Chili John’s – One Of Burbank’s Most Beloved Restaurants


chili johns burbank

(photo: Junkyardsparkle)

What started as a chili restaurant in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1913 by a Lithuanian immigrant named John Isaac would soon become a family legacy and a historical staple in a town halfway across the country. Before Chili John’s was born, Isaac was serving up his soon to be famous chili at his bar in 1900. Soon after, the first Chili John’s was born. 

In 1946, Isaac’s son Ernie moved to Los Angeles, taking the secret family chili recipe along with him. Ernie would go on to launch what today is considered the iconic and almost infamous Chili John’s Burbank location. 

Inside the restaurant, Ernie created a U-shaped counter that still stands today. In fact, the U-shaped counter is not the only thing that Chili John’s has kept original all these years. 

When you order chili at Chili John’s today, you are being served the same exact recipe that John Isaac created and served in 1900 at his small bar in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Chili John’s recipe has stood the test of time and remained an American favorite, bringing people in for over 120 years. 

Chili may be what put Chili John’s on the map, but Hollywood has been known to put it on the big screen. This iconic LA restaurant has been featured in numerous movies and television shows. The Burbank location can be seen in episode 3 of I am the Night, numerous times during season 1 through 3 of The Rookie, and in season 2 of Big Love. 

Much more recently, the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood took advantage of the iconic and memorable scenery as well as some chili – one can imagine. 

While the building itself is a store in its own right, even the famous chili has had its debut on television. John’s famous chili tickled the fancy of TV host Ross Matthews so much, he made it an official statement on season 2 of the Food Network show Guilty Obsessions. 

As if that is not enough to get you craving some chili, Guy Fieri also featured Chili John’s on his Food Network show Diners, Drives-ins, and Dives. Making Chili John’s quite the Hollywood star! 

When Chili John’s is not preparing for its turn in the limelight, it is doing what it has done best for over a century, making delicious chili. They’re chili is traditionally served over spaghetti and usually topped with oyster crackers. While the menu has expanded over the years to include other American favorites, the soul of Chili John’s will always remain John Isaac’s infamous chili. 

Today, Chili John’s continues to run, bringing in chili and nostalgia lovers from across America and is one of the most beloved restaurants in Burbank.

What To Order

chili johns

Chili

The classic. The namesake. The original. 

You cannot go to Chil John’s without experiencing the very thing that made it famous and a household name for over a century. Today, you can choose between original beef, turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian chili all cooked with the same spice blend that John Isaac himself created.

After you choose your protein, you get to choose your base. Most people choose spaghetti, but they also have rice, beans, or combination of all the listed. 

Ultimate ChiliDog

You have never experienced a chili dog like this one before. The ultimate chili dog starts with a bacon wrapped hot dog smothered in John’s famous chili. Then the entire thing is topped with American cheese, chopped onions, mustard, spicy-sweet pickles, and of course, Fritos for some crunch. 

Spaghetti

This dish takes spaghetti with meat sauce to a new level. Tender and succulent pasta drenched in a layer of their famous chili, the Chili John’s spaghetti is a classic favorite that helped put this restaurant on the map (and the big screen)! 

Chili simmered in the same recipe that John Isaac created in 1900 is topped with oyster crackers once placed on a luxurious bed of spaghetti. You need to come and try this combo for yourself. 

ChiliCheeseBurger 

Another modern take on an American classic, the chili cheeseburger is everything that you would dream of. American cheese, onions, Fritos, and mustard marry the oh so delicious steamy chili that sits atop a ⅓ pound freshly cooked juicy burger patty. 

Be sure to grab some extra napkins, this delicacy is sure to get messy! 

LemonPie/PineappleCreamPie 

Looking to end on a sweet note? While Chili John’s is famous for its, well, chili, they also have a local reputation for their sweets! Finish your American meal off with some lemon or pineapple cream pie to help balance all the savory spices from the chili. All the pies are made in house from scratch, just like John Isaac would have wanted. 

Mariska Lee

Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit. She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.

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