damnlines.comdamnlines.comThe first NYC outpost of a Northeastern Chinese barbecue chain known for $1 self-grilled skewers and waits long enough to require an iPad waitlist.
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Chubby Skewers' defining reported fact is its queue. Per Cititour's coverage of the Manhattan opening, the $1-skewer Northeastern Chinese barbecue import runs an iPad waitlist because wait times 'regularly run 1-2 hours' -- a length Cititour ties to the novelty of the self-grill concept landing in the Garment District.
The Infatuation's review of the restaurant backs up the demand without quantifying it, praising the DIY grilling format -- diners pick from 28 meat and seafood skewers and 14 vegetable options, mostly priced $1.20 to $2.40 -- and singling out the abalone, scallops, and cuttlefish balls as highlights, though the review doesn't put a number on the wait.
There's no reservation workaround. A Yelp Q&A respondent on the restaurant's page describes it as strictly 'first come first serve,' with the same answer noting a priority waitlist feature was still inactive as of that reply -- meaning walking up and joining the iPad list, per Cititour, remains the only way in.
Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.
Reservations: No reservations; first come, first served via iPad waitlist, per a Yelp Q&A response and Cititour's report on the waitlist system.
Walk-ins: Yes -- walk-ins join an iPad waitlist on arrival, per Cititour.
Wait times regularly run 1 to 2 hours, according to Cititour's report on the Manhattan opening, which is why the restaurant uses an iPad waitlist system to manage the crowd rather than seat people on arrival. The Infatuation's review of the spot doesn't dispute the demand, describing brisk, packed service around the self-grill format.
No -- a Yelp Q&A response on the restaurant's page states it's 'first come first serve,' with no advance booking accepted. The same answer notes a priority waitlist feature was still inactive, so the iPad walk-in list Cititour describes is the only way to get a table.
Yes, and it's the only option -- per Cititour, guests are added to an iPad waitlist upon arrival rather than seated through any reservation system, with wait times regularly running 1 to 2 hours.
It's the first New York City outpost of a Northeastern Chinese barbecue chain built around self-grilled skewers, offering 28 meat and seafood options and 14 vegetables at $1.20 to $2.40 each, per The Infatuation's review of the Manhattan location.
The Manhattan location is at 252 West 37th Street in the Garment District, per the restaurant's own locations page on chubbyskewers.com.
Sources: Cititour · The Infatuation · Yelp · chubbyskewers.com