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Bob’s Big Boy reveals Orange opening date
July 29th, 2009, 9:07 am · 50 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
The Bob’s Big Boy in Orange is slated to open Aug. 9 — a launch date that will mark the diner’s return to Orange County.
The new restaurant will open at 7 a.m. at the Stadium Promenade retail center . The Bob’s Big Boy is the first of five planned for Orange County, said Bob’s franchisee Bobby Sawhney. (See more pics below)
Bubble Wrapped Bob Statue!
This week, Sawhney is working round-the-clock to get the restaurant ready for the Sunday grand-opening. The restaurant will resemble a modern-version of a 1950s diner with booth seating, chrome fixtures and a milkshake counter.
The 4,600-square-foot diner also features patio seating and flat screen TVs.
This week, the chain got an important fixture delivered: a 7-foot Bob’s Big Boy statue. As of Tuesday, the iconic statue remained “bubble-wrapped” inside the restaurant.
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.
The restaurant is at the Stadium Promenade at Katella Avenue and Main Street, near the Honda Center.
Related stories:
More Bob’s pics below:
This Shake Shop sign will be mounted above a milkshake to-go counter.
This part of dining room has 2 flatscreen TVs. (one shown)
Bob's famous Double Decker burger
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Went to one in Santa Paula. They are a little pricey for a burger and shake. Won’t stop you from going occasionally. Still a great taste treat.
Just an fyi.. the Santa Paula one didn’t last. I think it’s been closed for almost a year now? Anyways as of this weekend, it’s definitely gone. While not my favorite burger in any means, still was nicer to have than some of the other craptacular fast food.
Brings back memories of weekend visits to the Bob’s in HB on Brookhurt and Adams. That was a dinner on Sunday nights during high school years.
I hope Bob’s will stick around….
sorry, typo….
Brookhurst and Adams!
The ratio of bun to meat at Big Boy is a disapointment. It’s a classic burger, but way too much bread, pull out the extra bun bottom that’s in the center and it ends up being a pretty decent burger and kind of pricey. If you’re in the mood for a fast-food burger, an In-n-Out double-double, medium rare, animal style is hard to beat.
I think it’s all about nostalgia here for most folks. Having grown up with this icon I can’t wait to go there even though the burgers weren’t the best by far. There was always something unique about eating at Bob’s. I hope it still has that same charm.
I agree, but it’s hard to say if it will still have that same charm or uniqueness. To me their challenge lies in the fact that there are far more choices today than there were 30-40 years ago during it’s hey day. Also, people have become more accustomed to eating out way more often than they did 30-40 years ago so, again, there were less choices and the simple fact that you were going out to eat was unique, which is not true today…
It’ll be nostalgic for sure. But one thing I don’t understand about restaurants and fast food joints today is why does there always have to be TVs all around the place? Whatever happened to just going for a relatively quiet meal? If you’re bored and alone, why not read? If you’re with someone, why are you watching television? Just my two cents…
It’s not the same thing, but have you been to a baseball stadium lately? The public is obviously easily bored these days, so we need lots of sights and sounds to keep our short attention spans occupied.
Oh I know, I was just lamenting I guess. It just seems like everywhere you go it’s TVs, graphics, lights, etc. I’m not that old at all (mid-30s) and I remember when that wasn’t the case. I’m not against TV in the least, but that is what stood out to me in this story, that there will be flat screens all over this new Bob’s. At any rate, not earth shattering, just an observation.
I agree Steve! Get rid of the TV’s. If you don’t have someone to eat with, try quiet time or bring a book. If you have someone to eat with, try conversation. I hate the TVs in all the restaurants. As a society we cannot possibly be as easily bored as yadthink says and needing lots of sights and sounds to keep our short attention spans occupied. Makes us sound like we all have ADD. I’d love to see a sign go up outside a restaurant saying, “NO TV - JUST GOOD FOOD!”
By the way (I know this is an article about Bob’s) but that’s what I like about In N Out. It’s just good, quality food at a fair price, served in a basic and clean restaurant. No whiz bang gimmicks like a TV never six feet away from you.
I actually like Bob’s Big Boy and have to admit that I stopped at the location in Baker recently (on my way to Vegas) and the food was YUMMY! My husband had a strawberry shake which he practically inhaled and he really enjoyed it. I had the corned beef reuben and there was a lot of meat in the sandwich, more meat vs sauerkraut, and the bread was bread was grilled to perfection, a nice surprise! Kudos to the cook that day! I’m really looking forward to seeing that tubby little statue here locally!
We stop by the one in Baker or Barstow when going to/from Vegas because my father loves their shakes - maybe more than Mom even
We also get their “Breakfast Buffet” which is $4.99 in Baker and $3.99 in Barstow
I’ve missed Bob’s Big Boy! Glad to have them back!
Bob’s Big Boy is an So. Cal Icon! I grew up with Big Bob! Lots of fond dating memories i still visiy the one in San Bernardino or in Diamond Bar when traveling that way.
It will be GREAT having him back in my home town!
I love the Big Boy Combo and a rich chocolate malt! YUMMM!!!
I am excited and will probably be visiting tongiht!
Although I agree, loose the tv…too much noise and stimulation.. let’s go back to the 50’s!!!
This was my dad’s favorite restaurant when I was growing up. He always use to get the chili spaghetti, and to top off the dinner, he would order us all a hot fudge cakes with extra hot fudge…….I wonder if they brought that back as well?
Was that Bob’s Big Boy or the Bun Boy restaurant in Baker you stopped at???
They have both there.
Tried to find the Torrance Big Boy, but couldn’t. Is it still there?
Yes it is, at Hawthorne and Pacific Coast Hwy.
why am I the only one who has a photo? If no one else is going to reavel themselves, then I want my photo removed, ok? I have asked you before, but it is still there.
We stopped at the Barstow one and sometimes the Hesperia one as we head to Vegas. I love their chili spaghetti.
Its defnitely not like the old Bob’s when we were growing up (ie: 80’s) but its still nostalgia.
We go the one at the 57/60 (not sure what the actual city is there), and get their grilled cheese and share a bowl of chili. They also still have chili spaghetti and hot fudge cake at that location. I grew up on that meal, too!
Yep, I’ve been to that one (in Diamond Bar) several times on way back from Cal Poly Pomona. I hope this new Big Boy’s serves their Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake.
I believe that is in the city of Diamond bar……i stop there too…….all the time
How about North OC?
Isnt Orange North OC?
Growing up in Burbank in the 50’s I went to Bob’s quite often. Remember the Bob’s Big Boy decal that everyone had on the rear window of their vehicle. Maybe I can still get one on Ebay. My mom tells me my dad took her to Bob’s on their first date (in Glendale) in the early 40’s. A hamberger was 15 cents. I’m now living in Colorado and sorry to say, no Big Boy’s here.
van nuys high school 1967 bobs big boy van nuys blvd cruising was never about the food ,it was a great hang out ! I will give it a try.
It will be interesting to see how they fare. A lot of the comments about Bob’s return center around nostalgia… around older people who have fond memories of the place. They will no doubt have to attract new, younger customers to stay afloat. I am anxious to see what the new incarnation of Bob’s will be like. I have been to the one in Baker, but the only reason I can see going back to that one is because I’m on my way to Vegas and want to stop for food long enough to sit down and have my order taken… I hope they do well here.
Again, South OC is the red-headed step child. And there used to be a Bob’s in Laguna Hills! *sigh*
Maybe if this one does good, they will open more.
they will open one at the shops in mv and call it robert’s grande bois
the only reason the laguna hills one closed is because old people like carrows more
WHERE at the Stadiuim Promenade is this hidden? We have Chili’s on one corner, Katella Grill on another, a gas station on a 3rd, and a car dealership on the fourth. When turning in by Chili’s you can’t see Bob’s. When turning in to the movie theaters, you can’t see Bob’s. When going to The Lazy Dog you can’t see Bob’s - you CAN see the shut down Italian place tho. Where oh where is Bob’s Big Boy?
Good morning evennow:
The Bob’s is behind Lazy Dog, across the parking lot (west of) Acapulco, across from (south of) the Prime Cut Cafe, and next door to (east of) New Zealand Ice Cream…
I’m pretty sure Bobs is taking over the space of the Carino’s that was right across from the Lazy Dog Cafe.
No
Rikki: Bob’s is NOT in the former Carino’s. It is taking over a huge corner retail space next to New Zealand ice cream.
Evennow, please see my reply to Rikki.
I, too, have fond memories of Bob’s Big Boy. My parents, unfortunately, divorced. My dad took my brother and I out to dinner each Wed. So many times, we’d go to Bob’s in Van Nuys, on Van Nuys Blvd. I remember the delicious food. Comfort Food. And putting money in the small jukebox; those ’50’s tunes like “Venus” by Frankie Avalon and “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka. Those were the days! Sorr y to get off track there! But sooo happy to see there will be a Bob’s, close by where I live! I’ll be there!
Its too Pricey. I’ll stick to IN-N-OUT ayy. R they gonna sell Little Bobs Big Boy coin banks still ??
Two words:
Chili Spaghetti.
Totally reminds me of my childhood. My parents, actually my dad, will be very very happy! I can’t wait to tell them!!!
Hubby had the chili spaghetti when we visited a bob’s in Burbank. It was good.
Born and raised here in Walnut (Diamond Bar). I have lived less than a mile away from the Big Boy in Diamond Bar all my life ( I think they opened in the early 1980’s, I’m 35). During high school I was there at least 6 times a month, seriously. I have been to Bob’s Big Boy six times since (last time about 7 months ago). Granted, within 3 blocks there is a Carrows, a Coco’s, an In-N-Out, a McDonalds, a Del Taco, a Jack in the Box, and a pizza place so it’s not like they’re the only food in this part of town but Big Boy is BAD. The service is non-existent, the food tastes expired and is over-priced. I suppose the breakfast is worth it but I haven’t had it in years. The Big Boy Combo just ain’t the same. Trust me! By all means go and judge for yourself, I have.
You may just have a not-so-good Bob’s by where you are. I occasionally go to the Bob’s in Burbank and it is really good. In fact, it tastes the same as Bob’s has always tasted. That’s an amazing thing because nothing else tastes as good as it use to. To me, it’s delicious. I hope that the one in Orange is going to be like the one in Burbank. And, they need to reopen a Bob’s in or near Huntington Beach soon.
I think this is their number one challenge today. There are far more choices today than there were even just 20 years ago. Bob’s may very well be EXACTLY like they were in their heyday. But what they were (people remembering them to be good, fun, etc) might very well be tired and boring today. We’ll see.
Bob’s is better than in-and-out burger. They have real fries and something called variety. I’ve lived in So. Cal. all my life and I just don’t get in-and-out but I could eat at Bob’s every day!
Wait until you see the Bob’s they are building in Downey, California. It is awesome!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24955425@N02/2844085480/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&ss=2&w=15885368%40N04&q=bob%27s+broiler&m=text
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=johnie%27s%20broiler&w=all&s=int
Have great day everyone!!
MMM the memories: We grew up going to the Bob’s Big Boy in Pasadena. Then I worked through my college years at the one on Bellflower Blvd in Long Beach. I have such good memories of the food: the cheeseburger combo, shrimp snack, spaghetti with chili and cheese, the silver goblet, onion rings, and of course the french fries with a side of their amazing bleu cheese dressing! I am so glad they are coming back to OC!! I hope they don’t change any of the traditional recipes.
I went to the “Grand Opening” today… Hmm. Nice cars in the front for the event, nice t-shirts for sale…. BUT there really isn’t any of the authentic feel Big Boy fans are looking for. The service is friendly, but sadly, the food falls flat. If you ask the owners how they make the food, I would bet with certainty that they would admit it is ALL FREEZE DRIED. In that way, it is just like all the other fast food joints, and nothing like In-N-Out. (Yes, they grill the burger patties… and the shakes are good, but the TVs, the fake/gelatinous desert pie display… it’s just not fresh, wholesome, nostalgic.) Sadly, I really won’t be going into this plaza to Bob’s again. If I’m seeing a movie, maybe I’ll come back… But my expectations are low. And if I want “fresher” burgers, I’ll stick with In-N-Out (or frankly McD’s), where they are sticking to old fashioned quality and no gimmicks. All in all, the same name, but not the Bog Big’s Boy you hoped for.