Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

A C

Generous 4 stars, more like 3.5. My husband & I had a strange experience. We arrived just before 5pm on a Sunday and were asked if we had a reservation. No, we didn’t. The host (a young gentleman) told us that we needed a reservation and that he wouldn’t be able to seat us. I asked him how to go about making a reservation. He said “you can’t, we are booked.” I’ve never heard of a half-empty restaurant being unwilling to seat customers! After making a reservation on OpenTable at another establishment, I decided to see if this restaurant had availability. Sure enough, I got a reservation for 530pm. We went back a short time later. I had my reservation confirmation in-hand, ready to show the host. He told me my reservation must be “fake,” it’s not possible that I would have had a reservation because there was no availability. I told him “maybe you had a cancellation, because you can see in my email that I have received a reservation confirmation for this date and time.” After bickering back and forth with me for a few minutes, my reservation finally appeared in their system. I was proven right - I DID have a reservation! The host apologized and told me that “their reservation system is messed up,” and that it “frustrates him.” In the TWO HOURS we were there, there were probably half the tables empty the entire time. Where were all the people who supposedly had reservations?! The food is really very good which is why we wanted to dine here (plus a little less expensive than other options in the area). But it’s downright outrageous to me that we were nearly denied service until I fought for it. I believe this establishment is severely understaffed. The workers all seem flustered. Luckily, we had a nice server who was more calm about the situation. Everything we ordered was great. But I’d strongly recommend reserving a spot before you go there without one only to be denied service!

szins26

The waiter and staff were polite and friendly. The food was marinated well and the other items were had were delicious. I'd recommend trying the garlic noodles and the black pepper chicken.yummy

Alyssa Galvin

Absolutely delish! Would go back! And server was so friendly

Anh Nguyen

Having been to our first Japanese barbecue restaurant down in Costa Mesa before arriving to San Diego had shaped our appetite to that very first great impression, thus this is all I would give. The higher price point for being in a city is understandable, however that should not impede the quality in the first place. Marinated meat was just fine like everyone said, the rice was mediocre and not actual Japanese, the condiments were basic and didn't elevate the dish. The ramen was an absolute disaster 🍜. The staffs took so long to notice us and that concluded the experience. Shoutout to Marlon thought, despite not being our actual server and just a drink server, he was incredibly friendly and welcoming.