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    Natural Start

    3.6 (62 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Natural Start Photos

    NATURAL START ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Turkey wing

    My turkey wings were very big and deformed. They smelled horrible like garbage or raw blood. The juice spilled all over me and must've spilled in my collard greens because they also tasted like lead or raw blood as well. The only thing that was good was the mac & cheese. Everything else had to be trashed

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    Stephanie K.

    This is a small restaurant that specializes in all kinds of area of food . You can order a healthy meal grilled with a smoothie or juice . Down to a platter of fried chicken wings. I ordered the cat fish salad, and fish and take . The whiting fish and take is a chopped up fish sandwich with onions and peppers and some sort of special sauce on a roll . The sandwich was very salty and messy . I would not recommend . However the salad was very appeasing but alil salty . I would return to this restaurant and try a smoothie option and grilled fish . Seems like they over kill the fried fish . My co worker did order a 100 piece fried wing for a party and in his opinion, He likes their chicken. The chicken was Fried to a crisp and not greasy. There is street parking for this restaurant.

    Authentic crack wings!!
    Shamir R.

    Best wings ever!!! Ambassadors don't got nothing on these guys! The wings are crispy, tasty, crumbly, juicy, and leave a taste in your mouth that make you go back for another!

    a group of people in a fast food restaurant
    Ock K.

    I dont know if its because I show them too much love but its bout to stop, I go in today for lunch I ordered 10 wings mac and cheese and candied yams, they we're scrapping the old Mac and cheese in my container, it was old burnt and stuck to the pan, i asked was that for my order cause if so I don't want it..some shit you give your pit bull after you scrap the dishes, but anyway they preceeded to give me some out new pan, I get to my destination the chicken smell like burnt grease, they wasnt good at all the Mac cheese is nasty the yams are terrible, I thought about taking it back but I decided not to make a scene so ill just give it to the dogs in the back of the firehouse and let them eat it.Ill just go back to my other spot when I want fried chicken GOLDEN WINGS which is 3blocks down fuck it...

    This Mac n cheese is sooo good. It's like your grandmother made it or something.

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    2 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious!!! And great portion sizes. Stew chicken is magnificent. Customer service was on point, greeted with a smile.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Breakfast is really good. The hot sandwich I ordered for lunch wasn't impressive. Take out is fast.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great people ! Great wings! Just order in advance around holidays because they may sell out!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is always fresh and the owners are amazing. This was one of my late husband's favorite spot to eat.

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food very tasty friendly staff also. I love their wings and fish. I travel from Lodi to get the food it's worth the trip.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Might be the best chicken in the area. I'm greedy I should know!!!!! The sides are seasoned well and nice portions

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    3 years ago

    I love it! Everything is always fresh and it tastes great! Great portions for what you pay as well!

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    3 years ago

    Food and service is always great. I travel from Jersey City that says a lot. Thank you

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Just simply the best soul food in east orange. The only drawback is that they don't sell shrimp

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Natural Start

    Anyone knows why they've been closed for over 2 months?

    Renovations

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Natural Start

    The only down side to natural start is that they only serve cornbread on Sundays and you can't buy extra sides of it.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    The Yard - Newark - Black Joy (Watermelon) Salad

    The Yard - Newark

    4.6(230 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a quick dinner before watching a show at the NJPAC and the chef/owner…read moregraciously acquired us a table - by chance! Chef Kai was super welcoming and engaged in convo with us, including with our 8yo daughter - he set the tone for a cozy dining experience that felt like we had entered his home. Everything was fresh, quality, and obviously made with TLC. The dipping sauces were each characteristically delish and I loved that they gave all of them at once so we could try them all. Best ground chicken burger I've had - juicy and worked well with the brioche bun. The oxtail burger was super flavorful and tender. Next time I need to try the shrimp burger. I went with the side of sweet potato tots and oxtail gravy, and it was the best tots I've had especially in the gravy - again, quality and fresh. The pink lemonade was perfection - fresh lemons, real sugar, and not overly sweet at all and check out the container it comes in! Plus lollipops with the check - such a cute added touch. The location is in a park, walking distance from the NJ Pac and train stop. If we had more time (and could take a to go bag with us) we would've absolutely ordered wings and tried another burger - so that'll be for next time! Love having this kind of dining experience in NJ and supporting a community gem like Chef Kai!

    I really wanted to support this restaurant, but unfortunately our experience left us feeling…read moreuncomfortable. When we arrived, the owner/chef told us the wait would be about 10-15 minutes. Shortly after, another couple came in and were told about 20 minutes. We were the only two parties waiting. When a table opened, the waitress began seating us, and the chef stopped her and asked the other (AA) couple if they were there first. He then told the gentleman, "I see you with family, and I'm not trying to start any problems." This was said while we were literally being seated, and nothing was said to us. It put us in an awkward and embarrassing position, as we would never intentionally skip ahead of anyone. As a Hispanic couple, the interaction also left us wondering if we were being treated differently, even if that wasn't the intention. Then the drink order added to the frustration. I ordered a hibiscus lemonade and my boyfriend ordered a regular lemonade. The waitress repeated it back incorrectly as strawberry, and I corrected her. About 10 minutes later she brought a strawberry lemonade anyway. When I said that wasn't what I ordered, the chef took the drink and handed it to the other couple who had just ordered a strawberry lemonade , saying it was freshly made and "they didn't want it." That was uncomfortable because I never ordered strawberry to begin with. Overall, the interaction felt dismissive and awkward. Mistakes happen, but the way this was handled -- especially the comments made -- left us feeling unwelcome. I hope this feedback helps improve communication and customer experience moving forward.

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    The Yard - Newark - Flower bomb, let me guess your favorite...

    Flower bomb, let me guess your favorite...

    The Yard - Newark - Live Jazz Brunch every Sunday 12-3pm

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    Vonda's Kitchen - Spicy Chicken Hash

    Vonda's Kitchen

    3.8(578 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Ambiance : decor is very modern art deco features local artists paintings but could use more…read morecleaning Service: the greeting was very welcoming but however being served was not organized i was seated before someone but they order was taken before me. Food: chicken was very good and flavorful, grilled cheese was good and toasted golden brown. Waffles were bland thick and hard to swallow even with syrup still bland . The worst thing about my whole meal was my drink there was something floating in the bottom of my drink that no one could identify.

    Let me start out by saying, we've been coming here for years and used to love their food. But after…read moreour last visit, we won't be back. As we entered the restaurant, the floors were "crunchy", sticky and tacky. I assume they mopped the dining room with the same mop they use to clean the greasy floors in the kitchen. They don't have high chairs, So we spent most of the time with our toddler in our lap. The sweet tea tasted off, sour almost. Had to give it back to the server because I couldn't stomach it. Had my husband taste it, and he immediately agreed that something was wrong with it. The plastic utensils were such a turn off. We're dining in, is it too much of a hassle to give your customers actual silverware?? Got fish and grits. Potatoes, toast and eggs. Honestly, the only flavorful item on my plate was the potatoes and eggs. Was upcharged to add cheese to my grits, but the cheese never melted. Pre shredded bagged cheese is what they have on hand it seems. My husband ordered shrimp and grits and asked for a side of eggs, but that arrived 15 minutes after we all received our food. Not sure why it took so long so cook up 2 eggs for him. He was also disappointed in his brunch. It was obvious they used frozen bagged shrimp. Probably the 26-30/lb because the shrimp were really small and had the nerve to be overcooked. Workers just seemed disheveled. Not sure what happened to Vondas but it fell off for sure. We're not from Newark and would travel here for years. Not anymore. This is the end of an era, definitely won't be back. Absolutely don't recommend.

    Photos
    Vonda's Kitchen - Inside dining room

    Inside dining room

    Vonda's Kitchen - Fruit Topping Waffle

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    Natural Start - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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