Thrill Korean Steak and Bar — Restaurant in Sandy Springs

Was hesitant to share a review about this place as it is usually pretty packed and selfishly wish for this place not to be so packed so we can always get a table. But then, I remembered there's a second floor that they could open! Ha! Let the positive review begin!

We try to keep supporting this place at least once a week (often twice a week). It is located in the back-back right corner of the Whole Foods shopping center so you can't see it from the front parking. Parking is challenging if you try to park in the main front parking and the back-back parking can only be accessed by driving around the building to the right. The staff is overall pretty good (although I just had a so-so server during the last visit). The food is good. Like most Korean BBQ places, the meats are about the same, especially if it is sweet like bulgogi. Personally with Korean BBQ, it is about what sets this place apart from others. For example, I stop going to a Korean BBQ place because their ventilation was not great and it was way too smoky inside. We keep coming here because there are a few things they have / do that the others don't. This is one of the very few places that have mushrooms and brisket as part of what you can order to grill. The decor is beautiful, you can tell they invested a lot into the place. They did a great job making this place covid friendly to eat at and they check your temperature at the door.

Here's the areas of improvement: We have been coming here since they opened. They keep changing the experience of what is available on the menu, sometimes there is dessert, etc. While we are so excited their business is dramatically increasing, there will inevitably be more and more servers. Since we have been going there since opening, we know what to expect, what to order, what is available, etc. It is frustrating to feel like I have to argue with the new server about what is available, only to have the menu changed on us. Or, having dessert offered sometimes and sometimes not. We tried the unlimited appetizers once and they were not that good so we have not tried it again. For example, the egg souffle thing (forgot what it is called) is nothing like what you find out in amazing Korean BBQ places in California. This is usually the appetizer that is fought over for the pudding like moist texture. Business wide, it would be helpful to improve their appetizers so people would eat more of that instead of the more expensive meats. I really don't like grill / clean process where there is little wet clothes to scrub your grill instead of just replacing the grill. Majority of the servers do not clean between meats and/or have the time to cook for you so if you are not experienced, your meats will tend to burn or have burnt stuff on them, especially the sweet meats. So, I spend a lot of time cleaning the heck out of the grill where my hand gets really sore. That is my least favorite part of eating here. Wifi password should change / be shorter. With covid, I didn't like that I had to give my device to the server so they can put in the password. Just make it shorter and / or change it often if worried about neighbors using your WiFi. Lastly, I think the manager or whomever is at front could help out servers more when they are short handed or very busy. The servers really do seem like they try. I always see managers on their cell phones the whole time unless they need to take temp and seat customers. All of this said is because we really do like this place and really want this restaurant to succeed.

We will supporting this place as long as they keep having nice servers, mushrooms, beef brisket, and...

This place is LITERALLY PERFECT!!!!!! I love Korean BBQ and this place is definitely in my top 3 places to eat. I’m from New Orleans and was visiting Atlanta for business and the 4th of July weekend, and this was by far the best place I ate during the holiday weekend. 15 out of 10!!!!!!!

First—The price is great for what you get. It’s all you can eat for $30 per person for the dinner. You can have all you can eat appetizers and sides. There is a $1 up charge for their Ramen which is so worth it.

Second—The food and drinks are PHENOMENAL!!!!! My standouts for the appetizers were the egg soufflé, pasta salad, & corn cheese. They were amazing. For the proteins, the smoked pork belly, ribeye, and garlic calamari were SO GOOD!!! Especially adding the meat to the ramen broth was so DELICIOUS!!!!

The bartenders know how to make drinks. The best specialty cocktails were the Golden Samurai & GA Peach Soju martini. The strawberry mojito was fabulous. They use real fresh fruit in the drinks as well as with the garnish.

Third—The service is great and the staff is trained so well. I ended up going to the restaurant twice because of the service. When I went for lunch, Eli was great at explaining how the experience was going to run since every Korean BBQ establishment runs slightly different. Eli cooked our food for us and entertained us so well. During the second visit, Aleena made sure the table had everything perfect. Both ladies cooked the meats so well. Aleena said she was still in training but I would have never known if she didn’t say anything. She is doing great. Eli noticed me back the second time and still made the effort to make sure my table was ok and be entertained.

Evan, who was also present both times, was also another server who made sure my table and the whole first floor was satisfied. I thought he was the floor manager at first since the whole restaurant was packed both times I went. He needs to be promoted to that position. He really cares about this establishment and the success of the floor service flowing flawlessly.

Fourth—What was great about the restaurant is that the grill plates are really good nonstick so a simple wipe of a wet napkin from the servers cleans the grill plate instead of constantly have to wait for a new grill plate in between cooking proteins.

Fifth—The decor is the perfect vibe. The black and gold walls with the laminate marble transitions so well from the lunch to dinner. The natural sunlight in the day makes the location perfect for a lunch happy hour spot. The dim lit dining room at night makes it the perfect date night dinner spot. This place can also accommodate small groups.

Sixth—The hours of the establishment were great. With everything closing at 8 or 9pm in Atlanta, this spot was perfect when you want a real meal late in the evening. I had a business meeting run long and everywhere I went afterwards were closed or closing in 15min. Thrill closes at midnight and seats its last table at 11pm. I was so excited that this place was open at 9:30pm when I was starving...

Thrill used to be our 2nd favorite kbbq place to go to but after last nights visit yesterday I doubt we will be back unfortunately. We had a party of 4 and they sat us at a weird table that's near the front door with half booth seats and half chairs. The table is very small to share kbbq with friends. The banchan had been sitting on the table prior to our arrival and it looked like it had been sitting there for awhile so none of us touched any of the banchan except green onion salad and radish (this is rare for us). I wish I took pics but the macaroni salad and kimchi had definitely shown signs of being there awhile and was making me sick looking at it and we showed up exactly at our reservation time. We have been to thrill a dozen times but the meat quality has drastically gone down. The meat overcooks very fast with their grills so it's all dry, even bulgogi. They slice the galbi so thin that you have to keep asking for multiple orders and make sure it doesn't over cook. The spicy pork used to be spicy but the marinade has changed and is not spicy at all. Our waiter was good with giving us proteins but when it came for time to get the check I had to go up front to the hostess who was chatting with the security guy. I asked for the check and she said she would get someone to help me. Several minutes later still nothing (mind you we are the awkwardly arranged table basically at the front in front of her so it's not far). I get back up to ask her again but again she's chit chatting with security. After standing for awhile our waiter goes past me twice and finally asks me if I want the check. 😒

Overall the price increased, food quality dropped significantly, banchan was old & sitting out, service was a little lacking at the end, seating and table size was uncomfortable.

You're better off at almost any other kbbq spot in Duluth or Johns Creek. We've tried a lot of kbbq spots and now Thrill is completely off our list. I was also told by our friends the security man was rude to them when telling them they can't stand at the front as they had just walked in and we were literally walking in right behind them. How about instead of being rude you provide options? Literally told my husband when we left I never want to...