“Hiya, babe! Let’s do lunch!” It is a cliched phrase associated with Hollywood that is almost rarely heard nowadays, right up there with “Lights, Camera, Action!” and “No, seriously, another Transformers movie would be a great idea!” If you’ve ever wanted a taste of tinseltown from days gone by, the place to do it is at Musso and Frank’s Grill on Hollywood Blvd.
Just a couple of steps down the road from the historic Graumann’s Chinese Theatre, this piece of history has been feeding both Hollywood royalty and locals alike for the last century. Founded in 1919, originally called “Francois” by brothers Joseph Musso and Frank Toulet, it changed its name to Musso and Frank Grill in 1923. The restaurant has kept to this day its original character, which includes high ceilings, dark wood paneling, and red booths. Its waiters and bartenders dress in the same red coats that they’ve worn for decades. The interior seems a bit dimly lit, but it just adds to the charm and atmosphere of a place steeped in Hollywood history.
By the 1930’s, Musso and Frank was firmly established at the center of Hollywood’s cultural life. Literary regulars included William Saroyan, Dorothy Parker, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Charles Bukowski.
Musso and Frank has been a cornerstone of the social life of the Los Angeles film industry. The restaurant has kept a separate back room for its film industry clientele which included not only screenwriters, but actors, producers and directors. Such alumni patrons included Charlie Chaplin, Harry Warner and his brother Jack (The Warner Bros.) Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Orson Wells, and Rudolph Valentino. The restaurant’s popularity with industry clientele continues to the present, with modern stars like Brad Pitt, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Harrison Ford.
For those who are not connected to Hollywood royalty, locals and tourists alike can dine in style. The menu is chock full of excellent dishes that range from classic comfort food to some of the fanciest fare this side of a Parisian kitchen. Some of their most iconic dishes include Welsh Rarebit, Lobster Thurmidor, fettuccine Alfredo, and the chicken pot pie (available only on Thursdays). If you can’t decide on which dish to get, a good cut of steak with a cornucopia of sides is definitely a winner. For dessert, their bread pudding is a can’t miss. Even if you don’t save room, you will definitely wanna order this palette pleasing sweetness.
6667 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood CA, 90028
Open six days a week (closed on Mondays) from 5 pm to 11 pm. Closes at 10 pm on Sundays.
For public transportation: use Metro RED line and exit at Hollywood/Highland or Hollywood/Vine station.
