Restaurant Review: Bonzai Garden in San Angelo, Texas

For a long time in San Angelo there was only one Japanese steakhouse in town. Ichiban has always been a popular place, but there is now a new game in town when it comes to a good hibachi grill. Bonsai Garden opened last year in San Angelo and has been very popular since opening.

The main benefit it has over Ichiban is the fact that you don't have to make reservations. You can just show up and eat. Bonsai Garden is located at the old Golden Corral building on Knickerbocker across the street from San Angelo Stadium.

Atmosphere

Bonsai Garden has a nice atmosphere. The first thing you notice when driving up is the sign, which is in a font that is actually pretty hard to read. The inside is quite nice, and there are quite a few hibachi grills.

Menu

The menu offerings at Bonsai Garden are basically the same as Ichiban, as are the prices. Most of the entrees range from about $10 if you just order the chicken, to closer to $15 if you want shrimp or steak. A dinner entrée comes with a clear soup, a salad with ginger dressing, and a shrimp appetizer (which is one large piece of shrimp).

I decided to order the teriyaki chicken and shrimp on my last visit. The soup and salad are pretty good. I love the ginger sauce Japanese steakhouses offer, and the chicken, shrimp, fried rice, and vegetables were all fantastic. I simply love these hibachi grill restaurants.

My dinner companion loved it as well. She also ordered the chicken and shrimp.

"The food and service is great. I think it's even better than Ichiban," she said.

Service

The service at Bonsai Garden is very good. The waiters are nice and helpful, and the cooks are great as well. I've actually had the same cook on both my visits to Bonsai Garden. He was very friendly and did a great job cooking as well. He's great with kids as well. When he is done cooking, he tries to flip a shrimp in the mouth of a few kids. His aim is pretty good. My last trip I even got to try to catch a shrimp. Unfortunately his aim was off that time and it bounced off my shoulder.

Conclusion