Ajo y Oregano — Restaurant in New York

I wanted to try this place so bad, and I am very disappointed. I tried it twice and I finally came to realize this restaurant is terrible. The service is terrible and theres barely ever food.

The waiters are so rude and lack so much professionalism. This restaurant is overly hyped for how bad their service is. The restaurant is not that big but you can sit and eat there but the wait for a table is long and not worth it. I would never come back here and I dont reccomend this place to anyone. Theres definitely better restaurants with better food. The food here is so bland it lacks so much taste and its terrible. Dominican food should never disappoint anyone. Its supposed to have so much flavor and this place had 0 food that was good.

Caridad has better food and better service. I asked our waiter what they had she basically told me they ran out of everything, as if she was the cook and had to cook everything I asked for. I then went to the back and ask if they had any of what I wanted and they did have what I wanted. I told them my waiter said that they had none of the food I ordered and their response was "maybe she didnt want to give you this food". I dont understand how they are running their business but im sure with these waiters they are definitely losing money.

The bathroom is disgusting it's as disgusting as the waiters attitude. I wanted to give this place a second chance but it just proved to me that this restaurant lacks everything. Dont waste your time or money. It is way too expensive for how horrible their food and service is. And your food will get cold within seconds because that door opens all the time. Believe all the terrible reviews on this restaurant. Or see for yourself. I would give this place 0...

Although we had tried take out in the past, this was the first time our family of four (including a 1.5 year old and 2.5 year old) dined at Ajo & Oregano. To say that we were pleasantly surprised would be an UNDERSTATEMENT!

Since we live in the neighborhood, we decided to pop in on a Sunday (day before Labor Day) afternoon. Although the place was absolutely buzzing, we were seated immediately and accommodated with a place to put our double stroller + offered a high chair.

(Anyone with young children knows that this goes a long way for a restaurant to ensure that you feel welcomed and not like a burden for “having the audacity” dine with your little ones.)

The ambiance was colorful, vibrant, and definitely had a welcoming feel, as if you were transported to the island and eating at a local restaurant. Loved that and the beautiful mural on the wall!

Now, on to the FOOD! We were super hungry so we ordered a number of menu items and were NOT disappointed by a single thing.

Our meal included calamari ($15), mofonguitos de pollo ($14) for our appetizers, and Churrasco in chimi sauce ($33) and Fried Seabass Filet in Homemade Coconut Sauce ($17) for entrees. The portions were seriously MASSIVE! Needless to say we had leftovers that somehow tasted even better the next day! We ordered the chicken tenders for our 2yo which included a side of white rice and red beans and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't typical (frozen) chicken tenders that you'd expect. They had actually made them fresh, and it was toddler approved!

All in all, we had a wonderful experience and you should visit too to experience the same. We can't wait to return for more drinks,...

So you are probably wondering why a 4 out 5 stars. It really does deserve a 5 star but I must say the positive things first.

Food is 10 out of 10! It was flavorful, delicious, tasty, did I say it had flavor? Lots of it? Lol. Because it did! The yuca comes with a garlic sauce over and red onions, that yuca is to die for!!!! Soo tasty. I got the steal & onions (red) delicious very juicy & tender. Hubby got churrasco, it was cooked just right but it was a bit cold. The sauce over the churrasco was tasty though. He had his with the black rice & beans, it was ok it tasted a bit burned but maybe that’s the way it’s suppose to taste lol. We ordered chimi sliders (tostones, meat, cabbage, fried cheese & mayo ketchup sauce) that mayo ketchup sauce is amazing! It tastes a bit tangy & garlicky. THE MOFONGO! Sooo DELICIOUS! We had the shrimp mofongo, comes with this creamy garlic sauce & mozzarella cheese! Amazing!!!!!! The shrimp was amazing!

The negative is pretty much what everyone says the wait sucks! Not only are there only 3 booths & 4 little tables. But while your eating people are sitting about an inch away from you lol. And then you have people hovering over you standing waiting because now it’s too cold to be standing outside. The place is also very small.

But I can’t complain about the food everything with the food & service was great! You have everyone doing different things. Very friendly kind and welcoming! I can’t complain about anything else but the wait it was too much.

Will I come back? ABSOLUTELY! Can’t wait till they open the...