Last Updated on January 31, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Take Sweetness to New Heights In the New Year

(Family Features) Whether you can’t quite give up on the holiday treats or the festivities are continuing into 2026, these Easy Lemon Blueberry Bars offer a light, fruity bite. The melted white chocolate drizzle is just what gatherings with loved ones call for. Visit Culinary.net for more delicious desserts to enjoy this year.

Easy Lemon Blueberry Bars

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1          stick butter, melted
  
• 1          box lemon cake mix
  
• 2          eggs
  
• 1/3       cup fresh blueberries
  
• 2/3       cup white chocolate chips, divided
  
• 1/3       cup chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In bowl, combine butter, cake mix, eggs, blueberries, 1/3 cup white chocolate chips and pecans.
3. Butter 7-by-11-inch pan and spread mixture evenly into pan. Bake 30-35 minutes.
4. Let cool then melt remaining white chocolate chips and drizzle over bars.
5. Tip: If melted white chocolate chips are too thick, add a little oil before drizzling.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

https://stmdailynews.com/the-fate-of-lucky-supermarkets-in-socal/

In a city famous for reinvention, reinvention was never the point at Original Tommy’s. Since 1946, the no-frills hamburger stand at Beverly and Rampart has served generations of Angelenos the same way: chili dripping, paper wrapped, eaten standing up, usually late at night. Original Tommy’s isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a piece of Los Angeles history.

From a Small Stand to a City Landmark

Original Tommy’s was founded on May 15, 1946, by Thomas James “Tommy” Koulax, the son of Greek immigrants. What began as a modest walk-up stand selling hamburgers and hot dogs quickly gained attention for one reason: chili. Not the thin, soupy kind — but a thick, meaty chili ladled generously over burgers, fries, hot dogs, and eventually tamales.

The location mattered. Sitting just west of downtown Los Angeles, the stand became a crossroads for working-class Angelenos, night-shift workers, musicians, cops, cab drivers, and anyone else looking for something filling at all hours. Long before the phrase “LA street food” existed, Tommy’s was already living it.

The Chili Burger Becomes an LA Staple

By the 1950s and 1960s, Original Tommy’s chili burger had become legendary. The menu stayed intentionally simple: burgers, hot dogs, fries, tamales, and breakfast items — all enhanced by the same signature chili. The stand-up counters, fast service, and absence of indoor seating created a rhythm that felt uniquely Los Angeles.

This wasn’t fast food chasing national trends. It was local food defining a city.

Growth Without Franchising

Unlike many post-war burger chains, Original Tommy’s expanded cautiously. Beginning in the 1970s, additional locations opened throughout Southern California and later into Nevada. At its height, the chain operated more than 30 restaurants.

What made Tommy’s different was its refusal to franchise widely. Remaining family-owned helped preserve consistency — the chili tasted the same, the portions stayed generous, and the experience remained unmistakably “Tommy’s.”

A Cultural Shortcut for “Real Los Angeles”

Original Tommy’s became more than a place to eat — it became a visual and cultural shorthand for authenticity. Filmmakers and TV producers regularly used the location to signal a grounded, working-class Los Angeles. If a character eats at Tommy’s, you immediately know who they are.

• Films: Heat, L.A. Confidential, They Live
• Television: Bosch, Californication, numerous food and travel shows

Musicians, athletes, and actors have long cited Tommy’s as a post-show, post-game, or late-night ritual — a place that didn’t care who you were, only whether you were hungry.

Why Original Tommy’s Still Matters

Nearly 80 years later, Original Tommy’s endures because it never tried to be trendy. It represents a post-war immigrant success story, a city built on late nights, and a version of fast food rooted in place rather than branding.

In a region overflowing with burger options, Original Tommy’s remains singular — messy, unapologetic, and inseparable from Los Angeles itself.

Original Tommy’s: Then & Now

Original Location (1946–Present):
2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA — the iconic stand-up counter location that started it all.

Advertisement

Expansion Era:
1970s–1990s locations spread across Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Nevada.

Today:
A smaller but focused footprint, still family-owned and operated from headquarters in Monrovia, California.

Also Good to Know

• Original Tommy’s Official History
  
  The chain’s own account of its founding and legacy.
• Los Angeles Magazine: Original Tommy’s
  
  A deeper look at Tommy’s role in LA food culture.
• Tasting Table: Chili Burger History
  
  Context on how chili burgers became a regional staple.
• Time Out LA: Original Tommy’s
  
  Why the stand remains a must-visit for locals and tourists.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.

National Hot Chocolate Day

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is a heated drink consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and usually a sweetener like whipped cream or marshmallows. Hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.

The first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the Maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD, by which they referred to as xocōlātl.^[2] The drink became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World and has undergone multiple changes since then. Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases.

Hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of Latin America, the very thick cioccolata calda served in Italy and chocolate a la taza served in Spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the United States. Prepared hot chocolate can be purchased from a range of establishments, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses and teahouses. Powdered hot chocolate mixes, which can be added to boiling water or hot milk to make the drink at home, are sold at grocery stores and online. (wikipedia)

Links:

National Day Calendar: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-hot-chocolate-day-january-31/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate

Visit our Food and Drink section: https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/

Advertisement