Iconic Local Burger Chain Celebrates 80th Anniversary With 80-cent Burger

One of Southern California’s astir iconic burger chains is marking a milestone — and offering hardcore fans a one-day deal.

Original Tommy’s is offering an 80-cent chili burger connected Friday arsenic portion of nan Los Angeles staple’s 80th-anniversary celebration.

“We’ve spent 80 years earning this moment,” nan institution wrote successful a Facebook post announcing nan deal. “The champion gift we tin springiness is nan 1 you tin eat.”

The woody will beryllium offered astatine each locations from noon to 8 p.m. Customers will beryllium constricted to 3 of nan sloppy burgers while supplies last.

The institution will besides connection unrecorded intermezo and giveaways astatine nan original “Shack” guidelines connected Beverly and Rampart Boulevard.

The concatenation started arsenic a mini stand successful Westlake successful 1946, wherever nan founder, Tom Koulax, started trading burgers covered successful his concealed chili sauce.

The concatenation expanded slow astatine first, opening 5 caller locations passim nan 1970s.

Original Tommy’s is 1 of nan fewer Southern California staples to stay regional, operating 32 locations successful California and Nevada.

The concatenation has struggled to support immoderate storefronts afloat successful caller years and closed the past San Diego location successful 2023.

“I’m truthful proud of my dada for opening this business,” Diane Koulax, nan founder’s oldest daughter, said connected societal media. “I’m gladsome you each bask our nutrient that we make. We’re celebrating 80 awesome years.”

Another Southern California burger giant, In-N-Out, besides precocious unveiled plans for a caller Orange County location to unfastened successful precocious 2026. The location will beryllium astatine an upcoming shopping center, The Canopy, successful Irvine.

Original Tommy’s is still a family-owned concatenation and announced nan day ceremony connected Facebook. Koulax’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren thanked nan chain’s customers.

“We admit you guys much than you cognize and can’t hold to support serving you for years to come,” Victor Koulax, nan founder’s grandson, who has worked astatine nan institution for 37 years, said connected Facebook.

The concatenation has inspired dozens of knock-off restaurants, pinch akin names and chili offerings, crossed Southern California.

The imitation restaurants are a shape of flattery, Bob Auerbach, nan founder’s stepson, antecedently told The Times. The concatenation doesn’t let franchising.