World-Famous BBQ,
great atmosphere, incredible
staff and six locations didn’t just happen over night
it started in the heart and mind of Bill Johnson, one of Arizona’s
original showmen.
One of the country’s original “Shock-Jocks”,
ol’ Bill was a real cowboy who ran a rebel radio show
right out of a makeshift jail-cell in his original Van Buren
restaurant. Bill would ramble on to the people of Arizona almost
every night until Midnight – and people would come from
all around to dine and witness his broadcast. A huge favorite
with local Arizonans, road-weary travelers and visiting celebrities,
the show was eventually broadcast by KPHO, KRIZ, KTAR and KJJJ
– all while being programmed, directed and engineered
by Bill himself right out of the restaurant. Countless celebrity
musicians, actors, cowboys and politicians would show up unannounced,
eat some great food and talk it up with Bill while Arizona listened.
He even took his show on the road with a self-built 40ft broadcast
trailer he would set up at rodeos, country fairs, country-western
concerts or anywhere else he could promote the Big Apple.
An Entrepreneur, Pilot, Actor, Stuntman, Hypnotist,
Inventor and Cowboy – His showmanship was unparalleled.
Bill Johnson was a True Arizona Original, just as his restaurants
are today.
As it usually goes, the great ones always pass
away too early in life. Bill’s passing was a terrible
loss to Phoenix, but the Johnson family made sure his memory
was perpetuated through his restaurants for all to enjoy. A
classic American family, four generations of the Johnson family
have rallied together to build Bill Johnson’s Big Apple
Restaurants into six valley locations with over 500 employees,
a great many of whom have been with the company for over 30
years.
Bill Johnson’s Big Apple
Barbeque Sauces,
for years sold in large jugs from the restaurants kitchens themselves,
are now available in almost every supermarket in the southwest.
With 4 tasty flavors of barbeque sauce available, we dare you
put one down.
Bill Johnson’s Big Apple
Catering has
now grown into a famous entity within itself, serving up to
5,000 people a sitting, and working for such various groups
as the Milwaukee Brewers, Firebird International Raceway, Backstage
at Celebrity Theater and more. We are very proud of the quality
and flexibility of our catering division – there isn’t
a catering size or type we can’t handle, just give us
a call.
With six locations serving every corner of
the valley, Bill Johnson’s Big Apple serves it all –
from our award-winning country style breakfasts to our famous
barbeque and USDA choice steaks. Known for incredibly healthy
portions of good ol’ down-home cooking, you’ll walk
out with a full belly knowing you got the best bang for your
buck, Real Food for Real People – the way it’s always
been, and the way it always will be.
The Johnson Family would like to thank you,
our customer, for your patronage, and to thank the four generations
(and counting!) of Arizonans who have helped keep this history
alive. It has been a honor serving you and your family for the
last 50 years, and we look forward to doing the same for 50
more.
