Maria Mentiras Bar & Grill
“Latin bar and restaurant that offers great bar service is always going to make my list for a happy hour stop.”
“Tony does not leave u thirsty the unlimited mimosas for 2 hours , and never a empty glass.”
“This is one of Union City's hidden gems.”
Maria Mentiras Bar & Grill
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Good For Dancing: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Has Pool Table: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I had a wonderful time at Maria Mentira's at a recent elite event,and was waiting for the perfect occasion to come back. Boozy (and reasonably priced) brunch sounded like a natural capper to a weekend of fun with the fabu Nile H.The food,once we got it, was great. However, the service was abysmal. I do grant some leeway for language barriers but every waitperson should know what's on the menu and what the daily specials are.
Us: What's the fruit tart of the day?
Waitress: Profiterole?
Us: No,profiterole is something different, what's the tart?
Her: Ah, good,profiterole *walks away*
A quick summary: Friend's coffee was a cafe con leche, Her veggie and cheese omelet was served with pork products twice, then waitress tried to add an upcharge when she gave up and requested something else. She backed down when we asked for a manager, who never did come to the table. She asked if we wanted another carafe of mimosas; we answered in the affirmative, then watched her roll silverware for 20 minutes while we waited with empty glasses.
When my aunt joined us late after getting stuck in traffic, she received a full and fairly competent rundown on how to order, what the tart was (apple),and got a 2 bite check-in….all in Spanish. My steak and eggs were cooked well but the kitchen pre-cut my whole steak into chunks. It got cold quickly and looked like dog food on the plate.
If the service had stood up to the food and decor, I would gladly become a regular. As a customer, my brunch experience was frustrating and unsatisfying. As the hostess to an out of town guest,it was embarrassing. Suggestions for brunch spots are welcome, I owe my dear friend an outing to make up for this circus.
Good looking place in the heart of Union City. Food is tasty and reasonably priced. The place stands out compared to the rest of Union City restaurants. Great clean decor and very stylish. They are willing to work with you for bar packages for groups which is great.
The bartenders need to iron out the routine of their job but that comes with time.
Best place in the area..
Have Fun
Great happy hour specials that includes beers, wines, and cocktails. One of the better glasses of red sangria I've been able to find in town.
Latin bar and restaurant that offers great bar service is always going to make my list for a happy hour stop. The bar menu during happy hour is full of cheap eats if your on a budget. The chicken wings we awesome. Lightly fried crispy wings and a side of buffalo sauce for dipping. Great bang for your buck value here.
The place is nice, with plenty of patrons and lots of local flare. The servers were attentive and quick. This is the second time we've come here. First was after we got one of those website deal offers. Glad we tried it, cause we made it a regular spot.
It's especially great for people who are commuting back from the city via PABT. Just get off at the top of the hill in Weehawken/Union City and it's on the next corner. Super convenient.
Food: 4 stars
Service: 5
Boozy level: 4.5
Ambiance: 5
My fiancé and I enjoyed Sunday drunk brunch here today. Everything was exceptional, from the food to the live music they had going. You can't find unlimited drinks brunch that lasts two hours for $20 anywhere else. This place offers that with three courses. I had the Mac and cheese which was great. My fiancé had the creamy chicken with spinach wrapped in tortilla..he loved his appetizer.
For our entrees, I had the steak and eggs (carnes and huevos) with home fries and it was really good. Large portions and the food came out relatively fast. My fiancé had the eggs Benedict and I stole a bite and it too was very good.
Our server was attentive and sweet. She spoke mostly Spanish but we were still able to communicate with her and everything went smoothly.
They had a live band playing but they weren't overly loud…just blended perfectly to the overall ambiance.
We'd been here for dinner before and had enjoyed ourselves then also.
Note: After posting this review I have come back twice and the service was a bit better. I am not ready/convinced to completely update my review yet but there may be some hope….
Ugh. This place….
It has sooooo much potential BUT there's always something.
I got introduced through a Yelp event and really loved the vibe. I decided to go back after a friend told me they have great live music Friday nights. The first time I went back was ok and the music really was awesome. The singer on Fridays does all kinds of Latin music and is really the only reason we keep going back.
The food is not amazing but it's not terrible. The real problem is the service. When you go you'd think that the place just opened because it has those types of problems, kinks that just need to be worked out. Like not bringing out everyone's dishes at the same time. last week I ordered a complicated dish and it came out before my friends salad… The waitress tried to blame it on the kitchen and said they do it ticket by ticket. This is basic food service you don't bring out a meal for only one member of a party. In addition someone in my party tried to order White Zinfandel and the waitress asked us to repeat it in spanish. I cannot imagine being someone who doesn't speak Spanish getting by at this restaurant. That's a huge issue considering the changes that are going on in the neighborhood. It also indicates the staff knows very little about food and beverage. I think that would be fine at a random little hole in the wall on Bergenline but this is a different kind of place. You expect a staff that kind of knows what they're doing.
Last night we went and it wasn't bad until the end. the waiter did not ask if we wanted anything else did not say it was last call… Just placed the bill on our table and said "the restaurant is closing". It came off as so rude and it was 16 minutes before the restaurant actually closed. Someone I was with wanted to order another drink but clearly that wasn't an option. I noticed the owner wasn't there and that's unfortunatly what happens in the restaurant business.
I want this please to succeed so bad. This is the type of place we need in the neighborhood, there's nothing like it. If Maria could train her staff on service I really think that they could fill this place up even on a weeknight. The problem is you cannot get by with terrible service. I know eventually people are just going to get fed up and not go back.
If it were for music they get 5 stars. The food would get three and a half or even four maybe. That's how bad the staff is they bring down the overall rating to a 2. I'll continue to support this place because it's easy to get to in my neighborhood and I love supporting small women owned businesses but I honestly don't know how much more I can take with all the craziness with their wait staff.
Maria Mentiras is an interesting name for a restaurant…
Anywho, I wanted some brunch and this place popped up with unlimited mimosas and brunch for only $20 , one can't reject that … Of course I am the type that will not even make it on time to my own funeral, so by the time I made it to the restaurant BRUNCH was over…
So I had no option but to just order since I was starving…
This is a latino restaurant and its food is influenced by Peruvian, Colombian, and Cuban dishes …(not bad)
As an appetizer we ordered:
Peruvian ceviche, it was tiny for the price and it was drenched in lime juice AND it came with no side (meaning no crackers or tostones or potatoes- just dry corn NO BUENO-
and tostones with pork and and shredded beef – it was delicious but it was missing more than half of the ingredients described on menu – it was missing the lettuce , sour cream I believe tomatoes and such , the add-ons is what made me want to order the tostones…. (Also don't u guys hate when u go to a restaurant and they only serve 2 of something when there are 3 people at the table like DAMN for $10 as an appetizer the least they could of done was give 3 or 4 tostones) we were sitting there like idiots cutting one toston into 3 … really? NOT COOL
Anyway
I ordered the bandeja paisa ( pork grinds, steak Colombian sausage, rice ,beans, sweet plantains avocado) YES I WAS HUNGRY, and if u have read my other reviews I always order what I can't finish.
Hubby ordered Mofongo with mango sauce and Salmon…
My bandeja paisa was good but it was more like a mini bandeja paisa I felt ripped off — other spots they serve so much u have leftovers for the next 3 days especially for $16(?)…
Hubby's Salmon was a tad no NO no it was really salty …
They need to chill with the sodium !!!
Then of course I had to have dessert
I had the 3 leches cake and hubby had a brownie with ice cream…
Hubby's brownie was good and so was the ice cream…
My 3 leches cake was dry to be 3 leches but the waitress did say it just finished getting done so I'm guessing it wasn't enough time to soak and also by the last bite I found a hair….
I didn't complain because let's be honest that is a risk we take when eating out and I didn't want to overwhelm myself thinking about it or else I was going to run to the bathroom and it was just going to ruin my night…. (at least it wasn't a roach)….
Service was magnificent until it was time to pay …
The staff decided to take a break so we basically had to wait to get our check(10 minutes) and for the card to get swiped( about another 10 minutes) I was ready to gooooo….
Will I come back(?)
Probably not… Not because of the hair that I found which was gross… But because of the prices of the food (Rumba Cubana down the block is way cheaper and there's a gorgeous view)which don't get me wrong the food wasn't bad but not worth $20 a plate plus a hair…
I have been here a few times with colleagues. The food is good, the drinks are good, the prices are good, but the service can be lacking. When I am in a restaurant or bar such as this one, I feel that the customers should be the center of attention for the servers and bartenders, especially when its not too busy. Here, I find that they are more interested in talking with each other or the few customers they are friends with.
They just don't seem to pay very close attention to what they are doing. As someone who has worked as a bartender and server, I do feel that I have very demanding standards. That said, I had to wait a very long time to order food before I could get someones attention (and there were 3 bartenders working and 4 patrons).
I will continue to give them a try. As I said, I like the food and prices.
Finally trying out this spot. The menu looks delicious. The waitresses don't speak any English and I feel bad! I'm trying though… People are eating and drinking right now. The manager had to take over to make my Mojito. I didn't know I ordered something difficult. Sad day!
The empanadas were pretty good. The salsa was a great combo. The mango drink made by the manager was delicious!
You can tell ONE of the bartenders is still learning how to make drinks. (This was in the afternoon).
It's about 500pm and the REAL bartenders are here!!! Yeahhh..
I'm still wondering why it's ok that everyone ONLY knows Spanish in jersey. It's sad for me because, I love jersey, BUT I can't order the tasty food! :/
I need Spanish speaking friends ASAP!