The Munch Box

It was ok, I won’t be going back any time soon.

I was in Chatsworth and looked on Unilocal for a good lunch spot. The Munch Box came up and the reviews were mainly positive, raving about the Hickory burger and how you «gotta try» the chili cheese fries. Some lady added in her review that they are cash only (thanks for the tip!) so I hit the ATM and went over. I ordered the Hickory burger with cheese, grilled onions and everything that comes on it (pickles, tomato, chili), chili cheese fries and a soda. Cost $ 10.24. I’m a bit of a foodie, so you locals and fans please don’t take offense — this burger is not special. It’s not even good, it’s edible. The patty is a thin little wafer of previously frozen meat purchased from the lowest bidder, which you can barely taste buried within under-​seasoned chili that’s more like brown lard sauce. If the patty is «smoked» which costs the extra .10 cents more than a regular cheeseburger (hence the «hickory» moniker) I wouldn’t know it. Thank goodness for the tomato and pickle to add some diversity! The fries are also previously frozen little strings that when topped with the tasteless chili and imitation cheese is just a gooey mess. I’m all for a gooey mess of a burger or side dish, but it should taste GOOD! I had to add salt to make it have some taste. The best part of the meal?- the frosty Coke I washed it down with. Okay, so it’s a landmark — I went there and experienced it. I threw in an extra star because the service was great. Would I go back? Nope.

To be clear, this rating is for their Chili Cheese Fries. Sure I’ve had other things on their menu, but honestly, just stick to with this and you won’t regret it. That’s all for this review. Thank you and have a blessed day.

Ive been here a lot of times. The chili and cheese here have been tasting different for a while now. Does not taste nearly as good. Quality went down but it is still decent.

You like chili? You like burgers? Well this place is just for you! I ordered a plain burger with chili cheese fries and I dumped the fries in my burger! It was delicious and very fulfilling. If you want a quick bite to eat and aren’t looking for the glory in the ambiance then stop by here, prices are decent and you will not be disappointed. Only gave it 4 stars because I live by The Hat and I think their chili is the BEST, hard to beat but Munchbox comes pretty close.

Best chili in town!!! Finally I have found a place in the valley. I arrived just in time, 30min before closing. The 2 guys working there were very friendly. My chili cheese fries were perfection and the hickory chili burger was so tasty. No heartburn at all. Just a happy belly :) I will def be coming back. i wanna try a chili dog. Wish they were open for dinner thou, o wellz. Lunch will do!

Probably the best chili burger in the entire San Fernando Valley. It’s worth the drive to Chatsworth. The original building is so retro, it’s been declared a California landmark. The wind was so strong today, I had to hold down my food. There’s no wind that’s going to steal my joy of a Munch Box Burger.

Probably the best chili burger in the entire San Fernando Valley. It’s worth the drive to Chatsworth. The original building is so retro, it’s been declared a California landmark. The wind was so strong today, I had to hold down my food. There’s no wind that’s going to steal my joy of a Munch Box B…

I have been coming here since 1986. I may have been born just that year but the Munchbox has been a staple in my family. If you know the history this place has been a landmark for years. Greasy, fatty, all American! You really have to appreciate the history to love this place. Family owned and one of the few havens left in the LA area. My go to: Double Hick Fries and a root beer. Can’t go wrong.
3÷19÷16 Wow. Wrote that post a while ago. Just had a chance to talk to the owner today and realized I’ve been coming here for nearly 30 years. Never gets old.

With a business name more appropriate for a risqué strip club, The Munch Box has the ideal name for a business in the porn-​influenced San Fernando Valley. Thankfully, the food is also much better than a strip joint.
The «hickory burger» wasn’t big and meaty with wafer-​thin meat that was lost among the other ingredients, but it didn’t matter that much. The food isn’t about stellar ingredients, but using the right combination of flavors. The little bit of meat combined nicely with the mild chili, diced sautéed onions, tomato slice, and occasional pickle chip to create a harmonious flavor profile. This burger showed that the sum of the ingredients can be greater than its individual parts.
The «eastern dog» was simpler than the burger with merely sauerkraut and mustard on a beefy tasting dog. Like the burger, there were no off-​putting flavors like with frozen meats.
The fries were a happy surprise — both for their thin, crispness and the price. $ 2 buys a lunch bag of fries. It’s too many fries for one person, so only order when sharing. The entire meal was very affordable.
Granted, not a high score, but please come here. It’s the only way to keep the past alive. The location is old fashioned, but that’s the point. The food is old fashioned, but that’s the point. And what’s this trip back in time going to cost you? Not the price of going to an old school steakhouse where they still have segregated seating practices like at Mastro’s and Taylor’s.
So when your kids are screaming for another fatal dose at a fast food chain, bring them here. Unlike the inedible stuff at McDonald’s, I actually liked eating the food here.

I’m in town for work and this place we recommended by several people… I went yesterday and realized they closed at 5pm so I made it a point to leave early to make it there at 450pm today. Unfortunately the guys there tonight told me that they had already turned everything off and weren’t taking customers. I was very disappointed that they say they close at 5pm but apparently that means they close whenever they want!

3 stars…
Got a recommendation to try this place while eating at another landmark, so we had to give it a whirl…
Ordered the hickory burger with cheese. It comes with chili, pickle, tomato, and onions, which I preferred grilled. It was slightly smokier than the traditional burger, and the chili was not over powering. I also sampled the fries which were thin, crispy, and plentiful… just the way we like them!
Ambiance is park bench food truck, and price is slightly above expectations, but still ok.
In SoCal every burger is judged against In n out, and this one comes close, but still falls short. I give it points for its landmark status, and will eat here occasionally, but at first bite this joint does not make the list.

My All Time Favorite! I just started Unilocaling but couldn’t let this go without giving a review!
I’ve been going here all my life and the best things is… it has never changed! It is as perfect as I remember as a kid. Now maybe I am a little biased and nostalgic when it comes to this place but I remember Saving up my 5 quarters (that’s a dollar and twenty five cents for those mathematically challenged) and just couldn’t wait to go get my burger on my mongoose bicycle.
Sometimes, since I went there all the time and was a kid, the owner (I believe his
name was Jason, I could be wrong it was a long time ago), would give me some fries on the house.
Still to this day it is one of my all time favorites and I always take family from out
of town there to experience the BOX! They LOVE it too!
When they were going to tear it down for a strip mall as I understood it, I was devastated! So glad Chatsworth voted it a local landmark and it stayed! If it would have gone so would have Chatsworth!
Just a great burger place and so perfect!
Please try it, you’ll love it!

12÷18÷15: I was in the area. I’ve been here once before. If you like the truck style food then this is the place for you. The Munch Box has been here for a long time and is one of Chatsworth’s landmarks. I had the Hickory Burger w/​o cheese. Loads of flavor in the burger and it almost taste like a Chili Dog but burger style. I thought the fries could be better. Over all, it was good.

If you have never been to the Munch Box, stop reading this and go, now. You can thank me later!
Did you know this place is a historical landmark? Probably because their food is the best! I don’t care if Chili upsets your stomach or your not a burger person, once you’ve tried their food you’ll be hooked. Chili cheese dogs, Chili cheese burgers and chili cheese fries –Oh My! Sure you can get everything without the chili too but why on earth would you do that?
They have a 5 star chili cheese burger and I’m literally kicking myself for moving 400 miles away from here. Can’t wait to be home for Christmas and grab some Munch Box! Our family has been coming here for YEARS and we never get tired of it.
This place is sooooo good. You have to try it!
I wish they would franchise, I’d buy one in a minute!
Go Go Go and don’t forget to check their hours! :)

Great place! Historical landmark!
Cash only!
Friendly staff, food made fast, lots of outside seating, and delicious! ;)

I really only have one complaint for The Munch Box and that is that I wish it was open for dinner. There have been so many times that I wanted some of their amazing chili only to realize that they were closed. Drat!
But seriously. The Munch Box is a local institution. If you are anywhere near here, you have to stop by for a bite. You won’t regret it as the chili is amazing as are the fries and burgers. And when you combine the chili with anything… it’s a little bite or heaven. Get the hickory burger. You’ll know what I’m talking about.
Throw in great customer service and fast turn around, and you’ve really got it all.

Drove over 100 miles from Rialto to visit this place that I’ve heard about so much… well worth the drive. I had the Mushroom Burger and Chilli Fries and my wife had the Hickory Burger and Chilli Fries with a Root Beer Float. Great food, great service and for the place being packed we got our food in a short amount of time. We’ll definitely be making this one of our Saturday drive spots. Wish they were open a little later but whatever… their great burgers and their awesome chilli makes it worth it.

Iconic old time favorite! Love the chilli cheese burger! Regular or chilli fries are delicious! Can’t go wrong with everyone’s favorite the Hickory burger!
Fast friendly service.
You eat outside on a picnic bench.
You won’t be disappointed here! Great greasy spoon!
Only bummer here is it’s not open Sundays!

It’s one of those places that I’ve driven past a thousand times and finally came here for lunch with some friends. Glad I did. Much like a shark makes a discovery bite of it’s victims before going full-​force with the mayhem, I started easy. I ordered two hot dogs with mustard, onions, and sauerkraut. One twist here is that they slightly grill the sauerkraut! I didn’t know that before I ordered but when I tried it, I liked it. They are similar to Carney’s in Studio City and are very tasty. I wouldn’t compare them to Pink’s but they are one of the best greasy spoons in the area. Pricing was good and won’t break the bank. I don’t know how much our total meal was cause my buddy treated me!
After I destroyed the two dogs I bought, I was recommended the burgers because Munch is known for it’s burgers. Next time, I’m gonna open up on them.
Keep in mind that this is a shack so it doesn’t have a dining room. You’ll sit on community picnic tables so please, no whining about that when you come here. There is plenty of parking on the street and the private lot so no worries there. You will order and sit outside so if it’s raining, you need to get under the sheltered eating areas on either side of the building.