Bobby Jo's Diner in Southend-on-Sea

Group of eight of us. Loving the food. They're short staffed but still doing well. Vegan chocolate cupcakes are to die for. Edit 2024: restaurant has gone downhill. Orders mixed up and hygiene seems to have suffered. ☹️

We visited for breakfast, the diner itself looks great but the food seriously let's them down. The waffles were microwaved from a packet, Sausages were overcooked and tough, eggs were overcooked as thought they'd been precooked and stored under heat. The filter coffee was watery. If the food was cooked fresh rather than heated from a packet it would be a nice place to visit but I wouldn't reccomend them for breakfast.

Good food lovely people great music and the milkshakes are to die for. Truly a place to go when at southend on sea.

Our daughter has coeliac disease, which means she can’t eat anything that contains gluten, and needs to be prepared and cooked separately, to avoid cross contamination. We phoned to book a table and check whether they could cater for coeliacs. When it came to ordering we found the staff had no idea about catering for allergies or cross contamination. We decided to leave rather than take a chance on our daughter’s health. If you have allergies and you were thinking of booking here please think twice. (The service by the young staff was also shocking but that’s another story!)

Fantastic 50's themed diner,all the interior,the food and drink and the music 🎶 of course, all first class..Great place to slip back to our parents time..Good clean toilet to.

Popped in here before the fireworks. Great service a food. Very relaxed atmosphere. Sorry, no photos, ate the food straight away as it was so yummy!

Just got back from bobby jo’s Dinner No Ribs No steak!!!! Had the Love me Tender (southern fried chicken strips) NOTHING WAS TENDER ABOUT THESE OVER COOKS AND VERY DRY. WHEN complained the didn’t say anything on a Busy weekend as fright night. You would expect them to have a full menu. Also another thing they gave away give away our reservation a table we had pre-booked and we confirmed we was will attending. What as a really fun day was totally ruined by the evening. This is the 3rd year we’ve. Be and each it’s got worst Service slow. Had to ask for drinks they forgot. This is the last time we will be coming back The only thing they sort of got right was the Milkshakes Wont be back next year

The food is amazing! Really recommend this place if you are visiting Southend sea front. Kids meals were great value also and the burgers were incredible. Good ambience too with juke box playing.

Have been going to Bobby Joe's dinner on and off for years and the food has always been amazing and milkshakes are full of flavor

Really nice little diner . Food was very nice . Waitresses are friendly and welcoming. Will defo be back

Come here when it first opened and still the same amazing place yes menu has got smaller but still you great American favs and milkshakes are to die for Food was piping hot and amazing Customer service could be improved but not terrible eg If you like your old style American dinner 100% vist

Giving 2 stars only because staff where lovely but the food was tragic. Not worth the money.

I used to love this place !!!! Burgers and portion are getting smaller. I get the reason … ! The staff has no manners and no customer service.

This was the greatest food I’ve ever eaten! Gorgeous! I had the Chick King burger with chips, onion rings and coleslaw!

Had an amazing takeaway milkshake! Best vegan milkshake I’ve ever had. Thank you.

service not very nice. I asked for the bill and the lady said I wouldn't get the bill. the fries were salted I don't like to eat fries with salt no one asked me and I got fries with a lot of salt

Service is very poor and slow.order comes almost after 45minuts,.. Food is disgusting The attendant are bad in behaviour

It looked like an interesting diner on the outside. So we took our birthday boy to enjoy the experience at 5.30 on friday afternoon. There was one other couple just finishing their order and they left shortly after our arrival. We ordered drinks while two staff members moaned and swore at each other. Meanwhile the chip mess was still scattered all over the Monroe booth floor. There was no urgency to clean up and they both left the building to continue their inappropriate conversation. Our food order wasn't fulfilled as there was no serloins or rumps left. We were given a discount for our drinks, for the inconvenience, but it tainted the celebration. Sorry, but not the best atmosphere or environment. We won't be returning.

Good, no nonsense American themed diner, friendly staff. Food is cooked well and sold at a very reasonable price. Great option for a small group party or different dinner out. Edit, haven't been here for a while but food still really good. Fresh cooked burgers are delicious!

I meet friends here , always have a great milkshake or pancakes

Went here as we walked past it on our route into town, it's themed as an American diner which I enjoyed. The food was reasonable, and I was impressed at what they were able to do as Gluten Free. The staff were friendly, helpful and I would certainly return if I were to be in the area again.

Popped in for a quick drink at lunchtime, and wasn’t sure what to expect but got lovely service and welcome. Kids were delighted with their shakes/ice cream/hot dog and we liked our coffees/ice cream. Really pleasantly surprised and we will return. 👍

Went for dinner for our anniversary. Service was great, staff all really friendly, lots of choice on the menu and brilliant that pretty much all of the menu can be made as a vegan dish! Would recommend.

Went there with my wife and Granddaughter. The staff were very helpful & the two mains we ordered was excellent. The child's meal was almost adult size, & was tasty too. We had a sundae & a Waffle ice cream desert, again, they were both very nice. The dinner has a very nice relaxed atmosphere & themed very well. I kept expecting the Pink Ladies & T Birds to arrive any minute.

The staff extremely unprofessional or untrained , the drop the cutlery on the table as a hand full , no providing sauces or extra napkins and when asked the stuff got irritated at the request. Atmosphere 0 ! The 2 staff members arguing on the floor in front of customers.

Every time we go to Southend we always go into the diner. Omg what has changed. The young waitress was so rude. The food was cold never got asked what colour bread we wanted. The orange juice tasted like it was from Tesco and they charge ott. It has really gone down hill and I can’t see us going back there. Very disappointed ☹️

Had some time to kill so we decided to come into Bobby Jo’s for some breakfast and we will definitely be back !! I had sausage and egg sandwich and my daughter had the bacon pancakes and both were really nice 😊 There was only one member of staff in the restaurant but she was very efficient and friendly xx

Sad to say this but this was one of the worst meals I have ever had in Southend. Frozen food, cooked from a packet, vegan options available but really poor quality.

Excellent American dinner with a good option of burgers and milk shakes. More than happy to recommend and will be back to try more off the menu.

The best American diner in Southend. Been eating here since it opened. Well worth a visit!

Great food. Great service. Unreal milkshakes would recommend

Love the decor of this place. Lovely milkshakes. Food a little oily. The chairs need some tlc or some more sponge but aside from that it's a great place.

50's style diner in Southend on sea. Loved the single chicken BBQ burger, with coleslaw, and sweet potato fries. We had a banana milkshake and I had a raspberry milkshake. Really good meal, thoroughly enjoyed it 😘

Actually couldn’t fault our trip here. We walked straight in and sat down - menus followed shortly afterwards. Drinks came straight away and food didn’t take too long. Got 2 burgers with fries and Mac and cheese to share. The mac and cheese was delicious. Ok maybe the staff could have been a bit friendlier but overall it was a lovely little diner and I would return. I quite like the dated appearance it’s part of the theme and the music was good too.

Lovely food and staff are great

Food lovely as always, great atmosphere and staff.

Walked in and was seated fairly quickly. But the smell of marijuana was over whelming, after 10 minutes we decided to leave.

What a shame ! A once popular place that provided great service and excellent food has now become an utter Toilet ! Zero welcome, Zero service. Walked out after 15 minutes without a single person asking us for a drink. being asked to Sit at a table and chairs covered in Cola. Please please please don’t bother with this Dump it will ruin your evening.

It has been over a few years since me and my wife came to Bobby Jo's and it was kind of how we remembered it, the food was great, the milkshakes were amazing and to to top it off the dessert was the icing on the cake. From the staff being friendly to a lovely 50's decor, I would recommend coming to Bobby Jo's.

Great little place to eat, with a 50's theme.

Fun diner with tasty food and great service. Best scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages ever! Great location walking distance to beach and attractions. Loved the juke box playing great tunes while we enjoyed our food. Staff are very nice and friendly. If you enjoy your full english breakfast, pancakes or burgers...this is a must visit for Southend. 10/10

Had to get refund on my take away from here. Won’t be returning. Chicken was dry and unsure if it was even recently cooked. Chips were weirdly over done and chewy. It’s a no from me. Cannot comment on atmosphere as had food delivered. When I called up about getting food taken away (if they wanted proof it wasn’t being eaten) and getting refund, lady was very helpful and apologetic. Could have been a bad evening or something (although I doubt Mondays are that busy) , I just personally won’t be returning.

Lovely food with a good range of options. I hadn’t realised the hot dog comes with cheese (which I don’t like), and the staff were really nice about it and made me a new one. The curly fries were good too.

Visited with family for dinner on Mother's Day 2023. The food was hot and really tasty. Just a shame I ordered a double burger as a single would have been more than enough alongside my amazing salted Caramel milkshake. The staff were polite and attentive - can't wait to go back again 10/10

Nice place that serves American style burgers. We ordered burger with fries, drinks, chicken nuggets and milkshakes for children. Overall food was tasty and nice service from the place.

First time eating here and came with the family. Highly recommended; the food was really very good. The menu is relatively small - which is a positive thing as I believe in the 'do a few things well' mantra, and is a combination of classic US Diner meals and shakes. The staff were quick and friendly and the decor was classic diner style and in good order. We recommend the Classic Hot Dog, Sloppy Jo burger and 'Love me Tender's. We'll 100% be back!

Poor I am afraid to say Staff friendly enough Lack of food to offer even though we book

Service was slow,the drinks were just put on the table we didn’t know who’s shake was whos , no serviettes so had to ask as the kids got in a mess with the cream , then had to go up and get spoons as they...

The burgers and ice cream milkshake was one of the best meals and drink I've had from a diner and will be back as soon as I can

Disgusting . Had to ask for napkins and ketchup . Asked for no mustard on hot dog came with mustard and burger was literally dripping with grease. Disgusting . Do yourself a favour and go elsewhere

Nice and clean, good breakfast with a decent sausage 👍🏻 friendly staff, will return.

We visited around 3pm, the diner was completely empty when we walked in the whole place stunk of weed, as soon as you walked through the door the smell hit you and there was only one girl server sitting at a table who got up...

Quite a nice burger actually. Fries could have been a bit crisper. Good, friendly service from two young girls. Reasonably priced.

This place is closed majority of the time so when I saw it opened today I thought I'll have some pancakes here with my little one. The lady at the bar just stand there watching me struggling to get the stroller through the door for a good few minutes. Then I undressed the little one sat down and learned there is no pancakes on the menu 🤦🏻‍♀️ Ordered a waffle but she came back after some time to say they ran out of waffles and that she can make me a sundae 😂 I decided to leave and guess what? She also did not figure out she could help me to get the stroller out of the doors! No words!

Lovely ladies working here, friendly service and amazing vegan options! Milkshakes and burgers both delicious 😍

Worst restaurant ever. Didn’t get any acknowledgment when we walked in as all 3 young staff would rather be on their phones behind the counter. When we finally asked them they said sit wherever. Then us and 3 other families in different places all waited 30 minutes before someone came over to ask what drinks we wanted. Bear in mind the there was only 1 other family eating in there so it wasn’t busy. The floor was disgusting and dirty not what you want for a restaurant. Our baby daughter dropped her blanket on the floor and it got covered in dirt and food. I had to go up and ask to pay at the counter in the end as you barely saw a waitress. Then they didn’t have any change in the till 😂. Will never be going back and if you do want to eat there I suggest you go soon as I’m pretty sure they will be shut down within the next month or two. To top it off the food wasn’t worth waiting for 🤮

Went here for breakfast before going out for my Grandsons 3rd birthday. Great place, love the American dinner feel, with 50's music and memorabilia. Breakfast was good value. Definitely worth it if you're going to Sea Life Adventure across the road

Has changed ownership now, is very expensive, and there is not much of any atmosphere try to rush you out. Food is not bad, but meun has been downsized, so if you like burgers and hotdogs, ok but no stake southen fried chicken

Food tasted great and very quick service but portion size was bad considering what it used to be like here

On a Sunday afternoon with free Christmas parking opposite I was expecting the place to be buzzing, however it was empty, there were 2 staff looking very bored. Menus are a bit worn, the interior is fabulous and looks so good for an American diner. The menu is extensive and having followed the venue on social media for years I had big expectations. The Mac and cheese was watery, it hadn't been grilled either like the photos show on previous reviews, the chicken tenders are small, the curly fries were on the wrong burger tray (easily fixable), 2 of our drinks were forgotten for a good 15 mins. We were the only people in the restaurant but didn't feel like we got great service, we weren't asked about anything else, eg more drinks (we had to ask for more napkins). A very disappointing visit but can see huge potential! The vegan options are immense and the not 'chicken' option was fabulous.

Booked a table for a Saturday night. Arrived 20 mins early hoping to be seated a little earlier. Upon arrival we looked in the window, there was plenty of seating free so we went in. We got told to come back in 15 mins as...

Took our daughter and two of our grandchildren to Bobby Jo's Diner on a Saturday night. Shown to our table by pleasant enough staff. I even overlooked the dated appearance of seating and decor sympathising with what these establishment s have been through in recent...

Was going so well, came here last night and food was great came back today and had 2 hairs in my food so sent it back. Was told I could get a free dessert said no thank you as didnt want one and glad I didnt say yes as they didnt have half the desserts on the menu. Such a shame will be skipping bobby Jo's next time!

Had High Hopes, Love the look of an old American Diner. 'Milkshakes Best In Town' Was a shame, wasn't thick, Very Milky, Just taste like a Nesquik Milkshake you can do at Home. Pulled Pork on Chips, Nothing special, Pulled Pork didn't taste Homemade, more like out a Packet and Microwaved. Order Chicken Wings and they were very tasty and Crispy.

This spot has some AMAZING food, great service and a superb atmosphere.

Food and drive was great, wear stretchy trousers is my only advice 😂 Gave 4 stars as I though it was cold inside had to keep my coat on.

All fries and scampi was overdone or old oil, and chilli mince in burger was not heated properly.

Me and my partner had spent the night staying in Southend and visiting the theater. Needed a well deserved, fully cooked breakfast. I had the Truck Stop breakfast (usually comes with beans and tomatoes) was so tasty. Great services, very quick for the food to come out too. Loved the decor and the music was right up my street. Highly recommend, and very reasonably priced. They do all sorts, from milkshakes to cocktails... and burgers etc. Will definitely return to try these out.

The best mac 'n' cheese this American has had since coming to the UK. Great Bacon double cheeseburgers with so much flavor. My son loved his ice cream float and oreo milkshake. Fantastic, friendly service. Jukebox playing old favorites and the pink and mint green decor promises a 50s diner. Promises were kept. We will return!

Good food and service... enjoyed much

Fast and friendly service. Tasty food! Milkshakes were incredible especially the biscoft flavour. Highly recommend and our server Tia was great

We was we welcomed from the second we walked in even though it was getting late. The girls was amazing and to say they was also short staffed, the food was out of this world and so fresh. Would definitely recommend you come and try...

Nice food and friendly staff but bathroom needed a good bleach. Hairs and dirt in hand washing sinks. Hadn't been cleant in days and the floors of the restaurant needed a hot mop.

Excellent food and great service

Very friendly staff. Very welcoming. Food was very nice and would recommend

By far the best burgers.Super filling.Super tasty definitely visit again 😋

Food was amazing great prices friendly staff had a lovely time

Good burgers and large portions.👍

Really good chicken-loaded fries! Wait times for food were a little long and had some issues ordering but I think it was because they were short-staffed, probably not typical

Food was OK nothing special young waiting staff need to be trained on waiting on customers brings a beer with no glass when asked for one given a Coke glass asked customers to take the plate then tell them it's hot . Will not be rushing back.

Had English Breakfast with Tea Breakfast Egg Was like a rubber ball Sausage must have been left in oven all morning was like trying to cut a brick let alone eat it Not bothering about the rest of it was just rubbish And for what I paid for it Not value for money Won't never go again

Went today for lunch, staff some better than others and a hair in my dinner. Strawberry milkshake too sweet to drink. But the food was very nice, cooked well and tasty.

Not been back to Southend since COVID and was delighted to see Bobby Joe's has survived. Best shakes in town and an awesome 50s vibe playing rockabilly tunes and the booths....loved it. So happy to see you guys still going!

I've wanted to go here for a while, not for the food, which is the reason why i've not been before, but for the atmoshpere of a 1950's American Diner. I had expectations. The decore, well the blue and white benched seating in booths ticked...

For a Sunday breakfast, slow service, the only restaurant that I have been to, where they salt and pepper your food without asking. Problem that I have a pepper allergy... tea that had been shown a bag. Some seating uncomfortable. Staff were friendly, but did feel like we were being rushed....

My partner and I have been a couple of times when visiting Southend so wanted to return but was not happy with this teams service. Service without a smile. After my partner ordered curly fries they came back to inform us there were not any left. We ordered house fries instead but on the bill it still said Curly Fries and there was no 'sorry for the mistake'. They corrected it but they should have shown us the correction without my asking. When we walked in one of the staff asked us to wait as she had to clean the table -it did not look like she was that enthusiastic to quickly go and clean it. The food itself was good. I did tip though. We will not return.

Where do I start, Walked in and the furniture was shabby, managed to order what we wanted off the menu. Drinks turned up, and mine came with a hair in the tea. Two mains arrived, and it wasn't until 7-10 mins later the other two...

Lovely little diner on the seafront, despite being short staffed they were working their socks off and if it wasn't for the sign letting you know you wouldn't have known. The milkshakes were gorgeous and very much tasted of whichever flavour your ordered. Food waiting wasn't unreasonable and was piping hot when it arrive and the BBQ pulled pork cooked in cherry cola was the best I've ever tasted anywhere. Loaded fried easily feed 2 people with decent appetites and my spicy chicken burger was very good. A family of 4 ate for just over 70 pounds with a 10% tip which for the food we were served was a bargain. It will be my go to next time I am in the area

There was 5 of us and 2 babies the food was amazing very welcoming but on the down side the service could of been better apart from that we would definitely go again

Excellent diner, great food at good prices. Kids pancakes very good value, breakfast muffin was ace. Can’t fault the kitchen in any way. Whole experience unfortunately ruined by one staff member clearing our table when half the party still eating. Another came over and continued...

Finally managed to get a table, as we walked in there was a sign on the door saying long waiting times as they where very short staffed, we didn't have to wait long and the food and service was excellent, only mistake I made was doubling up in my burger and then ordering loaded fries and my partner has the chicken waffles. Portion size are on the large side and we barely ate any of the chips as we where to stuffed. If we are in Southend again we will definitely be going again

Went two days in a row because food and service was so good, really attentive staff and lovely breakfasts both days with some great vegan options and the kids loved the whole American diner theme almost as much as they loved their milkshakes!

We really enjoyed the food, staff were happy to help with food allergies. Amazing service

This has a lot of potential, however... They had allowed their on licence to lapse meaning they were unable to serve alcohol, but had left it on the menu and didn't mention this when we booked. They had to cancel two of our dishes after we ordered as they realised they had run out of them, rather than letting us know when we ordered at the table. Despite this they left an item on the bill and we had to challenge this when paying to have it removed. The positives, the milkshakes were awesome and the food was really tasty and good portion sizes. The cost was fair for the quality and size. I would return to give them another chance!

Came here for breakfast on our day trip to Southend. The food was really good, and very affordable. The staff were also really friendly and helpful, would come back next time we’re in Southend!

Was really looking forward to eating here the menu looked like they done some really nice food and was really looking forward to trying their cherry cola pulled pork . What I actually got really wasn't that nice . Chicken was bone dry and chips wasn't up to scratch . The onion rings were burnt and the cherry cola pulled pork was such a disappointment. There was no salt and pepper on the tables . Also there was a lack of plates and was served on a tray with a bit of paper that went into the food . Left still feeling hungry and I thought it was a waste of money Was our first time of trying this restaurant and we definitely will not be returning .

Delicious father's Day breakfast

Amazing place, amazing staff, delicious food

Super place wonderful staff very friendly,marvelous food.

Chicken burger just ok chips were cold and hard wide variety of milkshakes but even those are just mediocre its very over priced for food that is nothing like an American diner although the staff were nice and friendly won't be going back for seconds