Margaritas Opening Tuesday In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Mexican food fans who've been salivating and patiently waiting can finally celebrate: Tio Juan's Margaritas Mexican Restaurant is set to open Tuesday in Toms River.

The restaurant will be the first of the franchise to open in New Jersey.

“We are excited to be part of the Margaritas family and thrilled to be bringing a brand with such longevity and authenticity to New Jersey,” said Bhavesh Patel, owner of Garden State Dining LLC. “We are committed to the families we serve and look forward to introducing Margaritas passion for providing a unique dining experience that is rich in history and culture to the Toms River community.”

The restaurant is located at 270 Route 37 East, in the building that formerly housed Tiffany's. The decor is "steeped in authentic Mexican culture and art, which is imported directly from Mexico," the company says.

“We have cultivated a strong following in the New England market, and are thrilled to be expanding our franchise program with Garden State Dining,” said Margaritas President, Hugo Marin. “We’re confident the Toms River Margaritas will help guests take a vacation from their day-to-day lives and share in the core values of family, education and community engagement for which the brand has become known in New England.”

The food is made from scratch, with fresh produce brought in daily. Sauces are slowly cooked; Margaritas signature guacamole is handmade throughout the day, and crispy tortilla chips are made fresh to order. They offer an extensive drink menu as well, where patrons can customize their margaritas with a selection of 25 tequilas and margarita flavor varieties.

Owned and operated by Garden State Dining LLC, the Toms River Margaritas will be the first of five restaurants the company has contracted to open in New Jersey, the company said in a news release. Margaritas Management Group owns 24 Margaritas restaurants across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, with three additional franchisee-owned restaurants in Pennsylvania.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Toms River is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. For more information, visit www.margs.com.

Tio Juan's Margaritas logo from the Toms River restaurant's website