Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
5690 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Crystal Lake for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crystal Lake for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crystal Lake for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5690 Northwest Hwy
Crystal Lake, IL, 60014 - Phone (815) 477-8300
- Website https://www.kyotosteakandsushi.com/index.php
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : 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 : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Sebastian J.
My favorite place for japanese sushi and hibachi. :) With the new location the wait times are much much better sometimes no wait at all!
(5)Rachel D.
Great sushi! Fresh and authentic. Its pretty packed friday saturday nights so be prepared to wait. I order food to pick up from here often especially if its on a busy night. Their teriyaki chicken is amazing the sauce is perfect I also always order the gyoza for appetizer. The new location is nice and also larger.
(4)Karen S.
Coming from Chicago, I'm spoiled by having amazing restaurants within walking distance. Kyoto was a the real deal - great food, great service - very entertaining overall. Worth the drive, and can't wait to go back! ps the golden shrimp were amazing...
(4)Colleen S.
Love this local place for Sushi. Service is great and the atmosphere is very nice.
(4)Pam S.
Awesome sushi! Wouldn't go anywhere else in the area
(5)Fernando M.
Food is good, but not good enough for the wait.
(3)Mr. sushi G.
I really enjoyed Kyoto. My only complaint is that it is fairly expensive (for special maki) but then again, so are a lot of places. This place really does have good food, and pretty good service. Fish (7.5/10) Overall (8/10) Value (7/10)
(4)Suraj S.
This is a great place if you are a sushi fanatic. It is some of the freshest rolls and maki that I have ever had. The prices are a bit higher than your average sushi restaurant but It is definitely worth it in my opinion. The restaurant is also very clean and set up nicely. They have moved into a new location and it suites them very well. I was impressed with the changes and love the new space. I hope to come back very soon.
(4)Chelsea L.
Can't believe I haven't written a review of Kyoto before today! We go out to eat here about once a month- it's a favorite among our social group. In this area, you basically have two choices for sushi: Kyoto and Bistro Wisabi. Bistro might win out a little bit in ambiance and quality, but they are MUCH more expensive and don't have as much of a selection as Kyoto. (And that's not to say that the quality of the food at Kyoto is sub-par, it's just, say, a 9 while Bistro's a 9.5. Or something.) To be honest with you, I have only eaten at a hibachi table here once, the the rest of the time we usually sit in the sushi bar and stuff ourselves silly with veggies and raw fish. I brought my family, who doesn't do Japanese cuisine as often as I do, and they enjoyed the "show", found the menu very accessible and the waitstaff very approachable and knowledgeable. I like that they really seem to take pride in what they do, the owners are around a lot, working the floor and register, and the atmosphere of the whole place is a lot more like a family, night out with friends sort of place, than Bistro, which can feel a little stuffy and formal, especially when you're out with a group.
(4)Monica L.
Have eaten here twice, both on the sushi side (not too big a fan of the fanfare and sharing a table with any hibachi place). Sushi (nigiri) - 4.5 Tempura - 4.5 Fried rice - 4 Service - 5+ I've given it an overall rating of 4 only because I have not tried the hibachi side and there is no 4.5 option. The dining area is a bit cramped but I don't mind it, just right for a cozy dinner with your date or your friends. There is also a definite din which you may have to talk over from time to time, but I don't mind that either because I prefer that over having the place too quiet and having everybody hear my conversation. Something to note: In all other sushi places I've been to, one order is usually comprised of two pieces of sushi. At Kyoto, one order is one piece, so just make sure you order exactly the number of pieces you'd like.
(4)Jeff K.
Since my first review I have had a chance to eat at two other tepanyaki restaurants in the west/northwest suburbs of Chicago. This is far and away the best. I had my favorite combo: calamari and garlic shrimp: very good. The chef (Nate) put on a good show and was attentive to customer requests. The staff is very attentive even offering 2 or 3 times to refill some customers' cups of hot tea. I had a shrimp tempura and some Philadelphia roll from the Sushi chef too. The tempura batter was very light. The Phila. roll was very fresh tasting with great flavor. I will certainly go back again. True it is a bit pricey: $20-$25 for the combo. but worth the price.
(4)Erica D.
We did carry out... Both me and my friend are vegetarians so we got the cucumber and avocado rolls && soup. We had to wait for kind of a while but it was totally worth it!!! DELISH!! The staff was really friendly, too!
(4)Nikki S.
I've been going here since they originally opened at a different location within Crystal Lake. Their space is a little on the cramped side with the teppanyaki tables situated closely to the sushi bar. I always get good service and their sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki are well prepared.
(5)Kerri B.
This is the perfect place to feed the udon addiction! I've had various sushi selections from here and they have all been top-notch. Here's a tip for the squeamish who want to try ~something~ sushi-like. Go for the Philadelphia. It tastes just like a bagel with cream cheese and lox. Yummy!! The udon is what I came for and wasn't disappointed. The beef broth had a hint of veggie and something else, but was still good (Not Sushi Asahi good, but still...) The udon and tempura were delightful and the service was fast and friendly. Great atmosphere in a casual, Japanese lunch-style decor. We're looking forward to going back for the habachi dinner.
(4)jim r.
Fair food, good sushi, although my lobster roll left a LOT to be desired, zero taste. Thought it pricey. DID NOT appreciate feeling like we were being rushed through the meal. There were 8 in our party and everyone said the same after the meal. I would not say it was bad, my wife an I would not return.
(3)Mike M.
Kyoto is our standby sushi restaurant. I'll admit, we've never eaten at the hibachi side, and the gonging birthday announcements might possibly cause you to pee your pants due to surprise and volume, but the sushi is quite nice, and good quality. If I had my choice I'd go to Kaminari for similar quality, but more style.
(4)Julie L.
We love Kyoto's! I always get a combination (Fillet & Shrimp or sometimes chicken). I've also ordered Edamame and California Rolls...both were good. They usually have a "Dinner for Two" option too where you pick appetizer , your drinks (wine options or soft drinks), and your entrees, and it comes with soup, salad and dessert too. Not too bad of a deal. The chefs are entertaining and fun. Good atmosphere and good food at reasonable prices. The service always exceed expectations too!
(4)Jason G.
The only Teppenyaki/sushi house in Crystal Lake. It helps having reservations on the weekends, but they have a little bar area to get drinks before if there is a wait. We tend to go for the Hibachi with my whole family and the sushi side if its just my wife and me. Its nice that they have a good separation, rather than all in one. The entertainment value of a Hibachi style restaurant is worth the plate costs alone, and Kyoto definitely deliver. I would rate this place 5 stars for McHenry County, but a 3.5/4 for Chicagoland area. I wouldn't say this is one for anyone to drive long distance to try, but if you live in the area you need to make a stop!
(4)Chas S.
Great sushi and drinks. It's a bit small and get really crazy on a Saturday night, but the people are very friendly and efficient.
(4)Kelli A.
We ate in the sushi portion of the restaurant and loved it. We had a few different rolls and pieces. Everything was fresh and delicious. They had several original rolls on the menu which provided for a nice variety. One of rolls was on the special menu, the "wonderful" roll, which was unique and unexpected. It had shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy scallop and crunchy things on top. The "Hawaiian" roll had mango, cucumber, a spicy sauce and a fish that we don't remember all wrapped in rice paper. The mango really stood out in a refreshing way. The hamachi pieces melted in our mouths and were priced better than we usually find for this quality. The waitress was very nice and was on top of refilling our water and iced tea. We had an enjoyable experience and would dine here again.
(4)Joe W.
I hate this restaurant and they have given me many opportunities to hate them. Many years ago (5 or so) I used to go there and order green tea with my meal. Our waitress would NEVER bring me green tea. Ever. And we always got the same awful waitress whenever we went. One time we got a different waitress, I ordered green tea, but before she could bring me the tea, the other waitress took our table and refused to bring me tea. This always happened to me and it became a joke. The waitress was always really rude to me too. Eventually we stopped going there, but then a group of co-workers wanted to go there for a Christmas party two years ago. I protested, but I was told that there were new owners who were supposedly very nice. So I went. Big mistake. I ordered from the same lunch menu as everyone else. They brought me the check, I reviewed it, I gave them my credit card, and then an older waitress brought me back a NEW BILL FOR $10 MORE! $10 dollars more than anyone else at my table paid for lunch. I already had a bill, but they decided to bring me another bill. Everyone at the table was shocked that they would treat a customer this way. No apologies from the owners. This place SUCKS!!!!!!! I will NEVER set foot in this hole again.
(1)Richard H.
I have eaten at many hibachi restaurants and this one doesn't compare to any of them. Now, there are two types of reviews to Kyoto. One is the sushi stuff and the other is the hibachi section. They are two very different catagories so I am going to only review the hibachi section of the restaurant cause I don't like sushi much anyway. If you go during dinner be prepared to eat a lot of food. I don't like that dressing on the salad so I get two soups instead. The fried rice is always excellent. The vegetables are stir fried with just the right amount of sauce and the show they put on is good but I really don't care anymore about that. I always get spicy garlic shrimp and hibachi salmon. I also extra more of that unique spicy garlic clumpy 'sauce' and put it on just about everything. I think that stuff is the main reason I like Kyoto over anything else. I've been trying to get them to cook the salmon like they do the shrimp with the spicy garlic. Hmm.. maybe next time I'll try getting the cook to do it instead of asking the waiter. If you go there during lunch time, you don't get the cooking table but the food is still excellent and reasonably priced.
(5)Jenny R.
We went here for a birthday dinner with family and everyone had a great time and amazing food!!! A wonderful place to celebrate. It was 20 minutes of a wait for our reservation, but the place was packed to the door with people waiting for tables. The menu says that the tuna done on the hibachi will melt in your mouth and there is absolutely no false advertising there! It was simply the best cooked tuna I've ever had. The staff is super friendly and we never had to ask for water refills once. The big hibachi show was alot of fun and our chef was excellent. Since it was so busy, the dining room did feel crowded, but we were having such a great time being treated so well that we hardly noticed.
(4)Karel B.
Very good sushi. I haven't eaten on the hibachi side but they have excellent sushi and a very nice waitstaff. A good selection of sushi at not bad prices.
(5)Laura A.
Love this place. I've had sushi all over in chicago and this place holds their own. Admittedly, i go often and they treat me like a friend. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly are willing to to explain the menu items to you in detail. i highly recommend them for sushi. i have never sat in the hibachi grill area, but it looks like fun. The only drawback is on friday or saturday night, go early or make a reservation because the place is PACKED!!! This place is extremely popular on weekends and for birthdays.
(4)Steve G.
OK, so my girlfriend and I went here last Saturday for dinner place was packed which is always the case on a Saturday, service was great food was awesome prices I thought could be a little bit better but its not that bad was like 120 with two drinks as well so not bad will definitely be going back ohh make sure you have reservations
(4)Lexa R.
I've been going to Kyoto for years now and I liked it before I liked sushi and even more now. The chefs are always so nice and engaging with the customers. The prices are a little high ($25 for a dinner entree) but you get a ton of food that you can take home. The teriyaki sauce is so good, we buy it by the pints (it's pretty inexpensive as well). The sushi is so delicious, but I've realized I like all sushi so maybe everything is good to me! I like how there is a sushi entree in which you get three rolls and salad for about $18. Definitely visit Kyoto, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Amanda K.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Doesn't get any better than this place! Highly recommended to all!
(5)Kim B.
Service is great. Pricing is a little high. Great sushi items
(4)nicole h.
They're always busy, but the service is always spectacular. The servers really seem to want you to have a good time--even on the sushi side. The rolls are truly different and incorporate incredients you wouldn't think of like mango and cilantro. Every time I go to Kyoto I leave in a better mood. And it's not just the Kirin ;)
(5)Yunnis S.
We have been going to Kyoto for years (at their old location). They've been at this new location for a month & we went for my fiancé's moms birthday. We go EVERY year for her birthday. We were very impressed when we walked into the new place. The decor was great and the space is much larger which is good. This good feeling didn't last though. We asked if we could spread out because there were 2 empty seats. The manager said no because there was more people coming. The meal started & nobody else came so our chef told us we could spread out. Our requested chef, who wasn't busy, was booted to another table by another chef. The chef rushed through our meal. He did not do anything to entertain us. He knew he booted our chef too. He kept giving us weird looks. The calamari was not cooked right. We didnt order scallops but whoever did wasn't happy. They were so burnt. When I talked to the manager about our booted chef, all he said was that it's a weekend and that they can't confirm anything. He was useless and was trying to leave even though I wasn't finished talking. Let me say that for years now we have requested one chef and we have always gotten that one chef. Even one of the waiters were saying he should've given us the requested chef. Then the manager had the nerve to tell me that we should've said something to him. Yeah, let's talk to a person who walks away while you try to talk to him. My fiance asked our waiter to sing happy birthday in Korean. the waiter was rude & said that there are no other Koreans that work there (ha!). Later, he took back what he said & explained to us that since they sing the song to the entire table, they can't do it in Korean just for us. We were fine with that. He should've said that in the beginning. Maybe their newfound financial success has gone to their heads & they've forgotten how to treat their loyal customers. I have always left with a great feeling. Tonight, I did not. Our experience left a bad taste in my mouth. I would be happy if we never went back there. Although we'd miss our chef.
(1)Gabriella V.
I live in mchenry so my choice of sushi restaurants boils down to Sakura, Golden Rolls or Kyoto. If I want hibachi Kyoto is the only option. As far as sushi goes I prefer Golden Rolls. Kyoto rolls are usually too big, the fish is not that fresh, the rice is too sticky and the rolls fall apart easily. The hibachi is good and the cooks are fun BUT the service is BAD. Yesterday I went there to celebrate a friend's birthday. She had reserved a week ahead for 13 people and they had said no problem. We were there on time, the restaurant was absolutely PACKED and we ended up having to wait 45 minutes for our table anyway, with NO APOLOGY or no effort on their part to make up for the wait time. The new building has close to NO SPACE to wait so we were constantly being shoved aside because we were in the way. Honestly, if it wasn't for my friend I would have just left and they would have lost our business. Don't take reservations if you are just not going to honor them! Once we finally sat down we had to wait for our drinks which, to be honest, i thought should have been complimentary after all that wait. So in conclusion: don't go there on a weekend if you don't want to wait forever ( and reservations are useless) and if you are looking for takeout sushi go to golden rolls in woodstock it tastes a lot better!
(2)The Truth P.
Kyoto is the best restaurant ever!!!! Both habachi and sushi are amazing! I recommend getting the filet with either shrimp or salmon!! You get tons of food for a reasonable price, so you need to go try Kyoto!
(5)Brian B.
Finally made it here the other night after seeing it there for years. I was very impressed with everything including the service and the food plus the presentation. It was certainly fantastic for sushi in McHenry county. We did not do the hibachi thing but instead opted for a small table where we had mostly the sushi. The crazy monkey and especially the godzilla roll was excellent. We also had some chicken yakitori, sashimi style beef and some tuna poke which was all very good. They have a huge fancy martini selection and yes they all cost about $10 each. So either make it a special occasion or don't order one. We did try three different types and they were truly well made. The bonsai martini was my favorite. I will for sure go here again. It appears they will soon be moving into the old Applebees building which may give them more room. Probably a good idea. It was packed on the Friday night we went.
(4)Larry B.
one of the worst Japanese restaurants I've been in. Terrible service. Lousy sushi, and so so entrees. I know it's the only game in town in this area for Japanese food, but, I'd rather skip it and get to Oishi or a better place in Chicago. Hell even Benehana is better than this. Absolute crap.
(1)Paul A.
We eat on the sushi half of the restaurant. The sushi is decent but a little pricey. We usually get the spicy tuna and spicy salmon sushi rolls. The place is very busy weekend nights, and somewhat noisy. The service is good and friendly. The hot tea is delicious.
(4)Tes S.
Love this place :) we've been going here for years and we can't stop going back! Its so entertaining and the chefs do a great job of relating to their guests. The food and portions are fantastic and its great to see them cook it right in front of you! Perfect for birthdays or special occasions :)
(5)Greg O.
Place is solid and serves habachi and sushi. Ginger salad is great and chef are entertaining while you eat. I went to Bistro Wasabi for my sushi and they are slipping. This place had great fresh fish-the tuna and salmon melted in my mouth. Overall great place!
(5)Deirdre R.
We love this place! It's great to be able to get good shushi without going into the city. From the outside, the place looks unassuming and extremely laid back. When you walk in it's surprisingly nice and has a nice atmosphere. We've always had great service, love the food, and always have a great time. This is a local jewel.
(5)Jenny C.
This is my favorite sushi place! The service is always great, and the decor is very welcoming. I've never had anything I didn't like. My favorites are the spicy scallop roll (amazing), the Hawaiian roll, and the California roll. I eat here at least once a month, it's the simply the best sushi in town.
(5)Mark H.
When you are in Crystal Lake, and have that drive to go to sushi, this place comes to mind just because of location. Bistro Wasabi is much better... but for a quick lunch to get some acceptable sushi, I would say OK... lets go. However, as I lived in Brazil where there is the second largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, sushi can be much more fresh and good. But, then again what can you expect living in the middle of the US? Cheap sushi and a good wait staff and some friendly people.
(3)Neal L.
The only teppanyaki restaurant I know of in McHenry County, my first visit involved food sitting at the "normal" table. We ordered the chicken teriyaki and some makis and sushis. The quality for the price is certainly lower than what you can get at Bistro Wasabi (see my other review) and the teriyaki was just so-so. My review may change after trying the teppanyaki, which looked very entertaining, but from first impression, this restaurant was overpriced and just "ok".
(2)Renato P.
This place is a very nice looking place, perfectly suitable for both casual dinner and formal dinners. Teppenyaki places are all pretty much the same ,differing mostly in menu specifics and food quality. I will preface this review with the fact that I got sushi for takeout . The staff was very pleasant and attentive, the menu selection was standard but diverse. I ordered a bunch of rolls to get a nice cross section of what this place had to offer. The spicy tuna was common but still very good, a little heat which I can appreciate. The spicy salmon, not so much heat, still a solid good. The California roll, never a favorite of mine , is probably one of the better Cali rolls I've had. The spicy scallop was very good, they torch the scallop here and that's the first time I've had it like that, it adds to the flavor if you ask me. The Philadelphia roll , again not one of my favorites, was still good, but I don't think I'll get used to cream cheese on my sushi. Finally , the yellow tail roll was very good, even if it was fairly standard. All in all, this place so far rated solely for the taste of it's food rates a 3 and a half. I round up for what else it has to offer and it's somewhat nice interior. I would go back here, but it hasn't really earned "destination place" status.
(4)Kimmy N.
Koyoto is ab average sushi place for the area. If you want better you're better off going to Chicago or Naperville. Or bistro wasabi! But it's not bad for the area. Their chicken teriyaki is really good!! I always ask for extra sauce and they give it to me! Their lobster roll is super delicious with salmon over it. Service could be better! I think it's an English barrier.
(4)Mike S.
Great food! chef was entertaining and the dinner was very good. Also, note the bartenders were great. One issue was hostess. We had a reservation, and upon checking in about 15 minutes prior, we sat over at the bar. About 5 minutes prior to our reservation, the hostess came to us sitting at the bar waiting, and advised it would be shortly (Confirming our name, etc). We didn't have a problem with them being a litte late. It was a saturday night. 45 minutes later still no dinner. Finally, we went to the hostess. I KID YOU NOT, she had the tenacity to tell us she DID infact call us, and "you were busy talking". ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I understand the place is packed, and she's got a lot on her plate. DO NOT blame a mistake she made or whomever on us. The fact she confirmed we were still present 5 minutes prior to our reservation. Shoudl have justified her walking over and poking us EVEN IF WE WERE talking. However, I am sure she never called our name. We were hungry to begin with, so trust me. I'm ready to goooooo :) I really prefer to give a lower rating, because I've never been so affended by a hostess. However, since the food, chef and bartenders were good. I will not penalize them.
(3)John R.
We don't eat here very often, but we have never been disappointed. My last meal was a bento box in January of 2015. It was good.
(4)Max R.
I'm being totally honest in this review Very nice building (newer) entrance is decorated with chochkis that you can buy probably. A little over done but nice. Interior is classy with good seating option. 1. Host- had her mouth full of food when I entered and she spoke to me in a way I could not understand cuz her mouth was full. I've never been here before. Initially she didn't realize that so I was pointed to an area and told I can sit wherever. Very unprofessional and careless. Probably an owner or family member. She ultimately saw my confusion and led me to my seat finally. She also served me the whole time, and smiled a lot. Nice lady. But they need a hostess that can show you to your seat and not eat while working so you can understand her... At least that's how I feel. I left a $20 tip on a $46 bill even so. Because I have respect and love for all sushi places and restaurant workers in general. O yea btw this place is expensive for the quality. There's another place just down the road that accommodates better in all ways... Starts with a K also, but I'm going to be a good sport and let you figure it out. 2. Salad with ginger dressing very typical not too pungent but drenched in dressing couldn't finish because it was a dressing soup at the bottom 3. Sushi bar- very spacious table chefs very talkative which is good. Communication is key to good team cooking. But they were loud (noisy) 4. Atmosphere overall- very classy and comfy. Classical music plays. More for the older crowd probably. Not very "cool" compared to some of the newer sushi establishments. 1 star outa 5 for coolness... Maki- was just ok. And very spicy, overkill. Not very good. Rosemary was overkill. And the put it in 2 out of 3 rolls I had ordered. Spicy mayo was creamy and interesting, different from the usual, but ok.. Sushi rice- very sticky. Again a little overkill but consumable Sashimi- blue fin which they had on special was amazing, regular tuna was very exceptional. Very fresh sashimi. Probably the freshest in the area aside to the place off RT-31 5 minutes away Overall was ok, but I feel it was a waist of money. They are all looks no taste. I'd much rather get my fill, for a better price and better quality overall, at my favorite place just down the road!!! Not promoting either one. I don't work for either one. I'm just telling you the truth people. Best thing to do is find out for yourself!!! -Max
(2)Rob L.
Teppenyaki (not hibachi, very different). You have to love it. I have been to several including ones in Japan and Okinawa (yep been there and got the shirt). Most people compare these types of eateries to similar ones in the states because they not experienced ones in Asia. In most the grill is a bar type with a curve or round style, so you sit, drink, and eat. This place is OK for the area. Very packed on the weekends and loud because the grills are so close together. However, considering it is in the states.... Not bad. . You have to love it. I have been to several including ones in Japan and Okinawa (yep been there and got the shirt). Most people compare these types of eateries to similar ones in the states because they not experienced ones in Asia. In most the grill is a bar type with a curve or round style, so you sit, drink, and eat. This place is OK for the area. Very packed on the weekends and loud because the grills are so close together. However, considering it is in the states.... Not bad.
(4)Whitney N.
Excellent sushi! The Godzilla roll was huge and so delicious. Fast service and friendly staff. I will definitely be back here.
(5)Kristin K.
This restaurant doesn't even deserve a star. I order over $100 of carryout yesterday and the food was not up to standards as served in the restaurant.. I called and spoke with the manager and they did nothing. I will never return and I will tell all of crystal lake about it. There is another Japanese Steak house not much further name Kobe. I will stick with them. There treat their Customers like gold and the food is 2000 times better.
(1)Jennifer W.
Excellent sushi - my favorite of any I've tried. Cooked hibachi items also top notch. Cooking tables are fun as the chefs are skilled and entertaining. Best sushi and hibachi steakhouse you'll find. Must try the kyoto roll! They moved into a new location so there's plenty of seating, full bar.
(5)Vmbecker96 ..
Favorite special occasion restaurant! Excellent food and best portion size of similar restaurants in the area. Looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Brian G.
Never disappointed. Some of the best sushi in the area! The box lunches are a great deal as well as the Spicy Maki combo at dinner time.
(5)Julia R.
Godzilla roll and crazy boy are so good. Obsessed. The fried rice is to die for. Kyoto is the best
(5)Traci N.
Had reservations tonight for 7:30. They were more than an hour late! If they are full with reservations why do the take walk-ins? You would think management would have this figured out! She was rude as well. Very disappointed!!! Won't go back.
(1)Tony P.
Love the new digs. Brought my two year old and he loved it. Always get the spicy shrimp and it's to die for!!! The chefs make me laugh ever time I'm there. Stay for the green tea ice cream too.
(4)Marisa V.
The chef was friendly and fun. The food was really good. But service was ok, the waitress seemed mad to be there, didn't crack a smile, did her job but you can feel the uneasiness when she left our sight. Id go back but will definitely ask for different waitress.
(3)Aly M.
I'm giving four stars. The food is absolutely to die for, however unfortunately over the years they keep raising prices. But I do recommend bringing family and friends here especially for a birthday! Sushi is made fresh and you can watch them do it.
(4)Kenny P.
Ive never liked sushi. My entire life, every time I tried it I was left disappointed and couldn't understand peoples obsession with the stuff. Then I was talked in to ordering sushi from Kyoto. Fantastic. Everything we have ordered from there has been delicious and impressive. As far as everyone else who complained on here its not really fair. It gets crowded yes, but that because its the best restaurant in town. A 20% gratuity is fine due to the fact that when you cheap it out its 15% and with a chef doing tricks at the table I would expect to pay 25% so the way I see it its a deal. My recommendation is that if you want good sushi but don't want to deal with the hassle of being seated, order ahead of time and get it for pick up!
(5)Rebecca H.
So many choices on the sushi menu! The pictures of some of them, as well as our very knowledgeable waitress, helped us decide. Super Yummy!!!
(5)Kate H.
I have never been to a Hibachi restaurant before this, but we went for my birthday, and it was SO much fun! The chefs entertain you with all kinds of tricks while they prepare your food. It makes the spirit of the room so jovial. You can order maki rolls at the hibachi tables as well, which I appreciate because sometimes my husband wants one while I want the other. Their dishes come with a small house salad that has the most delicious ginger dressing on it. I wish they would bottle it so I could take some home! I can't wait to go back. Oh, and I thought the Leechee Nut Martini was the best martini I've ever had!
(4)Stefanie K.
Food was good and big quantities. Everything was good. Service was good but we did feel like they were rushing us out a little bit but if you ignore that, they were very attentive.
(4)Mary D.
Stay away from the Teppinyaki cooking tables. Especially server Usara. She was extremely rude and did everything she could to rush you to turn the table. They jam 10 people into each side of the table. There is no room to eat and then they rush you for your order and to pay the bill. The sad part is that then then add a 20% gratuity no exceptions so there is no incentive to give awesome service. This will be our last visit.
(1)Emily P.
0 complaints about the food. Always delicious and worth the money. For two hibachi dinners with extra rice and sodas, it came to just about $64. Not bad for entertainment and dinner. Service was lacking. Asked for sprite, they came back with lemonade. We had 6:30 reservations and they took about 20 extra minutes to seat us. Other than that, a child was at our table and awfully misbehaved. Luckily, the parents were sweet to my boyfriend and I. Other than that, it was a great meal.
(3)Brittany B.
WORST RESTAURANT IN CRYSTAL LAKE. This was my first time at Kyoto and my LAST. HAIR in the food. Really!? Long black strands of hair and smaller ones in my sushi. I have never had that happen at any sushi restaurant before. This was extremely disgusting. Also the service was awful. We should have done the teppanyaki but I would never go back after the way we were treated. I love sushi and the food did taste good but I will not go back to a place that serves 20 dollar plates with hair in them. We were excited to try this place after all of the good reviews and are extremely disappointed. When we walked through the door the decor was gorgeous. That is the only pleasant part of this experience. We ordered our food and as soon as the waitress left she was talking to another server right next to our table and they laughed that my sister ordered a chicken salad (Its on the menu). That made us feel very unwelcome. I love sushi and so does my husband, but we were treating my sister and she just wanted a salad. Why would you laugh at that? That is extremely unprofessional. Then when our food was brought out they brought her chicken teriyaki. The waitress ARGUED with her. We all heard that she ordered a chicken salad and the waitress kept insisting that she ordered something else after we even heard her and the other waitress laughing about the chicken salad. So she finally brings out the chicken salad and there is a huge long black hair in it. I felt horrible and so did my husband. We have never been this poorly treated at a restaurant before. We felt sick to our stomachs and couldnt eat any more of our food. We stopped and just stared down at our food in disbelief. The waitress came back over and asked what was wrong and we showed her the hair. She then argued that no one in the kitchen staff has that long of hair. Then I said that well maybe it was a waitress with long black hair? She asked if we wanted another plate. REALLY? I felt like I was going to throw up. The manager wasn't in that day so maybe that's why their staff felt like they could act like children. Never going back to this place when there are SO many better places out there. This was close by and convenient for us to get to and it was a waste of time. If you want good food and amazing service go to Kaminari in Lake in the Hills. I will NEVER go back to Kyoto in crystal lake. Disgusting.
(1)Nat J.
The sushi was unimpressive. We got the wonderful roll and the spider roll. The crab in the spider roll had no meat and was just all the mustard yellow stuff inside it. The wonderful roll had a strange taste to it. Going to stick to Woow or Kobe.
(2)Moises P.
This place is fantastic for all occasions! The owner and all staff are great. I go there with my girlfriend on special nights or with the entire family too! There are no complaints here. Clearly all the food is fresh and the chefs make the entire experience a joy. I typically get the steak and salmon and both are always delicious. Also, they have a great cocktail menu. If you plan on going there on a holiday, then make sure you make a reservation! This place gets packed for a reason!
(5)Hoss M.
Brought my 6,4,&2 yr olds here for my wife's birthday. It was awesome! The food was fresh and tasty. The service was great too. We went on a Sunday night without a reservation. And sneaked in. We'll be back again soon!
(5)Mario L.
You know I cant believe everyone is still getting fooled by this place It was my wifes birthday yesterday and our anniversary. And again I walked out of there pissed off. Lets see the service is the worst these people could care less about service they put on a show and everything is all the wrong timing the drinks are late, the appetizer doesn't come out in a timely manor. The food for the money is blah blah blah and they keep throwing food out in different stages you cant even enjoy your meal. The chef if he is not into the act which he wasn't yesterday was a big let down for the kids. You walk out of there with a 175 bill 12 dollars for a glass of wine 7.50 for a mixed week drink. I mean come on for the money your better of at a nice restaurant and sit at your own table with your family and be waited on properly. The hibachi show is to take your money and serve you crap food.
(1)Kimberly R.
I love this restaurant! Often I just get a craving for their super fresh and delicious fried rice and teriyaki steak...like right now while I type this! No complaints. We have eaten multiple times for special occasions at the cooking table but also have eaten at the regular tables and we always leave we full tummies and happy faces. Highly recommend!!
(4)Randy H.
Awesomeness
(4)Otto M.
Parts of the meal were great... Salmon was buttery, yellowtail was amazing but the salmon roe was too fishy. Honestly for being in the middle nowhere it was pretty good. If your looking for sushi in McHenry county this place is worth it.
(3)Andrew S.
As mentioned in other reviews, this place is a 5 for McHenry county, but compared to the rest of the US this place is a 3.5, slightly above average. Before I go into depth, let me state that I love this place and have been here well over 25 times. I get the hibachi and sushi. This is my wife and my main go-to place to go for special or not so special occasions. I recently had a bad night here, but will get into that later. Overall it is expensive but worthy. The hibachi entertainment is pretty standard; same old onion volcano, big flame-up, and broccoli flipping stuff. Every so often a new trick is done or variation of an existing routine. Most of the chefs are great but 'Paul' is one of my favorites. One thing they do differently at Kyoto is the 'spicy garlic' topping. Most other places have a garlic (only) topping that looks like it was formed at a factory. Kyoto's is made fresh and the spicyness makes it really stand out. It is very buttery. Some places have very dry garlic topping They serve a simple chicken noodle soup, and a salad with homemade ginger dressing before the meal. As a standard, this place generally serves you the rice first, then veggies, then meat. I like that order so you have the best for last. You can also get 3 dipping sauces, a teriyaki, ginger and mustard sauce. All of these are good. I have to point out, some places have far better mustard sauce; one that is creamy and not so pungent. While i do love this mustard sauce in small quantity, other places do it better. This is one of the few things I would change here. Overall, it is just a different way of doing it. Not really a negative or positive to me. You can order sushi; full rolls or ala-carte. I highly recommend the Godzilla. It has shrimp tempura in avocado and a few other things. I hate avocado and I love this! The individual sushi is very good, but it seems like they all come with wasabi inside. After the meal, they give you a complimentary palette cleansing ice cream. If it is a special occasion you get a pineapple boat. Now on to the bad parts. This place is a nicer looking restaurant for Crystal Lake. It also pulls a crowd on the weekends. There is little waiting room, and the bathrooms are directly behind it. If it is busy you gotta politely, or not so politely tell the people standing around to move out of the way. Due to the layout of the eating area there is little elbow room, and you will likely feel fairly crowded. I think most other places within a short driving distance are like that though. One other side note; reservations help, but if a table is not up and ready at your reservation time, you will have to wait. I have also seen where they accidentally skip you when the next table opens up. Due to the waiting area getting crowded, you may have to spill into the dining and bar section. Even with a reservation the waitress may fail to notice you and seat another party. Here is my first bad experience. It was a recent Friday night and my party got there before the crowd. I ordered sushi early on and it came well into the main meal; just before my steak got onto my plate and after all my rice and veggies were delivered and eaten. Usually they serve it by the time the chef starts starts cooking or at least before anything he cooks gets put onto my plate. The individual sushi order had way too much wasabi inside. WAY too much. Timing was way off all night. The salad, also supposed to come early, was delivered to everyone just before my sushi. Refills took forever. It was a really 'off' night for them. The chef seemed like he was new to Kyoto; I had not seen him before and his routine was a good amount different than the other chefs. He did not put rice into bowls, and instead just plopped it onto everyones plates with the spatula. An already overcrowded plate became much worse. It also felt he was talking at you with a bunch of pre set sayings and trying to simply smile and nod if you try to ask him something. Not so bad, but didn't feel quite right either. When he was dishing out some extra rice or veggies, he knocked over someones full water glass into their lap and plate while doing so. Really threw off the mood. He also messed up some of his twirling routines. It happens, but he kept trying at it, and messing it up again and again. It really threw off the fun of the show. I ordered the filet combo, medium rare. He gave it to me rare and I had to have him scoop it back and cook it a bit longer. In all, I love the place and plan on going back often. There is not really anywhere else reasonably close that is as good, or better. If you want to go here, it is better to do so on a weekday.
(4)Sharon G.
Our dinner club Forks & Friends went here on Saturday 8/9 for lunch. I thought that the box lunch was a good deal for the amount of food you were given. I scored above average for food not so much for the contents of my box lunch but for the sides that came along with it. First, the miso soup - it was probably one of the best ones I have ever had as it had a great flavor. Second, the ginger salad dressing- OMG! I do not have to say anything more. DELISH! Third, the fried rice-I am not a big rice eater except when eating sushi so it is not often that I would comment on rice but this fried rice had the perfect balance. I would definitely make a trip back out there for lunch and maybe even consider a "special" occasion dinner and try the grill experience.
(4)Michele G.
This place never disappoints! It's fun to go with a group or even just as a couple. The cooks are always fun and keep the meal entertaining. Sometimes the throwing of the food gets a little out of hand, but it's all in good fun! I normally get the salmon and it's always cooked perfectly. The fried rice is amazing and they make really good drinks!
(4)Melanie R.
You had me at lobster tails. And almost lost me when 'tails' turned out to be just 'tail.' I mean, if a menu implies plural lobster tails - you can't really blame a girl for being a bit miffed when the dish comes up short. Fortunately, this was a case where quality definitely won out over quantity - and I'll take one DELICIOUS lobster tail over two not-so-delicious tails any day. After just a taste, Kyoto was back in my good graces. My dining companion and I opted for the Hibachi style lobster tail, which is DELICIOUSLY prepared with salt, pepper, and soy sauce - already removed from the shell and separated into small fork-perfect pieces. Extra presentation points for using the hollowed-out shell as a garnish! I should preface this portion of my review by pointing out the fact that I've just recently jumped onto the sushi bandwagon. This probably goes without saying, but as such -- I have yet to cross the line into more adventurous territory. Translation: I don't eat raw fish (yet). Thankfully, there are plenty of other fish (and crustaceans!) in the sushi sea - so this hasn't hindered my newfound maki Love one bit. And I'm usually not one to kiss and tell...but between you and me? I've hooked up with more than my share of shrimp tempura rolls. In the process, I've become acquainted with all the little details that equal a tasty roll in my book. (1) A crispiness that is not lost amongst pieces of avocado (I Love me some avocado, but crispy shrimp trumps green mush!); (2) Reasonable roll-to-mouth ratio (because it's just not enjoyable if I have to cut the roll in half); and (3) It's got to be tight! (loosely packed rice and hanging-off seaweed ends need not apply). Kyoto's shrimp tempura was amazingly crispy - with a surprisingly light batter, and was definitely the star of the roll (take a backseat, avocado!). Also to my delight, the roll was perfectly sized and I easily took it in with just one bite. Alas, If not for the sloppy seaweed ends -- Kyoto would have earned a perfect score from me. But hey, what's a couple presentation points lost when taste and service score near perfect? I'm definitely willing to overlook a couple loose (seaweed) ends, and will continue to roll with Kyoto!
(4)John M.
One of the best restaurants in Crystal Lake. Very high caliber food and portions. Absolutely a good experience every time. I love this place
(5)Scott M.
Sushi was sub-par at best. They also messed up the order and my stepson did not get his food until everyone else was done eating.
(2)James W.
Amazing. Service and food were both on point. ask for korean soju. It's a rice vodka, very strong, but very good if you ask for lemon to squeeze into it and ice. Tuna and steak were both cooked to perfection. Definitely recommend if your in the neighborhood.
(5)Xiomary S.
Came here for the first time with my family for my BDay dinner. Awesome experience !! You really have to go to see for yourself. The menu looks pricey but it was completely worth every cent. Our chef did a great job at performing all his hibachi tricks and keeping us on our toes to see what he would do next. They even send you home with a complementary picture of your party! EVERYONE MUST GO HERE!
(5)D S.
Japanese food done right is hard to find. Try the tonkatsu, the steak & sushi combination is good also. Large portions reasonable, prices. Good atmosphere in the dining area. My only complaint is the service is rushed. Kind of eat and get out. Otherwise a good place for that special night out.
(4)D S.
The food is good. Really good. This time we didn't have to wait. The issue this time was the service staff. They are all new. One didn't know what the other was doing. We had to flag them down for water and drinks. As soon as the food was done cooking, WHAM! Whose ready for ice cream? I get the idea if flipping tables but come on for $150 I better have better service than this. There was another family at the other end of our table, our waitress fawned over them, even taking 5-6 retakes of their picture. We got a 1 quick snap blurry picture. Happy birthday to my husband. For her efforts the waitress got less than a 10%. Had she treated us better it easily would have been our standard 25. Perhaps management should start reading these reviews and doing some quality control and retraining staff.
(2)Ruth Ann M.
Kyoto serves the best sushi I've had in the Crystal Lake area. It isn't the best sushi ever, but it's a good as it gets in these here parts. I haven't eaten on the Hibachi side of the restaurant, so please take that into account. Prices: Not cheap, but not crazy expensive. Expect to pay about $50-60 for dinner for 2 with drinks. Lunch specials are the way to go. For $10, you can get a bowl of Miso soup and two orders of rolls. Ambiance: Feels a little like an 80's Japanese disco. (Not that I've ever been to one, but that's how I imagine it would be). They like black paint and neon lights. Food/Drinks: The rolls are fresh, and tasty. There is a decent selection of cooked and raw sushi. The house salad is served with a really tasty ginger dressing. My only complaint is that the lettuce always seems excessively wet, which makes the dressing kind of slide off. They serve some fun martinis with interesting flavors, and sake of course! Service: Nothing to complain about, but not much to compliment either. Fairly standard.
(4)Megan N.
I went there for the first time on Wednesday night around 6:30pm and the restaurant was packed! I would definitely say to make a reservation. We didn't sit at the hibachi tables, so we were seated right away, but the hibachi tables were full and shortly after the sushi room as well. I ordered the Combination C Teriyaki Steak platter - it was awesome and more food than I could possibly eat. We also ordered the Philly rolls and Tempura Shrimp rolls. I found their sushi was much larger than other places I have been to (more for your money for sure!). Everything was good, especially their tempura, I would say the best I have ever had! Service was good. And their green tea ice cream was really good too - I have tried it at other places and thought it was rather blah, but it was very good here! I will go again!
(4)Nathan S.
I had a great time here with a group of 8. The food was wonderful the presentation was delightful, and the service was perfect. My wife was calibrating her birthday and the waiter came out and took a picture for us with our entire group. A treasured memory. The price is fair, actually affordable for what you get with the presentation and everything.
(5)Chris D.
I haven't been to a Japanese restaurant in many years. I enjoyed the miso soup, salad and veggie dish. The chef was wonderfully entertaining, especially to my cousin's two babies. What impressed me the most was how kind and sympathetic the staff was upon hearing that the babies were not twins but triplets whose brother died young. The experience here was wonderful.
(5)Jeff S.
I have not eaten here in probably 7-10 years, and for no good reason other than I usually get my Japanese fix when traveling for work. I've also since traveled to Tokyo, ordered sushi in a number of higher-end restaurants across the US, and visited a few excellent teppanyaki joints. So decided to go there last week. Way disappointed. Hibachi chicken was extremely overcooked and everything was drowned in the teriyaki sauce so there really wasn't much if a difference in taste between the meat and vegatables. We also ordered a selection of makimono which was all very bland. The spicy mayo was not really spicy and was overloaded on the rolls to the point I could barely taste any of the fish. The ginger salad was green lettuce in a soup of ginger 'dressing'. No traditional carrots. The miso soup tasted like instant stuff I've made at home from miso paste packets. The tempura vegetables had a very doughy batter and was not crunchy, plus the batter basically fell off the vegetables when dipping in the tentsuyu. I used to eat here often so I really don't know if over time either the quality has slipped or my standard have gone way up. But either way the next time I want local sushi it's back to Bistro Wasbi (a no-brainer really) and teppanyaki might be Rokbonki. Another minor issue that was annoying was that the menu did not state any restrictions on ordering the 'kids platter' which was one of the very few non-fish items (chicken + vegie roll) on the menu. OK, most places have policies and that's understood, but it wasn't stated on the menu and you'd think that they could make an exception after ordering in some cases, but the 'my manager said no' response tells me the manager doesn't care about repeat business. (The place was packed so I guess they can afford to choose margin over individual experience).
(2)Troy B.
Kyoto is hand down the best hibachi I've ever had. Quality of food, service, table experience, and diversity of menu are all well above Benihana. Prices can be extremely reasonable depending on what you choose and the food is absolutely delicious. I've eaten here many times and even ordered lunch to go. If you frequent other hibachi restaurants, give Kyoto a try and see what you've been missing.
(5)Maria M.
Love Kyoto! Best sushi in McHenry county. Service is amazing. Sharon and Ohye are fantastic. We are regulars and will continue to patronize due to the outstanding quality and service.....for the food/cost/service and atmosphere. Kyoto beats Bisto Wasabi bar none.
(5)Matheau S.
This is my favorite sushi bar/ hibachi place in the chicago area. Phenomenal sushi and really entertaining and fun hibachi chefs. Make reservations on the weekend or else you will have a long wait, but it's well worth it.
(5)Amanda L.
Came in for dinner with some friends last night and had a fantastic time. First of all, apparently the restaurant was recently moved to a new location, and it was obvious, as the place was clean and the decorations were modern (we loved the green lights in the walls). The pricing was right on for a Japanese steakhouse, if not more reasonable than many I've seen (and definitely better than Benihana for what we ordered). The menu was much more extensive which was nice, but I'll be honest, I went right to the hibachi section so I don't really remember what was on the rest of it. If you've never been to a place like this, it's nice because for the price you get a full meal - soup, salad, rice, veggies, meat, and then ice cream for dessert. It was really a TON of food, we waddled away from the table! I ordered the hibachi filet mignon, and it was the absolute best filet I've ever had at a Japanese steakhouse. The seasoning was delicious - the teriyaki was so good and the meat was tender and moist, cooked perfectly. Every bite was so delicious. The veggies were a nice blend of broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and onions. We also got bean sprouts ("Japanese french fries!" our chef told us). We also tried the sake sampler, which (while small cups) was small enough to split between two people, that stuff is potent! The two-year-olds we had with us loved the show our chef put on for us (which is also part of the appeal of coming to a place like this). They had the kids teriyaki chicken and really enjoyed it, that teriyaki sauce was too good! The kids portion was large enough for two two-year-olds to split. But bring cups for the kids, they didn't seem to have any kids cups like most restaurants with a kids menu do. Expect to spend at least an hour at dinner, since the chef cooking the food is also entertainment, and it all takes time, but they feed you a bit at a time, so it's nice you are eating as you're watching. It's just not a good idea to come to a place like this if you're in a rush. We loved Kyoto! Delicious food and a fun show to see with friends and kids!
(5)Steve E.
This is the best Hibachi restaurant in Illinois hands down. I have been to dozens and this one is consistently better quality food than any other I have tried. The sushi is also top notch. I go here for just sushi as well, they are not just a hibachi joint.
(5)Madeline D.
One of the best Sushi and Hibachi restaurant in the NW Suburbs! Very fresh sushi and great Hibachi chiefs. A bit of a wait during the weekends but worth it! I know some may complain about the price, but in reality it's less than Benihana and to be honest, much better tasting. You pay for the quality of food.
(5)Harat H.
Good food. Great service. Very nice atmosphere. We order from here often and eat here about once a month dinein, we always get great quality for the price and the service is superior to elsewhere. Great place to dine out of take out something higher end. Highly recommend.
(4)Lisa S.
My most favorite place to dine and by far the best sushi in this area! My husband and I even say that Japone downtown Chicago doesn't compare to the sushi Kyoto has! Never had a bad meal from here. Service isn't always stellar however it isn't enough to give anything less than 5 stars! We celebrate many birthdays and anniversaries here as well!
(5)Dan O.
1st time was good & now after the second time dining in, I will NEVER eat there again! First off, we ate at a booth instead of at the table where they put a show on for you. My 15 month old daughter was with us, so it was appropriate to sit at a booth out of respect for others we would have had to sit next to at the big table. 1st time we dined with family and sat at a big table and had a good meal (by far not the best Japanese Restaurant I've been too) but was worthy of a second visit. I am never one to complain about anything when it comes to eating out, I have a lot of respect for all the ppl in the business. I usually can brush off all the little mishaps, but it was an unreal experience today. Service was rushed & every thing that was put on our table got worse and worse. After our $30 appetizer of Lobster & beef & asparagus rolls wasn't good, I should have spoken up, but I figured our meals were on the way and would be better. To make long story short, the fried rice, soup, salad and our main meals were just as bad as the appetizers. Nothing had flavor, it was all blah and they rushed us in and out. When asked at the end if anything was wrong because we didn't have anything wrapped to go, I actually spoke up which is unlike me. The check was over $130 plus tip and we were there for only 45 min. I tactfully expressed my feelings about the meal and I was told that the chefs that cook for the ppl at the tables were better than the ones that cooked for the ppl at the bar and booths. I couldn't believe that they told me the quality of chefs were not good who cooked for us compared to the others. I told our waiter I was not looking for anything, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving without saying anything paying that kind of money. When a manager came to my table without provocation I was asked to explain everything again. After I informed him of the situation he told me we should have said something right away when we weren't happy. I told him we were hoping it was gonna get better and it never did, plus that's not my character to complain about every little thing, but it was important to say something before we left because not one thing we had was good. It was the most disappointing meal ever and at the end of the day, it doesn't pay to be a nice guy. I'll never go there ever again and I will start complaining from here on out because that's what they want. They didn't offer to do anything for us or even apologize for our experience! This has forever changed my view on the food industry and I guess the customer isn't always right, but I am paying for the food and service and if either isn't good, I will be speaking up from here on out whether I feel bad or not.
(1)Franklin D.
I've been here 5 or 10 times for lunch since my last review, and it's pretty good sushi. Just wanted to mention that this place has now MOVED to where the Applebee's used to be in front of the Sam's Club up the street a little bit.
(3)Taylor M.
Food was VERY good but the service was HORRIBLE!!! We made reservations weeks in advance for a party of 8 on the hibachi grill. Our reservations were for 6 pm and we weren't seated till 9 pm! Once again the food was amazing and decently priced but waiting 3 hours for a dinner show wasn't worth it.
(2)Jamie F.
Best Japanese restaurant in the area for BOTH teppanyaki/hibachi style and sushi. They just opened at a new location and it's much more spacious. Being that they are open for lunch during the week, it's a nice option for a meeting with a colleague or a friend. Service in each of the dining rooms is great. The host staff is a little disorganized, but once you're seated that problem is solved. One thing I will say is that this place is very kid friendly. They are very accommodating and the chefs love to put on a show for them because they get so excited. Everything I have eaten here has been great. You can't go wrong with some Hibachi Shrimp and a couple of the Chef's Special Maki. My favorites are the Hawaiian, Volcano, Sunset, and Summer rolls.
(4)Jenna V.
I have been to the new location about 5 times. The very first time was for hibachi and our group was blown away. The chef was delightful, the food was fresh and had great flavor. Just be sure to bring an empty stomach, I felt like I had to waddle out after eating soo much food. The staff is friendly and very accommodating. I love the decor, it seems like a place that belongs in the city vs the burbs. The other few times my husband and I went for drinks and sushi. It gets packed on weeknights so be sure to make a reservation. The mixed drinks are creative and delicious, they don't skimp on the alcohol in them. Their sushi is fresh, not overly seasoned and easy on the palate. It's great to finally have a great sushi place in Crystal Lake!!!
(5)Christine C.
This place is beautiful on the inside! We had a sushi dinner and loved every piece. Thank you for a great dinner!
(5)John M.
I've reviewed Kyoto before and given them high marks for their food and service. The sushi is still outstanding and the service is very good....except in one particular area. When I walk into a restaurant, I expect to be greeted and assisted immediately. I don't mind waiting if others before me are being helped, but to not have ANYONE present to assist arriving customers is a huge mistake. There should always be someone present to greet arriving customers....without exception.
(3)Matt N.
This place is fantastic! It is basically split into 2 restaurants, the one side is the sushi side with the sushi bar you could sit at as well as several smaller tables. On the other side is the hibachi grills where you can sit at the grills where chefs are cooking right in front of you! I ate on the sushi side but I will definitely have to come back for the hibachi side. The sushi was great, we tried a couple of the standard maki rolls in the California and the spider and they were just as good if not better than anywhere else I have been. What really set this place apart was the chef's special maki rolls we had. We tried the green turtle and the crazy monkey, both amazing creations! Aside from the food, we enjoyed some great Saki from their wide collection and I tried one of their saketinas as well. It was very interesting mixing the vodka and the sake together but it was a good cocktail! This is a neat little place and you could easily drive right by it as it's tucked away in a strip mall on route 14. But if you have a craving for sushi in McHenry County, this is the only place to go! I do recommend getting a reservation for the weekends as this place fills up with those that know its greatness!
(5)Donna R.
I simply love this place. Sushi is always fantastic, as is the grill seating. I have been going here for many years and every time I am excited to see the show the chefs put on. The rice is always moist, the chicken is always tender, the vegetables are always to-die-for, etc. And don't get me started on the sushi!!! I have been to sushi places in San Diego, the sushi capital, and this place ranks right up there with California. The flavors are intense and I just want to eat more and more. Make sure you get the Crazy Boy and Godzilla. It will be a pricey bill if you either sit at the sushi bar or the grill--but it will be completely worth it. Save up and go to Kyoto!!
(5)