Gobi Hotpot & Mongolian Grill — Restaurant in Madison

So this is a rather conflicted review. We had been looking forward to dining here for some time, and finally last night everything lined up for us to go. We are big fans of the hibachi grill food, and Hu Hots unexplained disappearance was very disappointing. Based on the description, we anticipated Gobi being even better, amd were thrilled. But in all honesty, it was perhaps the WORST dining experience we have ever had. Now here's where the conflict comes in; First, we had never eaten "Hot Pot", so we didn't really know what it was or how it worked. The first question we were asked was did we want the Grill, or Hot Pot. We said we weren't sure. The host didn't explain that if we chose Hot Pot, the grill was included. My wife happened to overhear someone else explaining it, so at least that was helpful. For $30 we could have both, so we chose that option. It's all you can eat, so that price seems fair. The food was excellent. They have a very good selection of ingredients for both the grill and the Hotpot, and the waitress explained how to use the hotpot which turned out to be very simple. So why should this review conclude with the statement that we will probably never return? One word.. cold. Not the food, not the ambience, the restaurant! When I say cold, I don't mean the standard practice many restaurants employ of keeping the building a little cooler so patrons aren't overly comfortable and stay longer. I mean so cold that all for of us ended up putting our coats back on to try to be reasonably comfortable so we could eat without shivering. I mean "feels like you're sitting in a refrigerator!" Cold. It was about 40 degrees outside, and although I didnt have a way to measure, I firmly believe it wasnt above 50 degrees inside. I asked the waitress about it, she said she would submit feedback. I asked the host, he said they have to have the temperature set so the desserts table keeps the dessert cool. Folks, I'm a lifelong Sconnie. I like it cold. I sleep with a bedside fan in the winter. But when it is SO cold that you cant enjoy your meal without outerwear, that's a PROBLEM. We were at a table, not a booth, maybe that would have made a difference? But that's where we had been seated. Maybe we just happened to be in line of a vent where the A/C was pointed, and on full blast, but the restaurant was full and there wasnt an option for moving. Regardless, we left hugely dissapointed. Despite the food being pretty good, it was no where near good enough to find yourself shivering while trying to use your utensils, and that is NOT an...

🌟A fresh and fun addition to Madison!🍲

Gobi is a great new spot for hot pot and Mongolian grill, especially at lunch ($19.99 for both!).

Fresh meats, clean veggies, two soup bases per person, and flavorful broths from multiple Asian cuisines. The built-in hot pot setup is smart and safe. Mongolian grill is well-cooked, and the snack/dessert bar has variety. Great value and good vibes overall.

⚠️ Service is a bit slow during soft launch, and the ordering process (especially for the grill) could use clearer signage and instructions.

Suggestions for the team: You're bringing something truly unique to Madison, and the food quality is already excellent. With a few improvements, the experience could be even better: Add a quick onboarding guide for guests: what's included, how to order, and sauce suggestions. First-timers could really be intimidated by the style of the food and service. Improve signage, especially around the sauce bar, appetizers, and Mongolian grill process. Clarify grill ordering: Should guests wait at the station or clip the plate and return to the table? Expand the grill sauce station, add cilantro, sesame oil, etc., which are only available at the hot pot sauce bar. Speed up lunch service, this could really attract the office crowd. Maybe offer a to-go or preset lunch bowl. Or online bulk order for boba. Update visuals and posters to reflect actual offerings (currently no 9-slot soup pot or shaved ice, though...

We stopped in for lunch at Gobi and only did the Mongolian grill. It was a great experience overall.

Atmosphere: The restaurant is bright, clean, and spacious. Even during lunch, it was busy but didn’t feel crowded or rushed.

Food: The Mongolian grill buffet had a great selection of fresh ingredients. The meats were fresh, not frozen, which made a big difference in flavor and quality. There was a nice variety of thin-sliced beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp, plus lots of fresh vegetables, noodles, and sauces to customize your bowl.

After you fill your bowl with your choices, the cooks grill everything right in front of you. One detail I really liked is that they bring your cooked food right to your table when it’s ready, so you don’t have to wait by the grill. Everything came out hot, fresh, and delicious.

Service: The staff was friendly and attentive. Our server kept drinks filled and cleared plates quickly, and the grill cooks were fast even when there was a line.

Pricing: The lunch pricing is very reasonable for all-you-can-eat, especially considering the quality of the fresh ingredients. It’s a good value if you come hungry.

Overall: If you’re looking for a casual lunch spot with lots of variety and high-quality, fresh food, the Mongolian grill at Gobi is definitely worth checking out. We left full and satisfied, and we’ll...