Who isn’t always looking for a great sandwich? Everyone is.
Zunzi’s made a national splash on The Travel Channel on the strength of their conquistador, and rightly so. There are some great ones at Starland Café and Joe’s Homemade on Waters Avenue (the desserts there are to die for). For the record, one of the best turkey club sandwiches I have ever had is at Crystal Beer Parlor, but we can politely discuss that another time.
Now, I am going to put another on your road map of foodie goodness that you need to try tomorrow. Or yesterday, whichever is quicker.
There is a common saying among people who enjoy finding great food that the best food is typically found at places you’ve never heard of, or “holes in the wall.” Betty Bombers may fall under the first label but certainly not the second.
Located inside the American Legion Hall on Bull Street near Forsyth Park, there are no flashing lights. No lines down the street, just a simple oval hanging under the sign at the Legion and maybe a sandwich board on the sidewalk. If you aren’t paying attention, you’ll walk by and miss out on a hidden treasure.
Walk up into the American Legion Hall and you still don’t see it. To your immediate right, the bar at the Legion, (and now that Savannah has a smoking ordinance, a fantastic spot to Drink It and Like It…but that’s a whole other Dr. Phil). Walk toward the back and to the right and you find the restaurant. Betty Bombers is a throw back.
“Betty was my grandmother’s name” says Seth Musler, who with Patrick Zimmerman makes up the former fine dining chefs behind Betty Bombers and Butterhead Greens farther down on Bull near the Library.
“We thought it would be a good name to represent the ‘pin-up’ style that the restaurant would represent.”
Frankly, it’s a perfect fit for an American Legion Hall. The menu is a wonderful tribute as well.
“The intention was always to complement the popular bar here at the Legion. Our concept, celebrating the military history of the Legion building, seemed to call for the same kind of food that we felt would be well received by the bar crowd: simple, well-made American Classics with a nod toward World War II-era favorites.” Seth adds.
Perfect.
The highlights on the menu include their burger, which is “by far” their most popular item. Seth tells me their veggie burger has an “unexpected large following.” The Philly Cheese Steak is almost enough for two (depending on whether or not you take an ogre with you to lunch.) But the current star of my sandwich world – and we all have our fickle moods – is the Ultimate Chicken Sandwich. It is roasted chicken, Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and red onion. You really don’t need much else except a good bun.
A lot their business comes from the previously mentioned bar at night, obviously. On the weekends they are open late, so there’s a good fit there. You, however, have two other options with Betty Bombers. They’ll deliver downtown, even late night, and they are now open for lunch. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays, but they are open at 11 a.m. any other day so you can enjoy it during a quick lunch break.
They don’t serve beer or wine, but you are more than welcome to bring your own for lunch, dinner or late night. Yes, seriously. But that is our secret.
Quick and dirty business lunch? No problem. Lazy day off? That works, too. However you end up at Betty Bombers isn’t the issue. Make it a point, because once you do, you will Eat It and Like It.
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