Toms River Restaurant Under Fire Over “Proud Boys Burger,” Owner Issues Apology

A Toms River restaurant has come under fire after adding a “Proud Boys Burger” to its menu, sparking outrage and leading to an apology from the owner, who said she was unaware of the far-right group’s association with hate and extremism.

Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails listed the burger with ingredients described on the menu as “white American cheese,” “layers of truth,” “cancel culture coleslaw,” and “liberty sauce.” A now-deleted Facebook post advertising the dish called it “layered with boldness and liberty.”

The controversy erupted when a customer uploaded a photo of the menu online, igniting a firestorm of criticism. Owner Cathy Varriale quickly distanced herself from the burger and explained to NJ Advance Media that the idea came from one of her chefs.

“I know this may sound ridiculous, but I didn’t know what a Proud Boy was,” Varriale said, adding that her restaurant has previously featured themed burgers such as a “Sleepy Joe” and a “Trump Burger.” She said she removed the post, reprinted the menus, and spoke with her chef after realizing the connection.

“Now that I know what it is, I completely understand,” she said. “It was a bad decision. It was stupidity. It was ignorance. But we do not support hatred or Nazism or any of that.”

Despite her efforts to correct the situation, Varriale said she has received threats of protests and messages from angry callers vowing to boycott the restaurant. In an emotional statement, she expressed her regret and emphasized that her establishment does not condone hate.

On Friday, Aqua Blu’s Facebook page posted a formal apology, explaining that the burger was a mistake and reaffirming the restaurant’s commitment to unity and respect. “We understand how it may have been interpreted, but it was never our intention nor what we stand for,” the post read. “We ask that you take this into consideration as we reflect and learn from this experience.”

The Anti-Defamation League identifies the Proud Boys as a far-right extremist group known for misogynistic, antisemitism, anti-immigration, and white supremacist ideologies. The group has been linked to numerous violent incidents, including the 2017 antisemitic Charlottesville rally and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Recently, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was pardoned by former President Trump, was released early from a 22-year prison sentence for his role in the Capitol events.

Varriale, who opened Aqua Blu 13 years ago, said the experience has been a “nightmare” but hopes her apology will help restore trust with her loyal customers.

“We hope you understand and accept this as a formal apology,” the Facebook post concluded. “We are committed to learning and doing better moving forward.”