Tommy's Chili

[TPC]

I had a friend back in the day that wanted to open a Cupids on balboa island. Went sfter the old man and he wouldnt budge with the brand. He pulled a Wille B and found all the suppliers but figured it was useless without the brand. He had the pull to make it happen too. Then the pld man died and the kids whored the name.

Yeah they fucked it all up.
They defaulted to buying the Wonder thrift shop buns that deteriorated first bite and had no flavor.
The old man insisted on 4S buns that I think they finally returned back to.

I talked to Walsh's son in person about a franchise.
Straight away no.
He had serious drug issues and the sisters took over goes the tale, damfino but that's what I hear. He's dead now I understand.
Anyway, a franchise did end up in Chatsworth (a few blocks from Cole Boats old location and Joey Buttafuccos of the Long Island Lolita fame shop) and it's not run like the rest of the chain at all. A shithole.
The Hot Dogs are entirely different.

Last time we ate at the Simi Cupids the sisters who ran the location personally for years hired help and vanished from the day to day store operation.
We got really sick from the food that visit and have never returned.

The place deteriorated into a dump and the neighbor kid works there now. 1 1/2 Yelp stars at one time, maybe that's changed.
Sadly, his dad hit hard times, created his own hell and works there too, but that's another story where the truth is far stranger than fiction.
He said they did paint it and repaired a few things, brought back the food quality but the sisters still run it on the cheap and it shows.

 

[AzGeo]

Left Burbank yesterday for the drive home to bullhead. Having read this thread, thought we would take a detour and go to tommys on Rampart. It was as good as I remember 40 years ago. Ate on the road, spilled a little here and there , nothing major. But then also left the bags in the car overnight. Oh man , besides reliving that chili burger over and over again the last two days, the car needs a total
Fumigation.
But it was worth it

Tommy's chili, is in Burbank . Down at a place "us old guys called 5 points" .

R C Provisions is on "Victory Place", which goes north from the intersection . (just off the #5 freeway)

Before they rerouted the streets, there was a famous food place on that corner, it was called THE DIP .

I GOOGLE mapped it and that area sure has changed ..........

 

[warpt71]

I ate at the one on Lindley @ Nordhoff all the time and was never disappointed. Sounds good right about now!!!!

 

[Willie B]

... another element in this caper is my partner in crime my 23-year-old neighbor...I am 71...had agreed to do the dumpster diving...when we got to the Tommy's ...the location of which shall remain a secret...it wasn't Rampart...she wouldn't get out of the car ...luckily I was able to go in the trash area open a couple of dumpster lids and there was the chili box right at the top...
...when we got to the Rampart Tommy's the idea was for her to walk on top of a stub wall across street carrying the chili box and I would video it ...well after one take she quit she was done...it wasn't until I turned around and realized there was a half a dozen LAPD across the street eating chili burgers...staring at us most likely wondering what the hell we were doing???...she gets stared at a lot and it makes her anxious...

...so here's is the one and only take of ...little hottie on the wall...

[video=youtube_https;l-OCy_bnBtk]https://youtu.be/l-OCy_bnBtk[/video]

 

[TPC]

I ate at the one on Lindley @ Nordhoff all the time and was never disappointed. Sounds good right about now!!!!

They opened or re opened another location in Van Nuys I remember reading a few years back.
I remember their used to be one across from CSUN, maybe still there.
The guy that worked at night looked like Harpo Marx and swore "this stuff will kill ya!". That was the 1960's.
He worked there for decades. During the day two hot chix worked it and they worked Friday nights too.

 

[warpt71]

They opened or re opened another location in Van Nuys I remember reading a few years back.
I remember their used to be one across from CSUN, maybe still there.
The guy that worked at night looked like Harpo Marx and swore "this stuff will kill ya!". That was the 1960's.
He worked there for decades. During the day two hot chix worked it and they worked Friday nights too.

That pic ^^^^^^^^ is the one by CSUN that I ate at :thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Willie B]

They opened or re opened another location in Van Nuys I remember reading a few years back.
I remember their used to be one across from CSUN, maybe still there.
The guy that worked at night looked like Harpo Marx and swore "this stuff will kill ya!". That was the 1960's.
He worked there for decades. During the day two hot chix worked it and they worked Friday nights too.

...The Van Nuys Cupids that you pictured was always the go to place as I was growing up ...when they bulldozed it and decades later someone tried to reopen it In a new building it was a miserable failure...there also was one in San Fernando that lasted 10 or 15 years but as I understand it that to has closed.

...I think Northridge is still open???..:

 

[coolchange]

As from my earlier post I hit the one on lindley fri. Through the years it has remained pretty consistent. The girl that was always there has been gone for a while. I figured she was a sister. There is a young man that is usually there that I think could be her son. I say usually as in Ive been there probably 5 times in as many years.

 

[dave29]

There is a Fart and Smile, on highway 95, near Oatman Road .

They list "RC chili" as a normal stocking item . YEA !

Thank you to everyone that offered up help and guidance, Jim Rockford would be proud of you guys ..........

Can you give us a report after you try it??
Thanks

 

[500bbc]

Holy crap! The Cupids in Chatsworth has burgers an extended menu and looks modern.:eek

 

[Runs2rch]

Holy crap! The Cupids in Chatsworth has burgers an extended menu and looks modern.:eek

I walk to the Del Taco and Jersey Mikes all the time. Haven't gone to Cupids there since I was like 10. Food was crap.

How is it now?

 

[Tank]

There was a Cupids in Oxnard over by the freeway and Vineyard for a few years but it closed. It was SOFA KING GOOD!! Tasty shoe string fries too. We'd drive all the way across town for it. Kinda crappy location though, I'm guessing that's why it closed.

 

[500bbc]

I walk to the Del Taco and Jersey Mikes all the time. Haven't gone to Cupids there since I was like 10. Food was crap.

How is it now?

If you didn't like it then you won't like it now.

 

[coolchange]

There's one on soledad in SCV next to the theatre. It should kill it in that location. Full menu also. Dogs burgers fries etc. Pretty much sucks. Out of the bag and box food. The other choices are Oggies, Baja Fresh, Route 66, and Dickies. The place should be packed with kids and the extra large tub with extra butter flavor topping crowd but isn't.

 

[Runs2rch]

If you didn't like it then you won't like it now.

Don't make me try it again hahaha

My buddy Pat and his family were put up at the suites right there after the earthquake. He ate at Cupids everyday!!! Would come to school shit himself American Pie style and wonder why!!!

 

[dave29]

Look what just arrived in Colorado!!

 

[charlyox]

Are those gallons?

 

[boatnam2]

My sister mover to Idaho years ago, my mom drove a catering truck so we were raised on Romona burritos, every time i go to visit my sister i have to bring 2 boxes of burros from smart and final and also the makings of 6 chili dogs from Wienerschnitzel .

 

[dave29]

Are those gallons?

quarts so 4=1 gallon of bliss.
Guess what I'm eating for dinner tomorrow night?

 

[dave29]

My sister mover to Idaho years ago, my mom drove a catering truck so we were raised on Romona burritos, every time i go to visit my sister i have to bring 2 boxes of burros from smart and final and also the makings of 6 chili dogs from Wienerschnitzel .

I have a friend who moved to Arkansas. Every few months I send him "grande" flour tortillas and Durango Diner green chili.

 

[500bbc]

quarts so 4=1 gallon of bliss.
Guess what I'm eating for dinner tomorrow night?

Don't forget the yellow peppers.:thumbsup

 

[Willie B]

Look what just arrived in Colorado!!

...It would be great If you were a chemist and were able to break down the ingredients so I wouldn't have to go stick my head in a dumpster again to look for boxes that may have contained the special spices...:rolleyes

.

 

[dave29]

I thank you for putting one in for the team. I still have a friend sending me some RC brand chili con carne. If it turns out right you'll truly be a hero to me and all who crave Tommy's chili!!
THANK YOU!!

 

[boatsntoys]

Tommy's chili, is in Burbank . Down at a place "us old guys called 5 points" .

R C Provisions is on "Victory Place", which goes north from the intersection . (just off the #5 freeway)

Before they rerouted the streets, there was a famous food place on that corner, it was called THE DIP .

I GOOGLE mapped it and that area sure has changed ..........

I knew of the other tommys. But the one on rampart is different. I also at at the one on outlet center drive. Just not the same. The ones in rampart. Are sloppier, the tomato and onion are not all cut to corporate size and thickness. You might get a tomato that starts at 1" and wedged to paper thin and an onion that could
Choke a donkey. Ya never know. The tommys on outlet center put the chili in nice and even. The rampart only slips it on the front of the burger after it's already wrapped. That's the way I remember it when I was a kid. I take other there and they. think WTF is this. Ha. People now are so used to having everything exactly the same every time. Not at rampart. It's done the old way

 

[Willie B]

... OK folks here we go again phase 3 or so of the Tommys chili caper...

...The spices that are mixed in with the RC Chili come from Pacific Spices of Commerce Ca...I saw the vacusealed plastic package and it was labeled Tommy's Spices...The ingredients are Paprica... Sugar...Garlic...and silicon dioxide to make the spice ingredients flow...what I can't remember is if the package also said chili powder???...

...So now I suppose a phone call to Pacific Spices would be the way to see if they will sell Tommys Spices to the public???...

 

[dave29]

Yes, run with it!!!

 

[AzGeo]

So your saying that Tommy's chili has silicon dioxide mixed in it .

That must be the secret ingredient that "cleans your pipes", when you "recycle" the chili .

Do they give "specs" ? Is it a #36 grit - garnet, or a #320 grit - wet ? HA HA

 

[Willie B]

So your saying that Tommy's chili has silicon dioxide mixed in it .

That must be the secret ingredient that "cleans your pipes", when you "recycle" the chili .

Do they give "specs" ? Is it a #36 grit - garnet, or a #320 grit - wet ? HA HA

...hmmm???...I would think closer to 220 tri-mite...for that relative smooth glide out...

...now that I think about it because of the adding of flour to the chili for adhesion to the hamburger meat...Tommys Chili might have a bright future as a marine glue???...

 

[Willie B]

Yes, run with it!!!

...well dumb as I am and that I don't get up until noon...probably should've checked my Clock as I didn't actually call Pacific Spices until 5:30 pm...naturally they were closed...dahhh???...

 

[Motor Boater]

I happened to be in Glendale on business today so on my way back to Bob Hope airport I had to hit Tommys after seeing this thread. Maybe I'm missing the nostalgia of being there 25 years ago as a kid but the burger was marginal and the fries were terrible.

 

[Hallett Dave]

Hallett Dave's Famous Chili.

Hallett Dave?s Famous Chili. Approximately 10 quarts.
2 carol Shelby Chili kits.
42 ounces of canned fire roasted Mild Ortega Chilis (diced)
24 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes in puree
42 ounces of canned petite diced tomatoes
1 or two large onions diced to preference. I use sweet red onions
4 to 5 pounds of lean ground beef
Pre mix the ingredients of the Carol Shelby kits (except the Masa packets) along with the ortegas, tomatoes and onions into a 12 quart stock pot. Extra water may need to be added.
Cook at low to medium stirring quite frequently as to not let the mixture burn on the bottom
While the above is warming lightly brown the ground beef.
I sprinkle a little chili powder on the beef as I brown it.
Drain any grease and add to the stock pot.
Bring to a low boil stirring often.
Add the Masa packets and reduce heat to low and continue to cook for an hour of so stirring often.
Again, more water may need to be added to adjust for the consistency you are looking for. Enjoy.
Cut all ingredients in half for one Carol Shelby Kit.

 

[Willie B]

...Well I won't be able to pick any brains at Pacific Spices today or tomorrow as they will be closed for those two days...couple of Jewish faith holidays...

 

[dave29]

Looking forward to your findings.

 

[Willie B]

...just what one might expect..:Tommy’s Spices are proprietary and cannot be sold to the public... oh well we gave it a try

 

[dave29]

A for effort. Tried the RC, really close to Tommy's.

 

[Willie B]

A for effort. Tried the RC, really close to Tommy's.

...Since you already have the main ingredient why not try experimenting with incrementally adding some flour plus the ingredients listed on the Tommy's spice package that I saw...and then by all means do tell us all how that comes out???...

...I sure hope Hope I don?t get a knock on the door and a set of silver bracelets and then am told I am being arrested for propietary colusion :eek...If asked if I have any accomplices I will telll them yes :rolleyesbut they sure do have some odd names and seem to like boats alcohol and chili but in no particular order..:

 

[Willie B]

...I just remembered something...Saturday I went with a friend of mine ...a notorious boat racer to pick up a boat from an upholstery shop in Santa Paula...He used to work for Bell Brand potato chips on Roscoe Blvd and hung out with the manager of Tommys Original on Roscoe Blvd..:actually they were drinking buddys..what the manager told him what the secret to Tommys chili was carrots???...Keep in mind that this was 40 years ago and it was bar room diologue???...but in going back through this thread the 1946 recipe is inclusive of carrots???...So wtf if it doesn?t taste quite right from my research... proportionally throw some carrot at it...:thumbsup

 

[Old Texan]

...I just remembered something...Saturday I went with a friend of mine ...a notorious boat racer to pick up a boat from an upholstery shop in Santa Paula...He used to work for Bell Brand potato chips on Roscoe Blvd and hung out with the manager of Tommys Original on Roscoe Blvd..:actually they were drinking buddys..what the manager told him what the secret to Tommys chili was carrots???...Keep in mind that this was 40 years ago and it was bar room diologue???...but in going back through this thread the 1946 recipe is inclusive of carrots???...So wtf if it doesn?t taste quite right from my research... proportionally throw some carrot at it...:thumbsup

Purreed carrots are used in a number of soup recipes.....Could be the key :hmm

 

[Willie B]

... well I just couldn?t help myself...Tommy?s in Tujunga Ca...Chili cheeseburger was just excellent...In truth I honestly don?t remember their chili being this good???...The fries...not bad but I?ve had better...
...So while I was eating a lady ordered a burger and told me she grew up 3 doors from the Koulax family in Glendale Ca. ...said Tom Sr would bring home burgers for all the kids in the neighborhood...said some really bizarre stuff about Tom Jr...dunno???...

 

[AzGeo]

The "boss" and I went to Henderson to get her car serviced, WENT to TOMMY's for brunch, shopped, and then stopped by Fart & Smile in Bullhead on the way home .

I had looked up the "R D chili" (in chubs) on the F & S website, and it indicated that "all the stores have all these items" . They don't .

Spoke with the girl who does the ordering for the Bullhead store, explained the "urgency" in having this product ON HAND, and she said; "if another store has it, I will get some in here" .

Two of the three people working there were from SoCal, and knew all about Tommy's, and liked the idea of having this product on the shelves .

I'll call Friday, to make sure she actually ordered some ..............

 

[Willie B]

...Well this is getting complicated it looks as though Tom Koulax junior launched.his own brand of Chili called Tommy original chili factory original beef chili...or something like that around 2007 or 2008...there are also indications that this product is no longer available and that Tom Jr is no longer living???...

 

[AzGeo]

None of it tasted DEAD . Please explain .

Ten hours ago, ten months ago, ten years ago, I never noticed ANY DIFFERENCE in the chili being served at any Tommy's locations .

I'll learn my lesson if and when the Bullhead store delivers what I asked for ..............

 

[Willie B]

None of it tasted DEAD . Please explain .

Ten hours ago, ten months ago, ten years ago, I never noticed ANY DIFFERENCE in the chili being served at any Tommy's locations .

I'll learn my lesson if and when the Bullhead store delivers what I asked for ..............

...it appears as though at some point probably sometime after the death in the early ?90?s of Tom Koulax Sr...Tommy?s original was sold...
...2007 or so Tom Koulax Jr...began marketing his own brand of chili...it was supposed to be available through Amazon and in Food for Less Stores...
...A lawsuit ensued...the outcome of which I have no clue???...
...Koulax Jrs Chili is still listed on Amazon but says out of stock and not sure if it will be available again...
...If you go to Tom Koulax Jrs Facebook page it refers to him as the ?late son? of Tom Koulax Sr...and there have been no postings on his facebook for a few years...he may have died in 2015...
...more detail exists online of the battle of the Koulax chili?s...but way to complicated to type out here...