JUANITO'S RESTAURANT RED BANK — Restaurant in Red Bank

There are several authentic restaurants in the area. If you speak to any one of them, they'll say that Juanitos is Americanized Mexican style food as opposed to 'authentic'; that's never changed my family's choice in restaurant.

We frequent this restaurant around once a month. They have a beautiful exposed brick front room that was completely remodeled during the pandemic. They also have a huge back room for large parties or if you're bringing your tribe like we do.

My wife has me go there to pick up their homemade salsa which is second to none.

We love their appetizers, especially the half avocado loaded with seafood and topped with a cream sauce. It's a bring your own, which is always a plus and you can't go wrong with the steak fajitas or one of the many specials; they are all delicious.

*I'm not sure if this is common practice for all restaurants - after our most recent time eating at Juanitos, they counted the kids toward 'automatic gratuity'. I have never had that happen before.

My wife and I have eaten there with 2 other couples before and did not experience this. We went with another couple; needless to say we had our children with us. My five and three year old split a chicken finger dinner - my twin 2 year old boys did the same. The couple we were with had their 3 year old daughter with them and she was eating a quesidilla.

Now I always tip 30%; seeing that they included the children towards automatic gratuity - I found it rude and didn't tip anything in addition to what they applied. We've been to a plethora of other restaurants and have never had that happen. Just my take - maybe you'd feel different.

**I guess inflation is finally hitting this restaurant. Recently my wife and I took our twin 2 year old boys and our 3 year old daughter. A kids pasta (no sauce) was $11. The kids quesidilla was also $11 (I felt that was more reasonable). My wife and I each got a burrito ($30 each). The bill was $100 after drinks and tax. $100 for 2 burritos, a small plate of plain pasta, and a kids quesidilla.

To compare, we went to the Middletown Diner a few days prior and for the same $100 we got mozzarella sticks, a huge plate of loaded nachos, a hot dog dinner, 2 chicken finger dinners, a hot open turkey dinner, a hot open roast beef dinner,...

NEVER again! This WAS our favorite restaurant. We frequent this restaurant and recommend it to many. Authentic food, nice waitresses. BUT they don't care. I called Friday to make a reservation and was told not taking any for Saturday. Called Saturday and was told the same. We arrived at 5:15 and was told about 45 min. I expressed front room only. (My dad wears hearing aids and its a huge difference) Watched every group get seated before us so I went in and asked. I was told they had a table but not enough chairs. 7:00 PM they called us and specifically said you are going to be crowded and it's loud. We get to our table and it barely is enough room. I asked for one of the front tables and was told they are saved.There were two tables one of 6 one of 8 open in the front. I said we arrived before everyone else here and there are tables. The girl said talk to my owner. I said okay. She said well he's not here tonight. A waitress that we have had several times told me to go ask again. I did. They didn't budge. We had to leave....Unbareably loud & no room at the table. We are customers who frequent this restaurant. The waitresses know us but the hostesses didn't care. What a shame. It truly was the way we were talked to and the whole talk to my owner. ...

Went there with friends before a show at the Count Basie theater. I thought the food was delicious, my friends said it was so fresh and authentic, I had the chimichanga I have never had a chimichanga with so much chicken stuffed into the shell 100% chicken, the flavors were so delicious. It was served with refried beans and rice which was also good. My date had the steak fajitas what a large portion of steak and delicious, the other person that was with us ordered what looked like a seafood chimichanga or burrito it was so stuffed with seafood shrimp, scallops, & lobster definitely would order again,we are planning to make another trip very soon. I have to try other items on the menu , they all look delicious coming out of the kitchen, and service was good. Food came out quickly atmosphere was cute. I just say overall for the amount of food you get the price is right. I definitely recommend...