Bd's Mongolian Grill

by Matt R.

I like this place. They play pop music while you eat stir fry and do humorously cheesy things while they make the stir fry. Drinks are likewise kind of cheesy but decent. All you can eat stirfry (make multiple trips) is pretty darn good really, you make it how you want. Want more meat? Throw it in. Want it 100% vegetarian? No problem. Not to mention a good plethora of seasoning options too. You get served pretty fast, although the waiters aren't very attentive but who cares? They don't do much and I'm sure college waiters are not very attentive anyway.I'd suggest the place overall, making your own food at a restaurant is a great idea.

by daniel s.

I've been to a few Mongolian BBQs before, this one is pretty good.  Others have a larger selection of veggies, but this one has great sauces and plenty of meats.  Price is pretty reasonable as well.

by Lauren E.

a fun environment

by Matt W.

There once was a BD's Mongolian BBQ on Clark Street in Lakeview. I liked them vrrry much, all awesome and good. Then BDs closed, replaced by some hookah bar. Bah, I would never have them again. Or would I? Ah yes, Naperville has one too and we went there a couple nights ago. They are the foreign, exotic cousin to the all-American FlatTop Grill on Southport and I love them for it. While FlatTop has a beef, a chicken, a pork and a fish option, BDs tempts you with different cuts of beef, even aged meats. And shrimp and calamari. And scallops. Plus BDs has a better selection of sauces with more thought and time put into them. The level of heat and spice is well conceived and a definite step up from what FlatTop offers. The only downside is after putting your veggies, meats, spices and sauces together you have to stand around the grill with everyone else waiting for your food to be cooked up. FlatTop lets you sit down and waitron will bring your dish to you. I can't do half-stars so it's gonna have to be a solid four for BDs.

by mike l.

this place is the perfect example of the food-court-ization of ethnic foods. the atmosphere is an odd cross between beer wings and diluted applebee's. their thing is that you pick your stir-fry and they burn it, I mean, cook it on a big crackling stone slab. the combination of being quite generous with their sauces and firm belief that foods can sit unattended in a scalding skillet for 10 minutes means that everything comes out flavorless and burnt. avoid this shlocky gimmicky suckhole at any cost.

by Scott S.Aise W.Allison E.Elizabeth T.Brandy W.

I was here for a couple of post meeting celebrations.  It was a fun change of pace; the atmosphere was raucous and was great for a group.  Basically, you assemble bowls full of veggies and meat from a buffet, pick a sauce or sauces, and hand them off to the grillers.  From there, you wait your turn as a very animated chef grills up the bowls of veggies, meat, and sauce.  They have recommendations as to how much of each you should take; I learned the hard way that it's worth following their recommendations.It's very loud during prime time, but that fosters the social environment.  The food is nothing special per se, but it's tasty (that's the well-engineered sauces talking)  It's kind of nice to be able to craft your own meal, too - a change of pace from fixed sub-par menus.So, if you're in Naperville and want a change of pace, hit BD's for a customized, tasty meal.Mongolian grill my ass! Now, I've done plenty of Mongolian grilled food while living in Cali. They even have them at the malls and you get a big steaming hot container of goodness w/all the fixins you like for like $5. This place is an insult to the real thing. They should be slapped with a glove and challenged to a duel for their impiety! Pistols at dawn! It's like Applebee's attempting to go Asian, but got their info from Wikipedia instead of a reliable source. This is nowhere near coming close to possibly tasting like the real thing. Nuh uh, not at all.  [1] You pile up your bowl yourself, which is grand and all, but in Cali it's better for them to do it because they are skilled at getting the most in your bowl. Seeing as they do it day in and out.  All the beef looks the same and none of the meat is marinated. NONE. Sigh. [2]  You pick your sauce too, which I opted for their lowest calorie sauce (shittake mushroom) which equaled tasteless and you can add some spices too.  Sooooooooooooooo. . .   Aren't I doing the prep work for you BD? Why are you charging me the price of a place that's doing all of it?  [3] You get up there around the cooking drum and I can tell you right now they let the food sit unmoved on the drum too long. The authentic places in Cali keep the food moving constantly. That's how you have a high level of overall doneness.  Many of my veggies were burned and unpleasantly chewy.  Adding spices didn't help at all. I could have done way better at home and was tempted to get on the cooking drum and show them how it's done.  Move over wannabees. They served rice and tortillas with it at the table. Huh? Once again, NO! It's supposed to be a noodle stir-fry anyway so what is up with the lack of proper noodles first, then the rice, and are you kidding me with the tortillas?The only things I enjoyed was my company and my apple cobbler sundae at the end.  I'll say the service was pleasant as well and they can't be held responsible for this terrible injustice.  I'll be waiting for this "BD" at dawn in an open grassy field, pistol at the ready.  He'll pay for this.This is your standard Mongolian chain establishment. It probably would not have been on my radar if I already wasn't in Naperville for work. There are better Mongolian BBQ places in the city, and there is nothing remarkable about this particular one. On the plus, you do get to pick what you want to eat, and there is plenty of meat. Still, the sauce I chose (so I suppose it's my fault) tasted watered down and flavorless. I suppose I expect my Asian food to have bold strong flavors, and this was just bland. Also, I was a little grossed out when the cooks cleaned up a spot on the grill and the scrapings went into someone else's lunch (not mine!)... ew. As a city dweller, I will certainly not come back here on purpose, and if ever I find myself in downtown Naperville hankering for some lunch, I will probably just give another place a shot.Good-friendly service-lively atmosphere (more for groups vs dates when you want an intimate setting)-you get to choose whatever ingredient you want-unlimited soup salad if you get the stir fry meals ($12.99/1 bowl or $14.99 for unlimited bowls)-a lot of ingredients to choose fromBad ugly-the "grill" was pretty much our food put in the grill and left there for a few minutes --- the grillers did not really constantly move/watch the food which resulted to my veggies being burnt my chicken being super chewy like rubber-quality of meats not very good (for the price you pay for the very small bowl they provide, you'd expect quality ingredients --- not so much)-POOR QUALITY OF MEATS-POOR QUALITY OF MEATS-POOR QUALITY OF MEATS-did I mention: POOR QUALITY OF MEATS?Bottom line- Run...run...run away.  This is the "bastardized" version of a mongolian grill!  Yikes!!I'd give it 5 stars, but it's not the BEST I've ever been to when it comes to Mongolian, so for that, it gets a 4.As far as my interest in eating there often, it's high on the list. It's perfect for people who like it their own way, enjoy the asian-esque foods, but want to be picky, and particularly dine with picky eaters.Some pros:1.  Not too pricey (dinner= $12.99, or $10.99 for no meat)2. Free all-you-can-eat soup/salad with your meal3. Choice of brown rice, white rice, or tortillas (HUH?) with your meal. If a group of 3 or more, get some of each and share!4. If you're a vegetarian, tell the cook when you bring up your heaping bowl and he'll block off and cook yours separate AFTER scrubbing the grill. How nice is that!?! I don't like the meat juices all up in my food, so I'm thrilled. No other place I've been to makes that much of an effort.5. This location serves "all day" $1 miller lights. I know, not the best beer, but for $1 for a real pint (they try to call it a small pint to give incentive to purchase a larger one, but don't be fooled), it's cheaper than a soda!Some tips for other diners, especially those not familiar with the process:1. Load the bowl with meats and veggies FIRST, then add noodles on top to overpile. Noodles tend to stay on better. Rice noodles more than the thicker kind because they tend to fall off.2. Go for the expensive veggies and meat cuts. Who needs water-filled bean sprouts when you can load up on baby corns, etc?3. Tip the cooks. C'mon. I'd argue that they work harder than the servers! I mean, the server brings you: drink, side dish, empty bowls, and check. Not too hard, if you ask me.4. Do NOT put too many spices on there. It's not THAT big of a bowl and spices can kill the taste. 5. Before being daring with the sauces, drop a little in the cups they provide and do some taste testing. I love spicy, not sweet. I have ended up making my final sauce choice to be the Black bean with a small drop of red pepper flakes. It adds the kick. Having a whole meal in a sauce you haven't tried is not so exciting. Take time to perfect your flavor before being disappointed with a meal you ruined by throwing too many spices/sauces on.6. Easy on the garlic. Most sauces already include plenty.

by Justin S.

These type of places are all the same. No matter what flavors you use they always taste the same. Nothing special here, with the exception of having lamb on the bar. Prob the best choice in the meat section because of the flavors a lamb will have. Other than that pretty bland and the waitress failed to tell me about the dollar draughts. I was sure to make sure her tip reflected her omission of this crucial fact.

by Allison E.

This is your standard Mongolian chain establishment. It probably would not have been on my radar if I already wasn't in Naperville for work. There are better Mongolian BBQ places in the city, and there is nothing remarkable about this particular one. On the plus, you do get to pick what you want to eat, and there is plenty of meat. Still, the sauce I chose (so I suppose it's my fault) tasted watered down and flavorless. I suppose I expect my Asian food to have bold strong flavors, and this was just bland. Also, I was a little grossed out when the cooks cleaned up a spot on the grill and the scrapings went into someone else's lunch (not mine!)... ew. As a city dweller, I will certainly not come back here on purpose, and if ever I find myself in downtown Naperville hankering for some lunch, I will probably just give another place a shot.

by Megan S.

I LOVE bd's. Asian cuisine at it's best because those hot guys "do it on a grill." It's lovely. I can never find a combo of certain sauces and foods that I haven't enjoyed, but sometimes I make a plate that is too spicy. The restaurant is always loud, but it makes for a fun atmosphere. Everytime someone tips at the grill, which you stand around while your food is being cooked, the chefs hit a huge gong. That's always fun. They'll sing Happy Birthday to you too. Technically, it's all you can eat. There's a price for one plate, a price for two plates, and then everything after that is a single price. I can never finish two whole plates, but you shouldn't let anything hold you back. XDThe shrimp is very good and so is the Peanut and Marinara sauces. Always remember to add ranch dressing (in the salad bar) to everything as well. Also, stop by Coldstone (turn left and it's right around the corner) on your way home!!

by Brett C.

Your best bet is to come here wearing sweat pants. Once you have a bowl from this place you're not going to be able to stop and end up busting the button off your jeans. So many choices, quality, fresh ingredients. You can't top it the endless combonations of entress and tastes to  tickle your pallette. You just can't!Can't say too many bad things about this place. I really like the remodel. But the place is so popular for dinner, you always have to wait almost an hour, and the lines to get your food grilled are always daunting and slow. Luckily the food makes it all worth while!I think maybe the first time you are here, you'll enjoy the banter of the chefs while they cook your food. As you move down the line you almost forget why you were standing in line in the first place, then BAM!  Your food is done, and you can FEAST. The second or third time, however all you want are the cooks to stop bothering you with their witty quirks and their chirpy demeanor. Of course that's only because you know what you're missing by standing in line. Mmmmmm..........Mongolian Barbeque :::drools:::