Tommy’s restaurant celebrates 50th anniversary

(click photo to enlarge)

  • Members of the crowd surround Tommy Fello, carrying signs and sporting creative milkshake-inspired headgear. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • About 50 people gathered outside Tommy's restaurant on Jan. 14 for a love-in for Tommy's. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Throughout the day, friends and fans posted "love notes" to Tommy on the restaurant's window. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren presented Tommy Fello with a proclamation from the city. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Members of the crowd carried signs and sported creative milkshake-inspired headgear. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Tommy Fello standing outside Tommy's first location (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., where Inn on Coventry is currently located) in Coventry Village in 1972. Courtesy Cleveland Historical and Tommy Fello.

  • Tommy Fello (at left), owner of Tommy's restaurant, and (from left) employees Ian Anderson, Becky Dedenbach, Karla Zagari and Ivan Lemus, holding 2021 Best of the Heights winner certificates for Best Curbside Pickup and Best Community-Conscious Business, and finalist certificates for Best Online Ordering, Best Socially Distanced Dining, Best Ecologically Friendly Takeout, Best Employee Pandemic Support and Best Pandemic Pivot. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Tommy Fello, with his 2020 winner of Best Heights Vibe certificate. Photo courtsey FutureHeights.

  • Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren presented Tommy Fello with a proclamation from the city. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Tommy's restaurant owner Tommy Fello addresses the crowd, surrounded by family and friends.

  • Tommy Fello expresses his appreciation to the crowd as Heights Alumni Foundation Executive Director Juliana Johnston Senturia presents him with a T-shirt and announces a fund in his honor. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Tommy Fello expresses his appreciation to the crowd as Heights Alumni Foundation Executive Director Juliana Johnston Senturia presents him with a T-shirt and announces a fund in his honor. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Members of the crowd show they love for Tommy and Tommy's. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

  • Tommy Fello has been an active community member since the beginning and continues to this day. He participated in the Coventry Street Fair, an annual event that started in the 1970s. He continues to serve on the Coventry Village Special Improvement District. Courtsey Cleveland Historical and Joe Polevoi.

  • Tommy's second location was at 1820 Coventry Road. When a fire broke out that destroyed half the block, he was able to salvage his kitchen, but had to create a new dining room at 1824 Coventry Road, which is the restaurant's location today. Courtesy Cleveland Historical and Tommy Fello.

  • This photo from the 1970s shows Tommy Fello working behind the grill. You can often still find him there today. Courtesy Cleveland Historical and Tommy Fello.

  • Tommy's original location had limited seating. Fifty years later, the restaurant now seats 125. Courtesy Cleveland Historical and Tommy Fello.

Back to Article