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TEMECULA: Bob's Big Boy is back
After disappearing from Southern California, the icon returns with new restaurant in Temecula
This story has been corrected since its original posting
By JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | ∞
Bob's Big Boy, whose iconic statue is shown here, is expected to open next week on Jefferson Avenue near Winchester Road in Temecula. (Photo by Steve Thornton - staff photographer) 
Rich Myles, vice president of operations at the corporate offices of Bob's Big Boy, says the chain is hoping to open dozens of stores in Southern California in the next decade. On the right is Donald Clossick, manager of the Temecula restaurant. (Photo by Steve Thornton - staff photographer) 
Donaka Marku, lead corporate trainer for Bob's Big Boy, goes over the menu with employees of the new restaurant Thursday. (Photo by Steve Thornton - staff photographer) TEMECULA ---- For decades he stood proudly, beckoning the hungry to come inside and get a double-decker combo or maybe a refreshing hand-dipped shake.
Then the chubby guy in the checkered overalls seemingly disappeared, leaving nothing but fond memories for those who grew up with him.
But Bob is making a comeback.
Late next week, a new Bob's Big Boy is set to open in Temecula. The iconic Big Boy statue, with the familiar slick black hair, holding a burger aloft in one hand, is beckoning once again.
The restaurant will open in the old Richie's Diner building along Jefferson Avenue, north of Winchester Road.
Founded in 1936 in Glendale by Bob Wian, the chain at one point had about 160 restaurants in Southern California.
The chain was ultimately bought out by a large hotel corporation and that seemed to be the beginning of what looked like the end of the popular restaurants, said Rich Myles, vice president of operations and a 33-year employee of the Big Boy corporation.
"In 1992, they decided they didn't want to be in the restaurant business," Myles said. Most of the restaurants were sold and became a Coco's or a Carrows, he said.
"That was the end of Bob's Big Boy in people's minds in Southern California," Myles said.
In 1999, the new owners of Big Boy International LLC took over and a revitalization of sorts began.
"We worked on prototype restaurants for two years, building new ones in Michigan and Florida," Myles said. Then the corporation started to sell to franchisees and now officials hope to gradually open more restaurants in Southern California, eventually returning to the number seen in the region more than 20 years ago.
There are now 11 Big Boys open in Southern California with eight more in some stage of development, Myles said. The new restaurants feature a mix of tradition and modern-day decor and food items.
It seems that the one in Temecula can't open soon enough for those who remember Bob's from the past.
Donald Clossick, the new restaurant's manager, said the calls and the knocks on the locked front door started as soon as the "opening soon" sign went up and increased after the Big Boy statue was installed outside.
Myles said one of his favorite things when opening a new restaurant is talking to patrons.
"Everybody has a Big Boy story or memory," he said.
Take Linda Armstrong of Temecula, for instance.
At the Temecula Duck Pond with her grandson on Thursday, Armstrong smiled broadly when she learned a Big Boy would be opening here. And the memories flooded back.
"When my husband and I were dating we went to Bob's Big Boy in the San Fernando Valley after high school football games," Armstrong said. That was back in the 1960s and she said she still remembers the food and the environment.
"It was quite a hangout," she said with a laugh. "The price was right and the food was right."
Armstrong thought for a while and said it's been probably 20 years since she was at a Bob's, that one being in Vista where she used to be a schoolteacher.
"I'm happy that it's coming back," she said.
That is precisely what the company is hoping for, Myles said.
He said people always tell him about how they first met their husband or wife at a Bob's or had their first date at one. Or a memory about hugging the Big Boy statue.
"Seeing or being back in a Big Boy gets people back to a memory," Myles said. "The key is to have them remember Big Boy as it was."
Sally Beardsley, 33, owns the Urban Exchange clothing store that shares the parking lot with the new Temecula Big Boy. She also has no hesitation when asked about her memories of Bob's.
"It makes me think of my grandparents because I used to always go there with them and I loved it," she recalls of her trips at about age 8 or 9 to a Big Boy in Arizona.
"The offer was, if I'd go to church with them, I got to go to Bob's afterward," Beardsley said.
One of the people she was closest to was her grandfather, who died about a year ago. She recalls how, when deciding to relocate her business to its current location, she was hesitant at first but then took his recommendation to make the move.
Now, when she looks outside her store and sees Bob's and the Big Boy statue, she says it comforts her as it makes her think of her grandfather.
There are no guarantees that statue will be there every day as it has been a bit of a longtime tradition for pranksters to try to make off with Bob.
"Yes, we lose them quite often," Myles said, laughing. "We do try to secure them as best we can."
Sometimes the miscreants who try to rip off Bob end up only ripping off a piece of him ---- like his arm or just the burger from his right hand, Myles said.
High school students are known for absconding with Bob, and he often ends up on a campus somewhere.
"(Bob) usually shows up again," Myles said, adding that employees always report the thefts to local police.
While that is one way for Big Boy to be part of the community, restaurant officials much prefer the more legal aspect of community involvement.
"There's a generation that didn't know Bob's," Clossick, the Temecula manager, said.
"We plan to become involved in the schools," Clossick said, and will provide prizes for activities such as local reading programs.
There have already been some local car clubs that have contacted him about tying their nostalgia with that of Bob's Big Boy, he said, and the restaurant plans to be a part of events like Temecula's annual Rod Run.
The Temecula Bob's Big Boy will have about 60 employees and has a capacity of 128 patrons, including a 10-seat counter behind which those famous hand-dipped shakes will be made, Clossick said.
While there have been some updates to the menu such as stuffed potato pancakes, it will still feature favorites like the Big Boy Combo, chili spaghetti and handmade onion rings.
Serving breakfast all day, the restaurant will be open with its summer hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends.
Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.
CORRECTION: Bob's Big Boy employee misidentified
In a caption in Friday's edition of The Californian, an employee at the soon-to-open Bob's Big Boy in Temecula was misidentified. Donald Clossick is the manager of the restaurant, Matt Pike is the owner of the business. We apologize.
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Food Service Exec wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:12 PM:Bob's Big Boy is nothing special. It is a hash house where people go who do not expect too much in terms of quality. Why do you think so many restaurants closed over the years? Because the service is usually terrible and the food not very good at all. The last time I went to one of these joints was 22 years ago after landing at LAX and having to drive back to San Diego because of the fog. We stopped near El Toro for a burger because it was the only joint open at 2 am and the food was absolutely disgusting. The service was even worse. You got s waitress who took your order and dropped the check off with the food never to be seen again. This is why I do not tip at place slike this because the service is so bad. The best service used to be at corporate Sizzlers not these franchises here in town. The trainign at corportae Sizzlers was the best an dthose servers made about $150 a night in tips for a six hour shift and the girls were always noice looking becasue the managers knew how to hire.
Food Service wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:13 PM:That is only YOUR opinion! I am excited to see this place make a come-back in our area. I can't wait to take my kids there and let them experience it. Now if they'd only get an A&W here and a Loves BBQ pit! YUMMY!
To Food Service Exec wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:48 PM:Wow! I bet you were everybody's FAVORITE restaurant manager, Mr. Happy Fun Guy! How ironic that you think Sizzler was a class act. LOL! I like Sizzler and see little difference from Bob's. I also enjoyed your comment about hiring only "nice looking girls". Of course that's patently illegal. So Sizzler is a class act, and it's OK to discriminate. Do we have that right?? LOL!!!!!! Can't wait for your to open a classy joint in town. LOL!!!
Happy wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:27 AM:What a great use of that Richie's Diner building. I love Bob's and have fond memories of it as a kid. Keep the place clean, the prices reasonable and the food good, and you will have a hit. I welcome Bob's to Temecula!
Gimme Bs wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:04 AM:Good one, Kinda bitter. Isn't a Food Service Exec the guy who checks to make sure there are enough bean sprouts at the salad bar?
I have great memories of Bob's on Balboa in Clairemont in the early 70's, and I look forward to the Grand Opening in Temecula. Maybe the Exec will bury the hatchet and give Bob a second chance. I'll spring for a shake.
bob wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:20 AM:I've eaten at five of the new Bob's in the last two years, and I agree that Bob's isn't what it used to be. Since the new Bob's is moving into the old Ritchie's Dinner, I'm sure the Temecula store will be more like the "old" Bob's. Some of the newly built stores are named Bob's Express, and seem to be geared to getting people in and out. As for opening a Love's, that would be fantastic!
Yikes wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:21 AM:I'll give Bobs Big Boy a try. One place I avoid these days is APPLEBEES. Poor service, at least at the Temecula location, and terrible food. Over rated!
Nostalgic Hungry in Temecula wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:44 AM:The comeback of Bob's Big Boy is good news! I look forward to eating at the new Bob's in Temecula as soon as possible. I can relate to the high school pranks...I know of a Big Boy statue that was relocated to my high school in Agoura over 25 years ago. It would be nice to see some other nostalgic reataurants from the past make comebacks too. I would love to see some A&W drive-ins and the return of the Sambos restaurants. The only Sambos restuarant now remaining is up in Santa Barbara. Welcome to Temecula Bob's Big Boy...I can't wait to eat there. Oh yeah...I promise to leave the statue alone.
Love Bobs wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:41 AM:I only have good memories of Bob's when I was a kid eating at the O'side and Vista locations. I hope the new Temecula location brings back the brawney beef burger combo and the fudge brownie desert. I used to eat at sambo's on Mission ave in O'side also but I thought those diners were shut down because the name was offensive?
Murrieta Resident wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:48 AM:My family can's wait for Bob's to open. We LOVED the one in El Toro and will frequent this new restaurant. Can't wait for Chili Spagetti. My only concern, as with the previous resturant, is the parking. That shopping center really has not enough spaces.
Temecula had wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:55 PM:a drive through A&W at the Shell Station on Rancho Calf. Rd. It closed about 10 years ago. I miss it.
I welcome Bob's. We look forward to it.
Richie Bob wrote on Jul 18, 2008 6:33 PM:I think Mr. Big Boy found a great location. It's got tons of traffic in the area, which is why the parking lots sometimes overflow with customers. I wonder if Mr. Richie will regret not keeping his original location? Bobby Big Boy may end up eating Richie's lunch.
Murrieta Sue wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:49 PM:I am now an active senior, who came to CA in 1970 from NY with my parents. Our first meal was at Bob's in Burbank. That restaurant is still there and doing a thriving business. My dad and I had worked nearby and we met there weekly for lunch for years. When I married we took our small kids to Bob's for the early bird dinners. Everyone loves the Big Boy burger combo, the fried chicken and shakes! I remember the yummy shrimp salad from long ago. We are very fortunate and lucky that Bob's is back. The food is good and we'll be sharing Bob's with our grandchildren as well. Such super memories of an excellent family restaurant.
Big Boy Fan wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:40 PM:I am VERY happy to have Big Boy in town. I grew up eating at Big Boy restaurants in San Diego and Orange County with my family. Whomever that Exec is who wrote that Sizzler was the end-all-be-all is nuts. Welcome to the Inland Empire, Bob! Can't wait to have a Big Boy Combo!!
Marrisa wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:46 PM:I can't think of a better replacement for our wonderful Richies than Bob's. Richies is doing fantastically in Murrieta and South Temecula. I know Bob's will be a huge success as local merchants can walk to lunch and breakfast.
English what wrote on Jul 19, 2008 6:14 AM:And you say that while not putting a space after your comma! lol
Guy wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:32 AM:Obviously, most of you were too young to remember Friday & Saturday nights at Bob's Drivin's...when I was in high school, it was the place to be seen and eat at. In West Covina, CA the wait to eat was over an hour. I drive an hour to the one in Diamond Bar, CA just to buy the seasoned salt. I think Nessey's is the best burger, but Bob's will always hold a warm spot in my memories. Glad to see one open closer to my home in Oceanside.
AMAZEDSTUPIDITY wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:33 AM:To English Major: Ever hear of "Punctuation Check?" Or, since you are the authority on all things grammar, is it okay for you to put meaningless commas everywhere with no spaces?? (What CC did you attend, btw?)
To English Major wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:39 AM:Where did you get your degree? Where I went to school they knew that the proper punctuation for the end of a question was a question mark, not an exclamation point and that a colon, not a comma, was required after a clause beginning with "To...." If you're going to criticize others, you ought to be able to write your own posts properly.
an adult wrote on Jul 19, 2008 7:48 AM:you all sound like the 12 year olds that frequent forums. quit the attacks children, everyone is entitled to thier opinion, however inane it may be. i am probably younger than all of you, sad when i have to tell you to grow up, isn't it?
murrietamary wrote on Jul 19, 2008 8:40 AM:Bob’s Big Boy, Mission Hills, CA in the San Fernando Valley, mid 60’s, was the place where my fond memories were made. My high school years revolved around meeting/eating/cruising at Bobs. I’m so thrilled to have a Bob’s in the Temecula Valley and like someone else mentioned, can’t wait to take my grandchildren!
escondido bill wrote on Jul 19, 2008 9:45 AM:Question? So just how much are the fast food restaurant cost? anyway? My experience $6-7 and then add a drink makes almost $8-9 with tax, So why not go to a restaurant that cost's about the same and get some atmosphere, you can sit down and enjoy the some memory lane, and gee it has to be better than being out in traffic, cell phones, and hot weather. Yes Thank God they are back, and I can't wait till they get to Escondido !
Bud wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:16 AM:You are all idiots... when did the opening of an out-of-date-restaurant
become front page news ... I guess the
talk shows are right... we will all be
fiddling while Rome burns. There is so much more important news than Bob's
return.
All of you need to get a life and worry
about our world coming to an end or we
won't have to think about Bob's anymore.
Escondidan wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:21 AM:Does anyone know if there is a Ferrels ice cream parlor still around anywhere?
We used to have one in Esco, but long since gone. Great if they brought it back.
Too Much Bud wrote on Jul 19, 2008 11:10 AM:You've got to wonder about a guy who calls everyone idiots and preaches about the world coming to an end in the same breath. Bud can occupy himself with reading Nostradamus while the rest of us idiots can read more pleasant things, like Bob's menu.
TVHS football player wrote on Jul 19, 2008 11:27 AM:Our football team is going to get that Bob's statue and bring it to TVHS. It will be the only thign we win this footballs eason because our team is not veyr good and the new coach is kinda lost. You people talk about this restaurant like its a good place its not.
Alex wrote on Jul 19, 2008 4:22 PM:To Escondidian:
Haven't you been to Hot Shot Burgers, that fifty's diner on Centre City Parkway? They have the best burgers in town with the exception of Nessy Burgers.
Be careful children wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:36 PM:Depending on the value of the statue, stealing it could result in a Felony conviction. Things have changed since Nostalgic found Bob serving up a burger outside Agoura High School 25 years ago. Case in point: One student thought it would be really funny to chop down the "senior tree" at TVHS that had stood in the quad for 20 years. That tree was valued at $50,000 and that student now has a felony on his record for life. Better to leave Bob outside his new digs to great us oldsters and our grandkids. We can't wait!!
Steve wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:46 AM:Ahhh, memories of a side of that Bleu Cheese Dressing to go with my fries.....
Murrieta Family wrote on Jul 26, 2008 12:52 PM:My family and I had breakfast there this morning. The food was horrible and the service was slow. We were very disappointed.
Bob wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:50 PM:My family eat there for dinner and I have to say, it was as good as my wife and I remember. I hope they keep up the quality of service and food. Most restaurants go thru some growing pains, so don't be quick to judge this place right away. I understand that another Bob's is scheduled to open in Murrieta in about 2 years at Clinton Keith/I-15. That might be a little too close, unless the Temecula store does well.
jedi knight wrote on Jul 29, 2008 5:11 PM:My family had breakfast ther this morning and were dissapointed. While the price of the special was very reasonalble we had to send the food back before it even hit the table. They manager made things right though.
Jedi Knight wrote on Jul 29, 2008 5:12 PM:I think this resturant would have gone over better in the old Rocky Cola Cafe resturant.
Disappointed wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:47 PM:I grew up eating at Bob's in Burbank and had great expectations. Had dinner there tonight and was disappointed: Service was not very good, food was bland, and overpriced. Sad to say but Denny's is a much better experience.
Big Deal wrote on Aug 4, 2008 6:33 PM:IS the news? ... Another lame chain restaurant in Temecula!! Pathetic!
Steve wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:20 PM:Congrats Temecula. Good on you. Now, can Bob's tell us why they closed the store on Wilshire in LA?
Former Richies girl.... wrote on Nov 20, 2008 8:25 AM:WOW Alot of comments about bad food, slow service....I wonder if Bob's needs to clean house in the kitchen and (sounds like) have a more qualified cook back there... My question would be during the time that you said the waitress was slow, is it just because it took so long to get the food out? Waitresses cannot control what idiot screws up or is slow in the kitchen folks! Lighten up though...they are new and need to find their groove...It's all good.
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