Originally appeared in West Ends Best Magazine

By Steve Cook
If you haven’t met West Ender (by way of Long Island) Eddie Rohrbacher yet, all you need do is pay a visit to his new Fast Eddie’s Jukebox Café located about a mile past the 288 interchange and about three miles west of Short Pump Town Center. The place used to be Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Barbecue (no relationship to Fast Eddie’s), and before that, it was known as The Bungalow.
Forget everything you knew about what this restaurant looks like, especially the interior. Eddie Rohrbacher has completely redone the place, transforming it into a 50s diner. The transformation is very authentic and the restaurant, with its red and chrome chairs, tables and décor makes for a very inviting spot to bring the family.
Where there once stood a bar, you’ll now find a soda fountain. “When you come in,” Eddie says, “you’ll see kids at the bar, drinking milk shakes.” Yeah, that’s exactly the sort of place this is.
As for the food, Eddie describes his café as, “Cracker Barrel, meets Red Robin, meets Johnny Rockets.” Eddie has a good way of putting it, and he should, inasmuch as his background is in marketing. But, unlike some wanna be restaurateurs, who know nothing about running restaurants, Rohrbacher has gone out and gotten some experienced personnel, including his chef, Damien Mowery, formerly of Patina Grill
The menu is eclectic. I know, I know, that’s one of the most overused words these days, but it’s an appropriate one. Where else in town can you get a Sloppy Joe? Personally, I don’t know of another. Eddie’s Sloppy Joe is both sloppy and delicious. By “sloppy” I mean featuring a generous portion of Angus ground beef in a delicious sauce, served on a Kaiser roll. A variety of sandwiches and salads are also offered, as are such tasty appetizers as chicken tenders, chili cheese fries, and absolutely the best fried clam strips I’ve ever had.
Dinner platters include chicken pot pie, roasted chicken, and meatloaf. There are also daily specials offered throughout the entire week. And, on Sunday mornings, from 7:00 ‘til noon, Fast Eddie’s becomes, as it were, Break Fast Eddie’s offering all your breakfast favorites.
But, I have to tell you about the hamburger. It is exceptional. These guys know how to cook a burger. I like mine rare, but I also like it well grilled on the outside. Fast Eddie’s does it to perfection. If you live for the burger experience, and, if you think you’re man enough for it, try the Big “E” Burger. You’ll have to see (and taste) it to believe it! Just a little side note, the fries are very good as well.
As far as family restaurants go, Eddie gets it. “I designed this place from the other side of the counter (the consumer’s perspective),” Eddie says. “I know what it’s like to take your family out to eat.” Eddie, and his wife, Suzanne, have two kids themselves, and another’s on the way.
If you’re looking for a place to take your family, you won’t go wrong with a visit to Fast Eddie’s. Everything on the kid’s menu is under four bucks, and includes the soft drink. Besides, with a plasma screen TV showing such Fifties favorites as I Love Lucy, with a jukebox (yes, there really is a jukebox) offering about 200,000 selections (okay, the place is not totally authentic 50s. But these 21st century amenities make it even better), with a real old fashioned pop corn machine popping out mounds of the delicious white stuff, and with a friendly staff attired in those cool fifties bowling shirts, this is a place the kids are gonna love. And, if you’re a fan of good food at reasonable prices in a fun, friendly environment, I have a feeling you will too.
“Maybe it’s my Italian heritage,” Eddie says, “but I don’t want my guests to want for anything. I want them to leave here happy and full.”

12859 Broad Street Road
804.784.4466
www.fasteddiesjukeboxcafe.com