El Merenguito — Restaurant in Belleville

My original post is from 2 wks ago but wanted to add a comment that's pretty funny. I've never seen a place get paragraphs upon paragraphs of reviews for the SAME PROBLEMS FOR 6 YEARS STRAIGHT from what I can see so far???!!?! I know they aren't the same employees but keep hiring the same type of girls. I thought I'd help by leaving a detailed review but I'm far from the 1st one to do so. How is this place still open? The girls are either paying off a debt and passing through or this has to be a front for washing money or something, seriously cause the competition is strong down the block from either side of it. I've worked in the industry for yrs and know a place can't survive off regulars that only speak what they like with the SAME COMPLAINTS for so many yrs. Maybe the owners rent is really really low or they own the land as well 😜 Sucks for the locals cause it is a beautiful place and great location. What's the secret??? 🤔😧 It'd be funny as heck if their yelp is the polar opposite 🤔😧 Anyways, back to ur regularly scheduled program 😂 😆 😂 😆

I used to live around the corner and would come here since the combo was cheap, less than $10. They used to have more willing to work than not girls before at night at least. Though, in the morning forget it, u better know some type of Spanish or just get coffee. Been like 2 yrs and was in the area so stopped to get a combo. Lizzos tired twin that got abandoned in DR was there. Her ratchet butt seemed like she was being forced to work when no one was in there. She was ready to give up cause she didn't know what a combo was. Luckily one senior employee was still there from back in the day and she at least tried to figure out what combination meant. She thought maybe I meant shrimp cause in Spanish it's camaron. I had to point at the silver container that the specials come in for Layzo to move and attempt to work and scoop. The other girl was like oooh then said combination in Spanish which is the same thing but with the accent. Like saying special to especiale. Now, I somewhat ok in some words and understanding Spanish and Layzo was more annoyed cause I'm not making it easier for her to understand and joking to her coworkers on my pronunciation when I'm speaking English. So, when attempting to work rang me up I said some small talk in Spanish and said bye have a good night. All the comments since I used to go was always about these ignorant heffers attitudes and pretty much pushing the non Spanish speaking crowd away by being irritated that they were not accommodating their laziness. That's like me opening a spot in DR and getting annoyed by the Spanish speaking clientele that walks in and expecting to stay afloat by being hospitable to only the English speakers. They just dgaf for real. Also, the food ain't that great. It's ok on a budget. I'm not spending more than $10. It's really side str $5 combo type food but they in a nice spot and busy str which they are not capitalizing on. The Columbian restaurant a block down is always more than a few tables even on a wed though I think their food is overpriced because of the service. For those who know Spanish, go in and act like u only speak English and u will see how shitty the service is. The spot down the block would never hire the girls this place seems to constantly only hire. Imagine what the owners service is like. I didn't even tip and I usually do. Never going back no matter how tight I am on cash 😂

Layzo is probably employee of the month by their...

During a recent visit to El Merenguito, I was accompanying my grandmother with my service dog. Our intention was to pick up some food to take home and enjoy together. However, our experience at the restaurant was far from pleasant.

Upon entering, we were met with immediate hostility from the staff. They gave us looks and made it clear that they were uncomfortable with the presence of my service dog. Despite explaining that my dog is essential for my well-being, they adamantly refused us entry. I respectfully stepped out with my service animal and was waiting by the parking lot when the manager also stepped out to watch me, which was very strange. I have never had that happen to me and felt uneasy.

Their behavior was not only disappointing but also deeply disrespectful. As someone who relies on a service animal, I expect to be treated with understanding and courtesy, especially in public establishments. The staff's rudeness and lack of empathy made what should have been a simple transaction an unnecessarily stressful ordeal.

Due to this experience, I cannot recommend El Merengutio to anyone, especially those with service animals or disabilities. It's crucial for businesses to educate their staff about ADA regulations and to treat all patrons with dignity. I hope that in the future, El Merenguito will reconsider their approach to customer service and accessibility.

If you're considering dining at El Merenguito, I urge you to think twice, especially if you require...

My only disappointment is them charging $4 extra on what you order. I asked about it because it said “$4 separate” and I never told them to separate my food. She told me when you order food there vs to go they charge you that. When they separate my plate I end up throwing it all together to eat it so I find it extremely ridiculous to charge to put food on separate plate. Not only because I never asked, but because that’s just silly. I never ever heard of a place doing that. That’s just greedy and tacky to charge for something like that without even informing your customer about it. I’m not sure if that’s the owner telling them to do that but how do you expect people to want to tip after feeling scammed. I still tipped over 20% but that’s just ridiculous. I work in the industry, if someone were to bring this up to me I would’ve taken it off the check because of not informing them but they don’t inform people because they want to make the check higher. If you didn’t inform, take it off the check, now the customer knows the next Time they come. But because after I asked about it and told them I was never informed and they never took it off the check to build good customer service I’m not coming here again. And now you get a review that informs others and will likely a few others back away from coming. Is doing that $4 worth it? To charge for how YOU serve the...