The Smoke House

Step into The Smoke House and you’re stepping into a time capsule of Old Hollywood. Just a crosswalk away from Warner Brothers Studios, this Burbank institution has been drawing industry insiders since the 1940s. The sprawling layout features multiple interconnected dining rooms complete with crackling fireplaces, warm wood-paneled walls, and walls plastered with framed headshots of Hollywood legends. On any given night, you might spot celebrities rubbing elbows with set designers and studio staff, all gathered around cocktails to unwind after a day on the lot.

The menu here rewards straightforward thinking. This isn’t the place for experimental cuisine—it’s the place for generous portions of what this kitchen does best. Their garlic bread has earned legendary status for good reason: cheesy, slightly charred, and absolutely addictive. The barbecue section shines brightest, with baby back ribs that deliver on every front—tender meat, tangy sauce, and the satisfying ritual of pulling apart individual bones. The prime rib arrives as an impressive slab of medium-rare beef with a boat of au jus for dipping, while the caesar salad offers exactly what you’d expect from an old-school chophouse.

The Smoke House works beautifully for groups celebrating special occasions or anyone craving a nostalgic dining experience with substance. The atmosphere encourages lingering over martinis and shared plates, making it ideal for long dinners with friends or colleagues. When the meat sweats inevitably arrive, their chocolate mousse cake provides a cool, indulgent remedy.

For anyone seeking a taste of classic Los Angeles dining culture, The Smoke House delivers an experience that’s become increasingly rare. It’s not trying to be modern or trendy—it’s confidently holding onto traditions that have kept tables filled for decades.