Chubby Cattle BBQ | Duluth — Restaurant in Duluth

In the bustling culinary landscape of Duluth, where fusion concepts often promise more than they deliver, Chubby Cattle BBQ stands as a beacon of excellence in the all-you-can-eat barbecue realm. This Korean-inspired hot pot and barbecue spot, with its sleek, modern decor that blends industrial chic with warm, inviting accents, ambient lighting, and plush seating that encourages lingering—creates an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and approachable. It’s a far cry from the sterile chains that dominate the area, making every visit feel like a special occasion. But let’s dive into the star of the show: the beef. Oh, the beef! We indulged in an array of premium cuts that left us in awe. The Japanese Kobe beef, with its legendary marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, was a revelation—each slice grilled to perfection, bursting with umami that lingered long after. Not to be outdone, the American Wagyu offered a robust, buttery richness that spoke to the quality of domestic breeding, while the Australian Wagyu brought a subtle grass-fed earthiness that balanced the indulgence beautifully. Every variety was exceptionally great, sourced with care and prepared with precision, elevating what could have been a standard barbecue experience into something truly transcendent. And then there’s the sushi—a delightful surprise in a barbecue-centric menu. Fresh and bursting with flavor, it far surpassed our recent disappointment at Wasabi, that so-called Japanese eatery we regrettably visited yesterday, which felt more like a caricature than authentic fare. At Chubby Cattle, the sushi rolls were crisp, the fish impeccably fresh, and the presentations artful, proving that thoughtful execution can make all the difference. Service throughout was top-notch, with attentive staff who anticipated needs without hovering—refilling waters, suggesting pairings, and ensuring the grill stayed hot and ready. It’s the kind of hospitality that turns a meal into a memory. Now, allow me to share a personal theory honed from years of dining adventures: Not all Chinese restaurants cooking Chinese food are inherently good—quality varies wildly based on passion and execution. But Chinese-owned establishments venturing into non-Chinese cuisines? They’re almost always bad to terrible, often diluting traditions in pursuit of mass appeal. Chubby Cattle BBQ, however, shatters this rule as a glorious exception. Owned by a Chinese team but specializing in Korean barbecue with Japanese influences, it delivers top-quality ingredients and impeccable service that rival the best in their respective origins. It’s a testament to what happens when cultural boundaries are crossed with respect and expertise. To cap off the evening, the fresh-pressed watermelon juice was the undisputed highlight—a refreshing, naturally sweet elixir that cleansed the palate and provided a cool, hydrating finale to the feast. In a sea of sugary sodas and artificial mixers, this simple touch felt luxurious and thoughtful. Chubby Cattle BBQ isn’t just a meal; it’s a masterclass in defying expectations. If you’re in Duluth, make the pilgrimage—you...

TL DR: I did not receive an itemized receipt to check before paying. The server took my card tapped it and then turned it to me for tip options. The tip was calculated based on the full price for 3 adults(we had 2 adults and a kid) plus tax.

My wife, 8 year old daughter, 1 year old son and I had BBQ here. At the front desk, my daughter's height was checked that she qualified for the kid's price which would be half of whatever the adult's price was(we chose the gold option which was $78 per person and $65 for member).

The food came out rather slowly compared to their sister restaurant but it was not a big deal because having worked in the restaurant industry, I can understand when the kitchen is backed up.

The server was nice and friendly throughout our meal.

When we were done eating, my wife took our daughter to use the restroom leaving me with our baby boy.

The server then asked if I would like the bill, I said yes and he promptly ran his POS system, tapped my card and turned it towards me for the tip options. I did not receive an itemized receipt to verify before paying. Trusting that the server got everything correct, I tapped 20% for tip and then asked for the receipt.

After I got the receipt, I was very puzzled that the calculation for the 20% tip was $48.83(meaning total of $244.14) so I asked our server if everything was correct, he took out his POS system and pointed that he gave all the discounts(member discount and kid discount).

Trusting that he wouldn't charge us incorrectly and after a long day(we drove 5 hours), I did not have the energy to do mental math at the restaurant so we headed to the hotel.

At the hotel, I took out the receipt to understand how the tip was calculated then I realized that it was calculated based on 3 adults at full price (3 * $78 = $234) plus taxes($234 + $10.14 = $244.14). I thought it was extremely ridiculous to calculate the tip based on charging a kid full adult price and also including taxes on top of it.

Having dined at many restaurants, I have never been charged full adult price for my kid. I thought it must be from restaurant management for this ridiculous calculation so I decided to wait till I dined at the sister restaurant before coming to any conclusion.

At the sister restaurant, when we were done with our meal, the server brought us an itemized receipt to verify first before running the POS system and we were charged for 2 adults and a kid. The tip was calculated based on that without including taxes.

After taking some time to reflect, it seems like the server at the BBQ restaurant deliberately did not give us an itemized receipt to verify and calculated the tip based on 3 adults plus taxes so that they would receive a larger tip.

I find this behavior unscrupulous and deceitful but at the same time, it is a lesson for me to not be too trusting of anyone.

Lastly, I do not think this server is the only one. I urge management to look into the receipts from other servers and assume corrective...

After my friend and I attended MomoCon, we headed to a newly opened BBQ restaurant called Chubby Cattle (Niu Wushi). Since it’s a popular new spot, we waited about 40 minutes to get a table. But during the wait, you can ask the hostess for a cup and help yourself to some drinks, which is a nice touch. There’s also a small waiting room where you can sit, relax, and chat with friends while waiting to be seated—very thoughtful, since waiting outside might make people give up and leave. After some time, we finally got our table. I have to say, the restaurant keeps things impressively clean—you wouldn’t even be able to tell anyone had used the table before us. Our server warmly introduced us to the buffet options, and we went with the Gold Tier, which includes a selection of special, limited-edition dishes. First impression: the buffet is on the pricier side. The Gold Tier starts at $65 per person. But as we got into it, we realized the quality really does justify the price. From the limited specials, we tried the A5 Miyazaki short ribs, pineapple wagyu chuck, and thick-cut wagyu belly. We also picked the eel and foie gras hand roll, another special item. Then came the unlimited BBQ buffet. Must-tries include the Australian M8-9 chuck with egg, wagyu tongue platter, A5 wagyu lean cuts, tender beef, and wagyu brisket. Also, don’t miss the yellowtail sashimi and Japanese-style salmon slices—at other places like Mikado, these are limited to one serving per person, but here, they’re all-you-can-eat. For sides and snacks, we got the wagyu pork dumplings, wagyu buns, cheese durian, tom yum soup, and takoyaki—perfect for balancing out the richness of the wagyu. The highlight, without a doubt, was the special limited-edition dishes—flavorful and absolutely top-notch. As for the Platinum Tier, it only adds one extra limited special dish per person (so three people get six specials total), but it costs around $98 per person—about $20 more. Personally, I think the Gold Tier is the best value, though it really depends on your...