When you approach Jake’s Diner-Bar and see an anthropomorphic hot dog statue wrapped in an American flag through the window, you might think the German owners were overdoing it a bit with the American theme. But the atmosphere, familiar food and friendly staff make it a comfortable place to spend an evening.

Jake’s is a restaurant and bar in Stuttgart, Germany, that replicates the classic American diner. The bar stays open till late in the evening. The diner has all the basic fittings of a 1950’s-style diner: red leather booths, burger- and fry-shaped neon signs adorning the wall, classic Coca-Cola decor and Norman Rockwell-style images of a waitress on the napkin dispensers.

Jake’s offers a variety of American classics, with burgers sporting names such as Hawaii Five-0 and the Texas BBQ. It also offers other popular classics such as chili dogs, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, chili con carne, nachos, toasted sandwiches and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Orders typically come adorned with small American flags.

The food is reasonably priced, with almost all the menu items costing between 5 euros and 10 euros.

The bar, dimly lit by colorful, neon lighting, is in an adjoining room, where smoking is allowed, unlike in the diner. It has a modern jukebox that has a flat-panel touch screen mounted on the wall where customers can select music to play for free from the bar’s digital library.

Drinks are also reasonably priced, with beers and shots costing around 3 euros and cocktails costing around 7 euros. Wine is available for around 5 euros. Food is served at the bar or at the tables.

The most unusual drink — definitely a must-try — is the slushy shot. A slushy machine is used to make a flavorful, frozen, alcoholic shot. The contents of the shot can change from day to day. It could be a mixture of scotch, rum and a fruit flavoring. Check with the bartender regarding the featured flavor of the day.

I’ve found the bar to be a very friendly place. Though I am a new customer, owners Jake and Tommy are there almost any night, ready to greet me as I walk in the door.

I highly recommend Jake’s Diner-Bar for anyone looking for a small, friendly, comfortable place to enjoy American classics and reasonably priced drinks, and for those who want to have some control over the music they listen to.

rogersd@estripes.osd.mil

Directions: Filderbahnplatz 31. Take the U-bahn to the Möhringen train station. The diner is next to the station. Jake’s is also only a 10-minute drive from Kelley Barracks and a 15-minute drive from Patch Barracks. Turn right out of Kelley Barracks and drive down Plieninger Strasse. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Rembrandtstrasse. Turn left onto Leinenweberstrasse and then take the next immediate right on Holdermannstrasse. The diner is next to the Möhringen Bahnhof, a U-bahn station that customers can also reach the diner from. From Patch, someone can catch bus 84 to the Vaihingen train station and transfer to the U3 U-bahn and ride it to the Möhringen train stop.

Hours: 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Food usually stops being served at 10 p.m.

Prices: Almost all food menu items cost between 5 euros and 10 euros. Beers and shots cost around 3 euros and cocktails cost around 7 euros. Wine is available for around 5 euros.

Dress: Casual

Information: Visit the restaurant online.

Know of a restaurant or entertainment spot you’d like to see reviewed in After Hours? Email Pary Smith at smithp@estripes.osd.mil.

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