Let's Meat
I loved how popular and easy it was to find Korean BBQ restaurants when I lived in California. From small mom-and-pop shops to larger chains, they lined the coast. Korean BBQ was not very popular in New England, where I grew up, and in Charlotte, it’s not very common, and even though there are a few restaurants, it lacks the same level of popularity.
Good, but not amazing
Let’s Meat is in the South End of Charlotte. By California standards, I’d give it a 3.5-4/5 stars. It’s good, but not amazing. It is, however, the best I’ve found in the Charlotte area, and fits the bill when you are craving Korean BBQ.
You might have to fight the crowds
This place gets PACKED, so be prepared. The format is all-you-can-eat for $30/person. In two hours, you’re invited to devour as much food as you want. Here’s the catch: don’t waste food! There’s a 10% charge for the waste. The sides that come standard are an exclusion to this rule —so don’t worry if you’re not a fan of kimchi.
A Korean BBQ smorgasbord
We ordered a variety of food.
Fatty Beef Brisket – delicious, and exactly what you’d expect.
Beef Tongue
Bulgogi – Classic Bulgogi. No surprises here.
Ribeye – My favorite.
Pork belly
Chicken
Cold noodles — my favorite off-grill item. A MUST when eating Korean.
I’m not gonna lie, I wanted to order Kalbi, but it was an extra $13.99/order, and not worth the price, in my opinion.
Delicious — with exceptions
Everything was great, with two exceptions. I didn’t like the beef tongue. I was surprised because it’s usually my favorite (after Kalbi), but not here. It tasted very gamey. I also was not a fan of the pork. We ordered a few different pork belly dishes, and the spices clashed with each other. Maybe it was my American pallet, but overall, it’s not something I’d order again.
All in, it was good, and I’d go back if I have a craving. This particular restaurant would not make me crave Korean BBQ, but it certainly satisfies, should the urge arrive. Making Korean food at home is so much work and requires a zillion ingredients… so while it can be worth it, there is something to be said for convenience, coupled with price and variety.
