Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse
| Address: | 302 Old Liverpool Rd, Liverpool, NY 13088, USA |
| Phone: | +1 315-457-0000 |
| Site: | ichibanjapanesesteakhouse.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 4:30–8:30PM 4:30–8:30PM 4:30–8:30PM 4:30–8:30PM 4:30–9:30PM 12:30–9:30PM 12:30–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
A
A Private User
I would like to preface this review by saying that I have been to numerous hibachi grills in cities across the country. This is one of the best ones I have been to. With that said, if you are unfamiliar with hibachi restaurants you may benefit from some background information, if you have been to one before skip ahead.... Most hibachi type places, especially popular ones or around weekends or holidays request or require reservations. Just walking in you may still be seated, but unless its a slow night be prepared to wait. This goes for most all restaurants of this type. If you have never been before dont be surprised or scared when you are seated at a large table (usually seat 12 people) with total strangers. This can be a little unnerving if you arent prepared, but remember everyone is there to have a good time, so just enjoy. Some people like to talk, some just pretend they are alone... Whatever, I just always make an attempt at conversation and see how it goes. Finally, the food is all cooked in front of you. How the chef keeps it all straight is amazing to me, but Ive never had a mistake. If you are a strict vegetarian or have allergies however, ask that yours be cooked in the kitchen, or it will be sharing a grill with all the meat, no way around it really. There are a variety of foods cooked, and they are all placed on your plate as they are completed. You can eat as they are placed, or wait - up to you. Now, to the review: Ive gone to Ichiban Syracuse probably 20+ times over the last 20 years. In that time Ive probably been to about that many other Hibachi grills elsewhere. Ichiban consistently is my top pick. Ive been to a couple others that can definitely compete, but on food quality and show Ichiban is always overall my favorite. The food is consistent (pay the extra $1 for the fillet, its amazing), the show is always at least good (Ive seen some other places that were showier, but many that were lame too), and the atmosphere is generally "fun". I like that if you choose and call ahead you can have a choice of an open table on the floor, or a room. Especially nice if you do have a full party of 12 or so. I dont know what happened to a couple of the reviewers on here, as far as being rushed, as I have never ever felt rushed. Heck we usually sit around afterward for quite a while talking and digesting. I can see you you might feel the cooking/serving is rushed, it is all cooked quickly and served as cooked, but Ive never felt "rushed out" even on a busy night. The only negatives I have are that they definitely can be very busy, it can be loud (rooms are far quieter) and it could use an aesthetic update (but its still fine, clean, etc, just traditional...). But Im really nit-picking here, as like I said, still my #1 choice for a fun, GOOD, group dinner anywhere around here. The sushi is as good as any around CNY, which is to say pretty good. Ive had better in bigger cities at dedicated sushi places, but for CNY its about as good as it gets honestly. It does sometimes take a while if they are backed up though.
A
A Private User
we got married yesterday...had reservations to go there after we had a very small ceremony with just the four of us. they knew we were coming and said "we will make it special for you". not necessary, but well..they didnt. After spending close to 200$ with a tip included...the waitress brought us both a pair of chopsticks. Then she said, "dont leave, our manager has something for you...so we waited. Then the managers comes over with two small boxes. So, we thought, how nice...a token gift for our wedding. As she got in front of us, however, she obviously decided that since we already got chopsticks, we were not going to get the gift boxes and just said...well, good luck to ya. HOW AWKWARD and how uncouth of her. She looked like a fool, and stood there holding those two little boxes as if they were gold! We felt so silly. As I got to thinking...why did she decide we did not deserve her silly little gift? So we waited to get some sort of nice words from the manager of a Japanese steak house? Some white chick who obviously has no professional courtesy training? After being corralled in, and corralled out...we will NEVER go there again. Yeah yeah..chop chop chop....eating with strangers, clapping that the dude flipped a piece of shrimp in his shirt...wow, how lame was I for even wanting to go there. Sorry...but Heather...whoever you are..thanks for saying you will make it special . Memorable..just laughable but we have to say..the food was good, it was the help that stunk!
SA
Sara Dunbrook
The wait wasnt too bad I guess, maybe ten minutes or so. I appreciated the server going to great lengths to ensure my dietary constrictions were adhered to, but the food just wasnt that good. I started out with the vegetable tempura, which was okay, but a little cold and the vegetables were overcooked. My main meal was the tofu teriyaki with vegetables - they used the same vegetables (onions, carrots, zucchini, broccoli) in the main meal so that was redundant and the fried tofu was not very good. The tofu, which was a soft or medium firm tofu, was fried in massive pieces. When you took a bite, the tofu would crumble out and ruin the rest of the piece. Having such large pieces also made the ratio of tofu to crispy batter way off - there was potential but they should consider cutting their tofu pieces into maybe 1/4 the size they currently have. My boyfriend ordered the chicken teriyaki and said it was overcooked and dry. I will say the service was great - my meal was less than half eaten and I did not ask to take it home (travelling) so two different people asked if it was okay.
CA
Cali Sweeting
Unbelievably rude staff. Long story short, I had called and asked a question about a Groupon and was given incorrect information. The manager essentially called me a liar, focused on why Ichiban wouldnt do Groupon again instead of resolving my issue, and kept mumbling under her breath about, "taking it from her own paycheck." She wasnt listening to my issue and instead just the inconvenience for her. I had to pull out my phone to prove I even called! It was my 30th birthday (literally the day of my birthday) and she put a massive dark cloud over it. I have a Hibachi restaurant within 5 minutes of my house but selected Ichiban. After the way I was treated at Ichiban, in will certainly never go back!
A
A Private User
Decent showman ship, poor food, poor service. I have been Ichiban Syracuse twice do to my wifes request. Both times I was rushed through the meal with the next course of food being served before the previous was finished. Icecream for dessert was served when most of us were only half way done with our entree. I had to ask them to take it until we were finished with our main course. Service was poor, with the waitress no place to be found for drink refills. My son never did recieve his second soda, even after 2 requests. If you want to go for an expensive show thats fun to watch Ichiban may be the place. If you want good food and service find a different restaurant.
