BIG BANG MONGOLIAN GRILL — Restaurant in Evansville

We were last in here during the winter months and had a great experience with the place. Wait staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The food was good and the place was clean. Unfortunately, this time, it wasn't so great. This place seems to have gone downhill since our last visit.

To start, almost no one there during midday lunch (roughly the same time and on a Saturday as well as before). We were seated at a booth, but before I could even sit down, an obvious cockroach was seen scurrying along the wall at table level at the booth behind where we were seated. It then proceeded towards the floor and into the darkness. This was immediately off-putting, and my wife asked what I wanted to do. I nearly left right then and there, but my wife had been looking forward to this visit since the last time, so I decided we'd stay.

Next, the waitress sat us and offered no menus. She just assumed we'd be getting the "pick your own" hibachi grill meal thing without asking if we'd want the menu. After returning with our drinks and realizing we hadn't gotten any food, she finally asked if we wanted the menus and if we weren't doing the other option.

We finally got our menus and ordered our food. I got the tonkatsu ramen, and my wife got a poke bowl. We shared an order of gyoza. The food was ok, but it wasn't as tasty and didn't look very fresh. Everything we were given looked and tasted like it had been sitting for quite a while, perhaps overnight, from having been prepped the day before. (The restaurant had only just opened for lunch when we got there.)

I ended up needing to go to the bathroom before we even left, and my wife complained about her stomach being upset when we got home and immediately went to the bathroom as well, then to bed. I'm not sure one has to do with the other, but it seems odd.

Speaking of the bathroom, the toilet in the men's room isn't seated well, and it was leaking toilet water from around the base. The stopper in the tank must not have been working properly either as the water was constantly flowing, and I had to take the lid off to see if it was stuck. I did manage to get it fixed long enough to fill the tank and flush my debris.

All in all, we were rather disappointed since we had a good experience in the past, but this time things seem to be going downhill. I'll be a little reluctant to return unless I hear things have improved. It's pretty sad when even the wait staff are overheard openly admitting to rather having door dash from a fast food chain over what should be a free and healthy...

Mr. Charlie does a fantastic job as always. He has really stepped up his game with this new restaurant. It is clean and very modern. (And cool music playing too!) So many options to choose from! Helpful hints for the sauces too.

Folks, you need to understand something. Mr. Charlie's mission is to keep the Mongolian grill food healthy. He is trying not to use the heavy oils that are used in typical American Chinese food. If your food turns out too dry from the grill, I recommend using more sesame oil next time. I think you'll find that practice makes perfect.

No dessert on the food tables? Again, this is not a Chinese buffet. (Thank goodness) Dessert is what we call your second bowl at the grill. Besides, this is how you perfect your recipe. Practice makes perfect!

Lastly, don't be surprised that your grill chefs may be Latino. Charlie has done that for years and other places do as well. They do a fine job. I always say gracias to them. They will ask you if you want egg cooked with your meal. Its a grill thing. You'll find egg offered at many Mongolian grills. Mr. Charlie taught me a game at his grill. Learn to say thank you in other languages. It has helped me in life. And new imigrants always appreciate when you attempt to speak their language. I always practice my Spanish at his grill with the chefs. Mr. Charlie often speaks Spanish with me when I see him. I joked that now I always want to speak Spanish with Chinese restaurant workers.😁

I hope you get to meet one of Evansville's most unique and likable people: Mr. Charlie! If you are passing through town, quench your hunger here. I travelled all the way from Michigan to do so, if that tells...

This place has never dissapointed!! My wife and I always get the build your own bowls. I've only finished my plate one time because I pile it super high. The one day, I was hongry! Like skipped breakfast hongry!.

Doesn't matter what you pile on your bowl, shrimp, rice noodles, peppers, jalapeño, mini corn, water chestnuts.....the list goes on for noodles and veggies. The meat is where it's at with a selection of chicken, beef, pork, tilapia, squid, salmon, shrimp, sausage, pepperoni, etc. Make sure you bowl is pressed down before the meat to get the most out of your bowl room.

Freshly cooked on a giant griddle thing right in front of you, kinda like a hibachi but with less razzle dazzle. Make sure you sauce it up with a full bowl of flavor and seasoning. I go with house sauce 2, with some teriaki, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add a dash of sesame seeds at the end of the cook for a good flavor. Eggs or no eggs added during the cook? I don't get em, but it does tie it all together like fried rice.

The kids always get the fresh made Ramen now. These bowls are loaded down with fish cakes, bean sprouts, tofu, seaweed paper, and a good mix of broth and noodles. They share a bowl, and still leave with leftovers.

Service is the best as well. Drinks stayed filled up, and the waitress was above par. We will be back again. We usually eat here twice a month.

Try it out, you will not be...