Had lunch there with friends before it closed for renovations. Food was ok and hopefully better after they renovate.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Joy Jutras
Greatest Hidden Gem. Been in Sarasota my entire 40 years and never knew this place was 2 mins away from my office. Staff was so sweet and super friendly. The Grilled Brie and berry preserves sandwich was phenomenal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ali LaVecchia
Truly enjoyed the ambiance, quick service and diner like food. Our BLT and Almost Chicago dog were the best along with the fries and homemade chips. My grandson (the 6 yr old burger connoisseur) wished his burger was more medium but still enjoyed it. Bob provided great stories and especially his latest project, revitalizing Jomar, John & Mable Ringling’s Pullman car! Quite an undertaking. Fun experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Beth Pocker
Please don't go because you want a great meal. Go because you are interested in learning about local history and meeting the extraordinary people who work there. The train is about to be renovated and the parking area improved. Expect that it will be closed for about one month according to Bob. Take time to look at the amazing circus photos and sit in the charming dining room. If possible, take time to talk with Bob, a true Renaissance man, and the force behind preserving this important local destination.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Carol Graham
CLOSED!!!! The route to get there was described incorrectly.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
George \u0026 Kathy
Bob is an interesting fellow! Great person to chat with. This place is also a circus museum and the food is great! It's a must go place to visit and eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Gaskill
Great hidden treasure in Sarasota
Recommended dishes: Burger
Doug
Fun! I enjoyed the dining car! Saw a friend, had a great lunch. The service was very good. I will be returning, food was priced fairly and good selection. Did not go to other 2 rail cars to see displays, will do that on return visit. Have been wanting to come here for years, and am happy it is in Sarasota!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Z2472PXbrianj
All I can say for the food - YUK.... As for Bob, this guy is a loud mouth & aggravating - seems to like his own voice and is full of himself,,, not worth the time or $$$...
Denise McNerney
11/2025- Great Concept, UNBEARABLE Noise, and Lacking Sandwiches
Bob’s Train Sandwich Shop is a cute, promising idea, but the execution of the dining experience is an absolute nightmare. The entire time we were there, the owner, Bob, was holding court directly next to our table. We had to endure non-stop, ear-splittingly loud, and frankly, BS delusional bragging stories he was telling other customers. The noise level was so aggressive and overbearing that we could not have a conversation. We actually had to put earplugs in just to finish our meal; a truly ridiculous situation for a sandwich shop.
To top it off, the food was just as disappointing as the atmosphere. The sandwiches severely lacked substance and felt hastily thrown together. I had to open up our orders and essentially reassemble it myself to make it worth eating.
It's a shame that such a cute, well-themed place is ruined by an overbearing host and subpar preparation. Until the owner respects his customers' dining experience and focuses on quality control, avoid this place.
Save your money, and definitely save your hearing.
Bob was a absolute pleasure to talk to.his server Nova from the flying wallendas was awesome too.food was excellent! Definite must stop hours are only 11am to 2 Don't let the exterior of the train scare you it's absolutely gorgeous inside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jessica Obiedzinski
I wish this train wasn’t hidden in town because everyone should see this place! Wow what a gem
Janet Magnuson
First time there. Definitely will come back. Our group had the BLT, the tuna melt and the Brie sandwiches. The homemade potato chips were yummy. We didn’t get the potato salad, but will try it next time. We all were very pleased with the food. Getting there is a challenge. But worth it. Now that we know where it is, we will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edita P
The restaurant is permanently closed.
R.B. Holmes
My fellow Veteran Bob, has a lot of great story's, and some good food. Make sure you k out all the memorabilia in the rest of the train.
Had lunch there with friends before it closed for renovations. Food was ok and hopefully better after they renovate.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Greatest Hidden Gem. Been in Sarasota my entire 40 years and never knew this place was 2 mins away from my office. Staff was so sweet and super friendly. The Grilled Brie and berry preserves sandwich was phenomenal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Truly enjoyed the ambiance, quick service and diner like food. Our BLT and Almost Chicago dog were the best along with the fries and homemade chips. My grandson (the 6 yr old burger connoisseur) wished his burger was more medium but still enjoyed it. Bob provided great stories and especially his latest project, revitalizing Jomar, John & Mable Ringling’s Pullman car! Quite an undertaking. Fun experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Please don't go because you want a great meal. Go because you are interested in learning about local history and meeting the extraordinary people who work there. The train is about to be renovated and the parking area improved. Expect that it will be closed for about one month according to Bob. Take time to look at the amazing circus photos and sit in the charming dining room. If possible, take time to talk with Bob, a true Renaissance man, and the force behind preserving this important local destination.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
CLOSED!!!! The route to get there was described incorrectly.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bob is an interesting fellow! Great person to chat with. This place is also a circus museum and the food is great! It's a must go place to visit and eat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great hidden treasure in Sarasota
Recommended dishes: Burger
Fun! I enjoyed the dining car! Saw a friend, had a great lunch. The service was very good. I will be returning, food was priced fairly and good selection. Did not go to other 2 rail cars to see displays, will do that on return visit.
Have been wanting to come here for years, and am happy it is in Sarasota!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All I can say for the food - YUK.... As for Bob, this guy is a loud mouth & aggravating - seems to like his own voice and is full of himself,,, not worth the time or $$$...
11/2025- Great Concept, UNBEARABLE Noise, and Lacking Sandwiches
Bob’s Train Sandwich Shop is a cute, promising idea, but the execution of the dining experience is an absolute nightmare.
The entire time we were there, the owner, Bob, was holding court directly next to our table. We had to endure non-stop, ear-splittingly loud, and frankly, BS delusional bragging stories he was telling other customers. The noise level was so aggressive and overbearing that we could not have a conversation. We actually had to put earplugs in just to finish our meal; a truly ridiculous situation for a sandwich shop.
To top it off, the food was just as disappointing as the atmosphere. The sandwiches severely lacked substance and felt hastily thrown together. I had to open up our orders and essentially reassemble it myself to make it worth eating.
It's a shame that such a cute, well-themed place is ruined by an overbearing host and subpar preparation. Until the owner respects his customers' dining experience and focuses on quality control, avoid this place.
Save your money, and definitely save your hearing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Bob was a absolute pleasure to talk to.his server Nova from the flying wallendas was awesome too.food was excellent! Definite must stop hours are only 11am to 2 Don't let the exterior of the train scare you it's absolutely gorgeous inside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wish this train wasn’t hidden in town because everyone should see this place! Wow what a gem
First time there. Definitely will come back. Our group had the BLT, the tuna melt and the Brie sandwiches. The homemade potato chips were yummy. We didn’t get the potato salad, but will try it next time. We all were very pleased with the food. Getting there is a challenge. But worth it. Now that we know where it is, we will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant is permanently closed.
My fellow Veteran Bob, has a lot of great story's, and some good food. Make sure you k out all the memorabilia in the rest of the train.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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