Marilyn Monroe's Favorite $2 Order At The Iconic Barney's Beanery In West Hollywood

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Actress, icon ... chili connoisseur? The latter may not be among the most common descriptions used in reference to legendary Marilyn Monroe, but we at Tasting Table know there is no one too high or too humble to enjoy a comforting bowl of the stuff. The actress' favorite $2 order at the West Hollywood institution of Barney's Beanery was a simple bowl of chili.

Barney's Beanery originally began as a chili stand in 1920, opened by World War I veteran John Barney Anthony. In 1927, the business relocated to a full bar-and-restaurant set-up on Los Angeles' Santa Monica Boulevard, where it remains to this day — although it has expanded to numerous other locations, too. This prime location made it popular with numerous stars of Hollywood's golden age, including Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, and Clara Bow. Marilyn Monroe, in particular, would frequently stop in at the Beanery during the filming of her classic comedy "Some Like It Hot." While her home cooked dinners often comprised of broiled meat and raw carrots — a quirky dining habit that Monroe attributed to her being "part rabbit" — her predilection for Barney's chili can be verified by a signed check from Monroe for a $2 order of the signature dish, which has since been framed and proudly hung upon the restaurant's wall. 

The Uber Eats menu for the West Hollywood location of Barney's Beanery that Marilyn Monroe frequented still offers three kinds of chili today — Classic, Fireman's, and 3 Bean. The Classic is made according to the "circa 1920" recipe, described as an "all beef chili" with "chili spices," served with sour cream, mixed cheese, diced onions, and tortilla chips. Sadly, prices have gone up a bit since Monroe's day, and a bowl of this dish will now set you back $13.50.

Though the specific recipe for Barney's classic chili is not publicly available, it has been speculated that Gebhardt and Mexene are used in it, two brands of chili powder popular when Barney's Beanery first opened its doors. Today, California chili recipes often make use of chili powder made from dried Anaheim peppers, which are perfect for mild palates and adapted well to the Californian environment after being imported from New Mexico in the late 19th century.

Marilyn Monroe was far from the last celebrity to find refuge at Barney's Beanery, and in the ensuing decades, it would welcome notable figures including Jim Morrison, the Brat Pack, Demi Moore, and Quentin Tarantino, who found the famous LA bar one of his favorite places to write. Barney's Beanery has expanded since Monroe's day, and now has five locations across LA, open 365 days a year.