Klondike Kate's Restaurant & Saloon — Restaurant in Newark

Just to be clear, I really want to give it 4.5 stars but Google can't do that. TLDNR it was really good, but some room for improvement. I also usually try to make a point to write down things like our server's name(s) but it was a long day and I just spaced. I want to say we had Nick? You know who you are, guy - you asked if we could move to a BETTER table because the entertainment was supposed to set up where the hostess sat us - you were freaking awesome! Don't ever change! Maybe the online staff can chime in.

So - to it... My wife decided to come to work with me for the day so we could use the evening to check out all the awesome eateries that I pass on the long commute home. Klondike Kate's caught her eye and so it was. We entered and were seated promptly by the hostess with a "you can have this table" and out. No biggie because I think the party started to come in behind us so great timing! Our server more than made our experience though. I REALLY wish I could give him proper due - I hope the owner comments because it really was one of the best experiences we've had and the whole place was super busy (but still socially distanced properly I might add). Anyway, he grabs our drink order, answers some questions as it's our first time to the venue and was back in perfect time to get our food orders.

We started with the Mac-n-Cheese balls, Marie got the Mexicali burger with a Hot & Spicy Margarita, and I the Texas Burger with a Miller Lite. Now, here's where I say room for improvement.... The Mac-N-Cheese balls were absolutely awesome: Crispy outside with little elbow macaroni, bell peppers, onions, jalapeño, the super creamy cheese inside and served with Chipotle aoli for dipping. What was kind of off were the burgers. They were both really really tasty - don't get me wrong - but the temperature wasn't quite what we expected after the Mac bites. Marie's was an "edible temperature" but not what we would call overly warm. The turkey burger was missing any sort of seasoning and was kind of bland. While the tortilla was pressed, it did not seem like a long press as there were no grill or other marks that would have added some needed structure and texture to the outside. She took 1/2 home to warm up for later.

My burger was also the same type of warm temperature, but the bun was definitely chilly. Like they'd both been sitting out a while, but not under a heat lamp. The "Crispy" bacon on the Texas burger was under-done and a bit rubbery as well. The onion straws were fresh however, very crispy and just the right amount of BBQ sauce was added - not super sloppy and drowning out the rest of the burger like some places do. Great flavors, but missing that hot, juicy "burger with crispy bacon" type of experience that I had read on the menu.

Fries were on-point and tasty - good crisp on the outside and definitely a fresh, hot batch. Marie was even able to get a little side of the chipotle aoli for dipping hers. BONUS!

Last part was dessert. There's an "appetizer" on the menu called "Fried PB&J". On the recommendation of our server, we did NOT get it as an app, but rather got one for dessert. This particular dish could get 5 stars on it's own. It's literally a PB&J sandwich, dipped in pancake batter and deep fried. It's like a funnel cake, all it's missing is the powdered sugar, but it doesn't have the heaviness of that type of confection. It's light and crispy but sweet and savory goodness cut into "corners" like when you were a kid. Even if you're not hungry after the meal, I'd say get one to take home and use an air fryer to re-heat it (and yes, we did toss some powdered sugar on it because why not?) You won't be sorry.

All in, the food is elevated beyond what we expected walking in, but there were just some small but important things that could have made it a true 5-star experience. Great atmosphere, good food and fast service tick all the...

What happened to my favorite Main Street Bar? Went there for lunch at 3:00pm today, and sat at the bar like I always used to, years ago. Sat there for 10 minutes waiting for a bartender to come out. No help. OK, so I walk over to the hostess to get seated, she looks at me and walks in the back to give an employee a phone message. sigh OK, more waiting. She comes back 3 minutes later and tells me to sit anywhere. Doesn't even show me to my table. Couldn't you have just told me to sit down BEFORE going in the back? So I wait for a Waitress..... Another 5 minutes. OK, now it's getting ridiculous. There are only 3 people at the bar, and 4 tables (including me) and there are 2 waitresses. Why all the waiting? I ordered one of the Half Priced Burgers, and asked for a couple condiments on the side. It took 15 minutes to get a med-rare burger. And she forgot my condiments. Which took another 8 minutes to get. I got a little impatient, and looked around the corner into the back area, and my waitress was rolling up silverware. What they hell? I'm waiting on my condiments so I can eat and you're doing sidework? Also, does half price burgers mean half the fries too? I ordered Tater Tots and only got 9 Tots with my burger. Way to cut corners, guys. To be fair, the burger was excellent. Cooked well, exactly med-rare, high quality toppings & cheese, delicious specialty bun.... But one good burger doesn't make up for all the inattentive service. According to the news, there are supposed to be at least 7 new restaurants opening up in the Downtown Newark area in the next year. Klondike Kate's needs to improve if they expect to compete with all the new eating places coming in. Especially considering that Deer Park Tavern (Kate's biggest competition) is still doing customer service and food just as...

My absolute favorite place on Main Street. Whenever anyone needs a good restaurant recommendation I always recommend Kate's.

First off, let me talk about the reservation system. Kate's makes it so easy to make reservations by calling and if it's too late to make a reservation they will put you name on the wait list so you're not wasting time on the way there. Kate's will send you a text and call you when your table is ready and are really flexible when it comes to you being a little late as long as you let them know ahead of time.

Second off, the waitstaff is always incredibly friendly and happy to recommend you their favorite items on the menu.

Speaking of the menu everything I have ordered has been consistently amazing. Kate's gets a lot of attention for their nachos and it's not for no reason. Their nachos are delicious and the portions are huge! When coming here with my boyfriend the small plate of nachos was enough to fill both of us up before we even got out main entree! We didn't even make it through the entire plate before we felt like we were going to burst. The Trash Can nachos are my favorite and are a little pricey, but if you go on Tuesdays the nachos are half off.

I've also had many of Kate's sandwiches and other appetizers as well. The Chicken Press is a great sandwich and they do the French Dip very well. Kate's wings were also great and I was happy they were not too spicy, I'm a little sensitive when it comes to spice.

Kate's has the perfect environment for Main Street and is both a great for adults to enjoy drinks and for families looking to get a good bite. Can't wait to be back in Delaware this Fall to come back to...