Great southern cuisine. Good staff. Friendly environment enjoyed the catfish, chicken & waffles. Sides of Mac & cheese and yams . Cakes were great ! read more

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My father and I had a wonderful time at Melba's on 3/22. The service was warm and friendly and everybody was having a great time. But we need to give a special shout out to the lovely manager, Raine. She made our experience so lovely. I had forgotten to make reservations for brunch on Sunday (yes, I know..rookie mistake). I was unable to do so via the website so I called. I was advised that reservations were not being taken but to just show up at the designated time. So I did and saw a line and panicked a little but forged ahead. I asked the hostess if a table for 2 was available she said it would be a 45 minute wait. I optioned to sit at the bar instead. As I was waiting for my dad to show up, Raine past by me and I asked if it was possible to get a table. She said she would look into it. A few minutes later, she got us a table just as my dad walked in. We both ordered the catfish sandwich and some fried chicken to go to bring to a friend who is currently at the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. As we sat at our table, Raine graced the restaurant with her singing talents as she led us in singing Happy Birthday (Stevie Wonder version) to another patron. My dad and Raine ended up having a lovely conversation as it turned out they both had some friends in common. It was a truly wonderful afternoon. read more

This was my first time going to Melba's and I was pretty impressed. It has a nice, upscale feeling to it, and it being the holiday season there were nice festive decorations throughout. I went on a Saturday, mid afternoon, thinking it would be pretty empty. Wrong! It was very busy, and I overheard a server telling another patron that it was pretty much always a bit busy on the weekends, and the best time to come was weekdays. In spite of the fact that it was so busy, my order came out incredibly fast. I was very surprised. I kept it simple and ordered only two dishes; the chicken and eggnog waffles (I went with wings as my chicken option), and an order of peas and rice. I couldn't really taste an eggnog influence in the waffles, but it could have been due to my unsophisticated palate, lol. But I can say it was tasty enough, and that I enjoyed it very much. The chicken was excellent and very crispy. The strawberry butter and maple syrup made everything even better. The peas and rice was delicious and fluffy. The portions for both dishes were generous, so-much-so, that I had to doggie bag some, which served as a light breakfast the next day. I also had a strawberry lemonade drink which was refreshing. Overall, I enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere, and definitely will go back in the future! read more

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I've heard so much about Melba's fire some time. Everyone raves about the oxtail. I went in May for my friend's bday, no reservation but we got there at a great time and where able to get a table. I got the eggnog waffle and chicken. That chicken made me think of my mom. It was absolutely delicious. I didn't care for the waffle because I couldn't taste eggnog. My friend had shrimp for appetizer and chicken wings. She said the were awesome. Our waiter was EXECELLENT. He made her some sangria and I tasted it. Unbelievably delicious. The second time was my bday in December. The hosted was the most amazing bubbly young lady. And just so happen, we sat at same table and had same waiter. This time I got the oxtail. They were so tasty. I wish I was home to suck on the bones. I got greens and Mac Cheese. Once again then greens taste like my mommy's. The Mac cheese was good. A bit too cheesy for me. My brother got honey ginger salmon, sweet potato wedges. He enjoyed his salmon. My friend got the chicken wings again. I went on Sunday 1/11/26. Same beautiful hostess. My brother and i ordered salmon and yams, greens. I talked my sister into getting the oxtail. She agreed that they are delicious. The entire staff, chef, cooks, cleaners are ALL amazing. Can't wait to go back read more

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This was my first time here and this is some really good soul food. The oxtails were really flavorful and tender. The mac had the perfect crust on top! I'm not usually a fan of greens, but I'll eat them. But something told me to order these greens and I'm so glad I did. Flavor! Highly recommend! read more

Melba's Restaurant - Jamaican Oxtails w/ Tres Mac & Cheese and Low Country Collard Greens - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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I wanted to try this place so long and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Service was on point and the atmosphere was very welcoming. The chicken and waffles had crispy, well seasoned chicken with fluffy, uniquely flavored eggnog waffles. The strawberry butter is worthy of being sold by itself in a tub. read more

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Melba's was our first stop in NY. We saw TT's recommending it....my sister and our friend enjoyed their food (chicken and waffle) we all loved the mac n cheese. I didnt quite enjoy the chicken sandwich. It was dry and over fried to where I really didnt get to enjoy the meat of the chicken thigh. We had ordered the fish fillets for appetizers and those were overcooked and chewy as well. Could be a one of day... read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was phenomenal! It was absolutely worth dragging our suitcases along to get there early. Service was excellent! read more

Melba's Restaurant - BBQ Turkey Meatloaf A$AP Yams Tres Mac & Cheese - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

The restaurant was pretty good. Their playlist was fire! The service at front of house needed help, and was overwhelmed it took a bit of time to get seated and it was very crowded. Once when we were at the table the service was much better. I enjoyed the chicken and waffles but it was not mind blowing. The chicken was done really well but the breading came off the chicken. Additionally, the waffle was too sweet. This was a good restaurant but not sure I would make the trip to go there again. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

I ate at Melba's a few hours ago for the first time and I was not pleased. I had such high hopes for this restaurant because of all the accolades and recent stories about their expansion. Melba's does not live up to any of the hype. We sat in the brightest part of the restaurant which had a blah vibe. The front portion of the restaurant has low lights and a more cozy feel. The food was miss after miss. Greasy fried shrimp appetizer. Super basic fried calamari. My cousin played around with a dried out, ashy tasting crabcake appetizer (yes I took a bite) and the mains were just turrrible. My smothered half chicken was covered in a gravy that was heavy on flour while light on taste. The mashed potatoes tasted like they were cooked and seasoned with water. Sautéed spinach tasted acidic and also bland. I only spied the "ASAP Yams," named in honor of the deceased rapper and they just looked like plain, boiled sweet potatoes. The manager was kind enough to bring out extra fried catfish on the house after we mentioned the small portion that was originally served. We didn't bother about ordering dessert. Our server was pleasant enough but... It does seem odd that soul food basics like cornbread or biscuits are missing from Melba's menu. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Fried shrimp appetizer. - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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My family visited here for the first time while visiting NYC. We placed reservations weeks ahead of our visit. The place was pretty busy when we arrived. There were no other seating indoors and we chose to sit outside, the weather was nice at the time. The service was nice, however seemed to be short staffed at the time. I had short ribs,collard greens and rice pilaf. The rice had no flavor and completely dry. The shirt ribs were good, a lot of fat. The greens were delicious. My husband was very disappointed in the portion size. He ordered chicken with greens and yams. My son-in-law ordered the oxtails which seemed to be the hit, he raved about them being so delicious. My daughter ordered fried catfish filet which she said was ok, she wanted more also. The place was cramped and busy, I could not really see the decor at the time. I suggest getting more space. I heard so much about the place, I am glad I visited. I am not sure if we will visit again. read more

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Decided to stop in to try Melba's restaurant while visiting New York. The interior is welcoming with a hostess at the front to greet incoming diners. We were served quickly by a waitress who took our order which miraculously arrived with lightning speed. I ordered the catfish plate which was served with mac & cheese, peas & rice. The fish had a nice flavor but was less fried than I would prefer. The mac & cheese was the standout on the plate. Good flavor and consistency. The peas & rice were just ok. My dining partner ordered the oxtail plate and found it unsatisfactory. All said it's worth a try but for the price I would say needs a little more time and love in the cooking. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Menu - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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The place is cute not too small got seated right away. We asked the waitress what she recommended, but I'm disappointed that we tried her recommendations. The oxtail was just not it. She said it taste like real authentic Jamaican oxtail, but it just wasn't. The short rib was very rubbery. We had to send it back and ask for something else in exchange. The best thing here I had was the mama's potato salad. The shrimp appetizer was OK nothing spectacular. The place got more lively in the evening time for sure. I just wish the bathrooms were a little bit cleaner. You could smell the bathrooms and all the chemicals in the dining room as the door doors are left wide open. They are definitely messy toilet paper everywhere floors are gross and sticky. I don't think I would come back but good luck. read more

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Melba's restaurant has been a beloved Harlem institution For nearly 2 decades serving up soulful Classics and warm hospitality. I haven't been there in years however I made a stop by for my wife's birthday. We decided to try Melba's signature dish, which is the chicken and eggnog infuse waffle and the catfish and eggnog waffle with real maple syrup and strawberry infused butter. It's a surprisingly and delicious twist on a classic. My wife had a sweet tea which is a southern staple also. It's a very intimate setting with customers sitting very close to one another. I'm not a big fan of that however though it was a pleasant enough atmosphere ambience. It's definitely worth a trip to Melba's restaurant if you're in the area or you're looking for a wonderful dining experience the menu is extensive and there's something for everyone to enjoy. read more

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first the server Kenny L was great made us laugh The food was great and I got the coconut pineapple cake OMG the smell of the cake before you eat it was so good read more

Melba's is always a great meal with attentive, good service. It's a pretty casual atmosphere for the family, brunch and even a date! It's one of the few times that I've been here and the owner wasn't walking around greeting the customers. Check them out on Sundays in the summer for the vibes! read more

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Great food but be careful to note that they automatically a 20% service fee for parties of 6 or more, but this does not show up on the little machine when you pay with a credit card. Rather the machine shows you the tip that should be added. If the service fee is already added then they should tell the customer it is already added rather than showing the tip needs to be paid. read more

I've been a harlem native all my life and I'm ashamed to say that this was my first time visiting Melba's. I visited here on a date on a Saturday afternoon. Overall I had a decent experience. The restaurant is conveniently located near public transportation. We were seated outside, there was a fan. The waitress was cool. It just took a while for our food to come out and she didn't come to our table to really check in with us for anything. Meanwhile the restaurant wasn't even that busy. The food was pretty good. I got the oxtail with spinach and mashed potatoes. The rum punch was decent. I would recommend visiting if you're in the area or want to visit one of Harlem's staples! read more

Melba's Restaurant - Jamaican Oxtails (2 Sides) + Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes + Sauteed Spinach - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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I had the vegan pot pie with sides of mac and cheese, eggnog waffle, plus an extra order of peas and rice. Each dish was pretty good, with the waffle being the standout. It ended up being a bit expensive at about $50 for the lot - I wish they had told us that choosing the waffle as a side results in an upcharge. Otherwise, it's nice to see a spot that's open late and has an array of vegetarian options. read more

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A friend and I stopped in after having drinks at another establishment on FD Boulevard. Granted it's been a while since going to Melba's but I remember the food as being top notch. Times have changed. We were seated quickly and admired the decor. Stunning artwork. Our orders came out quickly but I'd describe everything as underwhelming. I had the oxtail, yams and collard greens. Everything tasted as if it was dusted with brown sugar which was off putting. Even the Arnold Palmer was too sweet. Our server was nice enough, but the hostess was eh. It was like she rather be anywhere but there. Melba used to be a true gem in Harlem, not so much now. read more

Food was too sweet. Most if not everything was glazed in something sweet or had sugar as an added ingredient. The spinach thankfully didn't.

This review is for her brand new location inside of Grand Central's Good Court. It's brand new and opened this past Thursday. I went on Valentine's Day. So here are the deets: I love the fact that the options are limited and straight to the point. When you walk up to the encounter, you will see a hot plate with three options: yams, collard greens, and Mac and Cheese. There's a warmer with the fried chicken which comes in a variety, half of a breast/wing/ thigh/drumstick/tenders. Now, I ordered the CLT. I will say that I was underwhelmed. The sandwich came on a potato roll with one slice of pork bacon, butter lettuce, tomato and a fried boneless chicken thigh with a piece of skin on it. I was disturbed by the taste. It seemed like a forced decision to place each item on the bread with chipotle mayo. I didn't enjoy it. I wanted more flavor. Specifically, I'm not a fan of dark meat. So I will say that. However, the chicken was seasoned and crunchy. The texture was a bit of juicy and dry or stringy at certain points. The Mac and Cheese did not look appetizing. Because they baked it in another pan and then scooped some out to actually spread in a another pan. However, I will be back to try the chicken tenders and waffles. And another lemonade of course. That was absolutely perfect. read more

Melba's Restaurant - CLT Chicken Sandwich - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Hey Chat, So today was girls day, and we decided to check out one of Harlem's hot spots - Melba's! Even though the restaurant is small and really cute, the vibes and flavors are big! For my entree I had the crab cakes, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese. My homegirl ordered the vegan mushroom, sweet potato, and spinach pot pie w. mac & cheese. My good sis left no crumbs on her plate! As for me, my crab cakes and mashed potatoes we're really good.. I just felt that the mac & cheese was extremely salty. For dessert I ordered the red velvet cake, which was delicious and moist. The service we received was friendly and accommodating. I would return for another visit. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Red Velvet Cake ( It was so good, I almost forgot to snap a pic! ) - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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With all the good things I heard about this restaurant I did not expect to be so disappointed. The dish wear was foggy, the table service was slow and there was very little intention, kindness, and effort being put in by the whole staff. They say that they use the freshest ingredients and best chicken but just by taste alone i can tell the oil is being reused and that the chicken is cheap. The fish was nothing to write home about and regrettably so i tried a large variety of sides and they too were all sad soggy excuses for southern cooking. I can tell the chef is dissatisfied with the work he is doing, you can taste it-- read more

Amazing service and food. Comfort food done right. We went as part of my Wife's birthday weekend and they make her feel at home and they make her feel special. A good meal and a good time. read more

Omg this was an amazing experience. Tatiana was our server and made the experience feel like being with family, She's cute AF and warm and efficient as a server.the food was top notch from the drinks to the deviled eggs to the oxtails and catfish and waffle. My southern palate is uber satisfied. Can't wait to come back ... stop by... you will be glad you did. read more

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Melba's has been on my list of restaurants to check out for a hot minute, and with familia in town, it made sense to bring the whole squad. Melba's has catered a few events I have attended but I wanted to get the full experience of being in the actual restaurant. Although that fried chicken & waffle was calling me, I got the catfish with the A$AP yams (RIP) and rice/peas. Everything was delicious. I'm literally drooling right now thinking about it *mops floor* The rest of the table ordered fried chicken with various sides, and everyone loved their choices. I was able to grab a sample of the mac-n-cheese and it HIT. The true test of a great meal is not wanting to stop eating, so I didn't *teehee* I will definitely be back to try some of the other options on the menu. Also wanna say that the staff is super friendly, and the young lady that assisted us was amazing. She offered recommendations, was attentive and had good energy overall. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Country Catfish A$AP Yams Down Home Peas & Rice - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

Sooooooo damnnnnn goooddd. I just wanted some fish and greens and potato salad and oh my damn! It was delicious. My Mom had the same with candied yams & garlic mash, Lawd!!!! lol. It was all so friggin delicious. Can't wait to go back. The potatoe salad is a touch too salty, and all the desserts that I wanted to try were sold out, but otherwise, definitely enjoyed my dinner. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Catfish, yams, garlic mash - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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Made a reservation, arrived and was seated promptly. Our waitress was amazing, didn't rush us as I wanted to choose wisely. I went with the Signature dish, Chicken and Eggnog Waffle. It was beyond my expectations. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside. Seasoned perfectly. The waffle was so fluffy and the strawberry butter was the perfect compliment. Didn't really need the maple syrup. To highlight our dining experience, the owner, Ms Melba came by to chat. She was down to earth, gracious, and her kindness was appreciated. This Connecticut girl can't wait to visit again. . read more

Melba's Restaurant - I had no leftovers to put in my bag - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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We had such a great experience with Melba's Restaurant in Harlem who catered my Dad's Birthday Party! Jill Margolies, the Senior Event Sales Manager, was so kind, attentive, and accommodating throughout the whole process. She made everything easy. The staff she sent--Gabriel and Tatiana--went above and beyond! They were professional, helpful, and incredibly charming. Our guests felt fully taken care of, and the service couldn't have been better. And the food... WOW. Absolutely delicious! Our guests were pleasantly surprised and loved every bite. Thank you, Jill and the Melba's team, for delivering amazing food and outstanding service. Highly recommend! read more

5 years ago, you could not tell me I will be writing a review like this about Melba's. This summer I went to the Melba's in 42nd street grand station and the cook was sweeping up the floor and didn't want to wear gloves to serve/ cook the food. He took someone food out with no gloves grabbing the chicken with his hands. Turned and said I washed my hands I don't have to wear gloves. Today I went to the Melba's on 114th street. I just wanted crab cakes. Disappointed. These crab cakes don't taste house made, but they are not from wegmans neither. The taste was so bad I really didn't eat it. I'm a foodie. I go to all the black restaurants taste , compare, love it. These were real bad. I also ordered a side of potato salad. I sent it back. I have been to Melba's more than 10 times. My friends have had birthday dinners there, so I know the food is great. Today was bad. I switched the potato salad with the Mac and cheese and that was bad too. The food tasted like the neighborhood, gentrified. I gave up. Paid my bill and left. The white waiter so that I was unhappy with my food and still stood there waiting for a tip. I was disgusted. Paid the bill, tipped the waiter, and left. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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I love my black people man! they sure know how to cook a meal & fry some chicken. I came here to celebrate my uncles birthday & even he was satisfied & that's an alpha man who is never impressed & hard to please when spending his own money LOL! The fam bam enjoyed this meal & the food came out so quick. The service was great & it was nice to see the diversity inside.. I just love Harlem! They have such a nice vibe (but not better than Brooklyn) LOL - follow my page on Instagram @sinsineats read more

Melba's Restaurant - Oxtails, Mac and cheese , & peas and rice - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

It was a lot smaller than I expected. The chef and host were standing outside when we walked up and didn't come in until after we walked in. Our server was nice, but didn't really come to check on us often and they're was only 2 other tables. They have their own hot sauce which is OK, but smells more like Asian spices. It's pricy and I thought the food was going to be amazing, but they don't have meat that you can add to a salad unless you buy $14 ala cart fried chicken, which brings me to the chicken... seriously over cooked and dry couldn't even get off the bone. The server was nice and bright out more, but still burnt and I didn't accept it. They took it off of the ticket, but then charged ala cart prices for everything which was basically just as much as the meal maybe was a total of $4 cheaper and that was for 2 orders of fried chicken. Not sure if other locations are better, so not sure if I'd recommend even though they supposedly beat Bobby Flay with their chicken. read more

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In town for my brother in laws bday and he wanted to try Melba's. He and his wife really enjoyed it. I on the other hand felt the food was just alright. Being from the Deep South this food lacked the soulfulness I'm accustomed to. I had the catfish which was softly fried, it tasted good but I like my fried fish cornmeal coated and fried a little more crispy. The Mac and cheese was bland and the rice and peas were hard tasteless and not edible. The service however was really great and the restaurant atmosphere was cool. read more

Melba's Restaurant - Country Catfish, Down Home Peas & Rice - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

First time dining here and it didn't disappoint! I went here on a Saturday during lunch time and it was a full house. They were bumping the jams which flowed through every corner of the restaurant. The menu had a lot that I wanted to indulge, but I was disciplined enough to stick to two dishes: Spring Rolls and the Chicken & Eggnog Waffle. The Spring Rolls were vegetarian and had a fried outer layer. More like an egg roll shell than spring roll. The sauce enriches roll! The Chicken & Eggnog Waffle was the main event and I just loved everything about the dish. I opted for white meat and the chicken was satisfyingly crispy. I'm not sure if my palette could differentiate the eggnog, but nonetheless it was a hearty waffle that blended well with the syrup and butter. Service was friendly and welcoming. I'll come back again next time I find myself in Harlem! read more

Melba's Restaurant - Melba's Spring Rolls - Southern Near Me - New York, New York

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I need an option for Half Stars! Lol Melba's was recommended over Sylvia's when asking for suggestions. I was looking for more of a brunch spot that offered breakfast items as well; but it does not. We almost passed up the entry, due the outdoor area. The inside is really cool w/pics/portraits of black folks like Marvin Gaye. The music is great and the full bar is in eye shot! We arrived when they first opened a little after 11 and there were only few parties in there at the time; but if was getting full by the time we left, so I know it gets a lot of traffic. We ordered the eggnog waffle w/Catfish, and one with Chic, fried chicken meal w/garlic mash & greens (made with Turkey), and a side of ASAP YAMS. The fried chicken was really good! I honestly was a bit disappointed w/the waffle and catfish. It don't typically like thick waffles b/c they sometimes tend to be doughy; but this was the "signature" dish. They were a bit bland, unfortunately. The fried catfish was not what I am used to. Not sure the batter that was used but, I could've passed and got the chicken instead. The most disappointing dish was the Yams...as my colleague said..."the yams were not yammin!" They were thick and lacked sweetness. Our consensus was that this soul food is not targeted at the demographic that actually eats soul food! Servers were really nice. Parking on street; but not sure how easy it is b/c we took a Lyft. read more

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I was very much disappointed the BBQ beef ribs were full of grease the membrane was still attached to th bone. The grease met up with my Mac n cheese. We had desert to go the chocolate cake was not homemade. The pricing for the quality of food was way too high. I went to celebrate my husbands Birthday what a disappointment. I will not be recommending this place to anyone, if you want quality don't go to Melba's. read more

If you're in Harlem & looking for good soul food melbas is the only place to go! The fried chicken & Mac & cheese are to die for !!!

5/2023 Well, well, well, can you say amazing suggestion!! Amazing is exactly what this visit was for us! This place came highly recommended by 2 New York locals who are not affiliated w each other. I made a reservation for 6, and we were good to go. We arrived a little before reservation time. We were offered seating inside the bar area. No problem, we're always down for pregaming. The bartenders were very lively. Collectively, we ordered. Frozen Rosè - So so so good!! Melba's HIT (Harlem Iced Tea) - Perfectly made and devoured. #OrderedTwice White Russian - A HIT !! #OrderedTwice We all enjoyed our drinks so much! We knew the food would be a yum conversation piece. Well, let me tell you how delicious the food was, we ordered the following. Turkey Meatloaf Jamaican Oxtails Melba's Signature Dry Rub Wings Fat Ham BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders Tres Mac & Cheese Charleston Fried Shrimp Roasted Beet & Baby Arugula Salad Country Catfish Strips The entire table was pleased! Each and every food item came out well presented, well seasoned, and delicious. I personally loved my oxtails so much. My cousin loved her experience so much, she returned back the very next day. Super fantastic service by Helen and Brian. They took care of all of our libation and food needs and were pleasant. We received a table visit by manager Aaron. That's always a great touch of customer service. Coincidentally, we had a lot in common w Aaron as he spent a considerable amount of time in Baltimore, so Aaron became family within 2 minutes!! Lol I definitely look forward to visiting Harlem again so I can partake in this deliciousness! I can also say my meal here was the best meal I had during my visit to New York City! read more

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I took my niece and my twins out to celebrate my niece graduating from HS. I asked where she wanted to go eat and she said MELBA'S! I live in Harlem but had not been to Melba's, so yesterday was my first time. I made reservations, called when I was running behind and was treated professionally. Waited for our table for 5-7 mins, when she said 2 mins. I saw the hostess assembling our table, just a minute before she called us to come and sit. We waited 10 mins just to be greeted by our waitress and another 10-15 waiting for her to ASK what we wanted to drink. It was busy, however, not too busy to check on your customers. She came over, out of breath, rushing through her speech and moved around, I hardly caught most of what she was saying to us. She had a very aggressive disposition, but I said, let me let her rock, maybe she's overwhelmed.... she told us her recommendations for food before asking if we were ready to order. Everyone ordered, when it got to me, I was in the middle of ordering when a customer at another table got her attention and proceeded to ask her a lengthy question. After a good 2 mins, she came back to me, let's just say, communication between us proved to be difficult and i caught her catching an attitude more and more as time went on. Instead of addressing WHY I looked upset (my face will show what my mouth won't say), she fed into it, giving me more and more attitude. I just wanted her to serve us better, she didn't pick up on that hint, using the busyness of the restaurant as an excuse. We waited, had to be 20 mins for our food to come, the guys giving us our food didn't know what went to whom...very chaotic. the food, my daughter said her chicken tenders were tough to eat, I had a chicken sandwich, and the meat was tough as hell. My niece had chicken and waffles, she loved it. I tasted her waffle, excellent! She also said her chicken wings were tough. It's like, chicken that was fried, then left on the stove for some hours type tough. Only reason i finished is because I'm paying for it and didn't want to waste food. Fries were dry. My iced tea that we got after waiting for that as well, had ice in it but it was hot. I asked, hesitantly (when I would ask or make a comment, she gave me some more attitude) for more ice....it's the next day, I'm still waiting for the ice. Time to pay, she took forever to come to us, never asked if we were ready for the check. When she did finally come to us, she dropped the machine on the table and walked away...I don't go out to eat often, I didn't know what to do, think, with that machine, but don't worry, she gave me plenty of time to figure it out because....SHE NEVER CAME BACK TO HELP ME!! She seated 3 tables while I fought to figure out the machine (don't assume I knew what to do with it, which is what she did, in my opinion). So, I got up and went to the new male hostess and asked him for help. He didn't know, found her by the kitchen and she's going back and forth with him like, there was a problem. She then proceeds to walk over to me and points the machine at my phone. I looked at her and pulled my phone away. She aggressively punched buttons on the machine, with full total and was like, are you ready? credit? If she had taken the time to ask me politely, I would have told her I needed to split it, which is what I did. I asked and she drops the machine on the bar, punched some buttons, asked for my card, she's very much annoyed, I'm annoyed, so i dropped my card on the bar...she looked at me like really??, slid the machine in my direction and walked away. I had to figure out how to do the second split. I got some help from the bartender. I didn't get my receipt from the 1st split because she walked away. I NEVER want to come back to Melba's. I didn't feel welcomed, AT ALL, the service sucked, food was subpar at best, just not a nice experience at all. And please Melba, TRAIN YOUR STAFF!! NOBODY KNEW WHAT TO DO WITH THE CREDIT CARD MACHINE, NOT ONE! I don't want that young lady fired, however, she needs to be trained on safeguarding her attitude. Stank attitude leads to no tips and I hate to do that. She gave me no choice. Girl with knit hat, GET IT TOGETHER! read more

Melba's Restaurant - MY MEAL - Southern Near Me - New York, New York