Surly Bob's
{{Notability|Companies|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| name = Surly Bob's
| image = Sutherlands Drugs.JPG
| image_caption = The entrance to Surly Bob's to the right of Sutherland's Drugs (2013)
| current-owner = Bob Ross, Lyle Denny
| established = January 2003
| closed = October 2012
| country = Canada
| state = Northwest Territories
| city = Yellowknife
| street-address = 4910 50th Avenue
| coordinates = {{coord|62|27|15|N|114|22|18|W|type:landmark_region:CA-NT|display=inline,title|name=Surly Bob's}}
}}
Surly Bob's was a sports bar in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada owned by Bob Ross and Lyle Denny. It closed in October 2012.{{Cite web|last=Vela|first=Thandiwe|date=18 October 2012|title=Surly Bob's closes its doors|url=https://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2012-10/oct19_12sb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235258/https://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2012-10/oct19_12sb.html |archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2021|website=Northern News Services Online}} It served typical pub food{{Cite book|last=Vlessides|first=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nqj1hOrueG0C&pg=PA123 |title=The Ice Pilots: Flying with the Mavericks of the Great White North|date=29 December 2011|publisher=D & M Publishers|isbn=978-1-55365-940-2}} and sponsored a basketball team, also named the Surly Bob's.{{Cite web|title=Yellowknife Basketball Association|url=http://www.ykba.com/POTWMain.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102502/http://ykba.com/POTWMain.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.ykba.com}} The bar was located at 4910 50th Ave.{{Cite web|title=Best Nightlife in Yellowknife {{!}} Frommer's|url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/yellowknife/nightlife/overview|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807045648/https://www.frommers.com/destinations/yellowknife/nightlife/overview|archive-date=7 August 2020|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.frommers.com}}{{Cite web|title=Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada|url=https://www.investnwt.com/sites/default/files/city_of_yellowknife_cold_weather_testing_prospectus_2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805014140/https://www.investnwt.com/sites/default/files/city_of_yellowknife_cold_weather_testing_prospectus_2.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2016|access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.investnwt.com}}
History
= Precursors (1969 - 2003) =
The establishment was founded in 1969, as The Hoist Room Pub and Grill. In the 1980s, it was known as Millie's Hoist Room. In the 1990s, it was known as The Bistro on Franklin's. In 2000, the restaurant became known as Jose Loco's, when it specialized in Mexican cuisine.
= Surly Bob's (2003 - 2012) =
= The Cellar (2013 - 2018) =
On 8 August 2013, Kyle Thomas reviewed "The Cellar", stating that the food was "good, but generic".{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Kyle|date=8 August 2013|title=Lunch at The Cellar Bar & Grill {{!}} Yellowknife Online|url=https://ykonline.ca/lunch-at-the-cellar/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427175436/https://ykonline.ca/lunch-at-the-cellar/ |archive-date=27 April 2016|access-date=27 May 2013}} The Cellar offered a veggie burger along with a homemade vegan soup special which was different every day.{{Cite web|date=30 October 2017|title=Don't Have a Cow: The YK Veggie Guide to Dining Out|url=https://ykinsidersguide.ca/dont-cow-yk-veggie-guide-dining/ |access-date=27 May 2021|website=Yellowknife Insider's Guide}} The bar was closed on Sundays and Mondays.
In 2018, the Cellar Bar and Grill, which was operated by General Manager Dale Bardeau, was set to have a change in ownership, as Bardeau planned to move to Winnipeg. In talks to take over the bar, one party sought to maintain the bar as-is, while the other would potentially close the bar for several weeks for a rebranding.{{Cite web|date=8 May 2018|title=Yellowknife's Cellar for sale, two potential buyers|url=https://cabinradio.ca/6444/news/yellowknife/yellowknifes-cellar-for-sale-two-potential-buyers/ |access-date=27 May 2021|website=Cabin Radio}} In 2018, the bar moved uptown.{{Cite news|last=Hugall|first=Michael|date=3 January 2019|title='We need something:' Yellowknife councillor calls for downtown business district|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/calls-for-business-improvements-downtown-yellowknife-1.4952716 |access-date=27 May 2021}}
= As Savannah's Family Restaurant (2019 - 2021) =
On 18 March 2019, the bar reopened as "Savannah's Family Restaurant".{{Cite web|date=18 March 2019|title=Savannah's Family Restaurant to open on Monday|url=https://www.nnsl.com/yellowknifer/savannahs-family-restaurant-set-to-open-on-franklin/ |access-date=27 May 2021|website=NNSL Media}} It served East African and Middle Eastern cuisine, including halal meat (goat, lamb, chicken, and fish), injera, lentils, and a veggie burger. It was owned and operated by husband and wife Savannah Perna and Mohamed Mohamed.
As of May 2019, the Fat Fox Café was considering a move there, having closed its doors on 50 Street on 19 May 2018, due to issues with its premises.{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Ollie|date=19 May 2019|title=One year on, the fight continues to find the Fat Fox a home|url=https://cabinradio.ca/16033/news/yellowknife/one-year-on-the-fight-continues-to-find-the-fat-fox-a-home/ |access-date=27 May 2021|website=Cabin Radio}}
However, as of October 2020, Savannah's Family Restaurant was still open,{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Savannah's Family Restaurant|url=https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/content/savannahs-family-restaurant |access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.hss.gov.nt.ca}} now serving hamburgers, wings, and East Indian cuisines, such as samosas and goat curry.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 January 2021|title=Savannah's Family Restaurant Menu|url=https://www.facebook.com/SavannahsFamilyRestaurant/photos/p.1184543121977616/1184543121977616 |access-date=3 June 2021|website=Facebook}} According to Tripadvisor reviews, "the food is beautifully spiced, hot, and served quickly"; they serve "nice Somali flavors", and the restaurant boasts a "very friendly owner and staff"{{Cite web|title=Savannah"s Family Restaurant Reviews|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154966-d17540827-Reviews-Savannah_s_Family_Restaurant-Yellowknife_Northwest_Territories.html |access-date=3 June 2021|website=Tripadvisor}} The restaurant was inspected on 29 October 2020.{{Cite web|date=29 October 2020|title=Establishment Name; Savannah's Restaurant|url=https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/hss/files/company_reports/savannahs-family-restaurant-oct-2020.pdf |access-date=27 May 2021|website=www.hss.gov.nt.ca}}
On 21 September 2020, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce announced that Savannah's Family Restaurant was nominated for the 2020 "Resilient New Business Award" by the public.{{Cite web|date=21 September 2020|title=PRESS RELEASE: Announcing the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce 2020 Business Resilience Award Nominees|url=https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1245/2020/09/Press-Release-2020-Business-Resilience-Nominees.pdf |access-date=27 May 2021|website=growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net|publisher=Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce}}{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Ollie|date=21 September 2020|title=Nominees revealed for 2020 YK business awards|url=https://cabinradio.ca/45651/news/yellowknife/nominees-revealed-for-2020-yk-business-awards/|access-date=27 May 2021|website=Cabin Radio}} Until 5 October 2020, members of the public could vote online to select who would receive the award.
On 5 November 2021, it was announced on Facebook, and subsequently reported by Cabin Radio,Sarah Sibley, [https://cabinradio.ca/78315/news/yellowknife/yellowknife-restaurant-savannahs-is-moving-to-edmonton/ "Yellowknife restaurant Savannah’s is moving to Edmonton"]. Cabin Radio, November 5, 2021. that Savannah’s last day of operation would be on 3 December 2021, as the owners were moving their family to Edmonton.