Chiba Hot Pot — Restaurant in Conroe

I KNOW NEXT TIME WE COME WILL BE BETTER…. Came here to the grand opening with my wife and my two babies one is 2 and the other is 1 (keep this detail in mind for later). I believe we came around 11 so as we sat down and ordered it was still pretty slow since it had just opened. The waitress that we got didn’t speak English very good so the communication was a bit tough but we’re patient so we didn’t mind the language barrier. We ordered 2 chicken broths and when they came they had a white color almost like milk that didn’t seem appetizing to my wife so she didn’t even touch it. My wife asked our waitress if she could please have it changed to a mushroom broth and our waitress she had to ask her manager if she could get it changed and when she came back she said that only because it is the grand opening she would change it but if it happens again we would have to pay for it like I said my wife didn’t even touch it I’ve never had that happen at a restaurant before and my wife and I both work in the restaurant industry. When both our broths were boiling we started to taste them and they really lacked flavor and salt. They do however have a sauce bar with sauces like soy sauce, teriyaki, ponzu, sriracha, etc. Which helped with giving more flavor to the broths. The food on the conveyer belt was very fresh too bad there was flies everywhere standing on the fresh veggies. The train and robot that delivered meats and food were very fun. At the end of our meal we asked another waiter for the check because our waitress hadn’t been to our table in a while. At this point the restaurant was full so we decided to get some dessert that was next to the sauce bar so we could give a bit of time to our waitress to print our check since she was really flustered with the tables she had. We got 2 types of bite sized cakes and 3 pieces of watermelon for my 2 year old since we didn’t order anything for the babies we just gave them snacks that my wife brought. The busgirl was amazing she was always walking around making sure all the tables were clean even though it was busy she deserves a raise! When we finally got out check they charged for the 2 broths and $18 for my 2 babies when only my 2 year old had 3 pieces of watermelon. When I explained to my waitress she just left and had it changed and when she came back no apology she just dropped the book on the table and left. I understand it was the first day and that they were busy but that was no way to treat a new customer especially on the grand opening. Overall it was okay service and flavor of broths need work but we’re willing...

Normally I’m not one to get on here and be negative. So I’ll start with the most positive things about this evening

The best thing about tonight’s long awaited adventure was the parking. Very spacious parking, wide spaces & not a long walk inside. Once inside: We were seated quickly, & if you don’t mind sitting elbow to elbow with a complete stranger this place is just for you.

The waitress proceeded to slap down only 1 menu (paper) for the both of us and one pencil. Asked what we’d like to drink & briskly walked away. With not very much time to look at the menu or read anything she was back & before we even had a chance to ask a question….she was demanding what broth we’d like to have. I’d like to point out that: This was our first time ever at this restaurant … we explained this to the host & I imagine the host expressed to the server as they had a great length conversation before we were seated…. we had no idea what we were doing or how to proceed with the MAKING of our dinner.

LUCKILY we sat next to a very friendly group of women who offered assistance & advice on the food as well as ordering. At the end of their meal another couple was sat next to us almost instantly. They experienced the same type of service… I tried my best to explain to them what was explained to me.

Our waitress only checked on us once…our drinks were given & our broth was brought out.. those were the 2 interactions with our waitress. Never offering a refill on our drinks or offered if we could get something else… we waited for about 20 minutes before we decided to stand up to walk to the counter to pay. All of a sudden 3-4 staff members rushed saying we’d need to have a seat so we could pay our bill. Mind you the space provided is no bigger than a TV stand and no busboy or busgirl came by to clear our neatly stacked plates and other items that needed to be taken.

Overall broth lacked flavor I added many of the ingredients from the sauce counter. Still not enough to make it very tasty. This was NOT worth the effort of cooking our own dinner. It was not tasty. It wasn’t an enjoyable environment. If was very warm/ Hot in the main dining room. Noisy & crowded. Not at all worth the $65+ for dinner.

If we knew a little more about it we would’ve just cooked at home.

10/10 would NOT try again OR...

COCKROACHES! IN THE FOOD!!! I've been with friends and family 3 times since the grand opening. I was psyched to have a hot pot spot in conroe. My friends and coworker were waiting for over a year for chiba to finally open. With all that being said please know I'm I regret giving them a such a bad review but don't eat here. The place hasn't been open for a year and it's already filthy. Roaches hanging out in the conveyor belt, dirty restrooms, dust everywhere. I don't understand why the staff always stands against the wall and don't clean. This is a new restaurant and the owners don't seem to give a **! Yes I'm talking to YOU. I haven't met "you" but this is only your second location so I think you should make yourself present and protect your investments. To any costumers who still want to try this place at the very least listen to me when I say don't go for the dinner. It isnt worth the upcharge you don't actually get anything different from the lunch menu. The oysters are frozen and they don't ever send you the "expensive" food you order outside the conveyer. I've asked for the shaved lamb 3 times before getting it. One time they tried to tell me the beef was lamb like I couldn't tell the difference. Do you want a refill on a water just wait 30 min. Again what are the staff doing when you aren't being served? To the owners if you care enough about your business to reply. The first time i went I asked my waiter about the salmon. The photos posted on your windows show salmon sashimi, fresh oysters, etc. Honestly it looks delicious! Anyways he told me the salmon comes on the conveyer belt. You know you dont sell salmon and I just waived it off as false advertisement. We'll I saw the waiter 3 times that night. Once when he sat us, again when he asked what he wanted off the menu, and finally for the check. I had to flag down another waiter for more water and to ask about the meat we didn't get. Your broth is sub par, the food options are bleh, and the places is getting so filthy. We are talking urine build up in the bathrooms, dirty floors, insects, and...