Nakato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

I've been a monthly customer for quite some time. But tonight did me in, I will never be back. Unfortunately I'm not sure if people weren't trained properly or if they just hated being there but I've never had such awful service. Waitress kept saying our appetizer and sushi were coming but well after our cook started cooking it still had not came. We canceled our order for it and the waitress slammed our nephews drink down afterwards. Our cook was training I assume so no hate there but for as expensive as everything is I should at least have some leftovers. So beyond disappointed. When we tried to pay she didn't take or card so we took our card to the (I assume) manager at the front and he said he'd give her an attitude adjustment. His words, not mine.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

As always, this food is good. I will state that this time, it wasn't nearly as seasoned as it normally is when we come. That was disappointing, however, it was still good and plenty of food! Took home the leftovers and used my flat top grill at home to reheat them.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sushi, Hibachi Steak and Chicken with Fried Rice

Food was good service was ok. Felt very rushed to leave. Couldn't even eat the meal they where putting check and To go boxes i. Front of you as soon as cook was finished coohing. Had to take meal home to eat eat

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Very good food , chefs make the experience fun and entertaining

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hibachi Steak and Chicken with Fried Rice

Been eating here for over 20 years and it is always great! Better then any other Japanese steak house I've ate across the country!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've been a few times and never been wowed, but my most recent visit was the worst yet. We had a reservation and we sat fairly quickly, but then we waited over 45 minutes for the cook to come out (an hour after our reservation time). Our table only had 3 empty seats but they kept us waiting to see if they could fill those 3 seats. Once the chef finally started our hibachi the food was lacking in flavor. I've never had to add seasoning to my food at a hibachi restaurant before, but the food was so extremely bland last night I had to drown it in soy sauce, pepper, & yum yum sauce. Our server was sweet, but after she dropped off our soup and salad she disappeared. We asked for boxes then had to wait another 20 minutes and ask the chef to send her over to get our bill. On top of this they charge extra for fried rice. I've never experienced that at a hibachi place before and just felt stingy. I've gone to other restaurants owned by the same people and never had bad experiences, but Nakato just doesn't have the same service and food quality.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

I ordered rare steak for my dinner and was questioned about my choice by the chef and then mooed at by the chef when served. This was followed by laughter from the other customers. I was the entertainment for lunch. I will never come back. Way to make your customer feel embarrassed for their taste.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Great food and great entertainment,Our Cheif was very funny and very good at what he does downside is they pack you in around the hibachi like your a can of sardines

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was good, but everything else about this experience was awful. From the moment we walked in, we felt like a burden just for showing up to eat. The hostess was flat-out rude, and the entire staff made us feel rushed, unwelcome, and like they couldn’t be bothered with us. There was zero warmth, zero hospitality, and zero effort to treat us like valued customers.
This is not the Nakato’s we used to love. The whole night left a bad taste in our mouths, and honestly, we will never go back unless there’s new management that actually cares about the people walking through the door.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Let me first share I don’t often, or maybe have ever left a one star review— I just felt after my experience in Nakato, I would share some changes compared to our previous experiences.

After having come to Nakato for many years, I am sad to say it’s a vastly different experience than I’ve previously encountered. Although the food was still delicious and our chef, Zac, was excellent, the wait staff was rushed and the more seasoned seating hostess was rude, and refused to seat our party unless all of us were physically in the building.

Additionally when she asked our party size, I shared “6 and 2 high chairs” to which she quickly snapped, “So eight.” It was a very snippy encounter as our first encounter after walking in.

Our whole party was at the restaurant but my sister in law was breastfeeding her baby in the parking lot so they wouldn’t seat us without her present at the table. Thus making her feel rushed, delaying our meal time, and after our request numerous times to simply be seated and order for her, they would not accommodate.

After being seated, our server was polite but rushed. When a lady at our table asked if she could have her veggies without onion, the server shared that it would be a $2 up charge for no-onions (this was not previously a policy under old ownership). When the lady asked “why?”, the server shared that the restaurant policy is that if it’s not an allergy, any changes to the order are an up-charge fee— even if it’s less food.

As soon as chef leaves, the server brings checks and to go boxes to the table, leading you to scurry to end your meal. My husband was still eating off his plate when it was taken. Again, I don’t blame the server for this oversight, but I can sense it’s the new culture of ownership at the restaurant to turn profit, not make your guests feel like they are having a fun dining experience, as it previously was.

Additionally, the menu pricing on the early bird was out of date. The menu pricing stated $19 for the shrimp meal, but when the bill came it was $21. Again, not a big deal but a sign of the lack of excellence that Nakato once held as a staple of the Springfield restaurant space.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

Great time really good food and Brad was an awesome chef

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Brad was 10/10. Everything was so good! So kind. So clean. Friendly to the “kiddo”

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time eating here and it was totally worth it. Very delicious. The steak was absolutely perfect.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Steak With

Hibachi with Gluten Free options

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sushi, Hibachi Steak and Chicken with Fried Rice, Baked Roll

We came here for our 27th anniversary, got a reservation and asked for anniversary picture and cake. They sat us at a table for 8 sharing with a young child's birthday party. There were PLENTY of open single tables and spots for 2 around the main station. We left and went to Avanzare. We will not be back here.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1