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    Lao Pot

    4.0 (265 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Lao Pot Photos

    LAO POT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    AYCE hotpot & BBQ; Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram
    Amy Z.

    I love hotpot because I can have as much protein and veggies that I want. Shoutout to my colleague who was down to try this with me! We opted for both hotpot and kbbq even though the focus was on hotpot. Also, make sure you check out the hot food section, because I ended up with some delicious crab and crawfish. Also, the sauce bar is included for $35.99/pp, what a deal! The broth was so rich that you didn't really need the sauce bar. We enjoyed everything we ordered and were full after 1 round! Staff was helpful as it was my colleague's first time. There is a parking lot outside.

    Aliya S.

    I've been wanting to check this place out for awhile now and am so glad I was able to finally be here. The waiters were very sweet and helpful with answering questions I had. The place is way bigger than I expected ans the layout is very spacious and nicely decorated. The food was pretty tasty and the portions were pretty large per plated item we selected. So it was very filling quite fast. Overall I'd come here again!

    Tim T.

    Excellent hot pot restaurant with K-BBQ options and a buffet with hot Chinese food. Also wide selection of beverages and even dessert. Very spacious interior environment and also stylish decorations, from historical accouterments to wallpaper designs. Excellent service as well, very attentive. Highly recommended!

    Top left to bottom right: Chicken feet, Siu Mai, Coconut Shrimp, Braised Short Rib, Braised Flounder, Cheese Mussel, Korean Short Rib
    Spring N.

    TLDR: If you come in looking to order noodles, chicken, and imitation crab for your hot pot, you will come out feeling cheated for your money's worth. Like many all-you-can-eat hot pot establishments, what you get out of this restaurant depends heavily on the broth, ingredients, and dishes that you order. The service in my experience was very good. Notably, the sauce bar options were quite impressive compared to other hot pot restaurants I've eaten at. It even included Chinese meat sauce, which can be hard to find in the United States. The passionfruit green tea here was fine, and there was a complimentary ice cream and fortune cookie at the end. Because there is so much food to cover, they will be ordered by category and then ingredient/dish below, rated individually. Buffet: Coconut Shrimp, 4/5. The shrimp was crispy while maintaining the sauce on the outside. Braised Short Rib, 4/5. Very tender meat. Siu Mai, 4/5. A well made dumpling. Korean Style Short Rib (Galbi), 1/5. This did not taste like galbi, was overly oily, and was tough to eat. Braised Flounder, 4/5. Very soft and well seasoned. Cheese Mussel, 3/5. Nothing impressive, just a baked mussel. Chicken Feet, 3/5. Your standard chicken feet you would find at a Chinese establishment. Broth: House Special Seafood Soup, 3/5. The broth is the center of any hotpot, and this one was okay. The broth had clams, imitation crab, and ginger in it. The clams were tiny, and the imitation crab was falling apart by the middle of the meal. The taste wasn't as seafood forward as I would have liked it to be. Vegetables: Bok Choy, 4/5. Fresh and crisp. Watercress, 3/5. Not very strong in flavor. Enoki Mushrooms, 4/5. Nothing much to say, but they are quality. Bamboo, 1/5. The bamboo became a problem for the rest of the ingredients. It is the type of bamboo that comes pre packaged, which gives it an extremely bitter and off-putting taste. Usually, to prepare this type of bamboo, you are required to blanch it in water for about an hour to get rid of that flavor. In this case, that bitter flavor ended up permeating through the rest of the dish because there was no way to blanch it. Would not recommend to get. Meats: Fish Balls, 4/5. These fish balls were extremely soft and springy, with a filling on the inside. Had they been a little more seasoned, they would have been perfect. Would recommend. Lobster Balls, 3/5. Surprisingly boring compared to the fish balls. Beef Balls, 5/5. I have never had beef balls that taste like this. They were very well seasoned, and had a great texture to them. These were delicious. Lamb Slices, 3/5. The lamb slices were very clearly frozen beforehand, but at the end of the day, they were still lamb slices. Sliced Beef, 2/5. The slices of beef were so fatty in some parts to the point where one in a few bites would be mostly fat. Fresh Squid, 5/5. This squid was very fresh, as it says on the menu. Firm, no fishy odor, no slime, and a great crunch when eaten. Would recommend. Beef Tripe, 5/5. The beef tripe was delicious and plentiful. I was surprised at the serving size they had given me for this. Chicken Gizzards, 4/5. The gizzards were good, nothing else to say here. Pig Brains, 4/5. Pig brains can be a delicacy for some, if you are into it. The texture here was good. Overall, the meal had highs and lows. I will come back again to try some of the other options.

    Open food bar
    Marissa C.

    Overall decent. Prices were a little expensive but decent experience. The open food bar you could tell was sitting from lunch (we got there at 5pm) so maybe not the freshest food. We ordered kbbq and the portions given for what is ordered is quite small. The good thing is that it was all you can eat. They did have a make your own sauce bar that was kept very clean. There were peanuts in the area but again, area was very clean. I would be intrigued to give this place another chance.

    We visited as two customers. During the meal, we asked whether it was possible to dine in and order only skewers without getting the buffet. From the beginning, the server never asked whether it was our first time eating there and never explained the rules. When we asked the question, she said very firmly that ordering only skewers was not allowed. Her attitude was rude and aggressive. I explained that we had done this before, including a recent dine-in visit, but she kept insisting no and never acknowledged that she might be wrong. Later, a manager came over and told us the exact opposite, that it is possible to order only skewers without the buffet. This completely conflicted with what we had just been told. The bill showed a total of $89. The manager initially tried to adjust the charge to calm the situation. I asked them to charge the full amount. For reference, my card was charged in two separate transactions ($79.46 and $9.54) a few minutes apart, which together matched the $89 total shown on the bill. I am attaching the transaction record for clarity. Mistakes happen. What bothered me was that two completely different explanations were given during the same visit, and even after the manager confirmed the opposite, the earlier explanation was never acknowledged and the attitude remained very unpleasant. So here is the question for the business. At the time we asked, which explanation actually represented the restaurant? If ordering only skewers is allowed, why was it denied so forcefully? And if it is not allowed, why did the manager say it was? I won't be coming back.

    Marykate D.

    Great quality food, fast service, great servers, portion sizes are really generous, definitely plan on going again

    Hot pot
    Bincy T.

    My family and I come here at least once a month for their hot pot. I'm obsessed with the enoki mushroom skewers. The service is quick and the food is always so delicious. I usually get the mild spice and two flavors for my pot. It's always busy with so many get togethers which is very cute to see. Highly recommend coming here for a hot pot experience!

    Family and i go here SO often, and it's the best place ever! best prices, best food, best service 10/10

    Delish!

    Fantastic food! Great amount and great for your group. It's a bit pricey if you're expecting Applebees prices and style. But you don't come here for a 35 minute meal and to leave! You come here to socialize with family or friends for a long time and enjoy a slow, large portion. The waitresses are very nice, but if you're chilling for a while you might have to go find them. It's all part of the exp

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    The only metro Detroit hot pot location! They do not disappoint. Excellent broths, sauce bar and service. Will definitely be back!

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    6 years ago

    So good! This was our first time and it's a little intimidating for beginners, but it was so delicious it's worth the chance. Sooo good!

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    As for a Chinese I have to say that the tastes didn't surprise me but the price is too high, it's my first time also last time

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    6 years ago

    Cool place and different type of hot pot then most in metro Detroit. Can get expensive depending on what you order.

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    7 years ago

    Food is ok, the portion is small. Price at high end. We spend about $120 for 3 adults and 2kids at lunch.

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    6 years ago

    Firs time trying hot pot and Shelly my waiter made my visit pleasant and helped me cook my meal perfectly.

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    Page 7 of 7

    Lao Pot Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lao Pot

    How much can two people expect to spend here for casual meal?

    With everything being a la carte it can add up quickly. We typically spend around $35/ea when we go. But we've learned that some of the more expensive meats are worth the extra cost. You could do this much cheaper if you're vegetarian.

    Are there gluten free broths?

    I don't cook it,, but I would lean over to Gluten Free. It's mostly bone broth and water. Plus it's not thick broth, so there shouldn't be any flour in it.

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    Woodpile BBQ

    Woodpile BBQ

    3.8
    (104 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    We just had a big 50 person backyard birthday celebration for my Sister in Love and catered it with…read moreWoodpile (Madison.) What a great experience!!! 15 racks of ribs, a whole dish of smoked chicken, and a whole dish of baked beans. Woodpile rolled in hot food and set it up on our table, and it was awesome! There were rants and raves about the taste - I cooked 3, 7# Standing Rib Roast on the grill and the Woodpile was just as good, and just as popular!

    Tried them via DoorDash. The review will only be on the food since there was no direct service…read more This was my first time trying them so no frame of reference going in. I ordered a Pitt master platter which contains pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, cheddar jalapeno sausage, ribs, two 6oz sides. This seemed like it would be a lot of food and perfect for us to sample things and find our favorites. For the price I was expecting the portion size to be slightly larger. A little disappointed there. The flavors of everything were actually quite nice. I don't appreciate breadcrumbs on my Mac and cheese!! I didn't see that it came that way or I certainly would have requested they not disrespect my side dish with that. The sauce they provided did not come on the meat but on the side. I like that it's done that way. The meat is smoked nicely and the flavors really came through with no sauce. We tried their sweet sauce and I liked it. Overall very nice dinner and I would try them again... minus the breadcrumbs

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    Woodpile BBQ
    Woodpile BBQ
    Woodpile BBQ

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    Woodpile BBQ Shack

    Woodpile BBQ Shack

    4.0
    (557 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Delicious! It's an…read moreorder at the counter and eat in a pseudo-indoor/outdoor area. Paper towels are plenty around the area which I appreciate. There's ample parking in the area (both parking lot and street parking). I got the pulled pork, which came with 2 sides. I thought the 1 meat combo is plenty to fill you for lunch or dinner. My favorite side was the Mac and cheese. Plenty of bbq sauces to choose from too. There's small add ons/ up charges in which meat and sides you choose so keep an eye out for that! Thought the price was reasonable still though.

    TLDR: This barbecue place was underwhelming, with some meats better than others. The service was…read morerelatively quick, and the outdoor seating was clean. There is likely better barbecue in the area. Each meat varied heavily in quality, so they will be rated individually below. I ordered the Pitmaster's Platter, which included multiple samples of the meats. Meats Beef Brisket (2/5): For some reason, this brisket was extremely dry. There was no moisture between the meat fibers. When doing the brisket bend test over a finger, the brisket barely even moved. The bark had the texture of jerky. I would not recommend this meat option. Pulled Pork (3/5): The pulled pork was moist in some places and dry in others. This meat was extremely average. There were some parts of the pulled pork with a heavy smoke flavor, which I did appreciate. Pulled Chicken (2/5): This was just as dry as the brisket. There were small portions that did have some moisture, but I could not finish the dry portions. Cheddar Jalapeno Sausage (4/5): This meat was the best among the options. Incredibly juicy, heavy on the seasoning, and the cheese was oozing out of the sausage. If I were to come back, I would order this again. Ribs (2/5): Again, just as dry as the other meats. There was no pull, and the meat was tough on the outside. Sides Mac & Cheese (3/5): This macaroni and cheese was nothing special, despite other reviews raving about it. It is a standard mac and cheese with slightly soggy breadcrumbs on top. Coleslaw (5/5): Somehow, this was the best part of the meal. The coleslaw tasted extremely fresh. There was just enough sauce to coat the vegetables without taking away from their quality and crunch. The coleslaw being the best part of the meal says a lot about this establishment. I do not think I will be coming back here again.

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    Seating Area
    Seating Area
    Brisket Reuben Sandwich
    Brisket Reuben Sandwich
    Order counter in front

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    Order counter in front
    bb.q Chicken Troy

    bb.q Chicken Troy

    4.7
    (117 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Absolutely loved the crispiness and breading of this. Pieces were full of meat (and not just the…read morebreading) which I appreciated. Front desk staff cover both ordering and waiting tables, and they do a great job at it. There's a great dine in area and parking for the place. It's a solid place for dining in or take out. AND they provide gloves at each table. That's the level of detail that is very appreciated and awesome to see as a customer!

    My family and I finally tried bb.q Chicken in Troy!…read more First off, the space was extremely clean. At each table gloves, chopsticks, hand sanitizer, plastic straws, and plastic utensils were provided. Which is such a thoughtful touch. The fried chicken was SUPER juicy and tender with a cornflake fried batter covered in chosen sauces. There were so many flavor options to choose from, which made it fun to decide. The pieces were huge, so the price felt completely worth it. The servers were especially kind and patient with us as first-timers. They took the time to explain the most popular flavors and gave great recommendations, which we really appreciated. The only downside were the sides. The onion rings and fries didn't seem to have any seasoning. So, they tasted a bit plain compared to the bold, flavorful chicken. I'd definitely come back for the chicken alone. If you're craving crispy, juicy fried chicken with tons of flavor options, this is a spot worth trying!

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    bb.q Chicken Troy
    bb.q Chicken Troy
    bb.q Chicken Troy

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    Smoked Lotus BBQ

    Smoked Lotus BBQ

    4.8
    (13 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    I see that this spot is closed. It was incredible. The billionaires bacon, brisket pastrami pulled…read morepork...ends. Collard greens, Mac n cheese, corn bread were some of the best I have ever had. The staff were amazing and the location was great. It was quaint although I didn't dine in, I was glad to pick up myself to chill out while I comfortably settled in. Best of luck with your continued endeavors. I'd have loved to see your stay.

    Smoked Lotus shares a building with Eastern Palace Club, which is a tiki bar. The bar's fun vibes…read moreand drink menu pair well with the BBQ. The staff of both establishments are friendly and polite. I recommend going on a Wednesday, which is when BBQ tacos are a special. I've tried 3 of those, most of the meats, and all the sides. The tacos I've had are beef brisket, pig belly burnt ends, and pulled pork. Of those, the burnt ends taco was the best, but all 3 were great. If you came here just for the tacos, I wouldn't blame you at all. As for the meats, I truthfully don't have a favorite, because they were all that good. The ribs were juicy and tender. The brisket looked and tasted just right. I didn't even need a knife to cut it. The meatloaf was unlike any I've ever had. It was incredibly tender and had a great, smoky flavor. Although pastrami is beef, it tasted like a very well seasoned ham. Most places I've gotten burnt ends from dry them out, but that is not the case here whatsoever. The pulled pork was standard compared to the rest of the meats, but still better than average. None of the sides disappoint. The beans appear runny, but were delicious. The mac had a generous amount of cheese, and wasn't dry either. I've only had collard greens a couple times, but I found it enjoyable. The potatoes were delightful, but what took them to the next level was the toum it was served with. Toum is a Lebanese garlic sauce. The slaw was creamy and flavorful. Blueberry cornbread is something I've never seen on a BBQ menu before. Both that and the pickles tasted as they were advertised. Smoked Lotus blew me away, and I'll even go as far as saying it's my new favorite, local spot for BBQ. Even the pricing is fair, especially for the quality you're getting. If you love BBQ and haven't been here yet, you're missing out.

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    Smoked Lotus BBQ
    Ribs, Oak smoked
    Ribs, Oak smoked
    Tallow Fried Potatoes

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    Tallow Fried Potatoes

    Lao Pot - hotpot - Updated July 2026

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