Ajili-Mojili Review

Reviewed by Asshan from Ohio on 9/25/08
Based upon Fodor's pick we tried this restaurant. It is truly authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. It turned out that we didn't care for it, but not because it wasn't good food or prepared poorly. It is was our tastes. So if you like true Puerto Rican cuisine, then you will enjoy this restaurant. We certainly don't regret trying something different

Reviewed by nicop51 from Los Angeles CA on 4/29/08
The food is just incredible service was great had a great time in this place. I will compare this to he best restaurants any where in the world and the service is even better.

Reviewed by MadamePrez from Chicago on 3/10/08
I was one of a group of 12 that recently (Feb 08) went to Ajili-Mojili for dinner. Each of us were from different parts of the US and this place had come highly recommended. Two of us had previously dined here with no problems. What a difference time makes. The service was terrible. After 20 minutes we placed drink orders. After 30 our appetizer order was placed. We were done with these before our entree orders were taken. After waiting 1.5 hours for the food to come, we wondered why we hadn't seen our waiter. Apparently a larger group on the second floor took precedence. Not only was our waiter pulled in to service that group but the Manager as well which explains why they never came to our table when requested. They promised the food in another 30 minutes which would have been a 2-hour wait and at that point wasn't worth it. This place has had a serious decline in service over the last two years. The drinks were also watered down. What a shame.

Reviewed by mcruz from New York on 2/27/08
I was so disappointed at the service and the food at this restaurant. I was told there was a wait and waited 30 minutes. When we were seated the room we were placed in was half empty and only two parties left while I was waiting. I should have known better than to stay when I first walked in a customer was screaming about how he waited an hour for his food and that the service was poor! He was yelling at the manager and the manager zeroed out his bill! It is overpriced and overated. The food was OK, but the portions were small for the price. To make matters worse, they mixed "pegao" with my rice ... could not believe it! You'll have better luck in Orozco's and Latin Star on Ashford Avenue in Condado.

Reviewed by Tajarla from Great Barrington MA on 2/15/08
My wife and I were in San Juan for one week. Unfortunately both of us were under the weather for the entire week. We managed to feel well enough to go out to dinner for one nice meal(or so we thought). The concierge at the hotel directed us Ajili Mjili. We arrived to a place that resembled a Bennigans or TGIF. We were greeted and walked to our crappy booth with vinyl covered seats, upon sitting we became aware of just how tacky and bad this place was. It is truly on the level of Friendly's but just to add to the terrible environment it was filled with loud drunk Americans and, I kid you not, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator(?). We had traveled there by Taxi so we were committed to staying. If I had known how bad my Lobster Mofongo was going to be I would have walked back to the Hotel and had a grilled cheese. The drinks were watered down and tasteless, the service was disingenuous and slow. The bill was extremely large for the quality of the food. I had to literally walk to the host station and give my credit card to the host because our waiter had been gone for so long. We were also given attitude for walking to the host station to pay. This place is as authentic Puerto Rican restaurant as an "Olive Garden" is an authentic Italian restaurant. Just plain terrible. Go elsewhere there are some outstanding restaurants in Old San Juan.

Reviewed by UKFoodie from Dorset, England on 1/12/08
We wanted to taste and experience real Puerto Rican food and were recommended by 3 individual Puerto Ricans to try this restaurant. The Food was delicious and the waiter was welcoming and informative, answering all our questions about the dishes in detail and making helpful suggestions. We would go back (We'd love to try their Tapas night or Sunday Buffet) We were lucky to get a table - it was very busy with mainly local diners (December 22nd)- our advice - book ahead.

Reviewed by Roger_gossette from seattle on 12/6/07
On my last trip to Puerto Rico , I asked my hotel concierge where I could eat tipical Puerto Rican food and this restaurant was recommended. I had visited other restaurants in the San Juan Area which supposely served tipical food , but nothing like this restaurant. Everyone has their own opinion , but I found this restaurant great in food , service and prices were not that high. The ambiance was great, a beautiful plantation style home with great views of a lagoon and beach . I went 3 times in a row the week I was in PR. Highly recommend it !!!!!Seat

Reviewed by AR2802 from NEW YORK CITY on 11/1/07
STAY AWAY THIS RESTAURANT IS NOTHING BUT A TOURIST TRAP. YOU HAVE BETTER RESTAURANTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, LA DORADA, ROPA VIEJA AND OROSCO'S.

Reviewed by jam22 from NYC on 8/7/07
The place, sites, sounds and service kept me asking why it was so highly rated. The apps were good, the shrimp mofongo was ok, we tried to order three other dishes on a Saturday night and they were out of the Lobster mofongo, mahi-mahi, and i forget the third. We ate our appies and went off to another place...

Reviewed by BobandAngel from Jersey City on 4/26/07
This place was ridiculous. My partner and I showed up on a Sunday evening at 8 or so to celebrate my birthday. The place wasn't even close to full but they were basically out of every seafood dish (on an island??). And the prices! The mofongo w/ lobster was an insane $37 dollars- you can get a decent meal in Manhattan for a third that price. The decor reminded me of an Outback steakhouse or other chain restaurant. Needless to say, we didn't even bother to taste the food- we got right up from our seats and headed out. But before entering we had talked to a couple of other out-of-towners who said the food was mediocre at best, so we had an idea of what to expect. Tourist trap taken to a whole new level. Fodor's shame on you!

Reviewed by beachview23 from Philadelphia on 4/7/07
Service could improve however this food is worth the trip. Upper level dining. March 2007

Reviewed by larianna from Orlando florida on 11/19/06
The restaurant is situated in the heart of SAN Juan . The only restaurant in PR that is situated in the most beautiful property , a 19th century Hacienda like home .Food is great. No tourist trap !!!