The Freakin Rican — Restaurant in New York

Having visited 3 times and being a lover of Puerto Rican food, I really wanted to like this place but wow the service is awful each time.. Here's the summary: you'll have to find someone to seat you, there are maybe 10 tables in total, you'll be skipped because they don't actually use their wait list, the server won't remember what you ordered, and you have to find someone to take your payment. More details below:

They don't greet or acknowledge you when you arrive even as the servers walk by you, there's no "we'll be right with you" or "hola bienvenidos" - you have to grab someone to help you or risk getting skipped.

They'll write your name and number down on a scrap piece of paper to 'track' your place in line (location has about 10 tables so it's always busy). Except they don't actually check the list and different servers will seat people so if you don't stand right by the door, you'll be skipped. No call, text, or even checking the list. The couple that added themselves to the list after us, was seated first when they went up to complain about the wait.

The host acknowledged we were skipped but didn't offer an apology. No matter, I just want to eat so we put in our orders and.. The server has to come back to confirm after writing them down. When she brings them out she confuses which dish belongs to us.

Meanwhile the music cuts out every few minutes in the middle of the song. And the food portions? See what other reviews say - you won't find traditional Latin American plates here. The trifongo is their one delicious gem but so disappointingly comes in a tiny portion. Come on guys, plantains and bananas are some of the cheapest ingredients in a kitchen.

And finally when we get the check in a tray what do you typically do? Put your cards down, no? We did and then 2 minutes go by. 5 minutes... 10 minutes.. Server doesn't come back out. Jesus no wonder the wait is so long - - finally I go up to the front and have to call someone in Spanish to ring us up at the front.

While there I can see the staff there frankly look miserable. I don't expect blinding smiles but not even a good night, thank you, or sorry after that? I've had better service at a Walmart self...

Beware when placing an order for delivery on their website. I placed a good order on their website in the about of $89.00 order on Saturday, March 18, 2023. I received an email advising me that my order had been placed but that I would be receiving a confirmation email at 12:15 PM. At 12:20 PM, I called the restaurant because I had not received a confirmation for my food. The person who answered the phone advised me that the order had been cancelled because I lived too far from the restaurant. I asked the person why send a email placing my order and why charge my credit card? His response was that once the manager arrives, I will get a email canceling my order and that I would get a refund on my credit card. I called the restaurant again at 2:00 PM and I was told the same nonsense by the same person. I called again at 6:20 PM and I was told by the same person that they are very busy and would have to take care of this matter tomorrow. I advised him that I would be calling my credit card company to report that The Freakin Rican had committed fraud with my credit card. How dare they charge my credit card for my order as well as placing the order if they were aware that they could not deliver my food order because I lived too far in Queens. They must make it a habit of charging people’s credit cards and not issuing refunds when they know they cannot deliver to certain locations in Queens. The Freakin Rican has lost me as a customer. I have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions but never again. I will be be placing my negative review on other social media platforms. It’s really disgraceful that a Latino restaurant owner commits such fraudulent acts against...

It's a very small place but atmosphere is nice and we received quick service. Tried the alcapurria and with all honesty it is not Puerto Rican taste, not even close. I had the Bistec encebollado with white rice and beans. The Bistec and rice was good but the red beans had a weird taste, again definitely not Puerto Rican taste and not that good. For desert we ordered the 3 leches, and as a person that loves 3 leches and I buy the party box just for myself, what was served to us was NOT 3 leches. It was some type of foam cake with cream on top and topped off with chocolate and caramel swirled lines missing the 3 leches that was nowhere to be found. What really turned me off was that at this age of technology more than 80% of the people do not carry cash and use different methods of payment and this location has taken up the charging you an additional charge on your check for not using cash, as a person that works in a bank I know the bank does not charge what this location charges for using your CC/DC to pay. Overall the prices are way to much for the portions, and the taste. Paying $18 for a tripleta that barely had any meat was way way to much, $19 for the Bistec encebollado for the portion and taste also way way to much. I have had the same food in the Bohio in Westchester Sq. in the bronx, cheaper, portion enough for 2 people and food taste way way better and just like Puerto Rican food. For me personally not a place for me to return. I visited because I saw an ad but not really a Puerto Rican food place, just a Puerto...