"This is a wagyu-centric AYCE shabu shabu spot with elaborate light projections and thematic soundscapes. So yes, this place is a rather absurd production, but it's also fun and the hot pot is pretty good. The pots are served individually (each seat has its own burner) and you get your choice of soups—like spicy miso, tomato, or sukiyaki—to cook and flavor all of the different cuts of wagyu. And while they have a small army of robot servers, they also have humans on hand to take orders." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor
"The X Pot is a futuristic hot pot restaurant in Chicago with robot servers, along with elaborate light projections and thematic soundscapes. So yes, this place is a rather absurd production, but it's also fun and the hot pot is good. The pots are served individually—each seat has its own burner—and you get your choice of soup. We like the medium spicy Szechuan, which has a nice amount of spice and goes great with the wagyu ribeye, lamb shoulder, and ox aorta. While the robots might bring you your selection of ingredients, humans are on hand to take orders. And, presumably, to rescue you from the robots should they gain sentience and revolt." - anne cruz
"This Chinese restaurant, an expansion of the Las Vegas original, has switched concepts over the years. It’s now concentrating on Japanese hot pot (shabu shabu) and barbecue, both with all-you-can-eat options. They haven’t walked away from the light shows and robotic servers, as the space still hosts private events." - Ashok Selvam
"The Deal: $45-98 AYCE Shabu Shabu, $55-98 AYCE Yakiniku Wagyu House is a futuristic shabu shabu and yakiniku spot in the South Loop from the same people behind Chubby Cattle. Complete with robot servers, light projections, and thematic soundscapes, it’s all kind of absurd—but it's also fun, and the broths and ingredients are good. There are different price points, depending on whether you want just American and Australian wagyu or premium options like Japanese A5 wagyu and unlimited bone marrow." - john ringor
"As its name suggests, this futuristic all-you-can-eat shabu shabu restaurant in the South Loop has a penchant for wagyu. What makes it futuristic? Robot servers, along with elaborate light projections and thematic soundscapes. So yes, this place is a rather absurd production. But it's also fun, and the broths and cuts of wagyu are good. While the robots might bring you your selection of ingredients, humans are on hand to take orders. And, presumably, to rescue you from the robots should they gain sentience and revolt." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor