Tops Diner — Restaurant in East Newark

*Visitor from the Philadelphia/Cherry Hill New Jersey area.

I sat by myself not far from the bar, with the entrance still in view. My waitress was Bri (short for Brianna), and her service was excellent. She passed by many times, and knew when to check in and when to allow me more time to myself. That isn't a skill you learn overnight.

I started with a hot chocolate and to my delight, non-dairy milk accommodations were available, so I got it with almond milk. The hot chocolate had a whipped cream that tasted fresh, not like the kind of texture or flavor you find from the can. The chocolate itself was rich and creamy, with a perfect amount of sweetness. The chocolate curls were also a nice touch. I would come here again just for the hot chocolate!

I normally never order an appetizer, but I had read about Tops Diner quite a few times in the passed year, so I decided to go all out. I was torn between wings or the Chicken Bao Buns, and the Bao Buns did not disappoint. The tenders were crunchy, and the glaze was sweet, complimented with the shredded carrots, pickled red onion and pickles all tied in deliciously. If I were to be ever so slightly picky, I am used to Bao Buns that are more pillow-like and somewhat thick. These Buns were thin but still spot on for flavor. I could not eat it all, so I saved one for home. It microwaved perfectly fine and still had that crunch in the chicken tender portion of the bun.

As for the entrée I struggled to choose between the 7oz chicken burger because it sounds interesting and unique. Most places do not make chicken burger patties. But I was craving a lemony buttery chicken so I chose the Chicken Franchise, and it was exactly how I like it. The lemon butter sauce was not watery, but it had a slightly thick viscosity that makes it easy to pour, like gravy. The chicken cutlets were also egg coated and seared properly enough to create that slight crunch that I never find in other places. Most Chicken Franchise that I find elsewhere is rushed and the egg coating ends up so slimy that it doesn't hold well to the cutlet. Tops has it perfected. The dish comes with steamed rice, but I am Puerto Rican, and rice doesn't feel right with this type of dish. I swapped it out for mashed potatoes and gravy. The gold yukon mash was simple, nothing to brag about, not very creamy or buttery. The brown gravy had that classic old country buffet style to it, and in combination with the mash, it complimented the lemon chicken well. I could not eat it all, so it was more to microwave at home for another day.

Finally, I ended with dessert. Yet another thing I never do, but I wanted the full experience. The pie was huge, and for $7, it is a big value. I am lactose intolerant so I avoid ice cream, but this pie came with freshly made whipped cream and it wasn't the same type that came with the hot chocolate, but still decent. It tasted better when I let the whipped cream melt into the pie a little. The pie itself is massive, enough for 2, maybe even 3 people to share. It was exactly what I wanted, not too sweet, but flaky and buttery with the delicate apple flavor to bring it all together. I would only ask to add caramel next time.

I had a great time here and hope to...

I went to place an order. I was explaining to the young woman the dark hair with the blonde streaks with the glasses that every time I try to place an order there’s an issue and this is not the first time this has happened. It has happened at least four times to the point every time have to drive there and place an order in person being that they don’t take or via phone. She advised me she doesn’t know what to tell me because they don’t have anything to do with payments. I bypass that and continue to place my order I advise her he type of pasta wanted as well which was penne. Upon checking my food the manager brought out to me very kind of him to do , he allowed me to look over the food there I was notice the young women the pasta as spaghetti , I was fine with it and was going to leave. The manager was truly kind and he advised me they can change it no problem I waited patiently. Prior to me getting ready to leave once I had my food. I did see other one of young woman working in the front with the glasses whom hair was half up half down style did get on the work phone and had some kind of conversation. As I am coming out the Restaurant I see a young man maybe of Latino descent black hoodie and black pants and black cap and I see him holding his iPhone towards the restaurant. It seems as if he was waiting for me to come out the restaurant simply being that he was holding his white iPhone up with back camera which was facing the door of the take out section the same door I was planning to walk out from. As I am walking out the door I can see him holding his phone up facing the take out door itself which was the first thing I noticed which I found strange. I did slightly turn my head away from his direction but of course I needed to look straight because I needed to get to my car which is actually parked near the side walk he took when leaving the restaurant heading towards Grant ave. It does seems as though once he got a good picture or video or whatever he was doing facing the door area he was able to walk away the same time I was walking towards my car, which made me feel very unsafeI but I did still proceeded to walk towards my car, and simultaneously he proceeded to follow but walking along the side walk of course truly just an odd feeling. There is no reason someone is standing out of a food business waiting for a paying customer to exit the store at 11pm at night and has there back camera up facing the take out door which is the only door to go through unless you exit through the actual inside sitting area. The take out door is on the side of the outdoor eating seated area. If something happens to me due to tonight’s incident, if the young women with the glasses with half up and half down hairstyle made a call to have someone try to harm me in any sort of way just from capturing my image this wont be the last time this restaurant hears from me and if it is I have documented...

I'm a very good foodie and when someone says let's go to "XYZ Diner" I do a hard pass. But my nephew and my sister raved about Top's Dinner for about five or so years, and it took me two more years to finally dine at Top's. I'm soo glad I did and I have been missing out. The atmosphere, service, food and cleanliness are Five Star. My first time I ordered the blueberry pancakes and my goodness were they excellent. Then a week ago on Labor Day we took my mom for a birthday breakfast and it was her first Top's experience. I had the "Chix and Pancakes", which is three Texas size chicken wings and two larger than average size pancakes with a side of hot honey (hot honey not needed). Delicious! My mom had the cornedbeef hash with an egg and two pancakes, three others in our party had the fried chicken and waffles, and one had the shrimp and grits. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Three of us ordered Top's version of Cuban Coffee and it was good but not what I know as Cuban Coffee I had in Miami. The coffee had too much milk (in Miami it's served without milk or milk optional) so we ordered just regular black coffee and it was delicious. Our server was excellent, professional and kind. The atmosphere/vibe was great, happy, and busy. We arrived without a reservation (recommended if possible) but there was no wait at the time we arrived probably because it was a holiday. But by the time our the rest of our party arrived and our meals the tables were filling up. By the time we were leaving tables were full inside, most outside,and the counter seats were all taken. There was a line outside of diners waiting for a table. The hostesses, the managers, the servers, the bus staff to the bathroom attendants all were on point and attentive. Now let's be clear the menu is vast and the prices are a bit on the high end but the quality of the food, the service, cleanliness, and the atmosphere are worth it. If you want anything less go somewhere else(I won't). If you want large portions of good made to order, and from scratch food go to Top's if you're in the area or make that special trip like we did (one hour and ten minutes up the NJTP). If I'd known about Top's when I lived in the area I'd probably be ten pounds heavier and a lifelong customer. 😀 They say NJ is the diner capital that is slowly disappearing because of this and that but that's only because of substandard offerings of food, unfriendly service and no attention to cleanliness and atmosphere. But that's NOT Top's! So if you like really great food made from scratch on premises, great service, cleanliness, happy atmosphere, and on certain days/evenings a DJ go to Top's. My nephew even said the takeout service and food quality is seamless. Top's has been his go to for nearly ten years which is eight years longer than my first and second experience dinning at Top's (only because of distance).😉 Enjoy...