Big Boy restaurants—home to double-decker cheeseburgers, tasty fries, and the iconic suspender-clad Big Boy—first opened in California in the 1940s, but they soon became a beloved Wisconsin tradition. The Marcus Corporation opened the first Milwaukee Big Boy in 1958, and eventually operated more than 60 locations throughout the Midwest. The last remaining Wisconsin Big Boy closed in 1995. Now, more than 20 years after that closing, Milwaukee will once again be able to experience that Big Boy magic. Well, for one night only. In Mequon. At a retirement community.
On Wednesday, August 9, at 6 p.m., Ovation Sarah Chudnow will host a Big Boy Reunion. The Big Boy Burger will be featured, of course, along with onion rings, fries, and strawberry pie. Steve and Greg Marcus will speak at the event. Dinner is $10 and reservations are required. If you can’t make the event, the Big Boy burger will be available after August 9 at Kil@wat, inside the InterContinental Hotel.
No word yet if anyone will don a Big Boy suit, or if noted Big Boy connoisseur David Lynch will be in attendance. A full press release is below.
Milwaukee, Wis. – July 27, 2017 – Two patties, an extra slice of bun in the middle and secret sauce. Many area residents fondly remember Big Boy hamburgers and the accompanying family restaurants as staples in Milwaukee. The last remaining Wisconsin Marc’s Big Boy closed its doors in 1995. On Wednesday, Aug. 9 a bit of the nostalgia returns when Ovation Sarah Chudnow hosts a Big Boy Reunion.
The evening includes a dinner of classic favorites – the Big Boy Burger, famous onion rings, fries and strawberry pie – along with a special presentation by guest speakers Steve and Greg Marcus. Greg Marcus is President and CEO and Steve Marcus is Chairman of the Board for The Marcus Corporation. For nearly 40 years the company operated more than 60 Big Boy restaurants in the Midwest.
“As an organization dedicated to Milwaukee families, we’re thrilled to have father and son duo Steve and Greg out to celebrate one of our city’s best-loved hangouts,” said John Lawson, Ovation Sarah Chudnow executive director. “We hope people will dig out their Big Boy mementos and join us for a fun evening reliving those happy days.”
Big Boy restaurants first opened in California in the 1940s. In 1958, The Marcus Corporation opened the first Marc’s Big Boy in Milwaukee and continued to run the franchise through the mid-1990s. Steve and Greg will take event-goers back to the Big Boy experience and also talk about what The Marcus Corporation is doing today.
“Marc’s Big Boy restaurants were an icon in Milwaukee for many years. It was one of the most popular franchises we’ve ever been a part of and we had a lot of fun with it,” said Steve Marcus. “Unfortunately, the brand didn’t evolve with changing restaurant trends and we had to ultimately repurpose those restaurants. The good news is the signature burger still lives on through events such as this. We are thrilled that the Ovation Sarah Chudnow community has chosen to celebrate this classic burger that is a delicious memory in the minds and taste buds of many.”
The Big Boy Reunion is Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Ovation Sarah Chudnow, 10995 N. Market St. in Mequon. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the program following at 7 p.m. The dinner is $10 per person and the program is free. Reservations are required for dinner, 262-478-1500. Event attendees are encouraged to bring their Big Boy memorabilia.
For those looking to enjoy the Big Boy burger after Aug. 9, it’s on the lunch menu at Kil@wat, The Marcus Corporation’s restaurant located in the InterContinental Hotel.