La Parrilla — Restaurant in Puerto Rico

I’m originally from Puerto Rico but live in the States. I brought friends to PR to show off my beautiful island for a few days, and based on reviews and one recommendation from a friend, I chose this restaurant for dinner one night. What a big mistake. First we waited for a table very long after their promised estimated time but ok, we were on vacation and relaxing. But then when seated, it took the waiter another 45 min to greet us and when he did, he looked rushed, did not apologize for the delay, and did not crack a smile. He took our drinks order and we decided to order the meal at the same time since everything was taking so long . Drinks came back after about 20 minutes. Some time went by and I got his attention to asked how much longer for the meal. He turned around and very rudely answered 20 more minutes. His response was very sarcastic like he was purposely making us wait just for asking. I then asked to speak to the manager. When the manager came, by his actions, and responses, it was very obvious he did not want to deal with us. His response was that he had over 400 people at the restaurant so he was very busy and there was really nothing he can do. I then asked for the bill for the drinks so we can leave and told him this will be reflected in our review. Things got increasingly bad from there. Him and his staff all were giving us dirty looks, talking bad about us in Spanish and the manager asked us to hurry up and leave or he was going to call the police when we did absolutely nothing wrong. He said he really didn’t care about the bad review because he had thousands of positive reviews so mine was not going to matter. As we are walking out, a waitress not even involved in the issue and other employees were yelling to us in Spanish to get out of there. It was a very embarrassing and hurtful moment to see my very own treat me the way they did. We were simply looking for an authentic experience and service, but we obviously picked the wrong place for that. The lesson here is that this restaurant have great reviews because supposedly the food is very good. I cannot comment on that because I didn’t get to try it so this can very well be. But there are other components to consider when rating a restaurant and the issues I mentioned here are more important than just a good meal. They acted like they were doing us a favor and didn’t care one bit we were dissatisfied. A lot of my local friends are very familiar with la parrilla and they tell me the place got expensive and lost the quality of their service by growing so rapidly. Right now, this restaurant feels on top of the world and very confident because of their ratings however; they better be careful because if they keep running people off, their status can change very quickly. Unfortunately this experience definitely put a dent in the great time we were having but by leaving this review my hope is that you consider other great kiosks in that same area before you choose...

I have my own rating system. 6 stars: Presidential Service 5 stars: Top Notch Service 4 stars: It was straight 3 stars: Ok 2 stars: 😶 1 stars: I need to bypass the manager and speak to the owner

"Exquisite Dining at La Parrilla"

La Parrilla, located in the vibrant Luquillo, is a standout destination for those seeking an exceptional dining experience. Renowned for its fresh seafood and flavorful dishes, this restaurant offers a delightful blend of quality ingredients and skilled preparation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Offerings

Red Snapper La Parrilla's red snapper is a true highlight, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Expertly prepared, the red snapper is cooked to perfection, maintaining a delicate balance of tenderness and flavor. The seasoning enhances the natural taste of the fish without overpowering it, resulting in a dish that is both satisfying and memorable. The presentation is equally impressive, with a visually appealing arrangement that invites diners to savor every bite.

Wings The wings at La Parrilla are another standout item on the menu. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they are seasoned with a blend of spices that provides a perfect kick. The wings are served with a choice of dipping sauces that complement their robust flavor, making them an ideal appetizer or snack. The attention to detail in both preparation and seasoning ensures that each wing is consistently delicious.

Poppers The poppers at La Parrilla offer a delightful burst of flavor in every bite. Filled with a creamy, spicy mixture and coated in a crispy exterior, these poppers are a perfect blend of textures and tastes. They are served hot and fresh, with just the right amount of spice to tantalize the taste buds without overwhelming them. These poppers make an excellent starter or accompaniment to any meal.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service The service at La Parrilla is top-notch, characterized by attentive and friendly staff who are dedicated to providing an outstanding dining experience. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and eager to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Final Impressions La Parrilla excels in offering a diverse and flavorful menu in a welcoming setting. The expertly prepared red snapper, flavorful wings, and delectable poppers, combined with outstanding service, create a dining experience that is both enjoyable and unforgettable. For a truly satisfying culinary adventure, La Parrilla is an...

This could have been a nice experience if it wasn’t for the horrendous wait. I called to ask if I needed a reservation and the answer was no. I quickly came here and the hostess told us the wait was no more than 30 minutes. I waited a little over an hour to be seated. My party was given one menu and the waiter rushed us to order because the kitchen was about to close which is absolutely crazy. I chose something random on the menu, an appetizer and an entree. I noticed after ordering, that a family who had been seated when i first entered the restaurant (to put my name on the waitlist) STILL hadn’t gotten their food. I’m talking they got seated at 8:30 and it was 9:50. I don’t know how long they waited for a table.

We got our appetizer pretty quickly. It was pretty bland and tasted like frozen fish. We had to ask for water three times before someone finally brought us water. My entree was surprisingly good despite not getting the chance to really look at the menu. It was not amazing, but nice. My mother got the wrong order, asked for it to be fixed, and still got the wrong order. At this point we wanted to leave, so she just ate it anyways. It wasn’t bad, but it was not what she asked for.

Maybe go for lunch? The music was nice. The service was pretty bad, but not the worst. They were busy, but also there’s no reason to wait over an hour to be seated when you’re told it’s a thirty minute wait. To make someone hurry up and order when they’ve been waiting that long is crazy. I did ask for a menu while I waited and the hostess told me to just use my phone which did not have good service. To get an order wrong twice is just negligent of the kitchen. The waiter did put the order in correctly so, it’s not his fault.

I also felt so sorry for the American family who waited so long for food and were met with an unapologetic “we are busy and have big tables...