The Smoke House, Burbank 1970s

The Smoke House was established in 1946 in Burbank, California, and local celebs Bob Hope and Bing Crosby – famous for their On The Road movies - were among those who attended the opening night. The restaurant seated only 46 patrons, however, and soon owners Jack Monroe, Jim Stockton and Bill Storey were looking for larger premises. They found it in the former Red Coach Inn, originally built in 1947 by Danny Kaye but never opened as a restaurant because the actor and singer couldn’t build a big enough dance floor in the 6,000sq ft building. In those days, dancing was a quintessential part of the pleasure of going out to dinner.
By the 1950s, The Smoke House was an established local favorite – Chef John L Sullivan’s unique recipe for garlic bread was so popular, the restaurant was the largest purveyor of French bread west of the Mississippi. He was a member of the Olympic culinary Team in the mid-70s and left in 1959 to head the kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel.) 
In 1955, the esteemed California architect Wayne McAllister was contracted to renovate the restaurant and triple its size. McAllister, who was also working on the original design of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, helped transform it into one of Los Angeles’s all-time favorite steakhouses. Stars from Warner Bros Studios across the road frequented the venerable eatery. Erroll Flynn, Judy Garland and Robert Redford were regulars. The Laugh-In show rented the restaurant for parties and the Tonight show, hosted by Jack Parr, was filmed there. The actor James Dean often went for lunch AND dinner there. In the 1970s and 80s, groups such as the Ink Spots and The Drifters entertained patrons in the evening and this was where a young couple called Captain and Tennille became famous after radio producer Wink Martindale ‘discovered’ them singing the song Love Will Keep Us Together. The song went on to win a Grammy award in 1975.
In later years, new generations of celebrities patronized the venerable eatery. George Clooney’s favorite booth is marked by a plaque, and he named his production company Smokehouse Pictures after one of his preferred places to eat. The Smoke House has changed ownership over the years and is now owned by Marti Spencer. The 46-seater on Lakeside Drive has grown to accommodate more than 500 people and, with an old-Hollywood vibe that still endures today, is still beloved by locals. For many, it has been the scene of happy family occasions.
Note: The Smoke House dropped its original barbecue concept quickly after opening because they could never get the type of smoke pit that they wanted.
Thanks to Kam Kaminske and the Smoke House for this information.