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| - 01/23/2015 Update: Oh no!!! The Big Apple is closing to make room for parking for Gateway Community College. Sounds like a bad parody of an old Joni Mitchell song, but I'm afraid it's true. Fortunately, we have a two year window before it closes for good. First Monte's, now Bill Johnson's. Aargh!!!
I love Bill Johnson's Big Apple. The home of the best business street sign in all of Phoenix. Worth a trip by itself. And the food isn't bad either. A perfect spot to bring your winter visitors from the Midwest.
It's clear that this restaurant, which has been a Phoenix staple since the mid-1950's, is getting a little long in the tooth. A framed review on the way to the restroom says it all. Voted Best BBQ by the Arizona Republic - in 1991. I do like their BBQ sauce. It's sold in grocery stores, so apparently a lot of other folks like it as well. Not your BBQ of choice, however, if you like your BBQ trendy.
I remember when servers at Bill Johnson's always wore holsters (actually kind of miss them) and there was sawdust spread on the floor (don't miss that at all). In many respects, however, the rest of the restaurant is frozen in time. And you know what? I don't mind a bit. I love it!
I've always been partial to their breakfast, which is served until 11:00 a.m. Also very kid friendly (ask for a balloon), with a simple and good kids menu (photo attached). At other times of day, they have a great selection of reasonably priced burgers. Served somewhere else you'd consider them to be gourmet. I like the option, stated on the menu so you don't have to negotiate, to change out the hamburger for grilled chicken at no extra cost.
Some Big Apple locations have closed in recent years, so I'm making a point to support this one. Hope you do too. It's part of Phoenix history.
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