Burbank, Calif. — As the Smoke House restaurant in Burbank approaches its 80th anniversary this October, the iconic steakhouse is preparing to honor eight decades of Hollywood history and community traditions. Established in 1946, the red-booth-filled eatery opened as a 46-seat chophouse and has evolved into a sprawling 18,000-square-foot landmark on West Lakeside Drive, just across from Warner Bros. Studios. Its neon sign still proclaims the motto “fine food at a fair price,” a promise that has drawn generations of actors, executives and locals through its doors.
The Smoke House’s roots trace back to the corner of Pass Avenue and Riverside, where Old Hollywood stars like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby dined when it opened in 1946. In 1949 the owners moved the restaurant to its current site at the Tudor-style Red House Inn, positioning it directly opposite the Warner Bros. lot. To accommodate booming business, architect Wayne McAllister expanded the building in 1955 from 6,000 to 18,000 square feet. Today the steakhouse can seat more than 500 guests amid dark wood paneling, fireplaces and walls lined with director’s chairs and photos of stars from Audrey Hepburn to Kirk Douglas.
Over the years the Smoke House has become as much a part of Hollywood lore as the films made across the street. Casts from “Friends” and “ER” were regulars after taping at Warner Bros., and actor George Clooney was such a fixture that he named his production company Smokehouse Pictures after the restaurant. General manager David Rocha notes that the location provides a refuge where industry figures can meet without paparazzi; its proximity to the studios and absence of cameras make it “a nice escape for our industry guests.” Despite its celebrity cachet, the menu remains grounded: prime rib with au jus, classic pastas and burgers, and the restaurant’s famous neon-orange garlic cheese bread — a staple since the 1950s. “We bake all of the French bread in-house and mix the cheeses here,” Rocha explained.
In a recent interview, Smoke House management said the restaurant’s longevity comes from staying true to its core values while adapting to modern expectations. They attribute their success to a “rare environment of privacy and trust” that makes the restaurant an industry sanctuary, and to preserving the building’s original charm so patrons feel like they’re stepping back in time. “This milestone represents a rare kind of resilience,” a manager said. “We aren’t just celebrating a date on a calendar; we’re celebrating 80 years of being a cornerstone of the Burbank community and a witness to Hollywood history.” The team plans to honor that legacy by ensuring service and quality meet contemporary standards, making the Smoke House a bridge between eras.
The 80th anniversary celebrations will reflect that bridge. Throughout October the restaurant will revive a “1946 Throwback Menu,” offering its most iconic dishes at a nostalgic price of $19.46 — a tradition it has embraced in past anniversaries. Management
is also organizing curated events that lean into the steakhouse’s Old Hollywood roots and launching digital storytelling projects to document memories from longtime staff and patrons. The Smoke House has become a sponsor of the Burbank International Film Festival, underscoring its commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. For Angelenos curious about how Hollywood’s golden age continues to live on, October’s festivities promise a flavorful journey through time.
As the fall celebration approaches, the Smoke House remains a place where producers broker deals, families mark milestones and cinephiles soak up cinematic history over a basket of garlic cheese bread. After 80 years, the restaurant continues to prove that authenticity, hospitality and a good steak never go out of style.