Beyond Bibimbap
Gyu-Kaku

Gyu-Kaku

510 Gray St, Ste A, 77002, Houston, United States

Meat • Wine • Drinks • Japanese


"Went with my teenage daughter before a Rocket game. Had reservations on a Friday at 4:30–early, right? Well, they were busy and we had to wait 25 min to be seated. Appeared to be a work shift change going on—lots of diners, young couples with kids, and empty or dirty tables. Lots of workers standing around appearing not doing much. Sign of the times with not enough help or not experienced? It appeared to be unorganized, to say the least. When we did get seated, we ordered and were alerted some items may also be out already. Sign of the times? We made some contingency orders just in case. Getting my beer and our food took a long time, but it eventually all came out in rapid succession. Didn’t get all what we ordered, but the contingencies may have confused them. The food was tasty, I must say. I’ve been to Korean style BBQs over many decades, and this Japanese style wasn’t much different. We ended up with various beef dishes, and they were all tender and tasty. Even the vegetables I cooked come out well. We ordered off the lunch menu, as that seemed to be always available, as it has less selections and quantity—just what we wanted—rather than the all you can eat menu for dinner. Can you imagine trying to get subsequent orders? For the quantity we did get and quality of food, it was very reasonable. Would I go back? No. I’ve had much better at other places around Houston (Korean) with much better coordinated service. The service was friendly though. If you’re not in a hurry and doing something in Midtown or Downtown, give it a try, but I think you can do better—so can they."

GyuKaku New York NY East Village

GyuKaku New York NY East Village

34 Cooper SquareNY 10003, New York, United States

Bbq • Full • Wine • Japanese


"Full disclosure: I don't eat much red meat, and the stock and trade of Gyu Kaku is steak. While I don't order the wagyu, rib steak, and filet that fill the tables, cooktops, and bellies at Gyu Kaku locations, what I order is always terrific. Other than the vegetable spring rolls (whose wrapper is not the close to phyllo pastry that exists in traditional spring rolls), resulting in something closer to an overly Americanized item, what I enjoyed on 8/5/23 (served with thoughtfulness and skill by KK and bussed by TJ), was as perfect as I expected. My typical order at Gyu Kaku is the avocado salad (whose Yuzu dressing ought to be licensed and sold a la Rao's sauces and Jeni's ice creams), garlic noodles with chicken, and a sushi roll, which was switched with whatever the spicy tuna on top of fried rice is called. Everyone with whom I've dined who sears their own steak, shrimp, and chicken has been very happy with the results. Were salmon on the menu, and I'm surprised that it's not based on the cooking methodology, I'd likely order fillets or pieces to cook and not my a la carte dishes. Gyu Kaku seasons the dishes well, presents generous portions, and provides high quality meats, poultry, and shrimp. That the restaurant is according to posters throughout the locations the #1 Japanese barbecue franchise in the world is a contradiction to the quality of and care shown to the food. Check it out."

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

400 Lafayette StSte 100, New Orleans, United States

Bbq • Full • Soup • Meat


"My husband and I went to this restaurant (Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in New Orleans tonight. Manager Tony Nguyen refused to honor the $75 gift certificate our daughter had given my husband for his birthday, said their “system” was down. He deducted $55 from our bill as a “courtesy.” I told him that was unacceptable. He said he didn’t like my attitude. He left and CALLED THE POLICE while my husband and I were sitting at the table waiting to pay our corrected bill. NOPD Detective Donald Willyard took time from his busy New Orleans Saturday night and actually SHOWED UP to confront us. Detective Willyard threatened to arrest my husband and me for “stealing,” while we were STANDING THERE attempting to pay our correct bill. Thus ensued a LUDICROUS discussion, in front of other customers and staff. (Note that the disputed amount was $20. Even after explaining the situation to Detective Willyard, he continued to threaten us, and ultimately unlawfully asked for our ID’s so that he could write a summons, which he repeatedly referred to as being “like an arrest.”He took my husband’s license out to his car. He returned ten minutes later, summons book in hand, and said he was going to give us “one last chance” to keep from being given a summons which would be “like an arrest.” I asked him what the summons would be for; he said for not paying our bill, for “theft.” I said BUT WE HAVE LITERALLY BEEN TRYING TO PAY OUR BILL FOR AN HOUR. Then the discussion with Detective Willyard started all over, like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. At this point my husband said, just give me the f’ing bill. Manager Tony Nguyen ran my husband’s credit card for our bill less the $55 “courtesy” credit he gave us as a “favor.” HE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO KEEP OUR $75 gift certificate, stapling it to the credit card receipt that my husband signed, but my husband demanded it back."