BURNIN99 KOREAN BBQ & HOTPOT — Restaurant in Columbia

With all these 5 star reviews I had the highest of hopes, but Burnin99 fell a bit flat. I love the all-you-can-drink cooler, it is absolutely worth the money! But that's about where the things I love ends.

Service is weird...first time going to Burnin, we got our food and put the plates on our table and went to grab drinks and hit the sauce bar. Our waitress came over while we were away and started putting our food on the grill and in our soups. We like to do our hotpot and KBBQ in a system (veggies and frozen items first, meat second, seafood last) so we weren't thrilled that she just took the initiative of starting to cook our food without asking or even letting us know. Second time we went, we never left food alone at the table to ensure it didn't happen to us again, but we did see it happen to at least two other tables and they were equally unimpressed by this "service." Both times at Burnin, the wait staff has seemed entirely too focused on watching their tables like hawks...it's a little off putting because you can literally feel your waiter staring at you, and when it's completely dead inside with few other tables, it's even more awkward. First trip, our waitress was at our table asking us if we were okay or if we needed anything literally every 3-5 minutes, to the point it was difficult for us to have a conversation. It was way too much. She told us we could take one drink from the cooler to-go if we got the all you can drink option...we found out on our next trip that is not the case. We got yelled at and it was uncomfortable since we were absolutely told we could take ONE...but whatever. Just be aware that if you're told that, you're being given incorrect information. When our waitress rang us up, she stared at the screen while we selected tip options...again, super strange and off putting. Second trip, our waiter stared at us the entire time we were there but only came to the table two or three times total and was less overbearing when it came to closing us out, but he definitely didn't even try to give any illusion of "privacy" while selecting the tip.

Now on to the food...hotpot meat is kept in massive bins in a cooler. It is messy, gross looking, and people are using their hands to use the tongs to grab meat and then just throwing the tongs back into the meat container, often times on to the meat and not off to the side. It grossed me out beyond reason, so I mostly stick with veggies. Hotpot meats are 1 cut of lamb, 1 cut of super fatty beef, and 1 cut of super fatty pork...that's it. Seafood and frozen selection is great, and the veggie selection is very good, too. But they lose a lot of points for me by not having many options for hotpot meats, and for the way that they keep them...it just grosses me out. Soup broths are all okay, but they lack depth of flavor compared to other hotpot spots. The pork bone broth was wimpy and disappointing entirely. The dessert options and fruits are sparse and unimpressive. Very obviously not made in house. Buffet style is cool, but I dont think it offers any enhanced experience. It would be cool if you

I can basically do without KBBQ for the most part, but sometimes I like it to add a little diversity to my meal, but it's just not worth it at Burnin. Wait staff constantly comes over to turn down the grill while you're actively using it and they try to tell you your food is done cooking...they'll say this literally seconds after you put meat on the grill. They'll also invade your personal space in a big way by reaching in front of your belly to turn down your hotpot. Personal space does not seem to exist at this restaurant.

All in all: I'll stick to KPOT. The presentation, service, and meat offerings are...

The food was great, and so was the cool atmosphere. However if you are going to advertise as a Korean barbecue and hot pot, you probably shouldn't make it obvious that you're Chinese owned with the drinks they provide. I gave each of them a try, they really are terrible. Know your demographic bc those drinks are a waste of space in the cooler. If you aren't going to have drinks on tap (a huge revenue loss, in my opinion) then please add Coke zero to the canned soda options. It's an additional cost for the drinks but they are also all you can drink unless you get the alcohol (highly recommend the flavored Sohu).

The wait staff will provide you with rice and ice upon request, and they will switch out the paper on your grill as well, but when you first go up to get your food, make sure they turn the grill on immediately so you aren't waiting on it to heat up. If you take kids, please help them get the food bc I've seen too many of them drop expensive food om the ground, and/or touch the food with their hands.

Also, don't be a Karen and complain about the cost (you get what you pay for), the fact that you cook yourself, or the 2 hour time limit at your table. If you don't know how all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ works, educate yourself by asking the staff. There are signs at the table that tell you how long to cook the items. The middle of the grill is the hottest, and keep your food warm on the outer ring of the grill. It's fairly simple and kinda fun bc you cook it to how you like it. If you want to add the hot pot option, it's an additional $6/person at the table...yes, even if only one of you wants that option, you all have to do it. Honestly, you won't have enough room for ramen with all the grill food.

Kudos for the fabulous kimchi, and if you go on your birthday with other paying customers, your meal is free. They also offer military discount. This is the higher end Korean BBQ spot in Columbia just on atmosphere and buffet...

My husband and I laughed our heads off reading the one star reviews and knew that we absolutely needed to try this place that we have been looking forward to since before it opened. As expected, this place is five stars…especially if you understand the design and intent of this restaurant. We love choosing and cooking our own food. The staff were polite, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful every step of the way. The restaurant was clean, well-lit, and comfortable. The food bars were organized, well-labeled, and kept in very sanitary conditions with fresh food that looked enticing (and proved to be with good reason).

LULU IS THE BEST! Our waitress was not only super sweet and helpful, she made the BEST sauce to help us get started. (We didn’t even have to ask. It appeared on our table while we were up though she came by in one of her many times to check on us to explain it and even offered to show us how to make more so we would know the ratios of each ingredient.) Other staff checked on us as well and were available for questions and quick to anticipate any need (like for extra napkins).

This was such a special Christmas Day treat for us! (Especially since we had something similar on our honeymoon.) It is a special place with a lot of very nice (usually expensive meats and foods) that are high quality and that is all you can eat, so it can’t be cheap prices. The fun of cooking your own food can be new, but my suggestion is to keep it simple at first, try small and follow their directions! (And still branch out and try a small amount of new as well! It’s good for you!)

Do yourself a favor and try this restaurant for a fun experience and adventure in addition to delicious food!

I can’t wait to go back!...