Burger 25 Grand Opening Set At Former Wolfie's Deli In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Back in February, the owners of Burger 25 announced they would be moving a little closer to the center of Toms River, taking over Wolfie's Deli and making it their new home.

At the time, they hoped to be opening at the Route 37 site next to Popeye's in the spring. But just days after owners Denise and Steve Vetter announced their plans to move into the site, the coronavirus pandemic hit.

"It definitely set us back a little bit but we fought through it," Denise Vetter said.

On Saturday, the setbacks will be behind them. The Vetters will close their original restaurant, at 1611 Route 37, starting Wednesday, to make the final move of materials and supplies to the new restaurant. The grand opening at 199 Route 37 east is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.

Denise Vetter said what kept them going through the struggles during the closures and delays brought on by the pandemic has been their customers, whose loyalty they have gained over the last seven years with their menu and their service. They have stayed with Burger 25, moving from takeout and delivery only to the outdoor dining.

The renovations of Wolfie's give them more dining space and, importantly, much more parking. Some of that parking area will host tables for outdoor dining, as permitted under the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

The outdoor dining will accommodate 80 people, she said, just a little less than the 88 they will be able to accommodate inside — at booths and high-top tables — once indoor dining is allowed to resume. The interior also includes an arcade area for entertainment. They also will have ordering available through Door Dash, Grub Hub and online ordering right on the Burger 25 website.

The menu will remain much as it has, with a Burger of the Month, and the fries and milkshakes that customers love.

It will have some new wrinkles, too. The June Burger of the Month will become a permanent part of the menu. So if you loved the Chicken and Waffles — crispy chicken between two waffles and topped with Mike's Hot Honey — it's back.

"Even in the middle of the pandemic, it was our all-time best-seller," Denise Vetter said.

There's another item in the works that will appeal to the sweet tooth: frozen hot doughnuts are planned for the dessert menu.

"It's a hot doughnut infused with ice cream," she said.

"You have been amazing to us the last seven years," Steve Vetter wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page Tuesday, announcing the final move and grand opening. "The support, and loyalty we have been given from communities from all over, it's our turn to give back to you."

"It's a bigger and better Burger 25," Denise Vetter said.

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