My DH and I will be making our 6th trip to Savannah, we usually stay at the Hampton Inn or the Hyatt on the Bay front. We are the type that like to park the car and not get in again until it is time to leave, we don't like to get dressed up either while we are on vacation, so a come as you are spot is best for us.

Everytime we go I look here for new ideas, and usually seem to see a lot of fine dining options and suggestions. So we have gotten into a habit of eating at the same places whenever we go, and are looking for some suggestions of casual, more local places to eat. We have eaten at Huey's for breakfast, Moon River, the Iris pub by Moon River (Churchill's?), and another place right on the riverfront, Vinnie van gogo's and the wing place in the market area. Mrs Wilkes is out of the question for hubby who would not enjoy eating family style with strangers, otherwise open to suggestions.

That's a shame because Mrs. Wilkes is wonderful for both the food and the people you meet.

If you are walking the squares, walk to the Soho South Cafe
http://www.sohosouthcafe.com/

I also really like the Gryfon Tea Room, run by SCAD. They offer tea service but if you (or your husband) don't want a traditional tea, stop in for great sandwiches and salads or just a place to stop and rest for a bit with something hot or cold to drink. Across the street is my favorite shop, the SCAD gift shop with unique handmade items.

http://www.teamuse.com/article_040203.html

B. Matthews is good (around the corner from the Hampton Inn)
http://www.bmatthewseatery.com/

I'm sure you've been to this Savannah institution, but if you haven't go to Clary's - especially for breakfast.

The Pink House can be pricey, but stop in the tavern downstairs to warm up by the fires and have a drink and order an appetizer or dessert from upstairs.

If you want a lunch buffet (and don't want to go to Mrs Wilkes or Paula Deen's, go to the Mulberry (the Holiday Inn hotel not far from the Hampton Inn). My mom loves to go there and there is rarely a wait - and a beautiful lobby to wait in if there IS one.
http://www.savannahhotel.com/amenities.html#restaurant

I love Thai food and I adore Saigon on Broughton.

Do try to convince your husband to try Mrs Wilkes at least once. It's only fair to give it a try for you -
http://www.mrswilkes.com/


Those are my favorites. Another favorite that has a location in Savannah is J Christopher's. If you've not been there, try it. GREAT breakfasts.

We liked everything about B Matthews Eatery, which is a short walk from your hotel: http://www.bmatthewseatery.com/

HTTY

When I want to go casual in Savannah, I usually end up @ the 6 Pence Pub.

The last time I ate at the 6 Pence, we took a pedicab back to the apartment. If you've not done that before, it's a great option at night. Call for a pedicab and let them take you back to your hotel.

http://savannahpedicab.com/

Last month in Savannah, we tried Wiley's Championship BBQ http://www.wileyschampionshipbbq.com and I can recommend it to you without any hesitation. It's just a hole-in-the-wall type of establishment and can be tricky to find, especially at night. However, it is casual, inexpensive and maybe the best BBQ you've ever had. I mean it! Their sweet potato casserole was in a class of its own. Apparently a lot of other folks think it is good too. Take a look at their Tripadvisor reviews: http://tinyurl.com/259e4eb

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Starrs - I am going to try again to talk him into Mrs Wilkes. It looks wonderful, your other suggestions looked great too, so I have printed them to take with us.

SAnParis - The 6 pense sounds familiar, we haven't been there, seems like it was something I wanted to try before. Thanks.

Orlano -Vic Wileys looks good too, I will check them out on tripadvisor.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Clary's Cafe is nice casual place for breakfast or lunch. Crystal Beer Parlor is a fun casual place for lunch or dinner. Johnny Harris has great BBQ and Kevin Barry's is a fun bar with good pub food.

Clary's Cafe @ 404 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA. 912 - 233 - 0402.
Crystal Beer Parlor @ 301 West Jones St., Savannah, GA. 912 - 231 - 0999.
http://www.crystalbeerparlor.com/
Johnny Harris @ 1651 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA. 912 - 354 - 7810.
http://www.johnnyharris.com/
Kevin Barry's Irish Pub @ 117 West River St., Savannah, GA. 912 - 233 - 9626.
http://www.kevinbarrys.com/

Cha Bellas, Sapphire Grill, Garibaldi's, Pink House, Local 11 Ten, etc. are at the top of the list as fine dining goes and all permit casual attire while dining. With the exception of private clubs, Savannah has loosened up on dining attire over the decades as a result of increased tourism.

If you like Italian Leoci's is a good option. Had a great meal there earlier this year. Here is their website:
http://www.leocis.com/

Fantastic ideas, here. I believe Crystal Beer Parlor may have been a speakeasy during the Prohibition. The food is excellent and there are many beer choices. They have Fat Tire from Boulder - good stuff.

I enjoy Soho South on Liberty - great homemade chicken pot pie and lemonade! It's a very arty place - local artists' works are hung everywhere and there is a shop in front.

http://www.sohosouthcafe.com/

We just returned from our trip, we love this city, and this time we saw more than we have ventured to see in the past. Since my original question was food related I will just tell you what we ate while there.

Our first night in we had a mexican dinner at cilantro's. We ordered a burrito and fajita's. Both were good, but not great.

The second day we had a late lunch at the Crystal Beer Parlor, we had some difficulty finding it, but boy was this place worth it, we ordered oning ring appetizer, a burger and the bbq pork sandwich, everything was wonderful.

Our third day we really wanted to make it to SOHO, but just never seemed to get there, we had dinner at the Pirate House, we ordered the pecan honey chicken and fried shrimp, both dinners were great.

Thanks for the great suggestions, SOHO was suggested to us numeros times from locals as well as Mrs. Wilkes, we will be back in October (if not sooner) so we will have to make sure we try them then.

I almost forgot, we also had breakfast at B. Matthews, the place was packed, but service was friendly and fast, and the food was great.

I second the Crystal Beer Parlor. Great food!!

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I concur totally to recommend Wiley's Championship BBQ! The ribs are spectacular. A few new favorites are the stuff baked potato, redneck nachos, chocolate pecan bourbon pie or banana pudding, and beer battered onion rings. Leopold's Ice Cream is a must do! In addition to fabulous, old-style ice cream with fun, new flavors wonderful homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and hot chocolate are at Leopold's. You'll love the movie posters and memorabilia from Savannah native / Hollywood producer, Stratton Leopold.