In the early hours of August 28th, a vehicle at high speed along Firestone Blvd. in Downey, California, hit a fire hydrant with such force that it propelled the fire-fighting device towards a 58-year-old fiberglass statue in front of the Bob’s Big Boy restaurant. The state of the young, husky, smiling server had a significant portion of its head torn off.
You could say that the damaged statue of a family restaurant chain’s mascot is an unintentional metaphor for the state of American family restaurants. Some chains, like Bob’s Big Boy, still exist, though they’re no longer as prevalent and numerous as they were decades ago. They have the inclusivity and casualness of fast food or “fast casual” establishments. Still, the menu, quality, and service are closer to those of a traditional sit-down eatery with family-friendly value for money.
