TOMS RIVER, NJ – Last fall, we learned Willie Nelson’s Texas Roadhouse would be coming to Toms River. Nelson, who is a partner in the chain and operates an Austin, Texas location, is a staple at every restaurant, featuring a shrine to the singer’s legacy.
That was in September. Since then, there has been nothing of note to report except for a liquor license transfer to Texas Roadhouse Holdings LLC.
Today, the town council will renew the chain’s liquor license, but there are still no public plans for the restaurant.
The restaurant chain, which opened in 1993 and is based in Kentucky, has more than 580 locations in 49 states, including nine in New Jersey. The Toms River location would be the first in Ocean County.
Texas Roadhouse is known for hand-cut steaks — steaks make up 44 percent of its menu — and its ribs, and touts its “made-from-scratch sides and fresh-baked bread.”
At first there was some confusion as to the location for the new restaurant. Initially, job postings on the company website listed the address as 1250 Hooper Avenue, which is on the south side of the road.
That error has since been corrected and reflects that it will be built on the property of the Ocean County Mall, managed by Simon Properties.
No other news is available on the exciting new restaurant in Toms River.