Openings & Closings

Tom's Home Cooking Closes in Five Points

Last month, Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky, owners of Tom's Home Cookin' in Five Points, put their restaurant up for sale. Fans of the Southern-style kitchen who lined up every weekday for lunch hoped that Tom's would continue to serve the meatloaf, mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings, and other country...

By Mark Antonation

December 4, 2015

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Last month, Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky, owners of Tom's Home Cookin' in Five Points, put their restaurant up for sale. Fans of the Southern-style kitchen who lined up every weekday for lunch hoped that Tom's would continue to serve the meatloaf, mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings, and other country fare that has made the place such a hit since it opened more than fifteen years ago. And the partners even hinted that they were just testing the waters to see what the property was worth.

But today the owners Tweeted that the building has sold and Tom's is closed. A photo of the message on the door of the restaurant was included in the Tweet:

This is the most difficult tweet I've ever had to send. RIP Tom's Home Cookin' March 18, 1999 - December 3, 2015. pic.twitter.com/hHvWcCjbLC
— Tom's Home Cookin' (@TomsHomeCookin) December 4, 2015

We can only agree with @GMHertz, who was quick to respond on Twitter:

@TomsHomeCookin This isn't happening this isn't happening, this is not happening. What do we do now @marcahertz? Denver just lost a legend.
— Gideon Hertz (@GMHertz) December 4, 2015

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Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

Contact: Mark Antonation

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Instagram: @mantonation