Gobi Mongolian Grill

Reviews

• Casey S.

  star star star star star_border 14 July 2026

  It's great to have a Mongolian place over in the East Bay - it's a lot easier than hoofing over to the peninsula or the South Bay.
  
  Gobi has the same idea as the other ones - load up two bowls with noodles, meat, veggies, and oil, and have one of the dudes there cook it up for you. Food is fresh enough, and it's actually pretty cheap.
  
  Just be warned that there's not a lot of side dishes. They've got soft serve, wonton chips, and soup, but that's about all you're getting.

• Kevin J.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 14 July 2026

  I have been coming here for the last 9 months. When we showed up there tonight at 8:45pm and their closing time is 9pm, we were told we could only get our "Food to go"    We explained that we generally do this, with respect to the cooks and cleaners, and we are usually done a little after 9pm (which is closing time).
  Firstly there was very a limited supply of food available., as in probably 6 noodle strings, all the meat and vegetables were really skimpy. So, really "How can we get Food to go???" . I have to say this will be the last time I ever show up here. This was so disappointing. Also, the owner came in and completely disregarded us.
  Take note, Do Not Go In After 7pm
  Angry and disappointed

• Chris B.

  star star star star star_border 28 June 2026

  One of my favorite Mongolian places to eat. We've been hunting for a new spot since our beloved local Mongolian shut down a few years back... Gobi in Pleasanton is likely the best so far. To clarify on that, I've been to the San Jose Gobi a while back... was not too impressed and I actually forgot I had been to the San Jose Gobi when we first came to Pleasanton. I think the biggest problem with the San Jose location during my visit, the grill was not hot enough. I know they definitely took a long time to cook the food, so my suggestion to the manager was to turn up the heat and do some grilling. Anyway, never been back but I might revisit now that I know it's the "same place".
  
  I won't give them a full 5 stars because I have had better, and honestly I think they could change a few things.... such as....
  
  1) Cleaning the grill more often between people. Some people like curry... some people don't. When they pour water on my food they just dumped onto the grill... it literally brings up all the bits and pieces on the grill from the food right before mine. I can taste the difference depending on what the people before me were using... so consistency is a big issue here.
  
  2) Stop pouring so much damn water on my food. Sometimes it seems like no matter how much liquid you introduce beforehand, they still dump a couple cups full of water on the food. I like my food grilled, not steamed. Besides this fact, the noodles they use are great and have a nice texture to them. I still would like a deeper grilling though, cause that's where all the flavor is at! Some people would say, "well why don't you tell them no water then?"... I've tried... no water makes the flavors too rich, so it needs a little... but they tend to not exactly understand you 100% of the time and that makes it hard to ask for "just a little water".
  
  3) The frozen meats. This probably applies to a lot of places... but I usually get the beef here and it is so thinly sliced that when the ice cold meat hits the grill, the moisture immediately turns into vapor and causes the meat to dry. If you ever get a chance to get some of their "thawed" meat at the bottom of the pan, you'll notice that it cooks better and retains its moisture. Also, I'm not a big fan of the fatty cuts they use. It just doesn't make any sense to use fatty steak if it's cut so thin. The fat does not get a chance to render into the meat during cooking and all you end up with is some "steamed" fat, which is nasty. Would be awesome if they started using thicker cuts of meat.
  
  Besides that, their selection is pretty good and their sauces make all the difference too. I know my recipe... and for the most part other places seems to have the same ingredients... but the food never comes out right at the other places. It seems like either one place doesn't have the grill hot enough, or one has their sauces too watered down.
  
  My other favorite spot right now is MP Mongolian in Menlo Park. If you can relate to both of these and know of another spot to try out.. hit me up!

• Jen A.

  star star star star star 27 June 2026

  Great place for lunch. $11.98 for Mongolian beef buffet, rice, fried wonton chips, and ice cream! Been here plenty of times with coworkers and the food service is quick. I love trying all the sauces to mix in. They have plenty of options for toppings: noodles, beef, chicken, pork, turkey, crab meat, and many veggie options.

• Tommy C.

  star star star star star_border 25 June 2026

  Is there new management?
  I didn't see any familiar faces. Service has slowed down considerably.
  Ingredients remain the same.
  What's up with the fake Yogurtland machine?
  Oh well. Still an okay deal for a casual lunch.