On Friday evening and this place is off the hook!!
I don’t even know where to begin with this piece, especially since “Tops Diner” should be a restaurant instead of a diner, simply because I’ve never been to a diner where I witnessed a long wait just to be seated. We didn’t have that problem though, we were seated right away.
Their selections are plentiful and the food portions are enormous!! When the food comes out of the kitchen, it is bedecked on huge platters like it was pulled from a cuisine magazine.
I saw huge platters of fish and shrimp, chicken and waffles and the chicken, fish and shrimp pieces were so big, I had to ask our waitress Carmella if there was a hen-house out back or a fishing dock at the edge of their parking lot.
The “owner and chef” at Tops is not playing when it comes to the way his food is presented and served to his patrons.
My dinner companion had chicken and eggplant parmesan over a large bed of linguine, this pasta dish was so large it could feed a family of five. And with that dish came a nice size salad and soup, I had his soup along with a spinach salad, topped with grilled salmon and mushrooms, a chopped boiled egg and mozzarella cheese. (the food pictures here are not the real depiction of the restaurant’s dishes).
For dessert I had the red velvet cake and it was better than Sylvia’s; now you know…it had to be good! The cake was so light, it melted in my mouth.
My crony had the coconut pie that looked like a cake, was shaped like a big fat piece of corn bread and baked to perfection.
Again, I asked Carmella our waitress, if the owner’s grandmother was in the basement cranking out cakes. That’s when she informed me, there was indeed a bakery on site and yes in the basement.
The staff was courteous and professional…I liked because they were all wearing the same shirts and dark pants, they were all neat, clean and uniformed. The chefs were wearing dress pants and dress shirts, adorned with white aprons. Again, the look was clean-cut and professional.
A professional presentation in a business, equals a high degree of training, competence and skill.
Established in 1972, Tops Diner is located in East Newark or maybe even Harrison, New Jersey. It’s a popular spot for the students of Rutger’s University. So if you’re ever in the area, it’s so worth the trip and dining at the top!!
Conversations Of A Sistah 
“My crony had the coconut pie that looked like a cake, was shaped like a big fat piece of corn bread and baked to perfection”.
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Damn!!!! That must a been some piece of pie! lol.
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We know where this is. and i’m excited knowing that the blog queen was in OUR neck of the woods.
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Oh this place be popping esp. round 2 and 3 am when Rurgers parties get out and all da clubs let loose in newark..
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This place look like it might be in the hood. and I can’t believe Trace went into the hood to eat. Be careful Ms. Bell. 🙂
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This place look like it might be in the hood. and I can’t believe Trace went into the hood to eat. Be careful Ms. Bell.
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Sorry SON TOPS is not in the hood. and why are you sayin that cause it’s in Newark.? Tracy was safe and in good company. You need not worry.
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Tracy’s always safe and in good company when she’s dining. I just think it’s funny how, she switched up her locale and area once again.
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I just think it’s funny how, she switched up her locale and area once again.
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You have to do that when you runing into bloggers and shit!!!! lol. 🙂
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what’s so wrong with running into bloggers Sue?
Good morning Fam.
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This place sounds good. Of course I gotta follow Tracy and check it out. Is anyone else getting HUNGRY from looking at the food she posts??
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Isn’t Corey Booker the mayor of Newark? Just asking.
*SIPPING TEA*
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Hell yeah that food is making me hungry Adriane. I’ma about to map this place now.
Keep doin the damn thing Trace. I hope ya goal is to eat all over the tri state area damnit!!!!
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Trace when are you going to sylvia’s?
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Trace when are you going to sylvia’s?
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@Big Belly, we’re confused, if you’re her man shouldn’t you know this already? Justaskin.
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TOPS IS OFF THE HOOK!!!! WE GO ALOT ESP. WHEN WE PARTYING ON CAMPUS. MS. BELL IS TOO COOL HANGING OUT IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS. 🙂
AND ADAM, UM., U DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. TOPS IS NOT IN DA HOOD. YOU CROSS THE BRIDGE ON CLAY STREET AND YOU’RE THERE.
AND THE FOOD YA’LL IS JUST LIKE SHE DESCRIBED. THEY GIVE YOU SO MUCH, YOU’LL BE EATIN FOR DAYS.
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OK
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OK Tracy said nothing about prices. has anyone else been there and know what the prices are like??? I wouldn’t mind checking this spot out.
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Tracy never mentions prices cause she’s not paying for her meal. lol.
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The red velvet cake was better than sylvia’s??? Tracy loves Sylvia’s. oh lawd she don hit a revolution. lol.
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I’m gathering this is all american food and not soul food?
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Those chicken and waffles. dat shit look good. I wanna lick my damn screen fam. lol.
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If Tracy is dissing Sylvia’s red velvet, sumtins up ya’ll. damn. she said it was better.
Trace I hope you workin out. cause da nicca that’s feedin you damn!!! ya’ll hittin these joints hard!
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I’m hungry.
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Ah the Monday morning restaurant post of the food and restaurants Trace ate at over the weekend. I be looking forward to this. and she write it wherein ya mouth be watering and sh*****!
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This was Friday night, where did she dine Saturday and Sunday? Big Belly said she was at 1fish, 2fish on Sunday. anybody know? Ya’ll think she’s going to tell the fam??
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The sald looks healthy. the chicken and waffles is a southern dish.
wondering what kind of food this diner has?
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My bad “SALAD” The SALAD looks healthy.
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The sald looks healthy. the chicken and waffles is a southern dish.
wondering what kind of food this diner has?
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I agree cause you can’t get chicken and waffles erwhere. Sylvia’s does have chicken and waffles too. sounds like Tracy don put SYLVIA’s down.
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Ya’ll need to stop!!!
Good morning all.
Tracy is diversified with her restaurant selections. and just because she hasn’t blogged about Sylvia’s in a minute doesn’t mean: “She Put Sylvia’s down”. damn people stop being so dramatic and jumping to conclusions.
And just because another eating establishment makes their “RED VELVET CAKE” better doesn’t mean that she is not entitled to her opinion.
The one thing about these restaurants posts that I like is, I don’t want to be seein that she ATE ate the same ole places.
Ms. Bell is being OPENED minded with her dining.
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Gina, I agree.
And Donte, Ms. Bell is a grown ass damn woman and I’m sure SHE IS NOT GETTING FAT (as you’ve implied) just because she eats out alot.
It’s not how much you eat out, it’s what you consume.
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Trace eat mostly salads or pasta anyway. I just saw her in harlem and she’s not fat!
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Wow…Looking at the food makes we WISH i lived up there. 🙂
Hey Daisy.
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Good morning People: Hope everyone had a nice weekend. 🙂
These Monday morning restaurant post make me wanna eat lunch early.
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Yes Tops is famous amongst US college students from Rutgers U and Montclair state. Tracy is real Up on her restaurant picks cause this place., def off the hook??
@ Joycee, Yes Corey Booker is the mayor of Newark? I think U threw that in there implying that’s who Tracy was with???
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Good morning Family.
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Good morning Flo, Felicia and all.
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have ya’ll noticed, Tracy don’t drop her nicca’s name no more. she just say shit like, “his” “he” or my “dinner companion” why do ya’ll think that is???
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have ya’ll noticed, Tracy don’t drop her nicca’s name no more. she just say shit like, “his” “he” or my “dinner companion” why do ya’ll think that is???
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I think a brotha put the sistah on LOCK! LOL…
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have ya’ll noticed, Tracy don’t drop her nicca’s name no more. she just say shit like, “his” “he” or my “dinner companion” why do ya’ll think that is???
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I think a brotha put the sistah on LOCK! LOL…
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That would make her man controlling now wouldn’t it??? I don’t think so. You can’t keep a good sistah down.
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Dining in the hood is NOT dining at the top.
and I notice Tracy don’t tell who she’s dining with no more?? why don’t she want us 2 know?
maybe that’s becuz she really seein big belly, know he reads this and don’t want him to know.
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Good morning fam. Hope ya’ll had a nice weekend.
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Go Tracy!!!! We love this place but U know thais!!!
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Good morning.
Ms. Bell, Romello and I go to this place often. We love their food. I love it when you dine in NJ and not across the waters. 🙂 so I like to check ya piece out on Monday mornings 2be surprised. and I’m so surprised. 🙂
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Good morning all.
Hey Tracy. 🙂
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Sistah know how 2make a brotha hungry. I’m sucking my screen.
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Sistah know how 2make a brotha hungry. I’m sucking my screen.
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ILL!!!!!
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Sistah know how 2make a brotha hungry. I’m sucking my screen.
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ILL!!!!!
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ILL yourself!!!!
Look in da mirror, then say dat shit!!
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Dining in the hood is NOT dining at the top.
and I notice Tracy don’t tell who she’s dining with no more?? why don’t she want us 2 know?
maybe that’s becuz she really seein big belly, know he reads this and don’t want him to know.
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#1, this place is not in the hood.
#2, I think u fell on your computer and HIT YA FUCKIN HEAD!!!!
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Ya’ll need to stop!!!
Good morning all.
Tracy is diversified with her restaurant selections. and just because she hasn’t blogged about Sylvia’s in a minute doesn’t mean: “She Put Sylvia’s down”. damn people stop being so dramatic and jumping to conclusions.
And just because another eating establishment makes their “RED VELVET CAKE” better doesn’t mean that she is not entitled to her opinion.
The one thing about these restaurants posts that I like is, I don’t want to be seein that she ATE ate the same ole places.
Ms. Bell is being OPENED minded with her dining.
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I CO-SIGN!
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Dining in the hood is NOT dining at the top.
and I notice Tracy don’t tell who she’s dining with no more?? why don’t she want us 2 know?
maybe that’s becuz she really seein big belly, know he reads this and don’t want him to know.
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You and Big Belly both, should share MEDS.
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Dining in the hood is NOT dining at the top.
and I notice Tracy don’t tell who she’s dining with no more?? why don’t she want us 2 know?
maybe that’s becuz she really seein big belly, know he reads this and don’t want him to know.
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WOW!!!
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@ Joycee, Yes Corey Booker is the mayor of Newark? I think U threw that in there implying that’s who Tracy was with???
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@Felecia Weeks.,
And if I did., how would u know otherwise?
*SIPS 2ND CUP OF TEA & WAITIN FOR YOU 2 LET ME KNOW*
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@Angel-hair, thanks for the support. you right.
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@Angel-hair, thanks for the support. you right.
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LMAO 🙂 GTFOH!!!! LMAO 🙂
Both Ya’ll mtherfers sick!!!!
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Food looks good!! Ms. Bell just didn’t mention the price.
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Can someone who’s eaten here, tell me what the prices are like?
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The prices are CHEAP!!! Very reasonable. C’mon now college students and ritzy upscale folk dine in tops. it’s worth the price for all the food you get.
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Prices not bad at all. A standard plate is like $17.00.
IMO, when Tracy dines cheap she’s wit her girls when she dines ritzy she’s wit her man.
It’s easy to figure it out. 🙂
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IMO, when Tracy dines cheap she’s wit her girls when she dines ritzy she’s wit her man
It’s easy to figure it out.
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Tracy IS NOT easy to figure out. She chooses where she wants to dine, cheap or ritzy; that doesn’t matter to her or her quote/unquote, dinner companion. Ms. Bell is an easy person to please. but I think it’s so funny how some of U talk as if you know her when you don’t have a clue! Writing a blog is one thing but KNOWING a person is something altogether different.
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EXCUSE US MR. PERRY!
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Dat PERRY Nicca sounds jelous.
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Mornin Fam!
I’m def. hungry now.
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Good Morning everybody.
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Tracy I love this spot. 🙂
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Tracy have dinner with us on Friday. I’ma email u offline.
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That red velvet cake look good. who else in here at 3 in da morn?
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I saw Tracy tonight ya’ll. now don’t you wanna know where? I ain’t tellin ya. aha. 🙂
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Wow gotta check this place out. I’m local. Those chicken and waffles look good.
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Tracy I hope these restaurants be giving you dining deals for blogging them. You haven’t said one bad thing about a restaurant yet. and i’m waiting.
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Maybe Trace DON’T Blog about restaurants she didn’t/don’t like. Remember we only know what she shares we don’t know what she know fo show. lol.
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Oh I’ve been to this diner but it was many years ago. I have to revisit them. thanks for the reminder.
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I gotta find this spot Trace. Ima email you offline.
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I gotta find this spot Trace. Ima email you offline.
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Google it. don’t be contacting her.
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LES-BO ‘S wow.
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