Kobe Steaks Japanese Restaurant

I’m so disappointed with this restaurant. Sat for over an hour on a Monday night with a group of 4. Other people who got in after us were sat before us, groups bigger and smaller than us went in before. It wasn’t even crowded and the hostess could not offer us an explanation. They kept on saying 10 more minutes and nothing. We left and they didn’t even offer an apology. Sad because the one in Orlando was so great.

Good points… generous portions, wait staff was very attentive.
Not so good… food was bland, no white dipping sauce for seafood, cost is extra for fried rice, chef was not very interactive.

I think I expected something a bit different. It is a very dated interior but the food was pretty good. No complaints, but it wasn’t anything I would rant and rave about. I’d go back.

A group of us went to Kobe Steaks Japanese Restaurant for a friend’s birthday dinner. Pretty good atmosphere, the drinks were good, (not very strong, but good), and the food was pretty good. Don’t expect the food to be better than any other hibachi place just because they have a fancy décor and charge a little more. To me, it was just as good as any other hibachi place. The staff was nice (even though our waiter seemed like he was a little off…). Overall, I would say that it was good, but nothing special.

If you are thinking of coming with kids, get ready to wait an hour until they start preparing the food. If you are looking for authenticity, you’re not going to find it.

I love this place! I have been coming here for over ten years and every time I come it is absolutely awesome. The atmosphere is fun and the hibachi is a definite must have. Filet and chicken is killer. The prices are reasonable for the quality and every chance I get in the area I will definitely stop in.

This place has been in Nashville for a long time. The décor is very dated and the food is just ok. Waiter was entertaining but we probably won’t be back.

I’d say that over all it was ok. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday, and don’t get me wrong I found everything to be delicious, but we got stuck in the very back of the restaurant (it was freezing), with one other couple, even though the table is set for what line 8 or 9 people. So the cook didn’t really work to make it a show, he kinda made little jokes but it wasn’t like the show they usually put on. (Like really though, he cooked and that was about it) They also forgot my white rice, so I had to ask, didn’t get it until the end of meal, which was a bummer. Over all the food was really good especially the f. steak and honey mustard dressing on the salad, but I find it highly over priced for the quality.

Worst experience I have had at a hibachi restaurant. The service was awful. The cook had no personality. The food was low quality and the entire experience was very disappointing. The place is gross, dirty, dark, and outdated. We found a fly in our soup and the waitress blew it off like no big deal. Simply a disgusting experience. Will never be back and will make sure no one I know does.

Kobe Steaks is a lot like Kobe Bryant, way past their prime and need to stop with some dignity. Why do we all go to Hibachi places? Its not for the amazing deal where you get cheap chicken with cheap rice for an amazing price of $ 28. Its for the SHOW. You pay inflated prices to be entertained. Well our cook was about as exciting as a waffle house line cook. He didnt say 3 words, and he didnt do any of the standard «hibachi 101 tricks». I take that back, we did get a half ass volcano. We did not get the «FLIP A SHRIMP», nor did we get the mickey mouse, the beating heart, the egg crack, the hot sauce squirt. We did not get a single shrmip fly through the air or a cheese joke about how their name is «john». We seriously got a cook that didnt say a word. He cooked like he was working on a flat grill at the back of some cracker barrel or burger king. I made a mistake when he put my steak on the grill and I noticed ¹⁄₃ of it was fat. He started to slice it all up and I asked him not to included the chunk of fat as a good portion of my steak was that. I believe what that must of sounded to him was «Cut my steak into strips and serve it to me» because thats what happened. Have you ever tried to use a chop stick and a spoon to cut your steak so you can eat it? It is even harder than it sounds. They ran out of Budlight at 7:00pm. This place needs to go ahead and close the doors. Just give up. It is hanging on to the «good olé days» that it had. I have a feeling the owners still bask in the glory days and I am sure they have their «best steak house 1995» awards hanging all over their house. The bill came and I was very pleased that for the same price I could of actually had a real steak at a nice steakhouse. If you do go to Kobes, please make sure that Chris Farley Junior waits on you, You will know who I am talking about if you go. If I had to sum up my review it would be DONT GO — NO FLIP A SHRIMP.

What a lovely date night we had this evening! I can’t believe we almost let other people’s reviews sway us from this experience. The food was incredible, our hibachi chef was funny & talented, the drinks were delicious and the waitstaff was friendly and accommodating. As a restaurant owner and foodie myself, I have high expectations when it comes to dining. This met all of them. I ask others to please take the reviews they read on Unilocal with a grain of salt– especially the negative ones from those who are looking for handouts.
Do not pass up dinner at Kobe. The food is fresh and the experience is very pleasant.

This was the worse Hibachi ever! My friend and I joked and called it «hillbilly hibachi». Frozen mixed veggies, egg beaters, shrimp not properly de-​veined. No shrimp sauce? Ketsup sauce instead. My chicken dish was combined with mushrooms. Seemed they wanted to stretch the food as cheap as possible and over charge. If someone enjoys this food, then they never have had good hibachi!

— The filet mignon was bland and overcooked.
— There was an upcharge for fried rice, which our server didn’t mention when she said, «You want fried rice, right?» while taking our order. (Sneaky tactic.)
— Service was painfully slow, even with a reservation. We sat at our table for 30 minutes before a chef came out to start our food.
There are plenty of better dining options in midtown. Go somewhere else.

I wish I could leave zero, and I didn’t even stay for the meal. This was on my birthday, which was mid-​December. I haven’t eaten here in years, but many years ago it was excellent. So, I was hoping the reviews weren’t so accurate, HAHAHA I should know better — my Unilocaler comrades never let me down. I will try to no longer doubt my fellow reviewers. I just always HOPE that whatever business receives multiple negative reviews will pay attention and make the necessary changes.
To begin with, parking was an issue. We walked in to this dark room that absolutely reeked. And, I’m not talking the odor that permeates one’s clothes after eating at a Japanese grill. I’m talking FOUL! It immediately left me with an uneasy feeling about the place and what was to come. Although we had reservations, they sent us to wait in the lounge where we were forced to smell the stench for a solid 15 – 20 minutes. It was so dark, luckily I couldn’t see the inevitable stains on the «loungers»…but, the old décor, nasty smell, and lack of light just gave the place such a seedy feel! I wanted to leave immediately.
So, while waiting, I’m noticing others in this dark lounge, waiting for tables and one in particular that could not be missed due to the loud screams and cries coming from that direction. The child was not a happy camper. The pit in my stomach grew. When they called us to seat us, right after calling the crying child’s family, I privately spoke with the hostesses (2 of them… one seemed to actually be a manager) and made them aware that we weren’t up to be seated with a cryng child. I asked them specifically if they were seating us with that child and they said «no». So, we followed the hostess, and then I see that everyone is being required to take their shoes off. UGH! This place was grossing me out enough… it’s cold, the middle of December, I’m wearing knee high boots and have no desire start trying to yank my knee high boots off only to step all over whatever nastiness covers the various surfaces in there.
But, two in my party forged ahead. Keeping my boots on, I follow UNTIL I see that they are having us sit right next to the crying chld. Thank you, Kobe. What a Happy Birthday to me.
At that, I collected my family and left the table. We went up the road a bit to Flemings and enjoyed an excellent meal!

Ok, I like trying new places. I’m easy-​going, love hibachi grills. As an out-​of-​towner, my boyfriend wanted me to check out his favorite restaurant here, which made it very hard for me to write this review because it’s not a good review, but because it’s his favorite and he has great memories here and I’m not taking that away from his experience. This is my own and it’s directed more towards the establishment itself.
Our drinks were AWESOME so props to the bartender who was super cool. The aesthetic is really nice and stays true to Japanese style. I really liked how it was decorated. It was clean, great atmosphere and the wait staff was really friendly and good.
So why 2 stars? Well, because it seems unfair as a customer and good paying customer too, my combo of filet, scallops, shrimp and chicken was dominated by more vegetables than anything! I kid you not, 3 shrimps and 4 small scallops I counted and the filet was good and so was the chicken. It was a better portion. But quite STINGY on the seafood portion.
I don’t know about you all. I eat at a lot of different types of restaurants from the highest Michelin starred celebrated chef restaurants to other regular standard restaurants to hole in the walls, just ALL types with all calibur, and I was appalled at the portions at this restaurant. The only reason why this combo costed $ 30+ is due to the seafood but it lacked its main star on the plate. I could have ordered just the filet for a bit cheaper but I just had expectations that they would be more generous even on a combo like other hibachi restaurants I’ve been to.
So, it’s the principle of price and quantity. Is it worth the price for this food? Not really. Prices also take into consideration on how much the leasing cost on the entire building and location that this restaurant is connected to and location is what you’re paying for too.
I also found the food to lack flavor and gusto. It was quite bland and mediocre. So complaining to the manager wouldn’t have solved anything because he can’t make my food taste better. I didn’t want more seafood, I didn’t want more of anything. I just couldn’t believe people rated this place so high and were ok with being cheated on portions and not see you’re paying for more than what you actually get.
So overall, if you’re Ok with mediocrity than go to this restaurant. It needs some revamping as far as flavor/​menu and of course portions. Has potential.

I have eaten at Kobe Steaks for years. It has always been a «birthday» celebration location for me and my siblings. Don’t get me wrong, I have eaten here many times other than celebrations.
The truth is every time I have eaten her has been a celebration whether or not we had something to celebrate. The food really is good and consistent. There are other Hibachi places to eat at around Nashville however this one is the original. Kobe has been a staple in Nashville since I was a little boy.
The staff have always been nothing but helpful and courteous.
Over the years I have eaten just about everything on the menu but I tend to order the scallops and filet.
I have never had a bad meal at Kobe.
I did notice on this last trip that they have added items to the menu including Kobe beef. I have eaten true Kobe Beef several times and it really is a special treat. Saying that I would NEVER have someone cook Kobe beef for me and then ruin it by cooking it in soy or teriyaki sauce. If it is your thing, then I won’t fault you. I simply consider it a waste of a prized product to contaminate the flavor by adding to it.
If you have never eaten here or celebrated a birthday then I suggest you do both.
Birthdays are fun, especially for kids. The bring out a candle lit dessert to the person celebrating the birthday and top it off by singing a Japanese «Happy» song.
It is more expensive than going to Denny’s but it is worth it.
Don’t wait until you have something to celebrate to eat here. If you woke up this morning then you have something to celebrate.

I love Japanese and I’ve been to many different Japanese steakhouse and with that said … This place is the worst of them all! The soup was not great and the rice was a lot worse. You have to take off your shoes and walk on a nasty floor. They don’t put on a show and actually really rude! I will never come back here ever again! The prices are ridiculous and not worth it at all!
Btw the bathrooms are disgusting and the only reason they keep the light down low so you can’t see what a nasty place it really is!

Great for birthdays. They take your picture and then somehow airbrush it on a cake by the time dessert rolls around.
Entertaining and pretty decent for hibachi.
Fun for groups!

Always Entertaining!
I’ve been coming here since I was eighteen and have always loved it but now it’s even more exciting. They have a new menu. I love trying new things. Every hibachi chef I have ever had here has been wonderfully entertaining as he prepares the food and tonight wasn’t any different.
I love the new menu! I ordered chicken in white wine sauce that was one of their new items. I always get fried rice instead of white with my dinner. Everything was delicious. When I order the filet it is always so tender and great it was hard not to order it again, but I found a new favorite by trying something different.

Straight off the plane from Kansas City, I was starved for some Asian food. My boyfriend and I were meeting a couple of our friends and they chose this restaurant claiming that it was a lot like Benihana. I was initially hesitant because places that put on a show usually means that the food is pretty mediocre but I figured it couldn’t be that bad. I was surprised by how fancy this place portrayed itself to be. Valet parking and comfortable seats in the waiting area.
My group and I removed out shoes and were led to the dining area. Kobe Steaks does provide the whole Teppanyaki experience complete with the chef doing fancy tricks and the classic onion rings on fire show. However, you’re going to have to pay big bucks for it especially if you want their Kobe beef. My boyfriend went ahead and ordered the Kobe while I stuck to the Filet Mignon. I suggest ordering the smallest size because you’re going to have a lot of sides that come with the steak. You’re going to have to pay extra for the fried rice but it’s worth it since you get enough to feed 2 people. I also really liked the stir fried vegetables, mushrooms, shrimp and bean sprouts that came with my meal but everything is one note. There is no extra or special seasoning at all.
At places like this, one thing that MUST be cooked right is the meat. Thankfully, my filet mignon was cooked to perfection. It was super tender and juicy and delicious with all the sides. My boyfriend’s Kobe was overcooked. What a disappointment considering how expensive it was. Our meal ended with a single scoop of green tea ice cream which was good but nothing special. Overall, a good experience but I wouldn’t repeat is considering that everything was just okay. Fun but my wallet hurts a little. ³⁄₅