Cupbop - Korean BBQ in a Cup — Restaurant in Gilbert

I usually don’t leave negative reviews for new small businesses, but after learning this is a chain with dozens and dozens of locations partly owned by Mark Cuban, I don’t feel as bad leaving this honest review. Don’t believe a lot of the other reviews, since they were part of a promotion for the grand opening to get free dumplings (Mandoo). I get that they just opened, but the experience here just rubbed me the wrong way.

We walked in and ordered two combo bops, upon the recommendation of the worker. We told them we’d do the meal and pointed to the sign. There was a huge sign that said if you make it a meal, you’ll get a Jin Ramen, so instead of take-away we decided to order the meal and sit-in. We went to pay and then waited for our food. They gave it to us in a to-go bag and when I noticed there was no ramen, they said it was sold out… that’s fine but like you didn’t feel the need to tell me that the two times I asked for the meal combo with the ramen? Otherwise I would’ve just gotten a takeaway…

Anyways, we sit down and my dad is eating his bowl and wonders why it isn’t spicy and he ordered level 9/10. He’s also feeling like the bowl is pretty empty and then noticed after taking a few bites his bulgogi is not even in there. They had given us a bowl with spicy level 4/10 and only chicken but charged us for a two protein bowl. They ended up giving us sauce and beef when we went up to ask, which we were thankful for.

Overall, the food taste was just OK. Mandoo was really good! The bowls… not so much. It was really sweet honestly (more than usual for Korean food) and was very Americanized-Korean food. I would compare it to an overpriced and somewhat blander version of Panda Express. Overall, not worth $38...

Good food, but a lot of kinks to work out with customer service and timing. Great for cold food and long wait times. The food is good an americanized version of bibimbop in a cup. You get actually fresh vegetables that balance out the dish so it's not to heavy (like most similar places have) but you loose the crispy bits you get from a traditional stone bowl. If they can deliver quickly its definitely worth the trade off. The problem is that delivery. I made the mistake of getting some mandoo which they weren't making quickly enough, while my bowl was finished very fast I had to wait almost 25 minutes for the rest of my order while everything got cold. I imagine the cupbop are better warm but I don't actually know. The service was horrible. They have big signs saying make it a meal and save! But the people at the register have no idea about any meal deal, you will pay full price, so either the staff are confused or the menu board is lying. Adding to this and the slow food problem, and despite me reminding them 2 times in the 20+ minutes, they forgot I had ordered anything (assuming I was standing at the register for fun?) And proceeded to give my order to the last people they served, only for the other customers to point out I was waiting before they even entered...

The first time we came here was such a good experience. The owner Rob is so kind and hospitable. The second time we had our bowls made incorrectly then it took 20 minutes to receive our corrected bowls. In that time we watched the worker bring food out to another table. They complained that it wasn’t the correct order and the worker took their bowls and walked them over to the correct table and gave the opened bowls to the customers. They looked as shocked as we were to watch it happen. I tried to fill my drink cup and the syrup was out. I asked if they could fix it and the girl put an out of order sign on it. I was given the option of an ice cream or Mandi with my meal. I opted for the ice cream. What I was given was an ice cream that was already melted completely melted then refrozen. This is my third time coming to Cupbop and I’m writing this review as I wait for my bowl to come out with chicken that isn’t so overcooked it could break a window. While my husband has already finished his bowl. I feel like we have given it a fair shot but we will not be returning. Which sucks because when a competent person makes it it’s delicious. There is just not one competent person...