For much of the 19th century, immigration to the young nation of America was dominated

by Germans and the Irish.

But by 1880, a new wave of Greek immigrants began settling on the other side of the Atlantic,

a trend that continued into the early 20th century.

Across the country, many of these new Greek Americans took to operating diners.

A tradition carried on by the second generation Tommy Kulox in 1946 when he opened his food

stand near downtown Los Angeles.

Texas stand specialized in burgers and hot dogs laid out with his signature sauce like

chili that was, and is, closer to a condiment than a stew.

Locals took some convincing, but after a few years, Kulox's chili-slathered fast food

chain caught on like a California wildfire, and his chain expanded throughout the South

line in the 60s and 70s.

But with success came intellectual property theft, and the brand continues to battle a rash

of imitators who copy its name and menu.

Still as it approaches its 70th anniversary, and now with 34 locations in California, Nevada,

this chain proves you just can't beat the original.

This week on Doe Boys, original Tommy's.

Come on!

So it's the Doe Noir!

It's the War of Doe!

Welcome to Doe Boys, the podcast about chain restaurants.

I'm Nick Weiger alongside the newly cleaned shaven Mike Mitchell, the spoon man.

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