Comments on: Bob’s Big Boy, Michigan 1966

By: Rick B

Rick B — Thu, 26 May 2011 01:33:11 +0000

Growing up in suburban Detroit, I LOVED being taken to Big Boy restaurants (the ones we went to were “Elias Brothers Big Boy”, must have been Bob’s cousins). The Big Boy burger with it’s Thousand Island dressing was heavenly. When I was a teenager, my friends and I would go there late at night and have hot fudge brownies, drink black coffee and smoke cigarettes. The only thing I didn’t care for there was the strawberry pie, with it’s red mystery gel – which you could purchase by the jar at the cash register.

By: valerie steele

valerie steele — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:46:57 +0000

My second job was at Bob’s Big Boy in Ventura, CA. It was 1976 or 1977. I was the hostess/cashier person, coming in at 5:30 a.m. Had to put the donuts onto the round tray with the plastic cover over it. It was kept up front by me at the register. I also would take frozen whole strawberries and put them upside down in layers for their strawberry pies. I’d pour the gooey goo over them when all piled up like a pyramid. I remember going in there when it was dark and cold. I was all of just 18. I remember the silly wiglet I had to wear and putting the thing on at 4:30 in the morning. They said it was required to keep the hair (the waitresses and hostesses) secured, but we knew it was just the look they wanted. I had to wear a sort of platform shoe or heels. I had grown up eating their food in San Diego – at the one on Sports Arena Blvd. It is now a U-Haul Storage Building.
I can still “taste” the burgers–I loved them back then, too.

By: Lynn Perry

Lynn Perry — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:33:40 +0000

My cousin Julie waitressed at the Bob’s in San Diego on El Cajon Blvd. and had to wear that queer uniform with the big poofy skirt. I never understood why they wore those… you had to have OK legs…..the silver goblet or the fudge cake were the best.

By: Patsy S

Patsy S — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:33:23 +0000

I worked for YES-BOBS’ BIG BOY on central ave.in Phx AZ.in the late 50s or early 60s.
It served meals both inside AND out side.
One could pull up and park and a rollerskating waitress took your order and brought your food. Good food and good people to work for.

By: Wally Mains

Wally Mains — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:14:50 +0000

I am looking for matches from all the different Big Boy franchises.Please let me know if you have any.Wally.

By: Brent

Brent — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:32:25 +0000

And who could ever forget the “free” Bob’s Big Boy comic books that they gave to the kids. The adventures of Bob, his “girl friend” and his dog. Darn if a Bob’s double-decker wouldn’t hit the spot right now!

By: Dan Batroff

Dan Batroff — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 22:14:48 +0000

My 1st job was at Bob’s in Phoenix, Az., in the 70′s. I worked at 32nd street and Indian School, Central and Thomas, and filled in sometimes at a store in Scottsdale. I went from dishwasher, to prep cook, to night cook, and eventually breakfast cook. I live in Ca., now, and recently had the pleasure of visiting Bob’s in Calimesa. It’s one of only 7 left(in the whole U.S.A.?) it brought back some great memories!

By: Walter Bien

Walter Bien — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 23:23:32 +0000

I have a question regarding “Bob’s Big Boy Tarter Sauce”. I noticed on the top of the bottle there is a date, and the word “expires”. Does that mean that one shouldn’t eat it after that date, even though it has been refrigerated all during the time it was opened? Or, does it mean that one shouldn’t buy it after that date? Or, is there some other meaning?

By: Judy Fullerton

Judy Fullerton — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:43:42 +0000

In the 50′s Bob’s Glendale was a drive-in complete with carhops and car trays. I still have some of the cards they put on your front window (had the number of your carhop). On the cards I have the Big Boy hamburger was 45 cents and a milkshake was 30 cents.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:34:35 +0000

The Bob’s Big Boy on Riverside in Burbank, Ca. has a menu that’s pretty close to the original one and the building looks the same. You can still get the Big Boy Combo and if you’re a vegetarian (which I am now), you don’t have to miss out…you can get it with a double decked veggie patty, cheese, shredded lettuce, and Big Boy sauce. It tastes great. They still have the hot fudge cake with vanilla ice cream made like the old days with fresh cake and hot fudge from a dispenser (instead of cold cake and fudge heated in a microwave). The prices are also good, especially for Los Angeles. If you’re looking for a nostalgic, googie coffee shop, Bob’s in Burbank won’t let you down.