I would like to first say that this is my fourth time eating here, as well as once in Toronto.
They put you on a wait list that can be viewed at any time on Yelp and text you when there is a table available which is great.
The food is great as always and as expected. In my opinion, it’s the best Korean BBQ place.
However, the service is horrible. Even one of the servers said who was someone our group knew, jokingly but it was probably the truth: “What kind of service is this?” as he poured the egg for the first time, approximately 20 minutes into service. When we got someone to refill everything that would had usually been refilled if they had done their job like they had always done, he wrote it down and it probably took about 15 mins to get “the egg, corn, garlic, kimchi, rice, water and a grill change”. The servers need to start thinking smartly by prioritizing such as changing the grill first, the rest is OK if it does not come in the next 5 minutes. I’ve been here for an hour and a half with 6 people, we got our water refilled once only and only one person bothered to ask if everything was OK (perhaps 46 minutes in). By then, I personally felt like my experience was ruined here. My expectations were set very high because of the constant great experience. This really ruined it. I am therefore putting a 3* because the service plays a major part in the experience of eating at Daldongnae. It was indeed crowded today but if this is how my group’s experience was, how were the others treated?
I’ll definitely be back because like I said, the food is amazing. The only issue is the service which, in my opinion, could be solved with better training...
Read moreTHE SERVICE IS REALLY HORRIBLE
Incongruent the minimum that forces you to leave a tip compared to the lousy service they offer. And this is beyond the occupancy of the place, this seems racism, because it is very notorious the service in the garrisons, in the waiting time both in line and in taking the order, it is much faster if you are Asian, obviously I am not Korean, I am proudly Mexican, who lives in Montreal. I only go to the best places, this is not one of them, and curiously I kept going even though most of the times they gave us a terrible service, they make us wait a lot in everything, but yesterday I was fed up, they changed our table, we accepted kindly but it seems that the waiter didn't know kindness because he threw the silverware on the table, It is worth mentioning that we had already been waiting for 15 minutes for them to take our order at the previous table, I would gladly tell them their name but they neither introduce themselves nor wear their badge. Also the table was dirty and with residues of the previous service, and shortly before taking our order the table next to us arrived, which they attended in a matter of minutes, so much so that they were already putting their meat on the grill and we did not get what we ordered, despite having arrived before them.
See you never...
Read moreDaldongnae - A Taste of Korea in Downtown Montreal
Daldongnae offers an authentic Korean barbecue experience that truly impressed me. Unlike all-you-can-eat spots, here you pay by the meat, but the variety and unlimited side dishes more than make up for it. From spicy cucumbers to beans, and a delightful cold potato puree mixed with apple, the side dishes were as enjoyable as the main course. There's also unlimited salad and some kind of noodles, making for a wide array of options to complement the barbecue.
What really sets Daldongnae apart is that you grill the meat yourself, which adds to the immersive, traditional Korean dining experience. Having been to Korea two years ago, I was instantly transported back—the vibe is spot on. For the hour we spent there, it truly felt like being in Korea, which made the meal all the more special.
Overall, Daldongnae stands out as one of the best Korean dining experiences I’ve had in Montreal. The only minor drawback was the bathroom, which could use a bit more attention. It wasn’t problematic, but it didn’t stand out the way the rest of the restaurant did. Still, that’s a small suggestion for improvement in an otherwise perfect experience.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for...
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