Jul 10, 2024 - Food and Drink

Crazy Hot Pot has robots and a fun food experience in Metairie

Carlie Kollath Wells

Image shows a pot boiling with noodles. — Each diner gets their own pot of broth to cook noodles and other fixings at Crazy Hot Pot in Metairie. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios

Crazy Hot Pot fulfilled two purposes for me on a sweltering New Orleans day: provided air-conditioned entertainment and fed my belly.

Why it matters: I love a DIY meal adventure.

The big picture: Crazy Hot Pot opened in Metairie last year and has robot servers. How fun!

You are charged per person ($29.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids) and get 90 minutes for an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Image shows a robot delivering food. — The robot servers deliver appetizers at Crazy Hot Pot in Metairie. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios

How it works: Appetizers are included, and they're a mix of Chinese and Korean options like crab rangoons, sesame balls (my favorite!) and beef bulgogi skewers. A robot delivers these to your table.

Pick your broth next. There are mild and spicy options. See the menu below.
A human server brings the broth pots to your table where each seat has a built-in burner. You then go to the buffet and pick out your raw items, like noodles, seafood, vegetables and meat.
When the broth boils, use the tongs to drop your ingredients in the pot to cook. Most take three minutes or less.

Photo shows Carlie and her husband Caleb smiling at a table while eating hot pot in Metairie. — Carlie and her husband, Caleb, donned the plastic bibs so they wouldn't get sauce all over their shirts. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios

What to try: There are around 50 options for cooking, but my favorites are the udon noodles, mussels, greens, beef pieces, fish filets, tofu and sausage.

Spice things up at the sauce bar. It has recipes posted or you can make your own concoction.

There's ice cream and other treats available for dessert too.

The fine print: Only get what you plan to eat. You can be charged $13 per pound for wasted food.

The vibe: Diners have been a mix of adults and families during my visits. It's very casual, but people like to go for birthdays because the robot sings to you.