Across the street from one of the busiest movie studios in Burbank, a steakhouse has been carving prime rib since long before most of today’s stars were born. The booths are dark wood and leather, the lights stay low, and the walls are covered with photos of famous faces who once sat right where you might sit tonight.
A live band plays on many evenings, and regulars treat the dance floor like their own living room. This is not a trendy new spot chasing the latest fad.
It is a place that decided decades ago what it wanted to be and simply kept being it. Keep reading to learn its story, what to order, when to go, how to park, and the honest pros and cons before you book a table.
A Steakhouse Next Door to the Movie Magic
Some restaurants chase the spotlight, but this one simply set up shop beside it. Smoke House Restaurant sits at 4420 Lakeside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505, in the United States, right across from the Warner Bros.
Studios lot.
The neighborhood is full of production studios, so the dining room often has a crowd that works in entertainment. It is also close to other well-known Los Angeles landmarks, which makes it an easy stop for travelers.
The restaurant is an American steakhouse with a retro setting. Its menu leans on steakhouse standards, and its reputation leans on history.
Travelers often pop in before catching a flight at Burbank airport. Others head over after a long day at Universal Studios, looking for a calmer meal away from the theme park lines.
The website lists the name with a telling number, smokehouse1946.com, which hints at just how long this place has been around. That year places it firmly in the golden age of Hollywood dining.
A spot this close to the studios has seen plenty of famous guests come and go. The walls inside are there to prove it, and that is where the story gets interesting.
Walls Covered in Famous Faces
Forget a museum ticket. The best Hollywood memorabilia tour in Burbank comes with a dinner menu.
The walls are lined with photos of celebrities who have eaten here over the years. Many guests spend the first few minutes just wandering and spotting familiar faces.
Alongside the photos, the restaurant shares some history on how it got started. It is a genuinely fun story to read while waiting for a table.
The main dining hall is the best place for a close look at the collection. Guests who end up at the bar often say they plan to come back with a reservation just to sit closer to the pictures.
Television fans have a bonus reason to visit. An episode of The Office was filmed here, giving the place a modern pop culture credit to go with its classic one.
There is also a souvenir twist. A staff member may stop by to take a photo of your table, then offer prints on a postcard featuring the restaurant, which are available for purchase.
Some guests love that keepsake, while others prefer to skip it. Either way, the stars on the wall are free to admire.
Dark Wood, Leather Booths, and Low Lights
Decorators in 1946 apparently got it right the first time, because nobody seems eager to change a thing.
The dining room is built around dark wood and leather booths. Lighting stays dim, which gives the room a cozy, tucked away mood.
The overall style is old school Hollywood. Many guests call it both handsome and welcoming, a mix that is harder to pull off than it sounds.
The pace tends to be relaxed. Groups celebrating birthdays often linger for hours, working through each course slowly without anyone hurrying them out.
That said, it is not a hushed, formal room. Plenty of diners show up dressed casually, and the noise level can climb when the place is full.
Couples looking for a quiet, candlelit evening may find it livelier than expected. Others say it works nicely for a Valentine dinner, especially when the band is playing.
Charm and nostalgia are the main ingredients here. The setting feels like a time capsule that still takes reservations.
The Prime Rib That Built a Reputation
Ask around Burbank what to order here, and one answer comes up again and again.
Prime rib is the headline act. It is one of the most talked about dishes on the menu and often called the highlight of the meal.
A prime rib dinner has been listed at around $36. Portions are large, so many tables leave with leftovers.
Opinions are not perfectly unanimous. Some diners find the cut a little on the chewy side, especially at medium rare, while many others call it the star of the night.
Lunch offers a lighter way in. A prime rib sandwich appears on the lunch menu, which suits travelers with a flight to catch.
The kitchen also has a charcoal grill, a detail that fits the restaurant’s name. Steaks from that grill are often described as cooked just right.
For first timers, prime rib is the safe bet. It is the dish that has kept the booths full for generations.
Beyond the Rib: Steaks for Every Appetite
Prime rib may get top billing, but the supporting cast deserves a curtain call too.
The menu covers steakhouse classics like filet mignon, ribeye, tri tip, and porterhouse. Filet mignon in particular often earns praise for being cooked perfectly.
Big groups have a showstopper option in the Tomahawk steak. One Tomahawk has been known to feed four people with room to spare.
Not every cut wins every diner. Some find the ribeye fatty or the porterhouse thinner than expected for the price, so it helps to ask your server about thickness before ordering.
Steaks can come with a range of sides, though certain add-ons, like cheese on potatoes, carry an extra charge. Reading the menu closely avoids surprises on the bill.
Non-steak eaters are not left out. Pasta portions are huge, and choices like French dip, Reuben, burgers, and a stuffed salmon round out the list.
Hearty is the word that fits. Portions are generous enough that visitors from Texas have called them Texas sized.
The Famous Garlic Cheese Bread Debate
Few side dishes have stirred up as much conversation as this one.
The garlic cheese bread is billed as world famous, and it is mentioned even more often than the prime rib. It arrives with a bright orange cheese topping that is instantly recognizable.
A small serving has been listed at about $5. Fans call it soft, freshly baked, and loaded with garlic and cheese.
Not everyone joins the fan club. Some diners find the topping less impressive than its reputation, and others note that bread is not included free with the meal.
That split is part of the fun. Ordering a small portion lets each guest form an opinion without committing to a full basket.
Other starters also get attention. The clam chowder comes loaded with potatoes and clams, and the spinach artichoke dip arrives quickly with fresh tortilla chips.
French onion soup has its loyal following too. Regulars suggest asking for it extra hot with croutons on the side, so the bowl stays full of soup.
Live Music and a Dance Floor With Regulars
When the band sets up, the bar area turns into a small nightclub with a steak menu.
Live music is one of the most praised parts of an evening here. Many guests rank the band right alongside the setting as a reason to visit.
The bar has a stage, and the area near it becomes a dance floor once the music starts. Seats close to the stage may need to be cleared when the dancing begins.
Bar seating is first come, first served. Arriving early or asking staff which seats stay open during the set can save some awkward shuffling later.
A loyal crowd of regulars shows up for the music. Some first timers find that group a bit tight knit, so newcomers may want to settle in before claiming a prime spot.
The full service bar also works well on its own. Bartenders are often described as friendly and quick, and solo diners say they feel welcome there.
There is also a happy hour, which draws an after work crowd from the nearby studios.
Weekend Brunch and Quick Studio Lunches
Steakhouses are not usually morning people, but this one makes an exception on Sundays.
Sunday hours start at 10 AM, earlier than the rest of the week. Weekend brunch has a spread that earns plenty of praise.
Lunch is a strong option on weekdays. Doors open at 11:30 AM, and the location across from Warner Bros. makes it handy for a midday break.
The lunch menu includes lighter choices like a prime rib sandwich and tacos. It is a lower key way to see the memorabilia without committing to a full steak dinner.
Travelers heading to or from Burbank airport find it a convenient stop. The meal fits nicely into a travel day without a long detour.
Lunch crowds tend to be easier to manage than prime dinner hours. That makes daytime a smart pick for anyone who wants a good look at the walls.
Morning or noon, the old Hollywood mood stays the same. Only the menu gets a little lighter.
Hours, Costs, and Parking Before You Go
A little planning goes a long way at a place this popular.
Monday through Thursday, the restaurant runs from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch to 11 PM, and Sunday runs from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Expect to spend about $30 to $70 per person. Many guests find the prices fair for the portion sizes, while others feel some dishes cost more than they deliver.
Reservations are strongly recommended, ideally well in advance. Even with a booking, a short wait of around ten minutes can happen during busy hours.
Walk-ins sometimes get lucky, especially at the bar. Lines can form out the door on busy nights, and the room can still be packed at 8:30 PM on a weeknight.
Valet parking costs around $8 to $10. Free street parking is often available nearby for those willing to look.
Paying works best through your server, since the front desk may send you back to your table. Allow a little extra time at the end of the meal.
Who Will Love It Most
Every classic has its audience, and this one knows exactly who it is playing to.
Fans of old Hollywood will feel right at home. The photos, the history, and the studio next door make it a natural stop for movie lovers.
Groups celebrating birthdays or hosting out of town friends tend to have a great time. Shared steaks and relaxed pacing suit long, chatty dinners.
Big appetites win here as well. Huge portions mean many diners leave with leftovers, which stretches the value further.
Diners hunting for a quiet, upscale meal may want to set expectations. The room can get loud, and service can slow down when the place is full.
Quality is not perfect every night, and some dishes land better than others. Sticking with the signature prime rib and asking servers for tips helps tilt the odds in your favor.
Staff members often get warm praise for being attentive and kind. Good service can turn an ordinary evening into a memorable one.
For a meal that comes with a side of Hollywood history, this Burbank landmark still delivers its encore. It is the kind of place worth seeing at least once, ideally with a reservation and an empty stomach.
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