Newport’s Automat Kitchen has permanently closed. The fast-casual eatery opened during the pandemic in early 2021 and offered a contactless dining experience.
Orders were placed via the restaurant’s website or in-person via the eatery’s ATM-like kiosks. Minutes later, your food was ready for pickup and stored in a microwave-sized locker, which opened via a unique PIN that was texted to your smartphone. The concept was based on the automats from the past, which were built to save time and money.
The menu offered modern takes on comfort food with dishes like Pastrami Reuben Flatbread and Mac & Cheese. Unfortunately, it appears that the lack of office workers in the neighborhood was Automat Kitchen’s downfall. At the time, most companies were allowing employees to work from home, which meant fewer foot traffic along Washington Boulevard.
No plans have been announced for the space yet, but construction continues a few steps away on Kura Sushi Jersey City, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant opening later this year. Meanwhile, Hoot Wings remains open a few steps away also located at 525 Washington Boulevard.
