I had a really good experience at Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge. The food was good, and the service was definitely a highlight. The staff was very nice, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of throughout the meal. The location is decent and the ambiance is nice. Nothing overly fancy, but it has a good vibe and is a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would definitely consider coming back to try more of the menu. read more

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This was disgusting. My steak was raw. Chicharron WAS burnt AGAIN, even after I asked them not to burn it, they gave me half a portion and turned the burnt parts upside down. The remainder of the Chicharron was raw and chewy. Please, if your chef can't or doesn't like cooking this dish, just 86 for the day. I used to love coming here, I've recommended this place to ALL my friends.... But it seems they stopped caring about quality. Oh yeah, I waited about an hr from putting in the to-go order to receiving. One hour for undercooked steak. Lol read more

I love their original Union location, but unfortunately, I was very underwhelmed by the food at the Harrison location. I bring my mom for her birthday to their Union locations every year because she absolutely loves the aesthetics and, most importantly, the food. This year, we decided to switch it up and try the Harrison location. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the staff was nice, but unfortunately, the food did not live up to our experiences at Union. For appetizers, we ordered the calamari, ceviche de camarones, and montaditos de churrasco. The churrasco was by far the worst it had absolutely no flavor. For our entrees, a few of us ordered the mofongo, which was very dry. The fried fish was also overcooked and lacked flavor. I wish the food was more consistent. read more

Great new Cuban spot in Harrison. The Ropa Vieja was authentic and delicious. The sampler appetizer was great to try a variety of things and I loved the potato ball. Great vibe overall and happy to have a place like this in town. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

Before going to a soccer match at Sports Illustrated Stadium, my friends and I decided to stop in for a lunch and what a lunch it was. We started with empanadas and the mambo platter. I had a drink served in a coconut and a breaded steak. All of the food was magnificent and filled with good flavor. Eating outside on a nice summer morning was the cherry on top. I will definitely be making a return visit to try out more of the large selection available on their menu. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

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I'd been to the Union location twice, but this was my first time at the Harrison location. I was glad to learn they validate parking for four hours at the Element Hotel. We arrived for a late lunch. The space is colorfully decorated, both inside and out, with a Cuban aesthetic. My friend and I opted to share appetizers and cocktails. I had a passion fruit margarita, while my friend tried the Amor y Amargo cocktail, a grapefruit vodka-based drink. Both were refreshing and well made. For food, we started with croquetas (ham), chorizo al vino (sausage in wine sauce), and fried calamari. Everything was quite tasty and fairly priced. Later, we split a delicious Cuban sandwich with fries. Having grown up in Hudson County, we know a good Cuban sandwich and this one delivered. At one point, we noticed a margarita tower pass by and decided to order one with passion fruit, coconut, and original flavors. Needless to say, it was delicious and beautifully presented. We ended up staying for almost five hours. By the time we left, the place was packed and music was playing; vibrant and exactly what you'd expect on a Saturday evening. Whether for a full meal, appetizers, or cocktails, this place works for it all. The staff is friendly and never rushes you. I'll be back! read more

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Went here on a double date and it was a fantastic time! It was busy because it was a Saturday night so I definitely recommend making a reservation if you can (ironically even with a reservation we had to wait about 20 minutes) but I'm sure you'll still get a table without a reservation, it may be a bit of a wait. I was able to find parking on the road but I learned once I entered the restaurant that they do validate parking at a nearby garage for up to 4 hours! The atmosphere was very pleasant, lighting was a bit dim and music could get loud but overall the mood is set so that you enjoy your dining experience. The drinks were good, and the coconut drink that my friend got was very strong in her opinion but I tried the mojito and mule which were great to me. The food was very good, everything came to the table hot and/or fresh. The chorizo appetizer was amazing, I LOVED the red wine sauce they cooked it in. I also think the red beans and rice tasted better than black beans but to each their own. The waiter was good with explaining the menu too since it was our first time there and he had no problem altering cocktails as needed (for example removing one ingredient we didn't care for). Again, it was busy so there was a bit of wait time when we ordered drinks or needed some more water but even with that I would still rate this place 5 stars. I highly recommend you visit and try it out if you're in the area! read more

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I always walk by this from the PATH station and it's definitely a vibe inside! It is nicely decorated with lots of wait staff. I wasn't a fan of being seated next to a traffic heavy door, which didn't make my experience all too great. - Bistec Salteado, (3.5/5): nice and tomato-y, and the portion sizes are huge! It comes with a side too - I just chose 2 medium done eggs. I think this dish pairs well with rice though. The beef pieces were quite fatty and sliced into strips. I got a lot of tendon pieces so it wasn't that fun to chew through. Regardless, the fries were nice and crispy- it gave it a nice touch. And again- I like that sour kick! - Bistec Empanizado, (2.5/5): so dry :(( the crust with very thick and I did not taste too much of the beef. It was also not that flavorful and the hot sauce didn't really save it. - Empanadas + Cuban Flatbread: friends got this order and I did not try. They said it was just ok Going here satisfied my initial curiosity. Glad I tried it at least once. read more

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This was one of my favorite Cuban restaurants :( I tell everyone to go here, and I'd say still take your chances as you will most likely have a great experience. I went here last weekend, and within 30 minutes after leaving I experienced chronic food poisoning. Something went horribly wrong with either the mango salad (I suspect this), black beans, tostones, white rice, or cassava. I didn't even order meat so idk what it was. My friend ordered some egg steak dish and he was fine. I literally vomited four times within that same night. My date was ruined, it was so awful. I've never had this experience before, and I don't think it is common because I've come here dozens of times. It was very odd. Sad :( read more

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My family and I have been going to Mambo in Union for years since it's only about 5 minutes from our house. We've always enjoyed the food, the service, and the overall experience, so we decided to celebrate my birthday at the Harrison location. We loved the decor, the food was great, and the service was just as good as we've come to expect. The only reason we're giving 4 instead of 5 stars was the photographer. We politely declined having our picture taken the first time, but instead of simply moving on, he stood by our table staring at me, which felt awkward. A second time, he asked my husband if he wanted a picture, and when my husband said no, he replied, "It's just a picture." We had already declined, and that should have been respected. The third time, while my family and the staff were singing Happy Birthday, he took several photos without us realizing it. He later returned with about five printed pictures already placed in frames and asked which one I wanted to buy. I had to decline again, and he clearly wasn't happy about it. It was especially odd that the photos were printed without our consent. When we go out to eat, we want to relax, enjoy our meal, and celebrate with our family--not feel pressured into buying a service we already said we weren't interested in. A simple "no, thank you" should be enough. Other than that, we had a wonderful experience, and we'll definitely continue visiting Mambo because we truly enjoy the restaurant. I just hope management considers a less intrusive approach to the photography service so guests can enjoy their meal without repeated interruptions. read more

¡Viva Cuba! Mambo is a lively Cuban restaurant and lounge with two locations in North Jersey. We visited the Harrison location on a Thursday evening for dinner & drinks. There's a parking garage nearby as well as metered street parking. Before you enter the restaurant, you'll notice the lush and tropical greenery that surrounds the outdoor dining area. The interior captures the vibrant culture of Cuba perfectly - colorful accents, large murals showcasing the deep history, bongo drums, vintage cars, old Hollywood glamour, etc. They have a beautiful bar, ample seating in their dining and lounge rooms, and a private event space. There's a touch of elegance, but it's not too upscale. The restaurant is suitable for both casual and special occasions like celebrations and date nights. The atmosphere is festive with dim lighting and Latin music playing in the background. We were seated immediately as a party of 2 without any reservations. It wasn't a busy night. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The menu offers traditional Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, vaca frita, and bistec de pollo a la plancha alongside a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, and soups. They have daily lunch specials from 11:30am-3pm Mon-Fri. The drink menu is extensive and includes cocktails, wine, beer, shakes, etc. Happy Hour is Mon-Fri 4-7pm. I ordered... *Mojito $11.95 (Bacardi Superior Rum, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, soda) - Refreshing, tart, and sweet. One of my favorite cocktails! *Ropa Vieja $16.95 (shredded beef, pepper, onions, cilantro, Cuban Creole sauce) - A classic & comforting dish with savory and tangy flavors. The tomato-based sauce was perfectly seasoned. The beef was tender and absorbed the rich flavors of the sauce well. My only complaint is that the portion size was a bit small for the price. *Pechuga De Pollo Empanizada $16.95 (breaded fried chicken marinated with lemon & garlic) - The chicken breast was HUGE, but I didn't enjoy this dish. The breading was crispy, but the meat wasn't too juicy. It was dry and hard to cut through. I really wish they put a sauce on top to add more flavor. Each entree includes one side. I ordered the tostones (fried plantains) and arroz blanco (white rice) with frijoles negros (black beans). The tostones were decent - definitely could've been crispier on the outside and more tender on the inside. I really enjoyed the garlic mojo sauce on the side. The black beans were delicious and packed with tons of sabor (flavor)! The rice was soft, fluffy, and perfectly complemented the rich sauces of the black beans & ropa vieja. Did the food blow me away? No. Was it one of the more memorable Cuban restaurants I've dined in? No. I've had better food with bigger portions and/or lower prices. Would I be open to visiting again if I'm in the area? Yes, but most likely only for Happy Hour drinks or small bites. read more

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First thing to do, I suggest request to be seated in Rolando's section, best server experience out of all my eating out places. The place has a beach dining experience when sitting to opposite HOSTESS STATION in far back area. I believe it is the windows in this area including natural wood. Ropa Vieja with plantains after MAMBO COMBO PLATTER was sooo good. forgot picture taking. Comida Cubana como mi madre hacia años atraz. Happy hour is good including Mojitos and pitcher of Sangria, white or red. Dale, se que la curiosidad te llama aqui. Parking next to entrance to your left looking at it. PARKING TICKET VALIDATED. Precios rasonable para la aparencia que da. COMES BIEN AQUI. read more

I went here after work one day. Conveniently located right off the path train in Harrison NJ. Great place to dine in at affordable prices and high quality food. Our waitress was so friendly and they recommend several drinks for us to try. The inside has a nice ambiance feeling- cool spot for a date for sure. Parking is a little tricky, but they have ParkMobile so payment is straight forward. read more

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Had a great time. We came here for dinner before heading to the stadium watch party. Our server was Jorge. He was super attentive and helpful. The food and drinks were great too. We got the creole fish and snapper for drinks we got pina colada which was amazing and passion fruit daiquiri was good too. Our desserts was good too. Overall had a great experience from the ambiance, service and food/drinks! read more

I had a reservation for two at 6:30pm on a Friday. I parked in the nearby Harrison parking lot (the restaurant has parking validation so be sure to show your ticket to the host before leaving). I was seated at a booth. Several servers came by as I waited for my friend to take my drink order and to make sure I was being assisted. Once my friend arrived, we put in our drink orders. I had a strawberry Margarita with casamigos tequila. Once our drinks came out a server stopped and asked if he could offer a suggestion. He told me they have mezcal tequila which would be great in a spicy Margarita and I thought this was a great touch. Customer service and attention was 10/10! The margarita was decent, not great. I was not a fan of the strawberry purée which tasted overwhelmingly artificial. Otherwise, well-made margarita. As appetizers we ordered the chicken empanadas and yuca wrapped in bacon. Both came out quickly and hot. Very good. Nice touch that you can choose the number of empanadas you would like to order which provides flexibility when ordering. As an entree I ordered the fish stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. The sauce of the entree was delicious but the fish on the inside seemed a bit undercooked. I also thought wrapping the fish and not having it all in the sauce made it a bit bland. This and the margarita is where they lost 1 star. The outside area was full and they had music playing. It seems like a great place to catch up with friends or go for a date night. I would return... just not for my dish. I would go with the fried snapper next time and a different drink. Highlight: customer service and ambiance! Thank you for a great time!! Management is doing a great job! read more

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I've always enjoyed coming to Mambo. The food is consistently good, and the atmosphere is fun, energetic, and one of the reasons I keep coming back. Unfortunately, the service--particularly at the bar--continues to be disappointing. The bartenders often bring the entire meal out at once instead of pacing it, and when you ask for it to be served differently, they seem annoyed rather than accommodating. More than once, I've felt like I was inconveniencing them simply by asking for service. It also seems like customer engagement isn't a priority. Rather than checking on guests, staff often spend time sitting at the end of the bar playing the bongos, leaving customers to flag someone down when they need another drink or assistance. This restaurant has so much going for it: great food, a lively atmosphere, and a unique vibe. With better hospitality and more attentive customer service, it could easily be a five-star experience. I genuinely hope management invests more in customer service training because the restaurant deserves service that matches the quality of its food. read more

I'm always in search of good Cuban food and I found it. The food was excellent. The service was right on spot couldn't ask for a better evening out with my wife and granddaughters. The ambience was so nice mangoes in the front Cuban flair throughout the building.. our waitress was a young Colombian girl who was so good read more

It was my daughters birthday and the place we originally picked was 5 minutes away and it was closed for renovation- but when we walked in Mambo Cubano we were glad the way things worked out !! The ambience was beautiful the service was great from the moment we sat down served were attentive! It was fairly Close to closing to the entrees took a little time but that's fine because there was absolutely no rush between appetizers and chatting !! The food for me was great and the drinks ! My son enjoyed 2 virgin pina coladas actually wanted a 3rd lol - my daughter received a nice little table side drink service Will definitely return to celebrate my finances birthday next month ! read more

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A great little Cuban style cuisine shop - very loud music, but they have a room to the side for big parties, an outdoor dining space, and they take custom orders even off a price fix menu for the big groups. The paella was too soggy for me (I like crispy but others really liked it), but the churrasco salteado was fantastic - peppers, onions, fries, and skirt steak. Appetizers were family style, main was chose a few and shared. Flan was ok - I've had better, but overall a great place to share foods and try new dishes. Cool mural. Great staff - very helpful! Parking in the back - you can get 2hr validated for free with the meal. read more

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Such a cute spot with strong Cuban, latin vibes. It really feels like a little slice of Havana right in Harrison, NJ. The service is consistently great. Even the manager makes a point to stop by and check on tables, which is always appreciated. The food is very good overall. The plantain boat is a must, and the calamari has a nice kick from the peppers. The shrimp in olive oil missed the mark for me. It's definitely not comparable to what you'd get in Madrid. The oil tasted off and left an unpleasant aftertaste. On the other hand, the rice and black beans were delicious, though sometimes just a bit too salty, and the maduros were spot on. I've also tried the crab-stuffed fish and absolutely loved it; the sauce underneath is rich and succulent. One visit I ordered a variety of sides and ended up with the perfect meal. Add a piña colada, great music, and a lively atmosphere, and it's an easy place to love. Bonus points for covering a few hours of garage parking. Always happy to come back. Great addition to the area. read more

I really like this place. I'm giving it 4 stars because I ordered the Mofongo and felt it could have been done a bit better, but everything else was great. The location is fantastic -- right near the PATH station in Harrison -- and as someone who loves Cuban food, I was excited to try it. The décor is on point, the service is excellent, and the music is at a perfect volume so you can actually have a conversation. The drinks are spot‑on too. I'd definitely recommend this spot for lunch, dinner, or even brunch. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Mofongo - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

We had an amazing dining experience at Mambo Cuban Restaurant in Union, NJ, made even better by the live music. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was lively, fun, and full of energy, creating a perfect setting for a memorable night out. The food was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared, with generous portions that really hit the spot. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the music added an extra layer to the experience, making the evening feel special and authentic. The service was friendly and attentive, striking a great balance between being helpful and letting us enjoy the moment. Between the great food, live music, and welcoming vibe, Mambo Cuban Restaurant delivered a fantastic dining experience and is definitely a place we'd love to return to. read more

This place is great. This is where I often meet my ex-wife , who is now one of my dearest friends. Is where I go when I need someone to talk some sense into me! Oh, the restaurant.... Everything is always fantastic-the food, the drinks and the staff it are great-and accommodating. I have a thick skull, and they've never made me feel like they wanted us out, and it takes a few hours (easily) for my ex to get ne back in check. read more

Had a great dining experience here! Our server, Rodrigo, was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and spot-on with his recommendations. We tried the empanadas (the chicken ones were our favorite) and the pernil flatbread, which was absolutely delicious. The sides alone were tempting enough to make a meal, but we went with entrees. I had the snapper, which was good, along with a side of veggies. My only suggestion would be to offer a sauce for the snapper, as it was a bit dry on its own. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and would gladly dine here again! read more

Came here for Lunch one day and it was okay. It wasn't packed for lunch. They have daily ten dollar lunch specials throughout the week. I ordered the chicken empanadas. They were okay but a little on the dry side. The service was good; there wasn't a wait. They inside was decorated nice read more

My sister had been here a few times and had enjoyed the food so I figured we would give it a try for Mother's Day. Well, of course the place was filled to capacity and initially quite loud. Luckily, they lowered the music slightly and we were able to have somewhat of a conversation. The restaurant has many Instagramable spots and a very convivial, Latin ambiance. Repeat, it can get loud, especially by the bar. Appetizers Mambo Sampler Beef empanadas Stuffed Plantain canoe Entrees Mar y tierra Churrasco Lobster enchilado- to much onion/pepper Dessert Coconut flan Churros Tres Leche cake I will cut them some slack since it was Mother's Day and quite busy. The churrasco and lobster came out on the raw side. Had to be sent back. Food was good overall. A cute spot for a Cuban/latin experience. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

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I dined here because I was in the mood for latin food. I had a few of the Mojito Mambo cocktails which were very good. My meal consisted of Empanadas and the Masitas de Puerco. I enjoyed both very much. The service was good once I was seated. The ambiance was very comfortable. read more

A friend of mine and I got together for happy hour. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked in and found my friend at the bar. We ordered with great bartenders! I only had the drinks of the sangria and wine and it was good! My friend had the Mambo platter and she enjoyed. The ambiance was good as well! Had a good experience! read more

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Great drinks! Great atmosphere! Authentic Cuban cuisine mixed with live music. I ordered the Arroz Chino Cubano which exceeded my expectations portion-wise and good for the price. I would definitely go back when I'm back in town. read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

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I reallyyy love the food here! It's my second time coming here We ordered the Appetizer: Cheese Empanadas 4/10 Beef empanadas 8/10 Chicken empanadas 7/10 Fried cheese - ehh worth trying for yourself not bad. I'm not in love with the sauce they drench it in lol Entree: Bandeja Cubana 11/10 - only thing that sucked was that the portion has gotten smaller in comparison to when we came here for the first time last year. It comes with pork, beef, chicken, plantains, rice, egg, avocado Drink: Corona Rita / Mambarita 11/10 Drink: Mango smoothie without the milk 11/10 refreshing Ropa Veja with added shrimp - 6/10 The price wasn't worth it. The portions were super tiny and you only get a choice of one side. Also the shrimp was bland! Don't pay the extra for the shrimp. Overall this is a new spot. The ambiance is amazing, the service was fairly good, reservations weren't needed, but we put our names down just in case. I would come back for sure! read more

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Our waiter Wilson was amazing ! Food music and ambience was excellent! We will be back again ! read more

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Harrison - Pescado filete relleno de cangrejo y camaron - Cuban Near Me - Harrison, New Jersey

I love this place so much. I've tried a number of items off the menu. So far I've like majority of what I've had enough to keep going back. Because this place is soo good I'll just mention the few things I did not care for. The flat bread - it just wasnt for me but maybe its for you. Vaca Frita - I wanted to love this I really did. I don't know what I was expecting because fried beef is the name but it was tough to chew. And coming in absolute last - Bistec Empanizado. Maybe its because I ordered this for take out and not sit down but other than breaded well this had 0 flavor. It had me thinking I had covid it was the blandest thing and the description said Lemon and Garlic.... Unless it was a sauce that was missed during packaging there wasnt any lemon or garlic on this. I didn't even eat it. The review on the Bistec Empanizado was harsh, but I have come here minimally 5 times since Jan and will die on the hill this place is soo good. The ambiance is nice for a party of two or group. Service is wonderful and hosts are welcoming. Food and drinks 10/10. read more

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Staff: Amazing - He made several recommendations and check on us several times- Unlimited Mojitos (You can choose all the flavors) I only had two. Food tasted hot & fresh And the vibe was great- they played Cuban music and it was a great experience read more

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Best Cuban place I ever been too. The food the service was excellent. The only negative thing is the lack of parking and heavy traffic. Make it very difficult for a handicapped person to get in. read more

I tried really hard to find something wrong with this place. After dinner I'm frankly stunned there isn't a line out the door every night. I was one of maybe 3 tables being served in the whole place. The service was outstanding. The food was great. The prices were cheap for the quality and quantity. I even love the vibe. Absolutely perfect date night spot for a quiet drink. I had a Cuban iced tea that was strong! Great run mixer, light, refreshing, and delicious. Not too sweet. For dinner I had a lemon and garlic fried chicken, rice and beans and all was perfect. Chicken was juicy, nice crisp to the fry, really lemony and with the rice and beans a big flavor punch. Super filling! Parking was close and free, plenty on the street. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

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The food is ok good. The staff is nice but there were to many so they were chatting and not being helpful. The cuban sandwich was tasty. Not to much meat, fresh bread, needed more mustard. Empanada were only half filled and a little over fried. The potatoe balls were not worth it. They were soggy and hardly stuffed. The place does have a cool vibe and I liked the decor read more

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A++++++**+++++++ music food service very good can't complain at all honestly good very read more

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Pre and post game go to place ! Mofongo and Paella are the best ! Service and experience amazing! Their birthday day singing is another level ! Overall ***** read more

Great proximity to Red Bulls Stadium. Good place to have dinner before a match. I went there with 2 other friends. Food was very good, all three of us were very pleased with our selections. Service was a bit slow, especially when ordering drinks from the bar. It has a very nice atmosphere and the staff is very friendly, I do think it's expensive given the location, but I will say it doesn't seem to matter as the restaurant was full the night I went. read more

This restaurant was a wonderful experience. We were visiting from Long Island and googled this restaurant and we're not disappointed. The hostess was amazing, the servers were great, but our waiter, victor, was phenomenal. Friendly, helpful, courteous and suggested great food options. We were here to have dinner with our son and we had a great time totally recommend coming here. The next time we are in New Jersey we will visit again! read more

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