KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Normally don't write reviews, but felt this exception was necessary. Tried to make a reservation for a large birthday party (15 ppl) this past Saturday (09/10/22) and was told they don't take reservations on weekends after 4. Most of our party came around 5, but were told we couldn't be seated until every person in the party was present, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense when we're paying per person. That being said, none of this or the actual dining experience is the cause of this low review. Towards the end of our dining time, the staff brought out the cake we had come with, sang the song, and left. Briefly after, we were told by a female manager through our server that we could not eat the cake here as "others were waiting to be seated". There were a considerable amount of empty tables surrounding us, but assuming they needed seating for a similarly large party, we understandably asked the server if we could receive any to-go ware to at least enjoy the cake outside. The server left to speak to the manager, who then personally came to RUDELY state that it was "against policy" to give out any to-go/plastic ware and added with unnecessary attitude that we could purchase those at the Shop Rite. It took the manager the time we could have eaten the cake and left to bring us our check and receive our payment. The "against policy" excuse turns out to be a cover as our server came back with the intention of apologizing and asked whether the manager notified us of the restaurant's to-go ware shortage. After explaining our conversation with the manager to the server, she tried her best to go back a 2nd time to see if she could at least get us plastic cups and forks, which she successfully came back with. Our party left and proceeded to make the best out of a terribly managed situation by enjoying the cake in the parking lot with plates/forks one of our family members ran to purchase from Party City amidst the unnecessary back and forth caused by a manager who needs basic customer service retraining. At no point did we make it difficult for the server, whose attempts to help us were met with a rude and unwavering manager.

I truly hope none of this comes back to our wonderful server Michelle, who tried her absolute best to find a compromise for our party; the single star of this review goes out to her. She handled our large party extremely well and KPOT is privileged to have a server like her; could not say the same about the manager.

To make matters worse, as we were leaving immediately after receiving our receipt, it was visually obvious that there was no large party waiting for our departure. There were ~2 small parties waiting and we saw no large party come after as we ate our cake in the...

Utter lies and disrespect. Our experience was less than ideal on Saturday 9/10/22. We were a party of 15, we were seated just before 6pm and it was my aunt's birthday. We brought a cake to be enjoyed afterwards which we did back in March, also for another member of our family (15 ppl). Saturday 9/10, Everyone got the hotpot and kbbq experience and as previous customers, we were excited to dine here again. Our server was kind (Michelle?) and attentive the whole meal and proceeded to ask who's birthday it was. The workers all came out and sang happy birthday to my Aunt. It was great... or so we thought... SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, we were informed that we were unable to enjoy the cake there and that we had to leave as another party was coming. We were trying to be understanding but as they took their time to get our bill for almost 15 mins (we could have had the cake in that time), it proved that they had an ulterior motive. I asked the very kind server (who was the only apologetic one) if they could at least provide us some take-out containers or paper plates so that we can at least enjoy the cake outside, she said she would ask the manager. She tried her best. We were not from the area and were all leaving our separate ways afterwards. The rude manager came over and said it was against their policy to give us anything. She said, "You can go to the shop rite across the street". Absolutely distasteful wording and was incredibly unapologetically rude. The kind server came back and asked if we were notified that they had no plates and I said no, we were told a policy was being upheld. Why the lies? Then, the lovely server ran back and gave us some plastic cups and spoons. WE ATE THE CAKE IN THE PARKING LOT. The best part: one of my family members went back in the use the bathroom about 15 mins later and THE TABLE WAS EMPTY. MULTIPLE TABLES EMPTY. NO LARGE GROUP IN THE WAITING AREA. We were lied to and we gave them large amount of business, not once but many times before. The girl manager on that shift with the caterpillar eyelashes needs to be addressed on how to treat customers, as this was dealt with so poorly. WHY bring out the cake at all? Why sing at all? Only then to kick your largest party out base on a lie? There was no party waiting and there were so many empty tables. That girl needs fired. I have not experienced such poor customer service in...

Horrible. No food is good enough for how horrific getting a table at this establishment is. They do not take reservations. They will tell you that you can call ahead but then say you have to be there in person to put in for a table. I was told there was a 30 to 45 minute wait so I drove there. I get there now there is no wait but my entire party now needs to be there to be seated. It took me 15 minutes to drive there. In 15 minutes they went from a 30 to 45 minute wait to now, no wait but everyone has to be there. I should add I called this place and emailed them 10 days before all this. This was for a birthday dinner and this is where the birthday person wanted to go. What a horrible experience. They did absolutely nothing to help me and literally played games with my time. I called them and emailed them in an effort to be respectful and what was returned was unprofessional rudeness and ineptitude. Do not waste your time. This is a chain restaurant got to one if the hundreds if other places that make better food and have the minimum professionalism with thier establishment. I would be embarrassed to own, work or put my name with this place. Just do not go.

EDIT: On the phone they will yell you thst you can come in person and put your name. Do not believe them, the whole party must be there to put your name in as well.

Plus the pricing is ridiculous. I guess you need to research this stuff or you are paying $35.00 for everything.

It is an incredible effort to go to this place. Literally exhausted just trying to eat a average meal.

Go...