Waba Grill Teriyaki House

Waba was a fantastic lil’ Teriyaki joint offering fresh food, healthy choices and really stronger offerings, but… they appear to have been closed. The sign was down and the windows have gone dark. We tried calling the number to ask what’s going on but the line has disconnected.
Waba has closed. It will definitely be missed.

Dropped by for an early lunch since they are the only ones on their block open at 10:30am!
The good news is that they are pretty cheap. The bad news is that the food reflects their pricing. I had the chicken and steak teriyaki combo over rice in a bowl. Both meats were dry (I saw it coming as I observed the male cook torture the meat against the cooking surface), and the only flavor came from the teriyaki sauce which they pump out of a gallon drum. Incidentally, they have an extra sauce drum on the counter in case you need more to liven the food up a little.
Not terrible, but you get what you pay for.

It looks like this place has found its groove!
I am now a fan of Waba, but it really does depend on who you get working there. I found when the guy are working, that is when you get a good sized portion for what is appropriate for the price of the meal. The women I’ve found are really stingy when it comes to the meat and rice, so much so that it doesn’t feel like a complete meal when you are paying ~$ 9. My go-​to is the chicken plate with all white meat chicken and brown rice.
Regardless, the flavor is really great and no one has a better teriyaki sauce. They should consider selling this stuff by the bottle!

TIme for an update. We’ve been here several times already usually for the Teriyaki chicken bowl and I’m still a fan. Great value. I kind of feel there could be more chicken but then again the price is just right.
We usually hit up Costco on the same visit to Waba, and one day I accidentally learned that the chopped white onions at Costco’s little pizzeria /​eatery goes quite well with the Waba rice bowls!!! Highly recommend giving it a try.
Also noticed on my last visit, that they have the squirt bottles of Teriyaki sauce everywhere, so if your Teriyaki chicken is not sweet enough, you can knock yourself out with more!!!
The staff is very cordial and helpful. Even met the owner one day as he was making sure everyone was happy with their meals. Very nice personable guy.

Food was good and seemed healthy. I like how they don’t use oils to cook their food. Staff was friendly and nice. restaurant was clean as well.
Food tasted good, but not $ ⁸⁄₉ a person good. It is very similar to the japanese hibachi places in the mall where you can get the same food/​quantity for about $ 5.
I wouldn’t go again unless i was in the area and starving. even though I would probably just go next door to Chipotle.