Kona Grill - Kansas City

Review summary

1. L

   LATONYA

   Kansas City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   I visited Kona Grill at 9:30 PM for my birthday, excited to finally try it after wanting to go for over a year. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. I expected an upscale environment based on the photos but found it to be more like a sports bar—not ideal for a special occasion. Despite arriving at 9:30 PM, our appetizer (a salad) didn’t come until after 10 PM, and we didn’t leave until almost midnight. The restaurant wasn’t even busy, with only four tables being served. Our server, Rainy, assured us the food was “coming,” but there was no communication about delays. Instead of addressing the issue, she made empty promises, which became frustrating. I ordered red wine to pair with my steak but was served Moscato without being asked. My steak also came with fries instead of the shrimp and asparagus I expected based on photos. By then, I was too tired to inquire further. Dessert was another issue. I had to repeatedly remind the server about the dessert included in my meal. Despite noting in my reservation that it was my birthday and requesting a birthday dessert, there was no acknowledgment. My daughter even mentioned it to the server, but no effort was made, and I was still charged for dessert I never received. The bill was inconsistent, starting at $68, then $75, and finally almost $100 for a steak and fries, a $21 cheeseburger, a third of a glass of wine, and sparkling water. The manager adjusted the price but didn’t apologize or try to make the situation right. Overall, the lack of communication, poor service, and loud environment made this a regrettable experience. For the price, I expected much better. I will not return and wouldn’t recommend Kona Grill to anyone.
   

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2. H

   Harry

   Kansas City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Wonderful food except the person I as dining with did not have chicken on their chicken sandwich. The server was excellent and resolved it.
   

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3. O

   Olivia

   Kansas City

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   It is KC Restaurant week, wanted to go to Kona for my birthday. It took 35 minutes to get our drinks. 50 minutes to get our appetizers (one from restaurant week menu, one from regular menu) because it was served to the wrong table and the other table took and ate it all. Ordered the Prime Rib and Mashed Potatoes from restaurant week menu. It came out with roasted fingerling potatoes. Had to track down the waitress to ask why it wasn’t what was on the menu, to be told they were out of mashed potatoes. Was told the manager would come by 2 times after the appetizer issue and they never did. They tried to give us someone else’s entree. I watched the table next to us get served someone else’s appetizer, entree and dessert. Waited over 30 minutes for $40 to be taken off the bill and our cheesecake to-go. Was told they were “waiting on To-go boxes” ? We had given up and had our coats on and were about to leave when they finally brought out the cheesecake. Really poor experience and probably won’t return.
   

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4. J

   Jennie

   Kansas City

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   I think it's a great place to lodge and relax. I felt the service wasn't that great. Yet they had a busy floor with it being restaurant week. Our server was very absent and it took 1 1/2 to get our main dish.
   

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5. N

   Nicole

   VIP

   Kansas City

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Extremely long wait times for food. No follow-up service after entrees were delivered. Cold prime rib. Desserts that never made it to the table, even though we ordered them an hour before we ultimately left. The drinks were the high point.
   

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6. H

   Hannah

   Kansas City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We came out for restaurant week! Our server Eric was the best, super kind and attentive. Food was great too. We will definitely be coming back!
   

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7. M

   Melissa

   Kansas City

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was my first time at Kona. We went for restaurant week lunch and loved it! We will be back! The food was fantastic, the drinks were delicious and it was a great way to catch up with friends!
   

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8. A

   Adeel

   Kansas City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Made a reservation during restaurant week and went in with a realistic expectation that they would be busy, and they were. Overheard, it was nearly a whole new staff working that night. My servers first night out of training. He did a great job. They all did…. The food was outstanding, the steak was especially amazing. Thank you for a lovely Birthday dinner, we really enjoyed.
   

   Kona Grill - Kansas CityResponded 5 days ago

   Thanks for visiting us, Adeel! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful birthday dinner at Kona Grill - Kansas City. It's always a pleasure to know that our team made your first night out of training a success. We're glad you enjoyed our food and especially loved the steak. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to your next visit!
   

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9. S

   Samantha

   Kansas City

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was amazing! Service was definitely subpar, took a really long time to get food.
   

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10. J

    Jason

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4

    We had a reservation for 7pm, and still waited almost 40 minutes for our table. We then sat down and waited another 30 minutes for our food. We tried to see if they could offer some table bread or something while we waited, and they declined, saying they were too busy to bring it out. They then informed us that they were out of the appetizer we ordered, when it was only night two of Restaurant Week. So we had to sub for another one. Thankfully, they comped the app, although we had to remind the waitress because it wasn't showing on the check. Three of us got the prime rib and all agreed it was entirely too salty, almost inedible. The poke bowl was the only saving grace for the night, it was a good dish.
    

    Kona Grill - Kansas CityResponded 5 days ago

    Thanks for visiting us, Jason. We're sorry to hear about your experience at Kona Grill - Kansas City. We understand how frustrating it can be to wait for a table and for your meal, especially during peak hours. We apologize for the long wait and the inconvenience caused by our appetizer being unavailable. We also regret that you found the prime rib too salty. Your feedback is invaluable as it helps us improve our offerings and service. We hope you'll give us another chance to impress you in the future.
    

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