Tommys Burger

Tommys Burger started back in 1946 and has been serving chili smothered burgers and fries at the original Beverly location (shown) since. While there are a whole slew of other locations in Southern California, you must go to the original! That is where it all began...history itself.

The original location is always jam packed and there is no seating really, it is truly a burger stand. The parking at the stand is limited if not impossible, but there is an additional lot down the street specifically for Tommys Burger where you can always find a spot. You'll just have to walk a whole extra 100 yards. Which is probably good considering what you'll be eating.

The claim to fame here is the chili burger and the chili fries too. I'm not talking a burger with a dab of chili politely on top, I'm talking chili oozing out everywhere to the point where you can barely see any bun. Yes, messy. Grab lots of napkins, friends. The fries can only be safetly eaten with a fork. Yum.

Josh's dad has all kinds of great Tommys Burger stories from when he was a teen in the 50s as most locals from that generation do. It was a hoppin' joint back then and it still is and has that 50s burger stand vibe. Really, it hasn't changed much which is a bonus in our book. Back in the day they served sodas out of coolers in glass bottles now their sodas are in cans. Not a dramatic change, but one that gets mentioned by purists occassionally.

I'll admit it though, I love it even better with a dash of extra salt. Without it I find the chili to be a tad bland. Blasphemy, I know! There isn't salt anywhere to be found at the location so if you are a salt fiend like me you'll need to bring it with. I will now duck as to avoid all the tomatoes being thrown at me. Sorry, but if you want honesty, I give you honesty, even when it hurts.

We still love it though, it is an LA classic!