|
[return to the REVIEWS archives]
reviewed on April 11, 2008
It’s been about twenty years since Mongolian barbeque first appeared in Denver. During that time, there have been any number of Mongolian barbeque places that have opened, struggled to survive, and finally succumbed. Some were decent, many were downright awful. Still, whenever another one comes along I’m compelled to check it out. Which is what brought us to Asian Grill Mongolian BBQ at Mississippi and Colorado Boulevard this week.
If you’ve never tried this intriguing way to eat, the first thing you need to know is that Mongolian barbeque is neither Mongolian nor barbeque in spite of fabricated stories of how the barbarian hordes used their shields as cooking vessels to prepare their food while they were marauding across Asia. Mongolian barbeque, as it’s offered today, is an assortment of raw meats and vegetables served buffet style. You get a large bowl which you fill to overflowing, then you choose a sauce and present the whole thing to a grill operator who mans a massive flat round cooking service where he stir fries your meal and presents it back to you on a plate.
The appeal of Mongolian barbecue is that you can customize your dish to your likes and dislikes. So, if you’re vegetarian, just leave out the meat. If you’re a particular fan of broccoli, go ahead and load up. And it’s relatively inexpensive, so you can feed the whole family without spending a lot.
It sounds pretty straightforward, but there a number of things that distinguish one Mongolian place from another. There’s quality and variety of food, the sauces, the fun aspect and, certainly way at the top of the list, the overall cleanliness of the restaurant.
Asian Grill has been around for a number of years, but came under new ownership a few months back. Since then, it’s gotten a new coat of paint and a fresh appearance—the first indication that things have moved in a positive direction. John Wu, who along with his wife Hong bought the restaurant, left the corporate world yet still maintains a sense of creativity and orderliness that shines through. The ingredients include the usual lineup of celery, peppers, onions, tofu, etc., but you’ll also find a few ingredients not normally included, like eggs and smoky flavored wood-ear mushrooms. Many Mongolian barbecue restaurants limit you on the amount of meat you can include, but here you can mix and match from an assortment of thinly sliced turkey, pork and beef, taking as much as you’d like. You are, however, limited to one bowl for the $7.95 price tag. The big difference at Asian Grill is in the cooking process, which uses no oil—a decided advantage in this age of watching our fat intake—and the fact that the sauce is not added until your stir-fried meal is almost done. This, according to Wu, prevents the sauce from burning while the food is cooking. Whatever the reasoning, the end result is tasty and filling.
If you’re not into Mongolian barbecue, Asian Grill also offers a full selection of Asian favorites including kung pao beef, orange chicken, and several Thai curries. Everything is available to go, including the Mongolian barbecue, and we watched a steady stream of customers pick up bulging sacks of food throughout our evening there.
If you’ve never had Mongolian barbecue, this is a great place to discover it. And, if you’re already a fan, I think you’ll find Asian Grill a nice addition to this fun style of Asian dining.
Asian Grill Mongolian BBQ
1128 S. Colorado Blvd. (SE corner of Colorado Blvd. and Mississippi)
303-758-6699 |
