Great food attentive staff the corned beef hash is awesome! The bacon was nice and crispy the beef sausage was good too! Nice quaint little diner prices are good too! read more

Excellent local diner. They have the bread, a selection of cheese for your grilled cheese. And they make it the way you want it. Excellent comfort food. Very nice people as well. read more

Went with whole family and everyone was happy. Eggs. Pancakes bacon sausage. All good. Get past the plain decor, chipped plates, and enjoy food the successful way it has been done for 50 years. read more

The grilled chicken salad with pita bread was fantastic. The marinade which was used to flavor the chicken as well as tenderize it was superb. I have no complaints about the food and I have visited the place on several occasions over the course of several years. Although you often have to wait a while for your food, would you really want to go to a place that has been around for as long as it has and there were no customers? read more

RUN THE OTHER WAY! This is honestly the absolute WORST EXPERIENCE Ive had with food in my entire life. The service is TERRIBLE!!! I got my food delivered and it was COLD. They forgot butter and syrup which i dont have as a dorming college freshman and when I called them about it they FAKED like they were sending someone for TWO HOURS and never came!! When I got in touch with the owner he said he has nothing to do with the morning shift people why cant I just deal with it!? BITCH cause I payed for my food and your lowsy ass fucking delivery thats why! Dont tell me to fucking deal with it! TERRIBLE SERVICE! GO TO ANABELLE's! They give more food anyway!! read more

Today I went to Central restaurant to get lunch for me and my wife and I was sitting at the counter waiting to make my order looking at the menu there were no other customers in the restaurant at this time the all the woman who came to take my order was very disrespectful and rude for some reason she had an attitude and act like I should not have been there I asked for a cup of coffee to have while waiting for my order she put my Coffee in a takeout cup and just put it on the end of the counter did not even give it to me you know how you go to places and people that wait on you act like you should not even be there and you spending your money if I was not getting food for my wife and someone else I would not have even gotten the food I would've just left but as a black man that's not a place that I would refer any black person to do business unless you want to get your food from the back door!! read more

I wanted breakfast for dinner tonight, and one of my roomies mentioned this place down the street, so I figured I'd go check it out. Pretty standard diner menu all around, so I ended up ordering hot cakes with scrambled eggs and bacon. I was actually surprised about how much food I got for just under $7... 3 hot cakes, about 2-3 eggs, and 6 pieces of bacon--definitely a good amount for a mom pop shop. Everything tasted pretty standard and solid for a diner which is what I wanted anyways. read more

My friend and I were hungry and we wanted to try a diner somewhere near the area, so walked here at around 6 pm. My first reaction was wow! The food is so cheap! But you get what you pay for. 1.) The waitress was an elderly lady that asked us if we needed more time and we said yes. She then, sat at the table RIGHT infront of us and waited there and asked us 3 minutes later if we needed more time, and we said just a minute, and she just kept sitting there and looking at me. I mean, isn't that kind of rude? I felt very uncomfortable 2.) I got the pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed vegetables. The pot roast tasted diluted and old, and the mashed potatoes were extremely buttery and the gravy.. just tasted old and sweet for some reason? The steamed vegetables..gross. Flat out gross. didn't even touch them. 3.) Buffalo chicken with cole slaw and french fries- the buffalo chicken was not buffalo chicken.. it was just fried chicken. The cole slaw was very unique though. It had a spicy kick, kind of tasted like wasabi cole slaw. The fries.. i mean you can't really go wrong with fries- they were crispy and crunchy. 4.) They don't take cards. read more

I take exception with some of the reviews here. This homey, amiable, and non-pretentious diner, like the Sunrise in Roselle Park (see my review), receives high marks from me because it does not pretend to be something it's not. It's a diner. No facades, (physical or otherwise) , no pretensions. Just good, solid food at price points below other diners. I'm certain it has absorbed more of the recent skyrocketing food costs than it would prefer to, in an effort to appease its loyal following. In four visits, I've had the following: --split pea soup $2.50 for a bowl-- 4stars --manhattan clam chowder--$2.50 for a bowl--4stars --greek salad--$5.25 for a small that look more like a large portion- 4stars --grilled mushrom wrap (forgot price)-- 4stars --manhattan clam chowder $2.95 for a bowl-- 4stars Recently, I had a stand-out--it's called "Newark's Finest"--named after the police force. Two huge boneless chicken breasts stuffed with sauteed broccoli, topped with a bechemel sauce, served with a choice of potato or salad (a very nice salad, at that). If it was served with just one breast, it would have been a bargain.... Two of them--for $7.85--a steal! Hell, some fast food joints are getting $7.50 for combo. The above entree, with seltzer and tax, I walked out at under ten bucks. I don't know how they do it. The staff, which unlike other diners turn over weekly, are fixtures there. Despite my being a newcomer, I was given the same courtesy as the "regulars". I felt right at home, very comfortable. Another remarkable attribute is that the owner actually speaks to his staff in a conversational tone. Believe me, I've been around and witnessed the abuse, voices bellowing in back rooms. I look forward to future trips to the Central and wish them the continued success they have earned. Lastly, while in Newark, it's a secure area, nestled between the rehabilitated downtown (NJ PAC and Best Western Robert Treat Hotel), and Rutgers U. and adjacent to the Newark Museum. Lots of foot traffic and storefronts. read more

This place looks like a front for the mafia. The food is decent. The decor Reminds me of NJ diners I visited when I was a kid because this place hasn't been updated or renovated for a long time. read more

We came into town by train and walked around looking for dinner. We walked by Central Restaurant and decided to eat there. What a great choice. I ordered the broccoli stuffed chicken and baked potato (the Thursday special). My husband ordered London Broil with fries and peas and carrots. Both meals were very good. The portions were huge. We were served quickly. We couldn't believe the low price, about $10 a meal! So good and so worth it. We also enjoyed chatting with the owner, the chef, and the server. Such nice people. Very impressed. read more

Great food, I just hate the customer service of the waitress Pat. She's alllllllllways rude. I've been going here for years so I'm starting to think that's just her persona. read more

Wow. If you like eating in a filthy restaurant with horrible food and one of the rudest waitresses EVER, then this place is for you! It is so dirty in the dining room its not even funny, and our waitress was unbelievably rude. A table of 3 men seated next to us asked for sliced tomato for their sandwiches, and she was rudely arguing with them saying that it doesnt come with the sandwiches they had ordered...blah blah blah. Like seriously? You just go get the tomato, Bitch! Geez! NEVER AGAIN. read more

This place is good ,me and my husband have been coming here for years and the food is still good the only reason I gave them 4 stars is because there's this server that works there her name is Shirley Yea she's nice BUT for some reason she can't focus .. she messed up my order three times in one day we even had her repeat it back to us and SHE STILL MESSED IT UP UUUUGGH !! How frustrating for a soon to be mom who's hungry baby kept kicking her but If you do choose to come to Central Restaurant see if Ms.Francis is working she's an older black women who is extremely sweet and every time she sees me and my husband she treats us like old child hood friends !! read more

The muffins were excellent and I often bought them at breakfast time. There was also very good fruit salad. I think I ate there relatively infrequently in the evenings during my stay in the area because it closed around seven, and I usually ate further down the street at lunchtime. However, I think the food was good although I think I might have found the pasta overcooked once. When I first went there it smelled like it hadn't been open in a while, also true of the diner nearer Rutgers whose name I now forget - a smell of gas - but was usually crowded and I seem to remember stayed open over Labor weekend. read more

Classic tiny greazy diner-joint with sea-foam booth seating. You can smell the pig-products grilling from around each corner. Only been there for breakfast, and it's entirely the spot to go for eggs n homefries or french toast. I'd guess the afternoon diner dishes are similarly styled and taste great. This is all in the context of being in Newark, which, mind you, has zero other diners. I wish I'd discovered this a year ago.. read more

This was exactly the right restaurant for hungry travelers after a long night of flying! The food is traditional diner fare-eggs, bacon, toast, etc- and it was all excellent. We got to the restaurant early at around 7 am, and within moments of sitting down our waitress was with us with menus and coffee (which was of fantastic quality, by the way). Three out of the four of us got the two egg combo, which came with potatoes and heaps of bacon. I have to say, I love it when places aren't stingy with the bacon! The last of our party ordered the French toast. Everything was perfectly cooked and came out quicker than we expected. The entire time the waitress was attentive and friendly, refilling our coffee and helping us with extra butter for the toast. Overall, this was a great experience and I'm really glad we stopped in at this little joint to begin our trip. read more

I love the food here. Classic diner food and ambiance, and done very well. Never had a bad dish. I love the turkey club, the chicken-spinach salad. The coconut cake was moist and soft. What a warm staff, also with a low turnover. I wish there were more places like Central in Newark. read more

Great little diner great food service and price the only downside sometimes it's the parking.

Not the greatest diner, nor does it have the Jersey diner feel but they are one of the few places that serve breakfast on saturday and sunday in the central ward. The place is usually pretty quiet in the morning with a few locals, EMT and cops. Your standard eggs, homefries and pancakes are good and most things with coffee are less then 6 dollars. All in all with limited options in the area I go here for breakfast frequently. They serve lunch and dinner but I haven't sampled any of that yet. read more

I'm not really a fan. I've eaten here on several occasions and must say, I wouldn't be sad if I never ate here again. In my opinion, the food isn't the greatest quality. It's just your local neighborhood diner. However, if you're looking for good hangover food...this might be the spot. The staff is nice and the customer service is good. I guess you have to pick you poison... read more

Every time I come to this place the service is great, and the food is great. Parking is horrible however, that's the only down fall !!!

Best grilled chicken ever....fully marinated & delicious....grilled chicken pita salad & Caesar are phenomenal but def try this chicken in their other dishes read more

Perfect greasy spoon diner. Walking distance from most of Newark. Service is diner-gruff perfect.

Crappy lil hole in the wall! They sold me spoiled cake! I spent 7.22 on 1 chocolate and 2 coconut lemon and all 3 were rancid! I had cake there 1 time before and it was great. I don't know what the hell happened but they need not to do it again!!!! Only thing I will get for now on is a can of soda!!!!! read more

Ms. Francis the server was sweet ol lady. She served food with so much love. Food was delicious and portions are fullfilling. The price is alright and even on a national holiday itwas busy. This place is nice comfy cozy little diner. But really nice place. The edison parking is right next to it. Don't stuggle finding parking on the street. read more

The place is small but very quant and wonderful.I would have given this place 5 stars but the place is not for the handicap people.The 2 front doors are very heavy to open.Thank god the very nice manager was there to open the doors for me.I truly appreciated that.The food is very good& very reasonable.The waitress was very nice and professional.I will visit thiss place again& again,keep up the good work that you do. read more

Has the best breakfast in the area. And the soup on a cold day is to die for. The grilled chicken is out of this world....love the prices and old diner feel. The aspirin, is there are alot of bars in the area...and office workers with headaches.... read more

I only go for breakfast items at diners or maybe the occasional chicken sandwich, chicken tenders type of things. This diner takes the cake fas being my go to diner. When I lived/worked in the area I would always go to Central for breakfast. The breafast is great. I usually get the breakfast steak egg and cheese which is real steak not the shaved stuff, beef sausage egg on a roll or grits to name a few. They have such a variety of items to offer. Many diners do not have other options in meat other than pork and thats what I love most about central. I can get something filling and cooked to perfection, I have yet to be disappointed. I even ventured off one afternoon and tried a tuna melt, I just knew I would hate it. It was also delicious !!! Thumbs up to everyone there. I live in middlesex county now and there are basically no options, I wish there was a central diner on the go to teach these other so called diners what real breakfast is! read more

This restaurant is within walking distance from U S Customs Border of Protection on Raymond Boulevard. I liked the sandwiches that they serve. read more

Waitress is rude and place needs a major makeover. Food is okay but who wants to eat when they are treated so badly.

Best grilled chicken ceasar salad for lunch. Breakfast can be hectic if you're walking in. Better off getting delivery if you're local.

Some of my co-workers have gone there and each and every one of them have their own Central's story. For example hair found in the food- this was mentioned by three different people on varied occasions. Still do not recommend this disgusting and overpriced place. The rude staff members only makes it worse. read more

The BEST TAKEOUT-DELIVERY in the area!!!! Very tasty Fast food and some pretty YUMMY Home-style chicken!!!!!!!! Have seen many places come and go in this area and THIS ONE REMAINS by far the best choice!!!! Try the Chicken Sandwich----secret recipe. Even the Mac and Cheese on Fridays! And the coffee outranks most franchised brands in taste. Breakfast Catered Deliveries are awaited events at the office. Freshly baked muffins, and quite LARGE. Waitresses are nice, except resemble old ALICE cast in style. Rest of staff Family run -working hard to get your order out quick!! and thats always good for me! read more

Upon entering the place it was empty which was probably due to the fact that I was having breakfast around 2pm. I liked that I could see the grill and the food being made. It was very empty in there so service was fast. The food was decent, I ordered french toast with sausage. My bf had a bacon omelette & home fries. He enjoyed his dish very much. My french toast didn't really have a taste (I did have a cold) but nonetheless my sense of taste wasn't completely gone because the sausage I had was perfect. The prices were very cheap so that was a plus, $16 in total. The biggest problem I had was the amount of flies in the restaurant. I was swatting at them every couple minutes. Probably won't be going back here because of that. read more