Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Must do if you are visiting Savannah. Entry is by a first come first served system, so queueing outside is pretty well mandatory. Tables typically seat 8 people, so if you are a smaller group you will probably be sharing with strangers, which can be fun. The table is set with between 23 to 26 different Southern style side dishes, rice, beans, okra, potatoes, corn, greens, etc. etc., too many to mention, which are passed around family style to accompany the huge plates of fried chicken which are brought to the table by the servers. If a dish is empty, it is almost immediately replaced. Food is good and plentiful and washed down with lots of sweet tea, or unsweetened or water if preferred. There is also a dessert offered, on the day ours was banana pudding. The simplicity of the food, seatin

Mrs. Wilkes holds such a special place in my heart. I remember coming here back in high school, grabbing food to go out the back entrance—the smell alone brings back so many memories. Every time I’m in Savannah, I make a point to come here, and now I’ve introduced my husband to it as well. We usually visit in December, and this time we were pleasantly surprised there was no hour-and-a-half wait around the block. We walked right in and felt incredibly lucky. The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the food is pure comfort—especially the fried chicken, biscuits, cornbread, banana pudding, and all the vegetables. Everything makes you feel full, happy, and right at home. Mrs. Wilkes is truly a Savannah institution, and one that should always be treasured.

So I would say definitely come an hour before the open because the line is very long. They take cash or Venmo and the food was good, but not great for me at least. It was enjoyable sharing the food with people I just met in the line and talk and laughed together so I would say that made the whole experience really great. Come with a big appetite because it is a lot of food on the table.

My mother-in-law recommended this place and it did not disappoint. This is my first time in Savannah and we went straight here for lunch, before even checking into our hotel. At the time that we showed up, there wasn't a very long wait. It's a family style-all you can eat restaurant, which at first I didn't understand but as they bring you in, they sit you with other people not in your group and you pass the different types of food around the table. If your table runs out of something, the staff gladly brings more. Each dish is a unique experience, a cornucopia of flavors. Must haves are the BBQ pulled pork, beef stew, fried chicken, and the fried okra. Keep in mind to leave room for desert, peach cobbler and banana pudding! Price is $35 per person but we'll worth every penny. If the rest

This is a family style dining place. We had lunch on Christmas Eve, by 10:40am there was long line in front, wait time was about one hour and ten minutes. Every table sits about 8-10 people, they serve typical southern food, like fried chicken, fried okra, cornbread, etc. The legendary chicken was really juicy and tender, all the food was very delicious. The hostess was very courteous to come to every table to ask if food is satisfying. This is truly unique dining experience.