TLDR
Creative Mexican-American small plates and standout masa pancakes in a trendy, laid-back Ridgewood setting. Known for inventive jello desserts and excellent cocktails.
Instagram Posts References
This post features Hellbender Restaurant as part of a giveaway. A $25 gift card to Hellbender is mentioned as a prize. The restaurant is also tagged in the initial image, implying it is a New York City-based establishment and a partner in the giveaway.
Owner Yara Herrera of Hellbender is participating in Pay What You Can Day to break down the exclusionary atmosphere often found in traditional fine dining.
Willa Moore reviews Hellbender, a Mexican-American restaurant in Ridgewood that excels in its relaxed ambiance and flavorful small plates and tacos. It's highlighted as a great spot for drinks and group gatherings.
Morgan Carter reviews Hellbender, a new Mexican-American restaurant in Ridgewood from Gramercy Tavern alums, highlighting its cocktails, chef Yara Herrera's heritage-inspired dishes, and unique ambiance.
Details
Located in Ridgewood, this Mexican-American venture from the Rolo's team offers a laid-back, stylish atmosphere featuring unique decor like a taxidermied jaguar [3]. The menu delivers creative small plates and tacos that have earned the establishment a spot on prestigious lists of the city's top restaurants [1], [3]. It has also gained attention for its community involvement, including participating in 'Pay What You Can' dining initiatives [4].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on Mexican-American fusion, with highlights such as crispy lamb tacos, fried Oaxacan cheese, and heirloom masa pancakes [1], [3]. While many items like the chicken milanesa and jello desserts are highly recommended [1], [2], some diners find the portions for certain dishes to be small for the price [2].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About HELLBENDER
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: If You Could Have Just One Dish From One
"The commenter recommended the chicken milanesa at Hellbender."
PositiveFrom post: Does Amex Platinum Actually Make It Easier To Get
"Commenter stated that with an Amex Platinum card, they were able to secure desirable brunch spots at Hellbender with only a couple days' notice due to priority notifications."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Pancake Recommendations With Not
"Hellbender was mentioned as a place with good pancakes, although the user suggested getting a reservation."
PositiveFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter found Hellbender to be consistently disappointing despite its inclusion on the list."
NegativeFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter highlighted Hellbender as a cool turnaround story, noting its successful pivot from a 'high end dive' bar to one of the city's best restaurants."
Positive