Chili burger facts for kids
Chili burger with fries
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| Alternative names | Chili size, size |
|---|---|
| Type | Sandwich |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | originally Los Angeles |
| Created by | Likely Thomas "Ptomaine Tommy" DeForest, 1920s |
| Main ingredients | Hamburger patty, chili con carne |
| Variations | Carolina burger |
A chili burger is a yummy type of hamburger! It's basically a burger patty topped with a tasty meat sauce called chili con carne. Sometimes, the chili is served right on top of the burger, and other times it comes on the side. You can also add things like cheese, onions, or even tomatoes to make it extra special.
The Story of the Chili Burger
The chili burger seems to have been invented way back in the 1920s by a man named Thomas M. DeForest. People knew him by his nickname, "Ptomaine Tommy." He owned a restaurant in Los Angeles called "Ptomaine Tommy's," which was open all night long from about 1919 to 1958.
At Ptomaine Tommy's, his famous chili burger was often called a "size." The name "size" came from how much chili was put on the burger. Tommy had different sized ladles for his chili. Customers would ask for "hamburger size" or "steak size," which later became just "size" or "oversize." This way of ordering chili became popular all over Los Angeles.
Ptomaine Tommy's restaurant closed in 1958, and Tommy passed away shortly after. But his invention was so important that the California State Senate even recognized his contribution that same year!
Many different kinds of people visited Tommy's restaurant. Doctors finishing their late shifts, fight fans leaving matches, and people from the Hollywood film industry all enjoyed his chili burgers. This helped spread the popularity of his special dish.
Today, several food chains in the U.S. specialize in chili burgers. One famous example is Original Tommy's, which started in 1946.
Different Kinds of Chili Burgers
What is a Carolina Burger?
The Carolina Burger is a special kind of chili burger that's popular in the Carolinas. It comes with coleslaw (a cabbage salad), mustard, and chopped onions. Sometimes, you might even find this tasty burger at Wendy's restaurants, where it's called the Carolina Classic.
