Salsa Latina Restaurant

Well, I went to a tanning salon for the first time with a friend and then she smelled the food from across the parking lot and that's when I saw the incredible smile on her face and said why don't we go eat there after we tan, needless to say the food was terrific and the ambience was authentic Puerto Rico, "LOVED IT" Will definitely be making this a regular spot to eat at :-)

I enjoyed this restaurant because the food was delicious it was very Puerto Rican style

The management of this place is horrible. A few years ago I booked a large group and they asked for a deposit so I obliged. The day before they called me and said I needed to get them a set menu. I refused since I was not told that when I made the reservation nor when I left the deposit.
Fast forward to this week when we were finally able to get there after getting a gift card last year from friends. At the end of the meal, they said they wouldn't take it since they no longer used that gift card system and couldn't tell how much was on the card even though we had the envelope that showed the amount. After an argument with the sever and a manager who refused to come talk to us, I left in cash what I rightly deserved to be charged - the balance of the meal minus the credit from the gift card and a tip for the server even though she decided to argue with us on behalf of the ridiculous management.

I'm Puerto Rican, born and raised, and was thrilled to find out there's a PR restaurant with an authentic menu not too far from where I live now. I've tried a few other "PR" restaurants in the past, but they are usually generic Caribbean food places (not specifically from PR, though they include PR food) and I rarely find the menu items I love most from home. This place has a really nice, authentic, varied menu. I went last night with my husband and some friends to celebrate my birthday and we were all very happy with all the food we got. The sorullos were huge, much bigger than I'm used to, but delicious. I ordered a yuca mofongo, but I'm pretty sure what I got was a regular plantain one. I wish they would've just let me know up front if they were out or whatever. That was a little odd. Even so, it was very good. The sauce that came with it wasn't the usual garlic mojo I'm used to, but it amazing. My husband ordered pernil with arroz con gandules and it was incredible. The pernil was incredibly moist and flavorful. Definitely the best pernil I've eaten in NJ so far. They even have a "trifongo" which is a mofongo made with green plantain, ripe plantain, and yuca. I've never heard of it before, but it was really good. For dessert, we tried a tres leches, which was a little richer than I'm used to, but a great way to cap off the night. We'd definitely go back! I'm curious to try their weekend menu... I saw two of my favorite PR dishes in there as well.

I used to go to this establishment about 4-5 times a year. I've worked in restaurant industry so I'm not shy about ordering food and beverages. The food was great but the service was lousy each time. Regardless I never tipped below 20% and went as high as 30 once. The check always averaged 200 bucks and over. So I go in early one day around 5pm with my family and this kid seats me by the bathroom. I asked if we could sit somewhere else and he said no. I questioned why not. He said all tables were reserved. Mind you the restuarant was empty and it was early. I thought to complain but said to myself the service was always lacking. So it's better to just leave than get my food spat in. But they will never get my business ever again. The sad thing is this kid saw me at the restuarant before and use poor judgement in resolving a customer's grievance. I always paid for everything and nothing was ever given free. Other establishments appreciate my business and that is why I return time and time again. 

The service sucked but I tolerated because the food was good. If you don't mind the lousy service then enjoy. Otherwise find another latin place that value their returning customers.