Bob’s Hamburg

My wife and I read the reviews on this place and decided to try it. Before I get into any critique, let me start by saying the food was excellent! We normally got to nicer restaurants and price isn’t a concern as long as the food is good. We do like nice décor in our restaurants as well. This particular restaurant is really old establishment dating from 1931. You get the feeling that other than an occasional paint job, nothing much has changed since 1931 and that’s probably true. It’s not filthy or even dirty… it’s just old and located in an older neighborhood. When you pull up it looks a bit run down, BUT DON“T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF PASSING THIS PLACE UP! The food is simply awesome! I’m a burger fanatic. we travel a lot and I always research who has the best burgers wherever we go. I’ve eaten burgers at hundreds of restaurants from .99 cent burgers to Kobe burgers costing 40 bucks at Michelin restaurants. I’ve only ever had one burger I liked as well as the burgers at this place (The Republic Bar and Kitchen in Las Vegas) and that place closed 3 – 4 years ago. The burgers at this place are just as good and maybe even better! Fresh, huge, great flavor and perfectly cooked. I got a double burger with Swiss cheese and it came with two slices of really good quality cheese. The bun was over-​sized and grilled but the hamburger patties filled it edge to edge. The onions were diced and normally I like my onions sliced but somehow they way they incorporated it into this massive burger, it tasted much better than my normal sliced preference. Each bite of my burger was pure bliss… It was so delicious that I just wanted to devour it and I had to force myself to take my time. My wife ordered a single and she loved it just as well. Her single burger was also quite large. The onion rings were perfect… not much breading so that you could actually taste the obviously fresh onion. add a little salt and it’s perfection. My wife said they were the best onion rings she had ever tasted and I agreed. The fries were very good and fresh cut. We ordered a basket and ate them all. Fried mushrooms were delicious as well. My wife who is a fried mushroom fanatic said they were some of the best she ever had. Our bill for 2 massive burgers, a basket of fries, onion rings, fried mushrooms, and two huge sodas came to $ 21.00 before the tip. I almost felt guilty it was so good… we left a big tip! All the food was outstanding. It’s not a gourmet burger… it’s taking a tried and true American sandwich and foregoing all the latest fads and just sticking to cooking a perfect burger. I will definitely return here anytime I have a burger craving. All my other favorite burger joints in N.E. Ohio, please accept my apologies, but i can’t possibly ever eat any burger but this one from now on. It’s definitely worth the trip! I’ll be dreaming about these burgers!

I’ve been going to Bob’s for the past 5 years, and without exception have always found it to be the go to spot in Akron for old timey nostalgia and classic American food. If you’re strict on atmosphere or frills, you may not find yourself giving Bob’s a visit (or anywhere on East avenue for that matter)
But if your willing to get past the feeling of eating in a low lit 1940s kitchen, you’ll come to appreciate that no where in the 330 has a better sit down hamburger experience to offer.

Great hamburgers and milk shakes! Very nice people. Family friendly. Great prices!

We didn’t have the same experience as other Unilocalers. Seated at a booth and ordered immediately, but it took 1:10 to get our food. Every carry out order was filled before our 3 burgers, 2 chicken nuggets and fries. We weren’t in a hurry, but over an hour is ridiculous. Average burgers.

My dad use to go there in the 40’s. It’s a bit of «Americana «. If you want to see one of the few dinners still around and want good food and ambiance from that era check it out.

Why does Bob’s continue to prosper, staying in the same family for over 70 years? it isn’t the location – I happened upon it purely by chance, well off the beaten path. The décor is classic 30’s, but I’m not sure there are enough of us old diner fans to keep a place healthy and busy.
Its the food, of course. My Bob’s double «cheeseburg» was big, juicy, fresh and outstanding. I mean, I really love a quality burger, and I’ll never look at another $ 15 gourmet burger again without dreaming of Bob’s. The shake was wonderful as well.
The place itself is an absolute classic – very much an establishment from another age, proudly weathered and enjoying a regular stream of locals who gossip with the friendly counter lady.

I love this place! I love the small town feel, I love the homemade cake on the counter, I love the AMAZING shakes, and I love the burgers! They’re flat and big around on a really delicious bun. I can’t go back as often as I’d like because it’s not so good for me, but if I could, I’d live under one of the booths.

Visited Bob’s after seeing a clip of it on New Day Cleveland and seeing the raving reviews on Unilocal!Not an impressive sight from the outside as we pulled into the driveway. I’ll admit that this isn’t a place I would have ever thought of trying as a casual passerby. Their big sign outside boasts that they’ve been «famous since 1931» and it sure looks like not much has changed with the location since 1931. It’s very small inside with a lunch counter and 4 booths. But here’s the kicker… looking at it from the outside, and even just walking in you’d think the place is filthy. It’s actually very clean! Once we sat down and panned the surroundings, it really resembles more of a food truck setup. They have one tiny grill that they make all their magic on (see photos).
Onto the food. It took us nearly 45 minutes to get our food as the place was packed. Again, having only one grill and one cook, don’t come in here expecting fast food. Quite the contrary, actually. Their burgers are NOT your typical pre-​made, frozen, slap on the grill and serve. They ball these fresh, non-​frozen burgers and flatten them on the grill with an iron right when you order. They make them old-​school! I forget what it’s called on the menu, but I had the jalapeño burger with pepper jack cheese. Deliciously juicy and well-​made! The best part, it was only $ 5!!! Again… five dollars!!! I could’ve eaten 2 of these for that price! Also, got the onion rings. I was skeptical at first, because most places overbread their rings. Not here! Perfectly lightly breaded and tasty!
Moral of the story? Don’t judge a restaurant by it’s exterior. This burger joint is legit! Overall, very satisfied and would definitely stop by again when in the area. You should, too!

If you are like me and love a good dive this is the place to be. In a tiny well worn 80 plus year old building you will find one of the best burgers in Akron. The onion rings may be the best onion rings ever. Service is good and prices are not only reasonable they are downright cheap. Dinner for two under $ 20 bucks. Tourists go to Swenons the locals go to Bobs.

Best hamburger in town. If you sit at the counter, you can almost cook yourself. Just make sure you are clear when you order. I have been going here for forty years.

Wow what a dump! Don’t come here if you are with a group, want to impress anyone or want to eat healthy. These burgers are made with love by knowledgeable burger artists. Best burger I have ever eaten! Highly recommend this place!

I can’t believe I’ve been around and worked in the area for many years and never heard of this place. A vendor of mine mentioned it and I had to bring the family. We love mom and pop style dining and this is the definition of that. Like the other reviews, the area is a bit sketchy, so much that my wife didn’t want to go in unarmed. We are CCW holders, so no worries. The service was great. The kids and I got milkshakes, and the guy that made them, made sure we were satisfied. My son gave him a big thumbs up and a smile. Cheeseburgers, fries and a fish sandwich all fixed to perfection. We all loved the food, it was greasy, but that’s what we wanted. We weren’t going there for a fruit salad and tofu. We will definitely be back, and I will since I work close enough. Don’t let the neighborhood scare you from trying a wonderful hidden part of history.

Stopped for lunch and order a double burger, fried mushrooms, and their bottled root beer. As I watch them cook my burger, I was sure it was going to be dry, but to my surprise the burger was very moist with good flavor and I loved the toasted bun. The mushrooms were excellent I’m not sure if they make them or they buy em but the breading was light and crispy. The bottle root beer was good, but not as good as some of the homemade root beers I’ve had. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone without a large group. Inside it was small and divey, but sometimes those are the best places to find!

Definitely a great burger. A bit too greasy for my but really good. The neighborhood is a bit sketchy for some people, but deal with it if you want a great classic AMerican burger!

I only tried their hamburger, it was well above average. If you love burgers I would recommend trying one it might become one of your favorites. Old fashioned at its finest.

Been coming here since the1960’s. I think that speaks for itself. I just wonder how long you have to be going to Bob’s till you get to sit in the «corner booth»? I will
keep coming until I qualify! Hopefully soon!

We just had a burger from Bob’s at the Hamburger Festival. Liked it the best even compared to the Smokehouse burger. The meat was far better, juicy and cooked well through.

Bob’s Hamburg is a cozy little gritty spot on East Ave that serves up some awesome food. Most people shy away from this place because it looks like a dump, or because it’s on East Ave. Not I! I’m a dirty motherfucker who isn’t afraid of anything: food poisoning, dirty hookers, gangbangers, fuck em! Bob’s is like a diamond on top of a turd… the food is amazing and cheap as hell. I fed three fat ass people for $ 15, and nobody died afterwards. That’s an achievement for akron. Good thing about the location though is if you like drugs, you’ve got plenty available to you on good ol East Ave! Go to Bob’s, have a nice meal, and then buy heroin right down the street. A true Akron morning. I love this little spot though, stepping through the door almost takes you through a portal to the 1930’s. Not that that was such a hot time for black people but, it’s still awesome. Go there.

Being from Akron, I have a very high standard for hamburgers. That said, I can’t believe I’ve missed out on this place my whole life. Juicy, delicious burgers from a tiny grill, fresh cut fries, old fashioned milkshakes. Extremely warm service. Tons of character to this place too, and the patrons are a very diverse group.
I loved Bob’s Hamburg. We’ll be back.

I can see how people might love this place. The people behind the counter greeted every customer by name. I think most of their clientele dine here daily. Very social kind of diner.
Hamburgers are fresh. They plop a meatball on the flat top and then smash it with the spatula. Onion rings were a bit greasy.
Fairly cheap eats. Very divey bordering on a dump.