Frisch’s Big Boy

We come here on occasion. Not really anything special about this location, though I think it is one of like… 3 locations (I think) in the area. My husband and daughter only ever want to go to big boys for a hot fudge brownie dessert. I like their burgers, but wish that they came with a side instead of having to pay for one. Their food is just okay, nothing really fantastic.
The inside of the diner has a nice family feel to it.

Terrible service. Mistake after mistake. The last time I ordered a Super Big Boy, I drove home to realize they gave me a regular Big Boy with no tarter sauce. I drove it all the way back and decided to be nice because I know how hard working in a place like that can be. They took my sandwich back and demanded I pay $ 2 more to get the Super Big Boy. I called the area manager who left me a voicemail saying I was in the wrong and the on duty manager was right to not apologize or correct their mistake, and to ask me for more money. I love the sandwiches. It will be a pain, but I will never eat at this restaurant again.

I normally don’t review chain restaurants, as it’s usually pointless. However, I do make exceptions when a certain outlet is notably good, and this is one of those exceptions.
First: the way to review a chain restaurant is whether or not it comes up to the standards of that chain. Is the food hot & tasty? Are the employees friendly? Is the food properly-​prepared & neatly presented? Is that particular outlet the way the chain *should* be & represents how the chain presents itself in ads & image?
If you go into a chain restaurant expecting an «OMG THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT EVER!!», you’re just setting yourself up for a huge disappointment.
I’ve noticed the reviews on this particular Frisch’s are mostly a few years old, so it’s time for an update. In the past few months, it’s gotten tons better & become a really good example of the Frisch’s chain. Due to health & financial issues, my husband & I can’t go out much any more, and this place is close to us, so it’s become a small, guilty treat when we’re too tired/​fatigued/​hurting to manage making a meal ourselves.
We usually stay simple & cheap with this place: Big Boy, fries, cole slaw, or one of the other basic sandwiches that Frisch’s is known for. The food is always hot & well-​prepared, looking & tasting like the chain advertises & what a Frisch’s is supposed to be; the french fries taste like they’ve just come from the fryer, instead of sitting for hours under a warmer, the burgers & toppings look/​taste fresh & hot. On that point alone, major kudos to the managers here for the improvement… this place was badly slipping, but it seems to have bounced back.
The employees, too, show signs of having a good manager over them. For recent visits, they’ve been friendly, polite, willing to laugh & chat if they’re not busy, and they don’t rush you — sometimes service is on the slow side, but for high-​school or young college age, this is likely a first job for them; we’re willing to cut ‘em slack on that point, as long as service isn’t rude or obnoxiously slow. But for the most part, service is fast & efficient & friendly.
Overall: this particular outlet appears to be on an upswing & seems to have gotten the needed managerial attention. Keep up the good work, folks!
(side note: you might want to avoid this place if there’s a concert at Crew Stadium, which is right next door to this place. The manager sells parking to the concert-​goers, which fills up the lot & leaves no room for customers. You could park at the Lowes’ lot next door… which would be a hardship for handicapped customers… and Lowes has very blatant «we will tow» signs posted.)

Wow… the breakfast bar wasn’t up to par for me. We say a customer cuss out the manager after she refuse to pay then just walked out. Children at a buffet bar scare me because they just pick up things with their hands and at times put the touched food back. And who ever heard of a salad bar with no cheese???

I stopped as I was traveling through Columbus and have had way better experiences than this Frisch’s.
Food– nothing special. Typical Frisch’s but I have had better salad bar experiences. Seemed a little low on lettuce and don’t really like when everything is mixed in the lettuce, normally it’s just on top so people can pick around it.
Had a bad waitress– forgot when we asked for items and had to be reminded, asked for the check split in two, forgot, gave us one check and then said she would correct it but kept forgetting to bring it back when she passed us.

I don’t know a whole lot about Big Boy; I remember going to one in Tennessee when I was about 12. I guess where ever they have them, they’re known by their regional owner’s names. In central Ohio, they’re all called «Frisch’s».
I’m not writing this review based on anything inside the restaurant, nor about the service. Nope, I heard that Big Boy basically invented the Big Mac and McDonald’s stole it sometime later. They call their signature sandwich, appropriately, The Big Boy. I’m pretty nutso for the world’s most famous burger, and I had to find out for myself exactly where this masterpiece was born.
The Big Boy was the inspiration for the Big Mac, so I was prepared for some subtle differences. As far as I could tell, it had two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles (no onions) on a bun (with no seeds). I think this is the same recipe as the Big Mick from Coming to America.
Anywhos, I ordered it through the drive through. At about $ 3.30, this is a pretty cheap sandwich. I’m not sure, but I think McDonald’s Big Mac is over $ 4. Anyway, by the time I pulled up to the window (about 10 seconds), the burger was already ready in a styrofoam container. Now, maybe they run things differently inside from outside, but as far as I could remember, this place was a sit-​down restaurant where, even if you ordered a burger, it would take a couple two three TEN minutes.
I opened my container (who the hell uses styrofoam in 2012?), and in it lay a sad, shriveled puck that I think used to be a burger. I quickly examined each part: unseeded bun was slightly hard on the outside, but soft inside. The cheese had at one time been melted, but sat crusted and cold on a lifeless, dry sad burger patty. The patty on the top half was no better. The pickles were fairly thick cut chips, stacked one on top of the other (mating, not dating: the opposite of what McDonald’s preaches). And the sauce was all on one side, falling out into the container.
I decided to take my first bite. Yes, it tasted like it was premade, sitting in this container for some time. Flavor-​wise, it was definitely lacking. I could tell that it was once a promising, young, upstanding sandwich beaming with pride, until the forces that be laid it to rest in its poly-​casket until I snatched it from its grave. I should have let it be. For its time had passed, and only this taxidermied shell of a once-​great burger remained.
RIP Big Boy sandwich
July 7, 2012 (9am?) — July 7, 2012 (12:30pm)

Good comfortable place to eat, especially with young children. I like the Swiss Miss with onion rings (rings need Lawry’s seasoning, which is provided on the table). Staff is good with children.

Service is fine but this consistently is one of the worst Frisch’s I’ve ever eaten at. The Pork Tenderloin I ordered for dinner earlier this week was not prepared correctly, the breading was smushy, like the consistency of frozen dinner fried chicken breading, and about 4 times as oily as it should have been. I suspect the sandwich was nuked then deep fried to get it hot. It was so nasty I couldn’t eat more than a few bites. I called Frisch’s Customer Suggestion line on the receipt and it took 2 calls to get a call back from them, then no action at all. I’ve been dining at Frisch’s since the 80s and the Customer Support experience was such a fiasco I doubt I’ll go back again soon, certainly not to this location.

Who doesnt like a Big Boy? LOL I stopped there tonight for dinner. I ordered a BB and an order of onion rings and the waitress assured me that they made them fresh right there. The sandwich wasn’t bad and the onion rings weren’t either. And the tariff was a measily $ 5.50.

This is one of my favorite neighborhood places. I almost always hit the salad and soup bar or breakfast buffet if it’s on Sunday. I had a real Jones for their chicken salad, but lately it’s not been there. Boo! I only wish the said and fruit bar were larger. If I don’t do the bar (s) I get a Big Boy, always a treat. Bonus points for flavored lemonade. And iceceam desserts.
The service has always been excellent. If something is amiss, they’ll take it the tabl. It has a lot or regulars who clearly have relationships with the waitresses and waiters.
The only drawback for me is that often the place is full of kids, and one is always a screamer. I can’t blame that on the management, though, Id’ love to tell the parents to take the kid outside. Or leave it at home.
BTW, I’ve heard the most amazing conversations. I’m usually by myself, reading while I’m eating, but conversations waft over. The one that sticks in my mind was in-​depth discussion on the causes of the Civil War. I’m an ABD in American History, and the discussion was well-​informed. Three’s been others.
Nearly forgot: pick up a jar or their tartar sauce.
I was going to give it a 4, but I’m gong with 5. For the kind of restaurant it is, it fills the bill.

One of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. I’ll start with the absolute worst. I went to use the restroom, and while I’m in there, this dude is singing from a stall. Some kind of really bad rapping/​singing song. He comes out, having clearly pissed, fastening up his pants and is wearing a Frisch’s uniform. He doesn’t bother to wash his hands and goes out the door back to, I assume, the kitchen. I mean, not washing your hands is one thing, but the brashness of doing it right in front of a customer… wow, that takes chutzpah.
Now my server, I hate to have to say this, but goddamn, she was dumb as a rock. She repeated herself constantly, like she had her script on record and it kept skipping. I had a super easy request for my french fries, I wanted some honey mustard. She forgot for almost all of my meal. Not only that, but I got like 13 fries with my sandwich. There were so few I literally counted them. It was pathetic. I hope fucking pee-​hands didn’t make the sandwich, speaking of. Oh, I also got one drink refill and sat on empty the rest of the time.
It is saved from 1-​star doom by having somewhat decent food for the price. I would actually eat there again, and hence it gets two instead of one, despite the last experience.

This place is the worst. Pregnant waitresses with there belly hanging. Really, I couldn’t believe it. Mt to go order was ready for 10 minutes sitting on the floor before I was told its ready. Everyone in line to pay said they wont be leaving a tip because the service was so bad. After getting back yo my office I open up a chicken wrap and the piece of chicken was as big as a pencil. All lettuce and shredded carrots. And they put that nasty tartar sauce on everything. I will never return.

Not gonna lie, I’ve had some memorable moments at Frisch’s — so, thank you for that, Ohio (did you know Big Boy started in Cincinnati? Stay classy, Ohio!). I’ve just gotta say, from curing many-​a-​hangover with the breakfast bar, to my friend showing up with sheet-​lines all over his face and hair completely askew from just waking up from a days-​long bender and scaring the eff out of small children, to lovely and prolonged conversations over coffee and breakfast items, Frisch’s is gold in my book.
I had to laugh the first time I came here with the boy, who, as a native Ohioan, didn’t blink an eye of course– as an East Coaster, the only time I’d ever heard of Big Boy was on Austin Powers. It’s almost as mythical as White Castle to us, although Harold and Kumar sort of helped to demystify that one before I moved here (also, White Castle is gross and Big Boy is decent greasy spoon diner food). And so, while the food is standard for the type of place, and the breakfast bar is certainly an excessive treat of said standard fare, it is the consistently excellent service at Frisch’s Big Boy that is actually making me write this review. Afterall, I only ever order eggs, hashbrowns, toast, sausage, and coffee… you can’t go too wrong there.
Today was no exception. We both ordered the above mentioned breakfast plate, and stayed in the diner, talking and drinking coffee for longer than I think most people spend (Americans… sigh… chew your food… engage… love…). Our server was awesome, friendly, helpful, and most of all, completely patient with us. It actually took us a bit to even order — but he was completely unphased; and we tend to eat slowly, to talk, and enjoy each other’s company — yes, even at Big Boy. But what is most appreciated is a kind and understanding server… so thanks, Malik! And thanks to all the other servers here on all the other occasions that we’ve drank cups and cups of coffee and used more than our share of creamers and Splenda packets and, oh, of course on my part, excessive amounts of yellow mustard on my hashbrowns. Your excellent service and smiling faces keep us coming back — even in snowstorms. :)
Frisch’s: Yay! I am a fan.

I have a long history with Frisch’s Big Boy. I grew up in a small town that had a few fast-​food options, but not a lot else when it came to a sit-​down meal with actual wait staff. It was either the local Chinese place, Ponderosa or Big Boy. My parents would touch Chinese food with a 10-​foot pole, and Ponderosa was expensive, so it ended up being Big Boy most of the time. So eating at Big Boy brings back a lot of memories for me. Not much has changed, from the food to the interior design to the types of people who eat here.
Us Ohioans don’t know how lucky we are when it comes to Big Boy. Did you know that in most states, the trademark Big Boy sandwich is more like a Big Mac, with a thousand-​islandish sauce? In fact, the Big Mac allegedly was created to compete with the Big Boy. Fortunately, here in Ohio, the Big Boy is a whole different animal, with a delicious, pickle-​y tartar sauce. I typically do not enjoy mayo-​based condiments, but I could eat this stuff by the spoonful.
I always get a Big Boy here, but I’ve never been disappointed in anything. There are no surprises on this menu, but everything I’ve tried over the years has been good. The pies deserve special mention, especially the pecan.
This location is a bit weird (the map to the right is incorrect). It’s right next to Crew Stadium and the fairgrounds, so you definitely want to avoid it during events. And it’s difficult to get to from the interstate. But I rejoiced when I saw it being built years ago (the first and only Big Boy anywhere near my house in Columbus), and I’m glad Big Boy is again in my regular burger rotation.

I was there with a Meetup friends group on March 7^th, we had a party of 6 people. It was a moderate Saturday hour, and it did not take long for us to be seated. It is a nice size place.
The wait staff was very pleasant, just everyday folk trying to make a living. They smiled and were a joy to be around. The ages I could see were from 16 to 50s.
I love this place, for an inner city eatery that serves everyday type folk, moderate to low incomes, they do a wonderful job. It is very clean, restrooms and all.
We all got the breakfast bar, and ate until good and full. They were prompt about taking used plates away.
The food was very good, and they were good at keeping it stocked.
I didn’t like a guy in front of me that got a plate of bacon, greedy bastard. He took it all and I had to wait for them to restock.
I wanted to hit him. One can always go back, I hope he knew. I am a big woman but this guy had to weigh 400 lbs. he did not have to be so damn greedy. Excuse my language. He only needed 1 or 2 slices at a time.
For around $ 10 you can get the bar, coffee, and juice and eat until content. Which for some is making a royal glutton of themselves, speaking of guy who hogged all the bacon. I hope he had indigestion after. Sorry folks. He got me upset.
So if you want a nice place to meet friends and family for a Cool breakfast or any meal. This is an affordable family type place.

To be honest, I don’t remember my food being good or bad. But what I DO remember is that a guy wearing a black trench coat in unseasonably warm weather was standing in front of me in the check out line. I thought the coat was a bit odd. Until he TOOTED!!! Then I was rather thankful for the coat. And it all made sense. So now, every time I think of Frisch’s, I think of toots.
Tooting aside, I remember being very pleasantly pleased with my breakfast that was roughly equal to my own body weight and took up the entire table. My other memory was regretting going there on a Sunday morning as every family in town that had children under the age of 2 were there. Not a problem ordinarily but every kid seemed to be teething or stricken with colic as the squeals could have been heard from downtown Columbus I believe… perhaps they too were irritated by the Tooting Man.