The Place: Interactive food is always the most fun. Starting with my pre-teen dates at The Melting Pot, I’ve always loved when you get to cook your own food, or pick out your food, or play with your food. Hot pot and Korean BBQ are in the regular rotation in our household. But the Manhattan location of Chubby Skewers is the first time I got to try northern Chinese DIY Barbecue.
This is a pretty big chain from China, which normally is a no-go for me, but since there is only one Manhattan location and this was convenient and cheap, I figured I’d try it out. $1 Skewers are hard to beat and at lunch when the party vibe is not as prevalent, it really felt like I could stop by for the equivalent of one set of fingers’ worth and get out of there with spending less than $20.
The Dish: The way this works is after you find a table outfitted with a grill, you get to roam free between the refrigerators to choose as many or as few of the wide variety of Skewers as you want. I tried to keep it diverse by doing a Wagyu, shishito peppers, squid, and a large abalone, Everything was fresh and well-presented. While letting the skewered food receive the heat and release their oils, it was nearly impossible not to salivate. Shakes of cumin, sesame seeds, and chili highlight the flavors of whatever it is your grilling. It worked for me for a quick, cheap lunch, but it would also be a huge hit with a large group ready for a an interactive food party. Price: $1 and up per skewer
| CHUBBY SKEWERS |
| 252 West 37th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenue), Midtown West (646) 624-8506 |
| https://chubbyskewers.com |
