Foodie Review: A1 Japanese Steakhouse in Allentown, PA

A1 Japanese Steakhouse
3300 Lehigh Street
Allentown, PA
610-709-0998

Like most Americans, good hibachi is at the top of our list of favorite foods!  So when we came across A1 Japanese Steakhouse in an unusual strip mall location, we had to try it!  If first impressions are everything then A-1 Japanese Steak House  was a mixed bag of first impressions.... the entrance is nicely done when you consider this place is in an aging strip mall.  They kind of did the best they could with the space they had.  So kudos for that.  But when the waitress seated us in thearea surrounding the hibachi I was immediately struck by a strange odor...  the place smelled like fish.  However, a few minutes later a couple who was sitting a few feet away left and their table was cleaned off and the smell went away, so I'll attribute that to whatever they had to eat...  this is not terribly unusual for any Asian influenced restaurants that serve super-fresh food.

Initially service was a little slow, but you have to expect that when you are the first people seated at a hibachi table.  Once he table filled out and we got our order in things started rolling quickly.  Drinks were served, soup and salads were on the table within minutes.  The miso soup was very good if not great.  I finished the bowl very quickly so plus to that course!  The salad with the appropriate gingered dressing was very tasty and chilled just right.

My wife ordered avocado rolls which she enjoyed but she said could have been a little bit colder.

But now.. it was showtime!  Our hibachi grill master entered the scene.  He was courteous and pretty handy with those tools!   He quickly but with the appropriate amount of flair, prepared our food.  All in all, he was fast, friendly with the kids at the table and shared all around with some veggies here and some shrimp there.

My wife had scallops with steamed rice and it was very good.  I had chicken and steak with fried rice and the appropriate vegetables.  Everything tasted just as you think it should and was wonderful!  I can only say that my meal was not only cooked perfectly, but the portion was huge.  We left feeling very satisfied and pleased with our experience.

We will most definitely return to A-1 any time we are in the mood for a flaming good meal!

Overall:
Atmosphere: 4/5 - Everything you'd expect from a good hibachi place, loud but they are flexible about seating.
Service: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

Pros: Great food, solid service, fun hibachi!
Cons: Slow to serve if you are first at the table.  In a strip mall, limited space.
Go Again: You betcha!  Best Hibachi in the area!
Bruce is the author of four books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!