The experience of dining at Oconee Diner in Islip begins long before your food arrives to your table. It begins when you pull into the parking lot.
The outside of the diner is always decorated for hospitality, especially during the holidays. For Christmas specifically this outside of Oconee diner looks like the North Pole and the inside has the holiday nostalgia of Grandma’s house. Warm, cozy, hospitable and the smell of comfort food on the stove.
In the parking lot there are usually families in conversation. Laughing together and sharing a long good bye after a hearty meal. It’s all a part of this establishments vibe and what the Tsiorvas aims for and is known for. The food at Oconee Diner is excellent, as is the service and the entire ambiance.
The Oconee Diner has been a steady staple on Montauk Highway in the town of Islip since it was established in 1967. The diner was built and shaped from the ground up by Peter Tsiorvas and his partners. Peter also previously owned the Seaford Palace Diner in Seafood during the 1990s.
Peter’s son, Gus Tsiorvas, is now a partner at Oconee diner while also taking on ownership of Embassy Diner in Bethpage in 2022. Gus grew up working in the family business at Oconee and learning everything he knows from his father. Their success in the business has been based around “over doing it.” Providing over the top- exceptional service, food, hospitality and care for the patrons.
It’s also no secret that the Tsiorvas family are avid law enforcement supporters. You can tell so as soon as you step foot into the waiting room. A cozy room with pictures of New York State troopers, MTA cops and NYPD officers. Mixed in with some photos of both celebrities and politicians who have visited the diner in the past.
When Gus’ brother Billy isn’t working as an NYPD officer. He also helps out at the family businesses. Billy was also involved in giving Embassy Diner in Bethpage a revamp when the family purchased it in 2022. The diner needed some updates in decorations, menu and also adding multiple televisions. The diner business here is a family venture with all hands on deck.
Gus Tsiorvas stated that he hopes and plans to start teaching a third generation the family business. His wish is to continue in the diner business a long time while also raising his children around the diner. Just as his father Peter did with and for him. With the intentions that the excellence that we have experienced at Oconee Diner will continue for a long time to come.
