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This was my group's first meal in Puerto Rico! We really wanted to get some mofongo, and this place was close to our base as well. The food was very tasty, and our server was great (El Ninõ aka Supreme). There definitely is a bit of a wait time as other reviews have mentioned, but I think as long as you have some drinks and apps the wait isn't so bad, and the food was certainly worth it. I'd recommend going with the Shrimp Mofongo, which was really tasty and had a great texture. Side note: the hot sauce they make in house is super tasty and properly spicy. We bought a couple bottles to take home.
I hate to say this, because the service was really nice and did their best, but this was by far the most disappointing meal I had my entire trip to Puerto Rico. I ordered the steak in mushroom sauce with a side of Mac and cheese. What I got was an excruciatingly salty slab of meat covered in Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (or at least that's what it tasted like) and, I kid you not, a side of Kraft mac and cheese. Literally classic blue box. And I waited well over an hour for it. Again, the service was delightful, if slow, but that's the kitchen, not them. They were very friendly, though. Drinks were good, too. Lighting needs work.
We came here for a late night dinner when we came in town and the server gave his absolute best service despite us walking in 10 mins prior to closing. Portion sizes were generous and we enjoyed the fried fish the most.
This place is a scam !! We were here as tourists from New York and visiting this place and thought of supporting a local restaurant which clearly back fired on us and ended up ruining our day. There was a massive mistake made by the staff. The menu does not mention the prices of main dishes. Our main dish (lobster) cost us $130 alone. In the entire duration when the manager was taking the order he never mentioned the weight of the lobster (Menu is even missing the cost per pound which is $30 per pound) We were never told by the staff about the price of the dish, the bill was a shock to us. The food is also average. Overall it was a disastrous experience for us.
***My patented pre-review tip: Specify that you want tap water if you don't want them bringing you a bottle and charging for it. If you prefer bottled and hate the environment like some sort of monster, disregard this tip.*** We went here based on our host's recommendation. The location is very open air (like lots of PR restaurants) and is attached to a mechanic's, but don't let those facts stop you. On the inside it's very classy. You know what else was classy? The prices. We almost walked out when we sat down and saw the prices here, but decided to give it a go since our host spoke highly of it. I think the cheapest entree on the menu was around $18, which isn't terrible, but adding on a drink (we didn't, but got stuck for the aforementioned bottled water) or some extras would have spiked the bill up pretty quickly. We got the mofongo. Every destination has that "must-try" local cuisine with a funny name, and in PR mofongo is it. It consists of mashed plantains (side note: if you notice a bunch of mortar and pestles in the gift shop, that's what that's about) and garlic, and, well...that's basically it. The money shot is what an establishment puts on top, which varies from nothing to the off-the-hook meat and sauce Desperado's puts on its mofongo. The W had one with shrimp and I had skirt steak, and the portions were absolutely generous even at the ~$20 price. Actually, the price was about right for the portions, and just right for the quality, which was outstanding. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, the steak was tender, the sauce was rich, but not too rich. It was along the lines of a beef gravy and decadent in such a good way. I honestly can't imagine we would have found this dish as enjoyable anywhere else on the island. Maybe more authentic, I don't know, but not better. Our server was super friendly and conversational, and she definitely tried for the upsell with appetizers and dessert, but that mofongo dish was the exact right amount of food for one meal for us. I'd actually love to try some other items on the menu, but the prices just went up from what we ordered, and we ain't go that kind of scratch. That said, if we're ever in the neighborhood again, we'll probably go back!
Food taste awesome. You have to order the lobster, it's like one of its kind in the world. I've tried many different style of seafood but none can compare with this one. It's a little bit expensive but it's fresh and special. The Desperado beef steak is tender and juicy. I am surprised that a seafood restaurant can cook beef this well. Highly recommended!
Tourist trap for sure :), but nice enough for a gringo. You will not see any locals eating here.
We stayed on PR for 8 days, and ate amazing food all over the island. The Desperado is, by far, the most amazing restaurant on the island!!!!!! My two oldest kids got the lobster w/ garlic sauce, I had the PR sauce (can't remember what it's called but Bryan will explain it, no worries!). (Bryan showed us the lobsters that just came off the boat, totally cool, the freshest food I've had all trip) My wife had the steak (Fricking awesome!). All the portions are huge! You will not mind the cost! If you miss this place it's your loss.
The best mofongo with shrimp around. If you get the seafood plate with lobster be sure to share it with someone there's plenty. Frappe and fruit drinks with a local flair too. Family run, the owner always says hi at your table. This is also the only restaurant in Puerto Rico that plays country music.
Amazing food here! Don't think it can get any better. I got the friend red snapper and fried plantains. They are amazing. My boyfriend got the lobster o bryn also super super delicious. It comes with rice and beans on the side. Huge dishes. Could have split everything but we decided to be fat since were on vacation. Definitely come here for good food!
The Lobster o Bryan was amazing! I would give 5 stars but the service it self was not the greatest, our waitress was cleaning and mopping around us since it was close to 10pm. The Strawberry Mango Frap was also unreal. I would definitely go back next time I am in PR.
10 years ago
Great place for steak and seafood! After reading several Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews my BF and I decided to venture off the property of the Wyndham Rio Grande. We went on a Sunday night around 8pm and the restaurrant was empty, so we had no trouble getting a table. The restaurant has an open air concept and a cowboy decour. The open air is a great concept, but the night we went it was rainy and humid. The host and waitstaff couldn't be nicer and more helpful Chris and Cassandra were a pleasure and so sweet and friendly. The restaurant even has its own stray cat hanging around outside. The food won's disappoint. Chris recommended the cheese-stuffed breaded shrimp and they were quite tasty--hot and cheesy but still with a great shrimp taste. A mustard sauce accompanied them and the bite and acid of the mustard was a nice compliment to the crispy, rich cheesy shrimp. For our main courses, I went with the skirt steak and my boyfriend had the house special, the lobster Bryan. Both were absolutely delicious!!! I had a choice of side and went with the mofungo, a Puerto Rican specialty. Their mofungo was buttery and flavorful and I couldn't get enough. My boyfriend had the fried plantains and they were different than the typical "chip" style plantains--they were more like a fried green tomato but still really yummy. My steak was flavorful and cooked to perfection and the portion was hearty. I ended up taking about half of it home. My boyfriend took down a 2lb lobster stuffed with seafood, onions and peppers in a red sauce. The lobster meat was sweet, the seafood cooked perfectly. Everything tasted fresh and delicious and was prepared with care. Only thing to nit pick was that the margarita I ordered was way too sweet and didn't taste as if it had any alcohol it in. I'd skip the margarita next time and just order a beer or glass of wine. Bottom line: Perfect place for a dinner out when you want a steak or seafood dinner that will leave you stuffed and satisfied. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
10 years ago
Best dinner yet in PR -- order the rib eye w a potato and watch it come to you sizzling away, they also had Titos read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
12 years ago
Do not leave Puerto Rico without visiting Desperados! We were in PR for 4 days and this was one of the best places we ate at! Don't judge a book by it's cover, don't judge Desperados by it's outside appearance. It is literally connected to a mechanic but don't be fooled! We ordered the lobster Bryan (and met Bryan, very nice man). The price is not listed on the menu but just ask. They price it by the pound of the lobster. For example, we ordered a 2 pound lobster (which easily fed me and my husband) and it was $50. Then the sauce is an additional dollar amount. We wanted to garlic sauce so it was an additional $18.00, total $68.00! Again, it fed 2 people and you get a side with that which we got Mofongo! This was one of the most delicious meals I have ever had! A lobster, stuffed with many different types of seafood (shrimp, crab, calamari, octopus and conch) along with a garlic cream sauce. It is so filling! We did not have an alcoholic beverage so I cannot review that. However, refills on soda and iced tea are not free. If we ever visit Puerto Rico again we will most definitely eat at Desperados! read more
10 years ago
We were the only ones in the restaurant, and we received very attentive, personalized service. We ordered a mango-strawberry frappe with vodka and it was tasty. We had the stuffed breaded shrimp for an appetizer-yummy! My husband did not care for the mustard sauce that came with it for dipping, but asked for some garlic cream sauce. We ordered the shrimp mofongo and churrasco skirt steak with baked potato. Both entrees were very good! View is not so great. It's an open air restaurant and you are staring at dirty trash cans and stray cats. I was also stung by a mosquito, so definitely spray. Our total bill came to about $80, so not bad for a shared cocktail, appetizer and two entrees. Would recommend. read more
10 years ago
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7 years ago
11 years ago
Open ambiance...Very Good Seafood...Superb desserts...Friendly Staff...thank you Amanda. Even the music was in English from the states...nice change from mostly Spanish on PR radio. We were a little shocked at the bill ($80 for 2 1/2 lb lobster) read more
11 years ago
I don't have a single negative thing to say about this place! Julia, our waitress was a darling! She chatted us up and made recommendations for other places to go eat and things to see. All of their food is local and fresh! We ordered the Lobster Brian and the Churasco Mofongo , both with garlic sauce, and traded plates halfway through our meal. Soooo amazing!! The house sangria was to die for!! Don't listen to any negative reviews. This place is a must try!!! read more
11 years ago
Mofongo with shrimp and lemon butter sauce was excellent as was the skirt steak with baked potato. The food was fantastic but service was not. We ordered an appetizer that never came and the food took forever. We are inside but the windows were open and bugs were an issue so spray down before you go. read more
11 years ago
The best meal in old San Juan. Order the tour of Puerto Rico for a same of real PR food. Service was great and very friendly! Love the ambiance. Quaint and they have AC read more
11 years ago
Awesome place! Very good food, awesome service and very friendly owner! Had a nice family dinner with kids and every single one of us finished their food, even kids cause it was so good! Well worth the drive if you not 2 far and good luck with your business, def. want to come by next time when we here!!! read more
11 years ago
10 years ago
The lobster was wonderful. Their mofongo was great as well. We highly recommend the Pina Coladas and the cheese stuffed fried shrimp appetizer. Yum. Love the decor. The staff are very nice and the country music made it interesting. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
Good food, slow service, high priced lobster. 3lbs $75. Ordered a Caesar salad to start , it Never came out. Had to ask server for it. Was not offered a refill on drink. No toilet Paper in restroom. read more
13 years ago
12 years ago
11 years ago
11 years ago
Very pleased with service, cocktails and food. I had the conch cocktail to start, which was fresh and delicious. I split the Lobster Bryan (stuffed lobster) and was definitely happy with it. Authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. A good detour from our resort. DO IT! read more
8 years ago
12 years ago
The food was great! I had the ribeye and it was the best I have had in a long time. The steaks came out before the baked potatoes, but I didn't mind that too much. The Almond Flan was awesome. Just remember that there are no free refills, our tea cost almost as much as a steak at $3.50 a glass. read more
12 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
Dinner was a welcome surprise. Dinner was fantastic....Chicken Breast and Mofongo with Conch topped off with Chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream! The best part was the staff...all very friendly and patient helping us through the menu selections. Highly recommend and would go back to try their steak! read more
12 years ago
9 years ago
12 years ago
11 years ago
13 years ago
This was a delicious find. Warm, wonderful staff, perfect English, fun, well done Wild West decor makes you want to kick up your heels! Clean, well kept. The shrimp with garlic sauce was amazing! I could have eaten the plate itself with that sauce. read more
11 years ago
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8 years ago
More info about Restaurante Desperado
Carr. 3 Km. 29.6
Bo. Carola
Guayama, Puerto Rico 00784
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(787) 981-4828
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12 years ago
