Way too expensive and blah service. The server was really sweet, however the hibachi chef didn't even read the orders. What he gave me wasn't even remotely close to what I ordered. The worst part was that it wasn't even something that someone else ordered...it wasn't ordered at all! I mean, come on! It was written down, verbatim...how do you mess that up?? On top of that, he didn't even give me my rice...everyone else had fried rice, I had steamed rice...I had to ask my server for it because the chef asked if we needed anything else and didn't wait for an answer. Overall, an extremely negative experience at a place so highly recommended. The atmosphere is awesome and the servers are sweet, but they really should make sure that their hibachi cooks aren't just trained to cook but to read as well.
(2)
Charlie W.
The concept behind Benihana is excellent, though not unique; enjoy Americanized versions of Japanese food made by entertaining chefs tableside. It doesn't get much more made-to-order than that, right? The problem lies, I think, in the execution. Obviously other locations of this chain are operating successfully, but the Memphis branch serves up a pretty underwhelming experience - especially for the price. Benihana is intended to be a celebration place, but the majority of clientele you'll sit with only use birthday coupons for a cheap (er, free?) dinner and a bowl of ice cream. You will undoubtedly be seated next to someone with a birthday coupon, and that likely means they want a song, ice cream, picture, clapping, and praise. This can get in the way of a quick lunch or a nice dinner. Don't expect to have any private moments, either. Between the blaring sounds of spatulas slapping the metal cooktops and the sounds of clapping and singing EVERY 2 MINUTES, you may even have trouble hearing yourself think. The birthday song gets old after the first 5 times. I would write about the current clientele problem Benihana's Memphis location is facing now-a-days, but ehhh If you're not in the mood to eat greasy rice and pay $10 for a mojito, Skip it and go to A-tan If you're looking for a better hibachi experience, or Sekesui midtown or poplar (SPR) if not. Check the reviews :)
(1)
Daniel C.
This is the birthday place... I'm serious. You'll hardly find people here who aren't on their birthdays. Over the years, the portion sizes has also been reduced unfortunately. Benihana Fried Rice is one of my favorites around. Note: if you order steak, ask for rare if you want medium. Benihana chefs would cut the meat on the teppan to bit-sized pieces and all sides would get cooked very quickly.
(3)
Don A.
Went there for a birthday celebration. Had a good time. The chef was fun. The food was good and portions are large. Enough to take home another meal. You get ice cream for dessert on your birthday for free.
(4)
Kim U.
I think all of the other reviews were written before this location burned down and was rebuilt. The rebuilt Benihana's is a nice location, definitely not the same style as the the photos shown here on yelp - the new version is more modern looking. We ended up going here last night because it was located right behind a hotel we were staying at. I'm grateful we made a reservation, because even at 6 pm the place was packed. In fact, staying at the hotel for a week , the restaurant seems to be busy every night of the week. Reservations highly recommended to avoid a lengthy wait. Benihana is a chain, so you know more or less exactly what you're going to get if you've ever been to any location. This location offered more or less the same experience as my last Benihana visit in Irving, TX about 5 years ago. The biggest difference here wasn't about the food, or the cook, but I was surprised that this seems to be a hot place to celebrate little kid's birthdays. I think there were about 3 birthday celebrations going on for 5-10 year olds when we were there at 6 pm on a Friday. Our cook was a little odd - he kept saying "Leave me alone" and then laughing in a weird voice. It was actually a little creepy. The food was good though - I really like their ginger dressing, and the simple flavorings (lemon, butter, garlic, salt, pepper, sesame seeds) they use really let the quality of the ingredients shine through. Overall good food with decent entertainment value, although not really what I'd describe as an authentic Japanese experience.
(3)
Mark W.
Went to Benihana on a Tuesday night. Had a small wait for our table, we did hibachi. Ordered Sushi and was given one small bowl of soy sauce to dip our sushi in. When I asked for a "green top" (low sodium soy sauce) the manager acted like I was asking to go in the kitchen. I got my own bottle of soy and vowed to never go back. It was totally ridiculous! There are plenty of other sushi hibachi restaurants in Memphis. Don't waste your time or money at Benihana.
(1)
Allyn B.
Love the food, service was slow. Good sushi and fried rice
(4)
Howard R.
The All You Can Eat Sushi (evenings Only) is the BEST in MEMPHIS. The Sushi is of great Quality and the chefs know what they are doing. The SUMO and Alaskan rolls are the BEST rolls on the Menu and NO WHERE else in MEMPHIS can compare.
(4)
Karen K.
While Benihana might be famous for its teppanyaki, for me this location is best for all you can eat sushi. For around $20 you get to order all the sushi you want. I used to come here all the time while I was living in Memphis. In fact, I still dream about going back to this place and drown myself in unagi.
(5)
Corey E.
I'll start off by saying I've been here multiple times and never had the hibachi so I've never seen the theatrical display that's put on by the chefs when preparing hibachi nor have I tasted it. I definitely love their sushi, shrimp, and signature cocktails though. The bar area is very nice with some seating around the bar however it gets pretty tight and packed during happy hour. They do offer pretty good deals on their drinks and sushi between the hours of 4-7. I had the volcano shrimp and coconut mojito. I will warn you, the volcano shrimp is very spicy. You will definitely need a glass of water to chase down that flaming sauce. The coconut mojito is very good and refreshing and during happy hour is only $4. All in all, I recommend this place being that it has very good specials during happy hour, nice bar area, and good food.
(4)
Lakesha S.
The best hibachi ever! I go at least once a week . I love the sushi and drinks. The customer service is excellent. The best in memphis. I would recommend them to anybody.
(5)
Molly C.
I always thoroughly enjoy going to Benihana because it is a fun departure from your typical dining experience and the food is always excellent. This Benihana was rebuilt after a fire a few years ago, and the new space is large and modern. Hibachi grills are surprisingly packed at dinner time, so I would suggest making a reservation if you have a larger party. The one anomaly that we experienced was that the restaurant was unable to serve beer due to a license issue. It was hard to get a straight answer, but the whole experience made the place look a little unprofessional. There was also no soy sauce to be found, and they forgot to bring out a sorbet that was included in the price of one of the meals. All of these things were minor though, and did not detract from the wonderful food. The food itself it always delicious, and you typically get a soup, salad, and entree. The meals typically come with steamed rice, but you can order a fried rice (do this!) for an additional charge. While the meal prices have definitely risen, you are definitely served enough food to make 2 meals out of it. I ordered the teryaki chicken with mushrooms and it was delicious! TIP: Leave coats/hats/scarves in the car so that they do not smell like a hibachi grill for the next three weeks. TIP 2: You have to pay extra for fried rice, but sometimes if you do not order it and the chef has extra rice leftover, then he will scoop some on your plate for free.
(4)
Natalie W.
Wonderful food, wonderful evening with wonderful friends!! Had an all around wonderful time! We had a party of ten and only waited a few moments for a table even though the restaurant was crowded. Good flow and timing in food. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Jessica M.
I think all the regulars who come to Benihana secretly are wishing to get TONY as their server. If you have never had Tony. Your missing out!
(4)
Godiva M.
Coconut mojito tasted like a creamy piña colada; menu was dirty and pages stuck together. ....so as of right now we are not off to a great start. Hope this isn't reflective of what my food will taste like.
(3)
Ashley D.
Great happy hour place for a few friends to get together or for a dinner with a group. The happy hour prices are good and they have a variety of food and drinks to choose from. I ordered the Las Vegas Roll - pretty spicy with japalpeno and Siracha. Overall tasty! The service is good here. If you order sushi, it's like any other sushi place - hand making it. So if you order a ton it might not come out super quick. They separate checks during happy hour- nice!
(5)
Delinor S.
Was not good. We went during happy hour but it didn't make me happy at all. I ordered dumplings and they were salty and ripped open. Gross. The sushi tasted less than great. Dry, but edible. The service was mediocre. Never again. I am assuming you pay for the cheap food. Maybe during the normal hours the food quality increases. But do not get suckered in. It just isn't worth it. The only thing remotely tasteful was the lemonade.
(2)
Joelle P.
Nostalgia. That's the only word I could think of when starting this review because I can't tell you how many birthday parties I went to here growing up. So when my friend decided to spend her 30th birthday here (and I was there for her 14th birthday there too...yikes...where did time go?), I was pretty excited. And when the chef came out to cook our food I was even more excited because interactive food is fun. That being said, the food is meh. And the prices are meh. I just really enjoy the show they put on.
(3)
Taylor D.
Horrible. Didn't sit at the grill tables, so maybe my experience would have been more enjoyable there but sitting at the tables near the bar was the worst decision. 1 waiter for 8ish tables = beyond slow service. Took 15 minutes to even get acknowledged, 10 additional minutes to get my water. How hard is it to bring a water, seriously?? The food, which was disgusting, took an additional 20 minutes. I literally had to grab the waiter to get him to acknowledge that we were finished eating so we could get our checks and get out of there. Definitely will NOT be going back there, ever again.
(1)
Chealsy L.
When ever I go here I always have the sushi and sit at the sushi bar because generally there is no wait. It had been a while since my last visit and some things had changed. My server was no help had no idea what was in the combinations couldn't even explain the rolls. I had to step in and explain the differences to my husband because she couldn't. She didn't offer an appetizer or recommend drinks. Just all around poor hospitality. It took half an hour to get our food which was sushi...the table who came in after us received their hot food before us. Once we got it our order was wrong. Now with all that negative their sushi is still amazing! Their shrimp lovers roll and crunchy shrimp tempura are to die for! Be prepared though our check was $120 for 2 Texas de Brazil is cheaper and you will probably receive much better service.
(3)
Linda D.
First off we didn't have to wait because we were offered the lounge in lieu of a short wait for the hibachi bar. We were greeted right away and our drink order was taken and served quickly. Our next server, Caleb, followed behind the drink server. Caleb's service was phenomenal. His knowledge of the menu led us to the best sushi I have had in a long time. When asked what was good, Caleb gave us his personal choices and they did not disappoint! The Sumo roll was absolutely delicious! When at his Benihana ask for Caleb as your server! He, and the food, were great!
(4)
Kris D.
My family of 5 went here while on vacation. The food was good and the staff was professional. It was a great atmosphere for kids.
(4)
Kay H.
We went there for my buddy's birthday. Benihana has a great vibe and setting, customer service is great from the time you step into the restaurant, we had reservation so we did not have to wait. We sat on the hibachi, and we were a group of 10 people, we ordered all kinds of hibachi and some sushi, I have to admit the hibachi was great specially the tuna, steak, and spicy chicken. Now to the sushi, if there is no happy hour, they are a bit pricey for the quality, the sushi was below average in comparison to good sushi places, I would not recommend getting sushi there, also the server did not know what the sushi combos have which was weird. Highly recommend it for Hibachi but NOT Sushi
(3)
Jason L.
Had a reservation at 4:30 and wasn't seated until 5:15, wasn't even told sorry. Not an acceptable way to treat people dropping $115 for 2 adults and a kid.
(2)
Ron B.
I went on a Thursday evening to meet friends, so our table was already reserved. The server was friendly, but I kinda felt rushed to make an order. I ordered colossal shrimp/chicken with the fried rice. I guess I am use to having my fried rice free with my meal, but that is not the case here. You will pay an additional $3.50/bowl. The food was good but the price was not. When you have been to one hibachi style japanese restaurant, the show gets old. There are other restaurants out there where the food is just as good but less stress on your wallet! Maybe the appetizers are cheaper :/
(2)
Michelle R.
Oh myyyy thought we'd go there for my birthday called ahead about a week earlier and was told it'd be no problem to do the birthday song!! Well after waiting for 45 minutes for a table and getting the most awful table in the very front by the door where they let waiting family's with unruly kids play hitting the backs of our chairs and running around our table!!!! Our cook finally arrived he never looked up and he never spoke more than two words to any of our party !! Our waitress was slow and forgetful ! And for a hundred dollar meal for two dang it I wanted you to sing my birthday song which they never did even after telling the cook and the waitress ! The food was bland and tasteless and had very little soy sauce or salt and nothing was worth the price!!! Stay away they were crowded noisy and just plain bad!!
(1)
Brad G.
Really great service, but man! 6 giant heaping giant spoonfuls of "garlic butter"! And that was just the 6 servings of rice! Butter is packed with flavor crystals and regret! Very fun place to go for kids too, entertains enough to get through the 1 hour process
(4)
Keith B.
The reservation process was very good. The greeting of the staff also very good. We had a party of 9, including 3 children, and had the entire table to ourselves. Our hostess was very friendly. She was responsible for taking our drink orders and food orders. Our cook was a very nice gentleman. He tried to keep the children entertained and they really enjoyed it. The food was good. Nothing excellent about it, but it tasted good and was cooked as requested. My only issue with the entire evening is price versus quantity. There really isn't a whole lot of food for the price. I began wondering if part of the cost is the entertainment of the chefs. We were served chicken fried rice, at an additional cost of $3.50, if we chose. Anyone who did no opt for the chicken fried rice received nothing in its place. The children had a fruit punch. A small cup (probably 8 ounces or so) at $3.00 per cup. Refills were not free! Again, the food was tasty, but the servings were rather small. My son had steak and it was probably 4 - 6 ounces in size. The whole evening was a treat for my oldest grandson who had just gotten a very good report card. So, I took 2 sons and their families to dinner to celebrate. I don't think I will return soon, only because of the cost versus quantity.
(3)
Charles C.
We made reservations for 8:30 pm. Went to the bar and waited an hour to be seated. Then waited another 45 minutes before the chef came to our table to start cooking. This is the second time we have received terrible service here. Not to mention that the crowd here is Ghetto and rude. The food is nothing special and the management couldn't care less. Never again!
(1)
Patrick M.
I have to feel sorry for the Hibachi chef. They are supposed to entertain and get laughs while cooking your food, even when no one is laughing... This is what I was thinking during my visit here at this Benihana. I have been before but it was with a larger group. And when you travel with a large group almost everything is funny. Back then we laughed and cheered at everything. This time it was just me and wifey. And we sat at a table with another family (who was waiting for their daugher and her boyfriend because they were there celebrating the daughters birthday. But the boyfriend didn't want to come because they didn't have the money, but the parents were offering to pay. Because he didn't want to come, she didn't want to go either. Eventually she showed up without him.....) Moral to the story... people in Memphis are really nice and talkative. And if your possible in laws offer to pay for dinner you take them up on that offer. I don't think this spoiled the mood, but for some reason there wasn't much laughter. He tried anyway... did a few tricks. But man... i wouldn't want his job. Anyway, I decided to get the Ocean's Treasure, but with a twist. I asked the Hibachi chef if he could add the special spicy sauce that he uses on the Spicy Hibachi Chicken and use it with my sea food dish. He did and it was yummy. But very expensive. I think one day when I am feeling like a baller I will go back to another Benihana... possibly with friends. And with a cheaper dish. Lame beer rant* For some reason they didn't have anymore beer on tap. I thought this was strange. I mean it isn't unheard of to have a tap run out... but all of them??? They offered me a bottle but I refused. This was indeed lame. If it wasn't for the Hibachi chef making me a spicy Ocean's Treasure I would have been very mad. While typing this I want to change it to 3 stars just for that... but I will be nice... for now. end lame beer rant*
(4)
Elle S.
I went here for my bday because ive never been and because i was sick of downtown..... it's a chain restaurant people what do you expect? and everyone has to learn how to cut food at some point...anyway moving along. The place looks kinda old so I guess they could charge less, but u know ur spending$$ when you go. the gothem roll is good. the bentini martini is terrible. It was a fun place to go... the chef could have been a bit more enthusiastic.
(3)
Jacen Z.
Refused to give me my credit card back unless I left a tip. I had to threaten to call the cops for management to give my credit card back. I was going to leave a tip in cash but after that they got no tip and have not been back
(1)
Colin B.
The all-you-can-eat sushi for $30 has been calling to us for years, but we had never done it. We never eat at chain restaurants, but have been curious about this for years, so we figured it was time. The meal starts with salad and soup, I think we were supposed to have a choice of two here, but were just brought the standard ginger dressing salad and clear soup. I'm pretty sure all of the fish is pre-cut and frozen. I can understand the frozen part, but typically a whole piece of fish will be frozen, thawed, brought to room temperature, and sliced at time of order. Many of the sashimi pieces were still very cold, with a just-thawed feel to them. The rolls were decent, especially the hand rolls. Most the sashimi was good with the exception of the salmon roe (covered in slime and weird texturaly ( more than normal(sorry for the nested parenthetical expressions (not really))). And the surf clam, normally one of my favorites, was vomit-y. As in, almost made me. Either the freezing of it had screwed it up, or it was old, or a dead clam that shouldn't have been harvested, whatever, it was yak-able. Got retarded full. Hated life for 3 days. Didn't eat for two. Drank 6 gallons of water when we got home. Never again.
(2)
Steven K.
I could not have been less impressed with dinner on Nov 1. I was joined by two colleagues who ordered hibachi with the rest of the table, while I ordered sushi. My sushi dinner was delivered just before the salad course. Our chef was being constantly checked on by an older employee with a clip board. He stumbled through the basic knife dance routine and had a lot of trouble with the basic slicing techniques. By the time all entrees were served, I had been done eating for a good ten minutes - and I stalled a great deal. The food was about what one expects at Benihana, but let's not lose site of the fact that if the chef can't perform, the whole thing is a letdown.
(2)
Alys D.
This was our second year in a row to go to Benihana for a birthday dinner as my oldest wanted to celebrate her birthday there. The place was packed! We arrived early for our reservation at 7 and still had to wait to be seated. It was 7:35 before we got our drinks. I thought it took way too long, but things picked up once our cook arrived. Last year, we had a young man who was one of the first non-Asians to be a chef at the chain. He was a great entertainer but his food was way too salty. No worries this time. The food was great! Well prepared and tasty. However, our cook was a little boring. Or maybe we've been there too often? I'm giving them only 3 stars because of the slow service and because the lady who took our order was absolutely too soft spoken for such a loud place. On top of her strong Asian accent, it was almost impossible to know what she said. However, Benihana is always a great place for a celebration. We enjoyed being together and the food was great. So go, and enjoy!
(3)
Huyen T.
Went there with my friend to try it out. The food was really great but It was too expensive for my taste. But other than that, their hibachi was amazing...the chef was funny and the whole show of frying and flying food was entertaining. I ordered a few sushi rolls to go and it was in a really nice box. Sushi was really good. Then before we were done, they gave us green tea...which was really good! It's a great way to finish off the meal.
(4)
Jackie B.
We like this style Japanese restaurant, but are not keen on all the shenanigans at the "show tables," so we choose to eat in the lounge, so I can't speak to the prowess of the chefs. What I know is that the drinks are good (we both had Moscow Mules made with apple vodka, and I may never drink one the "right" way again) and the food is fresh and delicious. It's maybe not the most adventurous food out there, but it's done well. Our shrimp and scallops were tender and not overcooked, and the filet that we each had was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The fried rice is always good (especially with the mustard sauce, which we both love), as are the grilled vegetables. Unless you're really keen on fake clapping for a guy trying to fake enthusiasm over throwing salt and pepper shakers, try eating in their lounge. The servers are very friendly, and you can order of the entire menu. (Without having to sit elbow to elbow with a thirteen year old celebrating his birthday with six of his closest friends...)
(4)
Mary H.
My favorite spot for hibachi food. The service is always great! Their filet is my favorite very tender and cook to your perfection. The chef always do a very good job entertaining their guest. Make sure you make reservations to come here even on weekdays.
(5)
Brendan W.
Ok. Ahi was bland. Shrimp overlooked. Nice try on presentation, just ok. Accidental breaking an egg on customer was funny, but not part of show. Pricey for what it is.
(3)
Fred G.
I was staying at the hotel across the street from this restaurant, so I decided to try it out (having never been to Benihana before). The restaurant itself is a typical hibachi-style joint where 10 people (friends or strangers) sit at a U-shaped counter with a hibachi grill in the middle where a chef cooks your food in front of you. The Monday evening that I chose to visit this restaurant, it just happened to be jam packed. I went alone, and still had to wait about 30 minutes for a seat. When I was finally seated, I ordered my food after a couple of minutes. To my surprise, the beer I ordered hadn't come out in over 15 minutes, so I had to go up to the bar and order it myself. After a long wait, I received my happy hour-priced sushi. The sushi was good, but not comparable to a nicer Japanese restaurant. In the end, my ratings are: Service: 2/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 5/5 I will probably not return to Benihana unless I happen to be hungry and see very few cars in the parking lot.
(3)
Tiffany R.
I am all about deals. Seriously many may laugh and find it amusing but, there is method to my madness. Listen in... Benihana has been said to be expensive, don't get me wrong because it certainly is! I found a loop hole though. So Benihana has a chef's club. You can find the info on their website. I strongly suggest everyone in Memphis sign-up, get a free $30 dinner certificate! That's right $30 bucks!! Now they even have a kids birthday club, its free so why not sign up right?! If that didn't grab your attention... they also have a happy hour Mon-Thurs from 5:30-8pm. It is the best thing ever!! There are a few drinks half price, as well as half price Sake and appetizers! Another incentive is the free photo! I have a mass collection of Benihana photos with my friends, family , and people that I just met over the hibachi but you would think we have been buddies for ages, lol! I encourage you all to test the waters! Try the deals and let me know how it works for you!
(5)
Brad V.
We love the chicken fried rice. The beef tenderloin and shrimp are fabulous. My wife loves the chicken. The lunch specials are half the price of dinner.
(5)
John H.
I liked this place more so for it's food prepared on the steamed tables. Not so savvy on the sushi, but just a little update for everyone since it has yet to be posted. Benihana's Burned Down... So might want to take it off the "to do list" for a little while until the insurance check gets it rebuilt.
(4)
George L.
Stephen did a great job. Very engaging. Food was Benihana style
(3)
Candy R.
I just absolutely LOVE this place!!!!! Can't go wrong here!!
(4)
Mk C.
I have very fond memories of dining at Benihana in downtown Chicago circa 1976. It was a very elegant experience, with chefs that dazzled with their preparation and presentation skills. Fast forward to 2012 at Benihana in Memphis--what a major disappointment. I took my extended family to celebrate my sister's birthday. Our hibachi table was located in an area that was at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the restaurant (on a winter night.) I asked to have the temperature adjusted several times, and even after each waitperson acknowledged how cold it was, they did nothing. They said that the temperature was controlled by "corporate." Despite the fact that we had a reservation, we had to wait about 30 minutes for our chef to arrive. Our waitress told us he was worth the wait, as he was their best chef. Wow. He seemed like he was in an incredible hurry to get out of there. Not much showmanship, which is part of the reason you pay those horribly inflated prices for the food. The food was decent--about what i expected . The biggest surprise was how many children were in the restaurant. It was unbelievable. Kids were screaming and crying, with no one doing anything about it. The bathroom was disgusting, with urine on the toilet seats, toilet paper strewn everywhere, etc. I felt like i was at Chuck E Cheese. Definitely not what you expect when you are spending $40+/per person. I can't recommend this restaurant to anyone. Go to Sekisui on Humphrey's Blvd, or Sekisui Pacific Rim on Poplar. (I have no personal stake in Sekisui, but their food is better.)
(1)
Erika P.
I've been here a million times and unfortunately I am never going back after what went down last week. First of all they knew I was outside the front door having a smoke and they locked me out anyway. It was about 20 degrees outside and I did not have my phone. I hurt my hand knocking on the front door & I did not appreciate the attitude of the gentleman who unlocked the door. Anyone who speaks to a customer in that kind of manner will never get my business again. Also, the lady who was the waitress was very rude. She was very pushy and leaned too close to me more than once then gave me a dirty look when I moved away. She needs to be careful because unlike me who was just acting like that because of arthritis, many people are nuts. The chef sucked. He took forever to come to our table & forever to cook our food. I have never had a chef take that long, hence the needing to go outside to smoke. I also was not given the rest of my meal, the green tea & ice cream. I guess because it was closing time. Next time I want Hibachi I will go to Nagasaki or Sekisui.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mandy H.
Way too expensive and blah service. The server was really sweet, however the hibachi chef didn't even read the orders. What he gave me wasn't even remotely close to what I ordered. The worst part was that it wasn't even something that someone else ordered...it wasn't ordered at all! I mean, come on! It was written down, verbatim...how do you mess that up?? On top of that, he didn't even give me my rice...everyone else had fried rice, I had steamed rice...I had to ask my server for it because the chef asked if we needed anything else and didn't wait for an answer. Overall, an extremely negative experience at a place so highly recommended. The atmosphere is awesome and the servers are sweet, but they really should make sure that their hibachi cooks aren't just trained to cook but to read as well.
(2)Charlie W.
The concept behind Benihana is excellent, though not unique; enjoy Americanized versions of Japanese food made by entertaining chefs tableside. It doesn't get much more made-to-order than that, right? The problem lies, I think, in the execution. Obviously other locations of this chain are operating successfully, but the Memphis branch serves up a pretty underwhelming experience - especially for the price. Benihana is intended to be a celebration place, but the majority of clientele you'll sit with only use birthday coupons for a cheap (er, free?) dinner and a bowl of ice cream. You will undoubtedly be seated next to someone with a birthday coupon, and that likely means they want a song, ice cream, picture, clapping, and praise. This can get in the way of a quick lunch or a nice dinner. Don't expect to have any private moments, either. Between the blaring sounds of spatulas slapping the metal cooktops and the sounds of clapping and singing EVERY 2 MINUTES, you may even have trouble hearing yourself think. The birthday song gets old after the first 5 times. I would write about the current clientele problem Benihana's Memphis location is facing now-a-days, but ehhh If you're not in the mood to eat greasy rice and pay $10 for a mojito, Skip it and go to A-tan If you're looking for a better hibachi experience, or Sekesui midtown or poplar (SPR) if not. Check the reviews :)
(1)Daniel C.
This is the birthday place... I'm serious. You'll hardly find people here who aren't on their birthdays. Over the years, the portion sizes has also been reduced unfortunately. Benihana Fried Rice is one of my favorites around. Note: if you order steak, ask for rare if you want medium. Benihana chefs would cut the meat on the teppan to bit-sized pieces and all sides would get cooked very quickly.
(3)Don A.
Went there for a birthday celebration. Had a good time. The chef was fun. The food was good and portions are large. Enough to take home another meal. You get ice cream for dessert on your birthday for free.
(4)Kim U.
I think all of the other reviews were written before this location burned down and was rebuilt. The rebuilt Benihana's is a nice location, definitely not the same style as the the photos shown here on yelp - the new version is more modern looking. We ended up going here last night because it was located right behind a hotel we were staying at. I'm grateful we made a reservation, because even at 6 pm the place was packed. In fact, staying at the hotel for a week , the restaurant seems to be busy every night of the week. Reservations highly recommended to avoid a lengthy wait. Benihana is a chain, so you know more or less exactly what you're going to get if you've ever been to any location. This location offered more or less the same experience as my last Benihana visit in Irving, TX about 5 years ago. The biggest difference here wasn't about the food, or the cook, but I was surprised that this seems to be a hot place to celebrate little kid's birthdays. I think there were about 3 birthday celebrations going on for 5-10 year olds when we were there at 6 pm on a Friday. Our cook was a little odd - he kept saying "Leave me alone" and then laughing in a weird voice. It was actually a little creepy. The food was good though - I really like their ginger dressing, and the simple flavorings (lemon, butter, garlic, salt, pepper, sesame seeds) they use really let the quality of the ingredients shine through. Overall good food with decent entertainment value, although not really what I'd describe as an authentic Japanese experience.
(3)Mark W.
Went to Benihana on a Tuesday night. Had a small wait for our table, we did hibachi. Ordered Sushi and was given one small bowl of soy sauce to dip our sushi in. When I asked for a "green top" (low sodium soy sauce) the manager acted like I was asking to go in the kitchen. I got my own bottle of soy and vowed to never go back. It was totally ridiculous! There are plenty of other sushi hibachi restaurants in Memphis. Don't waste your time or money at Benihana.
(1)Allyn B.
Love the food, service was slow. Good sushi and fried rice
(4)Howard R.
The All You Can Eat Sushi (evenings Only) is the BEST in MEMPHIS. The Sushi is of great Quality and the chefs know what they are doing. The SUMO and Alaskan rolls are the BEST rolls on the Menu and NO WHERE else in MEMPHIS can compare.
(4)Karen K.
While Benihana might be famous for its teppanyaki, for me this location is best for all you can eat sushi. For around $20 you get to order all the sushi you want. I used to come here all the time while I was living in Memphis. In fact, I still dream about going back to this place and drown myself in unagi.
(5)Corey E.
I'll start off by saying I've been here multiple times and never had the hibachi so I've never seen the theatrical display that's put on by the chefs when preparing hibachi nor have I tasted it. I definitely love their sushi, shrimp, and signature cocktails though. The bar area is very nice with some seating around the bar however it gets pretty tight and packed during happy hour. They do offer pretty good deals on their drinks and sushi between the hours of 4-7. I had the volcano shrimp and coconut mojito. I will warn you, the volcano shrimp is very spicy. You will definitely need a glass of water to chase down that flaming sauce. The coconut mojito is very good and refreshing and during happy hour is only $4. All in all, I recommend this place being that it has very good specials during happy hour, nice bar area, and good food.
(4)Lakesha S.
The best hibachi ever! I go at least once a week . I love the sushi and drinks. The customer service is excellent. The best in memphis. I would recommend them to anybody.
(5)Molly C.
I always thoroughly enjoy going to Benihana because it is a fun departure from your typical dining experience and the food is always excellent. This Benihana was rebuilt after a fire a few years ago, and the new space is large and modern. Hibachi grills are surprisingly packed at dinner time, so I would suggest making a reservation if you have a larger party. The one anomaly that we experienced was that the restaurant was unable to serve beer due to a license issue. It was hard to get a straight answer, but the whole experience made the place look a little unprofessional. There was also no soy sauce to be found, and they forgot to bring out a sorbet that was included in the price of one of the meals. All of these things were minor though, and did not detract from the wonderful food. The food itself it always delicious, and you typically get a soup, salad, and entree. The meals typically come with steamed rice, but you can order a fried rice (do this!) for an additional charge. While the meal prices have definitely risen, you are definitely served enough food to make 2 meals out of it. I ordered the teryaki chicken with mushrooms and it was delicious! TIP: Leave coats/hats/scarves in the car so that they do not smell like a hibachi grill for the next three weeks. TIP 2: You have to pay extra for fried rice, but sometimes if you do not order it and the chef has extra rice leftover, then he will scoop some on your plate for free.
(4)Natalie W.
Wonderful food, wonderful evening with wonderful friends!! Had an all around wonderful time! We had a party of ten and only waited a few moments for a table even though the restaurant was crowded. Good flow and timing in food. Will definitely go back.
(5)Jessica M.
I think all the regulars who come to Benihana secretly are wishing to get TONY as their server. If you have never had Tony. Your missing out!
(4)Godiva M.
Coconut mojito tasted like a creamy piña colada; menu was dirty and pages stuck together. ....so as of right now we are not off to a great start. Hope this isn't reflective of what my food will taste like.
(3)Ashley D.
Great happy hour place for a few friends to get together or for a dinner with a group. The happy hour prices are good and they have a variety of food and drinks to choose from. I ordered the Las Vegas Roll - pretty spicy with japalpeno and Siracha. Overall tasty! The service is good here. If you order sushi, it's like any other sushi place - hand making it. So if you order a ton it might not come out super quick. They separate checks during happy hour- nice!
(5)Delinor S.
Was not good. We went during happy hour but it didn't make me happy at all. I ordered dumplings and they were salty and ripped open. Gross. The sushi tasted less than great. Dry, but edible. The service was mediocre. Never again. I am assuming you pay for the cheap food. Maybe during the normal hours the food quality increases. But do not get suckered in. It just isn't worth it. The only thing remotely tasteful was the lemonade.
(2)Joelle P.
Nostalgia. That's the only word I could think of when starting this review because I can't tell you how many birthday parties I went to here growing up. So when my friend decided to spend her 30th birthday here (and I was there for her 14th birthday there too...yikes...where did time go?), I was pretty excited. And when the chef came out to cook our food I was even more excited because interactive food is fun. That being said, the food is meh. And the prices are meh. I just really enjoy the show they put on.
(3)Taylor D.
Horrible. Didn't sit at the grill tables, so maybe my experience would have been more enjoyable there but sitting at the tables near the bar was the worst decision. 1 waiter for 8ish tables = beyond slow service. Took 15 minutes to even get acknowledged, 10 additional minutes to get my water. How hard is it to bring a water, seriously?? The food, which was disgusting, took an additional 20 minutes. I literally had to grab the waiter to get him to acknowledge that we were finished eating so we could get our checks and get out of there. Definitely will NOT be going back there, ever again.
(1)Chealsy L.
When ever I go here I always have the sushi and sit at the sushi bar because generally there is no wait. It had been a while since my last visit and some things had changed. My server was no help had no idea what was in the combinations couldn't even explain the rolls. I had to step in and explain the differences to my husband because she couldn't. She didn't offer an appetizer or recommend drinks. Just all around poor hospitality. It took half an hour to get our food which was sushi...the table who came in after us received their hot food before us. Once we got it our order was wrong. Now with all that negative their sushi is still amazing! Their shrimp lovers roll and crunchy shrimp tempura are to die for! Be prepared though our check was $120 for 2 Texas de Brazil is cheaper and you will probably receive much better service.
(3)Linda D.
First off we didn't have to wait because we were offered the lounge in lieu of a short wait for the hibachi bar. We were greeted right away and our drink order was taken and served quickly. Our next server, Caleb, followed behind the drink server. Caleb's service was phenomenal. His knowledge of the menu led us to the best sushi I have had in a long time. When asked what was good, Caleb gave us his personal choices and they did not disappoint! The Sumo roll was absolutely delicious! When at his Benihana ask for Caleb as your server! He, and the food, were great!
(4)Kris D.
My family of 5 went here while on vacation. The food was good and the staff was professional. It was a great atmosphere for kids.
(4)Kay H.
We went there for my buddy's birthday. Benihana has a great vibe and setting, customer service is great from the time you step into the restaurant, we had reservation so we did not have to wait. We sat on the hibachi, and we were a group of 10 people, we ordered all kinds of hibachi and some sushi, I have to admit the hibachi was great specially the tuna, steak, and spicy chicken. Now to the sushi, if there is no happy hour, they are a bit pricey for the quality, the sushi was below average in comparison to good sushi places, I would not recommend getting sushi there, also the server did not know what the sushi combos have which was weird. Highly recommend it for Hibachi but NOT Sushi
(3)Jason L.
Had a reservation at 4:30 and wasn't seated until 5:15, wasn't even told sorry. Not an acceptable way to treat people dropping $115 for 2 adults and a kid.
(2)Ron B.
I went on a Thursday evening to meet friends, so our table was already reserved. The server was friendly, but I kinda felt rushed to make an order. I ordered colossal shrimp/chicken with the fried rice. I guess I am use to having my fried rice free with my meal, but that is not the case here. You will pay an additional $3.50/bowl. The food was good but the price was not. When you have been to one hibachi style japanese restaurant, the show gets old. There are other restaurants out there where the food is just as good but less stress on your wallet! Maybe the appetizers are cheaper :/
(2)Michelle R.
Oh myyyy thought we'd go there for my birthday called ahead about a week earlier and was told it'd be no problem to do the birthday song!! Well after waiting for 45 minutes for a table and getting the most awful table in the very front by the door where they let waiting family's with unruly kids play hitting the backs of our chairs and running around our table!!!! Our cook finally arrived he never looked up and he never spoke more than two words to any of our party !! Our waitress was slow and forgetful ! And for a hundred dollar meal for two dang it I wanted you to sing my birthday song which they never did even after telling the cook and the waitress ! The food was bland and tasteless and had very little soy sauce or salt and nothing was worth the price!!! Stay away they were crowded noisy and just plain bad!!
(1)Brad G.
Really great service, but man! 6 giant heaping giant spoonfuls of "garlic butter"! And that was just the 6 servings of rice! Butter is packed with flavor crystals and regret! Very fun place to go for kids too, entertains enough to get through the 1 hour process
(4)Keith B.
The reservation process was very good. The greeting of the staff also very good. We had a party of 9, including 3 children, and had the entire table to ourselves. Our hostess was very friendly. She was responsible for taking our drink orders and food orders. Our cook was a very nice gentleman. He tried to keep the children entertained and they really enjoyed it. The food was good. Nothing excellent about it, but it tasted good and was cooked as requested. My only issue with the entire evening is price versus quantity. There really isn't a whole lot of food for the price. I began wondering if part of the cost is the entertainment of the chefs. We were served chicken fried rice, at an additional cost of $3.50, if we chose. Anyone who did no opt for the chicken fried rice received nothing in its place. The children had a fruit punch. A small cup (probably 8 ounces or so) at $3.00 per cup. Refills were not free! Again, the food was tasty, but the servings were rather small. My son had steak and it was probably 4 - 6 ounces in size. The whole evening was a treat for my oldest grandson who had just gotten a very good report card. So, I took 2 sons and their families to dinner to celebrate. I don't think I will return soon, only because of the cost versus quantity.
(3)Charles C.
We made reservations for 8:30 pm. Went to the bar and waited an hour to be seated. Then waited another 45 minutes before the chef came to our table to start cooking. This is the second time we have received terrible service here. Not to mention that the crowd here is Ghetto and rude. The food is nothing special and the management couldn't care less. Never again!
(1)Patrick M.
I have to feel sorry for the Hibachi chef. They are supposed to entertain and get laughs while cooking your food, even when no one is laughing... This is what I was thinking during my visit here at this Benihana. I have been before but it was with a larger group. And when you travel with a large group almost everything is funny. Back then we laughed and cheered at everything. This time it was just me and wifey. And we sat at a table with another family (who was waiting for their daugher and her boyfriend because they were there celebrating the daughters birthday. But the boyfriend didn't want to come because they didn't have the money, but the parents were offering to pay. Because he didn't want to come, she didn't want to go either. Eventually she showed up without him.....) Moral to the story... people in Memphis are really nice and talkative. And if your possible in laws offer to pay for dinner you take them up on that offer. I don't think this spoiled the mood, but for some reason there wasn't much laughter. He tried anyway... did a few tricks. But man... i wouldn't want his job. Anyway, I decided to get the Ocean's Treasure, but with a twist. I asked the Hibachi chef if he could add the special spicy sauce that he uses on the Spicy Hibachi Chicken and use it with my sea food dish. He did and it was yummy. But very expensive. I think one day when I am feeling like a baller I will go back to another Benihana... possibly with friends. And with a cheaper dish. Lame beer rant* For some reason they didn't have anymore beer on tap. I thought this was strange. I mean it isn't unheard of to have a tap run out... but all of them??? They offered me a bottle but I refused. This was indeed lame. If it wasn't for the Hibachi chef making me a spicy Ocean's Treasure I would have been very mad. While typing this I want to change it to 3 stars just for that... but I will be nice... for now. end lame beer rant*
(4)Elle S.
I went here for my bday because ive never been and because i was sick of downtown..... it's a chain restaurant people what do you expect? and everyone has to learn how to cut food at some point...anyway moving along. The place looks kinda old so I guess they could charge less, but u know ur spending$$ when you go. the gothem roll is good. the bentini martini is terrible. It was a fun place to go... the chef could have been a bit more enthusiastic.
(3)Jacen Z.
Refused to give me my credit card back unless I left a tip. I had to threaten to call the cops for management to give my credit card back. I was going to leave a tip in cash but after that they got no tip and have not been back
(1)Colin B.
The all-you-can-eat sushi for $30 has been calling to us for years, but we had never done it. We never eat at chain restaurants, but have been curious about this for years, so we figured it was time. The meal starts with salad and soup, I think we were supposed to have a choice of two here, but were just brought the standard ginger dressing salad and clear soup. I'm pretty sure all of the fish is pre-cut and frozen. I can understand the frozen part, but typically a whole piece of fish will be frozen, thawed, brought to room temperature, and sliced at time of order. Many of the sashimi pieces were still very cold, with a just-thawed feel to them. The rolls were decent, especially the hand rolls. Most the sashimi was good with the exception of the salmon roe (covered in slime and weird texturaly ( more than normal(sorry for the nested parenthetical expressions (not really))). And the surf clam, normally one of my favorites, was vomit-y. As in, almost made me. Either the freezing of it had screwed it up, or it was old, or a dead clam that shouldn't have been harvested, whatever, it was yak-able. Got retarded full. Hated life for 3 days. Didn't eat for two. Drank 6 gallons of water when we got home. Never again.
(2)Steven K.
I could not have been less impressed with dinner on Nov 1. I was joined by two colleagues who ordered hibachi with the rest of the table, while I ordered sushi. My sushi dinner was delivered just before the salad course. Our chef was being constantly checked on by an older employee with a clip board. He stumbled through the basic knife dance routine and had a lot of trouble with the basic slicing techniques. By the time all entrees were served, I had been done eating for a good ten minutes - and I stalled a great deal. The food was about what one expects at Benihana, but let's not lose site of the fact that if the chef can't perform, the whole thing is a letdown.
(2)Alys D.
This was our second year in a row to go to Benihana for a birthday dinner as my oldest wanted to celebrate her birthday there. The place was packed! We arrived early for our reservation at 7 and still had to wait to be seated. It was 7:35 before we got our drinks. I thought it took way too long, but things picked up once our cook arrived. Last year, we had a young man who was one of the first non-Asians to be a chef at the chain. He was a great entertainer but his food was way too salty. No worries this time. The food was great! Well prepared and tasty. However, our cook was a little boring. Or maybe we've been there too often? I'm giving them only 3 stars because of the slow service and because the lady who took our order was absolutely too soft spoken for such a loud place. On top of her strong Asian accent, it was almost impossible to know what she said. However, Benihana is always a great place for a celebration. We enjoyed being together and the food was great. So go, and enjoy!
(3)Huyen T.
Went there with my friend to try it out. The food was really great but It was too expensive for my taste. But other than that, their hibachi was amazing...the chef was funny and the whole show of frying and flying food was entertaining. I ordered a few sushi rolls to go and it was in a really nice box. Sushi was really good. Then before we were done, they gave us green tea...which was really good! It's a great way to finish off the meal.
(4)Jackie B.
We like this style Japanese restaurant, but are not keen on all the shenanigans at the "show tables," so we choose to eat in the lounge, so I can't speak to the prowess of the chefs. What I know is that the drinks are good (we both had Moscow Mules made with apple vodka, and I may never drink one the "right" way again) and the food is fresh and delicious. It's maybe not the most adventurous food out there, but it's done well. Our shrimp and scallops were tender and not overcooked, and the filet that we each had was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The fried rice is always good (especially with the mustard sauce, which we both love), as are the grilled vegetables. Unless you're really keen on fake clapping for a guy trying to fake enthusiasm over throwing salt and pepper shakers, try eating in their lounge. The servers are very friendly, and you can order of the entire menu. (Without having to sit elbow to elbow with a thirteen year old celebrating his birthday with six of his closest friends...)
(4)Mary H.
My favorite spot for hibachi food. The service is always great! Their filet is my favorite very tender and cook to your perfection. The chef always do a very good job entertaining their guest. Make sure you make reservations to come here even on weekdays.
(5)Brendan W.
Ok. Ahi was bland. Shrimp overlooked. Nice try on presentation, just ok. Accidental breaking an egg on customer was funny, but not part of show. Pricey for what it is.
(3)Fred G.
I was staying at the hotel across the street from this restaurant, so I decided to try it out (having never been to Benihana before). The restaurant itself is a typical hibachi-style joint where 10 people (friends or strangers) sit at a U-shaped counter with a hibachi grill in the middle where a chef cooks your food in front of you. The Monday evening that I chose to visit this restaurant, it just happened to be jam packed. I went alone, and still had to wait about 30 minutes for a seat. When I was finally seated, I ordered my food after a couple of minutes. To my surprise, the beer I ordered hadn't come out in over 15 minutes, so I had to go up to the bar and order it myself. After a long wait, I received my happy hour-priced sushi. The sushi was good, but not comparable to a nicer Japanese restaurant. In the end, my ratings are: Service: 2/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 5/5 I will probably not return to Benihana unless I happen to be hungry and see very few cars in the parking lot.
(3)Tiffany R.
I am all about deals. Seriously many may laugh and find it amusing but, there is method to my madness. Listen in... Benihana has been said to be expensive, don't get me wrong because it certainly is! I found a loop hole though. So Benihana has a chef's club. You can find the info on their website. I strongly suggest everyone in Memphis sign-up, get a free $30 dinner certificate! That's right $30 bucks!! Now they even have a kids birthday club, its free so why not sign up right?! If that didn't grab your attention... they also have a happy hour Mon-Thurs from 5:30-8pm. It is the best thing ever!! There are a few drinks half price, as well as half price Sake and appetizers! Another incentive is the free photo! I have a mass collection of Benihana photos with my friends, family , and people that I just met over the hibachi but you would think we have been buddies for ages, lol! I encourage you all to test the waters! Try the deals and let me know how it works for you!
(5)Brad V.
We love the chicken fried rice. The beef tenderloin and shrimp are fabulous. My wife loves the chicken. The lunch specials are half the price of dinner.
(5)John H.
I liked this place more so for it's food prepared on the steamed tables. Not so savvy on the sushi, but just a little update for everyone since it has yet to be posted. Benihana's Burned Down... So might want to take it off the "to do list" for a little while until the insurance check gets it rebuilt.
(4)George L.
Stephen did a great job. Very engaging. Food was Benihana style
(3)Candy R.
I just absolutely LOVE this place!!!!! Can't go wrong here!!
(4)Mk C.
I have very fond memories of dining at Benihana in downtown Chicago circa 1976. It was a very elegant experience, with chefs that dazzled with their preparation and presentation skills. Fast forward to 2012 at Benihana in Memphis--what a major disappointment. I took my extended family to celebrate my sister's birthday. Our hibachi table was located in an area that was at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the restaurant (on a winter night.) I asked to have the temperature adjusted several times, and even after each waitperson acknowledged how cold it was, they did nothing. They said that the temperature was controlled by "corporate." Despite the fact that we had a reservation, we had to wait about 30 minutes for our chef to arrive. Our waitress told us he was worth the wait, as he was their best chef. Wow. He seemed like he was in an incredible hurry to get out of there. Not much showmanship, which is part of the reason you pay those horribly inflated prices for the food. The food was decent--about what i expected . The biggest surprise was how many children were in the restaurant. It was unbelievable. Kids were screaming and crying, with no one doing anything about it. The bathroom was disgusting, with urine on the toilet seats, toilet paper strewn everywhere, etc. I felt like i was at Chuck E Cheese. Definitely not what you expect when you are spending $40+/per person. I can't recommend this restaurant to anyone. Go to Sekisui on Humphrey's Blvd, or Sekisui Pacific Rim on Poplar. (I have no personal stake in Sekisui, but their food is better.)
(1)Erika P.
I've been here a million times and unfortunately I am never going back after what went down last week. First of all they knew I was outside the front door having a smoke and they locked me out anyway. It was about 20 degrees outside and I did not have my phone. I hurt my hand knocking on the front door & I did not appreciate the attitude of the gentleman who unlocked the door. Anyone who speaks to a customer in that kind of manner will never get my business again. Also, the lady who was the waitress was very rude. She was very pushy and leaned too close to me more than once then gave me a dirty look when I moved away. She needs to be careful because unlike me who was just acting like that because of arthritis, many people are nuts. The chef sucked. He took forever to come to our table & forever to cook our food. I have never had a chef take that long, hence the needing to go outside to smoke. I also was not given the rest of my meal, the green tea & ice cream. I guess because it was closing time. Next time I want Hibachi I will go to Nagasaki or Sekisui.
(1)