I have now come here twice during my lunch break, & both times I left full & happy. I definitely…read morefelt like I needed a nap going back to work, because the portion sizes are very large. Small location with a small cafe interior style. Staff is always friendly & fun. Located on Liberty Ave, which is the "Main St" of Hillside, so there is street parking, it's actually Free, & you may be able to find parking on a nearby side street. Simple menu w/Daily specials that truly do change daily (I learned from others who go more frequently. Both times I had the Peruvian Fried Rice w/steak. The 2nd time I had one of their rich pieces of chocolate cake as a dessert. Amazing! Glad it's an option for me during my lunch breaks.

You can order food 40 minutes ahead of time, take your time getting there, and the food still will…read morenot be ready. Poor service, overpriced food, there are better options around.

Shout out to our waiter, Enrique! He was amazing! Attentive and charismatic. We went for my dad's…read morebirthday and had a blast tasting all these delicious plates. The restaurant itself feels very intimate and full of character. They have valet parking (you'll need it in Newark)! Sangria is strong and the camarones al ajillo ! We will be coming back!

Casa d'Paco is a great spot with a really cool setup. When you first walk in, it feels like a…read moresmaller, quiet place with a nice bar but then you realize they have an additional space on the side which completely changes the vibe in a good way. When I was there, they had a DJ playing, and it added energy without being too loud or overwhelming. The Service was very good, the waiter answered and helped with all our questions. The food was absolutely amazing really flavorful and well done. Just be a little prepared that most dishes come in smaller portions. But the quality definitely makes up for it. I ordered the paella, and it's easily enough for two or even three people and it was well worth it. Really delicious. The drinks were also definitely worth trying while you're there. The only thing I wasn't big on was the desserts they didn't quite live up to the rest of the meal. But overall, great atmosphere, excellent food, and a fun experience. I'd definitely come back.

Outstanding experience featuring delicious food, excellent presentation, and exceptional service…read more Every detail seemed thoughtfully handled, creating a memorable evening that exceeded expectations and encouraged a return visit.

I expected better service, but this place keeps getting worse…read more They need more respect, coordination, and organization, as well as better hygiene; the people serving food also handle money, which is unpleasant, and they don't wear face masks, gloves, or hairnets.

Yummy! Authentic Spanish food and hospitality. Went for lunch one day just by happenstance. Wanted…read moreto try some authentic dishes-- not paella, since so many places offer that. Got the soupy rice dish (forget the name) with shrimp. SO satisfying! They offer complimentary soup ahead of your entree, along with bread. It was hard not to overeat! Huge portions too, btw. Very generous. Sat at the bar. Bartender was hard working, serving all the customers who were sitting at the bar as well as keeping up with bar needs. Very friendly. Looks like the place can get busy for dinner so probably best to make reservations.

After so many years of coming to this restaurant and loving it every single time, I can't believe…read moreI'm leaving this review. I'm not sure if it was because it was midweek or if the chef was simply off his game on this night, but the experience was disappointing overall. The first thing I noticed when I sat down was that my knife was dirty. I ended up taking another knife from a different table. The ambiance, as always, was wonderful, and there were only two other tables occupied, so the restaurant was not busy at all. They started us off with soup, and it was chicken noodle soup. I was honestly very disappointed. When I go to a Spanish restaurant, especially one like this, I expect something traditional like caldo gallego or a similar house soup -- not chicken noodle soup that I could easily make at home. For appetizers, we ordered shrimp in garlic sauce and calamari. Both were absolutely delicious and honestly the highlight of the meal. We also had to ask the waiter for bread, and when it finally arrived, we were each given one very small roll. Our main entrées were sautéed tilapia and shrimp in lemon sauce with mashed potatoes and string beans, and breaded veal cutlet Milanese with mushrooms in a wine and brandy sauce over mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, neither entrée stood out the way meals here usually do. The tilapia was sitting on a bed of mashed potatoes and absolutely swimming in lemon sauce. There was so much sauce that it completely soaked the mashed potatoes and vegetables. I could only eat the top portion of the fish. My husband also mentioned that his breaded veal was very oily. The waiter never returned to ask if we wanted anything else to drink. The water had no ice and felt warm. We also had to ask for additional bread. I'm used to bread being left at the table, not rationed piece by piece. When the waiter asked if we enjoyed our meal, I politely explained that I did not care for mine and why, especially since most of it was left untouched. He looked at me like I had ten heads. I truly hate writing this because this restaurant has been one of my favorites for years, but this visit just did not live up to the standard I've come to expect.

If you want real Cuban food, stop looking -- Cha-Cha-Cha is it. This family-owned gem serves the…read moremost spectacular Cuban food I've ever had, hands down the best Cuban food experience anywhere. Every dish tastes like it came straight out of abuela's kitchen. But what truly sets this place apart is the family behind it -- beautiful people who don't just feed you, they make you feel like part of their family from the moment you walk in. Warm, welcoming, and unforgettable. I can't recommend it enough. I love Cha-Cha-Cha!

I would give Cha Cha in Kenilworth 2 stars…read more This was my first visit, and while the service was friendly and welcoming, the food itself was very disappointing. I appreciated the complimentary yuca fritters with special sauce, which was a kind gesture. However, the overall quality, freshness, and authenticity of the main dishes did not meet expectations. Parking is very limited street parking. The Cuban breaded steak was the biggest disappointment. A proper Cuban-style breaded steak should be thin, tender, savory, garlicky, slightly citrusy, well-seasoned, evenly breaded, and pan-fried until crisp and golden. The version I received tasted oddly sweet, the breading separated from the meat, and the steak had a gummy texture with an old-looking color. It did not have the freshness or clean savory flavor expected from this classic dish. The red beans were very concerning. They tasted strongly like vinegar, and I had to spit them out. When I looked closer, there appeared to be a white, murky-looking substance in them. Beans should never taste sour or vinegary unless something is wrong. Cuban-style red beans should be creamy, savory, aromatic, and well-seasoned with garlic, onion, peppers, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. The white rice was also not acceptable. It was hard, did not taste fresh, and had a vinegar-like smell and flavor. It appeared as if older rice may have been mixed with newer rice. Proper Cuban white rice should be fluffy, clean-tasting, separated, and neutral in flavor. The moro with black beans and rice was better than the white rice, but still lacked depth. It needed more bay leaf flavor and stronger Cuban seasoning. A good moro should have a rich, savory base from sofrito, garlic, peppers, onions, beans, broth, herbs, and slow cooking so the rice absorbs the flavor. The oxtail was tender and okay, but it did not fully deliver the deep, rich Cuban-style flavor I expected. Traditional Cuban oxtail should be slow-braised with garlic, onions, peppers, tomato sauce, wine, herbs, and spices until the sauce becomes rich and the meat is deeply seasoned. This oxtail tasted acceptable, but it seemed as though it may have been prepared a day or two before and reheated. I understand that many restaurants legally prepare certain foods a day ahead, especially dishes like beans, stews, and oxtail. However, food should still taste fresh and be stored, cooled, reheated, and handled according to food safety standards. Sour or vinegar-like flavors in rice or beans can sometimes indicate fermentation, spoilage, or improper storage, and that should never reach the customer. The best part of the meal was the dessert. The vanilla flan was very good, and the coconut flan was excellent. The coconut flan was rich, creamy, and full of coconut flavor, with shredded coconut pieces that added texture and made it stand out. That dessert showed real potential. The prices were reasonable, but reasonable pricing does not make up for poor freshness and low food quality. It did look like they may do better with sandwiches and empanadas, which I did not try and perhaps should have ordered first. I cook Cuban food, Puerto Rican food, and other traditional dishes myself, and I lived in Miami for over nine years. I also learned from Cuban friends who cook authentic Cuban food at home. Because of that, I know how these dishes should taste. In my opinion, the dishes I tried did not represent Cuban cuisine with the freshness, authenticity, seasoning, or care it deserves. The restaurant may have people who know how to cook, but based on this visit, it seems the kitchen has lost some of the authenticity and discipline needed to serve fresh, properly prepared Cuban food. Food that tastes sour, vinegary, old, or questionable should never be served to customers. The service and desserts were the highlights, but the main dishes need serious improvement in freshness, food handling, seasoning, and respect for authentic Cuban cuisine. There are several areas that need improvement. Freshness and food safety should be the main priority. Rice and beans should never taste sour or vinegary unless intentionally prepared that way, and food that seems old or questionable should not be served. The breaded steak should be freshly breaded, crispy outside, tender inside, and properly seasoned with authentic Cuban flavors like garlic, citrus, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. The rice should be fluffy, the beans creamy, and the oxtail deeply seasoned and fresh-tasting. I believe the restaurant may have cooks who understand Cuban cuisine, but the kitchen needs to reconnect with freshness, consistency, authenticity, and stronger food handling standards. Cuban food is rich in flavor, comfort, and cultural pride, and with improvement this restaurant could better reflect that tradition.

Enjoyed a birthday dinner here and everything was pleasant! The food was all very good and large…read moreportions. The staff are professional and the ambiance is high-end. The octopus was my favorite! All the seafood was very fresh.

Here's the deal. I went to the monthly flamenco dance performance. It was very enjoyable and on its…read moreown would be a 4. The only thing I don't understand is why they miked the guitar in a smallish restaurant so Smartwatches kept flashed "louder than 90dB" warnings. It really wasn't necessary. But you go to a restaurant for the food. And my food was a 2 with the wind behind it. I had the Chicken Extremena, which is chicken filets with onions, red peppers, potatoes and Spanish sausage. Yes, all those ingredients were in the dish. It was too salty although it did have a bit of a kick. All in all, the ingredients didn't blend well, it sort of seemed like they were thrown together and doused in a generic . A friend had the Veal Corunesa, which is veal and mushrooms sauteed in brandy sauce. She stated that a fine piece of veal was cut into little pieces, overcooked and swimming in brandy sauce. Now, the people who ordered the pan fried filet of fish and the pork chops had good meals. But the chef should be able to do something other than panfry and broil. Last point, I had a chocolate brownie with walnuts and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I am know for my proclivity to eat anything chocolate. I took a bite of a dry brownie and ate the vanilla ice cream. I heard the tiramisu was good. But I didn't have the tiramisa. Service was prompt, surroundings pleasant. So here's the deal. The quality of the food was too erratic to be three stars. The entertainment was very pleasant, so averaging a 4 + 2 equals 3. I have no desire to go back and try again. There are so many good Spanish restaurants in Essex County even outside of the Ironbound that going here for a dinner just seems to be a waste.

Authentic Spanish cuisine from a family that takes pride and puts love into every dish. Starting…read morewith the bread,oil and olive course, next the beautiful salad. Then the appetizer- we had the shrimp with garlic sauce, the chorizo and the grilled octopus. All 3 as if we were in Spain. Entree's all were accompanied by vegetables rice and chips. We had the cod, red snapper and halibut. Then we split a chicken Piaya - the house specialty. Having had piaya in the past it seems to be overwhelming rice but this was not. Great balance of ingredients sauce flavor and rice. We tried a couple of the sauces on the side for the fish and while excellent- they were not necessary as the fish was excellent on its own. We also enjoyed a flan for dessert and cafe and cappuccino. Considering the amount of food we had and leftovers I thought the price was quite reasonable. All servers and matre di were dressed in formal black and white and the room was a formal dining area. Truly enjoyable. We'll be back!

Had a really good dining experience. We had no expectation but better than expected…read more Once we sat, we were served a dinner salad before even looking at the menu or placing our order. It was a large salad. Very tasty. Could have been more chilled. It was cool at best. I ordered the Paella Marinera. It was huge. Definitely shareable. Came with a half lobster, muscles, clams, and squid. It was really tasty. I usually have a pretty big appetite, but I could not finish it. After dinner, we order the flan and the pumpkin cheesecake. Both were good. Service was excellent. Multiple people handling the table and very attended. I highly recommend. Well visit next time I'm in the area

After nearly 40 years, I finally returned to Spanish Tavern in Newark, and I am happy to say it is…read moreevery bit as wonderful as I remembered. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and ensure everything was perfect throughout our meal. My wife ordered the salmon topped with crab, and it was outstanding--tender, perfectly cooked, and a very generous portion. I had shrimp with pepper sauce was equally impressive, packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The sides of fresh vegetables, yellow rice, and the homemade potato chips complemented the meal beautifully. Dessert was the perfect ending to a fantastic evening. The flan was simply incredible--smooth, rich, and full of flavor. The chocolate cake was absolutely decadent and worth every bite. Spanish Tavern offers plenty of convenient parking and a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes it ideal for a date night, family dinner, or special occasion. What impressed me most is that after four decades, this restaurant continues to deliver outstanding food, exceptional service, and a memorable dining experience. Some places come and go. Spanish Tavern has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It remains a truly special place to enjoy great food and even better company. Highly recommended! I'd rate it 5 stars without hesitation.

We came here for dinner on a weeknight, a bit late, and were quite literally the only party in the…read morerestaurant seated for the rest of the night. They had a decent amount of servers and one or two parties at the bar when we sat down, but no one else came in to get seated which was interesting given how many tables they had and how nicely everything was set. The vibe of this restaurant felt a little more upscale than we expected so staff were in black tie dress, but since no one else was there, we didn't feel too out of place. Menu had a good selection of dishes and we shared a few for the entire meal. Taste was fine, solid and decently priced. I enjoyed the paella. Overall, not a bad experience, just felt a little eerie due to the lack of patrons. We enjoyed it nonetheless and wish Spanish Tavern more success!

In the heart of Piermont, with the back of the restaurant facing the great Hudson River with…read moreadditional summer outdoor seating, this Spanish-Basque tapas restaurant has become one of the County's most popular dining destinations. This restaurant is known for authentic Spanish small plates, generous paellas, imported Spanish ingredients, decadent desserts, and wonderful warm bread to start your culinary meal with. Abdul and Roberto make a perfect drink, whether it's a simple Espresso Martini or their house-made sangrias. . All this in a warm and friendly setting. The seafood paellas are portion perfect ie; large, the tapas favorites include garlic shrimp, octopus, croquetas, Iberico ham, lamb chops, and seasonal specials. Because the dining room is relatively small, expect a noisy environment. Weekend waits can be long because of this restaurant's popularity, but it is so worth the wait. If one arrives early, there will be no problem with sitting at the bar or nabbing a table. The staff is friendly, the clientele is neighborly, and you're guaranteed to enjoy your restaurant experience here. For Piermont, it's one of the strongest dining experiences available, particularly if one enjoys sharing plates. If you're going for the first time, I'd order the garlic shrimp, a few tapas to share, and one of the paellas for the table. Thank you Benny for bringing Piermont to our neighborhood. *For those across the river in Westchester, enjoy Basque in Tarrytown.

There is no shortage of restaurants along the Hudson, but few feel as warm and inviting as Basque…read moreTapas Bar in Rockland County. Nestled just a stone's throw from the Tappan Zee Bridge, the intimate Spanish restaurant offers an experience that is both approachable and memorable. Where some menus can overwhelm diners with endless selections and unfamiliar terminology, Basque takes a more refined approach. The menu is modest yet thoughtfully curated -- ideal for those exploring Spanish cuisine for the first time. Begin with a selection of tapas before choosing from one of their signature paellas, including seafood, meat, vegetarian, or surf-and-turf options. Pair the meal with a pitcher of sangria and settle in while the kitchen prepares a dinner worth savoring alongside good conversation. Beyond the meal itself, the village of Piermont provides the perfect setting for an evening stroll along the river. It is a charming way to end the night before heading back across the Hudson and down into New Jersey.

Beautiful weather turned into a beautiful evening. Great meal was had at Casa Vasca. In business…read morefor 50 years and can still draw the crowds. Chicken dish with spinach and mushroom sauce and beef ribs order. Padrón peppers that a regular offered me were an unexpected bonus. 6 stars if I could. Go check it out!

If I can give 0 stars here, I definitely would. Extremely rude and racist staff. They are basically…read moreracist against anyone who are not Spanish. We came in with a group of six and ordered paella to share together. Everything was fine in the beginning, and they even served soup and bread to us. Then our group was quite surprised when we looked at the bill and found out we were charged $20 for the soup. I mean it would be totally fine if they didn't serve us the soup. But they didn't notify us about the charge for the soup and gave us the option to opt-out. Basically, they imposed an extra order of the soup on us without our permission. Then when we split the bill among our group, the staff gave us a nasty attitude with rolling eyes. I mean. How our group handled the bill and split the payments among our members is none of your fucking business. Save your money and avoid this at all costs. Don't even want to call them a restaurant since they are not even qualified to be one. There are so many better places with much friendlier services in the area.