Tom’s Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

For decades Tom's was once a local favorite Mom and Pop Restaurant. Residents, politicians, tourists, children grown up to adulthood, teachers, a favorite in the movie and entertainment world and news reporters and featured segments alike would make their way to dine at Tom's.

The old-fashioned and delicious real soda fountains, Lime Rickey's, Egg Creams and more were just some.of the specialty delights that one could expect to enjoy at Tom's.

Not too mention the warm greetings from Tom and the staff and new and old diners were remembered by name

Photographs were taken, news of births, desths ,happenings were lovingly shared and pictures and newspaper articles were also proudly posted throughout the restaurant, and every guest was treated like family!

It was nothing unusual to stamd in a long line for a table at Tom's. Guests were patient and as an added treat, the staff would serve cookies, freshly slice fruit, or on the bitterly cold, wintry days, hot cups of cocoa were served to those brave souls that waited on line ♥️

Well, thw years have passed. And Gis, Tom, his lovely wife and mother and other beloved family members have passed and things such as what I have described are regrettably an endering memory of a bygone memory.

It has been a few years since I laat dine at Tom's. The service is nothing like it use to be. There was once a time that one could set their wat h by Tom's because he was open for business prompty at 7:00 am. He was closed on Sunday's for religious observerance and a day of rest for the entire staff. Now it is difficult to get a percise beat on the store hours and sometimes the store is opened 7 days a week, but the traffic is not the same. Patrons are no longer waiting to get in and the staff seems.rather nonchalant about the history of what many view Tom's as a landmarked restaurant that has withstood the test of time since 1936. Now the store does not open promptly, the staff are not as engaging, and the restaurant seems to have lost it's luster?

My brother was in town for a long overdue visit. He bought along his daughter to join him for breakfast. Our bill was $75.00 for 3 standard selections of eggs(1 standard egg order and 2 omelets), toast, protien, 1 cup of coffee and 3 OJ's. Like I said it has been quiet some time (5 years] since I last dined at Tom's. We found the bill to be beyond expensive, but certainly not a reason to ring the alarm.

When it was time satisfy, we were informed that it is cash only. We were unaware and the notice was not marked in such a way that was an announcement to garner our attention. My brother was directed to use the ATM machine, which he did, but after 3 attempts I advised him not to try again. However, a wait person said that this happens often and when it does the staff direct their customers to try the ATM at the newspaper store. By now, I grew concerned that my brothers financial institution may flag his card given the 3 unsuccessful attempts to access cash, but I was overruled. Finally, the ATM machine did not work at the newspaper stand and we were then directed to try the cash machine across the street at the pharmacy. Needless to say all attempts were of no use. We left en route home for cash and returned to pay the bill. My brother shared with an employee his experience, including his having to call the bank because fraud was suspected, his card was closed, and the response made was how happy they were that my brother returned. No mention to make amends for his inconvenience and overall disappointment.

Such a shame on every level and poor attention given to a long time loyal and supporting customer. And for the unpleasant experience...

We like visiting an old diner that has been in business for a long time, with lots of loyal local customers. We found one in Brooklyn when we visited Brooklyn Museum. This diner is family owned operated since 1936!

You need to go down to the mid way between the entrance and the back wall, where they have a sign that says “wait to be seated.” It was packed on a weekend during lunch time. A staff came by quickly and told us there will be a few minutes wait. After a few minutes, we were taken to what looked like an outside area from the main restaurant.

It was an add-on to the restaurant (I assume), with lots of windows. It was full Christmas mode in there, even though we were visiting during Summer time. A good way to save time and cost with no need to re-decorate for the holidays. LOL.

As soon as we sat, the staff asked if we wanted coffee, this is not that kind of a place where you take your sweet time to decide what to eat and drink.

For food, we ordered Special 2 by 2 by 2 Combo, Crab Cakes and Eggs, and Tom’s Beer Batter Fillet Sandwich. The portion was huge, not anything fancy but tasty and the kind of food that soothes your soul. We had a nice lunch here, we were completely stuffed and still took some left over home. They serve breakfast all day, so you can have breakfast any time of the day.

The one thing to remember, is that they are CASH ONLY. Make sure you bring cash! The staffs were nice, not always easy to grab someone since they are always busy, but they are...

This place is pretty ok. I don’t really have complaints about the food or service, both were great when I went. My issue was the “outdoor seating”…. I don’t really understand why restaurants still have those post-social distancing. It’s okay if they’re aesthetically pleasing, but when I went they were pretty packed, so they seated me outside. The weather was fine, but the outdoor seating is a disaster. It literally looks like they nailed wood from Home Depot together to make cubicles with tables inside. The floor is put in by them, but not a single "cubicle" was clean, there was debris from the street and other dirt covering the floors of every one.

My biggest complaint on the outdoor seating is the sugar. I'm not sure the owners understand how the outdoors work, you can't just leave a huge jar of sugar with a flimsy cap on a table in the street. There were ants on the table as we were eating, and I severely hate bugs so couldn't sit in peace without placebo "bugs" bothering me every time the wind blew. It was super unpleasant, and I would have rather waited for a table inside. It's sugar for coffee, I get it, but why not get those assorted packs of closed paper packets of sugar?

I'm also not a fan of the car-window height windows inside every cubicle, because everyone who was smoking with their window open gave us a nice whiff as they sped down the street. Food was fine, service was good, outdoor seating needs...