El Aguila Dorada Restaurant

We came in on a Sunday night during a major soccer game in the American Cup. That excuse, plus the free tres leches cake they gave us apologetically, is what bumps this up from 2 stars.
I was ready for a long wait after reading the Unilocal reviews, but I got pretty hangry as we waited 30+ minutes for our app. Eventually someone (a manager?) came out to ask if we’d gotten it, and when we confirmed we hadn’t, it magically appeared. We also had to ask for silverware, and for drinks refills (repeatedly). No one asked how we were doing or updated us on the wait for food. When it was time to pay, everyone was paying attention to the game, but that’s not something that I hold against them under these specific circumstances.
I think we ordered poorly, because I was really underwhelmed by everything. We ordered a clam appetizer, which seemed like it was probably from Costco’s frozen section. It was really unappetizing but we were so hungry. Boyfriend felt kinda crummy today and wondered if it was related… that’s how iffy it was.
For mains, we ordered tacos and flautas. The fish tacos were bland and mediocre. Then they brought us fajitas, because they misunderstood when we ordered apparently. There was some huddled communication among the servers, and the manager came over to apologize. He said he would rush the kitchen to replace our order, which we agreed to. So they took away the fajitas and brought flautas, which were fine. Exactly what one would expect. When it was time to pay, they gave us the tres leches as an apology for the wrong order confusion.
Overall, I had really high hopes for this place and maybe that’s why I was so disappointed. Someone had recommended this place to us as «the best traditional Mexican food in the area,» but this is not someplace that I would go out of my way to visit again. Nothing struck me as especially flavorful or fresh, and though I was blown away by the portions of things ordered by the people around us, I thought that what we ordered was not an especially great deal for the cost.

Love love love. There is a bit of a wait on the weekends, but it’s worth the wait. This restaurant is a gem located on a corner of Broadway. When you walk in there’s a bar which seats about 5 – 8 people? Grab a drink while you wait. Their margaritas are good. There are about 10 – 12 tables in the dining area. The atmosphere is very casual. Sometimes the food can take a little bit of time to be served.
This is our go to place when we’re in the mood for Mexican. The salsa is homemade and very flavorful. Shrimp and chorizo app is the way to go for a group of four to share. I normally get the chicken enchiladas with the cream sauce option on the side. I’ve also had the tacos (of course) great.
Give it a shot you will not be disappointed.

Excellent for dining in and questionable for delivery. Quality food, decent service, and tasty margaritas. Recommended: chorizo con queso, pork tostadas, and pork tacos.

Updating my review to say the food is still banging but the wait to get your food when you eat in is RIDICULOUS. It takes forever every time we go. Means I’m usually full on chips and sangria/​beer by then because I was so starving during the wait.
I hope in the future they realize they need to expand to a bigger location and hire more cooks/​staff because people love this place!

I always loved the food there and we ordered take outs at least once a month. But last time I kept on finding pieces of meat on my vegetarian enchilada and that grossed me out. I don’t know if they mix spoons or what in the kitchen but I’m thinking if they offer a vegetarian option they should be more careful with it. I won’t be coming again. But if you eat meat I do recommend it !

Food was awesome this was our first time going there with the family I recommend this place I will go back there again five thumbs up

I would give this restaurant no stars if I could. This review is not based on the food, but on the service and arrogance of the staff. Based on the other negative reviews I shouldn’t be surprised, but I feel compelled to let others know what is possibly in store for them at this inefficient, uncaring, and rude establishment. When we got there at 7:28 on Friday night we were told the wait would be 30 minutes. A couple came in after us, but as they were two and we were four, they were seated at a table for two. When we arrived there were two tables of four that had their table cleared with doggy bags on the table, as they were finished eating. forty five minutes later and one of the finished tables didn’t even get their check. When the next table of four became available it should have been our table, as we were next on the list. Instead, the maitre d moved the party of two that had come in after us, and moved them to the now empty table of four that should have been ours. At this point our thirty minute wait was approaching an hour. I asked the maitre d why he would move the party of two to a table of four when we had been waiting so long past his promised wait time, he sloughed off my complaint and told me that now the wait would be another twenty minutes. In fact he said «I have to tell you the truth, you will have to wait another 20 minutes». Clearly he had not told the truth or given any explanation up till this point, and given the restaurant’s efficiency I had no reason to believe that there would be an available table for us in another twenty minutes. In frustration I told him that I was planning to put my experience on Unilocal at which point he told me that if I was going to review him on Unilocal he wouldn’t seat me at all!!!
After an hour of waiting and being abused we left and went to Pizza Masters where the service was pleasant, honest and efficient.
I’m sure the food at El Aguila Dorada is good, given all the other good reviews, but there are many other establishments with good food. The quality of a restaurant is not only based on its food, but also its service. Hospitality is a key word in the restaurant world, and this restaurant is not only inhospitable, but also hostile.

Food is great, atmosphere is perfect, authentic and Martino makes the best Margo on the planet… it’s worth the travel from anywhere to get there for dinner.

Best authentic Mexican restaurant in Bayonne. Never been disappointed. Huge burritos, great quesadillas & best guacamole I’ve ever tasted! Highly recommended.

Oh the good Lord has blessed me with a great place to eat. There is always a wait for delivery (because they are super busy) but man are they good. I haven’t had a nasty dish yet! From the flautas, tacos, fajitas, nachos, etc, I have not had a terrible dish yet! Their avocado salad is so good! A must try if you are in Bayonne! Don’t let the humble look of the joint fool you!

Everyone we know goes ape for this place, so my fella and I were excited to finally make it in for dinner one night. Service was great, very attentive and friendly. I could tell this is a much loved neighborhood spot by the many groups of locals that saying their hellos and goodbyes to each other as they came and went. I liked the guacamole but wasn’t as big as a fan of the shrimp tacos and thought the rice and beans were a bit bland. My fella was also wasn’t too impressed with his burriot. As everyone I know swears by this place maybe I was there on an off night or didn’t order well, idk, but I’ll definitely be back to give it another shot. Its also worth mentioning they have a full bar and I think Happy Hour drink specials.

I’m giving the 1 star rating not because the food here isn’t good, but because the service is subpar. I came here for dinner with my dad, neither of us eat any kind of pork. My dad ordered something off the menu that contained sausage. It was an honest misunderstanding after my dad ordered it off of a picture and the waiter had explained what was in it in Spanish (my father speaks NO Spanish & I struggle with mine sometimes). The staff refused to take the food back or take it off the check. Service incidents like this will cause me not to go back.

The food is amazing! Quality and great taste in each dish plus the service are A+. Highly recommended.

Yummy authentic Mexican food. Proportion size is huge. You can make reservations. They also deliver. Flautas and burritos are the best. Everything taste fresh. Friendly service. They are always busy which is a good thing.

Food was really delicious and the price is pretty decent, however, their service is really slow. It was a Monday night and there wasn’t even a lot of people but the food and drinks took forever to come. Spent about an hour waiting for the food. Probably wouldn’t come back here. If you are extremely patient and looking for good Mexican food, this place is for you.

I’m happy I don’t have to drive into jersey city to get tacos anymore.
Great atmosphere, but it’s a small place. Service is quick, but the orders themselves take time to make. Maybe 20 min wait for my gf and I. You can order at the bar no problem.
Portions are huge. You probably don’t need an appetizer, just get the guacamole! It’s a generous amount!
Margaritas on the rocks were a little watered down, sad to say.
For an entrée, an order of tacos, and chips with guac, the bill was $ 65. The four margaritas were $ 30 by themselves.

Love there chicken flautas and drinks as well… i would totally recommend this to anyone who is in the mood to eat mexican food … The food is always freshly made and very tastefull… The staff is great and very respectful

best authentic mexican food I have tasted in New Jersey. worth the drive from north jersey … love this place

The food is amazing. Whenever I go there, everyone is super friendly. Or whenever they do their deliveries they always bring extra forks and spoons and plates.

Place looks kind of sketchy on the outside but I was very surprised how good the food was! They give you huge portions and very friendly staff. I will definitely be coming back!

I got takeout from this place last night. It was great all around. Best mexican food I’ve had in this area.

Great Place for lunch after the gym. Quesadillas are top notch burrito rice a little two dry. But everything else is good

Nasty food smells like its expired and been left out for days
Taste so bland no flavor at all

Love this place! Great, authentic Mexican food! I’ve both dined in and used delivery service, never disappointed! I’m pretty picky when it comes to food and its rare that I order a dish ‘as is’ no matter what the restaurant. They’ve always (surprisingly) been kind, accomodating and they’ve gotten it right… EVERYTIME!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! !

My partner and I we’re pretty impressed. Great food, I had the shrimp quesadilla and my partner had the chicken tacos. We had chips, guac and salsa to start.
THE SALSA … !!! Was AMAZING
Drinks we’re a bit weak for me, we got the corona in the house margarita.
Will def be back for food, maybe not drinks

Worst service ever. I’ve order from them many times. Food is good to great, that’s their only saving grace. I waited two and a half hours for food today. Was told the wait was an hour. Called them at hour and a half mark, said it was in its way. Called at 2 hour mark said the food was ready but waiting for driver. Got a call from driver at 2:25 mark and told me he was outside and said he was on 29^th street when I live on 49^th street. Called restaurant told me that if food was cold they’d refund me. Driver drove twenty blocks in Bayonne in five minutes: bullshit. Driver said he drives a Camaro?!? Asked how he didn’t get pulled over by Bayonne police, gave me a retarded smirk. Called them back told them food was cold I want my refund. Told me they have to take the food back to get refund. I’m usually a nice guy but as a diabetic that had to wait 2:30 for food I wasn’t too happy. I understand that restaurants get busy but you have to have some courteous when you make patrons wait for 2:30. «Alex» told me that they would decline the charge. They better if not I’d go there and make a scene and I am that pissed to do so. You are the professionals in this restaurant game, it’s not my fault if you suck at it.

Best place of its type I’ve found in Jersey City and Bayonne. The minor quibbles are that it can be tough to get a table at peak times, and the food doesn’t jump out of the kitchen, and parking at times can be a two block walk. On the plus side the food is tasty, the drinks well poured, portions substantial, and the staff seems to have an interest in the patrons. We tend to over order, because the chips and salsa they place milliseconds after you’re seated fill you up if you don’t exhibit restraint-​keep that in mind and be ready to bring leftovers home. The queso/​chorizo appetizer is a wonderful dipping experience, the shrimp in garlic sauce an exemplar version of this standard, and while we’re working through the entrees (after three visits) none have been anything other than well above average.

Amazing tacos and good service.
Guacamole is awesome and their drinks are sick.
I would suggest the chorizo. So salty and good. Instead of ordering it, go in and sit down and eat instead. Its a bit more fresh and obviously quicker. This place is much better than the other mexican restaurant casa de lupita.

I feel conflicted because the spot used to be great but I downgraded it to average. The food is amazing, no doubt about it. Prices are a little high for Bayonne and they recently raised them but with the price hike came a reduction in quality as the customer experience has become poor. They want to charge for the little things that used to be free which makes the place lose a little bit of it’s charm. Also, they seem to serve slightly smaller portions on the weekends so go on a weekday.
I also had an incident where there was a hair in my food once followed by the wrong order being sent out to me another time. Both times they were not very quick to get me a replacement for my meals which has caused me to seek out other Mexican food options in Jersey City. The sad thing is that a year ago, none of this would have ever happened, so the place is dropping off due to a what I assume is a combination of new ownership, bar renovations, and new policies including a $ 15 minimum for credit card transactions which leads me to think whether this is a Mexican restaurant in Bayonne, New Jersey or an upscale Deli in Midtown Manhattan with that minimum?
It’s not all bad, let’s discuss the food which is absolutely amazing! The tortas here are all amazing and the appetizers are awesome as well. The aqua de naranja and the Horchata in particular are worth mentioning as highlights of a meal at the establishment. The young waitresses that used to work there but I rarely see anymore were so awesome! I loved them so much as they were very personable and friendly. Unfortunately, I think the family that owned Aguila Dorada either sold the place, or took on a partner because they are rarely there, and it really takes away from the experience. Great food, nothing else really. It used to be a five star but now it’s maybe a 3.3.

Without a doubt my favorite restaurant in Bayonne.
We have lived down the block from here since it opened, and I wish we didn’t! I order from here so often!
It is amazing, this place is seriously the American dream. They opened as a typical low key dine in/​takeout place and now it has a full bar and a really nice dine in ambiance.
It’s not expensive, you get a decent amount of food, and its good quality food.
My favorite part about this place. They do not judge you for being white! I hate ethnic places that snigger at you when you mispronounce anything or they look at you funny when you walk in. This place is far from it! They are all very warm and welcoming! They always make me feel like they truly appreciate my business.
Love you guys!

Always do damn good and so many people I know would agree. The food is always fresh, the flavors are ALWAYS on point. I am a huge fan of mexican food and this mexican is the best I’ve had, EVER. Which is a huge statement since I’ve tried mexican all around the country. The service, atmosphere, and the quality and taste of food that you will find there are never anything short of perfection.

First time at this local restaurant/​bar highly impressed with food. Parking available on the street chicken quesadilla/​soft beef tacos/​milanesa de res o pollo. Great spot to have quick dinner with company and catch up on old times.

This place is absolutely AMAZING!!! This is the third time that I have eaten from here and as of yet, there is nothing that I don’t like about this place.
I’ve had the shrimp tacos, chips and guac, stuffed shrimp (which was like OMG!) and the Camarones Alajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce)…, and I must say that it’s all been so mouth watering good!
I will admit that I’m having the white sangria for the first time, and it’s not the best I’ve had, but it’s ok.
Now on to the service… It couldn’t be any more pleasant! Everyone is so nice, efficient and welcoming… It’s awesome! I would def recommend this place to anyone!
Keep it up guys!!!

Finally got a chance to make it here. Ordered for take out and they did an awesome job packing the food and not making anything spill out or come out of place.
The proportion was a great amount of food. We had ordered $ 60 worth of take out food. I was taking a risk since this was our first time ordering from this restaurant. We were basing the authenticity of the food from fellow Unilocalers. And our fellow Unilocalers were spot on with the quality and quantity of the food.
The only issue I had with the food was that their bistec on anything I ordered was salty. It was a little difficult to eat the bistec taco/​huraches/​tostados. Yes every single one of my dish contained salty beef. I’ve never had that happened. Since it was take out, I’ll give them another chance.
My husband enjoy/​loved his chilaquilles (vegetarian) and the veggie tacos. No complains on his end except that we needed to commute to NJ for this food… lol. We both enjoyed their tomatillo sauce. It has a nice kick to it. The Rojas sauce tasted funny, which we have no idea what to compare it to.
The Orchata was authentic, just like I get it at any Mexican restaurant in NYC. Not bad for a jersey mexican restaurant.
Anyways, despite my disappointing dish, we would venture here again and give it another try. I’ll try the al pastor as recommended by others.
As per prices, it’s in comparison to sunset, Brooklyn, NY prices. But I think we get more food here than in Bklyn. The neighborhood is quaint, so I feel safe and not rushed to leave once tge sun goes down.

Probably THE BEST most authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had! The portions are large and the staff is very friendly and highly accommodating. This place gets better every time I come! Don’t miss out! You have to try if!
I recommend their amazing guacamole and steak tacos! Yummy!!!

This place is no joke. This ain’t your taco bell, on the border type Mexican food. This isn’t even Downtown Taqueira (I still love you) type Mexican. This is the real deal.
Normally, I’d totally never stop at this place for food because the outside is just not appealing. You go in, still not really appealing. Bunch of table clothes and whatever chairs but we stayed because of how high the Unilocal reviews are for the food.
Service was slow but to be fair, this place was packed with locals. We get our table and are handed the menus and I look over at the other tables to get a sense for their plates sizes. First off… pretty darn cheap for just how much food you get.
Once you order it takes about 20 minutes for the food to start to come out. If you are starving, pack a snack with you while you wait.
But once the food did come out, all was forgiven because not only was it full of flavor and absolutely delicious but it was HUGE portion. Maybe I should have considered sharing but nah. I couldn’t decide if I wanted chicken or beef flautas so I asked the waiter which was honestly better and he goes, I’ll give you two of each. Deal!
I give the food a good 4.5 stars but service was only a 3.5.
Also, definitely get the coronita margarita… you really should only do one and make sure you are not the one driving!

The food is authentic and the staff willing to please. Haven’t been disappointed with that.
I have noticed that this small restaurant, with tiny bar has attracted a regulars group of men. All well and good, but it is becoming less family and lady friendly.
Reviews seem to indicate that takeout and delivery is super slow– slow I’m steering clear to see if the environment there changes.