Jesse H.
Yelp
This place has been declining recently. While the food quality is still good and I dig the vibe of the place, consistency and service have become major issues. Living nearby, I usually order takeout because the service has always been slow. I can typically order, pick up my food, and be home faster than dining in. However, lately, my takeout orders have been frequently incorrect. When I bring this up, they offer free items or discounts for next time, but there's no clear way to redeem these offers, and they don't provide the name of the person making them. It feels insincere.
A recent experience pushed me to finally write this review. A few weeks ago, I brought a friend here since it's nearby, but the visit was awful.
Here's how it went:
- 45 minutes to receive our first drink.
- 1 hour for cheese wontons.
- 1 hour, 15 minutes for water.
- 1.5-1.75 hours for a 20-piece chicken wing.
We repeatedly raised concerns with the servers, who would say things like, "Oh, that hasn't come out yet? I'll check," but never followed up.
The excuses we heard were unconvincing:
- "We're busy." This is a weak argument. There were only 3-4 tables occupied at any time, and few takeout orders coming in. We even saw other tables arrive, eat, and leave before we got our food. When our dishes finally arrived, they were piping hot, meaning they hadn't been sitting in the kitchen--they just weren't being prepared promptly.
- "Our CEO is here." This was true; we were seated next to the CEO, who was being attended to by the manager, Daniel. While Daniel walked past our table multiple times, he ignored our attempts to get his attention. He later claimed he didn't see us, which was untrue as he looked directly at us several times. Frankly, having your boss in-house should improve service, not make it worse.
-"Let me know next time, and I'll discount your food." At least I now know who to talk to, but this felt like another hollow gesture. It took nearly two hours just to speak to the manager after repeated attempts, what will happen next time?
The only positive aspect, besides the food itself, was the bartender. She eventually went out of her way to check on us and even brought us water--something the servers failed to do for over an hour.
In the end, I can't recommend this place. If you're craving similar food, go the extra distance to Bonchon on the other side of South Capitol. Their food quality is comparable, but the service--ironically, from a large chain--is much better. Bonchon was here long before this place opened and, at this rate, will still be thriving long after this restaurant shutters its doors.