THAT'S HOT. Now open at 2613 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, the area's first hot pot restaurant – named Hot Pot Barbeque and Sushi – is finally cooking after months of anticipation.

The first hot pot restaurant in the Chippewa Valley opened its doors at the end of August, and anticipation was so high that long lines were a facet of the new eatery – aptly named Hot Pot Barbeque and Sushi – for its first few open days.

Located in the former Old Country Buffet (which closed its doors around 2020), the new eatery has continued to draw in crowds of curious, hungry locals – myself included. The layout of the restaurant is not so different than its predecessor, though it’s certainly cleaned up: New lighting fixtures and coats of paint, new buffet lines with checked print and bright graphic-adorned wallpaper nearby, and of course, the hot pot-fitted tables.

There are dozens of tables and booths, all with the “hot pot” sitting on the central built-in heat source, which is adjusted by waitstaff accordingly. There are the usual suspects one expects from an Asian American buffet eatery: egg rolls, potstickers, crab rangoon, and more; General Tso chicken and sweet-sour chicken; plus sushi and hibachi options.

If choosing to go the hot pot route – which most are, curious as to how the process works – patrons begin by choosing their soup base. There are eight base options to pick from, including spicy and non-spicy options, as well as the choice to split the hot pot with a divider and have two soup bases.

Next, you are offered the choice of four meat options that are not available at the buffet station due to health codes: beef, lamb, chicken breast, or pork belly. Whether you select one of the four meats or not, you are then able to load up at the buffet lines.

There are roughly 40 kinds of veggies, meat and seafood, and other foods to choose from, including: dumplings; a variety of noodles; daikon; bok choy; king oyster mushrooms; beef tripe; headless shrimp; mussels; quail eggs; tofu; crawfish; and more.

Cook time depends on what you choose to plop into the hot pot, varying from about 1 to 5 minutes as directed by the waitstaff.

There is also one buffet line for fruit, Jell-O, and dessert options. As for drinks, beer, water, and soda are available, the latter from standing fridges diners can grab from at their leisure.

Open seven days a week for lunch (11am-3pm) and dinner (3-10pm Monday-Thursday; 3-10:30pm Friday-Saturday; and 3-9:30pm Sunday), many first-timers opt to go during lunch when the entire all-you-can-eat meal costs $19.99/adult. Dinner is priced at $28.99/adult. Kids pricing varies from $6.99-$15.99 for lunch, and $9.99-$19.99 for dinner.

Hot Pot Barbeque and Sushi (2613 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire) is now open seven days per week • Reach out at (715) 514-0901