Big Boy Statue
Other than the famous statues adorning its lawn, little about the Bismarck Big Boy Restaurant resembles those from the national chain, with its drive-through only service and unique menu offerings. Due to its extreme long-lasting popularity amongst residents and visitors alike, the restaurant has come to be known as one of Bismarck’s most recognized landmarks.
In addition to its unique menu, the Bismarck Big Boy location also stands out amongst others within the chain as being a drive-through only restaurant with no indoor seating whatsoever – although its former downtown location did. It is perhaps the only one in the national chain to feature drive-through service.
The restaurant is noted as having frequent long lines, which often backs up onto Main Avenue. The restaurant has been known to even poke fun at its lines in its advertisements. The restaurant is also well known for imposing a “limit of 45″ on its famous pizza burgers as visitors are known to order large quantities to freeze for future consumption.
Menu
The Bismarck Big Boy is mostly known for its Pizza Burger “Flying Style” and Hot-n-Tots, a cinnamon cola. The restaurant is also known for its gravy fries, Alpine Burger, Double Decker, and Big Boy Original. Big Boy also features such items as chicken buckets, salads, and chili.
History
Bismarck’s Big Boy was founded by traveling salesman Harley McDowell, who had seen one in another state during a business trip and decided to open one in Bismarck. When Big Boy opened in 1954, it was Bismarck’s first actual drive-through restaurant (although it was still referred to as a drive-in). A second location soon opened downtown at the intersection of Thayer Avenue & 6th Street. That location closed sometime in the 1970s and the building was demolished shortly after.
KFC Connection
In addition to opening Bismarck’s Big Boy, McDowell also became one of the first franchise holders of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and had incorporated both restaurants within the same building in a hybrid format. McDowell was close friends with KFC founder “Colonel” Harland David Sanders, who often visited McDowell in Bismarck. Bismarck’s KFC was only the chain’s fourth location to open nationwide.
In the early 1970s, after Sanders sold off KFC’s franchising operation and the chain became more prominent, the company took up issue with McDowell owning both a Big Boy and KFC franchise. McDowell sold both the Big Boy and KFC franchises to Stan and Bonnie Rothenberger in 1978, who separated KFC and Big Boy by opening a free-standing KFC location adjacent to Gateway Mall.
Despite ending its connection with KFC, Bismarck’s Big Boy continues to sell menu items often associated with KFC, including gravy fries and chicken buckets.
Harley McDowell is also known as the namesake of McDowell Dam Recreation Area.
Related Link: Big Boy Directory Listing
