Had to run in to get plain roasted chicken for dinner. Asked for half a chicken and got charged $12. That was plain chicken no sides. I will not be ever going back. It saddens me that one of few left Spanish eateries in the neighborhood is robbing people left and right. read more

Authentic Dominican/Puerto Rican Food, best place for the best mofongo ever!!! truly an experience, this is a must visit, not only was all of the dishes we ordered on point for taste but the service was A+ they were attentive, caring and all the food came out hot and delicious. The women that work here were happy and full of joy which made our experience delightful. The place is small just a couple of tables and counter tops sitting but the taste of the food was so good you forget that the restaurant is small. I want to thank the ladies for such a great experience and we will be back, we had a group of eight and were comfortable but the food was sooooo good, look at my pictures. I will be back!!! read more

Wanted to like this place but they overcharged me for a small plate saying that tostones were extra when it clearly says on the sign that tostones are part of the small plate deal. The service was not friendly or helpful, considering she was trying to convince me what was on the sign was not what was written on it!? When someone orders a small you give them what is included, you don't assume they want extra and then overcharge them for what is supposed to be included in what they ordered. Service is pretty bad here. Food is just ok. read more

My Granny is from Puerto Rico and I use to spend my summers with her in New York. The food she would cook had her building smelling like heaven! My pops brought me here the day of her memorial service and it took me back to my childhood. The fried plantains, Arroz con pollo, rice and peas. It amazes me the flavors that came out of this tiny place. That's the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. If you ate in the restaurant you would have people literally standing at your table order their food. The staff was nice and the place was clean. read more

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I ordered some mondongo soup and it was delicious thank I so much I will definitely be going back

For Spanish food don't expect authentic Spanish cuisine food here, it's eh at best. What you need to look out for is how she pads the bill. She's very greedy and she will cheat you out of a dime each and every time if you're not paying attention. And if you call her on it she'll get angry on try to justify the bogus overcharge. It doesn't matter if you're a regular customer. She's a Cheat buyer beware. Ty A read more

Gena!! What is the total BS I got tonight? I've given you four/five stars for years! The "Oxtail" I got tonight was absolutely not Oxtail! Whatever it was, it was stringy, overcooked and terrible. If you don't have Oxtail just say so!! Blech!! read more

Gena's Grill is somewhere I can eat everyday. It's real food at real affordable prices. I love Gena's. I dragged my boyfriend here yesterday but he certainly was not kicking and screaming. I always see it as an opportunity to try out my Spanish and let them correct me so I can learn how to pronounce the words. If we walked any faster we would have completely missed it. It is a TINY joint with 7 seats by the counter and two smaaaall tables. Just take whatever seat you can find. We sat at the end of the counter. At first I wanted to order the bistec encebollado (steak with onions) but then saw the chuletas de cerdo (pork chops). If I wasn't confused enough my boyfriend points at the daily specials and my eyes lock onto the Rabo Guisado (oxtail stew). I was sure that is what I wanted because I love Rabo! On the side I had the Arroz Amarillo (yellow rice). My boyfriend ordered the Pollo Guisado (stewed chicken) with maduros (sweet plantains). Actually I ordered it for him so I could try their sweet plantains. Hey it wasn't greasy! For dessert we shared the tres leches cake. Unfortunately it's not made at Gena's but it was good anyways. Bottom line if I'm ever in that neighborhood again.....I would like to try other dishes at Gena's because we left with our wallets and stomach in a pretty happy state. Yay! read more

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It's often said that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. It's true. I love this place. It doesn't look like much from the outside, and even inside the tiny luncheonette there are only six seats at the counter and two small tables. The only decorations to speak of are the red checkered tableclothes as the walls are taken up by a large mirror to one side, kitchen equipment on the other and a fridge full of drinks. What the establishment lacks in physical size, it makes up for in flavor. Que rico sabor! And while the décor may leave you wanting, Gena and the other ladies who work here are lovely and will make you feel right at home. But we aren't here to stretch out our legs or admire scenery... the real heart and soul of Gena's Grill is the delicious, authentic and generous portions Dominican and Cuban fare served here. My favorite is the Pernil Asado - always juicy and tender. I second Anya's claim that the rice and beans have got serious flavor. The chicken soup is great too, its made the way my mom makes it with big chunks of chicken still on the bone... perfect for winter weather and great for warding off a cold. In the mornings, if you're looking for a simple breakfast, the oatmeal here is naturally sweetened with plantains and you can get freshly squeezed OJ made to order. read more

Located on 1st Avenue between 12th and 13th streets, this tiny eatery will leave your mouth watering. I got there and was greeted by a nice older woman. It smelled so good in there. I tried sitting on the seat, but the place was jist too darn small! I ordered the Rabo Guisado with arroz amarillo, habichuelas rojas and maduros. My total order came up to $16.06. I arrived home and enjoyed every piece of it. The beans were so good! The oxtail was very tasty, but too salty. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. The gravy that accompanied it was salty also. The rice was nicely cooked and the sweet plantains were the best! I had to eat one in the train station lol. My plate was large too. I have to rate this a 4. I'll come back and try something else too. The food was very, very delicious. read more

Gena's Grill - Rabo Guisado con arroz amarillo y habichuelas rojas y maduros. - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

- overall rating: 3.5 - generous portions for the price - very affordable - though the pernil was juicy and cooked perfectly, it fell a bit short when being compared with the pernil at Casa Adela, just a touch bland - had the pernil with white rice/red beans, and a side of maduros (sweet plantains) and would recommend it all - legit lemonade, made right in front of you with a lemon press, and not overwhelmingly sweet - no wait despite being a small place - attentive staff - very authentic food and feel, not unlike what you'd find in a road side diner in PR or DR read more

I really wanted to like this place. But after placing an order at 11:30am i get a phone call at 12:35pm telling me that they didn't have what i ordered and would have to wait another hour if i wanted it.. Could've just called me right away when the order was placed but her excuse was that she "WAS BUSY"... but not busy enough to press the button and accept my order. you clearly saw what my order was read more

Two words will have me waking up from sleep: guyabana and maduros. I was searching yelp for something small to grab on my way home and saw this Dominican/Puerto Rican spot and decided to check it out. I am vegetarian/ pescatarian so many of these dishes don't apply to me but man, my heart almost stopped when I saw guyabana. I was in Colombia a few months back and fell in love with this fruit, usually served as a drink. I got it and maduros (sweet plantains) to go and both were DELICIOUS! I'll definitely be stopping by when I am more hungry to grab a few items. The restaurant is family run and owned, which I also love. Prices are very reasonable, unlike anywhere else in manhattan. Food: 5 stars Service: 5 stars Location : 5 stars (right by the L) I'll be back! read more

Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and ordered the Pernil Asado, Oxtail Stew, Avocado Salad, and Maduros. Roast Pork was refreshingly juicy and tender. Beans and Rice could have used more flavor but they were still better than other places in the city. I was a bit disappointed that some Tostones were mixed in my order of Maduros.. I would come back for more Pernil! Lali's is still my favorite spot in the city! read more

Horrible service. Been waiting for two hours for my food and they said they couldn't deliver my food because they have lousy driver. What kind business to say that they have lousy driver- they should fired him and find replacement. read more

From the moment I walked in and smelled the Pernil and heard El perdedor by Aventura playing i knew I was in the right place. As a latina, New York has somewhat disappointed in the authenticity of real cultured Latinx food. Gena's grill gives you a good amount of food and the flavors are just as good. I'm not gonna lie, it is a bit pricey than what I'm used to for Dominican/Puerto Rican food but it makes up for it in quality. I got chicharrón de puerco and my friend got peppered steak. They give you a side of a lot of rice and and beans. I really wish I had the chance to try the pernil or sancocho but I will be back again. read more

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Awesome food at a great price, great customer service What love is my sweet plantains with garlic sauce read more

Gena's Grill - Breakfast - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

I would rate this place a half a star but it's not possible. Went there with my coworkers for our lunch break and regretted the 30 min bus ride!! The owner Gena was very rude and disrespectful. She ranted on about how she can't afford to give any extra meat without charging $5.00 extra because then her business will close. She definitely enjoyed speaking about how she went away to DR on vacation. But she didn't hesitate in treating her regular customers nicely. The dishes were being washed with a dirty sponge in a sink full of water. After the point of paying for the food she continued to complain about how her workers give too much food. read more

I'm brutally honest with Yelp reviews. I genuinely loved this restaurant and I'm kind of disappointed more people haven't gone to the establishment. The cashier and server were so kind and walked us through the different possible options. Once we got our plates they were meticulous. The biste was cooked perfectly and really reminded me of home. The tostones were fried to perfection and there was a heap of them as well. Lastly, it's really hard to impress ethnic folks with rice but this was it. I highly recommend it and if you've never gone you should try it the best food doesn't have to be expensive and it definitely makes you feel like you're going international. Try it out it's wayyyy better than any boujee restaurant in Manhattan. read more

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Stopped here randomly after the nearby bathhouse and couldn't have been more pleased. This hole in the wall serves mouthwatering Latin meat (and other staples). I had the pernilo sandwich--pork leg right off the bone which had just the right amount of juicy pig flesh and fat. I can't wait to go back to see what other treats they have. read more

Delicious food! The chicken, rice, and beans were delicious and you get a lot of food for the price. The ladies working there are really nice. My friend who is originally from the Dominican Republic had a great time chatting with (who I think was) the owner. Oh, and the sweet plantains were amazing! When I go to NYC again, I'm definitely coming back. read more

Gena's Grill - small roasted chicken, rice, beans, & maduros. absolutely delicious! - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Gena's Grill was great! Delicious food at very affordable prices. The highlight of the meal was the roasted chicken - so juicy and flavorful. We also enjoyed the rice and beans, yuca, and maduros. We ordered the avocado, tomato, and lettuce - it was mostly just lettuce and the avocado was not ripe. The passion fruit and tamarind juices were great. Most of the staff speak Spanish primarily. This place has a cozy neighborhood vibe. read more

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DO NOT EAT HERE !! This place is over priced for small portions of meat. The menu says $6.50 for pollo guisado and I payed $8 for two small pieces of chicken that were still RAW !!! The chicken was completely inedible on top of that they only put 1 slice of carrot and a sliver of a potato. Beans were hard as fuck. I'm sorry but not all Spanish people can cook !!! this place is a joke to Hispanic heritage read more

Gena's Grill - Stewed Chicken / Pollo Guisado - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

I went for a quick bite yesterday and ordered the stew beef and yellow rice red beans it was amazing I don't know how people said it was salty everything was so perfect the women staff was very polite and the seating area was clean I def will go back soon probably today who knows read more

Gena's Grill - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Tina's and Sophie's Cuban is great but I'm glad I discovered this gem in the East Village serving quality Dominican food at a reasonable price. The lunch specials are excellent, the roast chicken is fall off the bone. read more

Gena's Grill - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Food taste fine. But the portions were small. 9.90 for beef stew that came with a bit of rice and THREE small peices of beef. Usually beef stew from anywhere else brings atleast 5-7 peices. This was Terrible read more

Gena's Grill - Rice beans and beef stew. - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Love coming here later in the afternoon after the lunch rush. Its kinda small and cramped but the food is very delicious. I don't know what my two friends ordered, but my meal was the Pernil with White Rice and Beans. A shot of some hot sauce and dam taste just like my mother in-laws home cooking. Great little spot with really good spanish food. read more

Got combo plate of Pernil/rice/beans for lunch today. It was plain and simple but all cooked well. The flavors went together without any need for sauce. The meat was juicy with the charred pieces having the perfect crunch. Small order was enough food for me, although some of my coworkers wished they ordered a large. read more

Omgg.. this is a $7 paper thin steak sandwich and half the size of a normal sandwich with slapped on onions nothing else!! This place is pathetic although I wish you all the best because it was my first and last time ordering from this place. Good luck! read more

Gena's Grill - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

I was visiting my hometown which is in the Bronx, I was in the lower east side for the evening.. I had a taste for some authentic Spanish food.. I checked out Yelp (as always) and the reviews was on point! This is a very nice small place, the staff is very friendly especially Gena who I suppose who was the manager. As soon as I came in and sat down she gave me my utensils assuming that I was going to eat but I was still trying to decide what I was going to eat.. I decided to try the food anyway. I had the Pernil (fried roast pork) with yellow rice and black beans and a garlic sauce which was amazingly good, plus sliced avocado. It's a nice, quiet and chill place if you want a home cooked meal, and it was served quickly too... I would recommend this restaurant to anyone if you like Latin food and willing to try something different, especially authentic Dominican cuisine. read more

When I say this is TAO level taste with chicken spot prices I am not kidding. Whoever cooks here cooks like their ancestors are in that kitchen with them. If you are looking for QUALITY this is the place to go. read more

Love this place !!!! Awesome Latin Food at great prices (Cheap) ... Awesome Pernil (Roast Pork) and the BEST RICE & BEANS Ever !!! Cooked by some great Dominican Cooks and served up by the very loveable Gena !!! She's absolutely Awesome!!! read more

Gena's Grill - Best RIce & Beans in NewYork!!! - Dominican Near Me - New York, New York

Now don't get me wrong I use to come here everyday. But recently I've been getting bad customer service. 3 strikes already and I'm tired of this place now I have them chances Strike 1 was my order. They messed my whole order up and gave me a salad... and I paid with card at pick up. Strike 2 I placed two orders at the store and they still got it wrong. Rice with bean and chicken and the second order the same with no beans. I go sit down she ask me if I want beans I say yes and she puts the beans in the order I said no beans and she gets upset and says oh my god in Spanish with an attitude, and was trying her best to still sell me her mistake. Strike 3 I ordered food for pick up and when I said to use my card over phone they refused to take my order when I've done that a million times there. Hire bilingual employees. I'm OUT of here! Just called the Chinese spot and they took my card over the phone for pick up and I'm on my way to eat swell shout out M&j on 14st and B. They're food is slamming try they're chicken wings best on the block and customer service is so welcoming I love them there they already know who I am. Genas grill is trash now. And they don't know how to speak clear over the phone read more

Came here after my friend recommended for lunch and I enjoyed it! Place is very very small inside but every seat was full which is a good sign, I met the owner Gena and she was very nice along with the rest of her stuff, the slow roasted pork looked amazing so I asked for that and stew chicken combined, they did not have the stew chicken ready so she gave me 1/4 roast chicken in a separate dish and made me a nice little salad with fresh avocado lettuce tomato onions and a vinaigrette, the pulled pork was authentic and delicious!Pretty good portion too,the chicken was good but not great, I would have preferred the stewed chicken and the salad was very very good, but @ over $19 for lunch it was definitely much pricier than I expected, like I said the portions were pretty good and tasty but it's a little overpriced for what it is, I still would come back in the future but if i have another craving for a good authentic Spanish food with friendly service! read more

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I typically never write reviews however, I am going to complain about the customer service in this restaurant. The price of Mangu is $13 which is fine with me however, I specifically asked for EXTRA ONIONS and the dish is completely missing the onions. The restaurant should send the missing ingredients however, I guess I need to just settle for an apology..An apology did not make me feel better. Therefore I didn't really enjoy my brunch. Anyone who has eaten Mangu knows that it goes BEST with the red onions. Might sound petty to some but legit just turned me off. FYI one piece of Salami is a bit cheat on the restaurant's end in my opinion. I think I am done ordering from one of the last Spanish restaurants in the lower east side. You guys have gotten too stank in my opinion. Great Customer service and making sure your customers are happy in and outside the restaurant is what you should strive for. I was really looking forward to enjoying this Mangu dish as it should be made. #notahappycustomer read more

Can't believe they charged me $19 for 4 pieces of oxtails 1/2" thick. What a ripoff, just terribly small portions . I used to come here and always feel like I got good value. But this is just ridiculous read more

Truly authentic Spanish food! My grandfather was a chef and my parents both grew up on the Bronx. This is the best home cooking I've found outside of Castle Hill! My family lives about 40 mins north of the city now and just this weekend, we drove up and brought them a variety of different dishes to try. These tough customers were impressed to the point of picking additional menu items for us to bring during our next visit. This unassuming little gem has earned new, and now repeat, clientele. read more

We stumbled upon this gem walking distance from our Airbnb. Delicious food and very affordable. I felt like I was back at my moms house. Cozy and welcoming staff. read more

Pretty good dominical/Puerto Rican food - plate is big and filled with rice and beans, 100% fills you up. A bit pricier than expected but was def worth it for those late night food runs read more

New York is so full to the brim with amazing, incredible, hidden and overtly amazing businesses packed into tight, scuffed up corners of each avenue and street. Sometimes it can be hard to spot the gems in the rough. Happy to report that I've finally found Gena's gem. This little Latin eatery on 1st Avenue has only two tables and a counter, but what they lack in space they make up twofold in authenticity and personality. Serving real Central American eats morning, noon and night out of the back kitchen - there's no lack of spice or sizzle in their dishes or service. Meals come with warm, buttered white bread. Grab a soda from the fridge or, even better, sip a steamy, creamy cuppa cafe con leche. The egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich is so greasy and savory - using real jamón rather that than blocks of cheap pig fat. The chicken soup keeps the meat on the bone and will banish that winter chill in 60 seconds flat. As you wipe your mouth and pay the bill, if the food didn't do it, then the cost of your meal will be enough to convince you've crossed the border. Let's just hope you didn't forget your passport... read more