Hat City Kitchen

4 (195)

$30 and under

American

459 Valley Street, Orange, NJ 07050

OverviewReviewsDetails

About this restaurant

Lively
Neighborhood gem
Great for live music

At the corner of Valley and Forest streets, (459 Valley) in the shadow of Our Lady of the Valley Church, HAT CITY KITCHEN is a new restaurant in an old building with a new vibe.

"Our emphasis is on quality and integrity. We offer American Comfort foods with an influence from the south and New Orleans or, as we say Creosoul. By focusing on a simple menu, we have the ability to perfect an artisanal process, creating the best food imaginable. We have created an experience that has broad appeal to families,traditional food lovers and critical Epicureans at an affordable price."

All profits from Hat City Kitchen go to support revitalization of the Valley neighborhood; true to Orange's history as a small city where culture and commerce meet in the street. Hat City Kitchen is a happy collaboration of art, urban planning, food and music, playing for the neighbors late into the night.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Creole / Cajun / Southern
Hours of operation
Dinner: Sunday: 2:30pm - 9:00pm, Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Website
http://www.hatcitykitchen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Patrick Pierre-Jerome

Location
459 Valley Street, Orange, NJ 07050
Neighborhood
West Orange
Cross street
Forest Street
Parking details
There is adequate street parking as well as our exclusive use of the Church lot diagonally across from the restaurant.
Public transit
Highland Avenue Station NJ Transit
Entertainment
Hat City Kitchen is a speakeasy-style restaurant and live music venue. We opened in mid-January 2010 to showcase artists like blues guitarist Billy Hector, Al Gold another regional favorite as well as nationally known artists and guitar icons such as Leslie West of Mountain. Our fall season is almost fully booked with local, regional and nationally known artists, ranging in genre from jazz, blues, rock, acoustic as well as larger orchestras. We showcase CD release parties and other special events.Please note: seating in stage area subject to a cover and minimum for live events.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Shrimp & Grits$9.00
Shrimp simmered in tomatoes, onions & peppers with a "Grit Cake"
Crab Puppies$8.00
Miniature round Crab Cakes, addictive
Zucchini Sticks$7.50
Coated in crispy cornflakes with a sour cream horseradish sauce
Mussels Our Way$8.00
Rich tomato sauce with Andouille Sausage and served with garlic toast points
Catfish Sticks$9.00
Cornmeal coated and deep fried
Shrimp Po-Boy Sliders$12.00
Red Pepper Chipolte Aioli
Hat City Wings$9.00
Buffalo, BBQ, or Honey Pepper
Cajun Fried Calamari$8.00
Our Chipolte Aioli alongside for dipping

Soup Gumbo Chili

Cajun Clam Chowder$7.00
Clams & Andouille Sausage in a rich Broth
Lobster Bisque$7.00
Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo$8.00
Classic Recipe Rich Dark Roux, Okra, Subtle Spice served with Long Grain Rice
Venison Chili$8.00
Tender pieces of lean Venison simmered with tomatoes & beans. Topped with aged Cheddar and Sour Cream

Cool Crisp Salads

Bleu N Bacon Wedge$8.00
Iceburg Lettuce with Chunky Bleu Dressing n Bacon
Classic Caesar$8.00
Hat City Salad$6.00
Baby Spinach Salad$8.00
Baby Spinach, Chilled Shrimp, Bacon Bits, Olives

Entrees

Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken$16.00
Coated in our Buttermilk Batter served up freshly prepared Hot and Crispy and topped with Black Pepper Honey
Shrimp Etouffe$18.00
Shrimp Simmered in a Classic Creole Sauce of Tomatoes. Onion,and Green Peppers with Long Grain Rice
Grilled Salmon$21.00
Pacific Salmon Grilled with Cajun Blackening Spices served with a Brown Sugar Mustard Sauce
BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Special Proprietary Rub and Smothered in House made Sauce
- Full Rack$25.00
- Half Rack$16.00
Andouille Sausage Carbonara$17.00
Linguine Pasta tossed in Alfredo Sauce with Julienne Andouille Sausage
Shrimp & Grits$17.00
Shrimp simmered in Tomatoes,Onions,Peppers,and flavored with Smoked Turkey served with our unique 'Grits Cakes'
Red Snapper Mueniere$18.00
Pan Fried with a classic New Orleans Mueniere Sauce of Worcestershire, Butter, and Lemon. Topped Lump Crab Meat
Jambalaya$18.00
Andouille Sausage, Gulf Shrimp, and Boneless Chicken are simmered in Cajun Spiced Rice with Tomatoes, Onions, & Peppers Vegetarian Version with mushrooms and chickpeas
Smothered Meatloaf$18.00
Beef and Pork Sausage Meatloaf, pan seared then Smothered in a Portobello Mushroom Madeira Gravy and Crispy Onion Straws
Cornbread Crusted Catfish$17.00
Perfect Combination of Cornbread and Catfish with Red Pepper Chipotle Aioli
Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop$19.00
Generous 14oz Marinated Chop, Grilled with a Sweet Bourbon Glaze and Cinnamon Apples
NY Strip$22.00
Hearty 14 oz cut of well marbled Black Angus. Topped with Fried Onions

Sides

* All marked entrees come with one side

Collard Greens$5.00
Mac-N-Cheese$5.00
Hot Buttered Shrooms$4.00
Broccoli Rabe$4.00
Buttermilk Corn Bread$1.50
Cheese Grits$4.00
Smashed Taters$4.00
Garlic Spinach$4.00
Red Beans N Rice$4.00
French Fries$4.00
Sweet Potato Fries$5.00
Cole Slaw$3.00

Righteous Burgers

Righteous Burgers$12.00
10oz. Proprietory Blend of Chuck, Sirloin, and Brisket on a Brioche Bun with Lettuce. Tomato,Red Onion, Housemade Cole Slaw and Dill Pickle Slices. Natural Cut Fries or pick a Side
Righteous Cheddar$12.50
Cheddar Bacon$13.00
Swiss & Mushroom$13.00
Bacon N Blue$13.00
Cajun Burger$14.00
w/ Grilled Andouille Sausage & Cheddar
Crab Burger$14.00
w/Mustard Sauce & FF

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Hat City Kitchen.

4.0

(195)

4.0Food
3.9Service
3.8Ambience
0.5Value

Noise • Energetic

183 Reviews

D
Dorothy
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 15, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My third time. Food and the Afro fusion band were outstanding! We will definitely come again.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City9 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 2, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was delicious! Stuffed catfish with crab meat was awesome! Band not as good as previous visit.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City9 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 31, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Everything was delicious and flavorful! Started with Crab Puppies. Entrees were fried shrimp & fish and seafood paella. Can't wait to go back! Live band was good.
Is this helpful?
SD
ShoeDiva
Atlantic City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 25, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
AWESOME place great atmosphere. delicious food. will definitely be returning again! music was also very nice!
Is this helpful?
GS
GeeSpot Gold
New York City84 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 12, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I having surgery so my friends took me out
Is this helpful?
DM
DMRT
New York City1 review
4.0
Dined on March 11, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
This place deserves credit...Always good music, above decent food with interesting menu! I love this place! Wish there was some parking...
Is this helpful?
JR
JamieR
New York City3 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 11, 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
I think their dining area can be a lot cleaner. There is one waitress who is SUPER nice and sweet and the others the opposite. Somewhere a long the line they lost the special touch in the food.
Is this helpful?
c
concalu
New York City1 review
2.0
Dined on February 11, 2017
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
I arrived announcing that I had a reservation. The young lady offered a table nearest the stage although my reservation clearly stated I wanted to be furthest from the stage and near the ladies restroom. I told her I wanted to be further away from the stage, so she gave a table further away. However, there was a horrible draft from window and it didn't seem as those there was any heat being given. I told my server that I was freezing and wanted to move my table. There was a table available, which she said was a reserved table and it had to be for the 6 prople. This is not true because the table I had the very same table only the week before! Anyway, I ended up moving to another table that still exposed me to the draft, so I was cold all night. And, the table the server refused me remained empty the entire night. I know this because I was there until closing @2AM. Thinking about it now, I saw several people with their coats on throughout the show, so apparently they were cold as well. The day after a significant snowfall and temperatures well below freezing, one is well within their right to expect heat. There are so many really nice employees there, which is the major draw for returning. Still, improvements are in order. I have been there 3 times in the last w weeks. 2 of the 3 times I had some unpleasant experiences. That is not a good ratio. I love the place and would simply like to have one flawless experience. Also, there were many times throughout the show were the noise levels from the bar area outvolumed the band. Not cool! It is not my intention to extend a poor light on this establishment. I am simply giving truthful account of my experiences. I travel quite a distance to patronize Hat City Kitchen, so it should be obvious that I want to lend to it's success.
Is this helpful?
BS
BrooklynShayna
New York City13 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 22, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Very lively with live jazz on stage, kids loved it. Nice that the dining room is separate so you can still sit & eat & talk while the live music is on. Food was great. Very very slow though.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
South Carolina15 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 20, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was excellent. Go for the fried chicken and Mac n cheese and collard greens. Delish!!! One negative was that the place itself was cold temperature wise. Not sure how loud it gets during open mic which starts at 9: 30.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Creole / Cajun / Southern
Hours of operation
Dinner: Sunday: 2:30pm - 9:00pm, Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Website
http://www.hatcitykitchen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Patrick Pierre-Jerome

Location
459 Valley Street, Orange, NJ 07050
Neighborhood
West Orange
Cross street
Forest Street
Parking details
There is adequate street parking as well as our exclusive use of the Church lot diagonally across from the restaurant.
Public transit
Highland Avenue Station NJ Transit
Entertainment
Hat City Kitchen is a speakeasy-style restaurant and live music venue. We opened in mid-January 2010 to showcase artists like blues guitarist Billy Hector, Al Gold another regional favorite as well as nationally known artists and guitar icons such as Leslie West of Mountain. Our fall season is almost fully booked with local, regional and nationally known artists, ranging in genre from jazz, blues, rock, acoustic as well as larger orchestras. We showcase CD release parties and other special events.Please note: seating in stage area subject to a cover and minimum for live events.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Hat City Kitchen

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Starters

Shrimp & Grits$9.00

Crab Puppies$8.00

Zucchini Sticks$7.50

Mussels Our Way$8.00

Catfish Sticks$9.00

Shrimp Po-Boy Sliders$12.00

Hat City Wings$9.00

Cajun Fried Calamari$8.00

Soup Gumbo Chili

Cajun Clam Chowder$7.00

Lobster Bisque$7.00

Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo$8.00

Venison Chili$8.00

Cool Crisp Salads

Bleu N Bacon Wedge$8.00

Classic Caesar$8.00

Hat City Salad$6.00

Baby Spinach Salad$8.00

Entrees

Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken$16.00

Shrimp Etouffe$18.00

Grilled Salmon$21.00

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Andouille Sausage Carbonara$17.00

Shrimp & Grits$17.00

Red Snapper Mueniere$18.00

Jambalaya$18.00

Smothered Meatloaf$18.00

Cornbread Crusted Catfish$17.00

Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop$19.00

NY Strip$22.00

Sides

Collard Greens$5.00

Mac-N-Cheese$5.00

Hot Buttered Shrooms$4.00

Broccoli Rabe$4.00

Buttermilk Corn Bread$1.50

Cheese Grits$4.00

Smashed Taters$4.00

Garlic Spinach$4.00

Red Beans N Rice$4.00

French Fries$4.00

Sweet Potato Fries$5.00

Cole Slaw$3.00

Righteous Burgers

Righteous Burgers$12.00

Righteous Cheddar$12.50

Cheddar Bacon$13.00

Swiss & Mushroom$13.00

Bacon N Blue$13.00

Cajun Burger$14.00

Crab Burger$14.00

Additional information

Permanently Closed