09/21/2026
Since 1946 🍔 The connection between Tommy Koulax, the founder of Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers, and San Pedro dates back to World War II, serving as the foundational stepping stone for his future restaurant empire.The San Pedro Connection (1940s)Before Tommy Koulax became an iconic figure in the Los Angeles food scene, he was the son of Greek immigrants who traveled from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl era. Arriving in California looking for opportunity, he and a close friend, Chris Palonus (who later founded the BBQ chain Chris & Pitts), found employment in the maritime industry. During World War II, Koulax worked as a shipyard welder and riveter at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, helping build military boats for the war effort.Birth of Original Tommy's (1946)After the war ended, Koulax used the skills and money he made from his shipyard days to venture into the food industry.First Attempt: He initially opened a hot dog stand at the corner of Florence Avenue and Main Street in Los Angeles, but eventually lost his lease.The Launch: In May 1946, Koulax and a short-term business partner named Dan purchased a tiny 10-by-15-foot cinderblock shack on the corner of Beverly and Rampart Boulevards for $800.The Famous Chili: Dan backed out after three months, but Koulax persisted. He introduced his custom, tomato-less chili recipe, creating the famously messy chili burgers, chili dogs, and chili fries that made the stand legendary.By the mid-1950s, the single stand grew immensely popular, eventually expanding into a massive Southern California and Nevada staple with 32 locations, entirely managed by the Koulax family descendants.If you are looking for a specific Tommy's location, would you like help finding the closest Original Tommy's Restaurant near the San Pedro area, or were you curious about other historic Greek-owned restaurants in San Pedro?
What does it take for a restaurant to stay iconic for generations? ...
