Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Boston — Restaurant in Boston

HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Customer service ? WHERE??????!!! WHEREEeee??! If I can give negative stars I would !!

After a long day of being in the hot muggy house with hungry kids. My kids requested HOT POT for dinner. Which we have been craving during this Covid shut down. We normally go to Shabu-Zen Allston but since they weren't doing dine in. We had to search up a place that was "Dining In"

So the family and I searched YELP, called around and we find this place which looked promising that was doing "Dine In" We ( my boyfriend & I ) rounded up the kids ( I have three kids ages 7, 4, 3) along with my elderly mother and younger brother ( who lives within our household). Drove ALL the way there. Parked maybe a block away. Mind you it was raining so we had to unpack the car and get the kids situated with umbrellas and walk to this spot.

Side Note. My mother had fallen a summer earlier and is still having trouble talking comfortably from the surgery.

We finally get there. Looks like about 2 or 3 other customers. So pretty empty and definitely within the social distancing recommendations. My BF told them party of 7. The guy at the front desk immediately said "6 Limit" so he was like okayyy..... how about you split us??? His reply " let me ask my manager. ( I was still outside with my little one waiting for my mom to catch up) so I did not understand what was going on fully yet. But the BF told me limit of six ppl as I was walking in . So my automatic thoughts were. Okayyy..... my mom and brother one table and me and my kids with him at another......

A woman walked by from the back (taking out the take out food for ppl) they began to speak in their language. And the final answer was "No" no splitting.....

We had nothing to say... I was in shock .... but had no choice but to walk back out in the rain .....back to our car explaining to my mom and kids why we weren't having hot pot..... ( you try that!!!)

It was beyond upsetting and my poor mom limping back to the car.....What a waste of time , energy and gas coming here!!!!!! Of course it ruined everyone's mood. And we were all still Hungry!

They DID NOT try to accommodate us at all!!!! Had we walked in separately I'm sure we would have been seated. Never in my life have I experienced this!!!!

Even if it was a capacity issue, they've could've AT LEAST told us to please wait for a customer to leave and we can accommodate you.... something !!! but NO.

If you aren't ready to accommodate families then do not open for DINE IN !!!! If you can't offer large families a place to have a family meal, DON'T open a restaurant!!!! If you don't know how to offer customer service, then DON't open a Business!!!

I will not be returning to this place. ( I only stepped in the door for 5 seconds ) I hope you see this post and have a staff meeting to do and be better! You have no idea the lengths people go through just to have a nice meal out of the house. Just for it to turn to sh*t .

We ended up ordering takeout around the area. Since we were already in china town. We made the most of it. I've never written a review before but I just haaaad to for what my family and I...

Misleading prices, awfully poor customer service, and average food for a high price tag.

The food was the only good thing to come out of my experience. Which was plainly, average at best. My group chose the “best of both worlds” soup bases. Which is half spicy and half of their renowned, original bone marrow broth. I must say wow, just wow this broth really must’ve been some kind of special. It’s almost as if it tasted like how I imagine water with a heap of salt. Meat and veggies are as you expect from a hotpot restaurant. One thing to note, for those that are interested in the garlic marinated beef, don’t. It is a tiny portion they give you and after it’s cooked has the texture of cartilage.

The atmosphere with music was completely fine til they randomly shut it off sometime through our dining experience. Which made everything awkward as conversations of other diners can be heard across the room.

Now, there’s the staff. This is where our group had the biggest gripes with the entire from start to end. They seat us in to a crammed four seat booth right next to an open 5 seater which was a slap in our faces as later they sit a single customer there. However, we could’ve overlooked that if any of the servers were anywhere to be found. They’ll take your first order then runaway. When you wave or call out they’ll acknowledge you then slip away for another 20 minutes only to come back just to refill your soup pot. In our 1 hour and half plus session being there I would say they serviced our group less than 5 times. This was painfully slow as now Chinatown Happy Lamb is no longer pay by plate and only offers all-you-can eat. For what we were paying that is unacceptable.

By the end of all of this and being as unsatisfied as we were, we all still pitched in a tip for them. We left a cash tip with whatever smaller bills we all had on us. They return to haggle with us about not leaving a total of 18% as you MUST because that is their minimum tip policy. What a bs answer because it is not stated anywhere, nor did any staff/server informed us anytime through our time their. They one policy only listed in bright red lettering on the menu that applies to parties of 6, but we were a party of 5.

*Parties of 6+ people will have an automatic 18% gratuity charge to their final bill.

We pooled together some more to get that ordeal over with, but I can only imagine what could’ve happened if we didn’t. Those other stories about Happy Lamb staff chasing customers onto the street for an extra tip don’t seem so far fetched now.

10/10 recommend spend your money and your time at Liuyishou Hotpot...

Hotpot Heaven: Unforgettable Experiences at Happy Lamb Hotpot Chinatown

I always love going to Hot Lamb Hotpot Chinatown, whether it's a gathering with friends or a family outing. The attentive and quick servers contribute to a positive dining experience. The food consistently comes out fast and maintains its high quality with each visit.

One aspect I particularly enjoy is the complimentary sauce bar, where I can explore and create my own delicious dipping sauces. The diverse selection of hot pot ingredients ensures there's something for everyone's palate.

However, the popularity of the restaurant can result in longer waiting times, and during busy periods, a time limit may be imposed on diners, which can be a bit restricting. Additionally, the lively environment, while exciting, can sometimes be quite loud.

Ordered: Tomato Marrow Broth ($4.25 per person) USDA Choice Angus Beef ($12) Pork belly ($10) Fish Ball with Roe ($10) Baby Bok Choy ($4) Enoki Mushroom ($6) Bean Curd Roll ($6) Steamed White Rice ($2) Fresh Thick Noodle ($4)

Pros: Friendly Servers: The servers at Happy Lamb Hotpot Chinatown are attentive and quick, providing excellent service during the entire dining experience. Complimentary Sauce Bar: The option to access a free sauce bar allows guests to customize their flavors and enhance their hot pot experience according to their preferences. Diverse Selections for Hot Pot Ingredients: The restaurant offers a wide variety of fresh and delicious hot pot ingredients, catering to different tastes and preferences.

Cons: Sometimes a Long Wait: Happy Lamb Hotpot Chinatown can get busy, leading to longer waiting times for a table, especially during peak hours. Time Limit When Eating: Due to high demand, the restaurant implements a time limit for diners during busy periods, which may feel a bit rushed and restricts dining time. Loud Environment: The bustling atmosphere of a full restaurant can lead to a noisy ambiance, which might affect the overall dining experience for those seeking a quieter setting.

Overall Impression: Hotpot Heaven: Unforgettable Experiences at Happy Lamb Hotpot Chinatown! This remains a go-to spot for me due to its friendly service, delightful sauce bar, and a wide range of hot pot ingredients. While the restaurant can get crowded and a time limit may apply during busy times, the overall experience continues to be satisfying. I highly recommend Happy Lamb Hotpot Chinatown for those seeking a flavorful and communal hot...