The Backhouse

I’m not a regular but been here a few times. I had to write this negative review due to a recent incident. I treated a friend to her belated bday dinner. We sat by the bar. The bartender (not going to call out his name) informed us that it’s still happy hour. We ordered and ate. My friend and I had years of catching up to do. I wasn’t paying much attention to the bill as we were in the midst of a serious chat and without thinking I signed off a 3 digit bill. After I left, I realized something was wrong. We arrived at 6:10pm. Happy hour ended at 7pm. The bill was inputted at 7:26pm at a full rate per item. This is the first time I’ve dealt with such a dishonest bartender and I generally place all my trust in bartenders. I’m not a cheapskate and I’m always a big tipper. I thought of driving back but I don’t care to make a scene. I’m a loyal customer to places that show care for their customers. To all the women who are as easy going as me, be mindful to check your bills next time.
For those who’ve been here during happy hour, you have to order a mountain high of dishes to equal a 3 digit bill? Ultimately, I let it rest in peace as I had good company and all it matters was my friend was appreciative of the dinner.
You’ve lost my business and loyalty for all The Backhouse branches. I’ll still consider their EMC Seafood and Bar locations.

Chile, that late happy hour is epic! Crab wontons, spicy tuna roll, garlic edimame and Chardonnay for the low, low price of $ 5 a pop. Opens at 4 and I believe happy hour stars at 10pm — 2am. Haven’t had to wait to be seated. Oh, and the calamari saves lives.

Has improved to get a 5 star from me! Thanks to the chef who created «Rumaki» for me the other night! Your restaurant is now a favorite!

Happened to be in Burbank late one night with the munchies and was pleasantly surprised that The Backhouse had a location here. The Backhouse on Pico in West LA is hands down my favorite izakaya/​yakitori place in LA. Everything they turn out there is absolute perfection. So needless to say, I was excited!
Unfortunately, red flags popped up as soon as I walked in. The restaurant is connected to Wokcano and they seem to share a menu (why??). We sat ourselves and it took about 10 minutes before we could even flag a waiter down for a menu. I saw the yakitori list and proceeded to order my favorites: gizzard, heart, cartilage, tongue. We watched the big burly chef in the back pull out pre-​wrapped yakitori sticks and immediately could sense he had no idea what he was doing. We were right. The yakitori came out dry, tough, a tad too burnt, and with some weird sweet chili sauce on it. Sweet chili sauce. Why… seriously man!
What a disappointment that there is no consistency between their restaurants.

Came here for a quick hang out and noticed that this location shared the building and menu of Wokcano. I was slight disappointed and confused at the same time. As for the Izakaya, The Backhouse has a range of variety in meats to choose from. Coming during happy hour gets us what it seems as a dollar off each skewer. I enjoyed the bacon wrapped scallops, cartilage, gizzards, and the tongue the most! What I wasn’t too much of a fan of was the chicken and onion (seasalted) and the meatballs with cheese.
I’d say that I would like to come back to check out a couple more items but am more curious to see a different location and possible their menu options.

Last night my family and I decided to give this place a try. What a pleasant surprise this was now we have a new favorite sushi place the food and service were excellent. A bit overpriced but trust me it was well worth it. The rainbow roll and the curry chicken Omg my new favorites

This place is kool been her after work twice already and it’s been great both times they have the happy hour menu which u can’t beat everything I have had was good late night is for sure a go to spot in Burbank

5 stars from me not for the food but because 1) it is always spacious (won’t have to wait to get seated!) 2) the service is great (I always sit at the bar and am attended to well) and 3) they have a good late night happy hour menu (sangria, house white and red, beer, sake + appetizers like brussel sprouts, wontons, calamari)
If you’re around downtown burbank and you’re looking for chill place to hang out, I highly recommend this spot!

Nice atmosphere, delicious yakitori, very friendly service, cool people sitting around… Will show up again

Good location, atmosphere was nice, they had no chicken for yakitori, we decided to order another tinks, food was so so except «Crispy Garlic Brussels Sprouts» was awesome, spicy tuna roll had no spice at all, okra skewers had no seasoning prior to cook (most of REAL Japanese restaurants season them before it hits the grill, also okra was so big that was not pleasant to eat,
I am not professional food critic but I am guessing if restaurant can’t achieve awesome taste, they call it a FUSION so go figure, but I have to say service was very good, stuff was kind and professional. Over all experience was not bad.

Make sure you try their spicy crabmeat tempura roll for sureeeee, it was a perfect experience with good prices, definitely coming back, dont pay attention to the bad reviews, i didnt and i dont regret visiting this place.
Thanks for the great food and friendly service

My favorite sushi place in LA… its the happy hour spot for Wokcano you cant miss it! The general manager (tall African guy) is the best — gave us free drinks because I referred my friends.
I LOVE their happy hour — try the flash friend brussel sprouts, the sangria and the sriracha tempura roll is to die for!

This place was very cute. Met with a former coworker to catch up for happy hour and I was surprised it was attached to Wokano. Food was fantastic for it being HH. Very cool lounge area dimly lit but not too dark. In the heart of downtown Burbank which is nice because youre surrounded but everything walking distance-​wise.
The Salmon Sashimi Truffle Oil is a must.

This is a great place to get some grub and beers after work. Nice happy hour selection, you can sit outside and people watch.
I’ve been here probably 5 or 6 times and the waiters are great each time.
I’m knocking off a star just because it’s a tiny little bit pricy for what you get.

Food was awesome and the customer service was on point. Our server checked on us and made sure we were happy. Food was delicious. I recommend the Brussels sprout, the beef tongue yakitori, and the chow fun. We went on a Sunday and it was happy hour all day. I had 2 sangrias. Restaurant was clean and comfortable atmosphere.

The worst.
I went to backhouse in Santa Monica and it was absolutely divine! Dont understand why this location was so different, plus it had a weird partnership with Wokano next door where the sushi menu came from them… (confusing af if you ask me)
I also couldnt fathom how they didn’t have the chili powder/​flake they have at all other izakaya places. I asked the waitress for chili flakes that you sprinkle on say. chicken hearts and she asked if i meant for hot sauce…
Um. no. I believe i asked for «chili flakes» — in what universe does that ring as «hot sauce» in anyones ears?

I had no idea that «The Backhouse» was the kitchen/​bar area of Wokano.
Again, they were super short staffed and besides the guy making sushi, there was only one other person in the kitchen.
We ordered off the regular Wokano menu.
Until they get more staff, I don’t think I’m going to try this place again.

I’m not a huge fan of wokano but I’m definitely a fan of backhouse. I may be a little biased because I really like yakitori! I wasn’t aware that the restaurant was apart of wokano when I arrived.
The layout of the place is just perfect IMO. Not a seat in the house is too close to the next. The décor is great as well. Low but not too low lighting with a minimal chic design.
Now onto the important stuff… The food! I ordered the shrimp, gizzards, heart, qual egg, scallops, pork belly, chicken wings, rib eye, and filet yakitori with Brussel sprouts. And every last bite of my food hit the spot! Saaaaaaah good! I can’t wait to come back. The smokey charcoal flavor on the chicken yakitori … Perfect!

There are few things in this world quite as satisfying as a fruitful happy hour. Throw some sashimi into the mix, and I am one happy girl!
The Backhouse is an extension of Wockano that specializes in small plates and yakitori. They also serve yummy and beautifully presented sashimi, sushi and rolls. I have only been here for happy hour which is from 5 – 7 and 10 – 12 Monday through Saturday, and I must say, it is one of the best happy hours in downtown Burbank. Beer, wine and refreshing sangria for $ 4, a cozy sidewalk patio primed for people watching and decent service make this place worthy of incorporating into the post-​work happy hour rotation.
The sushi and rolls are all pretty standard, nothing exceptional, but all A-​OK. My FAVORITE dish here is the hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi with citrus ponzu. The fish is tender and buttery and the ponzu is perfectly refreshing and savory, with a nice element of freshness from the citrus. Topped with sliced scallions, it doesn’t even need any extra soy sauce.
I am quite excited to discover that they’ve opened a new location closer to me in West LA! I hope it is as satisfying as the Burbank location!

RUN, don’t walk to this Wokano hot spot, everything is delectable and will have you coming back for more. Try the Lamb Chops, bacon wrapped asparagus, garlic chicken wings, the sushi sampler, ALL THE SPECIALTY ROLLS ARE THE BOMB, the fried rice with unagi and spinach (because my husband always says «What do you like?»)
My husband and I live in the condos on S. San Fernando so we have lots of options; Backhouse and Wokano never disappoint and we’ve become so fond of the people it is hard to go anywhere else. We’ve been averaging once a week (dine in and take out); which you can do for a hearty and guilt-​free meal (sushi or the chicken teriyaki, sauce on the side with broccoli was a recent try — wow essence of rosemary, really?, brilliant!).
Sundays are the best, Happy Hours are AMAZING. Tons of food and cocktail options. Try the sake sampler it won’t disappoint.
Thank you to the Staff and the Management team (Jeff, G, and the GM — JOE?). Your customer centric focus and attention to detail do not go unnoticed by your patrons. The consistency, quality and camaraderie here are top notch!