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Long before the Big Mac, Bob’s Big Boy introduced America’s first double-decker burger in 1936. Created by founder Bob Wian in response to a customer's request, this three-part bun and two-patty format paved the way for the iconic Big Mac and similar burgers across the industry.
The Double-Decker Legacy: How Bob’s Big Boy Inspired McDonald’s Iconic Big Mac
While McDonald’s Big Mac holds iconic status, it wasn’t the first burger to feature the now-classic double-decker, two-patty, bread-in-the-middle format. That honor belongs to a lesser-known chain with a blue-eyed, brown-haired boy mascot: Bob’s Big Boy. Founded in 1936 by Bob Wian, the restaurant operated under “Bob’s Pantry.”
According to the restaurant’s website, the original “Big Boy” burger was born when Wian responded to a request from a regular customer looking for “something different.” In response, Wian split a bun into three parts and added two burger patties, creating the “Double-Deck Hamburger.” Still served at Bob’s Big Boy, this sandwich format would inspire the Big Mac later.
The Big Mac’s resemblance to this original Big Boy burger is no coincidence. In the late 1960s, Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Pittsburgh and a former Big Boy manager, introduced a similar double-decker burger to boost sales at his McDonald’s locations. After testing the concept, the Big Mac officially joined McDonald’s menu in 1968. It achieved widespread popularity and inspired newer versions like a chicken Big Mac.
A Complex Legacy: How Regional Variations of Big Boy Keep the Original’s Spirit Alive
Big Boy’s legacy, however, is more complex than a single burger. There are multiple versions of the chain today. The original Bob’s Big Boy, with four remaining California locations, gave rise to regional adaptations when Wian franchised the brand, allowing franchisees to retain the Big Boy branding but adopt the name. This flexibility led to offshoots like Frisch’s Big Boy in Cincinnati, while the giant version of the chain, known as Big Boy, is based in Michigan — a far cry from the palm trees of Los Angeles, where Bob’s Big Boy originated.
One distinct difference between these versions is the special sauce. The original Bob’s Big Boy uses a red relish with a mildly sweet ketchup flavor, contrasting with the Thousand Island-style sauce found at the Michigan-centered Big Boy locations. This unique red relish sets it apart from the typical mayo-based secret sauces, like the one on the Big Mac. Despite these variations, the Big Mac’s DNA is undeniably rooted in the original Bob’s Big Boy burger.
