McHale was previously the manager at Bruegger's Bagel Bakery, three blocks west of Tommy's.

"We worked up the street for three years, so we have a pretty good idea what the student clientele is looking for," McHale said.

Scott W. Hartford, current general manager of Bruegger's, said McHale has never been a fast-food aficionado.

"From what I understand, he was very concerned with serving healthy food," Hartford said.

In fact, Hartford said Bruegger's has always focused on serving nutritious foods--the exact opposite of what Tommy's has meant to its patrons. Hartford said he does not know whether McHale will bring his "health food" philosophy to Tommy's.

"We try to cater to vegetarian tastes as much as possible," he said.

Hartford said McHale left Bruegger's in order to open his own restaurant.

"I hope it's a success," he said. "I've heard nice things about him."

The transition to new ownership has not been smooth. Questions surround the status of the site's health license.

McHale first claimed his lawyer had filed for a Common Victualer license with the Cambridge License Commission last week. Such a filing is required to transfer licenses held by the previous manager to new owners.

But Richard V. Scali, executive officer of the Cambridge License Commission, said McHale will not officially file until Tuesday. Scali said the matter would not come before the commission before November 1.

Until the matter is resolved, the restaurant will remain under the management of second owner Alex Bafris.

McHale said Bafris had agreed to continue as the nominal license holder until the transfer become official.

This means that Bafris is legally responsible for health issues at Tommy's--even though McHale claims he doesn't have Bafris' phone number and has no way to contact him.

"I haven't even met Alex [Bafris]," McHale said.

Efforts to reach Bafris yesterday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Many students said they will give the new restaurant a chance. Some even said they are looking forward to a healthier atmosphere.

"I'm glad they're changing hands," said Meredith F. Alexander '96. "I think their pizza's disgusting."

But many others came Thursday night to say goodbye to an icon, a haven from textbooks and term papers.

"We live here. It's very sad," said Brian M. Gordon '97. "Every night at 11, or 11:30, or midnight, we come to Tommy's.