Prime BBQ — Restaurant in San Mateo

I was really excited to try this place and wish I had better things to say, but unfortunately I don’t…

The good - decent skewers, not as much variety as you would usually see and many items were sold out by 6pm but flavor and quality was decent.

The bad - my goodness the operations of this establishment is atrocious. I’m guessing it is a first time restaurant owner, otherwise there is no excuse. I made a reservation weeks in advance, when I show up there was no table ready and we had to wait for another 20 minutes. You order the food at the table via QR code and then that’s it, you just wait. It was 30+ minutes before we got 4 skewers of sausage, and another 45+ minutes at least for the rest of the order to come out. I anticipated it might be a bit of a wait so ordered non skewer items such as karage chicken and cold noodles which didn’t come out till near the end. This entire time I kept checking with the staff to see when our food will be coming out and they said they’re sorry but have no idea. I ask if they can at least make the noodles first since that’s a cold dish that shouldn’t require cooking! And of course it comes out at the very end. 🤦🏻‍♀️ This also was all happening as they were fulfilling many take out orders. In the end they comped us some popsicles but still I can’t in good conscious recommend this place.

I know it is in soft opening but customers shouldn’t be Guinea pigs to test new restaurant operations on when the basics can’t be managed. The sign outside said they were only serving limited tables because of the soft opening but that wasn’t actually the case, every table was full and they constantly had take out. I love trying new restaurants because I want to support new restauranteurs but I shouldn’t be punished for it…

Suggestions for management

do not accept take out orders if your dine in customers are starving waiting for food! You can’t even turn our table 2 hours in because we were waiting for our order for 90+ minutes!

Stagger the orders, you have tables receiving 100 skewers within 5 minutes and tables sitting with no food for 45+ minutes. Learn to offset the order

Better order tracking, I was observing the staff while waiting and they have to check everything that comes out of the kitchen with every receipt on the bar for each open order (dine in and take out). This might be fine when a table orders 3 dishes like a normal restaurant but when every table orders dozens of skewers this system breaks down. The kitchen needs a better tracking system so the servers don’t have to play detective.

I can see that other reviewers are having similar issues with this place. If you visit just be patient. I hope to return one day when the operation gets better but that day is not...

Super excited about this new spot for Chinese BBQ skewers with a mix of Japanese yakitori in the peninsula. Chinese BBQ restaurant options are definitely scarce in this area compare to the south bay and I am thrill now that good Chinese BBQ is now more within reach.

They are having soft opening now, as I was told, and therefore not all items on the menu were available at but there were still more than enough to satisfy our cravings/appetite. The seasoning are on points and each table has a jar of the house special seasoning to spice things up if anyone is wanting a flavor blast. I went with a group of 7 and we loved almost everything we ordered and trust me we ordered a lot. I am personally not a veggie person and I usually hate brocoli, but I enjoyed their brocoli, egg plants and other greens. They are not super oily like most of the other restaurants has the veggie soak up all the oil. I could still feel the crunchiness in the egg plants.

Did I also mention their business hours? They are open till midnight!! It's so hard to find a restaurant that opens late ever since the pandemic and this place can serve as dinner or round 2 for late night snacks and drinks. The place is nicely decorated and the lighting is just perfect for happy hours with friends. The staffs are friendly and they approach for comments and recommendations for improvement. I truly wish they keep up the food quality and service. It's definitely a great spot you don't want to...

At Prime Rib, the culinary experience is a delightful journey through a range of textures and flavors that left a lasting impression.

The udon was exceptional, boasting a rich, savory broth that was perfectly balanced, not too salty or overpowering. The noodles were cooked to the ideal consistency, offering a satisfying chewiness that complemented the broth. Each spoonful was a comforting embrace of umami goodness, with the freshness of the ingredients shining through.

The skewers were a highlight, each bite offering a smoky char that enhanced the natural flavors of the meat. They were seasoned to perfection, allowing the quality of the ingredients to stand out. Tender and juicy, the skewers were a testament to the kitchen's expertise in grilling.

The chives added a refreshing burst of flavor, cutting through the richness of the other dishes with their subtle yet distinct sharpness. They were a delightful palate cleanser and paired wonderfully with the heavier items on the menu.

The fried chicken skin was an indulgent treat, crispy and golden brown. It had the perfect crunch, giving way to a rich, fatty flavor that was irresistibly delicious. Despite its decadence, it wasn't greasy, showcasing a skillful balance in frying technique.

Overall, Prime Rib's offerings were a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, each dish thoughtfully prepared to provide a memorable...