Bobbie’s Diner, built in 1954, is also owned by The
Savannah College of Art & Design, and is located about
seven blocks from the Streamliner. I ate there a week after
my trip to Streamliner, and things seemed more appealing.
Maybe it’s because it wasn’t the first dayof a new term.
Maybe it’s because it’s a newer diner and isn’t so far
removed from “diner culture” as the Stremliner is. But in
many respects, what can be said for the Streamliner also
applies to Bobbie’s.

The interior is a powder blue and stainless steel, evoking
the ultra-modern optimism of the ‘50s.	Again,	certain
compromises have been made. The digital jukebox (this time
fully functional) contains the top billboard hits from 1954
until 1989. The ice cream freezer was empty, apparently
there isn’t much call for ice cream-related items.

Like the Streamliner, Bobbie’s has the same limited hours,
open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday, taking an
extended break between college terms. The menu has and
prices are identical, but the service is way different.
Food comes served on real china, not plastic baskets lined
with wax paper. I noticed another customer enjoying the
obigatory burger & fries (crinkle-cut, the only way to go),
so obviously a week into summer term, their fryer was
working.

I had a western omelet with orange juice (served in its
bottle, rather than a glass). The omelet was good, though
it could have arrived more quickly. The waitress explained
the cook was new and still learning the ropes. I have no
problem with this, as I’m sure the cook will pick up speed
in time. Besides, I am more interested in the taste (quite
good) of my food rather than shaving a minute or two off
it’s delivery.

Bobbie’s is a more agreeable experience than the
Streamliner, but the timing of my visit to either diner has
a great deal to do with it. Neither restaurant is open late
enough, and neither has a very extensive menu. But stepping
into either diner is a step back in time, with a meal to
boot. Prices are reasonable, and the food filling, All that
remains is for customary diner business to come back into
fashion.


p schweier
burbank309@hotmail.com