Tops Diner
Tops Diner things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Description
Well-established place with classic American diner eats, baked goods & cocktails.
attractions: PetSmart, AllShifts, Hampton Inn & Suites Newark-Harrison-Riverwalk, Five Below, Comfort Suites Newark - Harrison, Bully Zone Pet Supplies & Pet Grooming, Express Driving School, West Hudson Tattoo, Bad Intentionz Tattoo & Piercings Studio, Planet Fitness, restaurants: El Merengue, Lit 21, Spanish Pavillion Restaurant, Pic-Nic, Restaurante Salvadoreño Las Canastillas, Urban Tandoor, Oh! Calamares, Gina's Pizzeria and Restaurant, El Tiburon Kearny, Antojos Colombianos Restaurant & Bakery
Ratings
Description
Well-established place with classic American diner eats, baked goods & cocktails.
Posts
Came here with my mom and my sister on a Saturday afternoon. After parking in the huge lot that surrounds the diner itself, we went in and noticed how packed it was. I thought I was lucky since I already had a reservation, but we still ended up having to wait an extra 20 minutes for our table to be cleared. No big deal, it's kind of expected with the amount of volume they were having. The atmosphere of the place is very nice, it's a pretty large location but I have to say something- it might've been a diner in the past, but the remodel definitely removed that sort of feeling. It's still a very nice place with a good vibe, but it feels sort of removed from the whole diner subtype. We ordered the disco fries, teriyaki ribs, monte cristo, sunday pasta, and the navajo chicken pasta. Me and my mom also shared an oreo milkshake while my sister got a coffee. The disco fries can be a meal on its own- despite all three of us eating it, we ended up close to full before our own entrees even came in. Probably some of the best disco fries I've had though, along with the ribs. I honestly didn't have a lot of room for my chicken pasta, but it tasted great from what I had, and so did the sunday pasta. One thing I didn't like though was the monte cristo. It's way too much of a contrast between savory and sweet to the point it clashes too much. Our server didn't really say much to us and only really talked when taking our orders, it seems like the bussers do a lot of the cleaning and bringing food while waiters take orders and give checks and such- of course, I could be wrong. I recommend Tops, maybe I should get some of the breakfast items next time but it was a good eat (kind of expensive though). Make sure to try and get a reservation since it'll cut down on your wait time, and be mindful of the disco fries. It's a lot.
Jason TuJason Tu
00
Came here recently with a small party. Nothing too large for a birthday brunch. Was told the day before or two they don’t take party reservations for our size for weekends. One I think that’s absolutely insane and makes no sense because you’re missing out on money and people don’t enjoy being separated from their group. So we had to just walk in put our name and wait for what was told two hours. One person said we can get you like early which was great but only if everyone of the party was there ok fine. Next we waited in one side room where they do takeouts. We waited for a while got a little impatient asked a few times when the table would be ready. Was told the group were waiting on was finishing up then we’d clean. Cool no problem. When more time went on they said now we are cleaning the table, again cool no problem. More time was going by I’m getting irritated that it took them forever to clean up. I took initiative to speak since others in my group had done so and not myself. Spoke to the GM he said no actually they’re still having dessert you’re still waiting. I’m like ok so why yall lying to my people saying they cleaning up they still seated? Oh who told yall I pointed to the young man who told my girls. Then he said im sorry well you should have made a reservation. I said I called like yesterday or so and yall said you don’t do weekend reservations for our party size. Then why tell me to make one if yall don’t accept them? So then after he left us we got a text our table was ready. So they clearly don’t know what they’re talking about. Then when we sat down got our menus getting ready to order I apologized for having given a bit of attitude since I was annoyed. So I asked him again how come I can’t make a reservation on the weekends when you said I can. Oh well no we don’t take your party size. I said well you told me so we don’t have to wait forever for a table. Then he said and I quote” the group who left before called two three weeks ago MAKING RESERVATION FOR THE TABLE WE ENDED UP AT FOR OUR SIZE GROUP.” I’m like you just said we can’t make reservations for our size on weekends but then another group can? Like they have seriously poor management there like they need a whole new team. Too many people saying all kinds of crap. When we wanted to add three people because we had to deny three people to get seated and eat since I had a flight too they said no it’s only for you number of people. I said we can put them on the side of the table we don’t mind. No we can’t you should have made a reservation when you don’t allow it apparently but for others who call 15 years ahead yall can somehow accommodate. That makes no damn sense to me whatsoever. Yall were the lies as to why we can’t get three more. I love the food the service in terms of how fast they take orders and bring the food great love it. Waitress great other than that management poor as hell.
Nina KNina K
00
My visit to Top's Diner on a Friday night turned out to be a pretty big letdown overall. Despite having reservations, we still waited about 30 minutes to be seated, which made the whole point of reserving feel pointless. To pass the time, we headed to the bar, where I had a Woodford Reserve Smoked Old Fashioned, and my girlfriend tried the Mango Bay Breeze. Both drinks were solid and strong, but at nearly $45 for both, they felt overpriced. Once we were seated, I ordered an American Trilogy (their version of an Old Fashioned) and a Stir It Up, a pineapple-based drink. Both were good, with my American Trilogy being particularly strong, which hit the spot. For appetizers, we went with the Firecracker Shrimp, which seemed to be the most popular choice. Unfortunately, it was just okay. There was way too much mayo in the sauce, overpowering the shrimp. They did give a decent portion, but the flavor left much to be desired. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I’m not sure why it’s so popular here. For entrees, we ordered the Shanghai Steak Bowl and the Crybaby Noodles with the combo (steak, shrimp, and chicken). The Shanghai Steak Bowl was disappointing, it was bland, soggy, and worse than takeout lo mein. While the portion of meat was generous, the overall flavor and texture were major letdowns, and I barely ate more than a few bites before deciding to take it to go. The Crybaby Noodles were better, with a decent level of spice and a good amount of meat, but still lacked the authentic flavors I was hoping for. It felt like a missed opportunity for both dishes. To end the meal, we tried the Vanilla Bourbon Bread Pudding, which was quite good, featuring candied pecans, cinnamon, and whipped cream. However, the presence of raisins (which I detest) was a downside for me. I’ve noticed they tend to add raisins to several desserts here, as I had the same issue with their carrot cake on a previous visit. One bright spot of the meal was the Cuban coffee I had to finish. It was perfectly sweetened, with great foam and latte art. Honestly, it was the best thing I had all night and might be the only reason I’d consider returning. Our waiter, Alberto, was attentive and friendly, offering good recommendations throughout the night. There was one hiccup when we received the wrong drink, but he handled it well, removing it from the order without issue. Overall, my first sit-down visit to Top’s Diner was underwhelming. The reservation system seems useless, the drinks are overpriced, and while the portions are generous, the flavor is lacking. I’m leaning towards not returning anytime soon.
Jay M.Jay M.
10
I loved Tops Diner and we had been frequenting it quite often for months during the week/weekends and different times. This past weekend was by far the WORST dining experience I’ve had yet. The front of house did a poor job and did not turn people away. Instead they continued adding more people to their insanely long wait list. I should have left but over an hour and 15 minutes for a table for 2, in a diner is absurd! After waiting and being moved around 101 times due to the overcrowded space, we finally were sat and it was a not okay location. We asked if we could sit at a booth to which this host said this is a great table and if you want a booth wait will restart. We are busy if you can’t see. I said we’ve been here for an hour and a half now. And he was so quick to respond but this table is great put the menus down and walked off. Annoyed with what was becoming the worst experience we’ve had there in months we sat waiting several more minutes with no server coming to our table at all. No water, no hello, no anything. We looked at each other and said should we go?! This has been absolutely awful! It didn’t help that while we were sent to wait on the outdoor space newly created, the dj raised the volume so much we couldn’t even hear ourselves speaking OUTSIDE! I question who is tops diners target audience. Is it fresh out the club vibe and not regulars who wanted to eat consistent good food? I guess our many multiple times a week visits meant nothing. Quantity over quality! Got it! Make your money tops! We won’t be coming back. I’ll drive all the way out of the way to Carnegie and eat there instead.
Jaquelyn VelezJaquelyn Velez
00
Well! I expected more from Tops!! I ordered teriyaki ribs and fried rice. The ribs were in very small portion, very small; no meat all bone! Now, my daughter ordered the same dish. Her plate looked totally different from mine. The manger stated that the meat is weighed and there was nothing more they could do. I expected more from Tops!! They did not even offer another piece of meat. I was so upset. I was told I could order something else instead. I responded I would like this entree made again please. They refused. I ate nothing and paid $20 for drink. I nursed a drink and waited for others to finish eating. I will include my daughter’s plate in the photos. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of that pitiful plate they gave me. Sorry, but take my word for it. Sad thing is they didn’t even offer me the option to purchase another slab. I would have ordered more ribs but because they were not nice about it, I kept my mouth shut!! My son in law ordered a half rack to go!! The ribs with teriyaki sauce were tasty but they plated my food with no love. They gave me three small end rib pieces. They could have been more accommodating. The manager, waiter and my family could clearly see that my plate was naked compared to my daughters. I didn’t order anything else. Not so nice Top! I’ve been a customer for decades! Very disappointing experience!
Tanya BrooksTanya Brooks
00
I live down the street in vermella west and have been coming here for 5 years at least twice a week. I’m in the food industry as well but things are starting to get ridiculous. Normally if there’s a slight mess up on our order I’ll just let it slide but I felt compelled to write a review. Last time I ordered something online I got home opened the item and it was the wrong thing. Went back to get the right item and was told it wasn’t supposed to be an item online it was a different soup of the day. So instead I got a spinach dip appetizer I believe the difference was 7 dollars. They refused to comp it or do anything for the inconvenience. In my 15 years of being a GM at multiple restaurants if we screw up we comp the difference especially if it’s as low of a food cost as spinach dip. Went back again tonight and got a burger for $25 and paid a $2 upcharge for waffle fries and I got 14 soggy fries in a bag…… for $27 ….i don’t even want to bother to drive back I don’t know if it’s the cost of the renovation or new leadership but this is not how you do business. I know you probably do not care because your always busy but maybe this gets to the right person to make a change. Ambiance and staff are great. Just policy I guess needs to change.
Thomas ManousosThomas Manousos
30
Nearby Attractions Of Tops Diner
PetSmart
AllShifts
Hampton Inn & Suites Newark-Harrison-Riverwalk
Five Below
Comfort Suites Newark - Harrison
Bully Zone Pet Supplies & Pet Grooming
Express Driving School
West Hudson Tattoo
Bad Intentionz Tattoo & Piercings Studio
Planet Fitness

PetSmart
4.4
(856)Click for details

AllShifts
4.4
(826)Click for details

Hampton Inn & Suites Newark-Harrison-Riverwalk
3.7
(947)Click for details

Five Below
4.5
(714)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Tops Diner
El Merengue
Lit 21
Spanish Pavillion Restaurant
Pic-Nic
Restaurante Salvadoreño Las Canastillas
Urban Tandoor
Oh! Calamares
Gina's Pizzeria and Restaurant
El Tiburon Kearny
Antojos Colombianos Restaurant & Bakery

El Merengue
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Lit 21
4.2
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Spanish Pavillion Restaurant
4.4
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Pic-Nic
4.5
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