I am so glad we finally tried this place out! We were looking for a place for hotpot and were about to head out to Schaumburg when I remembered this place (and seeing another trusted Elite's glowing review sealed the deal, so thanks, Lina W.!). We came on a weekday around 5:30 and the place was practically empty when we got there and not too busy when we left, either. So when we arrived, they gave us the rundown. It's an all-you-can-eat place for two hours (at least on weekdays--it may be different on weekends or peak hours). You also get to visit the appetizer area, which had a variety of stuff including fried rice, egg rolls, orange chicken or something, and more. There's a sushi area where there were several different types of sushi. Desserts are available as well, and they looked good though we forgot about them. The available veggies and stuff is a smaller selection of choices than some other hot pot restaurants I've been to. But that doesn't mean you'll go hungry. While we were here we got brisket, chicken, calamari, lotus root, broccoli, potatoes, a couple different types of noodles, gyoza, and there was more that we didn't get of course. They have like six different types of hot pot base you can choose from, and you can get refills of that, too, during your 2 hours' time. I got what was described as the "spicy sour" soup base, and my partner got the Szechuan which was described as the spiciest. Everything was excellent, the meal was a great value (~35 per person), though the drinks were a little high. I got a couple peach iced teas and they were $7 a pop, so overpriced but the rest of the meal was so reasonable the cost of the drink was not a big deal. There's lots of parking in the municipal lots, and you might even be able to park in the library lot, so parking shouldn't be an issue. If you're coming from the city or a nearby suburb, it's also a block away from the Des Plaines stop on the UP-NW Metra line. I've already told my sister we're coming back here when she next comes to visit, and I'm looking forward to it. read more

See all

This was truly a fun experience. While I've had Hot Pot and Korean Barbeque before, the combination was interesting. We went for lunch on a Monday and there were many open tables. We were seated immediately and a server came right over. Their first question was to ask if we'd been there before. The second question was if we'd had Hot Pot or Korean Barbeque before. Since we were "pros," she let us know to order on the provided iPad. They also have a few steam tables where you can find things to make a dipping sauce, sushi, fresh fruit, some deserts, and other items. With the name "Galaxy," they have an outer space theme with planets and space suits hanging from the ceiling. Lots of neon lights, too. Fun. We started with Hot Pot, then shifted to Korean Barbeque. We had so many different meats and vegetables I won't even try to recount. Apparently, the menu is more extensive, with better cuts of meat, for dinner. I have to tell you that the meats we had were more than adequate. We ate so much, I'm not sure if there were other choices, if we would change anything. Our server was also great. She was there when we needed her, was very pleasant and helpful and helped make our experience a great one. The food is all included and endless, but you pay extra for drinks. They have a full bar if you are interested (but at noon, it wasn't for us). There is a two-hour time limit, and we hit our fill before time ran out. read more

DO NOT COME UNLESS YOU WANT THE POLICE CALLED ON YOU. Summary: manager wanted to charge for a large tip we didn't think the waiter deserved and decided to call the cops on us. We stopped by for my sisters birthday celebration. The food was good as always but our server was pretty slow and we didn't believe he deserved the pre-determined tip so we asked him to remove it and we could add a more appropriate tip. The server left the table (frustrated sure, although we believed it wasn't what he deserved) he came back and told us the manager didn't allow for the tip to be removed so we asked to speak to her. She came over already annoyed and asked us what happened. She mentioned that the tip was included and rudely told us there was nothing she could do. She proceeded to leave the table saying "I'll give you time to think about it, because I can't do anything". After some thought we decided to just pay the full amount because my sisters birthday was becoming a mess and we didn't want a whole fiasco. So we headed to the front of the store to pay where the manager was on the phone calling 911 because apparently we "wanted to leave without paying the bill" so we waited for the cops, who believed we were leaving without paying our bill since the manager claimed we were walking out on our bill. After the whole thing the manager partially removed the tip. They said that if we come again and this happens once more we would be trespassed (as if we'd want to return after all of this). I'd like to be clear we're not against big party fees. As a Mexican family we love to have big reunions and other restaurants have this policy and we're happy to pay it when our waiter truly deserves it. But not only did we get mediocre service but also treated like criminals on such a special day. read more

Neon lights, your own personal hot pot, and broths that actually taste like someone cared? Galaxy Hot Pot and Grill checks all the boxes. Walking in, the lighting and decor instantly grab you, it's vibrant, creative, and gives off a vibe you don't get at your typical hot pot spot. Every location in their chain seems to have its own personality, which I really appreciate. The best part: you get your own pot, so you're fully in control of what goes in and when. Their base broths are simple, but somehow that's exactly what makes them so good. No gimmicks, just solid flavor. Here's the one thing you need to know before you go: if you're rolling in with a crew of 10 or more, book your table 1-2 days ahead. Trust me, you don't want to show up with a big group and get turned away. Bottom line: Galaxy Hot Pot and Grill is a spot worth returning to. Go once, and you'll be planning your next visit before you've even left. read more

See all

We had a great girls lunch here thanks to our server Rosalinda. We will definitely return just for the service. It's kid friendly, the decor is very fun! The food is fresh and delicious. Sushi, bbq AND hot pot, they have it all. read more

See all

Gosh this place is an indecisive person's paradise of East Asian food - you can have it ALL. They a little of everything: hot pot, kbbq, Chinese American hot food buffet, cajun crayfish, sushi rolls, kimchi, seaweed salad, a variety of cakes, ice cream cups, sesame balls (super bomb btw), sweetened cream cheese ragoon and fruits, sauce bar, etc. I thought $37+tax and tip was kind of pricey but for the variety and quality of AYCE, it's worth it. I personally enjoyed the hot pot ingredients the most and for bbq the kalbi ribs and rib eye steak were decent. Beef tough for some reason is very tough so that was disappointing. Birthday person gets a catchy birthday song played plus conplimentary cheesecake. Service was great! We ordered via tablet and the food arrived very quickly. They also cleared the table of empty, dirty plates and bowls quickly as well. We're so full long before the 2 hour seating limit ran out. read more

I am absolutely thrilled with this place! 10/10! I highly recommend it to everyone! I had wanted to visit much earlier, but for some reason, I kept changing my mind. Now, for my birthday, we suddenly decided to come here for dinner. Saying I was impressed is an understatement. First of all - the place is huge! It's interestingly designed in a galaxy style, very modern. The staff is incredibly kind and friendly. Everyone is quick and efficient, no time wasted. The food is excellent! I mean... I'm a huge fan of Korean BBQ, so for me, this was heaven on earth. There are plenty of appetizers, sauces, desserts... and everything is included in the price of lunch or dinner, depending on when you come. All in all - I can't wait to come back again! read more

See all

Galaxy Barbeque and Hot Pot in Des Plaines is such a fun spot. Each table has a grill and a hot pot, so you can cook whatever you want right at your seat -- it's basically Korean BBQ and hot pot all in one. The restaurant itself is bright, modern, and clean, with a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to just hang out and enjoy your meal. It feels perfect for small groups of six or less -- we didn't notice any options for bigger parties, but maybe that's possible if you call ahead. The staff are friendly and helpful, but honestly, the best part is cooking and sharing the food with everyone at your table. You can mix flavors, try a little bit of everything, and just enjoy the experience together. It's casual, tasty, and a lot more interactive than your average dinner -- definitely a place I'd go back to with friends. read more

See all

We came for a late lunch and was amazed at the service and the array of foods and sauces they have. They definitely have one of the best lunch specials around and it runs from 12-4PM, costs around $25, and includes BOTH the bbq and the hot pot (though certain meat/seafood are dinner only). They also have some light appetizers and sushi rolls, dessert buns and ice cream included in the deal. It wasn't very busy, service was fast and friendly. Our food came out pretty quickly after ordering. They were mindful of the grill and switched it out several times during our stay. The meat quality is decent, not the best Korean bbq, but I guess you sacrifice a little to add the hot pot. I had the Korean seafood and it actually came with seafood in it (imitation crab, clam, oyster, fish). It was very good, especially when mixed well as the flavor tender to settle to the bottom. They have a wide variety of sauces available, it helps to know what you like ahead of time to create a mix. Personally I go for some sesame paste with satay, soy, garlic, ginger, and other things thrown in there. They have a galaxy sauce, but I found it to be a little sweet. They definitely go all in on the space decor which is kind of cool, lots of photo worthy areas. There's a few claw machines at the front, they have plenty of seating (tables appeared to be up to 6 hot pots and one grill). There's parking right in front (90 minutes). They have a little bit of everything including seafood, and in today's economy the lunch special is the way to go!! read more

See all

First time in this location and I was actually surprised to find out that it was an AYCE hot pot and kbbq together and it included some sushi rolls too. I have always enjoyed hot pot and kbbq separately, I feel like if it's together I'm always so full afterwards because I want to do both and I want to keep ordering. The food quality is really good. Service was great the location is also good parking is not an issue it's by a train station. I would definitely be coming back for more. Happy eating! read more

See all

Cool experience. Great food choices and service. Frankie our server was great! Make sure you are hungry when you go. Lots of choices and you get both hot pot and bbq. Meats, vegetables, noodles rice were all great. They also have buffet items and a whole variety of sauces. Didn't try the sushi but they had that too. If you looking for a fun night of trying different things give this place a try. read more

Was craving hot pot so my friend and I decided to try this place. I was excited for the all you can eat Hot pot and sushi. When we walked in they sat us right away. The servers were very kind and tentative to us during our visit. We also came during the lunch special and it was a very good deal for the amount of food we ate! The inside had lots of cute space decorations to fit their theme while also being very to their cuisines culture. We ordered the Mushroom and Thai Tom Yum broths. The mushroom broth was perfect and took in more flavors the more we cooked the meats ans veggies in it. The self serve bar of veggies, sides ans sauces had to much to offer it was such a good deal. There were so many good options! I got mushrooms, ramen, cabbage, and kimchi.. I didnt grab a lot from the options but I gpt plenty of what I wanted The sauce bar was also really good with so many options it really delivered! For meats we ordered the Sliced Pork and the Sliced Beef Belly. Both were absolutely delicious and great quality meats. For sides off the menu we ordered the fried dumplings, sausages, quail eggs and they were all pretty good. I didnt enjoy thr sausage but that's okay it was still a good sausage just not for me. We also got a side of rice but it wasn't that good, I think it was yesterday's rice.. For sushi I wanted a Philadelphia roll but they didnt have it on the menu.. I asked the server if they had it because its such a simple classic roll and she said no but that shw could make it for me. And she delivered! It was delicious! Over all just a great place with priced that cant be beat! I will recommend this place to everyone and anyone who wants hotpot!! read more

See all

Great and fun location right in the center of Des Plaines. The decor is unique and entertaining, for better or worse there are Instagram photo spots throughout. The good- really liked the diverse selection of food for both hot pot and BBQ. Tasty hot pot broths that were not bland. Excellent sauce selection as well. There really is something for everyone! Thought the dumplings on the menu for hot pot were also a fun addition. The meats and veggies were for great quality as well. Everything was fresh and well prepared! Especially recommend trying some of their house marinated pork bellies. The bad- service was kind of rough. We had to order things multiple times before getting a portion because it was lost somehow. At one point we were told there was a jam with the printer in the kitchen and to re-order. It took 3 tries to get lettuce. The waitress was friendly and did her best, but I think they need to work on their back of house support. We were also just left plates of food with no identification as to what they were. We tried to ask, but our server was unsure herself. Maybe a color coded plate system would help? When multiple people are ordering for themselves, it makes it hard to identify if it is their item without clarification. The hard minus for the experience was a pushy photographer. We came for a casual lunch with friends. We were forced into posing for pictures. Then the pictures were printed and put into cheap frames to sell to us (just the photos, the frames were only for presentation). It was awkward at best and annoying at worst. I didn't need a commemorative photo upsell for a random lunch on a meaningless Saturday in February. Please try and read the tone. If we had birthday balloons and gifts, maybe that is a chance for pictures. Otherwise, you just interrupted our meal to be tacky. Maybe we will try them again, hopefully they continue to grow as a place that can just stand on the quality of their product. read more

Food is ok but the waitress is so nice explaining. I like the hot pot better than Korean bbq. The Korean bbq meat tastes strange. read more

See all

Was very surprised by the quality, quantity, and excellent theming of this restaurant. Attended a birthday dinner at one of their large party tables in the back of the restaurant, and we found the service staff to be very responsive. We had a two hour window to order food and enjoy the multiple buffets. The galaxy themed decor is top notch. Nice clean washrooms. Highly recommend. read more

A really great experience from start to finish! Ample parking in downtown Des Plaines. Also, the vicinity in itself is HUGE! Very spacious! Love the decor upon entering. Service was friendly, prompt and efficient as well upon check-in. They have booths located all throughout the restaurant each with its own hot pot grill and for each individual at the table, their OWN hot pot stove. Ingenious! Love! MAJOR kudos !! Love that it's AYCE including hot pot, Korean barbecue along with several different sides you order from a tablet. In the meantime, you get to grab a bunch of sauces, desserts and small sides like egg rolls, French fries, chicken nuggets, shrimp fried rice and delicious sesame balls amongst a few other options including delicious tasting sushi as well. Really love their sauce kiosk. They have so many different options to choose from that you can make a variation of sauces for yourself ranging from spicy, sweet and tangy. Our server Vanessa was very helpful from the start explaining everything in great detail and was very attentive throughout our time there. A big thanks for prompt refills on drinks/water. It's the little things that matter the most! read more

Good ayce bbq and hotpot spot. I'm not a big red meat eater and there were a lot of good non-red meat options like chicken, fish, and tons of veggies to grill or place in your broth. Food service comes out quick and in conservative portions so you aren't stuck with anything you might not like or just want to try. Ambiance is this space astronaut theme - hence Galaxy. Anyway - good spot and worth checking out! read more

See all

Super place to go with hungry friends or family. A definite unique experience with a great value, excellent decor, good service, and a nice venue. Food is ordered on an iPad with a two hour limit, all is unlimited including buffet stations. Drinks are separately charged. Ice cream cups were also available(not shown) also unlimited. Will definitely go back! read more

See all

Absolutely amazing atmosphere and dining. We were there for the lunch buffet, and tried just about all of the different items on the menu. To top it off. They had all you can eat ice cream while you were sitting at your table. read more

Galaxy Hot Pot And Grill - Hot Pot Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

Yes, I'm gluttonous. I love Korean BBQ. I love hot pot. What to choose? At galaxy hotpot, I don't have to, there's both! The interior has a fun, outer-space vibe lots of lights, very clean, and surprisingly chill. It's not like other spot with pop music blaring in your ear. Anywho, for those who are like "eeew it's like community dish water from all double dipping" HUSH! each person gets their own little hot pot with a few soup bases to choose from. There's also a big sauce bar with endless combinations. You can customize your dip however you want. They've got a small hot bar and a little station with steamed sweet buns for dessert. Oh! and sushi too. So yeah, you're getting a food journey here. Ordering is done on a tablet, and the food comes out fast. The servers are attentive and helpful. For hot pot, there's a wide range of veggies, dumplings, fish balls, and meats including pork, beef, chicken, fish. The BBQ side has all the classics, like spicy pork, bulgogi, and galbi. Will I be back? Already have -- twice in one week. Welp! Onto the next! read more

First time doing Hot Pot. This is a really nice location. Very cute decor, spacious and ample parking. However, if you know nothing about hot pot, this may not be the best place to try it out for the first time. So many meat options, and it was hard to really understand what to order and which item was which when it came to the table. The cooking instructions weren't super clear. Unclear what sauces to really mix together either. Others seemed to have a better handle on what to do. When we cooked the meat, many pieces were fatty/filled with bones. Cooking the noodles it was super hard to fish them out of the broth again, making the noodles over cooked. Overall, It was hot and tedious cooking all this food at the table. The sushi bar wasn't labeled either and no idea which one was which. Nonetheless, the server was great and helped us along with getting everything made. It is a nice restaurant and plenty of fresh options and watermelon too. Just probably wasn't a place we would frequent! read more

Galaxy Hot Pot And Grill - Hot Pot Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

Food: mediocre Service: suffocating Ambiance: cool decor I went here with my brother before peak time, at 5:30 pm on a Friday, and it was pretty empty. We got seated right away and our waiter was friendly. He talked a little too much though and he checked on us waaay too much for my liking. He walked by almost every 2-5 minutes to look at our table and ask us how everything was. I was so annoyed. He also couldn't tell the difference between pork and beef. I asked him what the difference was between the pork belly and galaxy pork belly, and he told us the galaxy pork belly has bones in it and we already ordered it (aka the short ribs). It was a little bit funny, but after all that hovering and talking, I got even more annoyed that he couldn't answer any of my questions. The food was mediocre. Some of the KBBQ meats (short ribs and steak) were definitely coated in baking soda or meat tenderizer because they were too soft. That ruined the KBBQ experience for me. The hot pot options were decent and tasted the best. Most of them were similar to the KBBQ meats, and they did have lamb. The sushi was ok for buffet sushi. The ingredients were fine. The dessert and sides bar was not it for me. The fried mantau and sesame balls definitely sat out cause they were so hard to bite into and chew. I'd recommend they make less or change them out for fresher food, even during slower hours. Also, the kimchi and cucumbers were not good at all. The kimchi looked foamy, tasted grainy, and like horse radish. The cucumbers were watered down and bland. Overall, the price was fine for all of the food options, but I didn't like the service, the tenderized meat, and the sides. The pictures on the restaurant windows and the iPad weren't accurate with what we got either. My recommendation is to go somewhere else where you can actually enjoy food you're paying $40 for. read more

See all

Galaxy Hot Pot has officially become a go-to spot for our family of four -- and honestly, it's an experience every time we go. First off, the theme is everything. My son Ace is obsessed with planets and space, so when he walked in and saw the whole galaxy vibe, his mind was blown total parent win. It makes dining out feel like an adventure, not just a meal. I really appreciate how the portions are done ... just the right amount of meats and veggies to cook in your broth without feeling wasteful or overwhelmed. They've got appetizers too, but not an excessive amount, which I actually love because you're not stuffing yourself before the main event. And the sauce bar? So good. So many options to customize your perfect combo. The menu has a great variety, but I'll be honest... it can feel a little overwhelming going through everything. It would be nice if they had preset options like a "Set A" or "Set B" for easier ordering. That said, once you get going, it's such a fun experience -- especially for the kids. They LOVED "cooking" their own food and were beyond hyped about the included ice cream at the end... they definitely went to town Overall, such a fun, interactive, family-friendly spot with great food and even better vibes. We'll definitely keep coming back read more

They will not allow you to go in with a dog if they aren't a service animal because "of the raw meat" makes zero sense! Service dog or not, what will happen if the service dog eats the raw meat? Ridiculous! read more

Fun place with interesting vibes for a yummy BBQ, okay hot pot, and mediocre AYCE sushi experience... Service is pretty good though the delivery of BBQ ingredients can be a bit stingy. It was okay at Des Plaines, maybe it's better at the newer locations... guessing they've opened new places ensure they're doing something right. read more

Galaxy Hot Pot And Grill - Hot Pot Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Went to Galaxy Hot Pot and Grill for a weeknight dinner to celebrate an anniversary. While the restaurant was busy it wasn't packed so it was very comfortable. Our waitress explained the process and we got started on ordering the broth through her. All the other food is ordered through the tablet including meats, seafood, noodles, and veggies. There was a limited selection of appetizers and desserts buffet style. There was also sushi but the sushi chef stopped making it when we got there so there was very few choices. The meat was decent quality and tasted good. Even the busser was so nice and friendly. The staff was really on top of their game. Other than the buffet items, it was a really good experience overall. I'd rate it a 4.5 out of 5, but rounded up on Yelp since there's no half points. read more

See all

Loved the food! Very fresh and the service was great. We loved our photos that were taken. read more

Wanted to stop in during the grand opening but the wait was 45Min + during the weekend. Decided to stop in on a Tuesday evening for dinner to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday, which wasn't too busy. I've been reading the comments and do want to make everyone aware(if you're a newbie to this) that most AYCE kbbq/hot pot restaurants I've been to, do not take reservations and wait times during the weekend can be anywhere from 30+ minutes to an hour, mostly if you're stopping in with a big party. Please be patient with the servers and long wait times, as it is to be expected. Some of our favorite meats for the KBBQ had to be the Galaxy short ribs and Galaxy pork belly, along with the spicy beef bulgogi and smoked garlic pork belly. I had the Japanese miso broth for my hot pot which was amazing!! (They also 2 vegetarian options) My boyfriend got the spicy Szechuan broth. The Szechuan peppers in that broth are a little too spicy for my taste buds BUT I did mix about a spoonful or 2, into my miso broth. I might be on to something... 10/10!! I did mention that it was my bf birthday, which they surprised him with a sign, birthday song, and a slice of cheesecake. The experience was funny(please watch video) and the service was great!! We've been to other AYCE Kbbq + Hot pot restaurants before for a bit less than what they charge here for dinner, but I will say that the experience of the new restaurant was really cool and vibey!! We can't wait to bring our friends. read more

See all

Came here to check out the galaxy concept and the decor did not disappoint. In addition to the food. We came here for a birthday lunch for our son as he enjoys kbbq. We did the AYCE option and was able to try so many dishes. We were able to order a handful of items each time, but I'm glad they gave us just enough for our table to try instead of a bunch of it. So we had room to try other items, or request more of it if we liked it. The personal hot pot was also nice to include. I had the Tom yum broth and it was rich and savory. They also had a sauce station to make your own sauce. A small buffet area that included veggies and a few dishes and dessert, and a sushi chef making fresh sushi rolls. The service was top notch. They had staff coming out in a timely manner after you put your order in on the iPad and then also consistently checking in and clearing our table of the plates. Perfect for a birthday event, date, social gathering with friend's and family. This is a great option for all you can eat for what you get and yummy flavor. read more

See all

I get why this restaurant is trending in Tik Tok. Located in on the corner of a strip mall in an already cute downtown DesPlains location, Galaxy Hot Pot and Grill is such a fun addition to the neighborhood. The vibe is laid back and l super fun. The star of this show is the abundance of options on the menu and offered in the buffet. Everything is fresh and delicious. The price point is good for what is offered. No need to choose BBQ or hot pot or Sushi or Din Sum all is offered. The hot pot broth is delicious. Spicy is spicy and oh so good. The service is top notch. The staff goes out of their way to explain the menu and to insure guests feel right at home. Everyone is friendly and accommodating. Just like other reviewers, I am looking forward to my next visit. read more

Food exceeded my expectations. I thought for an AYCE spot, that the quality of everything was great and nothing tasted old or spoiled. The service is pretty minimal since you order most things through a device they give you at the table, but I would have liked a bit more checking in as our table were sitting on empty drinks for a while at certain points. The ambiance of the place is fun. They have unique little "galaxy" decors around the place and do a whole event for people on their birthdays! read more

We came here a few weeks ago and I meant to review sooner, but a bunch of crazy stuff happened and life got in the way. In any case, this restaurant had a very cool atmosphere, really leaning into the "Galaxy" side of its name. Whimsical astronaut sculptures and space-themed decor permeated throughout; the hallway leading to the restrooms was especially a trip, with textured, rocky walls. My husband and I arrived to the restaurant a bit before 5pm on a Friday night, so it wasn't so busy when we first arrived (though the seats all filled in eventually). We were seated at a table right next to the buffet. One side of our table had a booth and the other side had two chairs. We both wanted to share the booth, which made us feel a bit crowded while reaching around the table for various items. However, sitting side by side did facilitate easier conversation; it might have been more difficult if we'd sat across, due to the loud and energetic music. Our table's position gave us easy access to the aforementioned buffet, which included all of the different sauces (essential to the hot pot experience!), spring rolls, dessert, french fries, rice, and even sushi. This position was very convenient for us, but I noticed there is only one buffet section in the giant restaurant. I wondered if it would have felt inconvenient had we been seated much further away. The aisles were sort of narrow and busy with staff, so a little rough getting around. I guess it depends how many times you want to revisit the buffet. Each dining table is equipped with a grill plate at the center and a personal hotplate for each guest at the table. Thus, every diner gets their own tiny hotpot and can pick a different broth, unlike some places, where everyone just shares one or two broths from a big pot in the middle. I hardly ever eat enough to make All You Can Eat pricing pay off, but it is what it is. The menu did imply there was some kind of a la carte alternative, but it wasn't very clear how or if you could really do that. For the hotpot, you tell your server which broth you want at the start. After that point, you use a touch screen to order anything else you want; either ingredients to grill on the grill, or things to boil in the hot pot. The ingredients can be fairly plain and healthy to begin with (lots of protein and vegetables), so it is up to you to concoct a delicious sauce to spice things up. We were forewarned that, if we tried to order too much stuff at once, the touch screen would temporarily "lock us out," to help pace ourselves. We didn't personally encounter that, but FYI. We did have some difficulty getting the server to return at the end of our meal when we wanted to pay, but saying a new restaurant has staffing issues is a bit like saying water is wet. That said, the table bussing team was actually quite robust, working hard throughout the restaurant, clearing/delivering items and refilling broth as needed. It was a lot of fun to eat here. Only caveats are that it will unavoidably be pretty pricy (value depends on your appetite) and a meal will take a while. It took us two hours overall, so not necessarily the place to grab a quick bite before a show. Plan accordingly! Also, I probably wouldn't bring young kids here since you'll spend the whole meal making sure they don't burn themselves - or their food. Indeed, even adults should be mindful. read more

See all

Service is great, everyone is super nice! I've been there twice and they were very helpful explaining! Food comes out fast, great varieties. Drink menu is large, and they have options from girly drinks to beer and everything in between! Aesthetically the place is a vibe, specially if you're into spaceships and galaxies!! Will be back for sure! read more

Galaxy Hot Pot And Grill - Table - Hot Pot Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

First impression: This place is like being at a cool club with floating astronauts everywhere. Can't decide what to eat tonight? Come to Galaxy Hotpot & Grill & have your pick of grilling your own meat & seafood with a vast variety of dipping sauces. I like the yum yum dipping sauce. Also includes your personal hotpot, limited offering sushi buffet, fried rice, fried noodles, spring rolls & desert. AYCE for around $35. Tip: If the grill gets soiled after cooking, wipe it with a paper towel. It's non stick & comes right off. Also, waiter said the Szechuan soup base isn't spicy but it is spicy & I like spicy. Perhaps not spicy to those from China. However, it's full of great flavor but too spicy to drink as a soup at the end. Fried rice has good wok hei. Timing for the various meat/seafood is posted on the wall. Octopus/shrimp cooks more evenly in broth than on the grill as it also burns easily. Overall: Gotta try it for the interesting setup/variety & fun concept. read more

See all

Came here to celebrate a birthday last minute and it was rough. They don't take reservations, just walk-in. We had a party of 9 people. We waited roughly 45 minutes which we understood because of our party size. When we went back inside to get an update, they said we needed to wait another 45 minutes but eventually another worker figure things out and we were able to get seated but separate tables which sucked but better than nothing. The server was great. He was really on top of his game with making sure we were taken care of. We ordered certain items from the iPad and other items directly from the waiter. Apparently, the iPad has a set timer and it locks but reset after the time is up. When ordering make sure to order in large quantity because 1 quantity is for 1 person. Barely anything. The food was decently good. The hotpot was what we all mainly ate because of the cold weather. The galbi was good for the Kbbq. read more

Galaxy Hot Pot And Grill - Hot Pot Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Food is delicious, service is hit or miss. Our first trip we had an awesome server! Our second trip, we had some of the worst service we've ever experienced. It was definitely our singular waitress, not a reflection of the overall staff as every other staff member was excellent. We will definitely be back! We love the hot pot here. read more

Friendly service, clean bathrooms, and large meat and veggie menu. Food is average (not terrible) and the buffet needs improvement. Buffet consisted of egg rolls, chicken nuggets, rice, dumplings, garlic chicken and various little desserts and canned fruit. Egg rolls were cold, chicken nuggets cold and stale, etc...I would say that anytime you go to a buffet it's never going to be amazing food but this was sub par. It was $40 a person for all you could cook/eat. I probably wouldn't recommend it to my friends. On the other hand..my son and husband loved it because it was endless food. read more

AYCE KBBQ and hot pot! Love that more of these types of places are opening up in the burbs especially with this combo. They also have a sushi bar as well. Decor is pretty cool and service was friendly. Came here on a weekday night with family and we all loved it. Recommend going during a lunch weekday for best prices. read more

See all

I was very excited when my wife told me about this place. This place is about a 10-minute walk, and I'm glad we walked here. I love the fact that we each get our hot pots, as I like mine spicy, and my wife does not. Also, I do not eat meat, so it is very easy to accommodate everyone. The place can get lively and accommodates up to 4 people at its regular tables. They do have tables that can accommodate up to 6 people. They even have a room that can accommodate large parties. While you only get one grill plate, they do come out and change it out frequently, so in my case, I was able to grill vegetables in between grilling meats. They have a vast variety of vegetables and meats for both hot pot and the grill. Their seafood grill selection is somewhat limited. They have a great sauce bar. I wish they would provide some recommendations or popular selections. Overall, this is a must-visit, as I've already been here twice since they opened. read more

Decided to give this place another try about more than a year since my last review. Everything has improved significantly! The service was great. Our waiter checked on us often and always came to fill our water without us asking. The hot bar has significantly expanded with appetizers, a small selection of dimsum, and things like fried rice and crawfish. The sushi is the same but some of the pieces felt like they were sat out a long time because the rice was stale. The sauce bar was great as usual and kept clean. When we ordered our meat on the iPad, instead of waiting like my last visit, everything came out almost immediately without any missing items. Portion sizes also improved. Previously I had to order 3+ quantities to amount to what a normal kbbq place would give us, but now we just ordered 2 quantities of each to be fulfilled. Flavor has also improved, nothing that was seasoned was super bland. They also now have a photographer that offers to take your photo, although it comes with a price. I love taking photos so this was a little bonus I enjoyed. They also seemed to lower the volume on the background music since my last visit, which I appreciate since I don't like eating with music blaring in the background. The only downside is that the temperature in the restaurant is pretty warm. It might be because of the heat wave but we were sweating while cooking our food. Overall enjoyed my time here and feel like they really redeemed themselves! read more