Crowd-pleasing pours for the hibachi crowd
· Chandler · Japanese teppanyaki · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 30, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Benihana – Chandler’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The Benihana wine list is exactly what you'd expect from a national chain teppanyaki spot: safe, recognizable labels that won't confuse anyone but won't excite anyone either. It reads like a banquet hall wine menu, which, fair enough — this place is basically a theatrical dinner party. The good news is there are 34 labels to work with, which is more than nothing.
The list leans heavily on California Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which tracks for a room full of people watching shrimp get flipped into their mouths. You'll find Rochioli and Far Niente sitting alongside Kendall-Jackson like an awkward dinner party mix — some genuinely quality producers next to grocery store staples. The sparkling section has range: Dom Pérignon and Ferrari Brut Rosé for the celebration crowd, La Marca and Nino Franco splits for the fizz-curious. Reds are present (Cabernet Sauvignon and blends are noted on the list), though without specific labels confirmed, that section is harder to assess. There's one French nod worth noting — the Domaine Jean-Paul Balland Sancerre, which feels like an accidental overachiever on an otherwise unadventurous list.
By-the-glass options aren't confirmed from available data, so we can't give you a pour-by-pour breakdown. If the bottle list is any guide, expect a handful of crowd-pleasers — probably a Chardonnay, a Cab, and something sparkling — at chain-restaurant pour prices. Worth asking your server what's open.
The Bottom Line
Benihana Chandler's wine list won't blow your mind, but it's functional and has a few genuine bright spots buried under the crowd-pleasers. If you're here for the show, grab the Rochioli or the Balland Sancerre and enjoy the flying shrimp.
· Chandler · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Wild Vine Uncorked has the aesthetic of a wine bar and the wine list of a casual chain restaurant — if you're coming specifically for the wine program, there's not enough here to justify the trip. Order the Craggy Range, enjoy your company, and recalibrate expectations.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Desert Ridge · Chandler · Hawaiian Fusion / Seafood
Roy's punches above its chain-restaurant weight with a wine list that has real picks across sparkling, white, and international categories — but steep markups on recognizable bottles mean you need to know where to look. Send your wine-curious friends here with a cheat sheet and they'll do just fine.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · French steakhouse / bistro
A sparkling-only list in a French steakhouse sounds like a gimmick until you see Egly-Ouriet, Selosse, and Contratto sharing space with a $29 Moët. This is a genuinely unusual, thoughtfully assembled program that rewards curious drinkers — just know what you're walking into.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Craft Cocktail / New American
The Brickyard is a cocktail spot that happens to have wine, and the list reflects that priority clearly. Come for the drinks, stay for the vibe — but don't plan your evening around what's in the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chandler · Chandler · Wine Bar / Contemporary American
The Living Room is worth a visit if you're after serious Champagne in a city that rarely bothers — just don't expect the rest of the list to keep up. Come for the bubbles, order accordingly.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Chandler · Chandler · Steakhouse
Black Angus Chandler is a perfectly competent place to drink a glass of California Cab with a decent steak — just don't come here expecting the wine to be the reason you showed up. Send a friend here if they want comfort and familiarity; send them elsewhere if they actually want to drink well.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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