El Gran Canario

There's a serious safety issue regarding your beans. After consuming them, my children and I developed food poisoning symptoms, including stomach cramps and diarrhea. We ate the beans from the small container and upon opening the large one, I noticed the beans were inexplicably bubbly and foamy, even while cold. It was also leaking from the sealed container. I found similar complaints from the past month, suggesting this is a recurring issue that needs immediate attention. This is very dangerous and you need to take it seriously!

I first want to say that my husband and I come often to Canario to buy the combo. The food is good. However yesterday my husband order a combo. And the beans most have been left out for the whole day. He bought it like after 5pm. Our two daughters and myself got sick from our stomach, diarrhea and all. The only one that didn't get sick was my husband because he doesn't eat beans. You guys should not sell old beans or beans that have been cooked for days to your customers. You are better of telling the customers that there is no beans at the time, instead of getting them sick.

I've tried to find something they don't do well, but failed. This place maintains cleanliness and the proprietors are friendly, attentive and honest. The restaurant proprietor displayed sweet consideration. I'm still dreaming about those flavors. I voiced appreciation for this spot.

I like the boneless chicken chunks. They taste good. Kinda spicy tasting and they have good flavor. I don't like that the white rice has tasted burnt several times already. They really need to learn how to cook rice and stop burning it. One time I went and the chicken was very oily and most of the breading fell off the chicken by the time I got home which was not good because that's where all the flavor is. They have to make sure the chicken itself has flavor too and not just the breading. I had to rest my chicken in the bag and you can see how much oil the bag soaked up in my pic I posted. The chicken is tasty but way too greasy. I also don't like that only like one person speaks English and they don't acknowledge you right away. Service and attitude can be improved. Also prices have gone up. I expect more food for the price.

Always yummy i got empanadas, a quipe, and a ham and cheese sandwich it tasted like a dominican bodega sandwich and the bread was fresh and nicely toasted. A few staples for me are also the pollo al horno and those beans taste amazing. Please dont switch the chefs whoever is cooking God bless their hands

Very Friendly Service , grabbed stew beef over white rice togo 🫡 tipped $10 i love family businesses many blessings

Lousy tasteless food! Do not waste your time unless you have money to waste. Chicken Blab, tasteless, rice blab, beans blab blab. Service Blab Blab. Save your money my friends, this is not latin food, not even an imitation.

Good food. The Flan was delicious. Stew Chicken Rice & Beans It was full plate

The best Dominican restaurant left in all of Williamsburg. The rest have gone to shyts. I really hope these guys stay in business forever. Super good food. Large portions. Reasonable prices.

A neighborhood Dominican restaurant which is delicious and yummy. All food are freshly prepared. Their rotisserie chicken is one of the best I have ever had. And chicharrón and beef curry are well seasoned and cooked to the perfection. A lot of regular customers come in for take out. There are some tables inside for dine in too. Do check if you are nearby.

I stood there for 10min watching them serving other Spanish speaking people walked in after me. They don't care and they don't speak English. Until some customers asked if I have been served I said no. Cause I don't know how much I couldn't find the menu. Then they spoke Spanish to the people at the serving station and they called their boss. The boss comes out and told me the food has no price and depends on what you pick. So i said a quarter chicken and maybe a side of rice. $9. Wow. Maybe I'm not used to this type of service and price. I don't feel welcome and won't come back.

Been coming here since I was a child , the best Dominican food in nyc , the vibe is impeccable it's a very family homey feel.

Ordered food to pick up over the phone .....they told me 20 minutes so I started going there after 30 minutes got there waited an extra 30 minutes more for just a picaderra ‍ And on top of that they fried it so much that it was so hard it hurt my teeth and mostly bones without any meat. The tostones were soggy as well. I'm sorry they are not what they were before any more. Ordered spaghetti that had no true Dominican taste either. I won't be going there again

All is forgiven, this food is good again. Couldn't stay away. They fixed the salty chicken. Everything is delicious. I go here often. Cheap and delicious.

Delicious, cheap, authentic. Walk up to the counter with a smile and don't be afraid to use your Spanish ;-)

Wonderful local Colombian spot with generous portions. There is often a line out the door when I walk by. Tried it today for the first time, this review is based on a single visit. It's a little confusing when you walk in: there were no apparent menus and no prices posted, you just point at what you want. They had several people behind the counter and they were happy to answer questions about what was being served. Standard round tin of rice or rice and beans, with a meat and veggies on top of you want (make sure you request vegetables if you want them, they are not automatic.) We got lunch specials at 4 pm. Line goes fast. I had Pollo Guisado (stewed chicken) Order consisted of three pieces of chicken, two legs and a thigh, which fell off the bone with just a gentle tug of the fork. Flavor was very nicely done, mild, with a delightful gravy which was quickly soaked up by the rice. I saw another customer ask for gravy in the side and wished I had followed this example when I got home, as the gravy entirely soaked up. I added my own hot sauce at home, the flavors are great but I wanted a little kick. It stood up well to my very robust hot sauces and required very little only for kick, not flavor. My husband got the Fried pork skin/Chicharron de Cerdo. Nice amount of meat, and absolutely lovely fried skin with good texture. It was slow eating due to the chewiness, but he was happy. He saved some of the meatier pieces for later (it was a huge amount of food for $10) but I doubt the skin would survived well, it was perfect crispiness but once it cooled it may have just been hard and greasy. I wouldn't know, we ate it all! Overall love that this is place is nearby. Will definitely go back. Found a takeout menu on request so I feel less unprepared next time, but winging it was kind of the charm.

Delicious Dominican food at a great price! My go-to restaurant when I don't want to make dinner.

Nope. For starters $10 for this? It was extremely dry. Not good at all. I didn't even finish it to be honest. Should've got halal from Sammy's in Williamsburg. This was gross.

Everything I've had here has been good, and it is such a treat to have a place nearby that make reliable Dominican food. There aren't that many around. The pernil is outstanding. I particularly like it served with Yuca. Plantain (maduros) are also outstanding. My go to is stewed chicken over peas and rice, which are just flavors you can't find anywhere else. Rotisserie chicken is nice, even if not as special. Espegetis (spaghetti) is OK, not a highlight though. Portion sizes are good for the money, particularly at lunch, but it does get a little crowded, so where a good mask at lunch! It's not the best food ever, but it is very satisfying. Note, there isn't really a published menu, so it can make ordering a little intimidating, and the staff isn't great at answering questions, especially if you don't speak spanish, but I have never felt like I got charged an outsiders premium there.

This food that I ordered was soooooooo nasty (no exaggeration). I put a small portion of food on a plate. The boneless chicken chunks was extremely salty, the white rice had hair in it and to make matters worse, the chicken empanada tasted like old and moldy chicken/w eggs/death. I immediately threw up after taking a bite. The lemonade tasted like metal as if they never clean their juice machine. I'm really appalled that I wasted my money on this establishment. I threw EVERYTHING away down to the limes... first and last time ordering from here. As far as I'm concerned, this place should be out of business.. I will be reporting this to DOH, that's how concerning this is.

When I stepped in I wondered why I dont order here more often, but as i was stepping out I was reminded why. Went here to order two small dishes as I was craving Dominican food and my experience is consistent with the few times ive come in. Pricing is inconsistent(because theres no prices really advertised) when we asked how much the two dishes cost, and sis had to think about it for a second, she charged us $15, IT WASNT EVEN A FULL MEAL. Didnt even have no beans,no rice, no maduros, no soda. Nothing. Last time i went i got two entrees with the works for $13. And food is just as salty as ever. Youd think since they charged $15 for this, their food would have more flavor than just 10 tablespoons of salt. I dont really give a flying flock paying $15 for food but not knowing how much youre going to get charged until the end of it all with a magic number is an eye roll.

Perfect Spanish food restaurant. Pernil is excellent and they also make great chicken and Cuban sandwiches.

It's my favorite in the neighborhood. Good prices and lots of food. Pollo guisado is so delicious.

Came here with a friend for lunch. We were legitimately immobilized by the array of delicious looking meats in front of us. It was so tough to choose our action plan that we decided to remind ourselves that we work around the corner and we can always come back again. I got the rotisserie chicken (A+) and dirty rice + black beans with steamed veggies. She ordered the rotisserie chicken with rice and beans and we split a side order of plantains. Eating this meal took me back to childhood memories of going to my neighbor Sandie's house for rice and beans after school. Simple + authentic! I can't believe my dish only cost $6. Seriously -- when is the last time you had a $6 lunch in NY that wasn't from a deli?! So yummy, I will most definitely be back to try the other 83496 entree selections ;)

as someone who was born and raised in Washington heights/dyckman which is basically Dominican food capitol of new york, I was relieved to find a actual real Dominican spot in Williamsburg. Tho I always get the same thing it hits the spot each time

Great Dominican food & the closest you'll find in this area. Dominican food is my favorite and this place does it well! Trust me, I know! No complaints.

Great roast chicken & healthy large portions of vegetables. Going keto? Go here for chicken pork & veggies!

I'm really surprised nobody has written a review of this place. Perhaps it's because it's in South Williamsburg, and as busy as it is; I have yet to see a single non-Hispanic person there. First off, the menu says Dominican food, but that wasn't an option so I used Peruvian instead; since the restaurant specializes in Pollo a la Brasa; which is usually associated with Peruvian cuisine. Also, I don't think they have a website either; so I just linked to their menu. That's all you need, amirite? Anyways, the food is delicious. The variety great. And it's super cheap. Also they are open in the morning for breakfast, and open late at night till 11 pm. It's also very clean and bright. I got a quarter chicken over rice and beans, with some spaghetti on the side. It was divine and only 5 bucks. It was a good three pounds of food. This link has the menu http://whereyoueat.com/El-Gran-Canario--3638.html All and all, a no frills, delicious, and affordable Dominican restaurant. There is a link below for the facebook page as well with some photos and more information. www.facebook.com/ElGranCanarioRestaurants

El Gran Canario is a small, unassuming Dominican takeout shop specializing in pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken). I walked by on a weekday around lunch time and there was a long line going out the door -- always a good sign. Lots of construction workers (portions are big!), mostly Spanish-speaking. You can get a plate of chicken and some side dishes for $5. My DC and I actually shared one plate. You can add a small soup for $1. On the day we went, there was a chicken soup and a vegetarian soup with sweet potato, chick peas, and beans. It was yummy! The food is hearty and simple, and the value is unbeatable. They also have beef, salads, milkshakes, and creme caramel.

Delivery time is super long! When the food actually arrived I was missing food. Customer service is horrible! I had to call several times to try to get my order fixed. I definitely don't recommend.

This joint is a throwback to a Williamsburg before the hipsters land and before the Wall Street bros landed after. A callback to when Williamsburg was largely inhabited by a very sizable Dominican community. Anyways enough with the history lesson. The food here is awesome, the rotisserie chicken is top-notch, portions are substantial and the prize is a bargain for the area. Try it out if you're looking for some good old Dominican food.

We were so disappointed that we made the long trek over to South Williamsburg on a rainy Tuesday night to get their Tuesday special of oxtail but there was none to be had. We ask if they has any from two of the servers at the steam table and all with got was a blank stare and on said "No (we have no oxtail)" and the other said "Yes (we have no oxtail)" with no explanation. The other guy behind the counter was speak some English to someone else but he was not offering any help. We leave hungry, disappointed and empty-handed. So come here will with a translator or a basic knowledge of Spanish. Note: at 7pm most of the food on the steam table looked very dry.

This is fire So much nostalgia-- tastes like my grandmas cooking. The flan is great too!

The food was mediocre. It was not the typical rotisserie chicken I'm accustomed to. I called in for delivery and speaking Spanish is a must. The delivery process was easy, they got the order correct however the food was cold. I honestly did not read yelp reviews before ordering, it was a quick impulse since everyone was hungry and it was near the house. Not sure I'd go back for seconds.

As good as home food.. Food is cooked fresh daily here.. never so far have been disappointed..

Chicken was as good as it smells (the smell was what drew me into the restaurant ) not sure why my 1/2 chicken with yellow rice and tossed green side salad was $12 - seems a little high compared to other Yelpers. I think I got the Asian tourist discount. Anyway the food was good and you can get by without speaking Spanish- just point.

Great food, fast delivery.! Had the rotisserie chicken and tostones. Tostones were fresh and not at all greasy or salty.

Best rotisserie chicken ever and of course it's a Dominican restaurant so the have all the fix ins. I've also use there catering services and both owners are accommodating to my needs for each of my special events.

I'd like to shout out my barber AJ for putting me on to El Gran Canario. After getting a cut at his studio one Friday night, I saw the menu for this restaurant sitting on his table. I said "What's this?" All he said was "Yo, that place is the bomb." That was enough for me. I'm always looking for under-the-radar spots in the Williamsburg area. What caught my eye right away is the dinner special which is emblazoned right on the front of the take-out menu. You can get a whole rotisserie chicken (pollo a la brasa-style), rice, beans, maduros (sweet plantains) and a 2-liter soda for $16. That is an amazing deal. My girlfriend and I ordered that very deal on a Saturday night when we were home and too lazy to cook. We called for delivery and it arrived in a little less than an hour. Pretty long wait but that's what we get for ordering at 8pm on a Saturday night. It seems like they have a pretty large delivery radius though. They came all the way to the East side. Decent portions, too. We had food leftover for the next day. I've never actually been inside the restaurant but my curiosity has been piqued because this food was definitely worth every penny of the $16 we paid. Very rich and filling. I'm still confused as to whether it's Peruvian or Dominican. I'm not sure the restaurant even knows. But whatever it is, it's worth a shot.

So...they are open late but they didn't have some of the specials listed on their menu. It was just about 7pm when we arrived. That is bad news. How are they going to handle dinners with items missing? It took a long time and they never acknowledged us. Bad service. Hard to figure out if they had oxtail or not at first. I didn't know nodding her head yes meant "no, they dont have oxtail!" hahah. Their unwillingness to help us made us leave disappointed and hungry. The food on the steam table looked DRY, DRY, DRY. The rotisserie chicken was all cut up and put onto the steam table...it looked dry!. Very unappetizing looking. All I saw was the chicken stew and beef stew left besides the dried up rotisserie chicken.

Today I ordered a luch delivery as usual, when I open up the rice dish, I saw what looks just like a pubic hair inside the rice that I was about to eat !!!....I call the owner of the restaurant, complained and got a refund. I would never eat here again. This restaurant went from 5 stars to -0 today.

Best Spanish food ever! I come here every time my mom doesn't feel like cooking. $6 a plate and fills you up. I love this place.

I WOULD DIE FOR THIS PLACE SO CHEAP! SO GOOD! delivery boy is super nice and knows my dogs name, so obviously he's a keeper.

Best Dominican cuisine in the Williamsburg area at a very good price and friendly staff

Rotisserie Chicken and grilled chicken breast are always great choices. Their food is amazing and never dissappoints my appetite! Cheap and good food you can never go wrong

If you're looking for some delicious Spanish food, then come to this place, their food is amazing. Their fried pork and yellow are absolutely mouth watering and their meat in general is so good. I come here every Saturday to eat and I love it.

Worst experience ever food came crazy late wasn't the right order and they had the nerve to be mad at me all you hear is chaos when you call food was mediocre

Really solid whole rotisserie chicken (which seems to cost $8-10 depending on how white they think you are), was not dried out; place has really good turnover most of the day. Roast pork is also good.

Full meal for $6. Was great, half a chicken with rice and beans. Everything was tasty and can't complain. Super casual and just tasty affordable food.

Yum yum yum! Almost everything at this place is delicious! The employees could use a few lessons in customer service. That doesn't stop me from ordering take out regularly. The food is just that good.

Really good loved it !!! Dominican food on point and very cheap at 6 dollars max !!!!

Honesty, just got a delivery to my job. My boyfriends friend Roberto had the food one day at the shop it smelled amazing! One day after that he ordered food for a few of us and we've been hooked! Delivery took 15 mins, 15mins!!!!! Which I find extremely impressive. Food tastes fresh and over all great place for food.

Have you ever tried to roast a chicken at home? Denying that the house becomes a sauna, you have to wait for your chicken to cook at least 2 hours. Forget that. Head to El Gran Canario, and ask for Combo #1 (pollo entero, arroz, habichuela, y maduras) and a 2 liter bottle of soda for $17 bucks. Granted, they only have Pepsi and Ginger Ale and it would be great if they had a diet 2 liter option. But what you get in return: Delicious Rotisserie Chicken, Rice and Beans that would make any Latino proud, Super Sweet Maduros, and most of all, dinner in 30 mins, rather than 120.

EVERYTHING always taste amazing ! Can't go wrong my co-workers love me for putting them on to this place lol . It's very mom and pop Dominicans you might have trouble getting someone who speaks perfect English. But it's worth the struggle.

I've only have had the chicken here and it is always very good. it is also inexpensive - 1/2 chicken some beans and a soda costs me 6.50. Also I like that they speak spanish, it keeps the wburg hipster crowd out of there. (also it's not peruvian not sure why it's listed as such I guess to white yelpers all spanish speakers are the same) They have other things as well but I just have chicken. They are also very friendly and have many regular customers which is a clear sign of the delicious quality of their food.

Now I gave this place one star not based on its food because it is delicious and I would recommend it to anyone. The reason as to why it's getting one star is it's inconsistent prices on food as well as how cheap the servers are. The prices on the food can be different depending on who is at the front to serve you. The prices inside the place is completely different from what they are charging in the grubhub. Example the oxtail stew with rice and beans on grub hub is $12 but if I walk in for the same exact amount it's $7 to $8 now that price varies depending on who is serving you but those are the facts. If you don't believe me order online then go into the store and order and see the difference.

I've seen a line out if this place on most afternoons. Starving one night, I came by when it was mostly empty. It's not immediately clear what their system is, and I think they're not used to non-Spanish speakers like me stopping in. But the lady behind the counter was pleasant enough, and put together a "lunch" platter of rice, beans, plantains and my choice of meat for $6. This is an incredible caloric bargain. All tasted very good, and I'm eager to try their other meats.