Anyone remember this guy and his burger?
(http://blawgletter.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/03/bigboy.jpg)
He could be found standing outside of his restaurants from California to Pennsylvania, and holding his burger proudly in the air while wearing his checkered overalls. His restaurants were under the name of Shoney's, Bob's, or in some cases, Frisch's. He and the rights to him transferred hands several times, and ended up in court a few times, but there are still a few of his restaurants scattered around the country in various places and under various different names.
Anyway, this was his burger:
(http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/UcaXjIKJA41n7fjA8JXt4w/l.jpg)
Did anyone ever have one of those things? It was called the Big Boy burger. The only Shoneys I ever have an opportunity to visit discontinued this burger (because I think they lost the rights to it), but according to Wikipedia, it was a double decker burger consisting of pretty much what you see there. Two patties, lettuce, cheese, and some variety of special sauce.
According to Frisch's website, the special sauce was simply thousand island dressing, but as a child eating them, I don't recall them being simply that.
Anyway, tonight, I combined some mayo and some chili sauce in about equal proportions, added some sweet pickle relish, and added that to a burger with cheese and lettuce. What I ended up with was a burger that tasted like it had thousand island dressing on it. Perhaps your tastes change as you get older, or perhaps I really was eating burgers with thousand island dressing on them as a child. At any rate, I didn't get the Big Boy burger taste (at least as I remembered it), and I was left feeling disappointed.
Did anyone else ever have a Big Boy burger?
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 08:49:46 PM
Anyone remember this guy and his burger?
(http://blawgletter.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/03/bigboy.jpg)
He could be found standing outside of his restaurants from California to Pennsylvania, and holding his burger proudly in the air while wearing his checkered overalls. His restaurants were under the name of Shoney's, Bob's, or in some cases, Frisch's. He and the rights to him transferred hands several times, and ended up in court a few times, but there are still a few of his restaurants scattered around the country in various places and under various different names.
Anyway, this was his burger:
(http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/UcaXjIKJA41n7fjA8JXt4w/l.jpg)
Did anyone ever have one of those things? It was called the Big Boy burger. The only Shoneys I ever have an opportunity to visit discontinued this burger (because I think they lost the rights to it), but according to Wikipedia, it was a double decker burger consisting of pretty much what you see there. Two patties, lettuce, cheese, and some variety of special sauce.
According to Frisch's website, the special sauce was simply thousand island dressing, but as a child eating them, I don't recall them being simply that.
Anyway, tonight, I combined some mayo and some chili sauce in about equal proportions, added some sweet pickle relish, and added that to a burger with cheese and lettuce. What I ended up with was a burger that tasted like it had thousand island dressing on it. Perhaps your tastes change as you get older, or perhaps I really was eating burgers with thousand island dressing on them as a child. At any rate, I didn't get the Big Boy burger taste (at least as I remembered it), and I was left feeling disappointed.
Did anyone else ever have a Big Boy burger?
Yes, I remember having them as a kid. One year, we went to Chattanooga for vacation and to show the kids Civil War history and some guy had the statue of the Big Boy! Lol
We've got one in town here. . . still. . .
Quote from: Palehorse on October 31, 2014, 09:37:09 PM
We've got one in town here. . . still. . .
What's the name? It's is a Shoney's, a Bob's, or a Frisch's Big Boy?
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 09:38:14 PM
What's the name? It's is a Shoney's, a Bob's, or a Frisch's Big Boy?
Hell if I can remember. It's on Broadway and I don't go past it very often. Ate there one time in all the years I have lived here. . . They still have car shows there too in the summer. . . My wife says it is a Frisch's Big Boy.
"Me" might know????
I'm going to have to require you to try the Big Boy burger or at least see if they have it there. ;D
Quote from: Palehorse on October 31, 2014, 09:40:39 PM
Hell if I can remember. It's on Broadway and I don't go past it very often. Ate there one time in all the years I have lived here. . . They still have car shows there too in the summer. . . My wife says it is a Frisch's Big Boy.
"Me" might know????
Yup. It is a Frisch's
http://www.frischs.com/map/StoreLocator.aspx?param=46013 (http://www.frischs.com/map/StoreLocator.aspx?param=46013)
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 09:42:08 PM
I'm going to have to require you to try the Big Boy burger or at least see if they have it there. ;D
I just spoke to the Czar of entertainment and outings for the stall, and she says we will go to the place and do just that tomorrow. :big grin:
AND, if they do indeed still sell them, I will buy one, take pictures of it, post them here, and provide my thoughts on its taste, etc. . . :biggrin:
Quote from: Palehorse on October 31, 2014, 09:45:02 PM
I just spoke to the Czar of entertainment and outings for the stall, and she says we will go to the place and do just that tomorrow. :big grin:
AND, if they do indeed still sell them, I will buy one, take pictures of it, post them here, and provide my thoughts on its taste, etc. . . :biggrin:
And according to this they do still sell them:
http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx (http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx)
No way I am going to get that damned "super Big Boy" though. That thing look like it will send me straight into hibernation mode. . . :icon_twisted:
Oh, you're going to suck if they have that burger there. ;D
Let me know if my recollections are correct and if it's changed any over the years. That picture I posted is pretty much the way I remember it looking, but what I made tonight is not the way I remember it tasting.
Quote from: Palehorse on October 31, 2014, 09:46:59 PM
And according to this they do still sell them:
http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx (http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx)
No way I am going to get that damned "super Big Boy" though. That thing look like it will send me straight into hibernation mode. . . :icon_twisted:
See, the only difference in that description and mine was the pickle. I didn't add that to mine tonight.
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 09:48:22 PM
Oh, you're going to suck if they have that burger there. ;D
Let me know if my recollections are correct and if it's changed any over the years. That picture I posted is pretty much the way I remember it looking, but what I made tonight is not the way I remember it tasting.
:biggrin:
I've been to those places many times in my years. We would go to Cincy area two or three times a year as a kid, and we ate there every time we went at least once. So. . .
I'll be sure to post those pics and report back. :angel:
Thank you!
:biggrin: :razz:
There is a Frisch's in Frankfort, Ky.
None of the above anywhere near south Florida.
Shoney's has lost the rights to that burger and no longer have it. Apparently, it's only available in Bob's and Frisch's restaurants wherever those may be. ;D
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 09:48:22 PM
Oh, you're going to suck if they have that burger there. ;D
Let me know if my recollections are correct and if it's changed any over the years. That picture I posted is pretty much the way I remember it looking, but what I made tonight is not the way I remember it tasting.
They do still have it. Hubby loves to go there for lunch and have one of those and onion rings.
Does it look like it does in the picture I posted? If so, I'll anxiously await Palehorse's report. ;D
Not quite as tall but pretty much the same. It has been about 4 months since we were last there though.
Then I shall await Palehorse's pictures and description of the real thing. ;D
Quote from: Locutus on October 31, 2014, 11:42:09 PM
Then I shall await Palehorse's pictures and description of the real thing. ;D
Let's hope he hits it at the right time and there's a good cook workin' when he does. :yes:
I wonder if Bob's are more out west. I have heard of Shoney's and Frisch's but the only Bob's is Bob Evans.
According to their website, they're in California, Michigan, Illinois, North Dakota, and Ohio.
http://www.bigboy.com/locations/
Quote from: Locutus on November 01, 2014, 11:47:37 AM
According to their website, they're in California, Michigan, Illinois, North Dakota, and Ohio.
http://www.bigboy.com/locations/
Thanks!
I am in touch with Palehorse and he is on-site at the Big Boy restaurant! Stay tuned for his report.
:biggrin:
:rant: :rant:
They wouldn't give him the sauce recipe. :mad:
I found this on Wikipedia about the sauce: :icon_twisted:
The Big Boy consists of two thin beef patties placed on a three layer bun with lettuce, a single slice of cheese, and either mayonnaise with red relish (as Wian made it), Big Boy special sauce (thousand island dressing) or (in some locations) tartar sauce on each slice of bun. (Regardless, the Big Boy condiment used was often simply referred to as "special sauce" on menus chainwide.) Wian used a sesame seed bun while Frisch's used a plain bun and included pickles. For its opening in 1949, Eat'n Park of Pittsburgh advertised its Big Boy hamburgers including a sliced (slice of) tomato.[13] The Big Boy hamburger originally called for a quarter pound (4 ozs.) of fresh ground beef, but later, franchisees were permitted to use frozen beef patties, and the minimum content reduced to a fifth of a pound (3.2 ozs.) of beef, perhaps in response to McDonald's Big Mac.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Boy_Restaurants
So as promised, Mrs Horse and I made our way over to Frish's Big Boy this afternoon after running our errands.
We arrived to this sight:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/BBY1_zps694ee043.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/BBY1_zps694ee043.jpg.html)
The parking lot was fairly crowded, and I now see why they hold car club shows here. LARGE parking lot! Anyway, the place was jumping, much to my surprise, and we were shown to our booth and our order was taken PDQ.
I ordered 2 Big Boy Burgers and onion rings, and a Pepsi to wash it all down with. My wife ordered a bacon cheeseburger and fries. (No pics of that meal taken)
My burgers and onion rings arrived, and I couldn't help but send Locutus some messages with some of the following pics within them. :icon_twisted:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/FullSizeRender2_zps255ddb98.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/FullSizeRender2_zps255ddb98.jpg.html)
I munched on these burgers and was amazed that they were quite tasty! The "secret sauce" appeared to be a mayo based concoction that reminded me of tarter sauce:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/IMG_1141_zps8d747683.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/IMG_1141_zps8d747683.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/IMG_1142_zpsaebff975.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/IMG_1142_zpsaebff975.jpg.html)
We finished our meal and left, my hunger satiated and my memory thoroughly jogged back to the times we used to go to BB in Cincy. They tasted the same, but I was glad I ordered two burgers. One would have been a tease. . .
The onion rings were battered and extra large though; a pleasant surprise that also reminded of my days as a very young Colt. :wink:
Bottom line; we'll visit this place again. :yes:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/FullSizeRender_zpsdbf915b2.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/FullSizeRender_zpsdbf915b2.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/FullSizeRender3_zpscf4237b1.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/FullSizeRender3_zpscf4237b1.jpg.html)
And for the record, my wife used to work at this very BB when she was in high school. :big grin:
When I quizzed her on the secret sauce she said, "I waited tables and didn't work in the kitchen. But I think it's tarter sauce." Which it does indeed appear to me to be.
Finally. . . That big boy guy is creepy man. And he was wearing an Andrew Luck jersey. (This city is home to the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp after all).
I didn't even notice the Colts jersey until you pointed it out. ;D
Here's a picture of my attempt at the Big Boy sauce. It tasted like it looks; like thousand island dressing. It had mayo, some chili sauce, and sweet pickle relish.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/10480223_4772648210949_1402619989546119149_n.jpg?oh=461ac4f430f2adb01f6dddf51851431c&oe=5456CD37&__gda__=1415045199_9065962f1f270c3be963a7471023522d)
Big Boy Secret Sauce Recipe.
I found this
2 cups Hellman's mayo
2 TBSP. Horseradish
1/2 tsp. Lemon juice
2 TBSP. Minced onions
1/4 cup of minced dill pickles
1 clove garlic, minced
2 hard boiled eggs, yolks mashed and whites chopped
Dash of Tabasco sauce
1/3 cup ketchup.
I don't know if this is the real deal or not but it was in the google search that I did for recipe!
I'm not feeling the eggs. ;D
Quote from: Locutus on November 01, 2014, 06:00:03 PM
I'm not feeling the eggs. ;D
Me neither so I am sure you could leave them out!
Interestingly enough, one of my initial reactions to the sauce was that it contained horseradish. And I did detect what could have been the presence of onion as well. In fact if you look closely at the picture of that dab of the sauce, you'll see what appears to be a tiny sliver of onion in it.
So there may be at least some partial truth to that recipe. . . Although the catsup was definitely NOT in the sauce I had today. That stuff was white. . .
And I'm not so sure about that garlic thing either. I am an absolute garlic HOUND, and if it had been in the sauce I had today I'd have detected it. . . :yes:
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/1513672_10152481923880847_5772550987236031805_n_zps235bb9f2.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/1513672_10152481923880847_5772550987236031805_n_zps235bb9f2.jpg.html)
This is a photo of the very establishment I was in today, from back in the day. (Courtesy of an extended family member).
I don't see the Big Boy standing out in front there. He's just on the sign at that point. ;D
Quote from: Locutus on November 01, 2014, 08:56:20 PM
I don't see the Big Boy standing out in front there. He's just on the sign at that point. ;D
He Stands around the corner today, picture right.
Not sure but I think when they first started they were on the signs and not in the yards so to speak.
I would go there for a bacon sandwich on my way home from work when I worked at Laymen' Life Insurance out on Broadway in the mid 60's. I was pregnant and it tasted so good! I still like to go there for their fish sandwiches.
I remember the onion rings being huge!!!
My wife and I just went to the one on Broadway a few days ago, and I was very disappointed. It just wasn't all that good, and I always enjoyed my visits there before. There wasn't much sauce on the Big Boy and they no longer sell Cherry Cokes..they have Pepsi products. The fries was just okay. :(
Why is it that fast food and malts tasted better when we were running around Anderson in the 50s and 60s. :confused:
Quote from: Henry Hawk on November 03, 2014, 07:51:20 AM
My wife and I just went to the one on Broadway a few days ago, and I was very disappointed. It just wasn't all that good, and I always enjoyed my visits there before. There wasn't much sauce on the Big Boy and they no longer sell Cherry Cokes..they have Pepsi products. The fries was just okay. :(
You're not the only one who has told me that the food at these Big Boy establishments is sub-par these days. Maybe Trolls's comment is correct. Food and drinks tasted better years ago because they really
were better years ago. Excessive cost cutting measures have had negative effects on a lot of these sort of establishments in my opinion.
Quote from: Locutus on November 03, 2014, 10:33:41 AM
You're not the only one who has told me that the food at these Big Boy establishments is sub-par these days. Maybe Trolls's comment is correct. Food and drinks tasted better years ago because they really were better years ago. Excessive cost cutting measures have had negative effects on a lot of these sort of establishments in my opinion.
:yes:. Hardees is one fast food exception (I've never eaten anything other than breakfast there). No matter if in Bluefield or Richmond or Myrtle Beach or wherever I happen to be, their sausage/biscuit/gravy breakfast is plate-lickin' good! :biggrin: We used to have several locally, but they were replaced by Roy Rogers. Now the closest Hardees that I know of is down I-95 in Fredericksburg -- about a 45 minute drive in heavy :rant: traffic.
I like the Hardees biscuits and gravy as well, but like you, there aren't any around in south Florida. There used to be one in Hialeah, but it closed down a few years back.
The parking lot is big because it was mostly a drive in place to eat with the intercom type order stands and car hops. I don't remember when they took them out, sometime after 1968. The french fries back then were the ridged ones, they were better than the ones they serve now, but their fish sandwiches are still good.
I remember the Big Boy that I visited having the ridged fries as well Anne, and they were damn good. :yes:
Hardee's food is good. We have 3-4 in Owensboro.
I do have to agree that certain places the food is better than others. For me, Big Dipper in Owensboro has great burgers, shakes and malts!!! It is a walk up or drive through only!! They only take cash and may not take credit cards and no checks and has been that way forever. They are closed on Sundays.
From 1957 to 1960 the Big Boy drive inn was the place to go in Anderson, Indiana. Along with the Pink Horse, Elmo Flatt's, the Alibi, Rancho Granada and let us not forget Bert T. Owens for malts, sodas and ice cream.
There was another good restaurant here in Owensboro that was called The Red Barn. I don't know if it was a franchise or not but there food was really good. I remember our parents taking us kids there and it was reasonably priced for my parents and 3 other siblings besides myself and my father being able to afford it on a teacher's salary. It also was one of the few places that never served alcohol as my parents didn't drink.
I also remember when Big Boy restaurants had a real steak sandwich. :drool1: I don't know why, but the company who owned them closed a lot of them down. :cry: