Playing Dress Up at My Sugarland with Stylist Zoe Lem
September 10, 2010What Are You Wearing? FLAMINGOS!
September 14, 2010I really love it when you unexpectedly find fantastic places, but last time I posted about one of my hidden gems it proved unexpectedly controversial and resulted in me having to close the comments on the post.
This time round I discovered Bobby Jo’s 50s Diner on a trip to Southend on Sea. Hopefully it won’t be as controversial as last time!
We took a trip to Southend to pick up some 78’s we bought on eBay, and since we were there we thought we’d have a bit of a wander along the sea front. I’m a MASSIVE fan of seaside tat and I have been known to spend hours feeding 2ps into a machine in order to liberate a plastic model of a bear or some such nonsense. Southend, however, wasn’t really grabbing me, maybe it was that end of Summer feeling but it seemed a bit *too* down market, and, by the time I reached the end of the esplanade I felt pretty dispirited that my planned fun afternoon of seaside tat had failed me.
Then, idly looking in a window, my eye was caught by a gorgeous turquoise and pale pink colour scheme. Then I noticed the massive juke box and instantly decided we had to go in.
Bobby Jo’s has been open for just 7 months but has already been used as a filming location and has a busy and popular Facebook page. The diner is refreshingly different from a lot of 50s diners, the seats aren’t red, there aren’t any number plates on the walls and the waiting staff wear uniforms based on original 50s diner uniforms, not bobby socks and crinolines (not really practical for waiting on tables, crinolines!)
Honestly, I wasn’t really hungry, but I ordered an Oreo Cookie Milkshake and a hot dog anyway, and also ate the whole lot. Partly because it was delicious, but mostly because I’m a pig.
I really love the pale pink and turquoise colour scheme, which looks so adorably 50s against the black and white floor and chrome accessories. The booths around the walls of the restaurant are named after 50s stars and appeared to have little signs with information about the stars on the back (though the booths were occupied so I couldn’t check!) the old favourites, Elvis and Marilyn were present, but also Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor and Tony Curtis.
Whilst I was stuffing my face with hot dog restaurant owner Jo pounced on me and asked me where I got my cardigan, which I was grateful for as I’m shy and might not have had the courage to talk to her otherwise! Apart from having great hair she was also really enthused about the diner and it’s decor. The diner has been a life long dream for the pair who are really involved in the Rock and Roll scene. I love it when I meet people who are living their dream and I found Tony and Jo really inspirational. I heard at least 3 other sets of customers asking about the diner while I was in there and they stopped and chatted enthusiastically with everyone. I can be a bit of a grumpy moo sometimes and I admire anyone who can keep up that energy, if they’ve done it for 7 months then I’m sure they can do it for 7 years.
Honestly, finding Bobby Jo’s completely made my day, and Southend on Sea took on a slightly more appealing lustre after lunch. I even managed to find the motivation to waste some money on tacky slot machines.
If you’re in Southend, for whatever reason, I really suggest popping along to Bobby Jo’s for lunch. If you know of anything else good to do in Southend then let me know, I’d love an excuse to go back!
Bobby Jo's can be found at 11/12 Eastern Esplanade, Southend on Sea (opposite Sea Life Centre car park) Phone: 01702 616099 Or visit their website or Facebook page
18 Comments
what a cool diner! and what a great idea, I would be there a lot, if only I didn’t live outside the UK.
(I just took a look at the other “controversial” post, and what a drama!)
I love the fact that you are discovering these “hidden gems” for us, and personally if I’m ever in Southend I will make sure not to miss that diner..that oreo cookie milkshake looks so deliciously wrong…
and they serve hot-dogs too??!! heeeaaaveeeeeeeeen! 😛
Looks like my kinda place with my kinda people! Thanks for this!
You would love it!
I live near Southend and you certainly have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy the seafront, especially the Esplanade/pier area with all the arcades. I personally prefer the area further west (Westcliff) which is a lot quieter and has some nice little seaside cafes and beaches. Even further west is Leigh-on-sea, which is far more conducive to vintage shopping and days out, with lots of interesting shops (e.g. http://www.vintagespink.com). Old Leigh is particularly quaint as it retains a lot of charming links to the old cockle fishing industry.
Back to Southend and two places you might like are Now, Voyager (http://www.now-voyager.co.uk/) and Candy Says (http://candysays.co.uk/vintage-boutique-now-open-southend-sea). The latter also has a shop in Leigh. Both the Southend stores are up away from the seafront, off the high street. Being a chap I’ve not been to them myself(!) but if you do go I’d be interested to know your thoughts. I didn’t know about the diner so I’ll be sure to visit it next time I’m in Southend. Great blog, by the way!
Oooh, thank you for some very useful advice! Now I have an excuse to go back.
I knew Candy Says online, but I didn’t know there was a boutique in Southend, if only I’d known before I went I’d have popped in. Oh well, I’m sure Mr Chick will appreciate the excuse to look for more people selling huge lots of 78 rpm records in the area!
aah, look at them! such a sweet couple! I want a milkshake now!
It’s so kitsch I love it, shame I don’t live closer of I would be there all the time! xoxo
Great post. I never new this place exsisted. I have relatives that live near by – and now I have a perfect excuse for a visit! :o)
Wow! this is a cool establishment, thanks for sharing:)
Cool pics too!
xoxox
What a delightful looking diner! It’s so nice to see that the owners are so friendly and chatting to customers, it makes your visit seem so much more special. Next time I’m in that neck of the woods I’ll be sure to pop in for one of those amazing looking oreo milkshakes!
Thanks for sharing this gem! I’ll be visiting near there soon and will definitely stop by.
Great photos. My Son has been pestering me to go to SouthEnd he loves the ” Green Scream” roller coaster. I can chow down while they hurtle about making themselves Siick! See you on Twitter (@cyberdonkey)
That looks like a super place. Love that colour scheme!
Wow! I really really want to go here, it looks fabulous. All the cool diners are down south – I’m from Manchester and we dont have any up here – boo!
This diner looks fantastic! I also like the blue anchor cardi you are wearing, where did you get it? Or did you make it?
I’ve been there! Jo is lovely and smiley, the decor is fab and the seats are very bouncy!
ooooh, I love it! Wish I lived next to this diner.
Wow Gemma, great post! I love the decor and the fact the staff are dressed up, it really adds to the place. Being a Southender myself (but now living away as you know) I am really happy something so cool has opened there. I will def pop in the next time I’m down.