Let's come to Burbank's oldest continuously operating restaurant for their chili recipe.
I had: 1. Chicken tenders and fries 2. Chili spaghetti and beans with oyster crackers - it's sooo spicy! 3. Chili hot dog 4. Soda 5. Lemon pie
Isabelle
Oh man I hate to negatively review an institution like Chili John’s but the entire experience left a lot of be desired and … a massive stomach ache.
Firstly, there is mold on the top of the ceiling. Black mold at that.
My stomach has been churning like butter since I ate here. The chili was mostly grease with some meat.
The sloppy John was just grease, sincerely.
If you want indigestion / a bad stomach this will do it.
Such a shame cuz it’s an establishment but the quality of food is not it.
The service was remarkably slow as well. At this point it should be dialed in and it took 15/20 minutes to even order a drink.
UPDATED REVIEW:
If it’s not mold but almost looks like it, it should probably be cleaned considering the ceiling is above where people eat.
Cowboy chili is bigger and with beans, it does not mean it’s swimming in a vat of grease.
And further more, a Quick Look on Yelp confirms many people feel this way. I looked up “sick” because of how bad I felt after and found a bunch of reviews stating the same.
I understand the establishment is old but it could use some general hygiene / cleanup.
Alix Roussel
**O, foul and greasy pit of culinary despair!** What devil’s kitchen hath wrought this sodden mess, Where once I sought the fire of noble spice, But found instead a **swimming pool of oil**, As if Poseidon’s wrath had drowned my meal!
**The meat**, so pale and limp, did shame the cow That gave its life for such a tasteless fate. **The beans**, like pebbles cast upon the shore, Did mock my hunger with their stony bite. And lo! The cheese—nay, **’twas but a ghost of cheese**, A spectral film that melted into naught But slick, ungodly sludge atop the tide.
**The heat? A lie!** No dragon’s breath was here, But feeble whispers of a timid pepper, As though the cook did fear the very spice That gives the dish its name and rightful soul.
**O, treacherous bowl!** Why dost thou tempt mine eyes With promises of bold and savory joy, Only to drown my hopes in oily woe? I’d sooner sup with **Falstaff in a tavern** Or gnaw on **Caesar’s lean and hungry crust** Than bear again this **soulless, greasy curse**.
**One star**—nay, half!—and even that’s too kind. Avoid, good folk, lest ye too weep in grease.
**—Yours in culinary tragedy,**
A M
I had been told of this place being in trouble of closing due to a loss of customers from the local area. It has some historical significance, as the oldest restaurant in Burbank, has been used as a movie or TV location and their Chili recipe has been around since the 1880s.
Interesting small place with a horseshoe seating area with fixed, raised stools and a hot center island used for food serving. (A small table was pushed to the very front, with 2 or 3 chairs.)
Service was friendly, where I was greeted by 3 or 4 employees as they exited the hanging cloth partition leading to the kitchen. After a chance to view the menu, being my first time here, I ordered the lunch special: hot (spicy) Beef Chili on Spaghetti with cheese and onions, a bag of Lay's chips and a bottle of cane sugar Dr Pepper. After many minutes of waiting after taking my order, the server assembled my order from the center island.
Chili was a fine grind with a little less kick than I expected for a hot chili, no beans but there are hot sauces available... but you have to ask. I found this out AFTER I'd finished my meal. Of course, I had to have a slice of their ice box line pie... which I needed to wait for as they were making the whipped creme. Super Fresh!
Well, O spent a pleasant hour and a half at this iconic place in Burbank, tried their Chili, ate their pie and drank their bottle of cane sugar Dr. Pepper. I sat on their well worn stool and was the first and only customer for maybe 40 minutes; another 2 people sat at the table and 1 person came in as I was going out the door. This probably will be my last visit here ... abd I wish them luck.
Daniel Morris
A 100 year old historic restaurant. It's like going back in time.
stephen baik
Chili is good. Their hot dog is delicious. Atmosphere is going back in time, I loved it.
Zsa Zsa
I really enjoyed the service. The waitress was prompt and has great work ethic. She seemed as though she enjoys her job which makes it feel like a homely atmosphere. The management seemed very involved and attentive. I really loved the flavor of the chili dog was absolutely delicious. The lemon and pineapple pies did not disappoint. I can’t wait to go to the Tap room and try their Bunny with a chainsaw beer.
Ruben Arroyo
Very delicious chili, rice and beans! Claudine and her staff were so easy to work with and communication was quick and professional. I was having a hard time finding a chili vendor my wife's baby shower, pregnancy craving, and saw them on LA in a minute just in time to discuss and place my order. Delivery went smooth and my guests were very happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oyster Crackers, Chili John's
Mr J
Ok food but the prices are high and they ask for tips wont go again they prices too high
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog
Joe Espinoza
Family owned and operated. This location offers an incredible chili. The food did not disappoint at all. Had both regular and spicy. SO GOOD.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog, Chili Cheese Burger, Chili John's
Ordered a chili cheese dog not bad but they put the cheese on the bottom under the dog near the bread so you barely taste it, also makes the bread extra greasy. I thought they forgot the cheese at first. Lemon pie saved the day.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Pie
Radhika Chaudhari
The chili is phenomenal – rich, perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of kick to keep you coming back for more. It’s hearty, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The staff here are incredibly friendly, treating everyone like family, which just adds to the charm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jonathan villasenor
I had been wanting to try this spot for some time. Amazing customer service. Best chili dog and fries I've ever had. I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Toby Owen
Can't beat the nostalgia, experience, and food. Everyone needs to try this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog, Tamales, Sloppy John, Oyster Crackers, Fries, Hot Dog, Chili John's, Chili Cheese Fries
Peachy Keen
Great service. Chili was greasy. My guy enjoyed the German dog.
Let's come to Burbank's oldest continuously operating restaurant for their chili recipe.
I had:
1. Chicken tenders and fries
2. Chili spaghetti and beans with oyster crackers - it's sooo spicy!
3. Chili hot dog
4. Soda
5. Lemon pie
Oh man I hate to negatively review an institution like Chili John’s but the entire experience left a lot of be desired and … a massive stomach ache.
Firstly, there is mold on the top of the ceiling. Black mold at that.
My stomach has been churning like butter since I ate here. The chili was mostly grease with some meat.
The sloppy John was just grease, sincerely.
If you want indigestion / a bad stomach this will do it.
Such a shame cuz it’s an establishment but the quality of food is not it.
The service was remarkably slow as well. At this point it should be dialed in and it took 15/20 minutes to even order a drink.
UPDATED REVIEW:
If it’s not mold but almost looks like it, it should probably be cleaned considering the ceiling is above where people eat.
Cowboy chili is bigger and with beans, it does not mean it’s swimming in a vat of grease.
And further more, a Quick Look on Yelp confirms many people feel this way. I looked up “sick” because of how bad I felt after and found a bunch of reviews stating the same.
I understand the establishment is old but it could use some general hygiene / cleanup.
**O, foul and greasy pit of culinary despair!**
What devil’s kitchen hath wrought this sodden mess,
Where once I sought the fire of noble spice,
But found instead a **swimming pool of oil**,
As if Poseidon’s wrath had drowned my meal!
**The meat**, so pale and limp, did shame the cow
That gave its life for such a tasteless fate.
**The beans**, like pebbles cast upon the shore,
Did mock my hunger with their stony bite.
And lo! The cheese—nay, **’twas but a ghost of cheese**,
A spectral film that melted into naught
But slick, ungodly sludge atop the tide.
**The heat? A lie!** No dragon’s breath was here,
But feeble whispers of a timid pepper,
As though the cook did fear the very spice
That gives the dish its name and rightful soul.
**O, treacherous bowl!** Why dost thou tempt mine eyes
With promises of bold and savory joy,
Only to drown my hopes in oily woe?
I’d sooner sup with **Falstaff in a tavern**
Or gnaw on **Caesar’s lean and hungry crust**
Than bear again this **soulless, greasy curse**.
**One star**—nay, half!—and even that’s too kind.
Avoid, good folk, lest ye too weep in grease.
**—Yours in culinary tragedy,**
I had been told of this place being in trouble of closing due to a loss of customers from the local area. It has some historical significance, as the oldest restaurant in Burbank, has been used as a movie or TV location and their Chili recipe has been around since the 1880s.
Interesting small place with a horseshoe seating area with fixed, raised stools and a hot center island used for food serving. (A small table was pushed to the very front, with 2 or 3 chairs.)
Service was friendly, where I was greeted by 3 or 4 employees as they exited the hanging cloth partition leading to the kitchen. After a chance to view the menu, being my first time here, I ordered the lunch special: hot (spicy) Beef Chili on Spaghetti with cheese and onions, a bag of Lay's chips and a bottle of cane sugar Dr Pepper. After many minutes of waiting after taking my order, the server assembled my order from the center island.
Chili was a fine grind with a little less kick than I expected for a hot chili, no beans but there are hot sauces available... but you have to ask. I found this out AFTER I'd finished my meal. Of course, I had to have a slice of their ice box line pie... which I needed to wait for as they were making the whipped creme. Super Fresh!
Well, O spent a pleasant hour and a half at this iconic place in Burbank, tried their Chili, ate their pie and drank their bottle of cane sugar Dr. Pepper. I sat on their well worn stool and was the first and only customer for maybe 40 minutes; another 2 people sat at the table and 1 person came in as I was going out the door. This probably will be my last visit here ... abd I wish them luck.
A 100 year old historic restaurant. It's like going back in time.
Chili is good. Their hot dog is delicious. Atmosphere is going back in time, I loved it.
I really enjoyed the service. The waitress was prompt and has great work ethic. She seemed as though she enjoys her job which makes it feel like a homely atmosphere. The management seemed very involved and attentive. I really loved the flavor of the chili dog was absolutely delicious. The lemon and pineapple pies did not disappoint. I can’t wait to go to the Tap room and try their Bunny with a chainsaw beer.
Very delicious chili, rice and beans! Claudine and her staff were so easy to work with and communication was quick and professional. I was having a hard time finding a chili vendor my wife's baby shower, pregnancy craving, and saw them on LA in a minute just in time to discuss and place my order. Delivery went smooth and my guests were very happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oyster Crackers, Chili John's
Ok food but the prices are high and they ask for tips wont go again they prices too high
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog
Family owned and operated. This location offers an incredible chili. The food did not disappoint at all. Had both regular and spicy. SO GOOD.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog, Chili Cheese Burger, Chili John's
Restaurantji Recommends
Ordered a chili cheese dog not bad but they put the cheese on the bottom under the dog near the bread so you barely taste it, also makes the bread extra greasy. I thought they forgot the cheese at first. Lemon pie saved the day.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lemon Pie
The chili is phenomenal – rich, perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of kick to keep you coming back for more. It’s hearty, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The staff here are incredibly friendly, treating everyone like family, which just adds to the charm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had been wanting to try this spot for some time. Amazing customer service. Best chili dog and fries I've ever had. I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can't beat the nostalgia, experience, and food. Everyone needs to try this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Chili Dog, Tamales, Sloppy John, Oyster Crackers, Fries, Hot Dog, Chili John's, Chili Cheese Fries
Great service. Chili was greasy. My guy enjoyed the German dog.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
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