Man, I go to see a movie and the thread blows up! I had wondered that about Paula too. I think we can handle one giant traditional Southern meal while we're there, but we're from Nashville - it's not like we can't go to Monell's next time we need a fix, you know? Seafood, on the other hand... well, I ate at Red Lobster with my parents today. starrs, Desposito's sounds great! I'll check the TA reviews.

jent, take a look at the menu at Lady and Sons. There's a lot there other than the buffet. I was just addressing negative buffet comments. The food off the menu is good too.

Keep in mind, Desposito's is a dive. Pretty much defines "dive", in fact. But good if you want seafood and beer.

Wiley's Championship BBQ is a dive too!

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

Hilarious. We're not afraid of dives, as long as they have decent health inspection scores. So much to eat - too bad we'll only be there for 2.5 days!

Lived here most of my life. If you're coming in a few weeks, you're coming at a great time for all kinds of reasons.
Some suggestions and corrections,

Pink House is a great splurge, but it's not a chain ( unless you consider a group of 5 or six high end restaurants in GA/ SC a chain. ) Lots of history and great food. Eat in the lower bar at night for music and a fireplace. A chain that is great on Friday and Saturday evening is Ruth's Chris ( Yes it's a chain, but the facility is beautiful, the food is great, and the best jazz in the city)

PIZZA - Across the street from Lady and Sons is Sweet Melissa's ( CHEAP late night food) If you want Southern food , Mrs Wilkes is the original and still best . Real long lines since Obama had lunch there.

In the mood for a burger downtown- Try B and D burgers or the Crystal Beer Parlor - If you must choose, go to The beer parlor

Best view and good food- Rocks on the roof

Sweet tooth- Lulus Dessert and Martini Bar-or Leopold's ICE cream shop, or a free praline sample at River Street Sweets.

Live music- Try the Live Wire or Savannah Smiles

Take a Pedicab too

Thanks so much, Lamar_Gale - those are great too!

starrs, note well that Mrs. Wilkes opens at 11 am, not 11:30 am. But the advice to get there ca. half an hour ahead is wise, in my experience, and that's going to be 10:30 am, of course.

Re The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's place). I've been to both this place and Mrs. Wilkes, and while I didn't think Deen's place was as bad as some say (in fact, I thought it was reasonably good), the food's noticeably better at Mrs. Wilkes. They pretty much serve up the same type of food, so a direct comparison is reasonable to make.

Vinnie Van Gogo's in City market, down the street from The Lady & Sons. Good pizza, cash only.

Fresh Pralines and Gophers at Savannah Candy Kitchen at either the City Market or River Walk. amazing!!

I enjoyed The Lady & Sons, even got to speak with Jamie Deen. Adorable!! really like the biscuits and "pancake" you get before you even get the food. Not sure of the price (menus are probably available online), but will definitely go back when I get the chance.

Savannah is a beautiful town. Enjoy.

Lamar/Starrs--- we're heading down in acouple weeks, and i now have reservations at The Pink House--i had read about the great music from gail in the bar,and i was wondering if we can get the full menu in the downstairs bar,and do you sit at a table or at the bar for dinner--were also heading to Vics andB Matthews,casual at Kayak Cafe and Clarys--think ill now include the BBQ--thanks

You can get the full menu in the bar downstairs. It's a great place. Be sure to enjoy those cheese straw!

*straws* sigh.... long day.

got it--Im the last to ever complain about spelling--BTW, what about my question about seating, ie, bar , table et al--thanks

You can get the full menu downstairs at the tavern, but I prefer to have an appetizer and drink down there before dinner or dessert and coffee afterwards.

In "the old days" there was a big problem with the wait but they've enlarged the PH and have a gorgeous new dining room attached to the back of the original building. The room is lovely and probably tripled (or more) the seating of the restaurant. I like eating in the restaurant, but that's just me. And as wonderful as their entrees are, I almost always have two appetizers as my entree. The scored flounder is their speciality entree and the praline basket with ice cream is their signature dessert. Sometimes I ask them to save one at the time I order dinner - just in case. I think when we had the Savannah GTG there they only had two or three left for the evening.

thanks Starrs--we also like a formal dining of room.We are staying at Planters,so maybe we'll head there afetr one of our dinners.I had my eye on that flounder---i do alot of fishing,and have gotten to expect very fresh fish. Flounder is a fish that gets "fishy" fairly quickly--i have had it "scoured" and its great if its fresh. The way they catch them there is with a 2 prong spear at low tide with a light showing the flounder after dark--so they can pick out a good sized fish easily, and only the amount they need for that day--thanks again

Johnny Harris
Mrs. Wilkes
Crystal Beer Parlor
Spanky's

Second on Soho South.
Second/Third etc on Crystal Beer Parlor.
Paula Deen's fried chicken is the best I've ever had. Ditto her mashed potatoes - I now make them at home. I don't think I use as much butter in mine, even though I use a lot.

Thanks, y'all, for the additional suggestions! My plan is to make a Google Map with all of these to take with us.

flygirl, I always wondered why my grandma's mashed potatoes were SO good... till I asked her how much butter she put in them.

One time I put TWO sticks of butter in the mashed potatoes - and an entire container of sour cream - lots of heavy cream too.

This was 10 potatoes though.

It was a hit.

If you are eating Paula Deen's cooking, you can be sure butter is involved ;-)

One of life's greatest gifts.