Bob's Train a Nostalgic Trip

Bob's Train Owner and Cook Bob Horne

Longtime Lido Shorians looking for a kitchy diner knew about Bob's Place in the Rosemary District north of Downtown Sarasota. And they, along with newly arrived neighbors and visitors certainly know about Sarasota's rich circus heritage. Bob's Place combined both, but sadly is no more. You can't keep a good circus aficionado down long, though, and Bob's Place is now appropriately enough, called Bob's Train. It's another divey diner owned by Bob Horne, who doubles as the cook, and whose circus roots have inspired this latest incarnation.

We met Bob on a recent Sunday afternoon, standing behind an omelet station set up at one end of a restored 1960 circus train bar car and day coach. Bob's Train, in fact, now consists of five pullman rail cars used by the Ringling Circus, including JOMAR, John and Mabel Ringling's 1917 private rail car. All are in varying states of repair, and are not exactly easy to find. Turn north on School Avenue from Fruitville Road, and follow the winding road before making a right into the Budget Storage lot, keep driving past an abandoned pink guard shack into a huge parking lot in front of an old warehouse. You'll see Bob's slightly shabby looking "train" on the right, on an abandoned piece of track, next to a former lumberyard at 3rd and School. Whew! But don't be fooled. It's worth finding and stepping inside.

Horne pointing to memorabilia in a restored pullman car

Bob married into the Ringling circus family, and over the years has collected hundreds of vintage pictures, posters and other memorabilia. The pictures of movie stars, from Ester Williams to Marilyn Monroe—circus performers and circus animals— in fact, just about everything or anyone who has ever been around, or under a big top, is displayed in the corridors of this diner-museum. And if Bob likes you, (he's never met a stranger), you'll get a deluxe curated tour, replete with fascinating stories.

The menu on this Sunday consisted of omelets, with some 30-assorted filings, a big Moose burger, and for dessert, angel hair pasta topped with chocolate sauce, ice cream and peach schnapps. Saw it, didn't try it, but regulars swear by it. If you're looking for a fascinating, off the beaten path local adventure, find Bob's Train. The official address is 2211 Fruitville Road. It's open for lunch M-F from 11:30-2:00, and Sunday from 10:30-2:00.

PS—There's more, of course. We learned that popular musician Rudy Bundy, also a former board chairman and treasurer for the Ringling Circus, was Bob's wife's father. Why do you care? Bundy owned a house on Lido Key, at the corner of Garfield and Boulevard of the Presidents.  ~ BT

Former Bundy House at Garfield and Blvd of the Presidents