Chili John's
Restaurant in Burbank, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chili John's is a restaurant that originated in Green Bay, Wisconsin, opening in 1913. A second restaurant was opened in Burbank, California, in 1946.[1] The Burbank location, which remains the only operating branch, has become a local landmark recognised for its distinctive U-shaped counter, mountain lake mural, and long-standing chili recipe dating back to the early 1900s. The restaurant has appeared in numerous films and television series and is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Burbank.[2]
| Chili John's | |
|---|---|
Chili John's in Burbank, California | |
 Interactive map of Chili John's | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1913 (Green Bay); 1946 (Burbank) |
| Owner | Loguercio family |
| Previous owner(s) | John Isaac; Ernie Isaac; Gene Loguercio |
| Food type | Chili parlor (Southwestern chili; often served over spaghetti) |
| Location | Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°10′48″N 118°20′1″W |
History
Lithuanian immigrant John Isaac began serving Southwestern chili at his Green Bay bar in 1900.[3] Thirteen years later, the chili grew so popular that he renamed the establishment "Chili John's". The chili is most commonly served over spaghetti with oyster crackers and/or shredded cheese, though it can be ordered in a number of other ways as well.[4]
His son Ernie moved to Los Angeles and launched Chili John's of California in 1946, installing the U-shaped counter[5] and, since he was an avid fisherman, painted the mountain lake mural. For the past 20 years, the Loguercio family has owned Chili John's.[6] The former owner Gene died in April 2009, and his wife Debbie has carried on with their sons Anthony and Alec.[7]
The Green Bay location closed in 2020.[8]
In 2025, Chili John’s faced renewed financial difficulties due to declining customer turnout and reduced film production activity in the Burbank area.[9] To help sustain the restaurant, owners launched a fundraising campaign and opened an adjacent venue, the Taproom at Chili John’s, intending to attract new patrons and preserve the long-standing establishment.[9][1]
Media appearances
The location was used in the TV series I Am the Night Episode 3,[10] The Rookie[4] Season 1 - Episode 3, Big Love[4] Season 2, Episode 8 (Kingdom Come), Mrs. Davis Season 1, Episode 6 (Allison Treasures: A Southern California Story),[11] and in the films Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood, Twin Peaks, and Star Trek.[9]
In 2021, Chili John's was featured in the first episode of Restaurant Recovery, hosted by Todd Graves and featuring Snoop Dogg.[9] The episode has Graves helping Chili John's come back from the "brink of collapse" as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns in Southern California.[12]
See also
- Cincinnati chili, similar to this restaurant's signature dish, but developed independently