The Castle Cocktail Lounge: Steering Our Stomachs Toward Bridgeport Big Boy

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Last week, The Castle Cocktail Lounge enjoyed an elegant evening at the Brass Bell in Chesaning. After partaking in some Showboat entertainment, we took the back roads back north by the Prairie Saloon and Price Nature Center…finding ourselves in Bridgeport. While we thought about swinging through the Cass River Yacht Club for another drink, our stomachs instead pulled us in the other direction…welcome to Bridgeport…

Big Boy*, More than a Chain

For 43 years, Big Boy was the popular meeting place in Bridgeport for many families, friendships, reunions, civic groups, and community relationships. The hard-working team at Bridgeport Big Boy restaurant ended its era at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Co-Owner & Operator Eva Katsoulos-Stone said the impromptu “going away party” that followed word about closing was absolutely amazing.” A great number of customers and former employees gave gratitude, well wishes, and enjoyed reminiscing.

Natives of Oxford (Michigan), Eva and her late brother Jim Katsoulos opened the restaurant in November 1979. Their late father John Katsoulos owned the Bridgeport property until the co-ownership of Eva and husband Buck Stone in 1983. From 1999 for 16 years, Eva and Buck were co-owners of both the Bridgeport and Birch Run restaurants. In 2016, the Birch Run location was sold to Leo’s Coney Island. Jim’s first endeavor was as Chef at the Oxford Big Boy. He then was Manager at the Bridgeport Big Boy, followed by driving semi-truck for Big Boy corporate. Jim later established JK Contracting and was successful in remodeling Big Boy and other restaurants across Michigan and other projects.

From age 7, Eva’s son Ezra Katsoulos was a constant on the restaurant team. His first roles were Dishwasher and Bus Boy. Ezra is a 2005 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Managers Stephen Rios and Ezra also performed Chef duties. On that last day, Ezra said, “Roughly 3.2 million eggs later, that’s a wrap.”

In the restaurant’s family-friendly flare, there was the annual “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” Eva says that some of those children were future Big Boy employees. Team members Ann Wright and Terry Moore remarkably worked at this restaurant from its start to finish. Generation upon generation, employees and customers were major parts of Big Boy.

John Katsoulos was an attorney for the Big Boy founders. Brothers John, Louis, and Fred Elias were the first to formally apply for a Big Boy franchise license. Their restaurant, Dixie Drive-In in Hazel Park, became the first official Big Boy franchise. By 1964, the Elias Brothers opened 100 restaurants throughout Michigan and Ohio. The Elias Brothers purchased the Big Boy chain in 1987 and operated it until 2000.

The Bridgeport venture began with the Katsoulos’ purchase of vacant land at 6301 Dixie Highway. The construction crew was affiliated with the Big Boy franchise. The greenhouse was added, with 60-70 more seats, in front of the building three years after opening.

One month after the opening of Big Boy, the Truck Stop across the Dixie Highway main corridor opened its doors. Some restaurant neighbors were McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Render’s Restaurant, and Brass Radiator Lounge. Other Big Boy restaurants in the region were on Holland Road, Bay Road, Fashion Square Mall, Clio, Bay City, Midland, and Mt. Pleasant.

Famous Faces of Big Boy

Countless people walked through those Big Boy doors. Bill Lambier of the Detroit Pistons came by. So did Boxcar Willy while performing at the Saginaw Fair. Then there was singer and musician Uncle Kracker. Pamela Anderson stopped by too…to use the restroom.

Local celebrities and groups, including athletes and coaches, participated in fundraising activities at Big Boy. The first event was before Charlie Brown became Saginaw County Sheriff, and he participated with the Michigan State Police and DARE Program volunteers. Marcie and late husband Fred Rohde of the longstanding local Rohde’s Leather Shop brought much joy as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Fat Tuesday was celebrated with Eva’s made-from-scratch paczki and accordion music by Sandy Popp-Bauman. Big Boy himself made appearances, especially at parades.

Live music was performed inside and outside the restaurant, with Eva as a group member. That idea was sparked in a conversation between Eva and musical artist Bob Barcalow while at an event at the Bridgeport Public Library. “Rockin’ the Boy” became Saturday night entertainment.

Annual Car Shows were popular events on the restaurant grounds for at least 12 years.

Menu favorites are still the talk. Big Boy original recipes are under lock and key. Strawberry Festival tasty treats brought big smiles. Popular choices were the Slim Jim, Big Boy burger, fish dinners, spaghetti, hot fudge cake, strawberry shortcake, strawberry waffle topping, milkshakes, lemonade refreshers, premium ice cream treats, and more. “Taste-like” recipes are the go-to for cravings.

Eva says there is a sense of accomplishment as she and staff reflect on the challenges and rewards throughout those 43 years. Eva credits key mentors for advice offered during her career and recites wisdom given by her father. Deep within her recognition and appreciation is the Big Boy staff whose dedication, service, and friendship were links to valued customer, peer, and community relationships.

“People became family, and there were a lot of families over the years. It cultivated a friendship that’s unique to the restaurant industry, which is the best part.” Eva said she feels blessed to have had her career, to have employed thousands of people, and to have made countless friendships and memories along the way.

Customers and staff agree ~ Big Boy brought us together, kept us close, and gave us unique experiences to appreciate for a lifetime.

*For a previous Castle Test Kitchen feature on Big Boy in Downtown Saginaw, check out our post from last year.

Time for a Snack…and a Drink--Strawberry Mint Lemonade

Obviously, Big Boy Restaurants did not serve alcoholic beverages--but they did make a mean Strawberry Mint Lemonade, and here at the Castle Cocktail Lounge, we do believe in moderation (as we are snarfing down our Slim Jim sandwich)...

Big Boy's Strawberry Mint Lemonade

Ingredients

Strawberries: 1 cup fresh, hulled and sliced

Lemon Juice: 1/2 cup freshly squeezed (about 3-4 lemons)

Simple Syrup: 1/3 cup (equal parts sugar and hot water dissolved together)

Water: 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cold water (adjust to desired tartness)

Mint: 5-6 fresh mint leaves

Garnish: Fresh strawberry and a mint sprig

Instructions

Make the Strawberry Puree: Add the sliced strawberries and a splash of water to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
Combine the Base: In a large pitcher or measuring cup, mix the strawberry puree, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Stir well to combine.
Muddle and Shake: Drop the fresh mint leaves into a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and about 1 cup of your strawberry lemonade mixture. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
Serve: Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with strawberry on rim and sprig of mint.