Central Restaurant — Restaurant in Newark

My children and I were on a stop over in New Jersey recently, making our way back from a holiday in South Africa, when we needed breakfast as we tried to adjust to the time change. Central Restaurant was a little bit of a drive from our airport hotel (about 5 miles), but they were open at 6:00 am and the online menu showed promise. The restaurant is a neighborhood greasy spoon, with all the cast of characters you would expect of such a place. The owners are Greek transplants, the clientele is mostly the black neighbors who live nearby, a line up of police officers and construction workers waiting for to-go orders, and travelers like us who may or may not know what they are in for. I saw grits on the menu which told me everything I needed to know about this place. They did not disappoint. First thing - to the restroom. If it’s clean you know the kitchen will be in order also. It was tiny, but clean and smelled good. My son ordered the Denver omelet with grits, I ordered fish and grits, and my daughter ordered the French toast breakfast with a side of grits. The grits were on point - creamy with that pat of butter pooling on the top. The French toast was just the right amount of crunchy (on the edges) and tender with a tiny bit more cinnamon for enhanced flavor. The Denver omelet was well cooked with just a bit of browning on top, but a tender and medium soft interior. The fish was unexpected as it had a coating and it was fried. But, the exterior was crunchy with a flaky tender flesh interior. I can’t speak to the rest of the menu, but our orders were all A-plus calibre for a neighborhood greasy spoon. If you like this kind of atmosphere and breakfast food, don’t miss out if you happen...

I served 11 years in the military, most places I know offer military discounts. I ate out of this establishment about five times before asking if they offered it. I was given it every time there after. On this day 7/21/20, I go in, and show my Military ID, and was told by the woman working there, there was no need to show it she remembered me. I received my discount, at least I thought I did until I returned back to work and saw it was incorrect. I returned to the store to explain the mistake, and I was told they don’t normally offer that military stuff, which I had not been informed of before. So, they didn’t correct the mistake, and dismissed what I was saying. This place isn’t Veteran friendly at all. Establishments such as this exist due to the blood sweat and tears of soldiers like my self, willing to protect and defend this country, and to get treated this way was totally disrespectful. I said it would be my last time eating there, the owner replied good, instead of just correcting the mistake they made by over...

Very nice older guy there, he meant well. Most of the things 9n the menu were not available. I ordered open face roast beef w/ash and string beans and chicken noodles soup. The soup was delicious, but soon as My plate came to the table I noticed a long piece of hair sticking out the food, when I notified older guy assuming he was the owner, he argued me down that it was string bean hair, in which it clearly wasn't bc it wasn't as tender as the string bean The hair was course. He still charged me for the plate and didn't offer an apology or replacement. But out of pity for the place itself I paid the $9. I will not return. I thought I was gonna experience some HOT comfort food since it was raining and cold. Guess COVID got everyone half asking and...