Chili John's of CA
Diner · Northwest District ·
Retro diner serving Texas-style chili since 1946
Retro diner serving Texas-style chili since 1946
"Sit down at this delightfully retro diner for some of the best chili in probably all of California. Chili John's is the oldest restaurant in Burbank, opening with its u-shaped counter in 1946 at the height of Burbank's top secret aviation era. Early chili patrons were the first aerospace engineers working for Lockheed Martin, located nearby at the time. For the past 20 years, the Loguercio family has owned Chili John’s. Debbie and her son Anthony are two of the nicest people you may meet in Burbank. Have your chili over spaghetti, mild or flaming hot and don't forget the fixin's or pineapple pie for dessert." - Jennifer Beatty
"A long-running Burbank restaurant, open since 1946, is at risk of closing; owner Steve Hager said business has been down to about 20 percent of pre-pandemic sales. The chili is based on founder John Isaac’s 130-year-old recipe, originally from his Green Bay, Wisconsin restaurant." - Matthew Kang
"Despite all the studios and chains out here, Burbank is still a small town filled with lovable and strange little restaurants. One of those places is Chili John’s. This diner on Burbank Blvd. has a mountain mural on the walls, a chatty crowd of people who live nearby, and pretty fantastic Texas-style chili. Of the different chili options on the menu, we like the spiciest version of the original beef that’s served on top of rice and beans with plenty of sour cream and a drizzle of apple cider vinegar on top. Save room for lemon cream pie for dessert." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"Chili John's, Burbank. Sit down at this delightfully retro diner for some of the best chili in probably all of California. Chili John's is the oldest restaurant in Burbank, opening with its u-shaped counter in 1946 at the height of Burbank's top secret aviation era. Early chili patrons were the first aerospace engineers working for Lockheed Martin, located nearby at the time. For the past 20 years, the Loguercio family has owned Chili John’s. Debbie and her son Anthony are two of the nicest people you may meet in Burbank. Have your chili over spaghetti, mild or flaming hot and don't forget the fixin's or pineapple pie for dessert."
"You could easily pretend you’re in Montana at Chili John’s, where the interior is covered in murals of mountains. But you’re in Burbank, sitting at a counter, staring down vats of chili and trying to figure out which one you’re going to eat. First-timers should go for the original beef on rice and beans, hot, with all the fixings (including oyster crackers and a drizzle of apple cider vinegar.) It’s good chili, but you’re really at Chili John’s to chat up whoever is inside, like the couple having lunch who’ll tell you to be brave and get the hot-but-manageable spice level, a guy behind the counter talking about his recent trip to Louisiana, and the teenaged server who will nod seriously when you ask if you should get the lemon cream pie." - Jess Basser Sanders
