Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant
(909) 446-8822
540Sandalwood Dr.
Calimesa, Ca. 92323
By: Ed Wright, "The Wright Gourmet"

This may date “The Wright Gourmet,” (who claims to be 29) but back when I was in High School (60s & 70s) we use to enjoy going to the Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant on 17th street in Costa Mesa… now long gone and ordering their "Big Boy Double Decker Burgers" with extra relish and adding some Bob's Blue Cheese dressing. It was a fun place to take a date... but slightly "Un-Cool" by the late 1960s because of it's dated styling. Over the years the "Bob's Big Boy founder died, and the chain's restaurant locations were bought out by "Cocos," I think... and all but disappeared. 

Several years ago Bob’s Big Boy was reborn under the simple name of “Big Boy Restaurants,” and today the Inland Empire has been blessed again with several of the once popular burger restaurants... and they are almost as good as the memories, which just never happens! 

Note: It has been rumored that it was the “Original Bob’s Big Boy” trademark “Double Deck” Cheeseburger that inspired McDonald’s to copy/introduce their own version they named a “Big Mac.” McDonald's claims differently, but personally I believe history can prove that this is the origin and motivation behind the Big Mac… which interestingly is no where near as good and tastes nothing like the Real Big Boy "Double Decker" because it is missing Big Boy's signature Bob's Burger Relish. (But everything else is just about a copy!)

The New “Bob's Big Boy Restaurants” include much of the original designs of the 1950s California “Coffee Shop” style Restaurants. The food is the typical burgers, fries and breakfast any time fair, but it's the restaurants’ history which the re-emerging chain is promoting. The Calimesa Big Boy hosts numerous "Classic Car" shows and includes a gift shop where you can buy Bob's Big Boy memorabilia like car hop dining trays and Big Boy boxer shorts.

If you're a fan or collector of retro/kitschy Americana or just enjoy the simpler style of the 1950’s i/e: patty melts, double decker burgers, hot fudge and milk shakes that come served in the mixing cup, than Bob's Big Boy will truly be your kind of place also. If you are too young to remember when Bob's Big Boy Restaurants were seemingly everywhere, or unfortunately have never been to a Big Boy Restaurant, you quite simply do not know what you are missing out on!

Personally, like many others it is the “Original Big Boy Combo” that keeps me (The Wright Gourmet) coming back. The "Big Boy Combo" or "Combo” is simply a combination of a garden salad, French Fries, and a Big Boy Double Deck Burger. There is nothing special about any of it except the maybe Bob's Signature Blue Cheese dressing and Bob's "Double Decker Burger"… which is possibly the best Cheeseburger in it’s price range served anywhere… period! (Sorry In-and-Out, your "Double Double" is good also, but Bob's has you beat)

As a side note when ordering a "Big Boy Combo," we enjoy swapping out the French Fries for Bob’s Onion Rings which are still almost as good as they were when they were deep-fried in lard as they use to be; and also order the original and not the newer version with the larger patties which seems to be too much meat (only my opinion). 

Bob’s Big Boy also serves up a full “American Style” menu of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; all pretty good for the prices. This is not “Gourmet” by any standard… it is just very good quality “Coffee Shop / Diner” type food that was made popular during the 1950s and 1960s or what some called "Road Food." Bob’s Big Boy Restaurants are also famous for their Fresh Strawberry Pies (the original version was better) and their incredible Milk Shakes and Brownie Fudge Sundaes.

This is an absolutely incredible restaurant to bring young grandchildren to; somehow many seem to think McDonald's invented the hamburger. Needles to say the prices have gone up somewhat compared to where they were in the 1950s, but the quality remains the same and there is no extra charge for the nostalgia… Service is usually above average and the restaurants are always kept very clean and "A Rated" by the health department.

As a side note: This is the restaurant chain that gave birth to the original “Bob’s Dressings” (Bob’s Blue Cheese salad dressing… ect.) you can still buy in many grocery stores (and Costco)… unfortunately you can only purchase Bob’s exceptional “Burger Relish” at the actual Bob's Big Boy Restaurants; and it is Really Good Relish!

This article was posted by: Ed Wright and Central City Mortgage’s “Wright Team,” specializing in Residential and Commercial Mortgage Lending… Purchase and Refinance. Serving all of California from offices in the Inland Empire. For all your mortgage lending questions please call Ed Wright “Your Personal Mortgage Consultant For Life” at (909) 938-3777 or E-Mail “The Wright Team:” Ed@ForHomeLoan.info

For other Questions and Answers about this Restaurant Review Magazine, Reviews and/or to Submit Reviews;  Click Here

To post comments about this review in “Real Time” using “The Wright Gourmet” Suggestions and Comments area (you can use the “QuickSearch” to find the review in question) Click Here: http://www.TheWrightGourmet.com