The Yard — Restaurant in Newark

I've sent a few people to this restaurant after I was ranting and raving about the food during my initial visit on Nov. 9th 2024 Some of the people I've mentioned it to, have been more than me.

I had the oxtail burger with hand cut fries that were so good I kept eating before picking up my oxtail burger. The burger was everything too. I also took a lamb burger home that night which was ok but I'll chalk that up to me warming it up in the microwave.

Fast forward to yesterday July 12th 2025. There was an Afrobeat festival going on in the park surrounding The Yard. Hold on to that information.

Now before I go with what I didn't like about my experience, I would like to give a shout-out to the guy who gave me a different burger after I realized I made an error on my burger and offered to pay for both as it was my mistake. He took back the original I ordered and gave me the kind I wanted without charging me extra.

Upon walking into The Yard, there were 2 signs that read "ALL Orders at the WINDOW. NO Bathroom".

In my mind I figured that meant all to go orders are to be placed at the window & the no bathroom was to keep the people who were attending the festival, out of the establishment. Crowd control.

My mother and I walked inside to a restaurant that had 2 tables out of about 6 tables with customers. In other words there were about 4 tables available.

I proceeded to tell the employee we will like a table for 2.

From there we were told to order outside at the window. Confused but we complied. Once we were outside by the window, we sat there for about 7 mins while the worker appeared to be getting orders together. At this point I'm ready to leave but I know my mother wants to try the food since I spoke highly about it.

The employee came outside to give out a few orders. While walking past us twice not saying a thing then I asked "why are we ordering at the window if there are a few tables available?"

She mentioned that they were trying something different because of the festival in the park.😡

We ordered from the window, paid for our food at the window and then were let in to sit down at a table. 😕

One paying for food in advance when I'm going to be sitting in your restaurant is so strange. Two I never got an answer how ordering from the window then immediately being seated was beneficial for a customer whose intention was to sit down at a table and order.

In addition to that whole process, the food was t served on plates but takeout containers. We weren't handed a jar/bottle for condiments but one small cup of ketchup for each of us. Mind you we both had burgers and fries. And plastic forks, not that they were needed. I will post pictures

I hope whomever goes doesn't ever experience what I did. I didn't feel like a customer. And to think I traveled from another state to try this again and allow my mother to try it as I loved the food.

I made up my mind that I will never go back to that restaurant. I think the only thing that could change this is a conversation...

I went today I just left about an hour ago it was a bit crazy and confusing in there everyone’s kind of doing 20 things per person which I think this kind of needs to be thought out better. The communication was spotty at best which created even more weird sense of chaos. Now for the part that everyone’s waiting for the food so I am a New Yorker I migrated here to New Jersey due to the rents I am so Brooklyn. So I’m a just get this out the way I hate everything New Jersey. The yard however change this Brooklynite and gave me a sense of home and every bite of their oxtail burger. I had the sweet potato tots which was out of this world and I got a little dessert just because I’m a fatty. So back to the small little issues that I had I was charged for another table and it was quickly remedied everyone was very apologetic about the mistake, I waited a long time for my food and I was very famish. But I can’t really say I hate the place or the people I actually felt loved, through their constant checking on me and I really felt it through the food. I’m just making my third year in New Jersey and nothing in New Jersey has ever give me joy or cause for pause. I basically use New Jersey to rest my head and do everything in New York. Can I just say that the yard may be just the winner that New Jersey needs and changing peoples minds and giving them home when they migrate here and feel out of place especially all of us that’s moving from Brooklyn due to gentrification to New Jersey. I hope they never go corporate like sweet chick and other places that were food for your soul but turn real corporate really quick and started having a store in every single corner they could put one. I say support the yard and be that cheerleader for them because even through the chaos they made a very positive impression on me. I would have given 5 stars but the charge is a losing point, but it is all...

Kai,

I left the comment this morning about the ok food and old oil and your demenor. I just would like to say a few things:

Me referring to you as a light skinned black man upset you. My apologies. My intent with mentioning your skin complexion was solely for descriptive purposes only. I wanted to identify you as the owner. (Something I hope you are proud of. We need more black ownership.)

The reason I mentioned how many times I've visited your establishment is to illustrate how many chances I've given it. My opinion is in our community, sometimes, after one bad interaction, we're done. I wanted to show that I tried and spent money here multiple times, as I would any other business.

It came across as you mocking my 8 times visiting there. Just for reference, I usually spend $50.11 (according to Uber eats). That's about $400.88. That's money I could use for bills, clothes, rent, or food but i CHOSE to spend it with you...So to mock my financial impact on your establishment, especially without knowing my income is kind of bizarre. Which brings me to my last point....

My brother, I didn't ask for personal attention. My complaint was about your customer service. The two African American ladies who work the register are phenomenal! They are on point every time, and their communication skills are top tier. But whenever I have an interaction with you, that's when I feel this way. I ALWAYS say "hey how are you?" Your response is ALWAYS. " what can I get you?" Now you have a hearing issue and you're battling a cold...my brother, I pray for your recovery. I don't think that should stop you from greeting someone pleasantly. That's all I'm saying. Your response shows exactly the type of energy you give off.

Updated: Lol, you got it Kai. You're right, I'm wrong. Stay...