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== History == |
== History == |
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Lithuanian immigrant John Isaac began serving Southwestern chili at his [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] bar in 1900. 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. |
Lithuanian immigrant John Isaac began serving Southwestern chili at his [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] bar in 1900. 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. |
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His son Ernie moved to [[Los Angeles]] and launched Chili John’s of California in 1946, installing the U-shaped counter<ref>{{cite web |last1=Addison |first1=Bill |last2=Breijo |first2=Stephanie |last3=Harris |first3=Jenn |title=The 25 best classic diners in Los Angeles |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/list/best-classic-diners-in-los-angeles |website=Los Angeles Times |date=2022-05-22 |access-date=2025-10-22 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=”Chilijohn” /> The former owner Gene died in April 2009, and his wife Debbie has carried on with their sons Anthony and Alec. |
His son Ernie moved to [[Los Angeles]] and launched Chili John’s of California in 1946, installing the U-shaped counter<ref>{{cite web |last1=Addison |first1=Bill |last2=Breijo |first2=Stephanie |last3=Harris |first3=Jenn |title=The 25 best classic diners in Los Angeles |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/list/best-classic-diners-in-los-angeles |website=Los Angeles Times |date=2022-05-22 |access-date=2025-10-22 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=”Chilijohn” /> The former owner Gene died in April 2009, and his wife Debbie has carried on with their sons Anthony and Alec. |
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Latest revision as of 18:36, 22 October 2025
Restaurant in Burbank, California
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. 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.[1]
Lithuanian immigrant John Isaac began serving Southwestern chili at his Green Bay bar in 1900.[2] 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.
His son Ernie moved to Los Angeles and launched Chili John’s of California in 1946, installing the U-shaped counter[3] 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.[4] The former owner Gene died in April 2009, and his wife Debbie has carried on with their sons Anthony and Alec.
The Green Bay location closed in 2020.[5]
In 2025, Chili John’s faced renewed financial difficulties due to declining customer turnout and reduced film production activity in the Burbank area.[6] 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.[6][7]
The location was used in the TV series I Am the Night Episode 3,[8] The Rookie[9] Season 1 – Episode 3, Big Love[9] Season 2, Episode 8 (Kingdom Come), Mrs. Davis Season 1, Episode 6 (Allison Treasures: A Southern California Story),[10] and in the films Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, Twin Peaks, and Star Trek.[6]
In 2021, Chili John’s was featured in the first episode of Restaurant Recovery, hosted by Todd Graves and featuring Snoop Dogg.[6] 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.[11]
- Cincinnati chili, similar to this restaurant’s signature dish, but developed independently
- ^ Carroll, Tom; Castillo, Rebecca (May 28, 2025). “Historic Chili John’s looks towards the future”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Brooker, Heather (March 21, 2025). “Chili John’s in Burbank Might Close Down After 79 Years”. KFI AM 640. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Addison, Bill; Breijo, Stephanie; Harris, Jenn (May 22, 2022). “The 25 best classic diners in Los Angeles”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ “On the Grid: Chili John’s”. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ “Chili John’s to close after decades in Green Bay”. wearegreenbay.com.
- ^ a b c d Breijo, Stephanie (March 21, 2025). “One of L.A.’s oldest restaurants is at risk of closing. Could a new bar save it?”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Jamerson, Mogan (June 7, 2025). “Historic Burbank chili joint tries to avoid ‘slow, painful death’“. KCRW. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian (February 11, 2019). “‘I Am the Night’ Recap: Touch of Evil”. Vulture. New York. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Palmer, Karen (February 16, 2024). “Walt Disney himself loved this legendary California restaurant”. SFGATE. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Hough, Q. V. (April 22, 2023). “Soundtracks of Television: ‘Mrs. Davis’“. Vague Visages. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ Cahn, Lauren (March 24, 2021). “Everything You Need To Know About Restaurant Recovery”. Mashed. Static Media. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
