This felt like a hidden gem! My mom and her friend were visiting my roommate and I in Brooklyn and I made a last min reservation at Balboa for some Caribbean food. They won me over with the look of their drinks. I ordered some white sangria which was so good and SO strong. It was a Saturday, so their drinks are $8 from 11-4 which is such an amazing deal. I also got stew chicken which was so tender and flavorful, with Mac and cheese and broccoli ($15) . It was a hearty meal that really satisfied everyone. The staff was also incredibly kind. It felt like such a community in there. read more

Balboa Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

It was ok .. this place has been around the corner from me never tried it it's always empty BUT we came for happy hour since they had the menu outside with decent happy hour deals .. the waitress it was her first day she was nice didn't know much about menu but nice the man comes tell us about food and drinks. All was decent big plate of frozen fries & bbq chicken was tasty then another waitress comes as we are finishing up says " are yall ready to go "! Are yall done ? Like ok yes we are now what if we wanted more happy hour drinks or anything else hmm so the bill comes with an upfront 20% gratuity so what turned into a deal was tricknology. The c spot has happy hour on Franklin & $9 rum punch & gave my own gratuity read more

Very quick and tasty foood. Great portion. Great prices with gratuity included!! They also have great happy hour deals throughout the week!

OMG, the food here was so good! My friend who lives in Brooklyn insisted we try this place and I was completely satisfied and amazed with the place overall. The owner came out to check on us and see if we were happy with everything, him and his wife were so sweet and welcoming. This is a must return. Also it's a cute setup, we sat at the bar for a more intimate feel. read more

OK, news. happy hour two Long Island iced tea didn't give me a buzz$$$ seen somebody ordering the cows foot soup$10.00 so decided to buy one only on Thursdays though its Great so so quick atmosphere was nice a positive tip read more

Balboa Restaurant - Cow foot soup yumm - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Rude to customers, slow service and mediocre food. Avoid this place if you're looking to enjoy a good time. Firstly, their tables are too close to each other. I witnessed a server tell a customer she *couldn't* turn the chair around to create ample social distance between herself and me. I offered to move to an empty chair to accommodate. I'd planned to have to-go service, but since it began to rain, I figured I'd have a few bites until it was fine to leave. It was then my turn to be harassed by the server, who came over to tell me that if I ordered to go service, I wasn't *allowed* to eat at the table. I usually avoid leaving negative comments about small businesses, especially during this time, but I sorely regret choosing to support this business, and I encourage everyone else to avoid it as well until they learn to offer gracious customer service. read more

I had my 66th surprise birthday celebration here. What a blast!!!! The owners & staff are the very best OMG. Everyone & i mean everyone loved the food. Dinner included chicken/fish/shrimp/rice/mash pot salad/cabbage/pot salad & of course that fabulous red velvet cake. THANKS TO MY HUBBY YOU DID IT LOL & MY SPECIAL FAMILY & FRIENDS. read more

I really enjoyed my lunch here! You can tell everything is fresh and cooked to order. I got bbq chicken, broccoli and mashed potatoes. The waitress was also very sweet, the restaurant is also well kept and clean. I took 1 star off because they did not have macaroni and cheese but I did appreciate that they told us as soon as we walked in. This is not an area I frequent so I am not sure if I will be back but if I do come to the area I will definitely check it out! read more

Let's start off by saying amazing staff!!! My parents have been coming here for about a year a so and now I know why they love this place so much. I came finally for the first time today and they did not disappoint! Everything was top tier. Marisa, Marian, and Luis are impeccable and great at what they do. The passion, love and attention they put into their work is speechless. Come check the out! They'll make you feel like family for sure. Shout outs to you guys. Also food and drinks are super fresh and flavorful! read more

Balboa Restaurant - a plate of beef with mashed potatoes and spinach - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I got the chicken stew with mashed potatoes and spinach. absolutely delicious and great portion size especially for the price. felt like i was eating my moms food read more

Need Ramsey Hell kitchen in there for help bad Miss the old-school way That's one when very popular i had burger there it was all right almost wait like an hour for it read more

Balboa Restaurant - Hamburger Platter - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Macaroni is so good. Baked chicken as well. However since everything is made as you order it does take quite a while. But the service is great, cooks are so nice waiters are lovely and decor of the restaurant is nice and modern as well read more

Me and my best friend go here at least twice a month good is good and I love the service

Wow!!! This is some good good food. Ordered some appetizers by delivery, wing, macaroni and cheese...man this is the best. If delivery is this good, gotta sit down for dinner. Much respect. read more

My friends and I come here regularly during our lunch break and are satisfied with our orders regularly. Not only is the food yummy (some of the food took a while to come to use but it was so fresh and well cooked, we could understand why) and the drinks are always great, I am always happy to come by here. We even make it a point to budget for this since there have been days we come very, very often. The owners also give us such a warm reception and our waitress is so lovely (hey Marina!). Stop by if you're ever in the neighborhood. It's a great place for a meal or just for a drink or two. read more

Years ago after a long day trying to register for classes at Medgar Evers College across the street, I fell into Balboa famished! I saw steak on the menu and here's what happened: "You want a steak." "I want a steak." "You want onions?" "Yes. Onions please! "Some mashed potatoes and gravy with that?" "Yes! Yess! Yessss!" My entire steak lunch was ORGASMIC. Again that was years ago and I always pass this area while riding in a speeding car and for years I kept missing it and assumed that Balboa was closed. Well, I was in a slow moving car today and saw that not only is it still open but that they are serving barbecue ribs. If my rib experience is anything close to my steak and gravy experience, Mr. Balboa may just have to marry me. read more

BAN BALBOA!! DISCRIMINATION!! Discerns bewteeen "true paying customers" Got a mango juice to go and got talked to by the blonde server(possibly "Melissa") that it is against the rules to sit and drink for a few minutes. I am a paying customer each time (including previous times) and explained that I JUST GOT OUT of THE HOSPITAL and have been on a strict diet!!!! She didn't seem to care and could not exercise some human decency and leniency and was just like "fine!" When I said that I would not return again. Got this message from Marisa: interesting that you discern who your "true paying customers" are!! Marisa A. Marisa A. Owner Subject: Your Review "First of all, the woman in the pic is NOT you. Secondly, like you said this has happened previous times and you weren't told anything until now. It is not the first time that you come into the restaurant to drink ONE juice NOT for a few minutes but for over an hour sometimes two. We have video footage to prove it. It was simply brought to your attention that seating is indeed exclusively for true paying customers. Not sure how you figure you were discriminated against but this is our policy and the policy of MOST restaurants. I apologize if you feel differently but I stand by my actions." read more

Balboa Restaurant - This is the to-go cup Melissa doled out shortly after her exchange with me--No paper bag, no talking to about "the rules." - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Been coming here for years. Professional friendly staff. Great prices nice bar nice environment and good food!

The red sangria is the BEST I've ever had! I enjoy the BBQ and jerk wing appetizers and fries. The rest of the food is meh. The red sangria is the BEST I've ever had! I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Oh, they have happy hour. read more

Balboa Restaurant - Sangria! - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I never knew this place existed until my friend showed it to me. Considering there's no signs outside you won't really notice it. I find myself eating here at least twice a week, since it's right across the street from Medgar Evers college. While the tables and chairs/interior decor is not something that one would consider modern ambiance the food speaks for itself, and tastes home made. The dish that really stands out here is the baked BBQ chicken, that comes with a side. My favorite side to get it with is the ooey gooey mac and cheese which is out of this world. The BBQ sauce is so good I get extra BBQ sauce on the side. The chicken is soft and tender and the french fries are also really good. Come here for some really good BBQ chicken and mac n cheese!!! They also serve sorrel. I haven't tried it but its very hard to find a place that makes sorrel fresh! They also oddly have a very large selection of ginger cola, beers ranging from Stella to Guinness. They even serve peroni!! Don't be scared that it looks empty inside!! Trust your taste buds not your eyes! Don't be alarmed by the angry lady that doesn't say hi to anyone behind the counter. Best part Mac N Cheese and BBQ Chicken is about 5 Dollars! read more

Love this restaurant been coming here for 20 years and you can't leave without trying the Mac n cheese and the service is amazing also every month they have monthly specialty cocktails and ofc happy hour read more

Food is always good. Service a bit slow but worth the weight. Very friendly staff/owners. Will always return and support.Turkey Burger Platter read more

I just moved in next door so I thought I would give this place a try. I placed an order via yelp/ grub hub for pickup and it was ready by the time I got there ( didn't have to wait) when I got home I tore into the bbq chicken combo and lemme tell you IT WAS GOOOD. The chicken was sweet and savory and not as sour as usual bbq sauces. Also slipped right off the bone. Although most MAC side dishes are flavorless their mac and cheese did not come to play!! Overall if you live close by you gotta check this place out. Will update as I try more menu items but the bbq chicken is a must read more

Looks like a whole in the wall. But the wings were sooooooooo good. OMG I had the wings read more

Balboa Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love Balboa Restaurant/Bar the owners are amazing the hospitality the service is top notch... the food is delicious and the serving is like no other you'll never go hungry that's for sure truly a gem... Marissa your the best and I hope you continue success even through the pandemic you and Mr.Balboa stayed true to the neighborhood read more

We celebrated a dear friends anniversary party and the service was top notch. The server Cisco went above and beyond to make our experience memorable and fun. I would definitely recommend this place if you ever have a special event you want to celebrate read more

We celebrated my in law's 30 year anniversary here! It was beyond beautiful and the staff there is amazing!! The food was delicious and Cisco was so much fun and kind. Definitely will return ! read more

Idk about this new management that they're under but the food is not good AT ALL anymore. All the years I've lived in the area and they don't even deliver in their own neighborhood. The workers are beyond stush. They have no shame in how rude they are. It's disgusting read more

Great time amazing place. The food and the cocktails are amazing. The price is unbelievable. Loved the outdoor sitting.

This is actually my 2nd time at Balboa. I had the oxtails w/ peas & rice, and vegetables (cabbage). Tonight I had brown stew chicken w/ Mac and cheese and vegetables. I was very satisfied both visits. The food taste freshly prepared, and well seasoned. The staff here is very polite, and helpful with the menu. After talking to the bartender, I found out she was the owners wife, and they've been here 26 years. I'm new to the neighborhood, and look forward to coming here during happy hour. The menu looks good and affordable. read more

First of all the service here is the main reason for thus review, but in reference to the food it is mediocre at best. Our waitress served 3 of us our food and we expected the last two plates to come after for our grandparents however the food for them was forgotten. When we said something she blamed the kitchen and when it still didn't come the manager blamed her. I was able to finish my food before their food was brought out. She came our after the food showed up and asked my little brother if he had gotten his sorrel yet, Um no miss did you bring it , no, so how would he have gotten it. They must be lacking customer service because they had nerve to add the gratuity to bill since there was 5 of us and didn't think to compensate us for their terrible service not to mention the food made my mother sick. Bad vibes food and service I don't recommend this place at all read more

First of all: let's get real. This place is not a Caribbean Restaurant. Meatloaf and Mash potatoes? I don't think so. Second; the owner is very stingy. One: they kick you out after you order your food if you don't pay their service price. Exactly: On top of paying for your food! You have to pay a fee to SIT IN THE RESTAURANT! If say, you order your food to go, because you're not going to be eating all your food, you can't sit in the restaurant, they tell you to leave with your food. The portions ARE EXTREMELY SMALL! You might pay $6 for a small plate of mac and cheese with a tiny baked chicken leg. (I will admit that the mac/cheese is very good, though, still not Caribbean food.) They take forever to get your food to you, and charge you for everything! I bet they'd charge a fee to use their bathrooms as well. The people working there are nice, but the owner -if he's the bald spanish looking guy- is extremely rude to his customers. He seems to think he's a dictator or something. This restaurant is a headache to eat in. The owner is cheap, the portions are small and the food isn't even West-Indian food. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! read more

Open from 8am-11pm. Cheap eats. Good eats. Friendly staff. Panamanian hands. Awesome mac and cheese. You'll become a repeat offender too!! Call your order in. Or if you have time, sit down and enjoy your good food. Come hungry, leave happy. read more

The food here was amazing. I order the ribs and buffalo wings and they were both great. The ribs just fell right of the bone - ah-mazing! But beyond the food, they were quick and accommodating. I actually ordered over an app -They called me when my food was ready for pick up and that's when I realized I mistakenly hit 'Pick Up' rather than 'Delivery'. The guy over the phone immediately said it was no problem and sent someone out. I got my food within 15 minutes of that call. Not to mention the delivery guy came up 4 flights of stairs with a cast on his foot. Will definitely be reordering! read more

Shhhh, this spot is a secret. If you want great food at great prices, this is the place to go. Where else can you get a meal for 2, plus 2 glasses of lemonade for 13.06. Baked chicken, rice and beans, salad or steamed veggies. They have a variety of choices. But the meal I just mentioned is a staple for most of the surrounding community. It is located directly across the street from Medgar Evers College. You can drive and walk right past and never know it's there if you are not in the mix. When i first started going to Balboa the meals were 3 bucks and that was some time ago. They also have a salad dressing that can easily have you addicted to it. Of course it's a secret. It's run by a very nice couple and they always make you feel at home. I definitely suggest you try it at least once, you will not be disappointed. read more

I think this place is underrated. Its a local food joint across from Megar Evers College. We really would have never found it since it didn't have its own sign, it was under some tutoring awning. The food was a great deal. I had the jerk chicken, loved it. The spice just grew in my mouth and it was delicious. The others had ribs, ox tail and bbq chicken with varied combinations of mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese, rice and veggies. Everybody left full and nobody had any complaints. The juices were really good - homemade! The staff was nice and friendly. read more

I ordered the stew chicken. It was ok nothing special but I was craving macaroni specifically. The macaroni that they sent me was a big gooey mess. I didn't even eat it. It's a WEST INDIAN restaurant so I was expecting macaroni pie not goo. Won't be eating here again. The sorrel was on point though. read more

Balboa Restaurant - This is the slop that they had the nerve to deliver to me. Aka Macaroni. - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is my favorite place to go out and have a nice time with my wife. Atmosphere is great and food is awesome with excellent prices. Variarity of special drinks. Highly recommend !!! read more

I usually come in here to get dinner when I'm in school late. Tonight I was highly disappointed about the service. Maybe because my Mac n cheese was a bit on the mushy side the staff was rude. I ordered take out as usual and was told it will be about 10 minutes, I was about to have a seat when the staff person told me only people who are dining in can sit here. You have to stand in front by the bar. There were 3 other people in there and 2 were already seated at the bar and about a little over a dozen tables for 2....I brought someone in with me, their first time and their last...rudeness doesn't get repeat customers or even new. read more

Balboa Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My dear friend who is a life-long resident of Ebbets Field has been telling my about Balboa for quite some time. Yesterday, I took her up on her offer to meet here. I had a wonderful experience! It was even more endearing to find out they've been a staple in the community for almost three decades. The drinks were potent, the food was DELICIOUS and PLENTIFUL, and the service (Marisa, Miriam and Luis) was excellent. Luis, the owner/chef, has got to have the cleanest kitchen in Crown Heights....SPOTLESS!!! Marisa was kind enough to regale us with stories about the business, her years in the neighborhood and her meeting/marriage with Luis. Really, it was such a genuine experience - the kind you just don't have anymore; folks who came in appeared as if they were coming to see family. I certainly wish I could shout it from the rooftop for the folks to flock here and indulge in a Brooklyn institution. As I type this, I'm already plotting my return. Thank you Balboa, and I apologize for just discovering you. In my Tupac voice - "You are appreciated." read more