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Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
19601 Bruce B Downs BlvdTampa, FL 33647
(813) 994-6600
- 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:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
15 reviews in English
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Review from B. B.
Tampa, FL
7/11/2011
This is, without hyperbole, the best food that has ever been served by anyone ever.
Seriously though, this is the absolute best hibachi I have had. Period. I'm not sure what experiences the other reviewers have had but aside from this place being too popular, i've never had an issue here.
It's in New Tampa, so I imagine the majority of people who gave this place a negative review are bitchy because they have to sit with other people (HEAVENS!). The prices are fair, the servers are affable but oh God the food is mind blowing. This isn't Benny Hanna, the show is fine but the meal is amazing. -
Review from Diana C.
Tampa, FL
12/27/2011
This is now called Kobe Japanese Steak House :/
It's busier now but quality wise...the food was better when it was Wasabi. Their 2 for $30 (or whatever) special is NOT worth it! They give you the worst parts of the steak, chicken, etc. (All the fat, chewy, nasty parts). It was disgusting (not completely but still disgusting). Don't do it.
Their sushi and service on the other is not that bad. I believe her name is Amanda (I hope) but she is the sweetest, most attentive waitress ever.
On the other hand, I personally don't like their rice, it has a vinegar taste to it that I don't enjoy. I don't mind when I'm on a budget and going for Happy Hour. Lol. But if I'm out to truly enjoy and treat myself to a sushi-feast than I'm going across the street to Sushiko for quality. -
Review from Sapphic O.
St Petersburg, FL
1/1/2011
The manager of Wasabi is an absolute jerk and his service is in the top 5 worst dining experiences I've ever had.
When my party of 5 arrived, we were told there was a 30-45 minute wait for that side of the house, which I guess exclusively serves 2-for-1 sushi. He told us that it was slammed, which we later found out was almost as dead as my grandmother.
He had us seated on the teppanyaki side, without telling us that we wouldn't be able to get the 2-for-1 sushi over there that we already told him we came for.
After failing to be able to explain a portion of the menu to us, and changing a table-mate's drink due to the fly that was in it, we were moved to the other side, to a wet, unclean table. The hostess was clearly pissed at having to seat us, and moved another party from a table for us for no reason.
The bartender made me a mango daiquiri, which even 2 of the non-drinkers at my table couldn't taste the alcohol in. When I communicated that I had mistakenly been given the virgin daiquiri, the bartender had the waiter tell me that "the point of a daiquiri was to not taste the alcohol". I swear that this had none and neither of the non-drinkers reported feeling it, either. In the ten more minutes that we stayed there, our table wasn't cleaned and we got no service. After paying $7 for a non-alcoholic, we left, ending up at Applebees.
The only up side to that visit was our nice waiter on the teppanyaki side, Do. -
Review from Lesley D.
1/6/2011 1 photo
I have been here for dinner twice and I have always sat in the bar and I have only had sushi. The second time the guys making the sushi looked like they were about 12 years old!
Pros:
They give you a hot towel before your meal (nice touch)
The fish always tastes fresh and is good quality
They have Kirin and Sapporo
Cons:
Its kind of pricey
They don't have beer on tap -
Review from Raquel M.
Tampa, FL
8/2/2011
I absolutely love this place!!!! I've never had the hibachi grill menu but the sushi side is delicious and awesome. Michelle is one of the best servers I've ever had. She's attentive and so much fun. Sushi chef B.K. is hilarious and amazing at what he does. If you have the money and it's not too busy try asking if the chef will make you something that's not on the menu. Have fun and I hope you enjoy it!!!
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Review from John H.
Tampa, FL
11/10/2007
After a seemingly endless construction and their decision to not open for lunch I wasn't sure if I'd ever get to try this open-grill steakhouse. Now that I have, the word that springs to mind is "pedestrian".
The tuna martini appetizer was quite good, a spicy tuna and greens concoction that you really need to mix to fully enjoy. The sushi was pretty bland, but to be honest, I find this to be the rule rather than the exception in these kinds of restaurants.
I hope, for the restaurant's sake, that it was the first night for our cook. Our food was below average and the performance didn't entertain even our young child.
The service was very good except for one thing.. I was not familiar with the whole sake selection so went with the waiter's recommendation.. it tasted like water with a little vodka poured into it. He was, however prompt in filling our large party's requests and accommodating.
For food that is better and cheaper (albeit set in a lesser atmosphere) go to Kado's a couple of blocks south on BBD. -
Review from Todd G.
Tampa, FL
6/23/2010
Been here about 7 times. When they first opened the food was great. Now it's hit or miss but mostly a miss. Although the sushi has for the most part been decent but we go for the Japanese Steak House experience and well...I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.
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Review from Lauren J.
Tampa, FL
11/19/2010
I went here with a large group for a work function. The food here was great, although the shrimp I ordered (I ordered scallops, steak & shrimp on the grill) tasted a bit off. I also ordered the calamari appetizer; I would have preferred more calamari pieces instead of tempura vegetable pieces. Our waitress was very patient with all the orders she was given, and service was prompt. Our chef was lacking in the interactive department, but our food was still great. On top of that, the building is really cool, especially if you go at night!
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Review from Jason N.
Tampa, FL
7/12/2009
I don't know what was wrong with the guy below me but this place is great. Me and my girlfriend go here to celebrate just about everything. We have tried a few other Japanese places around Tampa and this is definitely the best. Yes it is a bit pricey but the taste and amount of food definitely makes it worth the money.
The place has a great design and the staff is always very nice. When you are seated and choose your food after a little bit they bring out a bowl of a miso soup( or onion I am not sure) but it tastes great. Shortly after that each person is presented with a bowl of salad with a fantastic Ginger apple dressing. I literally wanted to buy the dressing it is so good. Then your cook comes out and cooks everything right infront of you and puts on a little show. Everything is cooked just right and made how you ask.
The prices of the dinners range from 15 to about 26 dollars mattering what you get and if you get a combination. I would say it is not too kid friendly because it is a bit pricey and I don't really think they will appreciate the good the food.
So if you enjoy great Japanese food a wonderful place and don't mind paying for a nice diner definitely give this place a try! -
Review from Chris W.
Brighton, CO
12/25/2007
The other posts are going to influence my post, as I obviously have some learning.
I was impressed with the atmosphere. It was a rather mod spin on the Japanese theme. The exterior of the building looks really cool and really catches your eye as your pass-by.
From the warm towels the wait staff hands you to start off your meal, to the good pot-stickers (although hard to mess up), it leads nicely into main course of Nigiri sushi.
The wait staff is friendly, but needs to know when to go away.
Parking sucks and I will echo the comment about waiting 45 minutes to be seated in an empty restaurant and that does not change even if you made reservations.
By the way - This place is a little pricey for what you get. -
Review from Sue G.
Spring Hill, FL
7/7/2007
This place was bad.... The sushi was smelly, the hibachi show was a joke. The food was tastless and bland. The "head chef" did our show. He couldn't even cut the shrimp! The steak was burnt, the shrimp medium rare. YUCK. We had to wait 45 minutes to be seated in a half empty restaraunt! The bathrooms were dirty and one toilet was clogged with God knows what. What a waste of time and money... GO to KOBE or Sushi Tsue's
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Review from Brian L.
Tampa, FL
4/26/2009
Overpriced. Kobe is much better. I won't go back.
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Review from Luis M.
Miami, FL
9/2/2008
This place is overpriced and lacking in quality food. The decor of the place tries to be uber trendy and modern, but it's exterior is very tacky. Service was ok, nothing outstanding. Basically, the restaurant is like the sushi version of MTV.
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Review from jes l.
Chicago, IL
11/21/2006
This is a relatively new Sushi/Steakhouse in the area, but it's quite different than a lot of others I've seen. The hibachi area is completely separate from the sushi area. In fact, the sushi bar is so small and quaint that you would never imagine it to be in such a big building. The interior of the building on both sides of the restaurant are STUNNING. On the sushi side, the rolls are amazing. I highly recommend the lightning roll. My finace and I haven't been able to resist ordering it even though we really like trying new things each time we go. The Hibachi was okay. We went on a Thursday night so the table we sat with was very dull and not into the show. The chef was very good and funny. Prices are what you tend to expect in a sushi restaurant. Great appetizers...try the TNT Mussells. Overall, if I could give this more than 5 stars for the sushi alone, I would!
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Review from Toonces Z.
Tampa, FL
8/30/2008
The BEST sushi in New Tampa! & the Hibachi chefs are great too. My only complaint is to ease up with the carrots on my stir-fry.
