Casona

i had a very strange experience at casona a few months back and felt the need to write this review after reading all the positive and negative reviews of the restaurant. i was having a mothers day dinner for my mother and made a reservation at casona on the porch. when i arrived i was upset to find out we were not going to be sat outside due to the size of the party. the hostess was very nice but firm obviously told by higher authority not to seat us outside. after the hostess and i spent some time trying to solve our dilemma the owner approached me and i have never been treated with such disrespect. i was told to leave and the hostess ended up in tears over the situation. most ""five star"" restaurants have a customer first policy and want us to leave with a good taste in our mouth and i left with a hungry and dissapointed party of 10. Pros: great porch Cons: customer service more

I was lucky enough to dine at the cuban style restaurant Casona last weekend and I must say it truly was a great experience. From the minute we walked in we were greeted with a friendly staff and sat in a wonderfully unique dining room. The vibrant colors and ethnic music really got me in the mood for the cuban cuisine. Our server offered us the virgin mojitos which we knowingly were prepared for with our white rum and I must say they were excellent. Two pitchers excellent. We started off with lime marinated shrimp ceviche which was recommended by the server, and it was as authentic as it could be. Coming from a cuban household, my grandmother would have approved it to be traditional with a nice kick. The tricolored peppers served as a nice touch to zest it other rather then the use of tobasco that a lot of restaurants use. We moved on to the chupe and my date had the ensalada arugula. The chupe was like nothing i've ever before. A thick creamy broth with moist chicken breast, carrots, corn and parsley.It could serve as an appetizer all in itself. It did not stop from picking at the arugula across the table. An abundance of blue cheese offset by a cranberry vinaigrette dressing combined for an outstanding salad. One thing to know, however, is the salads are definitely big enough for two. Next came the entrees. My date, who is not overly experimental played it safe with the churasco steak. It had outstanding creamed mushrooms and traditional side of yucca fries. The cut was cooked to perfection (i know because she's picky). I had the lechon asado. What a combination! Beautifully marinated pork over safron rice with fried sweet plantains and a pork sauce. They truly have taken a rather simple dish and perfected it. All this rambling means nothing unless I discuss the tres leche. It should be illegal it was so good. to end the meal we met the owner larry who was kind and welcoming to us for his sunday brunch which will be reviewed shortly i assure you. Pros: Food and Ambiance Cons: Noisy environment on weekends more

I love Casona. It is one of the most beautiful restaurants in South Jersey. The food is always great. The service was shaky at times, but the owner has cleaned house. The snapper filet is fresh and tasty. The Pork chop is wonderful. Dessert and cafe con leche after dinner - what could be better. Brunch here is one of the best kept secrets in SJ. The owner does encourage customers to write write about their experiences at Casona. Why shouldn't he. Don't listen to the hearsay nonsense. How can he make anyone give it five stars. Who are these people to tell us how we should rate any place. Who are the insiders? Just consider the source. The bashing has backfired - good. These losers think they own these sites and don't know how to react when supporters write positive reviews. Casona is one of my favorite restaurants even with some of the minor problems they have had. Five stars - seriously. Pros: Fresh and tasty food, great brunch, beautiful facility, perfect for large partys Cons: Parking on the weekends more

Lourdes Health System hosted an event at Casona recently. The entire event from planning to execution was handled very professionally. The management was very helpful in menu selection. After a conversation about what the goal of the event was, Larry put together a menu that was amazing. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere contributed to a very successful evening. The staff were very attentive and friendly. All who attended the event enjoyed the food and the view from the porch.\r \r I would recommend Casona for private events -especially the porch area. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Parking more

I have not been out to eat lately and then yesterday my fiance and I went to Casona for dinner. We have liked this place since it opened last year. We had the shrimp ceviche and the black bean soup then thesnapper filet and the vaca frita. We finished off sharing the key lime pie and some coffee. It was great. They were busy due to a couple of private partys and our server did have several tables. Our server happened to be the owner's nephew - a kid really. We had seen him working there before but didn't realize that he was related to the family. We had a chance to talk and ask how business was. Great he said. He told us Owner/G.M. recognized us and would come over to say hi - he did. It was around 8PM and no doubt he was already there all day and evening. We talked and caught up. Yes he did ask if we had the time to go here and other sites and review Casona - what's wrong with that? They have a right to defend themselves. These sites are not just for negative comments. Why is this place being singled out again? Who are these people with close ties to the restaurant industry? Makes me wonder who these people really are. We have never heard any server there complain they have more table then they can handle. Sure they get busy sometimes and get back up but who doesn't? We have been to everyplace in town and have had delays and problems at times. Why all this attention to them. I think it's obvious. I think they are getting five stars when it should be four or three because of the backlash from the mean and nasty attacks. Who are these people to tell us how to write or how many stars we should give. Go and try it for yourself. Like all the other restaurants in Collingswood, they are some of the nicest hardworking people around and deserve our support. I have seen first hand how some people carry on out in public and then smear a good establishment because they had a minor problem. You know the type - impossible to please and miserable. Pros: Tropical theme, great food, friendly servers, owner encourages feedback Cons: Can get too busy more

I just want to encourage users here to do a little reality check. All of a sudden, every single review here gives this restaurant five stars. A five star restaurant should be flawless. The food should be outstanding, and the service flawless.\r \r I have eaten here two times. Once a couple of months ago, and once very recently. I have found the food to be somewhat inconsistent. Fish was moist one time, dry another. Our appetzers were tasty one time, but bland on another. The service left something to be desired - with the server once telling me he had too many tables to manage. The thing that bothered me the most was this most recent time - our server told us about the bad reviews, and encouraged us to come here and give the restaurant five stars. A friend in touch with the local dining scene then told me about how the owner has been politicing with patrons, and writing things all over every restaurant review site he can, including posting reviews of his own restaurant. All of this, combined with the sudden rash of reviews, all of them rating the place ""excellent"" leave a bad taste in my mouth - especially based on my recent experience.\r \r Pros: ambience Cons: owner lobbying people to vote for his restaurant more

I just had brunch at Casona, and it was excellent. My friend and I had the Huevos Racheros and the Eggs Benedict - nice and tasty. The service was fast and friendly, the porch and inerior are gorgeous, the management solid. Saw some folks with kids in there. The owner greeted, sat and checked on us. We comented to him how happy we were and then chatted. I usually wait until after a few times to render an opinion or give a user review, but .... Will update after dinner.. Can't wait to come back! Don't miss brunch! Pros: Gorgeous Porch and Interior, Friendly Service, Great Brunch Cons: Can be a little chilly more

Casona is a beautiful restaurant with above average food and service. It operates out of a renovated manse and it's main feature is it's grand wrap around porch. My favorites on the dinner menu are the churrasco steak and the vaca frita. The paella is also very good. Brunch is my favorite meal and Casona does it great. It's the perfect place to spend part of a lazy Sunday. Start off with a cafe con leche and a glass of fresh orange juice. The huevos rancheros are tasty and spicy. The arepa eggs benidict is thier version of the classic and very popular. They also have omlettes and french toast, etc. Casona has been highly rated by Zagat, Craig LaBan and many other reputable publicaions and sites. Most user reviews are positive also. Of course there are always bashers. These reviews seem to be written by the same people from site to site. Not every time at Casona has been perfect, but they try to fix what ever issue that arises at the time. Some people just look for problems and then seem to enjoy bashing. The management and staff at Casona are dedicated to service. It must be hard to take when people go out of their way to hurt them. I support Casona and the other great restaurants in the area. Don't listen to the negative reviews. I'm sure there have been times when the staff has gotten ""in the weeds,"" but I sure it was not because they were ""wildly overburdened"" as one ""reviewer"" writes. The china, flatware and glassware and table settings are nice as well. I don't expect a BYO to set out expensive wine glasses because they get broken all of the time. Thier wine service is first rate. Judge for yourself and experience the passion these indidviduals have for hospitality. Pros: Caribbean feel open air restaurant with very good food and service Cons: Lunch menu is limited, wait times more

I'VE NEVER HAD BETTER SERVICE IN A RESTARAUNT BEFORE!!!\r I PERSONNALLY TEND TO CHOOSE A RESTARAUNT FIRST BASED ON AMBIANCE, THEN FOOD & LASTLY SERVICE. CASONA DELIVERS ON ALL THREE.\r THE PORCH & CAPE MAY ATMOSPHERE WERE AMAZING, THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS & THE SERVICE FROM MANAGER TO WAITRESS WAS EXCEPTIONAL!!!!\r CASONA WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME BY SEVERAL FRIENDS & I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT AS WELL. more

Just a great place. Fine food and setting. This after multiple visits and trying many menu items. One or two visits simply do not make for fair reviews. The reviews also are in from.\r The Inquirer, the Courier Post, Philadelphia Magazine,etc.\r All rate Casona highly (food and service). Check these sources for yourself.! Not to be missed:\r black bean soup, Casona salad, lechon, filet mignon, and flans of all sorts.\r The weekend brunches feature several unique items. So far we have tried the huevos rancheros,\r tropical fresh fruit waffle and eggs benedict with arepas and sausage.. We ate every bite, and\r are going back for more!\r \r Pros: Try the Cuban sandwich! Cons: The place is addictive. more

This place ROCKS! Went to dinner here on Saturday night with friends. They told me how awesome this place is and I had a hard time at first thinking Collingswood NJ could have the sort of trendy restaurant they described.....but I was wrong. This place has a great latin atmosphere with a super-cool porch that is ideal on a summer night. The salmon was so delicious and the moro rice was the best I've ever had. There was a band playing latin jazz music on the porch and that was an extra bonus we didn't expect. The service staff was great and the manager even came to our table to see how we were doing. Casona's rocks.....very pleasant surprise in Collingswood! Pros: music, food, atmosphere, service Cons: no liquer sold in Collingswood more

This was our first visit to Casona's. While visiting Collingswood from Washington DC for Labor Day weekend we went here for Sunday brunch. The very friendly staff immediatly sat us and brought us water & coffee. She was so charming and engaged us in friendly conversation and really made us feel welcome and at home. She treated us like we were the most loyal and frequent customers to Casona's even though it was our first time there! The menu had so many choices and they all looked good, but we settled on the Arepa Eggs Benedict and Waffle Tropical. WOW! We sampled from each others plates and the flavors were terrific! We appreciated the charm of the wrap-around dine-outside porch that had fresh cut flowers on each table. I'd imagine this place is gorgous at nigth. From friendly customer service to excellent food, this restaurant exceeded our expectations. Pros: food, service & ambience Cons: wish i had a bigger appetite to try more of the food. don't bring kids on weekends..please more

Hearing about all the hype we had to try Casona. Six of us went there last night. We sat on the grand wrap around porch. Let me tell you, speaking on behalf of my friends, we were all impressed from the time we approached this beautiful restaurant to the time we left. By the way we closed the place because we felt as if we were on vacation in the Carribean and did not want the experience to come to an end. We ordered some appetizers for the table, which consisted of Habana Muduros, Nacho Style Mariquitas and Yucca Frita. Let me tell you we were having a party in our mouth. The flavors were delightful. Some of the entrees we ordered were the Arroz con Pollo, Paella, Grilled Tuna Steak and Churrasco Steak. As I tasted each, the flavors got better and better. We were approached by Mr. Grillo, who we were very anxious to meet, because as per the quote from Philadelphia magazine he indeed is the true ?Latin King?. Mr. Grillo asked how we were all doing and asked us about each dish. We could say enough about our experience. He actually brought the executive Chef to our table so we could meet him. The staff was attentive to our every need. The glasses were all sparking clean and there were no foreign objects floating in our water. I seem to think all of this hype on city search is really good for Casona because for a holiday weekend this place was rock-in. I have to go now I do not want to miss the award winning brunch today. Pros: Party in my mouth Cons: do not eat there if your estrogen levels are thru the roof more

My husband and I eat here all the time. I have to say we eat out a lot and Casona is definitely one of our favorite places. we especially enjoy sitting out on their beautiful porch. Weather we go by ourselves or with friends we always have a great time (thanks to the BYOB) and a great meal.\r My favorite salad is the Citrica salad. Its huge and you can order it by itself or with shrimp chicken or tuna. If I order it as my main dish I usually order it with the tuna its amazing.\r The appetizers are all really good. We especially like the Mariqurtas, Habana Maduro, Empanadas and the Casona trio. All are big enough to share!\r , My husband almost always gets ether the Paella or the Churrasco. I like to switch it up a bit. If there is a special that's what I get. I have to say I really have never been disappointed. Its always good.\r We have only been there once for brunch. Only because we feel to guilty getting a baby-sitter on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. It is such a shame let me tell you when we did go I had a lovely fruit salad and eggs Benedict. It wasn't your typical eggs Benedict it was Spanish style and oh my God! \r \r Is there anybody out there willing to take my kids to the park on a Sunday morning so I can get me some eggs benedict??????????? Pros: Outside seating, friendly service Cons: It gets a bit busy on the weekends, all the good ones do more

I never go to a restaurant expecting perfection - it doesn't exsist. Excellence can be achieved though. Casona has great promise. From the time we entered, my wife and I were almost stunned by the gorgeous landscaping and the interior, the porch is perfect for a relaxing evening in Collingswood. Craig LaBan is right. You feel like you are trasprted to the Caribbean. Sure they have minor issues, but what restaurant doesn't. I had to send my steak back because it was slightly undercooked. They fixed it and it was great. We shared the shrimp ceviche - it was typical but very good. My wife ahd the salmon well done. She loved it and so did I. I don't even like salmon. We had two cafe con leches then the tres leches dessert - yum. The owner happened to be entertaining friends last evening. We sat on the porch at a table near where the owner and his party were. Our server told us who he was and how upset he and the staff were over this disgusting bashing. He and his party seemed to be having a great time. He got up from his table about five or six times to check on things. Why are some of these people so bent on bringing him and Casona down. How is collsgirl28 qualified to judge if their kitchen is big enough? I think the owner has more experience then her. Unless she is another restaurantuer. If so well.... He explained the problems that occur and why. I think his explanations hold more weight. When we finsished, my server asked us to review the restaurant here and on other sites. That's why you are seeing more reviews. Good for them... We will be back.. Pros: Gorgeous landscaping and interior, fun atmosphere, good food and service, great salmon Cons: Minor delays, food temp, can be noisy, staff a little jittery more

I am not sure what to say here. A friend told me about the controversy brewing here about this place. I am amazed at the disparate opionions. Either really bad or really good. I guess it depends on your perspective.\r \r I specifically came over the bridge into NJ twice to have dinner here. I am a huge fan of cuban food. I'm not sure this is the place I would send people to get the best of it in the area though.\r \r On two separate occasions, I was served an entree while my partner was left to sit and wait another 10-15 minutes for his to come out of the kitchen. Trying to track down our server was a chore - she was overwhelmed with the number of tables she was serving. I was a waiter for several years and boy is it easy to recognize when this is going on!\r \r Service issues aside, I have not found the food here to be particularly authentic or inventive. There is just something lacking in my opinion - maybe they are experiencing growing pains or still working out the kinks, I don't know.\r \r In any case, its hard to believe after my experience that anybody could sing the praises of this place like they have here. I am certainly not ""bashing"" here, just being truthful in saying that there are many other places in this area with better service and phenomenal food; your money would be much better spent at any of them. Pros: ambience Cons: authenticity, wait staff wildly overburdened more

I do not know Mr. Grillo. I became a member of this website because I was almost dissuaded from going to Casana based on negative reviews I read here.\r \r I had reservations for 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night. My guest and I were seated promptly. I was wary of the service due to complaints I had read. Our waitress' name was Maura and she did an outstanding job. \r \r Any complaints I might have are minor and pale in comparison to the overall enjoyable dining experience. \r I liked the band on the porch, but it did at times hinder conversation at a normal speaking level. I probably would have liked a little more leg room as far as the tables' proximity to each other.\r \r However, these are minor complaints. The food was fantastic. My recollection of the dishes' Spanish names is weak ,so I will describe them. The pork with melted cheese between a split plantain and the yucca fries were great appetizers. I ordered the paella. I was more than satisfied with a heaping mound of delicious rice, shrimp, lobster, chicken, mussells, clams, etc. For dessert, we had flan which was also excellent.\r \r I was accompanied by a woman of Latin ancestry, who was also highly complimentary of the meal.\r \r I would highly recommend the restaurant as a pleasant dining experience.\r \r Pros: Ambience, Service, Food Cons: Minor - Noise level at times, tables' proximity more

What a wonderful dining experience..from the porch setting to the excellent service and delicious food, Casona exceeded my expectations! Don't listen to negativity. Experience Casona and you, too, will be writing an exceptional review. Way to go Casona. Keep up the good service and delicious food. The atmosphere speaks for itself! more

I deliver furniture and just came from Collingswood, where I had lunch. My co-worker and I decided to try Casona for lunch. When we got there I recognized the owner from Tierra Colombiana and Mixto. He recognized me as well and was happy to see me again. We were greeted, sat, and served by him. We split an appetizer sampler then I had the Cuban sandwich which was great and my buddy had the ropa vieja. He liked his to. We also had tropical sodas. Service was fast and attentive, even though they were busy and the phone was ringing like mad. I'm glad I finally got to go and am looking forward to dinner there with my girlfriend. Once we were about to leave, the owner asked us again how everything was and we told him. He then asked us to go to this site and others and give the place an ""honest and constructive"" review. His suggestion. I normally would until after a few visits to do such a thing, but after reading the trash that's been written, I felt compelled to do it now. I wonder what the real reasons are for these people trying to hurt Casona and it's management. If anyone is abusive and nasty to them, what do you expect? Collingswood is a good community and it's the kind of place I want to live someday. When I get out school and can afford it that is. It's disgusting to see a good place like Casona be bashed by it's own residents. If a place that supports the town is having issues, some of you would wish them to fail. Wow, that's objective. This review is real and I'm sure there will be many others, good and bad. This bashing has brought even more attention to Casona. The place may have it's issues, but it has many loyal supporters.Congrats!!! Pros: Great Cuban sandwich and platters, great outdoor seating on the porch Cons: Sensative management, small lunch menu more

Having been to this fine restaurant on several occasions, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. To start the staff that work here go out of their way to make you feel welcome and really seem to enjoy working here rather than just a job. All the meals I have had here have come in a normal timely manner, and the presentation of the food has always been a wonderful surprise. I have tried many different types of entrees for both lunch & dinner but I mostly come in for lunch and enjoy their awesome salads with black bean soup. The salads have included a generous portion of greens with either grilled chicken strips or shrimp along with fresh mango and avacado. Highly recommended! The restaurant overall has a niced relaxed atmosphere - you can either sit on the porch outside or enjoy the indoors and still feel a nice gentle breeze during the nice weather. If you're looking for unique exquisite food and a relaxed comfortable setting, you'll find it all here. Pros: Ambience, Service, Food, In town for shopping Cons: Parking more