Comments on: Food Gallery 32: You’ve Seen the Inside, Now Let’s Eat!

By: brianmoon85

brianmoon85 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:27:53 +0000

Quick Update:

I just came back from Food Gallery and now you can order at the counter and not in the front. It made my life so much easier and food usually comes out in 5 minutes after the order was placed

By: sandra

sandra — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:12:00 +0000

Just got back from trying this place out. There didn’t seem to be much confusion, although I wasn’t there at prime lunch time. My main complaint that others have echoed is that the menu system is overwhelming and confusing. I went with Bian Dang’s chicken because I knew it was a safe bet, but all of the vendors seriously need paper menus. For some reason my brain can’t process reading off those screens.

By: avisualperson

avisualperson — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:46:53 +0000

this place reminds me exactly of the food court at Incheon International Airport (seoul’s airport): same ordering system, same selection of different subgenres of popular korean food (with an extra, since chinese food is popular in korea). In fact, if you lumped all of the separate stalls into one restaurant, you would get Kumgangsan (minus Bian Dang). that’s the problem with koreatown in nyc; they are all conglomerated menus and don’t reflect the real culture of eating in korea, where you go to a specific place to eat one particular dish only, and another separate place for something else. this food court is much closer than anything so far. as to the actual dishes and flavors, that’d be another story. I haven’t eaten anything there, but the setup is definitely close to what you’d find in korea.

By: polimorfos

polimorfos — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:39:00 +0000

@jigglypuff. For what it’s worth, all food courts in Korea operate in the same manner. I never had a problem with it in Korea which is not to say there could be some issues at FG32…

By: jigglypuff

jigglypuff — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:35:43 +0000

@Dan L. It is perfectly normal to pick up bottled beverages prior to ordering. But then again, it is also perfectly normal to have your food on your tray prior to paying in most food court or cafeteria settings. I’m not a fan of the inconsistency. Of course, you could just place the drink coolers next to the cash registers instead of across from.

In addition, why consolidate the line in the first place? What if you were in a rush? Wouldn’t you want to go to the restaurant with the shortest line? Or conversely, if you had time, wouldn’t you want to check out the spot with the longest line and wonder why it is so popular? If efficiency is the driver for consolidating payment, why bother even having different storefronts for different vendors? You might as well have everyone cook out of a single huge kitchen instead and just make it a cafeteria instead of a ‘food court.’

By: viktor

viktor — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:52:54 +0000

The Flushing Mall Food Court has the same system: using one cashier for multiple vendors. The system works, even with the crowds.

There are a few vendors (mostly to the left of the food court) which don’t use the system.

With that said, it definitely is a pain to go to the vendor, check out the menu, and go then order with the cashier (which does not have the menu).

By: Dan L

Dan L — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:26:25 +0000

I’m going to defend the ordering system. Once this place develops regular customers, these customers will be more than happy to order right away at the front of the house. I also appreciate the centralization. I never liked having to get in multiple lines and pay multiple times at food courts. I’m willing to bet that if/when this place gets popular, the ordering system will prove its worth.

@jigglypuff, isn’t it perfectly normal to pick up your bottled beverage before paying? That’s how everyone does it. Unless you’re talking about a fountain drink.

I do agree with one thing. They absolutely need to have complete paper menus to distribute at the front. As it stands, you have to walk up to the stalls just so you can read the menus. And I agree with jigglypuff that you shouldn’t have to memorize what you are ordering before getting in line.

By: CheeeeEEEEse

CheeeeEEEEse — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:52:56 +0000

That isn’t asinine or convoluted, it is utterly retarded.

By: ultraclay

ultraclay — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:17:30 +0000

@jigglypuff: the system definitely needs work, but I’m not sure that there’s space for a cashier at each of the stations. Hopefully they have the menu board worked out better soon because it’ll be a real shitshow once business picks up.

Also, going upstairs to reserve seating isn’t worth it, making two trips – and presumably leaving your stuff on the mezz or upper floors are pointless. As I pointed out last week, they need to work on having a proper waiting area, preferably with standing tables in the big open space in the middle. Another register near the drinks would probably be a good idea too…

By: chyna106

chyna106 — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:07:14 +0000

@Scatologics (ET), I personally love the Pork Katsu curry on Japanese row. But curious to see if this one even compares.

I can’t wait to try the Bian Dang chicken. Thanks for the pictures! ;)CS