Hellbender — Restaurant in New York

As someone who never bothers to post online reviews, I’m writing this as a warning.

I really, really wanted to like this place. It had been featured in multiple videos I’d seen online with rave reviews, and the food looked amazing. But unfortunately it was not up to snuff. I walked in looking to see if I could put my name down as there weren’t any reservations available last night and got weirdly rebuffed when I asked—they told me that they “didn’t hold tables”—well yes, I wouldn’t expect them to! I just wanted to get on some sort of waitlist! I chalk it up to a miscommunication and sit at the bar to wait for my friend. We ultimately get a table but already there’s a bad taste in my mouth over the interaction. But whatever. I’ll still keep an open mind as we hadn’t had the food yet.

Overall the food was good, but for what we paid, what the portions were, and how bad the service was, it was definitely not worth it.

We ordered the fried cheese, the shrimp tacos, the lamb tacos, and the pancakes. Coconut shakerato and fresh pineapple juice to drink. The fried cheese was 3, THREE mozzarella stick-sized pieces of cheese. How much did it cost? $14. You’re telling me each little piece of cheese is about $4.66?! I know the economy is in a bad place but you cannot tell me that this makes sense.

Shakerato was fine, nothing to write home about. $8. Which, I guess for New York I’ll allow.

The pineapple juice though? $6. In a small cup. And it tasted like the leftover juice you’d get from a can of pineapple chunks. You’d be better off just buying a can from Dole.

The tacos were tasty, I’ll admit, but each serving was only two small tacos for about $13/$14 a plate. Again, not worth it.

The pancakes were delicious and we enjoyed the masa flavor but it took a good while for the food to come out and at that point we were growing a bit annoyed by the whole experience. The quality of food was simply overshadowed by the price point and the portions of food we’d had earlier in the meal.

To top it off, the wait staff was not particularly attentive to us. At first we simply dismissed this by noticing that the restaurant appeared short staffed and the place was getting busy. But then we noticed how they seemed to be more interested in chatting it up with other guests than grabbing us our check. Were we not scene-y enough? Was it that we had too much melanin in our skin? Who knows. We were ready to get out of there anyway.

Unless you live in Ridgewood, I wouldn’t go out of my...

We recently visited Hellbender in Ridgewood on a Wednesday afternoon for a special fundraising event in collaboration with Oido, a nonprofit from Yucatán.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a laid-back, wood-heavy interior featuring blush-colored booths, globe lighting, and a mix of high tops and dining tables. A notable feature is the taxidermied jaguar displayed inside a glass case near the back of the room, adding a unique touch to the decor.

We started with cocktails and beers; the drinks were solid, though our server could have been more audible, as it was sometimes hard to hear her.

The food was a highlight. The aguachile was refreshing, and the Oaxacan fried cheese was deliciously stringy, perfectly complemented by a tangy salsa verde. The charred asparagus stood out with its smoky flavor, and the tostada, topped with a cheese-stuffed pepper, offered a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

We also enjoyed the shrimp tacos, which were flavorful, though slightly salty for our taste. The Arctic char was a standout dish—cooked to perfection and enhanced by citrus slices, served alongside refried beans and rice. The grilled pork chops were tender and well-seasoned, presented atop refried beans and garnished with microgreens and a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt.

For dessert, the matcha churros were a favorite, beautifully presented with a dusting of green matcha sugar and accompanied by whipped cream. The strawberry jello was good but not our favorite dish of the night.

Overall, we spent about $65 per person before tip, which we found EXTREMELY reasonable given the quality of the food and the experience.

While some reviews have compared the restaurant’s prices to those of a food truck or other restaurants, it’s important to consider the sourcing of ingredients, labor, and other operational costs. We think Hellbender is AMAZING!

In summary, our dining experience was great! Cozy ambiance, attentive service, and flavorful dishes.

We would rate it 4.7 out of 5 and look forward to returning.

PS . The music selection for the night...

My partner and I were eager to support a new local spot, but our experience at Hellbender was deeply disappointing. We were hoping to discover a neighborhood gem but left feeling unwelcome and never wanting to come back.

Our server, Hannah, was consistently dismissive and uncommunicative. We ordered the masa pancakes, understanding there might be a wait. However, Hannah never informed us of the extended delay. Instead, we received our chilaquiles and side of eggs promptly, only to be told by a different server, that the pancakes would be another 15 - 20 minutes which we understood. After a further 40-minute wait, with no pancakes in sight, we asked Hannah to cancel the order and bring our check. Being okay with the fact that my partner didn't have anything to eat except coffee.

What truly soured the experience was the blatant disparity in service. We observed Hannah immediately informing a neighboring table of the 45-minute wait for pancakes, a courtesy we were denied. Had we been given this information upfront, we would have chosen a different dish. The issue wasn't the wait itself, but the lack of transparency and respect.

We left a 12% tip, reflecting the incomplete and unsatisfactory service. As a response Hannah snatched the payment device from our hands before we could even pick a receipt option and as we departed, rolled her eyes at us. When confronted, she lied and denied her behavior. This unprofessional conduct underscored the feeling that we were not welcomed and we were the problem.

Expectations were not clearly set from the beginning, no one came to suggest a replacement item given the wait time and we left after being there for an hour hungrier than when we came in.

This restaurant claims to be a part of the neighborhood, but their service indicates otherwise. It felt like they were catering to a specific clientele, while treating other customers with contempt. This establishment isn't for native New Yorkers who value genuine service and a sense...