The Brick City dining scene has officially welcomed a new Southern-inspired eatery to the Downtown area as Barn Bird Kitchen has launched their second outpost just a block from Newark’s major transit hub.
The Junction at Gateway recently added a new flavor to its growing dining lineup with the elevated Nigerian fast-casual concept. Barn Bird Kitchen is owned by Chuka Morah, Jafrania Onugha and Chukwuemeka Onugha, who started in Maplewood in 2024 under their Butterknife & Hammer Hospitality umbrella.
The group, which previously ran the Argentinian-inspired eatery Asado also in Maplewood and pivoted a bit with Barn Bird Kitchen. The concept is best known for its halal fried chicken and signature Yaji spices, a smoky chili blend that originated in West Africa.
Highlights on the menu at Barn Bird Kitchen include their signature crispy buttermilk fried chicken tender sandwich topped with house slaw, dill pickles, and Barn Bird sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Those looking for a vegetarian option can sub in hot cauliflower to the sandwich, which can be customized to one of five spice levels.
Other notable dishes include a chicken and sweet potato waffle meal and their Yaji-spices fries. The restaurant has also started offering handcrafted milkshakes during the summer months.
The Newark outpost of Barn Bird Kitchen joins Mök Bar, Fresh & Co, The Gyro Project, Uncle Willie’s Wings, Jersey Mike’s, and Dunkin’ at The Junction, a development that has significantly revamped the former Gateway Center in Newark. The Final Whistle, a full-service sports bar, opened at the complex earlier this year.
Barn Bird Kitchen is now open in Newark Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can be followed on Instagram at the handle @barnbirdchicken.
