Frisch's was founded in Cincinnati in 1923. Dave Frisch ran into Bob Wian around 1949 and arranged a franchise. Frisch's used tartar sauce rather than 1,000 Island dressing on their burgers. Frisch's bought the rights to the Big Boy name in late 2000 after the Elias Bros. bankruptcy. There are now 88 company-owned Frisch's and 26 franchise units, all using the Frisch's Big Boy name. They are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. For more about Frisch's, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Frisch's Big Boy [gone] Columbus, OH

The Columbus Frisch's location on Route 40 was built in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The sign was original but the building had a retro remodeling at some point. In 2009, the restaurant closed and the building was demolished. The Walgreens which replaced the restaurant adapted the sign. I'm not sure what happened to the statue. This photo shows a Frisch's (most likely gone or remodeled) in Columbus, IN.

Frisch's Big Boy Wilmington, OH	Frisch's Big Boy Moraine, OH	Frisch's Big Boy Hamilton, OH	Frisch's Big Boy Lawrenceburg, IN	Mid City Plaza Owensboro, KY

The Wilmington Frisch's Big Boy features a similar sign to the one in Columbus, minus the neon. This location also has a Big Boy statue. For more, see this website. The Moraine Frisch's Big Boy sign is another of the same style. Apparently, the top part of these signs revolved originally. The Hamilton Frisch's Big Boy sign has neon and bulbs which are still lit at night. For more, see this website. The Lawrenceburg Frisch's Big Boy sign is the same style as the one in New Richmond, OH. This Mid City Plaza sign appears to be an adapted Frisch's Big Boy sign.

Frisch's Big Boy Milford, OH

This Frisch's Big Boy features an old sign and a vintage Big Boy statue.

Frisch's Big Boy Anderson, IN

This Frisch's Big Boy opened in 1959. This location features a nice mid-century building in addition to its old sign and vintage statue.

Frisch's Big Boy Grove City, OH

This modern Frisch's Big Boy features the newer Big Boy statue. The immediate give-away is the slingshot in his back pocket. The slingshot projects outward from his body in the older statues (see the Milford statue above).

More Frisch's Big Boys Tampa, FL Indianapolis, IN: 1, 2 [gone] Covington, KY Louisville, KY [gone] Bethel, OH Cincinnati, OH [gone] Fairfax, OH Hillsboro, OH Moraine, OH

Azar's Big Boy Fort Wayne, IN

Big Boy went by the name of Azar's Big Boy in Northern Indiana and Colorado. I believe this is the only Azar's left. In 1954, the first Azar's opened in Fort Wayne but I don't know if this is the same place. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Coco's Restaurant & Bakery Garden Grove, CA	Flames Coffee Shop San Jose, CA

Coco's Restaurant & Bakery occupies a former Big Boy's restaurant. This Armet & Davis design (now remodeled) is from 1958. For more, see this website. The Flames Coffee Shop was originally a Bob's Big Boy. It opened in the mid-1960s and was the first location in Northern CA. It closed in the late 1980s. Flames has retained much of the interior and exterior details. The sign was adapted with its spike shortened. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Chapel of Love Las Vegas, NV

The Chapel of Love occupies another former Bob's Big Boy restaurant. Does anyone know more when the Bob's opened/closed and the Chapel took over the building?

Big Boy page 1

Main Eateries Page

copyright: all photos contained at this website are copyrighted and may be used only with consent

RoadsideArchitecture.com