So I went to this restaurant all the time in my early twenties. It was very warm and inviting. The…read morelighting was bright but warm and the booths were this beautiful wood. The prices were still $30 a head. I don't think there was a time limit for how long you could stay then. Now it's $40 a head (which inflation.... I get it) with a two hour limit. My main issue is the ambiance is horrible!!! They painted the big wooden booths with this cheap sticky black paint that's slowly coming off. I was wearing shorts and it was PAINFUL if I got up too quickly. The lighting is cold and uncomfortable. It's not a welcoming place to dine anymore. A completely depressing environment. Everything looks like it's in disrepair and being very poorly maintained. The quality of the meats has gone down as well. The sides were not fresh. Especially the cucumbers. This is no hate to the staff but almost everyone that worked there seemed miserable as well. They did a great job but it just seemed like they all were sad for some reason. I truly think it's the environment. I would hate working at such a depressing restaurant. The staff were attentive and consistently checking on us. They never left us alone for too long! There was one guy with glasses that was exceptional. He was great with the small details of serving. Always pre bused something from the table every time he came by. If you're smart you will bump his hourly and make him a shift manager/ trainer. The staff is the reason I'm not giving one star. Korean culture is vibrant and fun! Please hang up some art work and posters. Hire someone to remove that god awful sticky paint! Which I know you can't clean properly. Change the lightbulbs to warm lighting. Put out some fun decor on the tops of the booths. Make your restaurant into a place people naturally feel happy to be at. Paint over that black wall in the back and fill it from top to bottom with Korean art work as an accent wall! Or put in giant decorative shelves with plants and collectible Korean toys. DO ANYTHING FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

After seven years, I finally made it back to this K-BBQ staple, and it remains one of the most…read moreconsistent and high-quality dining experiences I've had. From the premium cuts of meat to the impressive variety of side dishes and soups, every element is executed perfectly. Two things really set them apart: the meat portions are perfectly sized, and the variety of dipping sauces is on another level. Even during a busy service, the staff is attentive and the food comes out incredibly fast. Having traveled and eaten at top-tier spots in Los Angeles and New York City, I can confidently say this place holds its own against the best in the nation.

Seoul Food Meat Company was delicious! The barbecue bao buns were definitely a favorite--soft,…read moreflavorful, and so good. I also really enjoyed the kimchi slaw and the kimchi chili. Everything had great flavor, and the food was absolutely worth the visit. The only downside was the service setup. You have to order your food and drinks at the front, then go back up to get your food when your order is called. It would have been nice to have full table service where your order is taken and the food is brought to you, but that was really the only inconvenience. Overall, the food was great, and I would definitely come back again!

Fries and bang bang shrimp were awesome. I will be back for that. The nachos size was enough to…read morefeed 2 to 4 people. The staff was super nice. But the beef for both the nachos and burger could be better. The burger wasn't ground beef, but pieces of meat put together. It just felt weird as I ate it. The nachos had some perfectly melted in your mouth beef. But we tasted no bulgogi. And there were large pieces of fat with some meat pieces.

A+++ Had a medallion…read moretrio on special- was amazing, and couldn't be how inexpensive. Everyone in our party loved their food- definitely check them out.

Ok, 2nd time I've been to this place and unfortunately this last experience was worst than the…read morefirst. Overall the food quality for everyone else who patron's there looks great. My service and quality of food have not been great both times. I've noticed they're extremely friendly with greeting guests in and out. However, I've never experienced that. Much like the first experience my food (specifically wings) came out over cooked. Joseph the bar tender was awesome enough to observe that and immediately acknowledged more would be coming out. The kitchen sent out 3 wings to replace the entirety burnt first batch. I sent the remainder of the first batch back, and sadly had to wait for it to be a to go order. As I was leaving, someone who appeared to be in management sure enough, greeted the women in front of me, but stared at me as I walked out. I awkwardly said to him "have a great day" with the same enthusiasm he said to the women in front me. I work nearby and this place is close to my office. Was excited because it's right across the street from my go to car wash. Sadly won't return. Lastly for what it's worth, it takes a lot for me to right a review like this, especially for a local shop that's right in my community.

Still all the good stuff but now they don't discourage you from eating in which is nice. Service…read moreand a fast and the dining area (though a bit run down) is ample and comfortable Love this place!

Nice spot for Korean, love the bulgogi here. The staff are nice and can talk you through the menu…read moretoo.

I had bookmarked Gyu-Kaku for lunch because they advertised a happy hour special on LA kalbi--one…read moreof my favorite comfort foods. I've enjoyed Korean barbecue many times, so when I saw the price, I thought I had found a great midday option. Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to expectations. The happy hour kalbi turned out to be four small pieces of meat for $9.95, which I had to cook myself. A bowl of rice was an additional charge, and there were no sides, vegetables, soup, or salad included. I left the restaurant still hungry, which is never a good sign after lunch. What disappointed me most was the lack of guidance and hospitality. As someone new to Japanese-style barbecue, I asked a few simple questions to understand what I was ordering. When I confirmed this was the happy hour portion, the server said yes--but didn't explain the serving size or suggest additional items. A little coaching would have gone a long way. At one point, when I asked whether the meal came with sides like banchan or rice, I was told, "This is not Korean barbecue." I completely understand the distinction now, but the tone felt curt rather than helpful. Hospitality is about helping guests navigate something unfamiliar, not making them feel like they should already know. I also ordered iced water with lemon, and the lemon never arrived...only the ice water. Was this an omen of what's to come?? Another frustration was the parking situation. I paid for parking through ParkMobile outside the restaurant, only to discover after entering that parking validation was available inside. That information would have been much more useful if it had been communicated clearly before guests park or pay. From a customer experience standpoint, it feels like something that could easily be improved with better signage--lead with the good stuff. The location itself is also somewhat isolated. While technically in Uptown, it's not in a particularly walkable or high-traffic area, so most guests will need to park in a garage or pay for street parking. There isn't much nearby other than an apartment complex above the restaurant, which makes clear parking instructions and strong service even more important. To be fair, the restaurant was clean, and the meat itself was flavorful. The concept of Japanese BBQ is interesting, and I now understand that this style is very different from Korean BBQ, with smaller, à-la-carte portions designed to be built into a meal. That said, the overall experience felt transactional rather than welcoming. I left hungry--and disappointed--not because of the food quality, but because the service and communication could have been better at several points along the way. This visit felt like a missed opportunity. With a little more attentiveness, clearer guidance, and stronger customer engagement, the experience could have been completely different. Don't let one restaurant deter you. Life is short--get out there and eat.

Went here for a quick lunch with the family. Was concerned that there wouldn't be a lunch option as…read morethe place is known for its bbq and it can be pretty pricy. Fortunately they had small platters, ramens, soups, and other dishes you can choose from if you do not want the bbq. The place is pretty clean, the service is fast. Don't believe I had to wait more than 10 minutes for the food to be served. The server is also very kind as she not only made sure we were taken care of, but also explained things about each dishes like the stone bowl and how it was affect my meal. The parking to the place is behind the shop and though you have to register for the spot where you park, it isn't costly (was free when we went).

Kendall was a great server. can't wait to come back and see her again. The food was fantastic and…read moream so happy we decided to come and eat. I am definitely going to tell everyone about it!

After striking out at two other BBQ spots on a Saturday night, I landed at Mac's Speed Shop around…read more8:30 p.m. and ended up having a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Mac's sits in the heart of South End and shares the neighborhood with several busy bars and nightlife spots. Parking can be a bit of an adventure, but they do have dedicated lots nearby. Once you're there, the setup is great: a large dining room, plenty of picnic-table patio seating, and my favorite option--a seat at the outdoor bar where the inside bar opens through a service window to the patio. The bartender, Alyssa, was fantastic. Friendly, knowledgeable, and patient while I stared at the giant menu trying to figure out what I wanted. When I asked for recommendations, she immediately suggested the burnt ends, BBQ baked beans, and Mexican street corn. Excellent call. The blackberry seasonal hard cider she recommended was delicious and paired beautifully with the meal. My only surprise was the price. At nearly $9, it was more than I expected for a cider, and I wish I had asked beforehand. The burnt ends arrived with bright pickled red onions that added the perfect acidic balance. The flavor was excellent--smoky, rich, and satisfying. That said, they leaned heavily toward the fatty side. The deeper I got into the serving, the more rendered fat I encountered compared to meat. Delicious? Yes. Light? Absolutely not. The BBQ baked beans were exactly what you want from a barbecue joint. The Mexican street corn was a standout and a refreshing contrast to all the richness. My only critique was that the burnt ends weren't served quite as hot as I would have liked, and by the end of the meal, the richness became overwhelming. That's probably more on me for ordering burnt ends at 9 p.m. than on Mac's. The final bill came to about $37 before tip, which felt a little steep for a solo barbecue dinner and cider. Looking back, I'd probably visit during lunch. Their weekday lunch specials around $10 look like one of the best values in South End. Would I come back? Absolutely. The service was warm, the recommendations were spot on, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the food delivered exactly what a barbecue craving calls for. Next time, I'll arrive earlier, bring a bigger appetite, and maybe save the burnt ends for lunchtime. Life is too short not to eat well, Charlotte. If you're exploring South End and craving barbecue, Mac's Speed Shop is worth a stop.

My wife and I had dinner here the other night and it was AMAZING. First of all the place has a warm…read moreyet dark vibe to it with multiple seating areas on different levels. The service was impeccable. Our waiter (sorry forgot his name) was very helpful as this was our first time doing Korean BBQ. The food was excellent, even though we cooked much of it. One of my beefs with most restaurants nowadays is the noise level. Noise was not an issue here- I was actually have a conversation with my wife without having to yell at her. Pricing may be a bit on the high side, but the food and the experience were well worth it.

Super excited to cook my own rib eye. Super excited to have…read moresome comfort food while on the road. Checked out MOA : what a disappointment. Quality of food was good...unfortunately quality of service lacked severely from my server. Reception team seemed enthusiastic, but the server was very "over it". After being brought my food- I was not checked on. No eye contact. She was very involved with the 3 other tables in her section.. difference was: they were drinking and eating for four leading to a bigger tip? I had to flag her down for additional rice and then water. Only thing I was happy with was the quality of the RibEye and the perfectly cooked rice. Upon exit: I talked with the manager (I think). Very enthusiastic guy: He offered to comp my meal- but I passed. Their food was good and I was happy to pay for it. the quality of people serving just sucked. I just didn't have the heart to NOT tip for the service I didn't get.

This location is absolutely beautiful. We had a company event here and the service was great. I'll…read morehave to come back here and try the steak.

It's sad to say, but Chima has gone down hill significantly over the years. I haven't been here in…read moreover 7 years so I'm sure a lot has changed. I just remember when this was considered "fine-ish dining". Or I don't know maybe it wasn't and I just thought that it was in my youth. Came here to celebrate someone's birthday and was underwhelmed. The hostess was not friendly. The restaurant itself was clean but you could see signs that a renovation was much needed, there were cracks in the walls and just old carpet and furniture. Our server was nice and some of the food we had was tasty. There were several bites of meat that were not good. They were either too salty or had zero flavor at all or were dry. The sides they brought out were inedible to me. There was such inconsistency with the food items. The salad bar was okay. Honestly, my salad was probably the best part of the meal. The gentlemen bringing the meat around came every 3 seconds in rapid succession. It was almost overwhelming. But then there were items we had to ask for because some things never made it over to us. It was just odd. I most likely will not return to Chima, but I'm glad I had one last hoorah.

This is a GREAT BBQ establishment. Well done decor and amply space inside…read more The service was top notch. Our server was in top of everything and never had to ask or wait for anything. The house made sausage is one of the best over ever had. Coleslaw was good and nothing to complain about. It was average as you would expect. The Inca were on point! Kind of pricy for a half lb. of wings (5). The smoked turkey was the BEST I've ever had!!!! It was !!!!! A definite must return for me!!!

Stopped by here for lunch before heading to the airport. Nic large bbq joint with tons of seating…read more Friendly helpful staff. We ordered 1/4lb of the turkey, brisket and pork plus a couple of sides. Was just the right amount of food for us. Meat was tasty. I'm not a huge fan of the NC bbq sauce but it was alright. Sides were delicious. I couldn't get enough of the onion rings.

Amazing sandwiches that come out fast! I'd you need a precooked lasagna or ciabatta bread loaf this…read moreis your place too! Great, friendly service with an Italian deli convenience store vibe! One of the best sandwich shops in the area for sure!

Authentic Italian fare plus dry goods, already prepared ready to take home goods and wine/beer/and…read moreother libations! The menu is straight forward and everything is fresh made in house where possible! Meatballs are delicious and seasoned very well! Pasta was fresh had nice chew and the sauce was hearty and slight nod to sweet tomatoes The staff super friendly! It's part restaurant- part bar - and part Italian store!