3025 W Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85226
Our reservation was for 6:30 and was honored on time. The restaurant was full and was very noisy. Our table was in the very back and we were told that it was not a table that is usually used. We found the area temperature to be quite cold and asked to have it turned up. After a while a somewhat disheveled manager with his tie in all directions except the correct one showed up and said he turned the temp up.
Orders were taken and that was the last we saw of our wait person for some time. He eventually showed up and told us that he had to check out another table which took a long time. Salads were brought, all exactly the same with a dollop of unidentifiable dressing on top and the bottom swimming in water.
After an unknown span of time, the show started, with the first thing being that our cook forgot to bring eggs and had to ask for someone to bring them to him.
Appetizers were brought from the kitchn for those who ordered them. I ordered the soft shell crab, and it was nicely cooked though the dipping sauce could have used a bit of thought in its preparation. Companion ordered gyoza's, which showed up just at the same time as the main course. The other companions ordered tempura and sushi all of which arrived at the exact same time requiring the rest of us to move our plates over to make room for the burgeoning load of dishes.]
There did not seem to be any order or direction to how the meals were cooked. It appeared that the cooking of the chicken fried rice was of great importance while main courses waited. The cook tried too chat with us but the place was so noisy that it was often difficult to hear what he had to say. Two of the people at our table should not have been allowed in according to the "official" dress code of Benihana. The man came to the table in a sweat shirt and pants and the lady insisted on playing loud games on her phone. If your going to have rules than enforce them of get rid of them.
My main course was the spicy shrimp. They were nicely cooked and came with 2 pieces of pepper and that is all. The rice which I had ordered never came and was never served.
Companion ordered the Steak Yakisoba, and was the last to be served at the table. It wasn't even started cooking until everyone else was served.
After the entire table of 8 was finished our cook served an appetizer as well as a pile of onions and mushrooms to everyone. It seemed a bit out of order, since we were all mostly finished eating and the appetizer shows up!
Finally, we were offered dessert of ice cream or sherbert. This was one of the highlights of the meal.
Inspection of the bathrooms showed them to be badly in need of attention and cleaning. Sanitation at our table left a bit to be desired as plates were not bussed until there were piles of them.
To say that I was disappointed in the dinner is putting it mildly. This was a birthday celebration which turned into a partial disaster. When I spend $240 for dinner for 4 I expect a lot better than I got.
2 stars and that's all.
