Kanki

Here’s what I just wrote them. Tells it all. Horrible experience.
Cannot begin to express the disgusting way your restaurant ruined the father’s day experience for my family and my son’s.
It all started when your crew failed to open the front door on time despite a large number of patrons waiting with reservations like us.
We had mentioned in the reservation that 3 of the party have shellfish allergies and my daughter in law repeated this when we sat down.
Well, the food was not properly calculated, and the chicken ran out before all were served. The staff promised more, but it never arrived.
Next, the other 2 people at the table (not in our party) ordered SHRIMP, and it was put on the cooking table. Both my son and I began to suffer allergic complications. I, myself had issues breathing and almost went to the Duke urgent care. My son needed Benadryl for his symptoms.
No apology from the server, only a bill.
Asked for the manager. A young lady came, did not apologize and asked what we wanted her to do. Told her it was too late for the chicken and I might need to go to urgent care with a $ 40 co-​pay. She only gave a partial adjustment grudgingly.
I told my son we should just walk out without paying because we were horribly treated. He convinced me to pay.
It did not end there. The server never returned to the table so we went to pay at the front. The clerk said she could not help but a server got it done.

On Sunday, June 19^th, my family and I had 12pm reservations to celebrate Father’s Day. Everything started out pretty well, but it all went down hill by the end of the meal. Father’s Day lunch for my dad and me was ruined. I will never go to Kanki again.
— My wife and I ordered Hibachi steak and chicken. Chef ran out of chicken. He said they would cook it in the back and bring it out. It never came out after about 10 minutes of waiting.
— Wife stopped receiving water refills by the end. She sat with an empty glass.
— Shrimp was cooked right in front of us after the server and chef were notified that several people in our party had shellfish allergies.
— As a result of the fumes from the shrimp being cooked, my father had trouble talking and I had a constant runny nose and sneezing for the next couple of hours.
— Server never apologized.
— Addressed issues with manager who did not seem to care that much. My wife and I were charged for Hibachi steak, though we only received half a portion. Manager said she could not comp the order. Instead, she took one Hibachi steak order off. She also took the Hibachi chicken that my dad had off his bill.
— After receiving new check, the server never came by to pick up my payment using a credit card. I went up front to ask for assistance paying. The person told me, «You can’t pay up here. You have to pay at your table.» I told her the server never came back and asked if Kanki wanted me to pay for the meal. She repeated, «You can’t pay up here.» Another server happen to walk by and processed my payment. I wrote at the top of the check, «Awful experience!!!»
— I tried submitting feedback via Kanki’s website. When I clicked to submit it, an error came up. I tried 3 times. My dad was also unsuccessful from his computer.

The food and service was excellent! Definitely going back soon!

The only positive thing about this location is our chef Omar tried really hard to make us happy even having to leave the table twice to refill water because our server was no where to be found. We waited two hours, there were not enough seats at the table so the staff pulled a small two person table to the side for one of our part to sit at. There were dirty napkins thrown to the side on another corner table behind our table. The server forgot utensils and chopsticks, we were one soup short, our salads came out after our appetizers. I would never go here again, 0 stars is my true rating.

This place sucks. Over priced sub par sushi. Never coming back.
Went with a date to get sushi.
First we were seated at an awkward hibachi grill with multiple other couples sitting awkwardly. We both ordered sushi rolls and actually had to ask to be seated in a different section.
When the rolls arrived they were on one small place and we had to ask for plates. Unprofessional setting.

So… went to lunch with the girls today and arrived at 1:00pm. We opted to wait the «15 – 20 minutes» quoted by the hostess for the next grill seating and have a beer in the bar. The restaurant was busy so this was not a big deal. However, Sis goes up to the hostess stand at 1:35pm, and waits 5 minutes for the hostess to return to ask about the wait time. Hostess then tells Sis that they called our name 3 times (not 1, not 2, but 3) and no one responded (didn’t happen). We were «the next table» and lo and behold, we heard our name called the first time! Not a good start. We then followed the family, that just walked in mind you, to our seats. Three kids, with what appeared to be the Mom, Grandmother and Grandfather. Oh joy. Guess our surprise when the kids turned out to be very sweet and well-​mannered! The chef was child-​oriented and did several tricks to make them laugh (and us) so this turned out to be a non-​issue. We quite enjoyed the show. Took a looooong time to get a beverage, and the waitress was very pleasant but apparently stretched thin, as we didn’t get our to-​go containers and had to ask someone else. Our three orders were all Hibachi, 1-​shrimp, 1-​scallops, 1-​ribeye, and they were all tasty and of ample quantity. Price was high for lunch if not seated at the grill/​show, but appropriate for the entertainment.

Portion sizes have been significantly reduced while the price is still high. Bartenders are inconsistent when making the same house drink. If they crammed one more person at a table, you wouldn’t be able to move your arms to eat your meal, 10 is too many, or use some common sense when seating, no one wants to sit in the rounded corners or about table with no room. We dined with two other couples for Valentines dinner and we unanimously agreed none of us would ever return to this location. Make the trip to Crabtree mall or Durham. Currently on the way to McDonald’s to get a burger, happy Valentines Day to us.

The sushi is always great! I recommend the Zazuki 500 and the Rock and Roll roll. The service is good as well. There is however always a wait time if you go during dinner, for lunch or dinner you can sit upstairs in the noodle bar and order sushi as well, best of both worlds.

It was nice to see this place busy BUT we were told 30 – 45 min wait and it took 90 minutes and we still waited another 45 minutes till they started cooking. So we were in restaurant for 2 hours and 45 minutes. They did give us free appetizers but the damaged was done. Took my daughter there for 15^th birthday. Prices went up and portions came down. Will not be back.

We used to love coming here, but the hostesses and management have gotten bad. Our final visit they told us 30 to 45 minutes to be seated and an hour and a half later we are still waiting. We ask the hostess how much longer, she says she will check and come to the bar to tell us and never comes back. We talk to the manager and she gives us a BS excuse and a fake apology.
Sad. We used to love this place

Excellent service, Ken gave a great show & cooked amazing food! We will be back! :) Very clean and relaxing atmosphere!

Went back to Kanki last night and it was pretty much the same as last time. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table which isn’t too bad but considering there were multiple empty tables in the restaurant, a little odd. I guess they just didn’t have enough staff. Our waiter David was awesome. He was very attentive and we never had to ask for a drink refill. He was always right there with refills. We did have to wait quite awhile for a chef to come to our table (at least 30 minutes after we sat down) but it was worth the wait. He was awesome!!! This is a fun place to go for a special occasion, but definitely not somewhere I’d go on a regular basis because of the prices (they are on the high side).

Over priced, soso taste food and no organization.
We went in and made our way past the bar to two ladies behind a counter, who ignored us for about 4 minutes until we asked if they worked there.
There was too much of a wait for the small area in back with the hibachi show, so we were told we’d get faster service at the other regular seats. However we ignored again while standing waiting for a seat, then we finally asked the manager where to sit. We were told it’s open seating, sit anywhere.
We found a seat in the bar area that stuck out into the mall, which is not too sanitary with people walking by.
The food was dry and over cooked. Had to get a second plate cooked correctly. Second plate was better, until we got the check. No way is that little amount of food worth $ 50 for lunch.
Won’t be back!

Great service well our waitress was super slow but the chef was funny and gave us great laughs sushi could’ve been better but not to bad!

I arrived early and sat at the sushi bar. The place stunk like something had gone bad. There was only one couple there at the sushi bar. The waitress arrived and took my drink order and gave me the menus. She then brought me my drink. I didn’t see her again until I waited 15 minutes for my bill. The sushi chef had to take my order. I ran out of my drink by the time I got my sushi. I had to show frustration to get my bill so I could pay. When the waitress gave me my bill I informed her that I had been out of drink and hadn’t seen her in a long time. She seemed to not care. She was behind the counter most of the time doing something. I couldn’t tell what she was doing.

I like Kanki; it’s overpriced, but it’s yummy and the show is fun. My husband and I came to this location a couple of nights ago. I’d been to this one a few times before, definitely preferred the Crabtree location, but it’s closer. We show up, it’s an hour wait. No big deal, we figured we’d just eat dinner at the bar and skip the show.
First of all, the air in the bar was beyond hot. I don’t know if the AC was broken or what, but it was uncomfortable. We ordered some drinks and some ice waters — the water tasted really off, not good. We placed our food order with the bartender — husband says «I’d like the salad, with steak and with ranch dressing» and I say «I’d like the same, but with chicken and ginger dressing on mine»
So, we were surprised when the bartender brings us a side salad and a soup. I ask him if our dinners come with side salads? He says yes, all dinners come with a soup and a salad. I say, you mean to tell me that an entrée salad comes with a SIDE salad?! Then he looks confused.
Apparently, even though we at no point said «hibachi» he put our order in for hibachi steak and hibachi chicken. He’s like «Oh, you wanted a CHEF salad» — well, guess we should have specified, but there is only one type of entrée salad on the menu.
I just cancelled it and we paid for the drinks and left. He didn’t really say anything more to us about the mix up, just pushed my receipt at me for the 2 $ 7 dollar drinks. We didn’t finish the drinks since it was so terribly hot in there anyway.
Would recommend the Crabtree location if you’re wanting Kanki.

Ok, so this is the same as pretty much any other Japanese steakhouse, but it’s my favorite one out of all of them. The ginger dressing is the kind I dream about, the décor has always been nice, and the food has remained at a constant level of deliciousness over the past 20 years. I ate here the first time to celebrate my kindergarten graduation, and I will never forget how magical it seemed then. This is one of my favorite restaurants, and I will definitely continue to go.

Came for sushi the other night and it was great! Attentive service and I loved everything we ate.

I’ve been to this kanki numerous times and it’s usually good. I’ve been to the one at Crabtree a lot as well. This location is good and convenient. You don’t have to fight for parking and I feel like they have more parking than the other kanki.
Tonight we had the steak kanki and the salmon hibachi. The salmon was really good. The steak honestly was a little bit too well done when I asked for medium, but still good. Also the portion was good and the food came out fast. We didn’t sit at the grill bc we’ve seen the show numerous times already. Last time we came here, the power went out and it was completely dark. They compensated much of the food but still couldn’t say it was a good experience.
Today would have been good except our server was pretty rude. I think her name was cocktail? I don’t think she meant to be rude, that might just be the way she is. I ordered jalapeño as an appetizer. Halfway through my main meal, it still didn’t come out so I inquired about it to make sure she didn’t bring it and not charge us bc we didn’t want it by this point. As soon as I mentioned it she cut me off and said «oh he didn’t bring it?» And then she walks away. I had to call her and let her know that I didn’t want it anymore. She blamed the other guy (who was nice and attentive and I think he wasn’t even a waiter). She was not apologetic or anything. Not even a mere sorry. My wife and I both used to wait tables so we are very understanding. Btw, we were only 1 of the 2 tables she was serving. I would say I tip generously even with mediocre service but I just couldn’t tonight. It’s not a cheap dinner and it can be so easily ruined by incompetent staff. Feel sorry for the owner bc I know I can’t be the only one that had this experience. Easily could be a 5 star restaurant but falls short bc of 1 waitress.

Over the years, I’ve been to Kanki many many times, both to this location and Crabtree, and had a myriad of different experiences. I can happily say that my most recent lunch experience was top-​notch in all aspects… service, quality, entertainment, and value.
If your workday needs a fun break, what a great way to put the worries behind and have a great meal. Our service (thanks to Jennifer) could not have been better. And if you’re lucky enough to have Juan as your Chef, you couldn’t be in better hands! He is the BEST and most entertaining Chef I’ve ever had in a Hibachi venue. He even managed to (finally) win over the child at our table who hardly looked up from whatever game she was playing. (sigh, parents… you bring a child to a restaurant that is ENTERTAINING and don’t even suggest child WATCH the entertainment you’re paying for… sorry, I digress)
TIP: If you like extra flavor, pay a bit extra and get teriyaki style which includes broccoli and sauce. YUM. Really enjoyed the shrimp and chicken combo I got (teriyaki style, of course).
I could literally DRINK the ginger dressing they use on the salad, and seriously are the ginger and white sauces really crack or what? Wash it all down with some green tea, and it’s a great meal full of veggies and tons of rice. So much so, that I took home enough from my one lunch to feed BOTH my husband and myself for dinner as well.
TIP: They do take reservations, even at lunch. Have shown up here without them before and wished I had made ‘em, so I can recommend making them just in case.