Rockaway Fish House — Restaurant in New York

I frequent this establishment every time I visit NY, it is a journey for me to get to, but it is worth the long travel. Listen, the food is nothing short of a fresh home-cooked meal. There is nothing, microwaveable about their food, everything is made from scratch. It is amazing for a restaurant to continue to dedicate to using freshly cooked food, daily, that is not packaged ready. This restaurant uses fresh potatoes, meat; that need to be cut and seasoned, on the premises, all the food is astoundingly good. Now a downside, although the restaurant food and desserts are ten fingers, wrist licking, and lip succulent good, the establishment should cut back on the sodium. The food has a tad too much salt/sodium, not idea for a person who suffers from hypertension. So if the establishment management and owners read customer reviews, please add less salt, and offer salt to customers in small packets, I stead. If the salt was drastically reduced in the food, it would affect your client base in a positive way, more people with hypertension could eat more of your excellent food. I mentioned desserts, a must have, the peach cooler is all I will mention, it's southern perfect. The establishment does sell a small selection of desserts. Btw, the staff, they are very professional and friendly, they have great attitudes and provide exceptional customer-friendly service. Last but not least, the food is AFFORDABLE, a person can order a full course meal, and still have leftovers. One order of food can serve two people, the serving portions are military portions, HUGE, not heard of from any restaurant. This restaurant has never; tried to cut back, on their serving sizes, and that is another reason this restaurant has a loyal customer base that continues to grow. As I stated, I have been aware of and going to this restaurant for about twelve years now, and the size of the servings, the food quality, great customer experience and over a dozen different entree choices, have never disappointed. I appreciate the owner(s), management, and the staff members for their continued excellent food and service, and unwavering commitment to serving food that the volume makes you smile and say, "I cannot wait to sit down and eat that plate of food, and I will eat the rest later or for breakfast." Again, thanks for keeping me happy...

I've been here maybe 3 or 4 times through out the years. No dining inside. Strictly take-out. If you're not from the area or Queens, you could feel intimidated or uncomfortable Once I went by myself. But, other times, I was always with someone who stopped here. Parking is a challenge. But, eventually something opens up, read the signs or you will get a ticket or towed. Extra large portions are served. So, two people can share a dinner and be reasonable satisfied. There's always a line, sometimes it moves smoothly, other times quite slow. It's not the fault of the employees or customers. Everyone clearly knows what they want. But, they run out of a specific dish and the tray is replaced in record time. Or, their simply sold out. So, the customer has to choose something else, this slows the line. I've observed customer's disappointment and, need to stand there and repeat the inevitable. Or, they respond quickly on their choice of replacement dish. Then, change their mind and pick something else. There's so many good choices you can't blame them. Fish, Turkey Wings, Ribs, Chicken (served several ways) Beef etc., the list goes on. All meats are tender and falling off the bone. Some foods are tastier than others. Ex; chopped pork BBQ, bland, no taste, no flavor. I never ordered it again. Turkey Wings is excellent. Love all their vegetables, greens, beans. But, sometimes, on the rare day, there over cooked (customer's words). Dessert!!! If one of my friends is coming here, I'm all in, riding with them, for the miniture sweet potato pie, wow!!! So, delicious it make a sound. Sorry, no sound, that's you humming. Or, possible singing a song...LOL. Yep, it's that good. Everyone I've given a slice to has raved about it as well. Now, the sad news. I returned after a long gap. I ordered pies. Guess what? Someone stole the goodness, the flavor, the deliciousness. I returned to the restaurant and sounded the alarm. Here's the shocking way they responsed, "...you know, our long standing cook retired. We have a new cook now and, we haven't tasted the new pies. WHAT??? I've never been back. Martha has left...

This place has really declined in service and attitudes. I went in the other day and noticed they have increased the prices on food and decreased in humanity. The 2 women that were there were too busy joking around with each other and showing us customers so much attitude, especially the shorter light skin woman, she was HORRIBLE! She acted like we were interrupting her play time. Before this incident we were in there about 3 weeks ago and ordered the same things we ordered a few days ago. We had the taller woman and she gave us decent amounts of food. This time with the shorter woman, she gave 4 ribs and had an attitude when asked not to give us the 2 burnt ribs that she was about to give us. I know for a fact we should've received more ribs because usually when we go we receive about 6/7 ribs. We didn't want to ask her to give more even though the prices went up and she was giving us less food, we let that go. But then I ordered the turkey wings dinner and she got even more disrespectful with the amount. She even got an attitude because I asked for extra bbq sauce on my turkey wings. She wouldn't even give a full spoon full of the sauce, she kept trying to be funny by giving little droplets, so I kept telling her to please give me more sauce. This is MY money that I am spending in this place, stop playing games with people! My bill came to almost $70, at least put some respect on the service! I miss the times when Ms. Mary was there, that's how long I've been going there, she was such a delight. My Aunt and Uncle used to have this place cater our family gatherings up until they passed away so I know how this establishment USED to be. Bad enough they took away their oxtails but to add $10 more to each meal and take away portions, friendliness and the fact that WE as customers are spending our hard earned money in your establishment only to face bad attitudes, does not sit right with me. I would've preferred to not give any stars but I had to leave this review, enough is enough, just about everyone is suffering and WE the customers keep YOU in business, please...