Love the atmosphere food was great make reservations ahead of time to get faster seats and everything was fresh

The best hot pot in the burbs, hands down. The location is a fun re-purposed 70s build. It is a cozy location with a lot of space. Always feels welcoming and warm (especially in the winter). I cannot say more than all of their food is delicious. The meat is great and fresh, the buffet veggies are tasty, and the extras they offer (sesame balls, spring rolls, etc.) are a nice touch! You can't go wrong with any of the broths, but don't be shy to try the spicy. It is not overwhelming and adds great flavor. The staff is great and always willing to answer any questions. They are quick to refill broth or bring any refills for meats. Perfect for a group or a delightful date. Many happy returns to this favorite! read more

This was my first time at the Happy Lamb location in Naperville. I've been to other locations in Chinatown and Bridgeport, but each location has its own appeal. This one's building looks like a beautiful lodge. While there is an online Yelp waitlist (that goes up to 6 people), we had a party of 8 so I called the restaurant and they were happy to put my name down for a reservation. We came to celebrate my dad's birthday. We brought a cake to share, and when we arrived, our server was gracious enough to store it in the fridge until we were ready. We had 6 adults and 2 kids. Kids under a certain height (I forget the details exactly) are free. So we didn't have to pay for the little ones, and not like toddlers appreciate hot pot anyway. It was more, "how do we make sure they don't touch the pot?!" which went totally fine. It's to position the high chairs the furthest away from the knobs/hot surfaces. On our end of the table, we got the half-half broth of classic marrow and the gold cabbage marrow. The golden marrow was SO GOOD. I would get this again and again, because it's hot/sour; the flavor of pickled cabbage and the spice of Szechuan peppercorns. Our server said the spice builds over time, and it did. It was so flavorful that I barely used my dipping sauce. If you like hot/spicy and sour, choose this broth, it is DELICIOUS. The sauce station and the prepared food buffet was located in the middle-back of the dining area. It's a little packed and cozy in there, especially during the dinner rush, you may need to wait a little longer or keep an eye on the area to determine when to get out of your seat. This same area has self-service personal ice cream cups, soda, additional toppings/veggies/proteins, buffet (fried rice, fried chicken, egg rolls, fried buns) AND the sauce station. What I did love is there was a gentleman who was making balloon animals/hats/characters for sale near the front of the restaurant. He says he does this occasionally when he doesn't have other gigs like parties or weddings, etc, so my kiddo and my niece each got a cat and a bunny, respectively. This made their day! And it was nice for them not to be strapped into a high chair the whole time, and have something to entertain them. Overall, 4 shining stars! It would have been great if they had private and semi-private rooms like the Bridgeport location, but I think this wasn't possible due to their building. It looked like they took over a from a Mangia Bubala Roadhouse (Italian and Jewish fare) which took over from a Connie's Pizza. This place has gone through some changes, but it looks like Happy Lamb will be there for the long-run. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - L: classic marrow broth R: golden cabbage marrow broth (sour & spicy) SO GOOD!!! it gets spicier over time. - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Probably had the worst experience with the waitlist and waiting time. I joined the waitlist about an hour and half before my desired dining time but the table was ready 30 min early and I wasn't near the restaurant yet so I had to rejoin the waitlist and it said it was going to be another 2-3 hour wait. I called the restaurant to explain the situation and they hung up on me twice. We ended up going and just waiting, but that really dampened my view of this place. The actual hotpot was good, but the servers didn't do a good job of explaining how everything works. It was $28 a person, but there is a $2 broth fee per person which I don't really get. At that point just advertise the price at $30. There was an auto gratuity added, not sure if it's like that for all checks or if it's because I had a bigger party of 7 people. Maybe it's just this location. I've had a better experience at the one in Chinatown. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Greetings: Hot Pot dining is an experience not to be missed and Happy Lamb Hot Pot in Naperville is one of my personal favorites of all time when it comes to Chicagoland eating. This all you can eat masterpiece brings all of the critical elements together time and time again: Incredibly fresh hot pot flavors both in broth options and protein/veg options, quality service, and exceptional value for this unique experience. The highlights read like a culinary dream come true: Endless portions of lamb, beef, and seafood, often anchor my meal. Udon and glass flat noodles are my favorite starches and the veg choices complete dish. I prefer the spicy broth, it's not overpowering and it has a great flavor. The standard broth is is a great bet for those who prefer a broth that's detuned of spice but not of flavor. The restaurant features vaulted ceilings, a great self-service area, and a fun bar that might catch your eye. Staff is attentive and cleanliness in the dining room is a core value at Happy Lamb. Bathrooms, always a make or break topic me, are well appointed, but often lack the same level of upkeep I've always noted in the main dining room. Truth be told, I have only had hot pot at Happy Lamb. However, I stand by my review as it's been one of my favorite eating spots in all of Chicagoland for some time. One day, I will branch out to another hot pot restaurant to broaden my horizons. With that all said, if you are in sure about my qualifications to weigh in, add this to your thinking; Happy Lamb generally has a packed house and line and waitlist to match. Great places generally have a loyal following, and I think this hold true here, too. To avoid the wait, join the waitlist online...if you're able to get a spot as the waitlist can fill up! For now, Happy Lamb Hot Pot remains at the top of my list, running neck and neck with Iron Age in Glenview. I hope you find places that you equally enjoy and can reflect on the amazing effort it takes to bring great food to our tables time and time again. Until next time...tk read more

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My family and I visited Happy Lamb Hot Pot for the first time to celebrate our oldest's birthday, and I have nothing but glowing things to say. The ambiance and overall design of the restaurant are absolutely beautiful--warm, inviting, and perfect for a special occasion. The broth was incredibly flavorful, the meats were delicious, and the selection of vegetables, seafood, and noodles for the hot pot was honestly impressive. There were so many options to choose from, and the warm appetizers were a wonderful added touch. Everything felt fresh and thoughtfully curated. There was a short wait when we arrived, but any potential kid-meltdown was quickly avoided thanks to the tasty snacks available near the check-in area--both of my kids loved them. Bonus points for that. The bathrooms were clean and well stocked, which I always appreciate. Overall, this was a very positive experience from start to finish. My only suggestion would be to expand the waiting area, as it did get a bit congested and made navigating the walkway to exit the restaurant somewhat difficult. That said, it wouldn't stop us from returning--we'll definitely be back. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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Service was quick. All items except the meats and the broth (which servers bring to your table) are buffet-style, help yourself. We got the half-and-half broth. Dessert selection was limited. read more

Man, I don't know how to express my disappointment. I remember when I would go to Happy Lamb with friends when they just opened and the quality was so good and the service was amazing. While I understand that prices have gone up everywhere, the mandatory broth fee is so misleading. Advertising the meal as $27 per person when there is an unavoidable broth charge makes it like $30 anyway, so the listed price isn't transparent at all. And I know they shifted to self-service for vegetables and sides a while ago but recently I've noticed that food quality and cleanliness of the station has declined drastically. It feels like costs are being pushed onto me while the quality and service decline. Even the birthday promotion has changed from a free meal to just 50% off. At this point, I'd honestly rather make the drive into the city where there are much better hotpot options read more

Indeed have lunch outing with my son at least once a month. We love this place the service is always good. We are also greeted welcome back I smile I love hot pot read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Pro tip: join the waitlist on the Yelp app. I ALWAYS forget and have to wait once I get to the restaurant. It's been a while since I've been here and there have been some changes, but I didn't mind. You can now get your veggies, noodles, sauces, beverages, and a few other food items from a little buffet style area. Watercress is one of my favorite veggies to have with hot pot, but they didn't have any. I'm not sure if that's permanent or just for the day. In the same area, they also have some fried rice, chicken wings, and little desserts. The service was quick and attentive. The half and half hot pot improved in my opinion. Usually my friend and I have to scoop out the peppers because there would be way too many. The meats looked and tasted great. I stuck with the hand sliced beef short plate and American Wagyu. I enjoyed my AYCE hot pot experience here. I'm hoping for some different veggies on my next visit. read more

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We tried this restaurant based on all the wonderful things people have told us about it however, it did not live up to my expectations. A group of six went to celebrate my birthday. My biggest complaint was the service. Our server did not seem the least bit interested in giving us any guidance. It was our first time at this type of restaurant and we had no idea what we were doing. He did not help us with the menu or how to actually cook it. It was extremely disappointing to me. And even after showing him my drivers license to prove that it was actually my birthday we did not receive the discount. I honestly don't know if I would ever go back. read more

This is our go to place whenever we need a warm comfort food. Perfect spot after going to Costco. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Our go to place whenever we need a comfort food it's worth the drive. - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Amazing food end nice service I love this place--a wonderful time spent with friends. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

I was here with a group of 4 for dinner. Tip - you're able to add yourself on a waitlist via Yelp instead of checking in at the restaurant and then being added to it. This AYCE hot pot spot is very spacious. I think it can easily fit up to ~100 people. The pricing appears to be the same for lunch and dinner. This was my first time experiencing hot pot and I'm glad I went with people who are pros. The 4 of us chose the standard option and opted for our broth to be half spicy and half classic. We actually wanted to try the cabbage marrow broth but the server was insistent it would be too spicy for us... unfortunately the 'spicy' broth is NOT spicy at all.. it is extremely mild. As far as getting other proteins and veggies there is a separate designated area for it, along with sauces, noodles, dessert, etc. The options were constantly being refilled. The reason why I took off a star - Originally we were seated right away and at 1 spot, but then the host came up to me and said she needed to move us. The server from our original table was unfriendly and did not want to be bothered. I'm actually happy we moved tables... there is a huuuuuge disconnect with service here. It completely lacks, there are staff members everywhere but we weren't approached to see if we needed water refills, more meat, the check, etc. read more

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This our second visit and we love the food the ambience and the total atmosphere. It's very upbeat inviting and just an overall wonderful experience. We will be back again and I invite all my friends to please check them out. What a wonderful family and friend experience. Definitely an experience to remember. Service is totally awesome, friendly and engaging. They are all so friendly and welcoming. While we waited, we had drinks and had wonderful conversation with others who were waiting as well. Just a very well put together establishment. read more

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My family loved it. A lot of variety. It's just not my favorite kind of food. The staff was great. Lots of variety.

This has become my go-to hot pot place! You really can't beat the quality of the meat or the happy hour prices. It's truly my happy place, and the all-you-can-eat setup makes the experience even better! read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Love their beef garlic here. We always come back for the lunch specials -- so yummy! Nice atmosphere inside and the service is fast read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Love garlic beef there. We love to came for their lunch specials. So yummy!! - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Everything is sooooo good!! Nice service and affordable!! Will definitely come back again and again and again!! read more

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I had an amazing time here last March when my fiancé and I dined in for my birthday. We were seated and got to pick two broths. It was our first time here and I must say the customer service needs improvement. Our server wasn't helpful at all but we figured everything out because it's not rocket science. We opted for the premium and my fiancé and I weren't fans of the lamb, we enjoyed everything else but that. They have a buffet style arrangement where you select the things you want to add to your hot pot like: vegetables, fish balls, shrimp and a sauce bar where you can concoct your own sauces. There's also fountain drinks and a very small selection of fried appetizers. We ended our hot pot session with ice cream from the fridge and it was kind of boring. I think you guys need a better selection of desserts. Overall, we had a memorable and amazing time together. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Our hot pot spread with premium meats. - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

This was absolutely fantastic. There was a wide selection of meats, as well as a large variety of buffet items. This was our first time at a hot pot and the experience definitely lived up to the hype. We were instantly seated and everyone working there was super nice and friendly. We told them it was our first time and they said that they've got us covered and ordered us the most popular ones. They kept bringing meats minutes upon ordering and were all very energetic and excited to help. One of the ladies working there told us that she will show us how to make a "special sauce" that will up the flavor and it definitely did. They didn't rush us at all and told us to take as long as we wanted. The area was very nice and welcoming, not too busy and kept clean. I definitely recommend you come here as the experience will be one to remember. We will definitely be coming back here. Thanks to all at Happy Lamb Hot Pot! read more

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It's changed a lot since the last time I visited a couple years ago. I think the changes are great! It used to be that you'd order each round on a piece of paper, and they'd always leave out something when delivering your food, but now it's buffet style for everything but the sliced meat. I really like this because now I can get everything I want in whatever portion I want. They also now have a sauce station. It used to be printed on the chopsticks that you don't need sauce (and to be fair, the broth was good enough to back that up), but dipping my food in my fav sauce mix elevates the experience. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

I guess I have to write a road map for the recent newbies that wrote bad reviews just because they didn't do it right. You walk in, get seated, order either the classic or the premium hot pot buffet, and order what kind of broth and meat you want. $7 difference, might as well go premium. After you order, you go to the buffet area to make your own sauce, get drinks, veggies, meats, desserts, etc. The person that just sat there and did nothing, did it all wrong. By the time you come back, the meat you ordered from the beginning will be there. You can order as much as you want. By the way, we went on a weeknight, so the waitlist off Yelp was very low. Use Yelp or the IPad inside to get on the waitlist. Service was very attentive. We got our meat fast and they came back often to clear off the empty plates. Parking was ample, you can find additional parking in the back. I recommend coming on a weeknight vs weekend. If you come on the day of your birthday, your meal is free. Please let your server know as soon as you sit down. Quality of the food was great, I'll have to come more often. read more

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It doesn't get any better than ALL YOU CAN EAT! Put that with hot pot and you have a meal made in heaven! There's options for meat lovers, seafood lovers, or veggie lovers! They even have items for kids who may not necessarily be fans of hot pot just yet There was so much to choose from and I loved the fact that I could go get what I wanted, when I wanted. It can get crowded sometimes at the buffet area, so heads up about that. If you're a hot pot lover like me - get by here for a full spread and tell them that Bri from Planes and Plates sent you! Enjoy! read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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I got my free birthday meal! Of note, make sure you come on the day of your birthday. They will only honor it on the actual day of your birthday. We had to split a table with another couple given how busy they were. The ambiance was still conducive for conversation though. I highly recommend the different cuts of lamb given it's their specialty. I would also recommend putting yourself in the wait line on Yelp as they can get busy even on a weeknight! read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Wagyu Beef - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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The lunch service was delicious. It's the first time I've been since they became an all you can eat and the options were great.

Nice spot! Good ayce options and apps. The sauce bar is decent and the broth is pretty good! Service is friendly but mostly serve yourself bc its ayce. The ambiance is casual nothing too fancy. Good spot to go with friends! read more

I went to happy lamb hotpot to celebrate a friends birthday. We were a very large group so we had reservations and were seated fairly quickly (within about 15 minutes). The staff were even able to accommodate us when we had two extra people added to the group. My side of the table ordered the best of both worlds ( half spicy, half regular) soup base. Both soup bases were delicious and the spicy base was actually fairly mild, but added just enough of an extra kick. We went with the premium menu options and it was definitely worth it. The fatty lamb was probably the best bite of the night. There is a large self serve section where you can pick up veggies, a wide variety of fishballs (including fuzhou, my favorite) and some kid friendly foods (tacos, surprisingly good chicken wings, ice cream, onion rings). I was let down by the selection ingredients to make your own sauce. One of the usual staples is the bbq sauce (Sa-Cha) which was noticeably missing. They do play fairly loud music, which I didn't mind. I liked their song selection but it could bother others. I do have to say that the floors are oddly slippery. I am not sure if it's just how the floors are or it's from the oil from all the hot pots cooking, but be sure to walk slowly when inside. The staff were very friendly and responsive. The restaurant was packed but they were attentive. They checked on us and refilled our soups whenever we started to run low. Overall a good experience. read more

This place has lost its quality since the last time I came here before the pandemic. Despite its lovely decor inside, the floors are dirty and slippery from the grease. When is the last time y'all wash the floors? I saw someone almost fall trying to get their food. They have table sizes of all sizes, which is a plus. The service is mid. We weren't told about where to get the veggies and non-meat options/ sauce/ drinks until we asked to see a menu for them. I feel like more effort was needed to explain how to eat at your restaurant instead of assuming that people can just figure it out. I did appreciate that they came around fairly frequently to clear empty plates and refill water and broth. Food wise, it was just ok. Meat quality is just ok. The best was the fatty lamb. Beef is not the best. I feel like it tasted better like 5 years ago. I was disappointed at the lack of veggie choices, however the veggies were fresh. Carb items selection was good. I did like that they had a side of egg fried rice available! The sesame balls were tasty too. In the buffet area, there is also a soda machine, ice cream, and some hot drinks. Overall, it was an ok meal. I would never come out of my way to eat here though. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot pot best of both worlds broth and dippings - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Love this place we come every weekend. Great flavor and fresh meats. We we get half and half for our girls to still enjoy. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Love this place we come every weekend. Great flavor and fresh meats. - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Continually boosting this restaurant because they have such a great variety of ingredients. They're always refilled, tables are cleaned with such speed, and the ingredients are great. We've tried quite a few hot pot places around Chinatown and other suburbs, but we always come back here. No other place satisfies us quite like Happy Lamb. The waiters always know our order before we sit down - original broth, no herbs in it, and 2 orders of fatty beef. Beef is always thin, tender, and flavorful. The broth is such a strong but clear taste, it's literally heart-warming. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Really good meats and service! The pork belly and beef short plate were our favorite! Also try the spicy broth it's amazing! We love coming here for date nice or just a nice meal. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Spicy broth - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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First time here, definitely a special experience. It's not your typical restaurant ordering meal. More Sharable and be ready to double dip and don't wear white as it can get a little messy. If that's not your thing, this wouldn't be the place for you. You might have to go multiple times to try different things and get the hang of it. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Bunch of different meat and the tomato stock - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

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My wife and I tried Happy Lamb for the first time. We started with fried rice and some of the best you will find Chicken wings off of the buffet. We chose the standard bone broth and the mushroom broth, both were flavorful and not salty. I started with some seafood selections, mussels and baby octopus, with Bokchoy, mushrooms and rice noodles. They brought an enormous amount of meats to the table and all were delicious. We absolutely loved Happy Lamb and would highly recommend the unique, casual dining experience. The service was fast and efficient, a bright airy feel as well. read more

Happy lamb is a go to place for our cravings. We visit it once or sometimes even more a month (guilty pleasure lol) the value of money is great and we absolutely love the flavors! The service is good and the ambiance is cozy! We always recommend this to our family and our entire church members love it! read more

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Great place Like to come with family Highly recommend place. We really enjoy Service amazing read more

Nice food, all you can eat. Lot of choices of flavors, meat , veggies , noodles! Also , 50% for birthday person. Beautiful environment. Ideal place for birthday party ! Highly recommended. read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Food, ambiance, service all top tier. Celebrating a birthday. So much fun and delicious. read more

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This was our first time at Happy Lamb and it was delicious! We loved all of the vegetables and noodles that are available on the buffet. We opted for the premium and did the half and half broth. The meat was all very good, but honestly we'd have been happy with just the buffet offerings! The server was great, but I wish he'd given us a little guidance. The restaurant is set up nicely and my only change would be to turn the music down a bit! We will definitely be back! read more

Happy Lamb Hot Pot - Half and Half Broth with our plates of veggies and seafood from the buffet. - Hot Pot Near Me - Naperville, Illinois

Such a bang for your buck! All the broths are great and they have so many options. Now they have changed it to where you get your own food to put in the soup, and I like it better because you don't have to wait on the waiter and you can choose your quantity. You do have to order the red meats through a worker. They can be stingy on the red meats. After your first round, they never come back to ask if you want to order more meats. You have to ask for yourself and it's very hard to get their attention. I actually prefer to go to the happy lamb in Chinatown in Chicago. They have more variety and authentic toppings. read more

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