Ferry St. Barbecue

I came here for lunch one afternoon — horrible experience and service. I’m a reasonable person and I rarely give bad reviews but they have a lot of cleaning up to do.
PROS:
— we were immediately seated
CONS:
— after ordering, we waited so long that our lunch our was over. Our waitress (or whatever she was) completely forgot about our order.
— when the food arrived, it was cold
— my ribs were dry and salty AND they refused to give me BBQ sauce. Really? What’s ribs w/​o BBQ sauce?
— NO ONE spoke English (A huge problem for me)
— the staff lack the ability to multitask. When I went inside to ask for a bag, everyone was completely swamped and busy… and seemed annoyed that I didn’t know Spanish (that’s another issue… but I won’t go into it here)
— there were flies everywhere (GROSS); Flies land on s**** and leave saliva.
I cannot be bothered and will never return again. I wish them well in their business but they have to get it together.

Great Portuguese BBQ with hearty servings. They have finally purchased the property next door to create extra space, easing the long lines for tables that used to plague this place (because it’s so good). However, the wait service continues to absolutely suck. Expect not to be acknowledged when waiting for a table, and to wait a long time to have your order taken and then to get the bill. Basically you have to be a bit aggressive with the staff here to hurry them along and remind them of your presence. I say this despite being a 5+ year regular here — they recognize me, my family and know my order! So I’m dinging them one star for their awful service.

I definitely want to go back to this place. I ate here the other day before a Red Bulls match. It really does not look like anything at all so you probably won’t be bringing your wife or date here. But, it is a great place for a bunch of hungry guys.
I had a large size chicken and ribs combo and the portion was large enough for 2. The chicken was great. Easily a 5. I keep thinking about having it again. Very nicely seasoned, juicy and perfectly cooked. The ribs were probably in the 3.5 range. Very meaty but not quite as tasty as the chicken, possibly a tad undercooked for my taste. A good dish but not in the same class, in my opinion, as the chicken.

Let’s start off by stating the obvious. Their portions are enormous! I love getting the combo with chicken, rice, beans and fries. Which always ends up with a food coma but whatever it’s so good I don’t care. The prices are extremely affordable which makes this place even more popular. Give it a shot if you’re ever in the area.

I ate here recently because a friend recommended it. I was in the mood for ribs and so I figured I’d try this out. I was with a group of 8 friends. When we arrived it was a little busy, a lot of graduation groups went here. So I will look passed the seating service. Once we were seated, the server took a very long time to even give us menus, plates and utensils. Actually while we were sitting we were a little confused because of how long it took to be initially served. About 15 minutes of waiting passed and a server finally arrived.
She was a bit a curt for my taste. And did not come to check up on us once. Also forgot 2 side orders. When we decided to pay with cash and a cards, she was visibly upset.
Food: pretty good. If you consider the price, quantity and quality, you can easily see why this is place does so well for itself. The food was not out of this world, but $ 8 for a half a rack of ribs, you can’t go wrong. They can definitely improve their sauces. On the table is some ketchup, bbq sauce and some hot sauce. I think adding some of Portuguese or Brazilian sauce would complement the dishes. I was also very pleased they had Guarana, I haven’t drank that in years since I was in Brazil, so that was very nostalgic and extra brownie points in my book.
The bathroom was pretty gross. Toilet didn’t flush, no mirror and it’s pretty dark in there.
Overall ambiance, was good. It was lively in there. A sweet little hole in the wall. There only thing that would bring me back here is the quantity and the price of the food.

The food here is excellent. Has to be best bbq in area. Everything is amazing. Been here a few times and had the chicken, salmon and streak. However last night I ordered a rack of ribs. They were so good I had to get another one. They were so juicy meaty and perfectly seasoned. I’m literally going back today for round 2 maybe even 3. If in area must try. It’s seat yourself, don’t let the little lady deter you from wherever you want to sit. Shes very o.c.d. about seating for some reason. Besides that, its BYOB so come hungry you’ll definitely leave happy.

First time here and I love it very very busy place on Sunday and it’s Portuguese food yummy

My fave work lunch place. Been going there for 10 years and getting the half chicken for $ 6.00. Everywhere else hiked their price but this place have been consistent.
Don’t come here for ambiance or good service. This is only for cheap food that is great tasting and superbly filling.

This place has the best BBQ in the Ironbound section hands down! I’ve had their chicken, salmon and the ribs and they were all cooked to perfection. You can see all of them getting charred on the grill and taste the freshness with every bite. Everyday and every hour it is packed but it is a better experience now that they created more space for their customers. They opened up another room so now there’s plenty of space to dine in. It is also a BYOB so you can enjoy a nice brew or sangria to pair with your flavorful bqq. Don’t be intimidated by the wait it is worth it and the prices are so affordable. You get so much food for under 10 bucks!

Cheap and AMAZING. They just opened up a bigger area which is very nice. Very clean, great environment and looks more high end. The food here is out of this world! I crave it every day! It’s such amazing taste and so inexpensive! There’s a great variety between fish, meet and some great Portuguese dishes! The soups are always fresh and taste amazing.

One of my favorite places to eat in Newark! I’ve been here a handful of times, was recommended this place by a coworker. It’s the best barbecued chicken I’ve ever had, and I’ve been here a few times and it’s so consistently good. Chicken is really easy to over cook and dry out the meat, but this place has always served very tender chicken. They also serve you a ton of rice and really crispy shoestring fries. It’s not gourmet food, but it ALWAYS hits the spot for me. It seems like a family owned business, the interior is not very nice but it’s got that authentic feel to it, like you’re in their kitchen and if you don’t mind, you get to have their amazing chicken! Price is really cheap too, it’s usually $ 10 with a drink and you are filled to the brim with food.

The food is very good and I recommend this place if you’re even in the area, but the real reason I’m giving two stars is for the staff. Specifically the one who takes the orders. A little patience and respect goes a long way.
I wanted to get a tray of chicken with fried and rice, and all I ask for them to do is separate the rice and fries from the chicken in a separate container. The lady says it’s gonna cost an extra $ 6 to do so. I explained to her I’m not asking for more food, just need it separate so I can serve it to my guests in a better way. That’s when the attitude and belittling began. I felt embarrassed in front of a crowed place as she was yelling and made it seem like I was asking for the impossible. I’m gonna look for another place from now on because of this experience. Thank you

This place was pretty damn tasty, just like the one on Elm Street. The chicken and ribs were great, the portion size is huge. I love how the fries are the thin cut ones, I prefer these over the thick cuts. Last time I was here we got whole chicken and ribs and shared it amongst 4 people. I believe the total came out to be $ 30, which is not bad at all.
When you first walk in, you are overwhelmingly welcomed back thick smoke from the open rotisserie grill they have going on. It’s mostly crowded, which is typcial for places like this. The seating is pretty limited, which is what is costing me that extra star.
Will be back for sure!

Minus half a star
So this place is excellent.
Good quality and flavor are amazing.
Service is fantastic.
Quantity… It’s good but I feel sometimes I miss a piece of the chicken when i order a whole.
For example. I ordered a whole chicken and as per my count I had two legs, one thigh, and not entirely a full breast.
Although my biggest issue with this place has nothing to do with the food. It’s the space. It’s very limited. I would say maybe 20 people comfortably.
Next issue is the grill. If you come in the summer the heat is unbearable inside the restaurant.
Other than the size seating and grill during summer months this place is top notch.
Highly recommend this place. But there are other places that are very close to as good in the area.

Whenever I’m within a stone-​throw from Newark’s Ironbound section I go out of my way to stop by Ferry St. BBQ. This Portuguese inspired BBQ is the gathering spot for many locals. It is all about the food. Service is slow and depending on whom get, not very friendly. But when the food arrives all is forgiven.
I usually order a combo of ½ rins and ½ chicken with salad and either rice or shoe-​string fries. They prepare all BBQ with a rub of spices and on a grill whose top is rotated by the grillman so that the other side may be cooked. This evening I enjoyed the meal with a Guarana drink. Guarana is a Brazilian soda that tastes to me like traditional bubble-​gum and is loaded with caffeine and sugar. – precisely what I needed for the return trip to the City after stuffing myself with BBQ.

Garlic shrimp galore! I fell in love with this place and trust me it is not for their customer service. It was for the amazing mounds of delicious food they serve. Be prepared, you could feed a family of four with one platter which is only 14 big bucks. Such cheap eats! It is surely shocking when the bring the plate how much food you get for the price.
They would have received a 5 star but they are a bit on the rude side. The woman constantly says to new visitors go to the back an wait… if they sweeten up a bit this would be the best 5 star cheap eatin large portion lovin spot in the good olé U S of A.
Must trys: Garlic Shrimp and Rice

What a gem in a small place. Ironbound is lucky to have such tasty food and at a great low price. The chicken and rice were very tasty and just made you want to eat everything on the plate.
This is a winner winner chicken dinner kind of place!

If your down neck in iron bound this is the place to come for food! The bbq is fantastic!
So today my lady and I were in search for some awesome grilled seafood. Thanks to my fellow Unilocalers we gave this spot a try and boy ohh boy were we pleased!
Today we decided to dine outside. Cool spot, but if your looking for white table cloths… You’ll be sad lol. We ordered the grilled salmon and the garlic shrimp (eating healthy peeps). It came with rice or fries, we opted for one of each and a small salad!
Flavor town arrived! Awesome seafood, awesome seasoning and shrimp was packed with buttery garlic chunks! The salmon was amazing. It was 2 lovely pieces of salmon and grilled right. The garlic shrimp was amazing as well! French fries were ok and the yellow rice did its job!
I think this an awesome place to enjoy some great food at a great price! With tip everything came out to $ 45. I know we will def return to try the ribs and raved chicken!
FYI
Parking sucks and service can be slow if the place is packed. Other than that it’s well worth a visit yall!

Food is still good, but service is super hot and cold and merits one star less since it makes the dining/​take out experience less enjoyable.
I get you’re understaffed, but I’m friendly and I wanna make it easier for you too, so I have my order ready. But I still get short and attitude-​filled responses. I also feel bad for anyone coming here for the first time because they tell you nothing. Tip: if you want to dine in, wait to the left. If you want to take out, stay to the right.
Idk man, I’m still going to go because it’s close and the food is still good, but maybe I’ll start searching for a new place with better communication and service.

I was in Newark and I heard that Portuguese BBQ was the thing to get. Based on recommendations from Unilocalers, I tried this place.
I was on my way home, so I got takeout — the ½ chicken, ½ ribs combo with rice and fries. Let me tell you the portions are huge. You get a big tin tray full of food for $ 14, not bad.
The food is pretty good. The only thing that keeps me from giving this place a 5 star rating was the meat was a little dry and there wasn’t much sauce on it. I do know Portuguese BBQ places do not use much sauce, but I felt like the meat could use a bit more than what was on it. I may try getting some sauce for takeout for next time.
I ended up getting 4 full meals from this, so it was a really good deal. I would definitely come back again!