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Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers Recipe
Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers
By Todd Wilbur

Recipe Rating: 4.0 (2 reviews)
 

This clone recipe may be for the whole hamburger, but anybody who knows about Tommy's goes there because they love the chili that's slapped on the burger -- and that's the part of this clone they seek (yes, Tommy's world famous burger is a chili burger). That's also the part that required the most kitchen sleuthing. Turns out it's an old chili con carne recipe created back in 1946 by Tommy's founder, Tommy Koulax, for his first hamburger stand on the corner of Beverly and Rampart Boulevards in Los Angeles. By adding the right combination of  water and flour and broth and spices to the meat we can create a thick, tomato-less chili sauce worthy of the gajillions of southern California college students that make late-night Tommy's runs a four-year habit. And if you don't live near one of the two dozen Tommy's outlets, you can still get a gallon of Tommy's famous chili shipped to you. But I hope you really dig the stuff, because you'll shell out around 70 bucks for the dry ice packaging and overnight shipping. And don't expect to see the ingredients on the label since the chili comes packed in a gallon-size mustard jug.

Chili
1 pound ground beef (not lean)
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trish  
Submitted on 10/14/05
IT WAS CLOSE BUT NOT EXACT, SOMETHING WAS MISSING.
Shannon  
Submitted on 07/28/05
Excellent recipe. Tastes just like Tommy's. Add a little extra cayenne for a little extra kick. Put the cooked ground beef in the food processor for just the right consistency.