For years, Benihana has been our go-to spot for family birthday celebrations. Our dining experience last night may be our last at the Golden Valley, MN location. Understandably, staffing issues affect many restaurants. But this location clearly overextended the number of customers they could serve. Below is a list of what turned out to be an almost laughable comedy of errors. 1.) Waited 30 minutes for our drink order to arrive 2.) Waited over an hour for our food order to be taken 3.) It was 90 minutes before the chef arrived to our table. 4.) The special allergy food order that was prepared in the kitchen, came with the allergen present (eggs in the fried rice.) 5.) When the reordered allergy food order arrived, it was a child portion, vice a regular order. 6.) Total visit took over three hours. 7.) They offered a 10% discount for our poor service, but the bill was still $270 for two adults and three kids. Significantly over-priced for the quality of food and service. 8.) This location recently instituted a mandatory 20% gratuity on all orders. We always tip well, and even more so when service is outstanding. The quality of service seemed to reflect that the wait staff was not incentivized. This review is tied specifically to the Golden Valley, MN location, as we havenât experienced this elsewhere.
Cook and service were great. Manager very helpful with special circumstances with gift cards. Only criticism is drinks very expensive! Next time not buying any drinks thatâs for sure. Prices increased on food , and read the sides because some meals that used to come with veggie fried rice now come with white rice.
Short staffed with new employees - understandable. But the 20% service charge added to the bill, which does not include gratuity (5% for servers, awful) plus the new food tax, liquor tax, NA beverage tax and food tax service chargeâ¦unbelievable. Tab was $100 more than it should have been just in âtaxâ. Oh..and you can only tip your server in cash, no card transaction tips allowed. Will not be eating here again. And I hope the servers find better jobs that value them and allow them to make a living.
Daughter has been wanting to go back for over 2 years. Surprised her for her birthday. Reservation at 5:30 and didnât get sat until 6:00. Bill was ridiculous for our family of 4. Could have gone to Mannyâs for that. Didnât get salads at all. Donât need to go back there again.
We had one of the best chefs and possibly the worst server I've ever had at any restaurant. She shouldn't be working at McDonald's let alone a restaurant where I'm paying $60 a plate. She started the dinner by telling the whole table that if we wanted to tip her we'd have to leave cash. We waited for refills, rice, and the bill. Unbelievably rude and aggressive. Talking back and behaving like a drill sergeant. Sadly the Manager didn't seem overly worried when we complained. We will go to another location next time.
TERRIBLE 20% FEE ADDED POST*COVID TO ALL BILLS. MY FREE BIRTHDAY MEAL BECAME UNFREE. NEVER COMING BACK
The food was the only good part. Our cook was messy but at least he was nice. The part that sucked the most was the additional random 20% service charge that was added to all the bills, and the inability to tip our waiter from our cards. So when our waiter found out they weren't getting a tip from anyone at the table, the service tanked. I don't know how this company will expect to keep employees, or business for that matter, by charging more and not allowing credit/debit card tips. You're going to have massive turnover and bad service for guests. That needs to be amended otherwise I won't be bringing my business back.
Took over 2 hrs before we ate and we had ere sitting forever
We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation.
Benihana is great. I enjoy the food. I am just sad to hear we weren't able to tip on a credit card and that it may have effected the workers. Hopefully the system can change so they employees will stay with the company.