SAVANNAH
DINING OUT WITH DEEN
BY SEAN HARDER
CELEBRITY CHEF PAULA DEEN DOESN’T ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO COOK HER OWN MEALS. THE QUEEN OF SOUTHERN CUISINE DISHES ON SOME OF HER FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT IN HER HOMETOWN OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
When this down-home gourmet takes a break from the kitchen, she doesn’t need to look far from where she lives in Savannah, Georgia, to find restaurants that will please her palate. The amazing cuisine is just one of the many reasons Paula Deen is proud to call Savannah home.
When it comes to eating, this coastal city offers surprisingly diverse selections that make it a unique place to dine, Deen says. The city seems to have it all, from seafood and barbecue to high-end gourmet dining to any number of international eateries— Mexican, Cuban, Asian or Greek.
Nearly six million people visit Savannah every year, lured by its warm climate, arts scene, bustling economy and pre-Civil War history—not to mention the resident celebrity chef. Deen recently won two Daytime Emmys for The Food Network’s “Paula’s Home Cooking” and expanded The Lady & Sons, her restaurant in town. What’s more, her success story has inspired its own Old Savannah Tours trolley tour.
“Savannah really is a well-rounded city,” Deen says. “The arts, the ocean, the history, the food.
I can’t imagine anything else you would want.”
Of course, Deen says she prefers Southern cuisine, like shrimp and grits at her brother’s restaurant, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, or the fried chicken, collard greens and other plantation-style buffet offerings at her own popular eatery.
But when she and her family (her husband, Michael, and sons, Jamie and Bobby) are looking to spend a stress-free night out for dinner, they tend to support local restaurants that specialize in flavors you probably won’t find in the Deen kitchen.
One example: sushi. Deen happily foregoes the frying pan and ample amounts of butter for a meal at Tangerine Fusion and Sushi Bar (www.tangerinefusion.com; 912-920-5504). It offers Asian favorites with a twist and creative sushi in an elegant setting. The restaurant, located on Savannah’s south side, will soon open a second location near Deen’s home on the Islands east of the city.
“Tangerine is coming out this way, and we’re really excited,” Deen says. “They have the most fabulous sushi.”
The Deens are also fans of authentic Mexican food. Whenever they get a craving for fried chimichangas or fajitas, they often end up at Jalapeños Mexican Grill (912-897-8245). With three Savannah locations, it’s known for great food, fast service, reasonable prices and one of the best margaritas in town. “The kids in our family love Mexican food, so we have to do that more times than not,” Deen says. “When Michael and I have a chance to go out, we love going to independently owned restaurants. We like supporting the locals.”
When it comes to good old-fashioned fried seafood, Deen turns to one of Savannah’s newest restaurants: Flying Fish Bar and Grill (912-897-2009). The small diner offers fresh seafood just minutes from Tybee Island and the Atlantic Ocean. The colorful, eclectic interior provides a relaxed setting. “They have two little fishy sandwiches that I really like,” Deen says.
For dining downtown along the fabled cobblestone riverfront, Deen likes to eat Greek food at Olympia Café (www.olympiacafe.us; 912-233-3131).
From traditional gyro sandwiches to prime split lamb chops marinated in olive oil and herbs, Olympia is a tasty stop. Wash it down with a shot of traditional ouzo in this fun, relaxed atmosphere and you’ll be shouting “Opa!” before you know it. “My family loves to go there,” Deen says. “It’s just good, fresh food served up in style. If you like Greek food, you’ll really like that.”
With the array of dining choices, it’s wise to do a little research before your visit. Or just take Deen’s word for it. She is a cuisine connoisseur, after all.
IT’S LIKE BUTTER, BABY!
Before attaining her current star status as a Southern cuisine expert (and butter enthusiast), Paula Deen first parlayed her Southern cooking skills into a small catering service in Savannah in 1989, making sandwiches and other meals that her two sons, Jamie and Bobbie, delivered.
The Bag Lady, as the business was called, soon outgrew her kitchen and she opened her first restaurant, The Lady & Sons (www.ladyandsons.com; 912-233-2600), in 1996 in downtown Savannah. In 2005, she moved into a new, larger location on West Congress Street, which patrons still manage to fill.
The most popular meal at Deen’s restaurant is her buffet, which includes fried chicken, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, greens and many other delectable items. Each meal comes with a garlic cheese biscuit and one of Deen’s famous hoecakes.
An American trend toward comfort foods led The Food Network to give Deen her own show, “Paula’s Home Cooking,” in 2002. She has since won two Daytime Emmys, published four cookbooks and is about to expand her popular buffet to the Grand Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, through a partnership with Harrah’s Casino.
Despite keeping busy with her TV show and other appearances, Deen can still be spotted at The Lady & Sons from time to time.
Deen’s brother, best known as Uncle Bubba, also opened a restaurant along the Georgia coast just east of Savannah. Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House (www.unclebubbas.com; 912-897-6101) puts a Southern twist on seafood by offering shrimp and grits, chargrilled oysters and Low Country boil.
WHERE TO STAY
There are many ways to personalize your Savannah visit, and it all begins with choosing the right place to lay your head at night. From quiet B&Bs and historic district hotels to beachside resorts, there is a wide range of places to stay. Here’s a look at a few of the best:
QUIET B&B:
The Gastonian It was recently voted Savannah’s “Best Romantic Inn” by Savannah Magazine. Set in a residential neighborhood near Forsyth Park, this historic B&B offers an intimate atmosphere and a gourmet breakfast.
HISTORIC DISTRICT HOTEL:
The Mulberry Inn This hotel is located in the heart of the Savannah Historic District and within walking distance of the pedestrian mall on River Street. A lavishly decorated courtyard, hot tub and heated pool add to The Mulberry Inn’s charm.
BEACHFRONT GETAWAY:
The DeSoto Beach Hotel This gem on Tybee Island, about 20 minutes east of Savannah, offers reasonable rates and ocean-view rooms. Just 15 feet from the water, the hotel is the closest to the Atlantic Ocean on the island.
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