- NEWS
- 8-vehicle crash closes major road 16 minutes ago
- Vietnamese gays to march in Tet Parade 2 hours & 21 minutes ago
- Million-dollar home sales down 15% in ‘09 1 hour & 44 minutes ago
- Oldest American to summit Mt. Everest going back for another adventure 3 hours & 9 minutes ago
- SPORTS
- SI exposes Winter Olympians 2 hours & 14 minutes ago
- Laker Rim Shots 2-8-10
- Sneak peek: SI swimsuit edition 2 hours & 3 minutes ago
- Angels' Shields won't be ready to start spring training
- BUSINESS
- Here's why Toyota is recalling the Prius 2 hours & 24 minutes ago
- Temp work pointing to a recovery?
- $16.5M apartments sale sets record 3 hours & 21 minutes ago
- Home slashes $1.3 million in 4 days
- ENTERTAINMENT
- Will H.B. woman be the next 'Bachelorette'? 1 hour & 5 minutes ago
- Ed Harris pulls us through 'Wrecks' 3 hours & 23 minutes ago
- 'Housewife' denies she has a new boyfriend
- 'Idol' champ Fantasia finds her voice on stage
- LIFE
- Cocktail ideas for Valentine's Day 2 hours & 56 minutes ago
- Kaiser is top HMO in state ranking 11 minutes ago
- Study: Junk food ads make kids fat, not TV 22 minutes ago
- Heidi Montag surgeries hurt women, docs say
- TRAVEL
- OPINION
New Bob’s Big Boy among 5 planned for O.C.
June 19th, 2009, 5:00 am · 94 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Bob's Big Boy opening soon in Orange
The return of Bob’s Big Boy in Orange County will soon be here.
A restaurant under construction in Orange is slated to open by the end of July or early August, franchisee Bobby Sawhney told me in a phone interview Thursday.
Sawhney, who owns the rights to expand the brand in the area, said he plans to build at least four more Bob’s in O.C. He’s scouting vacant “prime” real estate space in Brea, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Anaheim Hills.
A 15-year restaurant industry veteran, Sawhney operates a Carrows in Monterey Park and Shehnai – an Indian restaurant in Anaheim Hills.
The new Bob’s Big Boy in Orange will be the 13th to open in California, where the chain is expanding the brand via franchising. In March, the 12th Bob’s opened in Norco.
The 4,600-square-foot restaurant in Orange will be at the Stadium Promenade on Katella Avenue.
Bob's Double Decker
The eatery will maintain much of Bob’s old decor: checkered red, white and blue colors with booths, tables and counter seating.
It will also have a “milkshake counter” for to-go orders.
A 7-foot Bob’s Big Boy statue will be installed outside the entryway — a nostalgic symbol that is certain to draw crowds when the restaurant opens later this summer.
“We’ve gotten so much love from the community, and we’re ready to give it back to them,” Sawhney said.
Job alert: Bob’s Big Boy is planning to hire 150 cooks, servers, managers and dishwashers for the new Orange location. Go to the Handling Hard Times blog for more details on the restaurant’s upcoming job fair.
Bob’s Big Boy in Orange address: 1623 W. Katella Ave.
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.- Keep it civil and stay on topic.
- No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
- People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
94 Comments
Leave a Reply
-
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Restaurants Out of Business
The recession is forcing many Orange County restaurants to shutter, and we're trying to track them all for you. Check out our O.C. Restaurant Closure List for the latest updates. -
-
-
Report: Restaurants on Twitter
Special report: Restaurants are jumping on the Social Media bandwagon. But is Eating and Tweeting luring diners? READ FULL STORY
- How Twitter-savvy are chains? CLICK HERE to see how the Fast Food Maven rates local and national chains on Twitter.
-
Preview: Seasons 52 and Capital Grille
Slide show exclusive: Preview South Coast Plaza's two new sister restaurants -- Seasons 52 and Capital Grille. Both Darden-owned chains will replace later this year the space once occupied by The Clubhouse. -
-
O.C. Frozen Yogurt Shops
-
Contact the Fast Food Maven
Follow the Fast Food Maven on Twitter or 'Friend Me' on Facebook.
Send tips reviews, gripes to nluna@ocregister.com
Nancy Luna, the Fast Food Maven
The Orange County Register
625 N. Grand Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92711-1626
-
-
-
-
-
16th annual People's Choice
From your favorite restaurants and shops to the best day spa in town, here are your choices for the number one places to eat, shop and play in O.C.
Browse the 2009 Best of Orange County winners -
ADVERTISEMENT
Come to Brea “Big Boy”…we could use you at the Promenade, and bring your famous “cherry/lemon/oj’s too…Looking forward to seeing you soon
Come on Back Bob! So many of us have missed you all these years. This is so exciting. We need one in Lake Forest as well!
I hope they bring back the Hot Fudge Cake.
OMG!!! I love Bob’s Big. They have some great food. I grew up eating at the Pasadena location then was happy to have a Huntington Beach location near my home. Please come back to Huntington Beach!!!! You have been definitely missed.
Hello Glendale and Pasadena,
Taluca Lake is still the Gold Standard. Signed, NHHS 1957.
If this is not a sign of the economic recovery then I don’t know what is!
Love live Bob! Love live Bob’s Big Boy!
Considering a project like this has probably been in the planning stages for the last 4-5 years………….I would say building it and opening it in a recession is more like unfortunately bad timing………..but tons of money has already been spent and shelving the project now would even more money down the road……….yep, a sign of bad timing!
Actually, companies that begin during a recession are more likely to survive than companies that begin during boom years. The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is a perfect example of this.
Don’t believe me? Look it up.
Even though I think it’s just bad timing……………I feel a Bob’s big boy will do fine……..We as a society are real hungry for a bit of nostalgia.m these days………….and Bob’s fits that bill!………..
I hope a Friday night show car thing starts happening at the one in Orange………..I love those car shows…who knows…………..maybe even Jay Leno will stop by?
Eric- We were just there today, and there’s a car show scheduled for Feb. 13th (Sat.). They said they were filled for the show, but we were welcome to show up with our cars & park in the regular parking lot. We’d enjoy meeting there during the week with other car lovers too, so let us know if you hear anything, please?
I am sorry but nothing should be compared to Bob’s Big Boy! Not even IHOP! If you want breakfast, go to the Original Pancake House in Anaheim (Lincoln Ave & East St.).
I had to drive to Bob’s Big Boy in Signal Hill! Thank goodness they are putting one that is not too far away from my house.
Since this is one of five locations in OC, which cities those 4 will go to?
I was being facetious.
Grew up with Bob’s Big Boy in Glendale, later cruised thru on dates and also later would have lunch and dinner at the Toluca Lake location. My husband and myself (65 & 68 yrs old) still crave a Bob’s Big Boy hamburger with that great reddish relish sauce. Sometimes I’d order the center out and have them add avocado & bacon. Oh, remember the Mello Malts in the silver goblet and the bleu cheese dressing. We live on the east coast now but family still in OC and believe me, I’ll fly back for a Bob’s Big Boy hamburger! It just better be the same taste!!
Please Please Please bring one to Huntington Beach!!
Cool! I wonder if they will have the comic books. That would be awesome!
Nice. I have missed the Slim Jim and the Double Decker, Hot Fudge Cake, Shrimp night. etc. Bob’s Big Boy you are missed.
Very cool! Excited to see a restaurant open. Do you know where in A.H they are scouting?
He’s scouting for “prime real estate”? Why can’t he just get “affordable” real estate so the prices don’t have to be ridiculous?
1person, you have a very noble idea…as for admiting to owning a Carrows restaurant, I don’t think I would admit this to anyone. Well I ope Bobs is a good as it was back in the day…
*hope
I hope they leave out the salad bar. That was the grossest salad bar in existence in the Irvine Bob’s Big Boy on Culver/Irvine Center Drive. That location is now an Outback Steakhouse (next to the Original McDonalds in Irvine.) You could stand at BBB and see over the fields all the way to the 405 in the 1980s…
I love Bob’s chili spaghetti, I use to go to the Bob’s in Walnut a lot but since I moved to OC it’s a bit of a drive. Bob’s Big Boy is the best!!!
They also use to have great tamale and chili.Also there is a Bob’s big boy in Diamond bar,
Notwithstanding your photo of Big Boy. Bob’s colors were not red white and blue. They were orange white and brown.
Through your eyes maybe. I remember red white and blue.
Awsome!……….this gives me another chance to own that 7′ fiberglass Bob’s statue for my backyard that I’ve always wanted!
YESS!!!!
Glad to hear that Bob’s Big Boy is on it’s way back…..It never should have moved on!
I grew up in Ohio where Bob’s went by various names, Manners Big Boy, Frischs Big Boy and other names in the southern states. But all had the same basic decor including the Big Boy statue out front and the menus were identical. The one HUGE difference was the sauce on the Big Boy burger, it was like a tartar sauce with a very unique taste and was DELICIOUS! I was shocked the first time I had a Big Boy burger here and it was covered with thousand island dressing, just like every other burger in southern California, what a dissapointment. It would be wonderful for the new Bobs locations to at least offer the choice. I think it would be a huge hit, God, I miss it.
In 30 years in SoCal I’ve never ordered a burger that showed up covered in dressing of any kind. You never thought of asking for them to leave the Thousand Island off the burger, eh, Dennis?!?
you can have your Big Boy with tartar sauce just order it Ohio style and it will come with tartar sauce. If you order it Michigan style it will come with thousand island.
In Michigan it was Elias Brothers Big Boy ~ I’d LOVE a Slim Jim!!
<3
Loved our SoCal version. What stood out to me wan’t thousand isaland dressing, but that red pickle relish. Awesome fries (lots of ketchup) and a salad with blue cheese dressing. Followed up with hot fudge cake. The Best!
I can’t wait. I remember that was my favorite place to eat as a child. Brea is the perfect place.
DON”T WE HAVE ENOUGH OBESE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTIES. I BET YOU THERE WILL BE A LONG LINE AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN THEY OPEN.
Thanks for the comic break, lexu!
I remember one on Florence Ave. in Downey from the early ’80’s.
Anaheim Hills really needs some more places to eat. The choices out there really suck. I would welcome Bob’s Big Boy.
I loved their all you can eat breakfast bar. Use to go there whe I was in High School
I used to go there when I was High in School
I thought you just moved here from overseas so how were you able to go to high school here??
I didn’t go to high school here… there are schools in Germany. There is also a way to get high in Germany.
There is one off the 57/60 that we travel to just to have their food. Yeah, salad bar, needs improvement but I love everything else!
This sounds like the one in Norco that just opened in March.
Norco is nowhere near the 57/60 freeway. That would be Walnut, CA. Google is your friend.
Easy Trent. ….I was thinking “15″ for some reason. Besides, I had Norco on on my mind since it was the last one built in CA. ….
Bob’s Big Boy 21090 Golden Springs Dr
Walnut, CA 91789-3894
(909) 595-9170
Being spanked by my father in the boys bathroom when I was a little tike, reminds me of one thing…. Bob’s Big Boy! Even know my brother and I got reprimanded at Bob’s for clowning around we really enjoyed the food. We grew up in Mission Viejo. That Bob’s was fantastic. Now my wife and I live in Villa Park. You couldn’t have launched a better location… Thanks for putting your restaurant on Katella.. We will be there on opening day… Maybe opening night at Bob’s my wife will spank me. Memories…
We had one right behind our house in Lakewood. They closed and opened a Coco’s. No where near as good. To get our Bob fix we would visit the one in Diamond Bar about twice a year. Now we are fortunate to have one in Signal Hill. The things you used to love are on the menu along with some new items. Red and white checks, paintings on the wall, Bob’s merchandise for sale and yes - Bob is out front! Love it
OMG! HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!
Archie - they have always had the hot fudge cake - although you have to drive to the closest ones left to get it - i.e. Diamond Bar & Long Beach.
I have so many memories of going to the one in Buena Park on Beach, Stanton & Crescent.
Way to go! Thanks for bring them back to the OC!
Bring back the classic Big Boy Combo.. Can’t wait. By the way, where the hell is Norco ?
seriously, google will find it real easy for you… if you really don’t know.
Grew up going to the one on Hawthorne bl in South Bay
LOVED the place. Cant Wait for it to come to OC
They closed the one in mission viejo years ago glad there back
Best Berger ever, will except for Apple Pan in West LA.. but
really happy to hear it
Scorekeeper- Norco is next to Chino.
you people are hilarious! norco is closer to riverside than it is to chino. if it’s ‘close’ to anything it’s close to corona…. it’s north of corona… hmmm, NORth COrona… Norco…
trent — you know way too much about the ‘909′ !!!
So? At least I’m aware of things. I live in OC, imagine that, I know about things outside my little window box.
And FYI, Norco’s area code is 951, not 909, did you mean to say the Inland Empire?
OMG!
I’m sure installing the good ole Bob’s Big Boy statue outside will bring many a teenager there to contemplate the ability of stealing him and putting him in front of their school…
Dan, don’t give city officials reason to pause! City folk still have to approve the big Boy statue, and if they don’t…I will blame you!
But it’s a long standing tradition! I remember when I was a kid people always taking the one from Buena Park and Garden Grove!
I go to the store in Temecula. Its clean and they have the hot fudge cake. Big Boy burger and Pappy Parker fied chicken. Yummy.
Hey TRENT - Its the same general area . You’re a joke.
“it’s the same general area” I suppose that depends on how geographically inclined you are.
We need one in south county too! Can’t wait to get a big boy combo from a local Big Boy. And some fudge cake for dessert.
Also, everytime I see a big mac add, I crave the big boy combo
Brea needs Bob!!!!!
21090 Golden Springs Dr. Walnut, CA 91789
a.k.a. Diamond Bar. At the 60/57 it’s been there for years and years.
Yea!!! I won’t have to make my own chili spaghetti anymore. I hope the Irvine location opens soon.
When you guys said Norco. I thought it was North Correa.
Reopening Bob’s Big Boy Restaurants in OC is a great idea! I only wish they had revisited how the Big Boy statue is dressed. The checkered overalls are a bit outdated.
Yeah I’m surprised they haven’t tried to “modernize” him. Isn’t that the cool thing to do nowadays..
*I’m looking at you KFC*
Save me a plate of Bob’s Chili Spaghetti!
Bawwwwwwwwwb’s is back!
The burgers with Bob sauce were the best! Loved going to the one in Irvine years ago and was sad to see that it closed but when the new Orange restaurant opens I’ll be there!
I liked Bob’s Big Boy. My kids liked to read their little comic books at the one off the 405 in Laguna Hills years ago. I just hope no cost cutting big wig changes the menu.
Don’t you people ever leave the OC? There is a Bob’s in Diamond Bar (”Walnut” listed above). Also, a location in Long Beach off the 405 at Cherry St.
Now if they’d re-open in Costa Mesa all would be perfect.
there IS a new bob’s in norco, and it’s off the 15 freeway just a few miles north of the 91. i stopped in there to get a big boy to go on my way home from LV earlier this month. very retro bob’s look, extremely nice staff, and a great double decker big boy.
Bob’s Big Boy No. 1689
3521 Hamner Ave, Norco - (951) 280-3388
hope they come back to south county. i love bob’s, and have long thought that they would do with the 40-somethings that grew up with so cal bob’s in the 1970’s.
Go Bob’s! I heard a rumour there was one coming to Lake Forest also. Maybe that area is under another franchisee?
I cannot wait - I’ve been craving a combo since they closed the one in Mission Viejo. By the way - why not open one in Ladera Ranch - have you checked out the deomgraphics there??? It’s the family place with oodles of kids. Bob’s would be perfect!
i just love me some Bob’s! I remember the one in the old EAstland mall in Covina. It went away,along with all the other old fashioned stores in that place. Luckily I also grew up in Diamond Bar where one still stands. Can’t wait for the Brea location though!! Oh and I saw one off the 10 on the way to Morongo.
Bob’s Big Boy! Love ‘em…but I have to wonder about an economy based on selling eachother hamburgers. How long do you think that’ll last?
I’m soooo glad Bob’s Big Boy is coming back to Orange County!!!
I LOVE their Hot Fudge Cake and Spaghetti Chili!! My husband and I drive the kids out to Diamond Bar every once in a while. Just for the nostalgia. I’m sooooo glad they will be close by soon! 8-D
This is great news. How I crave a Bobs combo meal about now. I may have to drive to Norco just to have one now. Had no idea they opened one there. Welcome back Bob’s! You have been missed!
Went to the one in Baker on my way back from Vegas last night. I’m too young to remember how good the hamburgers were, but the one I had last night was delicious! Can’t wait for the one in Orange.
OH MY.. this is great, grew up on Big Boys in the SF valley, Glendale, and san diego…
i miss the one on Euclid and Lincoln in Anaheim. We went at least once a week. I liked the combo and my husband liked the spegetti and chili with the side salad. We have to go to Diamond Bar now and the prices have really gone up from the old days
Hey Big Boy…come back home to Huntington Beach!!!
Come back to Arizona Big Boy! Don’t worry I will drive 3 hours for you!
The Silver Goblet! Oh yeah, grew up on that treat when I could afford it as a teenager. Can’t be doing that as a middle aged man, but the memories of it are still fresh!
There used to be a Bob’s Big Boy on 17th Street in Costa Mesa (anyone else remember it?) and I can’t wait to have the Bob’s Big Boy combo again!!! Costa Mesa/Newport is probably too high priced but I will gladly travel to Huntington Beach to indulge myself!!!
I remember both of them in Pasadena. Fun times.
I worked at the one in Calimesa, not the same. Too many idiot kids with horrible work ethics and bad, bad food, not to mention service.
I tried to work with them to no avail.
Mike Dills
Yay! it would be nice to see Bob’s back in El Toro! We used to have Bob’s near Laguna Hills Mall, now stands Carrows. Maybe OC can have a Friday classic car night as they do at Burbank Bob’s…
Used to go to the Bob’s @ Rosecrans and the 605 (Now a Carrow’s) when I was a kid living in Bellflower. I’d love for the Irvine one to be in the Marketplace, but wherever they end up I’m glad they’re coming back!
Bob’s should so totally come BACK to Fullerton! The Carrows that now resides in the former Bob’s building doesn’t hold a candle to the glory that was once Bob’s Big Boy.
Bob’s Big Boy in Orange, Feb. 13th, Classic Car show (2010) Should be fun!!!