Cookin’ at the Hot House

Every Friday night you can find an old ‘50s Dodge parked in front of the Hot House in North Hollywood. The vehicle’s owner is Chuck E. Weiss, who can be found inside banging out some classic blues-rock sounds for a crowd that treasures him and an atmosphere that is cozy and casual.

THE SCENE: Old ‘50s and ‘60s paperbacks decorate the walls and overflow from the bookshelf in the back. Tiki masks and old-time clock radios add to the decor. Co-owner Jon Baer said he and Karl and Amy Dovaston wanted a place to display their collection of memorabilia, old books and jazz. It’s all for fun, he said, “not to be taken too seriously.” Along with a variety of coffees, the Hot House menu includes breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pizza, chili and chicken dishes. Be sure to ask Baer about his special chocolate espresso banana malt--one sip is to die for!

THE MUSIC: Weiss has been around the club scene for years. A Monday night regular at the Viper Room, he has earned a respected reputation as a true blues-rock master who has a circle of friends who follow him religiously. And they loved him at the Hot House, a place Weiss said he likes playing at the club because of its intimacy. All eyes were on Weiss’ band, which includes J. J. Holiday and Spyder Mittleman, from the moment they hit the stage. The place felt more like a club than a coffeehouse. Every once in a while, George Thorogood drops in to jam with the band. On a recent Friday, Thorogood stepped in to play guitar and sing some of his own hits during Weiss’ set of rowdy boogie-woogie blues.

THE CROWD: Mostly late 20s to early 40s. Dress is casual, jeans and oxfords. Most seemed to be there for the band and the coolest in the bunch seemed to be the musicians’ friends, Hollywood scenesters who stood out in more trendy and risky garb than the rest of the crowd.

THE GOOD: It’s nice to see the crowd so enthusiastic and responsive to the music in a friendly atmosphere.

THE BAD: The place gets a little stuffy as it get crowded. It’s standing room only after about 10 p.m., so get there early and grab a seat or you won’t be able to see the show.

THE WORD: What does he like best about this place? Thorogood, flaunting a little celebrity attitude, answered: “That nobody bothers me.”

The Hot House, 12123 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood, 7 a.m. to midnight Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday. (818) 506-7058.