Friends Station — Restaurant in Chicago

Man this has been the worst and absolutely most terrible service AND restaurant experience in Chicago we’ve ever experienced so far. And I truly hope no one can beat this experience.

First we made a reservation at 8:45pm on 5/24/24 when we walked in we were never asked for name just asked to wait for the staff to clean a table for us. This is not a bad thing but this just shows that they are not doing good in their seating and reservation rotation.

Two, we got sat promptly after the table was dried and was given a menu that we have a rough idea of what we want. We waited a good 7-10 minutes before being acknowledged that “someone will be over with you” by another server. Took our server a bit to come over after that. He seems nervous and my boyfriend pointed out that this could be his first day. Sure, I don’t mind but an earlier acknowledge that someone will be over sooner would be nice we all been there once this is a lesson to learn.

He was clearly still not comfortable with his knowledge of the menu so clearly wasn’t trained well. We ordered the ultimate menu that we wanted and have to point to him that certain items and drinks were INCLUDED because he seemed confused. Have to asked for soft drinks that is included. Server did not take initiative to do so.

Third, took us roughly about 15-20 minutes to get his attention or for him to walked over so we can order more meats. At this point both of our water, tea, and coke was low and was never offered more and need to be asked. Also he never stay long enough for me to finish asking for what I wanted and what else our table needed. I got one thing and when he came back I have to asked for another which take more time away from him tending to other table and doing other stuff.

Fourth, we ordered an appetizer that was included in the Ultimate package that never comes and we needed to remind him. Please noted that the appetizer supposed to come cooked. We ordered the fried chicken gyoza. As you can see it came frozen and needs to be cooked. I am pretty sure by the health standards even at a Shabu place. You cannot and shouldn’t served a FROZEN food items even when you are at a cook for yourself restaurant.

Five, someone pot was burning and another waitress come over to our table and everyone else to check and she leaned really closed to the pot to smell it to make sure it wasn’t us. I don’t know about you but I don’t think that’s much of a sanitary practice.

Six, at this point I have to hold the menu up to grab the server attention. It was a mildly busy night but my boyfriend pointed out another thing that other table was getting more attentive service than us. If the word “neglected” was an experience this would probably be my first ever being neglected when needed help. He send another coworker to help us. I kindly asked for the dessert and the bill. The bill came out wrong. The unlimited drink that was included was charged to the bill so we asked for it to be taken off. The staff apologized and confirmed that it was the waiter was day. So overalls, an unpleasant and horrible experience for a place that you’re supposed to be cooking yourself.

A few things we noticed: There was three staff member working the floors. Two was a waiter and one is a food runner/ busser but all three looked overworked, overwhelmed, and to be both bussing and waiting that was a first red flag in a Friday night.

Seems like knowledge of the menu and training was lacking.

The quality of the foods and quantity had gone down BAD. If you have visited here before I highly recommended looking at a new hot pot place.

Lastly, the 18% services charges that was added to the bill automatically which is to help and complied with the IL wage increases which is GREAT but if you’re going to do that at least make sure that you’re staff are not neglecting their customers and comfortable with their food knowledge before putting them on the floor by themselves. We were seated close to the door and have heard multiple customers who left complained about the service and were...

Most photos that I ever posted in a review. So amazed by everything going in here. Big shout out to Yelp for gearing me toward this Hot Pot spot. Location is good, smack down in the middle of River North. It is right across the street from the new Lifetime Gym. Hopefully folks will check out this restaurant after hitting the gym hard.

Some parking nearby, pay as you go and some spots on Spot Hero too. Anyhoo, the restaurant is connected to Friends Station which is a sushi spot. Upon arrival, Covid19 protocols were enforced. We booked a reservation through Open Door and you had a choice between traditional table and hightop. Hightop was were we landed snd we were happy for the extra space.

With the AYCE, you get 80 minutes of Hot Pot making and appetizers. For appetizers we grabbed garlic rice, chicken gyozas (x3), & vegetables tempura. All were delicious. We also got drinks because its Date-Night. I got Mai Tai and my husbae got his go to Old Fashion. Both drinks were delicious. We also ventured into Sake Bomb land. and then we stopped promptly when realizing someone has to drive. Lol.

Hot Pot was incredible. I ended making 3 different bowls. For broth, I used carrots, broccoli, cabbage, onions, corn, ponzi sauce and spicy yuzo sauce. For meat, 1st round rib eye. 2nd round, added bok choy, more carrot, whole egg, and pork belly. For my last pot, added nappa cabbage, more onions and for meat: mussels. All of my pots had noddles.

I was so full by the time I got to the 3rd pot. However my broth was by then and I wore my stretchy jeans. Lol so AYCE was my motto. Stuffed at the end but still able to cleanse my palate with orange slices.

Last, but not least the service was 5 out of 5 . Our server was friendly and she was good about keeping our broth full. Kai, also came buy and chatted with us. A cook also came by and brought me spicy chili sauce. He also suggest a new way to cook my egg in my noddled. Excited to hear about future innovation to come.

Will be back, as we know everyone we bring will enjoy this restaurant. Ingredients were fresh...

We really enjoyed our AYCE Hot Pot meal at Friends Station

Such a treat to be one of the first people to experience a shabu shabu dinner at the first and only rotary hot pot restaurant in Chicago.

It was such an awesome experience that we are already talking about when we can dine there again.

You can eat as much as you want or as little as you want.

But trust me, be prepared to overeat. Once you are there you will be tempted with a lot of choices and it's a great time to try eating something new.

Let me start with saying make sure you get extra napkins, it will get messy.

Keep a plate or two so that you have a place to put any shells or peels on the side.

We started off with garlic fried rice and kimchi appetizers. Both were delicious and It was fun to watch them being delivered to our table by the robot.

There are a lot of choices, so I would suggest that you pace yourself.

Grab some of the dishes off the conveyor belts and put them on the side of the table so you can plan your meal.

You should start with cooking your vegetables first, as they take the longest. Then add noodles,  egg, chicken,  seafood and meats.

We tried a little bit of everything but my favorites were the baby bok choy, King oyster mushroom, marinated chicken, sliced beef ribeye, mussells, and Squid.

You will have plenty of time to have a second helping of your favorites, so relax and enjoy!

The staff is very nice and accommodating, broth was refilled constantly and dishes were cleared immediately.

The broth is actually a little bland, but if you add a dash of soy sauce or their Hua Lampong Sauce (sweet and spicy garlic sesame, our favorite) the flavors will compliment the food.

We had an awesome and delicious dining experience and can't wait to bring friends here for...