The owner of a well-known diner in Long Island made a memorable gesture for the Fourth of July. He woke up before dawn and covered the cost of every meal for diners during a special live event for Fox & Friends.
“Our kitchen went through seven cases of eggs. Each case had 30 dozen. We served thousands of people,” said Gus Tsiolbas, the owner of the Embassy Diner.
“It’s just beautiful to witness so many people come together for our country’s birthday. It really shows why we are the best,” he added.
Tsiolbas, who has interacted with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent concerning small business topics, has dubbed his establishment “America’s Most Patriotic Diner.” He’s also giving away printed T-shirts to guests.
“From a young age, I was taught to love my country,” he reflected.
“I truly love this place,” he mentioned.
Tsiolbas has always believed in the American Dream, influenced by his father’s journey from Greece to America with nothing decades ago.
“Without this country, he likely wouldn’t be here today,” Tsiolbas remarked about his father, who actively helps at the diner.
The diner has become a refuge for first responders, as many of Tsiolbas’s family members work in emergency services.
Former Nassau Police Officer Craig Cashin expressed that there’s no better venue for holiday celebrations, remarking, “If everything is like this, then I think the country will be okay.”
Cashin shared a poignant story about loss, mentioning his late son, Connor, who passed away from a heart condition in 2024. Tsiolbas took the initiative to help raise funds for a foundation honoring him.
“This diner has felt like home,” Cashin said, referring to it as the “Hometown of the Brave.”
Tsiolbas has become an iconic figure on Long Island, known for both his generosity and vibrant holiday decorations, especially for Independence Day.
The celebration featured a WWII tank, a pipe band, impersonators of Donald Trump, George Washington, and Uncle Sam, as well as a Nassau police helicopter and a giant American flag displayed by a fire truck nearby.
Despite the heat, many patrons filled the outdoor area, while Fox host Carly Shimkus broadcast live throughout the morning.
The diner reserved space inside for a few veterans, including 101-year-old Charlie Falco, a WWII veteran who enjoys his meals there almost daily.
“I love America,” Falco said, demonstrating his affection for the diner.
“He sometimes comes in twice a day,” Tsiolbas noted. “I refuse to charge him. He shouldn’t ever have to pay.”
Nassau County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman praised the early risers for their patriotism, noting, “We probably have more veterans here than anywhere else in the U.S.” He also acknowledged that many people in New York City are patriotic too, despite a small fraction that feels otherwise.
Additionally, Blakeman commended Tsiolbas for keeping the diner cool on a sweltering day, which took a jab at city officials urging residents to conserve energy during the heat wave.
“There’s no better place to be than with Gus at the Embassy Diner,” he concluded.
