-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KuDTmdZGJ7U7cR++cjDOrruuTjFLbpqO3cgMorlwOlXkVFc6wnelE5Y04Bv2MGe2
 uLYk4fb8oTx87lmCxwdjzg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935226-03-000024.txt : 20030822
<SEC-HEADER>0000935226-03-000024.hdr.sgml : 20030822
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030822103720
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935226-03-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030821
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030822

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENIHANA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000935226
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				650538630
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0328

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055930770

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33166

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PINE MAX
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197555

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26396
		FILM NUMBER:		03861483

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 852800
		STREET 2:		C/O FURRS RESTAURANT GROUP INC
		CITY:			RICHARDSON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75085-2800
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9728082923

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 E. 67TH ST.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 11-B
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>maxpine_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-08-21</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935226</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BENIHANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BNHN/BNHNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197555</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PINE MAX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8685 NORTHWEST 53 TERRACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 201</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33166</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Option to Buy</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>7.8261</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2001-02-09</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionTotalValue>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionTotalValue>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2001-02-09</value>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2011-02-09</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>5750</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>5750</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Option to Buy</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>11.8957</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2001-08-16</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionTotalValue>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionTotalValue>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2001-08-16</value>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2011-08-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>11500</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>11500</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Option to Buy</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>12.80</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2002-08-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionTotalValue>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionTotalValue>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2002-08-22</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2012-08-22</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>10000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>10000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Option to Buy</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>11.45</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-08-21</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>10000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-08-21</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-08-21</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>10000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>10000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Two-thirds currently exercisable; one-third exercisable 8-22-04.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> One-third currently exercisable; one-third exercisable 8-21-04; one-third exercisable 8-21-05.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F3"> Transaction previously reported.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Max Pine</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-08-22</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----