Classic Bob’s is big on nostalgia

Before there was hip-hop, there was car-hop, a style of service that

has all but disappeared, with one happy exception. Every Friday and

Saturday night, you can find it at Bob’s Big Boy restaurant In Toluca

Lake.

The place is swell. Teeny boppers and hep cats, squares and swing

daddies can all be found there enjoying the same diner fare that

Bob’s has been dishing out since 1949. The building has been

preserved in its original form earning it recognition as a Historical

Place of Interest. But the crowds that line up aren’t there to just

gawk at the architecture and memorabilia. They come for good food

that’s easy on the wallet and they leave happy.

Let’s start with the basics, the Big Boy Combo. A double-decker

burger with fries and a salad. Nothing fancy, just straight forward

and satisfying, the way it’s always been. The burger sports a special

sauce that gave it a little pizazz, and the fries were nice and

crisp. The salad, however, was a bit tired. Just some lettuce splayed

across a plate. The same treatment was given the Cobb salad but come

on, you wouldn’t normally go to Bob’s for a salad.

But you might go for a milkshake. Topped with whipped cream and a

cherry, the shake was deliciously chocolaty and just the right

consistency. Paired with my combo, it had me doing dance steps from

Grease.

If you want something more adult-like for dinner (yawn), there are

several entrees to choose from like pasta, steak and chicken. The

chicken kabobs are a nice choice, though they took a little longer

for the kitchen to get out. Tender chunks of white meat chicken,

fresh vegetables and pineapple, all skewered together and grilled

with a light teriyaki glaze. The dish comes with serviceable rice and

steamed veggies. All in all, pretty tasty and a great value. Also

tops was the traditional BLT -- bacon, lettuce and tomato --

sandwich. The toasted wheat bread was warm and not overdone, the

tomato was firm, the bacon was meaty and crisp, the lettuce had a

perfect crunch and, most important of all, there was just the right

amount of mayo -- not too gloppy.

Many people swear by breakfast at Bob’s and for good reason. It’s

capably prepared and available any time of day. And I do mean

anytime, since Bob’s is open 24 hours a day. Want more to love about

Bob’s? How about the fact they’ve been giving 1% of their dining room

revenue to local charities since 1996? So far, they’ve donated

hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wowsville!

So let’s review. Bob’s is preserving classic car-hop culture,

giving to charity, serving good food, keeping prices low -- what are

you waiting for? Time to hop into your jalopy and head over to this

Burbank treasure.

FYI

WHAT: Bob’s Big Boy

WHEN: Open 24 hours

WHERE: 4211 Riverside Drive

COST: Breakfast $3.99 - $6.89; Lunch $5.75 - $7.95; Dinner $6.75 -

$9.99; Kids Menu

PHONE: (818) 843-9334

FAX: (818) 955-7691

WEBSITE: www.bobs.net

BONUS: Historical Point of Interest, Gift Shop, Classic Car Night,

6 to 10 p.m. every Friday; Car Hop Service, 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday

and Sunday.

* BILL SCOLLON is a Burbank resident. You may reach him at

[email protected].

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