Jiang's Mongolian Grill

La mejor comida

One freezing afternoon on the Illinois prairie, my family tasted Jiang’s Mongolian; the warm experience exceeded expectations in all aspects. Walking through the double doors transports you to an Oriental world as far from bland suburban sameness as east is from west. Calming, yet compelling, earth tone color palettes are as bold as the flavors without being garish. High ceilings supply ample breathing room so you do not feel cloistered. A well-Oriented architect, rather than an occidental capitalist, likely laid it out with the people’s pleasant dining experience in mind. The layout creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere so you don’t feel like you are eating in a crowded, loud cafeteria. In a non-linear, semi-circular fashion, the floor plan wraps, intriguingly, around a Mongolian grill, where a chef grills your choice ingredients into a masterful whole; yet there is a soft “buffer” of bamboo so that you don’t feel like you are intruding on the dining experience of others. Even for my party, with two small children, the hostess seated us, thoughtfully, in a semi-private half-booth where my kids could lay out coloring books and create little worlds of their own imagination. The food is delicious; a smorgasbord of fresh options befitting a sophisticated, immersive atmosphere. The soup and salad is unlimited. The soups are made daily from scratch. The hot & sour soup was so delicious I returned for seconds. Steaming clam chowder on a cold day? No wilted, slimy lettuce here; the salad bar is well stocked with an assortment of fresh vegetables you don’t often find along Randall Road. The salad bar doesn't miss a beet. You can a create a stand-alone salad with antioxidant-rich beets, crisp lettuce, juicy pineapple, diced tomatoes, and sugar snap peas. As you would expect, there is your standard fare of proteins: chicken, beef, or pork; however; Jiang’s expands on the usual protein picks with eggs and world-class seafood options like fresh fish, crab, shrimp, scallops, squid, even mussels from New Zealand. The attentive staff goes the extra mile without fawning. Servers work as a team, checking in to see how your meal tastes and keeping your cup full. Rather than distracted and absent, the staff is mindful and present, enhancing your experience with thoughtful gestures, like wrapping the customer’s copy of the receipt around your payment card. Thoughtfully, our server brought sticks of chewing gum with the bill so you can leave with fresh, rather than garlicky, breath. Jiang’s even graced us with a parting gift; a colorful Chinese new year calendar my four-year-old liked so much that she hung it on the wall and “painted” it with markers. The devil is in the details does not mean God is in the generalities. Ordinarily, I don’t write granular reviews at this level of detail; but, having dined at some of the finest restaurants in Chicago and LA, Jiang’s Mongolian is a five-star experience in a location you’d least expect, uncommon for the Algonquin Commons. In my hometown, where unique dining options along Randall Road are usually limited to usual suspects of soulless, ho-hum corporate chains, Jiang’s is a surprise. The reasonable price is not a tradeoff to quality. The restrooms are so nice you can rest; with beautiful vessel sinks, spacious floor plans, and everything you need to leave as fresh as the vegetables. We plan to hire a babysitter and return for a romantic date night, it’s that good. Jiang’s is not a place you go to eat, Jiang’s is a place you choose to dine.

This place is really good no matter what you create. Super satisfied the entire time but then I HAD to write a review when I received a piece of gum with the check. That’s love

Cool concept and great food. Highly recommend for simple ingredients and flavorful sauces.

Great restaurant. Food was delicious. I’m definitely coming back.

Absolutely love everything about this place! I would recommend going again.

A good make your own bowl place. Good pricing and portions.