“I Wanna Go Back to Ohio State, to Old Columbus Town...”
Ohio State's campus is full of legendary bars, restaurants and campus spots – and we visit all of them.
In this week's article, we talked to Jeanne Carrick, the general manager at Tommy's Pizza, to find out about the history, the importance, and the crazy stories of Tommy's Pizza.
History of Tommy's Pizza
Tommy's was founded in 1952, by a man named Tommy Iacano. The shop opened up at the corner of Lane Avenue and Neil Avenue. The store has been a presence for campus for over almost 70 years now, serving plenty of Buckeyes throughout time.
How Campus Changed
Over time, Tommy's has been witness to the development of campus and Columbus.
"In the last 7 years, it just seems like our little store has been engulfed," Jeanne points out.
Jeanne goes on to say she "feels like we are the one last piece of home in this ever-growing University."
Tommy's has stood the test of time, but it has definitely seen and felt the change of Columbus. This is a place that most people will recognize, no matter when they spent time in Columbus.
Best Buckeye Memory
For Jeanne, her favorite Ohio State memory at Tommy's was the 2016 season. This was her second game season at the store, and this is when she began to understand the Buckeye way of life.
"It was just surreal to me, I didn't realize how huge of a fan base we had. This place is just such a nostalgic, warm spot in so many people's hearts," Jeanne says.
There is no denying that Tommy's is one of the most homey spaces in Columbus, and that is without even talking about the food.
Building Buckeye Community
While campus and Columbus might be rapidly growing, there is one thing that stays the same: Tommy's.
Jeanne says "you know how when you go to your Grandma's house it looks the same, it smells the same? It is just comforting."
Tommy's is able to grow this sense of community throughout Buckeye Nation by giving a sense of home and nostalgia to everyone, no matter where they come from. This is something that is lost in a very modern world.
Menu Must-Haves
There are two extremely popular items on the menu: the Italian Sub and the All-The-Way Pizza. These two items have been favorites for as long as Tommy's has been famous.
"Those are two items that almost everyone will order without a doubt," says Jeanne.
Craziest Memory
One of Jeanne's most favorite memories is when she unknowingly served Ezekiel Elliot. She has also served Clark Kellogg on several occasions.
"We have had a myriad of celebrities come in, many of which I did not know at first." Jeanne laughs about.
Due to the Pandemic, Tommy's has seen a bit of a slow down in the customers coming in, and they have had to adjust some of their hours. They hope to see more and more people start to come back in to this lovely campus favorite.
