Alright, someone asked me about Benihana, specifically if it’s expensive. It got me thinking back to a time, maybe a year or two ago, when we actually went.
It was for my nephew’s graduation dinner. The family wanted something a bit special, you know? Not just the usual spot. Someone threw out the name Benihana. I’d heard of it, seen pictures, the whole cooking-at-your-table thing. Sounded fun, especially for a celebration.
So, I took charge of checking it out. Didn’t call, just looked it up online, tried to get a feel for the menu and, yeah, the prices. First glance, I definitely noticed it wasn’t cheap. Like, you see the price for a steak or some shrimp, and it’s higher than most places I’d normally go for Japanese food. Made me pause for a second, gotta admit.
Making the Call
I talked it over with my brother. Said, “Look, it’s not exactly a bargain, but it’s supposed to be an experience, right? The whole show.” We figured, okay, it’s a special occasion, let’s just do it. We weren’t going there for a regular Tuesday night dinner; it was meant to be memorable.
We made the reservation. Getting there, the place had that specific vibe. Lots of groups, families, definitely felt like an ‘event’ destination. We got seated around one of those big flat-top grills with another family.
The Whole Shebang
Then the chef came out. And honestly? That part was pretty cool. The guy was skilled, doing all the tricks – flipping knives, catching shrimp in his hat, the onion volcano thing. It was entertaining, no doubt about it. The kids loved it, adults were chuckling. It definitely breaks the ice and makes it different from just sitting at a table waiting for food.
The food itself? It was good. Cooked right there in front of you. We got a mix of stuff:
- Steak
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Fried rice (tons of it)
- Veggies
It tasted fresh, seasoned well. The portions were decent too. You get soup, salad, the main course… nobody left hungry, that’s for sure.
The Moment of Truth: The Bill
Then came the end of the meal. The bill arrived. And yeah, it reflected the whole experience. It was pricey. Easily double what we might spend at a regular, good-quality restaurant for the same number of people. No two ways about it, it hit the wallet.
So, back to the original question: Is Benihana expensive?
My take? Yes, it is. If you’re just comparing the cost of the food item by item to another restaurant, it’s definitely on the higher end. You’re paying a premium.
BUT, and this is the big but, you’re not just paying for the plate of food. You’re paying for the chef’s performance, the atmosphere, the novelty of having your meal cooked entertainingly right in front of you. It’s dinner and a show rolled into one.
For us, that one time, for that specific celebration? It felt kinda worth it because we were buying the experience. Would I go there regularly just for a casual dinner? Absolutely not. Way too expensive for that, in my book. It’s a ‘special occasion’ kind of place. You go knowing you’re gonna spend more, but you (hopefully) get a memorable time out of it. So yeah, expensive, but the value depends on what you’re looking for.
