Out to Eat: Holbrook Diner

When a business is owned by a family, customers can usually expect to be treated like a member of the family. When a business is owned by two families, customers can probably expect to be treated twice as well. When those two families own a business like a neighborhood diner, then customers can't help but feel right at home. That is the feeling you get at the Holbrook Diner. 

"Our motto is good food, good people and good memories. It's even written on the rug by the entrance," said Holbrook resident Minos Tymvios who owns the diner with his wife, Margaret, and another couple, George and Sandy Arahovitis.

The couples met several years ago through relatives. They opened the diner together in 2007. Margaret and George both grew up in diners.

"My family always owned diners, and many of them were on Long Island," Margaret said.

"I had a restaurant previously and I was always in the food industry," said Sandy. "And George and Minos had worked together before and they got along well.  An opportunity arose for us to go into business together, so we took it."

The menu features an array of specials, including the Chicken Marco Polo, the Cypress Wrap, the Texas Steak, and a variety of paninis, wraps and salads. Burgers, sandwiches, Italian dishes, soups, a kid's menu and just about anything else you might want for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack is available. A fully stocked bar and wines are also available.

Breakfast specials are available during the week from 6 a.m.-11 a.m.  There are also weekday dinner specials from 3pm-10pm which includes soup, salad, dessert and a beverage. Weekend specials are also available.

"The Holbrook Diner is a wonderful eatery. It's close to my home and offers a quaint set up and delicious food for every hour of the day. It doesn't matter if it's 2 o'clock in the morning or 5 at night, it's always great," said Theresa Lewando, 25, of Patchogue.

"We have great employees who provide excellent service. No one ever waits for a meal," said Margaret.

The owners give back to the community in several ways, from donations to Sachem teams to their membership in the Chamber of Commerce. For a limited time, the diner is offering Suffolk County Municipal employees a 10 percent discount with the proper identification.

"This is a friendly kind of diner," Margaret said. "It's great to be a part of Holbrook. I work with all my neighbors. Everyone I know is here. It is a friendly community. People come to hang out after a concert or after the movies or with a team. We see the kids grow up and it's cute because then they want to work here."

Sandy concurred with Margaret's sentiment.

"The customers feel like they are friends even though they are customers. Some of the nicest people come in here," she said. "It gives you a very warm feeling. And customers always say how full they are after they eat but they still take half of their meal home with them for another meal. We didn't cut down on our portions even though the economy changed. We still do things the way we always have," she said.

The Holbrook Diner is located at 980 Main Street across from the Irish Times Pub.