Coast to Coast Flavor: Tommy’s Burgers California Style Expands to Bartlett, TN!
Bring out the ketchup and cue the Beach Boys, because Bartlett residents no longer need a plane ticket to experience a genuine California-style burger! Tommy’s Burgers California Style, after successfully flipping the script in East Memphis last year, is sizzling up its second local joint to open its doors in Bartlett by month’s end.
Proud owners Anai and Misael Alvarado, are grilling up plans for their new location at 2931 Kirby Whitten Road, with an exciting grand opening targeted for April 21. Misael, quite the burger pioneer, started Tommy’s Burgers California Style way back in 1999 in El Monte, California, when he was a mere 19 years old. His journey led him to Anai, they teamed up, married, and expanded their concept to five thriving spots across California. However, a few years ago, they decided to trade in their Californian sunsets for Memphis blues.
“We put up our successful ventures in California on sale to move to Memphis and possibly open six or seven more,” said Misael. “California was saturated with burger joints, all with different names but the same taste.”
The Alvarados, who have spent over two decades visiting Misael’s brother, Roberto, in Bartlett, found the area warm and the business climate welcoming. Last spring, the dynamic duo, now residing in Cordova, flipped open their first Tommy’s outlet at 4969 Park Ave, just a stone’s throw from Mount Moriah in East Memphis. And boy, has it been a hit! Specializing in burgers and breakfast, our strategy was to kick off with a cozy spot before expanding to more sizable locations, Misael shares. The Bartlett branch, a sprawling 10,000-square-foot standalone building, previously housing Back Yard Burgers, is double the size of the East Memphis outlet.
What’s the secret to Tommy’s burgers being so “California style” and a bite above the rest? Well, it’s all in the sauce, which includes a Thousand Island dressing twist, much like California’s iconic In & Out Burgers”But with our own unique recipe. You won’t find anything like this here!” Misael promises. Even the cooking method is different “ they’re charbroiled, not just grilled, for a lesser grease and a taste that’s akin to homemade barbecue.
Their menu is more than just burgers, offering a scrumptious breakfast selection featuring eggs, pancakes, French toast, and breakfast burritos. For lunch, pick from delightful choices such as pastrami sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, hot dogs, chili, or their homemade fried zucchini and onion rings.
The new Bartlett outlet, due to a non-compete arrangement with Stage Centre Los Cabos Mexican Bar & Grill, will not serve any Mexican food, an interesting departure from their East Memphis venue. This exciting new venture is set to create between 25 to 40 new jobs, a great boost to local employment.
Opening a new branch each year is our ambitious goal, with our next move potentially in Collierville, Cordova, Germantown or North Mississippi, shares Anai.
The Bartlett launch fills a significant void at the Stage Centre shopping plaza location that has been unoccupied for years. With construction set to finish in June, the 16-acre center seems to be turning a new leaf, ushering in a revitalized era for Bartlett’s retail and commercial landscape.