Skinnys Cantina

Didn't check out the inside of this restaurant. The outdoor seating is comfortable and good for people and doggie watching. The menu is limited. We had appetizers which were okay but overpriced. The Cocktails are good. The service is decent. They are dog friendly, which is a plus. Heads up, gratuity is included in the bill. I might come back if I'm in the area.

Skinny Cantina has a really nice location right by the LIC waterfront, so the overall atmosphere and views already make it a beautiful place to sit, especially during the summer. The outdoor setup and overall vibe are definitely appealing, and the area itself naturally creates a great environment for dining. That being said, the service unfortunately changed the experience for me. When we first sat down, the waitress automatically spoke to my boyfriend in Spanish. He politely explained that I speak English (since my spanish isn’t the best) and asked if we could continue service in English. After that interaction, there felt like a noticeable shift in attitude and hospitality toward our table. The service became much less attentive, especially toward me specifically. Whenever my boyfriend requested something, whether it was water, utensils, or general assistance… the staff responded quickly and kindly. However, when I asked for things myself, it often felt ignored or treated differently. Water refills were also very limited despite it being an extremely hot day, and the outdoor umbrellas had all been closed while guests were still seated outside in direct sun, which felt strange. There were also a few issues toward the end of the meal. We initially received the wrong check, and when I explained this to who appeared to be a manager, the response felt hesitant rather than apologetic. Once we received the correct bill, the pricing felt very high for a fairly standard menu. The food itself was fine, but nothing particularly unique or memorable compared to many other Mexican restaurants in the area. One thing that especially stood out was the AUTOMATIC GRATUITY added for a table of ONLY 2 PEOPLE, which was not clearly stated anywhere visible beforehand. It was written in very small print on the check, and I could easily see someone missing it entirely if they weren’t carefully reviewing the bill. Overall, the waterfront location and atmosphere are nice, but the inconsistency in hospitality and overall service experience would personally keep me from returning.

I live upstairs and bought a Groupon for this restaurant since I’ve been in the past and it’s good. The Groupon was $75 for 4 bottomless brunches + entrees - a steal. I called in advance before even purchasing it to make sure the deal was still valid & that it could be used on Father’s Day. Host reassured there was no problem and we’re all good - once I arrived, the waitress said there was no brunch today at first. After reconsidering, they said they would honor the deal which I thought was super nice. Overall, the experience was good and the steak was delicious.

We’ve been living in the neighborhood for almost six months now, and while we don’t come weekly, this is one of those places we keep coming back to about twice a month because it never misses. Skinny’s somehow manages to make you feel like you’re on vacation while still delivering NYC-level great food. The vibe is lively but cozy at the same time, relaxed, welcoming, and full of good energy. It works just as well for a casual weekend meal, a date night, drinks at the bar, or bringing friends along. The food is the real star for us. The queso fondido is an absolute must and something we order every single time, along with their quesadillas. The quality and consistency are always there, and portions feel right to generous. Prices are fair, and it’s a place we genuinely trust to be good every visit. Drinks are fantastic. The Paloma is a go-to, and we recently tried El Dragon and immediately fell in love. Margaritas are balanced, flavorful, and a little dangerous in the best way. Pablo behind the bar deserves a special mention because his drinks are always on point. The staff is friendly, warm, and accommodating, and we’re at that point where we feel like regulars, which always makes the experience even better. Skinny’s has become one of those spots that makes the neighborhood feel like home. Delicious food, great energy, and a place we’re always happy to return to. Update: big shoutout to the team, cause they always make us feel like family. We don’t know everyone’s names, unfortunately, but Diana and Pablo and FANTASTIC!

Even after many days, it’s puzzling to me looking at the receipt. We ordered three dishes for two adults and one child for lunch. The restaurant charges $2 for not paying cash and added the 20% gratuity already. The burger was okay; salad was mediocre but did have big shrimps; steak tacos were on the burnt side. Service was okay - came about twice to refill water.

Today, Skinny Cantina lost a regular. We ordered weekly for the past 8 years. We understand raising prices. But lowering food quality on top of it? Have you lost a cook or two? Fajitas de carne used to be thinly cut awesome little strips of happiness, with sauteed veggies, hot out of the grill, even when using pick up or delivery. Today, instead they were average thick chewy steak with cold vegetables. Quesadillas used to be so flavorful and complex, with sour cream on top. Today, they were extremely bland and looked like a kid's menu. Burrito is the only thing that didn't change much, but even then, the quality of the chicken decreased, and last week, they had a piece of porcelain inside of it. Believe me, I did not want to write this. See you in a couple of months for a new chance. The neighborhood doesn't care about the price change, but we do care about food quality.

Last time I was here was 2015! Menu is small and that's a good thing. Will have to come back soon to leave a better review. Taco's were tasty and the guacamole app was on the smaller side. Still all tasty.

The place is not what it used to be in terms of food. The portions are smaller, the delicious dishes are not on the menu anymore, and the new dishes are tasteless ( no seasoning, no fresh food). The personnel, however, is still very nice and professional. The management should reconsider the decision of changing things from very good to bad.