Ron of Japan 230 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611

"While we appreciated the two free drinks and the bang bang chicken appetizer because of a problem with our cooktop table not getting enough heat to cook our meals. There was two of us and one other couple at the table. So, mid cooking of our meal, we already had the teppen veggies, and our lobsters, the cook had to go to another table to cook our food. Needless to say, by the time our New York strip steaks and beef fried rice, for which we paid extra, were cooked, it was already 45 minutes after the lobster and veggies, which by this time were barely edible. We paid, with their surcharge, $8.00 shy of $300.00!!! for two shoguns with NY strip steak and the up charge for the beef fried rice and two drinks. We ended up taking the entire steaks home and half of the lobsters. Food was amazing but the whole experience sucked because we could not eat it all together. That’s the experience you look forward to at Ron of Japans. This time you fell very short of our expectations."

"An exciting build up of a “weekend in Chicago” with a reservation at the famous Ron’s left me incredibly disappointed. As the night went on I took quick notes to remind myself specifically why everything fell short. We arrived 30 minutes before our reservation to have a quick drink; ordered the Lychee Martini and it was incredibly sour and tasted BAD. I had to return it back to the bar (one single bartender for the entire restaurant AND waiting/standing room) Once seated in the middle section (chairs, not booth) - the table was awkwardly “too low” so it was a bit uncomfortable.. something about the ergonomics were just “off”? The soup- Reminiscent of chicken noodle soup.. it was very bland. Unfortunately no noodles on menu to order with the hibachi dinner, a staple for me (personally) The salad- heavy mayo based, no ginger, a few bites tasted almost 100% mayo. Thick and oddly sour? Not a criticism for the restaurant but as a “heads up” The regular soy sauce was SO SALTY. We had to ask for the reduced sodium. Fried rice (up charge) was bland and had no spice/taste. It is a hamburger fried rice and just didn’t taste right, including the “harder” than normal regular rice. It was reminiscent of wild grain rice? The vegetables were cooked well, but again, were bland. I decided on the steak and scallops. Both were actually cooked very well, although for the price point the amount of steak and the 2 scallops was a bit underwhelming. The waitress did a really good job at keeping up with her tables and our service, with the only caveat was delay in drink reordering (again, one bartender for the entire restaurant and bar/waiting area) - on a Saturday night. Overall, was meh. I don’t like posting negative reviews but this one had to be discussed."

"Drinks were amazing…food was subpar at best. Beef fried rice was flavorless. My steak was overcooked. Vegetables also lacked flavor. Towards the end of dinner we noticed a water roach crawling across the floor. Overall it is not a place I will be going back to"

"Very cozy atmosphere, and the food was great. Went here with my family, and we had a great time. The light setting was perfect and the guests were very nice. They cook the food right in front of you. I ordered the Crown Combinations. Everyone spoke to everyone. I loved it. I recommend that you go to this place. If you can't find parking, there's a parking garage directly next door to the restaurant and they have valet."

"Ron of Japan just isn't the same as it use to be. Not sure what happened but think twice before wasting your appetite, money and time. Beef fried rice is “ground beef fried rice” so make sure you’re clear on that. Service was just okay and the cook couldn’t be any less entertaining or conversational."