Their green sauce is amazing! They aught to bottle it commercially.
The staff is very friendly, authentic & warm & personable
The chick is it tasty, but...has way more unedible bones/back as part of the chicken. A few times it was overcooked
They've forgotten items in my bag, a few times, which is frustrating, especially for such a small order, but they've been apologetic about it, & have given me free alfajores-another amazing items, they could sell to bakeries in the neighborhood.
I find for Astoria, The prices are high, The kind of prices I'd pay in a casual Manhattan restaurant.
The guac is exceptional
They need consistency with the chicken, & they need to reserve the back bones for soup stock, not to serve with as part of the meal.
I can get a whole rotisserie @ Costco, for half the price of a half chicken here. Both are almost equidistant from my apt, but more convenient to come here.
Big items to improve on:
-please don't overcook the chicken-get the timing right, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature
-PLEASE don't serve the chicken with the back attached. I've never been somewhere, where the chicken is served with the back. Your price is too high to include inedible pieces.
-double check the orders - always
-double check the orders - always
Check off each item on the ship, as you put it in the bag, please
-improve on anything mentioned by other reviewers, if you want to stay open, & profitable, in this neighborhood
-take a look at other very busy restaurants nearby, to get tips on why they're always crowded (decor, low lighting, music, furniture, attentive service, bread or chips @ the table,
-look at Diners & cafes nearby-busy most times, low lighting, popular music, (KOF- generous portions, consistency of flavors, gets the order right)
Other thoughts
*Consider an investor to mass produce your green sauce & alfajores, especially
If you find that, because of rent, the restaurant can't be sustained (as turnover of even good restaurants are high,
(I've been in Astoria since 1983- this locale used to be an italian deli-that was there for a long time, then 2 different Brazilian places, that didn't last long - 1st one had horrible choice in sides & the only thing good about the place was the steak & the Flan, 2nd one just didn't take), consider the option above*
I've never had that sauce before, until I first tasted it at your place. Now i often keep a container of it in my fridge, & put it on lots of things (eggs, fish, tostones, burgers, chicken). It's better than mayonnaise).
You all really are very nice. Please get the order right. Keep what works, change what doesn't. Take feedback seriously, or you will not last.
Get customer satisfaction cards, & a suggestion box
Have a give away "raffle", once a day, or on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Do Happy hour -half price on sides, on drinks, on dessert, buy one-get on free
When you bring in live music, have a sign that one table per night will get free desserts for table, or one free meal, on house, or free desserts if bill is over $50
Get little expensive cups from the Dollar store, & put a piece of paper in one cup (with lid), put the cups in the tables, randomly, & have a sign- check inside your cup. If it says "YOU WIN!), dinner is on us.
Be creative with ways to bring in more business. There are some places, on Day 1, I've said "their days are numbered", like the Bubble Tea place, that lasted months
I do hope you do well. read more