I have been going to this prestigious restaurant for many special occasions growing up especially with my family! This place never ceases to amaze me with their outstanding food and beyond satisfactory service where more often than not they will even refill your drink alcohol or not out of their own friendliness and initiative without you requesting a refill. Food is fairly priced and beyond delicious and I even once had perhaps the priciest meal worth every penny 2 lobsters stuffed with crab scallops and shrimp! The bar is small but is a nice setup and they even serve Portuguese beer though I wish they could serve beer from Spain as well. But nevertheless expect nice service from the bartender as well! They even have behind a glass case that requires a key a liquor so exquisite you had better savor just one shot with their asking price which I leave for anyone to discover themselves for it is named after one of the kings of Spain! They deserve 10 stars my highest recommendation! read more

This is a great place to enjoyed yourself with family and friends. if I could I would come here every week the service is fantastic!!

I don't know where to begin. Usually one will start chronologically, so I guess that works. My wife and I first arrived to fairly incompetent, but friendly parking attendants. Looking at each other for two minutes before they decided which one would come grab my keys, I froze outside this excuse of an establishment. Once inside this dingy restaurant, I was greeted by a woman that had more attitude than one of those people in the snickers commercials. We were then seated, asked our drink order and then left alone for a little. Next came the absolute best part of the meal, THE BREAD! After that, everything was right back to horrendous. We gave our order and went back to waiting for a brief period. Within two minutes our octopus came out, which was cautiously quick. Once we started to indulge ourselves our cautions were proven correct, but it was already too late. We were so hungry that we dove in, guns blazing, and had eaten too much by the time we realized how bad it was and quickly regretted the decision. We both started to feel ill and had to beg the waiter to take the dish away because we couldn't stomach the smell of it. When our waiter did come back to take away the poison that they tried to feed us, he reeked of cigarettes. I don't know about you, but I like to have clean refreshing scents tickle my nostrils while eating, not ones of cancer. After this the two of us just wanted to leave, but hoped it would get better. Again, we should have trusted our guts, that at this point were at breaking point and ready to raise the white flag from being so sick. Our paella came and my wife went to take a bite and had to quickly spit it out because it was beyond scalding hot. The wait staff saw this and then began to make fun of her and tell as many people as they could about what they just witnessed. This irritated me, but I did not have the stomach to say anything, as it was still sick from the octopus. We tried to eat our paella, but it was also just disgusting and we had to spit out much of the seafood because it did not taste right and we were at this point just fearful of what other poison they were trying to play off as food. We finally threw in the towel and got the check. While waiting for the check my wife had to run to the bathroom because she had to puke. She puked up her entire dinner all over the bathroom. She then puked twice more on the car ride home on the side of 287, which put our livelihoods at risk, as well as myself puking once on the arrival to our house. This was definitely from the food, as there was no alcohol consumed at this meal. The food sucked, the service was rude, and we are now both sick! At least they have to clean the bathroom filled with puke! :P read more

Where do I begin? From the amazing staff, to the home made potato chips and sangria, this place is just a delight to go to. Its often crowded at dinner hours, and they do not take reservations, BUT, it serves the best chilean sea bass I have ever had. Its just delicious, buttery goodness. The rice and vegetables, served with every meal, are also very good. I usually start with calimari or stuffed avacados which are both delectable. The entrees are plentiful and they do not dissapoint. I have had lobster, filet mignon, mariscada, paella, halibut, swordfish, and of course, my beloved sea bass. Always fresh, and always on point. The specials are usually good deals as well. Dessert options are what you would expect and their wine selection is excellent. It is a bit pricey, but worth every penny. read more

Same as many rated this place, always enjoyed the food here and the oversize broiled lobsters they have available. Only complaint is the 10 to 15 minutes wait on Saturday nights. I would recommend the Chorizo, Shrimp in garlic sauce and the 2 1/2 pounder broiled lobsters. Don't forget to try the Sangria and go for the large pitcher yet careful if you are driving cause it has a decent kick to it. Never had a problem with the speed of the service even on Saturday. The only problem is the odd smell when you first walked in. Still haven't figured out the origin of it.... read more

Great experience. Service was fast and waiters attentive. Food was great. Ordered garlic shrimp and calamari for appetizers. Then shared paella and 2 stuffed lobsters. Sangria was delicious. Overall, top notch. read more

Honestly I am shocked this place is open for business and health department has not closed them at least temporary until they clean and disinfect this restaurant. Flies flying around in your face & trying to get to your $150 dinner. This is unacceptable but what is most amazing is customers not reporting it on reviews or health department. I said to my husband it must be that patrons are so drunk on the strong sangria, they can't react to problem. When I mention to our waiter that a fly was flying around our table, first he pretended he was unaware but when we both saw one he said they come from outside. In February???? No apology & business as usual. As far as the food is concern just think of those restaurant size pots, I am so sure the flies are never cooked into sauces & food. is impossible to think they are not. people beware specially eating with your children at this establishment! update: I returned to restaurant because I was told management cleaned up the restaurant. What a difference! Restaurant is clean & food is delicious. Thank you management for listening. No need to travel to Newark for Spanish food, excellent food right in town!!!!! read more

Maybe my bad experience was due to the Monday visit or maybe that the food does not move, either way I had 2 bad meals in this place. I ordered the Veal Marsala and at my first bite the sauce tasted and smelled sour, it was bad. So I informed the waiter, which he strongly disagreed without even tasting or smelling it. After some bickering he asked me if I would like something else, so I ordered the pork chops. While waiting I had of my dinner companions Seafood paella and it was good. It was so good that I filled up on it, so I just told the waiter to pack up the pork chops to go. The next day I reheated them for dinner but the meat tasted old, like it was frozen or left in the fridge to long. I could not eat it, not after the Veal Marsala experience. The whole thing went right in the garbage. read more

My husband and I have been visiting this restaurant for 10 years now. We love it there. The food is always excellent and never disappoints. Manny the bartender treats us like family each time we come in. They have seasonal appetizers that will blow your mind. And the sangria is the best in the area. Add to that the great family style dining experience and it's just perfect. We love it!! read more

Zero stars I had a 530 reservation for my father's 87th birthday was there with the full party early and no table. They've really gone down hill. read more

We have been coming here for many years, however it has recently been clear that they no longer value reservations over turning tables and their staff is sincerely disappointing. We had a 5:30 reservation for a birthday party, but upon arrival we were informed that we would not be sat for at least 45 minutes. What's even worse is that upon speaking to the maitre d was absolutely flippant and uncaring in his attitude. When asked if they would help us at the bar, he dismissed us completely. Needless to say, we left still hungry and will not be coming again. read more

I threw a 50th surprise party at Don Pepe II and it was FANTASTIC. Tony, who I made the plans with, was so accommodating to my needs. I needed a gift table and he set it up perfectly next to the main table. The staff were incredible with making sure everyone was taken care of from their drinks to appetizers to dessert. I would recommend Don Pepe II to anyone who wants to celebrate a special occasion. And, I got so many compliments on the food. No one left there hungry. I want to Thank each and every person who made my party a success. THANK YOU!!!! read more

it was aight...sangria was good, lots of old people.

Went for dinner tonight and it was not as good as other times. Not sure if they were having an off night or what. Calamari was greasy, clams casino were just ok and when out meals came out they were cold and we waited a long time... I even asked waiter to check ... who knows maybe they say in kitchen. I was so excited to go but just not a great experience. read more

Very disappointed. Have Always been to the restaurant in Newark. First time to the Pine Brook location and the last. Waiter was horrible. Expected better service. Food was just okay. I will now continue to visit other restaurants in Elizabeth NJ. Will never ever go back to this restaurant. Terrible. I will never recommend it... Don't go. And prices were a lot higher then Newark location. read more

I got chicken in tomato and wine sauce. It was GREAT, but it took 30 minutes to cook the food. That's why I penalized a star!!

My friends and I go out every other month, to eat. Usually The Belmount Tavern. We thought to try someplace new. The food was really, really awful. Fish old, steak devoid of taste and these were the specials. The waiter had the eight plates of food rotating around the table and kept asking who gets what . The took an hour to arrive after the appetizers had long been gone. Avoid this place like the plague. I'm a chef of long standing and stature. Danger Will Robinson! read more

Garlic shrimp and Marinera clams are good starters, but paella overall was dry. Seafood in the paella was overcooked. Plus, they say that one order of paella serves two people, but it could easier serve four. Huge portions! read more

The food and service were okay. I was hoping for a five star experience.

Food there is great and sangria. Gave the bartender my usual bet on the sports games. Didn't win but it was fun finding a place that you can place a sports bet at and watch a good game on TV with other sports Gamblers. Thank you Pepe and Manny for making a place that you can eat and place a bet on a game. I did win money a few times The regulars just have to tone it down a bit while the games are on. read more

Been dining here for over 25 years. Awful experience tonight. My son was served fish that was bad. The minute it hit the table we knew. Tasted it and almost threw up. Complained and they brought out something else. they brought out something else and charged us the more expensive price of the replacement item. Told me first dish was fine, we just didn't like it. Terrible customer service tonight and wait staff on slow mo. Don't know what happened tonight. Will think twice before going back. Wasnt like we didn't spend alot of money either. 8 people, apps, drinks, dinner, dessert and coffee. Not a cheap night. read more

Great place,has been a favorite for some time, lobster is very popular there, last saturday had the 44 dollar 1 1/4 lb tail quite impressive,However was disapointed to get oleo in place of REAL BUTTER ! would have been happy with 1/3 the amount of the real deal,still great place perhaps will bring my own next time? read more

Went there this past weekend. Long wait! Food was very good and they give you big portions. Their chicken parm was humongous - enough for 2 people! So why did I rate them one star you ask. After dinner, my boyfriend and I stayed a few minutes so I could finish my wine. One of the managers or perhaps even an owner (not sure) came to our table and basically told us to leave as there are people waiting to be seated. Hey, we waited more than half hour to be seated ourselves. We do understand but the guy could have told us in a nicer way. How he said it was just plain rude!!! Like they didn't care- you paid your bill, now get out! No class at all!! I'm never going back to that resto again! read more

If you want the best seafood or garlic shrimp come here. The food is so darn good. The potatoes served with the vegetables are to die for. But the best is the grilled octopus. OMG it is so fresh. If you have never had octopus come here. They do it the best! read more

Thank you Don Pepe 2! Great food. Accommodated 18 of us last minute after a terrible experience trying to organize a party for my with another restaurant for Mothers 82nd birthday and fraternal twin brother. Please refer to my review of the Spanish Tavern in Newark. Food at Don Pepe 2 of Pine Brook was some of the best and goes to show you that you don't need to go to Newark for great Spanish food. The paella which I have had many times and can only remember a rare few that knocked it out of the ball park was 5 star here at Don Pepe 2. All the seafood and plenty of it were fresh as can be. Broiled octopus was tender and melted in your mouth. My child's filet mignon was huge but still from the kids menu. Our waiter handled all of us without delay and was a true professional and had four servers to assist. They even had a small ice cream cake brought out. My mother and uncle were so touched by this and brought tears to both of them. A truly 5 start experience. Well Done Done Pepe 2! read more

Worst place to go if you have a child who needs a high chair. Apparently they don't HAVE them. They don't use hair chairs, what they like to do is take a black booster seat and put it on a chair and hope that a 9 month old baby can hold him self up and not fall. I refused to use it and they were very rude about it. Also, my table had some allergy issue and we expressed this, but don't you worry, everything you told them didn't matter. My son's dish showed up with peppers and garnish when I told them just the chicken no butter or milk, no nothing,. it can't touch anything, he is allergic to alot of things. But they didn't listen. I also had said some other things and they really didn't seem to care about. I told them no to the sangria and they came and poured it for a 19 year old girl at my table. Didn't even card her or think to ask. She has three refills, no one said a word. Unbelievable. Won't be going there again. read more