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Chubby Cattle
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Chubby Cattle
8.5
Chubby Cattle turns Chinatown into an all-you-can-eat wagyu playground, pairing yakiniku grills and hotpot with tiered wagyu-focused menus. Diners come for A5 beef, touch-screen ordering, and long, social meals that feel closer to a steakhouse experience than a typical KBBQ spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
A5 Wagyu Beef Cuts, Gold or Diamond AYCE BBQ Tier, Seafood and Wagyu Combo Selections
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: All-you-can-eat yakiniku and hotpot built around premium wagyu.
Who should go: Groups craving interactive wagyu-focused barbecue and spectacle.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak buzz and longest lingering meals.
What to order: Upgrade to Gold or Diamond tier, focus on A5 wagyu, add seafood.
Insider tip: Plan for a full two-hour experience; light lunch beforehand maximizes value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid Chinatown lots within a short walk; limited metered street parking and it fills quickly on weekends and evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual — guests lean slightly dressy due to the price point and celebratory vibe.
Noise level: Loud during peak weekend dinners — conversation is possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: Expect a wait of 45–90 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait or immediate seating when open during daytime service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some vegetable plates, mushrooms, tofu, and sides — but the experience is strongly beef-centric.
Vegan options: Very limited — broth bases and sauces often include animal products; not ideal for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Possible with careful selection of meats and sauces; communication with staff is recommended.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, activity-driven dates than quiet conversation — grilling, menu tiers, and longer pacing make it more playful than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, but expect a significant wait at peak hours; walk-ins are more feasible earlier in the evening or on weekdays.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who can handle hot grills and long meals; not ideal for toddlers due to heat and pace.
Best For
Better for: Premium wagyu variety, spectacle-driven dining, and all-you-can-eat steakhouse theatrics that feel more upscale than typical KBBQ.
Skip if: You want a quick meal, a quiet conversation-forward dinner, or strong vegetarian/vegan options.
Chubby Cattle
8.8
Chubby Cattle’s Chinatown outpost offers a time-limited, all-you-can-eat wagyu-focused yakiniku experience with tiered menus and a clubby dining room. Diners splurge on marbled beef cuts, sushi, and wagyu-driven sides, treating it as a destination for high-end, grill-at-the-table feasts.
Must-Try Dishes:
AYCE Wagyu Beef Platters, Wagyu Dumplings, Wagyu Tartare
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-energy AYCE wagyu BBQ with tiered menus and a buzzy, nightlife-adjacent feel.
Who should go: Groups willing to splurge on wagyu-centric tabletop grilling.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings to balance energy with manageable waits.
What to order: Premium wagyu platters, wagyu dumplings, wagyu tartare add-ons.
Insider tip: Choose a mid-tier AYCE option and focus on refilling your favorite wagyu cuts instead of chasing the entire menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Chinatown is limited and competitive on weekends; paid neighborhood lots are typically available within a short walk; no widely reported valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual — most diners lean dressy-casual given the price point and nightlife energy.
Noise level: Loud — upbeat, club-style music and active grill tables; conversation is possible but not quiet-dining.
Weekend wait: Expect 45–90 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or short waits when service is offered; evenings are busier than daytime.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — experience is heavily wagyu-focused, with a small number of sides and appetizers suitable for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Very limited — menu and format are not designed for vegan dining.
Gluten-free options: Some items may be workable, but sauces and marinades can contain gluten — best to confirm with staff before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, high-energy outing than an intimate first date — the format is interactive and lively, which works well if you’re comfortable and don’t need a quiet room.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but waits can be long on weekends; walking in early or late in the evening improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens and older kids than young children — hot grills, time-limited dining, and louder music make it less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Splurge-y, all-you-can-eat wagyu with flashy presentation, group energy, and a nightlife-leaning atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, lighter pricing, or strong vegetarian/vegan accommodation — a traditional sit-down BBQ or hot pot spot may be a better fit.
Chubby Cattle
8.9
Chubby Cattle runs an all-you-can-eat wagyu-focused yakiniku experience where tiered menus, neon-lit booths, and a clubby soundtrack turn dinner into an event. Guests treat it as a splurge night for grilling A5 cuts, sushi, and wagyu-heavy sides at the table before finishing with soft-serve and photos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gold-tier wagyu platter, Wagyu dumplings, Scallop sashimi with caviar
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-energy, AYCE wagyu grilling with tiered menus, dramatic plating, and strong late-night demand.
Who should go: Carnivorous groups planning a splurgey, grill-at-the-table night.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings with an early arrival to minimize waits.
What to order: Gold-tier wagyu set, wagyu dumplings, a few sushi bites to share.
Insider tip: Choose one higher tier and focus on your favorite cuts instead of sampling everything.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; mix of nearby paid lots and limited street parking — expect competition on weekends and late nights.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most groups lean slightly dressy for photos and special-occasion dinners.
Noise level: Loud and high-energy — conversation is possible but not intimate during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Often 45–90 minutes without a reservation; longer during peak AYCE windows.
Weekday lunch: Not typically offered — early weekday dinners generally have minimal waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited — menu is built around beef and wagyu with a few sides and salads.
Vegan options: Not recommended — only minor sides qualify and cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Some items are naturally gluten-free, but marinades and sauces may contain soy/wheat — ask staff and keep selections simple.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, high-energy date than a quiet one — grilling together is interactive but the room is loud and social.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait on weekends and late nights; arriving early or joining the list in person improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Possible for teens and older kids who can manage the grill and long meals; not ideal for toddlers due to heat, noise, and pacing.
Best For
Better for: Splashy, late-night group celebrations where premium wagyu variety, visuals, and AYCE tiers feel like an event.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, strict dietary accommodations, or a short, budget-minded meal — a traditional steakhouse or à-la-carte BBQ may suit better.
Chubby Cattle
8.9
Chubby Cattle runs a time-limited, wagyu-focused yakiniku and hotpot experience inside a clubby, neon-lit dining room just off Archer. Massive review volume and steady waits back up the draw: marbled beef cuts, sushi, and sides built for groups who want a high-energy, splurgey grill-at-the-table night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Premium A5 wagyu platter, Signature marbled beef short rib slices, Wagyu dumplings
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-energy, wagyu-centric AYCE grilling with nightclub-adjacent lighting and music.
Who should go: Groups splurging on interactive wagyu and hotpot feasts.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings to balance buzz with manageable waits.
What to order: Premium wagyu platter, assorted short rib cuts, wagyu dumplings.
Insider tip: Watch the clock and pace orders early so you fully use the time limit without scrambling.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Archer and nearby side streets plus several paid surface lots; spaces tighten on weekends and event nights — plan a few extra minutes to park.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning trendy; jeans and clean sneakers are fine, but most groups dress up a bit for the nightclub-style room.
Noise level: Loud and high-energy — music and grill sizzle make quiet conversation difficult.
Weekend wait: Commonly 60–120 minutes without a reservation; the list fills early for prime slots.
Weekday lunch: Often minimal or no wait when open; some days may not offer lunch service, so check hours first.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few vegetables, noodles, and sides, but the experience is primarily wagyu and meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — broths, sauces, and grills often involve animal products; not ideal for strict vegan dining.
Gluten-free options: Select cuts and simple items can be gluten-free, but shared grills and sauces introduce cross-contact risk — confirm with staff before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, high-energy outing than an intimate conversation — great if you want interactive grilling and a lively vibe, less ideal if you want quiet, one-on-one time.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait at peak hours; join the list early on weekends or arrive right at opening if you’re walking in.
Is it kid-friendly? Older kids and teens who enjoy interactive cooking do fine, but the loud music, time limits, and hot grills may be overwhelming for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Premium wagyu quality, flashy presentation, and a social, nightlife-style atmosphere that turns group dinners into an experience.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, have strict dietary restrictions, prefer lighter portions, or are watching budget — a calmer à-la-carte restaurant may be a better fit.
Chubby Cattle
8.5
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Birthday & Celebration Central
Chubby Cattle’s Chinatown outpost runs a high-demand, all-you-can-eat wagyu yakiniku format with silver, gold, and diamond tiers that function like set-price tasting experiences built around A5 wagyu, seafood, sushi, and hot dishes. With thousands of reviews and frequent features on Chinatown lists, it’s become a go-to for groups wanting a long, grill-at-the-table feast rather than a traditional plated tasting menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Tartare, Salmon Nigiri and Wagyu Nigiri, Creamy Spicy Tom Yum Soup
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-energy AYCE wagyu yakiniku with tiered silver, gold, diamond menus.
Who should go: Groups craving interactive wagyu feasts and maximal variety.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings before peak waitlists and late-night rush.
What to order: Gold or diamond tier, Wagyu Tartare, Salmon Nigiri, Wagyu Nigiri.
Insider tip: Show up right at opening to minimize waits and maximize grill time.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around Wentworth and Archer is limited during peak hours; expect to use nearby paid neighborhood lots or rideshare on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many groups lean slightly dressy for celebrations.
Noise level: Loud and energetic during prime hours — conversation is possible, but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 60–120 minutes without a reservation during peak times; shorter if you arrive right at opening.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused venue; lunch service is uncommon and typically has little to no wait when offered.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few sides and non-beef items, but most value comes from meat-focused grilling.
Vegan options: Very limited — not recommended for strictly vegan diners.
Gluten-free options: Some items are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely due to shared grills and sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for fun, high-energy dates than quiet conversation — the interactive grilling and busy room work well for couples who want an activity-style meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect long waits on weekends; arriving at opening or late night improves your chances more than walking in at peak dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids and teens who can sit through a long meal and handle hot grills; not ideal for toddlers or very young children.
Best For
Better for: Big-group celebrations, high-variety wagyu experiences, and interactive, social meals that feel like a premium all-you-can-eat tasting format.
Skip if: You want a quiet, coursed fine-dining tasting menu, strict dietary accommodations, or a short, low-commitment dinner.
Hours
Monday5pm - 11pm
Tuesday5pm - 11pm
Wednesday5pm - 11pm
Thursday5pm - 11pm
Friday12pm - 12am
Saturday12pm - 12am
Sunday12pm - 12am