Original Tommy’s

Tommy’s is still a favorite since high school. We no longer stop by that often but it is definitely the place for chili fries and a burger. My husband usually orders chili fries and a soda which is more than filing. It is probably a quick lunch spot or take out place but the staff is always friendly and they prepare the food quickly which is great.

My favorite chili of all! There are many imitators– but this is an original Tommy’s! It’s like human catnip… it’s that good! Like all other Tommy’s, it’s basically a shack with a few red plastic tables for those who prefer to eat there. I think most folks like me take their chili creations to go.
I’ve had everything on their menu, and my favorites are the single cheeseburger with extra chili and onions along with chili cheese fries with onions. Onions are good for you, right? Oh yeah, and their burgers come with a big slice of beefsteak tomato– that’s good for you too!
Have you tried the Caliente Burger? Only for those brave souls who don’t mind singed nose hairs. It features Chipotle cheese and Casabella chilis…
And did you know that Tommy’s now serves breakfast! Breakfast O’ Champions! They will also sell you containers of chili to go! Great prices, best hangover cure and fantastically addicting chili– that’s my Tommy’s!

Lyd A. below is right on! She’s actually a friend of mine and her husband and I used to go there once in awhile. It’s the place you go when you’ve had a bit to drink. It’s one of those places. The food really hits the spot after a good drinking binge! It’s been there forever, the food gets to you super quick, and it’s messy as hell. That’s why there are paper towel and napkin dispensers all over the place. Great little place!

*** Pit stop review (Burbank) ***
This is a standard Tommy’s. I like to treat myself to Tommy’s every once in a while. The breakfast sandwich on an English muffin is the best! I even enjoy it more than the Tommy’s chilidog. With that being said, this morning I placed my order and I get the breakfast sandwich on a regular burger bun :-(Major bummer… The lady at the register was really nice, but normally the cashier asks whether I like it on an English muffin. This time they forgot to ask, and so did I. To round off my breakfast I had some coffee. As I added the crème it was gooey. When I poured it into my cup it had a thick and slimy consistency. The clerk gave me a new cup so I was on my way.
Here’s the low-​down…
My day started off pretty sh*tty (quite literally). I’m getting ready for work and pulled some cables through a pile of dog shit that SOMEBODY didn’t pick up. I didn’t realize it until I pulled it through my hands! Major YUCK factor :-(
After I got cleaned up with plenty of hand washing and hand-​sanitizer I was ready to eat. You know, a beautiful Tommy’s chili breakfast sandwich would have made things a little better. Unfortunately, I didn’t get exactly what I wanted so it was a little disappointing. To top if off my hash-​browns were unsalted :-(
Arg…
Food = ok, but not exactly what I expected.
Seating area = outdoor only. Clean.
Service = ok
Restroom = no restroom at this restaurant.

I had to try this place out after hearing about. Los angeles staple. Been around since forever. I left satisfied. Classic fast food really. Don’t even think about going here if you are being healthy. This is some cheat meal times chili. This shit is crazy bad for you but crazy worth it also. I say that because the price is so cheap. Don’t ever change Tommy. Anyways I ordered the chili cheese burger and chili cheese fries combo. Fantastic. Very hearty and makes you reconsider life quick. But fantastic. I love that they put the cheese under the chili. Why doesn’t anyone else do that. It works perfectly. I gotta give it to Tommys, they do their thing. Now imagine if I was drunk though whew I would devour this.

Not greasy and always clean and food always nice and hot I like this place cause you don’t have to wait a long time in line or for your food

Came for lunch with coworker. We called in ahead. Cheap, but very good. Not very greasy.

I love Tommy’s! I’ve never tried any other Tommy’s just because it doesn’t quite feel right, this has always been my go to spot and the place where my father first took me out of all the other Tommy’s. The food is fresh and tasty and will fill you up. The staff is always pretty nice and they also are very fast at getting your order out to you. Tommy’s is a great place to eat with friends or to take home and hang out with friends while munching on your Tommy’s.

Great place! Always go there when visiting Burbank. Really tasty burgers! They are real! And well cooked! I don’t like spicy food, but there chili is wow!!! Recommend!

It isn’t 24 hours, but it sure is open early. Got to try the sandwich that tasted great but does it move through you quick! Kind of has «hot dog store feel» to it but Tommy is its own concoction. Slap that chili on and enjoy, just careful with the aftermath.

An institution. Quick, inexpensive, and most importantly GOOD! Don’t be scarred off by the chili. I don’t like chili anything… but I love Tommy’s.
You can’t go wrong with anything here. There menu is concise and everything on it is great.
This location is also great. It’s convenient and quick. The employees are always friendly.
Plus they’re open on Thanksgiving. How awesome is that? Skip the turkey, eat Tommy’s instead.

Spoil yourself every once and a while. Breakfast is bomb of you get pepper jack cheese on an English muffin. This tommys makes it fresh and taste great every time

Having tried (and been disappointed by) the «new» Tommy’s in Ventura, I had to go back to the one I grew up going to in Burbank. Thankfully the Burbank Tommy’s, as always, was consistent with my memory. As far as I’m concerned, if I need a Tommy’s fix, I’ll make the trek back to my hometown — YUM.

I love Tommy’s, this particular location I’ve been going to since I can remember. But holy crap, I need to prepare myself to eat there, now. I gave in and got the double chili cheese burger, with chili fries and a drink. BUT!!! They’re doing something now where you can upgrade the patties to ¼ pound patties, so with all the chili and patties, I probably ate close to 1 pound of oil laced beef.
But it was totally worth it. I love this place.

(Dined 03÷16÷14 SU @ 5:00pm): Tommy’s, how was it that you disappointed me? I’ll tell you how and it pained me!
This Original Tommy’s location in Burbank used to be my go-​to spot for a filthy heart-​stopping-​take-​a-​day-​off-​your-​life chili burger and chili cheese fries while I worked in the nearby Media City Center at the Sport Chalet as I paid my way through college. On this day, I still suffered a mean hangover from a friend’s wedding the night before and the pre-​wedding Jagerbombs «forced» upon me by an old school chum. I came from a play in nearby NoHo and all that kept me going was the thought of killing a day off my life just so all the alcohol would be absorbed in one fell swoop. Well, as usual, it worked, and here was what did the job:
Combo #2 — Chili Cheeseburger, Large Soda, & Chili Cheese Fries with Onions ($ 4.50 + $ 1.95 + $ 1.75) — OK, I frequented this location when I used to work in the area while I put my way through college and the chili was as phenomenal as you’d imagine. But I swore when I had my first bite into my burger and subsequent pieces of chili cheese fries, the chili didn’t have that «burn a hole in your esophagus and come out through your intestine lining» that I was familiar with and appreciative of… even at my age! I dared say it tasted — wait for it — HEALTHY! WTH??? I also noticed the lack of obscene amounts of artery-​clogging grease and oil. Something’s not right here! Does a freaking hipster own this location now?!
Service — Quick and easy. I placed my order at the window and in under five minutes my food was ready as it steamed and smelled amazing. I saw someone in the outdoor dining area who swept and picked up the plastic trays. Otherwise, pretty hands-​off.
Parking (free) — A small private lot that tightly held no more than six spots. Non-​metered street parking was available along the main drag of San Fernando Rd. and nearby side streets. Or, park next door at the larger Carl Jr’s private lot; they didn’t seem to care.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience — Basically an order counter with a view into the kitchen and storage area, this Pup N’ Taco lookalike with it’s steep chalet roof (reference for those who grew up in the 70s and early 80s) had only outdoor seating (one section covered
and another uncovered
). FYI… the birds seemed to bother those more in the uncovered section. The menu and prices were posted above the order window. There were no TVs or background music. No-​nonsense zilch frills.
Attire — Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-​shirt, boardshorts, and flip-​flops.
Overall, I’ve had many fond memories at this Original Tommy’s location and I won’t let one off eating experience damage that. But I’m much closer to the Rampart and Eagle Rock locations these days so it was merely a chance dining this time. But they seriously needed to do something about the parking situation, unless patrons were allowed to use the Carl’s Jr. lot. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total paid experience was around $ 9.00; no tip required). However, I’m still thrown about the healthy-​tasting chili; I must go back and try again as maybe my tastebuds were off. Although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice… AMEX!

Don’t get me wrong — I love Tommy’s, and have been eating it for years. When I was 15 years old and learning to drive, my dad incentivized me by having me practice driving to Tommy’s for lunch… not this location, though.
I came to this particular location for the first time, and what the heck — this place gives really skimpy portions. The chili cheese fries were relatively light on the fries and light on the chili. When I’ve been to other locations, the fries are piled higher with chili overflowing the little tray. I feel like I got a half size or ²⁄₃ size or something. Don’t even bother with a cheeseburger either — at least order a double or go hungry.
On the plus, however, there is small parking lot in the back, and outdoor (only) seating to the side.
Tommy’s does have the yummiest chili around, though (when you’re not watching your health, but if you’re reading this review, you probably aren’t on a diet and so eat on). I just won’t bother stopping at this location again because I feel ripped off.

Love Tommy’s and never been to this particular location. My date decided on some Tommy’s and it was pretty late in the night, we split a double cheeseburger and chili cheese fries. As always, they tasted wonderful.
Staff is polite. Plenty of street and private lot parking.
No Drive Thru, so that gives it a classic feel.

Tommy’s should have a disclaimer posted clearly in sight. Cigarette’s cause birth defects in pregnant women, can be addictive, etc. Theirs reads, please do not attempt these burgers if you’re already high in cholesterol, are 8 months pregnant with a food baby, or are operating heavy machinery (food coma will ensue).
Greasy, delicious chili accompanies meat patty along with pickle, tomato, onion, mustard, and cheese. Arteries fought to stay unclogged. If I wake up tomorrow, it was all worth it. If not, I died sluggish and full.
Chili cheese fries add to the preexisting condition above.

It is that time of life. The Doctors say, «Your cholesterol’s over 200, blood pressure and sodium high, you need to cut back on fatty foods, exercise more and eat more fiber. » I always obey. Until I get to Tommy’s.
If it hasn’t been that time of life all along, one remembers grandparents and parents, counts blessings, tells stories at family gatherings and wallows delightedly in the swamps of reminiscence. When those hormone levels drop, it seems to be a natural phase of life. Along with bird watching, leaf peeping, snow birding, and cruising in all its varied forms.
If you or yours are some of the billions displaced with less than great memories, find the good moments, savor them and let the bad ones go for awhile.
The children in our family were weaned from our mother on Tommy’s chili cheese burgers. Our children are generation four to dine at Tommy’s. Our father used to pack the soda cooler and restock the grill at the original Original Tommy’s. Payment was soda, burgers and dogs. The grandparent’s home was five blocks and our parent’s first apartment three blocks from the original Original Tommy’s.
We met at Burbank airport, none of us had eaten during our drives, flights and bus rides across the West. Where else do we eat? Tommy’s.
I write here with genuine food prejudice. My taste for hamburgers was established at Tommy’s, close moments I shared with Dad in my early life were at Tommy’s as we’d stop on the way from the grandparents to home in Burbank.
A Tommy’s Original, especially covered with cheese and smothered in chili, insults PETA, vegetarians of all flavors, Dr. Oz, Andrew Weil, and every Ayurvedic and macrobiotic practitioner on the planet. When those great fries are covered with chili and cheese, Adele Davis rolls over in her grave.
But we love them. The grandparents have passed, the parents are fading, and our small family reunions will soon be missing us. We only assemble yearly or less and we WILL enjoy our time together.
Tommy’s is great. If you crave a great Angeleno burger, stop on by. Create or have some nostalgia on me.

Been coming here since I was a kid — absolutely LOVE it! For fast food, it always tastes super fresh! The menu is short and sweet, sticking to the basics.
Chili is a must, and extra chili is even better! *ask for it, they’ll usually give it to you*
Fries are always thick, hot and crispy. Prices are super affordable and the portions’ll definitely fill you up.