Restaurant Review: Dae Gee Korean BBQ

     On a cold winter's night, barbecue seems an elusive dream.  The thought of standing outside in the snow grilling for dinner does not sound appealing.  Luckily, Dae Gee Korean BBQ is just a short drive away where you can barbecue to your heart's content indoors.
     If you have never had Korean food, Dae Gee, which means pig, is a fun introduction.  Korean food, in addition to barbecuing, involves an abundance of pickling and fermentation, mostly of vegetables.  This preservation technique allows for access to foods year round.  Koreans also love spicy food.  At Dae Gee, you will be presented promptly after ordering with an eye opening array of small dishes (banchan) which typify Korean food culture.  These dishes include the iconic kim chee (pickled vegetables), spicy pickled cucumbers, marinated fish cakes, sesame bean sprouts, sweet potato pancakes, and a salad of cabbage, onions, red peppers, and mushrooms with a fermented bean dressing.  Of course rice is a standard accompaniment.  These bites serve a dual purpose of whetting your appetite as well as entertainment while you wait for your meats to cook.  
   For the Korean barbecue neophyte, you may, as we did, opt for the unlimited barbecue which includes 6 types of proteins: brisket, chicken thighs, beef bulgogi (thin sliced marinated ribeye), pork bulgogi, pork belly, and LA Galbee (marinated short ribs).  For $19.95 (dinner price) or the even more affordable lunch price of $14.95, you can reorder five of the above to your heart's content.  You cook the meats on a grill centered in a specially designed tabletop.   My favorite is the tender and flavorful LA Galbee, which is unfortunately the one limited item.  All other meats are tasty with the exception of the pork belly which is just too fatty for my taste.   Next time, I will opt for either the LA Galbee or the squid.    
   Aside from barbecue, Dae Gee also serves traditional Korean entrees such as the more familiar bibimbop (a rice bowl topped with assorted vegetables and/or protein and a raw egg which is cooked by the hot rice when you stir it up) as well as a variety of spicy soups.  They also have a limited variety of beers (Asian and American) and wines to polish off all this stimulating food.  
    Currently located in a strip mall in Arvada at Sheridan and 75th, and soon to open in Denver, Dae Gee is a welcome ethnic addition to these parts.  Usually one has to trek out to Aurora for Korean.  The staff is young and energetic with the most gorgeous Korean girls.  The only caveat is do not wear your good clothes unless you want to smell like Korean barbecue!  Just call me when you go so I can come with.