Masa pancakes: overall enjoyable and delicious. My favorite part was the crust; it perfectly gave a depth of flavor that make these pancakes better than a regular buttermilk pancake. It comes with two in an order and after eating half the stack, I felt pretty full, so I'd recommend splitting it between two people. The maple syrup is essential to sweeten the inside. Otherwise, it can feel a bit much and somewhat cloggy texture without it. Spicy lamb tacos: spice-forward in a good way. For the price, I think two tacos feels skimpy and you could get similarly tasty tacos for less elsewhere. Fried Oaxaca cheese: move over, mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. Fried Oaxaca cheese with tomatillo salsa is a much better combination. The interior is beautiful, especially the bathroom. You would never have guessed this was just a nighttime bar before. We came on a Saturday without a reservation, but they reserve some bar seating for walk-ins, so we were lucky enough to not have to wait, but it was certainly busy throughout for weekend brunch. read more

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My favorite weekends in New York start with brunch at Hellbender! The food is creative, the drinks are delish, and the vibe is always amazing. Shoutout Conner, the bartender that's always happy and makes me feel special every time I come in :) read more

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I came to Hellbender on a Sunday for brunch at 2pm with my fiancé. I had made a reservation weeks in advance since this place was on my radar for a while and it was absolutely worth the wait! We arrived promptly at 2pm and were seated immediately (honestly did not seem too crowded so I'm not sure what the walk in situation is later in their brunch service--stops at 3pm). This space is absolutely beautiful: it's the sole business in a triangular corner, has windows almost all around it, with high ceilings, which just makes it feel very open and bright. The set up is almost like a diner with a more rustic twist of warm patterned decor and wooden accents. Service was excellent! Our waitress came to get our order and she was very kind answering our questions. To start off my fiancé ordered a margarita with mezcal which he really loved while I got a sparkling water (Topo Chico) which had a subtle hint of lime. We ordered a variety of dishes to share which came out in less than 10 minutes. We ordered: - Fried oaxacan cheese: AMAZING! Please order this. The most elevated fried cheese you will have-- perfectly crispy but delicate crust, generous stringy and salty cheese. I believe it was coated with some cornflakes so there was a very subtle sweetness to the crust. Came with a spicy tomatillo sauce that just tied everything together beautifully. - Shrimp cocktail: simple, light, refreshing, yet full of flavor! Comes with two tostadas that are perfectly crispy and pair very well with the cool citrusy/tangy shrimp. Comes with creamy slices of avocado as well to balance it out. Very good app! - Fried shrimp tacos: I have never been a huge fan of fried seafood tacos but these actually were amazing! The shrimp were juicy and had a thicker batter that was flavorful and crispy. This came with a very fresh cabbage slaw and this delicious creamy tartar sauce with a hint of spice from Serrano chiles. The tortilla tasted fresh, was warm, and I loved that it somehow did not fall apart while we were eating the juicy tacos. Very impressive! Want to try the lamb next time. - Egg tostada: another absolute hit. Fluffy eggs, generously topped with cheese, over a bed of black beans and a crispy tostada. All of this was bathed in the most glorious salsa macha (kinda like a chili oil but less garlicky?) that I could dream of. The spices and aromatics were just on point. Next time, I will get one of these for myself alone. - Heirloom masa pancakes: okay these were mind-blowingly good! I thought I've had the best pancakes in NYC already but these made me question that for the first time in a long time. The stack is thick, the pancake inside is soufflé-like, the crust is caramelized/crispy, almost like a pastry. These were perfection... the batter had a subtle flavor of masa and was almost a little bit savory which was nicely contrasted by the sweet syrup, cinnamon hints, and delicious melted butter. Definitely do not skip them! - Cold brew tres leches: perfect dessert, not too sweet. The cake was on the breadier/denser side but adequately soaked up in the tres leches mix. The coffee and cacao make this taste like a tiramisu. Very enjoyable and worth it although I want to try their gelatinas next since I've heard they are even better! There was not a single bad bite in this meal-- everything was executed to perfection. All dishes have their own unique flavors and textures that are soo good and memorable. Portions run on the smaller side but the food is surprisingly filling and if exceptional quality. This may be one of my new favorite brunch places. Definitely give it a try if you can! read more

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What a stellar neighborhood gem. Came here on a Thursday night and sat at the bar. Great decorations and atmosphere, tables are very well spaced out and not on top of each other. It was actually a very decent size on the inside that you might not expect from the outside. Oaxacan cheese was fantastic and SUPER crispy crunchy. The lamb tacos typically come two per order but you can add a third - they were also delicious with the right amount of char lamb flavor. I ended with the churros and at this time I could only make it 2/3 of the way through, but I'm glad I didn't skip it. As a churro fanatic these were top tier. read more

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Everything came out as it was ready. The pancakes were absolutely delicious. Very filling and perfect to share. The lamb tacos were flavorful and a nice level of spicy. The staff was friendly, it wasn't too loud for how busy it was at early brunch. Well lit. read more

Hellbender - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

When my friend invited me for brunch here, I was hesitant given how far it is. It took me over an hour via bus to come out to Ridgewood just for Hellbender. So here's the verdict --the food is delicious and unique. I'd make a day out of it if you're not local. We started off with a Michelada ($13) and Disco Devil ($16). The michelada had a pretty presentation and the cocktail was strong and bright. For food, we ordered the Fried Oaxacan Cheese ($14), Soft Scrambled Egg Tostada ($13), and Heirloom Masa Pancakes ($16). I was quite impressed with all the food, which were elevated versions of the original. The oaxacan cheese was a crispier and crunchier mozzarella stick that had the stretchiest cheese pull. I'm glad it only came with three pieces as it can get quite heavy. The tostada was so unique from anything I've had before. It seemed small, but the scrambled egg was cooked perfectly and the salsa macha made it so flavorful. The salsa macha reminded me of a chili crisp oil, but wasn't very spicy at all. Of course there's the popular pancakes that everyone comes for. It's so crispy and not too sweet. The masa gives it a nice texture to really soak up the syrup. Overall, such a nice brunch meal. The Mexican flair is a nice touch with some elevated dishes. I would also re-order everything I had, but also would love to try the other items too. read more

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Pancakes are DEELISH and the corniness makes them so unique. I would love a sprinkle of salt over them. Delicious heated up the next day as well. read more

Hellbender - Pancakes - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

Very hipster vibes. Great service! The food is Mexican fusion. I had the fried Oaxaca cheese (delicious) and the masa pancakes. Please note that both are delicious in the greasy fried way, so do opt for other things on the menu if you're not a fan of greasy food. read more

I was excited to try this restaurant after hearing that it was opened up by the same team as Rolo. We came here for dinner around 7:30 on Saturday night and luckily there were a few tables open. We opted to sit outdoors as it was a bit loud inside and we had a toddler with us. The outdoor area was small but not uncomfortable. But beware, when the wind was blowing sometimes we could smell the trash. (Gross) Overall the food was delicious. We started with the summer melon aquachile & baby gem lettuce salad. Both of which I would recommend if you want to start your meal with something light. The aquachile was a great mix of sour, a little sweet from the melon with a little spice at the end. The salad was creamy and savory, similar to a cesar salad but better. For our entree, we opted to share the shrimp tacos & al pastor pork ribs. The shrimp was cooked perfectly & the serrano added a nice kick (I believe the order comes with 2 tacos, we asked the server to add on a 3rd). The al pastor short ribs were nice and tender, not heavy as I thought it might be. I don't think I'd want to eat all 4 pieces by myself, but it was great to share. We also ordered the chamoy watermelon and the chips & guac after dinner to munch on while we finish off our cocktails. The chamoy watermelon was okay, but the chamoy was too watery for my liking. The chips & guac were fine, but we all found the guacamole salty. For dessert, we ordered their churros to share. The flavor was nice, however the churros were over fried and crunchy all the way thru. When we asked the server, she said it should have been crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. She did offer to remake them for us, but we declined since we were ending out out. She was nice enough to take it off our bill. (Love the service!) I would definitely check this restaurant out again to try the rest of the menu when I'm back in the neighborhood. Tasty food, good cocktails & great service. read more

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Amazing spot!! 10/10 would recommend!! It's located on a cute little corner and has great natural lighting with outdoor seating available. Service was super friendly and the food came out quite quickly! The tangelo aguachile was sooo refreshing! It was my favorite dish overall. The pairing of the fish with citrus and chile was perfect and I still think about this dish sometimes. The crispy lamb tacos were great! Not too gamey of a flavor and plenty of guac on top to keep it balanced. The fried Oaxacan cheese had the perfect cheese pull and the sauce it came with paired very well with the crunchy sweetness of the breading. The soft scrambled egg tostada was good! It was heavier than I anticipated but the scrambled eggs were perfectly buttery and silky. The heirloom masa pancakes were incredible! The most amazing crispy crust on the outside with a beautiful fluffy inside. You can really taste the corn in it without it being overbearing. I personally felt like the pancake was perfect on its own without any syrup but the syrup was light and not overpowering. The pancakes came out last and my friend and I should've stopped there as it could have been considered our "dessert" but everyone around us was getting the coffee tres leches cake so we caved and got one too. It was a denser cake than I expected but I was not disappointed at all. I much prefer a denser cake for tres leches so it doesn't have a soggy texture. The homemade whipped cream on top was amazing - not too sweet and the perfect texture. I was very happy with everything here and would highly recommend this spot to anyone who wants to try something new/a little different! read more

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From entry to exit, this was an incredibly enjoyable experience. Greeted by an incredibly eclectic decor and an open kitchen, the space is open and welcoming. Cozy yet comfy seating. Superb staff that is both friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is filled with creative takes on various Mexican staples. The chips and guac were incredibly delightful, the chips had an airy texture and the guacamole was super fresh. The "Birria "tacos, which are actually oyster mushroom, were splendid, I wouldn't have known they were not meat. The coconut Jell-O flan for dessert was out of this world. Decent beer and wine list. Will definitely return to explore more of the menu. read more

Still dreaming of this place weeks later lol. I dined here with a girlfriend and we ordered (and shared) the fried cheese, skirt steak, and pancakes. The skirt steak was my favorite: it was tender and very flavorful. The potatoes were bomb as well. The pancakes were cooked perfectly and served HOT. Crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. I will say that those pancakes are so thick, you can definitely share. For drinks, we ordered the disco devil and cocorac. The bartender put their elbow in our drinks As I write this review, I'm planning my next brunch date. Maybe even dinner! read more

Service was amazing although there was mishap with the power but food was delish. The steak and chicken was amazing. Guac was fresh and we had the special dessert and it was delicious! read more

Hellbender - Dessert - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

Very nice spot in Queens. I have been eager to get in and try their famous Heirloom Masa Pancakes. We went in for Brunch and the vibe was nice. I really enjoyed the early 2000's playlist they had going. Very dope. Ordered me an iced coffee which came with the cool milk pitcher. We ordered the fried Oaxacan cheese which was crispy with a nice cheese pull. The sauce was okay. I expected more of a spice kick. 7/10. We also ordered the soft scrambled egg tostada. There was a nice amount of eggs which I enjoyed- very fluffy but the flavors just did not wow me. 7/10. We also ordered the spicy shrimp tacos. The tacos were good but again did not wow me and were very small. 6/10. Then came the Masa pancakes. Sadly, I was highly disappointed. The cakes appeared to be burned on the outside and undercooked on the inside . The top layer was very oily. We tried to love it but after a few bites we had to throw in the towel. 3/10. The total bill was $91 which I felt was pretty pricey considering I was still a bit hungry after I left. The service was great. Very friendly and welcoming. Being very familiar with restaurants as both a guest and worker I know establishments and chefs have good and bad days, good dishes and bad dishes. We are human. I recommend guests to try it out for themselves. Dope vibe and great staff. read more

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There have been very few times where I have left a meal thinking about it right after and even until the next day, and this dinner was one of the best meals that I've had in a VERY long time. I came with a friend - we had an 8:15 reservation but ended up getting there 30 minutes early. We understood that it was unlikely for us to get a table right away, but we figured better to wait inside and ask then stay out in the cold. They, thankfully, had a table and sat us right away. The vibe is very hip, and it was a bit too noisy for us, but the food and drinks were fantastic. I got a passionfruit margarita with a salted rim, and it was made really well. Food wise, I shared the Fried Oaxacan Cheese and the Oyster Mushroom Tacos with my friend. I loved both - but the Fried Oaxacan Cheese is a MUST HAVE. The Oyster Mushroom Tacos I also enjoyed, but my friend didn't enjoy them as much because she thought the mushrooms were stringy. For our entrees, I got the Three Cheese Empanada and she got the Fried Shrimp Tacos. Both were a hit. The salsa served with the empanada was amazing and it was well balanced. It didn't feel greasy, at all, and tasted amazing. The only downside here was that it took awhile to get our entrees after we finished our appetizer. I honestly thought our server forgot about us, but it wasn't long after that thought that our food appeared. Lastly, I got their jello of the day (to go) and ate at home with my husband. The flavor was mango & mandarin. The mango pieces on the side were just not good. Really sour and not very flavorful. The mandarin was great, and the jello itself was also really good. There was some salt flakes on top, which was an unexpected touch. The food was so good, I forgot to take photos, but I will definitely be back. read more

This was amazing. We ordered almost the whole menu, with our favorites being the pork ribs al pastor and fried cheese. I also really loved the empanada and aguachile, probably more than the rest of our group. Every bite was excellent. read more

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Hellbender is a whole vibe and I love it. The atmosphere is vibrant and the food is deliciously spot on. We each ordered the masa pancakes, which had crisp edges soft in the middle like nothing neither of us had before.we shared the egg tostada and the fried Oaxacana cheese...everything was di good..most important the hostess Maddie was so welcoming and the wait staff is exceptional.. read more

My partner and I made a last-minute reservation for a Sunday evening dinner at Hellbender in Ridgewood, Queens, and wow, was it ever worthwhile. The space was nicely laid out - high ceilings, intimate lighting, very pretty. I felt like I was in Manhattan, to be honest. Lily was a phenomenal server - knowledgeable, kind, and easily audible over the crowd. We loved the honeymoon tiki cocktail. The cocorac was a little strong for us. We ordered the fried Oaxacan cheese, which was delicious, and a half dozen oysters for our appetizer. For the main course, my partner ordered the crispy lamb shoulder, which was perfectly seasoned, tender, and divine. I had the black bass, which was a smaller portion, but so delicate and flavorful, especially the creamed corn mole. Dessert didn't disappoint. The blueberry sugar churros were the best churros we've ever had, and the off-menu special tres leches cake was extraordinary. We wrapped up with a carajillo, which is a version of an espresso martini. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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A great bar, with great atmosphere and service. Came here for a few drinks and really enjoyed my time. The Honeymoon drink was delicious and the staff constantly checked in to see if we needed anything. The music was great and everyone was so friendly. Would absolutely come back. read more

I happened to stop here for a Saturday brunch and everything was delicious. The staff was very attentive. The food came out very fast. Everything was hot and tasty and the ambience was great. read more

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Recently opened, Hellbender gives a sleek West Village cocktail bar feel in Ridgewood - both from a vibes/decor perspective but also from a price perspective. My partner and I had been curious to try it, so we used cinco de mayo as an excise to swing by for a drink and some snacks. We really enjoyed our margaritas as both were spicy and spirit forward. The lamb carnitas were good, particularly paired with the salsa. While the choriqueso was good, I didn't feel it was worth the price point (TBH the carnitas also pushed it for me, though I really enjoyed those). TLDR, worth a visit for a date night and I was glad to try it, but would likely prioritize trying other spots in the area first. read more

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Great brunch here! We loved every bite, and everything we saw others get looked amazing as well. Food comes out super fast, except the pancake which is says will take 30 minutes on the menu. I will say the pancakes are the thing everyone talks about, but not my fav, crunchy on the outside and then custardy on the inside which my fiancé loved and didn't think it was overhyped at all. The tostada was excellent and my fav! It was lots of flavors and different textures. Our server was also super friendly and nice. read more

My boyfriend and I came here for New Year's Eve dinner. We enjoyed ourselves. The food was delicious and the music and ambiance was great. We left very full and satisfied! read more

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Came here for Mother's Day at 5:30 PM with my family of four. Our server looked like he didn't wanna be there. A disclaimer I do not like cilantro so keep that in mind. My family ordered guacamole because the queso was sold out. We only found out after we were about to order and the server told us then. We ordered the shrimp tacos and the pork tacos. I only ate the shrimp ones because they didn't have cilantro and they were good but definitely pricey for what you get which is only two tacos. I just went to Tacombi the other day and for half the price those tacos are just as good. We also ordered the ribs and the steak by far was the best. The ribs were OK but pretty small and not that much meat on them. For dessert, we ordered the Matcha churros and the Jell-O of the day which was an orange flavor. I don't really like Matcha, but you could not really taste it on the churros. I love those the churros the most, the Jell-O was good but not amazing. Overall, the food was good, but definitely not for the price. It is very expensive imo. read more

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Walked in and got a table without reservations at 7pm. Everything was so good here! The drinks, apps, tacos and dessert, chefs kiss! The service was great and the vibes were good. Prices were reasonable. Not too busy for a Friday night. Will come back for sure! read more

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New York City's hottest new cocktail bar is Hellbender! They've got everything! Drinks, Mexican fare, and a life sized stuffed leopard! We lined up about 5:50 - about 10 minutes before opening on Friday - and there was a line half way down the block by the time they opened. Once doors opened shortly after 6, the bar packed up pretty quickly. I'd say all the seats were filled by 6:30 and nearly all the standing room was taken by the time we left a 7. They have a killer cocktail list. My favorite was the Cactus Prime. I highly recommend it. It's a mezcal based cocktail with a super balanced flavor profile. I also had the Oaxacan dead and a custom cocktail that my wife ordered. Bartenders were quick and super professional. Food wise, we shared the charred broccoli salad, the fried oaxacan cheese sticks, and the mushroom machete. I appreciated the vegetarian focus of the menu. All the items were rich on umami. I'd recommend everything, but my favorite was the fried cheese. Atmosphere were pretty intimate. It's dimly lit and perfect for a date or a night out with a small group. Crowd was 30s/40s, but I think anyone could fit in here as long as you're respectful and mature. They have two gender neutral restrooms. One is incredibly spacious and handicap accessible. Can't wait to return! read more

Hellbender - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

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We came five minutes after they opened and snagged a seat! We were soooo excited to finally try Hellbender. And those expectations were definitely met. We got the mushroom tacos, the fried Oaxaca cheese, the black bass, and the summer melon aguachile. It was all incredible (I could do without the fried cheese, but I'm just not a fried cheese person.) My absolute favorite would have to be the aguachile. Sooo incredibly refreshing and delicious. read more

Hellbender - Aguachile - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

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I've lived very close to this place but never knew about it until I read the 2025 NY Times top 100 restaurants this week. I walked the 10 blocks from my apt and I'd walk way further for a place like this. Great local vibe super chill staff and the food was amazing. Started with the rhubarb margarita which was really refreshing then had the fired cheese and the crispy lamb tacos and finished with the coconut mango jello. Everything hit the spot and I will be back to try more for sure. read more

Hellbender - My amazing rhubarb margarita which - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

10/10. Food. service. ambience. DRINKS. I'm a spirit forward kinda gal (usually I just want a martini or a whiskey on rocks) but the cocorac was fucking great, ice cold and delicious. Honestly the first cocktail IVE EVER HAD IN MY 40 PLUS YEARS OF LIFE that is the right balance of spirit and flavor. We were a group of six and tried the chamoy, guac, broccoli, cucumber, fried cheese, lamb shoulder, chicken milanesas, aguachile and the branzino for dinner and the churros for dessert. All with the exception of the branzino had every single plate basically licked clean. My friends said the branzino was just not quite on par with the rest, but for a group of 6 New Yorkers, I would put this at the tippy top top of my lists. read more

Calling on all Ridgewood Runners, Residents, Visitors, Artists, and more...to stop into Hellbender for snacks, drinks, happy hour, and/or dinner. Before walking into Hellbender tonight for dinner there was a beautiful full rainbow display after the rain. Maya Angelou once said, "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud" and that's exactly what Hellbender and our waitress, Sarah H. did from snacks, cold and raw, bigger plates, and drinks did for us. The ambiance was beautiful from candlelight to a 3D stuffed leopard and comfy cushioned seats/booths. We started with two Cactus Prime cocktails that came in two cacti glasses (so trendy). We are Mezcal lovers and always gravitate towards Spicy Mezcalita's and this one didn't disappoint. It was made with...(drumroll) SPICY MEZCAL, ALMA FINCA ORANGE LIQUEUR, OAXACAN RUM, GREEN CHARTREUSE, LIME, and TAJIN RIM (chefs kiss). For snacks (appetizer) we ordered Guac and Chips (the chips are unique and flavorful) and the Crushed Cucumber Salad. The salad was very refreshing and the dressing and toasted pepitas were an excellent combination (interesting twist on a cucumber salad). Onto our Main (bigger plate) we went with the Sizzlin Chicken Fajitas, which were sizzling all the way to the table...sizzle, sizzle went all those flavors which transported us to authentic Mexican street food and Hispanic culture with SHISHITO PEPPERS, GUACAMOLE, OAXACAN CHEESE, CILANTRO MAYO, PICO DE GALLO, TORTILLAS (5 per order). We aren't mayo lovers but the cilantro mayo made the cut into each of our fajitas. Hmm...I won't point any fingers but one of us licked the plate (Guess who?!?). Dessert was one of the toughest decisions, so why not choose more than 1 (we went with 3 - don't twist my arm)...Churros, Horchata and Mango Chile Popsicles. The churros came with a homemade dulce de leche caramel sauce drizzle with orange zest and they were finger licking good...not a crumb was left behind! The popsicle were a great touch as well and I couldn't decide which flavor I wanted so one of each it was. When in doubt pick 1 of each - can't go wrong with that. Both were delicious and bursting with flavor. Already planning out my next visit, especially during POP-UP events and/or HAPPY HOUR! Sarah H., our waitress was an absolute pleasure and we look forward to future events with different chef pop-ups and art galleries. If you stop in ask for Sarah because she was a true delight and to be seated in her area. She's a west coaster turned east coaster at heart and artist - can't wait to support your work! Let's all raise a Cactus Prim to another GEM in Ridgewood - Cheers! read more

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Had really high hopes for this place. Hostess looked at us strangely after we said we didn't have reservations (we were a party of two and would've been totally fine if they said they didn't have availability.) After we were seated at the bar we ordered drinks, which came after the meal arrived (the others around us who arrived after us were served their drinks promptly.) The bar tender definitely seemed like it wasn't his first day on the job so not sure what was going on there. The food was incredibly mid. If you're looking for authenticity probably try going elsewhere; I think they cater towards the clientele and their palettes, so the food was under-seasoned. The fresh orange juice was a 10/10 though so I guess they have that going. Just go to Rolos. read more

Apparently today was only the second day they've been doing brunch- waiter informed us when we sat. Came with a party of 7 and space seems like it could accommodate at least one other large group- not as small as some other spots in the area. Food is outstanding. We got a smattering of things from the menu- guava Bellinis to drink and my personal favorite dish was enfrijoladas. Plates are made to share- chilaquiles were definitely the largest dish and very tasty. Highly recommend! read more

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We were for brunch,the food is good and we have a family style . The food is delicious and the service is excellent. The ambience is amazing!! I highly recommend this restaurant!! read more

A group of 3 for 8pm dinner on a Saturday night: We tried 9 dishes in total: Loved the asparagus esquites, delicious, a gourmet take on a street food available all over Mexico which consists of roasted corn off the cob mixed w/mayo (asparagus here), chili sauce, etc; the shrimp ceviche was good, but the lime juice was a bit toot tart for me (I've had a gazillion ceviches all over Mexico), the guacamole was delish & the homemade chips fantastic; the fried Oaxacan cheese was tasty w/it crusty exterior, and a surprise; The TWO best plates imho were----the snap pea salad w/granola and chilis (Divine & ingenious) & the head-on prawns in pineapple/habanero butter (yumm!); the three-cheese empanada was disappointing and tasteless imho, needs an artistic touch; heirloom corn tortillas were to die for (think: Itanoni restaurant an heirloom corn restsurant located in Oaxaca, MX); and the hibiscus sugar churros w/a dollop of homemade whipped cream & blackberries were heavenly. All in all, I will definitely return for a lunch. Service was excellent, acoustics were fine until 9pm-it became quite loud/bar-atmospheric had to shout, a nice atmosphere, family-style servings if you like - all of ours were. Highly recommend. My only regret was not taking photos--we were quite hungry & this restaurant delivered an overall wonderful & tasty dining experience. read more

Instagram hyped this place up wayyy too much. It was not all that. Our pancakes came out so burnt it altered the taste and we didn't bother ordering a new batch because it takes a while for them to make the pancake...the thick cut bacon was very good when you actually got a piece of the actual meat, but it was 95% gristle fat. read more

Hellbender - Pancakes - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

Rude host Friday, 8/29, afternoon. For any potential walk-in business, beware of unnecessary rudeness and tension from that individual. The person is not a good fit for a position in the hospitality business. read more

The menu changes every season but every time I've gone, it's been a hit. It's a nice place to go whether on a whim or a planned outing with a friend. The service is also great. The servers are always helpful. read more

Hellbender - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

We had a reservation and had to wait 20-30 min to sit but it was a Saturday night. drinks were good and we basically ordered the whole menu. Love the lamb tacos and the steak was fantastic. Fun spot for a dinner in ridgewood read more

Hellbender - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

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When we got there we had to wait an extra 15-20 to be seated for our reservation... but it was worth EVERY second of the wait! My partner and I have gone to hellbender a couple of times for brunch and was always blown away so we wanted to try there dinner and it exceeded our expectations! Everything from the drinks to the food was done with perfection. We got a spicy margarita pitcher and all the spices were great and well balanced. All of the meat was cooked perfectly and paired so well with sauces. We live in the neighborhood and now this will definitely be our go to dinner spot! read more

Waitress spilt a whole liter of water on one of people at our table and then gave her a towel to clean it up herself as she sat there soaked. She wasn't even given a discount on a drink or food item which I thought was crazy since she had to sit there the whole time completely soaked. read more