Javelina — Restaurant in New York

I’m so unbelievably disappointed at the service of this place! I come here often - and have come here for cinco de mayo the past 4 years. There were 16 of us that booked lunch about 1 month in advanced for a pre fixe meal of ~$2000. We arrived promptly at 12 when the reservation was and ordered drinks. About 3 margaritas came out and the rest came out around 12:45pm. I understand it was a busy day for them so gave them the benefit of the doubt and did not want to stress the waiters out and complain early on. The food comes out, kinda cold, but again not bad because we know it’s a busy day. Everytime we ordered a drink, it took about 20+ mins to come out and never the right order. Again, we understood it was a busy day but we did put a deposit down and it was a $2000 pre fixe meal. I asked the waiter for one more round of drinks for the table at around 1:45pm and he said this would be our last round for the day because they need the table at 2pm which was fine. He bought out 4 margaritas and we waited for the rest and the manager, Jason, came over and told us to Leave the table. I was happy to give the table back but I asked where the rest of the tables drinks were. Also note that we had gotten about 1 drink per 30-45 mins at the table for a pre-fixe “unlimited” drink tab. I politely said to Jason that we have not received our drinks for the table and he said that “it’s against the law to order a round of drinks for the table.” I’ve never heard about this “law” in my life. Then he simply ignored me and walked away. I then went up to him again and discussed how we are frequent customers and just wanting to stand at the bar to get our last drinks and he ignored me and then told me there’s nothing that can be done because a contract was signed. I fully understand being understaffed and busy at a restaurant, but to treat people paying- especially for a pre-fixe for $115 each and getting about $50 worth of food and drink for 2 hours is pretty horrible. Especially the fact the manager Jason tried to tell me that we were lying and received drinks within 45 mins of sitting down. Which yes, we did, about 3 drinks, for the table of 16 people. Just don’t appreciate the rudeness of Jason and team. Upset as I am a frequent customer of javelina but will be going to el rio grande up on 33rd for better food and service than javelina. Don’t bother at javelina as it’s overpriced and...

I'll start with the positive- the Bar tenders were amazing. They were fun and nice and always anticipated my needs before I even knew that I needed them. The drinks and snacks that we had were awesome. All that being said, I had a really weird experience being seated. I came in around 5:15 - the bar was packed and every table was empty. and the hostess said that she would seat me but I needed to leave by 7 because they had a full house of reservations at 7. I told her that I didn't anticipate that being an issue as my friend and I just wanted to sit and have a snack or two and a few drinks before we went to a party. When she heard that she told me that she no longer "felt comfortable" seating me at all because we wouldn't be ordering dinner. I decided not to point out the irony in that she wanted us to be done by seven but that the one sure fire way we could guarantee a speedy exit was by not having a meal. My friend was the one who picked the place- otherwise I would have just left. The service was fine once we got to the bar, but people kept knocking into me- it was really tight and just was annoying since again- all of the tables were empty. When we left - there were still empty tables. 6 in fact- I counted. My friend who I was with then told me a story about the last time that she came to Javelina she had brought a few clients. At the end of their dinner she left an 18% tip and the manager came and IN FRONT OF HER CLIENTS- asked her if she was satisfied with the service because of the low tip. She said she left 18% and he insisted that she had left 14% but would not produce the bill to prove it. Turns out he mixed up tables. But her clients ended up leaving money on the table to make up for what was perceived as my friend being stingy. Given my personal experience with the hostess and my friends past experience with the manager- I think I will be going elsewhere for my carbs and margs...

It's been such a heartbreak to watch this place deteriorate. I was so excited when it opened that I went a day too early and they weren't opening until the following day. I was there on day 1 and so many many times over the years and god it used to be SO GREAT!!! The staff used to be so friendly that you felt like that you were hanging out with friends - they always remembered you when you got there. The food has always been delicious and the drinks amazing. You used to leave stuffed and a little sideways with a big smile on your face having had the best time.

That Javelina is gone and has been for a long time! They had a award winning marg that they never make anymore, a chicken chimichanga that was amazing that they just won't make now and they always cut their steak fajitas incorrectly so that even though the meat is delicious it's so tough and chewy and so hard to actually bite and eat....The people working there look miserable and are the furthest thing from friendly, the service is absolutely TERRIBLE, the place is dirty and the food is just ok. One time we were there with friends and we all saw rats running around in the area behind the door that is behind the bar! The ceiling above the bar is filthy and crumbling. The place is a mess and being run terribly. Such a far cry from the days when it was the place to be.

It's so sad... it was always our favorite place and for our friends as well. I miss the Javelina of its heyday. :(

We're going to make the switch and try the one uptown. Even though it won't solve the missing award winning marg or chimichanga issue we're hoping the team and service will at...