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Casona
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 3 pm
Tue-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
66 reviews for Casona
Review Highlights
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"their wrap-around porch is awesome when it's nice out." In 2 reviews -
"Lechon Asado (Pork) with plantains on top AMAZING." In 4 reviews -
"Desserts - Great key lime pie and coconut flan." In 3 reviews
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66 reviews in English
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Review from Dan P.
Wilmington, DE
12/20/2011
Had a nice experience here. Staff was very accommodating and we had a great meal. To start off with had reservations at 6:30 pm on a Sat for 2. Called and requested to change to to party of 4 about an hour before and they were able to change it.
Once we got there table was ready for us without any wait time. They gave us first dibs on a table outside and we asked to move inside, again no issues. Over all service was great, place was a little busy but our server came by enough for us. Server was not over bearing and checking every 5 minutes, but that was ok with us. I saw that she would come out occasionally without bother us to see where we were at to make sure the food was fired correctly. Also when we walked in, they brought out an ice bucket right away for our wine and opened it for us. This place is BYOB.
Onto the food, appetizers, the Yucca frites were awesome. Very lightly fried and salted. Guacamole sampler was nice. Portion was perfect for 4 people, would have been too much for 2 people. Came out with traditional, crab, shrimp, and green tomatillo. It was good, fresh, though I prefer more of a whole chunky style, for that style it was good.
Entrees, we had the Tuna, was ok, we wouldn't order it again, it wasn't bad but compare to other 3 dishes was just lacking a little flavor. The rice and beans that came with it were tasty though. Steak fajitas were nicely cooked, came out sizzling and had a good amount of steak. The quality of the steak was nice too. Chilean Sea Bass was really delicious. Melt in your mouth softness. Pea sauce was nice and creamy. No complaints about it really. Paella was huge!. Ordered and only ate half of it, took other half home. Good amount of seafood in it and chicken. Would have been nice to have a piece of chorizo in it. Other that that it was just a little too salty, but really nit picking. Rice in it was tasty and creamy.
Desert was the only part of the meal that was really a let down. Cappacino was excellent, very strong. The Cream Cheese burrito was a big let down. Flan was good but nothing special.
Over all experince was great and will be returning. Atmosphere was very relaxed and were looking forward to going again soon to reorder the dishes and try they Mohito Mix. Well probably skip the dessert though.
Also there's only street parking so you have to look for parking yourself which kinda sucks. -
Review from Ken M.
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
We had been to Casona once before for dinner (I forgot to write a review). This afternoon I had a strange craving for Guac & Chips that I had to satisfy. (maybe it was the nice weather today?) ....... I think Casona's guacamole is VERY good (better than Tortilla Press or La Esperanza).
So, off to Casona we went. They were serving Sunday brunch and Guac was not on the menu? No problem, our server (Diana) was able to get a batch whipped up for us. Yummmm. We devoured them. Just a note, you can get the guacamoles in different styles, we like the 'traditional' the best. Also, we like to ask for a 50/50 of both corn tortillas AND plantain chips for scooping.
Kate had the Aprepas Rellenas (Reina Pepiada avocado chicken) cornmeal pattie. She liked it ( I thought it was just meh). Thing is, it was listed as a entree but that was all she got, just one small/lonesome pattie on her plate...... no accompaniment? This needed a little somethin' somethin' on the side!
I got the Cubano sandwich, it was just okay. The good part was the bread, it had good flavor and a nice crunch to it. However, the innards were bland, the pork kind of tasted gamey. I have had better Cuban sandwiches elsewhere.
Our server (Diana) was on point and so were the bus persons. Our water glasses were refreshed in a timely manner, the plates were cleared quickly; and the bathroom was clean.
We'll be back again, maybe for dinner or another guac fix. -
Review from J W.
Westville, NJ
3/15/2012
A mixed bag for this BYOB. The service was pretty poor, which may have made me be a bit harsh on the food. The hostess confused our reservation, and we had to explain when we called, who we were, and the time of our reservation multiple times as she was not really getting it or not listening. We asked not to be seated outside on the porch and had to repeat ourselves again once she brought us out to the porch. It seemed like it was our server's first day, or something, because she couldn't answer simple questions such as "are the oysters raw or baked?" and didn't offer to go check. After she took our order it was the last we saw of her before she brought the check. Someone else brought our food out and it took over an hour to get our food. We watched people come in long after us and go before us.
The food was good. I had the citrus marinated pork dish and although good, it just seemed like it was missing something, maybe more plantains, just... something. On the way out we saw was the Paella looked like, and I might have to give it one more try because it looked delicious. -
Review from Chris P.
Philadelphia, PA
1/17/2012
The food was relatively pretty good. The temperature could have been hotter - both brunch dishes were warm. My eggs Benedict with chorizo had 3 tiny pieces of chorizo slices - ranging in size from a dime to a quarter - and about 1/4 of an inch thick. The eggs were delicious - but when told that was the typical amount of chorizo, I was a bit disappointed. Isn't the meat a typical ingredient in eggs Benedict? Otherwise, the place was very clean and cute, the staff was extremely nice and pleasant and everything was served fairly timely.
I would recommend this place, but I wouldn't spend the money on eggs Benedict if you're hoping the chorizo plays a larger role in the dish. -
Review from Sonya H.
Palmyra, NJ
5/18/2012
I miss the old chef and the old menu. All of my old favorites have been taken off the menu or changed. The only reason I would still consider going is for the guacamole. We are sad to not be excited about Casona anymore, it used to be one of our favorites!
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Review from Sue K.
Moorestown, NJ
5/6/2012
The only thing good about this place is the guacamole. It was my first time there last night for my husband's birthday and we were both so disappointed. The food was terrible. I ordered the mexican chicken which is beyond bad. A dry chicken breast on top of corn chips, yes I said corn chips and black beans and salsa thrown on top. Really?? Terrible about sums it up! And my husband order the Lechon Asado which was bland and tasteless! What a huge disappointment. Don't waste your money! I will never go back again!
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Review from T K.
Cherry Hill, NJ
4/24/2012
Probably won't be returning. Two of us dined on a Friday evening. I made a reservation, and we were immediatly seated -- although not approached by a server for a while. The server, while very nice and accomodating, was very slow. There was a guitarist and singer performing in the dining room. They were talented, but so loud my date and I couldn't hear each other while they were playing. Further, we agreed we would have rather heard more authentic Cuban music lightly playing. The guacamole was good. I ordered salad and he ordered soup. My salad was a nice size. His soup was luke warm, bland and just plain bad. For dinner I ordered ceviche and he ordered a traditional Cuban chicken dish. My ceviche was just ok. Nothing special. He is Latin and expecting authenticity in the meal and it was just awful...and cold. He sent it back due to temperature. When the meal returned there was - I kid you not - one little chunk of chicken the size of a quarter, a few slices of sausage and a ton of rice. The meal was inedible. Thank goodness it's a BYOB and we had brought good wine! There are plenty of better spots in Collingswood. If I'm in the mood for Latin food, I'm hitting Tortilla Press next time.
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Review from Candice B.
Philadelphia, PA
11/13/2011
I scheduled a Meetup event here after a couple of people suggested it. Then I crossed my fingers because the reviews here are so mixed.
Boyfriend and I arrived a little early to get the table and get settled. I let the hostess know that this was for Meetup, and that some people might not show up. She got flustered and gave me attitude, but then I think she realized I told her so she (1) had fair warning and (2) knew we were willing to give back tables because it's Saturday night. As it turns out, everyone showed up.
The food was delicious. I shared the yucca fries with guacamole and mojo sauce. The guacamole was very fresh. For my entree, I opted for the cubed pork with rice and beans, tamale, and plantains with avocado salsa. I boxed up half and left the table satiated. No complaints on portion sizes here.
Service was adequate. No one waited an epic amount of time for their meal, and everything came out at the same time. But, although our waitress was nice enough, she mostly ignored us. At no point did someone ask the group, "How is everything?" or, "Do you need anything else?" At the end of the night, one dessert was missed entirely, and there was never a chance to chase it down. I would think a restaurant would like to make a big group feel welcome.
The food was good enough that I would come back if the opportunity arose. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to hop the PATCO to come out JUST to come here. It's certainly convenient, and sometimes it's nice to get out of the city, but I can easily walk to places in Philly and get the same quality of food and far better service. -
Review from Laura O.
Haddonfield, NJ
12/7/2011
The restaurant booked our reservation for the wrong night, which started the night off on a bad foot. The service was slow, it took almost an hour for our entrees to be served.
Got muscles appetizer, they were delicious. For an entree I had the Cuban vegetarian, which was awful and I don't recommend. The plantains were impossible to cut or chew through and the entire dish was poorly seasoned, the only part of it I enjoyed was the rice and beans.
I wouldn't return here. -
Review from Lisa W.
11/10/2011
Casona is a great option if you are tired of the sea of Italian restaurants that line Haddon Ave.
Husband and I checked in with the host and were asked if we wanted to sit inside or out. We opted for the porch which is great. I like that they keep it open all year round even if the coverings are a tad bit ugly to look at and the temperature isn't very consistent. This was partially my fault as I took the table that happened to have a heating vent right under my chair.
We decided we were hungry so we opted to start with the traditional guacamole and the watercress salad. I don't eat guac so I can't comment personally on it's taste, but I'm told it was very fresh. It was accompanied by plantain and tortilla chips and both were very tasty. The watercress salad was topped with grilled pears, pecans, and blue cheese and served in a honey-balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was very fresh although the dressing was a little bit too sweet. Both the guac and salad portions were very large. Definitely enough to share.
For entrees we ordered the lechon asada and the chuleta de cerdo. The pork chops were pounded thin and covered in a breadcrumb/spice mixture. They came with mashed sweet potatoes nicely piped into a neat little pile and asparagus. The sauce, a guava sauce, wasn't directly on the pork chop. Instead it was spread on the bottom of the plate with the asparagus. I didn't really taste too much guava, but that's ok. Husband liked his lechon asada. Very citrusy and tasty. The portion sizes aren't huge for the price that you are paying, but definitely more than enough to satisfy. -
Review from Big C.
Williamstown, NJ
2/20/2012
Wow, what a place. Absoultley loved it. The entire staff was freindly and very knowlegable to the menu. If your looking for a nice place that is a different than the same old steak or italian place then look no further.
Stop in the summer and check out the oudoor wrap around porch (closed in during winter months) make sure to bring your own drinks, it is a BYOB. However, if you bring the liquor they can mix you up some of the best Mojitos you have ever had.
Who would of thought that Cuban food in NJ would be so good, Kutos to the chef.
Oh yea, some nights you may even see a little salsa dancing taking place by a few of the workers...
Been there four times now, and will def be back..... -
Review from Janice M.
Marlton, NJ
7/20/2011
The first time I went to Casona was for lunch and I LOVED it. Great service, loved the food. I'm Cuban and have grown up with Cuban food so I'm VERY particular about my Cuban cuisine and I was happy with this place.
So I decided to take my parents and my sister for my mom's birthday. SOOOO disappointed!! The food didn't taste the same. The lechon had some odd flavor that definitely wasn't Cuban. Was definitely not prepared the same as the first time I had it just a few weeks before.
The worst was the service. First, we weren't acknowledged when we arrived at the hostess desk. She was busy reprimanding the staff for apparently over booking tables. Then we were shoved into a way too tight table where the people behind me kept backing into my chair...HARD. Since the waiter didn't offer any specials, I assumed there weren't any. So we ordered. Then I hear him offering the specials to the next table! Nice. Finally I get coffee...and no sugar. I ask for the sugar and never got it. My sister had to go to the bar and get sugar since I was squeezed so tight into my seat that I couldn't get up.
I felt really bad that my entire party was disappointed with this place. I thought I'd take my parents to a nice Cuban place and it was just bad all around. Very sad considering I was such a huge fan after my first visit. Not to mention that I was happy to find a Cuban place nearby without having to go to Philly. -
Review from jason c.
Key Largo, FL
2/9/2012
went here on our tour of restaurant's in collingswood and this was a great place to eat
had the 'tuna dish' and it was outstanding, cant wait to go back and get it again, got the guacamole app , good, sat on the porch which im sure is great is the summer but this was in dec, so a little cold at times until the heat came on, very nice waiter and was there when we needed him, they have it going on here -
Review from Brittany F.
Runnemede, NJ
7/27/2011 1 photo
Mmmm.... Casona.
My friend took me here for my b'day dinner about a week ago. I must say, I LOVE their food. This is a numbered review type place.
1) We got there, the computer went down, they had no record of our reservation but they quickly apologized and sat us right away.
2)It's a BYOB, so we went tequila in hand and they made us Margarita mix. It was, so good!!!
3) Appetizers:
-Tuna and watermelon ceviche: SOOOO GOOD! I don't even eat seafood.
-Empanada trio: I loved the cheese one and the beef one, chicken one, was ok.
-plantain chips and guacamole: HEAVEN!! It was so good... so so good.
4) Entrees: My friend ordered Ropa Vieja, it was really good. I had Arroz con Pollo and it was pretty good. Great portion sizes. -
Review from Ryan W.
Collingswood, NJ
Updated - 5/19/2011 Seated via OpenTable 3 Check-ins Here
I feel like I want to like Casona more than I actually do.
The first time I visited I was blown away by the food and had wonderful service, every visit since then has been further and further from that first whimsical visit.
Aside from the guacamole, which never fails, the food has been hit or miss, with some dishes being great and others not so great.
However, what has been lacking is the service. Ordering anything takes forever, whether its another glass of water, your appetizer, dinner or check. I wouldn't go to Casona if you have plans after, you'll likely be late.
On our most recent visit, we were seated and waiting for water for a good 15 minutes. 15 minutes before we were even recognized by a server who had to cover maybe three tables, on a Wednesday night.
The food has been pretty good to me, for the most part, but the service and attention to customers really needs to be worked on. There are a lot of other places that serve good guacamole.Listed in: We'll supply the food, you…, Pass The Guac
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/30/2011
I can't remember the last meal I had that was as good all around as this meal was.
I like my food,… Read more »
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Review from Fred C.
Cherry Hill, NJ
6/25/2011
Seating on the outdoor porch was pleasant.
Our appetizer of mussels was quite good. The sauce was excellent.
The paella entree (please, no comments about all those mussels; there were also clams, lobster, sausage,rice, etc.) was a generous portion, easily enough for two, and a solid 4.0.
There was one outstanding blemish . . . when the bus man cleared our appetizer course, he attempted to leave our knives and forks . . . an intolerable faux pax in an upscale restaurant. Otherwise, the service was attentive and pleasant.
We will return -
Review from JR C.
Cherry Hill, NJ
3/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Where to start with this place?
We had a reservation, but they were waiting for a couple of tables to finish. No biggie...they opened our wine, and we were totally sated. We were eventually seated at a corner table on their very nice deck, which unfortunately, still had plastic sheeting down for the winter. In any case, we ordered the shrimp ceviche and a sampler platter for an appetizer. The ceviche was amazing, as was the sampler; the empenadas were too good to be true.
Fast forward to dinner...I got the seafood paella was better than what I remember getting in Spain. The rice was perfect, and it was loaded with chicken, shrimp, mussels, clams, and a half lobster tail. Way more than I could finish. My wife had the churrasco steak, and it was perfectly rare, well seasoned, and the mushroom ragout was one of the best side dishes I've ever had!
I'll ding them a couple points for not having proper red wine glasses, but they made those points up everywhere else! -
Review from t d.
Atco, NJ
1/1/2012
I'll start by saying I might give them another chance but never on a night like New Year's Eve.
Everything "Casually D." wrote is correct. Our group of 3 arrived on time for our 7 o'clock reservation. Our appetizers arrived at 8:30pm! Everyone was running around like mad trying to figure out what the heck was going on...
I ordered the Paella "a signature dish." The rice wasn't COOKED, it was still crunchy! I tasted my friend's white rice & it was perfectly cooked. I had my friends taste mine dish to confirm. I absolutely hate sending food back but this was unacceptable waiting 2 hours for food & for $55!! I sent it back & the waitress apologized & seemed completely frazzled. It came out again, crucnhy & UNDERCOOKED - the same only hotter. I got HOTTER too! We assumed they just tossed it in the microwave. At some point I dropped my fork & asked for a new one but I never got the fork so I used the spoon from the $9.95 Virgin Mojito Pitcher. I told the waitress I didn't want the food! She got so confused & said she would ask someone else what my options were... haha After helping a few other customers she told me they would take off a percentage of the bill.
Since we had nothing but time on our hands to wait for dessert we figured at least $25 off would be acceptable. BTW, we ordered 2 coffees with our dessert. At least 15-20 minutes later or dessert arrived without coffee. The Banana Crepes were disgusting, Tres Leches was delish but thrown on a plate & the flan was mediocre.
And then the bill... -$15.00! I have never been so angry. I went up to a woman (at this point I was not waiting for anyone, I was so ready to make a scene), who appeared to be in some sort of control. I asked if she was the manager & after she said yes I showed her my bill. She had absolutely no clue about this situation & the waitress came over & try to cover for it. The 'manager' removed my entire bill & apologized.
I said I would return only because she tried to fix this & because my friend said he's been there several times & was completely appalled by the situation.
WOW! Happy New Year to us! A 3 HOUR ORDEAL...good thing I had good company.
Seinfeld Episode: ESTELLE: What am I supposed to do with all this Paella? -
Review from Seth T.
Collingswood, NJ
4/28/2011
Food:
We had the empanadas and the paella. The empanadas were delicious, and came with some delicious sauces and what I believe was garlic mayonnaise. Our order came with three empanadas (ground beef, shredded pork and cheese), which was sufficient for two people to share. The shredded pork was the best.
The paella was not as good. It was a lot of food; the paella for two would have been sufficient for at least three people, and maybe four. However, a lot of the seafood was badly overcooked, especially the lobster and the calamari, which was like biting into a rubber band. For a $50 dish, that's kind of disappointing.
Service:
No problems.
Decor/ambiance:
The restaurant is in a large house, which has been converted. We sat on the porch deck, which was very nice on a 70 degree day. I've sat inside on a prior trip, which wasn't as nice, but its OK.
The verdict:
OK, but overpriced for the quality. Its a BYOB establishment, which mitigates the price, but at $70 or so for two people, I'd like the restaurant's cooks to do a better job than I would do in my own kitchen. If I go back in the future, I'm going to stick to the very good empanadas and maybe try a salad. -
Review from Bob O.
Cherry Hill, NJ
1/19/2011
Great option for Cuban Food in South Jersey!
Casona occupies an old house on Haddon Ave and retains the majority of the original footprint and architecture of the residence. As a result, the atmosphere is warm, cozy, and comfortable -- as if you're dining in someone's home. The wrap-around deck is amazing and a perfect option for those looking to dine Alfresco.
I would highly recommend making reservations (http://opentable.com) in advance for the deck, however, as it fills up fast. Otherwise, you (and your date), will be the only loners sitting inside watching everyone having a great time on the deck. I know this from experience.
The food is solid and the menu really offers some flavors that are unique for the area.
We started our meal with the Empanadas, which admittedly weren't great. Kind of reminded me of deep-fried hot pockets and had an almost "processed" taste, not my favorite. We were concerned that the rest of our meal was going to follow suit but were pleasantly surprised when the entrées arrived.
The presentation and flavors of the entrées were dead-on. I ordered the Chuleta de Cerdo which was a beautiful french-cut pork chop with perfect grill marks served with a side of asparagus. I usually don't order pork unless I think the chef will cook it properly, and Casona delivered! If the bone was edible I probably would have eaten it, too!
My only quibble was with the "Mashed Sweet Potatoes". I was expecting a side of potatoes, whereas I was given a quarter-sized dollop of sweet potato puree attached to the bone of the pork chop via a pastry bag. Lame, but forgivable.
My wife ordered the Mexican Chicken. The presentation was spot-on but she complained that it was bland and severely under-seasoned. I tasted it and thought the flavors were great, but agreed it could benefit from a little more salt/seasoning. But still a great, unique dish.
Dessert was a home-run. Don't head out without a Tres Leches or Café con Leche Cubano, you can thank me later.
The staff and owners are very friendly and dedicated to providing the best service possible. A wonderful escape from the usual, lackluster chains and eateries in southern NJ. -
Review from Jessica M.
Philadelphia, PA
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a reservation at Casona recently and was really looking forward to checking it out. At first glance at the menu, it reminded me of Mixto in Center City which I love so I was eager to see what they had to offer.
It must be noted that I had plans after dinner and wanted to keep my dinner relatively light. If/when I return I hope to have the opportunity to really dig into the entrees and will review again....
But on to this visit ...
Food - We ordered the guacamole sampler for our table of four. It had so much potential but really fell flat. The different varieties should have had so much flavor - we're talking Asian tuna, crab, shrimp & grapefruit and roasted tomatillo. The only one with a real taste was the crab variety and even that left me emotionless. I would have been just as happy with Wholly Guacamole from the supermarket.
For my entree I had the Ensalada Mexicana. This was good. That's it. I was glad that I added grilled shrimp to it to give it a little more taste.
Again, when/if I return I will definitely step up my ordering as those who know me know I would have chosen something else had I not had plans following the early meal. I am thinking Ropa Vieja which is a favorite of mine.
My friends seemed to have enjoyed their meals well enough but no one was freaking out about anything, leading me to believe that they might have felt the same way.
Service - Service was ok, waiter was attentive enough but not too pushy. What I did find odd was when the manager-type guy delivered our guac and we asked which one was which he pulled a face and struggled to tell us. Hmmm....this is one of your signatures....how do you even have to think about it? Weird.
Price - Dishes were on the pricey side. I was surprised and taken aback. While it is a BYO and that tends to be the case, it still raised an eyebrow for me. Our bill wasn't out of control because we didn't order in excess but I can see how the check could get out of hand.
When all is said and done, I love Mexican and Cuban and I can enjoy pretty much any of it anywhere. I just wouldn't make a special trip here when there are many better options much closer to home. -
Review from Richard R.
Cherry Hill, NJ
9/12/2011
We were here for Sunday brunch. Food was great, staff friendly. We were able to be seated on the veranda. Everything was very good and the Yucca fries were fantastic. Maybe a little pricey but its seems everything is these days. Nice brunch spot. I would come back again.
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Review from Gary C.
Woodstown, NJ
9/26/2011
Slow Service. Waitress was more interested in texting. Food is NOT worth the price paid. Portions small. Atmosphere is nice. No Extras. Will try back to see if dinners is any better than lunch! Stay Tuned!
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Review from Nicole R.
Philadelphia, PA
7/27/2010
My husband and I came out to Casona this past Saturday after hearing how great the restaurant was from a friend. We live in Center City Philly but were looking for something different then the usual places we go in town. We truly enjoyed our experience. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful and the food was amazing. We tried a few things from the menu... the traditional guacamole and plantain chips to start followed by the shrimp cerviche. For our main entree we shared the Seafood Paella (SO good). For dessert we tasted the Tres Leches AND the Caramel Flan (We had never had either before) both were DELICIOUS!! Of course this was way to much food for us but we really looked forward to eating our leftovers the next day.
I was a little hesitant eating at a new restaurant since I've been primarily a Raw Vegan since March but I haven't ruled seafood completely out of my diet. I was REALLY pleased that the veggies and seafood were so fresh and the dishes were NOT salty.
I'm so glad that we found out about this gem in Haddonfield. We look forward to coming back to Casona (preferably on a night that's not 90+ degrees) so we can dine on the gorgeous porch and try some of the other dishes on the menu.
Thanks for a wonderful experience! -
Review from KJ S.
Gloucester City, NJ
2/12/2012
Went here for lunch with a couple of friends, and we were all pleased. The guacamole is great, and the shrimp cerviche is quite tasty too. I didn't think their Cuban sandwich was so amazing, but I've never been a huge fan of it. I loved the stuffed plaintain. My other friend got a pork sandwich and it was super tasty. I love that they give you the choice of tortilla chips or plaintain chips - or a mix of both!
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Review from Ryan G.
5/9/2008 1 photo
At this point, I'm just looking up the places I love and writing nothing but good things about them...
I live a few minutes from Casona and it's like a fat man living right next to McDonald's - bad news. Their food is top notch. I think they're called yukes... some type of French fry that's really starchy but they serve them with guacamole and garlic mayo as an appetizer. Again, bad news - you'll get addicted!
For some reason, we always get the same server. I told my girlfriend she's a red-haired version of Cheryl from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Anyways, she's super nice as well as everyone else that works there. Every time I go in, they offer me a cappuccino while I wait; waiting to take out, not to sit.
I always judge a restaurant mainly on food and atmosphere. I'm easy to please but this place might be the best spot in Collingswood. In regards to the atmosphere, it's this awesome old house with a wraparound porch. You can sit on the porch or the "living room" all year round. My suggestion, sit on the porch if it's a nice night, bring a bottle of wine and enjoy (BYOB). -
Review from jennifer F.
Northern Liberties/ Fishtown, PA
8/10/2009 2 photos
Charming restaurant situated in a quiet area of South Jersey with outdoor seating available on their porch.
Here's what we got -
Mango Pico de Gallo - very good with plantain chips and regular tortilla chips.
Lechon Asado (Pork) with plantains on top AMAZING!! This is a great choice if you're a meat eater.
Chicken Moluteno - not so good, sauce was amazing but the chicken had a VERY weird texture, sort of like my beagle's chew toy (not recommended).
Desserts - Great key lime pie and coconut flan.
And yes, there's vegan and veg options (other than salad). They have vegetarian paella!!
NOTE - it's a byob, so make sure you get your libations before going to the restaurant, otherwise you could end up in Camden at some corner bodega with options such as Ol' E or Colt 45.... -
Review from Jim M.
4/5/2009
I went here last Friday to celebrate a friends birthday.
We started off with two orders of empanadas, cheese and chicken. The empanadas were nice and crispy. The chicken was pretty good and had some spicy and the cheese ones were pretty good. Unfortunately they were the best part of the meal.
For the main course I had lechon asado, which is citrus-marinated pork, slow roasted Cuban-style with white rice & maduros. The dish came out as meat and maduros on top of a bed of white rice. The pork was tender, but it didn't have any citrus taste. The pork was also EXTREMELY salty. Like someone doubled or tripled the salt in the recipe. I had to down a couple of glasses of water just to get through the dish.(My friends dish was also similarly very salty). The rice was over cooked, and had chunks which were extremely hard and crunchy.
I had the chocolate mousse for dessert. Mousse is usually light and fluffy. What I got was heavy and custard like.
Good ideas for food, bad execution. I"m not going back. -
Review from Sean H.
South Plainfield, NJ
8/24/2011
Overpriced and mediocre at best. Beef was dry and overcooked lechon asado was like cat food Bleh...
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Review from Angela H.
5/18/2011
Geared up with 8 of my favorite friends and a bottle in hand each = a fantastic night at Casona. This BYOB offers seating for large parties, drink mixers to go great with tequila AND most importantly, satisfying appetizers/entrees for a decent price. With left-overs in hand I even was able to feed the boyfriend later. Zing!
Listed in: BYOs
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Review from Sammy S.
Manhattan, NY
2/4/2012
Very pleasant and helpful staff, found us a table on a very busy night after we struck out at a few restaurants down the road. Accomodated, with a smile, three changes of wine glasses. Good prices and quality/quantity. Had a great Ceviche starter and the lime pork dish was great. The paella was overcooked with too much sauce - this i should have known after 3 months in Spain were good paella was always made to order and took 45min to an hour to arrive at the table. Overall, a solid dining experience, would not drive the 30 miles just for this, but would definitely go back again.
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Review from Elisa D.
Cherry Hill, NJ
9/12/2011
Consistently yummy food. Cuban food is not something you easily find in our area and South Jersey. I've visited with different friends, not all sure they would enjoy an unusual menu and all left really pleased. I've been here for lunch and dinner numerous times and never disappointed. If you go in nice weather, sitting on the patio is a nice change.
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Review from Christopher R.
Philadelphia, PA
1/22/2009
I guess I'll need to keep looking for a good Cuban spot. My hopes that this would be a good low-key alternative to some of the uber-pretentious places in Philly were dashed when I actually went here for a meal. Its a shame that the atmosphere and the outdoor seating near a great people-watching spot is wasted on such disappointing food.
The yuca frites were unappetizingly starchy. Each bite felt and tasted like a raw potato. The guacamole that came with it, though, was chunky and perfect. I wish I had something worth dipping into it with on my plate.
The ceviche was kind of pathetic. It was literally four pieces of shrimp on a place with some mango slices and bland fried cornmeal balls. It tasted like nothing. The ceviche down the street at Tortilla Press is far superior.
The arroz con pollo cubana was a mess. It had maybe five or six small pieces of tough, tastless chicken in it. It was also far too salty, though my date and I couldn't determine if this was due to the olives or the tomato sauce. I think it mnight be the sauce, because I couldn't figure out what it was actually supposed to taste like, and it seems like neither could the chef so he just went to town with the salt. The presentation, like with the ceviche, was not good. It was just a big spoonful of rice-sauce-olives-and-chicken mush heaped haphazardly on the plate.
My date and I left feeling okay about the meal, but that turned out to be false enthusiasm, because by the time our friends asked about it two hours later it had turned into a definite "will not be returning."
I will admit that my poor dining experience could partially be my fault. I ate Cuban food and ordered dishes containing neither pork nor black beans. But based on what I've tried, I wouldn't hold out much hope that it would be any better. -
Review from Joseph W.
Philadelphia, PA
8/31/2011
Sea Bass Cerviche and Paella are excellent!
Dessert was lack luster - Crème brûlée was horrible - shallow dish lacked creamy texture. Skip Dessert. -
Review from Laura S.
Oaklyn, NJ
7/11/2008
This place is a great find in the Italian soaked downtown of Collingswood. The BYO Mojito pitcher hit the spot. Plus the price can't be beat. I had the shredded pork entree, a favorite of mine, it was flavorful and the sides were also delicious. I agree with a previous reviewer about the french fry type appetizer served with guac...it was out of this world.
We sat out on the porch on a gorgeous night. All in all it was just a great dining experience and I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Vlad K.
Cherry Hill, NJ
8/11/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I really liked Casona.
It's has a nice quiet setting that's a bit unique and offers a great (and from what I understand more authentic than the rest) Cuban menu. Everything I've tried was delicious and in a sense the fact that it's BYO is a plus, as you can bring exactly what you want to drink and don't have to pay extra for it... -
Review from Eileen M.
Mt Laurel, NJ
9/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Wrap around porch is great. The guacamole sampler is INSANE! It should come with a warning how large it is. Even after sharing I was unable to eat my entree.
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Review from Jennifer R.
Mt Laurel, NJ
9/25/2011
Food is always awesome, but service is hit/miss. I've had 2 bad service experiences here, once when there was 1 other table (service was horribly slow) & today wen it was packed. Today we had to ask our waiter 4 times for the check, had to go to the bar & ask for the 2nd cup of water he forgot. The busboy was more helpful (we should have left him the tip to be honest). Eventually my husband tossed a few singles on the table & went up to the bar to get the check. I understand if it's busy, but acknowledge it, apologize, something. We went 2 weeks ago for brunch & it was wonderful service. So - hit/miss.
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Review from Luis G.
Collingswood, NJ
3/30/2009
I have eaten here several times, and I'd say the food was decent. Being a cuban american, I'd say the food isn't 100% authentic, but it's closer than the "cuban" places in Philly.
The Yuca Frita is probably one of the best things on the menu, and the Churrasco Steak was also good. -
Review from Joanne B.
Woodbury, NJ
7/29/2011
Eek...actually sums it up! First of all, they need MORE servers. After being seated and given just water (it's byob and it was clearly seen that we brought BIG ASS bottle of red) it took the server 15+ minutes to give us wine glasses!! And it wasnt even the waiter that brought them out, it was the hostess...I mean seriously?!? It was just downhill from there. More waiting just to order food! Prices were not reflective of the quality, maybe cause I'm partial to Cuban food aroun Miami. The crab guac had minimal pieces of crab, not even lump :(. The sea bass ceviche was mediocre, I've had better at dive joints in Philly. I wasn't even gonna try the paella, I remembered it being awful from dining here previously. I thought about walking after waiting so long for those wine glasses, I should've done just so!! I really do hope the service and food gets better.
