This place is a breeding ground for food poisoning. If I could give this place negative stars I would. Our server was inattentive and we were only one of 3 tables in the entire restaurant. It took a while for the food to come out and by the time it did arrive to our table it wasn't even the correct order. It took them another 15 min to get the order correctly and all they had to bring over was cut up strawberries and bananas. The strawberries were sour and the bananas were brown. Then when we went to go pay there was a sign on the register that there's a 3.95% service fee added when you pay with card. So I had to pay extra for my crappy meal and service. IM NEVER COMING BACK so I hope you enjoy ur $27 that you don't even deserve. read more

We moved Toms River a while ago and this was one of the diners we had yet to try. Suffice it to say, we weren't missing anything. The chicken soup taste like it came from a can the chopped steak came out over cooked, was flavorless and for a number of bites, there were pieces of bone ground into the meat mixture. Yuck. Anyway, the salad looked like it came out of the "last chance" produce supply. My husband didn't see a Buffalo chicken wrap on the menu. The waiter said they had them. Turned out they have chicken and hot sauce. They tossed the chicken in the hot sauce and put it in a wrap! Way to spicy to be eaten. That one we had to rerun. To their credit, the waiter was pleasant as was the presumed owner who served as a greeter. Their desserts looked good, but we did not try them. It's a shame the quality of the food was so bad. The diner looks good on the inside and they have a great location. What they need is a new menu/cook. Until then, we won't be going back. read more

Waitress was okay, but became nervous when I wanted to send my "Jewish Sloppy Joe" back! Hsd first asked if I wanted something else ~ I should have! instead I said I just wanted to send it back ~ the meats were horrible especially the pastrami. It was just chewy jerky! She said she needed to speak with the manager-owner. A small, elderly man who was beyond horrific!! We waited over a half an hour to find him ~ the waitresses said he was in the basement. He finally returned & the waitress said, "I can't do this anymore!" Do what? She said to meet the owner at the register who proceeded to yell at me from the start! I told him that I managed the Pastrami Factory in Manhattan as proof that I knew what it should taste like. He said then I should order from you! He added that I should have sent it back ~ I said I did! She took the plate away! He said I saw it & you ate it! Four bites getting thru the slop! I said calmly that I guess he doesn't want return customers. He began pounded on the counter yelling that he's been there for 20 years & they had plenty of customers. I exclaimed, still calmly, that I knew the wonderful family that owned the diner before he took over. The quality of food is all cheaper than the previous owner gave us to enjoy. The catsup (yup) isn't even Heins ketchup! Tiny slivers of a pickle, dried out coleslaw! This man continued to interrupt me with his yelling! He took $10 off the $18 sandwich. Just so disrespectful! So angry that I didn't like his food! Something is truly wrong with this place, with him & definitely with the food!! read more

I got food poisoning from this place but i mean its a good place since its open so late and quick service

Horrible service. Food cold and to top it off they hid a SERVICE FEE fir using a credit card with out telling you! Never again

A completely underwhelming experience. Good looking place serving mediocre food. My son's fried calamari were obviously frozen at one time. Pretty chewy. The marinara sauce was low on flavor. My corned beef hash and scrambled eggs was ordinary. Nothing to write home about. Our server, while pleasant, was distracted. Certainly not from business. We were her only table. Not hurrying back. read more

Extremely disappointed in my food here, we got a grilled cheese with french fries and pancakes, nothing tasted good, the butter was straight up crisco, syrup tasted like licorice and molasses, i couldn't eat more than one bite of pancake, the cheese tasted fake like astronaut food. Even the heinz bottles of ketchup on the table were clearly refilled by something much worse. The hostess was very nice and friendly and out waitress was fine but I will not be going bac read more

I had eggs benedict for breakfast it was absolutely delicious my friend had eggs and corned beef hash in the potatoes or fantastic. The waitress was always around when you needed something. read more

I came here all the time with family, until I got sick from their food. I ate a meal I've had before and never got sick from. It instantly had me seeking their restroom. Then I went home with their chocolate mousse bunny bar cake. It tasted like the fridge but sadly I ate it anyways for 3 days! I finally opened up this sour chocolate cake to find MOLD threw out all the mouse filling!!! I ended up in the ER on the 3rd day of eating this moldy cake, it was closing up my throat! 4 days later I had Black Stools!!!! They handle food with their hands, and the dishwasher is broken. *Eat at your own risk.* They only were willing to compensate the cake, not even the meal that made me instantly sick or health bills. I'm still recovering, what a set back. read more

My husband had a delicious burger and I had an awesome open faced Reuben sandwich that was out of this world read more

Crystal Diner - The crystals of the Crystal diner - Diners Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

Unfortunately COVID changed this business significantly. They reduced their menu to almost nothing and it's on just regular printer paper which isn't a great look to me, the service is not friendly, it feels like I as a customer am burdening the server by coming to eat. The Food is OK at best. During COVID I don't know if they do anymore they charged a COVID tax on any charge cards of like 2-3% because of struggling business. I used to love this place but since COVID, it's clear staffing has changed menu has changed and well, it's just not a pleasant experience anymore. Hope they turn things around. read more

I believe it was under new management,and it has,definitely improved.pastrami was good and soups are Very good. Wife had breakfast,nice portions,friendly service read more

When I think of New Jersey diners this is what comes to mind. First of all pulling up to this retro looking diner on 37 makes me Think of just how many people probably have passed through here to and from their vacations at the jersey shore gives me a warm fuzzy feeling and brings me back to a time when you could pick "smoking or non-smoking." The waitresses are awesome and the smell of cigarettes and perfume (I promise that's a good thing) make it feel so much more like your eating in the 80's and not eating at some hipster owned chain restaurant opened by someone who cares less about good food but had some extra money they wanted to invest. The service is awesome the waitresses are funny and actually take time out to talk to you and laugh and you can tell they enjoy it there. The coffee stays full and hot and the food is good. What more could you want from a New Jersey diner ?! I stop by on my way in and out every summer. Highly recommend. read more

Crystal Diner - The outside - Diners Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

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Terrible experience. Food was terrible. Asked for well done home fries and got crispy later then mush, bacon had so much grease that there was a puddle in the plate. The syrup they use had an odd taste, kind of had a mint flavor. oh and they charge a surcharge to use a credit card (never stating I would be charged) which is ridiculous! When I told the manager it was terrible he didn't care! Never again will I eat here. Oh and the plating was weird, large piece of ham underneath my sons pancakes? Terrible!! read more

In the 130 diners I've gone too, this is one of the fastest service diners. From entering the restaurant to eating our food the total time was 15 minutes. The food itself was good. I ordered a burger and milkshake and both were good and I have no complaints. Nothing was expensive either. Would I come back? Yes the Crystal diner is a great stop for anyone on their way to Toms River and I have no complaints. It's not a life changing meal but the typical NJ diner. read more

Was served this in my green beans with almonds today. Scratched inside of my mouth thank god I didn't swallow it. Owner refused to come out if kitchen. All the food was served ice cold. Lady behind register came over took the nail and refused to give it back. Claimed owner was in back but wouldn't come out and no manager was on duty. Needless to say I won't be gong back there and I wouldn't recommend anyone else go either. For some reason pic isn't posting it is of the Nail that was in my food. read more

The Menus were paper and reused, the food tasted like it was microwaved, low staff, the tables are not 6 feet apart another guest had to move their table farther away from ours to social distance. read more

The food was okay, the bathroom was filthy and I was forced to pay a $2.99 COVID fee!

First off.. this place shouldn't even be considered a Jersey diner.. the only reason their still open is the location.. Rt 37 right before the parkway.. Big and shiny it sucks in the "tourist" going back home. Expensive.. seriously crap food.. I'm born here and there are so many better places.. i would never even recommend this place even to a " tourist ".. it's embarrassing to have this place say it's Jersey diner..and the waitresses look like they need a fix..Shut up and eat is 2 minutes south.. a little different but EXCELLENT diner food.. Ahh. Remember the Dover Diner...that place rocked ! read more

I don't know why my family always insists on eating here when they are in the area, but I have found myself here a number of times. Every visit is generally the same story, slow service and mediocre, if not distinctly horrible, food. My most recent visit, today, is what encouraged me to finally review it. We regularly get the same server here, who is very slow and not capable of friendly service, he seems out of touch and is always missing for some reason. Additionally, more times than not he has brought our food out lukewarm, at best. In the past I have mentioned this to the managers. One such visit, they took my food back and brought it back 13 minutes later and it was just as cold, but the plate was very hot. This visit, our food came out lukewarm and we were too hungry to challenge it. Additionally, we had to ask for silverware and napkins as none were initially provided. Now, that being said, I have had mediocre/okay service and food here on 2 occasions. But even those two times are hard to relish and appreciate as this establishment certainly charges too much for what they offer. This was the last time I will be visiting this diner. I cannot stress how unhappy it makes me. read more

The service is always fast and friendly. Food is great and reasonably priced, be sure to order the specials! I eat here at least once a month, best diner in the area! read more

I have ALWAYS loved the crystal diner, it was the only diner in toms river I would eat at. However since the new owners I will never return. The experience started with the hostess. She didn't say anything besides "follow me" and continued her conversation screaming across the restaurant. Our server was very nice no complaints against her. We saw the new menu and instantly regretted our decision to eat there. The prices nearly doubled!!! We ordered the quesadillas as an appetizer. And the chicken was repulsive!!! It was boiled and no flavor whatsoever. I got a chicken panini my husband got a wrap, both were equally disgusting. Couldn't finish either of them. I'm very disappointed and will not return read more

Went here with a coworker. They changed the menu. They jacked up the prices. It cost me $20+ for a subpar chicken panini, a glass of water, and a cup of hot tea. Nope. Never again. read more

Crystal Diner, 2 Route 37 East, Toms River. Crystal Diner score and grade was excellent. Amount of food was excellent. Menu was well rounded for every body. Service was fast and friendly. I recommend this place for lunch and dinner. read more

Ate a late dinner here last night. Got the chicken bacon ranch wrap-they didn't remember to put any ranch on but was nonetheless fresh and I was starving. The coffee at 9pm was burnt and tasted 4 days old. The boyfriend got a BLT on stale rye bread, he didn't complain. The French fries are as plain as plain can be-but they were cooked. So, Meh. If you're starving go for it. $28 + tip. Conclusion-Overpriced for not enough fresh or flavor. read more

Waiter was rude and did not bring enough menus, straws, or drinks. Had to ask multiple times for apple juice and ate half of breakfast with no drink. Food was undercooked and cold. Home fries were gray and cold, French fries were white and cold on the inside. Only tasty dish was the waffle. 0/10 would not come back. read more

Crystal Diner - Gray cold home fries - Diners Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

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I stopped in here yesterday for the first time in a while since I moved a few years ago. I used to enjoy the list of reasonably priced homestyle diner type meals to select from on the menu.To my surprise other than the same location and setting the food is mediocre at best, small portions, and very over priced. The diner was not very crowded but after being seated it took about 10 minutes to get served. The waitress wasn't very friendly perhaps is new. After being served we were left until 15 minutes after finishing our meals. I am glad we were not in a hurry. The waitress then asked if we wanted coffee and desert but by this time the dining experience for lack of a better term was ruined. Never to return for me I have to say. read more

went there for breakfast today service was not good forgot to bring my friends wife her toast to have with her eggs potaetos were dry and not hot they were not eaten by any of us my poached eggs came cold and hard boiled and my turkey bacon was incinerated my wifes over easy eggs came with one broken yoke and were also very hard my one friend had a steak sandwich that had more fat then meat in addition my english muffin was not toasted and to top it all off in the restroom hallway were an assortment of dirty mops and buckets and the restroom smelled like it was cleaned with a dirty mop i will never go back there not even for a free meal read more

If you want a good convenient quick meal take those dreams and throw it in the trash because this place is the worst restaurant in the area. I got a chicken sandwich here once and found plastic in it. On another occasion it gave me and my group of friends all food poisoning. I wish I could become a Yelp app developer so I could make it possible to give a place lower than a one star because this place deserves it read more

The Chicken Cordon Blue panini is awesome mostly because of the taste and amount of chicken breast. My husband ordered the Hickory Burger, but with chicken. He is a chef and is usually fussy about food, but he was also impressed. The chicken breast was perfectly marinated, so it didn't get dry. Our waitress was pleasant and brought us extra lemons and "more done" French fries as per our request. If you're hungry before you are getting on the parkway for your long journey north, or if you just live in the area this diner is an excellent choice for a reasonable amount of money. read more

Another great Toms River diner. This is a very sparkly diner. Food was really good. I had lunch here and enjoyed it very much.

Horrible! Do not waste time and money! Out of 5 adults all meals were horrible! I have never experienced anything like this. I can't say one positive thing about this place. read more

Stopped at this diner while visiting Jersey Shore, awesome look, friendly staff, good food. Good prices to. read more

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Large sized meal portions. Clean restaurant. Good Jersey Diner. Nice staff. There can be a wait on holidays and weekends. Great location . Moderate pricing. Food was outstanding. read more

Crystal Diner - Diners Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

Mediocre, even as diners go. Service was awful, despite there being only a few other patrons there, the waitress did several "drive-by" order-takings, walking away before we were even finished talking. Like too many diners, Crystal Diner relies on meat alone for flavor. Bread, cheese, potatoes, eggs, pancakes etc. are all extremely bland, with the expectation that they'll be paired with chicken, beef, bacon, etc. to give them some flavor. Even in that case, however, the food comes out underwhelming. Not "comfort food that fills you up" underwhelming but "greasy tasteless sawdust" underwhelming. All that might be excusable if this diner had normal diner prices, but its prices are a few dollars above average, despite the food and service being several rungs below average. I won't be returning. read more

After visiting a wonderful old friend the night before, we picked out one of many diners in Toms River. What luck - this one was fantastic! I had banana pancakes that were succulent and my beau had a huge pancake special. The coffee was traditional diner licious. Our waiter was very friendly and added to the ambiance. WILL GO BACK!!!!! read more

Its probably my fault for stopping at diner when looking for something healthy to eat. There is not a ton of healthy options in the area unless you Subway and the like. I had a split pea soup (little flat but ok), side salad (bagged lettuce but cold, crisp and served with sliced green pepper) and salmon with carrots and peas (again flat) and rice (had a strange cinnamon/vanilla Moroccan flavor). The salmon was very thin which allowed to curl up on the sides and make for a cup shape to hold grease. Underneath the salmon was another oil slick. I used two napkins to soak up the grease and then moved the salmon to a clean plate and used another napkin to dab the rest of the grease off. After finishing the once clean plate still had a sheen of grease. I understand this is a diner but one that offers lobster tail for $39 per plate should be able to serve a better plate of salmon. What upset me the most was the lack of concern by the staff. When my server came by and asked how my dinner was and I described my disappointment he was like 'ok'. When I paid and told the owner or manager running the register he explained to me that is why he doesn't eat the salmon. He said it was just an oily fish, true but it does leak oil like the Valdez oil spill! I didn't expect much from the server but the flippant attitude from owner/manager's at the register was cause for concern. I think if you looking for a burger or chicken wrap this is probably the place to go. But anything more and you can probably do better elsewhere. read more

Roast beef panini was so dry it almost choked me. Open faced reuben was not particularly good either. Mozzarella sticks were edible. I heard good things about this diner but was disappointed. Waitress Angel was excellent! read more

My experience at the start was cool, fast seating, and amicable at first. However during the food ordering the waitress was in a rush and had a sense of rudeness towards me a felt. As for the food, the appealing factor were it's home fries. The food is alright the price is a little overpriced. But acceptable overall. Might come back if I can't find anything else. read more

Soooo disappointed. First everyone just did their job. Not one friendly smile. Both of our salad dressing was sourish. My chicken gyro seemed to have boiled chicken on it and was bland. Our grilled cheese was some generic orange rubbery cheese. It was so bad we didn't even attempt the pie. Then my sister goes up to the counter and tells the hostess she would like to order a couple cupcakes. The woman says "What do you want?" We just looked at each other and said "FOR REAL?" We left and went to friendlys to get a grilled cheese. It was an upgrade. Ps the beef barley soup was really good. We are both in the service industry everyday. A smile goes a long way. read more