Hellbender

Name: Hellbender
Address: 68-22 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood, NY, 11385
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.3

Ridgewood · Mexican

68-22 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood, NY, 11385Directions

4.3470 reviews

Guests consistently praise this restaurant for its delicious offerings, particularly the fried Oaxacan cheese, masa pancakes, and lamb shoulder, complemented by their delicious cocktails. The inviting atmosphere further enhances the dining experience. Some reviews mention the food can be bland.

Weekend-magnet Mexican with pancakes that keep stealing the table.

Hellbender is a $$ Mexican restaurant in Ridgewood, Ridgewood. It has logged 12,480 check ins on Blackbird, and is busiest Thursday evenings; check ins have held steady over the past month. Check in on Blackbird when you visit.

neighborhood gembrunch spotbar sceneregularsfoodiesgroups

hellbendernyc.com

The experience

Hellbender draws steady crowds for brunch and dinner, particularly Saturday and Sunday. Expect close seating during peak service.

Google Places/ updated 112d ago

Why go

Hellbender has logged over 12,480 Blackbird check-ins since February 2025, anchoring itself as a Ridgewood regular. The kitchen handles Mexican dishes with care—milanesa, chilaquiles, pancakes, and fried cheese appear in praise. Brunch is the draw. Seating is tight. Service waits can stretch to five or eight minutes even when tables are thin.

Google Places/ updated 112d ago

Fast facts

Hellbender has logged 12,480 all-time Blackbird on-chain check-ins.
Sunday and Saturday are its busiest Blackbird check-in days.
Google shows a 4.3 rating from 524 reviews.
Reviewers repeatedly single out the pancakes as a can't-miss order.
One reviewer noted a line had formed before opening.

editorial/ updated 29d ago

Did you know

Hellbender has more than 12,480 Blackbird on-chain check-ins, with weekends driving the heaviest action.

editorial/ updated 29d ago

Good to know

Reserve ahead for brunch and dinner.
Tables sit close together.
Decaf coffee unavailable.
Aguachile portions run small for the price.

Google Places/ updated 112d ago

Amenities

Meals

BrunchLunchDinnerDessert

Drinks

CoffeeBeerWineCocktails

Features

Dine-inReservationsOutdoor seatingRestroomGood for groups

Dietary

Vegetarian

Google Places/ updated 29d ago

Open in

Check in momentum

The room in motion

Activity583

check ins · last 30 days · yesterdaycheck ins · last 30 dayslast check in · yesterday

Flynet check ins

12,480

Neighborhood

Ridgewood

Last 30 days

583 check ins

+4% vs prior month

Sep 17Oct 16

When it's busy

Usually dead right now

Fridaytoday

12a12p11p

Inside Hellbender

The experience

Hellbender draws steady crowds for brunch and dinner, particularly Saturday and Sunday. Expect close seating during peak service.

Google Places/ updated 112d ago

Review signal

4.3

470 Google reviews

Google Places/ updated 29d ago

NEARBY

Within walking distance

Other Blackbird spots a short walk from Hellbender.

FAQ

How popular is Hellbender?

Hellbender has logged 12,480 check ins on Blackbird, and check ins have held steady over the past month.

When is Hellbender busiest?

Hellbender is busiest on Thursday evenings, based on Blackbird check-in activity.

What kind of food does Hellbender serve?

Hellbender serves Mexican cuisine.

How expensive is Hellbender?

Hellbender is in the $$ price range on a $ to $$$$ scale.

How do I check in at Hellbender?

Download the Blackbird app, visit Hellbender in person, and check in from the app. Check-ins earn FLY and count toward Flytown's daily Hotspots ranking.