Having garnered praise from the likes of Gayot, LA Weekly, and foodie blog Eating L.A., Gobi Mongolian BBQ fulfills the hype with menu featuring a customizable, self-serve buffet of veggies from local farmers' markets and lean, all-natural meats. After visitors load bowls with proteins such as certified Angus beef, chicken, pork, turkey, or tofu, they add a selection of vegetation before hitting the sauce station. This is where the fun starts. As L.A. Times writer Jessic Gelt put it in her 2009 review, "saucing is a science" at this Silver Lake hot spot. Whether they strike off on their own or follow one of the restaurant's handy guides, diners can choose combinations from 11 MSG-free sauces ranging from traditional hoisin and green curry to "Facebook-generation" flavors including lemon mint and asian pesto.

With sauces taken care of, noodles top off the feast before cooks step in to stir-fry the igredients and serve the steaming dish with two homemade hot sesame rolls. Other menu offerings include small bites such as crispy pork dumplings, mixed greens salads with creamy sesame dressing, and brownie sundaes with vanilla bean gelato, candied pralines, and whipped cream.

Five-pour flights from an extensive beer list complement bites, with local craft brews including AleSmith's IPA, Green Flash's Hop Head Red, and Iron Fist's Renegade Blonde often gracing the taps. Brews are joined by traditional highballs, organic wine, sake, and bottled craft soda. In the zen-like dining space, dark wooden tables are surrounded by ledges lined with candles, much like a shrine to birthday cakes.