Old San Juan - Camden

I had a disappointing experience at this restaurant. The service was terrible; the server seemed to be in a bad mood, as if she had a personal connection to the food she was serving. Usually, the food is quite good, but today it was a letdown. I really hope I never have the same server again, as she was not pleasant at all. If you don't enjoy your job, it's best to find something else rather than making customers suffer from your bad attitude. The dish I ordered was bland and lacked any flavor, looking as if it had been boiled rather than baked. For $30, it was a total waste—straight to the trash.

There’s always a debate about who serves the best Hispanic food in Camden, NJ, but without a doubt, it’s Old San Juan. With its extensive variety of dishes, excellent availability, and incredible flavors, it truly stands out. However, the dining experience could use some improvement; it’s not uncommon to see staff members huddled together chatting, which can distract them from fully attending to customers. While I personally would rate it around 4.5 stars due to my familiarity with the atmosphere, I think newcomers might find this distraction takes away from the charm of this hidden gem in the neighborhood.

I tried calling ahead to place an order, but no one answered the phone. When I arrived, I had to wait in a long line to order my food, only to end up waiting a long time again. The dish lacked flavor and was too soft for Mofongo; it tasted more like mangú. However, I will say the staff was very nice.

The waitstaff at the restaurant were not very welcoming, and the service was quite slow. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything on the menu that appealed to me. I recommend opting for the takeaway section instead; the food there is tasty, the portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable.

Old San Juan is a most esteemed locale. During the hours of luncheon, finding a place to park proves to be quite the challenge. Yet, exercise thy patience, for the reward is undoubtedly worth the wait.