Overview
Lao Jia Hot Pot & Bbq at 1872 Thomasville Rd unit A, Tallahassee, FL 32303, is the kind of place that turns dinner into a hands-on dining experience. I like introducing it as a spot for people who enjoy choosing their own ingredients, cooking at the table, and sharing a meal that feels both social and flavorful. The menu offers a wide variety of hot pot broths, proteins, seafood, vegetables, and barbecue selections, making it easy to build a meal around personal taste. For anyone trying hot pot or tabletop grilling for the first time, the experience can feel exciting, especially with options like octopus, grilled squid, and plenty of fresh-looking proteins to explore. The less-spicy broth choices are a good fit for guests who want deep flavor without too much heat, while spice lovers can still enjoy a bolder soup base.
The restaurant stands out for its clean setting, fresh ingredients, and interactive style. Instead of simply ordering a prepared plate, guests cook, dip, grill, and taste as the meal develops, which makes it especially fun for dates, birthdays, small groups, and relaxed dinners with friends. Service is described as kind and welcoming, and the atmosphere suits people who are open to learning the hot pot and BBQ process. It may be less ideal for very young children who have trouble waiting while food cooks, but it works well for adults and adventurous eaters. Prices reflect both the quality of the ingredients and the experience itself, giving the meal a strong sense of value for those who enjoy variety, freshness, and a more memorable way to dine.
Amenities
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Alcohol
- All you can eat
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Private dining room
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Restroom
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Highlights
- Korean Veggie Mixed Veggies
- Lamp in Korean Kitchen
- Herbal Soup
- Meats and Veggies for the Grill
- Seafood Hot Pot
- Rotating Table Side Items
Pricing
Beverages
Price
- Soft Drinks and Ice Tea $2.95
- Apple Juice $1.99
- Orange Juice $1.99
- Wang Lao Ji $1.99
- Coconut Milk $1.99
Location
Customer feedback
Add Review
0 / 5
492 Reviews
First Last
Feb 14, 2026
So delicious and well maintained. The manager and staff regularly walk the food bar checking for what needs replenishment or removal or tidying up. The non-meat assortment is great, there are just so many options. You can make your own custom sauces for grilling, dipping or to add to your hotpot broth. There are a few cold and hot prepared foods that you can select to eat while you wait for your own to finish cooking. I didn't pay much attention to the meats, but others who were dining really enjoyed what was offered from that category. There tables have smoke extractor tubes above them (but not so low that you need to duck), so while you will leave with some aroma of delicious and freshly prepared food about your clothes and person, it's nowhere near as pronounced as I was first worried about. Service is friendly with helpful suggestions and no pressure. Highly recommended!
James Miller
Nov 14, 2025
Weird that they still have Volcano on their sign. Did they have to change names quickly due to bad reviews and didn't have time to order new signs? It was also odd that they had signs about the conveyor belt but it apparently wasn't working or they stopped using it. The herbal broth was rather disappointing with very little flavor but the rest of the food was pretty good. I really liked the fish and lobster balls.
Myra
Feb 24, 2026
Always wanted to try the hot pot and BBQ combo. It's a bit pricey for what you get yet it was still plenty of food to choose from. Really loved how you can pick what types of meat to grill and boil from a buffet style. Seafood selection was amazing with oysters, crawfish, mussels, clams, and shrimp to choose from. The bbq ribs was amazing to grill as well. Plenty of different varieties of noodles to choose from as well. Service was alright but sometimes a bit slow if the restraunt is packed. Overall it's a great place to try one in a blue moon because of the price being more than I would usually spend.
Sarah Miller
Jan 16, 2026
My boyfriend took me here, on my birthday (January 14th), my first time!! I have to say, it was an amazing experience. Im glad I went with the less spicy soup, the last one listed, i can't remember the name but it starts with a T. The protein options were plentiful! I had octopus and grilled squid. It was a very neat experience to grill our food at the table! Our server was very kind. He said i didn't amazing for my first time. Will definitely return! 10/10 highly recommend!!
E. B.
Jan 20, 2026
Great experience! We really enjoyed ourselves. The food was wonderful. Overall I don't think our server did a great job explaining about food safety but we used our own logic. Lots to choose from. I don't picture it as a place for most kids because I think they'd struggle with waiting for things to cook. The place is really clean and ask food look really fresh. You're paying for quality abs the experience and it's well worth it. We'll be back for sure.
CRISPYKARTEL
Mar 12, 2026
Amazing. Phenomenal. Loved the experience. Loved how it was all you can eat, so many foods to try. So many sauce options Dessert you cook your food indoor seating only great to go with friends and family lot of parking —- it’s in a plaza with other stores I enjoyed trying all the food and it’s a good experience to do with your friends. I was making my own ramen soup Had to get a side of rice to have with my protein. Chicken beef steak - they got it all. I would definitely go Again.
Beach Bum
Nov 19, 2025
This was really good. Awesome service We had so much to eat we were full as can be. This is worth going to.
William Anderson
Feb 25, 2026
Awesome place. Be sure to bring a big appetite because there are lots of choices of food to eat. I would recommend getting the grill and hot pot combo for the full experience.