Jalapeno Restaurant

So from 4 stars bordering on 5 to only 1 star in a week. The place is sporadicaly open and when you call the «sister restaurant» listed on the website, the crew there just throws this place under the bus. When asked what is going on, they just say «Place is not going to be open anymore»
What a shame…

My girlfriend and I tried this place last night and we were both very pleasantly surprised. The space is large, clean, and nicely decorated. They have a full bar which we did not take advantage of this time but certainly will in the future.
As soon as we sat down, the owner, Eli, brought us a bowl of warm chips and salsa which we quickly devoured and he replenished. We both ordered the tacos del sur which came with three tacos of any kind. I had two fish tacos and a carnitas taco while my girlfriend had two shrimp and a fish. They were all made with super fresh ingredients and tasted amazing. Eli brought us a bowl of guacamole, which was also fresh and delicious, and suggested we try some on our tacos. He ALSO brought us some of his awesome habanero hot sauce which he made in house.
The food was awesome, the service was awesome, and the price was more than reasonable. This place is a hidden gem that most likely won’t stay hidden for long. I can’t wait to go back.

I can’t address what the reviewer from ¹²⁄₁₃ experienced, but I agree completely with the most recent review of ¹²⁄₁₄. We went as a couple a week ago, and will definitely go back. It’s an undiscovered gem just off Main St on Rider Ave (even has its own free parking lot for those who hate the new meters!). The food was delicious, the portions generous, the prices reasonable, and the service (by the owner himself) attentive and friendly (there’s a full bar too). I might say the music was a little loud for dinner or the sports TV unnecessary, but that’s not much to complain about. This is a place that deserves more business.

Amazing food, awesome drinks, friendly and helpful staff, and an overall great experience.
Beautiful restaurant with a wonderfully stocked bar in a great location. If you’re looking for some quality Mexican food and a great atmosphere this restaurant is for you!

This was a very pleasant surprise. If you are looking for some very good Mexican food at a very reasonable price then this is a place for you to visit. If you are looking for the Four Seasons then I guess you will be disappointed. If you are in the mood for some good Mexican food then give it a go.
We were especially happily surprised based on the only other review that is posted here which is a 1 star review. It just goes to show you that everyone has different expectations.
We purchased a $ 25
certificate on Saturday night and decided to give this a go.
We were the only diners in the place on Saturday night at 6PM. Another couple came in around 6:45PM. There is pleanty of seating and a full sized bar as soon as you walk in. In the backroom they have a wall sized television that they put on the college football game on when another couple came in… they must have asked for it.
Our waiter, who I will also guess is an owner, was our server for the meal. He was very nice and answered all of our questions. They gave us a bowl of chips and salsa while we reviewed the menu. They DID have beer… I ordered a Modello and my wife had a Modello Lager. My son had a Jurittos fruit punch.
My wife ordered guacamole for the chips that game to the table. Unlike the previous review that said the guacamole was from a jar… this was not. It was fresh with nice fresh pieces of avocado. It was very good.
We decided to order loaded steak nachos as an appetizer for the table. I think we could have called it a night after that… we were so full!!! The steak was plentiful and delicious. The ingredients were all fresh.
For dinner, my wife and youngest son ordered steak quesadillas. I ordered a chicken burrito.
My wife and son both loved the steak quesadilla. They could have split one order between them. We ended up bring one home. (MY OLDEST SON WAS OUT WITH FRIENDS AND ENDED UP HAVING IT FOR LUNCH ON SUNDAY WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE LEFT OVER NACHOS!!!)
I loved my chicken burrito. The ingredients were very fresh and tasty! I also only ate half and brought the remainder for lunch today!
For all of that food and drinks the bill came out to about $ 50 before the $ 25 gift certificate. With the $ 25 gift certificate it was a really inexpensive way to try a new restaurant.
I will definitely be back. We also took a take out menu from them as it is on my way home from work. I can only hope some other people patronize this place. The food was terrific and I hope it will stay open.

This restaurant must have gotten their act together since the last review. I read that negative review and almost did not go. Boy, am I glad I did go. The food was delicious and inexpensive. We had the chicken soup, tacos for an appetizer and then I had shrimp quesadillas. Too much food but I almost ate it all. It was that good. I would definitely go back and recommend this place for Mexican food. Taco Bell it is NOT.

EDIT: According to other Unilocalers, this place was shutdown and reopened. I haven’t been back, but please keep in mind that this review is from 2013!
I hate to write such a negative first review for my local mexican place, but I think I need to share this. I hope other Unilocalers can chime in and share their experiences…
We ate there in Mid-​December, and the experience was HORRIBLE.
They obviously are struggling. We walked in and the place was empty. We see that there’s a bar with wine glasses and whatnot, so I ask for a Dos Equis. «A what?» A Dos Equis, please. «Um, uh???» Ok, do you have a Corona? «No, we don’t have beer, sorry.» How about wine, sangria? «No, no wine.» I then realize they have no liquor license. Ok, but I’m thinking that there’s a large bar there, with wine glasses hanging and beer mugs in the cabinets… Must be for show. This is interesting…
We decide to start with guacamole. What comes out is this pureed green slime. The taste was exactly like something out of a plastic tub you pickup at a Stop&Shop, in the frozen section. Not original or home made tasting, at all.
When we order, we find out the portions are nearly double than what’s on the menu. The menu states I get a choice of three tacos, but the waitress tells me I can get five. Yes, five tacos. Okay, since you only have like 6 meats to choose from, I’ll try everything except for the fish. I was not going to try my luck with ordering seafood when I had no idea how long the place had been struggling. My wife does the same thing with less variety.
Food comes out, and it looks pretty good. The tortillas look right, the limes, the cilantro, the different hot sauces that come out. Ok, things are looking up, I hope it tastes half as good as it looks. I take a huge bite. Dang, totally underwhelming. The seasoning is just not there. I add some more hot sauce. Take another bite. What am I doing? I’m drowning it in hot sauce to compensate. This isn’t the college cafeteria. I give up, and put my taco down. Tried three other meats and they all taste (or lack there of) the same. Didn’t bother with my fifth one. The rice and beans were okay. But nothing spectacular. One bite of each, and I was done.
I have to say, the service was attentive, since we were the only patrons in the place. Though I had to remind her to put the guac and coke on the bill, which she forgot. 25% tip for the poor gal working that shift.
Cold and unsatisfied, we walked by a spanish bodega on the way home, and with the windows steamed up from the food, the seats crowded with spanish folks, I don’t think I would be too far off if I thought the food there probably tastes better.
Sorry Jalapeños, unless I hear from other that I was there on the worst night ever, maybe the night the chef was out, I will not be returning again.