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SAVANNAH = SOUTHERN COMFORT
Savannah to me feels like a magical place, they offer something for everyone, something old, something new and something blue (a very liberal blue cup policy). What is a blue cup policy? think New Orleans, but for a more mature level of adults and without the unique smell that Bourbon street comes with. You can walk around the city with a drink as you explore the history, bars, and peaceful squares that dot this beautiful city. I spent my time here exploring southern cuisine with a bunch of fellow research chefs, and we found some amazing little gems. Wanna see my top pics? Then scroll down and see what made it to my list.
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The Pig
CULINARY EXPLORATIONS IN GEORGIA
SAVANNAH
PIG'S PICKS
Where to eat Southern comfort, creamy grits, and secret bars in Savannah
SOUTHERN SOUL BBQ
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: SOUTHERN BBQ
WHEN: You are ok with a 90 minute drive to get truly great BBQ.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Ribs
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Southern Soul Sandwich
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Pulled pork
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Your favorite southern sides
WHY: An old service station turned smoke shack. Southern Soul is one of the top ten BBQ joints in the country. They focus on Oak smoked meats and fantastic southern sides. This is worth the 90 minute scenic drive that it takes.
MRS. WILKE'S DINING ROOM
PIG SCORE: 4.0 / 4.0
WHAT: THANKSGIVING DINNER ON STEROIDS
WHEN: You want to eat like a southern family member.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Cash only
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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You don't order here, they bring it to you.
WHY: It is located in the ground floor of an old Inn, in the middle of a residential area. The line starts forming long before they open, and continues all day. They may be open for only three short hours, but they serve up one quintessential Savannah culinary experience in that time. They sit you family style at one of the four large tables and you just eat what comes. This is an experience and well worth the wait.
TREYLOR PARK
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: GREAT BAR FOOD
WHEN: You want playful and creative southern food in a casual setting.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Shrimp & Grit Tacos
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Treylor park Nachos Grande
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BLT
WHY: This place just had a fantastic casual feel, and some of the most imaginative twist on Southern classics that I saw in Savannah. Not to mention they have a great patio area to grab a drink while you wait.
B. MATTHEW'S EATERY
PIG SCORE: 3.9 / 4.0
WHAT: SOUTHERN BRUNCH
WHEN: Brunch matters.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Shrimp and Grits
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Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict
WHY: Locate in Savannah's historic district B. Matthew's serves up some of the best quality food the city has to offer. They do more than brunch and I'm positive that after what I tasted at breakfast, that dinner and lunch are also spectacular. This is a safe bet for a great meal.
LEOPOLD'S ICE CREAM
PIG SCORE: 3.85 / 4.0
WHAT: OLD SCHOOL ICE CREAM
WHEN: You're in the mood for ice cream the way it was 100 years ago.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Rum Bisque
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Savannah Socialite
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Mint Chocolate Chip
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WHY: They have been serving ice cream to Savannah locals for 100 years. And they still serve many of the original recipes today. On warm days there will be a line down the block. But well worth it for a taste of simpler times.
ALLEY CAT LOUNGE
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: A SECRET COCKTAIL BAR
WHEN: You're willing to put in a little effort to find the bar.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Fancy
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Breakfast Torta
WHY: It is a small secret bar located in a office building basement, with exposed bricks and cozy booths. They have over 300 bottle of spirits on the back wall and there are no repeats. These guys take their craft seriously.
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HOW TO GET IN: Find the building. Go around back to the alley, find the door that says Alley Cat Lounge. Enter, walk down the stairs to the plain white door and enter the pleasure dome.
NAROBIA'S GRITS AND GRAVY
PIG SCORE: 3.75 / 4.0
WHAT: A SOUL FOOD DINER
WHEN: You're in need a good O'l fashioned southern breakfast.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Shrimp & Grits
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Crab stew
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French Toast
WHY: This is a down to earth joint serving home cooked soul food for breakfast and lunch. It's like church for your culinary soul, where you come to clean off your conscious with a cup of fresh brewed coffee, grits and gravy. Don't expect fancy when you come.
B'S CRACKLIN BBQ
PIG SCORE: 3.5 / 4.0
WHAT: SAVANNAH SMOKE
WHEN: You're looking for a solid BBQ.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Fried Pickles
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Sampler plate with Brisket
WHY: B 's is a casual place with great smoked meat. It was tender and delicious. A quality smoke shack.
JEN'S & FRIENDS
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: MAD MARTINI MENU
WHEN: You want martini's but with a twist.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Birthday Cake Martini
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Watermelon Lemon Drop
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Snickers Martini
WHY: They have a martini menu over 100 strong. It is a cozy little bar, and their slogan is enter as stranger, but exit as friends. I saw Jen at work, and I can see she believes this moto.
CLARY'S
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: SOUTHERN COMFORT
WHEN: You want breakfast, no mater what time of day it is.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Crab Cake Benedict
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Stuffed French Toast
WHY: This is a classic old southern diner serving classic diner breakfast with southern flair.
ABE'S ON LINCOLN
PIG SCORE: 3.35 / 4.0
WHAT: A DIVE BAR
WHEN: You feel like a hole in the wall and a drink.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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A Local Brew
WHY: This Lincoln themed dive bar serves craft beers and cocktails. Bring your drawing pens, and see if you can pen a caricature of O'l Abe on your cocktail napkin good enough to make it up on the rafters.
THE GREY
PIG SCORE: 3.35 / 4.0
WHAT: HIGH END RETRO DINER
WHEN: You feel like hanging out at an old bus station with great food.
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Farmer's market salad
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Blackened Catfish Po-Boy
WHY: This is an old Greyhound station that has been brought back to life as a high end diner with modern twist on southern classics.
GREEN TRUCK NEIGHBORHOOD PUB
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: HOMEMADE BAR FOOD
WHEN: You want to know that food is local
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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Hand cut French Fries
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Trailer Park Burger
WHY:This is a casual setting with locally sourced home made food. They even make their own ketchup. A great place to grab a burger and beer.
ZUNZI'S
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: AFRICAN STREET FOOD
WHEN: You're looking for a little different sandwich.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
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WHAT TO ORDER:
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The Conquitador
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The Godfather
WHY: Globally inspired sandwiches, coming out of a litteral hole in the wall. This place is at most pint sized, but pumps out supersized flavor.
