Benkay

i was reading through the reviews and i noticed that they were all pretty outdated. i'm a regular at benkay (i've been eating there for about 5 years!) and i won't eat sushi anywhere else in portland! i had to ask if there was new management this fall (2009) when i started coming in and things were changing left and right! they added more tables, the waitstaff seemed happier, and the fish of the day list grew longer! i've never had a bad experience with the service or food and actually it seems to get better every time i go to eat there! benkay offers a larger variety of special fish than other places in town and the sushi is always fresh! and for those who don't like fish, like my husband, they have great teriyaki dinners, noodle bowls and tempura meals! they also have THE BEST homemade (pork or tofu) gyozas! benkay never disappoints and talking about it just makes me want to eat there! Pros: variety of fish, great service, friendly atmosphere Cons: can get busy so make reservations on a weekend night! more

We liked this restaurant- we happened to be in Portland and decided to try a sushi restaurant. The food was... more

We liked this restaurant- we happened to be in Portland and decided to try a sushi restaurant. The food was very good and our family was welcomed... more

I have no idea who's writing these reviews but I have eaten at Benkay 20+ times and never had a bad dining experience. If you park on the other side of India Street you will be towed (this did happen to a friend of mine once) but it's not Benkay's parking lot and they have no control over that landlord's towing policy. I'm no sushi connisseour (I haven't had sushi in SF, Japan, NY, etc., etc, blah, blah, blah) but the sushi has always been fresh, the service good and the staff friendly. We have plenty of sushi restaurants Portland and Benkays is arguably one of the best. Pros: MMMMmmm... it's good Cons: Sushi can be pricey more

I did not expect excellent sushi as Portland is a small market, so I was not dissapointed when the sushi was of average taste. However I have been there 2 times now and the owner is incredibly rude. The two times that I have been there it wasn't busy and the owner does not have the deceny to even say thank you on your way out or welcome you on the way in. I will not return to eat avaerage sushi for an owner who does not appreciate my business. Cons: The owner more

There are many fine sushi options in the Greater Porland area...BenKay is NOT one of them. Although the wait staff was friendly, she was overworked so the service was on par with a McD's or Wendy's. The sushi was of average quality, priced on the high side. The restaurant owner was indifferent to our inconvenience. Sorry to say Portland Foodies, I cannot recommend BenKay and maintain my reputation as Portland's best-known food critic. Bon Appetit. more

Was not happy with the food or service. I have eaten Sushi in Japan, San Fran, NY, etc and did not enjoy this experience at all. The manager was really rude and I would not return. Waited too long to be seated and ignored by the wait staff. Will not return. Pros: ? Cons: Bad Service more

Ate there last night with some friends. We dropped 400 bucks on sushi. Parked in their parking lot -They towed our car. The owner tried to blame it on the landlord, but the tow truck guy said that the owner called it in. Needless to say I will never go back to eat there. Overpriced food, the sushi is usually quite good, but everything that happened this night made for a bad experience. They don't care. No offer to pay for the tow, no free meal, nothing. Too bad I paid with cash, or I would chargeback so fast your head would spin. Pros: its a place to eat sushi Cons: they dont care about the customer more

Benkay sushi made us ill. Avoid at all costs. Their fish is not fresh. Don't know if it was E. coli contamination, or intestinal worms, or just poor quality, poorly handled fish, but we will never eat there again. And we've eaten at many sushi places. If you want to stay healthy, steer clear of this place. Pros: Looks deceptively okay Cons: Got sick afterwards more

I am a sushi lover and Benkay is the only place I choose to eat it, unless I make sushi at home. The menu choices have something for everyone, and rock-n-roll sushi is a great value on the weekends. Pros: fresh food, choices, parking Cons: cost, service is ok... more

We have always loved going to Ben Kay. Yes, the service leaves a lot to be desired, but the portions and quality of food is unbeatable! We have brought many friends for their first time sushi experiences here for Rock N Roll Sushi. We even dress for the part with Blacklight markers and hairgel that reacts to the light. Other places in town are great, but for a real experience, check out BenKay!!! Bring a group and sit at the Boat table. Its so worth the time! Pros: Great Portions, Excellent Quality, Great Atmosphere Cons: Service, Sometimes Busy more

My sis and I (both huge sushi fans) brought our mom here for her first sushi-eating experience. TOTAL DISSAPOINTMENT! The sushi was just BAD. The rice was not seasoned correctly, the rolls were completely falling apart, and the tuna sashimi was so unfresh that I was afraid to finish it. Also, there was almost no filling in the rolls - mostly just rice. I was so bummed. You are better off with supermarket sushi. I am totally serious. The service was terrible, but the decor is really nice. Pros: nice decor, not very expensive Cons: bad sushi, very rude waitress more

You know it's good when there's a crowd of people smooshed into the entryway waiting eagerly to be seated. I love Benkay. They have the most generous portions, the best pickled ginger and the coolest sushi chefs in Portland. They've even got a boat-shaped table! I've tried all the other sushi restaurants in town and, no matter how much someone else raves about the competition, I am a firm supporter of Benkay as Portland's Best. Rock 'N Roll Sushi is hilarious. There's no dance floor, but they start spinning a disco ball and turn on a smoke machine and flashing lights. Although, sometimes the Japanese waitresses get a little overwhelmed (a.k.a. stressed out) when it's busy, I've still never been disappointed at Benkay. Pros: Best value, Delicious, Open late Cons: Sometimes crowded, Menu not descriptive more