RoBee's Roast Beef?

[Will Dockery]

I've asked this several times before, but I don't think anyone
remembers... there was an early version of Arby's called RoBee's,
similer hat sign, everything. It was on the corner of Macon Road & the
Northbound ramp of Linsey Creek By-Pass (I-185). Same type roast beef
sandwiches except in my memory they tasted better. This was pretty
early on by my standards, like 1967-68. Later, this spot was occupied
for many years by Color Tile, and now something else, "Sneakers" I
think it was last time I noticed. I'm sure this place existed, but
like Little Gem (the Krystal imitation) & General Jackson's Fried
Chicken, little-to-nothing seems to be available on the internet about
this place. Also interesting to me that nobody else ever seems to
remember the place... a very involved dream I once had?!?

--
Music & poetry from Will Dockery & Friends:
http://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery

[gregz]

Arby's originally had fresh cut roast beef. I don't know what year they
went generic.
So where is that place?

Greg

[gregz]

Looks like Arby's was originated close to pittsburgh. There was a robees in
Ohio somewhere, for a while.

Greg

[gregz]

I also remember big chunks of beef, up In see through cold boxes in old
They were near the counter.

Greg

[Will Dockery]

On Mar 24, 11:32 pm, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost> wrote:
>
> The earliest I can remember Arby's was in Pittsburgh around 1973 and
> they never had whole chunks of beef.  Arby's orginted in Ohio.
>
> The roast beef seemed to be a higher quality back then, but it was
> still a formed product.  Rax Roast Beef came to Pittsburgh maybe
> around 1978 or so, and they also used the pre-fab beef loafs (but they
> had a better menu and RB's).
>
> Robee's was Roy Rodgers roast beef sandwiches, not affiliated with
> Arby's in any way.
>
> Most of this info is available on that there Internet thing.  So how
> this thread got this far...

Yes, I see there's a bit more information on the internet from the
last time I looked:

http://articles.philly.com/1990-01-31/business/25910299_1_william-e-prather-third-major-acquisition-roy-rogers

Marriott first established the Roy Rogers chain in 1968. According to
company spokesman Robert T. Souers, Marriott had purchased a small
Washington- area chain called Robees (it specialized in roast beef) in
1967, but felt that the name could become a problem as the chain
expanded because it was too close in sound to "Arby's" - another
chain.

"We wanted a recognizable name and one of our people here knew Roy
Rogers (America's most famous cowboy movie star). The idea was put to
him and he liked it."

[Will Dockery]

On Mar 24, 11:00 pm, gregz <ze...@comcast.net> wrote:
> gregz <ze...@comcast.net> wrote:

> > Will Dockery wrote:
>
>> I've asked this several times before, but I don't think anyone
> >> remembers... there was an early version of Arby's called RoBee's,
> >> similer hat sign, everything. It was on the corner of Macon Road & the
> >> Northbound ramp of Linsey Creek By-Pass (I-185). Same type roast beef
> >> sandwiches except in my memory they tasted better. This was pretty
> >> early on by my standards, like 1967-68. Later, this spot was occupied
> >> for many years by Color Tile, and now something else, "Sneakers" I
> >> think it was last time I noticed. I'm sure this place existed, but
> >> like Little Gem (the Krystal imitation) & General Jackson's Fried
> >> Chicken, little-to-nothing seems to be available on the internet about
> >> this place. Also interesting to me that nobody else ever seems to
> >> remember the place... a very involved dream I once had?!?
>
> >> --
> >> Music & poetry from Will Dockery & Friends:
> >>http://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
>
> > Arby's originally had fresh cut roast beef. I don't know what year they
> > went generic.
> > So where is that place?
>

> Looks like Arby's was originated close to pittsburgh. There was a robees in
> Ohio somewhere, for a while.

This is a good one:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=18361.90

"...When foodservice veterans Leroy and Forrest Raffel opened the
first Arby’s in Boardman, Ohio on July 23, 1964, customers enjoyed
roast beef sandwiches, potato chips, and Texas-sized iced teas. To
name their new venture, the brothers decided on Arby’s, which stands
for R.B., the initials of the Raffel Brothers - although many suspect
the R.B. stands for roast beef."

"...The Modewleski (sp) Brothers of Brown's fame, opened an Arby's
wannabee and named it RoBees. I think Arbys fought it, and after a
few years, the name changed to Beef Corral."

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18361.90.html#ixzz1q6S5nClE

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18361.90.html#ixzz1q6RrxBMn

[Will Dockery]

On Mar 24, 11:14 pm, gregz <ze...@comcast.net> wrote:
> gregz <ze...@comcast.net> wrote:
> > gregz <ze...@comcast.net> wrote:

> >> Will Dockery wrote:
>
>>> I've asked this several times before, but I don't think anyone
> >>> remembers... there was an early version of Arby's called RoBee's,
> >>> similer hat sign, everything. It was on the corner of Macon Road & the
> >>> Northbound ramp of Linsey Creek By-Pass (I-185). Same type roast beef
> >>> sandwiches except in my memory they tasted better. This was pretty
> >>> early on by my standards, like 1967-68. Later, this spot was occupied
> >>> for many years by Color Tile, and now something else, "Sneakers" I
> >>> think it was last time I noticed. I'm sure this place existed, but
> >>> like Little Gem (the Krystal imitation) & General Jackson's Fried
> >>> Chicken, little-to-nothing seems to be available on the internet about
> >>> this place. Also interesting to me that nobody else ever seems to
> >>> remember the place... a very involved dream I once had?!?
>
> >>> --
> >>> Music & poetry from Will Dockery & Friends:
> >>>http://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
>
> >> Arby's originally had fresh cut roast beef. I don't know what year they
> >> went generic.
> >> So where is that place?
>

> > Looks like Arby's was originated close to pittsburgh. There was a robees in
> > Ohio somewhere, for a while.
>

> I also remember big chunks of beef, up In see through cold boxes in old
> They were near the counter.

I remember the big slabs of beef that they'd slice with the machine...
same as Arby's except better beef...

I've been tracking down pieces to my childhood mystery memory of a
RoBee's Roast Beef that predated Arby's but was very similar (except
that they tasted better):

"...one of the sons of a founder of Roy's (A Mr. Plamondon, he
currently runs the franchise that operates existing Roy Rogers, after
retrieving the rights from what was left of Hardees.) Mr. Plamondon
said that Roy's initially started as a prototype called "Robee's" in
Ft. Wayne Indiana in 1968, and that soon after, it was expanded (as
Roy Rogers) into the mid-atlantic, with perhaps a dozen or fewer on
the west coast..." - http://www.groceteria.com/​board/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2329

I remember when RoBee's on 4th Avenue turned into Roy Roger's Roast
Beef, & shook his hand. It didn't seem like that long until it morphed
into Arby's, though... the one on Macon Road is where my best memories
are, though, that one being just a few blocks from where I lived.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/romleys/1863852493/

[gregz]

> the west coast..." - http://www.groceteria.com/ board/viewtopic.php?f1&t#29

>
> I remember when RoBee's on 4th Avenue turned into Roy Roger's Roast
> Beef, & shook his hand. It didn't seem like that long until it morphed
> into Arby's, though... the one on Macon Road is where my best memories
> are, though, that one being just a few blocks from where I lived.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/romleys/1863852493/

If I had some communication with a friend, he could tell stories all day.
He was a soap salesman, and traveled all over to most restaurants and food
outlets. I remember him telling about when Arby's sliced the beef.

Back in the 70's my sister worked for Roy Rodgers, probably not roys then.
So visiting me, she wanted to meet Roy. Went to ranch and museum, but I
think Roy was in the museum. Never did get to meet him.

Greg

[Jerry Sauk]

"gregz" <ze...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:597195649354317944.04...@news.eternal-september.org..
.

Originally? It still does.

[Jerry Sauk]

This discussion about Robee's is partially off-topic since it does not deal
with a national fast-food chain.

Please, either in the next 48 hour's, either

A) steer the conversation inot one that everybody can discuss, or

B) Simply stop posting in it.

Just a friendly reminder. Thank you for you consideration.

[Jerry Sauk]

Please forgive me. I was drinknig heavilly earlier tonight and I feel
just horrible for posting such an outrageou's demand. I realize this
group doe's not revolve around me and my desire to only talk about
food within my small world. I should be more acceptnig that there is
fast food all over the world and not just in Green Bay, Ohio, or
Kintucky.

I am such an asshole. Im just feeling a little backlogged here since I
havent been able to troll as much as I'd like too recently. I hope
you will accept my sincerest apology's.

Peace,

Jerry

[Storrmmee]

not even close its all pressed and formed now, Lee
"Jerry Sauk" <jerr...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6OydnTVHI4pSm-3S...@supernews.com...

[Will Dockery]

Storrmmee wrote:
>
> not even close its all pressed and formed now, Lee

Yes, after over 40 years I can still remember the difference in quality of the "beef".

Here's a logo for RoBee's Roast Beef circa 1967:

http://picyou.com/kBIZ0l

Before Arby's there was RoBee's Roast Beef. The one I remember was on Macon Road in Columbus Georgia somewhere near where the onramp of I-185 headed north is now.

Also, Howard Russell, an old time radio jingle composer sent me the lyrics to the RoBee's commercial jingle, I'd love to hear this one, posting it here for archival and historical purposes, until then:

"...Stumbled upon an old forum question of yours.

In the late '60s I produced radio commercials for the big country-music radio station in Northeast Ohio.

I recall when a Cleveland ad agency brought a band into our studio to record a commercial for RoBees. The lyrics I remember as:

Now gather 'round the campfire
And listen to me please
While I tell the story
of a new place called RoBees.

RoBee's roast beef sandwich
is strictly western style
Yes you'll enjoy a RoBees
with an east-to-west-side smile.

It's beef piled high and juicy
on a buttery sesame bun.
And RoBees lays the sauce on,
horseradish or the barbecue one.

(if there was a final quatrain, I've forgotten it)

I remember that Arby's was well established at the time, and RoBees seemed to be an arrant imitation. How many restaurants they had, and where they were, I don't know. But I can still hear the rich voice of our morning DJ, "Jaybird Drennan", crooning that hymn to shaved beef.

Howard Russell
Admix Broadcast Service

Thanks again, Howard!

[Will Dockery]

More details on the area surrounding the old RoBee's circa 1966, for archival purposes.

First, a bit of history surfaces about the obscure Krystal knock-off, "Little Gem":

Will Dockery: Larry Jarrett, you might be just the person to remember "Little Gem" hamburgers on the top of the hill at Forest Road where KFC has been for so many years? This was a kind of Krystal knockoff that was around for a short while, and was there when my folks moved into the area, in 1965. I'd say it was probably gone by 1966... would love to ind some evidence this place even existed!

Gail Stephens Fowler: Will, are you Jerry Dockery's son?

Larry Jarrett: Will Dockery, now that you bring it up I do remember the hamburger business. It seems like they had pinkish purple neon lights and the outside had a shiny finish. I remember next door are about in the same spot there was a drug store that had good milk shakes. There is an 8MM film of me sitting on a motorcycle beside the drug store.

http://i2.listal.com/image/1311199/936full-alfred-hitchcock.jpg

Larry, that
drug store must have been very close to Hitchcock Flooring, which stood sort of near where Burger King is now. Hitchcok Flooring was a big hit with us young fans of horror and mystery genres, as the sign on the business was the Iconic silhouette of Alfred Hitchcock. This was around 1965-66, during which time most drug store shopping was usually done at Edgewood Pharmacy. Speaking of which, one of the last of the original shops in Edgewood Shopping Center just went under last week, Edgewood Hardware. Now back in 1965-66 that spot was held by the still remembered Bussey's BBQ! I know we have a few Edgewoodies out there...

http://i2.listal.com/image/1311199/936full-alfred-hitchcock.jpg

Take a look at this! I can't get it to work right for me yet, but under a search for "Hitchcock Flooring" I get this result:

DocDepot - Search Results
docserver.columbusga.org/agendamaestro/Search.aspx?...8Share
Agreement relative to Macon Road Project GU22(12). 8/22/1972 ...... Payment to Hitchcock Flooring Co ...... Land condemnation for the widening of Macon Road...

[Will Dockery]

On Monday, March 26, 2012 12:55:18 AM UTC-4, Jerry Sauk wrote:
> This discussion about Robee's is partially off-topic since it does not deal
>
> with a national fast-food chain.

Well, since the RoBee's Rosat Beef locations I'm reporting on were all the way down in the Deep South, while others were in Ohio, I'd say that's pretty much national.

And the topic here seems to be "Fast Food", not just national chains anyhow.

Here's more historical data on RoBee's and surrounding area, Macon Road, Columbus Georgia, circa 1966:

Larry Jarrett: I remember that business well. My dad owned the Texaco station next door to it.

Will Dockery: Hello, Larry Jarrett! When I was writing this and trying to place exactly where RoBee's/Roy Rogers was, I thought of the gas station, and tried to remember details of that also. Was the Texaco on the right or left side of RoBee's? This would have been quite a while before I-185 existed... 3 or 4 years?

Gail Stephens Fowler: Roy Rogers Roast Beef was in Columbus.

Will Dockery: RoBee's Roast Beef was the original name, then Roy Rogers bought it out and changed the name, must have been around 1968. When this change happened, Roy Rogers made an appearance at the 4th Avenue (Veteran's Parkway now) location, shaking hands and signing photographs, I was there, and at one time I still had the autographed photo of Roy on Trigger. This building is still standing, and was an Arby's Roast Beef after Old Roy bailed.

Cynthia Johns Lello: I was there too.. I remember shaking Roy Rodgers hand and saying to my mom "I NEVER want to wash my hand EVER again"! That is something I will never forget, I thought he was sooo cool!

Junior Faircloth: yea it was on 4th ave i think the old building is still there

Will Dockery: Building is still there, Junior... "Sharkey's Fish" or something like that, may try that fish in 2013, if the Fates allow...

Larry Jarrett: Will, if you were facing Roy Rodgers Roast Beef the station was to the right. There is a Waffle House there now where the station was.

Will Dockery: Yes, that Texaco station is really ringing a bell, and I'm pretty sure I remember your father, through the dim haze of Macon Road memory.

Jan Doolittle Page: We had a Texaco card for many years and went to that station all the time.

Will Dockery: Seems like I recall there was a gas station at the top of the hill at Forest Road, as well, across Forest Road from KFC... Looking at that spot now, though, I don't see how there would be room for anything much there. Empty lots seem so small remembering what used to stand on them. Foir example, I'm amazed that Phillips College could ever have fit in that small lot on 13th Avenue.

Larry Jarrett: Jan, I remember Mr. Doolittle doing business with my dad. I worked at the station at various times from my teens to mid twenties. Those were the good ole days when the gas stations provided a complete full service. Gas and other services did not cost an arm and a leg like these days. Thank you for your business with us!

Jan Doolittle Page: Larry, I am so glad you remembered Daddy. I remember the inflatable Santa Claus y'all had one year! This site has made this town smaller and smaller!

Will Dockery: Now... anybody know what was on the other side of RoBee's (to the left, headed to Lindsey Creek)? The I-185 was still a few years away so there had to be quite a gap between the RoBee's building and the creek. I'm drawing total blank on that one, but of course I was all of 6-7 years old at that point...

Larry Jarrett: From what I remember the area to the left of Robee's toward the creek was woods before I-185 was built. The initial name for I-185 was Lindsey Creek Bypass. The name changed when the road was extended from the Airport Thruway to I-85. The name of the station my dad had next to RoBee's was Lindsey Creek Texaco.

[Will Dockery]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/357684395383364072/

There was a place called RoBee's Roast Beef on Macon Road near where I-185 is now, seems like where the Mexican place is now, in front of Best Western Hotel. The place that became Arby's on 4th Avenue was also a RoBees. In between these two it was called Roy Rogers Roast Beef. I'm surprised how almost nobody remembers RoBees Roast Beef when I mention it.

I suppose I remember because my mother was a regular customer at the Macon Road RoBee's Roast Beef, and was a personal friend of the two guys who ran the place, brothers. I wish I could remember their names but I was only about 7 or 8. One of the brothers, who lived off Floyd Road gave us two rabbits, so the memory of the Macon Road RoBee's is strong for me. I was there on 4th Avenue when Roy Rogers was there, and got one of the autographed photos he was handing out. As the article I posted tells, Roy bought RoBee's locations and changed the names to Roy Rogers Roast Beef.

Here;s a snippet of the story of how Roy took over Robee's: Here's a bit more information on the internet about RoBees which became Roy Rogers Roast Beef, which then (locally in the same location at least) evolved into Arby's Roast Beef:
"...Marriott first established the Roy Rogers chain in 1968. According to company spokesman Robert T. Souers, Marriott had purchased a small Washington- area chain called Robees (it specialized in roast beef) in 1967, but felt that the name could become a problem as the chain expanded because it was too close in sound to "Arby's" - another chain.

"We wanted a recognizable name and one of our people here knew Roy Rogers (America's most famous cowboy movie star). The idea was put to him and he liked it."

I suspect that the names "RoBee's" and "Arby's" sound so similar that the two just blend together to folks who were not regular customers like I, my mother and brother Dave were. Since my mom was friends with the two men who ran the place we were there pretty often. The freshly sliced beef was better tasting than the Arby's stuff is now, which I hate to say tastes a bit like plastic.

I remember the slightly different, and pretty much delicious Hardee's Roast Beef... remember how y'all would pour a small amount of a kind of "brown juice" onto each sandwich? And, the actually buttered buns really did make a difference.

And so it goes.

[Will Dockery]

Is that "rule" that important, really?

Okay, one last post and I'm done.

http://www.groceteria.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2629&start=15

"Roy Rogers also had significant presence in the Midwest. They opened outlets in Ohio in the late 60s, around the time that the chain changed names from 'RobBee's' to 'Roy Roger's'. 'RoBee's' seemed like a turn on 'Arby's'..."

[Will Dockery]

Big news on the history of our local, Macon Road location of RoBee's Roast Beef, circa 1967-68.

Kc Samples wrote: My dad and uncle ran that place for a while! Dad was Patrick Samples and my uncle was Nathan, but most folks called him Buck!
August 7 at 9:15am ·

Will Dockery wrote: Kc Samples that is it... two brothers ran RoBee's on Macon Road, not sure if it was your dad or uncle that lived right off Floyd Road pretty much across the street from the strip mall, and also had rabbits. My brother and I took two rabbits, sadly they didn't live long with all the critters that lived then and now in Edgewood Park. The flavor of those early sandwiches, needless to say, were so much better than the Arby's of today. And your dad & uncle would take care to run the buns through that buttering machine that I'm not sure the modern version of RoBee's even use any more. Great memories... any photos, perhaps?

[genet...@gmail.com]

RoBee's Roast Beef was purchased by Marriott and rebranded Roy Rogers in 1968. RoBee's would have been competing with Arbie's back then. Roy Rogers still makes a better roastbeef sandwich, so I had to smile at your post. I think the only thing Arbie's has that no one
else does is an amazing mocha shake. You didn't
just dream it up, it simply got lost to history but if you ever eat at a Roy Roger's, it's the same. I imagine they didn't convert every location. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Rogers_Restaurants

[A Moose in Love]

Estoy Ustedes Roy Rogers no tambien aqui estas Toronto. Pero el Capitain es una luna tunesah! Su Madre estanza horseback each and every day porque?

[A Moose in Love]

Gramarcy Riffs esta in Estado Unidos por las contessas un coney Island. El gango tengo el barrio es el Guerros en Englzsb es 'the warriors'. El Idioto deysayuno del Rogues es una asshole y presidente del chite.

[KWills]

No creo que el entienda lo que quieres decir.

--
You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape.
If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.
If it moves and shouldn't, use the duct tape.