It’s Lengthy Island’s star-spangled diner.
A Nassau County man has turned his in style Bethpage eatery right into a patriot’s paradise and welcoming haven for first responders, proudly etching “House of the Courageous” on its exterior and filling nearly each open area with troves of USA, police, fireplace, EMS and rescue decor.
“I really like America. We must always all be grateful that we reside right here,” Embassy Diner proprietor Gus Tsiorvas, 44, instructed The Put up. “And the client response? Ninety-nine % say they find it irresistible.”
When Tsiorvas purchased the diner off Hempstead Turnpike in spring 2022, his father, Peter Tsiorvas, proprietor of the well-known Oconee Diner in Islip, handed alongside this recommendation: “Overdoing” it’s key to success within the enterprise.
So the patriotic Tsiorvas took his dad’s recommendation and ran with it.
He positioned dozens of flags, images, a soccer jersey and different tribute devoted to emergency responders within the vestibule of the Embassy, which was in-built 1962.
And as if that wasn’t sufficient, he has just lately been handing out 6,000 customized “Embassy Diner USA” baseball caps to eaters without spending a dime.
“That’s what makes this place so particular,” common John Gatto, guitarist for the Lengthy Island band The Good Rats, instructed The Put up whereas ready for his dinner. “We owe [first responders] loads. So I’m behind this 100%.”
For Tsiorvas, a father of three from close by Wantagh, his connection to emergency personnel runs deeper than most.
“My brother is an NYPD cop, one among my sisters is a Nassau County cop, the opposite one is an MTA police officer, and my brother-in-law is a Westbury police officer. We’re massive behind the blue,” he mentioned.
“‘House of the Courageous’ is even my company’s identify, in order that’s what my workers see on their paychecks.”
The proprietor has seen firsthand the sacrifices his household commonly makes and the risks they put themselves in to maintain others secure.
Tsiorvas mentioned he needs all first responders to know they will relaxation comfortably in his institution.
“After they are available, I say, ‘Welcome residence.’ It needs to be like that all over the place,” mentioned the diner boss, who offers out turkeys on Thanksgiving to an area hospital and police precinct.
The type sentiments are greater than appreciated, and patrons affiliated with police and fireplace departments started handing Tsiorvas stickers of their organizations.
He has plastered all 76 of them on the diner’s entrance door.
“It’s good to see that there are individuals who have the identical values as we do,” mentioned Pete Conklin, a retired regulation enforcement member who eats on the Embassy twice per week, to The Put up.
“You actually are at residence whenever you come right here.”
Joseph Bonomo, a retired member of the NYPD Freeway Patrol, mentioned, “Understanding that we now have the assist of Gus makes us wish to come right here and assist him.
“Plus, I’ve been to loads of diners on the job, and this one simply takes the cake.”
Tsiorvas mentioned, “The most important factor for me is to provide a way of environment to the diner — and a way of affection.”
Even Maryann Petrarca, who works at a competing diner within the space, can’t get sufficient of the restaurant.
“How may you not find it irresistible right here?” she instructed The Put up whereas just lately having dinner on the Embassy. “I really like Gus and the workers — they’re actually the perfect.”