I don’t understand the low rating. This was one of my favourite meals ever🤤🤤🤤🤤
Diana Camila Stearns
Today I went to get lunch with my husband. When we arrived, there was a person standing at the entrance who I assumed worked there, so I asked, “Are you guys open?” and she told me she didn’t work there. No problem.
After waiting about 15 minutes, a waitress finally seated us. Once we ordered our food, she decided to tell me that I “shouldn’t have asked that person” because it was disrespectful. I acknowledged that it was a simple mistake and that I had no way of knowing, but she continued being rude and lecturing me, saying, “You see the staff sitting at the bar.”
I told her I didn’t mean any disrespect, but she kept going. She was extremely rude over something so small, to the point that my husband and I decided to leave. It’s a shame they hire staff who treat customers this way.
Michael Preiss
I recently visited a Japanese barbecue restaurant in Santa Monica and, unfortunately, the experience was quite disappointing. The service was noticeably poor and extremely slow, which made the entire visit feel longer than it needed to be.
The ambiance didn’t make up for it either. The interior felt cramped, with tables placed so close together that there was barely any room to move—especially uncomfortable for anyone taller or broader. It definitely took away from the dining experience.
On a positive note, the food itself was of good quality. However, many dishes were overly seasoned, which overshadowed the natural flavors you would expect from a Japanese BBQ. Given these issues, the price-to-value ratio was not satisfying. For what they charge, you’d expect better service, a more comfortable environment, and more balanced seasoning.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless improvements are made, particularly in service and ambiance.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Claudia Ruslan
We were a bit hesitant coming here as the review of this place is very low. Fortunately, our experience tells us otherwise. We waited about 10 minutes before we were seated. They were kind and accommodating as we came in with our scooters and they let us park it by the bar (since the bar not open till later.) We ordered the 3 bbq items lunch and 1 hot soup on the side. The soup came and it was bigger than we had expected. Tasted great too! Salad was fresh, although we wish there's more salad dressing on it. The meat has more than 5 slices in each plate (maybe about 6-8 slices) and it was fresh! It tasted amazing when we cooked it and dipped it with the sauces that they provide. Overall, absolutely wonderful experience and we would definitely come back next time we're craving for japanese style BBQ in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roy
Gyu Kaku is always great. The food is consitently good, grilling your own meat is a fun experinece and the overall experinece is always fantastic. The group does however need to invest in the upkeep of the restaurants which are almost all in less than favorable condition.
Kenya Zuniga
If I could give this place negative stars, I would. Service was AWFUL, every waiter/waitress that walked past me NEVER offered a re-fill and when I did ask for one. The person I asked, was just standing there chit chatting with their co-worker. I wanna leave just as much as you. The only helpful person was the bus boy and one young lady named Kaia, she was freaking AWSOME!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Shawn
I'm not sure why this place has such bad reviews, I come here all the time and I think it's great, it's a little pricey but that's how it is in Santa monica.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
liz beth
Could stand a good cleaning and booths need to be reapostered
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jennifer Hancock
Delicious food and fun way to visit with family and friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marissa Lima
the servers were really friendly and fast but the food was horrible, and super expensive on top of it, but despite their niceness they changed out our grill twice when a bunch of meat was just placed on it. Salad was underdressed, but considering the dressing was an unholy amalgamtion of mayonnaise and vinaigrette, it was probably for the better. Calamari was super rubbery and borderline inedible, and they served room temperature raw chicken alongside the meats. Everything was underseasoned and the vibe of the restaurant is like a bad nyquil induced dream. Also they served a strange fondue that tasted like velveeta was powdered and rehydrated multiple times. I have more to say but am honestly so depressed by the experience I will stop here. Beer was good though
Everything was absolutely delicious! We had the meat lovers course and I highly recommend it for sure. It was so fun to cook it together and just enjoy the food and each others company. The server was so sweet and just laughed along with me when I got a bit tipsy and told him he was the best! I will definitely be back to this restaurant for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mo S
Appalling service. They have a lunch dine la menu that is valid till 5pm. I got there with 5 minutes to spare. And asked if I could quickly order things off the lunch menu since I still had time. By the time the guy was ready to ring me up 4:59pm and was like “oh yah too late now”
The attitude was like “yeah we don’t care about you at all”
I’ve been a few time and this location…, service is terrible. They legit don’t care about you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Carlos Diaz
Sat us down and waited 20 min. Nobody even greeted us or brought us water. Extremely disappointed
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Omid Vatan
Very nice waiter poor thing was so busy but are food came in a couple of minutes and was amazing. The best part is that you got to cook the food. What I mean is it came raw and you got a cook it on your own little grill in front of you. Highly recommend it
I don’t understand the low rating. This was one of my favourite meals ever🤤🤤🤤🤤
Today I went to get lunch with my husband. When we arrived, there was a person standing at the entrance who I assumed worked there, so I asked, “Are you guys open?” and she told me she didn’t work there. No problem.
After waiting about 15 minutes, a waitress finally seated us. Once we ordered our food, she decided to tell me that I “shouldn’t have asked that person” because it was disrespectful. I acknowledged that it was a simple mistake and that I had no way of knowing, but she continued being rude and lecturing me, saying, “You see the staff sitting at the bar.”
I told her I didn’t mean any disrespect, but she kept going. She was extremely rude over something so small, to the point that my husband and I decided to leave. It’s a shame they hire staff who treat customers this way.
I recently visited a Japanese barbecue restaurant in Santa Monica and, unfortunately, the experience was quite disappointing. The service was noticeably poor and extremely slow, which made the entire visit feel longer than it needed to be.
The ambiance didn’t make up for it either. The interior felt cramped, with tables placed so close together that there was barely any room to move—especially uncomfortable for anyone taller or broader. It definitely took away from the dining experience.
On a positive note, the food itself was of good quality. However, many dishes were overly seasoned, which overshadowed the natural flavors you would expect from a Japanese BBQ. Given these issues, the price-to-value ratio was not satisfying. For what they charge, you’d expect better service, a more comfortable environment, and more balanced seasoning.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless improvements are made, particularly in service and ambiance.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
We were a bit hesitant coming here as the review of this place is very low. Fortunately, our experience tells us otherwise. We waited about 10 minutes before we were seated. They were kind and accommodating as we came in with our scooters and they let us park it by the bar (since the bar not open till later.) We ordered the 3 bbq items lunch and 1 hot soup on the side. The soup came and it was bigger than we had expected. Tasted great too! Salad was fresh, although we wish there's more salad dressing on it. The meat has more than 5 slices in each plate (maybe about 6-8 slices) and it was fresh! It tasted amazing when we cooked it and dipped it with the sauces that they provide. Overall, absolutely wonderful experience and we would definitely come back next time we're craving for japanese style BBQ in the area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gyu Kaku is always great. The food is consitently good, grilling your own meat is a fun experinece and the overall experinece is always fantastic. The group does however need to invest in the upkeep of the restaurants which are almost all in less than favorable condition.
If I could give this place negative stars, I would. Service was AWFUL, every waiter/waitress that walked past me NEVER offered a re-fill and when I did ask for one. The person I asked, was just standing there chit chatting with their co-worker. I wanna leave just as much as you. The only helpful person was the bus boy and one young lady named Kaia, she was freaking AWSOME!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
I'm not sure why this place has such bad reviews, I come here all the time and I think it's great, it's a little pricey but that's how it is in Santa monica.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Could stand a good cleaning and booths need to be reapostered
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious food and fun way to visit with family and friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
the servers were really friendly and fast but the food was horrible, and super expensive on top of it, but despite their niceness they changed out our grill twice when a bunch of meat was just placed on it. Salad was underdressed, but considering the dressing was an unholy amalgamtion of mayonnaise and vinaigrette, it was probably for the better. Calamari was super rubbery and borderline inedible, and they served room temperature raw chicken alongside the meats. Everything was underseasoned and the vibe of the restaurant is like a bad nyquil induced dream. Also they served a strange fondue that tasted like velveeta was powdered and rehydrated multiple times. I have more to say but am honestly so depressed by the experience I will stop here. Beer was good though
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Service is nonexistent.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Everything was absolutely delicious! We had the meat lovers course and I highly recommend it for sure. It was so fun to cook it together and just enjoy the food and each others company. The server was so sweet and just laughed along with me when I got a bit tipsy and told him he was the best! I will definitely be back to this restaurant for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Appalling service. They have a lunch dine la menu that is valid till 5pm. I got there with 5 minutes to spare. And asked if I could quickly order things off the lunch menu since I still had time. By the time the guy was ready to ring me up 4:59pm and was like “oh yah too late now”
The attitude was like “yeah we don’t care about you at all”
I’ve been a few time and this location…, service is terrible. They legit don’t care about you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sat us down and waited 20 min. Nobody even greeted us or brought us water. Extremely disappointed
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very nice waiter poor thing was so busy but are food came in a couple of minutes and was amazing. The best part is that you got to cook the food. What I mean is it came raw and you got a cook it on your own little grill in front of you. Highly recommend it
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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