TOMS RIVER – Perkins Restaurant and Bakery on Route 37 has closed its doors. Whether it was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused all indoor dining to shut down months ago is unknown.
A sign on the property at 149 Route 37 states the building is up for lease. The restaurant’s location previously housed a Denny’s restaurant for many years and prior to that a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant.
When the eatery closed for Super Bowl Sunday back in February prior to the shut down caused by the coronavirus health crisis, customers thought they might have closed but staff said that management shut down that day to allow their staff to enjoy watching the game at home. The restaurant had resumed operation until the pandemic restrictions were put into place.
The Perkins Restaurant and Bakery website states that pickup and delivery service is available at some of the restaurants. It was unknown at press time if the Toms River Perkins offered such a service when the pandemic began.
Phone calls to the establishment went unanswered and there was no voicemail option available. There was no message regarding its closure.
Since it was founded in 1958 as a single pancake house in Ohio, Perkins grew into one of the nation’s leading family dining restaurant concept, with over 342 company-owned and franchised locations in 32 states and four Canadian provinces.
Its website states that throughout its history, the Perkins chain has remained true to its mission of providing guests with personalized service and high-quality food at a great value.
The Toms River restaurant like other Perkins restaurants such as the one operating in Lacey Township also offer a fit favorite selections menu that is aimed toward those who enjoy eating on the healthier side.
The Perkins bakery offers a variety of fresh baked pies, muffins and cookies for a sweet treat any time of day, and pair nicely with a pot of our fresh brewed bottomless coffee.
Like the International House of Pancakes chain and certain area diners, breakfasts are available all day and a children’s menu.
The Perkins Restaurant and Bakery located at 113 South Main St. in the Forked River section of Lacey Township could not be reached for further information.
Other area Perkins restaurants are located in Freehold, Hazlet and East Windsor among others in northern New Jersey, Delaware and Philadelphia within the Tri-State area.
Several popular eateries have closed down since the pandemic began including the Jackson Diner in Jackson Township. IHOP and the Crystal Diner both of which were in close proximity to the Toms River Perkins restaurant and are on Route 37 have offered pickup service.
Restaurants are able to provide outside service at the current time but indoor dining has not happened yet. It was expected to resume on July 2 but the governor walked back that date due to the virus numbers not going down fast enough.
