Tom's Burgers 7 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Interesting experience. We just moved to the neighborhood and live almost across the street and had been wanting to try the restaurant. Ordered the "Fish Dinner." not fish and chips because I asked if Onion rings were extra. (Which by the menu it was obvious the onion rings were not included in "Fish and Chips" but was included in the "Fish Dinner" This ended up in being over charged for the dinner and the Staff on hand is not able to resolve the issue. I had to call the Manager. (What restaurant doesn't have a manager working anytime they have employees present?) So don't believe the MENU. Left there feeling I was being nickel and dimed. They did give me the Managers number. I did call. He verified I was over charged because of improper training of their employees on the new menu. (seems here that this is a reason to have a manager present when employees are not trained properly) He explained to me that company policy is that employees are not allowed to give a refund (Hmm another reason to have a manager there.) So they trust their employees to work without supervision, and follow company policies but not correct mistakes. He explained that without him talking to the customer he would not know what problems really are as they cannot trust that their employees would give them the straight scoop on what the issue was when a customer has an issue. The Pastrami Sandwich was pretty good. The Onion rings that were the point of contention that was an add on charge were a bit over cooked. So much so I couldn't tell if they were frozen or not. And the fish was also a bit over cooked. For a restaurant that makes pancakes and waffles I would expect that they'd have fresh onion rings sliced and dipped in pancake batter. The service otherwise was pretty good. Except for when I asked what kinds of Drinks they carried I was told Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite. After mentioning to one of the wait staff when they asked if I'd like a refill. I mentioned it didn't taste like Diet Coke. He said it's not, it's Diet RC. This appears to me to be another reason they need a manger that is there. Obviously, these employees were never told what drinks they serve because when I asked before ordering 2 different employees explained that they had coke products. While talking to the manager it was apparent that in his opinion with all his years in the restaurant business that this is the best way to manage a restaurant. Just in case ya missed it. Employees not being able to resolve customer issues, employees not knowing the drinks their restaurant serves, employees not being trained properly yet working without supervision. I can see the management really has a grasp of the restaurant business. I'm sure he would have offered a refund. But it was under two bucks. I was just more upset over the whole argumentative attitude and lack of customer appreciation and immediate resolution. I have no intention...

I used to visit Tom's Famous Family Restaurant as a teenager, but over time, things changed, and I lost interest. Occasionally, I’d drop by, but it was never anything special—just a neighborhood spot. That all changed recently when I decided to give it another try, and wow, I was truly impressed!

The standout service, especially from a wonderful woman named Cheli, took me by surprise. Although this restaurant doesn’t have traditional waiters, the staff goes out of their way to make you feel like family. They check in on you while you’re eating, offering drink refills and bringing extras like salsa. Honestly, the service is better than some places that do have waiters, and I was in awe.

The food? Absolutely delicious. Everything is made to order, piping hot, and the portions are generous. There’s a vibrant energy here—everyone’s smiling, hustling, and making sure the food is served promptly. The place is spotless, and you can really feel the respect in the air.

What makes Tom’s even more special is how it restores what’s often lost in today’s world. In an age where people are too busy on their phones or don’t even say hello to each other, this restaurant is a refreshing reminder of connection and warmth. People greet each other like old friends, and the positive energy is contagious—you feel like you’re eating among family.

Wanting to see if this experience was just a fluke, I visited again, and it was just as amazing. The third time, I went during a busy weekend breakfast, and the vibe was just as welcoming. I don’t even live in the area, but I’ll definitely keep coming back. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy great food in an atmosphere that...

I come here a couple of times a week, usually on weekdays, as the weekend is very busy.

Parking:

Even though I walk, there's usually lots of parking available.

Service:

The staff here are just awesome. They are always happy and smiling, even when they're slammed. They never cease to anticipate the needs of their customers. Though they don't have the biggest dining room, their bussers are incredibly quick and efficient at their job, so you're never waiting too long. Servers are quick on the coffee refills, and I've rarely had to ask. I generally don't see the bottom of my cup. I've been to neighboring business that can't even get these basics down, and I don't go there, even though their food is amazing.

Food:

I haven't tried everything on the menu, but I have tried the burgers, french toast, omlettes, and chicken salad, all of which are wonderful. Overall their food is not too greasy, and they seem to change their oil appropriately.

I would say that their pancake syrup could be better, as it's a bit gloopy, and I would guess that it's more corn syrup than maple syrup. This isn't new to the restaurant industry, as actual maple syrup is very expensive.

Unfortunate they do not serve fresh fruit here, so I would say that their menu could be just slightly improved there.

Cleanliness:

I've never sat at a dirty table, nor have I had any dirty silverware. Even their prep area, which you can see from the order counter, is in great condition and proper order.

Summary:

Overall, this place is a prime example of great management from the top down. I highly recommend...