My first review since I've been MIA and I have to say this isn't my favorite Korean BBQ AYCE. I've been to better ones near Chinatown where it's a tad bit pricier; however, quality was much better than GEN. GEN's looks may be nice but isn't really matched up for the type of restaurant they are hosting.
1) GEN's interior design is sadly better than the food. The food is dry, not well marinated, oily in some cases, small portioned, and monotoned.
2) There's no sprinklers in the ceilings so what happens if a Wanna-be-chef (like me) can't cook right and accidentally 'overcooks' their food and a catastrophe happened. Yes, I saw a fire extinguisher but it's far from being reached and being reasonably safe.
3) The overhead hood that collects the smoke wasn't present and should be on top of the grill. While I was eating, I was inhaling smoke like crazy and got sicker and sicker the more I stayed. I know some veteran restaurants have vents above grills to collect the smoke and suck it up instead of spreading around the restaurant.
4) Service was okay. Their communication was on point. Once me and my partner ordered more we got it in less than a minute because they use smart tablets to send it up to the kitchen. Now that's clever way of being precise and fast for the customers.
5) So many grill changes and it was driving me crazy. Of course I'm cooking more food yet they have the audacity to ask me if I want a grill change. The other restaurant automatically does it for us because why would we cook our food on a burnt grill? Common sense. Yes it's nice to ask but do it in a way where you have to change it rather than wanting a customer to keep a burnt grill where the burner is still running.
I would personally not be back here. They don't accept discover cards (sorry folks). They don't give you forks (unless they have some in stock- sorry for those who can't use chopsticks for their life (like me)). And the prices for drinks is higher than most restaurants and they do not have HOT WATER for hot tea. They only have soda and iced water. I can see potential in this restaurant but that's in the future. They're still in their opening phase and I can't blame them. But for the meantime, I'll keep this restaurant on my low priorty list.