Chron Critiques: Thomas’s Ham & Eggery

Photo courtesy of Thomas’s Ham & Eggery

Growing up in Virginia, if I wanted a fast and friendly breakfast experience, my only real option was Waffle House, which is somewhat of a dietary stunt of its own.

I had spent some time on Long Island during the summer growing up, but up until coming to college, I hardly knew anything about the diners in the area.

Since coming to Hofstra, Thomas’s Ham & Eggery has been my go-to weekend breakfast spot, so I was devastated when the diner closed temporarily due to an electrical fire at the start of the semester. However, it recently reopened, and I had the opportunity to revisit the diner, which was just as great as I had remembered.

My first time eating at Thomas’s Ham & Eggery took place during the fall of 2020, when indoor dining was a rare occurrence. At the time, the diner was nearly empty, and the employees were very cognizant of the COVID-19 measures, seating us at a safe distance from the other patrons.

The excellent service was reflected in the efficiency of the food, which the server brought out seemingly moments after we placed our orders.

When I visited Thomas’s during its reopening weekend, I began to realize that the diner really is not equipped for long waits, with a waiting area about half the size of my dorm room. However, the long lines are a testament to how great the restaurant is, and it was nice to see so many people eagerly waiting to eat there again. As with most diners, the wait went by reasonably quickly, with text notifications providing updates on how long to wait.

Just about every time I go to Thomas’s, I order the same meal: the Nova Scotia lox with eggs and onions. It is certainly a very hearty meal and leaves me ready for a nap every time I have it.

A frequent frustration I have with quick-service restaurants is that their food is often stomach-churning, but with Thomas’s, this is not the case.

Compared to other breakfast restaurants, the ingredients are very fresh and the building itself is relatively clean. Sure, they could use a dash more seasoning in their food, but it is always cooked properly and can be brought to life with a light amount of hot sauce.

Although I stick to the same meal each time, I always consider the other breakfast items on the menu, such as the frittatas, French toast and freshly baked pastries.

If you aren’t looking for breakfast food, Thomas’s is the type of establishment where instead of people watching, I find myself gawking at everything that comes out of the kitchen, each meal presented on a shiny silver skillet.

Stepping into the diner is like stepping into someone’s home, with cute artwork on the walls and old-school music adding more voices to an already cheerful atmosphere.

Even though the employees work hard to keep the food and customers flowing quickly, they take the time to converse with everyone, ensuring a satisfying and memorable dining experience. The past few times at Thomas’s, I’ve found myself deep in conversation with other patrons, many of whom have been eating there since before I was born.

Thomas’s Ham & Eggery is a great place to be on a weekend morning for a hot and tasty meal.

A staple of Long Island for over 75 years, it has kept a steady crowd with its quality food, quick service and family-friendly atmosphere. Having survived COVID-19 and the recent fire, its popularity has shown no signs of slowing down. Although it’s not the easiest to get to without a car, it is well worth the trip and a great diner to bring guests from out of town to.