Frankly, Jung's Mongolian Grill is one of the best mix-it-yourself stir-fry joints I've eaten at anywhere in the country. Located in a non-descript strip mall across the street from Walmart and Target on busy West 11th Avenue, the interior immediately alters your mood. The walls are bold gold, red and black and the few statues and bamboo make a real impact. Plus the delicious smells coming from the grill make your mouth water a block away! It can be absolutely packed at lunch time during the week -- the place is a real blessing for those of us working nearby in the area.
It works like this: you are escorted to a seat and given a plastic bowl. Walk to the buffet and choose your favorites. Bean sprouts, brocolli, celery, tomato, pineapple, spinach, cabbage, onion...so many veggies to choose from! For meat lovers (or lo-carb dieters): if you choose, you can fill a bowl with just thin slices of chicken, beef, or pork (sometimes lamb...) For non-carnivores there is tofu. So, fill your bowl and pack it down. No matter how much you've piled in there it will shrink down a LOT when it hits the grill. Then, just before you take the bowl to the chef, add any oils, garlic, lemon, ginger, soy or other seasonings that strike your fancy. Make things as spicy or mild as you please --they do have combinations posted to help guide the uncertain.
Enjoy chatting to friends (or with the chefs) as your meal hits the super-hot grill. Some cooks do fancy moves with their spatulas, others do a little dancin' to the music that is piped into the place. Some sing...and maybe that's not such an enjoyable thing...Decide if you want the yummy teriyaki sauce, and then your meal is dished up on a plate. You can add some sesame or sunflower seeds, and top it off with hot chili sauce if you want...
Back at the table, enjoy a beverage (they do serve beer & wine as well as soft drinks.) They'll also offer steamed rice or mu-shu panckaes on the side.
The place is all you can eat, so knock your socks off...Overall, less than $10 for lunch and less than $15 for dinner. You can't take leftovers with you. ("To go" is available -- one time through and right into a box...) And while I've personally never been able to make room for the treats afterwards, they do have cheesecake...which is what it's all about for some people.
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