Tom’s Diner in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the best old school diners in Brooklyn. Here’s what they have to offer.

Tom’s Diner has an extensive breakfast menu including 11 different omelettes, 12 different egg combinations, 15 types of pancakes, 6 different waffles, and 14 different sides. Along with food, they offer coffee, tea, juice, soda, egg creams, and milkshakes.

Fellow reporter Enzo Furlani as well as myself made the commute to Tom’s Diner from school by taking the B69 bus from 7 Ave. and 6th St. We got off the bus at Plaza St. and Vanderbilt Ave., then walked on Sterling Place over to Washington Ave.. After being greeted by staff, we walked over to a table and they gave us menus and silverware. After looking at the menu, we decided to get each an omelette and pancakes and a side of bacon, as well as a cherry lime ricky (cherry soda with lime juice).  

The food was served quickly, probably in about 10 minutes, all hot and freshly made. The pancakes were fluffy and moist, and the omelette was cooked well and served hot. The omelette came with a side of home fries, which were thoroughly seasoned and cooked perfectly. The cherry lime rickey was sweet, yet refreshing and paired perfectly with the food. The bacon we had was crispy, greasy, and anything you would want in a classic piece of diner bacon. We had the cinnamon roll pancakes, which were cinnamon pancakes with a small amount of sweet glaze. The glaze was served in the perfect amount and not too overpowering. The pancakes come with 3 specialty flavored butters: strawberry, pumpkin, and cinnamon, all pairing well with the pancakes. In total, for all 7 items, we spent 83$ including tip.

Tom’s Diner has been family owned since the 1930s. The original owners,

the Vlahavas family, are still running it. Former owner Gus Vlahavas passed along the store to his nephews in 2009, and they have been running it since. In 1968, neighbors formed a human chain around the restaurant because of unrest after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Today, Tom’s is open for breakfast and lunch, but unfortunately less commonly sees long lines. When there are long lines, they bring out coffee and orange slices, or other foods for guests waiting to be seated.

Tom’s Diner is located at 782 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238. They are open from 8 am until 3 pm every day and usually have open seating on weekdays. Go and try it for yourself!