JoAnn's Chili Bordello

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (MichaelFL)

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:46:21 GMT

JoAnn died on Friday 13th in 2009, along with my investment The concept would have performed better during the 1970's -- rather than the 1980's and 1990's, IMHO.

She and Leonard Doctors, the franchisors, proved that location is everything. Almost every one of the stores failed in the first two years. The seedy location on Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville, where the restaurant began, was a strip club -- before after she went out of business.

As for the recipes, come on. Really? If you owned a franchise, like I did, you know that you had to buy the seasoning packs from Leonard and that you never were told the recipes.

Oh, and the recipe for the hottest chili (always the last item on the menu) was actually called "Madame Hot Pants" and I DO know the recipe for that -- it was whatever was left over from the five or six flavors from the previous day, doused with cayenne pepper; so, it was really never the same each time you had it.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (ladylala381)

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:20 GMT

God had nothing to do with the Bordello Dr. L M..lol

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (Dr. L.M.)

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:36:38 GMT

Dear God.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (ladylala381)

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:07:19 GMT

I am the niece of the creator of the original Joann's Chili Bordello. I can assure you that there was only one JoAnn. The franchisees that opened their desired location may have happened to have an employee/manager or even themselves been named JoAnn however, that was just coincidence.
If anyone has questions I would do my best to answer you as I had a large part in the planning and putting together the restaurant as well as worked there when needed to help out.
I do know that there are a lot of "debatable" comments on this blog and I would like to keep the information truthful in honor of my late uncle.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (shermiamor)

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:08:52 GMT

Hi Joanne!
My name is Sherry Chahla. I don't know if you remember me, but I was one of the girls that was in the filming of Real People, with Skip Stevenson, at your restaraunt "Joanns Chili Bordello"; my name at the time was Sherry Sluus (or Sherry Czerny - I'm not sure if I had changed my last name back to my maiden name at the time of the filming).
I wasn't a regular working girl there, but the boyfriend (Eddie Santiego) of the head waitress there had told me that she wanted to talk to me about doing the shoot there.
Would you happen to have a copy of the episode that was filmed there?
The parents, of my boyfriend that I had at the time, recorded the show, but I haven't been able to get in touch with him to get a copy. The last I heard was that he moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Orlando, Florida and I have yet to find him. All I have is a menu with Skip Stevenson’s autograph on it. If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to get a copy from you or information on how I can obtain a copy of that ephisode; I would also like some copies of the pictures that you had offered on this thread.

I have the pictures that Burgermeister posted in his original post. When I saw them I was so elated that I had them downloaded to my computer from the links that he gave. Do you still need the pictures? I would gladly give you copies of them.
Sincerely,
Sherry Chahla
PS,
I was also supposed to be paid for the shoot? (I never did get paid, and I doubt that I could now - it was almost 30 years ago.) Who was supposed to pay me? Would you happen to know where I could find out if I can? Anything would help.
I will be happy to give you my email address if you would like.

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (mar52)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:38:18 GMT

A rezerection of a thread!

I was in San Pedro this past Sunday. How was the weather?

If it's the chili you are missing, try Tub's:

http://www.tubschili.com/

Good stuff and not far from San Pedro. 45 minutes.

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (MetroplexJim)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:50:30 GMT

I wonder if anyone has written "A History of the Breastaurant"?

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne1)

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:45:40 GMT

prattitude

I had the pleasure of working at the original Jo Anns Chili Bordello as a bus boy in 1987-88..

as a 19 year old kid, I can't think of anywhere else I'd have rather worked

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne1)

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:23:05 GMT

Hey there, sister Barbara, thanks for the great comments. I can still see you dancing around the room while I played the piano and quiped about the (imaginary) rooms upstairs. You sure looked great in your corset my dear! Hip, hip, HOORAY!

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne1)

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:17:24 GMT

Hello there everyone! This is Madame Joanne, once again shaking my feathers your way. I had to change my e-mail address because of a virus (gasp, choke), but all I changed was the spelling from "madamejoanne" to "madamejoanna."
So much has happened with regard to JoAnn's Chili Bordello since my last communication. My condolences upon the deaths of the Manager and the others who ran the store in Jacksonville, Florida. Now that store is up for sale along with the whole copyright, etc. I wish everyone well.
Anyone out there who remembers our fun conversations from the past? Well, hustle my bustle, let's talk! hee hee hee

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (Red Hot Mama)

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:58:02 GMT

Hello everyone! I went to JoAnn's many times in Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro, CA, and loved it! My sister is the notorious Madame Joanne who played the piano, greeted the guests, sang baudy songs, and was the real Queen of the One-Liners! Man, what great entertainment and WOW for the many handsome men who frequented the place! We used to dance and sing along, especially when Madame Joanne led the house song, Show Me What Ya Got For Sale, and the "girls" sang the response as they were waiting on the tables! What a wonderful time, of all the good memories I have in my lifetime, this experience tops the Chili!!!

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (prattitude)

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:55:48 GMT

I had the pleasure of working at the original Jo Anns Chili Bordello as a bus boy in 1987-88..

as a 19 year old kid, I can't think of anywhere else I'd have rather worked

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello (luckibill)

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:28:50 GMT

I was just thinking about old times and looked up my old restaurants and was surprised to see it listed on the web. I started these two restaurants in both Manhattan Beach and Port's a Call village in San Pedro with my Partner Bill Ross. I picked the location and did all the design work, found all the furnishing, even found the nude statues to go in the bar. I hire the staff, and managed both places. The original idea was from a man names Leonard Doctors who had one in Jacksonville, Fla his girl friend was Joanne and served as the model for the picture in glass on the door. Bill Ross talked me into going to Florida to look at what he had and we were the first to that he franchised. I took his original idea and added the flocked Wallpaper, Crystal Chandelier, Nude Statues, the piano player, the wild bathrooms and more. I enjoyed getting this started it was lots of fun and even designed the Fancy Dressing Room in the center of the Manhattan Beach location when it was brought to my attention that the girls had no where to change. I don't know if anyone remembers but we also had a wall of old-time mail boxes from a Post-office that you could have you mail delivered care of Joann's Bordello Manhattan Beach, Ca. We also got a lot of the LA Raiders in this location because it was near their training camp. The Chili was great, we served it in a cantaloupe with the fruit on the side. Does anyone remember Peppermint Patty? She was one of the original girls, she was alway having wardrobe problems and would give out Peppermint Patties with the bill. The TV show Real People came out and did a segment on us. We had hope they would talk about the Chili but all they showed was the girls and the "Better than Sex Cake". I just fun thinking about it again!

Bill MacDonald

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (Large Man)

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:08:13 GMT

I ate there as a young 17 year old with two buddies in J'ville. The ladies sure made us feel special although we were scared of them. The chilli was actually good (choice of beef , chicken or pork with good spice) and they did serve it in a half of a cantalope rind with the fruit scooped out on the side to cool the heat of the chilli. Ahh to be 17 again with a 43 years of experience.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (HChahin)

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:42:09 GMT

I once had the pleasure of visiting the Manhattan Beach location of JoAnn's Chili Bordello. A group of friends got together to celebrate a birthday of a member of the group. Our visit must have been shortly after the restaurant opened because I remember the chili being served in a canteloupe rind. I also recall the torso-shaped chocolate cake.

I hope Madame JoAnne succeeds in opening her own chili bordello soon. I will be fun to go back to such an establishment.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:47:05 GMT

Hmm, good question Mellow.

Jo Ann sounded like a nice lady.
Joe

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (MellowRoast)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:18:42 GMT

How many Jo Ann's were there?

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-17/story/joann_perschel_1950-2009_restauranteur_of_joanns_chili_bordello

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (PapaJoe8)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:51:55 GMT

TJK, another welcome to you! It will take about three days non stop to read the whole chili section here. Well worth tha trip though. Feel free to post on any old threads you like. Newbees get to do that. :~)
Joe

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (TJK)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:29:44 GMT

MichaelFL

Although somewhat Hooter-esq, JoAnn's was different, not a sports bar, more of an old west bordello; velvet wallpaper, chandeliers, red carpet, etc.

Each location was different but kept true to the bordello theme. We outfitted the girls in lace corsets from Darling Lingerie which they wore over panties with garter belts and hose, but, of course, no see through ... well, not much see through!

I'm sorry I missed this. Sounds like a hoot (pun intended)!

TJK

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello-Oh JoAnn how I miss thee (PapaJoe8)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:36:03 GMT

Cynic, welcome to Roadfood! And... neat to hear from someone else who has actually been to JoAnn's.
Joe

Re:JoAnn's Chili Bordello-Oh JoAnn how I miss thee (cynic)

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:51:35 GMT

One of my all time favorites for lunch when I lived in JAX. Worked Downtown and dropped over to the store at the Beach/Atlantic split to have a bowl of chili a cold beer and oggle the ladies. some of the Chili was mediocre, other was very good. Made Hooters look like a kids show, the ladies at JoAnn's were great. Darn I miss it..

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (PapaJoe8)

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:48:53 GMT

I agree Nocarolina, some 5 way on down... and Some Shanghai Jimmy's chili rice. Just make it kinda kid frindly till 8 pm. and it would work!
Joe

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (PapaJoe8)

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:34:20 GMT

Good to see you Madame!

Now if only we could come up w/ some recipes from the Bordello.
Joe

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne)

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:17:15 GMT

Madame Joanne is in! Don't worry Gents, I'm worth waiting for! Giggle! I've been very busy fluffing my feathers of late. It's sweet of you'll to miss me! I see the website has been gussied up a bit. Very nice! Madame Joanne

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (NYNM)

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:22:24 GMT

That's hot!
(haha)

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (PapaJoe8)

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:18:00 GMT

NYNM, I hope she is! Could we email her I wonder?

For some reason I have had this recurring dream about having a bowl of "Green Chile Chili" at JoAnn's... served by Madame Joanne. :~)
Joe

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (NYNM)

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:38:50 GMT

Whatever happened to MadameJoanne? RU Out There??

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:07:33 GMT

Well, Chesapeakebishop, that grand opening in Columbus sounds very grand indeed! I love the invitations and mementos ideas. Every little gimmick counts! We had a bench outside the San Pedro store with an ingraved inscription, "Our girls are worth waiting for!" We also had pens and bumper stickers which read, "I got off at JoAnn's Chili Bordello!" Lots of fun! I have so many ideas for my own Chili Restaurant that I find myself day dreaming about it a lot! Coming up with new and even tastier Chili dishes all the time! Got any photos of that grand opening? I'd love to see them! Madame Joanne

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (Chesapeakebishop)

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:03:17 GMT

I remember the Columbus franchise very well because my friend George Roberts, a former Citizen-Journal business editor, and I had the PR contract for its grand opening. The franchisee was Grace Chen, a highly successful owner of Chinese restaurants. We staggered the event over three evenings because we knew the response would be wildly successful. To the governor, the justices, all the legislators, lobbyists, CEOs and professionals, we sent wedding-sized invitations of raised ink on card stock, with a tongue-in-cheek, pompous text. "Madame Grace Chen Modestly Invites You and the Woman of Your Choosing to the Grand Opening ..... formal attire, please." The promised mementos were garter belts for the ladies, the attached button reading, "I met my man at JoAnn's." Usually successful in our work, even George and I were stunned at the quality of the crowd. The guv did not personally attend, sending his press rep. But the whole rank and file were right behind Verne Rife, a grand guy of blessed memory, House Speaker and, as one member of the entire loyal opposition said to a reporter, "We're here to keep an eye on the Speaker." After those grand opening nights, George and I enjoyed free chili at JoAnn's at any hour we pleased. The down side was that costume approval gave me astigmatism, and as a result I am forced to wear trifocals to this day. And, yes, as all the rest have said, the chili was awesome.

RE: JoAnn's Chili Bordello (madamejoanne)

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:57:09 GMT

I did find those links on another Forum, Animal House, but they didn't work there either. There was only one additional link that worked, it was a black and white photo of one of the "Girls" (Waitresses) working. I copied it for future reference. So, Bergermeister, are you out there? Got any links to photographs that still work?
Thought it was so sad that when I went to Jerry's aka JoAnn's Guestbook that there were only two tributes to her. Quickly added my own, and then another from a friend of mine who used to frequent JoAnn's back in l983 in San Pedro, California. Looks like that tribute website to JoAnn's I've been planning is actually coming into fruition, but I need as much input, comments, memories, and photos as I can find to make it happen. All contributions are welcome.
During my searches I discovered that there was another Chili Joint that opened for a short time in Jacksonville, Florida, which served 50 kinds of Chili, and all of the "Girls" wore the same types of Corsets as at JoAnn's Chili Bordello, but they were all over age 50! That must have been very interesting! This short lived Chili Joint was called Joanne's Chili Bordello! How funny! Madame Joanne