The Munch Box was built in 1956. It was designed by architect Marcel Dumar in the distinctive Googie style, a uniquely Los Angeles architectural style named after Hollywood’s Googies Coffee Shop (designed by John Lautner in 1949). The distinctive, 300 square feet building, decked out in bright yellow and red, are still part of the stands design today. 

This original roadside burger stand has been owned and operated by the same family, originating with Buck Barker, kept the same Googie architecture, and nearly the same menu. The menu offers a variety of burgers and hot dogs, plain fries, chili fries, and drinks (including its classic root beer float, originally made with root beer made on the premises).

When surrounding development threatened to shut down the restaurant in the early 2000s, the community wrote 1,700 letters and petitions to the city council, urging that the burger stand should be placed on the list of Cultural-Historical Landmarks. In his motion to preserve the building, councilman Hal Bernson wrote, “The landmark is an integral part of the old Chatsworth community and a direct link with its past. These types of establishments that once abounded virtually no longer exist and are only seen in old photographs or movie clips.” The Los Angeles City Council agreed and declared The Munch Box #750 on the Historic Register for Los Angeles.

Celebrating the event, Huell Howser was invited to The Munch Box to see what sites Chatsworth has to offer. His program included an interview with Buck and his wife Claire discussing the history

When interviewed by Huell, Buck referred to himself more as a “caretaker” of the original establishment.

Although it’s located along the sidewalk in front of a typical strip mall today, back in its early days there was a hitching post for horses in front of the restaurant. Movie cowboys Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who owned a ranch in Chatsworth, were known to frequent the roadside burger stand.

It has been said that in the 50-60’s, schedules permitting, that the freight train conductors would make a point of stopping the train at the Munch Box for lunch. Located along the tracks it would have been convenient