Memphis is no stranger to legendary food, but a California-style burger joint landing on Park Avenue and immediately stealing hearts? That’s a story worth telling. 🍔
Tommy’s Burger California Style brought West Coast burger culture deep into the heart of Tennessee — fresh, grilled-to-order patties, a secret sauce, and an all-day menu that keeps the whole family fed from breakfast through dinner.
It didn’t take long for Memphis to fall completely in love.
How Tommy’s Burger Won Memphis’ Hearts
Behind every great neighborhood burger spot is a story that starts with a leap of faith. For husband-and-wife duo Misael and Anai Alvarado, that leap meant packing up their California life — and their decades of burger expertise — and bringing it straight to Memphis, Tennessee. 🌅
“We moved here because there’s nothing like this,” Misael told the Memphis Business Journal — and he wasn’t wrong.
Before opening on Park Avenue, the Alvarados had already owned and operated five burger restaurants in California, building the kind of hands-on knowledge that can’t be faked and can’t be rushed.
That deep experience showed the moment Tommy’s Burger California Style opened its doors on April 1, 2023, stepping into the former CK’s space at Park Avenue and Mt. Moriah Road — a beloved East Memphis corner already carrying years of local nostalgia.
The secret sauce became the talk of the town — a signature West Coast flavor that reminded California transplants of home and introduced Memphis natives to something entirely new and completely addictive. 🤫
By 2024, demand had grown so strong that the Alvarados opened a second location in Bartlett, proving that what started as one couple’s bold vision had become one of the best hidden gem restaurants in all of Memphis.
Regulars consistently describe the burgers as large, juicy, and made with care — not just slapped together, but built with intention, loaded with flavor, and delivered by a staff that genuinely seems happy to be there.
The Alvarados didn’t just open a restaurant — they brought a whole culture with them, and Memphis adopted it as its own. ❤️
Food Highlights
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Tommy’s Burger: The signature build — a juicy grilled beef patty with house secret sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. 🌟
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Western Bacon Burger: Grilled beef topped with crispy bacon and BBQ-style fixings — “one of the best burgers in the 901” according to a loyal regular. 🤠
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Avocado Bacon Burger: Fresh avocado and crispy bacon layered over a grilled patty — a California-style burger staple. 🥑🥓
- Bacon Cheeseburger: A grilled beef patty with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and classic toppings. 🧀
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Pastrami Burger: Tender, seasoned pastrami stacked on a grilled beef patty — a West Coast classic. 🔥
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Double Burger: Two thick, juicy grilled patties stacked with all the fixings — reviewers describe it as “thick, juicy, and well-dressed.” 🍔🍔
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Patty Melt: A grilled beef patty pressed between toasted bread with melted cheese — a comfort-food lunch classic.
Atmosphere
Tommy’s Burger California Style has the easy, no-fuss energy of a California diner transplanted into an East Memphis neighborhood corner — bright, welcoming, and built for all-day dining from breakfast through a late dinner.
It’s a family-friendly setup with a drive-thru, indoor dining, and delivery — accessible and relaxed, with the kind of warm efficiency that a husband-and-wife-run operation tends to bring naturally. 😊
The all-day menu spanning breakfast, burgers, Mexican food, and dinner platters means there’s never a wrong time to stop in — a versatility that makes this family-owned restaurant feel like a true neighborhood anchor on Park Avenue. 🌴
Bottom Line
Tommy’s brings authentic California-style burgers, a legendary secret sauce, and genuine family-run hospitality to Memphis.
The Western Bacon and Pastrami Burger alone is worth the trip. East Memphis finally has its West Coast gem! 🍔🌅
Address:
4969 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
📞 (901) 572-1586
🕔 Open Daily, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM