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Chicago Kalbi BBQ — well-regarded japanese in Albany Park. Order the kalbi. The kind of spot that earns loyalty, not hype. "Both the hone kalbi and the bulkogi were unbelievably tender" — Eugenio Padilla
Freddie Peng
494 reviews
I've been to this restaurant several times before and generally had fine experiences, but this visit was very disappointing.
The food was good and the service was good .
3752 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
“I will recommend people eat a bit before you go there if you just sick of the low quality meat and miss the vibe you had before in authentic Japanese restaurant”
Went here for a date night with my girlfriend and honestly had the worst experience.
“Absolutely best place we've been to in all of Chicago.”
Absolutely best place we've been to in all of Chicago! 💯🔥 Met the owners too. Absolutely amazing people and all dishes are sensational!
Christopher Jacob
Oct 2024
“We had a fabulous dinner last night at Chicago Kalbi with Cummins Peru, Komat'su, and the VPs from Antimina copper mine.”
We had a fabulous dinner last night at Chicago Kalbi with Cummins Peru, Komat'su, and the VPs from Antimina copper mine. Such a great place, where you cook the wagyu & kobe beef at your table. The food was delicious 😋 Isao Tozuka, the chef and his wife Chiyo-san, are fabulous hosts, very friendly, and really happy to help and show you how things are do e. I would definitely recommend coming here. It's a unique place. Make sure you book though ad it can be busy.
Adam McGibbon
Sep 2024
“Brought my sister for here for her birthday for the second year in a row.”
Brought my sister for here for her birthday for the second year in a row. Staff is super friendly and nice. Can’t wait to be back.
Lisette Carteno-Chevalier
Sep 2024
“Really prompt and attentive service, wonderful selection of meats and vegetables.”
Really prompt and attentive service, wonderful selection of meats and vegetables. The couple that owns the place are so friendly and welcoming! I will definitely be back.
Ashwin Menon
Aug 2024
“This Japanese BBQ spot is worth the hype.”
This Japanese BBQ spot is worth the hype! The Japanese auntie and uncle running the spot are the most friendly and accommodating folks I have run into YEARS and the food is INCREDIBLE. おいしい 😋 The menu was missing Korean soups which was one of the reasons we stopped by so just asked if they still had them (newer reviews suggest that she took them off the menu) and she listed them and offered them to us. I hope they put them back on the menu but I greatly appreciated the accomodation. The coalfire BBQ was incredible and gave so much more flavor than most the KBBQ spots that ist gas burners and make the restaurant feel that more home-y like you are eating in this family's living room. That said the decor does feel a little chaotic and hodge podge. Like many restaurants, it looks like they renovated and then COVID took over and they kept some of those habits. For instance the dominating bar/ host stand at the front of the restaurant is totally unused and covered in products supplies and baseballs (see other reviews for the AMAZING baseball history). I will absolutely be back! Highlights are the Cold Tofu appetizer and the Ribeye BBQ. If they put the soups back on the menu be sure to give them a try. ありがとうございます
Kyle Stoffers
Jun 2024
“So this is a special situation because I came in looking for a soup and thought they still had there old soup menu.”
So this is a special situation because I came in looking for a soup and thought they still had there old soup menu. It was my first time and they didn’t treat me any different dispute the fact that It was just me. And when I asked for there soup menu they told me they only had miso but didn’t stop there the owner immediately went into thinking mode and made me the healthy most amazing dumpling vegetable soup with spicy sauce on the side. The beautiful woman fed my soul and not my hunger. I felt so taken care of. This is a mom and pop shop and it’s a Very special place. I will be back for the barbecue.
Victoria Vazquez
Jun 2024
“I came here with a group of friends for dinner.”
I came here with a group of friends for dinner. This is definitely a place to dine together with folk, that way y'all can get several different things and share it around. Honestly, it might be impossible to make a wrong choice despite how large their menu is. My party had a few appetizers, then had several of the meats for the main course. We then had Japanese sundaes for desert. I particularly enjoyed the bacon and heart meats.
Brent Grolla
Jan 2024
“Tried this place out.”
Tried this place out. it’s charcoal korean and japanese bbq style. Great quality of meat and services. it has been opened for 30 years ish. love it. it comes with all the side, miso soup and rice when you order the meat plates.
Pharuewisa P.
Nov 2023
“Quality cuts. Prompt service with attentive staff at hand. Prices reflect the premium meats....”
Quality cuts. Prompt service with attentive staff at hand. Prices reflect the premium meats. Desert selection was a delightful surprise. The entrance is graced with baseball memorabilia, which is a bit unique.
Nori Sakata
Sep 2023
“What a wonderful spot.”
What a wonderful spot! Not only was the food fresh and delicious, but the place is full of baseball memorabilia, signed baseballs, and tons of photos of Asian baseball players past and present. I can’t wait to go back and grill my own meats again.
Erin Rooney
Aug 2023
“We ordered kalbi, beef loin and tongue.”
We ordered kalbi, beef loin and tongue. All of them were so tender and juicy. Price is reasonable for the quality. Service was great! A waiter often came to check our table.
Yusuke K
Aug 2023
“Drove from downtown after seeing the reviews for this restaurant and they are spot on.”
Drove from downtown after seeing the reviews for this restaurant and they are spot on. Such amazing food and service. Highly recommend going here vs the downtown chains. Hope to go back soon. Don't miss the jumuroku (sesame marinated steak), the banchan, or the Japanese sundae. Delicious!
Katie Merchant
May 2023
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