Only a limited amount of food is ready at one time so I can only eat a few bites and then have to wait for more to cook.
I have to flavor my food in sauces I’m not used to. If I don’t, it’s very bland.
There’s a sharing aspect to ask the food. Nothing can claimed unless socializing a desire for it and everybody reaches into the middle of the food to grab what they want.
The lighting is terrible. This restaurant is lit like an office hallway.
The seating is uncomfortable. It’s wooden benches with a grill that runs under the length of the table that my legs bump into. The seating is both too close and too far away at the same time.
The food is diy. I go to restaurants so I don’t have to prepare food.
More food keeps getting ordered therefore prolonging my experience. I can’t judge when the meal will be over like with typical restaurant experiences.
I’ve had a long day at work and my social energy is very low.
The food fluctuates in texture. The same food can taste very different.
Food was dropped on the table and then put on my plate.
The one dish I knew I liked and didn’t have to fret over was dipped into by other people’s spoons so I couldn’t eat it anymore.
Exceptions:
I get to use chopsticks.
It made my gf happy.
I have the exact same issues with Tapas, except the lighting is usually closer to a single sputtering candle, so I can’t see anything on the table. In theory Korean BBQ seems fun but I always end up feeling exactly this way.
It really depends on the restaurant.
I used to go to one for lunch, it was like a salad bar - you setup what you wanted on your plate and gave it to the cook who would cook it for you on a giant round griddle.