Wakamono: User Reviews

Good sushi but getting it is a nightmare
By badmikeyt from E Lakeview, May 7, 2008

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First of all, being a native west coast'er, I have pretty high expectations of sushi joints. Wakamono has a pretty good menu and (believe it or not) the prices are actually pretty good as well.

The problem is actually getting to the table and getting a decent server. The host/hostess staff is almost always borderline hostile, which makes a horrible first impression. There's very little room for those waiting for tables, so if you happen to get there and there's a wait, you're pretty screwed.

The wait staff is only just barely competent, and if you try and split a large bill with multiple cards (which is standard in this day and age) you'll be met with their "2 cards per check" rule. Now, we can put a freakin' man on the moon, why the hell can't restaurants figure out how to either create multiple checks for one table or hire servers who are adept at simple mathematics?

Since it's only a few blocks away, I really wanted this to become my default sushi spot in Lakeview, but if half of your dining out equation is good service and a good atmosphere, Wakamono has failed to deliver in this area on multiple visits. They do have a takeout menu and deliver, so I'd recommend taking that route if you want good sushi but don't want it ruined by their subpar dining in experience.

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So disappointing
By angiegirl45 from Wrigleyville, April 8, 2008

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Wakamono turned out just to be a terrible disappointment to my friends and I. We had planned the evening for over a month excited to celebrate a girls night out. But the staff treated us with disrespect by informing us they did not want us to ever come back (actually said those words) and threw us out immediately after we paid our bill. I'll stick to Coast when I want BYOB sushi from now on.

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wonderful service
By mike from lakeview, February 20, 2008

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i went to Wakamono for the first time and it was a delightful experience. The food was great and the staff was very informative. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and try the delicious food. You'll be amazed at the ambiance.

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Awful.
By mgoblue from Ann Arbor, January 23, 2008

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I went to Wakamono recently and have never been treated so poorly in my life. The wait staff harassed our party and told us to leave after paying our large bill for a party of 8. I would never recommend this place, I'm sure there are many other good sushi restaurants with much better service. Extremely rude and horrible experience overall. Don't waste your time!

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Awful management and Disrespectful service
By brianfoodcritic from Lakeview, January 23, 2008

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There are too many other great sushi places in Chicago to waste your time with this place. The sushi was ok, atmosphere was also pretty good, but Wakamono has honestly the worst service I have ever experienced (in Chicago or elsewhere). Wait staff was begrudgingly accommodating, incommunicative, and extremely rude to my group. On top of that, they tacked on a 22% gratuity before tax for my party of 6 or more. I would not recommend anyone go here and would actually go out of my way to steer people away from this establishment. Don’t waste your time!

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WAKAMONO HATES KIDS!
By purplerogue from East Lakeview, January 5, 2008

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FYI to all East Lakeview parents, the Wakamono sushi restaurant recently confronted myself and another mother with our young 5 yrs old daughters and told us in a VERY rude manner that kids aren't welcome at Wakamono. This happened early in the evening too when the place was practically empty and before we even looked at the menus! Considering the fact that the Nettelhorst Elementary School is only a half block away from Wakamono, it is ridiculous that Wakamono would take such a family-hostile attitude. The other mother who got treated so rudely used to go there all the time on her own but now that they have made it clear that Wakamono hates kids, she's never going back. And neither is everyone I know. Families are a part of the East Lakeview neighborhood like everyone else. And many parents here love going out to all the local restaurants. It is outrageous that Wakamono treats us with such animosity in our own neighborhood, just down the street from our homes and across the street from our schools. There are many great sushi places in Lakeview, there is no need to patronize a place that is so rude, unfriendly, hateful, and hurtful to the families of East Lakeview. Shame on you, Wakamono!

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Extremely Bad Service
By LakeviewLassie from Lakeview , December 14, 2007

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This place has great sushi -- but the service is not great. The last time we went the waitress served the appetizer with our meal, forgot to bring us our wine, we had to ask for the check and then harassed us about the low tip. I'd recommend getting take out.

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The Best!
By ec_guru from Lakeview, November 20, 2007

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If you visited Wakamono when it was very small, you owe it to yourself to try it again. The space is now much larger and the food is fantastic (not to mention the company). Do yourself a favor and try the unique Tuna Dip appetizer--it is fan-tastic!

I recommend pairing a nice BYOB bottle of Champagne with your tasty and reasonable dinner...

Enjoy!

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I've been Wakamono twice. I...
By atomicscott from Chicago, IL, August 22, 2007

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I've been Wakamono twice. I have no complaints with the service and I think that the small storefront restaurant looks beautiful. The first time I disappointed in the food, but my partner thought it was a good value. I gave it a second try last week--treating my 16 year old niece to her first sushi experience. The vegetable tempura was limp; the maki rolls were mushy and the sushi did not taste particularly fresh. Not a great impression to leave with a first timer to sushi. I doubt that I will be back very soon--there are too many good sushi restaurants in Chicago to bother with this one.