Huntington's Golden Dolphin Diner Closes - After Landlord Battle and Political Backlash

By Ishan Shah

A once-popular diner in downtown Huntington that served locals for decades has permanently closed, following a protracted legal fight with its landlord and backlash over the owner's public support for Israel.

Peter Tsadilas took over the former Golden Dolphin in 2020 and renamed it the Golden Globe, although he never changed the name on the sign.

After the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel, Tsadilas placed posters depicting Israeli hostages in the windows, flew Israeli and Greek flags, and hung a banner reading "Greek Diners Stand With Israel."

The displays did not sit well with some community members, leading to a loss of longtime customers and hecklers accusing the owner of "supporting genocide."

The harassment culminated in vandalism in the early morning hours of July 12, 2024, when the front window of the eatery was shattered.

The Diner's landlord troubles ran parallel.

A court-ordered agreement in 2021 reduced rent to $8,000 for the first year and extended the lease an additional 12 years.

Counting on the new deal, Tsadilas invested another $75,000 into the business, but when agreed-upon repairs were never made and his case was thrown out of court, he stopped paying rent last August.

"I've spent over a quarter of a million dollars in legal fees," Tsadilas said. "They squeezed me out."

He closed the doors for good on May 17th. 

Tsadilas has pledged to fight to reopen. He currently operates a Kings Park restaurant called Diner Dash, which he opened with a partner in January 2025.