Tommy’s Pizza, a mainstay on the Ohio State University campus for 45 years, is closing

Tommy’s Pizzeriaa pillar of life at Ohio State University since Earle Bruce’s first year as Buckeyes coach, has announced plans to close.

“It was a pleasure to serve multiple generations of families and students,” said the restaurant stated on its website. A manager at the University District pizzeria, at 174 Lane Ave., confirmed the closure but said she was not authorized to discuss the reasons for the decision.

After 45 years, Tommy’s last day is Friday. Two other locations — 1350 W. Lane Ave. near Upper Arlington and 4279 W. Dublin Granville Road in Dublin — will remain open.

Thomas Iacono, the son of Italian immigrants, opened the first Tommy’s Pizza in 1952 on Columbus’ East Side. It was originally Tommy’s restaurant until the pizza side took off. The University District restaurant opened in 1979.

Tommy’s serves Columbus-style pizza, sandwiches, salads and lots of fried appetizers. Its Upper Arlington location finished in the top four among local favorites in the Dispatch readers’ poll earlier this year.

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This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Restaurants: Tommy’s Pizza Near Ohio State to Close