Vonda's Kitchen: Newark, NJ's Premier Soul Food & Breakfast Restaurant

Vonda's Kitchen Introduce

For New Jersey residents seeking a memorable dining experience that combines the comforting warmth of Southern and soul food with a fresh, conscious approach, look no further than Vonda's Kitchen in Newark. More than just a breakfast restaurant, this local gem has earned a reputation for providing hearty meals all day long, from comforting morning favorites to satisfying dinner entrées. Vonda's Kitchen is celebrated for its commitment to serving 'soul food with a healthy twist,' using fresh, quality ingredients to elevate traditional classics. It stands out in the Newark culinary landscape not only for its exceptional food but also for its inviting atmosphere and the personal touch of its owner, Vonda McPherson, who is often praised for her dedication to customer satisfaction and engagement.

Whether you’re a local Newark resident, a college student, or a tourist exploring the region, Vonda's Kitchen provides a cozy, casual, and trendy spot for a quick bite or a full, flavorful meal. The menu is diverse, ensuring that every member of your group will find something to love, whether they crave traditional favorites or seek lighter, healthy options. The reputation for great food, fast service, and a welcoming environment makes it a standout choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in Essex County.

The breakfast menu, which is served all day, showcases the restaurant's unique flair. You can start your morning with classics like Eggs, Grits, Sausage & Toast or venture into house specialties such as Spicy Chicken Hash, which is served with two eggs, red onions, avocado, and sour cream, a dish often recommended by happy patrons. Seafood lovers can indulge in Southern staples like the rich and creamy Shrimp & Grits or Catfish & Grits. Those with a sweeter palate have numerous choices, from fluffy Silver Dollar Pancakes to the unique Savory Spinach & Ricotta Pancakes, and the decadent Signature French Toast or Brioche French Toast, often prepared with warm bananas and chopped walnuts.

Lunch and dinner options expand on the soul food tradition, featuring highly-praised entrées like Oxtails Over Rice & Beans, Beef Short Ribs, Smothered Turkey Wings, and the perfectly prepared Catfish or Whiting Lightly Fried. The sides are just as important, with the restaurant known for its five-cheese macaroni, collard greens, yams, and potato salad. The emphasis on healthy choices is evident through menu items like the Egg White Omelet, Ms. Vonda's Oatmeal Bowl, and various fresh salads like the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Pan Seared Salmon Salad.

Location and Accessibility for New Jersey Patrons

Vonda's Kitchen is centrally located in Newark, making it highly accessible for visitors and residents across New Jersey. Situated at 183 W Kinney St, Newark, NJ 07103, the restaurant is positioned near key urban transit routes and features convenient amenities.

For Drivers: The restaurant offers the welcome amenity of Free street parking, which can make planning a visit simpler for those driving in from surrounding towns in Essex, Union, or Hudson Counties.

For Public Transit Users: The location on West Kinney Street is well-served by NJ Transit bus routes, including the '5 Kinney' line, among many others that run through the area, such as those that stop near Broad Street and West Kinney Street. This makes it a practical destination for those relying on public transportation within the Newark area and beyond.

On-Site Accessibility: Vonda's Kitchen is committed to being welcoming to all patrons, offering full accessibility features, including a Wheelchair accessible entrance, a Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for everyone.

Comprehensive Services Offered

The restaurant provides a full suite of dining and convenience services tailored to the needs of the modern New Jersey customer:

Dining Options: Available for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner.
Service Options: Offers Dine-in, Takeout, and Delivery (including No-contact delivery).
Catering: Full-service catering is available for special events and gatherings.
Payments Accepted: Accepts Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for convenience.
Atmosphere: Provides a Casual, Cozy, and Trendy setting, suitable for various occasions, including solo dining.
Crowd: Popular among Groups, College students, and Tourists.
Beverages: Known for its great coffee and excellent tea selection, including specialty drinks like Ginger Root Lemonade and Uptown.

Key Features and Highlights

Vonda's Kitchen is distinguished by several unique qualities that draw loyal customers and newcomers alike:

Soul Food with a Healthy Twist: The restaurant is known for its southern-style comfort food but with a unique, fresh approach, offering healthy and vegetarian options alongside traditional dishes.
Exceptional Highlights: Patrons consistently highlight the Fast service, Great coffee, and Great dessert (including items like Red Velvet Cake and Carrot Cake).
Serves Local Specialty: The menu features authentic, regional Southern and soul food dishes prepared with care.
All-Day Dining: It is popular for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, making it a reliable choice throughout the day.
Direct Customer Engagement: The owner, Vonda McPherson, is known for personally engaging with guests, fostering a warm community feel.
Diverse Offerings: The menu caters to many needs, offering classic Comfort food, Quick bites, Small plates, and healthy options.

Contact Information

For New Jersey locals planning a visit or needing to place an order, here is the essential contact information for Vonda's Kitchen:

Address: 183 W Kinney St, Newark, NJ 07103

Phone: (973) 732-4532

What Makes Vonda's Kitchen Worth Choosing for Your Next Meal

For anyone in the New Jersey area looking for an outstanding breakfast, brunch, or soul food experience, Vonda's Kitchen represents a superior choice. The restaurant has garnered national recognition and is frequently celebrated as one of the best soul food spots in the U.S. This is due to its unique combination of authentic, flavorful cuisine and a dedication to using fresh ingredients, which results in lighter, yet still deeply satisfying, takes on Southern classics.

Choosing Vonda's Kitchen means choosing quality. The menu is a testament to culinary creativity, with dishes that are both comforting and memorable. Imagine starting your day with the highly-rated Spicy Chicken Hash, savoring perfectly seasoned Chicken & Waffles, or enjoying a fresh, customized omelet. The dedication to preparing food that is seasoned well and served hot, as noted by many customer reviews, solidifies its reputation.

Beyond the food, the inviting atmosphere—described as cozy and trendy—and the exceptional customer service truly set this establishment apart. Customers often praise the friendly and attentive staff, including the personal touch of meeting the owner. The convenience factors, such as easy accessibility from major transit routes and the availability of free street parking, coupled with diverse service options like dining in, taking out, or delivery, make Vonda's Kitchen an easy and appealing choice for any meal. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or settling in for a satisfying dinner, Vonda's Kitchen promises a rewarding and genuine New Jersey dining experience.

Vonda's Kitchen Menu

Drinks
Ginger Root Lemonade $6.00
Coke $2.00
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
Uptown $6.00
Sweet tea and Lemonade mix
Sweetened Ice Tea $6.00
Sprite $3.00
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
Pepsi $3.00
The bold, refreshing, robust cola

Breakfast
Catfish & Grits $24.00
parmesan grits, two eggs, potato biome-fries and (2) slices of texas toast
Fish & Grits $23.00
Blackened or fried whiting over a huge bowl of parmesan grits, two eggs, potato home-fries and (2) slices of texas toast
Egg White Omelet $14.00
With baby spinach, grilled onions & peppers, sautéed portabella mushrooms, sweet red onions, and Jersey tomatoes served with wheat toast
Three Layer Grilled Cheese $13.00
(3) slices of texas white bread, jersey fresh tomatoes, smoked beef bacon, sharp cheddar cheese
Kitchen Omelet $17.00
Served with Home Fries & Toast, Choice of two: Cheddar Swizz, or Parmesan Cheese, Tomato, Spinach, Wild Mushrooms, Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Turkey or Sausage, Additional add in $1.50
Savory Spinach & Ricotta Pancakes $16.00
Organic spinach with Lemon Zest and Cream
Pan Seared Salmon Cakes $20.00
Made to order seared salmon cakes, cheddar cheese grits, two fried eggs, (2) slices of texas toast
Chicken & Waffles $21.50
Buttermilk Belgian waffles with golden fried chicken, topped with warm syrup
Eggs, Grits, Sausage & Toast $15.00
Eggs, grits and a choice of turkey or beef bacon with toast
Silver Dollar Pancakes $12.00
Fresh Berries and Maple Cream (Multi-grain available)
Spicy Chicken Hash $18.00
With eggs, any style, red onions, avocado & sour cream.
Ms. Vonda's Oatmeal Bowl $8.50
Toasted oats, sliced bananas, walnuts, dried cranberries, cinnamon & honey
Classic Egg Panini $14.00
Eggs any way you like, smoked beef bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, hot mayo on a multigrain panini
Fruit Topping Waffles $15.00
Blueberries , strawberries ,or Bananas W/Peach Cobbler $14.50
Shrimp & Grits $20.00
Six (6) large shrimp, New Orlean's shrimp gravy, beef sausage, over creamy grits
Grilled Salmon Omelette $23.00
Blackened Salmon with Tomato and Spinach
Signature French Toast $17.00
Texas Toast, warm bananas, chopped walnuts, cream, syrup, served with beef or turkey bacon

Entrées
Jumbo Shrimp $24.00
Baked, bbq, fried or blackened Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Meatloaf $22.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Premium Center Cut Pork Chops $17.95
Center Cut Pork Chop (your way) with (2) Signature Sides and Cornbread
Beef Short Ribs $33.00
With (two) signature sides and cornbread.
Smothered Turkey Wings $19.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Tilapia $20.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Catfish $26.00
Baked, bbq, fried or blackened With (two) signature sides and cornbread.
Oxtails Over Rice & Beans $35.00
Oxtails served over Rice and Beans with (2) Signature Sides & Cornbread
Whiting Lightly Fried $20.00
Baked, bbq, fried or blackened Served with 2 side and cornbread
Baked Flounder $20.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Chicken Quarters $23.00
Baked, bbq, fried or blackened Chicken quarters with (two) signature sides.
Oxtails Over Rice $35.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Pan Seared Salmon Cakes $19.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread
Chopped Chicken $19.00
Served with (2) sides and cornbread

Sides
Potato Salad $7.00
Cabbage $7.00
Macaroni Salad $4.00
A special blend of Macaroni, Tuna, Mayo & Spices
Garlic String Beans $7.00
Yams $7.00
Black Eye Peas $7.00
Sauteed Collard Greens $7.00
Collard greens sautéed with garlic and olive oil, following a traditional preparation method.
Sauteed Kale $4.00
Kale Sauteed w/Carmelized Onions & Garlic
White Rice $6.00
Potato Salad $5.00
Sauteed Brussel Sprout Salad $4.00
Brussel Sprouts with feta cheese, cubed beef bacon, sweet ted onions, & sweet peppers

Vonda's Specials
Classic Egg Panini $11.00
Eggs any way you like, smoked beef bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, hot mayo on a multi-grain panini.
Catfish & Coleslaw $16.00
Fried Catfish served with Coleslaw & Hushpuppies
Signature French Toast $13.00
Texas Toast, ripened bananas, chopped walnuts served with beef or turkey bacon
Fish & Grits $16.00
Blackened or Fried Whiting with Parmesan grits, two eggs, home-fries & wheat toast
Savory Spinach & Ricotta Pancakes $12.00
With Fresh Berries and Cream
Seafood Bonanza $22.00
2 Crab Cakes, Whiting or Catfish, Hush Puppies, Cole Slaw and your choice of 1 side
Grilled Salmon Omelet $23.00
Blackened Salmon with Tomato and Spinach
Shrimp & Grits $14.50
Six (6) large shrimp, New Orleans shrimp gravy over creamy grits
Eggs, Grits, Sausage & Toast $10.50
Eggs, Grits and a choice of Turkey or Beef Bacon with Toast
Pan Seared Salmon Cakes $14.00
Made to order seared salmon cakes, cheddar cheese grits, two eggs & 2 slices of wheat toast
Macaroni Salad $4.00
A special blend of Macaroni, Tuna, Mayo and Spices
Center Cut Pork Chops $18.00
2 Center Cut Pork Chops, fried or seared, served with two sides
Catfish & Grits $19.50
Blackened or Fried Catfish with Parmesan grits, two eggs, home-fries & wheat toast
Silver Dollars Pancakes $10.50
Fresh Berries and Maple Cream (Multi-grain available)
Egg White Omelet $11.00
Baby spinach, grilled onions & peppers, sautéed Portabella mushrooms, sweet red onions & jersey tomatoes served with wheat toast
Fruit Topping Waffle $13.50
Choice of blueberries or strawberries Warm peach cobbler
Brioche French Toast $17.00
Ripened bananas, chopped walnuts served with beef or turkey bacon
Nutella & Strawberries $12.50
with Fresh Berries and Cream
Shrimp Po'Boy $17.00
Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich with Fries & Hushpuppies
Center Cut Pork Chops $16.50
2 Center Cut Pork Chops w/ 2 sides
Ms. Vonda's Oatmeal Bowl $7.50
Toasted oats Sliced bananas, walnuts, dried cranberries, cinnamon & honey
Blueberry Pancakes $15.00
Chicken & Waffle $15.50
Buttermilk Belgian waffles with golden fried chicken
BBQ Chopped Chicked $12.00
Chopped Chicken with your choice of two signature sides
Eggs, Grits, Home-Fries & Toast $8.50
BBQ Pork SpareRibs $16.50
Delicious Tender Spareribs with your choice of two signature sides
Kitchen Omelet $15.00
Your choice of two (2) ingredients: Cheddar, Swiss of Parmesan Cheese Tomatoes, Spinach, Wild Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Bacon or Turkey Sausage(First Two Are Free Addition Choices Must Be Picked From The $1.50 Selections)
Stuffed French Toast $14.50
Peaches, cream cheese cheese & pecan
Meatloaf Explosion Dinner $14.00
Vonda's special homemade meatloaf with two sides of your choosing. Add BBQ or Gravy and you are good to go!
Spicy Chicken Hash $17.00
With two (2) eggs any style, red onions avocado & sour cream
Banana Walnut Pancakes $11.50
Sliced ripen bananas and savory walnuts
BBQ Pork SpareRibs $15.50
Delicious Tender SpareRibs with your choice of two Sides

Soups of the Day
Tomato Parmesan Soup W/Chicken Salad Sandwich $13.00
Our Delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich paired with Tomato Parmesan Soup
Soup (12 Oz.) $7.50
Tomato Parmesan

Sandwiches
Fried Chicken Sandwich $17.00
Golden lightly fried chicken breast, shredded cabbage, shredded red onions, pickle chip, celery seeds on toasted roll
Fried Catfish Box $17.00
Catfish Nuggets served with corn bread topped with pepper tartar sauce
Roasted Turkey BLT $13.00
Roasted Turkey, smoked beef bacon, thick cut tomatoes, mixed greens and onion
MeatLoaf Overload $13.50
MeatLoaf Sandwich with Mushrooms & Onions served with Homefries
Jumbo Whiting Sandwich $16.00
W/French Fries or Side Salad
Catfish Sandwich $17.00
Severed with French Fries or Side Salad
Three Layer Grilled Cheese $13.00
(Three) slices of Texas white bread, jersey fresh tomatoes, smoked beef bacon, sharp cheddar cheese.
Classic Egg Panini $16.00
Eggs any way you like, smoked beef bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, hot mayo on a multigrain panini.
Grilled Salmon Cake Panini $15.00
Homemade seared salmon cake, mixed greens, tomato, hot mayo on toasted panini. Served with our Signature Fries

Desserts
Red Velvet Cake $5.00
Luxurious red velvet, cream cheese frosting, subtle cocoa. a classic indulgence.
Carrot Cake $4.50

Salads
Pan Seared Salmon $15.99
Pan Seared Salmon, Spring Mi Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions & Madarin Oranges
Cobb Salad $14.00
Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Corn, Avocado, Bacon, Boiled Egg & Crumbled Cheese
Honey Dipped Fried Chicken Salad $18.00
Chopped lettuce, diced tomato, beef bacon, chips, shredded cheddar, lightly fried chicken tenders, topped with honey Dijon dressing.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad $18.00
Grilled chicken breast, chopped romaine lettuce, tossed in a creamy caesar dressing with homemade croutons and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Sautéed Brussel Sprout Salad $9.50
Sautéed Brussel Sprouts with feta cheese, cubed beef bacon, sweet red onions, and sweet red peppers
Catfish Sandwich $19.00
Severed with French Fries or Side Salad
Wheat Sautéed Tilapia Salad $19.00
Chopped lettuce, diced tomato, beef bacon, chips, shredded cheddar, lightly fried chicken tenders, topped with honey Dijon dressing.
Mixed Green Salad $12.00
Chopped lettuce, field greens, tomato, red onion, cucumber, croutons, dressing.

West Kinney Burgers
W. Kinney Mushroom Explosion $17.00
Portabella mushrooms, swiss cheese, caramelized onions. Served with our Signature Fries
W. Kinney Veggie Burger $16.00
Sautéed spinach, tomato, mushrooms, onions
W. Kinney Burger $15.00
With lettuce, tomato, onions. Served with out Signature Fries
W. Kinney BBQ Burger $17.00
Dipped in bbq sauce, topped with cheddar cheese crispy onions
W. Kinney Grilled Turkey Burger $17.00
Red peppers, red onions slices, cheddar cheese

Appetizers
Grilled BBQ Whole Wings $17.00
Sever with corn cakes
Kitchen Mac Bowl $17.00
With smoked Gouda, Wisconsin Cheddar, Beef Bacon or Buffalo Chicken
Vegetables Soul Roll $16.00
With collard, cabbage, brown rice poppin john topped with a spicy pepper sauce
Black Eye Pea Dip $12.00
Served with crisp tortilla chips

Father's Day
Homemade Vegan Meatballs W/Mango Orange Sauce $13.50
Sprinkled w/Roasted Broccoli & two sides
Classic Chicken Dinner $13.50
with two sides (Fried, BBQ or Baked)
Chopped Chicken $10.50
served with two sides
Catfish Combo $24.50
witH 3 Jumbo Shrimp & two sides (Blackened or Fried
Whiting Combo $21.50
3 Jumbo Shrimp, Hush Puppies with two sides (Blackened or Fried
Chicken Tenders $7.50
with Fries
Vegetable Stuffed Cornish Hens $17.00
with Stuffing or Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed String Beans
Braised Beef Short Ribs $24.00
with two sides (Smothered or BBQ)
Two Center Cut Pork Chops $17.50
with two sides (Fried or Smothered)
Classic Burger $10.50
with Fries
Meatloaf With Mushroom Gravy $15.50
with Mashed Potatoes & String Beans or any two sides
Brown Sugar Salmon $21.50
served with two sides
Chicken Sandwich $8.00
with Fries
Oxtail Over Rice $19.95
with two sides
Shrimp & Grits $11.50
Six (6) large shrimp, new orlean's shrimp gravy, beef sausage, over creamy grits

Vonda's Kitchen Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Free street parking
Parking

Vonda's Kitchen Photos

Vonda's Kitchen Location

Vonda's Kitchen

New Jersey Essex County Newark Springfield/Belmont West Kinney Street

183 W Kinney St, Newark, NJ 07103, USA

Vonda's Kitchen Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 1662 user reviews.

oxtailschicken and waffleshome friesgingerwhitingsalmon cakestilapiapaninitexas toastsmothered turkey wings

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Party of 2 in the morning on a weekday. Firstly, entering the restaurant, some substance was on the ground directly outside the door, making it a bit sticky/slippery. I suspect it was oil, but the floor inside was much better. Upon entering, the host greeted us and prompted us to sit anywhere we pleased. Unfortunately, I no longer remember her name, but the host was knowledgeable and friendly throughout our experience, often checking in on us + other guests. We had the spicy chicken hash, eggs, grits, home fries, and toast for our meals. Everything was good, and I definitely would recommend the chicken hash. As we left, we bumped into another employee who asked how the meal was and if we needed anything else. After she introduced herself as Vonda, the owner. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, and I will be returning.
July 02 · Skylin Williams
Ok so I ordered the brioche French toast from this place the other morning . I was literally in utter disbelief when I realized that they have me a burger bun cut up as French toast. When I had looked through the reviews before going I seen people with triangular French toast with powder sugar etc . The service was ok it was early in the morning so I understand that the mood wasn’t a 10/10 . But the picture alone will speaks for itself . The portion was way too small for the price of $17. The food was also rock hard and not hot enough.
October 12 · LYFE OF T
Amazing service , amazing food, nice atmosphere for a date or business meet. My wife and I enjoyed . Chicken and waffles were great . Thank me later
October 08 · Trevor Trinivibes
Found this spot while we were in town & the food was amazing, the wait staff was very friendly and made us feel welcomed. The food did take quite a while, but came out fresh and tasty.
September 13 · Alex Bailey
Came here for breakfast -- i had the Best banana walnut pancakes 🥞 . You can take out or dine in. Our server was very warm and attentive. Would definitely revisit to try the waffles or grits !
July 26 · Katie Banaag