Smoke House – Burbank, California
Classic Los Angeles Restaurant
Smoke House Restaurant – Established 1946
Are you looking for a casual family-style restaurant with a friendly star-studded atmosphere? Look no further than SMOKE HOUSE RESTAURANT. While you’re here you can enjoy dining at its best as well as being treated like a star. You will love our American and Continental Cuisine that includes Prime Rib, Aged Steaks, Rack of Lamb, BBQ Ribs, Fresh Seafood, Daily Chef Specials and many more. We also offer a Award Winning Sunday Brunch that includes a Carving Station, a Fresh Seafood and Salad Station, a Dessert Station, a Pasta Station and much more.
The Smoke House was founded in 1946 at the corner of Pass & Riverside in Burbank. The original restaurant seated 46 people, and was enjoyed by local luminaries Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (among others) on its opening night. With Jim Stockton as the promoter & front man, and Jack Monroe as the cook, the restaurateurs enjoyed much success and were soon looking for a larger building with more seating capacity.
The Red Coach Inn at 4420 Lakeside Drive, originally build in 1947 by Danny Kaye, never opened as a restaurant because he couldn’t build a big enough dance floor in the 6,000-sq.-ft. building. In 1948, The Smoke House moved into the building. The restaurant’s success continued to grow under its slogan “Fine Food at a Fair Price”.
Chef John L. Sullivan’s (Left in 1959) unique recipe for garlic bread made the Smoke House the largest purveyor of French bread west of the Mississippi. ( Sullivan was a member of the Olympic Culinary Team in the mid-70s, and eventually left the Smoke House to head kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel.) Nowadays people who love this unique bread come from all over the place to enjoy an order or two.
World Famouse Garlic Bread Beginnings
Anybody who was “anybody” at Warner Bros. and in the entertainment industry frequently visited The Smoke House. It wasn’t unusual to see Errol Flynn, Judy Garland, Milton Berle, or Robert Redford walk through the Smoke House doors and into the restaurant known for respecting their privacy. The Laugh-In show used to rent the restaurant for their parties, and Jack Parr even hosted the Tonight Show from the Smoke House in 1956.
Celebrities & Entertainment
Entertainment shows in the lounge became big evening draws for the restaurant in the 70s & 80s, featuring such groups as the Ink Spots, The Drifters, and Star Search winners. An interesting twist of fate brought the Captain & Tennille to the Encino Smoke House lounge where Wink Martindale (then at KMPC radio) “discovered” them singing their soon to-be 1975 Grammy Award winning song, “Love Will Keep Us Together”. Encino Smoke House at Balboa and Ventura was in business from 1960-1975. The lounge still remains a studio favorite, with stars such as George Clooney, Andy Garcia, and Kevin Costner coming to enjoy the special atmosphere of the place.
A Landmark in the Making
The Smoke House has grown to be a venerable eatery and long-time Hollywood watering hole that locals, entertainers, and dignitaries still enjoy into the 21st century. The restaurant is still a Family-owned operation with Lee and Marti Spencer as your Hosts. Lee Spencer sold The Smoke House in 1992, and realizing he made a mistake, bought it back in 2003. Lee Spencer is the fifth owner and a repeat. The Spencers previously owned and operated Michael’s Restaurant on Los Feliz. Currently, they also own the World Famous Warehouse Restaurant in Marina Del Rey and (according to the Zagat survey ” The most popular restaurant in Palm Springs” ) Billy Reed’s.
Los Angeles Metropolitan restaurants and bars from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s (buildings, movie palaces, motel signs, and remnants of Rt. 66 as well) – places like the Brown Derby Restaurant, Musso and Frank’s, the Formosa Cafe, Miceli’s Restaurant and Canter’s Deli – this website concentrates on those bastions of a bygone era.
Things to do in Burbank
Website: Smoke House Restauraunt
Smokehouse Burbank
4420 West Lakeside Drive
Burbank, California 91505
Phone: 818.845.3731
I’ve heard so much about you ( THE SMOKEHOUSE ), and to hear the name of your little establishment conjurs up a hungry appetite alone, not to mention the fact that my most favorable people, Toni Tennille and Daryl Dragon(Captain and Tennille ) performed there. I heard all good things about THE SMOKEHOUSE restaurant and from the time that Capt. and Tennille performed there, I have been making an effort to some day go where they performed and raved so much about. It says alot when a group becomes famous and is linked up with different organizations. I understand you are still going strong, and admired for your friendly atmostphere. I hope to one day visit, THE SMOKEHOUSE RESTAURANT. Jerry Marcolina.