We stopped by Jarana at American Dream after a full afternoon at the mall, and it turned out to be such a fun dinner. The restaurant is colorful, lively, and has a great atmosphere without feeling too formal. We started with the Tuna Wantacos. Our server warned us that they were spicy, and he was right -- definitely a little kick, but very flavorful. The white fish ceviche was bright and refreshing, with that tangy, salty leche de tigre that really wakes up your appetite. The Lomo Saltado was hearty and satisfying, but my favorite dish of the night was the Seafood Arroz Chaufa. It came topped with an omelet and had squid, fried shrimp, and plenty of seafood throughout. Really comforting, savory, and filling -- I would absolutely order this again. We also had chicha morada and a passion fruit drink. I've always liked purple corn drinks, so the chicha morada was an easy favorite. We finished with a chocolate dessert, which was a nice ending after such a big meal. Overall, a very enjoyable Peruvian dinner with fun décor, good flavors, and plenty of variety. I'd definitely come back, especially for the seafood fried rice. read more

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We came to Jarana with high expectations. As fans of Peruvian cuisine, we were excited to try a restaurant associated with such a well-known Peruvian chef. We left with the impression that this is probably the kind of restaurant someone should visit for their very first introduction to Peruvian food--not because it represents the best of Peru, but because it offers a simplified version of its flavors. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's clear that a significant investment was made in the design, atmosphere, and overall experience. The service was friendly, and we noticed that many of the servers were Colombian, which isn't surprising since Colombians are well known for providing excellent hospitality. However, there were moments when it seemed that some of the traditional Peruvian flavors and drinks weren't fully understood. For example, the Pisco Sour we ordered was much sweeter than it should have been. We decided to start with the jalea, hoping it would set the tone for the meal. Unfortunately, it did the opposite. The dish was overly salty and lacked the balance and excitement that a great Peruvian jalea should have. Instead of reminding us of the vibrant seafood flavors found in Peru, it tasted more like generic fried seafood than an authentic Peruvian recipe. After that dish, we chose not to continue with the rest of the menu. To make matters worse, both of us experienced stomach pain afterward, which confirmed our decision to leave. One thing that also caught my attention is the restaurant's description of its food as "approachable Peruvian cuisine." Making Peruvian food approachable should never mean lowering the quality or authenticity of its flavors. Simplicity and accessibility can absolutely coexist with exceptional taste. The beautiful atmosphere should be matched by food that delivers the same level of excellence. Considering the premium prices, the culinary experience simply didn't justify the cost. If someone has never tried Peruvian food before, Jarana may serve... again: may serve as an introduction. However, for anyone looking to experience what Peruvian cuisine is truly capable of, there are several outstanding Peruvian restaurants within just a few miles that offer more authentic flavors, a better overall dining experience, and often at a lower price. I genuinely wanted to love this restaurant because the concept and ambiance are impressive. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting or the reputation behind the name. read more

Jarana - Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

Finally I could come to try this restaurant and I was gladly surprised, the hype is not fake. From the beginning, the attention from the personnel was super polite and respectful. I made a reservation and they've respected my request to be seated inside. The atmosphere inside is very vivid, like the name of the restaurant... it feels like you are in a party. My only wish is that they would play Peruvian music so the experience would be more immersive with the food. The menu is big and one of the things that I've liked was to see a lot of dishes that are not common in a Peruvian Restaurant outside Perú... like Aji de Gallina, Anticuchos and Picarones. Now the most important, the food... the quality was very good, since the plates arrived to our table, the smell and the presentation was a temptation to go all the way in. The ingredients used felt fresh and made to order. Every plate had its own characteristic and flavour... good size too. The "choco lucuma" cake for dessert was a great finish... moisty and the intensity of the chocolate and lucuma flavor to a good ratio. If you have the chance to try it... go for it, you'll not regret. read more

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Our second time to Jarana since our first time a couple years ago. So dissapointed that the food were salty, not as fresh and smaller portion!!! We ordered lomo saltado, jalea mixto which looked like only came with 3 small pieces of each kind except the squid rings, and arroz marinero which were dissapoinment on how salty, greasy and not as much of fresh seafood in it - while you charged $40 for this dish. Come on!!! The only thing good is the drink Curatodo. Sorry the pic was when we already digging in... read more

Jarana - Jalea mixto and Arroz Marinero - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

Delicious classic ceviche. All yum. A little pricey. The music pumping was a bit much. But otherwise great. read more

Jarana - Ceviche - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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I came across this restaurant for a late lunch around 2:30 pm on a Saturday. The restaurant wasn't really busy at this time so there was no wait, and we were seated within seconds of coming in. We ordered 2 dishes per the waiter's recommendations, and the portion sizes were perfect for 2 people with small appetites. Jalea Mixta (Crispy Peruvian Seafood Platter) - Dish came out pretty fast and tasted like it came straight off the stove - Fish was juicy while calamari had a nice crispy texture Shrimp Plancha - Shrimp were really big and had a slight spicy kick infused into the flavor - Corn had an interesting texture; it was really starchy, which balanced out the saltiness of the shrimp Overall, the dishes were great but they weren't memorable enough to justify the high price point. It kind of felt like the waitstaff was just trying to sell you the most expensive dishes rather than helping us explore the menu, as the other item they recommended was (not surprisingly) the prime angus ribeye. read more

Jarana - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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I've been here twice because the first time was very memorable! Beautiful restaurant! Be sure to make reservations especially for dinner and the weekends. We had a great server who was very attentive the first time around. I ordered the Peruvian Pesto Pasta (4/5) very filling and delicious. I also tried some yucca fries from my friend's appetizer which were very delicious! The second time around I had the Milanesa Choclito (4/5) loved the crispy chicken breast and creamed corn but I think a good vegetable could be used alongside this dish - it came with white rice and potato wedges. I wanted to substitute for a salad but the server seemed unsure if it was possible and didn't seem to want to find out for me. The mango juice was delicious but pricey - given it is at a tourist spot so be ready to spend them money. Overall, delicious plates but I'd love to see more options for vegetable swaps and gluten free options. read more

Jarana - Papa a la Huancaina - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

The food at this restaurant was so flavorful and delicious!! Absolutely loved the chicken thigh skewers and noodles. Everyone was really friendly and the restaurant is beautiful! We did have some issues with getting drinks when we ordered them/ getting the right ones but it wasn't a big deal overall read more

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I went on a Thursday night for dinner with a large party to celebrate a birthday. Since it was a weekday it wasn't very busy and from the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm and welcoming hospitality. Our waiter was very attentive and checked on us often to make sure we had everything we needed. We started with the Criollo sharing platter, which was a perfect way to try a variety of dishes. The portions were just right for sharing and everything on the platter was delicious. The decor throughout the restaurant is beautiful and creates a great vibe and ambiance. I had the ceviche clásico and the grilled octopus both were really good. I'm a big ceviche fan, but surprisingly, the octopus was just as good as the ceviche. Since we were celebrating a birthday, they made it really special by bringing out a cute Instagram style photo frame and those bright sparkler candles, which made the moment very festive and perfect. For dessert, we tried the picarones and the milhojas de fresa, both were great. The cocktails were also a highlight. We got the Chilcano Jarana in maracuyá flavor, which was like a pitcher size great for sharing and I also tired the pisco punch. This was an amazing experience and prefect place for any occasion. Will definitely be back. read more

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This by far, my favorite Peruvian restaurant, EVER! You can really go wrong with any dish or dessert. This has become my family's go-to adopt for every reunion/occasion we have. The place is nice, vibrant, enjoyable and the staff is top notch! read more

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Service got off to a rocky start, but once we were finally greeted and seated, things turned around. Our server was kind and patient, giving us plenty of time to look over the menu, which we appreciated. The food was decent overall. I was especially impressed with the chicharrón sliders--they instantly brought me back to my time in Peru! The other bites were just okay for me--a bit too fried, but that might just be personal preference. The ambiance is cute and casual. They have outdoor mall seating, though it seems like that's only available on weekends when it's busier. read more

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Looking for a place to eat at the American Dream mall? Search no more! Do yourself a favor, go to Jarana's and get the lomo saltado. I almost licked the plate... I almost ordered another one straight outta gluttony. So so good. read more

Jarana - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

Service was great. We ordered 2 dishes. One of the sharing platters and the octopus dish. The octopus was really good. The decor and set up of the restaurant is really nice as well. read more

Jarana - Pulpo al Olivo - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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Came to Jarana a little over a month ago at American Dream Mall. My friend was talking this place up while we were walking through the mall trying to figure out what to eat , so figured to try it. So glad I did. Had the chicken skewers and the sauce that came with it, WOW. So damn good. Drinks were decent as well. Service was on point. Looking to try something different next time I go and maybe order a skewers to go. Jarana is definitely a recommend especially if you've spent your day walking that huge ass mall. read more

It was great!! Loved the decor and ambiance. We sat at the bar hight top tables. We ordered fried chicken appetizer and drinks. Both were very impressive. I loved the thick breading on the chicken. I got the Bravo cocktail that features bourbon, algarrobos, chocolate bitters, and it smoked!! Delicious!!Our service was fantastic as he was always checking on us. I can't wait to go back soon!! Highly recommend it!! read more

Jarana - Fried delicious chicken - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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This place was such a happy little find! The ambiance of the restaurant is amazing, it's colorful, lively. The food is great. We had the potato croquettes, the crispy fried rice and regular fried rice. We were blown away by the regular fried rice. It had the most tender chicken and beef, topped with fried egg with shrimp. The rice had this smoky flavor that was impeccable. Our server was also very sweet and absolutely blessed us up with extra salsa verde as requested. 10/10 everything. Will go back. read more

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We have been to Jarana few times in past month for family lunches on the weekend. Both times, the restaurant was quite busy past noon. But the restaurant maintained its fabulous look, for both inside and outside seating areas. We got to try some of the dishes we didn't have before. The calf liver skewer, the chicken empanadas, the chicken croquettes were really well cooked, incredibly juicy and flavorful appetizer items. For entree we had the charcoal half chicken and shrimp with egg. Both were delicious dishes. Their service continues to be top notch. The empty dishes were regularly cleaned. They packed the leftover dishes for us. This continues to be one of favorite dining spot at American Dream. read more

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Jarana is a vibe! The decor inside is gorgeous stunning paintings, beautiful wall art, and the plants really made the space feel alive. The big wall drawing? Gorgeous. I chose to sit inside, but there's also a patio outside in the mall. Started with a passion fruit margarita sooo refreshing. For apps, we got the tostones cebicheros and OMG that avocado sauce was LIFE!!! Fresh shrimp, perfectly crispy tostones I'd come back just for this. My friend got the shrimp a la plancha whole shrimp, served hot on a plate with delicious potatoes. Watch out, it comes out sizzling! I went for the Peruvian fried noodles and they were . The sauce was perfectly flavorful didn't need a thing. The mix of shrimp and chicken was pure perfection. Every bite hit. Bathrooms clean and cute, nothing fancy but fits the vibe. Staff was amazing. Super friendly, everything came out fast, and they even offered me a new fork & knife for dinner since I'd used it for the appetizer. Food, vibes, and service Already planning my next visit! read more

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Been here twice for brunch and they knock it out of the park with both drinks and food. They are on the pricier side, but if you want to spend a little on brunch, this is a good place. The ambiance is even better! read more

Located in the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ, this is a cool spot. Decor is super fun and vibrant, alive with the Peruvian spirit. Staff is super friendly and welcoming. Went above and beyond presenting the dishes. Now on to the good stuff. The food. Anyone who follows me knows how much I love Peruvian food. Started with the Croquetas De Aji De Gallina. Seeing as how Aji De Gallina is my favorite Peruvian food, I had to get this. And yes, I got the Aji De Gallina entree too! I've had this dish many many times and I have to say that this was one of the best versions I've had. Amazing! Don't let the size of the mall fool you. Jarana is super easy to get to and should be a destination if you're near here. read more

Jarana - Aji de Gallina - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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Have eaten here three times over the past four years of visiting NJ. I love the place. The food is so good with so much flavor. It's a must stop every time we visit the American Dream Mall. read more

Very pretty ambiance. The food was delicious. Appetizers: Causa Coctel- with shrimp on top and the anticuchos was delicious. The green spaghetti is my favorite. The seafood was good. The fried seafood was a bit salty. Overall good dishes. The chocolate cake is a must try its delicious and we order it every time we go here. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant conveniently located in the mall. The service was great as well as the food. -1 star because the lomo saltado was a tad bit too salty. Will be back if I'm in the area again. read more

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The food was beyond excellent, I wish that everything came out at once but I believe it is because of the grill/smoker they use to cook so our dishes would be slightly delayed. I digress, I didn't get a chance to take pics of the other food we ordered, cerviche, the wantacos, the churrasco and this other desert and sangria we ordered because we were hungry and just way too involved in eating that I forgot. The service was great and attentive, we sat outside of the restaurant which was fine, tables a little close but still had a nice vibe. The inside looked nice, next time I'll make sure to get res. This was a random last minute meal and I have no regrets and I'm plotting on returning sooner than later. All the food was great. I'm still thinking about my dish which I ate half the day of and the next day and it was still great. read more

Jarana - Torta de Chocolate - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

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To my surprise, having a restaurant within the mall, the food was amazing. The service the entire staff was attentive and amazing, friendly helpful. The ambience was awesome like it was warm. It was inviting once again. The staff was very attentive to all patrons. It was an awesome vibe. I most definitely will be back again driving to New Jersey in the American dream mall it's a must go. read more

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Had the pleasure of visiting Jarana during a very busy day at American Dream! The restaurant was nearly full but we were sat immediately. I got the PISCO Punch which was a PISCO drink with pineapple and was very sweet. It even came in a pineapple shaped glass. We ordered the ceviche limeno app and it was SO good. I could've kept eating if there was more. Also ordered the churrasco for dinner which came with a fried egg and potatoes. If you're going to American Dream, Jarana is the best dining option (at least in my opinion!). It's something different that you can't get anywhere else in the area! read more

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Went to a group today and tried many other dishes. Definitely like their fish. It's seasoned nicely and pan fried right on the spot. Service is great. Food came out quickly and they were very attentive. Bathroom is clean. Spacious dining area. Very vibrant decorations. read more

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We had a kids birthday party at American dream mall so us Adult-adults wanted to sneak away & have an afternoon cocktail & a snack. Well we weee so suprized. Our bartender was great. Our drinks were so good & had a few bits all in all everything was awesome would like to go back for a dinner & sit down. To give a full review but from my short stay I'm looking forward to going back will rewrite another review but from what we had awesome looking forward to going back read more

We were visiting the American dream mall for some of the attractions, and happened to walk by Jarana. The music, the ambience, and the menu drew us in, even though we already had lunch reservations elsewhere. To sample some of the things we tried the Cebiche Criollo and the Nigiri tasting which came with a variety of beautifully plated pcs! I do think the menu is priced a bit high given the amounts of Peruvian offerings in NJ, but that is a current trend unfortunately. I believe both dishes came off the appetizer portion of the menu and we spent approx $70. The food looked and tasted pretty good and flavorful. The greeter was super friendly. Our server was always near by and was very kind and helpful. I'll definitely visit again to try more read more

The food and atmosphere were incredible. We went because the other restaurants on the floor were empty and this place was packed. We had the tuna tacos which were devine, the famous chicken half and a meal with pork fat. Loved all of it. read more

Jarana - The leftovers - Peruvian Near Me - East Rutherford, New Jersey

Jarana serves Peruvian Cusine & is located on the 3rd Fl. of American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ. Jarana also has a Pisco Bar, which is the official Spirit of Peru. It was cool to learn that "Jarana" in Peru means Celebration, which explains the festive vibe experienced once we walked into the establishment. Vibrant / Colorful decor is throughout Jarana. Bar & regular-style seating are available. Staff are attentive & provided pleasant customer service. Tantalizimg aromas emanated from the kitchen as fantastic-looking dishes were prepared Jarana has a great overall vibe. We came on a Wednesday and decided to partake of Jarana's Lunch Service. We ordered the 1.) Chaufa Mostro Entree - Veggie Fried Rice, Mushrooms served w/ crispy Fried Chicken, Fried Potatoes, Polleria Dressing & Huacatay Cream & the 2.) Aji de Galina Entree - Aji Amarillo & pulled Chicken Stew. Both dishes were flavorful, hearty & delicious. Lunch & Dinner Service - Mon. - Thurs. - Noon - 10pm Fri. - Noon- 11pm Sat. 11am - 11am - 11pm Sun. - 11am - 9pm Website - jaranarestaurant.com Instagram - @jarana.nj read more

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The ambiance here is 10 outta 10. They did a fantastic job with the space and this is definitely one of the most gorgeous restaurants that I've seen. We posted up at the bar for a happy hour drink. Prices here are steep! To be expected at American Dream though. Luckily we were able to take advantage of happy hour pricing, and they offer a variety of pisco cocktails on special for $10. My cocktail was delicious, strong and refreshing. It was basically just like a Moscow mule, but with pisco. There are also select bites for $10. The chicken empanadas were amazing, and the portion was very generous and came with two overstuffed empanadas. I'd definitely like to return and sit down for a proper meal soon. read more

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I'd seen this place all over the American dream mall social media and decided to give it a try . This restaurant is located on the third floor of the American dream mall, it has plenty of space for large groups and great decor and music. There's of course a huge parking lot for the mall so you won't have trouble parking, I recommend lot A, it was closest to the restaurant. I ordered their mango Inca drink and 2 empanadas ( beef stew ). The drink was delicious and refreshing and the empanadas were also very good and flavorful . For entree I got the Lomo saltado and it did not disappoint, I added an egg and yum ! I wish I would have had room for dessert but that just makes me want to come back to try some more food and dessert. read more

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If you're going to eat here, you better come hungry. The menu is vast, the portions are immense and the drinks are stiff. That alone should be good enough for a 5 star review. But if you want go get into details, well the best option for us was when I had the sampler and was able to indulge in a variety of popular options. The tacos were excellent and a great way to start things off. The ceviche was fresh but the taste was just ok for me. The fried chicken was divine and the beef was 1000000% amazing. The chocolate cake dessert was also excellent - not too sweet or heavy. My gut tells me - go with the sampler if it's your first time. Also the kid's roast chicken dish was amazing, the kids absolutely loved it. The ambiance here is extremely loud - the music was a bit intense and it also prompted people to talk way louder than necessary. However it is festive and the vibe was nice, aside from the overly loud surroundings. The service is good and relatively attentive. I would say this is definitely a top choice for restaurant choices in this cavernous mall. read more

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Coming here for a surprising birthday party for my teen daughter to explore the culture of Peruvian restaurant. Deco is colorful echo Lima flare 5/5 Ceviche is citric with sashimi a great balance 5/5 Sausage with Fried potato 4/5 Linguine great Dante with lime & parmesan cheese 6/5 Chicken wing with spice 5/5 Pork belly sandwich a bit dry 4/5 Fried calamari and scallop 5/5 Chocolate cake 5/5 Service is friendly and accommodating. They even do a birthday shout out for my daughter, which is a surprise.10/5 which deserve a 30% tip read more

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I have visited Jarana twice now, once for dinner on a Sunday and another for happy hour on a Wednesday. It's a large restaurant at the American Dream mall, with seating in the restaurant and just outside in the mall area. It is pretty fancy compared to the Peruvian restaurants I have visited in Elizabeth and Passaic. They have an open kitchen which you can see from the dining area. For dinner, we tried the EXPERIENCIA JARANA, which requires at least 2 people and comes with the tuna wantacos, chicharron de pollo, cebiche clasico, lomo saltado, and torta de chocolate. The food is good, but if you order all the items a la carte, it comes out to the same price anyway. My favorite item was the tuna wantacos which were refreshing, savory, smoky, sweet, and spicy all at once. The lomo saltado was also surprisingly good, they used filet mignon and the pieces were actually medium rare instead of overcooked. Our waiter was very fast and knowledgeable of the menu. Happy hour was a slightly different experience. The happy hour menu was only available at the bar from 4pm to 6pm, which is fine. But I had my infant daughter and nephews with me, and apparently they are not welcome at the bar even if my party is the only one sitting at the bar area and we are only ordering the bar bites on the happy hour menu. My cousin offered to take the kids for a stroll while the rest of us grabbed some bites. I ordered a piscojito since the kids werent around anyway along with the croquetas, chicarron bites, tuna wantacos, cebiche clasico, jalea, and nikkei wings. At $10 a pop, these are way more worth it than the experiencia Jarana. The seafood dishes are definitely my favorite things here. I'd be more likely to return for happy hour than for dinner for the value, but it is annoying that i can't bring a kid with me even if i'm only ordering food. read more

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I've been wanting to try Jarana for a few months now. Compared to some of the other reviews, we enjoyed almost all of the food we got! We were seated quickly upon arrival on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm. The food came quickly and everything tasted fresh. My favorite part was the Curatodo I ordered, which tasted natural and refreshing. This restaurant is a little more expensive but expected at the American Dream Mall. Nonetheless, the good quality food and unique options makes it worth it! read more

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came to jarana for lunch in a group of four on an outing to american dream. everything from the decor to the food was stunning, but service especially was outstanding -- servers were great at building rapport and being friendly as well as being timely with orders and the bill. between the four of us, we decided on getting the experiencia jarana option, which was both a great deal and a perfect combination of everything we were looking to get regardless. my favorite of the courses was the tuna wantaco -- 10/10, no notes. tuna was fresh and the sauce complimented it perfectly with the final creamy note of avocado finishing it off to make an excellent starter. everything else was very good as well, with the ceviche having depth in its flavor profile, the chicharron being very well-seasoned and crispy, and the lomo saltado being perfectly tender. we were almost too full for the torta de chocolate, but the cake was delectable without being overly rich or heavy to the point where we couldn't stop eating. all in all, would definitely recommend jarana as a place to stop if you're hungry while wandering the expanse of the american dream mall. read more

First time here, & the food was perfect. Medium sized venue inside of American Dream Mall. Has a section for "outside" seating, which is just outside of the main restaurant on the mall floor. Staff was friendly, service was quick. We had Chicharron Sliders, Churrasco Chaufa, Churrasco Tallarin Verde, Margarita, Whiskey & Coke. Amazing experience, worth the trip. To save you the trouble it's Floor 3, Deck A. Grades: Chicharron Sliders: A+ Churrasco Chaufa: A+ Churrasco Tallarin Verde: A+ Margarita: B Whiskey & Coke: B+ read more

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lets start with the good.. service good taste of the food excellent really tasty and authentic vibe, enjoyed most of it as far as flavor the taste was there i enjoyed but for $38 dollars plus on the lomo salteado and i get literally 5/6 small pieces of meat? i failed to see the value here, i mean for a one and done experience i could give it 4 stars, but as a return customer i failed or felt unsatisfied. prob wont try anything else on the menu at this place, really wanted to love it. read more