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Black Angus Steakhouse makes major move in Burbank

By Fronnie Lewis on Saturday, December 17, 2022

The headquarters for the Black Angus Steakhouse restaurants is now located in Burbank. Black Angus Steakhouse is a popular restaurant in Downtown Burbank. Recently, the corporate office for the restaurant chain took over 3,000-square-feet of space at 111 N. 1st Street a short distance away. Burbank Economic Development Manager, Mary Hamzoian, says the benefits are twofold. “We saw this as an advantageous opportunity for Black Angus and they agreed,” said Hamzoian in a news release. “The location will benefit Black Angus’ customers and staff, and in return contribute to the... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Media City, restaurants

FLLewis/ Media City G -- Tony's Bella Vista site 3116 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank January 8, 2020

Bella Vista restaurant site in Burbank sells for big bucks

By Fronnie Lewis on Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Tony’s Bella Vista restaurant site in Burbank sells for big bucks. The Burbank Leader made the announcement on Wednesday reporting the sale price as $2.9 million. After more than 30 years, the popular Italian restaurant closed its doors last June. The property is located at 3116 West Magnolia Blvd in Magnolia Park. The loss is deeply felt. The restaurant is on a stretch of Magnolia Blvd between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street, which needs more eateries and now it has one less. Magnolia Park could use the kind... Read More →

Tags: Magnolia Boulevard, Magnolia Park, restaurants

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Full O' Life Organic Market & Cafe 2515 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank August 21, 2018

Talk of the Town: Full O’ Life closing, Sizzler leaving Magnolia Park

By Fronnie Lewis on Tuesday, August 28, 2018

A major Magnolia Park business is calling it quits. This time it’s not a huge spike in the rent to blame, but a dramatic drop off in business. Management at Full O’ Life, 2515 West Magnolia Blvd, broke the bad news to employees last Tuesday. Full O’ Life, a healthy foods market and cafe, opened back in June of 1959. Cindy Moon and her mother, Kay Matheson, 97, are the owners. The opening of Whole Foods The family run business has weathered a lot of hard times, but the recent... Read More →

Tags: restaurants, Talk of the Town

job fair graphic

UPDATED: The Castaway offering hundreds of new jobs

By Fronnie Lewis on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

UPDATED Wednesday, March 21, 2018 — The job fair has been expanded. It was announced today that the job fair will continue two additional days. They are Tuesday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 28, 10 am to 6 pm at the Castaway. The newly renovated Castaway in Burbank is holding a major job fair to fill 200-300 hundred jobs. The fair kicked off today Tuesday, March 20 and will be held also on Wednesday March 21 and Sunday March 25, from 10 am to 6 pm, at... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Castaway, restaurants

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue Burbank June 24, 2017

City Buzz: Changes at Burbank City Hall and around town

By Fronnie Lewis on Sunday, June 25, 2017

Some changes and developments in the Media City as we head into the last week of June 2017. Burbank City Hall — After five years as Burbank’s Public Information Officer, Drew Sugars, is moving on. Sugars’ departure was officially announced late last Friday in a news release from City Hall. The veteran broadcast journalist will become the Director of Communications and Community Relations for Glendale Community College. In the release, Sugars said: “… I’m sad to leave so many colleagues and friends in this fantastic City, but I’m excited... Read More →

Tags: Burbank City Hall, City Buzz, Drew Sugars, restaurants, Talaria project, Whole Foods market

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- El Torito at 3113 West Olive Avenue Burbank officially closed its doors on December 26, 2016

Burbank El Torito shuts down

By Fronnie Lewis on Thursday, December 29, 2016

The El Torito restaurant at 3113 West Olive Avenue here in Burbank has shut down and removed all signage. The parent company, Cypress-based Real Mex Restaurants, shuttered the Burbank location and five other Southland eateries for a number of reasons from lackluster performance to “unfavorable” lease terms, according to the Orange County Register. The closures were announced last Monday, December 26. Real Mex is apparently trimming down in preparation for the acquisition of a new chain to kick start growth, the Register reports. The word is some of... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, El Torito, Media City, restaurants

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- First Street entrance to Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in Burbank May 23, 2016

Burbank Wood Ranch restaurant opens today

By Fronnie Lewis on Monday, June 13, 2016

Burbank Wood Ranch restaurant opens today. They’re firing up the grill at this much-anticipated eatery in Downtown Burbank for dinner. It’s located at 110 North 1st Street — the old Elephant Bar site. “As a Burbank native, I am excited to return home and bring our award-winning dining experience to this community,”said General Manager Michael Gallagher in a news release. “We look forward to meeting our neighbors and being a part of many summer barbeques to come.” Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is known for its high-quality smoked and grilled dishes.... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Food Groove, Media City, restaurants, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- First Street entrance to Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in Burbank May 23, 2016

Burbank Wood Ranch restaurant opening June 13

By Fronnie Lewis on Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The long-awaited opening of the Burbank Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is just a few weeks away. The extensive remodel of the old Elephant Bar Restaurant at 110 North First Street is nearly complete. The restaurant is set to open Monday June 13, according to the Wood Ranch website. Since the renovation project kicked off late last year, many changes have occurred at the restaurant including a new roof and new exterior including two entrances. One on North First Street and the second on East Orange Grove Avenue. In... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Food Groove, restaurants, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill 110 North First Street, Burbank Friday, April 1, 2016

New Wood Ranch restaurant in Burbank staffing up

By Fronnie Lewis on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Hiring officially got underway yesterday for the most anticipated restaurant in B-town — the Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill. For months now, extensive renovations have been underway at the old location of the Elephant Bar, 110 North First Street, across from the Islands Restaurant at East Orange Grove and First Street. A while back, Alejandro Benes, a partner in the Wood Ranch restaurants, told Media City Groove the target opening was June 2016 and it appears the new eatery is right on schedule. This will be... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, jobs, Media City, restaurants, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Customers wait outside for a table at Another Broken Egg Cafe 250 E Olive Ave Ste 110 Burbank February 8, 2015

Restaurants see spike in customers and jobs

By Fronnie Lewis on Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Have you noticed the lines getting longer at your favorite restaurants? It’s definitely the case in Burbank. The Tallyrand at 1700 West Olive Avenue has been popular with the locals for years, but lately the crowds of people waiting in the lobby or outside have grown. Tables are the hardest to come by on the weekends for breakfast, lunch or brunch. It’s not unusual for the wait to be longer than an hour at trendy eateries like Another Broken Egg Cafe ,250 East Olive Avenue and Bea Bea’s at... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, California, Media City, restaurants

pancakes clipart

IHOP offering free pancakes today!

By Fronnie Lewis on Tuesday, March 3, 2015

If you like pancakes, most of us do, there’s a restaurant offering them free today. IHOP restaurants are celebrating the chain’s tenth anniversary of National Pancake Day! If you dine in, you get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free eats, “guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or other designated local charities,” according to the IHOP pancake day website. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals reportedly raises funds and awareness... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, freebies, IHOP, Media City, restaurants

pizza clip art

October is National Pizza Month

By Fronnie Lewis on Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Here’s an excuse or reason, depending on your perspective, to grab a slice of pizza as many times as you can this month. October is officially National Pizza Month in the U.S. The website pizza.com has some interesting facts about this pie. The site claims 94% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month. There are reportedly more than 60,000 pizzerias in the country. The most popular independent pizza joint in the U.S. — Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria in Anchorage , Alaska with annual... Read More →

Tags: Alaska, Burbank, pizza, restaurants

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Backstage Cafe 2520 West Olive Avenue Burbank July 5, 2014

Best deli sandwich in Burbank

By Fronnie Lewis on Monday, September 22, 2014

A lot of eateries in Burbank have sandwiches on their menus. Nevertheless, if you want a sandwich that’s filling, flavorful, and at a reasonable price, the Backstage Cafe is the place to go. The little shop is anchored on the corner of the First Entertainment Credit Union and IATSE Local 80 building 2520 West Olive Avenue in the Media District. Backstage specializes in fresh, deli-style sandwiches, which are simply scrumptious. Owner Chris Applegate explained how he wants his sandwiches to be memorable for being “fresh and generous portions.” They... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Media City, restaurants, reviews

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Baskin-Robbins 1201 South Victory Boulevard Burbank June 3, 2014

NAACP makes a deal for more African American franchise owners

By Fronnie Lewis on Wednesday, July 23, 2014

NAACP is partnering with the parent company of Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts to increase the number of franchises owned by African Americans. Today the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced an agreement with Dunkin’ Brands Inc. to create the Diversity Franchising Initiative, according to a posting on Dunkin’ Brands website. “Franchising can be a powerful economic tool that further enables the African American community and others to realize the American dream of business ownership,” said Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of... Read More →

Tags: Baskin-Robbins, deals, Dunkin' Donuts, NAACP, partnerships, restaurants

Photo: Elephant Bar Restaurant at First Street and Orange Grove Avenue in Burbank June 19, 2014

Elephant Bar Restaurant in Burbank closes as part of bankruptcy filing

By Fronnie Lewis on Thursday, June 19, 2014

As some diners have discovered, the Elephant Bar Restaurant in Downtown Burbank has closed. On Monday, June 16, S.B. Restaurant Company, the parent of the Elephant Bar Global Grill/Wok Kitchen chain, reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The petition to reorganize includes the shutdown of 16 of the casual dining chain restaurants including the one at North First Street and East Orange Grove Avenue in Burbank. At the shuttered Burbank restaurant, there’s a notice on the door thanking customers for their patronage and a for lease... Read More →

Tags: bankruptcy, Burbank, restaurants

Hacker attack on P.F. Chang’s restaurants

By Fronnie Lewis on Friday, June 13, 2014

Hackers strike again! The P.F. Chang’s restaurant chain has posted a notice on its website acknowledging a security breach. Last Tuesday, June 10, the chain was alerted to the cyber break in by the U.S. Secret Service. “We initiated an investigation with the United States Secret Service and a team of third-party forensics experts to understand the nature and scope of the incident, and while the investigation is still ongoing, we have concluded that data has been compromised,” according to the company website. The thieves... Read More →

Tags: hackers, P.F. Chang's, restaurants, security breach

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Asian Box preview party 116 East Palm Avenue Burbank May 30, 2014

Two new restaurants opening in Burbank today

By Fronnie Lewis on Monday, June 2, 2014

Two new restaurants opening in Downtown Burbank today. Both are part of the growing trend in fast casual dining. Asian Box 116 East Palm Avenue, across from the AMC Theaters, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and preview party last Friday, May 30. Burbank Vice-Mayor, Bob Frutos, was on hand to lead the ribbon-cutting event. Among the locals who dropped by to sample food and drink, Burbank Mom blogger, Jessica Cribbs and her three kids. The restaurant features Asian cuisine, which it describes as freshly made “tasty and... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Food Groove, Media City, restaurants

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Lunch crowd inside the Pizza Studio at Hollywood Way and Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank May 9, 2014

Pizza Studio open for business in Burbank

By Fronnie Lewis on Friday, May 9, 2014

The Pizza Studio is open for business in Burbank. Earlier in the week, the fast food restaurant announced its arrival at 3619 West Magnolia Boulevard by giving away free pizza! The pizza joint officially opened its doors yesterday in Magnolia Park, in the old Quiznos location, across the street from Porto’s Bakery and Cafe. Today, I dropped by around noon. There were friendly staffers in front and behind the counter. Customers were either in line or chowing down on pizza at the tables. I asked one... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, Food Groove, pizza, restaurants

Photo: FLlewis/Media City G -- Big Mama's and Papas Pizzeria 321 East Alameda Avenue Burbank May 1, 2014

Review: Good eats at Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria in Burbank

By Fronnie Lewis on Sunday, May 4, 2014

To my surprise, we got some pretty good eats at Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria in Burbank. It’s hard to live up to the hype from the 2014 Academy Awards pizza delivery stunt and all that attention from the Ellen Degeneres Show. Nevertheless, we left this pizza joint full and satisfied after a quick-lunch last week. However, it almost did not happen. I saw a help wanted sign for a cook on the door and just about turned around to head somewhere else. If... Read More →

Tags: Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria, Burbank, Food Groove, restaurants, reviews

Photo: Tender Greens sign in Downtown Burbank April 6, 2014

Job fair in Burbank today

By Fronnie Lewis on Friday, May 2, 2014

Job fair in Burbank today for a new restaurant opening in the downtown area. Tender Greens serves “… “fresh, healthy, chef-inspired, farmer’s market sensible dishes at an affordable price in a relaxed environment,” according to the company website. The eatery had been scheduled to open this summer at 325 North San Fernando Road. Now, it looks like the remodeling will be done and they can start serving customers at the end of this month. The restaurant will be interviewing potential employees today, Friday, May 2, at 301 East... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, job fair, restaurants, Tender Greens

Burbank Police “Tip A Cop” event at Claim Jumper

By Fronnie Lewis on Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Burbank Police “Tip A Cop” event at Claim Jumper in the Media City on Thursday. Burbank police personnel will be on hand at the restaurant to act as celebrity waiters and their tips will go to the Special Olympics. “Tip-A-Cop events are one of the main fundraisers for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is one of the largest fundraising arms of Special Olympics,” according to the organization’s website. Also, the tips will support sports training and competition for people with developmental... Read More →

Tags: Burbank Police Department, fundraisers, restaurants, Special Olympics

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Canyon Grille at DeBelle Golf Course 1500 East Walnut Avenue Burbank April 6, 2014

Review: The Canyon Grille better than former Clubhouse Grill

By Fronnie Lewis on Friday, April 11, 2014

The big reopening bash for the Canyon Grille restaurant at the DeBell Golf Club on East Walnut in Burbank is this evening. The Canyon Grille has been open only a few months and is already a vast improvement over its predecessor, the very marginal Clubhouse Grill. The Canyon Grille has the potential to be a notable eatery in the Media City, but there are still some bumps and rough spots that need attention. Last Sunday, my husband and I had lunch at the C-G. The prices are reasonable... Read More →

Tags: Burbank, DeBell Golf Club, Food Groove, Media City, restaurants, reviews