85 replies to this topic

[mungoanne]

Anyone who has been around LA long knows Tommys, there are a number of locations. Tommy burgers are a paradox. Friends will laugh as they are chowing down and say, how can something like this be this good? WHo knows? But I was always tempted when driving by any Tommy's to make a quick pit stop. The chili burgers are a health hazard, they are terrible....even if you don't want haute cuisine but they are also great. And they are addicitive. Along with their chili chees fries and chili cheese hot dog....probably about a zillion calories but good to the last bite.

On Del Pacifico just one block south of the Arches on the ocenside. It is a small cafe (also has an interet cafe) brown building that has just introduced Tommy burgers and has the original receipe. THis week end they are actually serving the chili FROM Tommys in LA which has been brought down for the introduction. THe hamburgers themselves are made from good "good" meat if chili burgers are not your thing. And the prices are great. Marcello the owner buys US ingredients like Ore Ida frozen french fries etc. crossing the border regularly to do so.



You will probably say "how can this taste this good"? if you have never had a tommy burger but if you have ever had one, you know what its all about.

[George Costanza]

Thanks for the post Mungoanne!
Never had a Tommyburger but they sound good!

[GaryN]

still waiting for white castle burgers
a good money making venture would be opening one inside plaza fiesta people spend money there like its going out of style!
Never had a Tommy burger but they sound good

[mungoanne]

You can buy these in the frozen food section of some of the supermarkets in Southern California or could when I was still living across the border. Like comparing Dunkin Donuts to Krispee Cremes. No comparison with tommy burgers. Totally different.

[drchoi]

tommy burgers did not trade mark their name, a first big mistake...

in LA area, their are many copy cat tommy burger joints using a very similar names..

how do you know this is the same chain or another tj imitation?

[mungoanne]

All locatioins that are the Original Tommy's say that in their outdoor advertising. The owners of the "Original Tommys" are allowing their chili and their recipe to come to Playas because of a personal connection to the person now offering "original Tommy chili burgers" here. There is a TOmmy's in Palm Springs that offers peanut butter pizzas but not the ORIGINAL tommy chili burgers. I can't imagine a peanut butter pizza but the name "tommy's" cannot be trademarked. "Original Tommy's" can be trademarked and I think that is the route that has been taken. If you have ever had the REAL T HING, you will know when you go to one of the copy cats. Imitation is a compliment, someone has said. Don't remember who. Have you tried the ORIGINAL tommy burgers in LA?

[George Costanza]

I never had the original but willing to give this place a shot. Any chance someone can grab a photo of this place?



Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[drchoi]

i have ate at many times on the way to dodgers game or on the way back..

i think they are on fountain ave near avorado st...

my korean friend owned tommy burgers about 15 years ago in hawthern plaza..

when i lived in santa monica, tommys was on corner of pico and lincoln bl..

[George Costanza]

Choi does their chili have beans or is it beanless chili? Now I am starved for a burger I think I will hit the hamburger cart now and ask for a tommyburger with chili

[libertythor]

WOW That is a BURGER! I wonder what the minimum investment is to set up a franchise. This would be a hit near the university or even out on Cucapah.

In and Out would make a killing here too. There are many Mexicans with visas that have In and Out as a permanent entry on their daytrip intineraries.

I never had the original but willing to give this place a shot. Any chance someone can grab a photo of this place?



Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[drchoi]

no beans on their chillie...only when you fart or if you asked for it.. 8)

[George Costanza]

Ok whose up for a Tommy burger trip!!! beans don't belong in burger chili thats good to hear choi!
Munganne what are their hours ?

[libertythor]

I am all for it!

Ok whose up for a Tommy burger trip!!! beans don't belong in burger chili thats good to hear choi!
Munganne what are their hours ?

[TJDave]

FYI... There is an "Original Tommy Burgers" on Clairmont Mesa Blvd. off the 805 freeway (head East after you exit).

Good burgers but your heart will thank you if you limit them to once a year.

[mungoanne]

George: Sounds like a great idea. Pick a day and a time that we could join you there. Everyone pays for their own. I will be there.

[mungoanne]

oops forgot. Hours are 10 to 10 I am pretty sure.

[Chiquito]

I had a co-worker once up around Camarillo who started a Tommy Burgers with his wife on the side. Didn't take him long until he was able to quit the factory job and do burgers full time. They got all their food thru Vons but stuck to the Tommy recipe's. He commented as well back then that there was no trademark on the name nor franchise deals.

[zunigan]

I love In an Out burgers--

[mungoanne]

I made a mistake. CORRECTION Marcelo the proprietor of the cafe in Playas serving Origial recipe Tommy burgers does not make the chili according to their recipe but rather buys their chili and brings it across in 5 gallon containers. The Original Tommy's doesn't give out their recipe I am told. They make the chili at their commissary and send it out daily by truck to their outlets. Marcelo is in that loop via one of their outlets in the San Diego area.

I too love IN and Out burgers. THey are made with Harris Ranch beef which is range fed. The difference is an In and Out burger you can eat often but as TJ Jack pointed out, Tommy burgers are not healthy to eat frequently. Yummy but high in everything the doctor doesn't want you to eat....which is probably why they taste so darn good. I had one today at Marcelo's cafe and it was wonderful and yes I had to use a fork (not a spoon) to finish it.

I wanted to get chili cheese fries but decided to try those another day when I was NOT having a chili burger

Now if someone in Playas would start having Krispy Kreme donuts, this would be paradise.

[drchoi]

harris ranch is on I-5 half way between sd and sf.

they also have a private air strip for small plains to eat at their resturant.

if your a beef lover like myself, try to make a stop near coliga off ramp on I-5