Before we get into Eat’n Park‘s food and the restaurant’s history, I must get this public service announcement off my chest.
When a research producer for History Channel‘s The Food That Built America contacted me about participating in an episode about the Whopper & the Big Mac, I was interested. They wanted to push a narrative about the Big Mac‘s creation as a means to battle with Burger King‘s Whopper. So, I declined to be on the show.
The Truth about The Food That Built America
The absolute truth is that Eat’n Park (a franchise of Bob’s Big Boy at the time) was McDonald’s main competitor in Pennsylvania. Eat’n Park‘s signature sandwich was the Big Boy, a double deck hamburger sandwich, also known as a double burger with a middle bun.
A McDonald’s franchisee would be inspired by it and created their version at a Pittsburgh-area McDonald’s in 1967. I never watched that episode of The Food That Built America, but it’s insulting that a program on the History Channel would sacrifice history for drama.
Back to Eat’n Park
On our drive to a burger popup event at Robusto’s in Michigan, we stopped at the Eat’n Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was not a planned stop, but when I saw Eat’n Park on the highway’s next exit sign, there was no way I was passing up the opportunity.
We were greeted by an original Smiley Cookies display calling our name, but we had more pressing issues: a Big Boy double-deck hamburger. Let’s hope I remember on the way out.
I agree with the menu; Fred and I were all smiles. Marcela was sleepy and returned to the car to nap while we did our thing.
Marcela did snap a great picture of the salad bar on the way out. I was so focused on getting a Superburger (the renamed Big Boy) that I didn’t realize there was a salad bar, but then again, I don’t eat salads either.
Which Burger To Eat?
While Fred and I tried to figure out which burgers we were splitting, we asked for the freshly made potato chips. These fellas were the perfect snack to much on while making such an important decision.
We agreed to order one of their Original Superburgers and the upgraded Black Angus Super Burger. The original comes with one-third of a pound of beef (two patties), American cheese, pickles, lettuce, and Sauce Supreme on a double deck hamburger bun.
The Black Angus Superburger comes with two 6oz chargrilled patties, American cheese, pickles, lettuce, and Sauce Supreme on a double deck hamburger bun. By the way, Sauce Supreme is Eat’n Park‘s name for their house tartar sauce.
Both would satisfy any burger lover, yet we both agreed that there’s something special about the original. The griddled smaller patties worked better with the ingredients than the larger chargrilled ones.
Surprise On The Way Out
We paid our bill and, on the way out, decided against buying any cookies. The surprise was on us cause Marcela bought three cookies for us to eat on the road.
And yes, they brought a smile to our faces.
Eat’n Park Big Boy
7355 Peach Street
Erie, PA
(814) 866-3970
Website – https://locations.eatnpark.com/pa/erie/restaurants-54.html
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/eatnpark
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/EatnParkRestaurants
Monday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm