Bob’s Big Boy drive-in restaurant, 3130 East Colorado, Pasadena, June 1956
We’re looking at a Kodachrome of a Bob’s Big Boy drive-in restaurant aka “Home of the Big Boy.” There were several locations – this one was at 3130 East Colorado, in Pasadena, and was taken in June 1956. You don’t see many cars painted the color of the one in front (
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Used to eat at the one on S. Baldwin in Arcadia as I didn’t live too far (late ’80s) Think it’s now a Coco’s. Bob’s was always busy, good food. Makes one wonder why they closed since business seemed to be thriving.
Who’s in the mood for a thick shake and thin pan cakes (note the separated words) as advertised in this 1940 shot of a Los Angeles Bob’s before the words “Big Boy” were added.
http://waterandpower.org/Historical_DWP_Photo_Collection_LA_Public_Library/Bobs_Big_Boy_1940.jpg
Little history of Bob’s
http://www.bigboy.com/careers/story/
Unfortunately there’s no Bob’s Big Boy in No. CA where I live. If I want a thick shake, loaded double-deck hamburger and hot fries, I need to skip on down to Los Angeles. Hmmm…sounds tempting!
Thanks, Martin!
Jean
Re Drive-ins: Hi Martin – was talking with Bob Turk (my 90 year old forever friend) & we were bemoaning the fact that there are no more drive-in restaurants or theaters.
They were so handy. Will send you pic of my 2 day old Great grand-daughter – I am so happy. Love, Lou
Louella, first – congratulations on your new baby great-granddaughter! What is her name? Oh, I have no doubt you are just thrilled to the moon and back again!
RE: the lack of drive-in restaurants and theaters. We lost our last drive-in theater years ago, probably the ’80s sometime. I think the last time I went, in my second-hand white ’63 Chevy Impala Supersport, took my great aunt and 2 sisters. Darned if I can remember what we saw. I also remember my mom packing us kids in our old clunk station wagon with the back seats down, us kids in our pajamas, blankets and pillows. There were two drive-in theaters situated next to each other and you could turn around and soundlessly watch whatever was playing in the other theater. There was also a playground down below the screen next to the snack bar. My mom wouldn’t let us play there, but I do remember hitting the snack bar jammies and all haha. Mostly remember the drive home, snuggled up in the back, dozing off. Lots of memories.
We have a Sonic drive-in restaurant here in Hayward. You can either park in the stall and the carhops come to you or use the drive-through. I don’t know if you can also eat inside as I’ve yet to stop. Yelp reviews are generally good, but do indicate the menu is extensive however expensive! When you’re watching your pennies, well, every penny counts!
Take care – hi to Martin!
Jean
Bob’s Big Boy Drive-In out on east Colorado Blvd in Pasadena was my Friday and Saturday night hangout during my Junior and Senior years at Pasadena High School. After four years of active service in the Navy I came back and hung out there for a few more years until getting married and moving away. Those were the days I will never forget. Sitting at one of my favorite spaces that I’d wait to come vacant we’d order a burger, fries and a cherry Coke and to impress the girls in nearby cars. And of course when leaving I’d burn some rubber as I roared off down Colorado Blvd. in my 409 Chevy with four on the floor. Ah yes, memories that will never fade…………
Terry, your memories sound like a scene from “American Graffiti” or “Happy Days”!
PHS Class of 68′. Yes, Bob’s was THE place to be and be seen on a Friday of Saturday night. Many a challenge was settled on Kinneloa Avenue, or Del Mar Boulevard.
I can hear the sounds of the cars, and feel the bustle of young people…..
I did the same routine with my ’58 Ford Fairlane 500, 352 Interceptor rated at 300 HP, which I always felt was a bit conservative. Great times were had by all!! We came in from Covina & Glendora.
I hung out at Bob’s E. Pasadena around 1956. Went to San Marino HS n met my wife of 37 yrs in Irvine in 1983 and she she said she went to Pasadena HS class of 1956 and went to this drive in also. My test was what was the bouncers name that worked in the parking lot to keep guys in their own cars. She quickly said Tiny and she passed the test. Question is what year was this great memory torn down?
I remember going to Bob’s Big Boy nearby to CalTech, in October, 1960. I was a new freshman, just moving in to Lloyd house at the CalTech campus. Some of my older house members took me to Bob’s Big Boy, where we had gone after school day. One of my members had a car (I didn’t), and three (maybe two) others went there to get to know one another and how things are done (then).
Some of these members played tricks on the 1960 Rose Bowl (“Washington”) state football team and then went on to change the sign overlooking Hollywood to say “Lloyd” – representing Lloyd house.
I hope to Lloyd house again some day.
Fabulous image of Bob’s drive-in taken 1956. A good reminder that lives in the 50s were not lived out in b&w! This is Bob’s Big Boy #9, built in 1953 at the same time as #8, also on Colorado in Pasadena.
The last Southern California Bob’s built as a drive-in was #13 in Whittier about 1957. I worked at Bob’s Big Boy #18 in Long Beach (1963) from 1968-1972 and while I never worked a drive-in, many were still active and veteran BBB employees shared stories.