Bite-size restaurant review: Bend Mongolian BBQ

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 31, 2019

Bend Mongolian BBQ

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Food: Mongolian barbecue, which despite the name actually originated in Taiwan, is a participatory dining experience: pile on the protein, veggies, noodles and sauces of your choice and watch the chef fry it up on a round, flat, stone grill. I skipped the noodles on my recent visit, as I usually do, opting instead for a side bowl of white rice (free with your order, and unfortunately strangely mushy this time out). There are three sizes; I opted for the medium bowl and filled it with thin slices of beef and chicken, small shrimps, zucchini, mushrooms (they were a little sad looking raw on this visit, but fine when cooked up), green beans, water chestnuts and broccoli. There are six sauces to choose from; I usually just stick with the Mongolian barbecue sauce, but this time I spiked it with a few ladles of teriyaki. The results were predictably delicious, with crisp, fresh, just-hot veggies and tender protein.

Service: The counter person who took my order was friendly and attentive, as was the chef who cooked up my dinner. The many protein, vegetable and noodle options in the buffet line were well-stocked and fresh (with the aforementioned exception of those mushrooms).

Atmosphere: The restaurant is in the same building as Fred Meyer, so on the outside it’s just another store front. Inside, the owners have made good use of the space, with a spacious and comfortable dining room next to the main buffet/grilling operation.

MORE INFO

Location: 61535 S. U.S. Highway 97, Bend

541-315-8500

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cuisine: Build-your-own stir fry; some side items and beverages available

Price range: $9.99 to $15.99

— Brian McElhiney, The Bulletin