This is easily our favorite BBQ spot, and we keep coming back for a reason! Every visit here is a great experience. The meat quality is consistently excellent--always fresh, well-marinated, and flavorful. But what really sets this place apart is the incredible service. The staff is exceptionally hardworking and prompt, especially Mr. Chen. He always makes sure we're taken care of and his attention to detail really makes the meal seamless. Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, you're guaranteed to have a nice time here. Highly recommend! read more

High quality Korean BBQ that's known for their coal fire method of cooking the meat. Also bonus points that I didn't leave feeling like I just left a smokehouse. We came on a Saturday at 11:30 to get ourselves on the waiting list. They opened at 12. We were the first in line to put our name down on the list but immediately after there was already a long line. Once inside I can see why wait times are long. They really only have like 7 long tables that can fit up to 6 people each. We decided to go with the deluxe version of the menu for $4 more since others in our group recommended the cold beef soup and the prime cuts. Meat came out really fast and we were able to start cooking right away. I do wish some of the marinated meat options we got were less sweet but that's just a note for me in the future to not order those. My favorite cut was the prime cut steak. Service was very friendly and they always came to check in and see if we wanted to order anything else. Never felt rushed to leave either. read more

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We came here Saturday for lunch. It opens at 12. But our friends who are regulars suggested us to come early to put your name down on the yelp waitlist. We came 40 mins early and was able to be first on the waitlist! We were able to get seated right away at 12. The inside is very clean but there were a limited amount of seating especially with the long outside. So would definitely baking that into your time when coming here. Everything was high quality! The meats and the side dishes were all top notch. But the big draw was that the grill was char coal! Which definitely adds a nice flavor to the meat compared to your normal KBBQ. One thing I appreciate is that we never felt rushed even though you can see the line outside. Will definitely be back. read more

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This is one of those places that's always busy. Be prepared to wait anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, so getting on the waitlist early is key. Once you're seated though, service is quick and attentive. The big draw here is the charcoal grill, which gives the meat a distinct smoky, charred flavor that sets it apart from your typical gas-grill kbbq. Meat quality is solid across the board and the variety is great, especially on the deluxe menu, which is definitely worth the upgrade for cuts like prime steak, marinated beef, and black pepper finger meat. Overall, Fire Spot is a great spot if you're in the mood for kbbq with that charcoal flavor. Go for the Deluxe option and don't forget the corn cheese! read more

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Dear diary I was always hearing good things about this place and decided to finally go. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. But you have to go at least an hour or two earlier to get on the waitlist because they are busyyy. Parking is also very limited so you might have to park on the street. The restaurant is definitely on the smaller side but the ventilation is great and the place is clean. The vibe is lively and upbeat with music playing in the background. We selected the deluxe plan and it is more food than we can ever finish. The meat was great quality and the side dishes were awesome. Their sauce is also on another level compared to other places. Even though it was busy, the staff were friendly and attentive to our needs. They were also really helpful when we have questions. I would recommend trying this place but make sure to arrive early to get your spot on the waitlist! read more

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I've been meaning to try this place for a while now and I finally went for Sunday night dinner. Checked in at the restaurant and there was an hour and a half wait time. We knew this spot gets pretty busy so after we checked in we went for drinks around the area to pass the time. Plenty of options within walking distance if you wanna pre game before you eat. Our server Aaron took very good care of me and my date. Very patient and attentive and always making sure we were ok. He knew it was our first time so he gave us a few recommendations for meats we should try. The black pepper finger meat and the marinated hand cut beef were our favorite cuts. Very tender and juicy - probably the best meat quality of meat I've had at an all you can eat place. The charcoal grill in my opinion is a game changer. It gets that smokey flavor on the meat without having a greasy mess like other kbbq spots. The wait may be a bit long but I promise it's worth the wait. read more

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I completely understand why this place has a notoriously long wait. This was an amazing BBQ experience, maybe one of the best in Convoy! Quality, taste, flavor, unique charcoal grill -- this place has it all. We arrived at 4:45 on a Saturday and signed onto the waitlist. They use a Yelp waitlist but you are not able to join remotely, only in person. Thankfully we got a parking spot right away and waited in our car for about an hour before we got a text that we were at the top of the waitlist. Definitely arrive an hour before you plan on eating, and maybe longer during the dinner rush. The place is very small! But I can tell the service is efficient because the servers are very fast paced. Once seated, we got our sides and dipping sauces. The dips of sesame oil & salt, garlic sauce, and spicy powder complemented the meat really well. I loved the sides, they were exceptional. The kimchi and bean sprout salad was our favorites! Note that you have to get the servers' attention to order. Again, they are very fast paced so they won't really wait on you. So it's best to call them over once you know what you want! The only time they came to us was for our last call since we hit the 1.5 hour limit. We got the Deluxe Menu, which I think is well worth the extra few dollars. Their charcoal grill is really unique, cooking the meat by flame. It gets HOT. Especially with fattier cuts, it will smoke up a lot. Servers come by with ice cubes to cool down your grill if it gets too hot and smokey. Their exhaust fans are really helpful and adjustable by height. The meat portions are huge, you can order 4 meats per round. At KBBQ, we usually eat multiple rounds but here we got stuffed after 2 rounds. I wish I could have tried more sides but I got super full from meat (which is good for AYCE BBQ :)). Meat & Sides Ordered: - Prime Cut Steak (Deluxe) - 1 per person. MY FAVORITE ITEM. SO tender and flavorful - Prime Rib Eye (Deluxe) - limit 1 order. Delicious as well, just pretty fatty and filling - Prime Beef Tongue (Deluxe) - super tender and came with a lot of very thin slices - Beef Skirt Steak (Deluxe) - a bit leaner but not my favorite due to the fat on the edges - Black Pepper Finger Meat - seasoned rib cuts, pretty fatty - Marinated Lamb - I probably would not get again, it has a strong lamb taste - Cold Noodle (Deluxe) - my favorite side. Cold, sweet, refreshing bowl of noodles with beef slices, egg, kimchi, and veggies. - Seafood Tofu Stew (Deluxe) - another great side, with mussels, egg, shrimp. good seafood flavor. read more

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Service was amazing! Food portion sizes are big and meat quality was amazing! I love the charcoal grill! It made a difference in the taste! Come early because they get very busy! read more

The Fire Spot - Side dishes - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been eyeing this place for so long and can't believe I waited this long to try. It's in a super busy plaza and parking is nonexistent in this plaza unless you get lucky. I came at opening on a Monday. There was already a long line and long waitlist ahead of me. I got there at 4:30pm at opening and I was 18th in line by the time I signed up for the waitlist. We waited for the 2nd round which the host advised everyone would be another 1.5 hours until 1st round of customers finished. Understandable. We left to go kill time elsewhere. I did get a text about 1 hour later that my table was ready. We were excited to try being that it was charcoal and our 1st time instead of usual propane. We really enjoyed the experience and there was no grease splatter nor did we feel too full because of all the fat drippings. It's a small place with a good amount of tables so getting multiple rounds or the servers' attention can be a bit of a challenge but once you flag them down they don't miss a thing. We got the original menu and everything was good. We enjoyed trying all the sauces and even requested the dry sauces. Some of the dry dips made the meats really salty so the meats were good on its own. Overall I'd say we had a really good 1st time experience and really enjoyed the charcoal taste. Now... would I come back again and wait that long? The waitlist can seem a bit overwhelming and I noticed it turned a lot of people away. I don't know.. possibly lol but I wouldn't wait on a hangry day. read more

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One of the best KBBQ places I've had! For $37.99 per person for the regular menu, the price did increase from what I remember but this is still reasonable. The marinated meats and seasonings are really delicious and flavorful. I think this place may be fusion with Chinese(?), not sure but the sides are definitely unique. Beansprouts are really good and haven't had them at other kbbq. Servers do their best to get you your orders and it seems like this place is always busy. Go early and get on the waitlist!! Also like how it's a charcoal grill, the meats cook faster and no splashing oil. The large vents make the place less smoky too. Great food! read more

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I've been wanting to try Fire Spot for the longest time, and finally got the chance when a couple of friends took my friend and I here for our birthdays! They have a limited number of tables so it can get busy with long wait times. So come early! We came around 4:50pm on a weekday, and added ourselves to the Yelp waitlist which said half an hour...not sure why though since there were multiple open tables and they ended up just seating us almost immediately. If you miss the initial round of seating at the open tables then be prepared to wait at least ~1.5 hours for something to open up since it's AYCE. We ordered the Deluxe menu for the Prime Cut Steak which was tender and juicy! The Cold Noodles are also exclusive to the Deluxe menu. I normally don't like this style of cold noodles (with ice cubes), but something about theirs is different, and I kept reaching back for more bites/sips. Loved their corn cheese too but it's a bit small, so be prepared to order multiple. Not sure if it was just an off day, but it felt like the thinner cuts of meat that were ordered were all on the drier side, even though we only cooked them for a bit. I definitely felt myself gravitating more towards the thicker cuts. The fans/vents felt super effective - I didn't leave smelling like meat like I always do after KBBQ. It helps that you can adjust the vent height too to pull in more smoke/fumes while things are cooking. Overall, a great option for AYCE when you're craving meat but want something a little different and slightly better quality than KBBQ! read more

waited about 1 1/2 hours on a tuesday so beware. it's a bit loud since it's a small restaurant. very close proximity to other parties. meat is good! we found a rock in our soup tho read more

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Next time I come in they're going to have to call the NATIONAL GUARD to get me out my seat. All you can eat $41 sumn dollars is a steal for this place. The prime cut steak, beef short rib, and prime ribeye was absolutely TANTALIZING. The service is spot on and the place smells like if heaven hosted a BBQ. Get in here before 1pm to be the line! FIH' STAH read more

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My favorite bbq place - such a long wait most days but worth the wait if you plan your day accordingly. Service is always great and the restaurant is always packed with hungry people like ourselves. Food is always fresh and delicious. I love the marinated meats and the wire grill to add the extra char. The ambiance is clean and fast paced. People come in; eat and leave right after. They typically are courteous with their dining time out of respect for people still waiting. read more

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Oh my gosh, favorite KBBQ in San Diego. There is most likely always a wait however, definitely worth it. They use coal for their grill and offer a ton of options on their menu. Their servers are speedy and always ensure you have enough meat and drinks in front of you! My favorite items were spicy beef soup, corn cheese, shrimp, prime rib steak, beef skirt steak, brisket, garlic rib finger. All included for $38.99 per person. read more

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The menu has a solid selection of meats and seafood, and everything we tried was delicious. The highlights were the 5-Spiced Marinated Lamb, Marinated Pork Belly, Sweet Spicy Cajun Chicken, and the Cumin Squid, which had a uniquely Chinese-style flavor. Cooking everything over their Chinese-style charcoal grill gave the meats a unique smoky char that really set this place apart from typical KBBQ spots. The sides and appetizers (rice paper, steamed egg, beef soup, and house salad) were similar to what you'd find at most Korean BBQ restaurants, but the Boiled Whole Peanuts were a pleasant surprise. They were perfectly boiled with a great texture and made for a nice snack while grilling or waiting. As for sauces, I highly recommend trying their House Garlic Sauce, Sea Salt Sesame Oil, and House Spicy Powder. All three paired really well with the meats and added another layer of flavor. One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is small, so I recommend arriving early, as it can get crowded quickly. My group ended up waiting about 1.5 hours for a table. Despite the wait, the food was excellent, and the staff was very accommodating, attentive, and professional throughout the entire experience. Overall, this spot is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different from the typical KBBQ experience. read more

The Fire Spot - The Menu/Grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Fire Spot has always been my #1 KBBQ spot in Convoy! The service is excellent; they check in regularly to make sure everything's good. The meats are high quality, and the sides are just as delicious. I especially crave their cucumber salad every other day. The original plan is $37.99, which gives you a lot of options, and they use a charcoal grill instead of a regular grill, making the experience even better. If you plan on dining in, make sure to arrive early to get your name on the list, especially on weekends, as the wait can be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. read more

It was our first time here a couple weeks ago and the food was good. We enjoyed that it cooked a little faster the normal kbbq style. It was a fun experience cooking over coal but I prefer the original way. The service was ok, it was incredibly busy so I understand. The ambiance is a small mom n pop restaurant. Definitely busy so make sure you put your name on the list as soon as you arrive. Overall, we wish there was more options for meat like beef belly and bulgogi. Must try at least once though! read more

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Food Second time here. No more NY strip. Ribeye is a solid substitute but not quite as good. The fish cake seems downgraded. Not sure what they did but it used to be the best I've had, now it's just good. Service and ambiance are both the same. I talked to the Manager and he was transparent and humble. He said they will switch back to their USDA meat soon due to prices stabilizing and to make sure the fish cake is better, it was probably made wrong today. He also was understanding about the parking, which he has no say in, saying it is terrible and a scam. It says 2 hours for free, okay great. But it also says you have to pre-pay so that is a contradiction because there's no absolutely no way to get a refund after you pay. It is absolutely brain-dead. Let's see if I can complain and get this figured out so I can help others avoid this pain. read more

This AYCE BBQ spot lives up to its name: it is indeed a fire spot! The meats taste delicious, we cook them on a clean charcoal grill, and the service is quick and reliable. the interior is simply decorated, the main attraction being the delicious food. Easily the best BBQ in san diego. It blends aspects of JBBQ, CBBQ, and KBBQ into one restaurant. Would recommend checking it out when you're in town! read more

The Fire Spot - beef with egg yolk - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Great selection and quality of meats. Service was spectacular by Aaron and the other staff members! The restaurant is quite small & cozy. The only reason I am making this a 4 Star instead of a 5 Star review is because the sauces were a bit bland compared to other places. Nevertheless, still a great spot. read more

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One of the best Korean Bbq spots in sd. It is definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend getting on the waitlist ASAP because it can be super long. They don't have a lot of tables inside. I love how they are all you can eat but the quality of meat there is still so good and fresh. Would highly recommend. read more

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Best KBBQ restaurant in All of San Diego! Meat quality is top notch with LOTs of varieties! Service is phenomenal! The only downside is if you get there after 5:30, expect to wait ~2 hours as this place is small! But it's worth the wait!! read more

The Fire Spot is absolutely worth the hype and the wait, easily became my favorite AYCE BBQ place in the Convoy area. I love the charcoal taste on the meats. Quick service as well! Definitely recommend trying! read more

The Fire Spot - menu 11/25 - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

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Definitely enjoyed the AYCE bbq. I like how it has fusion menu. It's not entirely Korean but is fused with hints of Chinese cuisine. There was definitely a wait to get in. Once you get in the service was relatively quick and efficient. The meat tasted fresh and good grilled in charcoal. They also had a lot of side options as well. I can imagine this place will be hard to get in if you have a big party. Seating was a bit tight inside. Otherwise our entire family enjoyed this bbq adventure. read more

The Fire Spot - Charcoal grill - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Finally got to try the fire spot and it didn't disappoint! We went right at opening and were sat immediately. I do recommend going early because this place fills up quick and they do not accept reservations for parties big or small. Biggest table accommodation is for max 8ppl, if you have a party larger than that you'll have to sit separate. We opted for the deluxe plan and all the meat were delicious! Some of our faves were the prime rib eye, rib fingers, and the tongue! The coal gives the meat a nice flavor. Servers were very quick and attentive as they were always changing our grills and grabbing empty plates out of the way. We will definitely be back to try other items on their menu! read more

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The food is already a given in quality (and why it's worth the wait), but the service last night was amazing! All 3 servers took care of us for our special date night and we wanted to make sure everyone knows! Great hospitality and attention to our table, given how busy the Friday night was. Keep up the great teamwork!! read more

Great place for dinner. Deluxe option gave you 28 choices for 90 minutes, 4 items at a time. Cooking over Charcoal is a bit tricky cuz pieces could turn black even though you are cooking more than eating. The workers were very efficient and fast and lots of initiative like taking our next order, changing the grill and bringing another container of water to the table. This restaurant is in Convoy. Well lit, super popular with 64-84 minute wait times for a table. Smell of meat grilling from the outside after you park is heavenly. read more

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The food is delicious. The waiting line can be long, especially on weekends, but it is worth the time.

This spot is a gem for barbecue lovers -- a fusion of Korean and Chinese meats grilled right at your table on a Shichirin-style charcoal grill. The charcoal gives everything that irresistible smoky flavor, and the meat quality is excellent -- beautifully marbled, flavorful, and with just the right amount of fat. Pricing is fair compared to other BBQ joints: the standard AYCE set is about $35, and the premium runs closer to $40. Given the quality, it feels worth it. You can hop on the Yelp waitlist ahead of time (highly recommended!), but be prepared: the restaurant is small and very popular, so seating is limited. The parking lot situation is pay-to-use, but I've never seen anyone checking. There is a good amount of street parking although you may have to walk. The saving grace, besides the food, is the fantastic service. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely seem to care about making sure you have a great meal! read more

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Love this spot! We waited about an hour and a half for a party of 5. The space is small so be aware of wait times when you come. Love that the grill is over a coal fire and love that they serve sides of vinagre!! The meat is also not frozen and freshly cut. read more

The Fire Spot is located in a small plaza on Convoy Street. Because there are many shops within the plaza, it can be a little hard to find parking in the lot, however, there is typically street parking on the side street. The overall restaurant is a little small (not as big as other ayce kbbq places), but the staff is quick and attentive and we didn't have to wait long for a party of 3 on a Sunday afternoon. Because of the grills, it does get pretty hot while you're eating, but it was never smoky. Their menu has a good variety of meats and side dishes. They have the usual meats--brisket, pork belly, etc.--and also side dishes like salads, tofu soups, and corn cheese. We opted for the cheaper version, coming to about $52/person after tax + tip. I personally couldn't really taste a difference between the coal stove and a regular kbbq stove, but my friends said it made the meat more flavorful. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The meats and side dishes came out FAST. Our waters were never empty. Great experience! read more

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Sunday 20, 2020 1540 This establishment is located in the heart of it all when it comes to Asian Fusion restaurants however, the plaza Peking is really difficult to find parking. The place is small and only had 13 tables. The staff was friendly and place is very clean. There is only one unisex restroom. The ambience is ok. The best part of it all is that they actually use REAL charcoal just like the authentic Korean BBQ I used to go to in Korea. The exhaust system is really good as well as there is no smoke anywhere REAL charcoal authentic bbq taste.......reasonably priced as well even on the premium side. This may not have the exotic and wagyu beef, the authentic grilling more than makes up for it..... Definitely a spot to try out even if you've had Korean BBQ before....between the five of us, I think we tried all the meats and it did not disappoint. Will definitely make this a regular spot for KBBQ. read more

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New favorite Asian BBQ spot in SD unlocked!! For a $5 upgrade, the deluxe menu was definitely worth it. Our favorites did have limitations though: New York Steak (6oz per person) and the prime cut steak (1 order per person). Sides were creat and the spicy garlic sauce went crazy. The perfect bite included meat, corn cheese, kimchi, wrapped in rice paper. Thought about coming back the next night.. make sure to come early bc wait list on a Friday night read 150+ minutes but we were sat in about 60-90 minutes for 2 people. The place is small but turnover is fast in my opinion. read more

The Fire Spot - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the greatest AYCE KBBQ experience of my life, respectfully. Great meats for the base menu, amazing sides, and an amazing charcoal grill for that smoky flavor. Things do take a lil longer to cook tbh, but it's worth it for the quality of meat, especially for an AYCE. I spammed the steamed egg like a Fortnite emote, we also spammed the finger rib meat. Wait is long tho so get there early. read more

The Fire Spot - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

Fire spot is a San Diego staple if you're looking for quality KBBQ. It's the best spot in the area, which explains the almost 2 hour wait during peak hours (6-8pm) on weekends. The meat is tender/tasty and there are really good Chinese sides, it's a unique experience that you would be hard pressed to find. There is limited seating and the interior is homey and the staff host a good vibe. Only reasons why I have it at a four star is the wait + the price! read more

The Fire Spot - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

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There are so many KBBQ spots in San Diego, and the Fire Spot has to be one of my favorites. I went on a Friday around dinner time, and the restaurant was quite busy. My friend and I were placed on a brief waitlist and waited about 10-15 minutes before we were seated. The menu has such a variety of meats and sides to choose from. Quite honestly, we ordered many different types/cuts of meats to try as many as we could. I was thoroughly impressed by the quality and marination of the meats. Because you are cooking on a charcoal grill, the meat cooks fairly quickly (be careful not to burn them) and tastes a bit smokey. The sides were also pretty good. I got to order some of my favorites, including corn cheese, spicy seafood stew, side salad, and steamed egg. The service was decent. Because the restaurant was so busy, it felt as if the servers stopped by only once in a while, so there was a period in which we had no meat on our grill for over 10 minutes lol. They also sometimes forgot what we had asked for (e.g. napkins). Overall, I had a wonderful experience at the Fire Spot. One thing I would warn prospective customers about is that the grill is veryyy smokey so it was super hot while eating. read more

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Amazing food here, the meat options here feel a lot more high grade and less fatty compared to other kbbq spots. Usually I get sick of the taste of meat but here I am actually able to completely get full from the food before that happens. The use of charcoal also helps add flavor to the food being cooked, it does get very smokey on the restaurant however because of this but luckily you are able to move your ventilation closer to catch it. The servers are also very fast paced and kind even when it is super busy. The portions given are also very big meaning you don't really have to do too many rounds and wait too long for your food. Would come here again for this price. read more

The Fire Spot - Barbeque Near Me - San Diego, California

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My favorite spot for BBQ in San Diego. If I have to complain about anything, it would be the parking -- it is difficult to find a spot in their lot. read more

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This is one of my favorite KBBQ spots in San Diego. Their meat is fresh and the smoky flavor from the charcoal grill is unbeatable. They have a good selection of banchan too! I highly recommend their Korean spicy squid, that was delicious. One small note is that their corn cheese is served on a stone plate, so it cooled down quite quickly and the cheese hardened. If it can be served in a little foil tin like some other kbbq place that we can put on the grill, that would be nice. This place is very popular but their space is small, so make sure you get on the waitlist promptly. Apparently they don't take Yelp reservations so you need to put your name down in person. But the reason why I highly recommend this place is their service. The staff is so friendly and they seem to really care about their customers. Even though we dined at rush hour, it was not hard to get their attention. read more

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