In a large stock pot, sauté the onions and cook the ground beef, breaking it up into bite sized pieces with a large wood spoon. When the meat is cooked through and the onions are tender, remove the meat/onions from the pain and set it aside. Drain any excess fat.
To your crock pot, add in 4 cups chicken broth and a 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes. Add the cooked beef and onions. Cook on low for about two hours.
30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, turn the heat on the slow cooker to high. Add in the cooked shredded potatoes, cooked bacon half and half and 1 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.
Right before you’er ready to serve, stir in sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and pickle relish. Continue stirring until it has melted.
To make the croutons: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add in the pieces of hamburger buns and cook until they are crunchy and lightly browned. Be sure to use tongs to rotate them so all sides are able to brown evenly.
Garnish with additional cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles, and hamburger bun croutons.