Lu Charcoal Grill — Restaurant in Richmond

Lu Charcoal – A Cozy Spot with Flavorful Skewers and Sports Vibes

While searching for a casual dining option in the area, we came across Lu Charcoal, a small Chinese restaurant that piqued our interest. Drawn by its inviting ambiance, we decided to step in and explore what this skewer-centric establishment had to offer.

Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by the waitress, who quickly set a welcoming tone. Despite not being entirely familiar with the setup, she kindly and thoroughly explained how the dining process worked, guiding us through the skewer selection and offering recommendations.

Ambiance

The restaurant’s interior reflects a casual, sports-themed atmosphere. Small tables and simple chairs provide a functional setting, while numerous TVs—including a large screen—play various sporting events. The sports-centric decor suggests that the owner is an avid fan, and while the setup may not be overly sophisticated, it creates a relaxed environment well-suited to groups and casual outings.

Food

Lu Charcoal’s primary offering is its wide variety of skewers. Diners are invited to peruse the BBQ display table and hand-pick their desired skewers, which are then grilled to order. We sampled a variety of skewers, each prepared with care:

• Lamb skewer: 7/10 • Beef tongue: 7/10 • Chicken gizzards: 7/10 • Pork intestines: 7/10 • Spicy beef skewer: 8/10 • Pork belly: 7/10 • Fish skewer: 7/10 • Beef skewer: 8/10

The skewers, while on the smaller side, were well-seasoned and offered a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Notably, the spicy beef and regular beef skewers stood out for their depth of flavor, and are highly recommended. Do keep in mind that a minimum of two skewers per order is required.

In addition to the skewers, we sampled some items from the main menu:

• Squid Teppanyaki: 8/10 The squid was cooked to perfection, with a savory teppanyaki sauce that complemented its natural flavors. • Tofu Clay Pot with Rice: 7/10 Served sizzling hot, this dish offered a hearty and comforting flavor profile, though it could benefit from a bit more complexity in seasoning.

Service

Service at Lu Charcoal was prompt and attentive. The staff ensured that our orders were handled efficiently, and the waitress provided helpful explanations throughout our visit, which enhanced the overall dining experience.

Rating : 8 out 10

Pricing

Pricing at Lu Charcoal is reasonable, with the portion sizes justifying the cost. Given the quality of the food and the variety on offer, it’s a good value for those seeking an enjoyable, low-key meal.

Verdict

Lu Charcoal is a solid choice for those looking to indulge in flavorful skewers in a relaxed setting. The variety of skewer options, combined with the friendly service and reasonable pricing, makes it worth revisiting. We look forward to returning to try more of their offerings.

Tips for Dining

Parking is limited in the area, and it can get quite busy during dinner hours. Making a reservation is recommended to ensure a smooth...

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING AND INSULTING SERVICE! I went to this place looking forwarding to trying out nice grilled food. The skewers taste regular, price is high as other commenters said. But the most disappointing thing is their service. First of all, they served half of my order only. I paid for everything beforehand which is fine because it was last call time. I waited for a long time for the rest of my order and they never showed up. When I finally asked, the waitress insists that she has served it. Later on she came to count the number of skewers to make sure we are not trying to ‘trick ‘for a few more skewers. After confirming the order served, she didn’t apologize for missing the order at all, just acted completely spooked as if we made a mistake. Nobody came to explain to me what happened, just someone else came later to put some cash on the table without saying a thing. I didn’t even check if the amount is correct because they just put the cash on the table and left! I wasn’t upset with them forgetting the order totally, as I get that people could be too busy and forgetful. But how they dealt with the whole thing was insulting! Felt like I went there to pay for some attitude. No one walks in there should expect to pay highly for regular taste food as well as ‘awesome’ service even after themselves...

I went there and supposed to pick up the order for UberEat delivery. When I arrived there, I told to one of the waitress, then she went back the counter, I assumed that she will follow up the order such as the normal procedure, therefore I just waited there patiently because they were a little bit busy. After 10mins, even some of the others already picked up the order, I was still waiting for that. It was still fine because they might be just busy and the other orders might be ordered earlier than me, therefore, I told to another waitress, then, she also went to the account after knowing my order. I was trying to be polite because sometimes we are also busy, right? After another 10mins, I was feeling bad, I went to the counter and told them how long does it take to finish the order? It took 20mins already without letting me know the process! At the End, the guy said we didn’t have order from UberEat Calxxx without any apologies. What!?? Why you didn’t tell me from the beginning!? So what did the waitresses do? They just were wasting me 20mins and just said we don’t have this order without any apologies after all! It’s insane! I would not get there anymore, it’s really really...