KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot — Restaurant in Strongsville

Update: for a birthday, we visited KPOT again this past weekend. What a night and day difference in service we received. Out sever, Marc was super friendly, very helpful, on top of things in an uncanny manner and overall was just amazing. The food was still excellent and the speed things come from the kitchen is astonishing. I have updated my initial score and review to reflect this most recent experience.

Old review below: So this is going to be a long review but I feel it important to relay the events of our visit to KPOT in Strongsville. I am going to preface by saying that the food was great and it seems like a great lunch/dinner spot.

To start, we were seated immediatly (was around 6:30pm) we proceeded to look over the paper drink menu and food menu provided at the table. We also noticed the ipad sitting on the table (and having read reviews ahead of time, knew we ordered our food from it.) We continued to sit and wait for over 10 minutes without seeing a server so we decided to at least get started on putting our order into the ipad while we waited. Eventually, our server did acknowledge we were there and went to go get waters to start. Once he came back, we mentioned that we had already got a jump on putting what we wanted into the iPad. This is when he informed us that what we did was wrong, that everything we entered would get wiped because he has to punch in a code first to unlock the "dinner" options. This was the first gut punch for us, because we had already been at the table for close to 20 minutes and we were ready to get started.

He then took several minutes to explain to us that he recommends starting with broth, then waiting for that to come out, to then order the hot pot meats and veggies, then once that is cooking, to order the BBQ so the table doesn't get too full. We decided that sounded fine and did as he suggested. He told us he would be more then happy to help cook all the BBQ for us so we could focus on eating (which we declined, we have all had Kbbq in the past)

Broth and the items were ordered came out lightning quick. The staff bringing all of the actual food items was on point. Huge kudos to them for sure. Once we got all sorted, we got our BBQ order in. At this point, a few folks at the table were out of water and almost out of broth. We watched as our server chatted up the table behind us for several minutes, the table next to us for another several minutes, ignored us, twice, then finally came over to see how we were doing. We asked for more broth and more water. He left, stopped at another table, and didn't return for another several minutes. He brought water but no additional broth. At this point, we had started using the BBQ grill and the grill was starting to get quite charred from all the sauces and food sticking to it. He mentioned he would grab another cooking surface for us soon (spoiler, he didn't until we were completely finished cooking, the picture in my review shows the state of our grilling surface) he also failed to bring more broth as requested.

Finally after a third attempt, he brought the requested broth. Which only one person in the group wanted at that point. We had indicated were we done and probably ready for the check. Meanwhile another table had been sat behind us and he spent the next several minutes chatting with that table. We estimated it took us around 30 minutes from time we indicated we were ready for the check till he actually stopped over to allow us to pay and leave.

Several people in our party were so upset and frustrated by the experience they wanted to talk to the manager but were just too upset and frustrated that they just walked out angry.

Seeing other the reviews on here, it sounds like, on the whole, the...

I definitely want to start off by saying we love Korean BBQ. Every city we visit, we seek out the most authentic experience we can find. Our absolutely favorite we have had in the world, that we visit multiple times a year is located in Korean Town New York, New York on W 32 st. (shameless Plug for our favorite 🤷🏽‍♀️) We appreciate the culture that surrounds the experience and what is all represents its truly about bonding, family, community, Even the different ways you drink your sake and beer or serve the meat shows respect and gratitude to the youngest, or the oldest family members or friends in your group and extremely amazing food of course. 😆.

We moved to Medina area missing our big city we came from deeply, but when Kpot open we were so beyond excited. We have now been more then 7 times its our go to every time. We go solo and bring our three kids Ages 4-10. It’s suitable for all ages.

Up until this pass Wednesday ( which was requested by our son who just completed fifth grade graduated from elementary school is heading onto middle school in the fall for his celebratory dinner) this place was a 20/10 for us. We love the laid back set up. The order as you need the staff up until now has been amazing!!! We have met some cool young adults working there management and ownership seems to be very nice. We’re always checked on drinks refilled grills changed before we even get a chance to lay another piece of meat on which I say is very important if your grill has a lot of burnt on Seasoning and will not sear properly and become kind of yucky very important to change your grill out.

Our last experience left us extremely underwhelmed and really frustrated. Our server name was Janelle. Yes, I’m using her name because I think accountability is important. Upon coming to our table for the first time, she was very dry. Didn’t seem very excited to see us or get our drinks when we had told her we’ve been there a few times and we’re really excited She kind of brushed us off. We began to order and explain to her That our toddlers usually just eat the hot pot and they’ll eat from our hot pot so as to not have a boiling pot in front of them. She was arguing that she had to charge us……We know that every person at the table has to be charged for Korean barbecue that fine just explaining to her the safety precautions that needs to be taken for a young children seem to irritate her.

Furthermore, into the experience, we had to ask her for refills ask her to change our grill. This is the first time coming to K-pop where I had to flag someone down to change our grill so that we can continue cooking food. multiple times we had to sit there and wait a grill change so that we can Continue to enjoy our experience. One time I had to ask the manager if she would be available to change our grill out. One point during the meal when our grill was changed, she did it so fast and walked away without asking if we needed anything else I got it myself to turn the fan down so that the meat would cook a little quicker to feed my family from waiting. At the end we had a dispute about the bill which right wrong or indifferent zero empathy came for her. She did not care she put a sour taste in our mouth. So now going to our favorite restaurant in the greater Cleveland area, I will have to ask the hostess what section we will be sitting in unfortunately because Korean barbecue is so dear to us. I do not want to give her another chance to ruin our experience, especially when you’re paying $150...

The service was amazing. This was my first time being to KPOT, and my server was amazing and explaining everything to me. I was familiar with Korean BBQ and hot pots before but was new to this place. I got the BBQ, and it was great. So one of my problems with most Korean BBQ places is that I am typically stuck getting a combo that often times have 1 or 2 items I don't really care for. Since I am able to pick what I want and it all is covered under one price, I was able to get only the things I like as well as try a few new things. The portions are small, but since you can order more any time you want, it is perfect. I arrived during lunchtime but upgraded to the dinner menu, which for only $10 more it was well worth it. I ordered garlic chicken, beef bagogi, beef rips, beef tongue, Angus tail, spicy salmon, jumbo shrimps, pork belly, king mushrooms, pinapple, lettuce, and rice. I was able to order so many more options than what I normally would have been able to elsewhere, and it was so good. Also I can't really beat the price, I typically spend around $100 each time I go to Korean BBQ but this was a little more than $50 for myself and that included the dinner upgrade, a soda, and a cocktail. The food itself was tasty. The ribs were and always are my favorite. The marinade was just amazing. I wasn't too fond of the garlic chicken, but that is more on me. I didn't think it was that flavorful, but compared to everything else I ordered that make since. But everything was so good and tasty. I loved being able to go up and get my own sauce as well as kimchi and sides. I was able to get the amount I wanted. The services were also very fast by the time I put in an order it took typically less than a minute before the food would be out. I should also say it wasn't too busy when I went so I am not sure how fast the service would be when it is busy.

The only downside I have about this place is that I wish they had more side options. Like I wish there were more pickled or fermented options. Like, don't get me wrong, I love kimchi and pickled daikon, but there are only about 4 options for these things. I also wish they had steamed egg or some of the other things you typically see at a Korean BBQ. There also weren't any dessert options other than ice cream. I think some dessert options that are an extra cost would be nice like cakes and such. Any maybe like 2 or 3 more options for the pickled things. But I mean for the price, these are not even that big of a deal.

Overall, this place was amazing. The service was great. The food was amazing and the price was absolutely shockingly good. I can not wait to return and try the hot pot or maybe get more BBQ. Who knows, but I plan to come back several times and hopefully bring...