Mr. BBQ, a popular Korean barbecue restaurant known for its bold flavors and all-you-can-eat format, is expanding to Universal CityWalk at 1000 Universal Studios Boulevard in Universal City.
The company’s third location will take over the former Johnny Rockets space, according to WhatsNewSFV. The upcoming opening will mark the brand’s third location. Owner Jenny Chai launched the original Mr. BBQ in Fullerton at 305 N State College Boulevard in 2014, followed by a location in Las Vegas in 2023. Chai tells What Now Los Angeles that the Universal CityWalk location is expected to open sometime in 2026 and will be a corporate-owned store, consistent with the brand’s family-owned and operated model.
“This is a family-owned restaurant,” Chai tells What Now. “My mother has been in the Korean BBQ business for almost 30 years in Southern California and retired when I opened Mr. BBQ in Fullerton in 2014.”
The new location will introduce a state-of-the-art grill system brought directly from Korea, making it the first of its kind on the West Coast. In addition to this new equipment, Mr. BBQ at CityWalk will feature special menu items tailored to park visitors and tourists from around the world.
While there are no confirmed expansion plans beyond Universal CityWalk at this time, Chai said the team is excited for what the future may hold. “We are so excited to share the Korean culture and cuisine with the many local and international tourists at Universal CityWalk,” she tells What Now Los Angeles.
Mr. BBQ has earned widespread acclaim over the years, including being named #27 on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. in 2016. It also holds the top Korean restaurant ranking in Orange County, as per TripAdvisor, and has been recognized as the #1 restaurant in Fullerton by FemaleFoodie.com and The Orange County Register.
Chai’s passion for hospitality is deeply rooted in her family’s immigrant experience. Her family moved to the United States from South Korea when she was four years old. Growing up, she spent much of her time helping out in her mother’s restaurants, taking on various roles from washing dishes to bussing tables. After attending culinary school in Chicago and working in a Michelin-starred, family-run restaurant, Chai realized her true passion was serving guests great food while sharing Korean culture.
