nothing exciting.
Can't say enough good things about Bentos. Everything is good, from bento boxes to sushi to bubble tea. My only complaint is the parking and seating arrangements. Sometimes the place is so crowded that you can't find parking (not their fault mind you) and you get inside and there's no tables. Frustrating when you want Bentos!
(4)
Kylie S.
Well, my partner and I were quite impressed with the reviews we saw on here and being fans of oriental, vegetarian food decided to try it out. We were disappointed- for $8 the portion size was tiny (my partner had to get a meal at Taco Bell- unfortunately - because he was still starving! ) and not satisfying (and I'm not a big eater!) We ordered the box deal - Red Curry Tofu- and the tofu wasn't prepared in any special way just basically cut up and chucked into hot sauce (not even brazed or lightly cooked..) I would definitely recommend going to Chopstix instead if you want a good tofu dish. And the special 'sides' they give you in the box were minuscule as well with the salad being about two forkfuls and the beans just as much- good place to go if you are watching your portions!
(1)
carrie h.
Sometimes you just need a quick bite to eat at a decent price. I wouldn't recommend going all out here on a dinner, but its got its value in my selection of restaurants.
(4)
Tu-van L.
A great casual pan-asian eatery by the Newberry movie theater. Bento boxes and sushi are good dishes to try here. One of the few places to have bubble tea. Watch out for the service - the cashier/waiter has messed up mine and my friends' orders on multiple occasions.
(3)
Mrs. H.
I was excited when Bento opened. I liked the decor, the food was good and inexpensive. I recommended it to several people and then the health department shut them down just a little while after they opened. Uh-oh. I didn't go back for another year or so, but eventually found my way back because I was hungry before a movie. It was okay, but the little cake that comes with the meal was way too dry on the sides to be fresh. Still I accepted this since it's sort of fast food Pan-Asian, right? I always order the same thing, the yakitori bento. Well, one day I had a hankering for sushi so I went here and what I saw nearly turned my stomach. I ordered the veggie cream cheese roll. There was all this stuff on the outside and it turns out it was bits and pieces of seafood and stuff from other rolls that shouldn't have been on my sushi. Ugh, so disgusting. Who knows how long it had been since the counters, the cutting boards and the mats had been cleaned?!! And who knows how long everything else is sitting out? The noodles are usually cold. The cakes are so dry. Yuck. Big no-no. I'm never going back. I can live without food poisoning.
(1)
Ron K.
This place was one of the original pan-asian cafe's in gainesville. They used to have something called a snow bowl (which was amazing), unfortunantly they no longer offer that for dessert (which is why they don't get 5-stars from me). The food there is good and there is a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and sushi selections. The milk tea with pearls is excellent and if you are extra thirsty you can super-size it!. I particularly enjoy the Szechwan Beef Noodle Soup, Spice Chicken Noodle Bowl, and Curry Catzu Noodle Bowl. Also they have the best hot and sour soup in town (the most authentic that I have tasted in gainesville).
(4)
Brian E.
This is a staple for me in Gainesville. I have never had a bad food experience here, and everything I've tried has been excellent. My go-to meal is fried Udon, but the Sushi is really a star here in Gainesville. I recommend getting an executive roll, like Flying Dragon, for a great sushi experience. All regular entrees have been great. My favorite is Broccoli (Kung Pao). I prefer Newberry Bento over Archer. The atmosphere is much nicer and you generally don't have to wait in line outside the door.
(5)
Hung L.
Nice clean place. Modern decor. Self served mixed cola machine. A little pricy but the food was fresh and delicious.
(5)
Judy L.
Made a quick stop for dinner on the way back from Disney on a Monday night at 6pm. You take a menu at the entrance and order at the counter before sitting down at either an indoor or outdoor table. FOOD: - Mongolian Beef Bento Box: the Mongolian Beef was very salty. It's as if it was sitting out in a buffet line. I would say the same for the Lo Mein. As if it was sitting for a while. - Sushi combo box: For my sushi combo box, I choose the Florida roll, Spicy UF roll, & California roll. I thought they were all just okay. - We also ordered two bubble teas: Mango green tea with mango jelly & Milk tea with boba. These were okay. Not as great as the bubble tea stores that you find in Atlanta. Overall, I do not see myself returning to this location's Bento Cafe. Everything was mediocre. I know there are several sister Bento Cafe's in Florida that I would like to visit.
(3)
Siri B.
3 stars because they just raised their price + small portion :-(
(3)
Lane M.
Mt. Fuji roll!!!!! They also have some new wings that are pretty good... Service is friendly, as always.
(4)
Lindsey P.
great service but my rolls of sushi were falling apart. wish there was a wasabi in Gainesville.
(2)
Daniel M.
This place used to be great but the prices have gone up to a point where I no longer feel it matches the quality. Sadly I probably won't be eating here much anymore. I'd rather spend the extra buck and eat at Dragonfly now.
(3)
Brian A.
The bento boxes here are amazing and its the only place in town that makes a good milk tea. I'm a huge fan of the boxes as the ginger salads are perfect and the deserts are a great way to end the meal.
(5)
Kasey G.
Most of their sushi rolls are pretty good. I gave a three star rating mainly because they can be a hit-and-miss. I like the mango roll, but there have been times where it has been pretty mediocre. Their milk teas are really good.
(3)
Kenneth P.
The Environment: Great for groups, very young feeling, and pretty hip! Definitely a good place to be. The Food: I had the spicy creamy shrimp in a rice bowl. It was... DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The flavor was very unique, not like anything I had tried before. There's also alcohol and a huge menu. But I think it'd be worth trying again!
(4)
Chris K.
Bentos strives to be a trendy place to eat, and at one point might have been, but over the years the restaurant has begun to show its age. The dining room just doesn't seem clean like it used to be. The tables and eating utensils (not the chop sticks) usually seem dirty. The nice lighting inside the restaurant isn't going to hide a poorly cleaned dinning room. At this point I try to avoid dining in here. I do still get food to-go though. Their menu is pan Asian with plenty to choose from. The food on average is average. It's something to eat to get full, not something to eat to thoroughly enjoy. I recommend their beef bulgogi and chicken katsu. I prefer to get their noodle bowls upgraded to udon noodles over their bento boxes. I avoid their miso soup and salads (tough and drowned in ginger dressing). If you need a quick bite to eat before going to see a movie next door, this is an ideal location to visit. As long as Gainesville has freshmen, they'll have an audience. But as someone whose eaten here quite a bit over a long period of time, they aren't fooling me into thinking this is a cool place to eat with top notch food.
(3)
James L.
Very tasty for a good price. Never had the sushi, but the spicy creamy chicken is my fave. Young staff can be a little testy, but overall good experiences there. Line can be very long so I'd call in your order. Not a ton of indoor seating. Still four stars for tastiness.
(4)
Michel A.
Love eating at this place. They have a large selection on the menu and food is always good. My Gf loves the teas.
(4)
Elly L.
Amazing place to hangout at and have a small meal! Their bento boxes are really good and come with so many things. My boyfriend likes their rice bowls and has visited 3 times already! Really cool soda machines, too. They have AC problems sometimes but it's not too bad.
(5)
Kiana M.
This place is amazing. I don't understand the negative reviews. Sure, it's going to be busy depending on certain times. If you're going out for takeout or to dine in anywhere on a Friday or Saturday night in a college town what do you expect? Sometimes the lines move slow because of all the choices on the menu, or because the cashier is explaining a dish to a customer. But I've never waited too long to complain. At my most recent visit, something made me really upset though. I purchased a fountain drink and then walked to the back where they have one of those high tech fountain machines with all the choices. They only had seagrams ale and water available. I thought it was terrible that they let me buy a fountain drink when that's all they had. I'm confident they weren't aware though. I also didn't say anything, so I'm sure they would have helped. Just keep that in mind and check the fountains before buying soda.
(5)
Dana S.
Okay, I love Bento. They have a ton of selections. My brother got the general tso bento box and it was pretty good. I got the create-a don which a create a sushi bowl with salmon,crab and shrimp. I loved it! Gotta have the spicy mayo though. I thought the Starburst (strawberry banana) milk tea boba was okay, but the actual boba balls were made just right. Can't wait to try more when they open one in Tampa hopefully soon! The prices aren't bad either.
(5)
Chelsea M.
My boyfriend and I love this place. He gets the Mongolian beef rice bowl, and I get the Mexican roll. Other favorites of mine are the crunch, masarap, and Florida rolls. Their spicy mayo is also the best around.
(5)
Sarah R.
Love this place for a quick Asian cuisine. Not pricey, nice atmosphere. Sometimes they get really busy but that's because everyone in town loves them. The sashimi tuna is my favorite, comes with avocado which I love! Their udon noodle bowl is my second favorite.
(4)
Erin S.
Love their Bento boxes, especially the chicken katsu. Crab wontons are good. I have yet to try the sushi here though. They have decent food & atmosphere, unfortunately they don't stand out to me when deciding on dining options. I tend to only go here when others suggest. They're not bad, just not exceptional either.
(3)
Luzelena C.
Great food and a good price. My go-to place for something quick and delicious. Bento boxes are always great, but the spicy beef udon noodle soup is my favorite!
(4)
Cassie R.
I've been to Bento Blue (as they call this particular location) many, many times since its opening, and although results have varied with each visit, it's still a place that I return to with some sense of anticipation. As far as the food goes, it's nothing particularly original, but usually pretty solid. On some occasions, the bento box side dishes can be a little dried out (the green beans and noodles, most often), and one time I ordered sushi with WAY too much vinegar in the rice, but usually, the food is really tasty. I usually stick with the chicken katsu bento box or the Mexican roll, with a lover's (strawberry + mango) milk tea. The milk teas are definitely part of the charm, but like the food, some of the flavors can be hit-or-miss. I've never had any problems with the service; the staff has always treated me well, never any mistakes in my orders, and I'm still a bit impressed with how they find you in your seat. Altogether, Bento isn't the greatest restaurant in the world, but it provides me with a sense of comfort and familiarity and maybe even reliability that keeps me coming back.
(4)
Danny A.
I had the Coconut Chicken Curry Bento Box. It had noodles, a mini salad, the chicken coconut curry, rice, green beans, and for some reason a Rice Krispie treat. The salad noodles and rice were perfect. The curry coconut chicken was so-so. It wasn't very good, too average. I was confused why there was a rice krispie treat because it had nothing to do with it. We also had the Zombie Roll which was unique and I liked it. I have never seen sushi with tiny red caviar and some fried green vegetable. It tasted good and I liked the variation of sushi. However, there was a cockroach in the men's bathroom. I told a woman and she said she'll do something to get it out.
(3)
A L.
Great food, great daily freebies and deals, even options for low-carb eaters! Their sushi is amazing, but you can definitely load up on food for cheap with their Bento box. Their garlic ginger chicken is to die for! Limited indoor seating, but they do have an outdoor area and delivery options.
(5)
Sara L.
Bento is a great place for casual Asian food. The food is good...I have had some questionable dishes but when you order right, you will be satisfied. I love the spicy cream chicken or shrimp! Sushi is quite good. It is the only place in town that I will eat sushi. Try the spicy UF roll. The best part are the amazing prices. You get a lot of very tasty food for extremely fair prices.
(4)
Sean C.
My daily sushi go to. Can't beat the price for the quality sushi. Can get very busy so calling ahead and getting take out and sitting outside it a good idea. Daily specials too
(5)
Bradley E.
The food is great, but the service tends to be terrible. Borderline rude employees and slow service are the norm. If you call in a pickup order and they say 20 minutes, give it at least 30 and on occasion nearly 45 before you actually get your food. It's just frustrating and they never seem to acknowledge how slow they are.
(3)
Coleen T.
I recently went gluten-free... so I have ventured into the world of sushi which I never really had before. Bento has become one of my quick options for food... it's really easy to make any dish gluten free by asking for steamed chicken or shrimp instead of fried. I have a favorite creation that I stick to... it's a spicy tuna roll with a few additions (cream cheese, avocado and cucumber). Check out this place, it's pretty good!
(4)
Susan M.
Nothing like the Bentos in Orlando. very disappointing. the food not really that good and the service. What service. you order,and dont ask questions. If you want fast food atmosphere and don't care about polite workers , its your place. I realize its a College town but taking my order and being rude doesn't justjfy me putting money in a tip jar. Very very dissapointing. I won't be back.
(1)
Jarrod H.
I love bento! Best place in Gainesville for a quick Asian meal. I went here probably 500 times in college and ordered the chicken teriyaki bento box 95% of the time. I also drowned everything I got in spicy mayo so everything was great.
(5)
Maria F.
Went there on my birthday and had the pork chop udon soup which was AMAZING! I don't recommend getting the bento boxes because I always find the noodles and green beans too salty. Service was quick but the only complaint was that the cashier wasn't really paying attention and she forgot my boba tea order....
(4)
Katherine K.
Bento (blue) is great if you have a craving for boba tea and sushi. I've only had their sushi, but I'm looking forward to trying something from the other menu. The dragon roll is SO good. So is lust, especially if you like spicy mayo. Inexpensive, good and quick (even if there's a line).
(4)
Jaime B.
I've been eating at Bento's for 5 years now. It has always been great. Spot on in service, taste, atmosphere, price. Plus it's consistent. I've never left going, "I don't think I'll be going there again." Once or twice I have gotten some fishy fish but in a span of years, that's a damn good track record!! As far as their food goes, I've tried many things. My favorites are the Thai coconut curry, curry katsu, I always get noodles because I love the consistency and texture of the noodles they use. You can also get rice and now they offer brown rice for +1 (dollar). I've ordered pretty much all of the rolls on the menu. My favorite is the yoshi roll because I love conch but they have a variety of rolls for all tastes and preferences. And if they don't have what you want, you can always "create-a-roll". Their sashimi bowls are awesome and come with quite a bit of sashimi, fish eggs, seaweed salad and, most the time, avocado. Love the teas here. Lover's fruit green tea with lychee jelly is the best. I wouldn't recommend their milk tea as once I ordered a taro milk tea with boba and the boba were not fresh and the taro milk left little to be desired (I get my milk teas from lollicup...excellent). I also never would recommend a bento box. It sounds good in theory to have such a large variety but some of the items on it just aren't good and noodle/rice bowls are cheaper (and you'll likely have leftovers). Tl;dr If you haven't been to Bento's, you should try it. It is reasonably priced and the food is delicious.
(5)
Lola N.
So I am from fort lauderdale... Back home there isn't great bubble tea. The best place we had was lollicup. Lollicup close though. So for me to go to Gainesville and find this place was a miracle. Of course, it's thru recommendation! I tried the sushi and I had the bubble tea. I had a mocha magic! It was great:) I love it. The sushi was great. I saw someone order a crunchy salmon roll, it look great and taste even better! let me tell you the price was a bonus! We ate 2 rolls, and soda, and a bowl of rice of bulgogi for $25.00 ? Maybe 30 but that's nothing compare to what we usually pay! I love it! It's fun! The environment is great :) all the girls are pretty and kind too!! Love it!
(5)
Julie A.
I have been craving their Almond Joy Boba Milk Tea endlessly for months since the last time I came here. I surely got my fix this time -- a LARGE serving of it! My craving will be satisfied for the next few months.... =) Yes, I can get others to imitate it, but there's nothing like the original. A holy trinity of flavors (coconut, chocolate, and almond) mixed evenly into a milk tea treat mixed with tapioca pearls. By the way, they don't have ramen here. I asked. =(
(5)
Meg I.
Ordered the red curry over rice, and it literally tasted like nothing. It was like eating styrofoam packing peanuts and then every once in a while my mouth would feel hot. Tofu was undercooked and the pad thai had a fishy taste. Bland, boring, and not worth the hype.... it's like the Kim Kardashian of Asian food.
(2)
Mike W.
Bento Cafe, or Bento Blue as the Bento folks like to call it, was the first Bento restaurant of their now six or more establishments in Gainesville, Orlando, and Jacksonville. It opened in either 2003 or 2004 and just short of a decade of business, it is starting to show some wear to its somewhat-sleek interior. Certainly, after Bento Red (Archer Road) expanded, the atmosphere at Bento Blue seems rather plain and even in need of work in places. I've had no less than three first dates here though and have fond nostalgia for the place so I'd probably hate to see too much of a change, in all candor. As for the food, their menu of bento-box and rice bowl pan-Asian dishes has remained much the same for years though now and then new menu items have been added. Their sushi is good, but not great, as one would expect for the quasi-fast-food approach at hand. The bento boxes come with white rice, noodles, green beans, a salad with ginger dressing, and a small dessert like a cookie and that's not changed since opening day as far as I know. Sometimes these sides are quite good, other times the noodles are tough or rice overcooked. The main dishes themselves vary a lot, but I've recently noticed they're often overly salty--especially those like the basil stir-fry that have a lot of a sauce with them. The katsu fares very well though and the General Tso's chicken is ok. The sushi . . . often pretty good, sometimes not good at all. The krab delite nigiri and the Mexican rolls are my favorites though and always impressive, albeit simple. The more complex rolls . . . well, more to go wrong I suppose and sometimes that's exactly what happens. Bento's fun, but the Bento Red location is better than this one: I'd probably give that location four stars instead of three. I would not choose either just for sushi on nights I want to go out for sushi though. Mahzu is light-years better in that regard. The bento boxes and decently-priced, informal, meals with friends are what Bento's all about and it's great for that, but be well prepared that things can be a bit off at times . . . and quite salty very often.
(3)
Ryan F.
Bento is always consistent with quality and affordable Asian fusion. The best deal is the sushi bowl IMO. More fish than a roll at the same price.
(4)
Johnny L.
Note: I also wrote a review for the Bento's on Archer. "You can't write reviews on places with the same name!".....Well screw you. Yes I can. Though they have the same name, they seemed like two different places. The service here was seriously lacking. And there was only one register open for the whole place?? The lines extended out to the corner of the plaza and the place was tiny already. Good thing they have outside seating. The menu did have some items I didn't recognize from the Archer one. So in my most recent visit, I tried the Seafood rice bowl. Sounded good enough (Shrimp, scallops, and squid with veggies on rice). My friend got the Japanese Udon Bowl with beef. We also shared a Gainesville Roll. The seafood bowl wasn't that great. The sauce wasn't that good and it was dumped over tiny pieces of shrimp, scallops, and chewy squid. The Gainesville Roll was good, and the Japanese Udon Beef Bowl looked good enough. I've had other things here before, but it was a while back so I will not comment based off memory, but they were'nt memorable. The food was still pretty good, but the times I've been here have never been as good as the times I've gone to the one on Archer. Bad Luck maybe? I mean...it is the same restaurant as the one on Archer, right?
(3)
Carlos H.
My friend and I came here yesterday when I came up to take a vacation in Gainesville and I have to see I was extremely impressed with this place. The menu is so diverse, it's pretty to find Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines all perfectly combined on a menu, and I pretty much decided to go in all different directions in my ordered. I ordered a bulgogi steak bento box with a thai tea boba and also ordered a California Roll and Eel Roll. The order was out in only a matter of minutes. The bento box was delicious and perfectly filling, I think the bulgogi at Sa Ri One in Tampa was a little better, but that doesn't mean this bulgogi tasted bad at all, it was quite delicious. The thai tea was perfectly made, not too much ice and strong flavor with very sweet and tender boba balls that didn't freeze up like I've had happen to me at some other places that I order thai tea at with boba. The sushi tasted very fresh, the crab in the California Roll was great, and the Eel Roll tasted good as well, it didn't have it's normal overpowering taste though so I won't say it is the best sushi I have had, but it was pretty good and certainly worth it. The establishment is very nicely set up, appearing as a relaxing place with couches and a cool vibe to it, they even had the Initial D anime on two of their televisions, which I found to be pretty cool. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Gainesville.
(5)
Andria M.
This is my favorite sushi in Gainesville! My husband and I come here all the time. It's great. He loves the spicy cream shrimp!
(5)
Courtney D.
This is my favorite place in Gainesville. It's a great environment with both indoor and outdoor seating and always great music. They have a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle and rice bowls, sushi, and boba drinks. I have never been disappointed. I prefer this location to the Archer Rd location. It's smaller but service is faster and they don't charge extra for sauces.
(5)
Dena P.
The food was good and cheap depending on what you get. There's all sorts of asian food from korean, chinese to japanese. It gets really crowded from time to time because lots of college kids come here to get "bento" lunchbox style food. They also serve bubble tea which was pretty cheap. Also a sushi bar to eat at. The location is great because it's in a new/clean plaza with lots of other restaurant that are great to visit too. Bento is expanding their restaurant which is a plus! A great place to visit if you're in the area!
(5)
Keilani R.
You know, I like Bento. I prefer Bento Blue (Newberry) to Bento Red (Archer), if only because the latter is often crowded and kind of unorganized. The sushi is pretty good (and pretty cheap), and the Boba tea (almond is my favorite -- with pearls, which are made of tapioca and make for a really interesting drink experience) is fantastic. I would probably go to Bento just for some Boba tea.
(4)
Jana E.
You can't go wrong for the price...but Red Bentos is better because it has Jasmine Milk Bubble Tea! I love the sushi boxes, donburis, and spicy cream shrimp.
(5)
Michael W.
Bentos cafe focuses on the experience and the atmosphere. But their food is pretty well presented and adequate. This is my 4th time going this semester. I always get the bento box teriyaki beef but this time I got the General tso Chicken bento box. Before I criticize the general Tso Chicken, I want to clarify that I can make my own General tso chicken and I can make it good hehe. Anyhow, the general Tso chicken's presentation was good. The chicken was nicely done with the crispiness. The sauce was done well also, however when you eat the chicken with the rice. It feels like the sauce is not there. The sauce doesn't have the power to overcome the blandness of the rice. The sauce supposed to have that power, not the saltiness of the sauce but the flavor of the sauce. It felt like the General Tso sauce was DILUTED.... Anyhow , every time I make my chicken, I make sure it is strong enough to over come the rice's flavor. Anyway, the side of veggie (brocolli) was weak! They gave me 3 pieces of Brocolli. So cheap :-( Anyhow, overall the food was good. The ginger salad was good and the lomein along with the little cake dessert.
(4)
Nico S.
Yay! My friend used to try and convince me to go here with her, but I always thought it was a bit overpriced, so I usually just ate a burrito from next door while she inhaled the Bento box (minus the plastic). Tonight D and I went with our hard earned garage sale cash, $24. Yum! Glad we made that decision. We ordered the Spicy Cream Chicken, the Florida roll, and the Gainesville roll, all to share. I ended up eating more of the sushi, however. The fish was plenty, the rice, sticky but not mushy, seaweed not overpowering the taste nor texture of it's contents. We called in take out for the fear of not making it in time for outdoor seating, and it was made just in time for our arrival. Good hours, nice staff, tasty Thai tea with boba FTW!
(4)
Richard W.
This bentos isnt as good as the bento red on archer, but it's still ok. Their bentos and noodle bowls are both pretty good, but dont seem to be as good as their red location. It's not "authentic" but it is good. The decor is well done to look trendy with a blue and black theme. Like the other one, its a good place to go to grab a bite with some friends.
(3)
Melissa P.
I had the sushi combo. Great price and great food.
(4)
Melenie S.
Out of all the sushi places that I have been to around town Bento definitely has the best deals. You cannot beat the prices to the amount of meat you get in a sushi roll. Usually many places skimp on the ingredients but not this place. Their dons (sashimi rice bowls) are also a good choice to make on the menu, as they also give you a lot for your buck. They also have deals on certain days that if you buy two rolls a free order of edamame comes with it. Aside from sushi, the restaurant provides an array of cooked food as well. Ranging from teriyaki chicken to curry which are all decently sized. However I must warn that if you come on a weekend be prepared to wait for your food because the place does get packed and the service gets slow. Overall a good place to eat at with reasonably priced food. Will come back again.
(4)
Sasha P.
I used to eat sushi at Bento RELIGIOUSLY during my junior year at UF. I can't say I've had any of the entrees at Bento but they always look tasty when I see other people order them. To be honest, they just don't look like they would fill me up. But I'm sure they are tasty. Bento is really good about call-in orders. I used to do this all the time because the place gets PACKED! When I say packed, I mean that the line to order is out the door like Chipotle when they give away free burritos. Every time I go, I order either the Flying Dragon or the Red Dragon, ALWAYS. I love tempura shrimp, crab and avocado and both of these rolls has each. The only difference between the two is that the Red Dragon is topped with tuna and the Flying Dragon is topped with eel. Along with one of these two rolls, I usually order a bunch of other random rolls that I haven't tried before. Depending on my mood, I order a Mango Bubble Tea. Completely DELICIOUS!!!
(4)
GLEN R.
If you are a college student and want bang for your buck this is the place!
(5)
Natalie W.
Meh it's ok !! Maybe I'm a sushi snob but I'd rather pay more and get better quality. Not really a fan ... I mean it wasn't the worst place ever but I'd rather eat elsewhere.
(2)
Bryan H.
This place was awesome. The menu selection is not overwhelming but have tons of choices. The food was authentic and very good. My kids loved the soda dispensing machine. It was a little costly but still very worth it.
(5)
Rachel E.
Can I give bento blue six stars? I've only lived in GVL 4 months and it's my favorite restaurant. My girl and I eat here weekly and sometimes more. The noodle bowls and special Mexican roll are my favorite. We've tried basically everything except the soup. Dumplings are always incredible. Edamame is always cooked perfectly. The rolls are to die for. I enjoy the chicken and shrimp dishes but thats a personal preference. The curry is perfect, just enough to make your nose run down your face. The line is usually out the door so we often get it togo but the service has always been decent. Ive noticed the rolls can be made a bit sloppy on Friday or Saturday nights but it's not big complaint. I didnt like sushi before I came here and now it's all I ever want. And I'm just gonna put this out there... I would eat spicy mayo with everything if I could.
(5)
Belen C.
I love this Bento SO much more than the one on Archer. They don't nickel and dime you. Period. If you ask for an extra sauce, it's free. In fact they have eel sauce, spicy mayo, and the like right in front to pump into plastic ramekins. I love their rolls, especially my current obsessions: National Champ roll and their Lust roll. I'm also a huge fan of their Spicy Cream Shrimp. Their fish is nice and fresh. I've never had a nigiri or sashimi that I didn't love. Tip: If you plan to go when it's busy call ahead and ask for takeout, that way you can avoid the ridiculous lines that form during nights and weekends.
(5)
Adam W.
i'm really writing this for my wife. she is a big fan. we both like this corner since it has a nice variety of food options for us, namely moe's, coldstone, coffee culture, gators dockside and this place. i have also ate here a few times. the food is good, not the best sushi in town, but good. if you judged by the lines, people must find this place freakin' awesome 'cause it seems to almost always have a line. one thing my wife likes alot is their endless dispenser of spicy mayo sauce. they recently introduced a children's menu. i think it is a bit pricey for what you get.
(4)
Robyn C.
When in Gainsville...visit Bento Cafe. After hearing about it for years - this little place is known to visitors even though it may be difficult to find (this location especially) The atmosphere is pretty dope and this location's theme is blue, as in ICE. The restaurant itself has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a very trendy place to frequent. Don't be surprised if you find professors, students - Asians and non-Asians alike there. The food is good (with the exception of the little desert in the Bento Box), the sushi is acceptable. I was a little weirded out by the fact that they didn't put eel sauce on my eel rolls. In fact, I had to get up and get it myself - or rather, have my bf get it for me. I'm not going to lie, the service was surprisingly fast and the fact that they have all college kids working there makes me feel like it's a fun place to be. Oh, the Bubble tea is also very good - probably the best in Gainesville. If not the only.
(4)
Laura G.
I think I've only eaten here twice or three times in person, but I've lost count of how many times I've ordered take out from here. Their Bulgogi Noodle Bowl is on of my favorites. It's not the best service, but the food is great. If you're hungry, don't be shy about hitting Bento up.
(4)
Lauren A.
This place def. gets five stars in my book....why? Because its super cheap and delicious!! I love their sashimi bowls...and of course their spicy mayo!!! I really don't like their bento boxes but if you do decide to get one...katsu chicken or fish is def. the best!!! :)
(5)
carlson j.
pad thai really bad. extremely dry, 2 layers of noodle and bottom layer was just boiled noodle. not authentic too commercialized
(2)
John S.
Bento Blue (Archer Rd. is Bento Red): awesome prices, fast and friendly service, big parking lot and no upcharge for spicy sauce! They're hitting all the right buttons for an awesome place (unlike Bento Red). Cons? its small and dark inside. The music is really loud. Its sort of like walking into Hollister.
(4)
Cammeo V.
I like this place a lot. I highly recommend the tea with the pearls in it. It's crazy, but good. I really enjoy coming here with friends because it has a modern feel and we all love our sushi! I look at it as a Panera Bread but a sushi place.
(5)
Merinette S.
Nothing to rave about, but nothing to complain about either. The place has a nice atmosphere(blue lights & stainless steel) and the service is generally great, but the menu is boring and the food is just so-so. There is nothing unique or exciting here and the vegetarian options are less than impressive. You can get a nice big tasty bowl of spicy tuna sashimi here for ~$7, but it's not the best sushi joint in town--even for the moderate price range. This is a good option if you have a large group of people with a major disagreement about where to get dinner, as there is an adjourning southwestern restaurant and a smoothie bar which share the same outdoor seating(so your group can eat at different restaurants and still sit at the same table).
(3)
Kir-Sheng C.
I love this restaurant and highly recommend it. The food has always been good here--the sushi is decent, depending on the chef. Done right, the sushi is delicious--I've always liked the volcano roll or the red dragon. The tuna don is also pretty good--the wakame and the tuna makes for great texture as you bite in to it. The szechuan beef noodle soup is also great--it's similar to the niu rou mian that's found in Taiwan--pretty authentic and it tastes good. The boba tea is pretty good too. The boba's consistency and texture is second only to Lollicup. I've always been a fan of the katsu chicken--compared to other restaurants, it's always crunchy and tender--but the katsu pork has a little too much fat in it. Overall, I love this restaurant and I go here almost once a day. Some of the reviews on here are incredible--sushi is rolled loosely so when you bite in to it, the sushi *bursts.* And food not coming out all at once? Really? You're going to complain about that? Or that the food isn't "vegan" because there's cream cheese in it? (Hello! Read the ingredient list on the sushi menu!).
(5)
S Z.
I have eaten here three times. The first was horrible but I thought maybe it was just because they were busy, so I came back and it was decent, the third time was once again horrible. The rolls are sloppily rolled, the fish was tough and low quality. I have had better sushi at the grocery store- which is sad. It you want good sushi just spend an extra two bucks and go to a higher quality local, or just hit up Publix down the street.
(2)
Nicholl M.
What can I say, when I am in Gainesville, Bento is defiantly on the to-do list. The Miami roll is to die for, I have dreams about it. The Bento boxes aren't too bad either. They consistently deliver great food.
(4)
Cathy M.
For what it is (casual, affordable, and tasty) i give it 5 stars... I had a mexican sushi roll, which is tempura shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and it was delicious...also had a teriyaki chicken rice bowl, pretty good. they have specials, and since i went on a tuesday, it was "2-for-1" teas. I went for thai iced tea...it's a pre-packaged tea, but nevertheless, tasted great. I'll be back when i'm in the area for work :)
(3)
Katie S.
Good asian fusion. Good lo mein. Fast-food-ish.
(3)
Danny D.
I just discovered the joy of putting Sriracha sauce in my veggie rice bowl. I can feel that ulcer coming.
(4)
James B.
Bento's is a place to go if you want a quick bite of decent food to eat. They offer food in rice bowls or in a bento box with some sides. I recommend not ordering from that side of the menu due to the lack of consistency, cold (meaning not kept hot when it should be) sides, and smaller portions. The only thing I ever enjoyed were the noodle soup bowls. I ordered the chicken katsu udon bowl and I added vegetables for an extra charge. The katsu was somewhat crispy, but nowhere near as good as can be. I'm not quite sure if they use a panko crust, and if they did it's not very good. The soup overall was fine, the udons were average, and the watery soup lacking depth but still somewhat tasty. The better bowl out there is the sliced Szechuan beef. In the sushi area, they mostly serve rolls and they have just average quality fish. You can easily tell because they heavily dress their rolls with a bunch of stuff, but hey, at least it's edible. I don't dare try their nigiri. Service is fine. 2.5 stars overall!
(2)
Hannah C.
Bento is amazing. I have never eaten at the same place so many times (at the height, more than 4 times a week) and still craved it; so much so that when I make it back to Gainesville this is the one place that am guaranteed to make a stop at. The menu is huge, the sushi is great, the bento boxes (repetitive, I know) are filling, and all for a pretty good price. The wait can sometimes be a little much, but in my opinion it is well worth it, plus the semi-wait service (you order at the counter and the food is brought to your table) dulls the pain. However, if you can't handle the wait at all feel free to call ahead, stop by ten minutes later, and take it home, or have the audacity to eat it there! There are no words to describe how much I love and miss Bento... Oh, I don't recommend getting the shrimp tempura, in a roll it's great, but just the tempura...not so awesome.
(5)
Ramon R.
Great sushi at best price and ambiance. You can have a great sushi meal without going broke here. Always busy because of this.
(4)
Mark G.
Oh man,i love Bento! I eat here all the time.Qay better than the overrated-gas-inducing Moe's.Bento blows that joint out of the water. Cheap,tasty Bento boxes,fast service from hot honeys ;-`) sealed the deal for me.
(4)
Robert S.
If the concept of metropolitan Asia could manifest itself into a haze of some sort, fill a room, and shout at you, that would be fairly close to the atmosphere experienced here. But if you're unfortunate enough to be in this area, your other options are Moe's and Bonefish or some bullshit, so you may as well get some rice or something here.
(2)
Mark Y.
I LOVE BENTO. This place is a tiny gem that is worth the visit. The food, service are great. The one downfall with Bento is if you get there at the wrong time you can have a long wait in line to place your order (I guess it says something about the food though) Didn't fancy their Boba tea. worth the visit
(4)
Dani W.
There was a time when I was eating Bento about four to five times a week. I miss that time. I miss that food. I miss Bento.
(5)
Patrick Q.
I have heard a lot of good things about this place. When I lived in japan bento boxes were a staple. I was excited to try this place. The price is very reasonable, the menu has a lot of options and the boxes are cleverly put together. My wife's sushi looked good and my sister in law's Unadon looked and smelled great. This place showed that the owners know their stuff. It is nice to be able to get a variety of japanese, thai and chinese food. The gripe that I have and my explanation for an "I've experienced better" was that my Chicken Katsu did not have the Katsu sauce on it. I was looking forward to that taste. Had I known that they didn't serve it that way it wouldn't have bothered me. The sauce was a spicy japanese mayo (which was good). When I asked the server for some katsu sauce she responded "soy sauce?" I said no the katsu sauce. She pointed out the spicy mayo and said that is how they serve it. I'm not one to aggravate the people who handle my food, so I said "not the Japanese katsu sauce? oh, ok." I was a little frustrated at the server's shortness and her hurry to get back behind the counter. I was surprised because the quality of the food I got for 7.50 was great and the smartly put together menu makes me think the absence of a sauce named after the food is a little weird. Maybe my server was a bum and couldn't wait to get back to socializing. I would go back and give it another try. I would order the same thing again even without the beloved katsu sauce. I want to try the donburi, but am a little nervous about what sauce they may substitute. If the service is better and at least don't act like I am making a crazy request I will probably change my rating to a 3 or maybe even a 4 star.
(2)
Vincent W.
The place is unique and the prices aren't bad. But I think the food could be better. Giving it a 3 stars b/c it was one of the first places I found in Gainesville that had the asian milk tea, which isn't too bad considering they use powder but a little pricey. The food was ok, sushi wasn't anything special. It's a place you go once in a while to change things up and different atmosphere.
(3)
April O.
Excellent udon bowls. Other reviewers are correct about their sushi; it's a good grade but not excellent, and doesn't at all compare to the better sushi restaurants in town. Bento boxes are a mixed bag; the meat dish/main course is usually piping hot, while the surrounding side dishes are inevitably cold (as in, "not kept warm" rather than "meant to be cold"). The boba tea is delicious--they used to have fruit bits for the "pearls," which made for a more interesting drink. Sadly, they've returned to tapioca only. Visit the Newberry Road shop if you have a choice--the Archer Road location is more difficult to get to/park at, more disorganized, and the food isn't as skillfully prepared. The rating takes a star hit on behalf of the second store--it's that bad.
(3)
Alex E.
It's fast food pan-asian cuisine, but it's really pretty tasty and for the price... wow. Go here if you're in the mood for some quick asian food, but don't fancy fried, MSG-laced stuff. The sushi is unremarkable. You won't regret ordering it, but it's certainly not going to wow you.
(4)
Celeste A.
I had heard great things about this place, so I decided to venture away from my favorite sushi place in town. Upon walking in, I feel like I am in a mad dream with a mix of my junior high school cafeteria, a techno bar, and a run down McDonalds. Upon entering, you grab a large laminated sheet which is the menu. Then you walk along a half wall to get to the register. You place your order (don't dare ask for any special sushi dish because they have never heard of things which aren't on the menu). You then go sit down. The tables are small, no booths and are stocked with only low sodium soy sauce. You then take your flimsy plastic cup to the drink dispensers (think Moe's with less space). Then you have the option to get sauces. Unlike Moe's cute little sauce bar, you are met with giant pump dispensers which don't work very well. The spicy mayo has way to much of a grocery store mayonnaise flavor. The eel sauce is also very plain. The sushi we ordered was brought to the table. All three rolls tasted very similar - each overpowered by the large chunks of cream cheese inside. The sushi rice was good, the eel was too warm, the shrimp tempura was above average. Oh, also, no coke products. We ordered a coke and a sprite and were given cups only to find Pepsi products after paying (blah!). I saw no Japanese people behind the counter. A decent fast food type joint if you don't mind the techno music playing along with sports on one tv and an Asian B movie on the other. Nothing exciting.
Can't say enough good things about Bentos. Everything is good, from bento boxes to sushi to bubble tea. My only complaint is the parking and seating arrangements. Sometimes the place is so crowded that you can't find parking (not their fault mind you) and you get inside and there's no tables. Frustrating when you want Bentos!
(4)
Kylie S.
Well, my partner and I were quite impressed with the reviews we saw on here and being fans of oriental, vegetarian food decided to try it out. We were disappointed- for $8 the portion size was tiny (my partner had to get a meal at Taco Bell- unfortunately - because he was still starving! ) and not satisfying (and I'm not a big eater!) We ordered the box deal - Red Curry Tofu- and the tofu wasn't prepared in any special way just basically cut up and chucked into hot sauce (not even brazed or lightly cooked..) I would definitely recommend going to Chopstix instead if you want a good tofu dish. And the special 'sides' they give you in the box were minuscule as well with the salad being about two forkfuls and the beans just as much- good place to go if you are watching your portions!
(1)
carrie h.
Sometimes you just need a quick bite to eat at a decent price. I wouldn't recommend going all out here on a dinner, but its got its value in my selection of restaurants.
(4)
Tu-van L.
A great casual pan-asian eatery by the Newberry movie theater. Bento boxes and sushi are good dishes to try here. One of the few places to have bubble tea. Watch out for the service - the cashier/waiter has messed up mine and my friends' orders on multiple occasions.
(3)
Francesco L.
In the spirit of full disclosure, my girlfriend and my barber got violently sick after eating the vegetable noodle bowl and a bento box. This could be a fluke. That said, I still like this place. Generically very asian. Great place to bring kids or people who don't like foreign food. Not too pricey. Fare share of students hanging out but not obnoxious or greek.
(3)
Logan f.
Its decent. SOmewhat quick, but okay.
(3)
mary p.
Eat here all the time. Both locations are fun, friendly, good selection of sushi and noodle bowls. Bento boxes are great value. I have never had a negative experience at either one.Love the environment...it's counter service, but friendly delivery ...
(4)
Mrs. H.
I was excited when Bento opened. I liked the decor, the food was good and inexpensive. I recommended it to several people and then the health department shut them down just a little while after they opened. Uh-oh. I didn't go back for another year or so, but eventually found my way back because I was hungry before a movie. It was okay, but the little cake that comes with the meal was way too dry on the sides to be fresh. Still I accepted this since it's sort of fast food Pan-Asian, right? I always order the same thing, the yakitori bento. Well, one day I had a hankering for sushi so I went here and what I saw nearly turned my stomach. I ordered the veggie cream cheese roll. There was all this stuff on the outside and it turns out it was bits and pieces of seafood and stuff from other rolls that shouldn't have been on my sushi. Ugh, so disgusting. Who knows how long it had been since the counters, the cutting boards and the mats had been cleaned?!! And who knows how long everything else is sitting out? The noodles are usually cold. The cakes are so dry. Yuck. Big no-no. I'm never going back. I can live without food poisoning.
(1)
Ron K.
This place was one of the original pan-asian cafe's in gainesville. They used to have something called a snow bowl (which was amazing), unfortunantly they no longer offer that for dessert (which is why they don't get 5-stars from me). The food there is good and there is a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and sushi selections. The milk tea with pearls is excellent and if you are extra thirsty you can super-size it!. I particularly enjoy the Szechwan Beef Noodle Soup, Spice Chicken Noodle Bowl, and Curry Catzu Noodle Bowl. Also they have the best hot and sour soup in town (the most authentic that I have tasted in gainesville).
(4)
Jesus J.
I've never had the sushi here, but the food entrees are delicious. I always get the rice bowl (you can also get a bento box), which includes your choice of entree atop a bed of white rice in a large bowl. The quality of the meat is good and the vegetables have always been fresh and cooked properly. I recommend the spicy Korean chicken (it's not that spicy), red curry beef (very spicy), or the sweet and sour chicken. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Dim lighting, with some tables having fluorescent light bulbs within the tables. Some staff members can be friendly, and some can be stoic. After your meal, you leave your trash and empty plates at the table and an employee will take care of it. This is good if you just want to eat, then get up and go.
(4)
abigail b.
i ordered to-go here (for the first time) and this is what happened: i had a very sad, long, complex day -- one that calls for yummy food over rice -- and i didn't feel like dealing with bento bros. so i ordered something new (gasp), the spicy creamy shrimp rice bowl, and a chicken teriyaki bowl for the boy. i also ordered an almond milk tea with mango jellies. yes, i ordered mango jellies and strayed from the usual tapioca pearls. call me crazy if you'd like. the milk tea was fine, but the jellies were scarce. they were good, and that made it even worse. there weren't even really enough to see them at the bottom of the cup. i had maybe a tablespoon of them in there. the spicy creamy shrimp, i found out when i got home, was chicken. it was fried chicken mixed with a sweet sauce and sauteed in their spicy mayo. i love their spicy mayo. this was pretty disgusting. it reminded me of an extremely bad take on the dim sum walnut shrimp -- and it was chicken. the breading wasn't even crispy. it was like someone fried it in funnel cake batter, very pancake-y. the teriyaki chicken was meh. the sauce wasn't thick like teriyaki sauce is supposed to be. it tasted just like a sweetened soy sauce. i was trying to choose between bento and mi apa for dinner, and i really should have listened to advice and gone for mi apa. dammit.
(2)
MeXOhXMe X.
The Boba Teas are delicious and a favorite of mine. I especially like the almond joy flavor. The sushi is good, nothing special, but still good. Various side dishes such as Miso soup or edamame are also average, but still hit the spot. I love the different bowls, however. The Tofu Thai Curry bowl over rice is always delicious. As is a variety of other tofu bowls. I love how they have many tofu options, which is great for vegetarians. The boxes are okay, but I prefer getting the bowls due to the large portion size. Well priced and has a nice atmosphere. I also like the convenience of the location. This is a restaurant I frequent and would recommend if you're looking for something cheap, good, and better than just some quick drive thru. Great before or after a movie over at Royal Park!
(4)
Tracy R.
Won't be back. I ordered a simple green tea and a veggie delight roll which the server told me was vegan. The green tea had tons of sweetner in it and was $6! The server exchanged it for a glass of water when I said I wanted unsweet green tea. I waited about 20 minutes for one sushi roll and guess what...they messed up my order and served me a veggie delight roll with cream cheese (not vegan). When I told the manager, so offered to pay me for the difference and I had to demand a full refund. She never even offered to remake the roll to fix their error. She made it seem like I was a bother to her
(1)
Lauren J.
I realize that I like this place way more than I should. I wanted to give four stars but simply couldn't in good conscience. Let's say that these three stars are really 3.5. This Bento is always packed with a line out the door at peak meal times. That being said, I would expect that they would have a more efficient ordering system. Instead there is only one register manned by 3-5 college aged girls that are confusingly taking phone orders and my order simultaneously. Somehow it all gets figured out, but the ordering process takes forever. I like to order the chicken red curry bento box. In a fast food type place like Bento, I would never expect that the curry would be spicy, but it is, nice and spicy, yum. I usually have to doctor it up a bit because its a little bland, but with a little spicy eel sauce and a touch more sriacha it tastes just the way I like it. The bento box comes with Lo Mein noodles (uncharacteristically my favorite part), rice (more carbs please), stir fried green beans, crappy wilted ginger salad, and some version of a little debbie dessert. Ok, I know this doesn't sound too great, but again I like it so much more than I should. I crave this sad little plate of fast Asian fusion, I realize its wrong, but it feels so right. The thing about Bento is that the service is awkward. I always go with a friend or two, and the food never comes out together. I feel strange diving into my dinner while my date waits for his/her meal to arrive. If you wait politely, however, you will wait forever, sometimes food has been spaced as much as ten minutes apart...awkward. All that being said I still love this place, I think the kicker for me is the self service sauce bar. The bar has sriacha, eel sauce, spicy eel sauce, shrimp sauce, and spicy mayo. I love being able to gluttonously gorge on these sauces without facing the shame of actually asking for them. I visit Bento usually once every two weeks, with no intention of stopping. I may never understand my strange Bento addiction, but love can be perplexing.
(3)
John L.
So I've been back quite a few times and have had their Bulgogi and Teriyaki. I am happy to report that I have not gotten sick once. That being said, Bento has become my go to place for Meat-N-Rice/Noodle dishes though I am not blown away by their Bento boxes. There is always at least one component of the bento box that is sub-par (the first time it was the noodles and dessert, last time it was dessert only). I generally stick to the rice/noodle bowls and teas. It 'aint Momofuku Noodle Bar (nowhere close) but it does fill a niche.
(3)
Daniel P.
So delicious! Everything was great from service to the food and even the atmosphere! The decor is trendy and so cool looking. Very clean. Anything on the menu is great so don't feel too picky! Plus it's inexpensive for the amount of high quality food you get.
(5)
Anna K.
Went here while in town searching for housing in the area with the husband. We had some sushi and the general Tso's rice bowl. The sushi was good but the rolls need to be better rolled as they fell apart as you pick them up. The general Tso's rice bowl has tasty but I feel it could have been spicier. The tables that we sat at where sticky and probably could have been wiped down alot better between customers. The final decision: I would go back again. Food was decent and worth another try.
(3)
Brandon D.
5 stars for sushi in its price-category. The consistency of Bentos is amazing- especially for the reasonable prices. I've probably eaten Bentos 100+ times- more pick up than eat-in. My favorite = gator roll (w/ side of spicy sauce), steamed dumplings, miso soup, and strawberry shortcake bobo tea with pearls- though some people prefer without pearls. As an aside, the staff seems really happy- like they have good camaraderie- I think happy people take more pride in their food.
(5)
Wesley C.
oops . . . accidentally posted the review for the other location here! so i'll write this one too . . . this is the "original" bento . . . and what *made* this location special was that they had traditional taiwanese dishes that were on small slabs of wood posted on the column next to the ordering register . . . they had xue hua rou si mien (snow bowl) which was one of my (and my dad's) favorites . . . unfortunately, apparently not enough people ordered it and they took it off the menu . . . but anyway, their schezuan beef noodle soup is another great choice.
(4)
Kristen C.
OK, let me preface my review by stating that this was my absolute favorite spot during my sophomore and junior years at UF. Now, three years later, it's not the same. The sushi doesn't taste as fresh as it used to and the service has also fallen below the mark. The last time I ate at Bento, my miso soup came out after my sushi rolls and it was lukewarm (and lacking tofu!!). What happened to the Blue Bento I used to know?????
(3)
Curtis D.
Really good sushi and the bento box chicken was good,
(4)
Tim F.
I originally hated this place, but it was one of my girlfriend's favorite places to go, and I have to say that it has grown on me. I really like it now and have been tons of times. I especially like this location, as opposed to the one on Archer Road. I usually get the sweet and sour chicken bento box, and most of the time at the Archer location the chicken is soggy and tastes much worse than the chicken from the Newberry location. Also, this place has some pretty good sushi. It definitely isn't the best I've ever had, but most of the times I have gotten it it has been very good. I also get the Boba teas every once in a while and they are definitely worth a try as well.
(4)
Sal G.
I have had some Bubble Teas close enough to compare. The pearls at Shing Wang in North Miami Beach are much better; but I will have to return since Bento Cafe is the only place I can find that has Pineapple flavored milk teas. Sigh...
(5)
Belle C.
I've visited Bento twice on my lunch break. The first time I had a smoked salmon, avocado, and scallion roll and a shrimp tempura roll. Both were fine but nothing special. Mall sushi, I call it. I don't think I'd try their raw fish. On my second visit I had the spicy cream chicken bento box. The chicken was nicely crispy with a very flavorful sauce, but the sides weren't worth bothering with. Probably better to order the meat entree with a rice bowl and skip the mushy green beens, cold noodles, wilted salad, and dry cake that comes in the bento box. I don't like the food well enough to want to go have a sit-down meal there, but it's an acceptable choice for quick, inexpensive takeout.
(3)
Cherry J.
I have to post here showing my Bento love. I could eat here every day and never get sick of it. From my Bento Orlando review: "Hayai, Yasui, Umai!" (Quick, Reasonable, Delicious!) Bento may be quick and cheap, but their food--a fusion of Asian cuisine, from sushi to curries and more--is absolutely delicious (almost addictive!) When busy, the set-up is like that of Crispers and other similar restaurants; customers line up, order, and then sit down and wait for their food to arrive. During slow periods, a more traditional sit-down-and-order system is utilized. Despite the inexpensive price, the decor is impeccably hip. The tables are lit up, dance music plays in the background, and flat screen TVs playing Japanese animation (and the occasional football or basketball game) are found throughout. The menu has plenty of variety. Sushi lovers can indulge at a very reasonable price (all of the rolls are $6.95 or less) and for those who are intimidated by raw fish, there are plenty of chicken and beef options to choose from. Beer, wine, sake, and bubble tea are all available in addition to the soda fountain. Aside from the sushi, Bento's menu of entrees is generally available in either a "bowl" or "bento box" form. Customers choose an entree (for example, red curry chicken) and either order a large portion on top of a bowl of rice or a smaller portion served with ginger salad, lo mein noodles, some nice green beans, rice, and dessert (usually a small piece of cake). For good Asian food it's a steal at $7.95 per order. My recommendations: the red curry box, the peanut curry box, and spicy Korean chicken noodle bowl.
(5)
Evan H.
I used to work in Gainesville and my co-workers and would go to Bento every Monday for lunch. Great food, great value, great restaurant. It's one of the few places I miss in Gainesville.
(5)
Coty S.
Can they keep up with all of the customers? Sure they can! There is often a line, but don't be discouraged, because the line moves fast and you are guaranteed an excellent meal. The only thing about this location is that they do not serve duck, but everything else on the menu is the same if not better. Their food is authentic, nutritious, trendy, exiting, and fulfilling at once. The atmosphere is amazing with groovy ambient techno and glowing tables. There are families, college students, and elderly couples are dining there and enjoying all that they have to offer. Gainesville is so lucky to have such an amazing local business in their town that caters to everyone, offering a taste of Taiwanese teahouse culture, rivaling some of the greats, such as Saints Alp Teahouse. Most meals are about $6.50 and come in a Bento box as a six course meal. The food is a terrific mix of Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese. Noodle bowls, soup bowls, rice bowls, sushi, tempura, bento boxes, and teriyaki. The highlight of the dining experience is the bubble tea. If you have not tried it, then you are missing out. In the hot Florida months, my favorite is Jasmine Green tea with green apple syrup and lychee jelly.
(4)
Gramley A.
Great alternative when everybody wants to go to Moe's. I am not a huge fan of Moe'sbut will go here anytime. My friends and I always eat outside in between Moe's and Bento's have grown to call it "m-entos"
(4)
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Address :3832 W Newberry Rd
Gainesville, FL, 32607
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Brian E.
This is a staple for me in Gainesville. I have never had a bad food experience here, and everything I've tried has been excellent. My go-to meal is fried Udon, but the Sushi is really a star here in Gainesville. I recommend getting an executive roll, like Flying Dragon, for a great sushi experience. All regular entrees have been great. My favorite is Broccoli (Kung Pao). I prefer Newberry Bento over Archer. The atmosphere is much nicer and you generally don't have to wait in line outside the door.
(5)Hung L.
Nice clean place. Modern decor. Self served mixed cola machine. A little pricy but the food was fresh and delicious.
(5)Judy L.
Made a quick stop for dinner on the way back from Disney on a Monday night at 6pm. You take a menu at the entrance and order at the counter before sitting down at either an indoor or outdoor table. FOOD: - Mongolian Beef Bento Box: the Mongolian Beef was very salty. It's as if it was sitting out in a buffet line. I would say the same for the Lo Mein. As if it was sitting for a while. - Sushi combo box: For my sushi combo box, I choose the Florida roll, Spicy UF roll, & California roll. I thought they were all just okay. - We also ordered two bubble teas: Mango green tea with mango jelly & Milk tea with boba. These were okay. Not as great as the bubble tea stores that you find in Atlanta. Overall, I do not see myself returning to this location's Bento Cafe. Everything was mediocre. I know there are several sister Bento Cafe's in Florida that I would like to visit.
(3)Siri B.
3 stars because they just raised their price + small portion :-(
(3)Lane M.
Mt. Fuji roll!!!!! They also have some new wings that are pretty good... Service is friendly, as always.
(4)Lindsey P.
great service but my rolls of sushi were falling apart. wish there was a wasabi in Gainesville.
(2)Daniel M.
This place used to be great but the prices have gone up to a point where I no longer feel it matches the quality. Sadly I probably won't be eating here much anymore. I'd rather spend the extra buck and eat at Dragonfly now.
(3)Brian A.
The bento boxes here are amazing and its the only place in town that makes a good milk tea. I'm a huge fan of the boxes as the ginger salads are perfect and the deserts are a great way to end the meal.
(5)Chris K.
Bentos strives to be a trendy place to eat, and at one point might have been, but over the years the restaurant has begun to show its age. The dining room just doesn't seem clean like it used to be. The tables and eating utensils (not the chop sticks) usually seem dirty. The nice lighting inside the restaurant isn't going to hide a poorly cleaned dinning room. At this point I try to avoid dining in here. I do still get food to-go though. Their menu is pan Asian with plenty to choose from. The food on average is average. It's something to eat to get full, not something to eat to thoroughly enjoy. I recommend their beef bulgogi and chicken katsu. I prefer to get their noodle bowls upgraded to udon noodles over their bento boxes. I avoid their miso soup and salads (tough and drowned in ginger dressing). If you need a quick bite to eat before going to see a movie next door, this is an ideal location to visit. As long as Gainesville has freshmen, they'll have an audience. But as someone whose eaten here quite a bit over a long period of time, they aren't fooling me into thinking this is a cool place to eat with top notch food.
(3)James L.
Very tasty for a good price. Never had the sushi, but the spicy creamy chicken is my fave. Young staff can be a little testy, but overall good experiences there. Line can be very long so I'd call in your order. Not a ton of indoor seating. Still four stars for tastiness.
(4)Michel A.
Love eating at this place. They have a large selection on the menu and food is always good. My Gf loves the teas.
(4)Elly L.
Amazing place to hangout at and have a small meal! Their bento boxes are really good and come with so many things. My boyfriend likes their rice bowls and has visited 3 times already! Really cool soda machines, too. They have AC problems sometimes but it's not too bad.
(5)Kiana M.
This place is amazing. I don't understand the negative reviews. Sure, it's going to be busy depending on certain times. If you're going out for takeout or to dine in anywhere on a Friday or Saturday night in a college town what do you expect? Sometimes the lines move slow because of all the choices on the menu, or because the cashier is explaining a dish to a customer. But I've never waited too long to complain. At my most recent visit, something made me really upset though. I purchased a fountain drink and then walked to the back where they have one of those high tech fountain machines with all the choices. They only had seagrams ale and water available. I thought it was terrible that they let me buy a fountain drink when that's all they had. I'm confident they weren't aware though. I also didn't say anything, so I'm sure they would have helped. Just keep that in mind and check the fountains before buying soda.
(5)Dana S.
Okay, I love Bento. They have a ton of selections. My brother got the general tso bento box and it was pretty good. I got the create-a don which a create a sushi bowl with salmon,crab and shrimp. I loved it! Gotta have the spicy mayo though. I thought the Starburst (strawberry banana) milk tea boba was okay, but the actual boba balls were made just right. Can't wait to try more when they open one in Tampa hopefully soon! The prices aren't bad either.
(5)Kasey G.
Most of their sushi rolls are pretty good. I gave a three star rating mainly because they can be a hit-and-miss. I like the mango roll, but there have been times where it has been pretty mediocre. Their milk teas are really good.
(3)Kenneth P.
The Environment: Great for groups, very young feeling, and pretty hip! Definitely a good place to be. The Food: I had the spicy creamy shrimp in a rice bowl. It was... DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The flavor was very unique, not like anything I had tried before. There's also alcohol and a huge menu. But I think it'd be worth trying again!
(4)Chelsea M.
My boyfriend and I love this place. He gets the Mongolian beef rice bowl, and I get the Mexican roll. Other favorites of mine are the crunch, masarap, and Florida rolls. Their spicy mayo is also the best around.
(5)Sarah R.
Love this place for a quick Asian cuisine. Not pricey, nice atmosphere. Sometimes they get really busy but that's because everyone in town loves them. The sashimi tuna is my favorite, comes with avocado which I love! Their udon noodle bowl is my second favorite.
(4)Erin S.
Love their Bento boxes, especially the chicken katsu. Crab wontons are good. I have yet to try the sushi here though. They have decent food & atmosphere, unfortunately they don't stand out to me when deciding on dining options. I tend to only go here when others suggest. They're not bad, just not exceptional either.
(3)Luzelena C.
Great food and a good price. My go-to place for something quick and delicious. Bento boxes are always great, but the spicy beef udon noodle soup is my favorite!
(4)Cassie R.
I've been to Bento Blue (as they call this particular location) many, many times since its opening, and although results have varied with each visit, it's still a place that I return to with some sense of anticipation. As far as the food goes, it's nothing particularly original, but usually pretty solid. On some occasions, the bento box side dishes can be a little dried out (the green beans and noodles, most often), and one time I ordered sushi with WAY too much vinegar in the rice, but usually, the food is really tasty. I usually stick with the chicken katsu bento box or the Mexican roll, with a lover's (strawberry + mango) milk tea. The milk teas are definitely part of the charm, but like the food, some of the flavors can be hit-or-miss. I've never had any problems with the service; the staff has always treated me well, never any mistakes in my orders, and I'm still a bit impressed with how they find you in your seat. Altogether, Bento isn't the greatest restaurant in the world, but it provides me with a sense of comfort and familiarity and maybe even reliability that keeps me coming back.
(4)Danny A.
I had the Coconut Chicken Curry Bento Box. It had noodles, a mini salad, the chicken coconut curry, rice, green beans, and for some reason a Rice Krispie treat. The salad noodles and rice were perfect. The curry coconut chicken was so-so. It wasn't very good, too average. I was confused why there was a rice krispie treat because it had nothing to do with it. We also had the Zombie Roll which was unique and I liked it. I have never seen sushi with tiny red caviar and some fried green vegetable. It tasted good and I liked the variation of sushi. However, there was a cockroach in the men's bathroom. I told a woman and she said she'll do something to get it out.
(3)A L.
Great food, great daily freebies and deals, even options for low-carb eaters! Their sushi is amazing, but you can definitely load up on food for cheap with their Bento box. Their garlic ginger chicken is to die for! Limited indoor seating, but they do have an outdoor area and delivery options.
(5)Sara L.
Bento is a great place for casual Asian food. The food is good...I have had some questionable dishes but when you order right, you will be satisfied. I love the spicy cream chicken or shrimp! Sushi is quite good. It is the only place in town that I will eat sushi. Try the spicy UF roll. The best part are the amazing prices. You get a lot of very tasty food for extremely fair prices.
(4)Sean C.
My daily sushi go to. Can't beat the price for the quality sushi. Can get very busy so calling ahead and getting take out and sitting outside it a good idea. Daily specials too
(5)Bradley E.
The food is great, but the service tends to be terrible. Borderline rude employees and slow service are the norm. If you call in a pickup order and they say 20 minutes, give it at least 30 and on occasion nearly 45 before you actually get your food. It's just frustrating and they never seem to acknowledge how slow they are.
(3)Coleen T.
I recently went gluten-free... so I have ventured into the world of sushi which I never really had before. Bento has become one of my quick options for food... it's really easy to make any dish gluten free by asking for steamed chicken or shrimp instead of fried. I have a favorite creation that I stick to... it's a spicy tuna roll with a few additions (cream cheese, avocado and cucumber). Check out this place, it's pretty good!
(4)Susan M.
Nothing like the Bentos in Orlando. very disappointing. the food not really that good and the service. What service. you order,and dont ask questions. If you want fast food atmosphere and don't care about polite workers , its your place. I realize its a College town but taking my order and being rude doesn't justjfy me putting money in a tip jar. Very very dissapointing. I won't be back.
(1)Jarrod H.
I love bento! Best place in Gainesville for a quick Asian meal. I went here probably 500 times in college and ordered the chicken teriyaki bento box 95% of the time. I also drowned everything I got in spicy mayo so everything was great.
(5)Maria F.
Went there on my birthday and had the pork chop udon soup which was AMAZING! I don't recommend getting the bento boxes because I always find the noodles and green beans too salty. Service was quick but the only complaint was that the cashier wasn't really paying attention and she forgot my boba tea order....
(4)Jaime B.
I've been eating at Bento's for 5 years now. It has always been great. Spot on in service, taste, atmosphere, price. Plus it's consistent. I've never left going, "I don't think I'll be going there again." Once or twice I have gotten some fishy fish but in a span of years, that's a damn good track record!! As far as their food goes, I've tried many things. My favorites are the Thai coconut curry, curry katsu, I always get noodles because I love the consistency and texture of the noodles they use. You can also get rice and now they offer brown rice for +1 (dollar). I've ordered pretty much all of the rolls on the menu. My favorite is the yoshi roll because I love conch but they have a variety of rolls for all tastes and preferences. And if they don't have what you want, you can always "create-a-roll". Their sashimi bowls are awesome and come with quite a bit of sashimi, fish eggs, seaweed salad and, most the time, avocado. Love the teas here. Lover's fruit green tea with lychee jelly is the best. I wouldn't recommend their milk tea as once I ordered a taro milk tea with boba and the boba were not fresh and the taro milk left little to be desired (I get my milk teas from lollicup...excellent). I also never would recommend a bento box. It sounds good in theory to have such a large variety but some of the items on it just aren't good and noodle/rice bowls are cheaper (and you'll likely have leftovers). Tl;dr If you haven't been to Bento's, you should try it. It is reasonably priced and the food is delicious.
(5)Lola N.
So I am from fort lauderdale... Back home there isn't great bubble tea. The best place we had was lollicup. Lollicup close though. So for me to go to Gainesville and find this place was a miracle. Of course, it's thru recommendation! I tried the sushi and I had the bubble tea. I had a mocha magic! It was great:) I love it. The sushi was great. I saw someone order a crunchy salmon roll, it look great and taste even better! let me tell you the price was a bonus! We ate 2 rolls, and soda, and a bowl of rice of bulgogi for $25.00 ? Maybe 30 but that's nothing compare to what we usually pay! I love it! It's fun! The environment is great :) all the girls are pretty and kind too!! Love it!
(5)Julie A.
I have been craving their Almond Joy Boba Milk Tea endlessly for months since the last time I came here. I surely got my fix this time -- a LARGE serving of it! My craving will be satisfied for the next few months.... =) Yes, I can get others to imitate it, but there's nothing like the original. A holy trinity of flavors (coconut, chocolate, and almond) mixed evenly into a milk tea treat mixed with tapioca pearls. By the way, they don't have ramen here. I asked. =(
(5)Meg I.
Ordered the red curry over rice, and it literally tasted like nothing. It was like eating styrofoam packing peanuts and then every once in a while my mouth would feel hot. Tofu was undercooked and the pad thai had a fishy taste. Bland, boring, and not worth the hype.... it's like the Kim Kardashian of Asian food.
(2)Carlos H.
My friend and I came here yesterday when I came up to take a vacation in Gainesville and I have to see I was extremely impressed with this place. The menu is so diverse, it's pretty to find Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines all perfectly combined on a menu, and I pretty much decided to go in all different directions in my ordered. I ordered a bulgogi steak bento box with a thai tea boba and also ordered a California Roll and Eel Roll. The order was out in only a matter of minutes. The bento box was delicious and perfectly filling, I think the bulgogi at Sa Ri One in Tampa was a little better, but that doesn't mean this bulgogi tasted bad at all, it was quite delicious. The thai tea was perfectly made, not too much ice and strong flavor with very sweet and tender boba balls that didn't freeze up like I've had happen to me at some other places that I order thai tea at with boba. The sushi tasted very fresh, the crab in the California Roll was great, and the Eel Roll tasted good as well, it didn't have it's normal overpowering taste though so I won't say it is the best sushi I have had, but it was pretty good and certainly worth it. The establishment is very nicely set up, appearing as a relaxing place with couches and a cool vibe to it, they even had the Initial D anime on two of their televisions, which I found to be pretty cool. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Gainesville.
(5)Andria M.
This is my favorite sushi in Gainesville! My husband and I come here all the time. It's great. He loves the spicy cream shrimp!
(5)Mike W.
Bento Cafe, or Bento Blue as the Bento folks like to call it, was the first Bento restaurant of their now six or more establishments in Gainesville, Orlando, and Jacksonville. It opened in either 2003 or 2004 and just short of a decade of business, it is starting to show some wear to its somewhat-sleek interior. Certainly, after Bento Red (Archer Road) expanded, the atmosphere at Bento Blue seems rather plain and even in need of work in places. I've had no less than three first dates here though and have fond nostalgia for the place so I'd probably hate to see too much of a change, in all candor. As for the food, their menu of bento-box and rice bowl pan-Asian dishes has remained much the same for years though now and then new menu items have been added. Their sushi is good, but not great, as one would expect for the quasi-fast-food approach at hand. The bento boxes come with white rice, noodles, green beans, a salad with ginger dressing, and a small dessert like a cookie and that's not changed since opening day as far as I know. Sometimes these sides are quite good, other times the noodles are tough or rice overcooked. The main dishes themselves vary a lot, but I've recently noticed they're often overly salty--especially those like the basil stir-fry that have a lot of a sauce with them. The katsu fares very well though and the General Tso's chicken is ok. The sushi . . . often pretty good, sometimes not good at all. The krab delite nigiri and the Mexican rolls are my favorites though and always impressive, albeit simple. The more complex rolls . . . well, more to go wrong I suppose and sometimes that's exactly what happens. Bento's fun, but the Bento Red location is better than this one: I'd probably give that location four stars instead of three. I would not choose either just for sushi on nights I want to go out for sushi though. Mahzu is light-years better in that regard. The bento boxes and decently-priced, informal, meals with friends are what Bento's all about and it's great for that, but be well prepared that things can be a bit off at times . . . and quite salty very often.
(3)Ryan F.
Bento is always consistent with quality and affordable Asian fusion. The best deal is the sushi bowl IMO. More fish than a roll at the same price.
(4)Johnny L.
Note: I also wrote a review for the Bento's on Archer. "You can't write reviews on places with the same name!".....Well screw you. Yes I can. Though they have the same name, they seemed like two different places. The service here was seriously lacking. And there was only one register open for the whole place?? The lines extended out to the corner of the plaza and the place was tiny already. Good thing they have outside seating. The menu did have some items I didn't recognize from the Archer one. So in my most recent visit, I tried the Seafood rice bowl. Sounded good enough (Shrimp, scallops, and squid with veggies on rice). My friend got the Japanese Udon Bowl with beef. We also shared a Gainesville Roll. The seafood bowl wasn't that great. The sauce wasn't that good and it was dumped over tiny pieces of shrimp, scallops, and chewy squid. The Gainesville Roll was good, and the Japanese Udon Beef Bowl looked good enough. I've had other things here before, but it was a while back so I will not comment based off memory, but they were'nt memorable. The food was still pretty good, but the times I've been here have never been as good as the times I've gone to the one on Archer. Bad Luck maybe? I mean...it is the same restaurant as the one on Archer, right?
(3)Courtney D.
This is my favorite place in Gainesville. It's a great environment with both indoor and outdoor seating and always great music. They have a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle and rice bowls, sushi, and boba drinks. I have never been disappointed. I prefer this location to the Archer Rd location. It's smaller but service is faster and they don't charge extra for sauces.
(5)Dena P.
The food was good and cheap depending on what you get. There's all sorts of asian food from korean, chinese to japanese. It gets really crowded from time to time because lots of college kids come here to get "bento" lunchbox style food. They also serve bubble tea which was pretty cheap. Also a sushi bar to eat at. The location is great because it's in a new/clean plaza with lots of other restaurant that are great to visit too. Bento is expanding their restaurant which is a plus! A great place to visit if you're in the area!
(5)Michael W.
Bentos cafe focuses on the experience and the atmosphere. But their food is pretty well presented and adequate. This is my 4th time going this semester. I always get the bento box teriyaki beef but this time I got the General tso Chicken bento box. Before I criticize the general Tso Chicken, I want to clarify that I can make my own General tso chicken and I can make it good hehe. Anyhow, the general Tso chicken's presentation was good. The chicken was nicely done with the crispiness. The sauce was done well also, however when you eat the chicken with the rice. It feels like the sauce is not there. The sauce doesn't have the power to overcome the blandness of the rice. The sauce supposed to have that power, not the saltiness of the sauce but the flavor of the sauce. It felt like the General Tso sauce was DILUTED.... Anyhow , every time I make my chicken, I make sure it is strong enough to over come the rice's flavor. Anyway, the side of veggie (brocolli) was weak! They gave me 3 pieces of Brocolli. So cheap :-( Anyhow, overall the food was good. The ginger salad was good and the lomein along with the little cake dessert.
(4)Nico S.
Yay! My friend used to try and convince me to go here with her, but I always thought it was a bit overpriced, so I usually just ate a burrito from next door while she inhaled the Bento box (minus the plastic). Tonight D and I went with our hard earned garage sale cash, $24. Yum! Glad we made that decision. We ordered the Spicy Cream Chicken, the Florida roll, and the Gainesville roll, all to share. I ended up eating more of the sushi, however. The fish was plenty, the rice, sticky but not mushy, seaweed not overpowering the taste nor texture of it's contents. We called in take out for the fear of not making it in time for outdoor seating, and it was made just in time for our arrival. Good hours, nice staff, tasty Thai tea with boba FTW!
(4)Richard W.
This bentos isnt as good as the bento red on archer, but it's still ok. Their bentos and noodle bowls are both pretty good, but dont seem to be as good as their red location. It's not "authentic" but it is good. The decor is well done to look trendy with a blue and black theme. Like the other one, its a good place to go to grab a bite with some friends.
(3)Melissa P.
I had the sushi combo. Great price and great food.
(4)Melenie S.
Out of all the sushi places that I have been to around town Bento definitely has the best deals. You cannot beat the prices to the amount of meat you get in a sushi roll. Usually many places skimp on the ingredients but not this place. Their dons (sashimi rice bowls) are also a good choice to make on the menu, as they also give you a lot for your buck. They also have deals on certain days that if you buy two rolls a free order of edamame comes with it. Aside from sushi, the restaurant provides an array of cooked food as well. Ranging from teriyaki chicken to curry which are all decently sized. However I must warn that if you come on a weekend be prepared to wait for your food because the place does get packed and the service gets slow. Overall a good place to eat at with reasonably priced food. Will come back again.
(4)Katherine K.
Bento (blue) is great if you have a craving for boba tea and sushi. I've only had their sushi, but I'm looking forward to trying something from the other menu. The dragon roll is SO good. So is lust, especially if you like spicy mayo. Inexpensive, good and quick (even if there's a line).
(4)Sasha P.
I used to eat sushi at Bento RELIGIOUSLY during my junior year at UF. I can't say I've had any of the entrees at Bento but they always look tasty when I see other people order them. To be honest, they just don't look like they would fill me up. But I'm sure they are tasty. Bento is really good about call-in orders. I used to do this all the time because the place gets PACKED! When I say packed, I mean that the line to order is out the door like Chipotle when they give away free burritos. Every time I go, I order either the Flying Dragon or the Red Dragon, ALWAYS. I love tempura shrimp, crab and avocado and both of these rolls has each. The only difference between the two is that the Red Dragon is topped with tuna and the Flying Dragon is topped with eel. Along with one of these two rolls, I usually order a bunch of other random rolls that I haven't tried before. Depending on my mood, I order a Mango Bubble Tea. Completely DELICIOUS!!!
(4)GLEN R.
If you are a college student and want bang for your buck this is the place!
(5)Natalie W.
Meh it's ok !! Maybe I'm a sushi snob but I'd rather pay more and get better quality. Not really a fan ... I mean it wasn't the worst place ever but I'd rather eat elsewhere.
(2)Bryan H.
This place was awesome. The menu selection is not overwhelming but have tons of choices. The food was authentic and very good. My kids loved the soda dispensing machine. It was a little costly but still very worth it.
(5)Rachel E.
Can I give bento blue six stars? I've only lived in GVL 4 months and it's my favorite restaurant. My girl and I eat here weekly and sometimes more. The noodle bowls and special Mexican roll are my favorite. We've tried basically everything except the soup. Dumplings are always incredible. Edamame is always cooked perfectly. The rolls are to die for. I enjoy the chicken and shrimp dishes but thats a personal preference. The curry is perfect, just enough to make your nose run down your face. The line is usually out the door so we often get it togo but the service has always been decent. Ive noticed the rolls can be made a bit sloppy on Friday or Saturday nights but it's not big complaint. I didnt like sushi before I came here and now it's all I ever want. And I'm just gonna put this out there... I would eat spicy mayo with everything if I could.
(5)Belen C.
I love this Bento SO much more than the one on Archer. They don't nickel and dime you. Period. If you ask for an extra sauce, it's free. In fact they have eel sauce, spicy mayo, and the like right in front to pump into plastic ramekins. I love their rolls, especially my current obsessions: National Champ roll and their Lust roll. I'm also a huge fan of their Spicy Cream Shrimp. Their fish is nice and fresh. I've never had a nigiri or sashimi that I didn't love. Tip: If you plan to go when it's busy call ahead and ask for takeout, that way you can avoid the ridiculous lines that form during nights and weekends.
(5)Keilani R.
You know, I like Bento. I prefer Bento Blue (Newberry) to Bento Red (Archer), if only because the latter is often crowded and kind of unorganized. The sushi is pretty good (and pretty cheap), and the Boba tea (almond is my favorite -- with pearls, which are made of tapioca and make for a really interesting drink experience) is fantastic. I would probably go to Bento just for some Boba tea.
(4)John L.
So I've been back quite a few times and have had their Bulgogi and Teriyaki. I am happy to report that I have not gotten sick once. That being said, Bento has become my go to place for Meat-N-Rice/Noodle dishes though I am not blown away by their Bento boxes. There is always at least one component of the bento box that is sub-par (the first time it was the noodles and dessert, last time it was dessert only). I generally stick to the rice/noodle bowls and teas. It 'aint Momofuku Noodle Bar (nowhere close) but it does fill a niche.
(3)Daniel P.
So delicious! Everything was great from service to the food and even the atmosphere! The decor is trendy and so cool looking. Very clean. Anything on the menu is great so don't feel too picky! Plus it's inexpensive for the amount of high quality food you get.
(5)Anna K.
Went here while in town searching for housing in the area with the husband. We had some sushi and the general Tso's rice bowl. The sushi was good but the rolls need to be better rolled as they fell apart as you pick them up. The general Tso's rice bowl has tasty but I feel it could have been spicier. The tables that we sat at where sticky and probably could have been wiped down alot better between customers. The final decision: I would go back again. Food was decent and worth another try.
(3)Brandon D.
5 stars for sushi in its price-category. The consistency of Bentos is amazing- especially for the reasonable prices. I've probably eaten Bentos 100+ times- more pick up than eat-in. My favorite = gator roll (w/ side of spicy sauce), steamed dumplings, miso soup, and strawberry shortcake bobo tea with pearls- though some people prefer without pearls. As an aside, the staff seems really happy- like they have good camaraderie- I think happy people take more pride in their food.
(5)Wesley C.
oops . . . accidentally posted the review for the other location here! so i'll write this one too . . . this is the "original" bento . . . and what *made* this location special was that they had traditional taiwanese dishes that were on small slabs of wood posted on the column next to the ordering register . . . they had xue hua rou si mien (snow bowl) which was one of my (and my dad's) favorites . . . unfortunately, apparently not enough people ordered it and they took it off the menu . . . but anyway, their schezuan beef noodle soup is another great choice.
(4)Jesus J.
I've never had the sushi here, but the food entrees are delicious. I always get the rice bowl (you can also get a bento box), which includes your choice of entree atop a bed of white rice in a large bowl. The quality of the meat is good and the vegetables have always been fresh and cooked properly. I recommend the spicy Korean chicken (it's not that spicy), red curry beef (very spicy), or the sweet and sour chicken. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Dim lighting, with some tables having fluorescent light bulbs within the tables. Some staff members can be friendly, and some can be stoic. After your meal, you leave your trash and empty plates at the table and an employee will take care of it. This is good if you just want to eat, then get up and go.
(4)abigail b.
i ordered to-go here (for the first time) and this is what happened: i had a very sad, long, complex day -- one that calls for yummy food over rice -- and i didn't feel like dealing with bento bros. so i ordered something new (gasp), the spicy creamy shrimp rice bowl, and a chicken teriyaki bowl for the boy. i also ordered an almond milk tea with mango jellies. yes, i ordered mango jellies and strayed from the usual tapioca pearls. call me crazy if you'd like. the milk tea was fine, but the jellies were scarce. they were good, and that made it even worse. there weren't even really enough to see them at the bottom of the cup. i had maybe a tablespoon of them in there. the spicy creamy shrimp, i found out when i got home, was chicken. it was fried chicken mixed with a sweet sauce and sauteed in their spicy mayo. i love their spicy mayo. this was pretty disgusting. it reminded me of an extremely bad take on the dim sum walnut shrimp -- and it was chicken. the breading wasn't even crispy. it was like someone fried it in funnel cake batter, very pancake-y. the teriyaki chicken was meh. the sauce wasn't thick like teriyaki sauce is supposed to be. it tasted just like a sweetened soy sauce. i was trying to choose between bento and mi apa for dinner, and i really should have listened to advice and gone for mi apa. dammit.
(2)MeXOhXMe X.
The Boba Teas are delicious and a favorite of mine. I especially like the almond joy flavor. The sushi is good, nothing special, but still good. Various side dishes such as Miso soup or edamame are also average, but still hit the spot. I love the different bowls, however. The Tofu Thai Curry bowl over rice is always delicious. As is a variety of other tofu bowls. I love how they have many tofu options, which is great for vegetarians. The boxes are okay, but I prefer getting the bowls due to the large portion size. Well priced and has a nice atmosphere. I also like the convenience of the location. This is a restaurant I frequent and would recommend if you're looking for something cheap, good, and better than just some quick drive thru. Great before or after a movie over at Royal Park!
(4)Tracy R.
Won't be back. I ordered a simple green tea and a veggie delight roll which the server told me was vegan. The green tea had tons of sweetner in it and was $6! The server exchanged it for a glass of water when I said I wanted unsweet green tea. I waited about 20 minutes for one sushi roll and guess what...they messed up my order and served me a veggie delight roll with cream cheese (not vegan). When I told the manager, so offered to pay me for the difference and I had to demand a full refund. She never even offered to remake the roll to fix their error. She made it seem like I was a bother to her
(1)Lauren J.
I realize that I like this place way more than I should. I wanted to give four stars but simply couldn't in good conscience. Let's say that these three stars are really 3.5. This Bento is always packed with a line out the door at peak meal times. That being said, I would expect that they would have a more efficient ordering system. Instead there is only one register manned by 3-5 college aged girls that are confusingly taking phone orders and my order simultaneously. Somehow it all gets figured out, but the ordering process takes forever. I like to order the chicken red curry bento box. In a fast food type place like Bento, I would never expect that the curry would be spicy, but it is, nice and spicy, yum. I usually have to doctor it up a bit because its a little bland, but with a little spicy eel sauce and a touch more sriacha it tastes just the way I like it. The bento box comes with Lo Mein noodles (uncharacteristically my favorite part), rice (more carbs please), stir fried green beans, crappy wilted ginger salad, and some version of a little debbie dessert. Ok, I know this doesn't sound too great, but again I like it so much more than I should. I crave this sad little plate of fast Asian fusion, I realize its wrong, but it feels so right. The thing about Bento is that the service is awkward. I always go with a friend or two, and the food never comes out together. I feel strange diving into my dinner while my date waits for his/her meal to arrive. If you wait politely, however, you will wait forever, sometimes food has been spaced as much as ten minutes apart...awkward. All that being said I still love this place, I think the kicker for me is the self service sauce bar. The bar has sriacha, eel sauce, spicy eel sauce, shrimp sauce, and spicy mayo. I love being able to gluttonously gorge on these sauces without facing the shame of actually asking for them. I visit Bento usually once every two weeks, with no intention of stopping. I may never understand my strange Bento addiction, but love can be perplexing.
(3)Kristen C.
OK, let me preface my review by stating that this was my absolute favorite spot during my sophomore and junior years at UF. Now, three years later, it's not the same. The sushi doesn't taste as fresh as it used to and the service has also fallen below the mark. The last time I ate at Bento, my miso soup came out after my sushi rolls and it was lukewarm (and lacking tofu!!). What happened to the Blue Bento I used to know?????
(3)Curtis D.
Really good sushi and the bento box chicken was good,
(4)Tim F.
I originally hated this place, but it was one of my girlfriend's favorite places to go, and I have to say that it has grown on me. I really like it now and have been tons of times. I especially like this location, as opposed to the one on Archer Road. I usually get the sweet and sour chicken bento box, and most of the time at the Archer location the chicken is soggy and tastes much worse than the chicken from the Newberry location. Also, this place has some pretty good sushi. It definitely isn't the best I've ever had, but most of the times I have gotten it it has been very good. I also get the Boba teas every once in a while and they are definitely worth a try as well.
(4)Sal G.
I have had some Bubble Teas close enough to compare. The pearls at Shing Wang in North Miami Beach are much better; but I will have to return since Bento Cafe is the only place I can find that has Pineapple flavored milk teas. Sigh...
(5)Belle C.
I've visited Bento twice on my lunch break. The first time I had a smoked salmon, avocado, and scallion roll and a shrimp tempura roll. Both were fine but nothing special. Mall sushi, I call it. I don't think I'd try their raw fish. On my second visit I had the spicy cream chicken bento box. The chicken was nicely crispy with a very flavorful sauce, but the sides weren't worth bothering with. Probably better to order the meat entree with a rice bowl and skip the mushy green beens, cold noodles, wilted salad, and dry cake that comes in the bento box. I don't like the food well enough to want to go have a sit-down meal there, but it's an acceptable choice for quick, inexpensive takeout.
(3)Adam W.
i'm really writing this for my wife. she is a big fan. we both like this corner since it has a nice variety of food options for us, namely moe's, coldstone, coffee culture, gators dockside and this place. i have also ate here a few times. the food is good, not the best sushi in town, but good. if you judged by the lines, people must find this place freakin' awesome 'cause it seems to almost always have a line. one thing my wife likes alot is their endless dispenser of spicy mayo sauce. they recently introduced a children's menu. i think it is a bit pricey for what you get.
(4)Cherry J.
I have to post here showing my Bento love. I could eat here every day and never get sick of it. From my Bento Orlando review: "Hayai, Yasui, Umai!" (Quick, Reasonable, Delicious!) Bento may be quick and cheap, but their food--a fusion of Asian cuisine, from sushi to curries and more--is absolutely delicious (almost addictive!) When busy, the set-up is like that of Crispers and other similar restaurants; customers line up, order, and then sit down and wait for their food to arrive. During slow periods, a more traditional sit-down-and-order system is utilized. Despite the inexpensive price, the decor is impeccably hip. The tables are lit up, dance music plays in the background, and flat screen TVs playing Japanese animation (and the occasional football or basketball game) are found throughout. The menu has plenty of variety. Sushi lovers can indulge at a very reasonable price (all of the rolls are $6.95 or less) and for those who are intimidated by raw fish, there are plenty of chicken and beef options to choose from. Beer, wine, sake, and bubble tea are all available in addition to the soda fountain. Aside from the sushi, Bento's menu of entrees is generally available in either a "bowl" or "bento box" form. Customers choose an entree (for example, red curry chicken) and either order a large portion on top of a bowl of rice or a smaller portion served with ginger salad, lo mein noodles, some nice green beans, rice, and dessert (usually a small piece of cake). For good Asian food it's a steal at $7.95 per order. My recommendations: the red curry box, the peanut curry box, and spicy Korean chicken noodle bowl.
(5)Evan H.
I used to work in Gainesville and my co-workers and would go to Bento every Monday for lunch. Great food, great value, great restaurant. It's one of the few places I miss in Gainesville.
(5)Coty S.
Can they keep up with all of the customers? Sure they can! There is often a line, but don't be discouraged, because the line moves fast and you are guaranteed an excellent meal. The only thing about this location is that they do not serve duck, but everything else on the menu is the same if not better. Their food is authentic, nutritious, trendy, exiting, and fulfilling at once. The atmosphere is amazing with groovy ambient techno and glowing tables. There are families, college students, and elderly couples are dining there and enjoying all that they have to offer. Gainesville is so lucky to have such an amazing local business in their town that caters to everyone, offering a taste of Taiwanese teahouse culture, rivaling some of the greats, such as Saints Alp Teahouse. Most meals are about $6.50 and come in a Bento box as a six course meal. The food is a terrific mix of Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese. Noodle bowls, soup bowls, rice bowls, sushi, tempura, bento boxes, and teriyaki. The highlight of the dining experience is the bubble tea. If you have not tried it, then you are missing out. In the hot Florida months, my favorite is Jasmine Green tea with green apple syrup and lychee jelly.
(4)Gramley A.
Great alternative when everybody wants to go to Moe's. I am not a huge fan of Moe'sbut will go here anytime. My friends and I always eat outside in between Moe's and Bento's have grown to call it "m-entos"
(4)Jana E.
You can't go wrong for the price...but Red Bentos is better because it has Jasmine Milk Bubble Tea! I love the sushi boxes, donburis, and spicy cream shrimp.
(5)Robyn C.
When in Gainsville...visit Bento Cafe. After hearing about it for years - this little place is known to visitors even though it may be difficult to find (this location especially) The atmosphere is pretty dope and this location's theme is blue, as in ICE. The restaurant itself has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a very trendy place to frequent. Don't be surprised if you find professors, students - Asians and non-Asians alike there. The food is good (with the exception of the little desert in the Bento Box), the sushi is acceptable. I was a little weirded out by the fact that they didn't put eel sauce on my eel rolls. In fact, I had to get up and get it myself - or rather, have my bf get it for me. I'm not going to lie, the service was surprisingly fast and the fact that they have all college kids working there makes me feel like it's a fun place to be. Oh, the Bubble tea is also very good - probably the best in Gainesville. If not the only.
(4)Laura G.
I think I've only eaten here twice or three times in person, but I've lost count of how many times I've ordered take out from here. Their Bulgogi Noodle Bowl is on of my favorites. It's not the best service, but the food is great. If you're hungry, don't be shy about hitting Bento up.
(4)Lauren A.
This place def. gets five stars in my book....why? Because its super cheap and delicious!! I love their sashimi bowls...and of course their spicy mayo!!! I really don't like their bento boxes but if you do decide to get one...katsu chicken or fish is def. the best!!! :)
(5)carlson j.
pad thai really bad. extremely dry, 2 layers of noodle and bottom layer was just boiled noodle. not authentic too commercialized
(2)John S.
Bento Blue (Archer Rd. is Bento Red): awesome prices, fast and friendly service, big parking lot and no upcharge for spicy sauce! They're hitting all the right buttons for an awesome place (unlike Bento Red). Cons? its small and dark inside. The music is really loud. Its sort of like walking into Hollister.
(4)Merinette S.
Nothing to rave about, but nothing to complain about either. The place has a nice atmosphere(blue lights & stainless steel) and the service is generally great, but the menu is boring and the food is just so-so. There is nothing unique or exciting here and the vegetarian options are less than impressive. You can get a nice big tasty bowl of spicy tuna sashimi here for ~$7, but it's not the best sushi joint in town--even for the moderate price range. This is a good option if you have a large group of people with a major disagreement about where to get dinner, as there is an adjourning southwestern restaurant and a smoothie bar which share the same outdoor seating(so your group can eat at different restaurants and still sit at the same table).
(3)Logan f.
Its decent. SOmewhat quick, but okay.
(3)mary p.
Eat here all the time. Both locations are fun, friendly, good selection of sushi and noodle bowls. Bento boxes are great value. I have never had a negative experience at either one.Love the environment...it's counter service, but friendly delivery ...
(4)Kir-Sheng C.
I love this restaurant and highly recommend it. The food has always been good here--the sushi is decent, depending on the chef. Done right, the sushi is delicious--I've always liked the volcano roll or the red dragon. The tuna don is also pretty good--the wakame and the tuna makes for great texture as you bite in to it. The szechuan beef noodle soup is also great--it's similar to the niu rou mian that's found in Taiwan--pretty authentic and it tastes good. The boba tea is pretty good too. The boba's consistency and texture is second only to Lollicup. I've always been a fan of the katsu chicken--compared to other restaurants, it's always crunchy and tender--but the katsu pork has a little too much fat in it. Overall, I love this restaurant and I go here almost once a day. Some of the reviews on here are incredible--sushi is rolled loosely so when you bite in to it, the sushi *bursts.* And food not coming out all at once? Really? You're going to complain about that? Or that the food isn't "vegan" because there's cream cheese in it? (Hello! Read the ingredient list on the sushi menu!).
(5)S Z.
I have eaten here three times. The first was horrible but I thought maybe it was just because they were busy, so I came back and it was decent, the third time was once again horrible. The rolls are sloppily rolled, the fish was tough and low quality. I have had better sushi at the grocery store- which is sad. It you want good sushi just spend an extra two bucks and go to a higher quality local, or just hit up Publix down the street.
(2)Nicholl M.
What can I say, when I am in Gainesville, Bento is defiantly on the to-do list. The Miami roll is to die for, I have dreams about it. The Bento boxes aren't too bad either. They consistently deliver great food.
(4)Cathy M.
For what it is (casual, affordable, and tasty) i give it 5 stars... I had a mexican sushi roll, which is tempura shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and it was delicious...also had a teriyaki chicken rice bowl, pretty good. they have specials, and since i went on a tuesday, it was "2-for-1" teas. I went for thai iced tea...it's a pre-packaged tea, but nevertheless, tasted great. I'll be back when i'm in the area for work :)
(3)Katie S.
Good asian fusion. Good lo mein. Fast-food-ish.
(3)Danny D.
I just discovered the joy of putting Sriracha sauce in my veggie rice bowl. I can feel that ulcer coming.
(4)Cammeo V.
I like this place a lot. I highly recommend the tea with the pearls in it. It's crazy, but good. I really enjoy coming here with friends because it has a modern feel and we all love our sushi! I look at it as a Panera Bread but a sushi place.
(5)Francesco L.
In the spirit of full disclosure, my girlfriend and my barber got violently sick after eating the vegetable noodle bowl and a bento box. This could be a fluke. That said, I still like this place. Generically very asian. Great place to bring kids or people who don't like foreign food. Not too pricey. Fare share of students hanging out but not obnoxious or greek.
(3)James B.
Bento's is a place to go if you want a quick bite of decent food to eat. They offer food in rice bowls or in a bento box with some sides. I recommend not ordering from that side of the menu due to the lack of consistency, cold (meaning not kept hot when it should be) sides, and smaller portions. The only thing I ever enjoyed were the noodle soup bowls. I ordered the chicken katsu udon bowl and I added vegetables for an extra charge. The katsu was somewhat crispy, but nowhere near as good as can be. I'm not quite sure if they use a panko crust, and if they did it's not very good. The soup overall was fine, the udons were average, and the watery soup lacking depth but still somewhat tasty. The better bowl out there is the sliced Szechuan beef. In the sushi area, they mostly serve rolls and they have just average quality fish. You can easily tell because they heavily dress their rolls with a bunch of stuff, but hey, at least it's edible. I don't dare try their nigiri. Service is fine. 2.5 stars overall!
(2)Hannah C.
Bento is amazing. I have never eaten at the same place so many times (at the height, more than 4 times a week) and still craved it; so much so that when I make it back to Gainesville this is the one place that am guaranteed to make a stop at. The menu is huge, the sushi is great, the bento boxes (repetitive, I know) are filling, and all for a pretty good price. The wait can sometimes be a little much, but in my opinion it is well worth it, plus the semi-wait service (you order at the counter and the food is brought to your table) dulls the pain. However, if you can't handle the wait at all feel free to call ahead, stop by ten minutes later, and take it home, or have the audacity to eat it there! There are no words to describe how much I love and miss Bento... Oh, I don't recommend getting the shrimp tempura, in a roll it's great, but just the tempura...not so awesome.
(5)Ramon R.
Great sushi at best price and ambiance. You can have a great sushi meal without going broke here. Always busy because of this.
(4)Mark G.
Oh man,i love Bento! I eat here all the time.Qay better than the overrated-gas-inducing Moe's.Bento blows that joint out of the water. Cheap,tasty Bento boxes,fast service from hot honeys ;-`) sealed the deal for me.
(4)Robert S.
If the concept of metropolitan Asia could manifest itself into a haze of some sort, fill a room, and shout at you, that would be fairly close to the atmosphere experienced here. But if you're unfortunate enough to be in this area, your other options are Moe's and Bonefish or some bullshit, so you may as well get some rice or something here.
(2)Mark Y.
I LOVE BENTO. This place is a tiny gem that is worth the visit. The food, service are great. The one downfall with Bento is if you get there at the wrong time you can have a long wait in line to place your order (I guess it says something about the food though) Didn't fancy their Boba tea. worth the visit
(4)Dani W.
There was a time when I was eating Bento about four to five times a week. I miss that time. I miss that food. I miss Bento.
(5)Patrick Q.
I have heard a lot of good things about this place. When I lived in japan bento boxes were a staple. I was excited to try this place. The price is very reasonable, the menu has a lot of options and the boxes are cleverly put together. My wife's sushi looked good and my sister in law's Unadon looked and smelled great. This place showed that the owners know their stuff. It is nice to be able to get a variety of japanese, thai and chinese food. The gripe that I have and my explanation for an "I've experienced better" was that my Chicken Katsu did not have the Katsu sauce on it. I was looking forward to that taste. Had I known that they didn't serve it that way it wouldn't have bothered me. The sauce was a spicy japanese mayo (which was good). When I asked the server for some katsu sauce she responded "soy sauce?" I said no the katsu sauce. She pointed out the spicy mayo and said that is how they serve it. I'm not one to aggravate the people who handle my food, so I said "not the Japanese katsu sauce? oh, ok." I was a little frustrated at the server's shortness and her hurry to get back behind the counter. I was surprised because the quality of the food I got for 7.50 was great and the smartly put together menu makes me think the absence of a sauce named after the food is a little weird. Maybe my server was a bum and couldn't wait to get back to socializing. I would go back and give it another try. I would order the same thing again even without the beloved katsu sauce. I want to try the donburi, but am a little nervous about what sauce they may substitute. If the service is better and at least don't act like I am making a crazy request I will probably change my rating to a 3 or maybe even a 4 star.
(2)Vincent W.
The place is unique and the prices aren't bad. But I think the food could be better. Giving it a 3 stars b/c it was one of the first places I found in Gainesville that had the asian milk tea, which isn't too bad considering they use powder but a little pricey. The food was ok, sushi wasn't anything special. It's a place you go once in a while to change things up and different atmosphere.
(3)April O.
Excellent udon bowls. Other reviewers are correct about their sushi; it's a good grade but not excellent, and doesn't at all compare to the better sushi restaurants in town. Bento boxes are a mixed bag; the meat dish/main course is usually piping hot, while the surrounding side dishes are inevitably cold (as in, "not kept warm" rather than "meant to be cold"). The boba tea is delicious--they used to have fruit bits for the "pearls," which made for a more interesting drink. Sadly, they've returned to tapioca only. Visit the Newberry Road shop if you have a choice--the Archer Road location is more difficult to get to/park at, more disorganized, and the food isn't as skillfully prepared. The rating takes a star hit on behalf of the second store--it's that bad.
(3)Alex E.
It's fast food pan-asian cuisine, but it's really pretty tasty and for the price... wow. Go here if you're in the mood for some quick asian food, but don't fancy fried, MSG-laced stuff. The sushi is unremarkable. You won't regret ordering it, but it's certainly not going to wow you.
(4)Celeste A.
I had heard great things about this place, so I decided to venture away from my favorite sushi place in town. Upon walking in, I feel like I am in a mad dream with a mix of my junior high school cafeteria, a techno bar, and a run down McDonalds. Upon entering, you grab a large laminated sheet which is the menu. Then you walk along a half wall to get to the register. You place your order (don't dare ask for any special sushi dish because they have never heard of things which aren't on the menu). You then go sit down. The tables are small, no booths and are stocked with only low sodium soy sauce. You then take your flimsy plastic cup to the drink dispensers (think Moe's with less space). Then you have the option to get sauces. Unlike Moe's cute little sauce bar, you are met with giant pump dispensers which don't work very well. The spicy mayo has way to much of a grocery store mayonnaise flavor. The eel sauce is also very plain. The sushi we ordered was brought to the table. All three rolls tasted very similar - each overpowered by the large chunks of cream cheese inside. The sushi rice was good, the eel was too warm, the shrimp tempura was above average. Oh, also, no coke products. We ordered a coke and a sprite and were given cups only to find Pepsi products after paying (blah!). I saw no Japanese people behind the counter. A decent fast food type joint if you don't mind the techno music playing along with sports on one tv and an Asian B movie on the other. Nothing exciting.
(2)Desireé M.
Can't say enough good things about Bentos. Everything is good, from bento boxes to sushi to bubble tea. My only complaint is the parking and seating arrangements. Sometimes the place is so crowded that you can't find parking (not their fault mind you) and you get inside and there's no tables. Frustrating when you want Bentos!
(4)Kylie S.
Well, my partner and I were quite impressed with the reviews we saw on here and being fans of oriental, vegetarian food decided to try it out. We were disappointed- for $8 the portion size was tiny (my partner had to get a meal at Taco Bell- unfortunately - because he was still starving! ) and not satisfying (and I'm not a big eater!) We ordered the box deal - Red Curry Tofu- and the tofu wasn't prepared in any special way just basically cut up and chucked into hot sauce (not even brazed or lightly cooked..) I would definitely recommend going to Chopstix instead if you want a good tofu dish. And the special 'sides' they give you in the box were minuscule as well with the salad being about two forkfuls and the beans just as much- good place to go if you are watching your portions!
(1)carrie h.
Sometimes you just need a quick bite to eat at a decent price. I wouldn't recommend going all out here on a dinner, but its got its value in my selection of restaurants.
(4)Tu-van L.
A great casual pan-asian eatery by the Newberry movie theater. Bento boxes and sushi are good dishes to try here. One of the few places to have bubble tea. Watch out for the service - the cashier/waiter has messed up mine and my friends' orders on multiple occasions.
(3)Mrs. H.
I was excited when Bento opened. I liked the decor, the food was good and inexpensive. I recommended it to several people and then the health department shut them down just a little while after they opened. Uh-oh. I didn't go back for another year or so, but eventually found my way back because I was hungry before a movie. It was okay, but the little cake that comes with the meal was way too dry on the sides to be fresh. Still I accepted this since it's sort of fast food Pan-Asian, right? I always order the same thing, the yakitori bento. Well, one day I had a hankering for sushi so I went here and what I saw nearly turned my stomach. I ordered the veggie cream cheese roll. There was all this stuff on the outside and it turns out it was bits and pieces of seafood and stuff from other rolls that shouldn't have been on my sushi. Ugh, so disgusting. Who knows how long it had been since the counters, the cutting boards and the mats had been cleaned?!! And who knows how long everything else is sitting out? The noodles are usually cold. The cakes are so dry. Yuck. Big no-no. I'm never going back. I can live without food poisoning.
(1)Ron K.
This place was one of the original pan-asian cafe's in gainesville. They used to have something called a snow bowl (which was amazing), unfortunantly they no longer offer that for dessert (which is why they don't get 5-stars from me). The food there is good and there is a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and sushi selections. The milk tea with pearls is excellent and if you are extra thirsty you can super-size it!. I particularly enjoy the Szechwan Beef Noodle Soup, Spice Chicken Noodle Bowl, and Curry Catzu Noodle Bowl. Also they have the best hot and sour soup in town (the most authentic that I have tasted in gainesville).
(4)Brian E.
This is a staple for me in Gainesville. I have never had a bad food experience here, and everything I've tried has been excellent. My go-to meal is fried Udon, but the Sushi is really a star here in Gainesville. I recommend getting an executive roll, like Flying Dragon, for a great sushi experience. All regular entrees have been great. My favorite is Broccoli (Kung Pao). I prefer Newberry Bento over Archer. The atmosphere is much nicer and you generally don't have to wait in line outside the door.
(5)Hung L.
Nice clean place. Modern decor. Self served mixed cola machine. A little pricy but the food was fresh and delicious.
(5)Judy L.
Made a quick stop for dinner on the way back from Disney on a Monday night at 6pm. You take a menu at the entrance and order at the counter before sitting down at either an indoor or outdoor table. FOOD: - Mongolian Beef Bento Box: the Mongolian Beef was very salty. It's as if it was sitting out in a buffet line. I would say the same for the Lo Mein. As if it was sitting for a while. - Sushi combo box: For my sushi combo box, I choose the Florida roll, Spicy UF roll, & California roll. I thought they were all just okay. - We also ordered two bubble teas: Mango green tea with mango jelly & Milk tea with boba. These were okay. Not as great as the bubble tea stores that you find in Atlanta. Overall, I do not see myself returning to this location's Bento Cafe. Everything was mediocre. I know there are several sister Bento Cafe's in Florida that I would like to visit.
(3)Siri B.
3 stars because they just raised their price + small portion :-(
(3)Lane M.
Mt. Fuji roll!!!!! They also have some new wings that are pretty good... Service is friendly, as always.
(4)Lindsey P.
great service but my rolls of sushi were falling apart. wish there was a wasabi in Gainesville.
(2)Daniel M.
This place used to be great but the prices have gone up to a point where I no longer feel it matches the quality. Sadly I probably won't be eating here much anymore. I'd rather spend the extra buck and eat at Dragonfly now.
(3)Brian A.
The bento boxes here are amazing and its the only place in town that makes a good milk tea. I'm a huge fan of the boxes as the ginger salads are perfect and the deserts are a great way to end the meal.
(5)Kasey G.
Most of their sushi rolls are pretty good. I gave a three star rating mainly because they can be a hit-and-miss. I like the mango roll, but there have been times where it has been pretty mediocre. Their milk teas are really good.
(3)Kenneth P.
The Environment: Great for groups, very young feeling, and pretty hip! Definitely a good place to be. The Food: I had the spicy creamy shrimp in a rice bowl. It was... DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The flavor was very unique, not like anything I had tried before. There's also alcohol and a huge menu. But I think it'd be worth trying again!
(4)Chris K.
Bentos strives to be a trendy place to eat, and at one point might have been, but over the years the restaurant has begun to show its age. The dining room just doesn't seem clean like it used to be. The tables and eating utensils (not the chop sticks) usually seem dirty. The nice lighting inside the restaurant isn't going to hide a poorly cleaned dinning room. At this point I try to avoid dining in here. I do still get food to-go though. Their menu is pan Asian with plenty to choose from. The food on average is average. It's something to eat to get full, not something to eat to thoroughly enjoy. I recommend their beef bulgogi and chicken katsu. I prefer to get their noodle bowls upgraded to udon noodles over their bento boxes. I avoid their miso soup and salads (tough and drowned in ginger dressing). If you need a quick bite to eat before going to see a movie next door, this is an ideal location to visit. As long as Gainesville has freshmen, they'll have an audience. But as someone whose eaten here quite a bit over a long period of time, they aren't fooling me into thinking this is a cool place to eat with top notch food.
(3)James L.
Very tasty for a good price. Never had the sushi, but the spicy creamy chicken is my fave. Young staff can be a little testy, but overall good experiences there. Line can be very long so I'd call in your order. Not a ton of indoor seating. Still four stars for tastiness.
(4)Michel A.
Love eating at this place. They have a large selection on the menu and food is always good. My Gf loves the teas.
(4)Elly L.
Amazing place to hangout at and have a small meal! Their bento boxes are really good and come with so many things. My boyfriend likes their rice bowls and has visited 3 times already! Really cool soda machines, too. They have AC problems sometimes but it's not too bad.
(5)Kiana M.
This place is amazing. I don't understand the negative reviews. Sure, it's going to be busy depending on certain times. If you're going out for takeout or to dine in anywhere on a Friday or Saturday night in a college town what do you expect? Sometimes the lines move slow because of all the choices on the menu, or because the cashier is explaining a dish to a customer. But I've never waited too long to complain. At my most recent visit, something made me really upset though. I purchased a fountain drink and then walked to the back where they have one of those high tech fountain machines with all the choices. They only had seagrams ale and water available. I thought it was terrible that they let me buy a fountain drink when that's all they had. I'm confident they weren't aware though. I also didn't say anything, so I'm sure they would have helped. Just keep that in mind and check the fountains before buying soda.
(5)Dana S.
Okay, I love Bento. They have a ton of selections. My brother got the general tso bento box and it was pretty good. I got the create-a don which a create a sushi bowl with salmon,crab and shrimp. I loved it! Gotta have the spicy mayo though. I thought the Starburst (strawberry banana) milk tea boba was okay, but the actual boba balls were made just right. Can't wait to try more when they open one in Tampa hopefully soon! The prices aren't bad either.
(5)Chelsea M.
My boyfriend and I love this place. He gets the Mongolian beef rice bowl, and I get the Mexican roll. Other favorites of mine are the crunch, masarap, and Florida rolls. Their spicy mayo is also the best around.
(5)Sarah R.
Love this place for a quick Asian cuisine. Not pricey, nice atmosphere. Sometimes they get really busy but that's because everyone in town loves them. The sashimi tuna is my favorite, comes with avocado which I love! Their udon noodle bowl is my second favorite.
(4)Erin S.
Love their Bento boxes, especially the chicken katsu. Crab wontons are good. I have yet to try the sushi here though. They have decent food & atmosphere, unfortunately they don't stand out to me when deciding on dining options. I tend to only go here when others suggest. They're not bad, just not exceptional either.
(3)Luzelena C.
Great food and a good price. My go-to place for something quick and delicious. Bento boxes are always great, but the spicy beef udon noodle soup is my favorite!
(4)Cassie R.
I've been to Bento Blue (as they call this particular location) many, many times since its opening, and although results have varied with each visit, it's still a place that I return to with some sense of anticipation. As far as the food goes, it's nothing particularly original, but usually pretty solid. On some occasions, the bento box side dishes can be a little dried out (the green beans and noodles, most often), and one time I ordered sushi with WAY too much vinegar in the rice, but usually, the food is really tasty. I usually stick with the chicken katsu bento box or the Mexican roll, with a lover's (strawberry + mango) milk tea. The milk teas are definitely part of the charm, but like the food, some of the flavors can be hit-or-miss. I've never had any problems with the service; the staff has always treated me well, never any mistakes in my orders, and I'm still a bit impressed with how they find you in your seat. Altogether, Bento isn't the greatest restaurant in the world, but it provides me with a sense of comfort and familiarity and maybe even reliability that keeps me coming back.
(4)Danny A.
I had the Coconut Chicken Curry Bento Box. It had noodles, a mini salad, the chicken coconut curry, rice, green beans, and for some reason a Rice Krispie treat. The salad noodles and rice were perfect. The curry coconut chicken was so-so. It wasn't very good, too average. I was confused why there was a rice krispie treat because it had nothing to do with it. We also had the Zombie Roll which was unique and I liked it. I have never seen sushi with tiny red caviar and some fried green vegetable. It tasted good and I liked the variation of sushi. However, there was a cockroach in the men's bathroom. I told a woman and she said she'll do something to get it out.
(3)A L.
Great food, great daily freebies and deals, even options for low-carb eaters! Their sushi is amazing, but you can definitely load up on food for cheap with their Bento box. Their garlic ginger chicken is to die for! Limited indoor seating, but they do have an outdoor area and delivery options.
(5)Sara L.
Bento is a great place for casual Asian food. The food is good...I have had some questionable dishes but when you order right, you will be satisfied. I love the spicy cream chicken or shrimp! Sushi is quite good. It is the only place in town that I will eat sushi. Try the spicy UF roll. The best part are the amazing prices. You get a lot of very tasty food for extremely fair prices.
(4)Sean C.
My daily sushi go to. Can't beat the price for the quality sushi. Can get very busy so calling ahead and getting take out and sitting outside it a good idea. Daily specials too
(5)Bradley E.
The food is great, but the service tends to be terrible. Borderline rude employees and slow service are the norm. If you call in a pickup order and they say 20 minutes, give it at least 30 and on occasion nearly 45 before you actually get your food. It's just frustrating and they never seem to acknowledge how slow they are.
(3)Coleen T.
I recently went gluten-free... so I have ventured into the world of sushi which I never really had before. Bento has become one of my quick options for food... it's really easy to make any dish gluten free by asking for steamed chicken or shrimp instead of fried. I have a favorite creation that I stick to... it's a spicy tuna roll with a few additions (cream cheese, avocado and cucumber). Check out this place, it's pretty good!
(4)Susan M.
Nothing like the Bentos in Orlando. very disappointing. the food not really that good and the service. What service. you order,and dont ask questions. If you want fast food atmosphere and don't care about polite workers , its your place. I realize its a College town but taking my order and being rude doesn't justjfy me putting money in a tip jar. Very very dissapointing. I won't be back.
(1)Jarrod H.
I love bento! Best place in Gainesville for a quick Asian meal. I went here probably 500 times in college and ordered the chicken teriyaki bento box 95% of the time. I also drowned everything I got in spicy mayo so everything was great.
(5)Maria F.
Went there on my birthday and had the pork chop udon soup which was AMAZING! I don't recommend getting the bento boxes because I always find the noodles and green beans too salty. Service was quick but the only complaint was that the cashier wasn't really paying attention and she forgot my boba tea order....
(4)Katherine K.
Bento (blue) is great if you have a craving for boba tea and sushi. I've only had their sushi, but I'm looking forward to trying something from the other menu. The dragon roll is SO good. So is lust, especially if you like spicy mayo. Inexpensive, good and quick (even if there's a line).
(4)Jaime B.
I've been eating at Bento's for 5 years now. It has always been great. Spot on in service, taste, atmosphere, price. Plus it's consistent. I've never left going, "I don't think I'll be going there again." Once or twice I have gotten some fishy fish but in a span of years, that's a damn good track record!! As far as their food goes, I've tried many things. My favorites are the Thai coconut curry, curry katsu, I always get noodles because I love the consistency and texture of the noodles they use. You can also get rice and now they offer brown rice for +1 (dollar). I've ordered pretty much all of the rolls on the menu. My favorite is the yoshi roll because I love conch but they have a variety of rolls for all tastes and preferences. And if they don't have what you want, you can always "create-a-roll". Their sashimi bowls are awesome and come with quite a bit of sashimi, fish eggs, seaweed salad and, most the time, avocado. Love the teas here. Lover's fruit green tea with lychee jelly is the best. I wouldn't recommend their milk tea as once I ordered a taro milk tea with boba and the boba were not fresh and the taro milk left little to be desired (I get my milk teas from lollicup...excellent). I also never would recommend a bento box. It sounds good in theory to have such a large variety but some of the items on it just aren't good and noodle/rice bowls are cheaper (and you'll likely have leftovers). Tl;dr If you haven't been to Bento's, you should try it. It is reasonably priced and the food is delicious.
(5)Lola N.
So I am from fort lauderdale... Back home there isn't great bubble tea. The best place we had was lollicup. Lollicup close though. So for me to go to Gainesville and find this place was a miracle. Of course, it's thru recommendation! I tried the sushi and I had the bubble tea. I had a mocha magic! It was great:) I love it. The sushi was great. I saw someone order a crunchy salmon roll, it look great and taste even better! let me tell you the price was a bonus! We ate 2 rolls, and soda, and a bowl of rice of bulgogi for $25.00 ? Maybe 30 but that's nothing compare to what we usually pay! I love it! It's fun! The environment is great :) all the girls are pretty and kind too!! Love it!
(5)Julie A.
I have been craving their Almond Joy Boba Milk Tea endlessly for months since the last time I came here. I surely got my fix this time -- a LARGE serving of it! My craving will be satisfied for the next few months.... =) Yes, I can get others to imitate it, but there's nothing like the original. A holy trinity of flavors (coconut, chocolate, and almond) mixed evenly into a milk tea treat mixed with tapioca pearls. By the way, they don't have ramen here. I asked. =(
(5)Meg I.
Ordered the red curry over rice, and it literally tasted like nothing. It was like eating styrofoam packing peanuts and then every once in a while my mouth would feel hot. Tofu was undercooked and the pad thai had a fishy taste. Bland, boring, and not worth the hype.... it's like the Kim Kardashian of Asian food.
(2)Mike W.
Bento Cafe, or Bento Blue as the Bento folks like to call it, was the first Bento restaurant of their now six or more establishments in Gainesville, Orlando, and Jacksonville. It opened in either 2003 or 2004 and just short of a decade of business, it is starting to show some wear to its somewhat-sleek interior. Certainly, after Bento Red (Archer Road) expanded, the atmosphere at Bento Blue seems rather plain and even in need of work in places. I've had no less than three first dates here though and have fond nostalgia for the place so I'd probably hate to see too much of a change, in all candor. As for the food, their menu of bento-box and rice bowl pan-Asian dishes has remained much the same for years though now and then new menu items have been added. Their sushi is good, but not great, as one would expect for the quasi-fast-food approach at hand. The bento boxes come with white rice, noodles, green beans, a salad with ginger dressing, and a small dessert like a cookie and that's not changed since opening day as far as I know. Sometimes these sides are quite good, other times the noodles are tough or rice overcooked. The main dishes themselves vary a lot, but I've recently noticed they're often overly salty--especially those like the basil stir-fry that have a lot of a sauce with them. The katsu fares very well though and the General Tso's chicken is ok. The sushi . . . often pretty good, sometimes not good at all. The krab delite nigiri and the Mexican rolls are my favorites though and always impressive, albeit simple. The more complex rolls . . . well, more to go wrong I suppose and sometimes that's exactly what happens. Bento's fun, but the Bento Red location is better than this one: I'd probably give that location four stars instead of three. I would not choose either just for sushi on nights I want to go out for sushi though. Mahzu is light-years better in that regard. The bento boxes and decently-priced, informal, meals with friends are what Bento's all about and it's great for that, but be well prepared that things can be a bit off at times . . . and quite salty very often.
(3)Ryan F.
Bento is always consistent with quality and affordable Asian fusion. The best deal is the sushi bowl IMO. More fish than a roll at the same price.
(4)Johnny L.
Note: I also wrote a review for the Bento's on Archer. "You can't write reviews on places with the same name!".....Well screw you. Yes I can. Though they have the same name, they seemed like two different places. The service here was seriously lacking. And there was only one register open for the whole place?? The lines extended out to the corner of the plaza and the place was tiny already. Good thing they have outside seating. The menu did have some items I didn't recognize from the Archer one. So in my most recent visit, I tried the Seafood rice bowl. Sounded good enough (Shrimp, scallops, and squid with veggies on rice). My friend got the Japanese Udon Bowl with beef. We also shared a Gainesville Roll. The seafood bowl wasn't that great. The sauce wasn't that good and it was dumped over tiny pieces of shrimp, scallops, and chewy squid. The Gainesville Roll was good, and the Japanese Udon Beef Bowl looked good enough. I've had other things here before, but it was a while back so I will not comment based off memory, but they were'nt memorable. The food was still pretty good, but the times I've been here have never been as good as the times I've gone to the one on Archer. Bad Luck maybe? I mean...it is the same restaurant as the one on Archer, right?
(3)Carlos H.
My friend and I came here yesterday when I came up to take a vacation in Gainesville and I have to see I was extremely impressed with this place. The menu is so diverse, it's pretty to find Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines all perfectly combined on a menu, and I pretty much decided to go in all different directions in my ordered. I ordered a bulgogi steak bento box with a thai tea boba and also ordered a California Roll and Eel Roll. The order was out in only a matter of minutes. The bento box was delicious and perfectly filling, I think the bulgogi at Sa Ri One in Tampa was a little better, but that doesn't mean this bulgogi tasted bad at all, it was quite delicious. The thai tea was perfectly made, not too much ice and strong flavor with very sweet and tender boba balls that didn't freeze up like I've had happen to me at some other places that I order thai tea at with boba. The sushi tasted very fresh, the crab in the California Roll was great, and the Eel Roll tasted good as well, it didn't have it's normal overpowering taste though so I won't say it is the best sushi I have had, but it was pretty good and certainly worth it. The establishment is very nicely set up, appearing as a relaxing place with couches and a cool vibe to it, they even had the Initial D anime on two of their televisions, which I found to be pretty cool. I'll certainly be back the next time I'm in Gainesville.
(5)Andria M.
This is my favorite sushi in Gainesville! My husband and I come here all the time. It's great. He loves the spicy cream shrimp!
(5)Courtney D.
This is my favorite place in Gainesville. It's a great environment with both indoor and outdoor seating and always great music. They have a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle and rice bowls, sushi, and boba drinks. I have never been disappointed. I prefer this location to the Archer Rd location. It's smaller but service is faster and they don't charge extra for sauces.
(5)Dena P.
The food was good and cheap depending on what you get. There's all sorts of asian food from korean, chinese to japanese. It gets really crowded from time to time because lots of college kids come here to get "bento" lunchbox style food. They also serve bubble tea which was pretty cheap. Also a sushi bar to eat at. The location is great because it's in a new/clean plaza with lots of other restaurant that are great to visit too. Bento is expanding their restaurant which is a plus! A great place to visit if you're in the area!
(5)Keilani R.
You know, I like Bento. I prefer Bento Blue (Newberry) to Bento Red (Archer), if only because the latter is often crowded and kind of unorganized. The sushi is pretty good (and pretty cheap), and the Boba tea (almond is my favorite -- with pearls, which are made of tapioca and make for a really interesting drink experience) is fantastic. I would probably go to Bento just for some Boba tea.
(4)Jana E.
You can't go wrong for the price...but Red Bentos is better because it has Jasmine Milk Bubble Tea! I love the sushi boxes, donburis, and spicy cream shrimp.
(5)Michael W.
Bentos cafe focuses on the experience and the atmosphere. But their food is pretty well presented and adequate. This is my 4th time going this semester. I always get the bento box teriyaki beef but this time I got the General tso Chicken bento box. Before I criticize the general Tso Chicken, I want to clarify that I can make my own General tso chicken and I can make it good hehe. Anyhow, the general Tso chicken's presentation was good. The chicken was nicely done with the crispiness. The sauce was done well also, however when you eat the chicken with the rice. It feels like the sauce is not there. The sauce doesn't have the power to overcome the blandness of the rice. The sauce supposed to have that power, not the saltiness of the sauce but the flavor of the sauce. It felt like the General Tso sauce was DILUTED.... Anyhow , every time I make my chicken, I make sure it is strong enough to over come the rice's flavor. Anyway, the side of veggie (brocolli) was weak! They gave me 3 pieces of Brocolli. So cheap :-( Anyhow, overall the food was good. The ginger salad was good and the lomein along with the little cake dessert.
(4)Nico S.
Yay! My friend used to try and convince me to go here with her, but I always thought it was a bit overpriced, so I usually just ate a burrito from next door while she inhaled the Bento box (minus the plastic). Tonight D and I went with our hard earned garage sale cash, $24. Yum! Glad we made that decision. We ordered the Spicy Cream Chicken, the Florida roll, and the Gainesville roll, all to share. I ended up eating more of the sushi, however. The fish was plenty, the rice, sticky but not mushy, seaweed not overpowering the taste nor texture of it's contents. We called in take out for the fear of not making it in time for outdoor seating, and it was made just in time for our arrival. Good hours, nice staff, tasty Thai tea with boba FTW!
(4)Richard W.
This bentos isnt as good as the bento red on archer, but it's still ok. Their bentos and noodle bowls are both pretty good, but dont seem to be as good as their red location. It's not "authentic" but it is good. The decor is well done to look trendy with a blue and black theme. Like the other one, its a good place to go to grab a bite with some friends.
(3)Melissa P.
I had the sushi combo. Great price and great food.
(4)Melenie S.
Out of all the sushi places that I have been to around town Bento definitely has the best deals. You cannot beat the prices to the amount of meat you get in a sushi roll. Usually many places skimp on the ingredients but not this place. Their dons (sashimi rice bowls) are also a good choice to make on the menu, as they also give you a lot for your buck. They also have deals on certain days that if you buy two rolls a free order of edamame comes with it. Aside from sushi, the restaurant provides an array of cooked food as well. Ranging from teriyaki chicken to curry which are all decently sized. However I must warn that if you come on a weekend be prepared to wait for your food because the place does get packed and the service gets slow. Overall a good place to eat at with reasonably priced food. Will come back again.
(4)Sasha P.
I used to eat sushi at Bento RELIGIOUSLY during my junior year at UF. I can't say I've had any of the entrees at Bento but they always look tasty when I see other people order them. To be honest, they just don't look like they would fill me up. But I'm sure they are tasty. Bento is really good about call-in orders. I used to do this all the time because the place gets PACKED! When I say packed, I mean that the line to order is out the door like Chipotle when they give away free burritos. Every time I go, I order either the Flying Dragon or the Red Dragon, ALWAYS. I love tempura shrimp, crab and avocado and both of these rolls has each. The only difference between the two is that the Red Dragon is topped with tuna and the Flying Dragon is topped with eel. Along with one of these two rolls, I usually order a bunch of other random rolls that I haven't tried before. Depending on my mood, I order a Mango Bubble Tea. Completely DELICIOUS!!!
(4)GLEN R.
If you are a college student and want bang for your buck this is the place!
(5)Natalie W.
Meh it's ok !! Maybe I'm a sushi snob but I'd rather pay more and get better quality. Not really a fan ... I mean it wasn't the worst place ever but I'd rather eat elsewhere.
(2)Bryan H.
This place was awesome. The menu selection is not overwhelming but have tons of choices. The food was authentic and very good. My kids loved the soda dispensing machine. It was a little costly but still very worth it.
(5)Rachel E.
Can I give bento blue six stars? I've only lived in GVL 4 months and it's my favorite restaurant. My girl and I eat here weekly and sometimes more. The noodle bowls and special Mexican roll are my favorite. We've tried basically everything except the soup. Dumplings are always incredible. Edamame is always cooked perfectly. The rolls are to die for. I enjoy the chicken and shrimp dishes but thats a personal preference. The curry is perfect, just enough to make your nose run down your face. The line is usually out the door so we often get it togo but the service has always been decent. Ive noticed the rolls can be made a bit sloppy on Friday or Saturday nights but it's not big complaint. I didnt like sushi before I came here and now it's all I ever want. And I'm just gonna put this out there... I would eat spicy mayo with everything if I could.
(5)Belen C.
I love this Bento SO much more than the one on Archer. They don't nickel and dime you. Period. If you ask for an extra sauce, it's free. In fact they have eel sauce, spicy mayo, and the like right in front to pump into plastic ramekins. I love their rolls, especially my current obsessions: National Champ roll and their Lust roll. I'm also a huge fan of their Spicy Cream Shrimp. Their fish is nice and fresh. I've never had a nigiri or sashimi that I didn't love. Tip: If you plan to go when it's busy call ahead and ask for takeout, that way you can avoid the ridiculous lines that form during nights and weekends.
(5)Adam W.
i'm really writing this for my wife. she is a big fan. we both like this corner since it has a nice variety of food options for us, namely moe's, coldstone, coffee culture, gators dockside and this place. i have also ate here a few times. the food is good, not the best sushi in town, but good. if you judged by the lines, people must find this place freakin' awesome 'cause it seems to almost always have a line. one thing my wife likes alot is their endless dispenser of spicy mayo sauce. they recently introduced a children's menu. i think it is a bit pricey for what you get.
(4)Robyn C.
When in Gainsville...visit Bento Cafe. After hearing about it for years - this little place is known to visitors even though it may be difficult to find (this location especially) The atmosphere is pretty dope and this location's theme is blue, as in ICE. The restaurant itself has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a very trendy place to frequent. Don't be surprised if you find professors, students - Asians and non-Asians alike there. The food is good (with the exception of the little desert in the Bento Box), the sushi is acceptable. I was a little weirded out by the fact that they didn't put eel sauce on my eel rolls. In fact, I had to get up and get it myself - or rather, have my bf get it for me. I'm not going to lie, the service was surprisingly fast and the fact that they have all college kids working there makes me feel like it's a fun place to be. Oh, the Bubble tea is also very good - probably the best in Gainesville. If not the only.
(4)Laura G.
I think I've only eaten here twice or three times in person, but I've lost count of how many times I've ordered take out from here. Their Bulgogi Noodle Bowl is on of my favorites. It's not the best service, but the food is great. If you're hungry, don't be shy about hitting Bento up.
(4)Lauren A.
This place def. gets five stars in my book....why? Because its super cheap and delicious!! I love their sashimi bowls...and of course their spicy mayo!!! I really don't like their bento boxes but if you do decide to get one...katsu chicken or fish is def. the best!!! :)
(5)carlson j.
pad thai really bad. extremely dry, 2 layers of noodle and bottom layer was just boiled noodle. not authentic too commercialized
(2)John S.
Bento Blue (Archer Rd. is Bento Red): awesome prices, fast and friendly service, big parking lot and no upcharge for spicy sauce! They're hitting all the right buttons for an awesome place (unlike Bento Red). Cons? its small and dark inside. The music is really loud. Its sort of like walking into Hollister.
(4)Cammeo V.
I like this place a lot. I highly recommend the tea with the pearls in it. It's crazy, but good. I really enjoy coming here with friends because it has a modern feel and we all love our sushi! I look at it as a Panera Bread but a sushi place.
(5)Merinette S.
Nothing to rave about, but nothing to complain about either. The place has a nice atmosphere(blue lights & stainless steel) and the service is generally great, but the menu is boring and the food is just so-so. There is nothing unique or exciting here and the vegetarian options are less than impressive. You can get a nice big tasty bowl of spicy tuna sashimi here for ~$7, but it's not the best sushi joint in town--even for the moderate price range. This is a good option if you have a large group of people with a major disagreement about where to get dinner, as there is an adjourning southwestern restaurant and a smoothie bar which share the same outdoor seating(so your group can eat at different restaurants and still sit at the same table).
(3)Kir-Sheng C.
I love this restaurant and highly recommend it. The food has always been good here--the sushi is decent, depending on the chef. Done right, the sushi is delicious--I've always liked the volcano roll or the red dragon. The tuna don is also pretty good--the wakame and the tuna makes for great texture as you bite in to it. The szechuan beef noodle soup is also great--it's similar to the niu rou mian that's found in Taiwan--pretty authentic and it tastes good. The boba tea is pretty good too. The boba's consistency and texture is second only to Lollicup. I've always been a fan of the katsu chicken--compared to other restaurants, it's always crunchy and tender--but the katsu pork has a little too much fat in it. Overall, I love this restaurant and I go here almost once a day. Some of the reviews on here are incredible--sushi is rolled loosely so when you bite in to it, the sushi *bursts.* And food not coming out all at once? Really? You're going to complain about that? Or that the food isn't "vegan" because there's cream cheese in it? (Hello! Read the ingredient list on the sushi menu!).
(5)S Z.
I have eaten here three times. The first was horrible but I thought maybe it was just because they were busy, so I came back and it was decent, the third time was once again horrible. The rolls are sloppily rolled, the fish was tough and low quality. I have had better sushi at the grocery store- which is sad. It you want good sushi just spend an extra two bucks and go to a higher quality local, or just hit up Publix down the street.
(2)Nicholl M.
What can I say, when I am in Gainesville, Bento is defiantly on the to-do list. The Miami roll is to die for, I have dreams about it. The Bento boxes aren't too bad either. They consistently deliver great food.
(4)Cathy M.
For what it is (casual, affordable, and tasty) i give it 5 stars... I had a mexican sushi roll, which is tempura shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and it was delicious...also had a teriyaki chicken rice bowl, pretty good. they have specials, and since i went on a tuesday, it was "2-for-1" teas. I went for thai iced tea...it's a pre-packaged tea, but nevertheless, tasted great. I'll be back when i'm in the area for work :)
(3)Katie S.
Good asian fusion. Good lo mein. Fast-food-ish.
(3)Danny D.
I just discovered the joy of putting Sriracha sauce in my veggie rice bowl. I can feel that ulcer coming.
(4)James B.
Bento's is a place to go if you want a quick bite of decent food to eat. They offer food in rice bowls or in a bento box with some sides. I recommend not ordering from that side of the menu due to the lack of consistency, cold (meaning not kept hot when it should be) sides, and smaller portions. The only thing I ever enjoyed were the noodle soup bowls. I ordered the chicken katsu udon bowl and I added vegetables for an extra charge. The katsu was somewhat crispy, but nowhere near as good as can be. I'm not quite sure if they use a panko crust, and if they did it's not very good. The soup overall was fine, the udons were average, and the watery soup lacking depth but still somewhat tasty. The better bowl out there is the sliced Szechuan beef. In the sushi area, they mostly serve rolls and they have just average quality fish. You can easily tell because they heavily dress their rolls with a bunch of stuff, but hey, at least it's edible. I don't dare try their nigiri. Service is fine. 2.5 stars overall!
(2)Hannah C.
Bento is amazing. I have never eaten at the same place so many times (at the height, more than 4 times a week) and still craved it; so much so that when I make it back to Gainesville this is the one place that am guaranteed to make a stop at. The menu is huge, the sushi is great, the bento boxes (repetitive, I know) are filling, and all for a pretty good price. The wait can sometimes be a little much, but in my opinion it is well worth it, plus the semi-wait service (you order at the counter and the food is brought to your table) dulls the pain. However, if you can't handle the wait at all feel free to call ahead, stop by ten minutes later, and take it home, or have the audacity to eat it there! There are no words to describe how much I love and miss Bento... Oh, I don't recommend getting the shrimp tempura, in a roll it's great, but just the tempura...not so awesome.
(5)Ramon R.
Great sushi at best price and ambiance. You can have a great sushi meal without going broke here. Always busy because of this.
(4)Mark G.
Oh man,i love Bento! I eat here all the time.Qay better than the overrated-gas-inducing Moe's.Bento blows that joint out of the water. Cheap,tasty Bento boxes,fast service from hot honeys ;-`) sealed the deal for me.
(4)Robert S.
If the concept of metropolitan Asia could manifest itself into a haze of some sort, fill a room, and shout at you, that would be fairly close to the atmosphere experienced here. But if you're unfortunate enough to be in this area, your other options are Moe's and Bonefish or some bullshit, so you may as well get some rice or something here.
(2)Mark Y.
I LOVE BENTO. This place is a tiny gem that is worth the visit. The food, service are great. The one downfall with Bento is if you get there at the wrong time you can have a long wait in line to place your order (I guess it says something about the food though) Didn't fancy their Boba tea. worth the visit
(4)Dani W.
There was a time when I was eating Bento about four to five times a week. I miss that time. I miss that food. I miss Bento.
(5)Patrick Q.
I have heard a lot of good things about this place. When I lived in japan bento boxes were a staple. I was excited to try this place. The price is very reasonable, the menu has a lot of options and the boxes are cleverly put together. My wife's sushi looked good and my sister in law's Unadon looked and smelled great. This place showed that the owners know their stuff. It is nice to be able to get a variety of japanese, thai and chinese food. The gripe that I have and my explanation for an "I've experienced better" was that my Chicken Katsu did not have the Katsu sauce on it. I was looking forward to that taste. Had I known that they didn't serve it that way it wouldn't have bothered me. The sauce was a spicy japanese mayo (which was good). When I asked the server for some katsu sauce she responded "soy sauce?" I said no the katsu sauce. She pointed out the spicy mayo and said that is how they serve it. I'm not one to aggravate the people who handle my food, so I said "not the Japanese katsu sauce? oh, ok." I was a little frustrated at the server's shortness and her hurry to get back behind the counter. I was surprised because the quality of the food I got for 7.50 was great and the smartly put together menu makes me think the absence of a sauce named after the food is a little weird. Maybe my server was a bum and couldn't wait to get back to socializing. I would go back and give it another try. I would order the same thing again even without the beloved katsu sauce. I want to try the donburi, but am a little nervous about what sauce they may substitute. If the service is better and at least don't act like I am making a crazy request I will probably change my rating to a 3 or maybe even a 4 star.
(2)Vincent W.
The place is unique and the prices aren't bad. But I think the food could be better. Giving it a 3 stars b/c it was one of the first places I found in Gainesville that had the asian milk tea, which isn't too bad considering they use powder but a little pricey. The food was ok, sushi wasn't anything special. It's a place you go once in a while to change things up and different atmosphere.
(3)April O.
Excellent udon bowls. Other reviewers are correct about their sushi; it's a good grade but not excellent, and doesn't at all compare to the better sushi restaurants in town. Bento boxes are a mixed bag; the meat dish/main course is usually piping hot, while the surrounding side dishes are inevitably cold (as in, "not kept warm" rather than "meant to be cold"). The boba tea is delicious--they used to have fruit bits for the "pearls," which made for a more interesting drink. Sadly, they've returned to tapioca only. Visit the Newberry Road shop if you have a choice--the Archer Road location is more difficult to get to/park at, more disorganized, and the food isn't as skillfully prepared. The rating takes a star hit on behalf of the second store--it's that bad.
(3)Alex E.
It's fast food pan-asian cuisine, but it's really pretty tasty and for the price... wow. Go here if you're in the mood for some quick asian food, but don't fancy fried, MSG-laced stuff. The sushi is unremarkable. You won't regret ordering it, but it's certainly not going to wow you.
(4)Celeste A.
I had heard great things about this place, so I decided to venture away from my favorite sushi place in town. Upon walking in, I feel like I am in a mad dream with a mix of my junior high school cafeteria, a techno bar, and a run down McDonalds. Upon entering, you grab a large laminated sheet which is the menu. Then you walk along a half wall to get to the register. You place your order (don't dare ask for any special sushi dish because they have never heard of things which aren't on the menu). You then go sit down. The tables are small, no booths and are stocked with only low sodium soy sauce. You then take your flimsy plastic cup to the drink dispensers (think Moe's with less space). Then you have the option to get sauces. Unlike Moe's cute little sauce bar, you are met with giant pump dispensers which don't work very well. The spicy mayo has way to much of a grocery store mayonnaise flavor. The eel sauce is also very plain. The sushi we ordered was brought to the table. All three rolls tasted very similar - each overpowered by the large chunks of cream cheese inside. The sushi rice was good, the eel was too warm, the shrimp tempura was above average. Oh, also, no coke products. We ordered a coke and a sprite and were given cups only to find Pepsi products after paying (blah!). I saw no Japanese people behind the counter. A decent fast food type joint if you don't mind the techno music playing along with sports on one tv and an Asian B movie on the other. Nothing exciting.
(2)Desireé M.
Can't say enough good things about Bentos. Everything is good, from bento boxes to sushi to bubble tea. My only complaint is the parking and seating arrangements. Sometimes the place is so crowded that you can't find parking (not their fault mind you) and you get inside and there's no tables. Frustrating when you want Bentos!
(4)Kylie S.
Well, my partner and I were quite impressed with the reviews we saw on here and being fans of oriental, vegetarian food decided to try it out. We were disappointed- for $8 the portion size was tiny (my partner had to get a meal at Taco Bell- unfortunately - because he was still starving! ) and not satisfying (and I'm not a big eater!) We ordered the box deal - Red Curry Tofu- and the tofu wasn't prepared in any special way just basically cut up and chucked into hot sauce (not even brazed or lightly cooked..) I would definitely recommend going to Chopstix instead if you want a good tofu dish. And the special 'sides' they give you in the box were minuscule as well with the salad being about two forkfuls and the beans just as much- good place to go if you are watching your portions!
(1)carrie h.
Sometimes you just need a quick bite to eat at a decent price. I wouldn't recommend going all out here on a dinner, but its got its value in my selection of restaurants.
(4)Tu-van L.
A great casual pan-asian eatery by the Newberry movie theater. Bento boxes and sushi are good dishes to try here. One of the few places to have bubble tea. Watch out for the service - the cashier/waiter has messed up mine and my friends' orders on multiple occasions.
(3)Francesco L.
In the spirit of full disclosure, my girlfriend and my barber got violently sick after eating the vegetable noodle bowl and a bento box. This could be a fluke. That said, I still like this place. Generically very asian. Great place to bring kids or people who don't like foreign food. Not too pricey. Fare share of students hanging out but not obnoxious or greek.
(3)Logan f.
Its decent. SOmewhat quick, but okay.
(3)mary p.
Eat here all the time. Both locations are fun, friendly, good selection of sushi and noodle bowls. Bento boxes are great value. I have never had a negative experience at either one.Love the environment...it's counter service, but friendly delivery ...
(4)Mrs. H.
I was excited when Bento opened. I liked the decor, the food was good and inexpensive. I recommended it to several people and then the health department shut them down just a little while after they opened. Uh-oh. I didn't go back for another year or so, but eventually found my way back because I was hungry before a movie. It was okay, but the little cake that comes with the meal was way too dry on the sides to be fresh. Still I accepted this since it's sort of fast food Pan-Asian, right? I always order the same thing, the yakitori bento. Well, one day I had a hankering for sushi so I went here and what I saw nearly turned my stomach. I ordered the veggie cream cheese roll. There was all this stuff on the outside and it turns out it was bits and pieces of seafood and stuff from other rolls that shouldn't have been on my sushi. Ugh, so disgusting. Who knows how long it had been since the counters, the cutting boards and the mats had been cleaned?!! And who knows how long everything else is sitting out? The noodles are usually cold. The cakes are so dry. Yuck. Big no-no. I'm never going back. I can live without food poisoning.
(1)Ron K.
This place was one of the original pan-asian cafe's in gainesville. They used to have something called a snow bowl (which was amazing), unfortunantly they no longer offer that for dessert (which is why they don't get 5-stars from me). The food there is good and there is a wide selection of bento boxes, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and sushi selections. The milk tea with pearls is excellent and if you are extra thirsty you can super-size it!. I particularly enjoy the Szechwan Beef Noodle Soup, Spice Chicken Noodle Bowl, and Curry Catzu Noodle Bowl. Also they have the best hot and sour soup in town (the most authentic that I have tasted in gainesville).
(4)Jesus J.
I've never had the sushi here, but the food entrees are delicious. I always get the rice bowl (you can also get a bento box), which includes your choice of entree atop a bed of white rice in a large bowl. The quality of the meat is good and the vegetables have always been fresh and cooked properly. I recommend the spicy Korean chicken (it's not that spicy), red curry beef (very spicy), or the sweet and sour chicken. The atmosphere is very relaxed. Dim lighting, with some tables having fluorescent light bulbs within the tables. Some staff members can be friendly, and some can be stoic. After your meal, you leave your trash and empty plates at the table and an employee will take care of it. This is good if you just want to eat, then get up and go.
(4)abigail b.
i ordered to-go here (for the first time) and this is what happened: i had a very sad, long, complex day -- one that calls for yummy food over rice -- and i didn't feel like dealing with bento bros. so i ordered something new (gasp), the spicy creamy shrimp rice bowl, and a chicken teriyaki bowl for the boy. i also ordered an almond milk tea with mango jellies. yes, i ordered mango jellies and strayed from the usual tapioca pearls. call me crazy if you'd like. the milk tea was fine, but the jellies were scarce. they were good, and that made it even worse. there weren't even really enough to see them at the bottom of the cup. i had maybe a tablespoon of them in there. the spicy creamy shrimp, i found out when i got home, was chicken. it was fried chicken mixed with a sweet sauce and sauteed in their spicy mayo. i love their spicy mayo. this was pretty disgusting. it reminded me of an extremely bad take on the dim sum walnut shrimp -- and it was chicken. the breading wasn't even crispy. it was like someone fried it in funnel cake batter, very pancake-y. the teriyaki chicken was meh. the sauce wasn't thick like teriyaki sauce is supposed to be. it tasted just like a sweetened soy sauce. i was trying to choose between bento and mi apa for dinner, and i really should have listened to advice and gone for mi apa. dammit.
(2)MeXOhXMe X.
The Boba Teas are delicious and a favorite of mine. I especially like the almond joy flavor. The sushi is good, nothing special, but still good. Various side dishes such as Miso soup or edamame are also average, but still hit the spot. I love the different bowls, however. The Tofu Thai Curry bowl over rice is always delicious. As is a variety of other tofu bowls. I love how they have many tofu options, which is great for vegetarians. The boxes are okay, but I prefer getting the bowls due to the large portion size. Well priced and has a nice atmosphere. I also like the convenience of the location. This is a restaurant I frequent and would recommend if you're looking for something cheap, good, and better than just some quick drive thru. Great before or after a movie over at Royal Park!
(4)Tracy R.
Won't be back. I ordered a simple green tea and a veggie delight roll which the server told me was vegan. The green tea had tons of sweetner in it and was $6! The server exchanged it for a glass of water when I said I wanted unsweet green tea. I waited about 20 minutes for one sushi roll and guess what...they messed up my order and served me a veggie delight roll with cream cheese (not vegan). When I told the manager, so offered to pay me for the difference and I had to demand a full refund. She never even offered to remake the roll to fix their error. She made it seem like I was a bother to her
(1)Lauren J.
I realize that I like this place way more than I should. I wanted to give four stars but simply couldn't in good conscience. Let's say that these three stars are really 3.5. This Bento is always packed with a line out the door at peak meal times. That being said, I would expect that they would have a more efficient ordering system. Instead there is only one register manned by 3-5 college aged girls that are confusingly taking phone orders and my order simultaneously. Somehow it all gets figured out, but the ordering process takes forever. I like to order the chicken red curry bento box. In a fast food type place like Bento, I would never expect that the curry would be spicy, but it is, nice and spicy, yum. I usually have to doctor it up a bit because its a little bland, but with a little spicy eel sauce and a touch more sriacha it tastes just the way I like it. The bento box comes with Lo Mein noodles (uncharacteristically my favorite part), rice (more carbs please), stir fried green beans, crappy wilted ginger salad, and some version of a little debbie dessert. Ok, I know this doesn't sound too great, but again I like it so much more than I should. I crave this sad little plate of fast Asian fusion, I realize its wrong, but it feels so right. The thing about Bento is that the service is awkward. I always go with a friend or two, and the food never comes out together. I feel strange diving into my dinner while my date waits for his/her meal to arrive. If you wait politely, however, you will wait forever, sometimes food has been spaced as much as ten minutes apart...awkward. All that being said I still love this place, I think the kicker for me is the self service sauce bar. The bar has sriacha, eel sauce, spicy eel sauce, shrimp sauce, and spicy mayo. I love being able to gluttonously gorge on these sauces without facing the shame of actually asking for them. I visit Bento usually once every two weeks, with no intention of stopping. I may never understand my strange Bento addiction, but love can be perplexing.
(3)John L.
So I've been back quite a few times and have had their Bulgogi and Teriyaki. I am happy to report that I have not gotten sick once. That being said, Bento has become my go to place for Meat-N-Rice/Noodle dishes though I am not blown away by their Bento boxes. There is always at least one component of the bento box that is sub-par (the first time it was the noodles and dessert, last time it was dessert only). I generally stick to the rice/noodle bowls and teas. It 'aint Momofuku Noodle Bar (nowhere close) but it does fill a niche.
(3)Daniel P.
So delicious! Everything was great from service to the food and even the atmosphere! The decor is trendy and so cool looking. Very clean. Anything on the menu is great so don't feel too picky! Plus it's inexpensive for the amount of high quality food you get.
(5)Anna K.
Went here while in town searching for housing in the area with the husband. We had some sushi and the general Tso's rice bowl. The sushi was good but the rolls need to be better rolled as they fell apart as you pick them up. The general Tso's rice bowl has tasty but I feel it could have been spicier. The tables that we sat at where sticky and probably could have been wiped down alot better between customers. The final decision: I would go back again. Food was decent and worth another try.
(3)Brandon D.
5 stars for sushi in its price-category. The consistency of Bentos is amazing- especially for the reasonable prices. I've probably eaten Bentos 100+ times- more pick up than eat-in. My favorite = gator roll (w/ side of spicy sauce), steamed dumplings, miso soup, and strawberry shortcake bobo tea with pearls- though some people prefer without pearls. As an aside, the staff seems really happy- like they have good camaraderie- I think happy people take more pride in their food.
(5)Wesley C.
oops . . . accidentally posted the review for the other location here! so i'll write this one too . . . this is the "original" bento . . . and what *made* this location special was that they had traditional taiwanese dishes that were on small slabs of wood posted on the column next to the ordering register . . . they had xue hua rou si mien (snow bowl) which was one of my (and my dad's) favorites . . . unfortunately, apparently not enough people ordered it and they took it off the menu . . . but anyway, their schezuan beef noodle soup is another great choice.
(4)Kristen C.
OK, let me preface my review by stating that this was my absolute favorite spot during my sophomore and junior years at UF. Now, three years later, it's not the same. The sushi doesn't taste as fresh as it used to and the service has also fallen below the mark. The last time I ate at Bento, my miso soup came out after my sushi rolls and it was lukewarm (and lacking tofu!!). What happened to the Blue Bento I used to know?????
(3)Curtis D.
Really good sushi and the bento box chicken was good,
(4)Tim F.
I originally hated this place, but it was one of my girlfriend's favorite places to go, and I have to say that it has grown on me. I really like it now and have been tons of times. I especially like this location, as opposed to the one on Archer Road. I usually get the sweet and sour chicken bento box, and most of the time at the Archer location the chicken is soggy and tastes much worse than the chicken from the Newberry location. Also, this place has some pretty good sushi. It definitely isn't the best I've ever had, but most of the times I have gotten it it has been very good. I also get the Boba teas every once in a while and they are definitely worth a try as well.
(4)Sal G.
I have had some Bubble Teas close enough to compare. The pearls at Shing Wang in North Miami Beach are much better; but I will have to return since Bento Cafe is the only place I can find that has Pineapple flavored milk teas. Sigh...
(5)Belle C.
I've visited Bento twice on my lunch break. The first time I had a smoked salmon, avocado, and scallion roll and a shrimp tempura roll. Both were fine but nothing special. Mall sushi, I call it. I don't think I'd try their raw fish. On my second visit I had the spicy cream chicken bento box. The chicken was nicely crispy with a very flavorful sauce, but the sides weren't worth bothering with. Probably better to order the meat entree with a rice bowl and skip the mushy green beens, cold noodles, wilted salad, and dry cake that comes in the bento box. I don't like the food well enough to want to go have a sit-down meal there, but it's an acceptable choice for quick, inexpensive takeout.
(3)Cherry J.
I have to post here showing my Bento love. I could eat here every day and never get sick of it. From my Bento Orlando review: "Hayai, Yasui, Umai!" (Quick, Reasonable, Delicious!) Bento may be quick and cheap, but their food--a fusion of Asian cuisine, from sushi to curries and more--is absolutely delicious (almost addictive!) When busy, the set-up is like that of Crispers and other similar restaurants; customers line up, order, and then sit down and wait for their food to arrive. During slow periods, a more traditional sit-down-and-order system is utilized. Despite the inexpensive price, the decor is impeccably hip. The tables are lit up, dance music plays in the background, and flat screen TVs playing Japanese animation (and the occasional football or basketball game) are found throughout. The menu has plenty of variety. Sushi lovers can indulge at a very reasonable price (all of the rolls are $6.95 or less) and for those who are intimidated by raw fish, there are plenty of chicken and beef options to choose from. Beer, wine, sake, and bubble tea are all available in addition to the soda fountain. Aside from the sushi, Bento's menu of entrees is generally available in either a "bowl" or "bento box" form. Customers choose an entree (for example, red curry chicken) and either order a large portion on top of a bowl of rice or a smaller portion served with ginger salad, lo mein noodles, some nice green beans, rice, and dessert (usually a small piece of cake). For good Asian food it's a steal at $7.95 per order. My recommendations: the red curry box, the peanut curry box, and spicy Korean chicken noodle bowl.
(5)Evan H.
I used to work in Gainesville and my co-workers and would go to Bento every Monday for lunch. Great food, great value, great restaurant. It's one of the few places I miss in Gainesville.
(5)Coty S.
Can they keep up with all of the customers? Sure they can! There is often a line, but don't be discouraged, because the line moves fast and you are guaranteed an excellent meal. The only thing about this location is that they do not serve duck, but everything else on the menu is the same if not better. Their food is authentic, nutritious, trendy, exiting, and fulfilling at once. The atmosphere is amazing with groovy ambient techno and glowing tables. There are families, college students, and elderly couples are dining there and enjoying all that they have to offer. Gainesville is so lucky to have such an amazing local business in their town that caters to everyone, offering a taste of Taiwanese teahouse culture, rivaling some of the greats, such as Saints Alp Teahouse. Most meals are about $6.50 and come in a Bento box as a six course meal. The food is a terrific mix of Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese. Noodle bowls, soup bowls, rice bowls, sushi, tempura, bento boxes, and teriyaki. The highlight of the dining experience is the bubble tea. If you have not tried it, then you are missing out. In the hot Florida months, my favorite is Jasmine Green tea with green apple syrup and lychee jelly.
(4)Gramley A.
Great alternative when everybody wants to go to Moe's. I am not a huge fan of Moe'sbut will go here anytime. My friends and I always eat outside in between Moe's and Bento's have grown to call it "m-entos"
(4)