Kalbi King Korean BBQ & Sushi — Restaurant in Bakersfield

TL;DR: Expensive, even if food is good quality. Preferred to go with group of 3+

For my first Korean BBQ experience, Kalbi delivered on multiple fronts from a not-too-distracting interior, to consistent service, to sheer variety of menu options and sides. When mentioning to our server that it was our first time, he was patient in explaining how things worked.

We ordered the KBBQ plate for three which came with a variety of sides and a whole tray of meat to cook on the grill provided in the middle of the table as well as utensils. Once we got cooking, it turned into this fun game of mixing the meats and sides to make different combinations of things that was just really enjoyable.

Thankfully, we had one person in our group who was familiar with the process and average time to cook the raw meat. Overall it was a grand time, and I'd definitely go again for a special occasion.

However, I do feel like the experience would be lessened if there was only one or two people present. Unless you ask for extra utensils, basically one person does all the cooking and that can make it a bit jarring unless you can pass them around in a group of three or more.

Overall, fanstastic food & sides, fantastic service, not for an everyday sort of meal if you get the KBBQ special. Even then, my wallet cries at the idea of going back, even if my stomach...

Don't go try a different place or just go by yourself not as a group their portions aren't really what they say you'll have to go somewhere else afterwards like we did.

First time there and wanted to try something new with the family, arrived and was made to wait like 5/8 minutes for a table for 4 adults thought okay they're busy no problem got shown to our table and only 3 other tables were there besides what I believe was the manger/employee eating. Waitress took our drinks and our food order came with the drinks then 5 minutes later with the sides for the bbq, 10/15 minutes later the bowls of rice we all thought the meat was coming out shortly but no almost another 15 minutes pass by and the meat comes after asking the waitress. The meat comes out and it was okay meat but not meant for 4 people as their menu suggests should have gotten the 8 severing one. Lol

The staff really need retraining, our table was ignored compared to the other ones was only checked on twice and when we left the staff gave us a sour look which was uncalled for especially when we were made to wait 40+ minutes for the meat, find me the logic( I know after the first 10 minutes we should have left that's what I get for giving the benefit of the doubt) Spent like $150 and we were all still hungry so we stopped by a different restaurant and...

I would prefer my meal without yelling and a horrible atmosphere… Started off really nice our service was quick and we got to cooking. Food overall is Great. … The main problem arose when our waiter switched our grill to an open fire grill and HE placed OUR rib eye steak down to cook. Now we did not think anything of it until the fire started jumping out due to the grease… As this started to happen our waiter was taken to the kitchen by the restaurant manager/owner and he started getting yelled at SO BAD. He was getting torn up for putting our steak on an open fire GAS grill, which is clearly a FIRE HAZARD. They begin arguing over fixing the issue while me and my friend who hear all of this VERY CLEARLY, simply removed the steak and waited for them to come out and fix the issue. Needless to say we waited a while because the employees would rather argue, and ruin the vibe, then act like professionals. No one ever came out, no one ever apologized for the awkward situation, and when they did switch our grill we already felt so uncomfortable there was no more enjoying this meal. I had high hopes for the vibe here but it left a me with a VERY bad feeling, I felt so bad for the waiter, and would honestly rather spend time at a restaurant that is more welcoming and less like a dramatic Gordon...