Smilie's Place Hot Pot (82st) — Restaurant in Edmonton

I’ve been eating Smilies food since I was a kid, they have always been my favourite and go to. But after my experience yesterday, I will not return after 20+ years of being a customer.

Yesterday we ordered over $115 worth of food online at 5:30pm, the estimated time for delivery was approximately 6:15pm. I checked the websites ETAs before hand and specifically waited until 5:30pm to place my order given the 45 minute timeframe the website stated. When I called to confirm my order because they didn’t call me like they were supposed to, I was told the wait would actually be 1.5-2 hours, which isn’t ideal but it was New Years Eve and I understood. I told the lady I wish the website would have been more accurate with their ETAs so I would have known to order earlier. She offered to cancel the order and refund our money but I said it’s okay and “if the wait time is an issue with my family, I will call back to cancel and request a refund.” The time wasn’t an issue, so I didn’t call back.

Fast forward over 2 hours later and we still haven’t received our food, so I call to see what’s going on and I am told after providing my order information “it’s out for delivery, and should be there anytime now”. Fast forward another hour, still no food. It has now been well over 3 hours since we ordered so I call again. When I call this time I’m told “oh that ordered was cancelled because you called and said the wait was too long”. I reiterated what I actually said which was “if the wait time is an issue I will call back to cancel and request a refund”…… and said that I did NOT call back to cancel or request for a refund so why was my order cancelled?? I understand that they were busy, and the it was more then likely miscommunication, but my problem is the fact that 2 hours after we ordered when I called asking for an update I was told everything was out for delivery. How is that possible when the order wasn’t even filled? Why was I blatantly lied to? Why was I never given a refund if the order was cancelled many hours ago? My hungry child and family waited over 3 hours for a dinner that never came and a NYE dinner/tradition that we have been looking forward to for months was ruined.

My family and I have been loyal customers for decades, spending well over $100 each time we order, and have had traditions revolving around Smilies for many years. I understand things happen but the fact I was lied to, kept waiting for hours, then wasn’t even given an apology is incredibly...

Neat concept but definitely needs some refinement. I've been to numerous hot pot places and this is the most unique in Edmonton and definitely worth a try for the experience but it does fall short on a lot of things.

The meat variety is limited and the quality is not the greatest. The beef are tougher cuts but the pork and lamb were good. No chicken though which I'm shocked isn't available as it is a standard at every hot pot restaurant in the city.

The sauce bar has some unique items like the mushroom sauce which was delicious but lacks some basic staples such as ginger. There is a tiny bottle of soy sauce but being the staple of any good sauce there should be more. Most of the other sauces seemed runny and diluted.

The broth I tried was the spicy golden and Tom yum which both were flavorful and delicious so big points on that!

The conveyor belt system was cool to see and being able to grab whatever you wanted to try yourself was a great idea! There is a lack of variety though and after a few rotations you see the same thing going by. Might just be the time we went but the restaurant was decently busy so there shouldn't have been a problem with variety. The quality of some of the items weren't the greatest. The fried stuff were greasy over battered and stale from sitting on the belt.

The seating is tight and there is not a lot of room. You are pretty much shoulder to shoulder if you are at the single pot section unless you get a table. The panel to control the temperature of the pots are so far under the table you really need to lean far back to even change the settings.

Overall I'd say this is worth a try for the uniqueness if you're in the north but if you're looking for a truly great experience I'd check out some of the other establishments...

Smilie’s Place Hot Pot is a delightful culinary gem that truly stands out for its exceptional service and fresh ingredients. From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The staff is incredibly attentive and friendly, ensuring that your dining experience is nothing short of fantastic.

One of the highlights of Smilie’s Place is the freshness of the food. The ingredients are vibrant and high-quality, from the tender meats to the crisp vegetables. Each dish bursts with flavor, and the customization options allow you to create your perfect hot pot meal. The broth selection is impressive, catering to various tastes, whether you prefer something spicy or a milder flavor.

What sets this place apart is the dedication to customer satisfaction. The staff is knowledgeable, offering recommendations and guidance while remaining unobtrusive. They frequently check in to ensure you have everything you need, making the whole experience enjoyable and relaxed.

Overall, Smilie’s Place Hot Pot is a must-visit for anyone craving a delicious and interactive dining experience. With fantastic service, fresh food, and a cozy atmosphere, it's a perfect spot for both casual outings and special occasions. Highly...