Meat and veggies and sauces, oh my!
Written: Oct 16 '01 (Updated Oct 16 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The real definition of getting it "Your Way"!!
Cons: This place is addictive, but it may break you to support your habit.
The Bottom Line: My first choice when it comes to eating out. You choose your ingredients, watch it be cooked, and eat as much as you want!
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| mjbroo's Full Review: BD's Mongolian Barbeque |
What is Mongolian BBQ?
What it actually is, is create your own stir-fry. You pick the ingredients you want from the buffet and you place them in a bowl. You then take them up to the grill and they are grilled right before your eyes.
How long is the wait?
I have never had a wait at my local Mongolian BBQ but I've heard others complain about a 10-15 minute wait at theirs.
How steep is the price?
In my humble opinion, it's a pretty decent value. This, of course, depends on what you order. One bowl generally costs $8.99 or you can get a one bowl with salad bar for $9.99. The All-You-Can-Eat cost varies by location. I've seen it for $11.50 - $13.99.
What is the atmosphere like?
It's very casual and modern. The decor is somewhat oriental. They play modern "popular" music for the most part. It tends to get loud at times, with the gong being hit and the food frying on the grill.
And the attitude of the employees?
All the servers/grillers I've encountered at Mongolian BBQ are happy-go-lucky. The servers will usually ask you if it's your first time then walk you through the process. The grillers chat with you while your food is grilling and will occassionally even do some "tricks", like flipping a piece of food off of the grill and onto your plate.
What is on the buffet?
First you have your meat. There is chicken, beef, pork, sausage, shrimp, tofu, and calimari (squid). You place the meat or combination of meats that sound good to you in the bowl. Next you have the vegetables. There is quite a variety, too... from traditional veggies like green peppers and onions and fruit like pineapple to stir-fry veggies like water chestnuts, sprouts, and baby corn. After you choose the vegetables that you want, it's time to pick an oil. I suggest you use 2-3 ladles because it keeps your food from burning on the grill. Some of the choices are: vegetable oil, garlic oil, and olive oil. Once this is down you choose your sauce. Make sure you use at least 2 ladles because the sauce really adds taste. There is a wide array of sauces, including sweet and sour. You may choose to add some spices, too. These really add some zest to your dish. Some of the spices include: garlic powder, ginger, dill, lemon pepper, rosemary, and seasoned salt. If you don't like your food hot, try to avoid adding anything that begins with "C" (cayenne, crushed pepper, curry, etc).
How is my food cooked?
Why, on a grill of course! The grill is about 5 or 6 feet wide, round, and made of cast iron. Definitely not your typical "grill". There are about 3 employees that have the job of grilling your food. They dump your bowl out onto the grill and toss it with wooden sticks until it is well blended. Once it's reached perfection, they scrape it from the grill and onto a plate for you.
Tip: If you are a strict vegetarian or have food allergies, be sure to tell the grillers. They will put a cover over your food to be sure it doesn't get mixed with anyone else's!
Do I only get one bowl?
No, you can have as many bowls as you want. The "One Bowl" option is the cheapest and the All-You-Can-Eat being the most expensive. Keep in mind that your server will bring rice and soft tortillas out to your table, as well. One bowl seems to go a lot further with rice mixed in!
Tip: If you're being budget minded, try really packing everything into your one bowl. Press it down and keep piling it on. However, be careful. When you do this, cut back on your oil some or it will run all over!
What else is on the menu?
There are some extravagant desserts on the menu for the very few people who save room. There are also some alcoholic beverages including a margarita (called a "Mongo-Rita") and another mixed drink.
What is your personal favorite recipe?
I like: chicken, sugar snap peas, green peppers, broccoli, onions, and mushrooms with 2 ladles of garlic oil, 2 ladles of the Kona BBQ sauce, and ALL the "C" spices. It's a spicy yet delicious combination!
Happy grilling!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: mjbroo
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Member: Mari Brooks
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Reviews written: 169
Trusted by: 85 members
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