I’ve never been to Noodle World in Alhambra, but just read a terrific article about it in the L.A. Times. The article warmed my heart so much that I decided to add a link.
Excerpt: A chubby, hamburger-toting diner statue in an Asian restaurant? For Thai American owner John Mekpongsatorn, it’s a perfect symbol of the Southern California melting pot he wants his chain to reflect.
I moved from Okinawa to Los Angeles when I was 8-years old and I remember going to Bob’s Big Boy with my grandfather… and feeling very proud to be an “American”.
Now I can’t wait to visit Noodle World and feel proud to be an Asian/American!
Noodle World
700 W. Valley Blvd.,
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 293-8800
http://www.noodleworld.com
A great homage to Bob’s Big Boy from an unlikely source.
I have some really warm memories of visits to Bob’s Big Boy as a kid, always looking forward to the latest edition of the “Adventures of the Big Boy” comic book, a child’s hamburger and an order of fries. It was sad to hear that they were closing down the individual franchises of that chain, but it’s comforting to know that there’s still a place where you can visit an authentic Bob’s Big Boy statue.
I love the irony in this. A restaurant that serves a relatively healthy food (noodles) pays homage to a restaurant that served somewhat unhealthy fare in comparison. Not to say that Bob’s Big Boy was eon par with a fish fry shop, but compared to noodles and general Asian cuisine – not exactly health food.
Great story.