Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers, Los Angeles

One of my first experiences, of many, at Tommy's was during my freshman year at USC. I was in the USC marching band, and they had a hazing ritual that included a trip to Tommy's with their famous chili. All the freshman were required to eat/drink a concoction with chili and root beer. The upperclassmen also added bits and pieces of the pepperoncini's, onions, fries, and anything else they could get their hands on. Luckily, I think, I just got root beer and chili. This rite of passage was special since the band often went to Tommy's after sporting events, gigs, and performances.

The chili cheese fries


This night, we decided to return trip back to Tommy's. Though I shouldn't say return, since I visit Tommy's at least 3 times a year. Personally, I think Tommy's is a destination place to bring out-of-towners to. Anyways, I digress . . . after going for drinks at some lounge bar, that was forgettable, I made the executive decision to stop by the original Tommy's on Rampart and Beverly. I often get mistaken for being Bossy by my friends. I don't understand why. Some people are just too indecisive when it comes to food.

Anyways. . . when we rolled up to the parking lot, my mouth was already watering - as it is right now when I am writing this. With regard to parking, there is plenty of parking in the main lot as well as the lot across the street. You'll find all type of cars on the weekends enjoying this find LA fare. I've seen busloads, limos, and people in cocktail dress here at Tommy. Then on the other side, you may encounter people that might be affiliated with ganges. At first it may seem a bit seedy or potentially hazardous, but its just people harmlessly enjoying their chili burgers.

Thank goodness Tommy's is open 24 hours. When you have that buzzed fix - there are few things near downtown LA that can squelch that craving. And when you order - don't think you are a man to have just meat, cheese, and chili. The whole package with the tomato and onions complete the meal. The combination taste, altogether, brings home this burger. I wouldn't have it any other way. The savoriness with the freshness of the tomato balances it out. The chili, though, sometimes gets lost in the middle when you squish the burger and the chili gets moved to the sides. So, make sure, when you hold your Tommy's burger, not to hold it too tightly or squeeze to hard.

Some of you may not know that Tommy's didn't always have french fries. Rumor has it, after Tommy pasted away, they added fries at the Original location. They have some of the best chili cheese fries with onions around. This type of Los Angeles chili, without beans, is unique in this part of the world. Texas chili often has beans and doesn't have the "bite" that LA or Tommy's chili has.

Make sure you also try the Tamale. Their tamale also has their chili with a large tomato slice. The masa with the chili makes a great combination as well. I think the tamale at Tommy's is my favorite side - even more than the fries.


After one bite of their chili cheese burger. I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture before I took a bite.

The tamale. Yummy. I strongly suggest that you try it.


Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers
2575 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 389-9060

http://www.originaltommys.com/





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Eggs should be a Food Group . . .Omelette House

This past week, I had to be in Garden Grove for a short meeting, and needed a pre-meeting place to meet & eat. After scouring yelp for breakfast places, I found the Omelette House.

This place would do well in any neighborhood.


The menu has a nice selection of different types of omelets, including an Indian one with cumin. I was considering it before I asked what the popular choice was. The Hobo Omelet it is, with ham, sausage, and bacon. Often times with this many meats, it can overpower the eggs, which is my favorite food group, but not in this case. I thought the meats with the eggs were balanced quite well. I also like the homestyle potatoes. I should have asked them to have the potatoes well done, which means a little more crispier.

My friend had the vegetarian omelet. I do feel sorry for him at times, when he can't eat meat. His breakfast included standard hashbrowns and Pumpernickel toast. The breakfast at the Omelette House are large and mostly like will fill you up most of the day.

I think Garden Grove has a nice little gem of a breakfast place.

Their menu is just breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

The Hobo Omelet.

Homestyle potatoes are the best type of potatoes for breakfast.


The vegetarian omelet.

Rating
2 pigs, $

Omelette House
12444 Brookhurst St
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 537-5336




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Bar Food - October Choice

On the suggestion of an Elite Yelper, we decided to make the trek to West Los Angeles to try Bar Food. I know nowadays, that I am a little more pickier from this blog and with the expectations of my friends. I know I have to take into account distance & traffic, price & value, and palate & taste. Lately, I think I have a better understanding of what I like and what I don't like.

Unfortunately, the friend who suggested this place wasn't there. But our friend who recently got engaged was fortunately here and we were all able to celebrate! I'm glad we choose Bar Food - since the venue is great for groups.

The Thirsty Pig Choice of the Month - Bar Food


After the hugs & congrats, we were able to order. The sparse menu showed few food items but included Guinness beer! The menu primarily looked like food you'd find at a bar, hence the name - Bar Food. This pub, or gastropub - the new moniker and also in the spirit of Father's Office, offers a large selection of beers and wines with comfort food items. I was happy to find mac'n cheese, burgers, and anything with the word potato. We also ordered spicy tuna, bangers, shepherd's pie, and fish & chips.

I was really looking forward to the Mac'N Cheese, since I saw it on their menu - the week before in researching the place. But unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. Though there was bacon, it lacked a necessary savoriness that you'll find almost at any other restaurant. Most places that have Mac'N Cheese will have a cool twist, either with bacon, broccoli, ham, truffle, or something different. It was baked, so the cheesy was crusty - that's a good thing. But again, lack of saltiness hurt its chances. . .

The burger and bangers were ok. The spicy tuna and shepherd's pie did stand out. I think everyone liked the spicy tuna. The rice was a little harder than I would have liked. I know I liked the shepherd's pie with lamb, though I think others didn't like it. We had two different types of bangers - thai style and regular. I personally like sausage . . . almost any type of sausage. I like the green mashed potatoes - I think they were mashed with basil or something. Jason, the owner/manager, came by and told us that that was his creation.

The two things that everyone agreed was great was the potato puffs and the sweet frites. I asked our server what her favorites were, and she strongly suggested potato puffs, which were also the most ordered item as well. I think we went through two orders of each.

Personally, I liked the venue and most of the food items. I think the uncomplicated menu with comfort foods with beer & wine is a great combination. But unfortunately, the location, with my personal bias, doesn't help. Prices are reasonable - with our group of 10 or so, we each paid about 26 with tax and tip.


Nice selection of beers & wines to go along with their comfort food items.

Their food items were mixed with Olde English favorite with California cuisine - like spicy tuna sushi.

Good times with Good people at Bar Food.

Airy dining area is great for groups.
Traditional Bangers - sausage. Everyone like the onions.

This is the Thai style bangers. I think I liked this one more.

My disappointing Mac'N Cheese. I expected way too much from it. I bet this is also a popular item.

Their take on Shepard's Pie with lamb. I thought this was a great presentation. I thought this was one of the better dishes, though my friends didn't think so.

Everyone's favorite sweet frites. Personally, I like my frites or fries to be savory, not sweet. But I know sweet potato fries are the rage now.

The fish & chips. The chips were potatoes slices. Nice take on this English comfort food item.

Rating
2 pigs, $$

Bar Food
12217 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 820-3274
bar-food.us/




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Mahan Indian Restaurant, Alhambra

My experience with Indian cuisine started, in of all places, in Hong Kong. I went to 2 places when I was living there. Tandoor Indian Restaurant and Veda - both located in Central were my first ventures. I would recommend both to anyone visiting/living in Hong Kong. Veda's a high end Indian Restaurant that features a contemporary new wave style of Indian. While Tandoor is more of a traditional Indian restaurant that you'll find most any place.

Mahan is no different from Tandoor. But, according to my Indian friend, features a lot of dishes that you won't find together. Often times, Indian restaurants specialize in their geographic origin. But that's only natural for most cuisines.

On this day, we decided upon the lunch buffet. My buddy said that their spread was unusual since they offered many different things. They had Samosas, Aloo Gobi - vegetarian cauliflower, some sort chickpeas dish, Tandoori chicken, Palak Paneer - spinach dish, Chicken Tikka, and Naan - Indian bread. There was also some rice to go long with it. For an Indian buffet, I think there was quite a selection.

My favorite dishes were the Palak Paneer and the Tandoori Chicken. They were tasty. The Palak Paneer reminded me of the creamed spinach they have at Lawry's - very similar. The Tandoori Chicken was better than the Chicken Tikka, which I thought was quite dry. But when you dip the Tikka in the yogurt sauce, it makes it a better dish.

I try to go to a cuisine, that I am not familiar with, always with a friend who is much more familiar or is of that descent. I would not have known to dip the chicken in the yogurt sauce. Or have the samosas also in the other sauce.

As the saying goes . . .
"When in Rome, do as what Romans do."

I think for lunch, Mahan is great place to go, if you want to have something other than a salad or sandwich. Though the pricing is a big more than you would expect or want from lunch. Also, try their yogurt drinks as well.


Samosas. I totally forgot the name of the sauce in used for the samosas. But I do remember it is red colored.

Aloo Gobi

Vegetarian chickpeas.

I think this was the Tandoori Chicken.

I think this was the Palak Paneer - spinach dish.

This had to been the Chicken Tikka - roasted chicken. I think it was a bit dry, though.

And I know this is Naan.

Rating
2 pigs, $

Mahan Indian Restaurant
110 West Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 458-6299
www.mahanrestaurant.com




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Hi Sushi

This kaiden sushi restaurant, Hi sushi 海壽司, looks quite modern from outside but provides superb and creative sushi which I never tasted before.

Why I stepped in here was a mystery. Just wanted to try something different, tired of the bargain 爭鮮.

I was very impressed of so many different types of salmon nigi sushi could be offered! Both me and my hubby are salmon lovers.




↓ 3 options of tea bags - pick up whichever you like! I personally like genmai tea 玄米茶 with rice smell


↓ grounded wasabi



↓ salmon with salmon eggs + spring onion NT$80


↓ salmon with pickled herb NT$60 - my favourite


↓ salmon (again) NT$80


↓ what a big slice of sashimi! Top 1 in the restaurant



↓ salmon 明太子鮭魚 NT$80 - my hubby's favourite



↓ 鹽之花炙和牛握壽司 half raw beef with a bit sea salt on the top
NT$150 - taste very similar to yakiniku though


↓ tuna NT$60


↓ raw scallop NT$100 - tastes ok, not very impressive


↓ shrimp NT$80 - not impressive either, too dry


↓ eel NT$60 - very fresh, good!


↓ inarizushi NT$40 - good!


↓ tamagozushi NT$40 - tasted ok, not very impressive


↓ squid NT$40 - tasted ok, not very impressive though


內湖店
phone:(02)2656-0968
address: 台北市內湖路1段244號

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