Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour – Menu, Times & Specials 2026
Your chef hands you the tongs, not the plate. At Gyu-Kaku, you grill your own dinner on a smokeless tabletop grill. Premium meats, Japanese sake, and frosty beers complete the yakiniku experience. Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour runs daily with 99-cent beers, BBQ items from $2.95, and half-off appetizers. A second late-night session brings the deals back after 8:30 PM. This guide covers the full Gyu-Kaku happy hour menu with 2026 prices, real hours by city, and what varies by location.
Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour
Most chains run happy hour on weekdays only. Gyu-Kaku runs it every day, with a second late-night session for the night owls.
What Time Is Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour?
Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour runs daily from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with a late-night session from 8:30 PM to close. Many locations run the full deal all day on Mondays. These are typical reported schedules, so confirm locally before you go.
| City | Daytime (reported) | Late Night (reported) |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 11 AM-6 PM, daily | 8:30 PM-close |
| Pasadena, CA | 11 AM-6:30 PM, Mon-Fri | 9-10:30 PM |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 12-6:30 PM, daily | 8-10 PM |
| Philadelphia, PA | 11:30 AM-6 PM, daily | 8:30 PM-close |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 11:30 AM-6:30 PM, daily | 8:30 PM-close |
Daytime windows shift slightly by market. The Monday all-day deal is the best value in the system, and Sunday afternoons count as regular happy hour.
Gyu-Kaku Happy Hour Menu 2026
The Gyu-Kaku happy hour menu is built around the grill. Discounted meats start at $2.95, appetizers go half price, and beer drops under a dollar. Ninety-nine-cent beer changes the math on a night out.
Drink Deals
| Drink | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Bud Draft | $0.99 |
| Sapporo Draft | $1.49 |
| Bud Pitcher | ~$5 |
| Sapporo Pitcher | ~$7.45 |
| Specialty Drinks | $4 |
| Sake | $5 |
| Cocktails / Wine | $6 |
BBQ Items from $2.95
| BBQ Item | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Harami Skirt Steak (Miso Marinade) | from ~$2.95 |
| Kalbi Short Rib (Tare Sweet Soy) | from ~$2.95 |
| Pork and Chicken Selections | from ~$2.95 |
| Shrimp and Scallops | from ~$2.95 |
50% Off Appetizers
| Appetizer | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Gyu-Kaku Salad | 50% off |
| Fried Cheese Wonton | 50% off |
| Crispy Seaweed with Cream Cheese | 50% off |
| Bacon Wrapped Asparagus | 50% off |
| Fried Calamari | 50% off |
Price note: typical reported ranges, not fixed nationwide prices. Each location sets its own happy hour lineup, so ask your server for the current card.
The Yakiniku Method: How to Grill
Gyu-Kaku happy hour is a cook-it-yourself deal. The smokeless grill sits in the middle of your table, and the meat arrives raw and ready. Four moves get the most from it:
- Cook thin cuts fast. Harami skirt steak and kalbi need about a minute per side. Set a mental timer and flip once for a perfect sear.
- Use the tongs, not your fork. Piercing the meat lets the juices run out. Flip with tongs to keep every cut tender.
- Order in rounds. Start with one meat order and a 99-cent beer. The grill stays hot, so a second round cooks just as fast.
- Split a pitcher. A $5 Bud pitcher or $7.45 Sapporo pitcher serves two or three people. The per-person cost drops under $3.
How to Find Your Gyu-Kaku
Confirming your local restaurant takes two minutes:
- Find your nearest restaurant on gyu-kaku.com and call to confirm the daily and late-night windows.
- Ask about the Monday all-day deal. Many locations run happy hour prices all day on Mondays.
- Reserve a grill table for groups. The tabletop grills fill fast on weekend nights.
FAQs
What time is Gyu-Kaku happy hour?
Gyu-Kaku happy hour typically runs daily from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with a late-night session from 8:30 PM to close. Many locations run all-day deals on Mondays. Confirm with your local restaurant.
What is yakiniku?
Yakiniku means grilled meat in Japanese. At Gyu-Kaku, you cook premium meats yourself on a smokeless tabletop grill. Gyu-Kaku translates to Horn of the Bull.
What is the cheapest drink during Gyu-Kaku happy hour?
The Bud draft at $0.99 carries the lowest price of any chain happy hour. Sapporo drafts follow at $1.49. Pitchers run about $5 for Bud and $7.45 for Sapporo.
Do I need to know how to grill?
Grilling rookies are welcome. Thin cuts cook in about a minute per side, and your server will explain the basics. Start with the harami skirt steak for the easiest first cook.
Is the Monday all-day deal real?
Many Gyu-Kaku locations run happy hour prices all day on Mondays. The 99-cent beers and discounted BBQ items apply at lunch and dinner. Call ahead to confirm.
Can you get happy hour prices on takeout?
Happy hour pricing is built for dine-in guests. Most locations do not extend it to takeout or delivery.
More Happy Hour Guides
Compare these grill deals with more afternoon specials.
