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.

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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/

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Long before pizza delivery apps, stuffed-crust gimmicks, and national chains on every corner, there was Straw Hat Pizza — a family-friendly, California-born pizza chain that helped define what “going out for pizza” meant for generations.

For many Californians, Straw Hat Pizza wasn’t just dinner. It was birthday parties, Little League celebrations, arcade games, salad bars, and the hum of a busy dining room packed with families. While the brand is far smaller today, its place in American food history is secure.

Humble Beginnings: A California Pizza Story

Straw Hat Pizza was founded in 1959 by Charlie Olson and Bill Henderlong. The first location opened in San Leandro, California, during a period when pizza was still becoming a mainstream American favorite.

The name came from the straw hats worn by pizza makers at early California pizzerias — a visual shortcut that told customers exactly what kind of place they were entering. Casual. Friendly. Pizza-focused.

The Golden Years: 1960s Through the Early 1980s

Through the 1960s and 1970s, Straw Hat Pizza expanded rapidly across California and Nevada. By 1980, the chain reportedly operated more than 200 locations, becoming a staple in suburban shopping centers and family neighborhoods.

• Large dining rooms built for families and groups
• Arcade games and coin-operated attractions
• Salad bars — a defining feature of the era
• Party rooms for birthdays and team celebrations

The pizza leaned toward what we now call California-style: thin, layered crusts, generous toppings, and a menu designed for sharing. It was food meant to be eaten at a table, not rushed out the door.

Corporate Consolidation and Decline

In 1969, Straw Hat Pizza was sold to Saga Corporation, which later became part of Marriott Corporation. As restaurant consolidation accelerated in the 1980s, Straw Hat became caught in a wave of mergers and acquisitions.

By the late 1980s, many Straw Hat locations were sold to or converted by Pizza Hut. Franchise owners fought back, eventually retaining rights to the Straw Hat name and continuing operations independently — but the brand’s footprint was permanently reduced.

How Straw Hat Pizza Survived

Unlike many mid-century restaurant chains, Straw Hat Pizza never fully disappeared. Independent franchise owners reorganized, preserving the brand, recipes, and name. Today, a limited number of Straw Hat Pizza locations continue operating — primarily in California.

It is no longer a national competitor, but rather a regional legacy brand, sustained by nostalgia and loyal local customers.

Why Straw Hat Pizza Still Matters

Straw Hat Pizza represents an era when pizza parlors were community spaces — places to linger, celebrate, and connect. Its story mirrors the rise of suburban America and the transformation of pizza from novelty to cultural staple.

For many, the memory of Straw Hat Pizza is inseparable from childhood — the smell of baked dough, the sound of arcade machines, and the excitement of a shared pie arriving at the table.

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The Nostalgia Revival

Vintage menus, matchbooks, and advertisements from Straw Hat Pizza frequently surface online, part of a broader resurgence of interest in retro restaurants. These artifacts remind us that regional chains once played a major role in shaping American food culture.

Straw Hat Pizza may no longer dominate California strip malls, but its legacy lives on — in memories, collectibles, and the handful of locations still serving slices under that iconic name.

Related Coverage on STM Daily News

• Food & Drink Coverage on STM Daily News
• Food & Cultural History Features

External References & Further Reading

• Straw Hat Pizza – Historical Overview

STM Daily News continues to explore the food history that shaped our communities — from vanished chains to local favorites that still define how we eat and gather.