Beloved Fort Worth hamburger restaurant damaged by early morning fire
A Fort Worth hamburger restaurant that’s been voted one of the 10 best in Tarrant County was damaged by fire early Friday, May 9.
Firefighters were called to Tommy’s Hamburger Grill at 5228 Camp Bowie Blvd. When they arrived, they saw fire coming from a vent on the roof and light smoke showing from the restaurant. The firefighters were able to get the blaze under control, fire officials said, and no injuries were reported.
Tommy’s is located in a strip mall with several other businesses. Some of them were also affected by the fire, according to officials. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Tommy’s Hamburger Grill owners posted about the fire on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
“Thank goodness we were closed and nobody was hurt,” the post reads. “We are working with our insurance company and hope to reopen in the future.”
Customers reacted with concern and dismay,
“Hate that this happened for y’all!” one person posted. “We will definitely visit the other locations to support…and more selfishly, to enjoy delicious food!”
“So sorry to see this!” someone else said. “Hope you guys get back up and running soon at that location.”
The restaurant has been on Camp Bowie Boulevard since 2002. Before that, Under the Tower Sandwich Shop occupied the space.
Tommy Smith opened the original Tommy’s Hamburgers as a gas station grill on Northwest Loop 820 in 1983. In 1987, the restaurant was ranked one of the Star-Telegram’s 10 best in Tarrant County.
“This place has a burger not easily forgotten,” the story began. It mentioned the “fighter plane ambience” from the nearby air base runway.
The original Tommy’s Hamburgers expanded to three Fort Worth locations. Tommy Smith’s daughter Kelly Smith took over the restaurants in 2007.
Tommy’s remains open at its other two locations: Tommy’s Burgers + Brews at 1736 Mall Circle off Alta Mere Drive and 2455 Forest Park Blvd. near the Fort Worth Zoo and TCU.
Staff writer Bud Kennedy contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 10:20 AM.
