Cibao Invita

I went there for lunch and was passed over by 2 servers because I don’t speak Spanish. That was very rude I work for the hospital and I will make sure nobody orders from here again.

I had very high hopes when I strolled in here with two friends on a Monday afternoon. I’ve had a lot of incredible experiences with Dominican food, including two incredible restaurants in the neighborhoods where I’ve lived in Jersey City and Paterson.
The selection in the hot food counter was easily the largest I’ve ever seen, on the scale of a midsized Chinese food buffet. Many of the options looked pretty enticing, with dishes featuring rice, pastas, meats, seafood, vegetables. Great if you like options; difficult if you’re indecisive and unfamiliar with Dominican food.
I had to primary beefs with this place — service and quality.
Although the restaurant was not particularly busy (I’ve heard of lines going almost at the door), it took a few minutes of me standing in line before one of the staff came over to take my order. That would have been fine, if the way in which the staff member did it did not make me feel like I were inconveniencing her and every item I requested were a burden.
The quality of the food was also mixed. Rather disappointingly, the meat that I ordered, roasted ribs, was thrown into the microwave for a minute before it was served. And one of the biggest benchmark sides for me in a Dominican restaurant, maduros (fried sweet plantains), were soggy and slimy, rather than crispy on the outside with a semi-​soft bite.
I would have given this restaurant two stars, if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve heard such great things about it from others.
If you are in Bayonne and craving Dominican food, give this place the benefit of the doubt, but, given the other options I have for incredible Dominican food, I for one will not be coming back.

Mmmm. Just thinking about it makes me feel hungry. Love the food! They have everything you would imagine. Customer service is alright. But I love to go and dine in, it makes me feel like home. Must try!

The Food and amount of variety is really good. There’s something for everyone here. The portions are good enough for two usually. Prices are reasonable considering the portion size. Plus the deliver which is a plus. The customer service is not bad but it’s not good either. I don’t come to places like this expecting amazing service so maybe my standards are low in that respect.

Very affordable very tasty Hispanic food. Love their empanadas and pernil. We always leave here happy

Visiting a relative in the hospital. Looking for a place to eat Unilocal showed this restaurant. Wife, daughter and I went in. A great variety of food from grease delicious high cholesterol good food to healthier salads, vegetables and seafood. Fast and friendly service. Will definitely go back if I am in Bayonne again.

Good food and the female servers are far nicer to men in general. plus, I speak Spanish. I was really impressed. The soul and energy of the Dominican people is such a welcomed and delightful contrast from the taciturn Mexican folks!

Food’s good, service is bad. I thought i was the only one who thought this, but after seeing other reviews, I’m glad to see everyone noticed these ill mannered employees. The woman attending us was so incredibly rude. And she looked bothered how we kept adding to our order. She just wanted a quick serve i guess? But it didnt even look like just her. all these chicks. The owner, on the other hand, is nice, and he even helps serve customers. Food is pretty okay.

If you don’t mind the bad attitude and lousy service you receive with the mediocre food you may enjoy this place. And double check your bill if you go more than once. I’ve never paid the same amount twice for the exact same order. The soups are delicious. So the only time I go there or ask someone to go for me is when I’m sick and want a decent soup. Oh but the snooty attitude … What a turn off.

Amazing, Spanish Food! Very reliable for catering And amazing Staff! The cleanliness And amiable kid/​family friendly environment makes a great place for lunch or even dinner out with the family or friends. Delivery is always on time and honestly speaking there food is the best!!!

Food was good but overpriced. I dined in and I paid $ 17 for some white rice, oxtails and a drink? It doesn’t make much sense. Most of the women who work there are incredibly rude. It was almost as if they were annoyed with me for not being able to speak Spanish. However, the owner is very nice. I feel bad that his employees make his business look bad.
It’s also very hard to decipher where the line starts and ends. I was on line for about 10 minutes being ignored while every man who walked in after me was greeted right away.
I probably won’t be going back or ordering from there anymore.

Food is delicious, women serving it are RUDE. I swear I only get immediate attention when accompanied by a man — OR — he’ll get attention while I’m completely ignored. My female cousin and I would come here for lunch but stopped going after realizing we will not get proper care bc we are the wrong sex.
I do love their food though. So now I just order for delivery!

Best Spanish style good hands down in Bayonne. HUGE variety to choose from, everything made fresh and home style. Meats are seasoned perfectly and cooked just right, not over done. Bring your patience when you come here though. Staff is short with customers and borderline rude. Especially if you don’t speak Spanish. Double check your order before you leave if taking it to go. My orders were missing or had the wrong stuff on several occasions. Overall a great eat. Cafeteria style buffet. Tables available to stay and eat, you can have them pack up the leftovers to take home. Not familiar with delivery but o heard it is slow and food often ends up cold when you get it.

Was in Bayonne helping my brother move some furniture he bought and asked around for a good place to eat. Cibao Invita was close and highly recommended. So we went in and the first thing that grabs you is the size of the buffet and the many options. Staff seemed hurried even though there were only about 10 people inside. The owner seemed friendly and helped us with our order. I liked the setup but so many choices can be overwhelming at first. So I chose the baked chicken, ribs, yellow rice, black beans and sweet plantains. The food was good and reminded me of home made. The beans were a little under done and could have used 30 more minutes cooking time. I would return for a quick bite if ever in Bayonne again but wouldn’t travel all the way for it.

Great food. great delivery

Great food. Wish I had someone to explain the ordering process because I felt so lost. The lady wasn’t very nice when I did order, but its whatever, I’d still go back there to eat lol.

Threatened by employee. Wow their employees are crazy women, I was just threatened. I ordered food for delivery including a cold milkshake, after 45mins called to see if it was on its way, & it still wasn’t so I cancelled the order. A girl calls me back after 1hour of waiting to tell me if I want the order I asked for a fresh unmelted fruit milkshake cus she made it an hour ago and she said no that she was doing me a favor by calling me and then threatened me if I didn’t take the delivery that they won’t deliver to me ever again! Wtf! I said excuse me did you really just threaten me wow. I was really ptfo and as hungry as I was it wasn’t worth getting cold food and a melted shake I ordered an hr ago, that still wasn’t on its way. I told her she could keep her food calling me with a nasty attitude. unbelievable Never again, I always like this places food and ate there in person and ordered often but they just killed it for me. This is why I dont support small business in this town so disrespectful and rude, who the hell do these women think they are? You wont need to deliver to me ever again, cus I wont give u my hard earn money. Like what a threat your taking away money from your business not mines what a moron. Sad that they make Spanish woman look nuts.

It’s true what everyone says. The food is delicious and it’s cheap too, but the service is horrible. They don’t ask «how can I help you» or anything. And when you’re indecisive like myself, they like grill you to order something NOW.

Had lunch here today wow!
The spanish food is really good
My girlfirend and I got a little crazy and ordered alot of stuff becuase everything looked and smelled great. (All the dishes are layed where you pick what you want and they serve you)
What we had :
1)Ribs stew (for u non Latino people lol ribs in a tomato based sauce over rice)
2)Pork chops with rice a red beans
3)Couple of pieces of fried chicken (yea lol we are going over board with the food)
4) Chicharrón (fried pork chunks)
Everything was fresh and portions are huge so go there hungry and you will not be disapointed :)
side note: why only 4 stars instead of 5 … as for others yes true about the ladies behind counter service was good but, the ladies behind the counter are a little direct (no service with a smile here) but who cares the food is dam good and you walk away full for under 30 bucks (yea 28 bucks for all that we ordered :) «stick a fork in me »

Visited this restaurant a few weeks and I will never return again. Overall this restaurant has potential as the food was good, however the service was awful. The women behind the counter are extremely rude, seem to hate their job, and act like they are doing you a favor by serving you food! I am a paying customer and I expect to walk into a restaurant & be treated with respect.
Quality service is something that this establishment lacks. The owners of Cibao need to replace the sucky snobs behind the counter & hire friendly smiling workers.