Mexican-American spot with a laidback vibe and a taxidermied jaguar [1]. Known for great tacos, small plates, and brunch, esp. the heirloom masa pancakes [1, 2]. Don't miss the cocktails and the rotating jello of the day [1].
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.
Hellbender offers a relaxed Mexican-American dining experience in Ridgewood, NY, standing out with its unique ambiance featuring a prominent taxidermied jaguar and a rotating jello of the day [1]. The menu, led by chef Yara Herrera, boasts flavorful small plates and tacos, with standout dishes like crispy lamb tacos and heirloom masa pancakes, making it a great spot for groups and brunch [1, 2]. The restaurant also excels in its cocktail offerings, particularly margaritas and bloody marys, with happy hour specials available [1].
Hellbender serves Mexican-American cuisine with a focus on creative small plates and tacos. Standout dishes include crispy lamb tacos, heirloom masa pancakes, and fried Oaxacan cheese [1]. While many dishes are praised, some reviewers found portions to be small and prices high, though others noted reasonable pricing and good value, especially during happy hour [1, 2, 3].
"Standout dishes include the crispy lamb tacos, heirloom masa pancakes, and fried Oaxacan cheese. The mezcal cocktails and pineapple margaritas are also highly recommended."
Customers generally have a positive view of Hellbender, enjoying its unique atmosphere and flavorful dishes like tacos and pancakes. However, some find it to be overpriced for the portion sizes [1, 2].
Important Note
Some diners have found the portions to be small for the price, and one user had a negative experience with the waitstaff when trying to get a table.
"Hellbender was mentioned as a place with good pancakes, although the user suggested getting a reservation."
Positive"The commenter found Hellbender to be consistently disappointing despite its inclusion on the list."
Negative"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"This is one of many restaurants listed by the commenter from the NYTimes list."
Neutral"hellbender was listed as a restaurant where the original poster might be able to stay under $60 per person with drinks, by limiting to one entree and one drink each. This suggestion was made in the context of a tight budget."
Neutral"Hellbender in Ridgewood is recommended for its really good, thick masa version of a popular pancake style."
Positive"Hellbender is listed among several other restaurants, including Chez Ma Tante, Comal, Super Nice Pizzas Brunch, and Jeans Lafayette."
Neutral"This commenter had a negative experience attempting to get a table at Hellbender. After being told to wait at the bar, they were later informed they were not on the waitlist and faced a significant wait time, with the hosts appearing to laugh as they left."
Negative"The commenter suggests that the pineapple margaritas at Hellbender are great. They also advise against posting about the restaurant on r/ridgewood due to perceived unusual hate towards the establishment there."
Positive"In response to a recommendation for Frijoleros, this commenter enthusiastically endorses Hellbender for its cocktails."
Positive"The commenter found the lamb dish and the cocktails at Hellbender to be excellent."
Positive"This commenter believes Hellbender is run by the same people as Rolo's and had a satisfying meal there that was not overly expensive."
Positive"This commenter recommends Hellbender for brunch, specifically praising their masa pancakes."
Positive"This commenter specifically enjoyed the pancake served at Hellbender during brunch."
Positive"The original poster visited Hellbender in Ridgewood, Queens, for Mexican food and cocktails. They found the skirt steak, calamari, oysters, churros, and polar punch cocktail to be decent, though a bit pricey with small portions. Overall, it was considered worth checking out."
Neutral"Hellbender in Ridgewood is recommended for Mexican new wave cuisine."
Positive"This user found Hellbender to be a pretty forgettable place, despite its hype, in a discussion about restaurant experiences."
Negative"User DrFaustPhD estimates that a dinner bill for three at Hellbender, including appetizers, drinks, and entrees, would be around $150-$200, suggesting this is a reasonable price point for NYC dining."
Neutral"User DrFaustPhD clarifies that Hellbender's tacos are priced at $15 for three, not $8 each, and notes a happy hour deal of $13 for a margarita and three tacos, suggesting the previous user's assessment of its expensiveness was inaccurate."
Positive"User haribobosses points out the $8 price per "tiny taco" at Hellbender to support the argument that the New York Times reviews predominantly cover unaffordable restaurants."
Negative
