Tom's Restaurant - Home of the Souvlaki® — Restaurant in Town of Amherst

We always loved going to Tom's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...but especially enjoyed their breakfasts. The place was friendly and always crowded. Food items were extensive and service was the best. Plus, the price was right.

We were a group of 4 and went there one afternoon recently. We were looking to have good old fashioned comfort food, while we did some long-awaited catching up. When we walked in we saw that the entire restaurant had been renovated. It was bright, new, and clean. It was nice, but surprisingly with only a few tables scattered throughout. Nothing like the Tom's we knew and loved. It was totally empty, and felt kind of "Twilight-zonish". There was only one employee/server. She was very pleasant. We assumed she probably did everything from taking orders to prep/delivery, to cashing-out. This is fine I guess if Tom's is cutting back on expenses, but not so great for customers used to a particular mode of dining. We were handed a little paper menu with next to nothing on it. Those full breakfasts of the past were not to be found. What a disappointment. Unfortunately we decided to stay, due to a dining companion's mobility.

We ordered coffee. It came in a paper cup. Really? There was no silverware but rather plastic flatware. There were no glasses, cups, plates, or bowls. Our Souvlaki salads looked pre-made and came also in plastic containers. Basically, what we had was a limited selection of take-out fare. It was nothing like the Tom's of the past. And definitely not worth the prices charged.

Side note to owner "DK": We are very well aware of what the pandemic has done to everyone, especially businesses. What has happend to many is sad. Stores and restaurants have made some changes, but are happily coming back. Our most recent visit to Tom's however, was not at all what we expected. It was a shock.

In reading some of your reviews, particularly those that were not positive, let me say this. As a business owner myself, I am appalled at the way you respond to customers. Never do you speak to a consumer the way you spoke to those who gave their honest opinions. That is after all what reviews are supposed to be. I don't know who trained you in customer service, but you definitely do not exhibit any. You always want to send people away with a sense of satisfaction and a "good taste" in their mouth. A ticked off customer will write a bad review and word of mouth travels faster than a speeding locomotive. You commented that Tom is your father. I doubt he would ever behave the way you have. What a disgrace your sarcasm and offensive behavior are to his fine reputation.

BTW, the 4 of us frequenting your establishment are all business owners. We are discussing the way you conduct yourself with others also in the profession. You may want to think twice about what you say and to whom. You never know who might...

The servers were very nice, friendly and willing to help.. my meal was very good... the rest was not a good experience.. My wife wanted her hash browns extra crispy and the manager treated it like we were requesting a burger made of unicorn meat..we were in the far back corner of the restaurant and could hear the cook having a hissy fit about having to make crispy hash browns .. in addition the manager (maybe owner) was being very condescending in a loud voice to make sure everybody around us knew how unreasonable we were being for wanting the food we were paying for to be cooked to our liking... Even the logic that the manager had for not being able to get crispy hash browns was terrible... She said that they had 30 people in the restaurant before us that all ordered hash browns!! Somehow or another that was supposed to make the fact that ours weren't done properly okay... isn't it rather routine, desired or even expected for a restaurant to have a busy Saturday morning??.. I would think it would consistently be one of the busiest times of the week... the best part was when we were cashing out the condescending manager said she'll remember us for next time...NEXT TIME!!! haha that's funny stuff...oh yes..I almost forgot...$3 for some of the worst coffee I've ever tasted... if I ever go back I think I will order the Sasquatch steak...ha ha that's a joke.. everyone knows there's no such thing as Sasquatch... Or...

We have been customers for over 20 years. I don't know what happened other than the "owner" in the kitchen must be very intimidating to his staff. Dora, who for years we thought was one of the owners, got involved with the issue we were having over under cooked chicken souvlaki. The original waitress was trying to mitigate the problem and it was obvious that she was apprehensive to ask the cook/owner to make the order right. They had words that could be heard by customers. When Dora got involved, it was clear that the friendly, smiling face, we had come to know over the years, was very troubled. She was clearly being instructed that she would not be able to help us with this very simple request. After all these years, we will not be coming back! Judging from some of the other bad reviews, whatever has changed will be the demise of this once friendly restaurant. It is unfortunate since we had gotten to know the wait staff very well. Several years ago while we were having our kitchen remodeled, we practically lived at Toms. Now, we wouldn't go back on a dare! Sad! When this review is read by the staff, they will know the incident but not be surprised by...