Valenca Restaurant

What an awesome restaurant in Elizabeth...worth the drive if you're not a local. I found out that Valenca began from very humble beginnings over 30 years ago, and has grown into a neighborhood icon, and is now the longest standing restaurant in all of Elizabeth. And all at the same location expanding out over the years. Carlos the owner gave me the history and is very proud and humbled to have been able to be a part of it all. Great guy! It's not hard to see why Carlos and his team are so well loved... the quality of food, service, ambiance AND value are all excellent. Not often that a restaurant can combine so many great attributes. I had the shrimp in garlic sauce as an appetizer. The server recommended to dip the bread in the garlic sauce, it was so flavorful and delicious. Main course was WOOD fire grilled Filet Mignon and Chorizo kebob, that came with tostones and house made goat cheese, assorted grilled veggies including grilled pineapple so yummy! and rice with beans and sauteed spinach. It was all very flavorful and everything complimented itself very well. Finished everything off with a coffee and fresh baked lava cake. Service was wonderful and prompt, they checked in often and made sure everything was great. 5 stars!

What a rare find!! I picked this place because it was close to the hotel. They have an area for dine in and take out. The take out section is all that you would want. Plenty of drinks and deserts to choose as well as the full menu. The food is superb!!!!! What I liked most was the service and employees. They are super friendly humans. They are very warm people with good spirits- all of them. Go here after work for a relaxing vibe to end the day, or stop by on your way home to pick up dinner for the family. The portions are big and the food is good.

Nice place where you'd least expect it. I was pleasantly surprised as I entered the building and the surprises kept coming. They have a hot rock option where you can cook your meal on a real hot stone. I got the filet mignon and the tuna and the cuts of meat were perfect and so fresh. Everything cooked beautifully as well. Also be sure to try the desserts if you still have room.

Just don't. I ordered delivery online. Spent $50 and even left a $10 tip before trying the food and... major regrets...there's no seasonings. No flavor. Look at the brocoli. There's no pepper, no salt. And while the portions were HUGE the food is unpalatable because there's no flavor. And since the tin containers were piping hot and the food was NOT that means its been siting idle and they just warmed it up. They also provided ketchup and hotsauce for pasta meals? So that's $60 wasted. The chocolate cake was half though.

This place was recommended to us by our air bnb host, and we are so glad we went here for dinner! The servers were super hospitable and friendly. We had apps the shrimp and scallops in a garlic sauce, plus the clams in the garlic sauce. They also bring out bread and olives and a fabulous salad to share. Tried a few Portuguese wines; and had the chocolate mousse, flan, and affogato. Everything was exceptional! Would definitely return.

The food is great and the portions are large for the price. The servers are very attentive. I recommend the sausage with mushroom and peppers for appetizer Food: 5/5

Very popular neighborhood Portuguese restaurant. Great food and drinks. The Short Ribs were delicious.Food: 5/5

This is a great place for take out or dine in. I normally get the BBQ no sauce chicken or ribs. Today I went with the red snapper and skirt steak. Both were very good but if I had to choose one over the other I would pick the steak.Food: 4/5

I think I found a new favorite place. The food was amazing but the service made the experience fantastic.Food: 5/5

we enjoyed our lunch very much, especially the appetizers. the shrimp served with the asparagus was absolutely delicious! and the clams were yummy. yum!, there was not a lot of sausage in the clam dish though the whole fish was delectable. The salmon was a little bit disappointing as there was very, very very little spinach in it. they should just pass on the mashed potatoes because they are definitely not made from scratch. The homemade dessert was really delicious. four stars for service because we waited for acknowledgment, while the bartender was conversing with a guest on a personal level. that was a little off putting. after that, service was just okay.