Big News in Morro Bay, Bob is Coming!

Yes, folks, Bob’s Big Boy is coming to town. The home of the ORIGINAL double decker hamburger. Why do I bring this up? This is exciting! Have you ever had a Big Boy Burger? You have got to try one. They are so good, as well as their onion rings and breakfasts. This is really good news. 

As I was driving from the Cookie Crock to the AM/PM to get gas, I spied a sign on the end of the old Denny’s building where I was sure I saw a Big Boy. I cut through the gas station to come around to the front to confirm it, and yes it is true. It is not a great location, but with the new intersection there, and more business on that street, it should do better than the Denny’s there.

When that location behind the Mobile station’s car wash on Quintana was first built, I believe it was built as a Sambo’s. This is going way back, so I have to think about it. I know it was also a Hobo Joe’s. You could find Hobo Joe’s, Denny’s, Sambo’s, Country Kitchen, and Bob’s Big Boy in many locations around the country. Each Bob’s even had it’s own Big Boy statue. There was one on Calle Joaquin in San Luis Obispo years ago.

The Morro Bay location became a Denny’s in later years, and got run down after that. Apparently someone interested in putting in a Bob’s franchise bought the property. 

One nice thing about Bob’s locations is that they are usually active in the community. They have done toy drives, fund raisers, bingo, and even cruise nights. It would be nice to get monthly cruise nights and classic car nights going in Morro Bay. It would be something to keep them busy and get them a lot of attention.

I know that I will drive to Morro Bay from wherever I am to get a Big Boy burger every now and then. I will take friends out there, as well. There is just something about a Big Boy burger that brings back memories. It was started in Glendale.

Bob opened his little place and was challenged to create a new burger. That is when he came up with the burger. He named it after this little chubby boy that used to visit his place, and thus got the inspiration for the Big Boy logo, as well. Perhaps today he would be sued for being cruel to the boy lol.

There is something about biting into an authentic Big Boy. Well, if you want to go even further, I believe the first Big Boy location was actually opened in Burbank. There is still a Big Boy located there. They have regular cruise nights with carhop service. That is a sight to see. I have eaten there a few times, and really enjoy the food.

Yes, it is a franchise, and yes all the food is supposed to be the same, but it is Big Boy. How many times can I tell you that? Can you tell I like the Big Boy? I will even go there for breakfast, I am so excited about it. Want to split some onion rings? Maybe I’ll let everyone know when I am going to be there. NOT!

I wish the franchisees lots of luck and best wishes. I hope this is a prosperous location, and hope they get it open fast. Oh, and I hope they tent that building. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was loaded with roaches. Sorry, but I’m sure it has to be. You don’t just get rid of those things, either. Did you know that you can cut off the head of a roach and it will live up to 3 days or until it starves to death? Amazing, eh?

Oh, and as far as those other places, let me give you the rundown. You all know that Denny’s is still going strong. One thing that is funny is that Denny’s has been sued for discrimination and providing poor service to blacks. Their major competitor a while back was Sambo’s, originally known as “Little Black Sambo’s” restaurant. They were sued and shut down locations because of the name. Sambo’s was found to be offensive to African Americans.

The original Sambo’s was and still is in Santa Barbara. I guess they are only open for breakfast now. I guess nobody wanted to go to the beachfront to have a diner dinner. What do those people in Santa barbara know about good food anyway? They have all those fancy restaurants, but can’t keep their drive thru burger joint open?

 Oh, don’t get me started on burgers. I love the Fatburgers on State St. They are so good, and big. They are pricey, but well worth it to me. They also make real shakes. It is hard to beat Johnny Rocket’s for atmosphere though. If you ever go to the one in Hollywood near the Kodak Theater, be sure to play an Aretha Franklin song on the juke box and watch what happens. It’s a riot.

Anyway, back to the other chain restaurants. Country Kitchen is apparently still around but having to revive business. Hobo Joe’s may still be around and kicking. I think it is still the same chain in Arizona. I could be wrong, though. 

I guess that finishes off this topic. If you have any memories of that location prior to Hobo Joe’s, or have any stories about any of those chains, let me know. The Denny’s on Madonna Rd. used to be Hobo Joe’s. The old Denny’s over by Calle Joaquin is now a waffle place. I am going to try it out. It is the second location for this company, and I will let you know how good it is.

Oh, and don’t forget the local chain that also competed with these late night restaurants. We had Farmboy, Farmgirl, Boy’s, and Girl’s restaurants, all owned by the Williams Bros. that brought us the grocery store chain. They were pretty decent, and found around the Central Coast from SLO to Santa Maria.

There are still a couple of these locations. One was located where Gilli’s Grill is now (that is a pretty good place, you should try it out. Good food and good prices), and the Pappy’s on Betteravia. There used to be a Pappy’s on the hill at 4th and 101 in Pismo, but it is a sushi place now.

Wow, all these trips down memory lane. They are going to have to turn it into a toll road soon.