Apex Grill — Restaurant in Madison

I feel deep sorrow for anyone trying Korean BBQ for the first time, because, this is no where close to the awesome experience that traditional Korean BBQ will provide.

I was stationed in Korea for 2 years. I go to Chicago to eat Korean BBQ, 4 to 5 times a year. I eat Kimche weekly. I buy and butcher my own meat. The quality of the meat they serve is quite simply, horrible. The grades of beef from top to bottom are prime, choice, select, standard, and commercial. I can guarantee the quality of the meat they are serving is grade standard. The galbi was rubbery, chewy, and tasteless. The ribeye had ZERO marbling. The bulgolgi was chewy, had grizzle, and the marinade was weak and watery. The chicken actually had an off smell and flavor. The shrimp size was super small at 30-40 count per pound. The kimche did not have brined salted shrimp and anchovies in the paste and lacked fermentation. There was no traditional banchan offered.

The young staff try very hard to make up for the food deficencies by being very attentive and kind. They strongly remind you that there will be charges for un-eaten food.... so you feel forced to eat it. Immediately after leaving, I induced vomitting for the 3rd time in my life.

The tables have Teflon coated skillets, NOT grills, so you are actually pan frying your food on PFAS (forever chemicals).

Finally, they illegally add automatic gratuities to the check and ask for additional tips in addition to the added gratuity.

This is a college town, and the business model was definitely made up to focus on younger unexperienced diners. This is the only reason I can justify the higher ratings they have received thus far. I also would suspect that the large, very young staff have been required to submit 5 star reviews to...

Having visited multiple times, Apex Grill is truly a gem for Korean barbecue lovers! While the price may be on the higher side, the exceptional quality of the food makes it worth every penny. The pork belly, beef brisket, ribeye, and short ribs are my go-to favorites—tender, flavorful, and perfect for grilling with a variety of sauces. What truly sets Apex Grill apart is the combination of premium meats and freshly made sides like jabchae, seafood pancake, fried dumplings, and creamy corn cheese—all served hot and delicious. Their kimchi soup is also a standout with its smooth, balanced flavor that pairs beautifully with the barbecue. Don’t forget to try the house-made sweet chili sauce with juicy grilled mushrooms, which add extra layers of flavor to an already outstanding meal. The 1:30-hour time limit is manageable for me, enjoying a satisfying meal while spending quality time with loved ones. I also deeply appreciate the attentive staff who consistently check in to ensure everything meets my preferences and that all dishes are served promptly. Thank you for providing such wonderful food and service in Madison—it’s always a delight...

I like the place and food but I have felt rushed more than once when dining here. Last time I went, I had been there for maybe 45 minutes (I know it was less than an hour) and one of the girls asked if we were done eating/ordering. It made me feel uncomfortable and rushed. The restaurant was not busy and we had only ordered twice. If you’re charging almost $40 per person and a 15% minimum service fee, let the customers take their time and enjoy their food. Lowering the time limit from 2 hours to 1.5 is lowkey despicable and greedy as well. It makes it hard to enjoy food without worrying about if you’re running out of time and need to rush yourself while eating instead of engaging with who you went with and having a good time. It would be manageable if they didn’t rush you.

Edit: The employee that I mentioned left a five star review herself pretending to be a customer and said she never felt rushed and 1.5 hours is just...