Have done here for years and all the locations have excellent service. I usually don’t review places but it’s so good I came for that. I saw negative reviews and me being a business owner I can spot disgruntled employees and the friends they recruit to post negative reviews. My advice to the owners is to have a lawyer write a cease and desist letter for defamation. Social media and reviews should be honest, not for vengeance. Our family goes here all the time and the staff has always been wonderful, attentive, they get the orders right and check on the table to make sure we are enjoying the food. They even replaced a dish for my daughter when she didn’t like hers and a waitress noticed. Please be honest in reviews. Leave hate behind and go on with life. We will continue eating here and it actually makes me want to support them even more. To the negative people without a legitimate gripe, grown up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John
Went to their tent at chowder fest and they lied and said their nachos were vegetarian (they had ground beef) when we asked for another they made it with sour cream after requesting no sour cream… not sure if English is a second language or if they don’t care but go somewhere else if you’re in the mood for Mexican that actually listens when you order!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lindsay Sobon
Loved our food. I have purchased their homemade dressing twice now by the quart. Great authentic food. Lovely service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Krug
Very friendly staff. Great upbeat music. Did a take out order. It was nicely packaged and ready to go. Without a doubt, it was the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. Superb !!! Would go back again without hesitation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ray
If I could give this place 20 stars, I would! My wife and I stopped in for lunch and were absolutely blown away. She ordered the chicken quesadillas, I had the fish tacos, and together we shared the beef empanadas. Every single bite was off-the-charts delicious—the kind of food that makes you stop mid-conversation just to say wow. The portions were generous, the flavors were bold and authentic, and even the salsa was unforgettable.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Valentine, who is one of the most personable and genuine people you’ll ever meet. He took the time to connect with us, and it’s clear he pours his heart into this restaurant. We sat outside, enjoyed some people-watching, and honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect afternoon.
La Bamba is hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. If you’re anywhere nearby, do yourself a favor and go—you’ll thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Carpenter
We love this restaurant- staff is warm and friendly, food is excellent and authentic, and FRESH. Atmosphere is laid back and casual, like a beach spot should be. We can the night before my daughter’s 10 birthday and told the chef we planned coming for her birthday with friends the next day. He made a fresh beautiful and amazing tres leche cake just for her. La Bamba is a must to visit in LBI.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bryen Johnson
Hearing the manager yell at employees during my meal was very disturbing. Such treatment is unacceptable in Long Beach Island
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Reyhan Arı
I observed that employees were being pressured and spoken to harshly by management in front of customers. It was very upsetting to see staff working under verbal abuse and constant stress. No employee should have to work in such conditions. I strongly believe the government should take action to protect workers’ rights and prevent this kind of mistreatment.
Cindy Antika tanjung
I came here during dinner time and witnessed something very upsetting. A young employee was constantly scolded by her manager in front of customers. Eventually, she walked out and said loudly that her manager “treats people like animals.”
It was heartbreaking to see this during dinner service. A restaurant with multiple branches should treat its staff with respect and professionalism. No employee deserves to be humiliated in front of guests. I will not return until I see improvement.
Food was amazing and so was Paris, our waitress! Get the chicken empanadas and the fish tacosss
Gi Zupko
I have been coming here for years, today was really different. The waitress do not understand anything to say. They just yes you the whole time. Then they call another person for translation who also does not speak english. The food was cold and awful compared to previous years. I tried so hard to understand her and tried to speak to her in spanish as well since she, I believe to be Portuguese but it didn't help. Ask to speak to maybe a manager and the cook came out. I spoke to him in his language and all he did was bring us back warmer sauce for enchiladas. Very disappointed.
UPDATE YOUR HOURS
Have done here for years and all the locations have excellent service. I usually don’t review places but it’s so good I came for that. I saw negative reviews and me being a business owner I can spot disgruntled employees and the friends they recruit to post negative reviews. My advice to the owners is to have a lawyer write a cease and desist letter for defamation. Social media and reviews should be honest, not for vengeance. Our family goes here all the time and the staff has always been wonderful, attentive, they get the orders right and check on the table to make sure we are enjoying the food. They even replaced a dish for my daughter when she didn’t like hers and a waitress noticed.
Please be honest in reviews. Leave hate behind and go on with life.
We will continue eating here and it actually makes me want to support them even more.
To the negative people without a legitimate gripe, grown up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went to their tent at chowder fest and they lied and said their nachos were vegetarian (they had ground beef) when we asked for another they made it with sour cream after requesting no sour cream… not sure if English is a second language or if they don’t care but go somewhere else if you’re in the mood for Mexican that actually listens when you order!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Loved our food. I have purchased their homemade dressing twice now by the quart. Great authentic food. Lovely service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very friendly staff. Great upbeat music. Did a take out order. It was nicely packaged and ready to go. Without a doubt, it was the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. Superb !!! Would go back again without hesitation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give this place 20 stars, I would! My wife and I stopped in for lunch and were absolutely blown away. She ordered the chicken quesadillas, I had the fish tacos, and together we shared the beef empanadas. Every single bite was off-the-charts delicious—the kind of food that makes you stop mid-conversation just to say wow. The portions were generous, the flavors were bold and authentic, and even the salsa was unforgettable.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Valentine, who is one of the most personable and genuine people you’ll ever meet. He took the time to connect with us, and it’s clear he pours his heart into this restaurant. We sat outside, enjoyed some people-watching, and honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect afternoon.
La Bamba is hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. If you’re anywhere nearby, do yourself a favor and go—you’ll thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We love this restaurant- staff is warm and friendly, food is excellent and authentic, and FRESH. Atmosphere is laid back and casual, like a beach spot should be. We can the night before my daughter’s 10 birthday and told the chef we planned coming for her birthday with friends the next day. He made a fresh beautiful and amazing tres leche cake just for her. La Bamba is a must to visit in LBI.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hearing the manager yell at employees during my meal was very disturbing. Such treatment is unacceptable in Long Beach Island
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
I observed that employees were being pressured and spoken to harshly by management in front of customers. It was very upsetting to see staff working under verbal abuse and constant stress. No employee should have to work in such conditions. I strongly believe the government should take action to protect workers’ rights and prevent this kind of mistreatment.
I came here during dinner time and witnessed something very upsetting. A young employee was constantly scolded by her manager in front of customers. Eventually, she walked out and said loudly that her manager “treats people like animals.”
It was heartbreaking to see this during dinner service. A restaurant with multiple branches should treat its staff with respect and professionalism. No employee deserves to be humiliated in front of guests. I will not return until I see improvement.
Restaurantji Recommends
Best fish tacos I’ve ever had. Ordered takeout. It was just so good. I would highly recommend.
Food: 5
Service: 5
The customer service was so horrible. They made us tip without us even knowing which made us tip more so never eat here ever.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Nothing great. Tortas disappointing; wrong bread, overcooked cutlet, make-it-yourself slabs of cheese.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food was amazing and so was Paris, our waitress! Get the chicken empanadas and the fish tacosss
I have been coming here for years, today was really different. The waitress do not understand anything to say. They just yes you the whole time. Then they call another person for translation who also does not speak english. The food was cold and awful compared to previous years. I tried so hard to understand her and tried to speak to her in spanish as well since she, I believe to be Portuguese but it didn't help. Ask to speak to maybe a manager and the cook came out. I spoke to him in his language and all he did was bring us back warmer sauce for enchiladas. Very disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
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