The Untold Truth Of Big Boy 

Have you ever eaten at a Big Boy? What would you recommend?

Well, in many ways, the Big Boy never left. He's always offered the same high-quality meals at competitive prices.

I really miss Bob's Big Boy. When I was poor college student and had a little extra money I'd go there for a meal. There are very few left now which is a real shame.

I live down the street from a Frisch's Big Boy restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio. Big Boy sandwiches are the best ever. That tartar sauce is so divine... I could eat it with a spoon. Those onion rings are crunchy and delicious. Im gonna go get a Big Boy now for lunch !!

One of my first jobs as a teen was at Azar's Big Boy in Lakewood, Colorado. Long gone but I loved those burgers on my breaks....

I worked at Bob's Big Boy while I was in high school. I was looking for any job I could get, bus boy or whatever. I started that night as a cook and stayed for a couple of years. Such good memories. 👍 Well over 30 year ago.

Loved Bob’s back in high school. I still buy Bob’s blue cheese dressing - the BEST.

Big boy was the first Big Mac!! I grew up going to Big Boy great burgers

Great Job ! Moved into West San Fernando Valley in 1962. Always cruised Van Nuys Blvd. And ended up in Bob's Car Hop service at end of night. I have ( with my Buddy's ) actually put their Big Boy Statue in the Middle of Van Nuys Blvd when their really busy. Both Wed. & Sat. Cruise nights. Now they chain them down . Those were the Days ! Food was better then to. Very disappointing now. In & Out sort of took over after Bob sold out. Great Memories from L.A. Fast Frank-CA

Many memories at the Glendale location that I'll never forget. Best burgers ever.

BOY OH BOY.. BIG BOY. They had reallllllllllllllllly good burgers... and other selections. I still run around try'n burger places.. even the new super hi dollar - advertised - blah blah burgers today. I sure miss 'em.....if one opened, I'd be there in a jiff.... TY

Bud’s Big Boy Resturaunt in Bozeman Montana was my 1st full time job,as a newly hired bus boy we’d get free BB sandwiches and they’d always have a feathered tooth pick stuck in the sandwich bun, so we’d put those feathered picks in a soda straw and blow gun them into the cork ceiling tiles, that way we counted how many of those we had eaten to show our friends- good times

I was lucky to live in Burbank , & hung out there when I was in high school . Loved those burgers & the memories . Had so much fun .

Growing up I LOVED Big Boy! The burger, fries , salad meal with their awesome 1000 Island was great, especially with a milk shake added !!

I loved Bob’s Big Boy in the 80’s! Their sundaes were the best and served in silver dessert cups. My favorite was the hot fudge brownie sundae.

I WISH THEY BRING BACK THE BIG BOY RESTAURANT BACK, I LOVE ❤️ THERE FOOD ,I GREW UP EATING AT THE BOB BIG BOY RESTAURANT, AND I MISSED IT SO MUCH, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING IT BACK ,I LIVE IN LONG BEACH , CALIFORNIA. YOU WILL MAKE A PASSED GUESS VERY HAPPY AGAIN . THE FOOD IS SO GOOD, THAT IT OUT OF THIS WORLD 🌍. I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY ,I DO . BIG BOY RESTAURANT ARE NUMBER ONE IN MY BOOK, AND ALSO NUMBER ONE RESTAURANT.

Brought back memories as a child with my grandparents in Miami!

In 1968 I waited tables at Shoney's Big Boy in Norfolk. I made fifty-seven and a half cents an hour plus tips. Iconic food! The big boy hamburger, slim Jim sandwich, "half pound o ground round," strawberry pie, and chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

I was recently at the Burbank Bob's Big Boy and they still had car-side window service

I remember Bob's Big Boy back when I worked at Disneyland and after the shift ended. My buddies and I went to Big Boy. Such memories would love to go back to those days. Wonderful time the 1980s.

I did as a kid in the valley of los angeles. I remember my parents removing the middle bun so we would finish it (and their milk shakes!)

Like others here, the Glendale Bob's Big Boy was where I went. It was in the late 1940s and the 1950s. It was just down the road from my home. I remember one time when I was very young, my parents asked if I wanted spaghetti or chili. I told them, and the waitress, that I wanted spaghetti with chili on it instead of spaghetti sauce. They didn't have that on the menu at the time (at least at that location), but they agreed to make it for me.

I lived in Warren, MI, where the Elias Bros' headquarters was located. My class went on a field trip there, and all I can remember is getting some Detroit Tigers placemats. Recently, I found a Big Boy Express in a Bangkok subway station, and bought a cheeseburger. It was okay.

Growing up in Burbank… my best story from there was going there after a Burroughs football game and hearing a man in the back singing so I stood up and it was Bob Hope singing to his wife! Priceless!

I remember them being called "Kipp's Big Boy" here in the Dallas Texas area food was good and an extremely large menu!! 🤤

I work for Bob's 77-80. Started as a cook and worked my way to Manager at various locations in the San Fernando Valley. I moved out of LA in the mid 80's and when I returned for a visit about a dozen years later they were all gone except one. I couldn't believe such a popular restaurant chain could be out of business. They were always pack from opening to closing.

On a trip to Tahoe from San Jose CA we stopped at a JR's Big Boy, although most of them in our area were Bob's. My cousin had a talking Big Boy doll and I remember at least one of his expressions which was "Let's go on a picnic. I'll bring the pickles!"

I love this place! I want a Big Boy burger right now! The only Big Boy (Frishes) near me, left a few years ago and I don't know where the next closest one is. I may have to look it up, lol

I grew up in a small town near Syracuse NY and quite often we would stop at a TJ’s Big Boy. I miss that place.

The first Kips in my town in Texas came in 1963. The Big Boy statue was in front of the place as you walked in. It was sure good eats.

Nice.... I was a Bob's BIg Boy manager in SoCal back the early to mid 80's. Good times. Brought back lot of memories.

Brings back some good memories of Kebo's Big Boy just inside the Seattle city limits near NE 145th & Aurora Avenue (old U.S. 99).

Bobs big boy is a saint!! What a phenomenal icon!

When I was a kid growing up in a '70s and '80s my dad will take us to Bob's Big boy and I remember him as my youth I even went to the one out there in Burbank 10 years ago and the hamburgers are delicious

We had "Abdow's Big Boy" in Vernon, Ct when I was a kid. I'd get Dolly's Dinner platter (2 pc fried chicken and honey) and a one-trip to the salad bar. HAHAHA. Good times.

I met my wife working at Frisch’s Big Boy in High School. I ran the drive thru and she was the hostess. So obviously, it has a special place in our heart. We both worked there for around six years. Very unique work environment to say it nicely. It would be fair to say there was a lot of extracurricular activity.🤪😁🚬🚬Today we have been together for 25 years and married for 20. We are the perfect match. I think my lucky stars that I ended up working at Big Boy on the other side of town. Because the store I was working at closed. Because they opened a brand new Big Boy in my area. They offered six or seven people from my store a $.25 raise. If we transferred to Big Boy 25 minutes away. I didn’t plan on working for big boy anymore. However, I had to go to that Frisch’s Big Boy to get my last check. When I did the manager talked me in to getting on the schedule. Greatest move I’ve ever made. She is the best words can’t describe how much I love her. I don’t know where I would be without her. She makes me better in every way possible. P.S. Our salt and pepper shakers were stolen from Frisch’s. If one breaks, we steal another one

It was Vip's Big Boy in Albuquerque when I was a kid. We ate there all the time as a family. My dad always got the Big Boy hamburger and I swear it was made the same as the Big Mac.

When I’ve gone to eat at Big Boy Restaurant the food always tastes fresh and delicious too,mea and my family.

Yes loved the big boy hot fuge cake it's the bomb

The Big Mac wasn't the only rip off of the Big Boy. There was also the Big Barney, Red Barn's version, that came about in 1964...

I like Big Boy. Too bad they are gone, I occasionally get a craving for a burger. Why are they gone? There was usually a wait for a table.

The original Bob’s Big Boy was located on Colorado Blvd in Glendale, California. The waiting area had a display with the original menu and spatula. Sadly it has been razed.

Taking the Big Boy statue is the traditional “senior prank” for Michigan high schools 🤠

we used to have two in my hometown, but it was called Abdow's Big Boy. :) loved that place, best breakfast buffet ever.

Love Fridges Big Boy! The juicy double decker hamburger, tasty fries and hot fudge ice cream cake.

“At Bob’s Big Boy, we love good food just like you do!”

My late husband said Bob's "Big Boy" was very small compared to his "Big Boy". I never saw Bob's "Big Boy" but my late husband's was Extra Large and he said that's where the name "The Whopper" came from..... 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

It was Bob's Big Boy in the Mid Atlantic for many years and before they closed around here it was Shoney's also great!

Cleanest restaurant I have ever eaten in. No kidding. Good food, great service, good varied menu and reasonably priced. My daily stop for 14 years. See a Big Boy? Stop and prepare for a treat!

Double decker cheeseburgers, chili spaghetti, banana splits, and free Bob's big boy comic/activity books were my 70s and early 80s childhood.

The Elias Brothers from Detroit bought the chain from Marriott in the late 80's. In Michigan, the chain is simply known as "Big Boy." The Michigan company also owns the original California "Bob's" locations.

A lot of great memories of the Glendale CA location. This video claimed they still do a car night at the Northridge, Burbank and Glendale locations. That is incorrect. There is no Glendale location anymore and hasn't been for quite some time. The only Metro-Los Angeles area locations currently open are Northridge, Burbank (technically Toluca Lake), and Downey. All other locations have closed. There is also apparently one other location in Norco, CA.

Just went to the Northridge, CA location and it was great! A first visit for my daughter.

I grew up in northeast Ohio, and I've always known it to be Bob's Big Boy. Never heard of Frisch's. Do remember the change to Elias Brothers, though. And I went to a bunch o Big Boys in the 80s-90s. All those closed by the late 90s, though. Haven't seen one since. Loved their food, especially that one special dessert. And when I was a kid I loved those comic books. Wish I would've saved them all. I hear they sell for a lot now.

Don't forget the Bob's big boy restaurant car show in Norco, California!, once a month!!

At Bob's Big Boy right now. In between AA meetings, at 47 I am getting sober again. I went from eating and drinking at 5 star hotels (drinking myself into blackouts)...... Now I am drinking Soda water and waiting for my double decker cheeseburger. The salad was terrible, but it came with the combo. The wait staff here are a tad bit lazy, but I am trying to stay positive. God Bless you all.

We use to have Big Boy Restaurants here in Dallas, Texas known as "Kip's" which lasted only about 20 years than poof, gone. Sure miss Big Boy Burgers. Nothing like a double decker burger.

"Loved Big Boy!!!"Have Eaten At Michigans Elias Brothers,Eaten At Shoneys,Frisch's And One Memory In Texas Keps!!!"Loved It For Decades Somebody So Franchise Killed Of My Memories!!!"The Best Onion Rings,And Malts And In The Summer A Slice Or A Whole 🍓 Strawberry Pie!!!"Why Did They Take Away One Of My Most Favorites!!!"

The all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet was a heaven sent cure for a raging hangover for college students.

Ours used to be named TJ's big boy in North Syracuse, NY & my maternal grandparents loved it taking out our family for meals there. In fact they frowned upon McDonald's by the way. I loved the Annie and Archie comics they had there for kids activity books & like it better than McDonald's. Too bad they closed down. Burger patties fresher at Big Boy restaurants too.

Good old days

I used to love eating at big boys but I would get their spaghetti! PS, that Beetles/Elvis meeting ended with the Beetles complaining that Elvis was boring and they thought he’d be more fun, lol.

I know someone who has a Big Boy statue in his home. You might know him, too...award-winning television writer/producer/director (among other things from baseball commentator to blogger to contributing cartoonist for THE NEW YORKER) Ken Levine--credits include M*A*S*H, CHEERS, FRASIER, THE SIMPSONS, and BECKER .

The Bob's Big Boy in Norco California (Horsetown USA) is the only Big Boy that has two statues of Big Boy. One classic statue and one with Cowboy Boots and Cowboy Hat because the city of Norco would not let them open unless they had a Cowboy Big Boy

It was also featured in the 1980 comedy, Midnight Madness as Johnny’s Big Boy.

In Milwaukee where I was born n raised, they were known as Marc's Big Boy and was my favourite place to eat.

Growing up in Ohio, the family consensus was that Manners Big Boy was the best burger of all the chains. In senior years, now avoiding red meat for sake of healthier heart, so suggest Gardein burgers as the best and seeming like a real burger, even more than "Impossible" burgers. Thawing in microwave and pan-frying in a heathy oil works best to give a juicey quality. The only product plugs you can trust are unsolicited ones from everyday people.

Don't forget Azar's Big Boy in Denver! Wonderful place, especially on Sundays with its incredible breakfast bar.

Ahh the good ole days when you could actually make a joke in high school.. And kids worked for a reward

I miss VIP's Big Boy hamburger that my dad would take me to in the 50's. McDonalds copied the Big Boy and it was not as good as VIP's burger.

I remember that when I was little. Now there all gone. I bet those comics are worth a lot now.

Remembering Manners Big Boy in metro Cleveland back in the 60s. Yum!

We still have a big boys in Michigan. slim Gem and salad bar please.

This storyline is all over the place😵‍💫

A waiter at the restaurant told me that the plaque by the booth in the front room is not by the real Beatles booth. The real Booth is in the back. They moved the plaque to the front because it had suffered so many theft attempts.

Ours was going great guns until COVID days , then closed . Has not opened since & has weeds growing in parking lot.

You didn't mention this... In 1985, worried that a pudgy kid toting a big burger was out of step with the times, Marriott Corp., which held the national franchising rights to Big Boy, began an advertising campaign asking whether the 49-year-old symbol should stay or go. Although patrons voted to keep him, the campaign revealed Big Boy's connection to the past.

I have a story about the Bob's statue: a few decades ago, my two brothers and a friend of theirs unbolted one from it's plinth and brought it home. Several days later, one of my brothers painted it in blackface, and they both returned it to it's spot. That happened here in San Diego. There was actually some news coverage, both on the theft, and the return. 🤣🤗

Abdow's Big Boy-Springfield Mass.-My first real after school job. It was a good gig and got me through H.S school.

There was 1 where I lived a few years ago, I tried it twice but the food wasn't that good and about a year later it was shut down... the statue was cool to see all the time though lol

There used to be Shoney's Big Boys all over East Tennessee, but so far as I know, they're all gone now. The last one around here went out when Co-id hit.

best eating place on the planet period !

Loved their burgers. You got two for a low price.

HE ALSO BORROWED 30BUX FROM MY GRANDFATHER. WE ATE FOR FREE FOREVER! BTW THE 'BIGBOY' WAS THE ORIGINAL 'BIG MAC'

Does Big Boy still exist in Pittsburgh, PA? Strawberry 🍓 pie of Big Boy was so delicous 🤗

frisch's said they would not use Dolly and "were sticking with their Big Boy"

I'm a west sider, Azars and Big Boy were the bomb

Big Boy is no longer apart of Shoney's here in East Tennessee and if it were I'm sure they would be sued because Shoney's food is garbagge...

The only one left in Rhode Island closed I miss it!

Those Bob's Big Boy fiberglass statues were prime targets for ambitious prankster fraternity houses.. a good freind of mine I know personally, told me that.

I had been to a Shoney's Big Boy restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and in Lynchburg, Virginia

In Western Massachusetts it was Abdows Big Boy, but they're all gone now.

My mom worked at one of these back in the late 80’s up here in upstate NY. Idk why they closed.

I never heard of big boy until like 2013 I myself live in pennsylvania but I am well aware of the largest ever locomotive the union pacific big boy when I learned of it in like 2011 and I was so confused and said to myself "now what does some fat kid have to do with locomotives" I then learned that two american icons share the same name and I thought to myself "huh, thats really something"

I grew up eating Bob's Big Boy in the 80's

We used to have big boy restaurants in Washington state Oregon Montana and Idaho and I think Utah but they were either tore down or were made into other companies so the big boy restaurants that we had are no longer in our states I think it's mostly California now has all the big boys but yeah Oregon Washington Montana Idaho and Utah used to have big boy restaurants but they closed them all down

Shoney’s dropped Big Boy and subsequently went to crap.

😋 yum the double decker

I loved the Double Burger Platter.

They had the best burgers. I think they used thousand island dressing on them but they were the best. I have not found any left in Texas.