I have been going to this joint for 16 years which is nothing since it's Burbank's oldest restaurant and was established in 1900. So often when long-established places age they feel compelled to change things which more often than not ruins them. How many times has a favorite 50s time capsule coffee shop been remodeled to more "contemporary" taste and then suddenly their mojo is lost...not to mention awesome light fixtures. Chili John's clearly does not feel compelled to change things since it's remained almost virtually untouched for at least 15 years. Probably a lot longer. There is, however, a new development that should be welcome news for those living with Celiac disease or trying to live a gluten-free lifestyle. Chili John's now offers RICE with their chili (which has always been gluten free). The rice is not your basic out of the bag rice but a gourmet conglomeration of basamati, white and other mojo described to me in great depth by the in house rice master. To be honest, my eyes glazed over when he went into great detail about sweating fennel and Japanese techniques in his preparation but I don't really care. It's amazing and a great option for people trying to avoid wheat but looking for something to make the chili more hearty. Forever, they've given diners an option of serving their chili it over spaghetti which was not an option for gluten free me. However, this new addition to a very simple, basically unchanged menu is welcome by me and I'm sure a lot of people dining in Burbank or the valley looking for gluten free options. There is beef or chicken chili. The veggie chili is NOT gluten free but they're looking into changing that, too. Don't change too much Chili John's you've been amazing longer than most of Burbank was even there. However, the new gluten free option is well done and perfectly timed. read more

Best ever. If you live in burbank or u visit burbank pls visit this place and do ur self a favor. Spicy delicious and filling

Wow, the reviews of this place really tell the story - you're either going to love it or hate it. I love it. Great spicy beef chili with no beans in it, a comfortable place that has been run by the same family for decades. read more

The place is very old school in appearance. You sit down at the horseshoe shaped bar and order. They were kind enough to give us a sample plate of all the Chilies. The medium chicken was my favorite. Had it on beans and spaghetti with the fixings. It was quality food just be warned (since it's kind of in obscure fine print) the cheese and sour cream are an extra dollar a piece, so kind of pricey. read more

Wife and I ate here today and found it to be very very good overall. We both had spaghetti topped with the chili, diced onions, shredded cheese and sour cream. Both bowls were medium heat. The taste was amazing and the portion was plenty. We both agreed to kick up the heat next time. The service was fast and really friendly as were the few regulars who were there. One negative was the price...not the chili but each portion of shredded cheese and sour cream were $1.00 each adding $4.00 to our bill. They should be free like the oyster crackers and onions. The only other negative was the parking. Only as few spaces in a smsll lot, otherwise...street parking. We will definitely return and recommend it highly if you're in the chili mood and in the area. read more

The very best as far as I am concerned and I have had chili & beans all over the US, including Texas. So far superior to anything else ini California that it is a joke--some really bad chili in the Golden State! read more

My boy say Chili Johns on Food Network, so we made the trip from Inglewood to try it. I have to say this was the best chili I've had. I'll for sure be back read more

I'm here every week. I was never big on chili until I came here. Simply put: great food and great service.

Probably the best chili I've ever had. This place has been around forever and it totally adds to the ambiance. It's a classic diner with the best choice for dinner. The service was beyond exceptional! When we entered we were greeted and offered a sample of the three chilis flavors. The service was prompt, friendly, and welcoming. It was an all around great experience. Will definitely be back! read more

The Chile is very good, but the portions are a little sketchy, as I watched a "regular come in and ordered the same thing I did and got more Chile,like double" so the price is up there and it's suet,beef and spices make a great not good for u Chile. I will come back because the shit is really good and it tastes great read more

I drive almost an hour to get here from the antelope valley Have been coming since I was a child. Everyone is always so friendly. When I moved to Utah I was having frozen chili mailed to me!!!!! Keep up the good work...headed there now :-) read more

I always love me some Chili John's and today I treated myself to some. It's one of my fave restaurants in Burbank and I appreciate that it is still family owned and operated. My boyfriend and I always receive top notch counter service there and the chili is so damn tasty. My jam here is a bowl of half spicy beef and half spicy chicken chili over rice and they also offer killer pineapple and lemon cream pies. I really enjoy the old school feel of the place. too. Prices and portions are reasonable and plenty of parking in the rear as well as street parking. read more

Love this place. Nice not to have to go to Toluca Lake to get spaghetti and chili!

Whenever I am out in Burbank its Chili John's for me! I love this retro diner, the ambiance and their very friendly staff. It is rumored that Walt Disney himself are here! The food is good old American chili just the way I like it. A nice piece of pineapple or lemon pie rounds out the meal. Try it... You'll like it! read more

Best chili on the West Coast! Hands down. Flavor is on point and has just the right amount of kick. Whether you like it spicey or mild. This place has you covered. When I worked in Burbank this would be my place to go 2 times a week atleast. You want a tamale with your chili? They got it! You want a chili hot dog? They got it! You want beans, spaghetti and a tamale with your chili? They got it! Alright now that my food rants over, lets move on to the service. Their employee Justin is quick, decisive and hilarious. Even when they get packed, he's running the show like a well oiled machine. But above all he makes you feel like your family the second you walk in the door. No matter how busy they get he greets every person and serves them accordingly. Unfortunately the name of the older female manager escapes me but she is also awesome. Very polite and sweet. Reminds me very much of my own grandmother. If you have a hankering for some chili don't waste your time anywhere else. This place is 5 stars any day of the week. read more

Soo good! I love that they are a family run &owned business & that they are not afraid to keep the business old fashion instead of worrying about being fru fru and modern..totally dig the vintage look and taste! I ordered the classic beef chili over beans & spaghetti!It was delicious, yes it had grease, but come on, the staff is candid about it & it shouldn't be a shocker cuz that's what "real" chili is all about, this place is the place for real chili eating lovers & so if your afraid of a little grease, then go somewhere else. Cuz what I ate was real meat & real taste! the food is a bit pricey but it was totally worth it for me because Its real meat, none of that fake ground up mush some restaurants sell, it's reall ground beef & chicken and everything was made outta scratch so totally understand why it would cost more! One of my favorite places to eat and bring my friends to! read more

Reading these postings for Chili John makes me yearn for the twenty years I lived and worked in the San Fernando Valley. Now living in my San Francisco hometown, I attest to the fact there is nothing like Chili Johns. It's good, it's not healthy unless in moderation, but it is never indifferent. For Chili lovers, Chili Johns is a point of reference. read more

One of the best bowls of chili I've ever had. Love the lunch counter atmosphere, and the friendly staff and patrons. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you're a diner type of gal, as I am. To me, it felt like a piece of the small town Midwest I grew up in, right here in Los Angeles. read more

What a fabulous place for food, conversations, and bar counter dining. Been goin' here for 20 years! Best true authentic chili in the world! read more

Quite expensive, but worth every bite. Try the spicy beef chili over spaghetti large bowl (without beans), its sure to fill you up. Don't forget to try their homade pie. Not much seating ( maybe 20 seats at the most) so get there early. Rainy or cold days forget it, you'll be in for a LONG wait. It's true they might close at a last minute notice especially on hot days since it's a family owned an ran business. In July I thinkm it is they close for about two to three weeks for vacation, so be warned. read more

Great chili, great service! Matt and Alec are awesome, they make you feel like you have been there before! We will be back for sure!

This place is great. Been eating here for years. It is consistent, good and the service is great. The flavor is wonderful and there are numerous combinations of beans, pasta, hot dogs etc. It is a unique place with a vintage lunch counter setup. read more

OK no one can deny that this food rocks, it's so good. My one star is for the service. I've been coming to this restaurant for 20 years and the service has never ever ever ever been good. Sometimes you can sit for 15 minutes before they even ask you if you want something to drink. And then after they bring you your drink, if they actually bring you The Coke you asked for and not a Diet Coke, and you can sit there another 10 or 15 minutes before they actually take your order. And then while they're putting spaghetti into the Bowl talking with seven other people at the counter and they have to ask you two or three more times did you want beans with that? And then they bring you your chili and then it takes another five minutes to get the cheese you told them along time ago that you wanted. God for bid you ever want more cheese when you're halfway through your meal, because that just won't happen. And then when you're all done and you're ready to pay it takes him another five or 10 minutes to get to you with your bill. Keep in mind, they are within 6 feet of you at all times. Seriously, the chili is so good but I couldn't go there one more time without writing this review I'm so over their service and I hope this review really speaks to them because it's horrible, and if I wasn't clear about it, let me say again the service is horrible. read more

Chili John's opened about the end of WWII, when I was 5 years old and lived a couple of blocks from it. Frequented it though high school years after which I moved away. What a treat it was when more than 50 years later during a southern CA visit, I found CJ's it still thriving in 2011. Apart from ownership (I believe there have been three independent owners), nothing has changed, not the painting of the building, the seating/counter arrangement, the funky mural, or - most important - the food. Extremely friendly and attentive owner/operators. Great trip down memory lane and a pleasure to see that some things remain the same among all the change. read more

I consider myself a chili expert. And while I can make better, this chili was delicious!!!! Had a bowl of beef chili, extra cheese, no onions. It was a big dish of melty goodness. It was hot enough to melt the cheese all the way through. Which sounds simple enough, but many places manage to mess that up. I'm a fan! PS make sure you pick up a slice or two of lemon icebox pie. read more

Tried out Chili Johns this week after seeing it featured long ago on Triple D. The service staff was very friendly, but the chili was blah and very pricey for what you get. Hubby had a bowl of beef chili medium spicy and I had the chicken chili on a bun, spicy. There was very little flavor in either and no tomatoes or spice. We had to add all the condiments offered to make it palatable. Maybe we are chili snobs as I have entered an won chili cook-offs in the past. We won't be back. Finally, our waitress told us about the visit from Guy Fieri and mentioned that he was in and out in 30 minutes. I can understand why. read more

This place is racist. A co-worker and I walked in for lunch today and sat at the horseshoe shaped bar. There were about 6 other people inside the restaurant. The waitresses (2 old ladies in their 50s, and 1 younger girl in her 20's) didn't acknowledge us or greet us. We looked at the menu for about 5 minutes, while other people came into the restaurant and sat around us. The waitresses greeted the other guests, but still did not even acknowledge us. That was the first red flag. After we looked at the menu and put them aside we sat their waiting. The waitresses walked by us about 3 times with no acknowledgment or greeting. Then the waitresses took the orders of two groups of 2-3 people that came in AFTER us and even served them with drinks as well. My co-worker and I could read the writing on the wall. This was a place we didn't belong, which is quite unfortunate after being born and raised in Los Angeles, being a California licensed attorney, attending UCLA and experiencing racism on a first hand level. I will never return to this establishment again. read more

After reading many of the other reviews, I am appalled at how many diners think this is good chili! Obviously they've never tasted "GOOD" chili.I am also very surprised that Guy Fieri actually liked this stuff, I thought he had better taste than that. Or, because he was doing a show he didn't want to be rude and said it was good. Having worked in a restaurant, making gallons of fresh chili from scratch, growing up eating homemade chili and sampling good chili at cook off competitions, this chili doesn't even come close, it's pasty, greasy, and bland. I saw on the Diners Drive Ins and Dives episode how they cook their chili, weirdest method I've ever seen. It's no wonder the chili is so greasy, they cook the meat in a pot of oil, unnecessary. Also, it's lacking tomatoes, a key ingredient in chili. Some co-workers and my self had their chili for lunch one day, After one taste, I couldn't even eat it. Had pasty taste of way too much chili powder and the meat is like mush. I would not recommend this place to anyone that wants to eat quality chili and, if they were to revamp their recipe they would probably get even more customers that could actually enjoy their chili. Overall, poor taste quality, over priced unpredictable service. Kind of makes me wonder if the family that bought this place 20 years ago from the original owner even tasted the chili before they started selling it. read more

I have been going to Chili John's since a kid in the early 50's when the original John and his wife Millie ran it. I, agree, it's gotten greasier in years....however, my personal favorite which I call my own special is the chili burger with just the chili meat served with relish on top & lots of bread & butter pickles on the side. When beans still liked me, I loved to have the chili 'n beans with the chilli meat on top, with lots of malt vinegar, loaded with onions and plenty of oyster crackers on top. It was almost a religious ritual adding all these elements to the chili and I could eat those chili peppers by the handful. My mouth waters just thinking about it. And you can't pass up the lemon pie with an inch of whipped cream on the top. Yummm! And yes, you don't eat there because you're worried about your health. It was with great sadness that I read that Gene had passed....he made the place rock with his sarcastic wit and jovial manner. I hope he passed the baton or rather chili spoon into capable hands. This is classic chili at its best with all the retro fittings. The only real change in the counter is that originally there used to be a few bench seats for two amongst the stools. Amazingly, they still use the original cash register. read more

funny how people who rate this very low obviously have dull taste buds, for the people who move to los angeles from farm hippy town and claim to be "californians" think they know what tastes good and does not. ok people, the "oil" and "grease" that your child like taste buds are experiencing is neither, its apple cider vinegar, brings out a unique flavor to the chili, and why not try the medium or hot chili, step it up and go for the REALLY great stuff. Not to mention the spaghetti simmering in ketchup water is perfect, the hot dogs are fine, but hey, who can say they have had a great hot dog, how good can processed private parts taste people. this place has been here for a long time and there is a reason why this place stays open, even though they only serve few hours of the day, fewer days of the week and are closed one month of the year, the answer, a unique chili, not to mention vintage atmosphere. want a big menu stick to hometown buffet. want other chili, I'm sure tommy's or carls jr has something for your liking read more

Once you walk into Chili Johns you get a warm feeling in your stomach that reminds you of your days as a kid (if your an adult of course). The service there is quite friendly and I felt like the only person there. The hot dogs have a remarkably appetizing texture that is super flavorful. My favorite part about Chili Johns is that you can choose how hot you want your chili. But be warned, the medium made my eyes water. There is nothing like Chili at Chili Johns. It melts in your mouth and is to die for. When you are at Chili johns you may be asked if you would like a piece of lemon pie, there is one word that you have to say, YES. I have to say that the best thing I put in my mouth while I was there was this lemon pie. If I had to describe it, I would say it is like a cream cheese custard with lemon butter in it, topped off with a crunchy cookie crumble. Even though I loved the food, the atmosphere, the service and the desert, there is one down side, it is more expensive than what I would have guessed. I personally thought it was worth it but if you are looking for a cheap chili place I would say Chili Johns is NOT for you. To finish off my review, I would visit Chili johns if you ever find yourself in Burbank, or if you ever find yourself hungry! read more

crazy find! my bf spotted this place the other day while we driving back from visiting a friend. it looked so old-school we had to give it a try. walking in the door was like stepping back in time to the 30's! great vibe, friendly people, and awesome chili! I had mine over rice. yum! read more