Costa Mesa, California -
Papa Burger - A&W Root Beer Family

At one of my favorite breakfast spots, the Costa Mesa Omelette Parlor, they have a "Papa Burger" statue in the entry way to the restaurant. The 'Papa Burger' statue is one of the A&W Root Beer family members, but this one has been modified from its original form. Blond hair has been painted on, and the eyes and mouth have been modified. Also, what used to be a mug of A&W root beer has been painted to resemble a mug of beer.

I was told by one of the employees that the statue has been there since the restaurant opened in 1983. At Christmas time they have a giant Santa hat they put on him. [Greg Kopp, 04/01/2009]

There is a molded caricature figure of a stout man, with a disproportionately large head, about 7 feet tall, holding a foaming mug of [root?] beer in his right hand at waist level, and hoisting a plated hamburger skyward with his extended left arm. The one I can locate right away is in the lobby of the Chester Drawers Inn in Costa Mesa, CA and I have seen at least one other somewhere in the state. I know the statue is definitely not a Bob's Big Boy. [Bill Wright, 07/22/2001]

[RA: It is almost certainly a "Root Beer Man," variations found in several spots around the country. The originals were created by International Fiberglass.]