Kevin and Corey Like Benihana...how does Kobe compare?

[mrzrich]

DH and I had our first experience with Japanese food at Teppan Edo, we liked it, but we had nothing to compare it to.

Now we'd like to venture to Kobe or Benihana on our next trip, but we aren't sure which. How do they compare?

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I have never been to Kobe but I LOOOOOVE Benihana. Way better than Teppan Edo. If you go to Benihana make sure that you get the fried rice - excellent! It's a similar experience - food made at your table but the whole experience is better at Benihana.

That's my two cents.

 

[klam_chowder]

Can you pls post the brochure you got from Benihana on the show notes page? I checked the Benihana website and the info isn't posted there.

We're coming in a day early now and I want to make sure I read the fine print before I haul DH over to the Hilton

cheers,

 

[rtobe]

I have eaten at Teppan Edo, Toyko Dining and my last trip, I wanted to go to Benihanna. Never been to one before. It was better than Teppan Edo as far food and selection. We had one child at the table and the chef made mickey ears out of the rice before finishing up. Was really cute. I think that self parking at the Hilton is validated by Benihanna - remember to bring the paper in. You may need to pay on the way in. Restaurant is in the left corner of Hilton

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm of the opinion that you can not do better than Benihana.

The prices are similar to Teppan Edo but the food quality and quantity are far superior. Also, there are many more choices.

We have been to Kobe twice and both times the question was asked...."why didnt we go to Benihana?"We find the experience and quality much more to our liking.

As for the special at Benihana,,,,,,there was no brochure. It was a xeroxed sheet that I took with me when I left.

Should you choose this option, you must eat in the sushi bar area (our choice anyway) and not at the hibachi table.

Benihana can have a very long wait at times. The Hilton is a convention hotel and the restaurants can get crowded, There is almost never a wait to eat in the sushi bar and almost the entire menu is availbale. Obviously, there are no hibachi tables in the sushi bar area. Your food will be prepared in the kitchen and delivered to your table. We find this preferable as we have seen the onion volcano.

I have provided the info but have no control over the show notes.

If you have specific questions, you might want to call Benihana directly. The phone number is (407) 827-4865 .

 

[klam_chowder]

okie dokie - thx a mint Kevin

cheers,

 

[WebmasterCorey]

I've actually never been to Benihana, yet. Anytime someone mentions the word "sushi" along with "all you can eat", I'm interested. I tried to get Julie to go there yesterday - maybe next week.

 

[klam_chowder]

Just a heads up that the offer is not valid on Fridays. I just phoned them to make a reservation and when I asked if they thought the promo would be running still for our reservation in early May, he said it was only available M-Th.

Since it sounded like Kevin was reading off Benihana's promo sheet (Xeroxed copy), I mentioned that their sheet said Mon-Fri. However, the host said they had nothing that said M-F on it. (Don't worry KK they won't serve you fugu next time you're in I didn't mention where I heard about the promo, etc. )

cheers,

 

[DISNEYNV]

My DH took me to a new Benihana in our area for my birthday and we thought the food was awesome! A little pricey, but worth the trip I always heard Kevin and Corey rave about it on the podcast and when I heard that there was one opening in our area I got soooo excited and told my DH that that is where I want to have my birthday dinner! Thanks guys... It was a great night out. We ate at the hibachi but I will have to go back for sushi...DHs bday is next week... Hhhhmmm

 

[PKK/MJK]

I think you should try Kobe!! Frankly, I FAR prefer it to Benihana. While eating at Benihana about two years ago, our fellow tablemates said we should try Kobe--that it was much better. We took their advice--and we agreed with them--so obviously this is a matter of personal preference. Wherever, hope you have an enjoyable dinner.

 

[Demosthenes]

I think you should try Kobe!! Frankly, I FAR prefer it to Benihana. While eating at Benihana about two years ago, our fellow tablemates said we should try Kobe--that it was much better. We took their advice--and we agreed with them--so obviously this is a matter of personal preference. Wherever, hope you have an enjoyable dinner.

It is all personal opinion, but I feel the same way. Benihana is a nicer] place, but Kobe has more and better food at cheaper prices, without the parking hassle.

The cuts of meat are better at Benihana, though if it is true that a lobster will grow to the size of its tank, then Benihana raises theirs in shot glasses. It's true that at Kobe, the cuts of beef don't seem quite as nice, but they don't cost $30 a serving either (you can get a filet for $18 or so).

The rice is too greasy for me at Benihana (I didn't know you could cook away an entire tub of butter into 10 cups of rice until I went to Benihana), and I don't care for the bean sprouts, so at the end of the meal I have half a plate filled with food that I just don't care to eat. Kobe makes very good rice, and great vegetables (ask them to steam them art the table if you like them to have a little more "crisp"); also, I prefer the dipping sauces at Kobe as well.

I do prefer Benihana's sushi and tempura, but if that is what I'm wanting, I go to Kimono's at the Swan, or the California Grill.

 

[sixbits8]

I love Kobe! Last year on a whim we decided to have Kobe for dinner. We live in Ohio. At 3pm I said "I'm in the mood for Kobe". At 4pm we made Disney hotel reservations and left that night at 11pm. We drove straight there non-stop (except for gas). Had my Kobe dinner and it rocked! Granted bonus disney days didn't hurt. We have a Benihanna near Cleveland and was not impressed, maybe it's better at LBV. I'm a legend at work because I drove about a thousand miles for dinner. The whole trip my kids kept saying "this is crazy"! Maybe I am a little crazy.

 

[Dian-er]

I like Benihanna's too, but have had good experiences at Kobe as well. There are more Kobes in Orlando area & I really think the quality is place specific. I have always gone to the Kobe Buena Vista. It is around the corner from Benihanna's behind Down Town Crossing (go left onto 535, & right at next light, down on right). We have always had good food there.

 

[sixbits8]

That's the same Kobe we always go to. We love the chef that yells "Hey, Hey"!

 

[dkrause19]

I love the Kobe on 192. It is the best I have had. My wife asked Kevin that question on a podcast episode a couple of months ago and he read her e-mail on the show. You should try to find it.

 

[adsrtw]

I can't speak about the Orlando location, but I can talk about the Chicago, Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Indy locations. They are top notch. We have some hibachi restaurants at home, but none compare to Benihana. I have had nothing short of wonderful experiences there. My love for this restaurant started when my dear cousin pulled me out of high school to go on vacation with her (only a few years ago ). I have been hooked ever since. One caution! I would make a reservation.

 

[Jubilee]

We went to the Lake Buena Vista Kobe and had a GREAT time in February for DH and my dad's birthday meal...the mojito wasn't very good but the food was great and the tableside chef made a Mickey head out of fried rice on the grill lol

 

[KaraKW]

I, too, prefer Kobe to Benihana.