Won KBBQ all-you-can-eat opens in Commack
The all-you-can-eat menu at Won KBBQ in Commack includes sides like kimchi pork stew, left, and steamed egg. Credit: Newsday/Andi Berlin
One of Long Island's top Korean spots, known for its sizzling cauldron pot barbecue, has opened its third location. Won KBBQ is a family-owned business from Bayside, Queens, that's also been running an impressive all-you-can-eat operation near the Roosevelt Field mall in Carle Place. In November, the Hong family opened its third outpost, in Commack.
Won KBBQ's meats are extremely high quality for an all-you-can-eat barbecue joint. Although the rising cost of ingredients led the family to increase the price by a few dollars, it's still a great deal. For $45.99, you get 20 varieties of meat as well as banchan side dishes and more substantial sides, like bubbling soups and steamed custardy egg. Favorites from the Carle Place location include thick-cut pork belly, which is cut into cubes with scissors. All the meats are grilled on cast iron cauldron pots at each table; the vessels retain heat very well and create a nice sear on the meat.
Won KBBQ has taken over the Commack space that previously held JBBQ Wok and Dumpling. Credit: Newsday/Andi Berlin
Manager Angela Hong said her mother, owner Kelly Im, and the family decided to open a third site because they'd been hearing from so many customers who were traveling to the other two from Suffolk County. Then they came upon the building that previously held JBBQ Wok & Dumpling, which had already been retrofitted with Korean barbecue hoods. They spent about six months renovating the space to make it look similar to the Carle Place location, with a signature black-and-red color scheme and cauldron pots that go on every table, doubling as Korean barbecue grills.
"We didn’t realize how many people were driving all the way east to the Bayside location," Hong said. "They’d be like, we live all the way out here; we’d just been going to Bayside for so long. So it’s been fun to see the interaction between all three" spots.
Many family members are still driving from New Jersey every day to operate the restaurants. But Hong said her brother, Danny Hong, is focusing on Commack, to maintain quality control.
"That was always our goal to expand," Hong said. "Especially in areas where Korean food is not as prevalent."
Won KBBQ, 200 Jericho Tpke., Commack, 516-855-0202, wonkbbq.com. Open noon to midnight daily.
Andi Berlin is from Arizona and does not know where she is going. But when she gets there, she’ll find something beautiful and delicious that the world needs to taste.
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