Apparently this establishment may have changed ownership at some point in the past because it's standard of service and lack of flavor in their cuisine had dramatically gotten worse. It's unfortunate. The management didn't properly staff their kitchen during a holiday weekend (Mother's Day) and it showed... My family consisted of "5" people and we ate dinner on Saturday with a 7:00 p.m. reservation, we arrived at 6:50 p.m.---to avoid the crowds on Mother's Day. There was a party taking place at the lower level---however, there was a lack of service and attentiveness to the patrons at the main level. We waited over an hour for our main dish! Bottled beer was over priced, they itemized and charged "per item" for a mojito, and they automatically included an 18% tip to the bill! Unfortunately, I can't recommend this place, such a shame.
Latin American restaurant
YAYOS LATIN CUISINE
Fort GreeneBrooklyn
Fort Greene
Brooklyn
The brief
About YAYOS LATIN CUISINE
Spacious spot a block from the Barclays Center serving classic Latin-American dishes.
Community Rating
4.2
out of 5
1,614 community reviews
Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.
Reviews
What diners say about YAYOS LATIN CUISINE
15 verified Google reviews · 11 with owner responses
4.3
15 reviews
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This place has been around for I don't know how long I've been going there since I was little remember my dad taking me and my brother and my mom. It just seems to me that they have watered down the flavor to cater to the new people in the area, doesn't have as much flavor and spices as it used to the food is still good. But not as good to me. The service is wonderful of people that work.There are wonderful , but I just wish the food had more flavor.
This was the perfect venue for our friend's retirement celebration. The staff handled our group with ease, and the food exceeded everyone's expectations. Pablo, our server, was the highlight of the night—his dedication and attention to detail made the occasion feel even more special. I will certainly be recommending this spot to others looking for great food and friendly service. The owner was also very kind and personable I believe his name was Robert.
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
I recently visited Yayo’s Latin Cuisine for a company dinner celebrating our director’s retirement, and it was a wonderful experience. The staff was very accommodating, friendly, and efficient, making it easy for our group to enjoy the evening together.<br><br>A special shoutout to Pablo for his excellent service. He was attentive, professional, and made sure everything ran smoothly. Great food and outstanding service; I would definitely recommend Yayo’s Latin Cuisine!
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
Had dinner with hubby. Our starters: plantains with guacamole and beef empanadas. I had the Yayo steak with mashed potatoes and he had fried pork chops with yellow rice and red beans. I had flan for dessert. Everything was super delicious and freshly made. Our server Gabriella was attentive, friendly and provided quick service. The space is large but also cozy. It has a relaxed vibe. Menu is electronic. Great for date night whether you dress up or down. I've been here before and I'm always very pleased.
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
I have been coming here for a bit. This is my second time with my co worker friend for girls hang out. I had the grilled chicken dinner and rum punch drinks. Pics attached of my meal. My friend had the fish dinner meal. It was great service then.<br>Today, Great afterwork spot for food & drinks for happy hour! Service was great. Gabriella was so sweet, kind and pleasant. She sat us in the dining room. She checked on u and also allow us to have space to enjoy our girls night. We had a great convo over some fried Flounder fish & Rum punch. 🍹🍽️ we will definitely back again. Please try them if u haven’t do so yet!!!
Response from the owner
Thanks you 🙏
While visiting Brooklyn right after an unexpected snow storm which I wasn't prepared for. I didn't have my hopes up but boy was I blown away! I have absolutely no complaints about anything except for one. They're in Brooklyn and I'm in Florida 😢😭 The good news, the owner told me they have a sister location in Kissimmee FL! Still too far but closer much closer than NY! Special shout out to the female bartender who gave my son and I excellent attention. Sorry I can't recall names this moment. I KNOW my son will be back. The ONLY downside was the parking but that's everywhere.
Response from the owner
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We visited recently and left disappointed overall. That said, the staff was very pleasant throughout our meal — a definite bright spot.<br>We started with a few appetizers — fried calamares and the empanadas were actually the highlight of the entire meal, but unfortunately everything else fell short. The yuca fries tasted of freezer burn, and the maduros were chunky and tough, nothing like they should be.<br>For entrees, we ordered the grilled pork chops and a churrasco (medium rare), but the steak came out closer to medium. To their credit, they did bring a replacement, which looked better — it was okay, but not what we expected.<br>The rice and beans were a letdown too. I genuinely don’t understand how a Latin restaurant can miss on rice and beans — it’s the foundation.<br>For dessert, the tres leches continued the theme of disappointment. The top half of the cake was dry, and it seemed like the milk had only soaked into the bottom layer.<br>One more thing worth mentioning — 18% gratuity was automatically added to our check, and there were only two of us. Just something to be aware of when you get your bill.<br>The empanadas, fried calamares, and the staff showed some promise, but the food overall just didn’t deliver. I’d have a hard time recommending this place.
Jessica was the best server! She made us feel welcomed ans had the best suggestions. The food is really delicious! Would definitely come back when I visit Brooklyn again!
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
Everything was delicious!!! Strong drinks, delicious food and amazing service! I had the mofongo de camarones and when I tell you it was to die for! To the point that I came home and couldn’t stop talking about it and a week later and I am still mentioning it.
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
Yayo’s offers a warm, inviting slice of Latin comfort in a relaxed Brooklyn setting. The exterior is unpretentious, but inside you’ll find a surprisingly spacious dining room with stylish murals, soft lighting, and neatly set tables that create a cozy, welcoming vibe. The bar is fully stocked, featuring an impressive range of spirits and multiple screens playing sports—perfect for casual drinks or catching a game. The kitchen delivers hearty, homestyle dishes; the roast pork and rice look tender, juicy, and generously portioned, prepared right in front of you with no shortcuts. There’s also a solid coffee setup for those who want something warm after a meal. Overall, this spot blends great food, friendly atmosphere, and neighborhood charm into a satisfying dining experience.
Response from the owner
🙏
The food at Yayos Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY was excellent, and the service was outstanding. We genuinely enjoyed our visit and are looking forward to going back soon.
Response from the owner
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I came to thsi restaurant because I heard the food is authentic and they have mofongo. The restaurant has a take out section, casual and formal dining, and a bar. The mofongo wasn't the best like i had in Puerto Rico. The Plantains were a bit dry with little seasoning. I've noticed that the garlic heightens the flavour of the Plantains. I had to ask the waiter for extra garlic source, which made a big difference. The tomato sauce was good.
Love this place! The service and food was great! They were able to accommodate a party of 20 last minute and did a fabulous job!! The wait wasn't as long as we anticipated. Thank you! We all can't wait to visit again! 🥰🫶🙌🏽
Response from the owner
Thank you 🙏
We went for a birthday celebration. The food was excellent and definitely budget friendly and we orderedway too much!! The Seafood Paella was out of this world. However, the staff is lacking. Took too long for our dinner and our waitress pretty much disappeared. She wanted me to sign the receipt again even though I already had paid the bill with the manager. I had to confirm with them that my bill was only processed once. Will I go back? Maybe.....
Response from the owner
Christine as a manager I apologize for the inconvenient and appreciate your feed back on your visit to yayos. Hopefully you give us a second chance so we can better the service and please don't hesitate to ask for my self the next time you visit us...thanks
Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.
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