TooJay’s Deli • Bakery • Restaurant — Restaurant in Vero Beach

Chaos, a very long wait for our order and worst, an angry and defensive response from the manager. My spouse and I had been looking forward to re-visiting a Toojay's today after having moved away a couple of years ago. We went out of our way to visit this restaurant in Vero. It was mid-afternoon on a Saturday and we were seated relatively quickly.

Unfortunately, things went downhill from there as the restaurant seemed very understaffed and various wait staff and trainees brought drinks and took our order over the next fifteen minutes or so. The wait staff was mostly accommodating, but left us confused over who we could depend on. We were finally told that "Ali" would be our server. She was very stressed by the number of tables she was responsible for and we rarely had her attention for the next forty-five minutes. She appeared very much in survival mode...tight lipped and minimally responsive. When there seemed to be minimal communication and we had witnessed several tables who had been seated later having already been served and exiting, we asked to speak to a manager. Eventually, a very harried and defensive "manager", Nico we were told later, came to the table, he immediately started giving excuses for the delay and went back to the kitchen to sort things out. After few more minutes after we decided to leave before waiting further, he finally returned, once again in an angry and defensive posture. What this meant was that we were given no opportunity to "be heard" in terms of our experience there. He simply wanted to almost shove $30 in gift coupon into our hands and be rid of us. When we began to share our experience, he simply wanted to cut us off, saying "OK, you had a bad experience. I've served a thousand meals today and one bad experience is not a bad record". He continued to be defensive, angry and adversarial, saying "you want the coupons or not". We left, but stopped to buy some deli salads on the way out. The young woman there also was harried, not service-oriented nor friendly and seemingly resentful. My overall take was one of a manager overcome by circumstances of beyond his level of competence. Although we were helped at one point by a very gracious long-term member of the waitstaff (who repeatedly said she "cared"), the kitchen, dining area and deli areas all seemed to be chaotic and not in a mode toward connecting with the public in a spirit of genuine and welcoming service. We frankly felt traumatized on leaving the restaurant. And all of this was in sharp contrast to our treatment and experience in other Toojay's and indeed at other restaurants. I can only hope that this manager perhaps takes some rest time and in so doing maybe gains some motivation toward inspiring himself and staff toward more genuine and satisfying relations...

Update: Went down to 2 stars from 4.....The prices went way up for most items and the portion size went down on just about everything. I can't see spending $50 on 2 Turkey dinners with 2 thick slices of deli Turkey meat. AND THEY NOW CHARGE AN EXTRA $3 IF YOU WANT A SOUP OR SALAD WITH THE DINNERS! (These used to be included in the cost of dinner.) Sandwiches used to be packed with meat, but now the one slice is rolled so tightly (to make it look like there's more) it barely covers the bread. I get it! The cost of everything went up, but at least most places maintained the quality and portion size. TooJays missed that memo. I just noticed their location title on this page has $10-$20 per person. Well, I guess if you get a bowl of soup, a glass of water and leave a $1 tip you could do it for $10, but that's about it! Just found out tonight, if you use an email coupon, you MUST pay your check with a debit or credit card ONLY. NO CASH accepted with rewards. Not sure if I will be there anymore.

Original Post: The food here is good, most of the time, however a bit pricey. Expect to spend @$40+ tip for lunch for 2 people, so when I stop here, it's usually a special treat. (For 2 sandwiches & 2 Iced teas). Food portions are good and the menu offers a wide variety of choices. There is usually a line here, so bring your patience while waiting. They offer take out as well as deli meats (Boar's Head) sliced to order and a few bakery items. The cakes are good, but my last slice did have a hint of 'previously frozen' flavor, but most have been fine. When you're in the mood for an old school deli, this is the place to go. Update: Rewards program ended October 2021 Note:They do have a rewards program, so definitely sign up if you're in the neighborhood to take advantage of the perks to offset the price for...

Edit update 11-05-2020

I must update this review as I have been eating here at least weekly for the past 4 months. Everything has been perfect as always. Changing my rating back to the original 5 stars they deserve.

Review Update on 2-29-20

I order from TooJays at least once a week sometimes more. Tonight I placed my order using DoorDash as I have used them many times for TooJay's but tonight the food was the worst I ever had from TooJay's. I ordered 2 burgers medium rare & a slice of banana cake. Both burgers where missing items, I can survive. Both burgers where cooked beyond well done. So over cooked I had to throw them out as they where completely inedible. I contacted DoorDash and the automated system offered credit for 1 burger. I called TooJay's just to let them know just how bad the food was. I thought maybe they had a new cook or something. It surprised me that they really didn't care. The response was contact Door Dash. I told them I did but it wasn't the fault of Door Dash that the burgers where cooked beyond well done & I was just calling to tell them about the quality of the food. TooJay's truly didn't care.( TooJay's everyone has an off day but you can't learn from it if you don't listen to your customers)

DoorDash you let me down tonight. ( You didn't check the order when you picked it up )

TooJay's your lack of concern was a major disappointment. ( You may have lost a loyal customer due to your lack of concern )

I took pictures of the 2 burgers in the containers after 1 bite of each and pictures of then in the trash

I will think twice before I order from TooJay's again

Below is a review from over a year ago

It's always good. Quality is consistent. Staff is friendly. The...