"They wanted their five story brick building out there, " he said. "They're upset that they didn't get it. "

But the Tasty may not go quietly. City Councilor Francis H. Duehay '55, who has been an outspoken Tasty advocate in recent months, said that while there is no official recourse to keep a place for the Square's only 24-hour eatery, there is always public pressure.

According to Duehay, the city council might hold a public hearing on the Tasty before the October move-out date.

For the time being, the being of the end has Martin waxing nostalgic.

"We're looking for a spot, but this is the spot here, " he said. "Before the subway, trolleys used to turn around right here. One left every eight minutes or so, so people would always drop in for a hot dog. "

And in an area which prides itself on history, the Tasty can claim its own proud past.

"In the blizzard of '78, we were the only thing open for two or three days. We had police going down to the supermarket getting supplies for us, " Martin said.

It's that history-and its iminent end-that has long-time patrons upset.

"This is awful, it's terrible, " said Phil R. Ligor, an Arlington resident who said he has been coming to the Tasty for 40 years. "A lot of people are gonna be lost. "