101 Bbq Karaoke - El Monte

A group of friends and I went to this restaurant after work and were denied entry. The security guard was very rude, stating that the only way we could come in was if we had a reservation, and the only available time was at 5pm. Despite arriving at 9:30pm, he insisted that we could only make a reservation if we spoke Mandarin. One of our group members did speak Mandarin, but the guard refused to let her communicate with management. She asked the guard three times to speak Mandarin, yet we were still not allowed in. It is unclear why this establishment claims to be open but denies paying customers entry without a reservation, especially when there is no mention of this policy on their website or on Yelp. This behavior felt discriminatory and we plan to take further action by contacting the business bureau and the city of El Monte. As a longtime resident of El Monte, it is disappointing to see a business be unwelcoming to community members and neighboring businesses.

I think this restaurant looks very nice. I just wanted to know how to make a reservation, but no one is answering the phone.

We arrived at midnight and they did not let us in because they said it was closed (although the hours say open til 2am). However, there were a lot of people inside (all Asian) and while we were leaving another group came in. Our group was Hispanic/white so we felt discriminated and certain that is why we were rejected. Unfortunate that they did not take our business.

We ordered sushi rolls, sashimi, and sashimi salad. My sister particularly enjoyed the salad, as the fresh vegetables complemented the rich taste of the fish perfectly. The fish-to-salad ratio was well balanced, and the dressing added a sweet and salty flavor that tied everything together beautifully. Normally, we are not big fans of sashimi because of its aftertaste, but this time it was different. The sweet sauce made the tender fish melt in our mouths, and we couldn't have enough of it. The sushi rolls were also delicious and just the right amount to satisfy our hunger. What truly stood out about this place was the owner's interaction with us. When we arrived, there was no one to greet us, and the restaurant seemed empty. Thankfully, we were able to get a table with the help of an employee. After our meal, the chef/owner came to our table to discuss the food and Japanese cuisine with us. It was more than just a meal; it was a memorable experience. I am giving this restaurant 4 stars because we had to look for someone to seat us, and the menu selection was not very different from other sushi places. However, we shared some ideas with the owner on how to improve this, so more customers could be attracted. Additionally, the restaurant now exclusively serves sushi and sashimi, as they no longer offer BBQ dishes.

AugHorrible service, bad restaurant to visitHorrible restaurant, one of the worst I have visited, poor security service, they only serve you with advance reservations