VIPS Big Boy (Albuquerque, Corona, Madrid: restaurant, store, rating)

[observe]

Vips Big Boy later became JB's Restaurants. However nothing from the original menu is on the menu at JB's. Which still has a location on 4th street.

[tvdxer]

Is VIPS a chain?

I've never heard of any franchise operating in the United States, but they're in Spain and Mexico:

Grupo VIPS
VIPS

I've been in the Madrid VIPS before (on c/ Fuencarral, I believe) and they weren't your typical chain restaurant. More like a combination of a store (I remember magazines being sold) and restaurant.

[lobo]

Originally Posted by Chaparral

Yeah. It would have had to have lasted until the mid-70's for me to have any memories of it. 3 year old Chap would have been too focused on the pancakes to have remembered anything about the theme/decor.

Chap

It must have turned back into a Big Boy again because I remember it being a Big Boy in the mid-70s and into at least the early 80s. I remember Sambo's in Milwaukee, but not here in Alb. so that was before I lived here.

[SkidMark]

It wasn't the Sambos. It was across Central and west about a block or 2, near the ice arena. We used to go both places when were supposed to be at Highland.

[Richard Maxwell]

I used to cruise Vips, Franks and Macs back in the mid 60's. Good clean fun on the weekends. Memories. It will never be the same even though I wish it could sometimes. A lot simpler times. I used to cruise it in the mid sixties. I'm a guy though.

[sparkie119]

Remember eating at the Vips at the Coronado mall in the 1970's as a kid. Loved the atmosphere and their Big Boy Burger-also remember the Big Boy comic book I would take home with me. I am not sure if there is still a JB's here in ABQ?

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by sparkie119

I am not sure if there is still a JB's here in ABQ?

There are a few JB's still in the ABQ area, we go to the one in North Valley on 4th street. I seem to recall someone telling me it is the only family owned JB's.


Rich

[The Papermaker]

I definitely remember Vips. I was stationed in Albuquerque from 1966 to 1969. Had coffee there every night. Loved it. I am passing through on Dec. 29th (2012) Hope to see some of Albuquerque. Been a long time.

[translex]

After I left albuquerque in 71 I heard it burned down. It was next door to Fitzgerald's ice cream place (factory I believe, not a restaurant) and that burned down before Vips did & got replaced by a pizza hut.

Now it's a burger king on the whole site. Sambo's was up the street I believe Central and San Mateo.

Lots of fun crusing vips whilst in high school; great burgers, home of the cherry cream coke; you'd buy a cherry coke then when the waitress wasn't looking put coffee cream in it (so there woudln't be an extra charge for 2nd ingredient) tasted better than it sounds.

[Marcus13]

If there is anyone out there that used to work at Vip's Big Boy and has a story, photo, or item with the Vip's name and or logo matches, ashtray, menu, ad, etc, please email me. I worked for Kip's Big Boy in the 60's and 70's in OK, TX, KS and had a working great time with many fine people who also worked at a Big Boy restaurant! I do not have a photo of any of the Vip's locations in New Mexico and would cherish one especially from the 60's and 70's ! The Big Boy Restaurants were always Home away from Home wherever you t raveled across the nation! Great foods and service by dedicated very excellent staff and always dependable and consistently top notch. Thanks Marcus markgelhaargelhaar@gmail.com