Locals Watch Inauguration at Tom’s Diner, an Old Haunt of the New President

As church bells rang in the distance, the voice of Barack Obama, CC ’83, filled Tom’s Restaurant and a small but attentive crowd watched his historic inauguration on television. But some of those present were unaware that 27 years ago, Obama might well have occupied the chair next to them.

A recent article by Obama’s Columbia roommate in Columbia College Today mentioned that Tom’s Restaurant was a favorite hangout for Obama during his two years as a Columbia undergraduate. But if this piece of history is ever to enter the realm of local legend, it has a long way to go. Not everyone present knew about Obama’s trips to the diner.

Still, Rex Chatterjee, 22, was not surprised when told that President Obama used to frequent Tom’s. “Of course! Everybody does,” he replied.
The wait staff was also unfamiliar with the story. John Ieromonahos has only worked at the diner for 12 years but suggested that the owner might remember Obama as a regular.

Though Michael Zoulis has been part-owner of the restaurant for 25 years—just short enough a period for him to have missed the young president-to-be. Yet he, too, was not surprised to hear the story, as a number of famous New Yorkers have graced the booths of Tom’s Restaurant.
“It was a touching ceremony,” Zoulis said of the inauguration. “It strengthens my belief in our country that ... an African American ... could become our president.”

During Obama’s speech, a hush fell over the diner, which was uncharacteristically vacant in the middle of what should have been the lunchtime rush. Zoulis watched from the entryway, then sat alone in a corner booth, lost in thought. From behind the counter, Ieromonahos recoiled at the suggestion that he might use the lull to relax. “If I want to relax, I go home,” he said.

Sure enough, within minutes of the ceremony’s end, a constant stream of customers was entering the restaurant. For Tom’s, it was back to business as usual.