Citrus Cafe

I really wish I could leave a better review because I loved this place before they closed for renovations. The food quality and value are still excellent, however the service on my 2 previous trips has been awful. The waitstaff is friendly but disorganized and undertrained. On my most recent trip my mother and I ordered simple breakfasts (eggs, bacon, coffee, etc). My order came out about 30 min after ordering but my mothers did not. I watched as the waitress took other orders bussed tables, and ten min later brought the wrong order to my mother.
I have worked in restaurants before and I am sensitive to busy days but there was only a handful of tables in the restaurant and 2 other servers.
I hope this feedback helps management to improve service as there is lots of potential.

I love their bakery department. The breads and traditional Colombian baked goods are amazing. They also have a wide array of empanadas. The restaurant looks very clean and the staff is very friendly.

Decided to stop in for lunch after reading all the positive Unilocal reviews. But upon entering I was not greeted or even acknowledged by the 2 younger servers who were behind the counter. A young lady was on the phone and the other young man worked behind the counter and pretended not to notice me standing right in front of him. I waited what seemed like 10 minutes without any employee so much as say hello or ask to take my order. There were maybe 5 other customers in the entire restaurant so it wasn’t like they were being overwhelmed by a hectic lunch crowd. I tried to get the attention of the young man but he tried to avoid eye contact with me and just walked away. It was evident that I was not welcomed here, or at least thats how it felt, maybe because I am not hispanic. I ended up walking out and headed to the Lavash City Grill about a block away, which had amazing food and service. Its too bad because I was really looking forward to trying something new and enjoying a nice south American dining experience. But with all the other restaurants in the area that serve similar type food, its really the level of customer service that will distinguish your establishment from the rest. With that being said I definitely will not be coming back.

A Columbian friend took us there. It turns out that our friend has a connection with Sandra the owner in Medillin. The food was delicious. I had a salad with grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, almonds, raisins, and a lemon vinaigrette dressing. The empanadas were also excellent. Finally, I had a meringue for dessert — also excellent.
We will return.

Fresh, authentic Colombian food and friendly service in this family-​run restaurant. So happy to see it return after a fire that closed it down. Healthy juices and empanadas that taste just like the homemade ones my mother-​in-​law makes. If you’re craving Colombian comfort food, definitely worth a visit.

I’ve only been here two times, and only once for a full blown meal, but based on these two times, I will def. be making this a place I go to frequently. This place is located on Main street, between a bunch of other great restaurants, many of them Colombian, and about 3 blocks away from where a Noches de Colombia will be opening. So needless to say, they have a lot of competition. However, Citrus sets itself apart from those already there, and sets a good standing place for itself before Noches comes in and tries to take over the area.
Let’s start with their coffee: the only place in the area that makes a great café con leche, although Pollos Mario is a close 2^nd, Colombia Bakery falls short, and Bohemia and Vilas I have not tried.
Empanadas de Carne (yellow corn meal stuffed with meat and potatoes) on the 1^st visit: Pollos Mario empanadas are wack (sorry) Colombia Bakery’s are wack (sorry) but Citrus was flavorful and very meaty. I hate when the empanadas are just potato with a bit of meat. I also had a cheese empanada (made from flour discs) and it was not cheap with the cheese, which makes for a great cheese empanada.
On my 1^st visit, we also had a chicharron dulce — it’s a flaky pastry stuffed with guava. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with Guava, and this one is great. Sometimes noches (in Englewood) are so old the Guava can be crusty. Everything else looked great, though I wasn’t able to try it.
My 2^nd visit, my husband and I went for breakfast after the lovely blizzard of 2016. He had a Calentado (Rice and beans, refried and mixed together) with Huevos Pericos (sort of like scrambled eggs except you scramble inside of the pan, not in a bowl) and Carne Asada (Steak), I had Calentado and Carne Asada. The steak was juicy and flavorful, the calentado was delicious, just like my momma’s. My husband enjoyed his eggs. We also ordered an AREPA DE CHOCOLO CON QUESO (Sweet corn patty with white cheese) — the arepa was amazing. It’s very hard to find a good arepa, very easy to find a crappy one. This one was perfect, heated up perfectly, not chewy like most places make them, and the perfect amount of sweet. I also had a café con leche while my husband had a delicious (Colombian style) hot chocolate.
The best part of the meal came when we received the check. Honestly, Citrus, raise the price on most things by a dollar!!! I’d still come back and pay the price. Everything was so cheap. (My calentado $ 7, my husbands $ 8, Arepa $ 4, Coffee $ 1, Chocolate $ 1)
We are so happy to find a good Colombian place in our neighborhood, and will def. keep returning. I hope they continue to gain a following in the area.

Absolutely blown away. Passion fruit, papaya, and guava milkshakes?! You’ve gotta be kidding me. The Hawaiian empanadas are ridiculously the best thing I’ve ever consumed over the course of my 20 years in this world. All of this coming at a minimal price! Unreal. The servers, management, and this one delivery guy may just be the most personable people in the land. What a great experience it was listening to classic Colombian music, I came out of the restaurant speaking near fluent Spanish. I’m bringing all friends, family, classmates, and teachers here for my next birthday party. Boom

I feel like I found a hidden gem in Hackensack. We went in for dinner on Sunday night the place has a quaint, welcoming atmosphere. We started with 4 empanadas a cheese, chicken, beef & a Hawaiian. All 4 were excellent hard to pick which one was the best they were that good! For the main course I had the bandeja paisa bring your appetite the plate had red beans and rice, steak, chorizo, plantains, arepa, avocado and an egg wow !!! My wife had the pechuga gratinada two chicken breast with tomato and melted mozzarella in a pink cream sauce. Both meals were really good we can’t wait to go back. I have to mention the service which was great from the time we walked in the door till we left everyone was friendly and attentive. I almost forgot to mention it is a BYOB.

We were heartbroken when a fire shut the business.
But on a lark, we drove by and it was open again!
We stopped in for Coffee, empanadas, and a variety of baked goods for a family gathering and were not disappointed. I’m hoping they are open today so we can enjoy desayuno again.
Good luck to the rebuilt Citrus!

We are heartbroken! A fire gutted our favorite place in the ‘sack and we don’t know how ti get in touch w our fave family. Jorge. …get in touch w gary and lydia and let us know you are all safe!!!

I love the empanadas they are all awesome I have no problem with this place I went with a couple of friends one day and we ordered lots of them. They did not have all the empanadas we wanted but they went and made more.

As a proud Colombian, I gotta say, absolutely love this place. Everything is super fresh and deliciosio! My fave is the iced coffee. I know, I know, I can get that anywhere. But if you watch them make it, it’s unique. Fresh juices are sooooo good!!! Que sigue el orguillo Colombiano! (Only 4 stars because the parking can be an issue) (although not their fault)

I get my empanadas here ALL THE TIME. Delicious, crispy, and generous with the filling. Wonderful owner and staff too!

My family stumbled upon this restaurant on our way home from bowling. What a great find! As other reviewers said, the empanadas and baked goods are good (we tried a beef empanada and a donut with caramel). They were very accommodating to my 3 year olds — brought them crayons and had kids meals on the menu.
My dish was delicious! I forget the exact name. It’s paisa in a bowl. The first layer is beans, then rice, then ground beef, then sausage mixed with fried pork. With a side of avocado. Yum! Would definitely order again.

I really enjoyed my meal here. The steak was very good and the coffee is strong! Definitely recommend if Your in the mood for Colombian

I’ve only had the empanadas, and they are fantastic. Crisp shell and salty gooey filling. Only $ 1!
I’ve had their cheese, ham/​pineapple, and caramel cheese. All were delicious. And they are huge, too. About the size of your hand. A bit greasy, though.

Empanadas are near perfect and can’t beat the price

Excellent Colombian food right in the heart of Hackensack. Citrus Café brings the right touch of modern flavors to typical Colombian dishes.
Try the homemade Morcilla. Yum!

Excellent Colombian bakery/​café/​restaurant. Very clean, good help, and the food is authentic.