As ElCapitan points out in an AHT comment, Bobo's Drive-In, one of my favorite burger joints, went in for the star treatment Monday night on Guy Fieri's Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or, as it's sometimes known, DDD.
I'd been on the fence about Fieri since I started watching his show. He sometimes seems to condescend a bit to the TV audience and the folks he's profiling. But after watching him in action at Bobo's, I've come around. He really manages to convey the specialness of this old-school Topeka, Kansas, drive-in burger joint. And when he picked up on my favorite quality of Bobo's burgers—the great crisp crust seared into it on the hot flat top griddle—my reservations slipped away. After the jump, peep the vid.
Factoids
1953: Bob Bobo started serving his aunt and mom's original recipes at his eponymous drive-in.
May 2007: Richard and Tricia Marsh buy the place from Bob Humes, who owned it for 19 years. They had no food-business experience but had the original recipes and as longtime fans vowed not to change a thing.
Experienced Staff: It includes one woman who's been there since 1958 as well as 34-year veteran and night manager Betty Ramsey, who moved to Topeka from England and has a charming accent that's a peculiar blend of British and Kansas accents.
The Smash: The secret behind the great crust? The smash-down.
Awesome Onion Rings: Guy reveals almost all the secrets behind the really good rings—except the exact recipes.
The Spanish Burger: Says Guy, "A Spanish Burger, made by a woman from England, in Kansas. That's kinda like the U.N. of food." And, "It's kinda like a sloppy joe but without being ground up."
2300 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka KS 66604 (map)
785-234-4511 Short Order: Fresh, not frozen. Coarse grind. Thin patties with a salty crisp exterior. Make yours a double You Want Fries With That? Beats me. I never get them here. Why? Because the onion rings are awesome
We try to watch the show whenever it's on. Not so much for his banter, but to ogle the food. It's this pregnant woman's dream--a visual all-you-can-eat buffet. Better than the real thing at this point because no heartburn is involved. I'll have to check the DVR for this episode.
I love Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for seeing the restaurants. Guy is good at giving a good feel of the places, but he is a little much. It is obvious that he does love the places he goes to.
I'd like to try the burgers there. The most amazing thing is the loyalty of the employees. It's hard for me to fathom working for someone else at a fast food joint for over 30 years. They seem like wonderful people though.
I've never been to a TGIF to eat (I had a drink there with friends one night). I think "Chotchkies" from "Office Space" ruined it for me, or more likely saved me from it.
"I've never been to a TGIF to eat (I had a drink there with friends one night). I think "Chotchkies" from "Office Space" ruined it for me, or more likely saved me from it."
You don't really need to. Just stop at the local grocery store and pick up a frozen prepped meal and stick it in the microwave at home. Much cheaper that way.
Yeah, Guy can sometimes be a little over the top, but his enthusiasm is infectious and keeps the show fast paced. Don't think it woulld be the success it is without him.
I LOVE Guy! His show is one of my absolute favorites on Food Network. My husband and I watch it all the time! How lucky you are to have seen him in action! I wish I could travel around and visit all of these terrific places! I would definitely be in Heaven! I really enjoyed this blog, as I am a hamburger fanatic! Thanks for sharing!
@RavingRecipesCom: I actually didn't see Guy Fieri in action. I saw this on TV/web video. I guess it may sound as if I saw him in action, but really, when I mention Bobo's, it's from past experiences there. I went to school at the University of Kansas, about 40 minutes away, and had friends from Topeka, which is how I found out about Bobo's.
"Guy Fieri... did you ever see the Simpsons episode where it's decided that Itchy and Scratchy need a sidekick? So a committee gets together and they invent one called Poochie.... Guy Fieri kind of looks like he's been designed by committee."
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
Print
18 Comments:
I just started watching DD&D, and I didn't think I was going to like Guy, but after an episode or two, he has really started to grow on me.
cfinke at 10:07AM on 05/14/08
I used to actually think Guy was alright until I saw him in a TGI Friday's ad on TV. He totally lost all credibility with me at that point.
Nick Solares at 10:12AM on 05/14/08
I agree with Nick.
Prairie at 10:33AM on 05/14/08
Oh. OK. I haven't seen the T.G.I.Friday ad. Unfortunate. The burger there ain't that good.
Adam Kuban at 11:03AM on 05/14/08
He does review some swell places on "Diners, etc." but if you were a wristband while eating, you are probably a tool.
worldcupfever at 11:17AM on 05/14/08
Also, if you spell "wear" as "were", you're probably also a tool. sigh.
worldcupfever at 11:17AM on 05/14/08
We try to watch the show whenever it's on. Not so much for his banter, but to ogle the food. It's this pregnant woman's dream--a visual all-you-can-eat buffet. Better than the real thing at this point because no heartburn is involved. I'll have to check the DVR for this episode.
swannie at 12:45PM on 05/14/08
The TGI Friday ads may be the doing of FN execs. Since it's a tie in to the Ultimate Recipe Showdown show.
wunami at 2:55PM on 05/14/08
I love Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for seeing the restaurants. Guy is good at giving a good feel of the places, but he is a little much. It is obvious that he does love the places he goes to.
eatorama at 3:06PM on 05/14/08
Yeah. I agree, Eatorama. He really does seem to have a sincere enthusiasm for the food and places.
Adam Kuban at 3:33PM on 05/14/08
I'd like to try the burgers there. The most amazing thing is the loyalty of the employees. It's hard for me to fathom working for someone else at a fast food joint for over 30 years. They seem like wonderful people though.
I've never been to a TGIF to eat (I had a drink there with friends one night). I think "Chotchkies" from "Office Space" ruined it for me, or more likely saved me from it.
tjmile1 at 9:04PM on 05/14/08
Bobo's is in my book Hamburger America. They have the best onion rings I've ever had.
Hamburger America at 10:06PM on 05/14/08
"I've never been to a TGIF to eat (I had a drink there with friends one night). I think "Chotchkies" from "Office Space" ruined it for me, or more likely saved me from it."
You don't really need to. Just stop at the local grocery store and pick up a frozen prepped meal and stick it in the microwave at home. Much cheaper that way.
worldcupfever at 1:53AM on 05/15/08
Yeah, Guy can sometimes be a little over the top, but his enthusiasm is infectious and keeps the show fast paced. Don't think it woulld be the success it is without him.
bessfour at 9:38AM on 05/15/08
I LOVE Guy! His show is one of my absolute favorites on Food Network. My husband and I watch it all the time! How lucky you are to have seen him in action! I wish I could travel around and visit all of these terrific places! I would definitely be in Heaven! I really enjoyed this blog, as I am a hamburger fanatic! Thanks for sharing!
RavingRecipesCom at 11:33AM on 05/15/08
@RavingRecipesCom: I actually didn't see Guy Fieri in action. I saw this on TV/web video. I guess it may sound as if I saw him in action, but really, when I mention Bobo's, it's from past experiences there. I went to school at the University of Kansas, about 40 minutes away, and had friends from Topeka, which is how I found out about Bobo's.
Adam Kuban at 12:49PM on 05/15/08
Anthony Bourdain on Guy Fieri:
"Guy Fieri... did you ever see the Simpsons episode where it's decided that Itchy and Scratchy need a sidekick? So a committee gets together and they invent one called Poochie.... Guy Fieri kind of looks like he's been designed by committee."
This is kind of funny if you watch the Simpsons.
SpandTex Pants at 5:05PM on 05/15/08
@SpandTex Pants: LOL
Adam Kuban at 5:58PM on 05/15/08