Burbank’s Smoke House
Sunday, July 23, 2006 8:20I love garlic bread. The more garlic, the better. Imagine my excitement when I was introduced to Smoke House in Burbank, which brags it makes the “world’s greatest” since 1946. I had built up high expectations. I really wish I hadn’t…
Upon entering the Smoke House, I was very optimistic. This was a very classy joint. The dimly lit, red boothed dining area created a cozy atmosphere. The crowd was mixed - booths were filled with both the young and the young at heart. It was obvious I was at a local favorite. My stomach grumbled as I perused the menu and read the descriptions of a number of appetizing entrees.
In the end, I decided on the “Diamond Jim” sandwich ($14.95). This is basically slices of tri-tip on the famous garlic bread. As soon as my order arrived, I immediately cut off a piece of the garlic bread first. While it was good, it wasn’t what I expected. If I didn’t know that it was garlic bread, I never would have guessed from the amount of cheese that just overwhelmed the garlic completely. I do like it when restaurants bake some mild cheddar or parmasean with their garlic bread, but I really think Smoke House overdid it. This almost turned out to be a good thing, as the tri-tip was not seasoned at all. The “garlic” bread turned out to be a nice contrast to the tri-tip. What I also liked was the horseradish mayo that was on the side. In fact, when I couldn’t take the garlic bread any more, I just started picking out the tri-tip and eating it with the horseradish mayo.
While I can’t say the garlic bread lived up to the hype, I will vouch for the fact the restaurant should be called Smoke House. The tri-tip I had was very nicely done, and from what I could see, all the other diners were going for the meats.
Tips:
Smoke House takes credit cards, but have at least $4 in cash with you, as it is valet parking only ($3.50).
If you want to go for the garlic bread anyway, in October, Smoke House will celebrate its 60th anniversary. As part of the celebration, garlic bread orders will go for 60¢.
4420 West Lakeside Drive
Burbank, California 91505
(818) 845-3731
Monday-Thursday:
11:30-4:00(Lunch) & 4:00-10:30(Dinner)
Friday:
11:30-4:00(Lunch) & 4:00-11:00 (Dinner)
Saturday:
11:30-3:00(Lunch) & 3:00-11:00(Dinner)
Sunday:
10:00-2:30(Brunch) & 3:00-9:00(Dinner)
By Pauline (see more of her posts).
Zteve says:
July 24th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
The guy I do my show with raved about the garlic bread over there. I’m gonna have to try this place now.
Honestly, two places that have good, but overbearing, garlic bread are Versailles and Palermo. I like it, but it is impossible to eat more than a piece or two. Although I love butter and garlic, there is waaaaaay too much butter.
Zteve says:
July 24th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Oh, and I forgot, a crust of parmesan cheese and parsley makes any garlic bread a winner.
Philip Kiel says:
July 1st, 2007 at 9:02 pm
The tritip was not served on Smoke House Garlic Bread. Try again and just order the garlic bread……….No comparison. The Smoke House Garlic bread is the best! Forgetaboutit!