Sandra's Next Generation — Restaurant in New Haven

Two stars because who doesn't love overly buttered cornbread and service with a smile! My guest had the fried chicken, mac n cheese, candied yams while I ordered the "vegetarian" option of black eyed peas, mac n cheese and collard greens.

Complete disappointment. Chicken although fried and cooked well barely had seasoning, candid yams had about 1lb too much sugar and the mac n cheese was just bland, bland, bland! Somehow they failed to add cheese and flavor to this dish. Why were the collard greens SO sweet?! The black eyed peas were actually ok, although sweet as well after many bites. Perhaps the cooks mistook sugar for salt today, I've certainly done that!

If for some reason I did return, it would be carry out only! This place is chaotic and everyone is confused. After being seated at a dirty table and waiting 10 min, I had to walk up to the counter and ask for menus. Server finally came for our order and it was smooth sailing after that (for us) although we were there for 1.5 hours, way too long imo, but it was busy. I noticed the table next to us, while some of the folks were served entrees, the other person had to wait about five min for her meal. As that party left and tables were cleared, cleaning was blindly done (with a very dirty rag I assume). There were still crumbs all over the table and another couple was seated. Don't even bother with the bathroom, toilet paper all over the floor, overfilled trash and a bunch of hair in the sink.

*Wow owners great response. Perhaps take a bit of accountability for this establishment. We walked in, saw the wait to be seated sign and waited. I spoke with the man behind the counter who then gestered to the gentleman sitting down on the stool to the left and said he would seat us, which he did, at a dirty table. After the 10 min of waiting for a waitress I went and asked him for menus and he apologized and said someone would be right with us. I saw with my own eyes how this man cleaned the tables with that disgusting rag! Basically gave it a swipe and left crumbs everywhere for the next customer. While paying my friend was asked how everything was and she told the man processing the payment how we felt about the food, to which we received an apology. I'm guessing that version isn't on your video. I also took photos of your disgusting bathroom but chose not to post feeling it impolite, but can certainly do so if you're in denial about that as well.

I think the takeaways of reviews should be how can you incorporate suggestions and make your place even better, not attacking the reviewer. Best wishes for another...

1 star for service 4 stars for food

I will start by saying that I've eaten from this place several times over the years and am disappointed by the wait EVERY SINGLE TIME.....I love supporting black owned businesses, however I will NOT be eating here again. Yesterday I came here to get some soul food, and expected to wait at least 25 minutes for my food because it gets very crowded on Sundays. On my drive there, I tried to call to place my order, but conveniently the phone was busy every time I called. Why even have a number? Grrrrrr..... So I arrive to an extremely crowded HOT AS HELL restaurant & there is a woman at the door giving out numbered tickets....she gives me a ticket, but the girl that came in after me, was given a ticket number before mine putting her ahead of me, GREAT 😠.....it all went down hill from there.....I placed two dinner orders, one included chicken wings. 30 minutes later, nothing. 40 minutes later I'm told by one of the restaurant workers that my order was ready.....I happily get to the register and tell them my order number, and I'm met with blank stares because it's not ready yet. Standing there hot and disappointed, one of the cooks approaches and tells me that there are no more wings. OK I understand that they ran out, but there needs to be a better system to avoid this from happening. I picked an alternate option then waited another 10 minutes for my food totalling 50 mins. As I was checking out, I asked the cashier to add a slice of cake, in which she replied that she couldn't. 😕 Huh? Mind you the cakes are on display in the fridge located right next to the register. Instead of standing there to argue, I said NEVER MIND, paid & left. There is so many things wrong with my experience but I'll narrow it down. 1st the 45 min wait times are ridiculous, 2nd it's customary for businesses to give customers who had especially long wait times something free as a sorry for the inconvenience, and last but not least you guys need to be more apologetic about the long wait times. People are coming to your establishment to support YOU and your business, you need to express gratitude for that. I will be going to mama's soul food in new haven, they are...

I've been reading the other reviews, and almost felt intimated to write one because, the tone of the restaurant's representative comes off as being argumentative if you're not in total agreements with the taste, quality, and experience Sandra's is trying to display. I do understand that a business doesn't stay in business long if they haven't been doing something right. But I do think the takeaway can be how can I make my business that much better, I do believe we can all benefit from constructive criticism, that's what a review should be used for.

I find it humbling that I was able to take part in a meal prepared by African Americans. I love soul food, it reminds me of going to church as a little girl and everyone meeting at my grandmother's house to break bread after service. In my adult life I don't eat soul regularly and tend to indulge once in a blue moon!

I ordered the Miguel's veggie plate, with collard greens, baked macaroni and cheese, yams, and potato salad. Everything was made with LOVE and SUGAR. I love collard green so much I would call them my favorite vegetable. In my opinion collard greens should taste between earthy and savory. I honestly felt like I needed to check my blood glucose. Everything was just too sugary! I ordered this plate to go. The collard greens could be sectioned off better so that the juice of the greens isn't running into the other items on the plate.

The quality and serving size of food was great. I love the fact that Sandra's is family based! I feel like the your web page should communicate what items are made with meat and what's not. I'm trying to incorporate meat back into my diet so it wasn't a huge deal to find meat in the greens. Also, the online menu should clearly communicate that the type of plate that you choose can come with an additional price depending on what protein you choose instead of just prices next to the items!

Congrats To Sandra's and I wish their family restaurant an...