In that spirit, he said, he will have interhouse video game competitions at Tommy's in an attempt to draw customers.

Local Legend

Tommy's has been a popular late-night food stop for students in Adams House ever since it opened its doors 36 years ago.

"When the food really sucks [in the dining hall], we just go over there," said one Adams resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

Some people still miss Tommy Stephanian, the original owner who sold the restaurant in November 1992.

"He was a classic Bostonian--obnoxious," said Dan L. Stone '96. "That was one of the draws."

In fact, Stephanian dropped by his old restaurant Friday afternoon to greet the new owners.

"He said, 'Hi. I'm Tommy,'" McHale said. "And I just said, 'Hi. I'm Mike.'"

McHale said Stephanian had read about the sale in Thursday's Crimson and had dropped by to introduce himself and wish them good luck.

Stephanian could not be reached for comment yesterday afternoon.

Some students said much of the first Tommy's mystique changed when owners Zaharias Mougros and Alex Bafris brightened the restaurant's dark, gloomy interior after purchasing the restaurant from Stephanian two years ago.

For his part, Mougros said he is disappointed to be leaving. He and Bafris will be opening a new, larger restaurant in Stoneham.

"I love Harvard. I like the kids like my own sons," he said. "I feel very good for them, and never have problems with them."

Health Nut

The changes made by the new owners, however, may go much further than lightening up the interior. Despite his avowed "wait-and-see" attitude, McHale's previous history in Harvard Square suggests the fat might not last on the grill much longer.