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YC's Mongolian Grill
Category: Restaurants Mongolian Mongolian [Edit]
9120 E Indian BendScottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 948-8011
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
63 reviews for YC's Mongolian Grill
Review Highlights
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"I recommend the wheat noodles, they are really good." In 5 reviews -
"You get to have frozen yogurt after and its perfect because..." In 5 reviews -
"...soup too, but I never get it because you get so much food." In 2 reviews
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63 reviews in English
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Review from Tom E.
$11.50- Big ass bowl, drink, ice cream, rice, and soup.
$12.50- Big ass bowl (unlimited), drink, ice cream, rice, and soup.
Random spouting off prices, I know. This is all that I kept hearing about the group I was with. I had no idea what was in store for me. And then we arrived.
Since I drove, I didn't have to pay (score!). I was just told to grab a bowl, grab some wax paper, and stuff- HARD! It just didn't make sense, until I was watching what was happening.
After I saw tons of meats (I think I stuffed the bowl 3/4 with meat), I didn't get too many vegetables, as I just really wanted meat and noodles. Then next I stacked it with a mix of rice and wheat noodles- I was living dangerously.
Then next up, there is an area that you can make your own sauces (they have like 20-30 to choose from!). I highly suggest dousing your bowl with liquids, as the pic suggests this stuff is cooked at high heat. I regret not putting more sauce on mine.
Then when you are complete, you hand to a cook and they heat it up for you. That is when you get extra rice, soup, and your drink. The stuff comes out pretty quickly.
Then pick a spot and enjoy. My beef/pork/noodle combo was pretty good, and was excited of the concoction. Keep in mind this place is a trial and error type of place, and its up to you to find out what flavors work for you- I think that is unique for a place like this.
You can also get some shrimp, but it costs extra. -
Review from Andrew K.
3/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
When you come here be ready to eat!
For those of you who do not know how this place works....you get a bowl and basically go to a buffet style set up where you pack raw meats and uncooked veggies into your bowl. You can put as much as you want, I wouldn't exactly say fit in your bowl, because the food is always overflowing. Once you have loaded up your bowl you pick the sauce(s) you want to use. There are recipes for different kinds of sauces available for you. After that, your food is cooked infront of you in about 3-5 minutes.
After that you take it to your table and enjoy...I would suggest filling your bowl up with a lot of noodles, even if your bowl is completely filled. -
Review from Minny R.
Arvada, CO
3/3/2012
Make sure you mush as much as you can in your bowl, hee hee. :)
A fun and good place for some Asian! -
Review from Pepper T.
Phoenix, AZ
11/27/2011
Squish squish so you can Eat a Dish. How Crazy is that? They even provide wax paper just for squishing down your food to CRUSH as much as you can into the tiny dish.
I was a first timer and didn't know the squish thing or even had an idea what the wax paper was for until I saw OTHER PEOPLE displaying humiliating , embarrassing , disgraceful behavior crushing down food and then piling maybe as high as 10 inches above the bowl. Some people actually had to jump in the air to squish. ( I am sorry now I didn't video and send this up to You Tube.)
The meats and vegetables seemed fresh and I didn't notice any vegetables being canned (like at the Gag Us Chain) But I really didn't like the watered down sauces. Unlike the other stir fry places here you need to add maybe 7 ladle's of sauces to get the correct flavor and then you get a BOILED vegetable dish. YUCK!
I know MOST people enjoy coming here and doing the squish thing eating a boiled dish of food for approx. $10 but I can go to my favorite Chinese and get a rice bowl that taste better and is bigger and not crushed food for only $3.50 or spring for the whole lunch plate for only $4.95 so you won't be seeing me here again.
As for Stir Fry Places I like the independent Stir Fry place on Bell Rd is better than this place or the Gag Us Chain because I don't have to squish down food , I (don't) but I can go back and get as many Stir Fry's as I like at that place and the sauces aren't watered down so the food comes out better.
To each his own . Different Stir Fry's for different folks Eat what YOU like! -
Review from Lauren J.
Mesa, AZ
1/10/2012
I am a big fan of YC's! I love the wide variety of options for your bowl and the wonderful sauce options. I particularly like the soups, rice and chips with sweet and sour sauce!! I could eat bowl after bowl of those chips with sauce!!! I am literally getting hungry as I write this review...
I didn't give YC's 5 stars for 2 reasons. 1 is that their prices keep going up. I swear everytime I go the price for a bowl has gone up. I think the last time I was there for dinner a bowl was $11.50. The other reason is that you have to pay for a to-go box!! I think that is a total rip off!!!
Other than that, YC's is great and delicious. I would recommend for a filling lunch or dinner. -
Review from Jessica P.
Phoenix, AZ
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yummo! Excellent choice of items with a ton of sauces to drizzle right on top.
Bring your hollow leg... it's a TON of food in that bowl. If you can't finish it, you can buy boxes for your food for I think $.50 or a dollar. -
Review from Karen W.
Tempe, AZ
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
This YC's, compared to the other ones in Tempe, has a better selection of diet soda drinks at the soda fountain (Sprite Zero Diet Coke, and Caffeine Free Diet Coke), and service is very friendly and speedy. I believe the meat selections are the same (white and dark meat chicken, pork, beef, fish in the evening), but I like the selection of veggies here, which includes water chestnut and baby corn. The addition of various blended spices to your bowl, in addition to the plethora of sauces to choose from, adds to the experience. Yum!
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Review from Brad S.
Scottsdale, AZ
Updated - 2/10/2012
Love this place... Great price, great food!! I mostly love it because it can be very healthy if you be careful with the sauces...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/28/2011
Its good not as good as Geghis grill in tempe but its up there. The meat is all frozen and paper… Read more »
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Review from Ji P.
Phoenix, AZ
8/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I"m so glad we rediscovered this place. My friend and I had been all grubby painting and were driving around doing an errand on a Sunday early evening when all of a sudden i start feeling bitchy. Which means my hunger headache was about to hit. We were in South Scottsdale at the time so we were searching for a place to go as is (pretty grubby) and so we hightailed it to YC's. I hadn't been here since college which was a lifetime ago. So glad we came here. It was really good. You pick different various meats, veggies, noodles, sauces and they grill it all for you. I totally packed in the bowl. The price also includes a beverage, side of rice (they have both brown and white), and desert afterwards. What a deal!
Just fyi....if you can't finish what you got and you have to ask for a to go container they charge like 50 cents for the container. -
Review from Jesse K.
Buckeye, AZ
1/18/2012
Squish food, thats what we call it, you walk in, pay for a small, medium or large bowl and a drink, go through the salad bar type line, picking out your meats and veggies, this is where the squish comes in, compressing the food in the bowl so you can fit more in, then take it to the grill and they cook it right in front of you, just make sure they don't drown it in water. You will be full when you leave thats for sure!
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Review from Cristi B.
Scottsdale, AZ
Updated - 12/27/2011
NUMMBERSSSS..... but so unhealthy. The restaurant is clean and the people are friendly. The prices SEEM high but the amount of food you get is insane. When ever I go here I always but the togo box for like .50 this way I don't have to be forced to over eat and I can heat it up the next day for lunch or dinner. Tastes good the next day.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2011
This place is neat and good. It is not by any means healthy but it tastes good and is a bargain or… Read more »
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Review from Lindsay J.
Phoenix, AZ
10/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love this mongolian bbq...its my favorite one in arizona. I have tried others and they never have the good variety of veggies, proteins or sauces like this place has...I do the combination everytime...I have tried other sauce combos and I always go back to my original way...I love to add the chili oil because I love spice...then I get some of the wontons.and dip them in siracha and hot mustard...yum yum yum...dont forget to use the wheat noodles they are the best!!! Always put extra sauce because your meal will come out dry if you dont. They have rice and soup too, but I never get it because you get so much food! You get to have frozen yogurt after and its perfect because you get a little sweet at the end. I love it...i just wish it were closer to my house but I will make the drive...
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Review from Sandy S.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/19/2012
I came here for dinner. The restaurant portion is decent, but the food area could be a little cleaner. Prices are reasonable, but take-out boxes cost extra. I doubt anyone can finish their bowls in one sitting, so it'd be nice if they included the take-out box for free.
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Review from Dana T.
Scottsdale, AZ
3/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place! I have been going here for years. There is a reason why this is the only restaurant that survived in the Pavilions after all of the other restaurants, movie theater, and Best Buy were closed.
You make your own mix of meat, noodles, rice, veggies, sauce, etc. and they cook it on the wok for you. Prices have gone up since I first started going here. I believe dinner used to be $7.50 and now it is around $10.25 (for dinner, lunch is cheaper), but it is a lot of food. Get a to go box for $.75, which comes out to $11. Keep in mind this includes a drink and a huge amount of food, if you get a to go box it is enough for another meal. -
Review from Tiffany W.
Phoenix, AZ
12/26/2010
My boyfriend brought me here almost 2-3 years ago, and since the first time, we've visited this location many, many times. It's a great place to go when you want a filling, healthy meal for lunch.
I've always been a fan of DIY/Cook it yourself places. (I.E. Korean BBQ and Hot pots.)
I usually try stuffing as many ingredients into the bowl, sometimes it requires punching down the frozen slices of meat you first throw in. And you have to get a lot of sauce otherwise you're not going to taste anything. When I first came here I had no idea on what sauce combinations to use, its nice they put up a sign above the grill so anyone new to YC's can start out from and branch out adding different combos. -
Review from Victoria S.
Gilbert, AZ
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place! I have been going here for years. I have perfected the "smash". They have lots of new options. Everything is always fresh and tastey. The lines go very quickly and the management and staff are always so pleasant.
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Review from Joe E.
Phoenix, AZ
3/4/2011
I've been coming here for a few years, and have always left satisfied (and full).
Starting off with meat, there's chicken, turkey, beef, or pork (and I think there's fish at night). All four of the meats are pretty good - they're all pretty much equally good, so no real favorite.
Next comes the veggies - my plate usually consists of carrots, onions, green onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. There are plenty of other choices that I'm not too fond of, like broccoli, tofu, bean sprouts, and several more that I can't think of.
I always go with the standard noodles, but they've also got rice noodles that look like they might be pretty good.
The sauces are pretty awesome. My usual consists of some YC's own, orange, garlic, ginger, and spicy hunan. Or if I'm in the mood, I'll go with just a straight up sweet and sour. But it's an art to make the right combination and also the right amount, so you may be safer just following the recommendations on the board.
As they prepare the dish, there's a few minutes to put together a bowl of rice, a bowl of pretty decent hot beef soup, and some chips and sweet and sour sauce, along with my drink (all of this is included in the price). By this time, your meal is probably close to ready - top the bowl off with some cilantro, and there's your meal.
I haven't tried the frozen yogurt, but I think it was pretty cheap, like a buck, so if you're in the mood for dessert, it's definitely worth it.
Overall, this place is great - you get plenty of food for your money, and it's fresh and pretty healthy. -
Review from Metin N.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/9/2011
I gave this place a second chance. My first visit was a few weeks back (right before closing time, but was served very nicely by the hostess and a friendly cook).
Today, I was greated by a hostess. She asked what size of bowl I would like and if it was my first time. I chose the "medium" bowl (huge mistake... IT'S A LOT OF FOOD) and replied with a "yes". She walked with me and gave me tips on how to make a delicious combination.
I am a believer! I enjoyed my meal and I loved the personal touch the hostess gave to my experience.
The concept is similar to Genghis Grill (mongolian grill) with a simpler selection of proteins and vegetables, and sauces instead of condiments. They have a visible board with a list of combinations for the customers to try.
They do not serve alcohol (only reason why I would prefer Genghis Grill) over YC now, and it is fast casual (unlike Genghis where the friendly servers are always helping out customers).
Different colors and flavors for different tastes. I am glad I tried this place out.... Hope they keep up with the awesome experience I enjoyed today. -
Review from John P.
Scottsdale, AZ
12/1/2010
It's hard to rate this place because a good part of the responsibility for the quality of your dish is your own. That said, I've been to other Mongolian BBQ's and have come to realize that the restaurant's part of the responsibility is a key factor!!!
I've given this YC's many chances: followed more than one displayed recipe, experimented with my own concoctions. Regardless, the result of every visit is mediocre at best. My guess is perhaps the quality of veggies (even though they look fresh, doesn't mean they taste good) the ingredients of the sauces, or the cooking method, not to mention the noodles/rice, and ambiance, is the cause for my disappointment.
I recommend Genghis Grill @ the Tempe Marketplace for a much better experience!
:D -
Review from Heather C.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/28/2010
My biggest tip for newbies to YC's, look toward the grill and look up. There you will find a nice little menu of sauce formulas. Unfortunately, I never looked up. As a result, I didn't have enough sauce. In my case, that was a good thing because the sauce I did have tasted like crap, so more of the same would have been even crappier.
As for the ingredients, lots of choices with fresh veggies. I have to say the meat looked unappetizing to me. In fact, I had to ask my husband what the hell it was. I guess it's a good thing you don't see piles of freshly sliced meat, else it might not be so fresh after all. But in its frozen to minus 500 degrees F state, I found I opted for more veggies.
Two sizes available. I went with the large, crammed my bowl full until it resembled a small mountain, and then wasted over half of it. So get the small unless you want leftovers or you haven't eaten in several days. -
Review from Andy G.
11/21/2009
Despite working about a mile away from this place for 7 years, I've never gone inside, mostly because I'm scared of places that are the only operational business in an entire plaza of empty stalls. I always think they must be moving counterfeit Matchbox cars out the back door or something.
But, I was at Pavilions for the car show and we decided to go to this joint. The hostess was super friendly, and set us up to go down the line. Tons of raw meats, very cold or frozen, and tons of fresh veggies and sauces. There is a huge board that tells you how to mix up various kinds of sauce. You can really pack a lot of meat and toppings into those bowls, even if you get the "regular". And don't worry about mounding it on there, because it all reduces when they cook it.
It is true that they throw water on the grill while cooking and I think this must temper the taste somewhat. I put tons of garlic on mine and I barely tasted it when I got back to the table. So, minus one star for that. But I'd rather water than butter, which is what you get at some places.
The price includes a drink, rice, soup, and some different toppings they have available after your stuff is cooked. We left stuffed and happy, so it's all good. -
Review from Michael N.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/14/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Best mongolian bbq In the valley. It is what you make of it. Literally.
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Review from Michael C.
Scottsdale, AZ
Updated - 6/17/2008
Tried this for dinner again last night...
This is such a good, healthy meal and at such a reasonable price. The ingredients are so fresh and the experience of getting it right off the grill is really cool. Dinner was exactly $10 each and included the drink, tax, etc...
The atmosphere here is nice for $10 meals. Lunch and dinner rush can get a little hectic.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/25/2008
I just love this place. The ingredients are high quality, and the fresh grilled taste is amazing.… Read more »
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Review from Doug T.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/13/2008
It has been several months but I hadn't lost the formula (80/10/10 - veggies, meat, noodles). Pat down some chicken-turkey (no taste difference as far as I can tell) with the wax paper. Load up with mostly veggies (more green than red or white), add some wheat noodles to fill the bowl to the brim. Follow with the sweet and sour mix but add some extra vinegar and orange sauce. Add some pineapple and all set to have it grilled. Fill a small bowl with peanuts and another small bowl with pineapple. Fill the large red plastic drinking vessel with ice and low cal lemonade. Then chow down...
My formula has more or less stayed the same since being introduced to YC's by Mike T and/or Erik T. Both took different approaches and none tasted like the other despite selecting choices from the same line. Amazing how three related people ended up with very different meals especially Erik T with cod fish and Mike T with who knows what kind of sauces except they were very dark. -
Review from Andrea D.
Phoenix, AZ
9/25/2011
Great food, great service and great prices!!! Try the Chef's Favorite as your sauce, it's delicious!
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Review from Melinda R.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/7/2009
I can't really hype about YC's. It's good, and I'll hand them that, but it's not a 4-5 star place you should take a date. It's build your own meal and have some hispanic men with sticks toss it around a hot circle.
The meat is so thinly shaven that once it cooks down it's like digging through to find a needle in a hay stack to find it. They do have TOFU for all you veggie heads out there, but I wouldn't trust the grill they toss it around on. It's not like they clean it after every use. Plus who knows what's in the sauces.
The noodles you can load on like no other. As you stand in line, you will see people building their food dome. Pretty self explanatory. The noodles are awesome thick chewy. -Definitely- ask for a to-go box upon ordering, unless you really think you can finish that mother load of carbs. This stuff is better as leftovers anyway. Way worth the 50 cents.
Soup is just okay, but you gotta love those addictive fried won-tons. I love grease. You can feel the grease smash back out of them when you bite into the crispy shell. Again, you can get as many as you want. Same with a bucket of brown and white rice they have for serve.
During dinner hours they allow you to have free self serve/soft serve frozen yogurt from their machines. The cones are junk. Nasty cardboard like cones, and the frozen yogurt is VERY "so so". Not worth it if you ask me.
Even though they have tons of great perks, it's still just a place to get stuffed on cheap food. Lunch $8, Dinner $10. -
Review from hilary c.
5/26/2010
I was really impressed by the friendliness of the staff and the selection of proteins and veggies! The part that didn't work so well? The sauces. Many were hard to get to and even harder to dip due to the height of the containers and the sneeze proof glass. I made a total mess (but I cleaned it up too!)Anyway, I didn't follow the "sauce guidelines" listed on the wall and just went rogue. This wasnlt a good idea. I ended up with a really bland, soupy mess. TGFS (thank goodness for siracha) or this would have been a big waste. The meat fish and veggies were great, but I made the mistake of adding wheat noodles- BLECH! No taste and kinda gummy-kinda hard.
I would go back and stick with meat and veg and follow directions on the sauce cuz this place is clean and could be both healthy and tasty if done the right way. -
Review from Keesha G.
Austin, TX
2/16/2008
My parents would love this place. What I mean by that is that they live in a small town, so the build your own, watch them cook it is something different than what's offered in smaller towns.
For me, it was fun the first time. The second time, there's really nothing special about it. Take your big appetite friends, it's a good value for the amount of food you can have made.Listed in: Eating AZ, A thru Z
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Review from Corinne Y.
Phoenix, AZ
8/28/2011
fresh, fast, healthy and consistent. Highly recommend.
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Review from Andre E.
5/14/2011
Well considering I am not a big fan of Stir fry after a very bad experience I had at a place like this a few years ago....I was skeptical about this place. My wife wanted to really try it...so we decided to visit this locale before going to the movies. I have to say for the 21.00 bucks I spent for the 2 of us I was not disappointed at all. The food was very good....the service was first class....and the meal comes with a drink and dessert as well. However do keep in mind if you decide to do the "One bowl, One trip" deal you can take your food with you....but if you do the buffet....and eat in then you cannot take anything with you. This establishment is within walking distance of the Ultrastar Cinema and a great place to get a great meal before you see your show. Eat, Drink, and be Merry my Friends!!!!
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Review from Shakira E.
Phoenix, AZ
5/14/2011
Nice vibe, good protein and veggie choices and sauce options to make your stir fry your way, including the drink, soup and fro-yo what is not to like for $10.75. You will not leave here hungry and you will have plenty for leftovers. I will be back.
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Review from Scott S.
Chicago, IL
10/31/2008
My friend KP loves this restaurant.
...he's the guy who can clap 12 times in one second. Very impressive.
Anyway, he knows a thing or two about Mongolian Grill, and I have to agree with him on this one.
What's not to like about YC's? Who would hate on this place?
Affordable, tastey, comfortable, fast.
That KP clearly know what he's talking about. -
Review from Kelly B.
Phoenix, AZ
8/6/2006
YC's is great food. You get to fill up your bowl with all the ingredients you like and watch it be cooked right in front of you. The ingredients are always fresh and there is a wide variety of sauces.
Good meal for vegans, plus the soft-serve is vegetarian too!Listed in: Favorite Vegetarian Eats
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Review from Shayna P.
Phoenix, AZ
8/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
My friend took me here, said I had to go and now I have been twice! This place rocks! The first time I went they helped me get started and gave me a free togo box, normally they charge 50 cents for it (which sounds weird, but isn't until you go). This is a build your own Asian Meal place! AWESOME!! You can pick your meat, your veggies and your sauce and they cook it up for you- so fun and so yummy- each time you go you can get what you want, but switch up the sauces or keep it the same and since it is build your own, you will definitely have leftovers and they are just as good the second time around!
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Review from Bill S.
Martinez, CA
8/30/2008
I asked a CSR at Home Depot where I should eat and he tells me "you've got to try this Mongolian BBQ next door." I'm a little skeptical, but it was late and I was starving so I thought "what the heck".
What a pleasant surprise! I was greeted by the friendliest hostess who explained the whole concept to me. So as I go to pay, I tell her I'd like a soda with it and she tells me soup, rice, entree, bevarage and dessert are included for $10! Oh my gosh, what a deal! She then walked me through the whole process right to the point of handing my concoction to the fellow that was going to cook it. Unlike what I had anticipated, she encouraged me to add MORE stuff... she wanted to make sure I got enough to eat.
I mixed it all with the Calcutta Curry and it came out great. Be careful though, the first several bites are steaming hot! Flavor was very good and I was a happy camper. The Manager, Peter (very nice guy), took time to sit with me and talk about the concept and make sure I was happy with my meal.
All in all I would really recommend trying this. Such a great concept, plentiful and good food, priced right and very friendly staff. -
Review from Fred M.
Phoenix, AZ
11/14/2009
Ate at this restaurant Saturday november 14 and had my leftovers on Sunday november 15. Tuesday morning I woke up violently ill and could not hold in food or fluids all day tuesday.
Went to the urgent care tuesday evening and they promptly sent me to the ER to be treated for severe dehydration caused by "probably a food borne bacteria." I just finished my three day antibiotic course and am feeling much better, but now that I have had time to look at the facts and speak with the Maricopa County Department of Health, I can confidently say that my horrific three days of food poisoning were undoubtedly caused by YC's Mongolian Grill.
The fact that I was told someone else got a case of E.Coli with bloody stools just about a week before my poisoning really shored it up for me. YC's is apparently serving tainted or contaminated food. I would not recommend eating at this establishment. I must also make it clear that my noodles which I took home were transported from the restaurant to my refrigerator (20 minutes) and kept in the refrigerator until they were microwaved and consumed. -
Review from Angela G.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/5/2011
I love YCs! Its build your own and I just don't understand how people blame ycs when THEIR MAKING THEIR OWN FOOD! Now with that said, I love the wheat noodles, the beef and chicken, and the mongolian sauce. The crispy chips are awesome on top of the bowl crumbled. It is a must to go..one because the foods good and two because its just a fun experience.
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Review from Jammy J.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2009
A new experience, in the end it was nasty, sauces were bland, and had massive diarrhea after wards.
RATING: GARBAGE! -
Review from Kirsten D.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/25/2011
This place is overall fantastic. Been going for over 10 years. It is always consistently good. Service is always great. (employees seem to stay there for long time) Hard to find a better, fresher, and less expensive place to eat. Very good value for the money!
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Review from Roland W.
7/13/2008
We headed over to YC's on a Saturday night. A little more casual than we were looking for on a Saturday night, but that was our choice.
We had no idea what to do and one of their helpful employees explained everything. While I could have liked what I put together more I now have a better idea what to do for my next visit.
The best part was going to the car show just outside the door after dinner on a Saturday night.
This is the type of place Arizona needs more of.
