And in October 1992, he told of his concern for his young cigarette-smoking patrons, who he repeatedly tells to quit the habit: "They say they will, but they don't.

Bezjian said that Stephanian "knew what kind of trash was in the Square" and made sure that he and his brother "stayed clear of bad habits." He often invited the Bezjian brothers to his house for holiday meals.

When the two had a week's vacation from school, Stephanian "demanded us to come to work. He wanted us to stay off the streets," recalled Bezjian.

Karin B. Braverman '94 remembered the restaurant as a welcoming hangout for regular customers like herself.

"Tommy's was my library and second home," said Braverman, who went in two or three times a day. A friend calls her "the wooden Indian in the window of Tommy's," she said.

Once, when Braverman was caught in a downpour, she stepped into Tommy's and the staff provided her with towels to dry off, she said.

"It was wonderful. It was a great place; I'm going to miss it," said Braverman.

Tommy's sudden closing came as a shock to many faithful customers. Said Ellen O. Carr '94, "It's taken out a whole chunk of my life and forced me to think of other places to go." Carr, who often bought coffee ("the cheapest thing there") said that she could go to Cafe Pamplona, "but it's just not the same."

Not everyone understood the attraction of Tommy's, however. "I won't miss it--there were always too many Crimson people there," said Karl Cheng '94, Independent president, said in his own newspaper.

For 25 years, Tommy's has provided generations of Crimson editors with late night food.

Tommy's, like a religion, divided the Harvard community into two campus: those who believed, and those who did not believe. Even the doubters, however, were often spotted in the red booths of Tommy's between 1 and 2 a.m., when the restaurant was one of few open in the Square.

Tommy's Lunch is survived by Bartley's Burgers and the Hong Kong of Mass. Ave, Pinocchio's of Winthrop St., Elsie's of Mt. Auburn St., and The Tasty of JFK St., all student hangouts of some variety. Elsie's, The Tasty and Bartley's will, in Tommy's absence, be the last remaining vestiges of greasy grille food in the Square. Quality, late-night pinball, however, has died with the legendary Tommy's.

Thomas M. Lauderdale '92, a longtime friend of the passed restaurant, could not be reached for comment.

Memorial services have not yet been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, many mourners are going to Pinocchio's for slices.

Tommy's" -30-