Tom's Restaurantsimilar businesses >
782 Washington Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(29 Ratings)
Not to be confused with Tom's Restaurant on the Upper West Side, the one that gave Seinfeld a facade and singer Suzanne Vega a muse, this diner has been an important staple of the Brooklyn breakfast scene for decades. There is nothing fancy at this charming and tchotchke-filled old-style luncheonette that's just a few blocks from Prospect Park -- except for the free orange slices and cookies that owner Gus, and his father Tom before him, have been handing out since its inception in the 1930s. The burgers, vanilla floats, fruit-filled pancakes and cherry-lime rickeys have long been a favorite of Prospect Heights and Park Slope regulars. Ever since word got out years ago about Tom's top marks, the hype has exploded exponentially -- weekend lines are long, Manhattanites are foregoing Pastis, and even Jersey kids are snapping up Tom's logo t-shirts. Even Seinfeld would have to wait in line.
Categories: Restaurants
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29 Ratings and Reviews
- Irapaul1 - 07/09/2008
- Mr A 4U2C - 07/05/2008
- IWIN751 - 07/02/2008
- NannaCoffee - 06/24/2008
Tom's is what Brooklyn is all about...
RJGX - 06/19/2008I've been to most of the other places in this category, and while some are good, Tom's Restaurant is at the top of the list. The owner, Gus Vlahadhas, is a neighborhood local who stayed through the bad times in Prospect Heights and who's warm personality shines on his food and his customers.
The wait staff is superb, crisp and fast. But the "wait" for a table is sometimes long, (Sat. is packed) however the free coffee, orange slices and tasty cookies distributed to the queue eases the pain considerably.
The real draw is the comfy food on the menu, delivered exactly as you asked and piping hot. I've brought the most finicky foodie friends I know to Tom's and they were never disappointed.
It's not just the soda-fountain Thirties era atmosphere (terrific & real homey, not kitsch), the expected "standards" (terrific eggs any style, corned beef hash, grits, fries, burgers, etc.) but it is the unexpected surprises that impress. Besides Cherry Lime Rickeys and REAL Egg Creams, there are delicious crab cakes, and amazing Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (my favorite of all the styles offered) and specials for lunch that are unusually good and inexpensive.
The only thing wrong with Tom's is they're not open for dinner or on Sunday, but I can still hope...Comments(0)|Add Comment