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Benihana Ontario Corp
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Steakhouses Japanese, Steakhouses [Edit]
3760 Inland Empire BlvdOntario, CA 91764
(909) 483-0937
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
65 reviews for Benihana Ontario Corp
Review Highlights
"Lunch Specials And Chicken Fried Rice, Gotta Love It."
(in 9 reviews)
"Oh and their green tea ice cream is really good."
(in 4 reviews)
"A nice wine list, a mini sushi bar, great service and good..."
(in 5 reviews)
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65 reviews in English
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Review from Victor H.
Fontana, CA
11/13/2011
Four stars for this place. Only because I'm in love with their chicken fried rice. Absoulutly delicious. I even take a to go box of that stuff because it's so damn good. Aside from that I usually go for the steak and shrimp meal. Chicken and shrimp is also good. Fairly good portions. Enough to take leftovers home.
It is pricy, but that's a given. Considering the popularity of this place. But don't get me wrong they have really affordable lunch specials. As well as dinner specials too. Their bar area is super tiny. Why even have a bar at all? I've also tried items off the sushi menu. Which are ok. Yet expensive.
I highly recommend a reservation. Whether it's a party of two or ten. Every day of the week this place is packed. And even with a reservation you can still end up waiting another ten to twenty minutes. Which is unacceptable. But it is what is. The chefs are all nice. And do the same little show and fancy tricks while their cooking. Everything is made to order obviously. Slightly salty on some stuff, but I don't really mind. Oh and their green tea ice cream is really good. Service is fair. Wait time is really all I have to complain about. But as always worth the wait. -
Review from Novy D.
12/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Another company Holiday luncheon...
If you've ever been to one Benihana's, you've been to them all. Our party of four was set and ready to go, and was coupled up with an all ready sloshed couple with their Mai tais at 1130am. The group was seated and drinks and menu orders were taken by our waitress. Another pair managed to sneak in while the rest enjoyed our salads.
The entire dining room looked and sounded as if we all started to eat collectively at the same time since we saw the chefs cart their way over to their designated tables. My steak was cooked to a medium rare perfectly.
Love their lunch specials and their ginger dipping sauce and salad dressing. Other than that it's not much of a place I would go back to unless of course, paid for by someone else or if you want to take someone who has never been to a teppanyaki restaurant. -
Review from Pedro P.
Loma Linda, CA
12/19/2011
Ridiculous wait time on a Friday night even though we had reservations. We had a party of 20 and 17 of us were there waiting in the small area they provide at the entrance by the front door. We asked if we could be seated (some of us were there early) but they refused to seat 17 of us because there were 3 people that had not arrived yet.
They made us stand in everyone's way by the front door entrance (only five seats available by the door). Our reservation was for 6pm and by 7pm we had to leave because they had given our table away to another party. No apologies from management.
Never going back there again! Spoke to the manager that night and he refused to seat us because our party of 20 was incomplete. Apparently they rather you block the front entrance with 17 people than allow them to sit at their table while the last three people arrive. RIDICULOUS!!!!!
NEVER GOING BACK!!!!! -
Review from Clem B.
Hermosa Beach, CA
12/9/2011
It was ok.
The food was good, fresh.
It is funny to see the guy cooking in front of you but compared to other places it was not very spectacular. -
Review from Gabriel Z.
Ontario, CA
2/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I always eat at the sushi bar. Not worth the wait just to see the show I mean ones is good enough.
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Review from Ron D.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
2/4/2012
Had a reservation for 5pm for a party of 4 on Saturday 2/4/12. Table was not available at 5 as planned, and waited in their small bar area. I had 3 drinks at the bar (A Benitini, a 21oz Asahi Beer, and a Long Island Iced tea) all 3 drinks cost about $9.75 EACH and after our party still hadn't gotten seated after 5:30 (WITH A 5PM RESERVATION) we left.
Girls at the front reservation desk appeared slow and confused. When the reservation was called in, was told we couldn't have 4pm and that 5 would work better, and then we get there at 5 and are left standing around for half an hour until we left. Was also told by the person who took our reservation that if all of our party wasn't there by 5:15pm we would be treated as a walk-in party. Then we get there by 5 and they don't have enough chef's on duty to work the cooking stations, but do they apologize or do anything about it? No.
There were 3 cooking stations that I could see from the bar without anybody seated, and I guess no chef to work them.
There had to be 30 people waiting and still more coming to the door when our party left. Who knows how long they had to stand around.
It was my first time trying Benihana's and it was for a small intimate birthday celebration and the restaurant ruined it.
And it cost me over $30 just to get out of the bar after 2 lame mixed drinks and a beer.
Just remember, they take reservations, but they don't honor the reservations they make.
If I'd been in a party of 8 or more I could see where there might be a problem, but a party of 4?(and at 5pm??)
I wont be going back, and I wont miss Benihana. -
Review from Maria A.
Montclair, CA
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love this place but it's expensive. Only come here when the folks are paying. You do get tons of food with your meal and no way are you left hungry. The sushi is fresh and put together well but my absolute fave is the hibachi tuna steak...delicious! Cooked perfectly and the avocado and edamame are such a good combo. I've been craving this since I last had it! I love watching them cook everything in front of me too, im a sucker for all the corny tricks. This place is always packed bc the food is good and the atmosphere is fun :) love it!
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Review from James A.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you've seen the show once it's really just a place with amazing fried rice and decent everything else.
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Review from Jessica Q.
Chino Hills, CA
1/29/2012
Rude!! Horrible service
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Review from Mike P.
Anaheim, CA
1/27/2012
Best Benihana by far. Great service and best sushi. The guys here take pride in their food & I always leave here Full and happy. Lobster Filet 2 fried rice California rolls crunchy rolls.
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Review from Jessy W.
Tustin, CA
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I only go here for 1 specific cook only. He cooks the best, fried rice is just right, meat cooks perfectly all the time. 4 star only because of Adil my chef.
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Review from aaron w.
Los Angeles, CA
10/18/2011 6 photos
As opposed to the North Woods Inn two stars for their very bland version of meat...Benihana's will receive three stars due to the fact that my middle name is "entertainme" and they at least tried.
My wife and I came for our anniversary and it was, literally, my first time at a Benihana. Obviously its reputation precedes it so I was very much looking forward to the song and dance and mounds of freshly cooked delectables to be piled high on my plate.
No song.
No dance.
Barely delectable.
Arbitrarily: I'm beginning to notice that I haven't been impressed with many eating experiences I've had lately...I need some five-star spots!
Onward.
It's clear that especially on a weekend evening you'll need reservations to get in and out in any reasonable amount of time. Good thing my wife had been here before and knew that. I have no problem sitting to dine with others, as a matter of fact I enjoy that aspect of Beni's so that part is good.
It may have been the waitress we had, but she was struuuuuuggling to keep up with the demands of a 7-person table. I don't demand much of waiters and waitresses. I really believe that as long as you're friendly and indulge patrons' corny jokes, ensure they have what they have asked for (within reason) and keep the drinks full, you've done your job and I am a great tipper. But having an empty glass of anything (in our case a Benihana Blue Ocean Punch Bowl libation) for more than five minutes is just unacceptable.
The show was mediocre, I don't know what I was expecting but while our chef seemed competent, it was pretty routine and there was no flare or personality at all involved and SINCE the show is supposed to be a part of the draw...I need a little bit more clickity-clack from the tap shoes you know what I mean?
He did the onion volcano, the throwing the shrimp tales into the hat and the pocket, as well as onto someone's plate. Despite it being my first time, I felt like I'd seen it a dozen.
My wife ordered the salmon which was incredibly tasteless and pretty boring. My foray was into the Samauri Treat which (expected joke in 3...2...1...) was more trick. I guess the jumbo shrimp were from the midget side of the family tree and my filet mignon was well cooked, but barely marinated. My taste buds got a workout trying to dig for the flavor.
Again...it's about the prices. The more you cost, the higher the expectation and, to be plain, Benihana's in Ontario needs to re-think their pricing points. -
Review from Steve S.
Norwalk, CA
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here for a work dinner last Thursday and only having been to a Benihana once before that wasn't so great, I was a little cautious about what I was going to experience here.
Well, I will say that this particular location was quite a bit nicer than the other OC location I visited several years ago. I had the Ahi Tuna steak and it was... dear god I loved it. I will not lie, it was just yummy. Properly done food does not need extra seasoning or sauce after it has been cooked, and the steak needed NOTHING else added to it to enjoy. It was just... great.
My only real quibble is that they lacked beers on tap. They only had Bud Light and Kirin. I'm not a fan of Bud Light (or most major domestic light beers) and I never had Kirin before so I gave it a shot. Well, as is my experience, most big Japanese beers tend to taste like standard commercial American Lagers. So no real stretch there. Ehh... something else would have been nice but hey, no big deal.
Oh, one waitress "Cindy" is gorgeous. Always a bonus. -
Review from Ian M.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2011
I'd say that this Benihana lives up to what I'd expect from having gone to the ones up in San Francisco and Burlingame. I ordered the Hibachi Chicken and Steak ($45 for two people), which was a fairly good value as far as Benihana is concerned. The spicy steak sauce was really good, and I wish I asked the chef to mix it into the grilled chicken, too. I imagine that the steak would have tasted dull without it.
I probably would have finished the (good-sized) dish if I hadn't ordered the chicken fried rice, but I'd consider a meal at Benihana incomplete without fried rice.
There's one odd thing, though - and it's not what stopped me from giving five stars, but it's worthy of mention. I usually don't think about what most restaurant staff members' personal lives are like, but maybe it's the apparently highly-scripted atmosphere of the restaurant that prompted the thought.
Perhaps the chef just had a unique sense of humor, but I was picking up the vibe that he wanted more out of life or something profound like that. One of the times it kind of hit me was when he made a steaming onion tower and scooted it across the grill and said "Choo choo train. I make lot of those, every day" with kind of an, uh, crap-eating smile. Honestly, I was cool with him, though, even if I think he needs to work at Disneyland or something. Who knows - maybe I'm just projecting some existential crisis of mine onto him. -
Review from David M.
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like other Benihana locations with the same menu items but the clientele bring the atmosphere down. Still, this is probably one of the nicer places to eat near the mall. Food's not bad but you'd think people would try to at least dress halfway decent when going out for a $50 dinner.
Service was so-so; they messed up our order and didn't come around to refill any of our drinks until we flagged someone down. The dining area was half empty so I'm not really sure why the service was so inattentive. -
Review from Cynthia W.
Downey, CA
8/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
The happy hour here is really decent considering the regular prices for everything else on the menu.
Service is always pretty good, nothing to skip and jump about. Overall the food is tasty, just as long as the chef don't over cooked the chicken and prawns! -
Review from Chris M.
San Bernardino, CA
8/30/2011
You dream of absolutely having it after people tell you how good and exciting it is. So you wait,thinking about it and at times you get impatient. Finally you do it! You're having fun and don't know what's coming next and you want more. Then after a while, it get's stale and predictable, you then realize you've had your fill and maybe it wasn't as great as others made it seem. In this instance, it only took two visits for me to feel this way about Benihana's.
Once your in the parking lot, you can't miss it. It's the Japanese-ish building. The restaurant is divided to a sushi bar up front and the dining room in back hosting the teppan tables. I recommend reservations, the times I didn't guaranteed a wait time around 20 to even 45 minutes. Once your seated, don't be shocked when you see people you don't know join you. Unless you have a party of eight, they seat strangers together. Don't expect true authentic Japanese, it is a chain and you'll find out this place is more about show.
Be prepared to part with lot's of cash here. Dinner entrees cost around low $20s- high $30's. With that said you do get alot, don't come here for a "light" meal. You get your entree plus; steam rice (fried rice is optional at cost I believe), soup, salad, hibachi shrimp/vegetables, and hot tea. Some entrees come with ice cream also. Many reviewers are raving about the fried rice.While it is better than plain white rice and it has a unique garlic-butter flavor, I don't think it's the best rice in the world.Overall the food is good but it's nothing revolutionary.
Finally, what you expect to see here, the tricks. It's not really unique and you can see some of the same moves at other cheaper teppan restaurants. After my second visit I memorized the whole routine. It is fun though to take kids and first-timers and seeing them "oohing and ahhing" while you know what's gonna happen next plus some of the chefs can be funny.Not a bad place but not my go-to place for Japanese.Listed in: Asian Persuasion, Meh!
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Review from Steve B.
La Puente, CA
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
You can never go wrong with benihana just went there for my birthday and if you register online with them every year they gave you a gift certificate for $30 by email. The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff and chefs are always friendly. Would definitely come back again!
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Review from Hanson H.
Rowland Heights, CA
8/9/2011
Not BAD, but certainly not worth the exorbitant prices. Seriously, if they cut their prices by half, this place would be much better. Yakisoba is practically a snack food, yet it is more expensive than most things on Asahi's menu despite the modest portion size.
The chefs are entertaining to watch, but the food is not as tasty as it should be, given the price. -
Review from Michael H.
Chino, CA
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Overated. Everything was way too salty. They put butter and soy sauce on everything. Yeah that's normal I guess when you go out an eat, but dowsing your food w/ soy sauce felt very unappetizing.
Read reviews saying their fried rice was as good as it gets. Ehhhhh..not so fast. The rice quality wasn't that good. Almost felt like it was white rice the previous day, turned into fried rice the next day. Again, it was way, way too salty!
For the price ( roughly around 30-35 p/ person), you would think the food quality would be a lot better.Overall, I was very dissapointed. I woke up this morning chugging a gallon of water...hmmm, I wonder why? -
Review from Tom T.
Irvine, CA
8/3/2011
I saw it from 10 freeway and decided to stop in. I arrived at 11:35 and luckily seated at teppan table by 11:40. I think depending on how other parties are (and how efficiently they can fill each table) the wait time would vary.
I had Hibachi steak. I saw it to be $21 according to the menu posted outside. When I saw the bill afterward, I was surprised that it was only $12 !! (I guess it was dinner portion menu?)
Food was great. Although everything was salty side (too much soy-sauce) for my Japanese taste, but who am I to criticize Benihana's recipe and legendary success in American market?
Service was nice and quick. Others at the same table had birthday girl and she was offered ice cream. I will come back with my girl friend on her birthday next week. (I may show her the outside menu with high price to impress her. HAHAHA) -
Review from Sal d.
2/8/2011
This place gets busy for dinner so try and make a reservation, we got here at about 5:30 on a Thursday and the place was packed. We definitely had to hip Benihana, because we had a $30 certificate for my birthday, if you sign up for there eclub you get one on your birthday month. You do have to use the certificate Monday through Thursday.
Benihanas is always a fun dining experience and it seemed like lots of people were drinking it up with globe size blue drinks. My girl friend ordered the filet mignon medium rare, I ordered the seafood diablo which was noodles, vegetables, scallops and shrimp mixed with a "spicy sauce." The diablo was good just not very spicy, I would definitely recommend the filet mignon , especially sense both dishes were about $22. You do get a soup, salad, shrimp and vegetable appetizer included with your meal but if you choose to get chicken fried rice its going to cost you and extra $6.
Definitely sign up for the eclub, get your $30 certificate for your bithday, order the filet mignon, get regular rice (save the $6) and get a free ice cream and picture on your birthday. -
Review from Leiah O.
Pomona, CA
Updated - 4/3/2011
This review is for the sushi bar only not the restaruant portion.
I LOVE the restaurant! Completely delicious, hot meals get concocted right in front of you I was so pleasantly suprised.
As far as the sushi bar goes I was hating it! It tasted like the dog food of Japanese cusine. Very small selection in rolls. If im going to pay that much for one roll it better not make me wanna throw up!
On top of that, the service was extremely poor that day. I ordered a glass of wine, finished it and 15 minutes later they still hadn't asked me if I wanted a refill. I had to ask for the check twice while the first person said they were gettting it and never came back. The whole time hearing workers talking and not doing squat in the backround just infurriated me.
Go for the hot food, a bit pricey but worth it!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2010
Just Wonderful!
Whenever I have a little extra cash I go with a friend and this place has never let… Read more »
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Review from SimSisters s.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
2/1/2011 1 photo
bleh. sushi was TOO warm. When we walked inside at 5:30 pm, they asked us if we had a reservation which we didn't and said we needed to wait 45 minutes. UMMMMM, the restaurant was practically EMPTY. so we went to the lounge, ordered our food which was BLEH.
NOT worth the price, the service or venue. -
Review from Arthur N.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8/1/2011
Had dinner today and this location has not changed for the better.
First, the 10 minute wait became 30 minutes while others who came in after us got seated. Our reservation did not seem to matter to the manager.
This is just part of what one would have to deal with at most Benihana restaurants.
Let's start the rating.
Seating is odd. My party had three people including myself. We got split up seats even though the hostess was told we didn't like it. I talked to the manager and he said it would take "10 minutes" to get seated again. I told him that the three seats are empty now and ask him why we couldn't be seated there.... He kept on stating that it would take 10 minutes to be seated again at another teppan yaki table. I told him what his 10 minutes consisted of and he freigned the "I don't speak English too good look"... My wife tugged at my sleeve and said for me to stop the inquiries.
The three seats were filled by two people who just came in without reservations. So much for customer service. Benihana fails here without question.
Now let's go into the specifics of the ambiance.
1. Drinks.
a. How can you screw up a bottled beer? with a dirty glass.
I grade a dirty glass beer a C-. I drank straight from the bottle. The guy across noticed the same thing and we both drank Asahi straight from the bottle. I noticed that the ladies did not finish their wines. I over heard one of the ladies state that she has sipped on 2 Buck Chuck that was better than her $8 a glass of Zinfandel.
My wife ordered a Blue Hawaii. She typically orders her favorite drink here in the States and especially when we go back to the Islands.
b. Blue Hawaii- that is green and cheap generic booze. A blue Hawaii should have the following
1 oz light rum- Myers is the standard here but Benihana uses generic brand crap.
1 cherry - What cherry? a slice of pineapple core which is unedible
2 oz pineapple juice - OK it came from a small can of Dole juice.
1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur - What Blue Curacao is green?
1 oz cream of coconut - coconut concentrate
1 slice pineapple - must have been the pineapple core.
The Blue Hawaii fails and gets an "F".
Appetizers:
Hamachi sushi 2 pieces. It certainly was yellow tail and was one of the most tasteless pieces I have ever eaten. If it weren't for the wasabi and soy sauce, I doubt that it would be legally be served in any respectable Sushi establishment. The spicy tuna roll was a mixture of cut up cheap parts of a tuna with heavily mayonaised artificial fish, what is up with that?
The California Roll offering depended upon the avocados to mask the lack of flavors. Read my reviews of sushi places and you can imagine my disappointment at Benihana Restaurant in Ontario, California.
The Chef was amateur at best and only had a 3 tier short stack for a volcano. I think I can do better and I am just a customer with average skills chopping food and acrobatics with a knife. The fried rice was cooked with little fanfare. The onions, carrots veggies were pre-cooked...lots of butter and garlic and soy sauce and soy sauce and soy sauce...did I mention fried soy sauce rice? Others at the table noticed that too.
The shrimp, chicken, meats were all so-so.
My group's cost came to $131.92. 2 fillet mignons and one Imperial which is a chateau briand (the kid from college).
The lack of entertainment, lack luster drinks and blah food defines Benihana restaurant of Ontario, California. The other things as management is the fault of corporate Benihana because I have gone to lunch and dinner at other Benihana restaurant which had very good managers and hostesses.
Why would others rave about this place? I think its their lack of taste buds and not having been to a real teppan yaki restaurant with real chefs that are skilled. You know, the ones who get standing ovations and the customers are in awe with such skilled people. The food is flavorful without the use of spices that mask the pure quality of the ingredients.
Benihana was at their beginnings mentioned as an innovator through Rocky's hard work and vision. When Rocky sold out to corporate restauranteurs, the magic became plain ordinary blah.
I am judging Benihana in Ontario,California. Don't go here thinking you will be awed or entertained for your money. Think of it as carnival food and you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Hannah A.
Apple Valley, CA
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
We go here pretty often, and have similar experiences each time. The food is good, though a little bit pricey, so I usually go with the spicy chicken. Though the chicken can be a little dry, it's pretty good with the spicy sauce. The steak is definitely not the best in the world so don't go here expecting delicious steak. The sushi is a real disappointment, so if you're looking to eat sushi, this is not the place to go. I love the mushroom soup -absolutely delicious! And the salad with ginger dressing is also pretty damn good. My favorite part of the meal is the chicken fried rice. Always order the chicken fried rice. You don't go to Benihanas and order regular white rice, you just don't do it.
The show is pretty fun, though it does get repetitive after the first -oh, 2 times. I gotta admit though that the first time I went, I thought this place was the best thing in the world. The next few times I went, I realized I'd over-rated it in my mind. I do have to give credit to the chefs, who are always funny and entertaining.
The waitresses are usually really good, and there is one waitress who remembers us and even what our usual order is. I DO have a complaint about the hostess. She was never directly rude to our party or anything, but she isn't a good hostess. She's not too bright and would it kill her to smile? I also really can't stand her high pitched voice when she calls our party to seat us, which reminds me, if you don't want to wait for more than a half hour, call ahead and make a reservation. Sometimes you still end up waiting awhile even with a reservation.
I usually come out of here satisfied and full, so I'd recommend this place to someone who likes teppanyaki and is pretty open-minded.
*edit 8/30/11*
Just had the worst experience I've had at this place.. food wasn't good, disappearing act with the server, and the chef had no personality. Note to self, do NOT go right around closing time on a weekday...
Always ask to be seated at Calvin's table if possible. Calvin's the man! And the server who usually works that area is on TOP of things. Next time, I'll wait extra for Calvin. haha -
Review from Ticha B.
1/18/2011 2 photos
Medium rare is how I like it. And yes, the teppanyaki grill masters at this location cook and put on a cool show for you.
The Ontario location is pretty big , but it still seemed to fill up and got really crowded for dinner on a Thursday night! A nice wine list, a mini sushi bar, great service and good food. There's plenty of parking and a bar where you can get food at while you wait for your table.
When you go in early for dinner, you'll be able to score a table. But try not to go during the 7pm rush. You'll be waiting at the bar or the sushi bar like everyone else.
We had a party of 8 so that filled up one table. Remember, EIGHT (8) is the magic number here. If you have that 8 in your party, you're set. No one to sit at your table, your own grill master, etc. Of course, 8 is the seating available that this location for a whole table.
Service was great, you'll love the food, fried rice, grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, etc., that comes with your meal. This location had plenty of parking, the manager checked on us, the waitress always filled our drink cups and looked after us. Just like the teppanyaki griller! Lunch is a lot cheaper on the wallet than dinner...FYI.
Good times!Listed in: Japanese Eats
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Review from Daniel T.
Riverside, CA
10/15/2010
Sure, I know I'm just a white middle class dude with an unsophisticated palate and that there are far more upscale, snooty places to get teppanyaki but I don't care...Benihana does the trick for me. When I ask for my filet medium rare, I get it slightly crispy on the outside and bloody on the inside and it's SOOOOO good that I immediately begin planning my next visit.
Food: never disappointed, although I say come hungry and don't waste too much space on the rice and soda...save it for the "good stuff."
Service: Honestly, it varies a bit but we almost always get someone who is fun and energetic, especially the last time we went. I think the way you approach the meal has a lot to do with how you're treated.
Price: It ain't cheap, well, at least not unless you're a high roller or have the corporate plastico in your pocket. $70+ for two if you get a "real" meal (steak, soft drinks, etc.) and if you're an alchie I am sure you'll be digging deeper into those pockets. -
Review from Kristine P.
Covina, CA
6/24/2011
Sorry to be a "Negative Nancy," but I do NOT understand the Benihana hype. Food is pricey and mediocre at best in my opinion. My chicken was dry and bland, and I've had better fried rice. However, our chef was pretty entertaining, so like most Yelpers have pointed out, you come here for the experience.
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Review from Fern R.
Upland, CA
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lunch Specials And Chicken Fried Rice, Gotta Love It!
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Review from Wilson T.
Monterey Park, CA
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
I think the teppanyaki is good.
But the lunch special is overpriced for the quality of food they are serving, especially the tempura sauce is not even the correct one. -
Review from Em B.
Updated - 5/13/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Sooooo...you're not going to do the flaming volcano-onion bit? This folks, is what happens when you show up with a birthday coupon. They stiff you on the flaming volcano-onion bit but you do get the standard Japanese birthday song/dance plus cheesy photograph at the end of your meal. Plus your choice of vanilla, chocolate or green tea ice cream.
Our chef was of the comatose variety. You could tell he had sliced, diced, and julienned for waaaay too long. He almost seemed like he was in a trance and was simply going through the motions of cooking. Despite the lack of enthusiasm on the chef's part, my Benihana Trio was cooked to perfection as was my hubby's Hibachi Chicken so we were happy campers.
Btw, the other couple across from us brought in a coupon as well which was pretty funny. She and I exchanged eye rolls as our significant others successfully embarrassed us by obnoxiously clapping and cheering along with the waitstaff during the b'day song and dance. Nice.
Sign up and get $30 off your meal during your birthday month. 4 stars for free food--who doesn't love that?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2009
I'm in the area for the next two days, so hubs and I decided to stop by and take advantage of the… Read more »
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Review from Lyna V.
4/13/2011
Wait was horrendous. Make a reservation to avoid it. I wouldn't have minded the wait if the hostesses weren't such beezies, upon entrance I was already over it because they were so rude. Chef was nice, not as "talented" or entertaining as the other chefs we watched around us, but he made an effort. Onion soup was ok, the veggies were tasty, fried rice was good, chicken was whatever, the filet mignon (medium rare) was good and the green tea and vanilla ice cream was yumm. I'm curious about their sushi though.
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Review from Natali M.
Redlands, CA
6/5/2011
So the food here is good, not excellent... but you really go for the experience, and we did have a great time. With a party of 3 we requested a corner at the teppan grill which worked out perfect so that we could all still talk. Service was a little slow to get started, probably my only complaint. Drinks were great: white peach sake sangria, Benihana punch, & a coconut martini. Entrees were all good as well. Seared ahi, mango shrimp, and a trio combination of chicken, steak, & shrimp. Chicken fried rice is a must, that is the show stopper of the meal. We even got a photo souvenier. Cheesy, yes. Love it!
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Review from Melissa D.
Santee, CA
6/13/2011
About 15 of us stopped inhere to celebrate my sisters graduation from Cal Poly Pomona. We wanted something yummy and close by... even though they didn't seem very busy we had to wait about 45 minutes. Oh-well we were lame for not making reservations and coming prepared, right?
Most of us waited at the bar and had some pretty good cocktails. I had never been to Benihana's before and I had heard they were excellent so I was looking forward to my meal.
When we finally got our table I began to be impressed! Our waitress's were extremely attentive and made sure we had everything we asked for, and some things we didn't ask for!
The chicken fried rice made by the chefs was awesome!!! The chefs really work to entertain everyone at the tables with their cooking and they end up putting on quit a show! Not only did the rice SMILE at our table but the onion volcano had steam coming from it and I thought that was pretty nifty! Garlic butter was cooked into almost every dish and since I love both garlic and butter I was in food heaven! I will have to remember to order the chicken fried rice when I return because I see no reason to eat white rice while at this restaurant.
Sushi...
I love Unagi so I ordered some sushi to go along with my Diablo Seafood. My sushi was OK but my brothers Rainbow Roll was awesome and I wish I had ordered that instead. I will not be coming here for the sushi but the scallops were amazazing!!!
Overall I thought the dishes were a little pricy but I was impressed with the service and the entertainment quality. The food was delicious so I will have to try out the Benihana's in San Diego -
Review from Mena R.
Montclair, CA
5/12/2011
So I been seeing reviews that aren't so good on the sushi! But I love their sushi, maybe its cuz I go during happy hour from 6 to 8 & I get rolls for half off.? Well there's this particular server whom is very nice and always helps us with a smile and is really friendly and wen ever we ask for lemons they give us alotta lemon not just one or two slices but like 6, so that gets me happy. Okay now to the sushi or shud I say rolls?, I like their deep fried stuff so I always get the shrimp chrunchy roll which is to die for whith that eel sauce. Yumm..I can eat two of them in one siting.don't judge me:). Lol. Anyways this is a good spot for sushi during happy hour it keeps me coming!
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Review from Mrs. H.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/25/2011
I have to admit the food was okay, but that whole cooking the food at the table and doing volcano thing with the onions is old. Overall the place is overrated and over priced.
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Review from Jason J.
Upland, CA
12/21/2008
I came recently for my very first trip to Benihana with a couple of my friends. I had been to a teppanyaki grill before, so this was nothing really new.
I guess in the end, my main complaint is the price. Is the food good? Yes. Was it the best steak I ever had? No. Was it worth $30? Certainly not. And certainly not because it wasn't cooked to order....which, IMO, when you charge a premium for your steak, it must be. I don't know if it was the few extras we ordered, but I got stuck with a $150 bill, and I didn't really like it that much. Again, it was good....I just don't think it was *that* good. Personally, I have been just as happy at some of the less expensive options in area, but I have never been really thrilled with teppanyaki to begin with.
I hesitate to go against the grain of the reviews on this restaurant. Maybe I had an off experience. Maybe not. Maybe I'm just picky and cheap. In the end, my friends will have to drag me back on their tab to see if my experience improves any. -
Review from Steve E.
Elk Grove, CA
7/26/2009
The best way to describe the Benihana experience is to say it's a "first time" kind of a place, especially if you go with a group. Starting out as a Teppanyaki "virgin," you'll enjoy the show and the distinct flavors of this unique cooking method. Your second visit to Benihanna, however, is likely to be a disappointment because the show is always the same, the prices are steep, and if you've been to one of the more authentic Teppanyaki restaurants, you'll realize that Benihana's food doesn't compare to the best.
My recent visit to the Ontario Benihana with a group of six was the third or fourth time I've been to a Benihana. In addition, I've eaten some really great Teppanyaki at other restaurants over the years, so I had a solid basis for comparison. Quite frankly, I was bored with the show, the food and the staff. The only elements of the evening that weren't boring were picking up the group's $240 tab and watching the reactions of those in our group who hadn't been to a Teppanyaki restaurant before. Their enjoyment of the experience made the price more palatable.
So, if you're with a group of friends or family and you haven't experienced Teppanyaki, by all means, load up your wallet and head for Benihana. Otherwise, do some research on Yelp and find a superior Teppanyaki joint where you'll really enjoy the food. -
Review from JULIE Z.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
3/21/2008
I've never had Benihana Teppan yaki. I always sit in the sushi bar. Although not at the bar, but in the sushi dining area. (Sam, the best sushi maker, quit, so I don't like sitting at the bar anymore :))
Sushi and quality of food are not bad, although not the best, but they are ok. I like Omokase in Haven also (some items are better here).
Worth to try. :)
