Newark is underrated, especially when it comes to comfort food. I’ve spent years navigating New Jersey and frankly, nothing hits the spot quite like genuine soul food. Forget the chain restaurants, we are talking about the spots where the cast iron pots have been seasoned for decades.
My personal benchmark is the mac and cheese-if it’s weak, the whole place is weak. To save you the search, I’m sharing my essential list of the 10 places locals trust implicitly for their weekly fix of comfort, candied yams, and gravy.
1. Vonda’s Kitchen
Bright colors and scratch-made recipes make every visit feel like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. Vonda’s serves up fried whiting so crispy you can hear the crunch across the room, paired with beef ribs that practically melt off the bone.
Brunch here means fluffy pancakes alongside savory soul classics, creating a menu that works morning, noon, or night. Takeout orders fly out the door during dinner rush, proving this spot’s popularity isn’t just hype…