I grabbed a quick meal at Mein Bowl in the Hill Student Center, before a class and the experience was just as I wanted. The energy inside was lively, full of students and guests chatting about their days, studying, and bouncing around really. It felt like the heart of UAB campus. When it came to my food I did have to come back after small time break because the lo mein (my go-to). After I came back to place my order, I got half lo mein and fried rice with teriyaki chicken as my protein. The lo mein was worth the wait! It was my first time trying the teriyaki chicken and I definitely will be ordering again! The atmosphere made the meal even better, energetic, social, and full of those random, conversations you only hear at the Hill! I would end this by saying Mein Bowl is a convenient and dependable spot when you're on campus and need something fast. read more

Although Mein Bowl isn't usually the first place that comes to mind when I am on campus and need a quick bite, the lines are always way too long at any other restaurant. I noticed the line at Mein Bowl was empty and decided to give it a try and am so glad I did! I got orange chicken, white rice, and some crab rangoons. Everything tasted fresh and the portion size was great I had leftovers that I ate for dinner. The service was so quick compared to the experiences I've had with other places on campus. The staff was so kind and welcoming. I had a few questions and needed some recommendations and the chef was so informative and nice. I definitely will be stopping by Mein Bowl again hoping to try their sushi next time, I cannot believe I never thought to go there in the first place! read more

When I came to UAB for orientation I really wanted Chinese, and since I was unsure of where to go, I just went to the closest one, which was Mein Bowl. Mein Bowl is one of the best dining options on UAB's campus, especially for students who need something quick but still high quality. The environment can be fast paced, or relaxing depending upon the time of day you go and if you're going to study or grab dinner with friends. One of the biggest highlights is how fast the service is, where even between busy class hours ordered are prepared quickly, which makes it a stress free option when you're trying to fit a mean in between lecture or labs. The chicken lo mein is easily the standout menu item, and my personal favorite. It is packed with flavor, and the noodles are perfect and the chicken isn't over cooked, making it a meal that feels both comforting and satisfying. If you are on UAB's campus, I would highly recommend trying this place if you haven't already. read more

Now I know Mein Bowl has historically gotten the most mixed reviews on UAB's campus. However, I frequently purchase their sushi for a quick lunch option. A lot of people have had bad experiences with their non-sushi foods such as stomach aches. I do tend to only purchase their sushi because of this. I don't eat fish but their shrimp and veggie rolls are my go-to options. Mein Bowl is always efficient with the service and I can count on the prices being decent. Overall, I give Mein Bowl 3 stars because some of their options are questionable but they do have hidden gems! read more

Mein Bowl - Crunchy shrimp roll - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Today was my first time eating at the student center, so I didn't really know what to expect. I only had a limited amount of time on my hands and the lines were pretty long and almost at a standstill, except for the line at Mein Bowl. As soon as I got in line, it began to move at a steady pace and the customer service was pretty good as well. Since this was my first time eating at the student center, I made sure to go in with an open mind and the food was actually satisfying. A few pieces of the chicken were a little tough, but overall the entree was fresh and appetizing. read more

Mein Bowl - General Tso's chicken & Fried Rice. - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

As long as I have been going to UAB, I have heard either Mein Bowl be someone's go-to place to eat or a place they do not go to eat at because of a bad experience. I have not ate at Mein Bowl for almost 2 years, but I decided to give it a try again! To my surprise, it was not a bad experience! I decided to get the tempura shrimp roll which was $10.99 for 8 rolls. The rolls were pretty big and a good quantity for me so the meal was filling for lunch. I would prefer the rolls be cut into thinner pieces since it was difficult to eat such thick ones. The sushi seemed like it was pretty fresh and was not dry. Of course, I have had better sushi before, but for a campus dining place, the sushi was not bad and the taste was better than I expected. They had many other sushi options to choose from so it is a quick and convenient option if you are craving some sushi or Asian oriented food while on campus. read more

Mein Bowl - Tempura Shrimp Roll - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Every time I enter the Student Hill Center, Mein Bowl is always my go-to spot for food. Their meals are always hot and usually fresh depending on the influx of students coming in. I ordered the vegetable lo mein, sesame chicken, and beef and broccoli. The last time I ate here was about six years ago, and it still hits the spot just the same!! It's not the healthiest option, but it is a favorite comfort meal of mine. The lo mein tastes different than I remember (more mushy and thicker), but the sesame chicken is still a must-try. It's very delicious and always has great flavor and extra sauce. Give it a try if you haven't! read more

My friend and I stopped by Mein Bowl for a late lunch. We ate around 3pm so it wasn't super crowded. We were able to find seats at an empty booth. This place is great because it is on Campus and you can use your campus card to pay. So for the ambiance it's great. It really captures student life. The food was good and the staff were really nice as always. I had the fried rice with general tso chicken, chicken dumplings, and an egg roll. The food comes in plastic storage containers and you can get a plastic bag to carry it in. So, I would say they need to work on their sustainability. I didn't see any Covid precautions but overall a 10/10. I would highly recommend. read more

Mein Bowl - Krispy Krab sushi roll - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Gave me undercooked chicken and I got sick. Worst general tsos ever. I've spoken to other UAB students and they've had similar experiences.

Took my sister here for lunch in the Hill Center to make her try something new. It's only a 2 block walk from our job. We chose Bowl Mein bcus we love this style of food. I order the Lemongrass Beef with noodles and seasonal veggies. I also added ginger sauce to my noodles. The food was just about as good as I remembered with the exception of the beef tasting like liver. I took the last of it so when my sister ordered hers she had to wait for the fresh batch and hers tasted nothing like mine. Bummer!!!!!!!! The seasonal veggies were fresh green beans and sliced carrots, they were perfectly cooked. My favorite part of my meal actually. The Lo Mein noodles were quite mushy to me so I'll try the rice next time. The young lady at the counter also wasn't friendly or helpful nor did she give us the complete ordering service. We were not offered the sauces nor the options to add the unlimited veggies that are free. We stood there waiting and noticed the signage and had to ask several times for what we should have been offered. She really upset the experience. I know they are busy bcus of all of the students but that's no excuse to shore change customers. The cook thanked us the waiting and apologized for the wait. I thought that was quite nice. read more

Mein Bowl - a meal in a styrofoam container - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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The only reason I go to this restaurant at the Student Hill Center is because it usually has the shortest line. If I had a longer time period in between classes, I would not choose to eat here. I am vegetarian, so my options are also limited. I usually get a side of lo mein or fried rice with yum yum sauce on top. Recently, they have been telling me I can't get only one side, so I am forced to get two sides which end up going to waste. I also really like how the utensils and condiments are by the cashier, so it is hard to leave without remembering to grab them. read more

Most times on my lunch break between classes I need something quick and Mein Bowl is the perfect place for that. The customer service is great and the food service is even better. They don't have any Covid 19 precautions for the lines but I notice some of them still follow somewhat of a protocol wearing mask. read more

On my breaks in between classes I love eating at Mein Bowl located in the Hill Center at UAB. Mein Bowl has never disappointed, and this past Tuesday on my lunch gap they delivered again. I ordered orange chicken and rice, and my box was filled to the max with food, enough for me to have left overs for another time. The food I get from mein bowl is always very fresh and hot and I rarely ever wait a long time in line. Tuesday, my wait time from getting in line (with 6 people in front of me) to the check out was about 4 minutes. The mein bowl workers are always friendly when I visit, I have never had a complaint about customer service. Mein bowl no longer has any COVID 19 protocols in place like masking or social distancing. I'd recommend mein bowl to anyone who needs a good lunch on UAB's campus! read more

Mein Bowl is good. Especially when you want something quick. The lines are hardly ever long, and I always love that I can see the food being prepared & put in my box.The last time I went to Mein Bowl was the first week of school. I got the Mein noodles with the orange chicken and an egg roll that I took to-go.The one reason I did not give them 5 stars is because the chicken always seems to be so hard, but other than that the atmosphere is always welcoming. They no longer have COVID- 19 precautions anymore but I would certainly eat at Mein Bowl again only if I am on campus. read more

Mein bowl is typically my go-to when eating in the hill center or on campus in general because it is always the fastest. Additionally, it is the easiest place to modify your meal for dietary restrictions because you point at exactly what you want. I do think it is one of the healthier options on campus because you are able to get vegetables and a variety of protein sources. I like the steamed vegetable options which this time were a little different than what is normally offered, but you should be prepared that there is no seasoning on them. I am giving 4 stars simply for the quality of the meat options which are often hit or miss, sometimes really not tasting good. This particular dish the chicken had a burnt taste to it so I didn't eat a lot of it. The portion size is very large so when you are trying to save money as a college student, Mein Bowl is a good option. I typically only eat about half of these meals in one sitting. Overall I appreciate this option on campus compared to many other American restaurants that have much fewer options for common dietary restrictions and allergens. read more

Mein Bowl - Fried rice, lemongrass chicken, steamed vegetables - Chinese Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Mein Bowl at the University Hill Center is a great place to grab lunch on campus. This week my friends and I went between classes at 2 PM for a quick meal. While I could've just placed it through Grubhub, I decided to go in person to order my food. I like that the line moves pretty fast compared to other restaurants at the hill, like Panera or Full moon, so you won't have to worry about being late for your next class. I also appreciate that they have condiments at the front register so that you always remember to grab a fork and napkins. The workers keep COVID-19 precautions in mind as they are always wearing masks and gloves, and avoid making physical contact with you. Overall, I was satisfied with my meal (General Tso with steamed rice), and I always appreciate a free salad! read more

While in a rush to grab a bite to eat before my next class, I decided stop by Mein Bowl. The line at Mein Bowl is usually short and getting your food is always quick--great in a pinch. The employees are friendly and efficient with orders. There is not much general ambiance as it is not necessarily a "place," more like a serving bar. There is a glass barrier protecting the food from patrons and employees frequently wear gloves and occasionally face masks. Today I decided to get a serving of Lo Mein noodles, Cajun potatoes, and General Tso's chicken. My food was portioned well and prepared quickly in a Styrofoam container. The food was hot and cooked properly. The Lo Mein noodles were thick and tasty. The Cajun potatoes, one of my favorites, were extremely flavorful. The chicken left me a bit unsatisfied. The flavor could be better, as the freshness, but it was still enjoyable. All in all, I will be visiting this location again as I can always get a reliable plate of food in a time crunch. read more