Awesome food and personable service folks. Was greeted with a smile and “Welcome in!” Had the Beef Udon and could not get it in my mouth fast enough, it was so good!! Looking forward to coming back soon!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tim Schafle
I genuinely don’t understand the hype around Don. For what this place charges, the experience is flat-out disappointing.
Let’s start with the portion sizes, because they’re borderline insulting. The bowls are small — not “light” or “refined,” just not enough food. You’re paying full restaurant prices for what feels like a half portion. If you have a normal appetite, expect to leave hungry unless you order extra, which conveniently drives the bill even higher.
That brings me to the pricing. This place is overpriced for what it offers, plain and simple. The food isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere near good enough to justify the cost, especially when comparable spots offer larger portions, better value, and more satisfying meals. You walk away feeling like you paid a premium just for the aesthetic, not the substance.
The most troubling part, though, is what I learned outside of my visit. I have direct confirmation from a former employee that tips are kept by the restaurant and not distributed to servers. This is not made clear to customers at all. Most people tip assuming it goes to the person serving them — not to pad the restaurant’s revenue. If this is accurate, it’s a seriously unethical practice, and it’s something diners deserve to know before leaving gratuity.
Bottom line: Small portions, inflated prices, and alleged tip practices that raise serious red flags. There are far better places to spend your money where you’ll actually get a full meal and know your server is being treated fairly. I won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jason Jackson
I ordered some food to go it was ready quick but it also tasted like it was cooked quick no flavor and loaded with onions it’s definitely over priced. I will pay for good food no question..
Food: 1
Service: 3
Giant Whale
Small portions and high prices. Slow service. The server is wearing her pajamas and always messes something up everytime ive been there
Jacob Lewis
Despite serving food from a Japanese izekaya, something similar to a bar or teahouse that specializes in traditional food and high customer turnover, it has an upscale European restaurant feel that made me nervous to go in alone. Also, the food was served fully cooked still in a hot stone bowl, so about 1/3 of my food was burned by the time I ate it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken
Woodfin
It's was good but very overpriced :( Bulgogi Don etc should be $13 or so for the portion you get. BUT it reminds me of a stone bowl place I worked at in another state and haven't had that same flavor since so it hit the spot!
anjan basu
I moved to GSO in the late 1900s for college and never really left. For the last 13 years, whenever it snowed while I was at work and my boss sent us home early, I’d come to Don for the company of my best friend that worked at UNCG, large hot sake, and spicy miso ramen. Well, my friend got a job on the west coast, but it’s snowing today and my boss sent me home early. This spicy miso ramen is still great. Thank you for being consistently great for so long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Stromberg
I’m far away from this place but always eat here when the opportunity presents itself. Authentic (I haven’t been to Japan, but…) japanese experience with perfectly prepared meal. Excellent noodles made in house.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Lalone
I want this restaurant to open in Morehead City. The best hot stone Don bowls ever!!
I absolutely adore this place! The sweetest staff and the BEST Ramen!! Also a lot of Vegetarian friendly options which means so much! You can’t go wrong with anything you get. I would recommend this place to anyone! Also the vibes are really cute!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ally Torres
THEY DON'T TIP THEIR STAFF. IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE OWNERS. This is the main reason why it goes from two to one star. I find this very serious as it is a scam for customers and unfair to their staff. *See bottom of review for more details*
I had high hopes for Don on Tate Street, but my visit was pretty disappointing. The hot stone bowl looked great at first, but the amount of shrimp they gave me over the amount of rice they gave me was ridiculous. It was not worth the price listed. The food itself was fine but bland. I got the hibachi shrimp don. I had to drown it in sauce to make it flavorful. The freshly cracked egg that cooks in the hot stone bowl was honestly the highlight — everything else felt mediocre.
Service-wise, it was oddly overbearing. Staff kept checking in a bit too much. The check came out almost immediately after we finished eating, making us feel rushed and unwelcome, even though the restaurant wasn’t busy. The older woman who seemed to be the manager or owner was particularly overattentive — it felt more forced than friendly. I appreciated the attempt at hospitality, but it came across as disorganized and pushy rather than caring. Between the poor food balance, uncomfortable pacing, and awkward service, I left disappointed and unlikely to return.
*Note about tipping: I was told by someone who used to be a staff member that tips at Don do not go to the servers but instead go directly to the owners.* Bad vibes all around, especially with the tip situation. If you do decide to eat here, I’d suggest paying only what’s necessary and being cautious about where your “tip” actually goes.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Kenya Serrette
This is one of my favorite spots. It’s a very small place but the food and the service is amazing! We always go here for girls night!
Michael Usey
This is our favorite in Greensboro. They hosted my son’s rehearsal dinner recently, and everything was perfect. We had 48 people and we ordered off the menu—not easily done for the cooks, but everything was smooth and delicious. Mr. & Mrs. Lee are amazing team of host and chef. The food is always fresh; I highly recommend the salmon stone bowl. We are so fortunate to have such a restaurant like Don in our city.
Gnarly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome food and personable service folks. Was greeted with a smile and “Welcome in!” Had the Beef Udon and could not get it in my mouth fast enough, it was so good!! Looking forward to coming back soon!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I genuinely don’t understand the hype around Don. For what this place charges, the experience is flat-out disappointing.
Let’s start with the portion sizes, because they’re borderline insulting. The bowls are small — not “light” or “refined,” just not enough food. You’re paying full restaurant prices for what feels like a half portion. If you have a normal appetite, expect to leave hungry unless you order extra, which conveniently drives the bill even higher.
That brings me to the pricing. This place is overpriced for what it offers, plain and simple. The food isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere near good enough to justify the cost, especially when comparable spots offer larger portions, better value, and more satisfying meals. You walk away feeling like you paid a premium just for the aesthetic, not the substance.
The most troubling part, though, is what I learned outside of my visit. I have direct confirmation from a former employee that tips are kept by the restaurant and not distributed to servers. This is not made clear to customers at all. Most people tip assuming it goes to the person serving them — not to pad the restaurant’s revenue. If this is accurate, it’s a seriously unethical practice, and it’s something diners deserve to know before leaving gratuity.
Bottom line:
Small portions, inflated prices, and alleged tip practices that raise serious red flags. There are far better places to spend your money where you’ll actually get a full meal and know your server is being treated fairly. I won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
I ordered some food to go it was ready quick but it also tasted like it was cooked quick no flavor and loaded with onions it’s definitely over priced. I will pay for good food no question..
Food: 1
Service: 3
Small portions and high prices. Slow service. The server is wearing her pajamas and always messes something up everytime ive been there
Despite serving food from a Japanese izekaya, something similar to a bar or teahouse that specializes in traditional food and high customer turnover, it has an upscale European restaurant feel that made me nervous to go in alone. Also, the food was served fully cooked still in a hot stone bowl, so about 1/3 of my food was burned by the time I ate it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken
It's was good but very overpriced :( Bulgogi Don etc should be $13 or so for the portion you get. BUT it reminds me of a stone bowl place I worked at in another state and haven't had that same flavor since so it hit the spot!
I moved to GSO in the late 1900s for college and never really left. For the last 13 years, whenever it snowed while I was at work and my boss sent us home early, I’d come to Don for the company of my best friend that worked at UNCG, large hot sake, and spicy miso ramen. Well, my friend got a job on the west coast, but it’s snowing today and my boss sent me home early. This spicy miso ramen is still great. Thank you for being consistently great for so long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m far away from this place but always eat here when the opportunity presents itself. Authentic (I haven’t been to Japan, but…) japanese experience with perfectly prepared meal. Excellent noodles made in house.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I want this restaurant to open in Morehead City. The best hot stone Don bowls ever!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I absolutely adore this place! The sweetest staff and the BEST Ramen!! Also a lot of Vegetarian friendly options which means so much! You can’t go wrong with anything you get. I would recommend this place to anyone! Also the vibes are really cute!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
THEY DON'T TIP THEIR STAFF. IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE OWNERS.
This is the main reason why it goes from two to one star. I find this very serious as it is a scam for customers and unfair to their staff.
*See bottom of review for more details*
I had high hopes for Don on Tate Street, but my visit was pretty disappointing. The hot stone bowl looked great at first, but the amount of shrimp they gave me over the amount of rice they gave me was ridiculous. It was not worth the price listed.
The food itself was fine but bland. I got the hibachi shrimp don. I had to drown it in sauce to make it flavorful. The freshly cracked egg that cooks in the hot stone bowl was honestly the highlight — everything else felt mediocre.
Service-wise, it was oddly overbearing. Staff kept checking in a bit too much. The check came out almost immediately after we finished eating, making us feel rushed and unwelcome, even though the restaurant wasn’t busy. The older woman who seemed to be the manager or owner was particularly overattentive — it felt more forced than friendly.
I appreciated the attempt at hospitality, but it came across as disorganized and pushy rather than caring. Between the poor food balance, uncomfortable pacing, and awkward service, I left disappointed and unlikely to return.
*Note about tipping: I was told by someone who used to be a staff member that tips at Don do not go to the servers but instead go directly to the owners.*
Bad vibes all around, especially with the tip situation. If you do decide to eat here, I’d suggest paying only what’s necessary and being cautious about where your “tip” actually goes.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
This is one of my favorite spots. It’s a very small place but the food and the service is amazing! We always go here for girls night!
This is our favorite in Greensboro. They hosted my son’s rehearsal dinner recently, and everything was perfect. We had 48 people and we ordered off the menu—not easily done for the cooks, but everything was smooth and delicious. Mr. & Mrs. Lee are amazing team of host and chef. The food is always fresh; I highly recommend the salmon stone bowl. We are so fortunate to have such a restaurant like Don in our city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Ramen, Spicy Tuna Don, Shrimp Tilapia or Salmon Teriyaki, Teriyaki Chicken, Miso Soup
This place is not the same-o, same-o Chinese. You know the ones that all have the same exact red and white menu?!
Food: 5
Service: 5
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