Shabu Club — Restaurant in San Francisco

I went to this place yesterday (saturday) based on recommendations and good reviews. However I was deeply disappointed with the bad service.

We called at 5 pm to try to make a reservation but was told "We don't take reservations on weekends". However once we arrived we saw 2 tables with "reserved" signs. Which were not used for more than 30 min while there was a lot of people waiting.

I clearly asked for a table for 3 persons (I made the note myself on the waiting list) but after 1 hour of waiting the hostess told me they had a table ready for us but that we had to squeeze in. It was in the corner but only two persons could actually sit there, so I reminded her that we were 3, I mean we were 2 adults and 1 child, but the child it's 3 yr old and needs her full space, it's not an option to eat with a kid on your lap, totally ridiculous! So when she saw another party leaving she asked me if I liked that table and I said yes (it had 4 chairs). However, once it was cleaned I asked if we could sit down and she said NO! because she was going to sit another party (of 4)!! that the only table she had for us was the tiny space I refused because it was meant for 2!! By that point we were so mad and considering leaving the place but a minute later she gave us another table, which was still small but we could have 3 chairs.

We ordered hot pot, shabu shabu. Therefore we ended up with so many little plates on our tiny table. The waitress wasn't picking up the empty plates and every time we wanted to order something else or needed napkings or utensils she was hard to find. Terrible service.

Food itself was ok, green sauce was original and ice cream was delicious but it's definitely not worth the pain as it's not cheap either.

If you are willing to waste your time waiting for 1 hour or more to be sitted because people take their time to eat (all you can eat has a 2 hour limit), you don't mind to be squeezed in tiny tables (if your party is of 3) and you are willing to juggle with empty plates while you try to find a free space to eat, then please go.

However, if you want seriously delicious hot pot with so much better service and better space and you are willing to drive there (which is the time you would spend here waiting) please search for Steam Boat in Concord, they do take reservations and their sauces are so much better and they have a lot more extra options. You will end up paying the same amount of money but had a much better experience. They dont have the all you can eat option but that also means people won't be hugging their chairs while a lot of...

If you love hot pot or shabu shabu, you absolutely HAVE to visit restaurant! They offer two dining options: AYCE and pre-determined meal sets. I highly highly recommend the AYCE option, they give you 90 minutes to eat your fill of beef, pork, lamb, assorted vegetables, ramen and udon. And at the end of your meal you can also get a sweet treat in the form of green tea or red bean ice cream in a sugar cone.

I came with a party of 5 on Saturday around 5pm. We were seated immediately. Keep in mind that this place gets pretty popular during the peak dinner hours. If you're coming on a weekend with a party of 6 or larger, I highly recommend making a reservation (unfortunately, they only take reservations for parties of 6+ on the weekend)! If you arrive around 5 or before, I can safely say that seating is quite plentiful. Note, that you do have to arrive with your full party in order to be seated.

Once seated, we perused their menu and from their selection of 6 broths, we decided on the tonkotosu and the spicy miso. After that it was just a matter of ordering everything else. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly! Since it was our first time at Shabu Club, we weren't too sure what was the best way to order everything. Our server gave us the recommendation to order 2 plates of each kind of meat, along with a bowl of mixed noodles (ramen and udon) that comes with their selection of vegetables. Service is very quick, so you can begin dining soon after you're seated.

We had a slight mishap with our pot, I think some noodles stuck to the bottom of the pot and started burning, which gave the broth a very smoky acrid taste to it. We brought it up to the staff and they were very attentive and considerate in helping us to change out the broth so we could continue enjoying our meal.

Needless to say, this ranks among the top hot pot experiences I've had in San Francisco. I'll definitely be back and bring even more...

Perfect place for a chilly, rainy San Francisco night. Shabu Club easily vaulted into my top three hot pot havens in the city after tonight.

Quality meat slices so tender Appetizers were 🔥 I mixed green tea and Leche for the ice cream flavors, and it was a match made in dessert heaven.

Nima, our server, embodied patience and grace. He deserves a medal. Nima, if you're reading this, you're a superstar!

The Shabu Club isn't just about filling your stomach; it's an experience. Their Happy Hour is the golden hour, from 5 to 6:30 PM every day, where you get to bask in what I'd call simplified sophistication. There's a warmth there, a glow of hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family.

The vegetarian Gyoza? A hit.

The calamari with aïoli? Chef's kiss.

And a heads up, you can likely pass on the all-you-can-eat option – the regular and large portions are more than enough to go around.

But what made the night truly memorable wasn't just the food or the service; it was the conversations. From discussing how our therapists would describe us (thanks, Marianne) to the art of noodle and meat soaking, we went deep. The words to describe the night? Sensational, chaotic, serendipitous, soaked, and special. And I couldn't agree more.

So, if you're in San Francisco and looking for a place that hits all the right notes – amazing food, incredible ice cream, and heartwarming hospitality – make your way...