The first time I visited the food was okay, I'm not absolutely sure what I got. The second time I had bisteak with onions an it was pretty good. Today has been my third and last time visiting this establishment. Today my boyfriend had the pernil with rice an beans which was dry and flavorless, I had the baked chicken with rice and gandules which was also dry and lacked flavor. read more

Stopped by for an early dinner with a friend, our server Clara was fabulous, provided great recommendations and service. However we had an issue with a groupon deal we had purchased, although our order matched the deal, the owner said she could not apply it. She did not give us an explanation as to why but instead, after mumbling in Spanish told the server to to reject the promoted offer, unbelievable. read more

We just ordered appetizers which were just alright. The worse part is she added 20% gratuity, we were only 3 people, and again we only ordered appetizers. I will never go back there again. read more

4.5 stars for takeout. Takeout lunch $6 (special deal!) for pernil w yellow rice and beans, very tasty and much pork--fatty but OK, tons of rice nicely seasoned; Alcapurrias $2 (absolutely fresh--saw cook putting them on counter so I ordered big one--fried perfectly, fresh beef inside and plenty of it); Chicarrones de Puerco lb $2.50 - had been sitting on counter so no crackling skin, but pork was tender, moist, fried well--of course lots of fat--just cut it off. Great for takeout, right near Rt.17. Service was super-friendly, quick. Prices cheap. Atmosphere-cafeteria. read more

Love this place and food! Small but very comfortable. The food is delicious and can't forget the mango juice! A must!!!

I was very excited about this place but when I finally got some take out from here it was less than a good experience. The pollo empanizado was to oily and the chicken stew was horrible. They forgot my tostones which I paid for but didn't realize till I got home. The ambiance was very low budget and not what I expected oh we'll I guess I will stick to a real authentic place Pasteles Y Algo Mas in Ridgefield Park when I want Comida Boriqua. read more

Unfortunately this place is not for me. A plate of rice with four pieces of ox tail and a Malta was $20.00. It was the basic spanish flavored dish, that would other wise cost $6.00 in Union City. The other food on display looked as if it was sitting the whole day. Not going there again. This place gets 1 star from me. I don't recommend it. read more

1st time today and I was not impressed with the food. The lady at the counter was not pleasant at all, she needs customer service classes. The pernil was very very salty and the rice was ok. For Puerto Rican food is too pricey. It's not even a fancy restaurant. Oh well , I won't be going back.. read more

I'm very sad writing this review because the food here is very good. However, I demand more than just good food. I also rate the staff service, if they're friendly and whether I get my food in the order that I normally eat. Staff isn't very nice, the woman behind the counter actually had pajama bottoms and bedroom slippers on! The music is so loud you have to repeat yourself and WHAT the HECK is with the television? I found the staff standing around when not taking care of customers - wipe something clean for goodness sake. This restaurant has a very important element of a success - good food. However, if I'm thinking twice of going back because of the shabby, unprofessional presentation and service, I'm sure others are too. Whoever owns this place should step it up a notch and give the customers professional exceptional service and they'll keep coming back again and again. read more

I don't get to go out too often for lunch while at work so I'm always looking for the next best take out place. I would love to give this place 5 stars because of the food (the few times I've actually been able to indulge in it, it was excellent. pernil y arroz con gandules!!!!!!). However, their customer service is atrocious. They offer delivery but seldom have someone to deliver or only at certain times. Sometimes they don't even bother picking up the phone. The mailbox has been full for forever. The food is excellent but it's not worth the aggravation it takes to actually get it. read more

Love love love this place! Their breaded chicken is delicious and crispy, just how i like it. Great mofongo and plantains. After eating here the first time I knew it wouldn't be long until I returned and have been back many times since. Def recommend. read more

I'm only giving this an extra star cuz the wife liked her dish, plus I liked the server; she was very friendly. Anyway, I ordered something simple, a steak sandwich. Not the most complicated of dishes but yet I was still very disappointed. The steak was well seasoned, but was thick and ridiculously chewy. It was like they used the cheapest cut they could find. To make matters worse it had that thick inedible piece of...fat? nerve? cartilage? Who knows. But good luck biting through it.No exaggeration. I would have honestly preferred an unseasoned Steakum sandwich. At least I can throw ketchup on that! Worst sandwich I've ever had. read more

As always, the food is good. I placed my order through Yelp and prepaid, including tip, expecting that I placed the order for delivery. I called to confirm receipt of the order and learned that I placed the order for pick up instead of delivery in error. I asked if they could deliver instead and at first they agreed but said there would be a $2.00 delivery fee, of which I agreed to pay in cash when the delivery arrived. In the next breath they told me that the company (Eats24 or something to that notion) who I ordered it through doesn't have an option for delivery so they can't deliver. What?!? But the company I placed the order through does offer delivery, I made the mistake of choosing pick up. I wasn't going to argue, especially since it was my mistake...no need to have anything mysterious wind up in my food. So after a long day of working, I packed myself back up into the car to trek back out into the cold to pick up my dinner even after I already prepaid $3.00 for tip. Grr! I don't understand how they can have a company take orders for them but not leave flexibility to satisfy a customer?!? Makes 0 sense. When I got there the place was empty, just one couple finishing up ordering dessert. The young lady behind the counter was nice and was packing up my order. The owner seemed to be preoccupied with the register and not friendly even though I was a glance away from her while I sat at the counter, even when leaving, my "Thank you, good night!", went unanswered. The food was good, but the inflexibility of delivery killed it. read more

I was disappointed with the food. I've had the best, most on point, tasty, homemade & at a particular popular restaurant, Puerto Rican food there is. The Pastelitos were dry & weren't fresh. The tostones were dry & also tasted like they have been sitting out all day. The carne Guisado was just ok. Very salty & I got a small portion compared to what I would get at other places. Maybe because it was a dinner special ? Will try this place out one more time & order something different. If it's the same, never again . read more

I was so happy to go here and my boyfriend drove 1 hour and a half for me. I didn't got the chance to eat breakfast or lunch that day. So, later that night my stomach felt sooo sooo horrible, I had a really serious diarrhea. 4 days already, and I still have it. I really don't know what happen. I was really confuse. I search the Internet and probably the food they gave me was old?. I'm Puertorrican and this is my food and my country, I'm used to it. I may have to call out for sickness for work. This never happens to me. I feel really bad for them but I am never gonna go back again. read more

Came here with a Groupon. I'd maybe skip this place. I had the roasted chicken, and it was bland. As someone of Puerto Rican descent I was really disappointed. BF had bistec empanizado. It was overdone and had the thickness of a cracker. No meat. We also had the crispy chicken (chicharròn) as an appetizer and that was super tasty, which is why I'd give this place 2 stars. No straws, cups or ice for the cans of soda we were given. Won't be returning. read more

Stopped here for an empanada, it was no bueno. The homemade hot sauce tasted more like tomato paste with red pepper flakes. The girl behind the counter was drinking a beer.. enough said. read more

Food was delicious and the waitress was polite and helpful highly recommended

The food here is SO good! I stop in several times a month for my fix. The mofongo is out of this world. The empanadas are delicious (although I wish they were $1 like they are here in WNY, but these ARE bigger so there's that). I try something different every time I go. You should too! read more

I had such high hopes for this restaurant. Sadly, I was very disappointed. I ordered an alcapurria to start and Pernil with yellow rice and red beans with a side of sweet plantains. The alcapurria had good flavor but was over fried and way too dark. The rice was hard and the beans lacked flavor. We also had steak and onions which was so over seasoned it was unappetizing. I went at 8:20pm on a Saturday and there was no one in the restaurant but the staff wasn't that attentive. I may try them again to give them another chance but not for a long while. read more

A very nice Puerto Rican restuarant. Maybe a tad bit more seasoning needed but overall very respectable preparation of their dishes. The food is fresh, since it is made daily. We had pernil and arroz con gandules, ox tail and a empanada de pollo. The pork was very moist not dry, which is always a plus. The ox tails were juicy and in a really tasty gravy. The empanadas were perfect. I will definately go again. read more

Ordered Pernil with Rice and Pigeon Peas. The pernil had a sour after taste and it was salty. Most likely it was old. We also ordered Beef stew and it was very dry. I rather just take a ride down to Newark and get better Puerto Rican food. read more

My mom and I just went there for lunch for the first time today. And honestly I knew not even halfway through the meal that we would be coming back again. All of the staff members were friendly and helpful, especially the two girls up front (one of which was our server). The cook even came up front to check on us and see if we were enjoying our food. The food was delicious! We got a beef empanada to start then a Cuban sandwich for me and rotisserie chicken for my mom. For dessert, we brought home flan which was also super delicious! I cannot wait to go back and try more of their food. Between the staff and the food, it was definitely a great dining experience and I plan on going back many times! read more

I would love to give this place more stars because the owner and waitress seemed really nice, and because the beef stew we had was good..but it was not what I ordered. I order one oxtails and one beef stew...got two beef stews instead...the alcapurrias were indeed severely burned and we sat 15 minutes waiting for it. I ordered yuca..didn't get that either. Word to the wise check your take out order before you leave. read more

First time going there and the food was awful. My grilled chicken was raw and the ox tails were disgusting. Very expensive for the little bit of food that you get, I definitely left hungry. Plus they took out a $11 gratuity for a tip out of the bill. And it was only three of us. Even the stuff on the menu had a different price than what was on the bill. I was charged more then the menu price. I actually took a picture of the check for evidence and pictures of the food.I was never going to give a tip, do to the bad service and food but they took out 20% tip anyway. They never offered us a drink we had to get up and get it from the refrigerator ourselves and they never offered us a Cup to pour our drink in. I will never go back and I will never recommend it to anyone, very sorry! Worst restaurant I ever went to, deserve zero stars! And the sad part about it is that my son took me there for Mother's Day!!! Sure wish my son can get his money back!!! read more

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Paid $40 and change for the worst meal I have had in some time. My wife and I ordered out and got the shrimp app, entree sampler, tripleta sandwich, and coconut flan. When I opened the app it was literally 4-5 small shrimp soaked in just melted butter. My wife's food was just ok and my sandwich has one side with chicken and one steak. Both were very dry and once again underwhelming. Needless to say this place isn't worth a return trip or initial if you haven't been. read more

Old San Juan Express - Shrimp app... - Spanish Near Me - Hackensack, New Jersey

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Great food, pleasant service. My cell phone was dead, and we picked this place old school style ( sans yelp ). I had mofongo with chicken, and my boyfriend had pernil with rice and beans. We also had a side of sweet plantains. It was soooo good. We ate in mid afternoon, and I'm typing this at 8:40, and I'm still stuffed! Boy, was I surprised to find such low reviews on yelp when we were back online?? Food portions were great, the place had people in it, bill came to $30, and our waitress was really friendly. If we lived in the area, we would be regulars, hope you give it a try. read more

Food is very good. Service is a little slow, but well worth the wait. Friendly staff. Music was off the hook. Great food and easy on the wallet. read more

So disappointed. Use to stop by this place every now and then. Took a break for a while and finally went back with my mom. We were the only ones seated in the place. All of the owners were there including the staff who ignored us in the beginning. Ordered a simple dish since they were low on the precooked menu. Chicken breast, white rice, beans, sweet plantains and avocado. We got a freshly cooked chicken breast with, cold rice, beans were sitting all day it seemed, sweet plantains were hard like a rock and cold and the half of avocado was pretty much black and looked like it was just thrown on a plate. The glass they gave us was dirty and we asked for a new one. They take NO pride. What a shame! You would think everyone would be on their "A" game since the owners were there but seems like the workers take the same attitude as the owners do. They just don't care and busy chatting. Pretty bad experience. It's sad, they could actually be doing extremely well since it's the only Spanish place in the area. My advise,,,,,,eat at McDonalds. You'll get a hot meal. read more

I am have been coming to Old San Juan for a few years now and can say the food is very good. I really like the pernil. Now the bad part, when the brother is there the service is on point, when its just the girls its usually poor at best. I enjoy the Spanish music but have had 2 occasions that it just wasn't possible to talk because the music was so loud. I never know if I should just seat myself or wait to be seated. If I sit and wait to be served the waitress will mossy on over after 10 min and ask what we want and then tell us to get our own sodas out of the cooler. If I just order at the counter I am always asked "its to go, right?" The food is damn good but they need to straighten out the front of house. read more

Horrible I will never order from this wanna be Puerto Rican restaurant again. Alcapurrias were burnt on the outside and under cooked on the inside. All the food needed more salt and a lot of Latin flavor. read more

Puerto Rican food. All they need is real music to complete the Boricua scenery.

I ordered the mofongo and maduros. Both were dry, bland, and not at all what I expect from good Puerto Rican cooking. Extremely disappointed and will not order again. read more

Small mom and pop. I absolutely love the pasteles. They taste authentic and being that this is one of my favorite dishes (seriously. I can eat this all day), I have had dozens of these. The people there are friendly and very accommodating. They were really kind and make you feel right at home. I give four stars because sometimes they are sold out of pasteles. Huge bummer! But it just shows you how popular that dish is. read more

Just stopped in after work to grab some chicken & it was absolutely delicious !!! Moist, tender, juicy & the best around hands down... Definitely NOT my last visit.. See you soon !!!! read more

I can't believe I have driven by this place and never stopped in. I had one of the best meals of my life today. I had the fried pork chops with yellow rice and red beans with a side of tostones. Needless to say I absolutely demolished every grain of rice and meat on that plate. I am coming back here again and again. Now I don't have to drive so far for some of my homeland food. Can't wait to take wifey here. The taste was spot on and listening to some old school Puerto Rican music was the icing on the cake. read more

They completely turned around.. they have hands down the best Oxtails in New Jersey.. I've called a number of times since and the delivery has been consistent read more

Bought a Groupon for a dinner for two. Groupon states one appetizer, two entrees and two beverages. We came in and told the hostess/waitress, and immediately sensed the attitude from using a Groupon. She pointed out a number of items that are not included with the Groupon deal and in addition were told there was a $41.85 limit, above which we would have to pay the difference. This is not how I understood this Groupon to work, but I didn't want to argue the point. We waited FOREVER to place our order and to get our food. The waitress was also very friendly with the other parties dining at that time, but not as much with us. We started checking other Yelp reviews in the long time we waited for our food and saw other poor reviews, even from other Groupon users. When the food FINALLY came, we had to admit it was Delish. That's why they are getting two stars and not one. Food alone, it was delicious. Whole experience - less than enjoyable. Groupon-ers should get the same service as anyone else - maybe even better, since they are likely first time customers. The icing on the cake was the 20% gratuity added to the bill for two people. You can't demand 20% when it's not stated anywhere. That really really rubbed us the wrong way. Overall, poor experience. Too bad. read more

Excellent. Excellent!!!!! When you go ask for iris. They're are all good with he service but she's usually the when I go. We had the fried pork chips yellow rice with beans. Fried sweet plantain and mofongo (pork). It's the best I've eaten and I'm Dominican and grew up eating it. It's most and fresh and the sauce is on the thinner side which I personally prefer. If you're looking for an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant this is the place. I live in New York and come here just to eat. Don't listen to the reviews where people are saying they don't like things. Most of these people don't typically eat authentic Caribbean spanish food. I'm a regular here and I'm Latina and I'm aware of what it's suppose to taste like. Anyway, shout out to Iris and her family for making the best Puerto Rican food away from Puerto Rico!!!!! read more

When you walk in they do not come up to your anything but rather wait a couple of minutes before telling you to sit anywhere you'd like. 8$ for 5 shrimp? Appetizer not worth the money. Sausage with bread 6$? Only 4 skinny slices of sausages on the plate and the rest of it is cold bread. They main entrees were that had the best price ration but still not worth spending on. 14$ for Breaded Chicken filet and french fries and 18$ for Tilapia covered in broth and 2 big shrimp with basically 1 cup of white rice and a side of beans. Being 1 of the only 2 tables being served in the restaurant you would've expected better waitressing but everything took forever. Then there is the people behind the bar that stare at you if you look anywhere in their direction. Now the finest part is that they include gratuity on a 2 person table? Thats something you only see in a table of 6 or more usually. So at the end of the day I ended up leaving tip twice. You would think that the waitress would have mentioned that the receipt included the gratuity. This is a place I will not be returning to anytime soon. read more