Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers

02/28/06

Cheap, chili-drenched burgers have sated L.A.'s hungry masses for more than 50 years.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
The original Original Tommy's is a far cry from the sanitized, white-tile chain it spawned. The kitchen is a shack, the dining room is a parking lot, and Angelenos couldn't be happier. At any hour of the day or night, expect to find folks from all walks of life wiping their satisfied mugs with paper towels from dispensers located every two feet along the outdoor stand-up counter.

The Food
When Mom cooks, the extra ingredient is love. When Tommy's cooks, the secret's in the chili. Give in to your inner glutton and enjoy a meaty burger smothered in the orange, gloppy stuff. The medium-thick beef patty oozing chili con carne, cheddar cheese and mustard redeems itself with diced raw onion, dill pickles and a thick-cut slice of beefsteak tomato. Perfectly plumped all-beef dogs, hefty tamales and chunky golden fries are absolutely delicious when coated with the industrial-strength chili.

11/19/08

The best Victory celebration meal ever

by Phroggy at Citysearch

I eat here A LOT.

Put it this way...we go to Tommy's after every USC victory.

There's nothing better than a Tommy's burger after a game, spending time with our fellow Trojan Family. There's usually a pretty long line, but it's so worth it. It's under 5 bucks for a burger, fries, and a drink. Don't bother to get chili fries because you can always dip them in the chili from your burger.

Feeling drunk? Tommy's will help you sober up!

I once came here with a friend who had a stomach ache, and after Tommy's, she felt better! True story

The bottom line is, Tommy's is a Los Angeles staple. Forget pink's, Tommy's has the best chili in LA.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: None

07/21/08

love it

by hwanmi at Citysearch

I have been coming here since I was a teenager. I stop by at least once a month to help "last nite's" hangover or as a pit stop after a long nite out. I get the chiliburger with a huge side of peppers. not the healthiest meal but so satisfying.

10/13/07

Great for your wallet and taste buds!

by thetruththeanswer at Citysearch

I think fasthorse is just on meds. Tommys is the best. It has been for years! I love everything on their menu. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chili-fritos, chili-fires. I cant belive fasthorse gave such a bad review. Obviously her and her husband arent used to eating good quality food if she is used to pouring hormels all over her burgers. Sounds like she should have paid attention in home economics. Tommys is not just a burger joint it is a landmark. Millions of other people have been satisfied and in love with their burgers for years. I would recommend their breakfast sandwich! it is only served until 11am. but it is to die for. IT is only like $2 dollars and you get a delicious heartattack on an english bun prepared by the chatty spanish speaking crew!

• Pros: All the food is delicious.
• Cons: Make sure your heart is healthy!

10/01/07

Worst Chili, burgers and dogs on the planet - excellent fries - 1 star for that!

by fasthorse at Citysearch

My husband and I went to Tommy's in Monrovia for lunch last Thursday and the food was horrible. The chili tastes like, and has the consistency of, mashed beans and chili powder, clearly having zero meat in it and it tastes awful on a chili-cheese burger. I would sooner go to Weinerschnitzel for a chili-anything and they are not great. You are better off staying home, making your own homemade cheeseburger and pouring Hormel Chili over it - don't forget lots of mustard, onions and pickles! Not only that but the entire staff is so busy chatting in Spanish that you cannot get your order. Enough

• Pros: Excellent Fries; that's what the one star is for
• Cons: The food and service are awful; the chili must've changed over the years

08/23/07

Skip It if You're not a Tasteless Herd-follower

by mizkwebb at Citysearch

Sorry, folks, but the emperor has no clothes! This is truly the nastiest-looking excuse for chili you will ever find. It looks like something you'd see on a baby's diaper, and doesn't taste much better. Vastly overrated.

05/31/07

Best Chili Ever

by tqt08 at Citysearch

Come here if you like chili burgers/dogs/fries. Best chili you can find anywhere. Great tasting and meaty. Very reasonable prices. I usually get the chili burger or chili dog with chili fries and it comes with a big drink. If you're a chili lover, you'll be happy. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

• Pros: Affordable
• Cons: Limited seating

12/15/06

The Best Los Angeles Burger

by time4lisa at Citysearch

Been to some of the other Tommy's and their ok if you don't have the time, but there's nothing like the taste at the original, something about the grill. Even when they close the shack for cleaning and you have to eat at the one across the parking lot, I don't know it just doesn't have the same flavor. Thank God that their open 24 7, for some reason it's one of those flavors that tastes great in the middle of the night. The biggest challenge is to only go once every so often.

• Pros: The taste
• Cons: Not the kind of food that you can have too often

11/18/06

Greasiest Best Burgers and Chili Fries

by dcracer at Citysearch

Best greasy foods you should have at least once a year. Maybe too greasy. While eating it, it's the best. Forget about the next day. Best Chili Fries.

• Pros: Greasiest Burgers
• Cons: GReasiest Burgers

11/09/06

Best Munchie Food

by melhof at Citysearch

O.K. It's 2:30 AM and you're hungry. Not just a little hungry. A LOT hungry, and not for just a quick fast-food burger (how boring). A little spice and maybe just a bit of a drive. Hummmm. Yummmm!!!! Tommy's is it! The "fastest burger in the West" should (and perhaps IS their motto). No inside seating, but plenty of wall space - and napkins. It ain't dainty, Bud. But, ohhhh is it delicious. Every mouth-watering bite has a huge helping of burger, chili and cheese and, of course, a thick slice of tomato. It is a taste sensation that has been imitated, but never duplicated. I've lived 2,000 miles away from this place now for 27 years. But just seeing it again brings me back to those many late night cravings for a sloppy, delicious chili 'n cheese-burger that fills you up and makes you glad you took the drive to downtown L.A.

11/09/06

Best Hamburger Anywhere on the planet

by rhinis at Citysearch

I've been going to Tommys since the '60's. The first time I was introduced to this place, my brother in law took me there. We were in ths A/C service business at the time and we reveled in the fact that we could pretty much eat where we wanted. I was so impressed with the taste and quality (and price) of the meal that I made it a habit to go there whenever I was working in the L.A. area. I've made it a point to take my wife there as well as Howards on Venice Bl. and Sepulveda, and Johnnies Pastrami on Sepulveda Blvd. Just around the corner and finally, The Original Pantry at 9th and Figueroa. Gems all. Until you've experience these places, you haven't been to L.A. For a exellent meal for cheap you have to try "Pinks" in the valley. They really lay on the vittles. I've never been able to finish the "Hobo Omellete". Another place that I remember as a kid in the fifties is, "The Saucy Dog" in Venice. Not there anymore (too bad) It too was great.

Just an old guy Reminiscing. (By the was, now they have a Tommys in Riverside. Saw it yesterday just off Alessandro and Mission View Parkway.)

• Pros: All things good
• Cons:  Not enough Parking