Torrible, unequal service
My friends and I had the strangest experience at the Mango House. Though we were excited about the food which we heard was delicious, the staff was rather unfriendly, and refused to seat us though there were tables available. After sitting at the bar for a while, they finally let us sit at a table, and then, because we had been waiting we were hungry, but we had 1 friend who had called and said she would be late. When we asked if we could order for the rest of the group, we were told it didn't matter: they would only bring all the dishes out together, so we would have to wait for our friends anyway.

After sitting for half an hour or so, they finally brought us their delicious basket of sweet potato chips. The other tables were mainly occupied by couples (who had received their basket well before we did), but while one basket was good for three people (2 when they were starved like us!), they would only bring our party of 5 one - they made us pay for the second basket. After the last friend arrived, they finally took our order, and the food took a really long time to arrive, but it was pretty good. Our waitress was not very friendly, but at least we had food finally! Then they brought us the bill, which was written in the strangest way I'd ever seen a bill written, with various orders combined, and they took so long in getting our credit card that we finally took it to the front. Then, they took about 20 minutes to get the card back to us. Basically, we showed up at 7:15 and left a little after 10:00. We all agreed we would never go back again. It seems odd for me to have this happen at a Caribbean restaurant, but my friends and I couldn't help but notice that we were the only people of color at the restaurant - everyone else was white, and seemed to get faster service than we did.    [01 Jul 2003 09:27:46]

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Recommended Dishes: fried plantains, curried chicken, dum aloo

     ­Anonymous   

A wonderful journey into the Carribean
As you walk into the door you feel you Jamaica with the restaurant's vivid tropical colors and casual ambiance.

At our table were those incredible sweet potato chips. The three of us found it impossible to stop at just one basket.

We ordered a wide variety of entrees and desserts and found them consistently flavorful. The service, which included refilling of our water glasses at the appropriate times, was excellent.


   [08 Jan 2004 07:19:50]

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     ­Anonymous   

Hot New (and Romantic) Spot
The Mango House is a fabulous addition to the spicy cuisine of our favorite food city. Every dish we tried (and we've been several times) was delicious - all truly inventive and intensely flavorful.

Sitting at the bar before dinner is a sensory treat - great island music, the wonderful aromas coming from the nearby kitchen are inticing, and the house rum-mango punch is the best drink around.

The service matches the decor - lively, fun, casual. There's nothing too elegant or pretentious here - just a wonderful meal in a warm, cozy setting, perfect for dispelling the winter cold.    [08 Jan 2004 09:55:46]

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Recommended Dishes: mango/hearts of palm salad, fish in banana leaves, all vegetables, key lime pie

     ­Anonymous   

What you talkin' bout, anonymous?
Every time I have been to Mango House I have found the waitstaff to be extremely knowledgable and courteous. The food rocks, as well as the drinks, and it is all totally affordable. The atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming.    [08 Jan 2004 14:05:10]

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Recommended Dishes: pepper pot, coconut shrimp

     ­Lucy Lawless, NOSBA   

Loved It!
Mango House was recommended to us by friends who live in New Orleans. The food, particularly the pork chops and the shrimp rundown, was great. The sweet potato chips are wonderful. Since the food is hot and fresh we didn't mind waiting a few extra minutes for our dinners. The mango colada was a favorite. The space is cheerful and warm, the food great, and the prices are more than reasonable.

In fact, we liked it so much we ate there twice.    [09 Jan 2004 08:59:26]

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Recommended Dishes: Jerk Pork Chops, Shrimp Rundown,Steamed Fish in Banana Leaf

     ­Anonymous   

Fun, Unique Experience
My friends and I recently had dinner at the Mango House, and it was one of the best dining experiences of recent memory. When we arrived on a Friday, the place was full, so we put our names on the list at the front door. We were going to wait there, but the host informed us we would be much more comfortable at the bar. The bar is tiny (only 4 seats)and already had 3 people there waiting, but one of our party of 4 got to sit and we stood.

The bartender offered us drinks while we were waiting, showed us the specialty cocktail menu and made some recommendations of her favorites. She boasted that they served the best Mojitos in New Orleans, so we took her up on it. They were phenomenal!

We were only waiting about 10 minutes when our table was ready. We sat down and were given the sweet potato chips that Mango House is known for. They're so simple, yet so good; it's hard not to order basket after basket. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, which was helpful as our knowledge of Caribbean food was virtually nil. We all decided to get something different, and sample each other's fare. We started with empanadas, callaloo soup (a soup made with coconut milk, crabmeat and spinach), coconut shrimp, and stamp n go(codfish patties served with a side of habanero sauce). All the appetizers were full of spice and flavor, making it easier to sample another special cocktail. This time we tried Dark and Stormy, a dark rum and ginger been with lime. Again, Primo!

For dinner we chose Jerk Chicken, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Rundown and Pepper Pot Beef Stew. The jerk was sweet and spicy, the shrimp were cooked with coconut milk and tomatoes giving the sauce a nice red color, the pepper pot was great but VERY spicy, and the crab cakes had the most delightful delicate crisp shell and were topped with an avocado sauce that smoothed everything out nicely.

Still undaunted, we went for the full ride and order cuban espresso and some after dinner rums. We had a Haitian rum which I cannot remember the name of, and a light rum called Prichard's. We coupled the drink with the Banana Rum Brulee and Key Lime Pie.

The whole experience was wonderful. The place was packed to capacity and bustling, yet we could still hear the strains of Tito Puente in our little corner. The staff was smiling a lot, they looked happy to be there, and we wondered if they got to eat those Sweet Potato chips all the time! Even though we went on a busy night, the food, the service and the ambience couldn't have been more enjoyable. I would recommend the Mango House without reservation to anyone thinking of trying it. It's worth it and it will have you longing to return the minute you've stepped out the door!    [11 Jan 2004 15:10:28]

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Recommended Dishes: Jerk Chicken, Shrimp Rundown, Callaloo Soup, Banana Rum Brulee

     ­Estella Cormier, New Orleans   estellacormier at hotmail dot com

Sweet Potato Chips
So, "what is a sweet potato chip?", I asked. My girlfriend said that it's different, but I'd like it. I've heard that before, so I was still a little skeptical. Then we walked in this cool little restuarant, unique in every way right down the sweet potato chips (which turned out to be my favorite). I actually took some home with me. I had the signature jerk chicken for my entree; it was excellent.

Mango House offers friendly service with a "come as you are" feel. I'm definately going back.    [13 Jan 2004 09:57:48]

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Recommended Dishes: Sweet Potato Chips

     ­Tulane Law Student   

Unequal Service?--What?
I have no idea what the person who wrote the first review of Mango House is talking about. I am a frequent diner at The Mango House. Every time I have eaten there, not only has the food been wonderful, but the service is also very warm. As an African-American womann, I would like to recommend this restaurant to all, and do not feel I have ever received unqual, "terrible" service.    [29 Mar 2004 14:16:23]

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Recommended Dishes: Stamp and Go, Key Lime Pie

     ­Professor at Xavier University   

Rubbery chicken
Watery drinks, rubbery chicken--that I waited an hour for. It wasn't THAT busy. Didn't have a good time at all.
Cute place; needs work.    [25 Jun 2004 16:08:32]

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     ­Anonymous