by Courtney VanAuken “CMU’s First Lady”
Farnam Jahanian: the man of the people. Today he is known as the beloved president of Carnegie Mellon University and for the fantastically fishy Farnam Tuna Melt at The Exchange. The Farnam Tuna Melt is flippin’ fantastic. It is so good in fact, that many students recognize Farnam as the name preceding the tuna melt sandwich at The Exchange before associating the name with its presidential connotations. Despite the beloved nature of the Farnam Tuna Melt, a 2022 Dietrich census revealed that 93 percent of students at Carnegie Mellon are unaware of the unbelievable, heartwarming, and most importantly true story of the Farnam Tuna Melt. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sit down with Farnam and discuss his journey with the Farnam Tuna Melt — a journey that started back at his humble beginnings as a beloved community figure at Pamela’s Diner in Shadyside. It was during this sit down that President Farnam shared with me his unbelievable and true story of how the famous Farnam Tuna Melt came to be.
Farnam Jahanian is a simple man. He appreciates the simple things in life. This is why, at the young age of 17, he picked up an after-school job at Pamela’s Diner. Here he made his mark on the Pittsburgh Culinary World. You know the famous crepe-style pancakes at Pamela’s? That was all Farnam. What started as an experiment that followed the artistic inquiry of what a pancake would be quickly became a local sensation.
Farnam, a humble man, while pleased with the success of his creation, was not accustomed to the spotlight. As a homage to his menu contribution, Pamela sat down with Farnam and offered him the chance to have the pancakes be named after him as the “Famous Farnam Crepe-Style Pancakes.” Farnam turned this down; the joy of watching people enjoy his pancakes was enough for him. Word quickly spread about the crepe-style pancakes and soon, President Obama would travel to Pittsburgh to taste these famous pancakes for himself.
Obama arrived in Pittsburgh with an insatiable appetite, an appetite that could only be quenched by then-twenty-year-old Farnam Jahanian and his crepe-style pancakes. President Obama arrived at the diner in a Pirates cap and a bowler shirt — he wanted to convey a sense of casualty that the diner setting demands, despite being the president of the United States. Obama sat down at the half booth with his traveling painter who was there to document his experience at Pamela’s. Obama took his first bite and his world was expanded tenfold. It was then, as legend says, that Obama raised his voice and shouted out, “Who is responsible for these famous crepe-style pancakes?”. The diner went silent. The young Farnam emerged from the kitchen. He had a timid and submissive nature about him. The diner was still, you could hear a pin drop. Maybe even an ant whistle. Obama broke the silence, and said, “Kid… these pancakes are presidential!” Everyone clapped. President Obama then used his presidential powers to instate Farnam Jahanian as president of newly established Carnegie Mellon.
Farnam took his presidential possession with pride and honor, despite the fact that the title of president was one that was much too flashy and pompous for a humble man such as him. Farnam felt as though there was a disconnect between himself, and his people. This is when Farnam found his outlet and a way to give back to the community: The Exchange.
Farnam found joy in working in the kitchen at The Exchange; it was like he was back at home in Pamela’s. To avoid being recognized he quickly developed an alter ego at The Exchange — commonly known as “Dave.” On his lunch breaks “Dave” would try out new sandwich combinations. One day, “Dave” was trying out a new tuna melt. He offered a taste to a coworker who enthusiastically declared, “Wow! That tuna melt is presidential!” “Dave” smiled, and said “yeah… I suppose it is…” The tuna melt was, from that point on, known as the Farnam Tuna Melt. As the most popular menu item from The Exchange, there was high demand. A new problem arose: too much need for tuna, and not enough Farnam. Farnam dedicated himself to working in the back rooms of The Exchange hours before opening, working masterfully to craft enough Farnam Tuna Melt sandwiches to sustain the insatiable appetite of the students at CMU.
After hearing Farnam’s story, a single tear rolled down my face. I was inspired and filled with feelings of pride: pride for my school and pride for Farnam Jahanian. I collected myself and asked one final question, “Farnam, what is the secret to your Farnam Tuna Melt?” He laughed, sighed, and touched my arm. He looked into my chestnut hazel orbs and said “you know the tinned fish they sell at De Fer? It’s partially that, and partially… me…” He winked. I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I also think… I do.
The unbelievable true story of the Farnam Tuna Melt was one that made me laugh, made me cry, and made me question — what does it mean to give back? What does it mean to nourish a community? Next time you order the Farnam Tuna Melt at The Exchange, be sure to give “Dave” a wink and a smile.
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