TOMS RIVER, NJ – Don’t tell anyone we told you, but a new restaurant is rumored to be coming to Toms River’s Silverton section, to take over the former spot of Charlie Browns and Roxy’s Bar and Grille.
Sofia’s Taqueria Taco & Tequila Bar is making waves in Toms River, bringing a fresh, exciting vibe to a spot that has a complicated history.
This new location marks an exciting chapter not only for Sofia’s but for the town itself, as it takes over the large space once occupied by Roxy’s and Charlie Brown’s, two restaurants that had their moments but eventually left a void in the local dining scene.
We’re not sure when it’s going to open, but we can’t wait. The news might not bode well for its neighbor, Surf Taco,as it could spark a taco war right here in Toms River!
Sofia’s Taqueria is no stranger to success. With its original location in Staten Island, it quickly became a favorite for its vibrant atmosphere, mouthwatering tacos, and, of course, its extensive tequila and margarita menu.
The combination of authentic Mexican street food with a modern twist, paired with an inviting yet lively vibe, has made Sofia’s a standout in every community it serves. Expanding into Toms River signifies the restaurant’s continued growth and a commitment to bringing a unique dining experience to the Jersey Shore. For Toms River, this is more than just another restaurant opening—it’s the revival of a massive space that’s been sitting vacant, one that carries a lot of history for the town.
Before Sofia’s Taqueria, the space was home to Roxy’s, a restaurant with big ambitions but, unfortunately, a short-lived and turbulent run. Roxy’s opened with fanfare, offering a lively dining experience that aimed to become a staple in Toms River. One of its most unique draws was its Drag Queen brunches, an inclusive and fun event that brought a fresh kind of entertainment to the local restaurant scene. But despite the buzz, Roxy’s was unable to overcome a string of misfortunes.
The restaurant faced several issues, including mob-related violence, which tarnished its image and scared off potential customers. What started as a promising spot quickly became a place with a troubled reputation.
Eventually, Roxy’s was forced to close its doors, leaving the space vacant for months, a large, looming reminder of its rise and fall.
Even before Roxy’s, the site was home to a well-known Charlie Brown’s location. For years, Charlie Brown’s served the community with its classic American fare, but like many of its sister locations across New Jersey, it faced the same fate due to corporate struggles, eventually shuttering and leaving a hole in the local dining landscape.
The arrival of Sofia’s Taqueria marks a revitalization of this once-bustling location. For Toms River, it’s a chance to breathe new life into a property that has seen its fair share of challenges. With its lively atmosphere, vibrant menu, and the kind of energy that only a taco and tequila bar can bring,
Sofia’s is poised to turn the page on the restaurant’s turbulent past. Filling such a large, vacant space in the heart of town symbolizes a fresh start and signals the possibility of drawing people back to a site that had once been a social hub for the community.
Sofia’s Taqueria coming to Toms River doesn’t just mean great tacos and margaritas—it means new opportunities, a boost for the local economy, and a chance to rewrite the history of a space that’s been idle for far too long.
