Hibachi vs. Hibachi in Huntington
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Posted: 11:08 PM Oct 8, 2008
Hibachi vs. Hibachi in Huntington
Will the real Hibachi please stand up? For years, Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse has operated along Huntington's 4th Avenue with great success. But there's a new game in town -- actually it's just a block away and also called Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse.
Reporter: Carrie Cline
Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Will the real Hibachi please stand up?

For years, Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse has operated along Huntington's 4th Avenue with great success.

But there's a new game in town -- actually it's just a block away and also called Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse. What one restaurant sees as healthy competition, however, the other sees as bad business.

The "Taste of Asia" Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse and Grill restaurant boasts a variety of Asian cuisine.

“We have more than one Asian cuisine; that's why our name is ‘Taste of Asia’ because we've got Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisine and we have hibachi also,” said Michael Cheng, the co-owner of Taste of Asia.

Sushi is also on the menu full-time, with an artistic flair that makes you stop and admire before eating. ‘Taste of Asia’ is located along 3rd Avenue, just a block down from Pullman Square -- promising another shot in the arm to Huntington's downtown.

“It's great," said Huntington Mayor David Felinton. "Downtown Huntington has really picked up over the years, and this is a business that's here because of the excitement. This is one of the most vibrant downtowns for miles."

But, a "taste of Asia" isn't totally unique to Huntington. Just one block away along 4th Avenue, you'll find another Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse -- this one simply called Hibachi. Very similar names, very similar food and it’s already causing some confusion.

“We’ve had numerous calls from customers who think we’ve moved to 3rd Avenue. While a lot of businesses are moving to 3rd Avenue near Pullman Square, we are not,” said Vicki Burd, the general manager of Hibachi.

Hibachi has operated in Huntington for 15 years. It also offers sushi, Chinese and Japanese cuisine, plus the hibachi experience where chefs cook on the grill in front of you. Burd admits she wasn't wild about the new restaurant opening, especially so close to hers.

“We waited until they opened and then we went and tasted their food and we weren’t worried anymore,” Burd said.

Back at Taste of Asia, they'll tell you that even though the names are similar, the two restaurants are very different.

“We focus not on just hibachi, but on fusion food which is why take a lot of pictures of food because there is no Asian fusion restaurant in Huntington," Cheng said.

Felinton said the competition is a good sign.

“There are dozens of restaurants in the style of Applebees and (T.G.I.) Friday's theme, and they always seem to do well and more international cuisine represents a community that's becoming more diverse and has more diverse taste,” he said.

Taste of Asia is the only restaurant in Huntington to offer Thai cuisine.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Heather on Dec 9, 2008 at 10:28 PM

How is there any confusion? One is called Hibachi and the other is called Taste of Asia? How is that any confusion? Hibachi is how they cook their food. It would be like looking at Burger King and McDonald's (both being burger places) but being confused with both because the latter was the original and the first one has what(or in the topic's case how)they cook in it's name. Also, I would like some authentic Mexican and/or Chinese instead of Americanized versions of it in this town.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: ANON on Nov 11, 2008 at 05:19 PM

The one on fourth ave is dirty - Gnats in the air, and the bathrooms are poorly maintained. If the public areas look bad, then u can bet the kitchen does too!
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Rob E on Oct 18, 2008 at 11:26 AM

I used to be a fan of the hibachi but after my incident with the woman manager i refuse to go back. i am amazed that they are even in business. the entire resturant is a complete disaster. the staff with the exception of their manager are nice. the resturant itself is nasty. It has went downhill. I waited with my party of six for over two hours, and i would be okay with that if other parties of 6 didnt get seated before me, but they basically forgot about us. when we did finally get sat, she put us in the front right of the store next to the street and she *the manager* ended up being our server. well that was after we waited another 45 mins on DRINKS!!! so approached the table and was completey rude and said told us she would take our order. once we told her we werent there to cause any trouble or be mean, she then stated " Listen i dont have time for you, what do you want to eat." At that point in the evening i proceeded to get up with my party and leave. not enough room to finishthis
[ Report Abuse ]
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