Cibao Invita — Restaurant in Bayonne

We dine in on Sunday April 2nd, 2023, at 4:45pm and receive our food around 4:55pm. Everything was good until the restaurant started getting more customers that wanted to dine in as well.

A couple with two children enter the restaurant, as they were looking over the steam-table food the gentleman ask myself and wife “were we finished eating?” Yes, the customer asked us that which I found to be incredible and mind blowing itself.

We respectfully replied to him no we’re not done eating yet. We offered the family of four to sit with us being that we were sitting at a table of six. By the way it was the only seating / table available at time we entered the restaurant that was out of the way of new customers foot traffic looking over the steam-table.

Here’s the unfortunate downside of this situation, the custom informed one of the servers that we were finished eating. The server took the customers word without asking us first she then came to our table and said, “you ready to pay?”

We said yes we ready to pay to the server but we are not finished eating yet, the customer chimes back in and says oh you’re not finished eating yet? Such rude and inappropriate behavior for the non-owner of the restaurant.

Nevertheless the sever proceeded to get the receipt pad started writing down our meal selections, handed me the receipt, took our used plates / silverware, handed us two pans for left overs, and said you can “go and pay now” basically she told us that your finished eating with her actions. We then paid and left the restaurant after being forced out.

It was the one the most disrespectful service I have ever received from a restaurant “server” in my life! I will never return to this establishment again due to the fact I don’t have to beg people to take my Money.

Thanks for the food and many years, however our days of eating at your restaurant is...

The food is still good but the prices have significantly gone up and servers are usually not very nice, bit of attitude, not patient and tend to rush you. Especially if you ask menu and price questions. Ordering on the phone is extremely challenging as they don't always speak English very well and even when you speak to them in Spanish they still usually manage to not follow instructions. I've dined in/out and if you are not careful and detailed and stand firm and ask what you are getting and paying for, as the menu is not accurate prepare to pay almost $40 for 2 small orders. I got 2 bottled waters, small portion of pork/pernil, salad w. Avocado on top and a regular plate /order of rice w. Pigeon peas/arroz con gondules with bbq short ribs. That was $38 + tip. I understand that prices have gone up much higher with inflation but these plates were like $10- $12 before now it's double. It's almost like they're charging you a la carte. I have really reduced purchasing here due to this and quality. I recently also stopped in for a cod fish fritter/bacalaito, and it was cold, not very tasty and got a mouth full of oil. Had to throw it away. I try to support local businesses as much as I can and I don't mind paying more for good quality food but I just can't justify it here. I rather go to the smaller Spanish spot called Mi Quisquella on Broadway around 17th Street. They are smaller but much nicer, better prices and decent food. Owner and daughter are very accommodating and there is no language barrier, which really helps the ordering process. This is just my honest experience and opinion. It's not an awful place just overly priced and mediocre service for what it is. Also you don't get an itemized bill so you can't see what they're charging you. They should at least verify your charges and change to an itemized receipt for...

The food is really good! However, customer service is severely lacking. These women behind the counter are rude and often get annoyed if you ask what something is. Some of us have allergies, others just don’t know. My boyfriend doesn’t speak Spanish and has been treated very rudely by multiple women in this establishment. I am Spanish speaking and even I have been side eyed for asking what a certain dish is or if I’m not quick enough in choosing my meal! I have often times also assisted other customers who don’t speak Spanish with their food orders since they’re being rudely serviced for not speaking Spanish. I feel bad for these customers and there are many. I just can’t help myself, but interfere and help them order which they’re always thankful for. Often times you’re ignored until the older gentleman (which I believe is the owner) who’s always super friendly comes out and gets them in order. He never likes to see anyone waiting. Overall, they don’t seem happy with their jobs. Clearly their English is rather poor and as paying and repeated customers we only hope to be treated with the same respect and understanding as we show them. Again, the food is good, but they can definitely try your patience. Learn some manners you’re all grown women! Side note - they do tend to jump and execute orders for regulars a lot quicker than they...