After A 3-Year Hiatus, Toms River Diner Reopens (VIDEO)

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - If you happen to be driving down Route 37 Eastbound, and you notice some cars in the parking lot of the Toms River Diner, you may think your eyes are deceiving you. But the truth is, they are not. As of May 28th, the Toms River Diner has reopened under new management.

Mohammed Emara, who also owns the Holiday City Diner a few miles away, purchased the diner and runs it with the help of his son, Ahmed.

"We were looking to open a second location and we were looking at stuff in Manasquan, but then when this went for sale, it was perfect. 15 minutes down the road, you can't beat it, being able to stay in the same town,” Ahmed Emara said.

Despite a soft opening, without any fanfare other than a few balloons tied to the railings outside, word of mouth has traveled throughout the town and some of the regulars have already returned.

Kenny Mack, of Toms River, said he was thrilled to find out the diner had reopened after it was closed for three years.

“I’ve been coming here my entire life,” Mack said. “Write this down – Kenny says it’s good.”

Ahmed Emara said that when the family purchased the Toms River Diner, they had no idea how big of a cultural icon it was. The diner has so much history, and that came along with the building. Despite the renovations, customers still feel at home when they enter the front door.

Customers love to share their personal experiences with the new owners as well, telling them what the diner means to their families and how generations have enjoyed the food at the small building off Route 37.

“People would tell us about how they would come in here late night, after the clubs,” Ahmed Emara said. "We've heard about how someone’s parents came here, then they came here and now their kids come here."

One of the biggest changes that the Emara’s have made to the diner is the menu. They have kept all the staples of a classic New Jersey Diner – cheeseburgers, chicken fingers and Disco Fries – but they have also added some new items as well.

"We've added some millennial changes, just for them. We have cereal pancakes here. We put Fruity Pebbles or Cinnamon Toast Crunch into them. Some Instagrammable stuff, because that's what people look for these days," Ahmed Emara said.

Customers can also order cans of cold brew coffee from Asbury Park-based NITRO Beverage Co., as well as two plant-based burger options, a veggie burger and the Beyond Burger.

Overall, Ahmed Emara said the community has given him mostly positive feedback on the diner. He has heard some criticism about it, but he believes that comes with the territory.

“We’ve gotten some bad reviews, but they are mostly about the fact that we are no longer a 24/7 diner,” Ahmed Emara said. “That's the big backlash from people. But it's too much work for us. We want to enjoy life too. You have to have a balance in your life."

The Toms River Diner is now open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The diner's property is owned by Christakos Limited Partnership, based in Somers Point, according to public records.

Watch what's going on at the Toms River Diner in the below video: