7 replies to this topic

[KatieLoeb]

Hi all:

A friend and co-worker is finally getting a well deserved vacation (hopefully I'm next ) and has decided to visit Savannah. I'm hoping all of you serious travelers and gourmands as well as food professionals can recommend the not to be missed places there for a fellow foodie/restaurant person.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Damian]

Skip breakfast and have lunch at Mrs. Wilkes'. Can't remember where it is, but locals and guidebooks should be able to tell - or just look for the line of people on the street. They take 10 people at a time from line and seat them together at a round table in the bottom floor of a historic house. For a fixed price ($10-12 - it's been a while, so can't remember but it is cheap), you get dish after dish of Southern classics (fried chicken, ham, spoonbread, okra, greens, biscuits, corn, and on and on) and eat until you are ready to explode. An unbelievable meal.

[Dave the Cook]

Two don't-miss places:

The Lady & Sons
37 West Congress
912-233-2600


Elizabeth on 37th
105 East 37th
912-236-5547

Both are Southern at thier hearts, but a comparison is interesting. The Lady is traditional; Elizabeth is run by Elizabeth Terry, one of the original "New Southern" chefs and recipient of more awards than I can list here.

Damian is right about Mrs. Wilkes, too.

It's also a short trip to Charleston.

[Wilfrid]

Be sure to eat a low country boiled dinner - a shrimp, sausage, fresh corn, baked potato combo - which can be more interesting than it sounds, and is widely available. There's a touristy strip of bars and restaurants along the river-front, but you can get some bargains there in respect of food which requires limited kitchen skills - huge tubs of fresh oysters and shrimp, crab and so on.

For informal dining with a southern slant and a reasonable choice of wines by the glass, Savannah Bistro. For a more upscale, formal experience, the Olde Pinke House. Essential thing to do in Savannah is tour the squares of the historic district and visit some of the stately homes which are open to the public.

You can take a guided tour, or get a guide book and make it up as you go. Excellent walking city.

[fyfas]

With respect to the mention of Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House... It is located at 107 West Jones Street in the downtown Historic District of Squares and cobblestones. Way back when I lived there, Jones Streeet was among the first to draw attention and some of the town's most prominent residents bought houses on that street to restore.

Note that Mrs. Wilkes died in December of 2002 and the restaurant stayed closed well into February while the family decided whether or not to continue. They, finally, DID decide to go on and I would imagine there has been no noticeable change in the food After all, staff numbered nearly forty and Mrs. Wilkes working in the kitchen was long in the past. She was there daily as inspiration and to supervise as well as to begin the lunch meal (at 11:30 a.m.) by saying "Grace".

Best fried chicken I've ever had and, yes, I put a lot of weight on when I worked nearby. Don't miss it !

[KatieLoeb]

Thanks to all of you for your kind advice. Unfortunately, my friend has changed her travel plans (or at least her destination) due to meeting up with family. However, I am now very interested invisting Savannah myself, so I will print out and save this information for future reference.

Again, many thanks for all of the great suggestions.

Katie

[Rail Paul]

If time permits, reading the book"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" is a good intro to some aspects of Savannah.

[Andrew Fenton]

I'll second the recommendation for the Lady & Sons. Probably my favorite restaurant in Savannah, and I always look forward to eating there when I'm in town. Be sure to get there early (or be prepared to wait): they're almost always packed, and while they're planning to expand, as far as I know, it's not happening for a while.

For barbecue, Wall's BBQ (515 E. York Lane) is good. Also good 'cue at Johnny Harris (1651 E. Victory Drive), which is a great old Savannah institution: it has a great big octagonal dining room with murals on the walls and ceiling. Neat place. I also like Carey Hilliard's (a local chain of eat-in restaurants) for barbecue; also good fried chicken.

For low country shrimp boil, the Crab Shack (on the road out to Tybee Island) does a good job, and it's also a fun place to eat. (Though if you're there during crab season, you should probably have those. Or go with a friend and get both...)