Yokoso Japanese Steakhouse

Went here with coworkers. The sushi was pretty good. It’s in a great area with lots to do, so that is always nice! The service was decent, nothing amazing though. We sat at the bar area, so maybe that’s why. I’ll go back, or maybe order take out next time.

Took my 10 year old son there for his birthday. It was awesome, chin our chief was great. Food was really really good, you get a ton of food. Would go there again

My most recent visit to this place pushed it up a notch… but still probably only a 2.5. Here’s the scoop:
The good:
— The location in the waterfront is convenient. I can get some errands done and run over for some sushi.
— Sushi Tsunami Tuesdays — ½ price on rolls
— The picture-​filled sushi menu. They have the specialty rolls listed in the regular menu, but if you need a more complete description, they have a picture version that you can use to better visualize what you are getting.
— The sushi. The rolls are a tad rice-​heavy for me; but other than that, I am always happy with what I order.
The bad:
— The service. With the exception of this last visit, the service is generally very poor. Slow, inattentive, etc. — you always get the impression that they resent being there to wait on people.
— The prices are a tad on high side for what you get.
— The general practice of asking whether you want the wasabi/​ginger dish. This is really only annoying because the service is generally poor. Half the time they forget to ask (and the average person wouldn’t know that it doesn’t come automatically. And if they do remember to ask, they then forget to bring it.
All in all, I still go there (mostly on Tuesdays for ½ priced sushi), but I do get annoyed by the service when I do.

Sushi was great! Laurn L the server was beautiful and great. But the only bad part was if you want the happy hour specials you had to sit at the bar. Most places it doesn’t matter. Everything else was great. Change the the happy hour rule.

I dont even know where to start with this place!
I have been eating here every Tuesday for the last year and a half and have never left less than completely satisfied!
The sushi is honestly the best I have ever tried. Depending on the chef, sometimes the sizes and looks vary, but it is ALWAYS delicious.
The hibachi, the fried rice, the sushi, its all delicious! It can be a little pricey if you dont come for ½ price tuesdays or for lunch, but its worth it!
I recommend it to every one I know and I try to bring new people with me to convert them in to Sushi Tuesday lovers!

Have been coming here for hibachi since they opened. A big fan of the salmon with scallops.
The service: Is a hit or miss depending on who you get. I’m sure it depends on how busy it is as well. Some days I have had excellent service with very friendly servers, and other days I have only had mediocre service. The hostesses tend to be on the grumpier side as well.
The food: Service aside the food has rarely disappointed. My two favorite chefs so far are Harry and Cliff. Both very friendly and talented.

Really disappointed with the sushi. Deep fried rolls were way over fried for sushi and made roll tough to eat. I won’t go back, I’ll go somewhere else. Plus I think it made me sick, the seafood just tasted «old» maybe… not sure how to describe it but it turned my stomach.

Went out with a group of friends for a birthday and while the food was really really really good we had an awful experience. I know they always do the volcano and whatnot with the fire but this guy started off by setting two spatulas on fire and then doing some awesome tricks with them. Well it was cool until he threw one and injured our friend. Our chef threw a flaming spatula at our friend, he was ON FIRE. The worst part of all of this, besides the fact that his arms/​hands and shirt were burnt, was the way the staff handled the situation. Our chef looked annoyed that this happened, as if it were somehow my friends fault. He didn’t offer to help, hell, he didn’t even pick up the spatula (that was still flaming) off the floor. After our shock and us checking to see if our friend was okay, the chef just looks at my friend and says «Sorry about that, buddy» What kind of a response is that??? The manager never came over to check if we were okay, no one offered apologies for what happened, it seemed as if no one even cared if we were okay. I was going to ask to speak with the manager but we decided not to cause a scene. However, I wanted to let people know that this happened because it may happen to you if you get lucky enough!!! I am utterly shocked at the lack of safety and care they showed for their patrons.
Won’t be going back again and hoping that my friends burns heal properly.

I was on a business trip recently and 18 of us went to Yokoso. I eat at Japanese Steakhouses regularly so it was not a new or special experience. We had two chefs (we had two tables next to each other in their own alcove. All of our party had a great time, the chefs were very good and funny and the portions were properly cooked and very generous. The wait staff was also very good. The restaurant itself was clean, nice and properly lit. Could not ask for anything more.

The service is pretty subpar; we ended up walking out. All the way from Manhattan, we thought to try some nice Japanese hibachi in the neighborhood. However, we were met with apathetic staff, that did nothing to even seat us.
The front desk had five hostess/​waitress members who did nothing but stare off into space. When asked multiple times how long it will take to get a seat ready, they replied «just 1 more minute».
The place wasn’t terribly busy, and folks who came after us were even seated before us (though their numbers were less; we were a party of three).
When we let them know we were leaving, they still looked as if they were dazed and out of it.
Thanks for nothing and wasting about 10 – 15 minutes of our time, folks!

My bf was in the mood for sushi but never strays away from his normal place. i decided we should head to waterfront for dinner to change things up. Our server was Ashley and she was seriously an amazing server. Bobby ordered the yum yum roll, lobster cali roll & volcano roll. The only one I tried was the yum yum but it was delicious! Even though we sat at booth seating, i ordered hibachi chicken which of course comes with a salad, soup, chicken, rice, 3 shrimp & veggies. I enjoyed my dinner and couldn’t finish all of it.
For a japenese steakhouse, they play a funny (but entertaining) mix of music. We were seated near the sushi bar but still close to the regular bar. We heard everything from snoop doggs ‘aint nothing but a g thang’, tlc’s ‘no scubs’ & oasis ‘wonderwall’ (what a funny mix)
bobby brought up how he felt the sushi was ‘average’ It was tasty, but the plating could’ve been better. You can have average sushi on an amazing looking plate and get points. I agree, the plating of the sushi was lacking.
What boosted this review up was deff the service & the fact that we had a nice date night overall :)
**½ off sushi on Tuesday

Let me start by saying that the the food is incredible. We did hibachi for dinner. I’ve done hibachi before, and this was hands down the best I’ve tried. The rice was mouthwatering. The shrimp was delectable. So good. We also had enough food left over to take home for 2 more meals, so it is very worth the price.
The reasons for 2 stars less are the service and atmosphere. The atmosphere seemed kind of tense — the employees, especially from the kitchen, seemed to be exhausted and overworked. I witnessed an argument between 2 employees right next to our table that seemed to be, more than anything, fueled by the exhaustion and the tense atmosphere. Also, it took about 15 minutes for the waitress to bring our drinks and food orders. She later apologized, saying that she had to close out 7 separate checks, adding to the feeling that everyone was stretched too thin. Maybe it was just a bad night, but it took a little away from the dinner.
Overall, I’d come back for the food. I’m just hoping for a nice atmosphere the next time, where the employees seem more content.

If you are at the Waterfront and craving sushi, this is the place for you! The sushi is made fresh. You can sit at the sushi bar to eat or at a table. They have a lot to choose from. They even have pictures of everything so you see what you are getting. My two favorites are the Three Rivers Roll and the Polumalu roll.
They also have hibachi here. You can sit at one of the big tables or order it from your table at the sushi area. Sometimes we order both and share. I dislike how loud the hibachi tables get and I wish there was more separation from the sushi area for the nights you just want a quiet dinner.

I’ve eaten here a few times, usually for chicken and shrimp teriyaki off the hibachi but this particular Tuesday I came on a solo mission for half off specialty sushi and I’ve never been more pleased.
I started with the Spider Roll, a combination of of course rice and a seaweed wrap that has soft shell crab tempura, avocado, crab and cucumber add in a little wasabi sauce and eel sauce and you got yourself a combination you never want to stop coming. So much so I was gonna venture off but stayed with this for 3 orders. 15 pieces of sushi and $ 20 later I couldn’t be any happier. The rolls came quick, the bartender served them with a smile and the price well, the price was worth every hard earned cent. For the health conscious keep in mind what I ate was a total of 1000 calories and it surely will keep me full long through the evening. The drinks are a little expensive but that’s the price you pay for convenience at any restaurant. They are always generously made and the beer is always cold. The staff always welcomes me with open arms and throws in any extras you may need without a grunt like pickled ginger, wasabi, lemons and sauces.
I’ve been here before and now that I know about this day of the week I’ll be coming back a bit more often but next time, with lots of people!

Great for a quick bite sitting at the sushi bar for some rolls. Friday nights are hopping being near the theaters. Music included arrested Development and breakfast at tiffanys. Decent selection of saki to get over that. I like the pictorial menu of rolls! Less expensive places for sushi, but the quality overall is better than most, at least for the rolls. Servers seem a bit overextended. Would be great for a casual date, although I’m married, just saying we like it here. My husband said I should mention the rolls are so big, it was hard for me to fit them into my pie hole.

I’ve been here only three times and each time it was on a Tuesday night for the half-​off sushi. Beings that this was only the third time I’ve ever had sushi, I won’t pretend to be a seasoned sushi expert. I know, I should get out more, but I really like the sushi here. And for ten bucks, it’s a delicious treat. I only wish they had a better beer selection.

Consistently good selection and fresh fish with a generous side of mediocre service. Nice bar list including Sapporo on tap, spoiled by waiting at the bar to pay the check with the bar left fully unattended on Saturday night for 10 – 15 minutes.
They had alot of fun local house rolls like a Pitt Panther Roll, Steel City Roll, 3 Rivers, Crosby Roll, Polamalu Roll, and Pirate Roll. When I asked the waiter what their favorite specialty house roll was they recommended the «California Roll». Whoah, slow down wild man! I don’t know if my tastes are that adventurous!
We ordered the Sashimi Platter and Spicy Tuna Tartare which were very fresh and well done when they arrived. There was a long wait and they initially forgot the Tuna. If the service was as good as the sushi I’d give it 5 stars, but as it is, you’ll come for the food, and leave for the service.

Never had the hibachi here, just sushi. Decent sushi and selection. A lot of specialty rolls that cater to the Pitt Panthers, Polamalu, Pirate and Steel City rolls. It’s a little over priced, but most places in the Waterfront are just a bit. They do run specials during the week of half off special rolls which is a deal.
The staff is friendly and accommodating.
It’s not the best sushi in Pittsburgh, but it does the trick.
Alcohol Selections are pretty good with a seasonal on tap. Not sure on happy hour prices.

Terrible! My first and last visit here ever.
Let’s start with the fact that it was my friend’s birthday. It was my husband and me, my bff and her husband. Our main plan for the evening was to head to Sing-​Sing. Due to getting a late start, we decided to stop here for dinner. It was Saturday night after 8pm so not very busy. We were seated outside quickly. Then we waited. And waited. A waitress passed our table 4 or 5 times without a word.
After at least five minutes, the hostess came outside and said that our waiter would be with us shortly, but she could get our drinks. It took her several minutes to bring out all of the drinks, since she didn’t bring them all out together. And I still had to ask for my drink, because she forgot. There is some type of «birthday special» which inclues $ 15 off of a dinner, free cake, and some type of «sparker» and «popper» celebration. And a free gift…“while supplies last”, whatever that means. This is good one week prior or after your actual birthday… pending valid ID. Although the menu also says not valid on Saturdays or holidays, my friend inquires anyways, since it is not at all busy. The hostess says that they will honor the birthday special and that the manager «is really cool and will be fine with it». Fine.
Waiter Joe finally arrives… dude is clueless. My friend’s husband and I get hibachi dinners and my husband and friend get sushi platters. He asks what type of salad dressing we want… ginger or vinegar and oil. All four of us say vinegar and oil, all four come out with ginger. We have to ask the waiter several times for obvious things — Silverware and Napkins, More Drinks, To Take Plates Off Of The Table. You know, things that should come as common knowledge to wait staff.
When our meals come, he brings out one plate of sushi and seems confused, stating that they put all of the sushi on one plate… uh no. We tell him there should be two plates. I mean, two people ordered two separate meals?! He fixes it and returns. Has no idea whose order goes to who… ugh.
At the end of the meal, Joe messes up our checks, putting things my friends ordered on our check. Again, we have to wait for this to get fixed. The worst part is that they automatically put 20% gratuity on the bill. I would not have left this dude a dollar if I had the choice. We waited several minutes to get our change. I actually had to go up to the bar and ask a bartender to find my waiter. Joe obviously cannot count either, he gave us $ 1.50 too much in change. I figured it could come out of his tip…
Here’s the kicker… my friend gets none of this «birthday special»…no free cake, no $ 15 off, nothing. We inquire with Joe, who is still clueless. He has the manager, Jay, come out. My friend explains that, yes, we understand that it is Saturday, however the hostess said that it would be fine. Jay blabbers something about it being Saturday, and they try to exclude Saturdays to drum up business other, less busy days. We state, they are not busy at the moment. And this free cake thing means apparently, according to the manager, that if you bring your own cake, they won’t charge you to plate it. His explanation for the ambiguous script on the menu? «The Japanese can’t explain things well». Oh, okay.
He also says that the birthday special requires four meals to be purchased. Well, there is four of us, we say. He says, no… since they were on separate checks. Jay also says that this is «up the manager’s discretion», but still will not give her the discount.
My friend says, «Okay that’s fine. We just won’t be returning». the manager’s response is…“Have a nice night” and Walks Away!
I cannot even comment on the food… which was fine — not great not terrible — because there were so many other things to distract from the experience. This should have been a nice relaxing dinner with friends and it was blah blah blah.
I won’t speak for the others (although I know their thoughts), but I feel cheated. One of the worst experiences at a restaurant ever. Will. Never. Ever. Ever. Return. You suck Yokoso!

We’ve been here several times, it’s convenient to the movie theater.
Here’s what I love: Plum wine and Squid Salad — never anything but fantastic.
Here’s what is A-​ok: The sushi rolls. Nothing unique, but consistently ok. Also the atmosphere. It’s a pleasant chain.
Here’s the wild card: Service. It’s either fantastic or terrible. Starting with the hostess… who may be warm and friendly or chatting with coworkers or just really, REALLY bored with the whole being-​at-​work situation.
Will we keep going there? Yes… we are movie goers and the Squid Salad is quite good. If Yokoso were in an independent location though…