Now Serving . . . a Taste of the Past

Greg Harvey had heard stories about the carhops at the Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank.

His dad was a regular here in the ‘50s, spending his weekends in a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Greg’s wife, Jill, frequented the Burbank restaurant, too, but she was 10 years old and came with her parents.

When Greg learned that the carhops are back, he took a trip down memory lane. Borrowing his dad’s 1969 Copo Camaro, he pulled into Stall 15 on a recent Saturday night. Greg ordered a Big Boy Combo with blue cheese dressing, his childhood favorite, while Jill chewed on a burger with fries. As music of the Beach Boys played in the background, the Harveys basked in nostalgia.

“It’s the same as it was when I was a kid,” Jill says. “But back then it was more crowded. There were people and cars everywhere.”

Opened in 1949, Bob’s in Burbank is the oldest restaurant in the nationwide chain. When the City of Burbank declared the restaurant a historical landmark last year, the ‘50s diner underwent a face lift to re-create the ‘50s style.

Managers agreed that the restoration wouldn’t be complete without the revival of the carhop.

“We wanted to bring the historical ‘50s style back,” general manager Mike Lopez says. “So far, it’s been an incredible success.”

More than 50 cars drive up each Saturday and Sunday night, when the carhop service is offered. They park behind the orange and yellow brick diner where a life-size statue of a big boy in checkered overalls welcomes customers. The syncopated sound of the ‘50s booms in the background while newcomers and old-timers order hamburgers and shakes.

Although roller-skates are missing because insurance costs are too high, the waitresses dress in traditional ‘50s garb. Wearing white shorts and a button-down shirt with pictures of hamburgers, candy and pizza, they take orders on clipboards, bring balloons to the kids, chat with customers and listen to stories of what the restaurant was like in the ‘50s.

“I’ve talked to couples who said they met the love of their life here,” Lopez says. “So many people come here to reminisce.”

But it’s not just old-timers who enjoy seeing the carhops. Sammy and Frances Avila weren’t born in the era of drive-in car service, but the neo-carhop night has become a family pastime. They first came two months ago at the recommendation of Sammy’s brother and have since made it a regular outing. They pack their three kids into their Ford Bronco and drive 30 miles from Lakeview Terrace to eat in their truck.

“It’s great because the kids jump and scream and play in the back of the truck,” Frances says. “They can’t do that inside.”

On some nights, the Avilas travel in a pack. Friends and family meet them at the restaurant in their cars. The kids play, the adults socialize and history repeats itself. “Whatever we do, we all end up having a really good time,” Frances says.

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Where: Bob’s Big Boy, 4211 Riverside Drive, Burbank. (818) 843-9334.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 5-10 p.m.

Cost: The Original Big Boy Combo, $5.09; Super Big Boy Combo, $5.59; root beer floats, $2.19.