Stepping into Morena's kitchen is an instant mood-lifter with its beautiful, traditional Dominican…read moreinspired decor bursting with vibrant colors everywhere you look. It's not just a treat for the eyes the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming and cozy, making it feel just like home, perfect for families. Add to that a full bar stocked with everything from cocktails to wine. Every corner of this restaurant was spot less, you can tell the staff has a great attention to detail. You've got the recipe for a truly lively and memorable dining experience. The aroma alone promised something special. Cocktails Ordered: -Tamarind -Mojito Food ordered: -Tostada de Chivo -Rabo Encendido with rice and beans -sweet plantains The Tamarind cocktail is like a little getaway in a cup. After a 15 minute walk from citi fields this drink was seriously refreshing! It hits all the right notes with a fantastic balance of sweet and tangy that just makes your taste buds sing. Normally it comes with tequila, which isn't really my thing, but a huge shoutout to the server (Jaida) for changing it to vodka. That swap made it absolutely perfect, letting the vibrant tamarind flavor truly shine without any distraction. It's definitely a must-try for anyone looking for a unique and delicious drink. The mojito from the moment it arrives, you can tell it's freshly made. The aroma of mint and lime just jumps out, instantly making your mouth water. Every sip is incredibly refreshing, bursting with that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and the vibrant kick of fresh mint. It's definitely a delicious and perfectly aromatic drink. The tostada de Chivo delivered beyond expectations. This wasn't just a starter it was an experience. Visually, it was a masterpiece a perfectly crisp, golden tostada serving as the foundation for a vibrant medley of ingredients, begging to be devoured. The sheer generosity of the toppings hinted at the rich flavors waiting to unfold. The star of the show, without a doubt, was the Chivo. Slow-cooked to an incredible tenderness, each shred of meat practically melted in my mouth, releasing a deep, savory flavor that was both earthy and subtly spiced. It had that wonderful, slightly gamey quality that makes chivo so unique, but it was incredibly clean and succulent, clearly a result of careful preparation. There was no dryness, just pure, juicy deliciousness. The Rabo Encendido is an experience not to be missed. From the moment it arrives, you cant help but be excited to uncover the depth of flavor under the lid. Paired with rice and red beans that were so rich in flavor. The oxtails, clearly slow cooked with meticulous care, present themselves as a testament to traditional cooking at its finest. The magic truly happens with that complex sauce. It's a symphony of spices and herbs, each note perfectly balanced, creating a robust and savory foundation that elevates the oxtail to new heights. Every forkful reveals meat so tender it genuinely just falls off the bone without any effort whatsoever. And then, the melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's not just tender, it's ethereal. The richness of the oxtail, infused with the intricate flavors of the sauce, creates a dish that is both comforting and incredibly luxurious. This Rabo Encendido isn't just a meal it's a truly memorable culinary journey. The Fried sweet plantains were pure joy! Each bite offers that perfect balance of caramelization and natural sweetness, with a soft, tender inside. They're a simple side that truly shines, adding a delicious, comforting warmth to our meal. Every sip and bite were a harmonious blend of fresh and savory making it an absolutely unforgettable meal that I'd happily go back for again and again.

Really cutely-decorated place with good food! I came for lunch on a weekday and got oxtail with…read moredirty rice (rice and beans) which was a filling portion with delicious broth. However, I have to give Morena's a less-than-great rating due to difficulties with the service and payment. When the server came to take my order, I asked about the lunch special specified on the menu, where it's stated that all main courses are available as a lunch special at a reduced price; I had seen that online and it was a big reason I decided to stop by for lunch. The server directed us to the counter with a hot bar of selected dishes (but not all of the main courses as the menu said) and told us that ordering from there consisted of the lunch special. Fortunately, the oxtail I wanted was there anyway. When it came time to pay, I expected the check to be brought to the table but I had to get up to go to the counter. The server gave me a charge that was higher than the lunch special prices on the menu, more in line with the regular non-special price. I asked to confirm if it was the lunch price (apparently yes) and if I could see an itemized receipt before paying (apparently not). I ended up just paying because I didn't want to make a fuss, but something seems to have gone wrong. Was the menu inaccurate or outdated? Was the server not fluent in English and didn't catch what I asked? Is this something they pull on people who they assume to be from outside the area? I'm not quite sure and I don't want to assume bad intentions, but I unfortunately can't recommend this restaurant based on that spotty experience.

I got the dinner portion for pernil and it came with rice and a small salad for $15. Everything…read moretasted great. Plenty for two. The lady was very friendly and helpful. L was pretty surprised that he liked the food so much. We've had Dominican food plenty of times, it's not something we eat often but since this place had great reviews, I wanted to try it; the pernil was really good here. It wasn't overly seasoned. I did throw away the excess oil from the pork, other than that, it was tender, juicy and delicious. The lil salad was a great side to the fatty meat. Will definitely return to try other items.

If you're looking for Dominican food around Elmhurst, honestly Queens in general...this is 100% the…read morespot!! And I'm saying that as a Dominican with a Dominican grandfather who cooks just like this. I have NEVER been able to find a place that makes rice the way my grandpa does. Like that real, home-cooked Dominican rice that actually tastes like something. And of course I don't always want to bother him when I'm in the mood for good Dominican food... so I'm genuinely so happy I found this place. Ordering was super easy and pickup was quick. Prices are also really good for the amount of food you get. And everything I've tried has been delicious. The beans though... oh my God. I'm still thinking about the beans. For the amount of food you get for the price, it's amazing! I can't wait to keep ordering from here, and I'm honestly already thinking about placing larger orders for events in the future. If there's one local business in Queens you should support, it's this one. Hands down one of the best Dominican spots!

Cuisine: 7 Service: 9…read moreDecor: 5 Value: 9 Overall: 9 I love this little local Dominican restaurant that serves breakfast at the crack of dawn. It has very good quality food and excellent service. Other than the owner, most servers barely can communicate in English. However, I always felt welcomed and appreciated. In today's environment with so much hatred in the air, this place feels like an oasis right in my backyard. The food is always solid, with the salami breakfast plate being one of my favorites. It comes with three pieces of juicy and flavorful thick cut salami and three pieces fried cheese, two perfectly cooked running eggs, along with mashed plantains. Delicious! I also like their lunch foods, such as pernil and oxtail. The turkey wings are tasty, but a but dry. Their soups are some of my most ordered items as well. My usuals are the trip stew and cow's foot soup. If you look at the crowd, you'll notice a mix of latinos and locals who recognize this small shop as a neighborhood gem. There is nothing else like it in Forest Hills, so I do hope they are around for many generations to come. We need more places like this.

I had to get this my eyes just pulled towards it as soon as i was looking for what to eat. The…read morestaff is always friendly, delighted to see people and the portions are not skimp. The place is also great to sit down and eat while you the Spanish music is going on. The waiters are always at your call when needing something.

All of the ladies are attentive and kind.Plus Generous serving along with Delicious Food. ESTA POR…read moreEL LIBRO

Everything is good there I'm not exaggerating. My favorite…read moreof course is the stew chicken their beef stew is awesome, so are the ribs And they make healthy juices and smoothies.

$10 DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS!…read more happy we found a Dominican spot nearby! today's hot bar included white rice, moro de Habichuelas Negras (rice with black beans), yellow rice, baked chicken, roast chicken, pernil, plantains, beef stew, chicken stew, pork chops, and assorted cold salad items. we tried the baked chicken, pernil, red and black beans, and the chicken empanadas. all were great!! the beans were cooked well, and the $10 portion was great. the empanadas were great as well (probably $3?). we would definitely come back as there is not a lot of Dominican spots further away from Corona (away from 7 train lines). great quick lunch if you are around Great Neck area!

While waiting for tire service at Mavis Discount Tire, I took a 5 minute walk to grab a bite…read more The lunch offerings were just being put in the food case . OMG - all the food looked so fresh and delicious. I opted for a piece of fried fish, yuca and maduros. All of my choices were fresh and not over seasoned . The price was pretty good too , I had enough for 2 people for under $11.00. The inside was warm and welcoming and the staff very friendly.

Been here a few times in the past but thus would be the first time I've come back here since before…read moreCovid so yeah, it's been a minute since I've been here. The place is pretty large and vast but feels kinda empty, the way how there's space in the middle of the back area, one would think maybe a few live music gigs are played here but I wouldn't know for sure since all of my visits here were around lunchtime. Service while not outstanding was adept enough to be decent. What I had was fairly simple, baked chicken w yellow rice and Peas which is my staple lunch when coming around restaurants like this. A relatively good meal, Chicken was a tad salty and tough but still edible and at the very least, the server could've offered me some hot sauce. All in all, barebones Restaurant with run of the mill yet fairly good food with alright service. The one true bonus is that it's affordable. A meal will run you $15.

Good service and lots of variety to choose from. You can see from the counter and pick out what you…read morewant. Empanadas have a nice crunch too it and filled with all beef. Must ask for sauce. Can be a bit dry. They also have chinola and tamarind drinks. It's pretty clean and they have seatings inside.

The neighborhood and restaurant decor is really nothing to look at but that's not what I was there…read morefor. I came to Guaro for the food. There are tables but I rather do takeout. The atmosphere is bare bones. We ordered two oxtail lunch plates. The flavor was really good! The moro is standard moro, rice with black beans mixed in. Moro was moist and not dry. Both plates were huge. We got the lunch special for $9 per plate. What a bargain! Oxtail is usually expensive but the lunch price is extremely fair for the portion we got. Two lunches can feed 4-5 people. I guess it depends on their appetite too. If you split it with other there will be plenty of rice but the meat may not be enough but that is normal anywhere. The lady was pretty nice to me but I understand the food and what it is from sight. I love Dominican food. If you are not familiar with Dominican food, communication might be a problema. I would totally come back to try other things from the steam table.

Excellent Dominican food. Great home cooking. I wish they had a written menu though. All their…read moreday's food is displayed. My favorite is the oxtail stew over white rice.

This place is definitely serving the community with delicious food at low prices! The pork chop…read moreover rice and fried chicken/baked chicken over rice were $8 each! It also came with beans and a fair amount of food. I think the smaller plates are $5, so wow - what a deal! It's worth the visit, so please support this man!

I was super happy to find out that there was a Dominican restaurant in my neighborhood. I came on a…read moreSaturday around 2pm and there was a line of about 4 people outside. They only allow 1 person at a time since the restaurant it's tiny and pretty much just a take out spot. Once I went inside the man behind the counter was super sweet and informed me of what they had that day. I decided to go with the fried pork chops with Moro for myself and fried chicken and rice and beans for my husband. The man asked if I wanted the meat together with the rice and I said yes. He made sure to pile it on and the portions were huge. Now the biggest surprise was when he charged me $12 for both plates. I couldn't believe it was so cheap for that amount of food. Now when I got home the food was delicious. I felt that the pork chop and fried chicken were really good and so well seasoned. The Moro and rice and beans were just okay. I will definitely be back because the food here tasted very homemade and those prices are just insane.