Favorite cheap/moderate restaurants in Savannah?
 

I'm headed to Savannah in a few weeks with a couple of friends. One of us is on a grad student budget, so we need to keep costs down where we can. We're staying at the Staybridge Suites on East Bay, and breakfast is included, so we're good there (though if you have fabulous breakfast suggestions that are worth skipping that, I'll certainly take them!). It sounds like the Pink House is *the* place to eat, and we might be able to eat somewhere like that for one meal, but we'd love suggestions for places more in the $10-15 range. We'll probably spend most of our time around the historic district, but haven't firmed up our plans yet.

Thanks in advance for your help! (Any other suggestions - what to see, etc - are welcome too! We just started planning this a week ago, so haven't gotten our list of things to do firmed up.)

Any suggestions?

Here is my suggestion for cheap and (very) good:
<b>Wiley's Championship BBQ</b>
4700 Highway 80 East, Suite N, Savannah, GA 31410
912 201 3259

This is a <u>fantastic</u> BBQ place. I'm not the only one who thinks they're good too. Look at their Tripadvisor reviews. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...h_Georgia.html They are the top restaurant out of 408 restaurants in Savannah! And...they are in the $10-15 range you wanted.

One small word of caution. The location can be tricky to find, so try to get some directions from a local, or even your hotel.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Definitely go to Mrs. Wilkes. Hours are short (M-F from 11 am to 2 pm), it's likely cash-only, and you dine family-style at communal tables, but the food (Southern meat and three and soul food type fare) is splendid. Lines can be long before opening, so arriving ca. half an hour before they open to be near the head of the line is wise.

Thanks, Vic and bachslunch! Those are really helpful. I'd heard of Mrs. Wilkes but had forgotten about it till now, and looks like Wiley's could be great especially if we go out to Tybee Island.

I had a good sandwich at Fiddlers on the River. Here's a site with menu:

http://www.fiddlerscrabhouse.com/

Have a great time!

Vinnie Van Gogo's is fun for great pizza.

Okay jent,
Here are my favorites.

#1 - The Pink House. Glad you are going there for your splurge :-)

I'm glad you are staying at the Staybridge Suites. It's my new favorite in Savannah. The kitchen will give you the chance to store stuff in the fridge and zap things in the microwave. The hotel also provides an "Sundowner Reception Tu-Thu with free beer, wine and heavy appetizers" - but I think you are there on the weekend. Never mind...

#2 - Definitely do Mrs. Wilkes for lunch. Line up at 11 am outside and be one of the first seated when they open the doors at 11:30. You won't find better food and restaurants like that are few and far between. They are grandfathered in re modern health codes so only existing family style restaurants can serve that way. You'll sit at a big table and pass the bowls and platters and can pretend you are eating at grandmother's house. It's also on perhaps the prettiest street in Savannah.
http://www.mrswilkes.com/

#3 - Clary's is a Savannah institution and serves good food fast. Casual and delicious.
http://www.savannahga.net/dining/claryscafe.html

#4 - I love the SoHo South Cafe and we had a small GTG there last month. Fresh, organic, delicious food served in an artistic to kitschy venue.
http://www.sohosouthcafe.com/

#4 - Gryphon Tea Room - run by SCAD - great afternoon tea, soups, salads and sandwiches. Great place to stop for tea, coffee, cool drink as you walk around the squares. My favorite shop, The SCAD store, is across the street. Unique, handmade items made by SCAD students and faculty.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/282/1229...-Room-Savannah
http://www.savannahga.net/activities/shopscad.html

#5 - I love Saigon on Broughton for Thai/ asian food.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/388588
@ 4 West Broughton

#6 - A lot of people say they don't like Paula Deen's buffet. I love ordering from the menu and if the wait is long I call in a togo order and take my sandwich to the hotel or a park. I love the asparagus sandwich, a NYTimes favorite.
http://ladyandsons.com/index.php/menu/lunch/

Oh wow - y'all rock my socks. :) Those are GREAT suggestions and I will definitely print them all out! starrs, I actually first heard about the Staybridge from one of your posts - I'm excited to stay there. Almost as much as I'm excited to get out of town after this long winter! Thank you all again!

Starrs, any idea what it is about the Paula Deen buffet people don't like? I had considered it for one of the group meals while we are in Savannah.

Thanks.

The comments I've heard on here (the Fodor's forums) are the kind you'd hear about almost any Southern buffet - or a traditional southern family Thanksgiving dinner. The criticism has been for fried dishes (chicken and okra) and carb heavy veggies. Folks have said that it's not worth the money and/or it's Paula Deen hype. I disagree. Most people don't eat like that every day...any more that is. My great grandparents did, at lunchtime, but then went out and worked in the garden (from whence the veggies came from in the first place). Supper (dinner) was often cornbread crumbled in a glass of buttermilk - and maybe a slice of pie.

I disagree with the negative comments about Paula Deen's buffet and folks that I know who have gone (especially in groups) love it. It's not low cal and california style veggies, but it's Paula Deen for lawsy sakes! :-)

I think your group will enjoy it, and you'll probably see one of the sons there and maybe Paula herself.

Sometimes I wonder...
You never hear similar negative comments about Mrs. Wilkes', the Smith House (in Dahlonega), the Blue Willow (in Social Circle), the Dillard House (in Dillard) and the former LaPrade's (on Lake Burton). They serve virtually the same food prepared the same way, but no trashing of those famous and very popular restaurants. My guess is that it's Paula Deen's name that is the lightning rod.

PS - I highly recommend the above too and sorely miss LaPrades...although the new Waterside restaurant is nice. There will never be another LaPrades. There can't be...by law.

http://ladyandsons.com/index.php/menu/lunch/#buffet

The Lady's Southern Buffet $13.99
Includes salad bar and one complimentary dessert.
Some items subject to change.
All you care to eat - children 9 and under $7.49
Buffet Items:
Southern Fried Chicken
Dora's baked chicken
BBQ Riblets
Rice
Creamed potatoes
Creamed corn
Blackeyed peas
Yams
Mac and cheese
Collard greens
Lima beans
Green Beans
Gravy
Salad Bar

Your Choice of Dessert:
Banana puddin'
Peach cobbler
Gooey butter cakes

http://www.mrswilkes.com/menu.html

Fried chicken & carb heavy veggies

Compare the menus ;)

I like them both. :-)

thanks, and that makes perfect sense. I was raised on that kind of meal and while I don't eat that way these days, it is what I think my group will want to try at least once. I am giving them a suggestion of Mrs. Wilkes' but obviously that won't work as one of our group meals. The Pink House is what I have planned for the big party night. Thank you for the suggestions, most helpful.

I like Johnny Harris. They are a 90 year old BBQ joint that has become refined through the years. I love the shrimp salad.

I went to Paula's one and it was fun. But we had to wait a long time. That chocolate gooey cake knocked me back-yayah!

cm, I love love the Pink House! I hope you will too.

All good suggestions, The Pink House is excellent. I know it is a chain, but I also like the Six Pence Pub.

I just thought of a VERY casual, very basic restaurant that serves good seafood. Desposito's is truly a "dive" - more bar than restaurant but it's a favorite of a local friend. It's been years since I've been there though.

Here's a NYTimes review that's several years old -
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...nt-detail.html

Check tripadvisor for more recent reviews

Hey starrs, when I get down there again let's go!

Okay. You're on! ;)