Founder & owner of one Columbus’ most popular diners dies, Mayor Ginther sends condolences

Many of our Saturday mornings started with Athanasios “Tommy” Pappas greeting us with a smile and showing us to our tables, where’d get some of the best breakfast in town.

Tommy, and his diner Tommy’s Diner, have been an institution in Columbus for the past 35 years, not just for the incredible food, but for Tommy’s larger-than-life personality. The diner announced that Tommy passed away peacefully on December 2 with his family by his side.

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“He was a legend with an incredible story. I’m honored to be his son and I look forward to continuing his legacy at the diner. I love you Dad, Heaven got a good one,” said Tommy’s son Michael Pappas, who is the current owner of the diner.

Thousands of members on Facebook sent their condolences, and Mayor Ginther released a statement as well: “Tommy Pappas was, and will forever remain, a Columbus institution, a one-of-a-kind community pillar who quite simply never met a stranger. Always armed with a warm welcome and a friendly face, he demonstrated the power of kindness, friendship and partnership to build bridges and open doors. There is so much about our city that won’t be the same without his sincere and generous presence — from long chats over lunch at Tommy’s Diner to his trademark whirlwind tours through the Columbus Greek Festival — but his legacy will endure, and we will continue to find strength and hope and meaning in the life that he led. May his memory be eternal.”

Tommy grew up in a small village in Greece, teaching himself how to cook. At the age of 21, he was drafted into the Greek army. He met his wife Kathy while she was on a vacation in Greece, and she convinced him to come to Columbus. 

They opened Tommy’s Diner together on July 2, 1989, and the rest is history.

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