Wok About Grill

The story goes like this:

Centuries ago, in the province of Mongolia, hunting parties and warriors prepared fruits, herbs, and slivers of meat cut with the sword edge and a special combination of vegetables, incense, spices and sauces. The meat was carved from the animals killed during the day's hunt.  They grilled their meals on upturned shields and piled their food high upon their war shields, then cooked them over large bonfires on a hot griddle. This stirfry-style feast became a natural way of eating from day to day.

This food preparation tradition is called Mongolian barbecue and is followed today by restaurants that prepare food using a solid iron griddle that is as large as three feet in diameter and cooks at temperatures as high as 300 degrees.

When Shon Smith opened the Wok About Mongolian Grill Barbecue at 110 N. Wenatchee Avenue in Wenatchee in 1997, the concept was new to the area.  "Other Mongolian Grills usually have a life span of three to five years," Smith says. "Then they close up and move on. We're still here, but we've had to continually change and adapt."

Adapting also presents an opportunity for experimenting and figuring our what works. ”That’s what has helped us in the long-run.”

His latest innovation, introduced last June, moved from charging by bowl size to charging by the ounce. "It’s something I saw in Whistler seven or eight years ago," Smith adds. "It made sense to me."

The result is a more direct connection between price and what the customers are getting. With today's focus on healthy eating, it's a more direct approach. Smith soon discovered it also eliminates squabbling about how much will fit in certain size bowl since a good percentage of his customers are on the two-meal plan, filling their bowls to the brim and saving half for later.

The timing of the change also drove the opportunity for expansion at a new location in Leavenworth. “I wanted to get the new system tested and in place before the additional restaurant opened last spring.”

The Leavenworth restaurant is housed on the second floor of Turmplatz, between Highway 2 and Front Street, next to the Motteler Building. The space has patios and balconies with NanaWalls and roll up doors, providing outdoor dining during the summer. The interior decor has hardwood and concrete with more of an industrial look than the Wenatchee space.

"We thought about a second location for seven or eight years," Smith says. "We needed a place close enough to home but far enough away. We didn’t want the new restaurant competing with the Wenatchee location. Leavenworth is a destination, so it gives us some additional exposure. Maybe people will see the idea and take it to their hometown.”

Now you can enjoy the Mongolian Grill experience just like the province of Mongolia once did. Choose from one of our two locations, then bring your appetite, fill your bowl and enjoy!