Aaron Dorman

MUNSTER — Amid the display case of cakes and chocolate mousse frogs, and Styrofoam cups ready for to-go orders of lemon rice soup, there were also tears.

As both customers and staff discussed the imminent end of The Commander’s 45-year run as a local diner, several described the moment as “bittersweet” and couldn’t help but express their emotion.

“It’s the end of an era,” said Christine Athanasoulis, a Lansing resident who was at the restaurant for lunch with her friend, Dora Mantis. “Mom and pop restaurants are no longer opening. This is one of the last ones in the area. Everything is a franchise.”

Athanasoulis was generous enough to share with me her plate of saganaki: fried Greek cheese that’s been topped with brandy and lit on fire, before being extinguished with a squ

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