They always treat me great, the service is quick, casual, and positive. They’re my local restaurant, but even if they were downtown I’d still make the trip!

My son and I had lunch here the food was wonderful,Service was grand. Made us feel very at home .

Great food every time I go. I could never complain. About the quality of the food or service.

Absolutely wonderful place to eat! The food was delicious. I can't say enough good things about the people who work there, so Friendly and caring!!! Right amount of delicious food for the right price!

Great food. Great customer service. I am going back next time I am there. They are so nice and have the best food!!!

Don’t go to NY as much as I would like these days, but when I do I hit up Sandy’s. Service and quality are always amazing and we love the staff. Last time we were in the city it was our best meal on a 6 day trip

It's super exciting to find a real Spanish restaurant. Food and service were outstanding. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to sit and eat in a semi traditional place. Staff: Thank you very much for making my day.

Amazing place! Such welcoming staff, felt safe here, definitely come if you want great food, great customer service and safe precautions during this time when we need people to care about our health and safety! Thank you!!

Best Cuban sandwich ever !! Highly recommended.. and excellent costumers service as well

My waiter was amazing, which made my experience even better on Palm Sunday. I was craving tres golpes -Dominican breakfast dish that feeds one soul. 😋

Sandy, in particular, made it memorable with attentive service. Either for Dominican food lovers or just adventurous tryers, this place is a must. Definitely will return with every opportunity when I am in the area. Flavors tasted authentic; service was hospitable-10/10.

Thank You for the experience my friend Marisol B. had when she to NY for the first time. There was no other place that I would have taken her to eat but Sandy’s. This lil Blanca from 116th and 1st appreciated that I had the best place to bring Boriqua sista from Chicago!!!!

I love the food here! Breakfast and dinner are both great you can’t miss. Service in the mornings are definitely better than at night.

The food and drinks were excellent. I ordered the t-bone steak with grilled shrimp and yellow rice delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the grill shrimp was seasoned very well. I ordered the Henry Colada, and it was excellent. I will be returning to eat when I come back to NYC.

Food is always amazing, servings are large. Hosts are great and the prices are average for good food around the same area.

The food is delicious. The staff are very courteous. I had an issue with my card, and I couldn't pay for my order. They allowed me to take the did, and I came back the next day to pay for it.

I had them cater my son graduation party on Randall's island. The order was over $1,000 but they didn't not disappoint. Food was hot and fresh and everyone enjoyed it. The large trays had so much food. Needless to say the event was a big hit! Thanks for them delivering and for the excellent quality of the food

They really put love in their food! Hats off to all that make coming here worth while. They actually cook their beans with bell peppers inside! The taste is authentic latino recipe, the way it should be! Thanks for loving what you do and wowing us all the time!!! Keep it up, you got a client in me!!!

Love the customer service the way they greet u with love

We got breakfast and 2 chicken pastelito. The food was good and I like dipping the pastelito in salsa mojito. We got the passion fruit juice and it was so tasty. Definitely recommend when you are in the neighborhood and want authentic Spanish food.

Food was made fresh, service was fast and just a nice atmosphere to be in when you see smiles on everyones face.

My mouth was in heaven! Every employee was naturally personable. Their meals demonstrated cooking skill. The value here is obvious. The spot won my complete approval.

The woman that work here work very hrd their friendly and fun the atmostphere is layed back and confortable they also have a small bar sevies and beer servies and there food is amazing and im Puerto rican the servies is fast and easy they have a window servies with three diffrent rices and about five diffrent types of meat to pick from qnd they also have an eat in menu service so if u want to sit and enjoy dinner with friends you canand they do deliveries too so you can enjoy the latin flavors you love at home to.All in all they really a great resturant to enjoy spanish food.only thing is they have a steep card charge so i recomend bringing cash so u dont have to pay a ten dollar surcharge for using your credit card

This was definitely a treat and was so amazed at how great the food tasted. It was my first time in there and New York in general and I felt like I was home seeing I'm from Chicago. Would definitely recommend this place.

Love the food here. Great service. I recommend this place to anyone…

Ciliana Navarro Rodriguez

when I want to enjoy a delicious, juicy Latin food I always come here , great customer service , I’m leaving some photos of my last visit

Gabby

Ordered through a food app. Food didn't take long, was still hot and fresh. The taste was delicious!

I L Perez - El Reseñero

If you want an authentic Puerto Rican/Cuban experience, Sandy's Restaurant on the corner of 116th and 2nd avenue is your spot. WiFi provided by East Harlem Wifi. Customer Service: Cecelia made the experience authentic and wonderful. I am so glad she was there to help us place and receive our order. Gracias Cecelia!! Beverages: De Coco - Sweet and hits the spot. Better than Horchata, and probably better for you too. De Lemon - Taste like a sweet lemon. Very refreshing. Meals: Arróz con Gandules: Full of flavor, just the right amount of Gandules (Pigeon Peas). Pasteles: This is a specialty traditional and labor-intensive, meat wrapped inside a plantain shell. Very popular between Thanksgiving and Three Kings Day (Tres Reyes Magos. It is much better if eat one as soon as it has been made for you. (Guineos) Maduros: This sweet dish is a favorite add to any meal. Made with special tiny bananas or ripened bananas with a rich caramelized sauce (made with butter, brown sugar, and sometimes cinnamon). Polla Guisado: This is a chicken that has been stewed until the flavors combine. This is delicious with rice and the meat falls off easily. No hands needed - just use a fork. Seating: Four large tables (seating six) and two tables (seat two) can be rearranged (call in advance) as needed. They do catering and are listed in Door dash and Grub Hub at the least.

+15

Giovanni Dennis

Food is always fresh, servers are courteous and attentive. Love this place! Usually ample seating...

Luly Marte

We always order from MSH Hospital, food is always amazing. The service incredible. Good portion! Love it here, thank you.

Uggg Ghbv

We believe Sandy Restaurant stands among the best options locally. The extra dishes tasted excellent, containing spices I don't usually try. Where you find Sandy Restaurant adds value to the experience. Every staff member shows real kindness. This spot offers honest cooking.

Andrew Augustus

My order 3 beef empanadas 3 chicken empanadas! Came in for a quick bite after my examination malfunctioned (lost internet service). It was extremely busy when I walked in. But I was immediately greeted by the staff behind the counter. I definitely recommend stopping by this restaurant. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! The food behind the glass (hot bar) looks extremely fresh. The staff works together and are very consistent when it comes to catering to their patrons. Family friendly, date worthy place. Please support this business for those days and nights you don’t want to cook! They also have delivery as well. Plus I just tried JUGO DE COCO for the first time…i 100% recommend!!! This is a local staple for Harlem. Please support the locals!!!

+3

Bryan Jacobs

I loved everything about our experience at Sandys. The food was absolutely delicious. The portions were huge. And the waitress was an absolute gem. I can't recommend it enough.

Harlem Dawgs

I was introduced to this place my first few months in the city by a friend of mine. Their roast chicken was really delicious. My friends have come to rely on me as a proficient procurer of high quality chicharrón de hueso. I got a call from one of my elder friends and her daughter-in-law who were driving to the city from the Poconos and the first thing they wanted me to do was order chicharron from the place that I had last bought it for them at. It's a pretty good spot on 125th Street but when they went there what they got was nowhere near as good as what I got for them. Instead of going back to that same spot I recommended Sandy because they are always on point. And I've been there several times over the years. It was all my friends could do not to drool on the glass. I think that the prices may have gone up a bit but the quality has never been shady at Shandy. If you want to eat in; there's not a lot of space but it's well worth the visit. I'd give the pernil a B+ but everything else I've had there has been an A /A+. I also like the staff. They're nice and not and rude at all.

Z Jing

I got a cup of cold water in hot summer day from Mr. mogul espinal . I felt touched to see that as a business man he would like to offer help to “strangers” He is one of best manager. More ever The food 🥘 here looks very fresh and environment very clean. Working staff are friendly 🙃 the toilet 🚽 is clean 😃 from Julian Zhao a volunteer art promoter 👍

+1

I ordered arroz con gandules, chicarron de pollo with tostones. Please mind the spanglish. Lol I fell in love with the mojo sauce was very pleased. I also had coconut juice but needed some sugar wouldn't suggest the juice.

First time here after years of driving past this place. I must say the food was good. I had the beef stew with white rice and a side of beans. I would recommend.

I have seen this location in my community for years and never sat down to eat here. I have taken take-out from here. The location was clean, and the staff was fast and quick. The food was good, so I ate there and also ordered for take out too, for later.

My meal was very flavorful. Even after years of being business, they have not lost their touch. Great lunch specials

They have great food and a very good price (except the oxtail at $27 an order). I ordered half a chicken, and it had a good flavor, but it was dried. I'll definitely come back

I usually walk in but it was so cold I had to do delivery. They followed orders in the instruction box thank you. The food is always good and the service is always pleasant. The only thing is I ordered vegetable rice and I got plain yellow rice so I know next time I won’t order that item.

Jonathan Martinez

Really wanted to like this place. Food is good and mostly decent prices. Wasn’t WOW’d but wasn’t disappointed.

Haczar

I'll update this with plates i try Rabo guisado (4/5) amazing but u should get it early so you get big pieces otherwise you'll be left with lots of small ones Locrio (3/5) not bad but don't love it

Shannon J. Christie

Delicious but pricey for humble food. I think the lady over charged me. I never saw my receipt but I didnt have enough energy to argue.

Marc Starvaggi

My girlfriend was craving mangú and we found it! Very good all around!

Food not bad. Just like my maduros soft. Chicken was not over seasoned just a bit under seasoned. Not bad for people with HBP. Staff not to friendly. I guess goes with the territory.

Sandy restaurant wasn’t a bad place. I just felt like the environment could have been friendlier. The food was extremely pricey, I grew up my whole life in nyc eating Spanish food and never did we have to pay so much for food, on top of that the chicken was dry and the mangoo which is s as most $16 was the smallest I ever seen. I personally won’t be returning back but the food isn’t bad

Unfortunately I had a bad experience 06/19/24. The ladies act like they didn't see me. I said hi to one of the ladies she looked at me and continued to eat her icy. I literally had to interrupt their conversation by saying by saying can I order. Then she put my food in the container barely closed it.

Nice, small Dominican restaurant serving a large menu. They have dine-in or take-out. This time, we had goat stew and stew chicken. Both meats were tender, but the food might be a bit salty if you don't eat a lot of salt. Serve was ok. They cleaned a table right away for us, and they had steady business.

Food is pretty good. Could be a bit cleaner and the displays more presentable but I'd eat here again.

I don’t understand how they manage to mess up to go orders so much. Ordered white rice they give you rice and peas. Order boneless chicken you get bone in. Happens every other time I order from them on doordash. So annoying

I go often to Sandy at off times to eat. I bting my spices to season the food to my taste. Normally the atmosphere is homey. Two days ago I went there to order out and to eat in. After I paid for both orders I am told that there is nowhere for me to sit. I am told that the empty spots I see have been reserved. I insist the eat in portion of my order be refunded since there is no where to sit. The waitress puts my tray on the side while she serves other customers. My food is getting cold. I font feel well. I am a diabetic. I am getting cold. sweat. Since the refund is not happening I asked them to change the cold pork dish to chive. I was not allowed to sit at tge bar. I paid a 3$ difference for the new dish. I had to eat on my suitcase outside the restaurant . It was either that or pass out cold. I will never again eat there. The food is not that great The stewed beans are tough and taste sour. The rice is pasty without a drop of oil. The cooked broccoli is tough and smells of skunk cabbage. A little garlic and ginger in the steam water can fix that easily enough.

Woman who took the order was very professional and kind. Got the order right too. But I have to say, the food wasn’t good. the black beans and rice was ok at best, the chicken was a little dry and the pork chops were well over cooked. The sancocho was salty and had a gel like consistency that smelled similar to cat food. What so crazy is, I remember my mother and sister ordering from this restaurant years ago, and I remembered it to be delicious. Which is why I was so hopeful for a great experience tonight. The best thing on the plate was the plantains. I am sorely disappointed. $65 down the drain!!!!

I ordered rice with beans and beans never came.

It was my second time going there, the first time wasn't good and I said let me try again. Well, the second time was no different they always spoke Spanish and walked by as if they didn't see you when you standing there trying to order. Very rude and disrespectful 😤.

They are usually SOO GOOD and tonight, it was horrible.. like the pernil and the maduros weren't cooked long enough. I love when a certain lady there helps me.. she always makes sure she asks what type of meat, if I want skin.. etc and even tells me if its not up to par.... I wanted maduros one time and she told me they weren't good...but today it was a young girl and I feel like she didn't give the same type of service the older lady gives. Disappointed to waste my money on food I can't even bite through. I should've got the beef stew cause this was a waste.

The food is outstanding. The service is not. The crazy attitude they catch with your customers when YOU make a mistake is unreal. A simple I'm sorry, would you mind paying the difference to correct your order would have sufficed. Instead you proceeded to act like I am the problem. you made me feel like I was doing you wrong. I would be back for food. But your filthy attitude towards customer service is keeping me away. I hope that $3 discrepancy was worth keeping a lifetime of sales out of your restaurant.

Restaurant seems to have “grade pending”. Inspection results show negative comments regarding food safety / hygienic upkeep. Hopefully these restaurants can start correcting these priorities which isn’t all that expensive as long as the daily maintenance is done properly.

H Martinez

The food is too pricey, they serve you only a half of cup of beans and white rice. Usually authentic restaurants serve you more beans then that especially if it's for two people. Their bathrooms have water saving old system which sadly they need to change asap. It gets clogged to easy and to me that's a big don't go back. They only get 2 stars because they do have a bar and the place is bit centric for a stop and go but I would not recommend it for a picky, clean eater like myself.

Super Bad Food , I Order For Delivery The combo 1 , The Chicken Was Not Fresh it looks like it was from 3 days ago and it was so dry and not only that , it wasn’t a full chicken , it look like it was leftovers from other chickens it had like four legs inside the chicken plate but very dry , and is not the first time they done this , its disgusting. 0 STARS.

The food they served me was spoiled, and it was delivery. When I.called to say something to at least warn them to take it out the serving rotation I was put on a wait rotation on the line.... the lady was nice but very bad experience.

Waitress was nice but there was a crazy dude across from us that kept pointing at people and yelling and there was baby roaches in my drink I would add a picture but I don't know how

I ordered two take out meals from the waitress. My first order from the grill was prepared immediately, the second order was not given to the cook, therefore after waiting twenty minutes, I was informed my order #2 would be ready in 15 more minutes. I should have cancelled everything, but my elderly mother was at home waiting for her order I had promised. I won't visit this restaurant again. I didn't even receive an apology, discount, nothing free to compensate me for the rotten customer service and the first order was cold.😣

Two small soups Two bottle of water 1 cucumber salad $53 plus they automatically included the tip on the bill. Tip for what? Is not like they provided any service. STAY AWAY!

The Girls are really nice but the beans taste disgusting no flavor just been flavor water pastellios had no meat taste like the food sits out all day — not Puerto Rican food at all or Dominican

Sandy's has been so disappointing these last few times, which is such a shame. Tonight's terrible service was just it for me. I ordered Shrimp alfredo with spaghetti. Please note they DO NOT even have Alfredo sauce, but yet I'm told they do when I called, instead of just saying we don't make that order. In any case they get my order wrong, they argue with me over the phone about it. They send me another order to try to make up for the confusion. But that order was worse. The order came with like two shrimps and pounds of pasta. Last, but not least, then they have their delivery guy take back the first order they sent me!! Oh that was it for me!! Gross and disgusting for a restaurant to collect back food delivered and already opened by the customer!!

I recently ordered delivery of avena. I asked for 2 large avenas, which I thought would be the tall brown paper cups they serve it in. What I got was 2 large plastic containers. 98% was watered down avena and 2% actual avena. They robbed me. Not to mention the fee they charge for using a credit card instead of cash. Another time I was in the restaurant, we got the bill and wanted to pay a tip on cash. The check included the tip. I told her I wanted to pay my own tip amount, and she said she could not re do the bill. After some back and forth, she changed it, mumbling under her breath and slapping the bill on the counter. Very rude. I will be going back to cuchifrits on 116.

I bought a family meal, and the lady said something about $10 dollars for the table charge, I said okay, she didn't say $10 per person. They probably thought we were tourists, so they overcharged me. They also didn't give me an itemized receipt showing the charge, they just added it in, and STILL asked for a tip on top of it. Thieves.

Been a few times they mess up my order i keep trying but this is the last time mostly because they are always correct and you are not they give attitude every time like its my fault they messed up i always tip good i dont even argue about the price but if you you are pricy at least make my order right never again 0 stars terrible customer service

I have gone to this restaurant since I was a kid. So writing this review really pains me. But last night I went in based off of memories. Now I know I can take those memories and throw them away because the Sandy of today is definitely not the Sandy of what I remember from my childhood. My dad used to always take me here and this and caridad across the street were always like staple restaurants to go to, but Sandy's food has declined so badly that it makes me sad. Upon going in and ordering a combo meal which should have cost $32 we were told that if we wanted to stay, the price would go up. Now I understand that staying in a restaurant. Means getting service but thats what a tip is for. The cost that they gave us was $62 as opposed to the 32 that was listed and they stated that gratuity would be $10. It was not clear whether the gratuity was part of the 62 or not, so we gave an extra $10 to make sure that our gratuity was paid. So we paid in all $72 for the bistec encebollado combo. They made us pay the bill up front. Which really rubbed me the wrong way and seemed odd. I should have know. This should have been red flag number two after the price hike. But we went along with it because I felt like my Spanish is not 100% and maybe i wasnt understanding her explanation of the price change. So I thought maybe there was a language barrier issue. When the food came out the Plantains were cold. The rice was just okay, Really not much flavor to it. But the steak was the saddest part of all. It was so super thin and so very dry and tough to eat.They try to cover it up with a lot of oil so that maybe I guess you don't realize how dry it is and I think they knew how dry it was because when she brought it out she enthusiastically offered gravy, which i've never had to have extra gravy with my bistec encebollado. If it's cooked right you shouldn't need gravy. A little later into our meal the waitress asked me how the food was and I said that it wasn't so great and that the steak was dry and she asked me why I didn't tell her. I told her I didn't want to cause problems but that it wasn't great, it was dry and it was overpriced. She offered to give us a flan, one slice to take home. Which was nice of her but to be honest after spending seventy two dollars for bistec encebollado for 2 It really didn't alleviate the feeling that we had been taken advantage of and wasted our time and money on an establishment that has clearly lost its touch. An expensive lesson...but a lesson learned nonetheless.

I have never complained about their food but there is a disconnect from the community that has supported them over 40 years. My mother would bring me as a child I’m 43 now. My last 2 experiences have been very disrespectful. I have waited 15 min or more just till a person would come to a table. While there are no other people even eating. If your black just go somewhere else they don’t want or need your money. The younger associates are just as vile. There aren’t any places for black people to eat in Spanish Harlem anymore. Just go to the westside where your dollar is valued. I’ll take my experience and my money in stride make my mother and Harlem family aware. Happy New Year

I got take out and was treated really unfairly and ignored completely even though I could see my order on the counter the entire time. It was ready for 20 minutes!!! Every time I asked for help they just walk passed me and took someone else’s order. I’m honestly just shocked. I wish I didn’t tip beforehand. I’m done tipping before I get my food. Don’t ever tip until the service is complete.

Last night (Saturday 5/25/2024), my partner and I were looking for some authentic Puerta Rican cuisine. The original place we wanted to go to was closed for whatever reasons. My partner suggested Sandy, being she is Puerto Rican, grew up in the neighborhood, and her dad used to take her here all the time in the 90s early 00's. We got there and decided to go with the combo #5. When she told the server we were choosing to stay instead of leaving the we were told the price shown wad for Togo orders.. That went from something like $35 to $70 that should have been my first and only which we had to pay upfront before even sitting down... but being my partner wanted to come here based on childhood, I ignored my gut... bad idea... The portions weren't worth the coat, the steak was dry as hell, and the Plantines were cold as anything. The server kept hovering and asked if everything was ok.. my partner said no and that the plantings were cold.. The server said "oh it must be the AC." we rolled our eyes. The server came back after 10 or so minutes with fresh ones (which were actually good being they were freash). In the end, my partner was asked again if everything was alright. My partner replied in Spanish no, it wasn't said the steak was cold and we weren't happy. The server then tried to blame us for the horrible food by saying "oh you should have said so in the beginning. Long story short, the experience felt like a bait and switch... my partner felt horrible for having us come here all the way from Central Queens for a bad experience. Her dad passed away a year ago, so she said she didn't have her dad anymore for what's good in the neighborhood anymore. We left upset,sad,annoyed, and will never be coming back to this establishment. I feel bad for even posting this review, but it needs to be said and shared..

Bad service and I’m never going to buy anything from there they give me a very old chicken was nasty 🤬🤬😤

I went to this restaurant 2/26/2023 for breakfast. The service was horrible 😫 I waited at the counter no one ask if I needed anything. Once the women approached me after walking pass me several times. She was so angry I'm not sure why, I guessed my mere presence upset her. How dare I walk in to patronize this place. My advice, avoid Sandy's Restaurant in addition the food was terrible! I was simply devastated at the behavior of the staff. I would give No stars if I could.

Peril was Luke warm, by the time they microwaved it warm the bean were luke warm and tasted like tomato sauce. Not good. Don't go.

I order 2 orders of 3 Golpes. And they had a rotten onion🤢🤮🤬. Try to talk to the manager. But he ignored me. I was going to the restaurant to show him. But I'm not able to walk. Never again. And I use to order 4 times a week.

Don't know how this place got 4.4 the pastels had 0 flavor. Bland and terrible. I don't think this a Puerto Rican place rather Dominican place.

Food is not good 🥲 I lost my money sorry, they don’t read the note 🗒️

Im sorry but this has to be one of the worst Dominican foods I ever tasted. I order grilled chicken with rice and beans and potatoes salad. Everything was unseasoned. The beans tasted nasty. Poor quality food.

There was a bug in my ustensils, my tostones came cold and my fried pork was fat only. Then they tried to charge me $25. I would not recommend.

Charging me 6.50 for half a bowl. Asked them to fill it up but refused and said they need to charge more for it. Much better option across the street at caridad where they charge half the price for the same thing

I explained to the lady how I wanted my food. When she brought it to me, I explained this is not how I wanted it. I explained again, and she walked off talking in Spanish. I think she's going to make it the way I asked. No, she wasn't making anything. I asked the guy if I could explain to him what I wanted. After waiting for about 10 minutes, he tells me he's not serving me go across the street.

Beans taste like tomato sauce. The beans are nasty. Their rice and peas are nasty to. They need a better cook. They serve their to go food sloppy. No presentation. Lacks customer service. This place fell off since my last visit.

While my friend was eating her rice and beans she chipped a tooth with a ROCK that was apparently in the rice. The owners response was to pass by the store so he could check her mouth. DURING COVID 19!!! Absolutely ridiculous. Save yourself a visit to the dentist.

Nicolas Lupo

This place sucks. I’ve ordered on uber eats/seamless about 3 times and each time the food takes over 2 hours to get delivered. Then when I call to check the order status they have absolutely no idea what’s going on with the order. The worst customer service ever. Don’t ever order from here you’ll be waiting for hours

Paula Crews

I’m extremely disappointed in the food which surprised me because I normally order from them. . I ordered the mega combo 1. I didn’t see them pack the food so I didn’t notice it until I got home that the Maduros was burnt. The pork was burnt/dry. I thought I was getting pernil per the menu, but what it look like was chopped up pork chops that was burnt and looked like it was refried. The baked chicken wasn’t good. I won’t be ordering from them again.

Jenny Lynx

Terrible experience at this restaurant. The service was completely unacceptable. The staff seemed more interested in chatting with each other than attending to customers. When I tried to order, the guy in front of me was basically ignored me and helped the person behind me instead. I had to ask him for assistance, and even then, he barely acknowledged me. When I finally got his attention, instead of helping me himself, he just pointed at another staff member and told me to go talk to them. It was like I was invisible. The attitude was awful, and it felt like I was bothering him by even being there.

Dave O'connor

I recently had an unfortunate experience at a restaurant I frequently patronize, where I decided to order a to-go meal. Despite the establishment's reputation for excellent cuisine and my previous positive experiences dining in, this particular incident left me deeply dissatisfied. The waiting time for my to-go order was almost an hour, which was both frustrating and disappointing, considering the significant amount of money I had spent. This is what I waited for almost an hour for very dissatisfied

Kiara pichardo

Let’s just say the reviews for this place is lies the food was not good the morir sonando was horrible was not sweet I had chicken chunks it was cold and dry and the rice was okay the bill came up to like 50 for food tht was trash and they were bare drunk men I’m the place by the bar smh never again the mojito was just oil