Hugo E.
Yelp
Very good place of home-style Portuguese food. Been here a thousand times so it's time spread the knowledge. Here we go:
Menu:
You'll get an assortment of good Portuguese options. What you really want are the daily specials. Things range from your typical mediterranean cheesesteak (sirloin on a portuguese roll with cheese) that you can add extras such as peppers, to shrimp in garlic sauce, to a foot and a half skirt steak, to paelha. The "Bife da Casa" is a fantastically gooey dish of sirloin, gravy, melted cheese and ham surrounded by chip-style fries that are great for dipping. They have meat, poulty, fish and seafood dishes, so great variety points. Full bar and decent wine and beer options.
Quality:
Very tasty and ample. They do not skimp out and I have yet to meet a person that couldn't bring home leftovers for the next day if they wanted to. You won't see any super-fancy presentation accept for the roasting of the portuguese sausage, usually flambeed at your table.
Service:
Managing Owner is young with an energetic spirit and leads a very strong ship. Fast, courteous and with a knack of remembering your typical order when you show up more than once. Very casual with an Portuguese family flair. Service is quick, polite and clean.
Decor:
The bar is average, nothing really to write home about with a tavern/pub look to it. Long bar counter and ample tables are located here as well. Add some flat screen tv's and you got a good idea. The dining area however is cozy, kinda like a family dining room with enough space for 100 people. Last time I was there, they even had a large big screen tv - just like home lol.
Ambiance:
The bar is full of rowdy but courteous regulars and their families. The dining room is filled with either tables of 3-4 or birthday parties. You'll see suits mixed with dads mixed with blue collars. The place is not overly romantic, but good for a pre-gaming, week night dinner or sports filled sundays. Expect a lot of commotion on the weekends with patrons in the bar and family parties in the dining room. Many people are either locals or of Portuguese / Spaniard descent. Very mixed crowd early 20's or late 40's. Owner is a big European Soccer and Dallas Cowboys fan - which makes Sundays a great sports place. The jukebox plays a slew of music from all over. The staff ranges from young female bartenders and managing owner to the older owner in his late 50's.
Price:
Inexpensive - a sirloin cheese steak sandwhich is $6. Most plates that are over $20 are built for 2. Drinks are reasonable and never watered down. Very well priced for catering baptisms, dinner parties or any group-oriented event.
Parking: There is a private parking lot that fits about 30 cars right outside the door to the place.
Conclusion: This is a great representation of portugese-family-style restaurants that do not skimp out on taste or amount. Not a date place but definitely a friends night kind of place. Lots of good food that will never leave you dissatisfied. Being easy to get to, right off of Route 22, it's a great spot for that loud, obnoxious group of yours that loves good eats.
Pros:
Food taste
Food quality
Drink pour
Laid Back atmosphere
Family-like ambiance
Cons:
Parking lot may be small and packed
Not good for 1st dates
H-Cane's Final Spin:
I love this place. I usually grab dinner here before I go romp out to the weekend. They got two cooks that really know how to feed an appetite no problem. If you can get over loud and obnoxious - you got yourself a whole in the wall heaven that you can actually hold a decent family party at! If you like gourmet presentations - keep driving. If you like stuffing your face or stiff drinks - park it and play!
