Bob's Southern Bistro
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Overall Rating: Sick Meals (82 out of 100)
604 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
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Phone: 617-536-6204
A South End institution for over 50 years, Bob's Southern Bistro is home to some of Boston's sickest southern cuisine and live jazz.
Our History at Bob's Southern Bistro
We have ordered take-out and via Dining In on several occasions. Recently, we made our first dining visit on a Saturday at 7:00pm.
Appetizers
"Opening Acts" include southern specialties such as sweet potato fries, "glorifried" (fried) chicken wings, and ribs as well as cajun dishes such as catfish strips, cajun chicken strips, and cajun crab cakes. Prices range from $5.95 to $7.95. A selection of "Headliners" includes grilled chicken salad, garden salad, and sauteed vegetables, starting at $5.95 for the garden salad.
We shared the catfish strips, mustard fried and served with homemade spicy tartar sauce. The catfish tasted fresh and was not-at-all greasy. Without advice from the menu, we may have guessed that the strips were baked.
Rating: 8.8
Main Dishes
"Solo Acts" and "Grammy Winners" include Creole jambalaya, shrimp etouffe, Bob's Famous Chicken, barbecued spare ribs, chicken livers, and Bob's Homemade Meatloaf. Prices range from $11.95 to $16.95. Entrees are served with a corn muffin as well as your choice of two "Side Shows".
For entrees, we opted for Bob's Famous Chicken for $12.95 as well as Bob's Homemade Meatloaf for $11.95. We chose black-eye peas and rice, baked macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, and string beans as "Side Shows".
Bob's Famous Chicken is available baked, barbequed, or glorifried with white or dark meat. Served any way is great, but glorifried is the sickest. The heaping homemade meatloaf oozed with juices and flavors.
The black-eye peas were a bit bland. However, the baked macaroni and cheese was everything one would expect from this classic comfort food. Other tempting sides include collard greens, candied yams, and potato salad.
Rating: 8.5
Drinks
Mixed drinks go for $7. Our vodka mixers were served in tiny glasses filled with too much ice. After a few sips, we were left with a cup of water.
Affordable beer, wine, and martinis are also available.
Rating: 7
Service
Our waitress was super-friendly and professional, but slow. On this busy night, it seemed as though Bob's could have benefited from one more server.
Rating: 7.8
Ambiance
You cannot see inside from the street, so a sense of mystery builds as you walk into the restaurant. As you enter, you are transported to another era. Bob's masterfully exudes both a private jazz club and neighborhood bar feel.
Rating: 8.7
Et Cetera
Trivia: Bob's Southern Bistro, formerly known as Bob The Chef's, has been at its current location on Columbus Avenue since 1968.
Live Music: Bob's features live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The cover charge varies, ranging from $3 to $5.
Menu: Check out the dinner menu
Reservations: Bob's Southern Bistro is on OpenTable
Transportation: It is usually easy to find street parking. Via the T, take the Green Line to Symphony or the Orange Line to Massachusetts Avenue.
Dress: Casual
Hours: Bob's serves sick meals Monday through Wednesday from 5:00PM to 10:00PM; Thursday and Friday from 5:00pm to midnight; Saturday from 11:30AM to midnight; and Sunday from 2:30pm to 10:00PM.
Labels: Bobs-Southern-Bistro, Sick-Meals, South-End, Southern
