Original Tommy's Hamburgers

Original Tommy's Hamburgers is an open-air burger stand at the corner of West Beverly Boulevard and Rampart Boulevard in the Westlake area of Los Angeles, California, and it opened in 1946. It is the original location of a Southern California chain and is considered the birthplace of the chili burger in the region. The restaurant has remained open around the clock for decades and is therefore a fixture of late-night eating in the city. The signature dish is the chili cheeseburger, a burger topped with a thick, soft, seasoned chili, cheese, pickles, tomato and onion, served in a paper wrapper that often needs a stack of napkins. Chili fries, chili dogs, tamales and standard burgers and fries fill out the short menu. The chili is the defining ingredient, and the burger is eaten messily, usually standing or at the outdoor counters and tables. Drinks are sodas and similar items, with no alcohol programme. The atmosphere is informal and busy, with a bright, utilitarian look, counter service, a steady line and a mix of late-night customers, workers, families and visitors. It is outdoors and noisy with traffic. Dress is casual. Reservations do not apply; service is walk-up and fast. Prices are very low, with a meal typically costing about 8 to 15 US dollars per person. Because the stand operates all day and night, visitors can eat at nearly any hour, and the crowd changes character from lunch families to post-midnight regulars. Parking is available in the stand's lot, which can be crowded at peak times. The Westlake neighbourhood is dense and urban, and the stand is a short distance from MacArthur Park and downtown, as well as being reachable by bus.