HuHot Mongolian Grill is one of my top picks for exciting dining in Appleton. It's a Mongolian barbecue with the best ingredients and sauces I've seen for this kind of restaurant. It's all you can eat for about $14 a person (dinner) - not bad for such high-quality all-you-can eat food. The decor is fresh and attractive and the service is great, including the talented cooks who manage to keep track of everybody's customized food as they grill it for it you. They just opened in mid-February 2006, but business is already brisk and I think they'll keep going strong.

I was pleased to see that salmon was one of the choices for ingredients (other meats include chicken, pork, and beef). There are also three different kinds of noodles. I like the Thai rice noodles and the Chinese lo-mein-style wheat-based noodles. A scrumptious selection of veggies is available, all remarkably fresh and attractive. I loaded up on cilantro, broccoli, and other items. One thing that really sets HuHot apart is the rich variety of sauces, about 20 in total. In addition to the basic sauces like ginger water, lime, sesame oil, etc., they have a great selection of premixed complex sauces such as Black Thai Peanut, Yellow Belly Curry (with coconut milk), and "Kung Pao...Yow!"

I was also impressed with the salad that came with my meal. Beautifully prepared with elegant dark green lettuce and a delicious oriental salad dressing.

Given how quickly the bowls of food are cooked, HuHot could almost count as fast food. But it's also an elegant and classy place for a special occasion or a treat for the family.

You can get Mongolian barbecue at several other places in the Fox Cities, such as China King in Oshkosh, and the Great Wall in Appleton, but HuHot was the most enjoyable for me. I'm anxious to go back! (Note: Mongo's used to offer Mongolian barbecue, but is now closed.)

HuHot is at 3456 West College Ave. in Appleton. Phone: (920) 257-2555.

2009 Update: In the words of Yogi Berra, "Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded." Have had many complaints about big crowds and the long lines to get food. I'd stay away during peak hours. But once everyone takes my advice, then do the just the opposite.