The Office Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Toms River

The office lounge is like a staple in Toms river. They have customers who have been loyal, who go there, and have been for years! Me and my boyfriend went to The office lounge about a year ago. We were almost stuffed into the corner, into to this old rickety table and booth. I looked around because, I heard it was so popular, but it looks like they haven't updated this place in literal years! Maybe that's the allure to it? It looks like when I walk into the facility, the hostess should ask me if I want to sit in smoking or a non-smoking section. The fact that they have sushi in the back confused me. The menu itself has so many choices that, sushi isn't even needed. And if it's so popular they should take some things off of the menu. It's almost like there's too much to choose from. People like things to be simple. What's funny is, I have never heard a dish that is so popular. So overly amazing that you just have to get it, at The office lounge! I just know, because that's where people go and sit at the bar, which is brand new by the way. They did a great job with that! They should finish the rest of the restaurant in that style. Maybe I should have went over to the bar section. I'm 29 years old myself, so I think I would have had a bit more fun over there. I'm not trying to tear down this restaurant. Because the food was fantastic. I actually got multiple things, because I just didn't know what to get! I did get some sushi. There was so much that I could have just eaten that as my main course. The sushi was okay. But that's because I'm not a huge sushi person. I only like the one with cream cheese in it. That's the one I got. It was definitely fresh ingredients. And then I got a steak with mashed potatoes and, just a home-cooked meal. And that was really good as well. I took a lot home lol. With my meal, I got a soup. While my boyfriend got a salad and we both tasted each other's. It was really good! No complaints. I guess the only thing I can't get over is just how it looks. It's old. It's small. I'm a waitress myself and I've seen the waitresses, walking up the steps to deliver food, they're used to it. But it's a hazard waiting to happen. Having a tray full of food or drinks! If you slip and fall you're not hitting one table but possibly two to three tables and soaking them with Coke and Sprite! I sound like a grandmother LOL I just believe that, inside should be a little more updated. The outside was redone. The right side was redone with the bar and the TVs. Well I believe that if they tore down everything on the left hand side where the tables are. I believe the owners could put in even more tables to make more revenue. And that would make less of a wait time. I haven't been there since, so things might have changed. I was just a little taken aback at how everything looked being so popular. But hey, you like what you like! And if that's what you like then I'm not going to judge you for it. I'll reiterate, I was definitely a little surprised. But if that's the place you love to go, then you go! My waitress was very nice. The hostess, I think he was a manager by the way he was acting. Had great customer service. Everything overall is good the food, the wait staff, the freshness of the food, the portion size of the food! I would say, give it a try and see what...

⭐ Honest Review of The Office – Toms River, NJ 🗓️ Father’s Day 2025 ⭐ Overall Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5)

My wife, my son, and I have enjoyed meals at The Office in Toms River in the past. Typically, it's a lively spot with good food, a fun atmosphere, and a solid drink menu. While we haven’t been back in about six months to a year due to moving out of the area, being busy, and trying other places, we decided to return for Father’s Day—hoping for a great family meal at a place we once loved.

Unfortunately, this visit turned out to be the worst experience we’ve ever had there, and sadly, one of the worst restaurant experiences we've ever had anywhere.

Service:

The service was shockingly slow—unacceptably slow for any day, but especially outrageous for a holiday like Father’s Day, where families are gathering to celebrate. After placing our drink and appetizer orders, we waited over 45 minutes without being acknowledged, checked on, or even greeted again by our server. Not once did anyone come by to let us know our food was coming or to refill drinks. The restaurant wasn’t even at full capacity, making the delay all the more baffling.

Drinks:

I had two Long Island Iced Teas. Both were mediocre—drinkable, but nothing memorable.

My wife had a margarita on the rocks, which was the highlight of the entire visit—it was well-balanced and enjoyable.

Later, she ordered a dirty martini, which was also decent.

Food:

My wife ordered the Tuna Lobster Roll, and described it as bland and forgettable—a real letdown for a seafood dish.

Our son had coconut shrimp and fries, which were average at best.

I ordered the Taco Mexican Pizza, and this is where things took a serious and disturbing turn.

Within 15–20 minutes of eating my meal, I began to violently throw up. I had not even finished my second Long Island, so I can confidently say this was not alcohol-related. I know my body and I know the difference between drinking too fast and food poisoning. Something in that dish—most likely the meat—was spoiled, and it hit me immediately. I was sick for hours afterward. To be served food that literally made me instantly ill is absolutely unacceptable.

Summary:

A restaurant we once enjoyed failed us completely on a day meant for celebration. From the glacially slow service, to the subpar food, to the food poisoning I suffered, this was not just a bad night—it was dangerous and deeply disappointing.

We expected a warm, welcoming return to a familiar favorite, and instead got the worst service, slowest pace, and most unfortunate dining experience we've ever had. There was zero sense of urgency, no communication, and no hospitality—even though it was a holiday when you’d expect the staff to be at their best.

We won’t be returning. And I hope this review is taken seriously by management so that no other family experiences what we did on what should have been a joyful occasion.

🔻 Final Verdict: Once a local favorite… now a place I can’t recommend. Extremely slow, poorly managed, and potentially unsafe. Please do better, especially...

If I could rather this place at 0 Stars I would.

I will never give another penny to this company. I normally come into this location to purchase beer for my friends after all the liquor stores are closed. After having a long day of driving 6 hours in total and enjoying my Saturday with my children, I decided to stop by the office lounge on my way back into town to grab a pack of 24 beers to go. The guy behind the counter looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked him how much it would cost, he then walked away and sent a white boy to come tell me that they cannot serve me because I was “under the influence.” Mind you I just drove for 3 and a half hours straight, 2 and a half of those hours my children were in the car with me. I was as sober as sober can be. I don’t drink and get behind the wheel ever, especially WHEN IT COMES TO MY CHILDRENS SAFETY. I don’t put their life’s at risk. It blows my mind that they can’t serve me because I’m “intoxicated” but can watch people house beers one after another knowing they are about to get into their car and drive home. Okayyyyy. Not to mention I don’t even drink like that and especially not beer 😅 Not worth spending another penny here in my opinion. I’ll take the money elsewhere from now on. Their loss, I’m the only friend with the license and car at the moment and my friends LOVE late night beer runs. Hooks in seaside had no issue selling beer to a sober...