A chili burger (also known as a chili size, or simply size, stemming from “hamburger size”) is a type of hamburger. It consists of a hamburger, with the patty topped with chili con carne. It is often served open-faced, and sometimes the chili is served alongside the burger rather than on top.
Diner Style Chili Size ~ Chili Burger ~ Noreen’s Kitchen
FAQ
Why do they call it chili size?
This dish is said to take its name from the “hamburger size” ladle that legendary Los Angeles chili parlor proprietor Ptomaine Tommy used decades ago to spoon chili over the open-face burgers he served.
Where did the chili burger come from?
Fans can thank the city of Los Angeles for its invention, having been created around a century ago. Many believe that restaurant owner Thomas M. DeForest was the original inventor of the sandwich in the 1920s. DeForest sold the burger at his restaurant Ptomaine Tommy’s.
How much chili meat per person?
Be careful when doing so, however, so that the meat does not dry out. Consider between ¼ and a ⅓ of a pound per person, supplemented perhaps with a few strips of bacon to help keep everything juicy. Or use chunks of dark meat from the richer, fattier thighs, or even duck.