Instead of driving straight from Pasadena to Thousand Oaks for a family gathering a few weeks back, The Astronomer and I took a roundabout route through Burbank then to Chatsworth for doughnuts, burgers, and more doughnuts. We rarely, if ever, travel this far north and west, so we wanted to make the trip worth our while.
What was really terrific about this jaunt was that it felt like a legitimate road trip even though we never left county boundaries. The vastness of Los Angeles never ceases to impress me.
My heart welled up with pure joy as we approached the bright yellow building on Devonshire Street. The Munch Box has been around since 1956 and is on the Cultural Heritage Commission‘s list as one of the best surviving examples of Googie architecture.
Today, the stand is owned by Buck Barker, his wife, Claire, and their two children, Julie and Andrew. Mr. Barker bought the eatery in 1985 from his uncle, John Kent, who was the restaurant’s original owner.
The menu hasn’t changed too much since The Munch Box first opened 57 years ago. While many diners were downing dogs this afternoon, The Astronomer and I stuck to the hamburgers; it was what we were in the mood for.
First up was the Cheese Burger ($3.40), a simple situation containing chopped onions, pickles, tomato, and special sauce between two plushy white commercial buns. The meat of the matter was thin and charred nicely enough.
Biting into the burger, The Astronomer and I couldn’t get over how much it tasted like a classic McDonald’s hamburger, down to the itty bitty onions. It’s funny to think that before McDonald’s sold billions of burgers worldwide, it was a one-off hamburger stand in SoCal very much like The Munch Box.
The Hickory Burger ($3.10) was a far messier affair with its “smoked patty,” chili, onions, pickles, and tomato. Upon inquiring with the gal working behind the counter, I learned that the meat’s smoky flavor was imparted by a flavored spray. Sometimes, I think I ask too many questions.
I like chili that’s heavy on the salt and heat and induces heartburn, and unfortunately the blend here was a bit weak for me. Still, the overall package was tasty enough to polish off completely.
Prefabbed frozen shoestrings fried to a perfectly golden crisp completed our quintessential California fast food lunch.
Even though The Munch Box’s food didn’t sweep me off my feet, I would return here in a heartbeat if I were in the neighborhood again. The architecture, coupled with a dose of nostalgia and wonderfully messy burgers, makes for an afternoon well spent.
—
The Munch Box
21532 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: 818-998-9240
One year ago: Maximiliano – Los Angeles (Highland Park)
Two years ago: Hatfield’s – Los Angeles (Hollywood)
Three years ago: Eat My Blog Summer 2010: “It’s a really fancy bake sale!”
Four years ago: Saigon’s Bakery & Sandwiches – San Gabriel / San Jose
Five years ago: Mũi Né
Six years ago: Alinea – Chicago
Wow! This is one of the gems (and perhaps the only one?) when I visit this area. The chili has changed to something more watery. Still enjoyable as a greasy treat. 🙂
Are there any other places of note in this neighborhood? Thx!
Lori – There’s a doughnut shop down the road called Earl’s that the neighborhood loves.
I used to work in Chatsworth, and this and a now-closed pita place were two of the few places I liked there. It does taste like McDonalds.
Charles Manson frequented it too in 1969. He was a Rootbeer float
Guy… ?
San Carlo Deli… On Mason about a half-block South of Devonshire, to your left in the shopping center. Lunch place. Great Italian sandwiches, salads, pasta, etc. Get the Panzeroti. It’s like a Soprano’s episode… Delightful family owned place. A jewel…
Use to go there in 1985 when I lived there, it was real cool
I have been going to The Munch Box since the mid-1960s, when I moved just “over the hill” to Simi Valley. My favorite is their delicious Hickory Cheese Burger. It was right up there, in my estimation, with my other LA County super burger joint, Tommy’s. Tommy’s was always my dad’s favorite and every trip to Disneyland included a stop at Tommy’s for a chili-cheese burger. But then Tommy’s expanded and lost it’s funky feel, along with the true essence of it’s cheeseburger. It was no longer the be all/end all of cheeseburgers. The Munch Box has forever taken Tommy’s place in my heart and my tummy.
I no longer live in Simi Valley. I have long lived in Bend, Oregon where e have nothing like the Much Box. Bend’s idea of a chili-cheeseburger is the old chili size open face burger. Not even close.
Every trip south to visit my family in Simi Valley includes a mandatory trip to the Much Box. That will be a lifelong tradition.
Los Toros is just across the street , the bean dip and hard shells are just the best , it’s back story is much like the Munch Box’s , my aunt who has lived just behind Los toros since 1967 was in the kitchen when the bean dip was conceived. As a kid I was on the 1969 Tball champs “tigers” at Chatsworth park , the train tunnels and original stage coach trails are still there , along with Hope Town that was originally Corrigan Ville on the other side of the hill . So many great memories to have been lucky and have grown up in Canoga park , Chats ,Simi Valley area
I crave the Munch Box and go there when I’m in town . Just the best !