To me all Mongolian bbq taste similar as you picked up the sauces of previous people's selections. The service was great, friendly waitress. We were there early for lunch and had the place all to ourselves. The buffet selection was good and if you cannot finish your food, the first bowel, you get to take it home with no charge. The restaurant is simple. read more

Magic Grill - Buffet bar - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

They have a good variety of oils, sauces and vegetables for you to build your noodles plate. This is a family own business, not too big but very cozy for friends gathering or just to grab a quick bite. read more

Magic Grill - Pretty cool family own spot to satisfy noodles cravings. - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

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Delicious! A go-to! Nice and casual all-you-can-eat buffet-style restaurant! Such a good deal! You get free soup and dumplings (which is actually sticky rice shumai). Friendly service. You get to watch the chef cook your food in front of you. High quality food. So good! read more

Always the best! Food is reasonably priced. Dine In is all you can eat. The rice dumplings are everything. Friendly staff. read more

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I have to be honest, I was a little skeptical because so many of these reviewers are raving about Magic Grill but let me tell you this.... The reviews are right. This place is absolutely wonderful. They've figured out the formula to keeping it simple and excelling at the few things that you have. The buffet options, the staff, and the ambiance. I love it. It feels like a sweet little taste of home. read more

Have been coming here for years and it always hits the spot. Staff is very kind and attentive, prices are great and so is the food.

This is the best spot for ramen noodles and Mongolia- style buffet. The dumplings are worth going back to Magic Grill time and time again. You can fill your bowl with as much noodles and meat/veggies as you want when you go to the buffet station. The service is good, they will take your order in the beginning if you want any soup or dumplings, or drinks and then leave you to do the buffet. The place is a bit outdated, but the food is so worth it. Make sure to get the dumplings!! read more

Magic Grill - Dumplings - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

Disgusting place with disgusting behavior. The restaurant was visibly dirty, the noodles were terrible quality, and the cook publicly told me that as a woman I shouldn't be eating this much and that only men should, in front of other customers--at an all-you-can-eat restaurant. I hadn't even had a second bowl. I was still charged, no apology was given, and the manager excused it as "bad English." Sexist, humiliating, and completely unprofessional. Eat literally anywhere else. read more

This is basically build your own stir fry noodle spot. It's a cool concept. It's a small family owned spot, not your instagram hot spot but i truly enjoyed the food here. I just wish i came a bit more hungry since it is all you can eat at a very reasonable price of 19.99. The staff was super friendly and explained everything to us in great detail. I think it's definitely a better for takeout than eating in but overall enjoyed the experience ! read more

Magic Grill - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

The service was especially courteous. After inquiring if this was my first visit, the lady did the serving, making suggestions based upon how sweet or spicy I wanted it to be. Generous portions of meat, and very fresh vegetables. The price is moderate, and it is a fun dining experience! read more

Went on Sunday, it was decently busy (filled about 40% of capacity). Quaint Mongolian grill, choices not as expansive as other grills have gone to. -Proteins: chicken, pork, beef. On the plus side, the meats are frozen and lean so makes me feel better that they are not sitting at room temp. On the downside, very limited seafood, only shrimp and scallops, charged at an extra $5 per serving! and only comes with 2 shrimp and 2 medium sized scallops- once I realized that charge was per serving, I didn't get it again. Also, sauces seemed less salty than other places which was appreciated in one sense but also then resulted in a rather bland dish so we had to add soy sauce- I guess better than the alternative of too salty? overall, okay. But seeing as that I mostly like seafood and their servings of seafood are small and expensive, we do not see ourselves returning. read more

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The quality here is beyond what I thought possible. Speedy assistance and kind words. The product quality defines their kitchen. The place doesn't boast large dimensions but stays neat and comfortable with city styling. This spot delivers a delightful surprise. read more

The consistency across every dish showed real skill. Magic Grill left me questioning other diners' judgment. The dishes showcase exceptional taste. Their service approach was perfect. Quality food and helpful service. We plan to return! read more

I can't pick a favorite because everything was excellent. The employees showed outstanding accessibility and helpfulness. We liked how easy it was to reach and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. I found both the taste and amount pleasing. Having just relocated here, finding this place was exciting. read more

This place slaps, especially late at night. The food is amazing and very simple and well worth your money time and effort

Went to this spot on a Friday evening and it wasn't too busy so that was a plus. It's literally a mom & pop Mongolian grill gem. I've been trying to find a similar place like the one we had in New Brunswick in the early 2000's, so this place was pretty good! They have a array of sliced frozen meats and freshly prepped veggies and a nice selection of sauce bases. The food was great and made to order based on what you select, so you seriously can't go wrong. There is the mom there who lovingly serves you the standard menu items, dumplings, drinks and soups. Dad on the other hand is cheffing it up on his round grill! The ambiance is no frills but clean. Not much to write about that. Service was overall very friendly and pleasant. Overall I highly recommend dining in rather than take out. There's nothing like having a freshly grilled plate from them! read more

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My meal here was worth every minute and every dollar. The staff is terrific and shows genuine hospitality. Their dishes reflect both craft and flavor awareness. The crew handles everything well. I'm bringing friends on my next visit. read more

This restaurant showed me the danger of having low expectations. A real gem. Starting with what matters, the staff performs exceptionally. Our order arrived promptly and tasted wonderful. I vouch for this place and will definitely return. read more

Standing at the counter waiting for my food to be cooked, a gent next to me turned to me and told me he had come all the way from Long Island to Garwood to Magic Grill. I was impressed and he elaborated that he used to come here and loved it and has yet to find a place out in his parts that could match it. He was there to get the food to take out for him and his son. I was suitably impressed and found myself thinking that this was a perfect testament to the goodness that is Magic Grill! Long after the era of COVID lockdown, Magic Grill is back to being a fully functional restaurant. Want to do take out? Go ahead! Want to eat in? There's plenty of seating! The food quality is the same with fresh ingredients and tasty sauces coming together to form a wonderful dish. There have been some minor renovations since a few years ago including some different lighting, but for the most part it is still the same down home, mom and pop style restaurant from before. The folks that run the restaurant are lovely and friendly. Many customers have known them for decades and they've told me about watching kids grow up over the years. I love this "family business" sensibility. Magic Grill rocks and if you haven't visited, make a trip soon! read more

The dumplings are the most popular item. Everyone ordered them around us, people making to-go orders ordered them. One family ordered a dozen with their to go order. read more

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I haven't found a single flaw worth mentioning here. The food satisfies and the service impresses. The food selection and staff responsiveness were impressive. The meals are great and staff is nice. I plan to revisit this place. read more

Went here last week after looking up Mongolian food in the area. Really enjoyed the setup of the place. It transports you back to the early 2000s and the employees make ypu feel at home. You choose everything you want in your bowl and hand it to the chef who magically cooks it in under 5 minutes. Flavors are great will return. read more

Magic Grill in Garwood might be the very last Mongolian BBQ restaurant in New Jersey. If there are any others, I haven't been able to find them. When I was growing up in the 1980's they were very popular, and I remember the whole Mongolian BBQ experience with fond memories. If you're not familiar with Mongolian BBQ (which is understandable), in its essence it's a self-serve noodle stir fry restaurant, and contrary to popular belief the food has no origins in Mongolia (but you can Google that). This is how it works. Everything is included for one price ($19.45). You get unlimited soup with your choice of hot and sour or wonton soup, unlimited rice dumplings, and unlimited trips to the Mongolian BBQ grill. For this, you grab a bowl at the buffet and fill it with your choice of thinly cut frozen beef, pork or chicken (or any combination), then add noodles and your choice of vegetables. There's everything from onions and scallions to mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, broccoli, sprouts, tofu and half a dozen other things I can't recall. Finally, you ladle in a bit of cooking oil and your choice of different sauces that range from savory to sweet and mild to spicy. I recommend you follow the instructions regarding how much sauce to add. You can also add fresh ginger and garlic. Then you hand it to the chef, who deftly cooks it on a large, round, convex grill while you watch. After about a minute he hands you a steaming, very hot bowl that's filled with your custom stir fry. You can then finish it off with some sesame seeds, peanuts or some hot chili oil if you like it spicy. Eat and repeat. If any of this is confusing, not to worry, the staff is enthusiastic and helpful. Also, feel free to ask for more rice dumplings. They're addictive (especially with a little sweet soy sauce and chili oil). Soda is not included, but you do get free refills. For an extra $5 you can add shrimp and scallops to your choice of meats. The restaurant isn't big, and frankly it looks a bit worn out, but everything is clean, and the food is very fresh. Parking in their shared lot is a challenge and honestly finding a spot on the street might be the better option. My biggest tip is to visit on an empty stomach. The food is hot and delicious. It's unlimited and the experience is great fun. read more

Always very quick seating and service. Lots of great, fresh food options. Simple, diner-like ambience. Very friendly staff. Highly recommend. read more

Nice owner but got weird vibes. Food looked great but grill was a sight...and an employee walked pass the grill with a huge exterior trashcan, while our food was being cooked. I had all veggies and wanted shrimp and scallops...I received only 2 of each. 2 shrimp and 2 scallops. My order only filled up 1/2 a container read more

A very unique experience! Build a bowl of items to grill from a salad bar type set up. It is then grill for you on a grill table. Highly recommend this! Staff is very nice and friendly also. read more

Magic Grill - Dining room! - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

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I might be the only one who wasn't a huge fan of this restaurant. The people were very courteous but the food wasn't tasty. I got a #1,3 and 6 combo and the noodles lacked flavor. I don't mind a hole in the wall kind of place when the flavor is good but this one was a miss. Maybe I went in an off day I will try again another time. read more

Magic Grill - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

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Start with the filter of no frills hole in the wall and you won't be disappointed. If you want a solid stir fry, this place is for you. Dinner is $16.95 per person with an appetizer and AYCE Mongolian stir fry. The app options we knew of were a Shao Mai (very filling!) and egg drop soup. We only ended up eating one bowl each with leftovers but it satisfied our craving for a solid stir fry. The build your own bowl has the basics, with meat options like chicken, pork and beef. For seafood, you have to request when you go up to the chef. The rest of the bar included toppings like onions, scallions, broccoli, bok choy, baby corn, mushrooms, bean sprouts, tofu, zucchini, carrots, etc. After that you move into sauces and they reco a spoon of the rice wine and oil to balance it out. Would love if they included an option to add an egg scrambled in but good nonetheless. read more

Magic Grill - Build Your Own Bowl - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

I think I had my expectations set too high here. It was super empty, which I love usually. However, it was just... too empty. I got egg drop soup. I have never seen egg drop soup cloudy like it is in the picture. The noodles weren't tasty. They had a weird taste and texture to them. I didn't know I could add spice before frying as the sign says "add after cooked" but I should have went ahead and added the chili oil. The sweet tea was not good. The broccoli was delicious though, I killed all that. read more

Magic Grill - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

Updating as I still go back to magic grill regularly and wanted to share my noodle bowl :) read more

Magic Grill - Heaven - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

Lunch time they gave me and my co-workers soup and a bowl to make our Mongolian food. It's affordable and filling. You can get it to go if you are in a hurry. The inside - I had 7 in a group and it was just big enough for us. I think 9 or more will need to split the group. There is a good amount of booths and tables that can fill 4 people. One side is meant just for the Mongolian grill to put everything in a bowl and let the chefs cook it for you. The food - The taste is what you make of it. They have 3 meats (pork beef and chicken), a bunch of veggies and even pineapples. They have a variety of sauces, oils, and wine. They cook it right in front of you and you can add peanuts and sesame seeds onto it. It's not amazing food, but it was great for it's price and I would definitely suggest it to people that love around that area. read more

Magic Grill - Noodles, onions, mushroom, pork , beef, szechuan sauce, and broccoli. - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

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I tried this place because the descriptions online made it sound like a place I grew up with. They were right, it was very similar, so I really enjoyed the food. The atmosphere and service were off, but overall a good experience. The Mongolian BBQ was very good, but the thickness of the vegetables were too similar. They need to cut their celery thicker, shred the carrots and make the green pepper thinner, then it would be excellent! read more

No matter how long it's been that I've been here, Magic Grill never disappoints! Their Rice Dumplings are divine & their assortment in the buffet section is always the same, but all go together to make the best bowl! read more

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I dined at magic grill on 2/28 I am giving Magic Grill 4/5 stars They offer many a selection of meats, veggies, noodles, sauces, etc. I personally love the beef and chicken with baby corn, zucchini, broccoli, and peppers. But they offer pork as well. You get to control your portions and sauces. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder at Magic Grill You combine whatever you want into a bowl and pass it on to the chef who will grill it up for you. There are unlimited possibilities due to the options they provide. That is why Magic Grill will always keep you coming back. It is the best noodle spot you can find. The service is friendly. The prices cannot be beat. This is a must try! Pro tip: get the rice dumpling as your side. It's a must have as well. read more

Magic Grill - Buffet - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

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Love love love this place! It's fun, and the food is positively delicious! You build your own plate with noodles, meat, and veggies, then do different sauces and oils and hand it to one of the cooks where they cook it on a turning hibachi style hot plate. I've been coming for years, Its a lil hole in the wall but it's sooo good. Me and my friends always come when we're in the area. read more

I love myself a good all you can eat Mongolian BBQ. I love the idea of making my own bowl with as many veggies and sauces I want. I like how this place is clean and soup and dumplings are given with the meal. I normally can only eat one bowl but like the option of making multiple bowls. The rice dumplings are to die for. They are amazing. I like that there are over 8 sauces to pick from to really spicy up the dish. read more

Everything was so good! I loved noodle and rice dumplings. Good for family. Fun experience. Place is little dirty (we had to clean the table cuz every table was dirty) and little pricy. We paid $42 read more

Magic Grill - So good Love the rice dumpling - Chinese Near Me - Garwood, New Jersey

I ate here with my Dad after moving back to the area. It's a rare and comfortable feeling to see how the place has not changed at all in 25 years. It's good and consistent. Soup, dumplings and two loaded bowls- can't beat it folks. read more

As a multi-year, grizzled veteran, and super fan of the Magic Grill, I'm tempted to give it 1 star as a decoy because I don't want anyone who doesn't know about this place to discover it. Then I don't have to stand behind people and break back into line and make the bowl employing the patented Rodge method. The way it works is described in most other reviews, so I won't cover that. On the soups, my choice is hot and sour. It's different from the usual dark liquid version you find at Chinese take outs. It's what I always get. But I wish it was a little hotter temp wise. Their dumplings rock. Wearing gloves has an advantage. The meat selections come in large pieces. Once they are in your bowl, tear them up with you hands. They will cook faster. Then make a fist and flatten the pieces into the bowl. Then first load everything you desire that is flat: onions, peppers, bean sprouts, corn, zucchini, green onions. These are further down the time. Again, using your fist, mash them down. Not go back for the bulky items, broccoli, tofu, and whatever isn't flat. Last thing is the noodles. Place them on top a little at a time building a mound. Press down and continue until you have what you wants Onto the sauces: do not go with their recommendations of 2 ladles of each sauce. Minimum of 4 of each type you want. If using only one, do more than four. Then, if using, 2 ladles of an oil. When they cook, they add water to the grill, and it will dilute the sauce. After the cooking (tip the guys and ring the bell) you can add hot oil, peanuts, and sesame seeds as desired, if at all. Well, that's it. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I do. read more

Have been coming to this spot for years and it is a local favorite for my wife and I. Very friendly staff and affordable prices. Great tasting food and the atmosphere is cool because they cook it right in front of you! read more