Enjoy sauce-drizzled ribs, wing and hearty meat burgers at
Big Boy Barbeque.
Big Boy is a fairly new addition to Melbourne, having opened in September 2011. They tout themselves as 'an alternative to unhealthy fast food'. It would be more accurate if they had described themselves as 'another unhealthy fast food joint'. Unhealthy fast food seems to be precisely the point, because like
Soda Rock and
Misty's, they serve shamelessly unhealthy American cuisine delivered to your table within mere minutes of ordering.
You'll have trouble fitting out the door after you've gorged yourself at Big Boy Barbeque.
Their interior is much like that of every other fast food restaurant, with an eye-popping red and blue colour scheme.
The walls are covered in quotes such as "we love vegetarians, what do you think cows and pigs are" and framed designs which encompass their carnivorous philosophy. Just in case you are not enjoying the company you are dining with, there is a TV to watch.
Several ample booth seats, a fixture at any American inspired restaurant, take up the back of the store. Red and blue stools and a long bench extend for about half of the length of the restaurant. There is some outdoor seating available out the front.
The dine-in experience is a little more fast food than restaurant. Although they give you menus, you go to the counter to place your order and pay. They deliver the food to your table when it is ready, a few minutes later.
The menu consists of 'sandwiches', which are in fact burgers; glazed ribs and wings; and meat platters with an assortment of ribs, wings, pastrami and brisket. Sides such as chips, onion strings, coleslaw and potato salad are available. Rather than purchasing one bottle of soft drink, you are instead invited to have a 'bottomless drink' which you can serve yourself as many times as you like from the fountain. Ice cream and pie is available for dessert, but you might not be able to fit it in after devouring so much meat.
When I went, I ordered the Aussie burger which consisted of salads, cheese and BBQ sauce with saucy beef brisket in a bun, and my partner ordered the 'Z-Man' with beef brisket, cheese and onion strings. Ordering a beef brisket burger caused me to discover that I don't like brisket, but a real meat eater might have enjoyed it. The Z-Man was a far better choice - who would have thought onion strings inside a burger would be so delicious? We also ordered chips, which were delicious, and chicken wings covered in BBQ sauce. Despite the wings being very messy and a little on the spicy side, they were very enjoyable.
Our meals from Big Boy BBQ.
Rather than dainty serviettes, a roll of paper towels (which you'll certainly need) is provided at each table. Bathrooms for customers are located in the store, so you won't be forced to leave with sticky hands. Despite the food being so messy - when we left, our table was hidden under a mountain of paper towels and food we couldn't finish - Big Boy BBQ was spotless.
Big Boy BBQ is located amongst the restaurants and cafes of Glen Huntly Road in Caulfield South. You can either eat there or order to go.
