Fat Tommy's - Far South Top-Notch Burgers

Not a "new" place in the southwest outposts of Chicago, but I know there is no mention that I could find here, is Fat Tommy's. Unfortunatly all I have is my cell phone camera which doesn't do any justice to anything served up at this Beverly/Mt Greenwood joint, but will post some photos soon...one way or another.

I can say unequivically (?) that the burgers here are...dare I say it...at least the equivalent of Top Notch!? Ok, let me step back and re-assess...bun, good...toasted held together nicely; toppings...interesting, only can get a few (onion, mustard, lettuce & tomato) and ketchup is verbotten, however there are bottles available if one should desire such...the burger itself is billed as 1/3 pound (seems slightly smaller) but I got a double so that wasn't anywhere near an issue, and it was DAMN good with it's cheddar being (my fav) Merkt's. The beef itself was hand formed (not sure about where it was ground), but it had more of a "char" taste than Top Notch, yet I believe it is also griddled, so definately need to do some more research! Also, fresh cut fries are included with any burger and while they are no match for beef tallow fried, they are some mighty good spuds and unlike some less than stellar fries (sitting for a bit) I've had at Top-Notch lately, these are fried to order. Just need to get the cheese fries to take advantage of the Merkt's instead of the processed goo they use now...what are they thinking??? But the 8 year old likes that type so I guess it was ok.

Hours are 1030-9 Monday through Saturday, but the true benefit is that they are open on Sunday 12 til 6!

As an aside, Fat Tommy's has one of the BEST dogs I have ever had (I'm not a garden dog guy), and it is a David Berg dog. Called the Ditka Dog, it's a dog that is wrapped with bacon and deep fried...then smothered with mustard, onion and cheese (again should be Merkt's), but addicting just the same. So, anyone who finds themself jonsing for Top-Notch on a Sunday can take solice that there is an alternative, other than Old Fashioned, to satiate themselves.

I've also heard that their salads are really good as well...but I don't roll that way, so take that with a grain of salt...

Fat Tommy's
3031 W. 111th St
Chicago, IL 60655

scanz wrote:I've also heard that their salads are really good as well...but I don't roll that way, so take that with a grain of salt...

Seems I need to get to the far south side, Fat Tommy's burger and fries sound worth the drive.

Will have to put this one on my ever growing list of joint'z to check out soon.
Not to far from me AND they have BBQ on the menu!
Have ya ever tried the BBQ yet?
http://www.fattommyschicago.com/ <--- I noticed they have ribs, brisket and pork on the menu.

Cbot as far as I know there is no smoker around...and have never tried the BBQ. But you can't go wrong with any of the burgers or dogs, so a trip is definately worthwhile.

Was chatting up Caroline a/k/a Mrs. Fat Tommy's thru email and she told me they do smoke there own on site, they use a Cookshack not sure on the Mod#, AND....the bbq sauce is homemade!
I am going to try and get to this place soon...maybe roll over there Fry day.

http://www.cookshack.com/commercial-barbecue-smokers

So I stopped in for a burger on my way up to class. Things have changed here since they first occupied the little shack further west on 111th. In those days, it was literally a shack, with decent hot dogs and well-fried food service fries.

I was a little shocked when this place came up, because that's the image I had in mind--certainly not bad, but not LTH-worthy. With this skepticism in mind, I ordered, and was quite pleased with the result. The burger was over-cooked, but obviously hand-made--very loosely packed, at that. I'd make sure to ask for it the way you like it.

The fries were hand-cut and well-fried. Not as quite nice as the tallow-y beauty of Top Notch, but very close, and a total 180 from the way things used to be.

I asked about the smoker, and can confirm CBot's assertion that they smoke in house. Indeed they use a cookshack, but I don't recall the model off-hand. They use hickory and cherry to smoke--brisket for 12-13 hours, ribs for 3-3.5 or so, the proprietor said.

At $5.80, after tax, for the third-pounder, great fries, and a can of Diet Coke, I'm quite pleased to have this place in Mt. Greenwood. Can't wait to try the 'cue.

Well about the 'que I stand happily corrected. Now I have even more reasons to go back and research, thanks for the heads up!

Just finished up another meal here--I love the fries. If anything, I'd ask for them a bit on the well done side--same with the onion rings, which I suspect are also made in-house, but not too sure. The half slab of ribs was fine. Nice charred bits, but not terribly smoky; the smoker must be gas. The sauce is good, but a bit hard to define, and remains a work in progress. A very large tub of coleslaw came with it--not bad coleslaw, either. I was really pleased on the whole. Barbara Ann's this ain't--but I'd take this meal over any at Bon-a-Pit or some similar "bbq" establishments out here.

Having had a large torta for lunch, I opted against the bacon-wrapped monstrosity that is the Ditka Dog this time around; I'm gunning for the Philly as well. In the end, the fries are addictive, the proprietor friendly, and the value significant enough that I'll be back pretty soon. If the italian beef and polish sausages are alright, this might displace Pop's in my line-up at this price point.

Glad you had another good meal mtgl, but you really need to try the Ditka Dog at some point. I was unsure about what I was getting into when I was assuaged into ordering one, but the combination is such a harmonious blend that you'll be back again for it, guaranteed. I also concur that requesting the fries "well done" is usually a good idea...there has been a rare occasion where the "regular" fries have come out somewhat less than done, and that doesn't serve anyone. But was there again on Thursday for a double with cheese (Merkt's) and it was just perfect. Will one day get the Q...really...

Another trip to Fat Tommy's tonight, everything was tremendous as you can see by the previously promised pictures...

Also I should note that I spoke for a while with the owner today, Merkt's IS available on the dogs and fries one just needs to ask. So you can bet I will be asking next time! In addition there is now Sprecher's root beer ON TAP and is served in frosted mugs, had a sample and it was delicious...

The interior space...there are also booths along the wall where I took the picture from and a counter ledge by the windows that overlook 111th St., so much bigger than photo shows... (Sprecher keg is in the back in black "kegerator" behind the icecream freezer):


Today's burger (Double with Merkt's, mustard and onion):


And the awesome fries (We had two baskets and I polished off about 1 1/2 of them):


The boy had the ribs, he liked quite a bit but not so much the sauce, I personally really liked the sauce but it's vinegaryness (not sure that's a word but it works) and spice level was much more an adult flavor profile...and as evidenced when he said he thought it should be more like Ray's (Sweet Baby Ray's) but he likes ketchup on hotdogs. Couldn't get a picture because he hacked them up with the knife before I could stop him.

I finally had the Ditka Dog--bacon-wrapped, deep-fried Polish with grilled onions, mustard, and cheese. I opted against orange nacho cheese, substituting mozzarella with no problem. I think next time I'll opt against mustard, too, or maybe get the bacon-wrapped hot dog they offer as well. The bacon didn't really come through because there was just too much mustard. I was impressed at how reasonable the concoction is, though--not the gastro-intestinal bomb I was expecting. I certainly enjoyed it. Beyond, the fries were great, despite steaming in the bag on the short trip home, and the family liked everything they had. Certainly a great, reasonable stop if you're in the area.

The proprietor is also working on his liquor license, hoping to have an offering of ten or twelve good bottled beers--my last few trips in there, we've talked almost exclusively of beer. Here's hoping that comes through soon.

I didn't see any beer there yesterday but there is Sprecher root beer on tap (burger was great as well).

I got to get over there soon for a half slab and burger....soon!
Anyone hit them up recent for BBQ?

Had some good ribs today from Fat Tommy's. Got a half slab with sauce on the side, apple sauce and cole slaw to go. The ribs had a good tasting rub on them, good sweet to heat ratio. Was told they cook over hickory and cherry wood, smoke taste was mild. Slaw was good and apple sauce was a little cup of Mott's w/cinnamon.
Good meal, cool place and great staff...will have to try the burger, fries and brisket sometime.
Oh yeah the sauce was decent, did not use much of it on the ribs.