Bebe F.
Google
It took me a while to write this review because my experiences at El Viejo Almacén Argentina Cuisine were truly night and day. The strong service and incredible food during our first visit left such an impression that, even after a disappointing return two nights later, I still believe the restaurant has potential worth noting.
EVAAC is a beautiful space with rustic decor and warm lighting that feels both old and modern at once. When we first stumbled upon it while exploring Old San Juan, we were tired, hungry, and instantly drawn in. That initial meal was unforgettable. We ordered the garlic shrimp, caprese salad, chicken ravioli, and both beef and chicken empanadas. Everything was delicious. The caprese was so good I asked for bread to soak up the remaining olive oil and vinegar; not only did our waitress bring bread, she added a little extra to the plate. The chicken ravioli was silky smooth, melting in your mouth long before you needed to chew. The empanadas were crisp on the outside and bursting with flavor. The service matched the food attentive, warm, and genuine. It was the kind of meal that makes you want to return.
Two nights later, we did. And unfortunately, the experience was the opposite.
I ordered the same caprese, garlic shrimp, and the onion and cheese empanadas. Instead, I was served chicken. We waited fifteen minutes for the corrected order, and then the waitress returned to tell me they were out of shrimp. We switched to the lamb ravioli with bolognese. My husband enjoyed the ravioli itself but thought the bolognese made the dish heavier than he preferred. I requested bread three times before it arrived, placed harshly on the table. When I asked for olive oil and vinegar, I was told flatly, “We don’t do that.” I explained that on our previous visit, the waitress kindly added more to my plate. She brought the bottles but set them down forcefully on the small, already crowded table and walked away. After that, she disappeared. Another staff member eventually brought our to-go containers and the check while she stood in a far corner of the restaurant watching us.
Despite the stark difference between visits, the strong service we received on our first night truly outweighed the second experience. The food, when prepared and served with care, is excellent some of the best we had in Old San Juan. I hope our second visit was an exception rather than the rule, because this restaurant has all the makings of a memorable dining experience when the service aligns with the quality of the kitchen.
