A brief neon sign malfunction turned the longtime diner into a social media sensation.
For decades, Thomas’s Ham ‘N’ Eggery Diner in Carle Place has been known for its egg skillets and stuffed French toast.
Now, the longtime diner might also be remembered for something that had nothing to do with what was cooking in the kitchen.
Last week, Thomas’s became the Ho-Ass Diner, thanks to a neon sign malfunction on the front of the building that caused two letters to go dark.
“Our customers thought it was hilarious,” co-owner Pete Dafnos told Greater Long Island. “It’s funny seeing all the messages we’ve been getting from people who’ve seen it.”
Photos of the sign quickly spread across social media, where the accidental rebrand went viral.
“Our Instagram has gone viral before, but this was certainly a different twist,” Dafnos said.
Dafnos and his business partner, Alec Reyes, both grew up in Salisbury and purchased the diner about a year and a half ago.
The Carle Place staple first opened in 1946 and has built a loyal following over the decades — one that was more than happy to lean into the joke.
“One customer actually took a picture of the sign when it was broken, printed it in black and white, and got it framed as a gift,” Dafnos said with a laugh. “That’s how funny they thought it was.”
For now, the framed photo will remain on display in the owners’ office inside the diner.
The sign was fixed Monday by American Neon Sign Company of Bay Shore, restoring Thomas’s familiar glow. While the Ho-Ass name won’t be lighting up the building anymore, it may not be gone for good.
“We’ve thought about making Ho-Ass merchandise, but we haven’t decided anything yet,” Dafnos said.
Before & After
The Thomas’s Diner sign with the ‘T’ and ‘M’ out last week (L). The fixed neon Monday afternoon (R). (courtesy photos)
What people are saying
- “They could’ve capitalized on that — sell Ho-Ass shirts.”
- “We had a good laugh when the E and C were out of the Price Chopper sign. We still call it Pric Hopper.”
- “There used to be a ‘Ho Bagels’ near me in East Meadow.”
- “Now I know why there’s always a line there!”
- “You know that Ho-Ass Diner was lit after the bars closed.”
— GLI Facebook commenters
Top: Thomas’s Diner owners Pete Dafnos and Alec Reyes in Carle Place on Christmas Eve, holding a framed black-and-white photograph of their restaurant’s alter ego, the Ho-Ass Diner, which was presented to them by a customer as a Christmas gift. (courtesy)
