Vanguard Kitchen

I have a few go-to spots in EWR Terminal C, but decided to try Vanguard Kitchen for a change. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming. It's rare for me to leave a negative review, but this visit prompted me to do so while still there. For a relatively expensive restaurant that promotes itself as organic and farm-fresh--and was more than half empty--the wait time for a simple breakfast plate was unexpectedly long. When the food arrived, it was cold; the potatoes were soggy and the meal overly greasy. There was no communication from staff regarding the delay, nor did anyone check in afterward. I also noticed other guests leaving most of their food untouched. Ordering and tipping are done in advance via QR, and the seating appeared worn. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Dirty silverware, bad service, horrible food

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Service is Terrible!! I ordered a cappuccino was the first person in the restaurant. Waiter gave no spoon. I got up to ask for a spoon he told me I had to wait - he was standing right next to the spoons he proceeded to give utensils to 2 new tables told me to go back to my table and wait for the spoon I waited 4 more min went back up he had the spoon in his hand told me I had to go to the table and wait for it. I argued w him and he finally gave it to me w an extra serving of ATTITUDE.
Had a similar experience previously. Go somewhere else . It will ruin your day also $$$$ you have to order and tip on the app. So there is no motivation for the staff to act respectfully

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

This place is horrific. Do not go. Flat soda, slow service, wayyy over priced food. Worst restaurant I've been to in a long time.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Omelette was good, but slow service, and they didn't have some things we ordered. Also, asked for avocado on toast, payed extra, but there wasn't any and they didn't tell us.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

Overpriced, snail pace service despite a QR code to order online meals and drinks were continuously delivered to the wrong table. The food was standard quality the price was obviously taking advantage of captive airport customers and their first place positioning in the food court on your way to the gates. I witnessed a blind customer walk in with a cane and staff walk past ignoring him and as a result he left, however two pretty ladies walked in and a male staff member brought them menus and served them quickly. Many customers were asking where their meals were and even the gentleman next to me waited over 15 minutes for a cabinet piece of cake to be served.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

I had some trouble ordering via mobile, but they were very helpful and accommodating even though I don't speak English. Great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A good warm cozy meal, fast service and a clean and beautiful setting!

The waitress took my order (thank you! I hate scan and order thing) and never asked me the tip amount but assumed 18%, that was fine but I would have preferred to have done that at the end after I knew the timing and quality of the service and food … she was helpful, fast and kind so it wasn’t worth saying anything or changing.

The fries were great! The burger (black and blue on lettuce) was well done and yummy and very filling. Overall it was a spendy ($55 for 1 person for dinner and a drink), but it filled me up was fast and enjoyable.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

here was no server — everything has to be ordered through a QR-code website. One of the items we ordered wasn’t available, and instead of being allowed to substitute it, we were told we had to request a refund through the website (which will supposedly take 5–7 business days).

The food took about 30 minutes to arrive and was disappointing in quality. We were also asked to leave our stroller at the front of the restaurant and to hold our 5-month-old baby in our laps for the entire meal — which we declined.

When the food finally came, there was no cutlery on the table, and it took another 10 minutes to get any. For the high prices they charge, the overall experience and food quality were extremely poor. I would strongly recommend going elsewhere.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Very slow (~30 min from order to food). Undercooked (Pizza warm and center of Cauliflower raw). Overpriced ($25 each). Staff is kind

The pizza was amazing but the bartender I had was a con artist and added extra tips for himself and charged me for a much more expansive wine on the mobile receipt. He acted like your friend and then rips you off. I tipped cash and then saw the tip added and told him to atleast give me my cash back. I tipped a $20 for a glass of wine and a pizza. He added $10 more to the mobile receipt and I demanded my cash tip back and he only gave me a $10 back. He had an accent, maybe from Africa with glasses and dressed nice, be aware of this guy. Watch your bank account and make sure you check your mobile receipt before leaving this place.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

Ended up costing about $62-63 for two parfaits, two teas, and two waters (we were told only smart water bottles were available when we requested a glass of water). The restaurant automatically applies a 20% charge for tip/employee benefits.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 2

Be careful they add charges to your bill after it closes

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

It’s been 30 minutes since I ordered an eggs benedict and still waiting. They served at least 10 customers in front of my eyes and still trying to use lack of staff as an excuse

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Message to the Owner:
Yesterday, while traveling with two colleagues in Newark, I decided to visit this restaurant. From the outside, it looked very nice. However, my experience with the hostess at the front—an older woman wearing glasses—was extremely disappointing. She was very rude when I asked to be seated. She told me I could sit at the bar because I was alone, even though there were empty tables available. She refused to seat me at one of those tables and said it was “up to me” if I wanted to leave. When I asked to speak to the manager, he just laughed and showed no concern at all.

This is not the American hospitality I had heard about, and customers should not be treated this way. To the owner: how can you allow staff like this to run your business? I am very disappointed and will never return to this restaurant.