Always a great spot, if you come with a large group they will give you a gluten free table. Soup is not GF but for salad they will bring you different dressing. They can make all the meats and fish GF and fried rice GF kids love it. If at a table with other parties have them make your food in the back
My family and I are all Celiacs and we’re excited that Benihanas was on the list but let me warn you!! This place IS NOT GLUTEN FRIENDLY. They have GF soy sauce and will prepare GF foods separately, while they remember it. But mid way through the chef started messing up and gave us the not GF fried rice and a few other staples. We had to watch him like a hawk and kept reminding him or asking him if that sauce was GF. It was not relaxing and at the end of it all my mother and I pretty much immediately felt awful. Bloating and gas, among other things, not a fun way to end the night.
I was a little nervous coming here with my group of friends. When we sat down, I told our waitress I was celiac and she provided me with a GF menu. There were many options on the menu to my surprise. The rest of the table ordered gluten full orders but our chef took extra care of my food. He made all my food first before making/ touching any of the gluten full orders. Great food, experience, and I did not get sick.
Was nervous to try hibachi since being dx’d CD. Benihana did not disappoint. I know everyone’s level of comfort is different, so I’ll share the good, bad and questionable so you can decide for yourself. For me, this is a place I’ll come back, felt safe and did not get sick.
(1) made my meal with GF soy sauce—clearly labeled. In fact entire table got GF soy sauce and didn’t know. Ha. But maybe that was just our experience.
(2) can’t have the standard salad or the soup. The ginger dressing is my FAVE pre-CD. So I was sad. But the one they brought me was bare and I simply dressed it with olive oil and rice vinegar. It was very yum. Burned prob bring my own GF ginger dressing next time.
(3) sauces (other than GF soy) prob not GF. But didn’t ask. Certainly no teriyaki sauce. But the mustard and ginger dip sauces. They still gave them to me. But I didn’t use them because I didn’t know and didn’t ask.
(4) cooktop. It is what it is. If you’re concerned about prior cooks with gluten and no way to “sanitize”—then this place prob not for you. I thought about it and took the risk. Did not get sick. But know that’s not the only way to tell.
(5) other customer ordered noodles. It was cooked to the side and sis not touch my food. My chicken was prepared first. But the veggies were prepared later. So I saw the cook utensil toss the noodles then move to the veg. Again, calculated risk I took. You may not want to do that.
(6) cooked with everyone else’s. Did not give me an option to “cook in the back” but did not press for it.
(7) no garlic butter in the hibachi rice. š I’m sure they mixed it with non-GF soy before it was prepared. But my rice was YUM.
I would definitely return. But you have to decide if you’re ok with it for yourself.
I have eaten here before but this was the 1st time since being GF. There is a Gluten Sensitive/Vegan/Vegetarian/Keto menu you can view online. I called the day before and told them I need to eat GF. The person noted it on my reservation and said to let the server know when you arrive. The server was aware I needed to eat GF and answered my questions. The chef cooks your food in front of you and I was happy to see how careful he was. My pre-cooked food was on a separate platter and he cooked my food 1st on one side of the grill then everyone else. He used GF soy sauce. The food was delicious and I had a great experience!
Food is ok; the free pre-meal salads were still icy. Chef came out to ask if we actually had celiac or were folks who just said that but actually don’t like gluten or something. Promised to be dutiful about cleaning beforehand and keeping things separate but didn’t seem confident that everything would be celiac safe.
I’ve only recently been diagnosed, so I’m no expert yet, but they seemed very good at making sure everything I was having was gluten-free. I let them know I couldn’t have gluten when I initially ordered.
Since I ordered a main (which includes several different dishes), the server made my soup without the fried onion (as the fryer wouldn’t be gluten-free) and made my salad without the usual dressing and instead gave me a lemon to drizzle on it. She explained each of these things as she gave them to me.
The chef then used gluten-free soya sauce in order to cook for the whole table, so there wouldn’t be a chance of cross-contamination. The people I was eating with were given sauces that he made sure I was aware I couldn’t try, and instead he gave me some more gluten-free soya sauce I could use to dip food in.
The food was very good, and I’m glad they managed to accommodate my needs so easily.
Super accommodating! They made all of my food first and with gluten free soy sauce. The soup isn’t gluten free so they got me double salad. I got chicken, steak, shrimp, and fried rice and it was all pretty dang delicious. The ice cream was also great. The only issue is that the service for the rest of the party will be slow since your food will be cooked first.
I did have a meal that was questionable. It was very difficult getting answers about gluten in certain things. There is a high level of probability for cross contamination. I would not eat here if you are celiac. As an intolerant person, I am worried I may be sick later. My dinner was lacking flavor due to no seasoning. They have gf soy sauce but just give it to you on the side.
This place was so good! They did have a gluten free menu, though if you come here I strongly urge you to be on top of advocating for yourself. The waiter wasn’t aware of what gluten was and I had to ask the waiter to check if the miso brought to me was actually gluten free(it wasn’t). However, when the chef came out he clearly knew what he was doing, he asked how severe my allergy was and did my meal first so there was no cross contamination.
Most of the food grilled table side at Benihana’s is naturally gluten-free. Avoid the teriyaki. They offer tamari in place of soy sauce. The soup appetizer was not GF, so I got double salad with vinegar and oil. For my entrée, I had grilled shrimp and chicken, zucchini and onions, and steamed rice. Delicious, and I was able to eat most of the same things as my gluten eating friends. I made an advance reservation and noted that I was celiac, and they were careful for my entire experience.
Called ahead and was told they have gluten free options and would make my food first on a clean grill to be sure there’s no contamination. Asked again at the host desk and the server and they all said the same. I told the chef and he seemed pretty nonchalant about it. He started cooking everyone’s rice and laid down soy sauce. I pointed out that I now can’t have anything cooked there. He seemed confused. I asked if they could make my food in the back he said no but he could clean the grill and make mine before everyone else’s. He sort of cleaned it but didn’t clean the edges and seemed confused and annoyed like he had no idea what protocol was. It prob varies greatly depending on the chef you have but I felt very unsafe uncomfortable and like I was burdening the chef would not recommend as a safe location
I would leave zero stars if I could. Tha manager came over when. I didn't want to eat when the chef who has been given GF soy covered all the food in the non GF. We were at a shared table and I didn't want to make a fuss she really embarrassed me They do not understand celiac here so not go!
Updated AUG 2024 They got rid of the separate kitchen, recently revisited with my partner and everything "Gluten free" was cooked on a different side of the grilled, shared spatulas and all. Would not eat here again. Makes me really sad, I don't know why they changed that
My family had been a regular Benihana family prior to my celiac diagnosis. I wanted to try it out once to see if it’s even a possibility for me ever again. We went early for lunch (11:30) and it wasn’t busy yet.
I talked to the hostesses and got the lifestyle menu. The first thing our server asked was about allergies. Another person at our table had a shellfish and msg allergy. They cooked his stuff safely the way he requested it.
I got edamame, a Philly roll and the gf friend rice. I asked for it to be cooked in back. I also got a bottle of Kikoman’s gf soy sauce to use. I was relieved it was labeled clearly.
I was nervous the whole time (but that fried rice is so good) and did not have a reaction. I was worried for sure. I’m happy that my family can still enjoy this place and I can eat there too.
When it comes to finding gluten free Asian food, restaurants that understand gluten and have safe options can be hard to come by. Benihana has taken care of me every single time. The waiters are knowledgeable about sushi options and hibachi meals as well. Hibachi can be absolutely gluten free, except for the sauces. The salad is gluten free without the ginger dressing and the soup is not gluten free, but their fried rice is the best in town.
Do not go here. They have a gf menu but terrible practices. They refused to make my meal in the kitchen and insisted that it is made at hibachi table. I told the waitress that I am concerned that the regular soy sauce will contaminate my food. She said “no it won’t” I was trying not to make a scene bc I was there for a birthday party. It is impossible to prevent cross contamination at table. The wait staff is not knowledgeable about safe gf practices let alone celiac.
Despite the poor ratings, I had a very good experience here! I informed the staff of my Celiac Disease and reiterated it throughout the evening. The waiter, manager and cook all explained how they would prepare my food first on the clean grill and used tamari. I enjoyed a full meal of chicken and fried rice. It’s 2 days later and I had no issues besides being stuffed when we left. That’s actually a great feeling for us Celiacs!
Not much was celiac-safe (I wouldn’t trust the hibachi, waitress didn’t trust the sushi), but I was able to have edamame, salad (with only lemon juice), rice with GF soy sauce, and vanilla ice cream. I felt like the waitress was very attentive and made me feel like she was well informed and I was well taken care of. Was fun to be able to participate to some degree.
Not safe at all. The chef knew about gluten but server did not. Although chef knew, he spilled regular soy sauce on flat grill and wiped it up (sort of) with a rag and proceeded to then wipe the rest of the grill with same rag. I should have walked out then...he did cook gf items first and separate but I was just stressed about the rag incident the entire time. Server did not understand gf and had to keep asking and then she brought me the regular spicy orange sauce for my protein and not the gf one (they look almost exactly the same except gluten sauce is spicy), the chef could smell the spice from across the table and luckily stopped me from eating it. I don't plan to go back, it was extremely chaotic and did not feel clean at all there. I've been to other benihanas, this was definitely the worst and people at our table said it used to be nice but has gone downhill in past few years.
The restaurant said they understood what Celiac was, and at the beginning they were great. The Server catered towards my needs well. The soup and salad both had gluten, so for the hibachi dinner he let me sub Edamame instead (and it was a lot!). The sashimi always great too. I asked that they cook the food in the back and they didn’t. The cleaned the cooktop off really well (which I’m new so I’m not sure how safe that is) and cooked almost all of my food first. The chicken fried rice and the scallops in front of me using gluten free soy sauce. It was after this things got a bit bad. He cooked the rice and main dish for everyone else (for Hibachi) then when he cooked the veggies and shrimp (even though he sorta cleaned off the stovetop, he tried to put the soy sauce free veggies on my plate (I said no) and he put the shrimp on my plate with the regular soy sauce on it. Thankfully I was full at that point but made me really uncomfortable. I’m new to Celiac but I know that’s bad. So experience was so/so.
NOT celiac safe!! Willing to make the food gluten free and use gluten free soy sauce but everything is cooked on the same stove and they use the same spatula for everything. Definitely got at least cross contaminated because i have major brain fog now, no stomach pain yet thank goodness. Would be great for someone who’s just gluten free but if you have an allergy i would avoid it.
The waitress really knew her stuff when it came to things I could and couldn’t have. I felt safe with consuming food here. The chef did my rice first before everyone else’s. They are very accommodating when you let them know you are gluten free. They do have a gluten free menu!
Spoke with the manager on the phone and while they offer gluten free and are very educated, he recommended not eating here if you have celiac because so much of the ingredient prep happens in a shared space. He was supportive of me bringing my own food into the restaurant, but I ended up just having a drink. Glad the manager was so educated to say it likely isn’t celiac safe, especially if you come in a few hours after opening when they have been prepping stuff for a while
Being a teppanyaki restaurant, you have full control of what’s being served to you. You can bring in your own condiments to cook the food with, chief among them being your bottle of GF soy sauce as they do not have it here unlike in the US restaurants (tip: I buy mine at Foodie grocery store here in Panama). The chefs I have dealt with have all been kind and understanding in making adjustments based on food intolerances. Shout out to Algemiro, Keiban (idk if I spelt correctly), and John. Those are my go-to chefs but there could be others too.
We used to drive all the way to Coral Springs to enjoy this place, so glad they added this location. They have gluten free soy sauce & many options. We love to come here for special occasions. Haven’t gotten a bellyache either. I always ask if our entire table can do gluten free just to be extra careful. They can do your fried rice in a pan in the kitchen for extra caution. Great job guys š
They ask about allergies, so two of us told the server of ours. The soup came out I would have assumed it was good to go but luckily our friend double checked and it is not gluten free. Why ask about allergies if you’re going to try to serve me exactly what I can’t have?? Almost had a really rough weekend
š GLUTENED ME š
I called ahead before making a reservation here, they assured me they had a gluten free menu and could accommodate. We arrived for our dinner reservation and I checked again. Yes, they assured me they had gluten free. I ordered gluten free Hibachi and stressed I was Celiac and that this was NOT just a dietary “preference.” We didn’t even get to the “meal” …
They brought me out the salad after we ordered and I asked if this was the gluten free one. They said yes. I began eating the salad and about 5 mins later the waitress comes out and nonchalantly says “oh this is actually the gluten free salad, the one I brought before has gluten” — I am already halfway done with it and am now ready to cry. I tell her that I’m going to be so sick — my husband got up to speak with the manager, and we left.
I’m so angry and SO sick.
DO NOT TRUST THEM HERE - they Glutened me so badly even after assuring me what they had brought me was gluten free ā¤š©¹šš¤¢š¤šµ
I’ve been going here at least once a year for the past 6 years and never been glutened. The servers and chefs have all been very knowledgeable. Once they made my food separately in the back and brought it out, but usually they will clean the shared surface then make my portion first using gf soy sauce and making substitutions as needed. The side salad dressing has gluten, so they bring me oil and vinegar. I get an extra portion of salad instead of the side soup (which has gluten), and then I order the tofu dish, which they make with a gf soy sauce as the typical sauce used also has gluten. Everyone knows you come for the fried rice though and it does not disappoint. They have to omit the garlic butter and use gf soy sauce of course, but staff has always been so nice and accommodating. I was hesitant about eating from the shared cooking surface when I typically avoid cast-iron pans and wood cutting boards since I’m very sensitive and those have contaminated me before, but like I said, I’ve never gotten sick here so the high temperature cleaning seems to work
We did hibachi, and I cannot express how safe I felt eating here. All of my food was cooked before adding regular soy sauce to anything. I was able to enjoy all of my favorite things! The salad dressing and the fried onions in the soup were the only things I couldn’t have from the hibachi menu. Both the server and the hibachi chef were kind and thoughtful. Definitely coming back for the next special occasion!
I let our server know that I had celiac disease and could not consumer gluten in any manner. She went a got a manager, who promptly brought out a gluten free menu (I already had it on my phone), a bottle of GF soy sauce and verified that what I was order was GF and would be cooked in the back to avoid any cross contamination.
The food was wonderful, manager returned to make sure everything was right and handled correctly.
They took my celiac very seriously and said they treat gluten allergies and celiac just as careful as a shellfish allergy. They were very knowledgeable about what items are gluten free or could be made to be gluten free and what items couldn't. They were able to make me gluten and dairy free fried rice, habachi chicken and vegtables all using clean utensils and cooking space. They also cleaned their supplies to make me the most delicious California rolls that would not have any cross-contamination! I am an extreamly sensitive celiac and I was very pleased with how careful they are here!! I even got to-go food here and everything was very carefully separated and marked with "Gluten Sensitive" stickers!
Good experience. Knowledgeable about Celiac and other allergies and sensitivities. Cooked my food first on clean hibachi before cooking everyone else's. Was able to have salad with oil and vinegar and edamame (delicious). They provided GF soy sauce. Accommodated gluten and dairy allergy and allium sensitivity. Felt safe.
Terrible. Service was bad and safety was bad. š„¹ We had a 430 reservations and weren't seated until 530. The man taking our order knew absolutely nothing about gluten free items. I explained to him I have an "allergy" and cannot consume any gluten under any circumstance. He proceeded to serve me with 2 gluten items: their soup (has gluten) and salad (contains gluten). Thankfully I had scoped out their menu in advance and knew this. The chef forgot to make my rice GF so I didn't get to eat them. Ordered the GF chicken. Almost immediately after eating the stomach ache began and I knew I was in trouble. Save yourself the pain and do not eat here. Run!