Chasen's facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chasen's |
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Chasen's entrance from Beverly Blvd. October 1997
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1936 |
| Closed | April 1, 1995 |
| Previous owner(s) | Dave Chasen (1936–1973) Maude Chasen (1973–1995) |
| Food type | American |
| Dress code | Formal |
| Street address | 9039 Beverly Boulevard |
| City | West Hollywood |
| State | California |
| Postal/ZIP code | 90048 |
| Country | US |
| Coordinates | 34°04′39″N 118°23′21″W / 34.0774°N 118.3892°W |
| Known for | Favorite of Hollywood elite and other celebrities |
Chasen's was a super famous restaurant in West Hollywood, California. It was a favorite spot for movie stars, singers, politicians, and other important people. The restaurant opened in 1936 at 9039 Beverly Boulevard.
Chasen's was known for hosting many Academy Awards parties. It was also incredibly famous for its delicious chili. Actress Elizabeth Taylor loved the chili so much that she had it flown to her movie sets! She ordered it while filming Cleopatra in Rome and The Klansman in Oroville, California.
Many regular customers had special booths named after them. The booth used by President Ronald Reagan is now at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It's where he asked actress Nancy Davis to marry him! Other famous people with their own booths included Frank Sinatra, Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, and Groucho Marx. Chasen's closed its doors for good in 1995.
Contents
The Story of Chasen's
How It Started
Comedian Dave Chasen opened the restaurant in December 1936. He got the idea from director Frank Capra. At first, it was called "Chasen's Southern Pit" and was just a small place. But it quickly became famous for its chili. Soon, it was a popular spot for Hollywood stars.
A Magical Meeting
In late 1937, Walt Disney had dinner at Chasen's. He was celebrating the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There, he met conductor Leopold Stokowski. They talked about a special project: arranging Paul Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice" for a short film with Mickey Mouse. This meeting eventually led to Disney's third full-length animated movie, Fantasia!
Who Visited Chasen's?
Hollywood's Favorite Spot
Many famous people enjoyed meals at Chasen's. Early customers included Walt Disney, Leopold Stokowski, Cary Grant, Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, and W. C. Fields.
As time went on, new, trendy restaurants opened in Hollywood. Some celebrities started going to these newer places. But many stars stayed loyal to Chasen's until the very end. President Ronald Reagan and singer Frank Sinatra were still regulars. Other famous guests included Richard Nixon, Gregory Peck, Bob Hope, and Jack Lord. Newer stars like Jack Nicholson, John Travolta, and Mel Gibson also loved the restaurant.
Special Guests and Payments
Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson were frequent visitors. Actress Carol Burnett often treated guest stars from The Carol Burnett Show to dinner there. Chasen's had a unique way of handling payments. They didn't accept credit cards! Instead, well-known customers simply signed for their meals. Then, a bill would be mailed to them later.
What Happened After Chasen's Closed?
The original Chasen's restaurant closed on April 1, 1995. After closing, the building was sometimes used for private parties and filming movies. In 1997, many of its items were sold at an auction. This included pictures, bars, booths, and even wall panels.
Today, you can find some of these original items in Santa Paula, California. The Mupu Grill on Main Street has many photos, ten booths, and barstools from Chasen's. Comedian Brian Haley bought Frank Sinatra's booth, the bar, and the front awning. The original building was mostly torn down. Now, a grocery store called Bristol Farms stands on the site. The store's cafe even has some of the original Chasen's booths and paneling!
A new Chasen's restaurant opened in Beverly Hills in 1997. However, this new version closed in April 2000.
See also
- Brown Derby
- Perino's
