First stop cafe Introduce
For discerning residents, students, and workers in the heart of Newark, New Jersey, **First Stop Cafe** presents a unique and flavorful culinary solution. Operating as a dedicated Restaurant, this establishment specializes in fusing the bold, comforting flavors of authentic Caribbean cuisine with the convenience required by a busy urban locale. It serves as an essential hub for high-quality, quick-service meals, ensuring that patrons never have to compromise on taste or quality, even when pressed for time.
The cafe’s menu is anchored by its signature **Platters**, which bring the rich tradition of island cooking to New Jersey. Highlights include the sought-after **Oxtail Platter** and the classic **Jerk Chicken Platter**, which offer deeply satisfying, slow-cooked flavors. Beyond the main meals, First Stop Cafe maintains a robust offering of light and convenient items, including fresh **Bakery** goods, various **Savory Patties** (such as Beef, Curry Chicken, and Spinach), and quick **Breakfast** options. This comprehensive structure ensures the cafe lives up to its name, providing a delicious and efficient "first stop" for any meal need in Newark.
Importantly, the service model is entirely optimized for modern urban life, focusing exclusively on external service options—**Curbside pickup, No-contact delivery, Delivery, and Takeout**. This commitment to swift and non-dine-in service maximizes accessibility and minimizes delays, perfectly suiting the fast-paced environment of the New Jersey metro area.
Every aspect of the operation, from the menu pricing (e.g., BBQ Chicken Platter for $18.00; Beef Patty for $4.20) to the specialized service options, is tailored to offer value, quality, and speed to the local community.
First Stop Cafe is strategically situated at **17 Academy St, Newark, NJ 07102**. This address places it directly in a vital area of Newark, positioning it perfectly to serve the surrounding commercial districts, academic institutions, and residential blocks. Its location is highly accessible for those working or living downtown, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch pickup or a convenient dinner delivery after work.
While the cafe does not feature a traditional sit-down dining area—focusing instead on efficiency—its physical location facilitates all modern service methods. For those arriving by car or public transit to pick up an order, the central Academy Street location allows for easy, direct access via:
- Direct Pickup: Simple and fast collection of orders.
- Curbside Efficiency: The service model is designed to get orders to customers quickly outside the establishment.
- Delivery Radius: Being centrally located in Newark ensures the cafe can offer efficient delivery and no-contact delivery services across a wide area of New Jersey's surrounding municipalities.
This deliberate focus on off-premise dining and accessibility is a defining feature that appeals to the expediency requirements of the New Jersey consumer.
First Stop Cafe operates on a high-efficiency service model, providing a full suite of non-dine-in options to meet the needs of all Newark patrons. The core services are centered around speed, safety, and convenience.
- Curbside Pickup: Orders are prepared and brought out directly to the customer’s vehicle, minimizing the time spent waiting or searching for parking.
- No-Contact Delivery: The safest delivery option, ensuring orders are dropped off at a designated location without direct interaction.
- Delivery: Standard door-to-door delivery service is offered to the local area.
- Takeout: Orders placed via phone or app can be quickly collected at the cafe’s counter.
- Full Menu Catering: The cafe offers a variety of prepared food categories for all dayparts:
- Platters: Hearty, full-size meals (e.g., Oxtail, Jerk Chicken, Rasta Pasta).
- Breakfast: Morning essentials like the **Sunshine Stack** and **Morning Melt**.
- Bakery & Snacks: Freshly baked goods and savory Caribbean patties for quick, satisfying bites.
- Salads: Lighter fare options including **Cobb Salad** and the substantial **Super Green Salmon** salad.
- Remote Ordering: The provided phone numbers (862) 888-8352 and +1 862-888-8352 allow for easy ordering ahead of time, ensuring maximum convenience.
The defining characteristics of First Stop Cafe revolve around the quality of its specialized menu items and its commitment to modern, quick service.
- Signature Caribbean Cuisine: The primary highlight is the authentic flavor profile of the Caribbean platters. The **Oxtail Platter** ($26.40) and **Jerk Chicken Platter** ($18.00) are prepared using traditional methods and spices, offering a genuine taste of the islands.
- Extensive Patty Selection: The wide array of savory patties—including **Beef Patty**, **Spicy Beef Patty**, **Curry Chicken Patty**, **Vegetable Patty**, and **Spinach Patty** (all $4.20 each)—provides an unparalleled choice for a flavorful, portable meal or snack option.
- Comprehensive Menu Variety: The cafe successfully covers multiple dining needs, from heavy, comforting meals with sides like **Mac & Cheese** and **Rice & Peas** ($6.00 each) to healthier options like the **Super Green Salmon** salad ($14.40).
- Dedicated Quick Breakfast: Morning commuters are served with simple, filling items like the **Sunshine Stack** and **Morning Melt** ($7.20 each), perfect for a quick start to the day.
- Modern, Safe Service Options: The business model is a key feature, prioritizing the customer's safety and convenience through **Curbside Pickup** and **No-contact delivery**, which are essential services in a dense urban environment like Newark, NJ.
- Fresh Baked Goods: An in-house bakery selection, featuring items like **Blueberry Muffin**, **Banana Muffin**, and **Assorted Danish**, complements the savory menu.
New Jersey customers wishing to place an order for delivery or pickup from First Stop Cafe should utilize the following contact details to ensure a seamless transaction:
Address: 17 Academy St, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (862) 888-8352
Mobile Phone: +1 862-888-8352
Choosing First Stop Cafe in Newark is primarily about securing **access to authentic, highly-praised Caribbean cuisine** delivered with maximum convenience. The enthusiastic customer review stating, "Her food is a blessing. It’s delicious at the same time," underscores the quality and passion in the cooking that appeals strongly to local diners seeking genuine flavor. For anyone craving traditional, comforting dishes like the fall-off-the-bone **Oxtail Platter** or the expertly seasoned **Jerk Chicken Platter**, this cafe stands out as a reliable source in the New Jersey area.
The diverse, value-conscious menu also makes it an excellent choice for everyday needs. Whether you need a full lunch, a quick, portable patty, or a simple breakfast, the variety—spanning from the $4.20 **Beef Patty** to the $14.40 **Super Green Salmon** salad—ensures there is an option for almost every budget and time constraint.
However, prospective patrons must weigh the positive reviews against the deeply concerning negative feedback regarding the experience. The highly critical review explicitly mentions poor food quality, high pricing, and an extremely serious report involving a pest sighting and subsequent dispute with the staff. While one glowing review celebrates the taste and the owner, the severe nature of the negative report warrants caution. Therefore, when choosing First Stop Cafe, a New Jersey user is choosing a potentially highly rewarding, authentic culinary experience that must be balanced against serious reported operational issues.
Given the strictly off-premise service model, the best strategy for new patrons is to utilize the secure and efficient options of **No-contact delivery** or **Curbside pickup**. This approach allows the customer to access the widely praised, delicious food while minimizing personal interaction and maximizing the convenience that the cafe’s service structure is built upon. If the cafe successfully maintains the quality praised by satisfied customers, it is truly a flavorful and valuable addition to the Newark, NJ, dining scene.
First stop cafe Services
Platters
- Oxtail Platter $26.40
Tender, slow-braised oxtails infused with authentic island spices. Fall-off-the-bone delicious and full of bold Caribbean flavor.
- Rasta Pasta $26.40
Mouth watering Jamaican rastapasta
- BBQ Chicken Platter $18.00
BBQ chicken platter with rice and peas and cabbage
- Jerk Chicken Platter $18.00
Succulent chicken simmered in a fragrant blend of Jamaican curry spices, garlic, scallions, and herbs, creating a rich and hearty stew with just the right kick
Salads
- Cobb Salad $7.20
Cobb salad
- Southwestern Salad $7.20
Southwestern salad
- Super Green Salmon $14.40
Salad with salmon filet
Bakery
- Beef Patty $4.20
delicious home made beef patty
- Banana Muffin $3.60
homemade banana but muffin
- Slice Of Cake $6.00
Slice of fresh baked cake
- Spicy Beef Patty $4.20
spicy jamaican beef patty
- Assorted Danish $4.80
bear claw
- Vegetable Patty $4.20
jamaican vegetable patty
- Cranberry Muffin $3.60
fresh baked cranberry muffin
- Curry Chicken Patty $4.20
delicious home made curry chickenpatty
- Spinach Patty $4.20
jamaican spinach patty
- Blueberry Muffin $3.60
tasty homemade blueberry muffin
Breakfast
- Sunshine Stack $7.20
Fluffy eggs, and melted cheddar cheese, all layered on a warm buttermilk biscuit.
- Morning Melt $7.20
A golden, flaky biscuit stuffed with savory chicken sausage, fluffy egg, and melty cheddar cheese. A warm, comforting Southern-style breakfast sandwich.
Carribean Sides
- Cabbage $6.00
Steam and seasoned cabbage
- Rice & Peas $6.00
jamaican style rice and peas
- Mac & Cheese $6.00
baked macaroni and cheese
- Potato Salad $6.00
Potato salad southern style
- Side Salad $6.00
side garden salad
First stop cafe Details
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
First stop cafe Photos
First stop cafe Location
First stop cafe
17 Academy St, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
First stop cafe Reviews
I came to this place twice & according to my experience, I've come to realization that these reviews are fake.The first experience the was expensive and the food quality was horribleThe second time I came to this place I didn't eat anything because a rat literally ran across my food & they didn't let me leave without paying.Police was called
October 18 · Jane BondGod has blessed this lady so much. It’s amazing. Her food is a blessing. It’s delicious at the same time. I just met her. It feels like I know her forever. The food taste that good go and try believe me you won’t regret it.
August 08 · Larry JohnsonFood & Service is excellent! They have the best oxtails in Newark and give you a nice amount! I would highly suggest you check them out.
July 07 · Aquil SmallFood was spoiled and the rice was extremely hard. I would not recommended eating here.
October 15 · Paul R.Had beef patties they were fresh and flavorful
October 15 · Taylour Peighton
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