Chili John’s on West Burbank Boulevard has been a Southern California institution since 1946, serving the Green Bay-style chili that owner John Isaac brought from Wisconsin — a distinctive, bean-free chili with a rich, deeply spiced beef sauce that has been ladled over spaghetti or crackers at this Burbank counter for nearly 80 years. It appeared in Season 17, Episode 2 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Chicken, Chili and Chowder,” which aired April 29, 2013. Guy Fieri found a Burbank chili institution doing things the same way they have been done since Harry Truman was president — and proving that a single great dish done exceptionally well is all a restaurant needs.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Chili John’s
City: Burbank, California
Cuisine: American / Chili / Diner Fare
DDD Season: 17
DDD Episode: 2
Episode Title: Chicken, Chili and Chowder
Original Air Date: April 29, 2013
Address: 2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506
Phone: 818-846-3611
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ChiliJohns/
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Chili Over Spaghetti — the house signature, a deeply spiced beef chili in the Green Bay tradition ladled over a bed of spaghetti — is the dish that has been keeping Burbank coming back since 1946. The Chili Over Crackers is the other classic format that regulars rotate between. The Chili Dog with the house chili over an all-beef hot dog is the third format that completes the Chili John’s menu. The Tamales, a Southern California diner staple, are the side worth adding alongside. Check the Facebook page for current hours and any seasonal updates. Find a Los Angeles area hotel on Travelocity.
Plan Your Visit
Check Facebook for current hours. Chili John’s has been open since 1946 — it is one of the oldest chili restaurants in California.
Address: 2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506
Phone: 818-846-3611
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ChiliJohns/
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Chicken, Chili and Chowder episode on Amazon. Chili John’s has been open since 1946 and is one of California’s great diner landmarks.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Chili John’s appeared in Season 17, Episode 2 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Chicken, Chili and Chowder,” originally aired April 29, 2013. The restaurant has been open in Burbank since 1946.