Franklinton restaurant to appear on Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Franklinton restaurant is set to appear Friday night on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," the Food Network show from Columbus-born chef Guy Fieri.
Opened by Greek immigrants Tom and Kathy Pappas, Tommy's Diner at 914 W. Broad St. has been a staple of the neighborhood for over 30 years.
When current owner Michael Pappas, son of Tom and Kathy, heard the restaurant was being considered for the show, he couldn't believe it.
"I thought I was getting punked," Pappas said. "I wasn't even here that day. My server called, and she said, 'Hey, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives called.' I'm like, sure they did."
The Franklinton spot's menu of traditional diner fare will be on full display on the show. It includes breakfast items like waffles, pancakes, French toast and eggs, lunch selections like sandwiches and burgers, and traditional dinner like meatloaf, roast beef and chicken. Tommy's also offers a rotating menu of special items.
Pappas' favorite menu items include corned beef for breakfast, the club sandwich for lunch, and chicken lemon rice soup, which is featured as a Tuesday special. He said their homemade desserts are also popular, especially the carrot cake and cheesecake.
But from Pappas' perspective, the thing that makes Tommy's special goes beyond the food.
"It's all about community, right? ... My dad's presence here every day for the longest time and remembering customers, you know, that's one of the most impressive things about him is he doesn't forget people," he said. "I think his presence here, my presence here, and getting to know our customers and building relationships with people, I think that's really helped us."
But Pappas said the thing he is most looking forward to about Tommy's appearance on Food Network is that it will bring attention to the food of Columbus.
"Honestly, what makes me the most proud is kind of being able to put Columbus in the national spotlight," Pappas said. "I think Columbus has a very underrated food scene, and it doesn't get recognition nationally. There's a lot of amazing chefs in the city, amazing restaurants."
He described Fieri as a pleasure. Pappas said he was nervous at first but that the jitters went away quickly.
"Sometimes TV personalities and real-life personalities aren't the same," Pappas said. "That wasn't really the case with him. You forgot that he was Guy Fieri, and he just made you feel very comfortable when you were talking to him. I was honestly shocked."