Yana Bigos
Google
Having enjoyed Gyu-Kaku's interactive Japanese BBQ experience at other locations, we arrived at the 3rd Avenue spot with high expectations. A quick note for future diners: this location is on the second floor, and I didn't spot an elevator, so plan accordingly. Our visit started with a minor mix-up—I'd accidentally booked this location instead of our usual Midtown favorite.
We arrived around 5 PM, and the restaurant wasn't overly crowded, so we were seated promptly. My initial impression wasn't the best regarding cleanliness. Our table felt slightly sticky, and there was visible dirt on the floor and window we were siting next to, suggesting the place could use a thorough upgrade and a bit more attention to tidiness.
Despite this, we decided to stay, as the allure of Gyu-Kaku's interactive dining experience is strong. For first-timers, navigating the menu can be a bit of a learning curve. It's tiered, with each tier offering a different selection of meats and other dishes. As a party of three, and with everyone quite hungry, we ambitiously opted for the "for 4 people" set menu. Let me tell you, they were not kidding about the portions! It was an absolute mountain of food, easily enough for six people. We ended up cooking everything and happily took a significant amount of leftovers home.
On the beverage front, I tried their Lychee Mojito (if I recall the name correctly), and it was genuinely delicious – a refreshing complement to the rich food. All the food was super fresh and delicious. My two teens loved grilling their own food. The staff gives instructions on how long to grill each piece of meat for.
While we are big fans of the Gyu-Kaku concept and will definitely be returning to the chain, this specific location likely won't be our first choice next time.