The Square Life

This week, we have a guest, Ryan Hamblin.  He is a hamburger at heart.  He loves everything about burgers.  One night, he showed up to my house at 1 in the morning with six little burger shots from Burger King.  This guy loves burgers, but not only loves them.  He understands them.  He knows how to make a juicy burger, he knows how to get the right spices and bring a burger to life.  Welcome, Ryan Hamblin.

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Spending my whole life in Utah Valley, I have come to know the most famous and infamous burger joints in town.  Thinking back on my childhood summer days, one of these joints in particular grills it's way into my mind, Tommy's Burger.

Situated in the corners of Downtown Provo, the environment sets itself up as the perfect drive-up fast food sensation.
The delicious pan seared patties go smoothly with a slice of cheddar on top.  But what Tommy's is all about is their home style chili, which I personally find wanting.  With the ambiance, great flavor and access to various toppings, Tommy's Burger finds its way into my heart with 3
and 1/2 enthusiastic chews.

-Ryan Hamblin

The first thing you notice about Tommy's Burger is how unassuming it is.  It’s on the less traveled 1^st north in Provo and is about the size of most your kitchens, making for crowded indoor dining (they have a bar to sit at).  The picnic tables outside make up for the lack of space and give you some fresh air to take in with the burgers.  My
favorite part of the Tommy's Burger experience is the atmosphere.  You could drive down the street and not notice that it was there.   Its tables feel like they’ve been sanded and painted multiple times over the years.  The people who work there are genuine and smile.  They know how to cook a hamburger.  Every time I’ve ever been, the same guy has been working. 

But my favorite part about the hamburgers, besides the fact that you can put Cholula and jalapeños on them, is the chili that they put on top.  It’s that old school hamburger chili, but theirs isn’t too runny or chunky.  It sits on the hamburger like that older guy who lives by Mountain View sits on his porch.  It’s not too messy, but it makes you feel like you are really eating something special. span>  The hamburger has a variety of things you can get on it.  I opted for tomato, lettuce, chili, cheese, pickles, and my own additions of Cholula and jalapeños.    Everything was great and they even toasted the bun.   The fries were thick and filing and their fountain drink selection is perfect for hamburgers. 

I give Tommy's Burger an A-.  Same as the week before, BUT it’s only because the atmosphere is the best money can buy in downtown Provo west of university avenue.  Sorry ComedySportz.