Taino's Kitchen — Restaurant in Newark

Met some friends for lunch last week (on a beautiful Saturday afternoon) and here's my impression:

Decor: Typical Borinquen flair. (I don't know why but it reminded me of the Kioscos de Luquillo except without the wonderful Caribbean sea breeze).

Service: Horrible. Part of our party received their entrée (mofongo de camarones) within 10-15 minutes while the rest of the party patiently waited almost an hour for apps (alcapurrias). I've never been to a restaurant that would bring the entrée before the appetizers. An hour for alcapurrias!

Beer served in styrofoam cups and coffee was barely warm.

Overall: I love supporting neighborhood businesses and always try to maintain an open mind and an unbiased attitude when trying out a new spot. Was really looking forward to eating here but when service is this poor... What's the point of leaving the house?

5-7-22 UPDATE:

Ugly rainy Saturday afternoon only gets uglier after this unfortunate confrontation.

As I was sitting down enjoying a milkshake in McDonald's, I see a lady with Taino sweatshirt I motioned to her and asked if that's the Taino in Newark. She said yes why? I told her I had a bad experience and I showed her my review. This lady said she's the owner and became hostile, belligerent and antagonistic as I try to tell her my experience was unfortunately not that great.

Instead of listening, she kept interrupting and getting more hostile. That's her in the photo I attached.

I tried to leave and she followed me outside with her phone in my face!

Maybe she could have taken the criticism to improve her business and invite me to come back... but she rather attack a person for voicing their opinion. What a shame. I hope she finds the help she sorely needs for whatever issues she's going through and regardless of my opinion, I wish her business...

the service in this place is horrible . I walked in this place with my family and no one greated us or anything . they just stood staring at us as if we were aliens . no one seated us they just stared . So i guess you walk in this place and sit down werever you please . next i waited about 10 minutes for this lady to come up to us and give us the menu and then she left . We stood waiting over 15 minutes and she never appeared . The lady was just eating food and talking in the corner with the other one that works there . I had to get up and get this lady so she can come and take our order. The people that work in this place are just snacking away on empanadas all day infront of the customers while taking there orders . On the other hand our food came out fast . I seen the cook come out from the back snacking away on some of our tostones too while hes at it also . Food was alright . Sooo anyways after we finished eating another 20 minute wait with no service this lady comes up to us and ask how am i going to pay ? I said card and she says ok and just leaves? Im here waiting 5 to 10 minutes and decide to get up and go to the register and pay since there is no profesionalism in this place . I believe the owner of this establishment should educate these people on proper service . I was warned by a few other people before going there about the service being not so great but i didnt think it was this horrible . I reccommend taking the...

Overall great place! Taino kitchen offers authentic Puerto Rican food that is very fresh and tasty. The inside was decorated with native Taino decor, they are from Isabela. It was hot inside, felt like I was in Puerto Rico. The outside was decorated just like San Juan, with the umbrellas and flags! The ladies working there were very nice and helpful! Food came out quick! I ordered all the starters and it was delicious. The pink sauce was only ketchup and mayo, I wish it had a bit more seasoning. The beef empanadas didn’t have a lot of flavor and it was a little oily. The papa rellanos were very very good - I wish there was either olives or peppers mixed in the meet to give it more flavor. To eat I ordered beef with onions, the beef was cooked perfectly- I didn’t even need to use a knife. The beef was flavored perfectly and not salty at all. I wanted white rice and beans but they ran out. I love that, really shows they cook fresh and use fresh food. The maduros weren’t too mushy and were delicious. The churrasco wasn’t my favorite- a bit dry. The pernil was a little dry and needed some salt, maybe a bit more flavor. The seafood was delicious! The guava and passion fruit juices were fresh, thick, not very sweet. Overall, everything was delicious! I would come back to get, and I definitely recommend. Can’t...