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Bob’s Big Boy returning to O.C.
December 23rd, 2008, 6:36 am · 128 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Bob’s Big Boy is making a Southern California comeback.
The restaurant chain — best known for its iconic chubby mascot Bob and his red-and-white suspenders — is slated to open a Bob’s Big Boy in Orange in spring 2009.
The new restaurant will mark the return of a chain that exited the region years ago. At one point, Bob’s had at least 16 restaurants in Orange County. (Comment below if you have any Bob’s memories.)
The chain’s new owners, Big Boy Restaurants International, are working to
rejuvenate the brand via franchising, said Dave Knitter, vice president of franchise development.
New interior of Bob's Big Boy.
The company, which has 11 restaurants in California, is scouting more places to open in Orange and Los Angeles counties, Knitter said. New locations have not been disclosed, but Southern California is a key area for new eateries, he said.
History: The chain started in 1936 when Bob Wian, the owner of a 10-seat diner in Glendale invented the now famous “double-decker” hamburger dubbed the Big Boy. Wian eventually renamed his diner Bob’s Big Boy. A plump young boy who was a frequent diner was the inspiration for the now-famous “Bob” image.
Bob's Big Boy public notice sign posted at Stadium Promenade.
The new restaurants will have a contemporary design but will also boast some vintage decor, Knitter said. The average per-person check is $8. The menu will feature classics such as the Big Boy burger and the Slim Jim. The latter sandwich is made with lean ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and special sauce, grilled on a Grecian roll. (More Menu items)
Bob’s Big Boy in Orange will take over a 5,000-square-foot space at the Stadium Promenade near Lazy Dog Cafe and the newly opened Prime Cut Cafe. Address: 1701 West Katella Ave.
Related stories:
For more chatter on Bob’s Big Boy, read Chowhound.
More restaurant comebacks/expansions:
- Farrell’s to add more ice cream parlor’s in O.C.
- Sonic adding 12 carhops in O.C. and L.A.
- Checkers planning 12 double-drive throughs in O.C.
Click on the button below to get a list of new restaurants opening in O.C.
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1968, about choked to death on a Big Boy burger and a bowl of chili in Anaheim. My fault, wolfing down the best burger next to the Bonus Jack.
I remember the Big Boy statue was always being stolen (by frat houses?). There used to be a BBB across the street from UCI.
Why is everything geared to open on the other side of the 22 fwy? We sure can use options here in HB. Try and get Sonic here next year, In-N-Out just is not the same as it was before the original owner passed away. The grand daughter has cut the staff and food quality went flying out the window….it’s a hit and miss if you get a decent hamburger now when you order.
We could use a Bob’s Big Boy also, Denny’s sucks!
Bob’s is coming back, and Farrell’s! Wow, it’s like reliving my childhood. Plus, recently ate at a Sambo’s in Santa Barbara. Makes me want to eat a bowl of Spaghetti O’s and watch Sheriff John and Hobo Kelly on TV. Ahhh, a childhood full of junk food and television. Nothing like it.
Loved the BBB in Hawaii! Crushed ice in my draft rootbeer… YUM!!!
Their sundaes were awesome. I always make sure we stop en route to Vegas.
Long story short, I wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Bob’s Big Boy. That’s where my Dad was crusin’ when he noticed this stunning red-head in a canary yellow 56 Chevy 4-Door. A short cat and mouse game later on the streets of Covina allowed them to meet for the first time.
That location is now a mall parking lot.
Two of Bob’s old buildings still stand in Santa Ana. They just need to get IHOP to move out. Bob’s will be a welcome sight.
I’m excited. I worked at Bobs Big Boy in Anaheim and it was the best place to work. I was sad when they closed down. I was talking with my friends the other day and said I wish we had a Bob’s Big Boy in Orange County again.
I worked at the Bob’s Big Boy on 17th Street in Costa Mesa in 1979. It was one of the most fun jobs I ever had.
All the staff would get together and go out after we closed.
We were super busy on Friday nights. Remember the
Combo? And those Hot Fudge Cakes!!
I remember eating at the one in El Toro with my family - parents, grandparents, aunt & uncle. I don’t recall what I would order, but I do remember I really enjoyed going there.
We always bought their seasoning salt to take home.
grrrvine,
That Sambo’s in SB is the original, and only remaining Sambo’s in the U.S. It’s not a reimaging like BBB or Farrell’s.
Great food - love to go there every time I’m in SB.
Mine was the Adams and Brookhurst BBB - and the Pappy Parkers fried chicken… funny, as I read the other comments (hot fudge cake) I instantly got an image in my brain about its construction, and yes - how good it tasted.
I’m hoping they do a bit more research and just don’t try and put them in old locations - there’s a reason it didn’t work the first time!
Who remembers the comic book they gave out to kids?
BBB is at Lake Havasu…It is great, at least it was a couple of years ago. Hopefully it is still their. Same food and shakes…..My kids liked also…..
I am super excited! I cannot wait for the blue cheese salad dressing, the piggy bank, the sundae, the seasoning salt….
When I was growing up in Tennessee, we had Shoney’s, which were the Southern franchise of Bob’s Big Boy. I’m so excited to have a BBB coming into Orange! Those hot fudge cakes were the best! I’d forgotten about the seasoning salt. Thanks for the great news!
nothing but good memories of bob’s big boy - i always wondered why they disappeared while dennys survived.
Nancy, please clarify, will it be in that same parking lot as Lazy Dog or somewhere else? Can’t wait!!
I am so happy! funny i was talking to my wife about craving a double decker last night. Every once in a while we would stop by the one on Wilshire in LA but that one has closed too. I used to go to the one on Bristol in Santa Ana and the Sambo’s right down the street
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I cant wait …I am going to be in Brea later and ..I think I will have to go to the one in Diamond Bar…
Awesome!! Used to go all the time to the one in HB on Edinger. The shakes are the best! MMMM!!! Welcome Back BBB!!!
I miss the architecture of these old restaurants.
http://sambosphotos.com/map.htm
Spent my teen years in the late 1950s cruising Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena and we always stopped at Bob’s Big Boy at the end of a date. Milk shakes that were so thick we could turn them over without dripping. Cheeseburgers flavored with Thousand Island dressing. Later we went to the BBB in Laguna Hills, but they all disappeared. If the Orange BBB is successful, let’s hope they open more throughout the OC. I’ll be their first customer!
And, by the way, at our last high school reunion we were all given laminated BBB menus, with 1950s prices. Still have mine.
Grandma GiGi and Grandpa Mike would always take us grandkids to BBB for a treat when visiting and she always ordered spaghetti with chili on top. Wonderfull memories!!
KICK ARSE!!!!
They can buy the old buildings back from Coco’s etc. that moved in when they were downsizing. Like the one on Harbor & Chapman.
Futuristic.
I loved the Slim Jim! I go to Elias Brothers Big Boy when in Michigan.
I took a date to Bobs big boy that was on Euclid s/o Lincoln in Anaheim. She was looking at the Denny’s across the street and when the waitress took our order she asked for the Denny’s hamburger combo.
WOW…I think I am going to have a bigger weight problem. First it was Farrell’s and now Bob’s Big Boy…there hot fudge sundae and there burgers with that great dressing were my favorite.
If you can’t wait for the one to open in Orange, you can enjoy the BBB currently open in Long Beach at the southwest corner of Willow (Katella) and Cherry Ave. It opened about two years ago.
Yeah, I loved Bob’s Big Boy growing up. We used to go to the one on E. 17th Street in Costa Mesa…good memories.
Happy Happy Days !
Ahh yes….Beach Blvd BBB remember shooting the colored toothpicks into the cork ceilings after the football games?
They should have sued over the Big Mac.
The Bob’s on Adams near Brookhurst in Huntington Beach was the first restaurant we visited when we moved into our new home in 1972. I can still remember the dressing on the burgers!
Does anyone remember the Bob’s Breakfast Bar? That was wonderful…
I LOVED bob’s big boy as a kid. Remember hugging that big plastic statue every time we visited. And thousand island dressing on the burgers … yum!
What, no one metioned Hot Fudge Cake!? We lived for that after football games. Yum-ola!
I think the Bob’s Big boy near us was turned into a Music Plus, then a Wherehouse Records and Tapes, then a Walgreens.
This is the BEST NEWS I have heard all year!
Now I have something to live for!
WOW! I’m so excited to BBB to come back. I’m only 22, but I remember frequenting the BBB by Laguna Hills Mall when I was a kid. Way to go OC! Glad to see we are bringing back this legendary diner!!!
In the 1970s we were always going to the BBB in La Habra on Beach Blvd. It is/was a Carrow’s last time I was in that area quite some time ago. As a kid, I remember seeing the toothpicks up in the cork wondering how on earth they go up there. My older brother finally showed me and well, hopefully they don’t have cork ceilings this time around. I remember most the newsprint comicbook that had puzzles and stuff in it.
I love it!……….I finally get a chance to steal a Bob’s statue now that I’m an adult!
I’m so happy! Can’t wait to introduce my young niece to Bob’s Big Boy. Looking forward to a Big Boy Combo, Yum!
FINALLY…..I was so bummed when they closed the BBB on El Toro.
I grew up eating BB Combo’s, Hot Fudge Cakes, and Chocolate Coke.
In my college years, we would hit the Hermosa Beach Bob’s after partying (Spaghetti and chili combo). Now I take my kids to the one in Victorville on the way to Vegas, or out to Temecula.
Can’t wait for the new one to open!!
Wow, how awsome. There was a Bob’s Big Boy drive-in next to PCC in Pasadena. Every friday night a bunch of us would meet to show off our cars, order wet fries and cherry cokes, then go out on dates. Their burgers were to die for.
Anyone remember the Drive-in on Whittier Blvd near Colima. Huge hangout for those cruising in the early to late 60’s. It had closed by the 70’s I think…
Went there many a time. It was a huge feat to finally put away a combo.
Anyone remember the chili-spaghetti combination?
Great news! About 5 yrs ago when I was dating my wife we pulled off the 57fwy in Diamond Bar to get gas and there was a Big Boy across the street. She was shocked to see it so we went in and all ordered a sundae, shake, etc. She bought a bobblehead and few other things, I think she thought she would never go again. We live in Brea now and everytime I take her to dinner for a special occasion I bring her to Bob’s and she’s always happy. To have one near a movie theater is just icing on the cake. Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures in life that are the best.
My only memory of a Bob’s Big Boy is ordering a Big Boy and wondering if they forgot the meat. I finally pried the bun open far enough that I found one of the patty’s hidden under wilted lettuce. I didn’t even try to find the other patty.
If they haven’t improved, they don’t stand a chance against In ‘n Out, Tommy’s, and Fuddruckers.
The Bob’s in Huntington Beach was the only one that sold beer.
Good times, good times
This is AWESOME!
My dad grew up in Glendale and would take us to BBB every week when I was growing up. Now my husband and I drive out to the 57/60 BBB just to get seasoned salt and enjoy the chili. My favorite is they’re chili spaghetti - I have yet to find that anywhere.
GO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bob
sounds like another has been is going to attempt a comeback, seems like it is following the Movie makers, no new Ideas Guys or what?
How many lives can one burger have? And How many times must a burger walk by before it can called a burger, yes and how many times must one burger die before others will survive? How places can one person dine before it all taste the same! Yes And how long will it be before Big Bob takes the blame
I love this place! Everytime I go to Laughlin i see the Big Boy sign off the 15 and want to stop but I hate maneuvering my boat in parking lots.I just saw a sign advertising Big Boy on the 15 going towards Temecula, I had a feeling they would get to OC eventually, and right in my neck of the woods! This is the best Christmas present yet! LOL..
It is about time. Bob’s was one of my favorite restaurants when they were open. I am looking forward to the combo.
The old Earls restaurant On Tustin Ave. use to be a Bob’s and it is available.
Most of the old Bob’s Big Boys are still around… well, the buildings at least. All of them are either Coco’s or Carrows. Coco’s bought up a lot of Bob’s Big Boys in 1993, I believe. You can recognize them by their distinctive signs. The coolest one is an old Googie building on Chapman & Harbor in Garden Grove. It’s pretty out of place with the shopping center and hotels around, but it still looks great. Too bad Coco’s food isn’t great.
There is a Bob’s Big Boy in Terminal 2 at Tokyo Narita Airport. It has a big statue of Bob out front and everything. Not surprisingly, it’s not quite the same experience as I remember from my youth.
But, if they are really building a BBB in Orange then I imagine it will be closer to the original than what is currently in Tokyo. First Farrell’s returns to Orange, and now Bob’s Big Boy.
I just hope they don’t try and go all PC and not put the statue of the chubby Bob out front. Like Farrell’s, they really need to nail the details on this or people will skip it for something else. This can’t be an attempt to be Mimi’s Cafe or something, it has to be Bob’s Big Boy or people will skip it.
That’s great news. In addition to the food, I remember the blue cheese dressing was very good too. Can’t wait to eat there again. Hope they open more restaurants in OC.
Not in OC but in Downey, hopefully they can take over the half-demolished site of Johnies Broiler on Firestone Blvd. Killer 50’s-60’s lava rock architecture. Was recently a used car lot. A contractor came in and started to demolish the structure without permits. Bad idea…the city declared it was an historic building. The contractor was HEAVILY fined. Sad, indeed.
I remember Bobs Big Boy on Beach Blvd and Sambos across the street from Knotts Berry Farm . I enjoyed both restaurants ! Although Sambos had to change their name because it wasn’t politically correct . Sambos is now a Wal Greens .
We always went to the one at Brookhurst and Adams in Huntington Beach. The best burgers, shakes and desserts. We need one back here. I think I still have one of the banks around somewhere. Someone said Farrells was coming back…any news on that?
I would eat at the one on Avery as a kid. A Hot Fudge Brownie and a hamburger yum. Not sure how many of those I can eat now though! I remember climbing all over big boy and everybody shooting their tooth picks into the ceiling!
reason, don’t you know the Bob’s is opening at the old Johnies Broiler? see the link below, they are reconstructing the building. This is going to be really cool
http://la.eater.com/archives/2008/09/09/bobs_big_boy_replacing_johnies_broiler_rendered.php
How nice that Bob’s Big Boy is coming back to OC. High school students can once again steal the Big Boy statue to display in the quads at their schools (like they did when I was in high school).
Bob’s Big Boy is known as Eat N’ Park in Penn Hills, PA. Same mascot, same menu- and it’s still at the same location. They have steak salads, which are green salads with steak, shredded cheddar, and fries on top. You can get hot fudge cake there, too. Many memories of a time long ago when it was the only restaurant in town. And it hasn’t changed a bit since…
YEA- I still buy the Blue Cheese at Ralphs 20 years later… Finally the come back!!!
I live in Lakewood and we had one right behind our house. It closed down and a Coco’s went in (terrible). I would be very happy if Bob’s was to take it over again. They did open one a little over a year ago in Signal Hill and we go there quite often for the Big Boy Combo. I wish they would open one near Disneyland!
Oh my GODDESS!! The extents Orange County (aka “Behind the Orange Curtain” - where I was raised [the "growing up" is still happenin!!]) will go too to get me to come back & visit!!
I LOVE Bob’s Big Boy Burgers (& I’m not even a cheese fan) & ESPECIALLY their Blue Cheese Dressing (especially dipped in their fries)!!!!
Watch out O.C. - I’ll be back MUCH sooner than expected thanx to this news!!!
In City of Industry there was both a Bob’s Big Boy and Sambos. Great memories as a kid. Looking fwd to OC Locations. My favorite burger is In-N-Out still, sorry Bob. I loved the Farrels in Whittier for a bday, but hands down best ice cream was at Swensens. I guess Hans in Costa Mesa used to be a Swensens. Great, now I’m hungry.
There’s a new BBB being built at the W. Covina Mall, right off the Vincent exit, where Chevy’s used to be. I can’t wait for it to open. I can walk to the BBB in Diamond Bar, but having one so close to work? OMG, I’ll be there every day for lunch. I just wish they’d move more Sonic Drive-Ins into the area by the 60/57 fwys. I used to eat at the BBB in Eagle Rock and Glendale and on Wilshire when I was a kid, went to the Burbank one years ago (with the drive in), and remember eating at Sambo’s on 8th St in LA and Johnie’s on Wilshire and La Brea, too. Heck, I even remember Farrell’s in Rosemead. (So many good memories of that place).
Now finding good eats are hard to find. Sure, there’s Pink’s on Melrose and La Brea, Mike’s Hockey Burger on Soto in Vernon and the original Tommy’s on Rampart in LA, but there’s something about BBB that just takes you back.
Hey WTB, I remember Swensens. I forgot about them. Used to be one across the street from the Puente Hills Mall. Their food was great, as was the ice cream. I also remember the A&W drive in in Pasadena. The Jolly Roger was a nice restaurant, but now it’s the Crab Shack. Bennigan’s is now a stupid bank, and while I could do without Fuddrucker’s, Flakey Jake’s was the sh*t. I would go to the W. Covina one, then when it closed, I’d drive all the way to Anaheim just for a juicy, build it yourself burger.
I grew up in LA and would also go to Van DeCamp’s restaurants for breakfast or just for their lemon merengue pies. The best place for sandwiches? Galco’s on York Blvd (see sodapopstopdotcom for a list of all the soda’s they offer, too).
# Mike Says:
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
reason, don’t you know the Bob’s is opening at the old Johnies Broiler? see the link below, they are reconstructing the building. This is going to be really cool
http://la.eater.com/archives/2008/09/09/bobs_big_boy_replacing_johnies_broiler_rendered.php
COOL!
See ya there opening day!
Thanks, Mike!
I used to LOVE Bob’s as a kid especially the spaghetti with chile and cheese. I actually worked at one in HB for almost two years. I was working one late night when Bob was swiped. I remember screamin ‘They’ve got Bob!” to the manager as Bob’s head bobbed(ha, ha) across the parking lot. It took a few weeks to find him, where of course a high school playing field. Good times.
As a high school student at Bolsa Grande in Garden Grove in the mid 60″s, my friends and I walked home, and always stopped at The Bob’s at Garden Grove Blvd and Gilbert for cokes and fries. It was a great place to hang out after school.
I could see the blinking Bob’s sign in my bedroom at night, as I lived just across the street from the restaurant.
Now there are Boba shops there. What a shame. Glad they are comming back.
I grew up in Hollywood, our Bobs Big Boy was on Vine Streeet. I remember going there on special weekend dinners and loving the burgers!! They were the best. To me that was the original BBB, but then again that was the only one I knew.
Is that Bob’s Big Boy along the way to Laughlin or Bun Boy, which I thought had burnt down?
Now if they’d just bring back Van deKamps with the neon blue windmill!
I was excited to try out the new Bob’s out in Temecula. It sounded like a cool idea to relaunch the Brand, but I came away disappointed. I had to doubt whether anyone on the executive team ever ate at a Bob’s in their heyday. It was nothing like I remember the original as a kid, and seemed instead like a very bad imitation of Ruby’s. Maybe I am just spoiled by all the hi quality chains out today, but I found Bob’s lacking in most areas. I admit the Big Boy statue out front was pretty impressive, but I think it will take more than that to get people to return.
I remember eating at the Bob’s Big Boy in Pomona, California with my family in the mid 1980’s when I was 10 years old….my younger brother would run up and hug the Big Boy statue…I also remember the toy coin bank I had that was made of rubber….I will visit the new Orange, California resturant when it opens up…I’m so glad they are coming back
I remember the BBB near from UCI. I also remember one night when the waitress disappeared and supposedly passed out after taking our order. Then a waiter tried to pour water and completely missed the glass, left, and never cleaned it up. Must have been taking the same drugs.
I am SO excited that the “the boy” is returning! I think that it will do very well considering the attention given to quality and service. I love the BBB burger!
I used to eat at the one on Adams in HB. I loved the combo, pappy parkers fried chicken and the chili size. I ate at the one on the 15 near Barstow recently. They told me they were coming back. We need one in Placentia.
I wish we still had the Bob’s Big Boy right here on Balboa Island!, like we had in the 60’s. But they’ll have to put more space between the table and the booth back! Cherry Coke’s and fries was the teen craze then, but that combo, Yum!
I remember BOB’s I worked at the one on Huntington Center in Huntington Beach back in the early 80’s. That was fun times. The strawberry tarts. YUM!
I was born in Glendale. My Dad use to take us to the BBB on Colarado Blvd when I was a kid. Moved to Costa Mesa in 59. Spent a lot of time at BBB on 17th St. This is excellent news that they are coming back to the OC. I think it was the relish that really set off their burger. What a nice Christmas present.
I remember the Bob ’s on Bristol and MacArthur in Santa Ana. Only a kid then and seeing this giant statue (now a Carrows). Times have changed. Not even 30 now and I go to Toluca Lake for Bob’s every now and then. Or if I am photographing a show at the Wiltern, the Wilshire location still wets my whistle.
Now: How late is it going to be open? Lots of concerts and games just around the corner. 1am? 24 hours? Car hops?
It’s great to have a location with entertainment around the corner: Ducks. Angels. The Grove. But one thing everyone is going to forget: A mom and pops diner on the corner of Main and Katella - 6 months have Bobs opens, Katella may shutter theres.
I was born in Glendale, and my father’s store was next door to Bob’s at Maryland and Broadway. I grew up on BBB.
In later years, founder Bob Wian told me he was the first in the area to put condiments on the table and the first to have interstate food delivery when coeds from Glendale started their college life in Arizona. They ordered BBB hamburgers shipped because they missed them so much.
We still go to BBB on Glenoaks in Glendale, and in Toluca Lake.
So many have pursued, and all have opinions, on the “best” hamburger in the world. To me, all hamburgers that are any good at all taste about the same. EXCEPT, the famous Bob’s Big Boy. In my opinion, it is the ultimate best tasting hamburger. The return of Bob’s and their legacy of classic 50s style atmosphere, dining, and the classic burger is very welcome news.
I’m amazed by how many people have posted here saying they remember those great burgers at Bob’s with thousand island dressing. Well, you didn’t get those at Bob’s Big Boy unless you happened to special order them. The Big Boy Hamburger came with Mayo and relish. No thousand island.
Isn’t it interesting that everyone went there yet they closed because people weren’t coming in as much anymore…
I grew up in the Valley. Bob’s was always a big part of cruise night on Van Nuys Boulevard. The best meal they served was the spaghetti chili size, washed down with root beer and followed by apple pie with cheese ala mode. My wife is from out of state and had never heard of Bob’s. My ravings about the spaghetti chili size were so convincing that I had to make it for us one weekend. Chopped onion, shredded cheese…heavenly!
i go to the one in diamond bar almost every month. im happy to see one comeing to anaheim. also, my mom ate there every monday when she was pregnant so im addicted to it
Well, it’s about time!!! I worked for Bob for twenty years…that’s right 20!
Best job I ever had, until Marriot bought them out and started changing everything. If it ain’t broke, don’t try & fix it!
In case anyone of you worked at Pasadena, Buena Park, Anaheim, Alhambra, Whittier, Covina, La Habra, or either Long Beach Bob’s, I’d love to hear from you. I was with that outfit from ‘65 ’til ‘85. Folks still call me “JB” from the old days.
Rock on!!!!
Awesome, the BBB is Downey Ca. on Florence Ave was were I spent my childhood. Now all they have to do is bring back GEMCO and my life is complete!
After passing my driver’s test, my big sister took me to our Bob’s in Alhambra to celebrate! I can still taste their “Silver Goblet” milkshakes in the aluminum tin! It will be fun to introduce my grandchildren to “Big Boy”, now that he is returning to O. C.
There is one in signal Hill, it used to be great, but the burger is smaller and the prices are higher. I’m not excited about it.
Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silver goblet chocolate milkshake, with whipped cream on top. What a treat, yum.
I loved their comic books; my favorite character was Nugget.
I remember buying my friend Jennifer a Bob’s Big Boy watch many years ago. She was ridiculously beautiful and wore the watch to nightclubs. Wonder if she still has it? Miss you JDG.
I just can’t wait till the Bob’s opens in the city of Orange. We used to live in Victorville and went to that Bob’s a lot. What a wonderful salad bar they have.. Somehow, that hamburger doesn’t look as big as the ones I used to have as a child at the one in Van Nuys on Van Nuys Blvd.. I have such happy memories of going there.. And the milkshakes were the best!! I can still taste them… Can’t wait!! Can’t wait!!!
I was on my “coming of age” trip in 1970 traveling from my home in Washington, DC to LA…We ran out of money and I got a job at the BBB on Colorado Blvd to earn enough to come back home on…It was a great experience…
I now live in Charleston, WV, the home of Shoney’s which was derived from BBB…Where the first Shoney’s was located stands a monument with the “chubby boy” BBB logo at the top of it….
1965-68 — After the football games, Harbor and Chapman in Garden Grove was the place to be… Big Boy Combo’s… yummmm!
I look forward to the opening in Orange — there will most certainly be ‘waiting lines’ to be seated… Well worth the wait… I’ve missed you, Big Boy…
Thank you Bob!
This is awesome news!!! I frequented the BBB on Division Street in Spokane, WA during the late 70s and throughout the 80s. One of my fondest memories was a trip to BBB with my 5th grade teacher and a fellow classmate. For helping her clean up the class at the end of the school year, we were rewarded anything on the menu. Good times indeed~thanks Ms Comfort! (yes, that was her name)
I am so stoked. My wife and I met at Bobs #21 in Garden Grove, Chapman and Harbor, where she was a waitress, in 1969. Still one of my favorite joints, eat whenever I can at the restaurants in Hesperia and Burbank (classic car night in the drive-in in Friday nights). If you’re on the road, they’re also in Kentucky and Tennessee.
This just made my day. I still have my BBB piggy bank. They had the best ranch dressing.
What about the BBB inside the Buena Park Mall!!! That one always made shopping with my mom as a kid much more bearable!!!
Anyone remember the Shrimp Snack?
I remember the BBB on Campus Dr. next to UCI. Great inexpensive place to go eat on a student budget when the commons was serving something crappy like liver and onions or meatloaf.
Yo!
There is a BBB in Diamond Bar. Its not like its on first moon of Jupiter, just about a half an hour from a lot of the OC. You can do it! Looks like an original even if it wasn’t one of the wayyy back ones. Went there recently, food good to pretty good (stomach just can’t take those levels of fat anymore in the fries or onion rings anymore). BUT, the place was filled with seriously obese people. I felt uncomfortable and the waiter noticed it and commented that he felt a bit like a bartender serving the bar at an AA meeting. Said he has “regulars” that come in almost daily and just ask for “the usual”. Capitalism can just seem so wrong sometimes.
I’m so glad you don’t have to “deal” with us fat people. We really eat all the Bobs Burgers just to make you uncomfortable. Glad the waiter was with the program, he’ll be good for business now that the word is out how he feels about his customers.
Used to go to Bobs Big Boy all the time as a kid. Then my family moved us to Bismarck ND, one of few cities that still has an original Big Boys. Used to go there all the time to ease my home-sickness. Was so disappointed when I moved back to OC and they were all gone! It is so exciting to have them back! Will definitely be one of their first customers!
Growing up my family and I used to go to the Bob’s Big Boy in Long Beach on Bellflower Blvd often. I have been to several others in Downey, Los Alamitos, Whittier just to name a few. I’m now living in in Colorado and wished we had one here. My sister lives back east and wishes that had one also. I’m hungry just thinking about it. Brian in Fort Collins.
I just had to mention the french toast. I haven’t had that in years. I would enjoy hearing from others that used to go to the BBB on Bellflower Blvd in Long Beach. I graduated from Lakewood High in 1973. Brian
Cant wait the Orange BBB will be right in my backyard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YUMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!
Any update on the Orange Location?
Construction started this week. Expect to open in August!
I hope one comes to South Orange County. I used to work at the Bob’s Big Boy in Garden Grove in the 60’s. I grew up in Burbank and in High School we used to cruise the Toluca Lake Bob’s Big Boy. I loved their burgers, chili spaghetti and french toast.
No particular memories of Bob’s, they were in serious decline in 1976 when I moved out here.
The Bob’s in Irvine was handy to my house, but was so bad we didn’t go there. very bad salad bar.
I don’t know the history of Bob’s decline and closings, but I understood that they were merged with Shoney’s which was a cafeteria type place which was and still is quite popular in the south.
I had hoped that it would be good when I moved to Irvine, but after three tries, you sort of write off a place. I am from Grandview Missouri, and one of the biggest operations at the time I moved was the Shoney’s in Grandview, and I sort of think that there was a move from the original Bob’s formula to Shoneys’ that was never pulled off out here in Ca. Hence the bad salad bar / hot bar.
Sizzler went that way at the time with the bars, and still serves that sort of style, and recall that this was prior to the Souplantation spreading outside of it’s original area.
There is one in Norco, but I don’t know if it is open yet. There was a fuss with the city I sort of recall.
I am happy to hear that BBB is coming to Southern California. We used to eat at Bob’s Big Boys all the time. I especially liked the hamburger with the secret sauce (relish & ketchup). And the burgers were so fresh that the melted in your mouth.
But I remember a few years ago when we went to a BBB in Baker, just outside of Las Vegas. They took over Bun Boy It was not the same. The secret sauce was changed and it just didn’t feel like the REAL BOB’S BIG BOY restaurant. What happened to the food? Are they bringing back the food with the trimmings? Because in Baker it’s not the same.
Leslie, my Double Decker in Burbank Bob’s didn’t’ seem to have that special sauce everyone was talking about, either.
Leslie, the one in Diamond Bar does have the special sauce. It has been there for many years. It’s a little run down but the food is amazing! I grew up in Huntington Beach and as a kid my mom would take me the Bob’s at the old Huntington Center (now Bella Terra) and it was sad when they took it away. So I am looking forward to this new one so I don’t have to travel so far when I get the Big Boy craving!
Nancy, did I ready correctly that they have broken ground already? Bring on the Super Big Boy Combo with Onion Rings!
Bob’s is coming soon…maybe by mid to late summer..so yes, I imagine there’s a ton of work being done in the building. ..I wouldn’t call it “breaking ground” because the location Bob’s is moving to is already built!
It will be wonderful to have a Bobs Big boy around again–I grew up
in Glendale and spent many times after dates at the drive-in, it was always so much fun and you could always run into someone that you knew. The Big Boy double was always soooooooo good with the sauce that was used. Fries with Blue cheese dressing.
Is there a chance that there will be one opening a little farther South in Orange county.
mmmmmmm Big Boy Combonation with thousand island dressing and a side of chili after my high school soccer games in Los Alimitos. God……..I’m old!
oh happy days are here…my 1st memory was in buena park on beach just south of knotts berry farm. my mom would take me there for the “combo” - my mouth is watering right now!!
I just experienced the WORST food from your new Orange location. It took 45 minutes to get a hamburger that was horribly dry, fries that tasted like they were from the original week you opened - however many decades ago that was. The cole slaw was slimey and the Chili i ordered wasn’t even 8 oz. It was the worst restaurant experience I have ever had. Absolutely NOT what I remembered.
Agreed, friends, we all love Bob’s of yore. Now how many of you have actually been to the new BBB in Anaheim at The Promenade theater?? I’ve been to this Anaheim Bobs Big Boy and can conifirm it is NOT the great taste, truly original Bobs you’ll remember. In fact, food at the Anaheim Bob’s Big Boy is no diff than your average Burger King. The decor is marginally nostaluc, but the Anaheim Bob’s Big Boy is half a building and the booths will (I’m so sad to say) remind you of Denny’s! As to food: dessert isn’t bad, but the food is mostly just freeze dried at this new Anaheim Bob’s Big Boy. At least it looks and tastes like it. I think the only thing they actually make at the Anaheim Bpb’s is the meat patties…But don’t go expecting the same great sauce and taste. You’d just as well have a double whopper! So say what we will about it, but at least In-n-out makes their food. I doubt the new owners of this Bob’s Big Boy in Anaheim have any awareness of how special Bob’s used to be. Cause this is just a dinner in a convenient spot across the theater. Nothing special. But if all you want is to see the statue in front, some Bob’s pictures inside, and you are good with a gamely glazed pie display, you might be ok with it. But don’t remember the old BBB quality and don’t ask to see how they make the food though!
FYI, Bob: The new Bob’s Big Boy is in Orange, not Anaheim.
wva shoneys abandoned the bigboy name and now want to get rid of the iconic symbol (bigboy ) statue too i think they should leave it where it is