Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse

On a recent trip to Wyoming my husband and I stopped at Ichiban in Evanston for lunch.
The positives: the service was friendly and fast. Our waitress was adorable and very helpful. The atmosphere was nice.
The negatives: the sushi was really small and without much flavor. The “grilled” vegetables were actually cooked in a wok and the fried rice while nicely seasoned was oddly soupy. The strangest part was the Thousand Island dressing that accompanied the plate! Perhaps I chose the wrong menu items and will try again on another trip to Evanston.

What a great experience. We stopped here on the way home to Salt Lake City from Grand Teton. I got the tempura shrimp bento box that came with California sushi, rice, soup, and more. It all tasted good - bring an appetite as their serving size was quite large, even for lunch.

If you are going through Evanston on a trip, you should definitely consider dining here. It is a true small town gem of a restaurant.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5

In a place where dining expectations might be modest, Ichiban emerges as a champ. Surrounded by acres of blacktop and an unassuming exterior, the restaurant juxtaposes its exterior with a clean, well-decorated interior.

The menu is familiar American-style Japanese with an array of rolls and signature dishes. A highlight for me was the commendable presentation and quality. A small caveat to my overall satisfaction was the overly salty fried calamari. Despite that, it retained its crispness and flavor.

The staff is not only plentiful but also amiable, efficient, and ever eager to assist.

Ichiban is more than just a pit stop in Evanston; it’s a delight that promises a pleasant surprise. I anticipate my next visit!

Takes FOREVER for a large group (although 35 might be a little too large of a group for ANY restaurant to handle), but I think the food is worth it. about $20-$30 for a combo plate (and you NEED to share, SO MUCH FOOD, drinks about $10-15) Our guy did a great job, they just seem to struggle with large groups, one half of our table was done eating when the other half was barely getting water service. We even had some of our group walk out. We might try the mexican restaurant next year. It's still a fun experience though, and the food is quite good, so you make the decision.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience. Quality food and top notch service were our experience.

The mushroom soup was perfectly balanced with flavors.
The beef, chicken, and vegetable, all cooked tender and juicy.
The salad and avocado were served fresh and unblemished.

For those who consume alcoholic beverages I highly recommend the Fuki Plum Sake, as was recommended to me by our server. Smooth, fragrant, sweet, and a wonderful pairing to the food we ordered... It would also make for a satisfying dessert just on its own.

When passing through Evanston we will definitely eat here again. I can't wait to try other menu items!