Back Street BBQ & Hot Pot — Restaurant in Milwaukee

Reading all the reviews here, it seems no one here knows what good Korean BBQ tastes like. Terrible. Probably one of the worst restaurants I’ve ever ate at, and the service itself was atrocious.

Before getting into everything, I will give them their props that they have a lot of variety in terms of their sauces, and the restaurant looks clean. But don’t let that deceive you from everything else, because those are the two only things good about this restaurant.

Firstly, if you’re going here for a quiet meal where you’re able to talk with one another, go elsewhere. This isn’t because of other people, but because the music in here is blasted so obnoxiously loud to where you can barely hear each other. For their drinks, on the menu they apparently sell coke, but guess what? They don’t! It’s Pepsi! Not that I’m nitpicking here, nor can tell the difference, but the server himself even said it himself, “We don’t have coke, is Pepsi fine with you?” Then why even put it on the menu?

Secondly, our server. After taking our order and getting our food, our server, the guy who looks like a teenager, I don’t remember his name clearly, never once came to check up on us nor replace our grill. And no, it wasn’t that he wasn’t around, he was around, just tending to a group of five people not even helping them but talking to them for the entire hour. Our grills were eventually changed out, not from him, but from one of the people who serve the foods (if you’ve been to KPOT, these people aren’t supposed to be the ones changing your grills, it’s the server).

Lastly, saved the best for the last, the food. Reading the reviews here, seeing the 4.9 Stars, you would think the food here would be good, right? Terrible. Absolutely terrible. The beef Bulgogi is just flavorless, to the point where you’re literally just chewing on a beef with no salt, no pepper, no saucing. If you want to imagine the taste, just imagine a fresh piece of gum being chewed to the point where it has practically no flavor left in it, that is exactly how their beef Bulgogi tastes like, not even just the beef Bulgogi, but the short ribs there as well. Not to mention that the cuts were fatty as hell too, now hear me out, I know bulgogi and short ribs are supposed to be on the fattier side, but this was like 65% Fat and 35% meat, and if you didn’t want a bite of just full fat you’ll have to literally tear out most of it. Now, I don’t even like Kpot, I think it’s overrated as hell, but my god I would choose that over Backstreet BBQ & Hot Pot any day of the week, because at least over there you can taste some flavor. Also we also ordered the appetizers of chicken nuggets and fries, we got the fries which were decent, but the whole time while waiting, we never got the chicken nuggets and never even cared to ask for it because the rest of the food was so bad. The chicken and the pork we just handed back to the people serving us the food because it looked so unappetizing, and the fact that the beef was already that disgusting, no thank you.

Now I’ll also add this, we only tried the BBQ so we can’t speak for the Hotpot, if you read this and want to try the hotpot yourself, do yourself the favor. But if you read this and think I’m over exaggerating and still want to try the Korean BBQ, go ahead and waste your time and money.

⭐️ 1/5 ⭐️ Back Street BBQ & Hot Pot, a disgrace to...

I visited backsteet bbq 10/7/25 with a few friends who have never been there. I hyped it up as I usually have a wonderful experience there, but this time was different. Our waitresses vibe was kinda off the minute she seated us, but I thought nothing of it at first. Now I will admit, we were a bit giggly and loud (as friends who haven’t seen each other in a long time can get) but I honestly get the vibe our waitresses didn’t like us from the beginning maybe ? After noticing she would barley come to our table, I decided to just watch the interactions she had with other tables. She was bubbly and smiling and bringing out things for other tables so fast, checking on them, asking if the needed anything else. Then she would finally get to our table after passing us up so much. This is the first time I’ve been to backstreet where I have ran out of broth in my hotpot, cause our waitress wasn’t worried about our table. At one point we wanted to get our first water refill, it took 15 minutes for her to acknowledge us, and another 5-7 minutes for us to actually receive the water refill. It just got to a point we didn’t wanna deal with her attitude anymore and gave up on ordering anything else. When it came time to check out, all of our receipt were listed incorrectly. It took 10 minutes for her to come back to us to get our receipts fixed. After we notified her of the error, she took all of receipts and we didn’t see her for another 10 minutes. When she finally came back, one of the people in our groups receipt was yet again wrong. So guess what. Another 6/7 minutes passed before she came back with the correct receipt for him. Then we had to wait another 10 minutes for a pen to sign the receipts and that was kind of my last straw. Like I said, I literally hyped this place up for my friends, just to receive the WORST service I have ever had here. I really hope Brianna was just having an off night, and isn’t just choosing what groups to give bad service to as that’s what it seemed like...

"An Unforgettable Korean BBQ Experience in Milwaukee!"

I have eaten Korean BBQ dozens and dozens of times all over the country... Never did I think the best I would have would be in Milwaukee! ...this place is an absolute must-visit! From the moment you step in, you're greeted by a vibrant, yet cozy ambiance that perfectly balances modern chic with authentic Korean charm. The warm lighting and tasteful decor set the mood for a fantastic dining experience, making it perfect for a date night, family gathering, or a night out with friends.

Now, let’s talk about the meat – it’s simply the best, no cutting corners... These meats are great cuts! The quality is outstanding, with each cut beautifully marbled, incredibly fresh, and seasoned to perfection. the variety of cuts and marination options offer something for everyone, whether you're a Korean BBQ aficionado or trying it for the first time.

The service here is top-notch, too. SHOUT OUT LEE!! You are a super star! The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and always ready to help with cooking tips or recommendations for pairing the perfect banchan (side dishes) with your meal. They genuinely care about making your dining experience unforgettable and ensure you’re never without a sizzling plate or a fresh side dish.

Overall, this Korean BBQ spot is more than just a meal – it's an experience. If you’re in Milwaukee and craving a meal that’s both flavorful and fun, look no further. Five stars...