Chili John’s

I try to write only positive reviews. Really, I do. This place is a Burbank icon, been there since, I forget, like 1776? A long time anyway. I don’t get it. I had a chili dog and lemon pie, my friend something similar. We knew it had been on Guilty Pleasures, but after the first bite, we looked at each other with that WTF expression. I’m not saying it’s canned chili, but I am saying it might as well be. Apparently there is a group of regulars here who enjoy the retro style, so if you’re into that, go once. Once. I mean it. ONCE!

I would have given this place 2 two star rating if they weren’t so expensive. First off, the chili, both beef and vegetarian are probably the worse chili I’ve ever had. The beef is so oily and weird tasting, the vegetarian is almost inedible (both my wife and daughter were hungry but threw theirs out it was so bad). The tamales were fair at best (the XXX ones is the grocery refrigerated section are 100 times better). They charged me $ 13.50 for ½ pie which ended up being 3 of the smallest pieces of pie you’ve ever seen, literally no more than 3 inches wide at its widest point. I really do not get how people can think this is good or even eat this crap.

Ok Chili Johns… Here it is. I love the food here. PERIOD. But unfortunately the service has gotten worse as of late. Today was the second time that I made a to go order that was completely botched.
I take partial responsibility in that I once again did not double check the bag before leaving…
But seriously, how can you not listen when a customer states 3x he want (2) chili dogs with cheese and onions? In fact I actually had to remind the employee about the cheese and onions twice because he forgot and said oh yeah I will give you containers! Then I arrive at the airport to ready to get through security enjoy my long awaited Chili Johns before my flight and I set off the security scanner because low and behold inside my bag is (2) bowls of chili!!!
No dogs!!! What??? Seriously NO DOGS!
So now my food is thrown away, no Chili Johns and I’m out both the money for Chili Johns and I have to pay $ 40.00 for new ghetto airport food. Thanks guys.
Maybe start writing down orders?
Still love the food, but c’mon.

I come here at least once every week or two for hot chili over spaghetti and it’s my favorite. Love this little gem and love the owners! Can’t get a more authentic diner style feel than this place. :)

My friend saw these guys on an episode of Guilty Pleasures earlier in the day this past Friday and decided it was a must-​try for dinner that evening. It was a no-​brainer for me to meet her there after work since it’s so close. Getting there later in the day runs you the risk of missing out on the things that have sold out, but it also meant we got a seat right away at the horseshoe bar.
People trickled in up until the closing hour of 7pm. A good mix of first-​timers and regulars (lots of studio people coming through thanks to the Burbank location). The feeling of being immersed in the day to day of a family-​owned and operated business is not for everyone, but something I quite enjoyed (gotta love Napoleon Dynamite quotes accompanying your service). Almost like chatting with the bartender at your usual haunt, except this bartender is serving up hearty chili and drinks with the best kind of ice in the world — flaked (not crushed as we were used to calling it).
Since they were out of mild, we had no choice but to try the spicy and went for beef (as opposed to chicken). My friend got hers over spaghetti, I got mine over rice, and we both topped them off with cheese, sour cream, and onions. Spicy had the right amount of kick for me and I actually don’t think I would downgrade to mild in the future. A bit on the salty and oily side, but satisfying just the same.
A tip for the future is to order it «dry» so they scoop it with less oil. We found this out later when we were commenting on the amount of liquid in our bowls. They’ll make sure you enjoy what you pay for. We were also told it’s better to stay away on cold, wet days, especially between the hours of 11am and 2pm. Granted, this is when we all want chili, but that’s also why it will be extra hard for you to get what you came for.
Despite it being so late in the day, we lucked into there being some lemon pie left and got to eat it right out of the tin, extra graham and all.
Though the price tag is a little steep, I’m definitely planning on making numerous return trips. It’s a fun dining experience if you enjoy a little banter with the staff and a yummy meal that keeps you full for the long haul.

I had the vegetarian chili with spaghetti and beans. This was the most flavorless meal I ever had. The spaghetti was mush from sitting in water, the beans were soft but tasteless, and the so called vegetarian chili was nothing more than boiled bulgur wheat. The most flavorful part of the meal was the small cup of sour cream. Even the small cup of shredded cheese was bland. If you are looking for vegetarian chili, this isn’t the place. If the server calls another customer «boss man» or «boss lady», I’ll scream. I think the regulars who eat there have had their taste buds removed. $ 9.25 for a bowl of mush. Save your time and money.

I guess you’d call this grub. I had chili and beans over spaghetti with cheese, chopped onions and sour cream. It was good. The bottom of my bowl had a ¼ cup or so of red oil. They say their clientele is mostly men and I wonder if this is why? Reminds me of something out of the 1940’s. It was a neat experience. I’ll go back. Mostly men, eh? :D

I’ve eaten here before and enjoyed it, I enjoy the food and how historical and old school it is. It’s a taste of another time, and that is worthwhile. But. Oh man.
The people who run it, the family, just dngaf. They don’t have to, sure, but it was unnecessary to ruin a lunch date with a strained friend. We arrived on my lunch hour. Sat. Sat some more. Were not acknowledged, made eye contact with, helped in any way.
It’s been cold, so it was full. People around us were helped, we were ignored. We tried to shout someone down, no luck. And after sitting, watching, sitting, watching, and not being helped in any way … we left. We got there about 1:20, left at 1:40. 20 some odd minutes + 20 mins travel = I was out of lunch hour. There was no where else we could’ve gone, and we bickered. As we left, they yelled «have a nice day.» Thanks for finally talking to us! We didn’t.
It’s not that Chili John’s cost me a friendship today, the friendship was on shaky ground. But it didn’t help rekindle it. It didn’t offer even the minimum of service. So I can’t say how good their food was today, they didn’t bother to let us eat there.
One star.

The colder and wetter the day, the earlier you need to be there! Seriously. This place is insane on cold busy days and if there is an open seat they’ll ask you to slide down to fit them in as the wall is lined w waiting patrons.
The colder and wetter the day also makes the chili taste much better and will warm you for hours.
The menu is limited, but full of flavor.
My Fav that I call the «Bowl of Death»:
2 tamales in the bottom of a super bowl of chili w beans and spaghetti topped with onions, cheese and oyster crackers! YUM!

Chili John’s is a mainstay of the Hollywood Studio system. …At least the Hollywood Studios located in the Valley. :-) No, not the Hollywood of Glitz and Glam but the Hollywood of the Gaffers and the Grips, for they, along with the other working class stiffs, are the ones who frequent this establishment.
Chili John’s is, as the name implies, a restaurant that revolves around Chili. Yes, yes, they have some other stuff, but chili is the reason to go here for it is very-​very good. They serve it hot and medium; i.e.: (spicy and not so spicy) so you can choose your poison according to your own personal taste buds but either way it is good.
I have been coming here for well over two-​decades and it has never changed. It is like stepping back in time for it is ALL the same. There is the central circular counter, flaked by stools, the chili brewing in the center, and that is that. I love a place that holds onto its tradition! Aside from finally adding a vegetarian blend somewhere along the way, this place is the same as when it opened.
If you want to have a true Americana (chili-​based) eating experience, this is the place to go. How many restaurants devoted to chili do you even know?
It’s a fun and tasty place to eat.
Recommended!

I have been going to this restaurant for 30 years and always get the same thing but, something has changed starting two years ago they stopped putting lemons or even having lemons for your ice tea. Then, they change from the great snappy hotdogs to, I believe Costco hotdogs with no casing. I went there yesterday and they were out of beans and out of tamales which, you kind of need beans to go with your chili. The owner suggested that I call ahead to make sure that everything is in stock. Also they’re fabulous lemon pie has gone flat and not fluffy and yummy like it used to be. The owner complained that the price of beans has skyrocketed. She also mentioned that unless she has five friends to help her make tamales that there would be no tamales for three days. I was so angry I wanted to walk out and I am sorry I did not!

I didn’t grew up in the U.S., and consequently, I didn’t grow up eating chili. Nevertheless, I love eating chili and I order it wherever it is available
I was staying in Burbank for a few days and I happened to watch an episode of Diners, Drive-​ins and Dives, a Food Network show. The episode featured Chili John’s, and I immediately decided to give it a try.
Unfortunately, the chili was awful. It completely lacked flavor and all I could taste was salt and grease. I don’t mind greasy food. In fact, I like it. But eating grease by the spoonful is just disgusting.
I added beans, onions, and cheese. Nothing helped. It was bland and greasy. Then I added their oyster crackers, which helped soak up some of the grease, but not enough. And I shouldn’t have to add so many crackers to the chili just to soak up the grease and allow me to taste the actual chili.
Also, the place doesn’t have tables; just a large U-​shaped bar. There was no menu, so I asked the lady what they had available and then proceeded to order. All this happened while everyone in the U-​shaped bar was quietly staring at us. A little awkward.
It was $ 10 for the bowl of chili. That’s way too high. Not only is it easy to make at home, but you can get a decent cup of chili from Wendy’s or Burger King for a fourth of the price.

SO GOOD! For chili, not cheap but SO GOOD!
This place is an institution. It’s a piece of LA history and a must experience if you are an Angeleno or even visiting Los Angeles.
I learned about it through reading a review b Jonathan Gold and then I saw it featured on Diners, Drive-​Ins and Dives.
You can have your chili over spaghetti, rice or tamale. You can get chicken or beef, spicy or regular.
Beans, cheese, onions are all extras/​options. I went with the spicy beef with beans over spaghetti for my first time. I did’t want the cheese and onions to take away any of the purity of the flavor as I really wanted to know what this chili recipe that have lasted over many, many decades was all about.
IT’S ABOUT GREATNESS is what it’s about. It’s meaty, it’s greasy, it’s spicy, it’s heavenly.
This is food for everyone well for all those that eat meat and like their comfort foods.
Grab a bowl and taste the joy!

My family and I come here every week. It’s ALL good!!! The people that work here make you feel right at home. The smells remind you of love and full bellies on a rainy day. The tastes!!!
Like sunshine and world peace! Come here when you’re hungry or when you need a food-​hug.

Having been forewarned by some of the less than stellar reviews, I came to John’s without any great expectations. Boy was I glad I did!
At least I can say, «been there, done that.»
As previously mentioned, the place is kind of messy. They don’t actually have busboys, the waitress more or less just wipes down the counter from the previous diner with a rag from under the counter. Then without even a rinse of the hands, she’s off to ladling your chili into bowls full of over steamed tamales. What a hot mess, no pun intended.
I tried the beef, chicken, and hot chili and wasn’t impressed at all. Heck, the offerings at our yearly chili cook off were far superior and none of those had a hair in the bowl that matched the length and color of our waitress’.
I get the whole greasy spoon vibe, but not at these prices or lack of taste. I won’t be coming back.

Grew up HATING Chili. My mother would always have to prepare me something on the nights rest of the family had chili.
I decided to try this place after hearing all the talk and I have to say, I loved their chili.
I had the spicy chili over rice. NO BEANS… which is not spicy to me-​perfect!
I am use to more of a soupy like chili than such a thick style; this is like the kind you would put on a chili dog.
I just wish they would toss out some cornbread. Non the less I’ll go back. I was allowed to taste the chicken chili, yep a keeper as well.

This was my third visit to Chili John’s.
It is consistently very fine chili — rich, oily, dark, and meaty. This is chili like you got in Cincinnati that one time, minus the heartburn. The menu is simple: chili (beef, chicken, or vegetarian), mild, medium, or spicy, with optional rice/​beans/​spaghetti. You can get a chili dog, too. You can customize your order here to get it just how you like it.
The restaurant itself has a certain throwback appeal: a horseshoe counter with the pots of chili in the middle, a great old mural on one wall, ineffective air conditioning (hey, we all used to just coexist with the heat instead of turning every building into a freezer compartment), and friendly, talkative waitstaff. Don’t forget to get a piece of icebox pineapple pie like your great aunties used to make (a small piece, but really it’s all you need).
I’m tempted to knock off a star because it IS quite expensive. Our lunch was $ 25: a regular size chili and spaghetti and beans, a chili dog, and we split a piece of pie. Honestly, it’s the only thing I wish they would change, and I think that might be asking too much for them to run this business just as it is AND have it be a bargain to boot. For me it will have to just be an occasional treat.

If you’re in Burbank, looking for a bowl of chili, this place will hit the spot. Not the best chili I’ve ever had, but hey, nothing beats the chili you grew up eating. My friend and I were running errands in Burbank and wanted to get something quick and inexpensive for lunch, couldn’t agree on anything, and then happened to pass by Chili John’s and decided to stop. I heard it had been on «Diners Drive-​Ins and Dives» so figured it would be good.
There was only one other person in the restaurant — and by restaurant I mean old 50’s style counter (there is no other seating besides the counter). The one guy we saw working there was nice. He asked us what we wanted and then opened a cauldron of prepared chili, poured some in a couple bowls and served it. Can’t beat that for speed. There was a small container of diced onion on the table along with a few spicy peppers and you could help yourself. My friend also got it with cheese and sour cream.
My only negative was that they didn’t serve alcohol, so I couldn’t get a beer with my chili.
Altogether, Chili John’s was good, cheap, quick, and we both finished our bowls.

A coworker recommended this place so we went to check it out. It’s an old school diner with bar seating. Apparently Guy Fieri loves this place, but he seems like the type of dude who will eat anything.
I ordered the spicy beef chili. They give you cheddar cheese and sour cream on the side. I’ve never had sour cream with chili, but it was an awesome combination. They also have chopped onions, pepperoncinis, and oyster crackers that you can add in for free. In my opinion, the chili wasn’t anything special. It was way too oily for my taste. Also the beef was finely ground, whereas I prefer chunkier meats in my chili. The spicy beef chili did have a nice kick to it though.
A few of my coworkers ordered the lemon pie for dessert and they all said that it was amazing. I will definitely have to try that next time.
Despite the lunch rush, the service was excellent. The wait staff is super friendly and really makes you feel at home when you’re dining.
I really have nothing against this place. The staff is awesome and I love the old school diner feel, but I just wasn’t a huge fan of the chili.

Ever since seeing this place on numerous food shows, I’ve been intrigued on trying it out. I am a big fan of Chili and knowing that this place specializes in Chili made my mouth water and my stomach growl.
Side note, the original Chili John’s opened in Green Bay, WI in 1913 and this location opened in 1946 (which I believe is the oldest restaurant/​building in Burbank).
The atmosphere of the place is of an old diner, with a U-​shaped counter in the middle of the place where patrons sit around while in the inside of the U is where the Chili is served.
My favorite is the Hot Chili with crackers, cheese, and onions. The spices in this chili are amazing. It will clear you sinuses, but it won’t overpower the entire thing. You can actually taste most of the seasonings and the beef.
I also like their chili dogs (nice snap on the dogs) topped with cheese and onions.
The only thing I can say that’s weird is their summer hours. Be sure you call or make sure they’re open, as since this is an old building, I believe it gets too hot to cook in during the summer and their hours are irratic.