Chubby Cattle BBQ | Pleasanton — Restaurant in Pleasanton

I don’t usually write reviews this long, but after experiencing the incredible service from Nam at Chubby Cattle, I feel like five stars isn’t nearly enough. Nam isn’t just a server—he’s an absolute professional, a guide, and honestly, a major part of why our night was so memorable.

From the moment we walked in, Nam set the tone. He greeted us with warmth that felt genuine, not rehearsed, and it immediately made us feel like we weren’t just customers—we were guests. His timing was impeccable: menus were presented with thoughtful explanations, recommendations flowed naturally, and he somehow managed to know exactly when we needed something without ever hovering. That balance is rare, and Nam has it down to an art.

When it came to the food, Nam’s knowledge blew us away. He explained the hotpot options in detail, pointing out combinations we would never have thought of but ended up loving. He wasn’t just reciting a script—he clearly knew the menu inside and out and had a passion for making sure we got the best experience possible. Every recommendation landed perfectly, and every course felt like it came with a personal touch.

What impressed me most was how consistent he was. Some servers start strong and then disappear, but not Nam. All night long he checked in at exactly the right times, refilled drinks before we even noticed they were low, and made sure our table was always set up perfectly for the next dish. He did all of this while juggling a busy section, and somehow made it look effortless.

But beyond the professionalism, it was his personality that made the night unforgettable. Nam has this way of making you feel like you’ve known him for years. He’s personable, funny in the right moments, respectful when it matters, and just radiates a kind of energy that lifts the whole dining room. By the end of the night, we weren’t just satisfied with dinner—we felt like we had made a new friend.

I’ve been to a lot of restaurants, but I can honestly say that Nam is the best server I’ve ever had anywhere, period. Chubby Cattle is already a special place with incredible food, but Nam takes it to a different level. He made the experience so extraordinary that I actually told my family: when my kid gets married one day, Nam is invited to the wedding. That’s how highly we think of him. He’s not just a five-star server—he’s the kind of person who leaves a lasting impression long after the meal is over.

If you’re going to Chubby Cattle, do yourself a favor: ask for Nam. He’ll make sure your night is not just good, not just great, but unforgettable. The food will wow you, but Nam will be the reason you’ll come back...

Arrived at 11:50-ish and there's already a long line. Ended up in the waiting list and got it at 1:30pm. -no complaints about this because they will text and call you once your table is almost ready.

Service is 10/10. Josh were really helpful and friendly.

Food: Diamond Tier. Took avantage of getting the special meats right away. A5 miyazaki shortrib, a5 miyazaki ribeye, a5 wagyu otoro and full blood wagyu steak are the bomb although you can only get 2 person and one order is very small. There's only two available options in the special dishes section: wagyu nigiri with uni and the one with foie gras. the rest are "sold out".

Meats: this is my main concern. almost all of the unlimited meats are marinated or came with some kind of sauce. It just ruins the taste of wagyu beef honestly. Most of the meats are cut thinly but are marinated so when you grill it even just for few seconds it burns or char too quickly and all you can taste is the burned char. Not good! Even the slices of pork belly come with some kind of sauce which i find unnecessary. The iberico pork is tough. the wagyu cubes are not really cubes and looked different in the picture. It was coated with chili pepper flakes which is also unnecessary because it just ruins the taste of the meat of that quality.

Sushi/ seafood: a lot of the items were unavailable. Tried the yellowtail and salmon nigiri and carpacio and they were good. the argentina red shrimp are fresh and juicy if you don't overcook it.

A lot of items in the signature dishes are not avaialble but i'm really interested bec eating wagyu is my main goal. only got to try takoyaki and it's ok.

Dessert: none of the dessert items in the menu are available. i was really hoping to try the cheesy durian or creme brulee but it's "sold out". Soft serve ice cream is just ok. Fresh fruits like lychee, pineapple, blueberries and grapes are available.

Rice, miso soup, veggies, fountain soda, milk tea and hot tea are available in the self serve section.

Overall disappointed because...

Viet N., our server, is just the sweetest guy. Great, friendly service, always checking in, very prompt and professional, and knows his sh*t. Don't know what to order? Ask Viet. Don't know what the machines are for? Ask Viet. Want an asian spoon instead? Ask Viet.

You will not regret ordering the AYCE Gold/Diamond tier for their certified Japanese A5 Wagu Beef. Silver is their cheapest tier but only includes U.S. and Australian Wagyu which was just as good, but if you're gonna splurge, might as well go for at least the Gold tier. The food, amenities, and selection was amazing.

Menu/Amenities: They have a miso soup and rice dispenser by the veggie/fruit bar. The bar also includes various kimchi/pickled veggie sides, edamame, seaweed salad, various veggies to grill, Japanese Curry, a milk tea dispenser, soda fountain, and Icee/Slurpee machine. The AYCE menu also includes a selection of delicious appetizers but we were so stuffed we couldn't even try everything on the menu.

Wait List: They just opened this location so yes there is a wait list, via a tablet onsite once you arrive. While it is connected to Yelp for status notifications of your placement in line, you cannot add yourself to the wait list via Yelp just yet. Between 1:30-4 pm on a midweek day (Wed.), it was only about a 30-45 min wait. After 5 pm, expect to wait at least an hour. Their wait list tends to close by 7 pm; check their Instagram to see if they posted the wait list status. They do not take reservations yet.

Groups and Ambiance: Sign up early if you're coming with a large group. Typical booths seat up to 6 people max but they have large 10-seater tables at the back of the house. Japanese decor give the whole place a fun vibe. Plenty of parking but there is no outdoor dining.

We signed up for the $28/year Club One membership for discounts and their rewards program cause I already know I'm coming back here a few more...