Hot Pot — Restaurant in Wallingford

OK, when I do a review, it’s because I honestly want people to know what I experience. That way they will understand if they like it or not. Honestly, if I can give this place zero stars I would. That’s just because of the service. So we came here because my younger sister wanted to eat at Hotpot. She said she has been there before and she wanted me to go with her. I said of course let’s go right. We get there and the waitress says have you been here before. My younger sister says yes. I obviously say no. Anyways, because my sister said yes, she just figured that we would know what to do. However, I’m always willing to learn and was excited because my sister was excited to be here. I told them that it would be for four people. Since I also had my two younger children. The gentleman/waiter said that this is a hot pot so you get a hot pan essentially in front of you and that might be dangerous for the children. So I said OK, can I get two one for myself and one for my sister. Since she is old enough to understand what caution you should take with hot things. She would be fine to have one of her own. My younger sister gets the menu and she goes ahead and starts filling out what she wants, a few minutes later the waitress comes out and gives us one hot pot, with water broth. So I am still confused but kinda getting what’s going on so you essentially get these toppings/helpings and you dip it into the pot and it boils it. So you essentially are making almost like a soup or you could eat it straight from the pot. Again, they only gave us one and I told him that I will be paying for my sister and I. The sign on the wall also says that you cannot share the pots. So of course because we are trying to listen to the rules I asked them where my sister‘s pot is and the lady catches an attitude and says well I thought you only wanted one. Why would I want one when my sister is old enough to eat on her own and I said I am paying for two.Then this woman says well, do you want soup/broth in it. Confused at the question I said well if I get an option of broth or no broth, give me no broth and give me some butter. I’ll fry this myself. Lol She then catches another attitude and says what you have no broth, to which my younger sister says you have to have broth. Again, I’m trying to be respectful, and I honestly feel bad because I hate to feel so dumb. Eventually the guy came over and explained how everything works, what to do. He also then said we have toppings/ seasonings up front so you can add it to the broth for more taste. Awesome, I wouldn’t know that. thank you. While sitting and eating for a while, I realized we never got water, and/or offered water. So I called the service button that they have on the wall. Well, it took me at least three times and waiting 5 minutes apart. of pressing the button to finally get someone and the same waitress with the same attitude comes up mad that we are bothering her and I asked her for some water and a sprite. She comes back 5 minutes later, with two waters and walks away with out saying anything. Okay .. I didn’t have time to ask her for my sprite. Next time I press the button the waiter comes by from now on(presumably because she told him too.) because you can tell that this lady had no intention of providing us with decent manners. Anyways, I usually tip 20% on any of my tabs when I go out to eat however at this place I gave them less than 10% because the guy was...

Hot Pot is one of the few hot pot restaurants in the Hartford/New Haven area and by far the best one that offers AYCE. The choices of ingredients offered are excellent and plentiful and always fresh. Service has always been great and attentive. Hot Pot offers both AYCE and a la carte options, as well as Dim Sum and standard Americanized Chinese fare. A variety of Bubble Teas are also on the menu. As I have only tried non hot pot options once, this review will be for AYCE hot pot only. Ordering is done via a paper menu. You check off the items that you would like. They offer both individual and communal pots. The variety of broths offered are vast, including spicy and vegetarian options. I like the Oxtail with Wolfberry and the Beef Brisket Radish broths as they offer big chunks of oxtails or brisket. From proteins to vegetables to starches, the normal standards are offered as well as specialty ingredients. Meat options include the basics like beef, lamb, pork and chicken. I like that the meat is not sliced too thin giving you seem chew. Specialty items include tripe, chicken gizzards, pork heart and pork blood, to name a few. Seafood ingredients are decent including head on shrimp, fish fillet, squid and half shell mussels. Vegetable and mushroom options are vast. My favorites include watercress, pea shoots, sweet potato and wood ear mushrooms. Among other items offered are corn, cauliflower, taro, enoki and king mushrooms, bok choy, spinach and tofu just to name a few. A variety of fish balls and dumplings as well as all types of noodles are available. Everything has always been clean and fresh. Hot Pot also has a great dipping sauce station. You find everything you could want including garlic, scallion and cilantro as well as shacha, peanut, sesame and soy sauce, to name a few. Beverage options include soda and beer as well as a variety of Bubble Teas. Hot Pot is a family run restaurant. Service has always been excellent. They occasionally miss an item from my order but since I've always done the AYCE I've never considered it a big deal. They are always very attentive to our needs. Ordering additional items or refilling anything has been a breeze. There is even a buzzer at every table to ring the waitstaff if needed. As the restaurant has aged, they have become more efficient with their portion sizes. They reduced their portions so that there is less waste, which I find refreshing. I no longer feel guilty for not finishing everything and I can always reorder anything I want extra of. All in all I find Hot Pot to be a great restaurant. I believe Han in Hartford to be a better hot pot restaurant overall because they offer more specialty items but Hot Pot is a very close second. Being that they offer AYCE makes them a better value and the ingredients they do have are more than enough to...

My mom and I just came back from here for dinner. We went earlier than most people would because we were really hungry, so it wasn't busy. Our server was very nice and frequently checked on us throughout the meal to make sure everything was okay.

Overall the meal was very good. The variety of food choices for the broth was fantastic and there's definitely something that everyone can enjoy. The vegetables were all fresh and cut in nice bite size pieces, and the meat was nicely arranged on the plates. We got chicken, beef and lamb and they were all very good. We also chose the oxtail broth and the szechuan broth. Both of them were very good, though we preferred the szechuan broth. Our broth also came with bones in them, which I think is an awesome addition, especially if you plan to stay for a while and let the broth cook.

There's a good variety of dipping sauces as well for the food and the ones we tried weren't bad. The house sauce is definitely tasty and a good accompaniment for most anything you order. Drink menu is pretty standard with a decent selection of beers and bubble teas.

The place is a little small, but the booths are comfortable and it feels private when you're sitting. There's also lots of handy signs around on how to cook the food in the pot, what temperature to cook to, and even a thermometer at the table if you are unsure.

As someone who's had hot pot before I was really eager to try this place because it's something I really love. This little restaurant is definitely worth trying if you want to do something new or something a little more casual with friends or family. I definitely...