Reviews for Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in San Diego, CA
Japanese BBQ! ???? First time we have had Japanese BBQ! Honestly super tasty and fresh, we would love to go back here again... someday! Read more
I don't usually complain, or go out of my way to complain online, but wow is this location poorly managed. I've frequented the... chain in other places, but this has got to be one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. Meat was mostly okay, but manypieces looked like end cuts/fat. For that price that's kind of lame. The table next to us was filthy - not like a smudge ofgrease but piles of plates, bottles, glasses, half eaten food. It was partially bussed during our meal, but was still notcleaned up after we got our bill (so about 45 minutes). Many other tables were the same. I didn't get two of the things Iordered, though the server did run up AFTER we asked for our bill asking if I still wanted one (of the two things they forgot)item. Waitresses brought food that wasn't ours (I almost didn't want to say no, yum). The list goes on and on. I have nothingagainst the chain at all, but whoever is managing this location should be fired immediately because they're doing a terriblejob. Read more
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 hewouldn’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 atanother establishment, I decided to see if this restaurant had availability. Sure enough, I got a reservation for 530pm. Wewent back a short time later. I had my reservation confirmation in-hand, ready to show the host. He told me my reservationmust 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 dateand time.” After bickering back and forth with me for a few minutes, my reservation finally appeared in their system. I wasproven right - I DID have a reservation! The host apologized and told me that “their reservation system is messed up,” andthat it “frustrates him.” In the TWO HOURS we were there, there were probably half the tables empty the entire time. Wherewere all the people who supposedly had reservations?! The food is really very good which is why we wanted to dine here (plus alittle less expensive than other options in the area). But it’s downright outrageous to me that we were nearly denied serviceuntil I fought for it. I believe this establishment is severely understaffed. The workers all seem flustered. Luckily, we hada nice server who was more calm about the situation. Everything we ordered was great. But I’d strongly recommend reserving aspot before you go there without one only to be denied service! Read more
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 Read more
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 wasmediocre 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 ouractual server and just a drink server, he was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Read more
This one of my favorite places to come. It's ridiculously expensive so we don't go that often. But the marinades on the meats... are really good and the vegetables are good and the miso soup was delicious and so was the salad. There weren't a lot of serversso the service wasn't super fast but it was good enough. I like that it's a big huge open restaurant since I can't sit outsideand eat. We would definitely come back here again. It's pretty straightforward you just grill your meat over the flame that'sset into the table. It's a gas grill. And the menu that we chose came with dessert which was DIY s'mores. Read more
This was our first time at a Gyu-Kaku. The reservation process was simple and the food was good. I wished it was AYCE, or had an... AYCE option, but still ate a good amount. The only reason I take off a star is because I felt like for how much you pay youshould get a little more. We got the Chef’s Special set (I think that’s what it is called). But between COVID, meat pricesbeing insane right now and having a really nice location, it’s understandable why it seems expensive. All in all it was a goodexperience and I would definitely go back when I’m back in San Diego! Read more
My husband and I have been wanting to experience a restaurant like this for a while and we loved our experience here. Our server... Jennica was absolutely KILLIN IT and made sure we were well taken care of even though it was Friday night and her section washuge. We went big and got the biggest selection within reason for a party of two and it was a lot of food but we didn't leaveuncomfortably full. We will definitely be back! Read more