Question: What does Norco have that no other place in the world has?

Horses? Nope. Lots of places have horses. But you’re kinda close.

The Lake Norconian Club? Well, yes…but this is a food blog.

OK, then, Starbucks Coffee? That’s ridiculous. You know there’s a Starbucks on practically every corner in Southern California.

Fine. I give up. Sheesh, you give up easily.

The thing that Norco has that no other place in the world has…is a Western Bob’s Big Boy statue!

And Dine 909 has an exclusive sneak peek after the jump!

The cowboy’d up icon arrived Monday night to the restaurant at 3521 Hamner Ave.

Big Boy’s western makeover has been an issue since late in 2007 when the city’s planning commission didn’t think the mascot was equestrian enough for “Horsetown USA.”

The restaurant’s headquarters agreed to the change and the restaurant was built. It opened earlier this year. However, Western Bob took a while to show up.

“He took nine months…just like a baby,” explained Charyle Trujillo, general manager of the Norco Big Boy, who graciously allowed Dine 909 to preview the statue.

However, as you can see from the picture, he’s not quite ready yet.

Work was progressing on his new perch at the front of the restaurant during a visit Thursday afternoon.

They are planning for an unveiling at 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 17. Mark your calendars now! (We’re taking bets as to whether they’ll find a tiny letter ‘R’ under his fingernail when they unwrap the plastic!)

If you can’t wait that long, stop by the restaurant any time before then…they have a picture posted by the register of what cowboy Bob looks like underneath the bubble wrap.

The restaurant has other events planned before and after the unveiling.

They are hosting a Halloween Car Cruise from 3 to 6 p.m. tomorrow. They’ll have prizes for best decorated car and best costume for various age groups. Bring treats to register for the show.

Also, the restaurant is sponsoring a LifeStream blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 15. Donors will receive a free Big Boy and points in LifeStream’s donor loyalty program. They will also be entered into a drawing for a 2010 Toyota Prius, courtesy of I-10 Toyota Scion. For more information on the blood drive, call LifeStream at (800) 879-4484.

They are also promoting their all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving dinner, which will be $11.99 per person, and $7.99 for those 10 and under. It will include turkey, ham, and all the usual Thanksgiving accompaniments. Yum!

For more information on any of the events, call the restaurant at (951) 280-3388.

Update: Our partner KCAL Channel 9 has followed up with a very brief news item on Norco’s new Bob. Click here to watch their video clip.