Jeff Moeller, correspondent
Walking into Bubba’s Bistro, visiting diners immediately get a cozy, homespun vibe from the rustic, cedar decor. The vintage surroundings help build a familiar, hospitable feeling throughout the restaurant.
And when they take their first bites of their entrees, those diners know they made the right choice in stopping by. With efficient and amiable service, the envisioned experience is complete without any disappointments.
Literally minutes off Route 95 on Route 17 in Richmond Hill, Bubba’s Bistro offers a wide range of appetizers, salads, Coastal favorites, burgers and sandwiches, chicken, and a kids’ menu.
Those Coastal favorites mentioned include legendary Southern sweets such as banana pudding, peach cobbler, chocolate cake, and a deep-fried chocolate moon pie.
Atlanta natives Mark Thomas and his wife Corie opened the doors to Bubba’s Bistro in 2019. The eatery lives up to its billing, providing a true mix of Southern comfort specialties and traditional dishes.
Prices are certainly reasonable with every menu item - except two -under $20. A selection of 12 sides, ranging from mashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens to Savannah red rice is available for a modest $3.50.
Digging in
So if you’re walking in the door famished, that’s a good thing.
You can start your feast with a traditional appetizer of a basket of hushpuppies, or try redneck nachos, tortilla chips topped with BBQ pulled pork and jalapeno cheese sauce and scallions.
With so many choices, it suddenly gets hard to decide to go the route of traditional entrees such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or a country fried steak.
But for me, it was time for lunch, and I was immediately attracted to the Bougie Burger that was topped with pimento cheese, a fried green tomato, and lettuce, and a side of mac-and-cheese. It included bacon, but I’m a sausage guy.
Being a New Jersey/Pennsylvania transplant, I consider myself a hamburger/cheesesteak aficionado. The times have been rare when I have found a one worthy of northern standards. However, Bubba’s hit a home run.
The oversized hamburger easily outdistanced the bun, creating a sizable, outside circular amount, one I have rarely seen. The size of it was an anomaly.
It was cooked to perfection, juicy and not greasy. His was a high grade of beef, as very bite you long for another. The amount of pimento cheese was just right.
Homemade mac-and-cheese also was outstanding, as it was mixed and proportioned well, creamy, but not runny or too cheesy. Like the burger and the mac-and-cheese, the fried green tomato hit the spot without any reservations.
Similar to a hamburger and a cheesesteak, banana pudding has always been near the top of my list. Bubba’s rendition contained real bananas and Nilla wafers, and it was a perfect blend.
Bubba’s does feature a drink selection on its menu and a full bar, one that catches your attention when you walk in the door. The men’s room is decorated with a unique and cool collection of oil and gas companies.
Locals give their take
Savannah resident Elise Gresham was joined by friends Kay Oliver of Savannah and Sharon Bearden of Pooler for lunch, and all three confirmed their intention to return.
Gresham had the Fried Green Tomato BLT with fried okra, and it didn’t disappoint.
“It was delicious,” praised Gresham, who made her initial visit. “I would definitely order it again.
Oliver was pleased with the WaWa, a sandwich of buffalo chicken tenders topped with pimento cheese on a bun, as well as its price.
“We ‘ve gone out to lunch at some places, and spent up to $30 or more,” said Oliver. “It is very good and reasonable.”
Bearden also had the Fried Green Tomato BLT with a side of banana pudding, and she also was impressed.
“I was surprised with the banana pudding as a side because I think of it as a dessert,” said Bearden. “But it was delicious. I would absolutely come back here.”
Bubba’s does serve a Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a collection of delicacies and desserts. Catering is also an option for those wanting a meal to-go.
They also keep Georgia origins and origins alive with selection of state natives James Brown, Ray Charles, Alan Jackson and others along with bands like the B-52s, the Allman Brothers, and Outkast.
In addition, spirits like Atlanta’s Bustletown Vodka and Winterville Gin, Savannah’s Sweet Tea Bourbon, and many more are available. Beers from Georgia breweries New Realm, Service Brewing, Southbound Brewing, Coastal Empire Brewing, Creature Comforts, and more.
How Bubba’s was born
Thomas, who initially opened a lunch restaurant at the Way Station Shopping Center in 2013, and had been here since 1980, decided Bubba’s would be an attractive name.
“We couldn’t really think of a name,” recalled Thomas. “We wanted something that sounded local. I went to the bank and heard the name ‘Bubba’ and thought it sounded southern and could be a fun name.
“Bubba has the inclination of a down-home southern family, and the bistro was a little more elevated than the typical southern run-of-the mill restaurant.
“I thought that it hit everything that I wanted to do, and it sounded cool. Some people say they’re going to Bubba’s and that sounds like fun, and other people say they're going to the bistro.
“It gives us a lot of room to do a lot of different stuff.”
