Iron Age Glenview — Restaurant in Northfield Township

STAY AWAY! Manager's Attitude Ruins Everything!

It's truly disheartening to see a restaurant with such potential be dragged down by incompetent management and deceitful front desk staff. Modern restaurant decor and playing K-pop music inside don't mean you are the high-level cool kid. Put away your arrogant face, you are just an employee. There is another AYCE Korean BBQ restaurant only 10 minutes away, their staff are so much welcome and friendly. Try it if you have never gone, their food quality is better than the Iron Age.

Here is our bad experience if you interested to know:

My friend and I called ahead of time for a reservation, and they told me just to come in. When we arrived, they told us we needed to wait 15 minutes. That's fine, so we waited. Later, I went to check with the front about our table; the front guy told me they were setting up our table, in just one moment. At this moment, everything seemed normal, and my friends and I were ready to be seated.

A few minutes later, the front guy came over and told me that our table's grill device was not working. They had to rearrange a table for us. So I asked him, why not these tables? There were so many empty tables in front of me. He said, "These tables are for groups of 8." So what? We have 7 people, can't we be seated at an 8-person table? I have never heard of any restaurant that has an odd number of table seating.

The manager overheard us and came over, telling us he could seat us but there would be no server to serve us because they were about to change to the dinner shift. What are you talking about? People who came in after us got seats with no issues, and now 7 people dining is an issue? The manager didn't provide us with any solutions; all he said was that we needed to wait another 30 minutes, with a very bad tone. Is this what a manager should do to leave customers who have been waiting for a long time aside?

Excuse me? You told me from "15 minutes waiting" to "working on our table" to "the grilling device is broken" to "7 people can't sit at an 8-person table" to "changing shift, there is no server now" to "another 30 minutes waiting." They should reconsider the manager position. His current work ability is incompetent.

A qualified manager at this time would have already begun to calm the customer's emotions and prepare solutions. What about you? You just forcefully told us to wait another 30 minutes or leave. There are so many empty tables and so many waiters working. You will only make yourself look unprofessional and cause the restaurant to lose business. Don’t worry; I will tell everyone on other social platforms what a rubbish...

My recent visit to this all-you-can-eat restaurant was a complete disappointment from start to finish. Not only did I encounter abhorrent service, but the dining experience was marred by a lack of options and an overwhelmingly impatient waiter.

Upon being seated for mere seconds, a waiter swooped in, displaying an alarming lack of patience, and immediately bombarded us with inquiries about our order. When we politely requested a menu, hoping for a traditional browsing experience, the waiter dismissively pointed towards a wall and instructed us to use our phones. This impersonal approach left much to be desired in terms of customer service.

To exacerbate matters, the waiter continuously emphasized that we could only select two types of meat per round. Their impatience was palpable and evident in every interaction. Without fail, each time they approached our table, the sole question posed was, "What do you want for meat?" It became increasingly frustrating as we tried to engage in a more comprehensive conversation about our dining preferences.

Adding to the perplexity, the waiter insisted that we finish consuming the selected meat before requesting more. This raised the question: if we were not permitted to make additional requests until the first serving was finished, why were we being asked for more choices in the first place? It felt like an exercise in futility and further compounded our frustration.

At an all-you-can-eat restaurant, one would expect a wider range of options and a more accommodating dining experience. Unfortunately, this establishment failed to deliver on both counts. The combination of rude service, rushed interactions, and the restrictive limitations on ordering left a sour taste in our mouths.

It is my hope that this review serves as constructive feedback for the restaurant's management. Addressing these issues could greatly enhance the dining experience for future guests. However, based on my personal encounter, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this restaurant to others seeking an enjoyable all-you-can-eat experience. There are undoubtedly better options available that prioritize customer satisfaction and offer a more fulfilling...

Iron Age in Glenview presents a unique twist on the traditional Korean BBQ experience. The restaurant's bold and contemporary ambiance is punctuated by the vivid display of pop and K-pop music videos projected on giant screens adorning the walls. The space is impeccably clean, with diligent bussers ensuring that tables are thoroughly sanitized without missing a beat.

Our visit coincided with the service of the #26 crew on a Saturday around noon. The atmosphere, while casual, exuded an air of nightclub sophistication. The décor and music videos created an engaging environment, and despite the inclement weather outside, the interior was filled with uplifting energy. The well-lit space was a welcome departure from the dimly lit establishments that are all too common.

Upon arrival, we noticed the absence of a host and found ourselves waiting for seven minutes to be seated by a server. While this occurred only thirty minutes after opening, the presence of a dedicated host would have assured patrons and streamlined the process. It took another four minutes for a server to attend to us.

The selection of banchan was delightful, particularly the fresh and delectable kimchi. The meats were cooked to perfection—tender and flavorful. We indulged in marinated options, including the standout Hawaiian bulgogi, which was exquisitely seasoned. Despite the all-you-can-eat format, given the generous portions, we could only manage five plates of meat between the three of us.

The service remained commendable, even as the restaurant grew busier. Our server took the time to explain the workings of Iron Age, elaborating on the banchan, kimchi, and rice cakes. He remained attentive throughout our visit, checking in frequently despite managing multiple tables. The busser's efficiency and effectiveness were also noteworthy, as he promptly cleared and cleaned tables as soon as patrons departed.

The only drawback was the slightly watered-down Sprite. Fortunately, refills were available upon request.

In summary, our experience at Iron Age was thoroughly enjoyable, marked by exceptional cuisine, an engaging atmosphere, and attentive staff. This distinctive Korean BBQ establishment is well...