Chubby Skewers｜Authentic Chinese BBQ — Restaurant in Rowland Heights

My friend and I visited Chubby Skewers last night we went out of curiosity and hype over the 1$ skewers. However, while in the moment the food seemed relatively good I would say the overall experience just wasn't great. Skip to the end for a summary of key points.

There were no instructions on how to grab the skewers or signs that we could grab gloves (which were insanely difficult to pull out of the box) to grab the skewers which had blood and meat juices dripping all over the handles. My friend and I just so happened to notice the glove boxes after we grabbed the skewers and commented to each other that the ends of the skewers were sticky. Additionally, the staff member that had been refilling the meats lacked common courtesy completely ignoring clients already in line and just moving right in without notice or a simple excuse me or comment that they were going to refill the meat. There was also cross contamination between the skewers ends and juices where different cuts of meat such as pork and beef were handled with the same pair of gloves which again the skewers ends had been dripping with blood. While our server was kind and great with informing us on how to cook and use their app there were still some issues. My friend ordered dumplings on their app and waited 10 mins before having to go over and ask a member of staff about the dumplings to which they then went to check. Additonally, the 3-4 min rule for cooking and waiting til the outside was crispy before flipping was not long enough to properly cook the meat. My friend and I both waited over 3 to 4 minutes waiting til it was crispy on the outside to flip and cook more and still found that the insides of our skewers were still pink or raw and had to sit on the grill longer. Also, addressing the "grill", occasionally meat I had just taken off the grill would be colder than lukewarm and addressing the grill table I noticed (similarly to what a previous commenter had mentioned) that there was a water leak from beneath our table. Thankfully and luckily ours did not continue to drip but it leaves concern over the establishment and how things are handled. Lastly, while their seasoning was good, our night and subsequent morning ended with a not so great surprise -- food poisoning. Although to be quite honest I already had a looming feeling that it might have been in the books for us and hoped we'd be lucky enough to not get it. I'll skip out on the big details of what happened, but we truly did have the symptoms of food poisoning, where my friend did unfortunately have more discomfort and pain. Overall, this is what led to my 1 star, the food while in the moment seemed good was concerning with the cross continuation from staff handling, and the heat from cooking was not adequate enough leading to possibly uneven cooking.

Also, mini fun fact, those tables are super cramped, not made for tall people, you'd have to severely man-spread to fit.

Summary: Food quality is not the greatest, there was cross continuation between meats from the staff member placing them down not swapping gloves or handling them properly. Service was not the greatest, had to inform them of an order. Not very clean nor convenient process to grab skwers as the skewers had blood and juices on the ends and no noticeable sign or acknowledgement from staff was given that there were gloves. Cooking time is inaccurate and the heat was too low and uneven. We got food poisoning following that night and...

Chubby Skewers is a lively Chinese BBQ spot that delivers an authentic and communal dining experience, perfect for large parties who enjoy the fun of grilling at the table. The skewers here are flavorful, seasoned well, and remind me of street-style barbecue in Northern China. That said, while the food is solid, there are a few caveats diners should know before coming in.

Ambiance: 5/5 This is a place designed for groups. The setup is casual, energetic, and tailored for sharing. The grill-in-the-center concept creates a festive environment, making it a great option for gatherings with friends or family who want to linger over drinks and skewers.

Authenticity: 4.5/5 The skewers taste authentic and capture the essence of Chinese street BBQ—spiced, savory, and just the right amount of smoky. From lamb to chicken wings to veggie skewers, the flavor profiles feel genuine and satisfying.

Flavor: 4/5 The seasonings stand out, especially the cumin and chili powder that coat the meats. However, since diners cook the skewers themselves, the flavor can vary depending on how evenly they’re grilled. When cooked just right, they’re delicious; but it does take effort to avoid undercooking or burning.

Service: 4/5 Staff are attentive enough, ensuring grills stay hot and orders come out steadily. However, there isn’t much assistance with the actual cooking process, which could be a challenge for first-timers unfamiliar with table-top grilling.

Cost: 4/5 Reasonably priced for group dining, with skewers adding up quickly depending on how much you order. Considering the quality of the meat and the fun factor, the value feels fair for what you get.

Final verdict: Chubby Skewers is a solid spot for anyone craving authentic Chinese BBQ in a social, lively setting. Just know that part of the experience requires you to stay on top of the grill—constant flipping is necessary to ensure even cooking and avoid burning. If you’re okay with that, it’s a fun and tasty place well...

Trying this new concept of the Chubby Cattle group during their soft opening. Unfortunately this was a disappointment for me. Personally I would not recommend it. But they do open until 3am. So it could an option for late night cravings.

We arrived at opening time and there is already a line. It’s really popular. So expect wait time.

Everything is self serve here. From grabbing the skewers to cooking them. From utensils to drinks. There’s a section with several fridges for you to choose from.

I must say that Food quality was fresh and to the standard. Chubby cattle always offer good quality meat and it’s the same here as well. But I personally think the quality of the meat is not the key to Chinese skewers. It’s the seasoning and cooking time that makes major differences.

Unfortunately, there was no instruction on how to cook the skewers and how long we are supposed to cook everything. What seasoning is supposed to be added, etc. The servers just assumed everyone knows.

You can also order dishes from the kitchen. But the options are very limited. Only 1 main course here which is the stir fry instant noodles.

Each skewer stick is a dollar regardless of meat or veggie. It’s kinda off because for some veggie selections, the portion is really tiny. For example, zucchini skewer only had 2 thin slices.

The cook stove is small. We had a party of 4 and we had to take turns to cook our food. Good thing is that it does not take too long to cook.

Our biggest complaint was the Uncomfortable seats and Loud background music. Limited table space for dishes. We had to put our trays on the ground. Maybe a cart next to the table...