Automat-style restaurants were a staple of early 20th century America, allowing people to grab a quick bite or lunch without having to go to a sit-down restaurant or wait for a table or servers. This trend kind of faded along with the advent of fast food, but Automat Kitchen in Jersey City is bringing that back, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
With the pandemic bringing contactless experiences to the forefront, this new spot offers no contact or touch process to get your food. Automat Kitchen offers modern comfort food at the touch of a button. The principal owner, Joe Scutellaro loved going to Automats in NYC as a child, and has been working for over a decade to bring the concept to life.
How does it work? Order on your phone or online, and scan a QR code when you arrive at the 525 Washington Blvd location, which recently opened, you’ll get a code that unlocks a cubby/locker to pick-up your order.
And while this may be a quick meal, that doesn’t mean it is cafeteria-style food. The menu was created by chef Quirino Silva and offers modern comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu items include a Pastrami Reuben Flatbread, Frito Pie Burrito, Chicken Pot Pie, Spiced Roasted Cauliflower, Massaman Curry Pot Roast and more. They also do breakfast, with offerings like a Waffle sandwich (breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs and maple syrup, and an assortment of smoothies.
Know you want to pick up dinner for the fam on your way home from work? You can schedule a time in advance for your order pickup. The restaurant will soon be starting a delivery option via DoorDash as well, in case you really don’t want to leave the house. Visit automatkitchen.com for more info.