Ma Lu Bian Bian 马路边边 Hot Pot — Restaurant in Orlando

This is my very first google review; I usually never leave google reviews simply because I think it’s time consuming and it doesn’t say much as it differs based on people since some think it’s good and some bad. Reviews never say much unless they review some dark truth and to save people from the dark truth behind this place; this review will have to do it even if taken down or etc.

Flaws:

0.35 cents for skewers which sound reasonable until you consider many other factors. For one, the portions is small and you barely get the amount of meat you would get at any other Hotpot in Florida/Orlando also consider that the meat you can collect is free at the other hotpots. I will say though if you eat fairly small, I can see that and if you don’t want to pay for one person in full and can’t eat it all but there is several other factors which makes it not worth it and even debunks this very contributing benefit to the restaurant. Also, I suggest looking at the cut portions on the skewers, they’re small and doesn’t equal to the value that you can get just buying it anywhere else. Last thing to add the skewers is notice the “secret” trick they do if you really care about how much they count for skewers. A few of the skewers if the “stick” can’t hold it; will have two to hold it and you have to remember they charge for each skewer stick so take that with a grain of salt; if you don’t understand it means two is charged.

If the first flaw isn’t already convincing enough here is more.

$3.99 for a “dish” and $2.99 for “sauce” “sauce…”, first off never been to a hotpot that needs to charge for “sauce” while also barely offering any different options; only had like one base. Then charges 3.99 for dishes that can contain like these shrimp tofu and rice cakes, etc. You only get like 4 or more of the items and that can add up really quick. By the time you want to try everything if you never been to hotpot; you spent more than the average hotpot and got less value.

Broth price varies but for me and my mom; it was $15.99 and we only order the one side; not double side. I can see why it’s 15.99 very reasonable actually; problem to me was that it was a lot of broth for people who couldn’t eat a lot and even if we did a lot…the price just adds up to fast for so little. I saw a review on here paying for $80 while mine was $40 and I only grabbed 15 skewers btw with two sauce dishes and one brown sugar boba tea. The regular I pay for hotpot can be $30 to $50, and I ate way less here and had only one sauce. Just no…and the side dishes they let you grab; no variety and I think they charge you for it…

My brown sugar boba tea was okay. Not bad that I’ll disrespect it but I will say…I order the first one and it did not appear like the one in the picture. It also had no brown sugar that usually wraps around the cup like drizzles; it was just plain white. It had the faint taste of Brown Sugar but not the appearance that makes you cheer like Tiger Sugar or Boba Queen for example. Not sure if the brown sugar bottle they had on the sides where you grab food was meant for the drink but didn’t think about it until later and if it was; should inform us?

Two last flaws I had with it; the lady who greeted us was great; I think she did a good job at least explaining the concept and price. Very patient; but she missed a few things to explain. For the most important part to me was not telling me how to control the heat; usually I don’t need assistance with the buttons but theirs was slightly more advanced their your typical hotpot; so bad on them for not explaining or adjusting it for us moderately; even one the labels was in Chinese writing; and I can’t read that, sorry for my lack of ability. I also like to comment that you shouldn’t tip them; you get everything yourself and you do everything yourself; it’s just not worth tipping a lot like your typical restaurant. You only have a welcomer; not a server who attends to you every 10 mins.

Advantages it has:

Looks very nice; very new and clean. The lady who greeted...

Wanted to try and a new hot pot place that was not a buffet, so I found this place on Colonial. Customer Service- The service was excellent. I went in at noon and was the first customer. The server greeted me immediately, explained everything in really great detail, and made great recommendations.

Food- I ordered 2 broths the spicy beef butter and pork bone. Both were delicious. The spicy one was exceptional ! There are skewers of meat and limited vegetables you can pick from. A lot of the meats do have more than 1 skewer attached, so be aware of the pricing. The skewers can add up. The best items I had here were the beef items. Everything else was nothing special.

Quality/Value- Each skewer was .35 , small plates-3.99, and sauce bar 2.99. I think this restaurant really needs to reevaluate its pricing. I had to laugh at literally being charged .35 for one piece of seaweed or cauliflower... The small plates had a few limited items, but nothing was worth the $4 The meats often had 2-3 skewers so you were paying .70 for 1 piece of thin meat. If you're into seafood, this is not the place to go. The 1 shrimp on a skewer were pretty sad. Just the variety in general was disappointing for vegetables and proteins. The broth was about $14. My total came to about $35, and what I really liked was that because it's not a buffet, I was able to take my leftovers home, including the broth. This was really the highlight of my visit. I think this place is very nice inside and has potential. I just dont see it doing well against the other hot pot places in town. My suggestion would be to do more small plates at varying prices. For example, a bowl of Napa cabbage was 3.99 . I would have preferred a smaller portion at 1.99. Also, why is there a charge for an unlimited app/sauce bar?! Besides the sauces. The "appetizers" were shrimp chips, radish, and seaweed salad. Also a few fruits. There is no reason this should be an additional charge.

While the server was amazing and the restaurant is beautiful and clean.At the current prices, I just dont see the value for the quality. Only 1 other customer came in during my entire visit. When you are paying the same or more than the several buffet style places in the area, I definitely would opt to go to one of those and have way more variety and quality...

Food is ok at best, and that’s with me picking the only 3 item I liked out of idk how many. Service is hit or miss. I was a repeat customer until after today. We’re 1 out of the 2 tables there. Went got my food from the fridge then immediately heard very loud consecutive coughs from a server. Sounded like she’s very ill. She wasn’t wearing any masks, but occasionally would cover the cough with her palm, well guess what, she went and touched everything in the restaurant with her hands. Coughing at the food while restocking food, touching tables, counters, etc… Coughing was nonstop through out, but non of her 5 other coworkers said anything about it so that seemed like a norm. I’m not asking for A1 services, but just hoping service workers would have the bare minimum non negotiable common sense. I get that you have to come to work but at least put a mask on if you are going to be coughing for the entire day? At the end, I don’t blame her if the owner and nobody else has said anything about contamination prevention. Wish this business best of luck...