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Happy First Anniversary to Tom’s Coney Island!

Posted in Food, Food & Drink, tagged anniversary, Boardwalk, Coney Island, Tom's Coney Island, Tom's Restaurant on September 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

First Brunch at Tom’s Coney Island. September 23, 2012. Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary

“We are going to have a small gathering at the store this afternoon at 4pm to celebrate our 1 year anniversary,” says Jimmy Kokotas, owner of Tom’s Coney Island. One year ago today, September 23rd, the Boardwalk outpost of the popular Prospect Heights restaurant opened for business after many months of construction. Coney Island resident and ATZ contributing photographer Bruce Handy was one of their first customers and sent us the above photo of his first brunch.

Tom’s on the Coney Island Boardwalk. November 17, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

“I had two eggs over easy, home fries, whole wheat toast and coffee, all good,” said Bruce, whose photos of Tom’s first Sunday brunch he posted on his Coney Island Photo Diary. Are they serving pancakes yet? “Not sure, guy next to me had waffles,” he said. Since then, many eggs over easy, pancakes, sandwiches and wraps have been served at the Boardwalk establishment, which is open year round. “We will be staying open through the winter from 8-5, 7 days a week,” Jimmy Kokotas tells ATZ. “We are currently open 8-7 till daylight savings begins.”

Spinach and feta cheese omelet, Tom’s Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita

What a year it’s been! A little over a month after Tom’s opened, Superstorm Sandy struck and flooding from Coney Island Creek devastated the neighborhood. The Boardwalk businesses miraculously escaped damage and Tom’s was of the few restaurants open in Coney Island. In the days after the storm, Tom’s became a hub of activity, serving as a command center for volunteers and a host for breakfast meetings about storm relief for local business owners and organizations.

Happy 1st Anniversary and many thanks to Jimmy Kokotas and family and Tom’s staff!

Tom’s Coney Island, 1229 Boardwalk (at Stillwell Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11224. Phone 718-942-4200

Post-Sandy meeting of neighborhood business owners at Tom’s Coney Island. November 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita

Nathan’s on Coney Island Boardwalk to Open Mid-March, Surf Ave by May

Posted in Food & Drink, Photography, tagged Boardwalk, Coney Island, Coney Island 2013, hot dog, Jim McDonnell, Nathan's, Nathan's Famous, Sandy, Tom's Restaurant on March 4, 2013| 2 Comments »

Post-Sandy Reconstruction: Nathan’s Famous on Surf Avenue. March 2, 2013. Photo © Jim McDonnell

The first Nathan’s hot dogs and french fries to be served in Coney Island since Sandy struck more than four months ago are on the horizon. In two weeks, the famous franks will be back on the Boardwalk! Nathan’s Boardwalk location, which expanded last season and suffered less damage from Sandy than the Surf Avenue store, is set to open in mid-March. One source tells ATZ the Nathan’s Boardwalk store will open on March 16, a Saturday, while another says March 18. Either way, we’ll let you know ASAP. UPDATE 1:35pm: ATZ confirmed with Nathan’s Corporate Office that the official opening date of their Boardwalk restaurant will be Monday, March 18th.

Over the weekend, the gut rehab at Nathan’s Famous original location on Surf Avenue continued with workers ripping out the counter and steel shutters, as seen in the above photo by Jim McDonnell. The interior as well as electrical and plumbing were ruined by the flood water and sewage that surged into the store during Superstorm Sandy. Sources tell ATZ the target date for completing the work and reopening Nathan’s main store at Surf and Stillwell Avenues is Memorial Day Weekend.

Ahead of March 24’s Opening Day for Coney Island’s amusement rides, some of Nathan’s neighbors on the Boardwalk such as Brooklyn Beach Shop, Nathan’s Gift Shop, and Ruby’s Bar and Grill have already been open “by chance” and expect to open on the weekend of March 16th. Lola Star Boutique and Paul’s Daughter are set to open on Palm Sunday Weekend. Tom’s Restaurant, which has been serving breakfast and lunch all winter, was exceptionally crowded over the weekend. Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy, who eats there every Sunday said, “Today we got the last table and they were holding people at the door.” Spring is in the wings and the crowds are coming back to Coney!

UPDATE March 7, 2013:

Nathan’s and Major League Eating announced they will hold the first qualifier for the 2013 Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday, March 23, at 1 pm, at the Boardwalk restaurant as part of opening-weekend celebrations for Coney Island.

Photo of the Day: It’s a Wrap at Tom’s Coney Island

Posted in Food, Food & Drink, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged benefit, Boardwalk, Christmas Eve, Coney Island, Coney Recovers, Tom's Coney Island, Tom's Restaurant on December 23, 2012| 1 Comment »

Tom’s Restaurant on the Coney Island Boardwalk miraculously escaped damage from Sandy and has been a popular meeting place for relief efforts. On December 24th from 8am till 5pm, the eatery is having a Christmas Eve “Eat, Drink, Help!” Party to benefit Coney Recovers. All proceeds from the day’s sales will be donated to ongoing relief efforts in the neighborhood. “The more you eat, the more you help!,” says the invite.

ATZ’s fave item on the lunch menu is this Grilled Chicken with Greek Salad Wrap. Also on the menu are Crab Cakes, Hamburgers, Veggie Burgers and a variety of sandwiches. Tom’s famous pancakes and other items on the breakfast menu are served all day. The Veggie Egg White Omelette and Mango Walnut Pancakes, which friends have ordered, are on our must-try list. All pancakes are served with maple syrup and homemade flavored butters.

This Coney Island outpost of the beloved Tom’s of Prospect Heights opened in September. Tom’s Coney Island is currently open daily from 8am till 5pm including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Closed on Christmas Day.

Tom’s Coney Island, 1229 Boardwalk (at Stillwell Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11224. Phone 718-942-4200