Well the next post is actually about....
CHILI SIZE.
What the hell is a chili size? I've seen it on diner menus but never understood the origin of the term.
Well here it is and its originated in Los Angeles too!
Chili was once called “size” in the town known a L.A. “Size” came into usage by way of one Ptomaine Tommy, once proprietor of the largest and best known chili parlor in the city. Ptomaine Tommy served straight chili and an epical Southwestern variation, a hamburger smothered with chili. He had two ladles, a large and a small. When a customer ordered straight chili, he got out the large ladle. When he wanted the other, he usually said “Hamburger size.” So Ptomaine Tommy put up one sign that read HAMBURGER SIZE 15¢, and another that read CHILI SIZE 20¢. Other chili joints followed suit and before long chili was know throughout Los Angeles as “size”. They’d say, “Just gimme a bowl of size.”
Now I know. Now you know.
What the hell is a chili size? I've seen it on diner menus but never understood the origin of the term.
Well here it is and its originated in Los Angeles too!
Chili was once called “size” in the town known a L.A. “Size” came into usage by way of one Ptomaine Tommy, once proprietor of the largest and best known chili parlor in the city. Ptomaine Tommy served straight chili and an epical Southwestern variation, a hamburger smothered with chili. He had two ladles, a large and a small. When a customer ordered straight chili, he got out the large ladle. When he wanted the other, he usually said “Hamburger size.” So Ptomaine Tommy put up one sign that read HAMBURGER SIZE 15¢, and another that read CHILI SIZE 20¢. Other chili joints followed suit and before long chili was know throughout Los Angeles as “size”. They’d say, “Just gimme a bowl of size.”
Now I know. Now you know.
posted by Gavin Elster at 1:19 PM
3 Comments:
Mmmmm chili...
Okay - total "mom" story. When our daughter was about 4, we were driving down La Brea and passed Pink's. As usual, there was a line curving around down the front and going back into the parking lot. You just knew people would be waiting at least a half hour to get their chili dog fix.
She sees this long line and asks what that place was with all the people standing and waiting. We told her it was a hot dog stand.
From the back seat, the wisdom of children: "What's so important about hot dogs?"
Yes, Pink's is now forever known in our family as The Important Hot Dog Stand.
Interesting history Scotty, thanks!
Oh, the Important Hot Dog Stand story is priceless :)
That is nuts!
Does the heating system need a light system to blind the rats?
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