Excellent experience. We arrived after the main crowd and were seated right away. The table was covered with what seemed like every Southern dish imaginable--far more than anyone could reasonably try in one sitting. I managed about ten, and everything was well prepared, generous, and full of flavor. The communal-table atmosphere makes the meal feel less like dining at a restaurant and more like being welcomed into a very large Savannah family dinner. The service was warm and attentive, and the whole experience felt genuine rather than staged for tourists. For anyone visiting Savannah, Mrs. Wilkes is a must. Come hungry. read more

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Where to begin. There was hype of this restaurant and it lived up to it all! It is a beautiful home that is a restaurant along a street with old homes and trees lining and overhanging the road. The hospitality is off the charts. You need to come early at least a half hour as the line quickly grows. You sit and eat family style. The host will assign you to your table with others to fill it up. 8 to a table. There is sweet tea waiting for you and dish after dish of goodness! Then they bring out the fried chicken on platters. 21 different bowls of southern dishes- okra, rutabagas, greens, beans, corn, biscuits and corn bread.... Oh my there was a lot. You will not go hungry as the staff are near each table and bringing refills of items needed. Then when you've had your fill, they bring by peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream on top and/or banana pudding! They take cash or check only. They thankfully had an ATM inside. But the man at the cash register said we could leave and go to our own bank if we wanted and come back to pay!! That wouldn't happen at very many places. Southern hospitality, great food, memories- it is all here. Don't miss this place when you come to Savannah!! read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Items for sale - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Very disappointing. We waited a long time in line, but the food was not worth it. The fried chicken was dry, the food quality was poor, and the service was below expectations. Definitely not worth the wait. 1/5 read more

First and foremost....the line is absolutely worth it! We probably spent a good 1.5 hours in it and I can say every person in my group would have done it again. It's a family style southern meal with over 25 things to try made to absolute perfection. It feels like you are eating in a southern house and the experience is truly unique. The fried chicken, biscuits, potato salad, and banana pudding were just a few of the stars of the show read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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The place was new to me, but it turned out to be an amazing experience. My only advice is to arrive early, as it's a family-style restaurant with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, making you feel right at home. The food was simply incredible, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - The Food. - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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This isn't just a meal but a dining experience 100% an absolute must when you come to Savannah Georgia $35 per person absolutely worth the weight and the experience. The food was absolutely delicious. The ambience was spectacular with so much history and smell and texture and feel the vibe in the restaurant is like no other and you will absolutely love it if you love great homemade southern style food from many many years of history recipes that have lasted for a long long time. The service was absolutely seven stars and they were there for everything that you need and then some.I will return everyone I visit savanna read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Outside of the Restaurant Experience - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Arrived at 10AM and had first seating at 11AM. Enjoyed talking to folks in line on lovely day in Savannah. Food was fresh and tasty. Enjoyed the fried chicken, black-eyed peas, okra, beans, just about everything. Service was friendly. Restaurant was clean. Bill was about $100 for three of us. Cash only. Street parking. One of my favorite restaurants in Savannah. Worth the effort. I will be back. Highly recommended. read more

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We arrived at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room at 11:05am. There was already a line around the block so we got into the line. We were in line for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. The restaurant is communal style and only opened from 11am-2pm. There are about 8 oval shaped tables total that can seat approximately 8-10 people per table. I believe they said they can seat 75 total. When you go inside, at each table they'll have sweet tea and plenty of dishes of food for you to choose from already on the table. The options included fried chicken, sweet cornbread, biscuits, green beans, black eyed peas, Mac n cheese, squash, okra, dirty rice, collard greens, potatoes au gratin, Lima beans, pulled pork, beef stew, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, potato salad, and maybe a few more options. You pass the dishes around the table and load your plate up until your heart is content. The best items to me were the fried chicken, sweet cornbread, and peach cobbler. The dirty rice was undercooked and there were hard pieces. Everything else was just sustenance. If you're a vegetarian, your options will be limited to sides only. You might be able to have squash, Mac n cheese, and maybe potato salad. Many of the items are cooked with meat or made with beef or chicken stock. It's $35 flat per person. Based on the 2 hour and 15 minute wait, I don't think the food was worth it. If the wait was 30 mins to 45 mins, maybe. read more

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It was our first time in Savannah, and we had to try Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room. The family style seating and meal presentation was homey and comfortable. The service was excellent, our wait staff as sweet as the tea, and the food was delicious! My favorites were the fried okra, the collard greens, mashed potatoes and fried chicken, which was l truly the best I've ever had! We will definitely be back with hearty appetites! read more

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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. read more

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Fried chicken was so good! Recently rated #5 fried chicken in the country by Yelp, Mrs Wilkes didn't disappoint. Located on beautiful Jones Street, despite an hour wait to be seated, we had an amazing family style lunch. The sides were somewhat up and down - we surprisingly loved the Cole slaw and the fried okra, but the Mac and cheese for example tasted a little off. I'm not sure if things just didn't get cooked properly, but it was almost sour. The decor on the walls and the house is lovely, and the service was amazing! Would definitely come back but would definitely try to come earlier to avoid such a long line read more

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I've have been trying to get to Mrs. Wilkes for years, but they' were always closed by the time I arrived during past trips to Savannah. This time, I did ALL the research and made sure I arrived by 12:00 pm. Their hours are M-F 10am-2pm. Reviews say there's always a long line. To my surprise, when I arrived there was no line. I informed the host that I was dining alone and she had me wait for a short period for other guests to arrive so that I could join their table. All of the tables were occupied at the time and the dishes are served communal. One tip that I overlooked is that they only accept cash. It's $35 (tax included) and they have an ATM on site for people like me who rarely carry cash. No other guests arrived by the time I was seated so I was the only person at a table with mounds of food. I was flabbergasted by the amount of food, but when in Rome.... I sampled everything. The fried chicken was delicious! Some of the sides were hit or miss, but I enjoyed everything. They even brought out different types of breads and dessert. The staff here were so welcoming! Every single person that I encountered had a smile and was pleasant. read more

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We eat here the last time we were in Savannah. It was so good that im hopping we go there while we are here now.

Yes, it's touristy. Yes, the lines are long. Yes, they only take cash and do not take reservations. But don't let these arguments keep you away: Mrs. Wikes' is superb. The fried chicken is among the best I have ever had: perfectly seasoned and with a crackly crust that practically shatters. The other mains of pulled pork and beef stew were also perfectly executed. But the side dishes are the real stars here. From Low Country red rice to au gratin potatoes, and beans to collards, they are all perfect examples of quality Southern home cooking. The staff are all super friendly and welcoming...you feel like you are guests in an old friend's home. And you are. read more

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Heard so many good things about this place, we had to try it out. Pro-tip either come at least 35-40 mins earlier and be one of the first in line to get in or come later between 12:45-1pm if you don't want to wait too long. Reminder: this place is cash only, $35/person. Can't pack leftovers. When we got there, people were already waiting, so we were in the second group and waited about an hour. Staff are friendly, service is quick, and we loved all the dishes. We were sooooo full. You can ask for more as much as you want! Tables are arranged like a family dining room and you sit with strangers, but this is a great opportunity to start a conversation and get to know someone new. Everyone at our table was very friendly and cordial, like they're a part of the family. Loved the dishes so much I bought their cookbook. Remember either come early or come later. read more

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Quite the experience! Family style with more food than you could imagine. You sit at large tables of 8-10. Dishes are family style and they will bring you more of any of them. Staff is very warm and friendly! Definitely recommend! read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - So many sides! - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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My wife and I visited Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room while celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary in Savannah, Georgia. Before our trip, one of my fraternity brothers told me that if I wanted some of the best Southern soul food in Savannah, I had to visit Mrs. Wilkes. He also warned me that there would be a long wait. Let me just say--he was absolutely right on both counts! We arrived at the restaurant and stood in line outside in the rain. We didn't get seated until 1:00 PM. Normally, I would not wait that long for a meal, but for the record, and I can't believe I'm saying this--it was worth every minute of the wait. The experience was unlike any restaurant I've ever visited. My wife and I were seated at a large table with approximately eight other people whom we had never met. Yet within minutes, it felt like we were dining with family. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and filled with genuine Southern hospitality. The food was simply outstanding. Every traditional Southern dish you can imagine was brought to the table and passed family-style from person to person. The home-cooked flavors reminded me of the meals many of us grew up enjoying. Everything was delicious, and the desserts were just as impressive. What made the experience even more special was the sense of community. People of different backgrounds and races were dining together, sharing food, conversation, and fellowship. The staff worked together seamlessly and went out of their way to make every guest feel welcome. While we waited in line, a gracious lady shared the history of the restaurant and the legacy of Mrs. Wilkes herself. The staff even provided umbrellas to guests who didn't have one--including me--which was a thoughtful gesture that spoke volumes about their commitment to customer service. From the food, to the hospitality, to the rich history and unique family-style dining experience, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room exceeded every expectation. If you're visiting Savannah, this is not just a meal--it's an experience. I proudly give Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room a 5 out of 5-star rating and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Savannah. read more

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I recently tried the infamous Mrs. Wilkes restaurant in Savannah. As a general native of Savannah, well a resident of seven years; I've heard so many different things about this place from Barack Obama to many other celebrities stopping in and how long the wait times were. I had tried the to go option during Covid and I was pleasantly surprised with the taste of the chicken and some of the side items that were available. So finally, my wife and I had a day off of work so we decided to go check it out. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the family style seating, it really gave us the opportunity to speak with other people, whether they were locals or tourists and get their thoughts about Savannah. The food was very good, overall I rated it about a 7 to 8. Some of the side dishes were not to my liking, I don't generally like sweet potatoes with raisins in them or egg noodles with carrots and celery; I also was not sure if the mashed potatoes were instant or homemade. But overall, with the amount of food that you get including the full family style meal, the iced tea and the options for dessert; I feel like it's definitely worth the $35. It's not something I feel like I have to go to often, but I would definitely take family members or friends that were visiting and wanted to try a different style of dining. read more

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This place is not for the shy. (I say that as a full-on introvert.) Wait in line to be seated with groups of strangers at the same giant table. Then plates of Southern food start hitting the table family-style. Grab a spoonful, forkful or piece, pass it down, and repeat. Very interactive. Very communal. Very "talk to strangers." Truly my nightmare, but also kind of fun? Luckily, our table ended up being a friendly and clean bunch, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. The concept itself is unique and worth trying at least once. The highlights were the fried chicken and biscuits were the stars - crispy skin, juicy meat, fluffy bread, comforting all around - exactly what I want from Southern classics. For the finale, intensely sweet banana pudding and peach cobbler. Service was giving peak Southern hospitality - warm, charming, and genuinely welcoming. Price-wise, I don't think it quite justified the value for me, but I'm still glad we tried it. Overall, a fun, memorable experience! Maybe bring your extroverted friend for moral support. read more

Warning the line that you have to stand in is not for people with lack of patience. Other than that you have a great view of the historical buildings and streets to look at while you wait. But the real question is; is It worth the wait? It's totally worth the wait. The all you can eat soul food is great. The grand daughter to the owner comes out talks with you. Great photo opps. See yall soon. read more

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Absolutely delicious food. There wasn't a single item I tasted that wasn't absolutely phenomenal. Service was SO friendly and what you think of when people say "southern charm". Went on a Wednesday around 1:15pm and got sat almost immediately (only two of us though). The fried chicken was mind blowing with it being juicy throughout and the green beans were divine. Just cannot say enough good things! Love the family style sitting & sharing food. More than enough. $35 cash only (includes tax and all the food, tip after). Small dessert of banana pudding or peach cobbler included, also amazing. read more

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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. read more

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Yeah, this is a one-of-one experience. Waited in line almost 2 hours from 10:30am just to take in the experience of Southern Hospitality at Mrs Wilkes. This is a legendary place - plenty of famous people have stepped foot to eat here. When we got there, about 80 people were already in line. We knew we'd have to stay on our feet a little longer. Even with the heat baking on us, we managed to kill some time by talking to the various other guests that were also waiting in line with us. Almost 2 hours later, we're finally seated inside. There are two dining rooms, about 75-80 people total inside. But all the food is ready for you to eat, family style, with all the strangers you met beforehand or the group of family/friends you arrived with. And man, the food was awesome. Even plenty of options for vegetarians like me. True, authentic, and hearty Southern food. I loved the Mac and Cheese & the Fried Okra. The pumpkins, mashed potatoes, collard greens.... all amazing. We also got a choice of sweet or unsweetened iced tea... I opted for the latter. Once we made it through all the food, we had our choice for a peach cobbler (with ice cream) or banana pudding. I tried a bite of the cobbler from my girl, but opted personally for the banana pudding. For an authentic Southern food experience plus hospitality and fun with strangers, you have to come through here on a weekday (open only 11am-2pm, so plan ahead!). Also, bring cash as the cost is $35/person before tips. read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - All the food for our table to enjoy! - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

I can guarantee you probably never had an experience like this. You will wait in line for like an hour, probably outside being entertained by one of the Wilke's relatives who do a very good job at telling stories about Mrs. Wilke, her history. they will give you copies of cookbooks if you want to buy one. The time will Fly by. You'll start talking to people in the line, knowing that those people will probably be seated next to you at your table then, once you get to your table, all the food will be already on there. They will have sweet tea for you, which you can trade out for unsweetened tea or water. The food will vary by season. They'll probably be more food than you can comfortably fit in your body. The food will be passed around the table, family style, but you'll be at a table with strangers. You'll pass it towards the left, Cotillion style. I took a sampling of everything. I took extra helpings of fried chicken, biscuits and fried okra. I'm still dreaming of the biscuits. Buttermilk biscuits. Soft and melts in your mouth biscuits. Lovely. You will take your plates and your cup and your silverware to the kitchen. Everybody in this restaurant is paid the same wage. The tips go to the same basket and it is split evenly by everyone. They do not take credit cards. Bring cash. read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - What we remember eating at Mrs. Wilkes! - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

We were told how amazing Mrs.Wilkes house was but we weren't ready for what we walked into. The wait is long. We got to the restaurant at 10:15am Monday morning. We waited around 2 hours to be seated. We kept telling ourselves, "this better be worth it". Oh man was it worth it! The moment we walked in, we were greeted with a FULL table of southern food. I was left speechless. Everything looked delicious. Once we sat down, our group went to town on everything! Soooo delicious! The fried chicken was crispy and flavorful. My favorite was the corn casserole. The restaurant gives you a feeling of being at your grandmas house being spoiled with comfort food. Then to finish off the meal, they offer banana pudding, or peach cobbler, both delicious. read more

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UNBELIEVABLY GREAT!!!!! The fried chicken??? Heaven!!!!! Please go there. Worth the wait....... read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

We visited Mrs. Wilkes' House on the first Wednesday in November with a party of seven, and it was an experience to remember! Two of us walked over early and got in line at 12:30 p.m., while the rest of our group joined a bit later. We were greeted by "Outside Erin," who was absolutely delightful, warm, funny, and full of fascinating stories about the history of the house and the Wilkes family. Even though we were prepared for a long wait, it only took 30 minutes, which was much shorter than expected and completely worth it. Once inside, dining family style felt like stepping back in time to a true Southern home. The table was overflowing with delicious dishes and every single one was incredible. I loved that I didn't have to pick place an order or pick just one item and we got to try everything. This was more than just a meal; it was a memorable experience filled with Southern cooking and hospitality at its finest. I couldn't help but wish my parents and grandparents were there to share it with us. It's exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like family. read more

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My new favorite restaurant in Savannah! It's shame it took me so long to get around to trying it out. The food is amazing! (That fried chicken especially!) I love the homey feel. And the service was top notch! Perfect Southern hospitality. read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room is the ultimate Savannah experience. It has that authentic, 'at-home' soul where you sit at a big communal table and just start passing plates. It honestly reminds me of that 'Country Greek' hospitality where nobody leaves hungry. The food is just phenomenal. That Fried Chicken is easily some of the best in the South, perfectly crispy and seasoned. I couldn't get enough of the Sweet Potato Soufflé and the Creamed Corn, which was so fresh and rich. The Macaroni and Cheese was exactly how it should be, thick and flavorful with that perfect baked crust. Every bowl they brought out was delicious, from the Butter Beans to the Flaky Biscuits. If you look at the photos, the sheer amount of food is mind-blowing. It's like a massive family feast every single day. Eating on Jones Street in such a historic spot makes the whole thing feel like a core memory. It is absolutely worth the wait. read more

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Definitely a fun experience with a ton of food!! Be hungry! We arrived at 10am to get in line. Which was a great idea. Shortly after arrival the line was around the block. The doors opened shortly after 11am. We were seated and the food was on the table already. The chicken, bbq pork and beef stew were delicious. Other honorable Mentions were the collard greens and cheesy potatoes. The staff was very kind and attentive. There was so much food though! It was like eating in grandma's basement definitely a lot of fun! read more

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We heard so much about this place that we had to give it a shot! We were in Savannah visiting family so we went with our group of 7. We got there around noon and waited in line probably for an hour. It's only open from 11 to 2 pm during the week so make sure to fit it around your schedule. By the time we got to the front of the line, it was around 1 pm. Normally it's community style seating but since our group was larger and it was towards the end of their service day, we were able to get our own table. When they brought us in, most of the food was already set up on the table and they were dropping more off as time went on. I ended up getting the sweet tea with my meal and beverages along with dessert are included with the pricing. It was a legit thanksgiving style meal with so many sides and main dishes. The star of the show was definitely their fried chicken. It was absolutely delicious and fried to perfection. There was so much food and I did my best to try it all. Definitely would be ideal to come here with friends that have healthy appetites because I felt like we barely made a dent on the food. They'll also come around and ask if you want more of anything which we had to decline. For dessert, we had the option of peach cobbler or banana pudding. I opted for the banana pudding and it was fantastic. It really hit the spot. This was a great meal for $35 considering you get all the different mains and side dishes as well as a drink and dessert. The price also includes tax! Make sure you bring cash as this is a cash only establishment but they do have ATM machines available. read more

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On our weekend trip to Savannah, everyone we talked to recommended this place to us so we knew we had to make it happen. The line was definitely long on a Friday afternoon, but it did move relatively quickly with us waiting maybe about an hour. Once inside, the family style dining setup definitely felt like a Thanksgiving meal in the best way. The fried chicken definitely did live up to the hype, while some of the sides were hit or miss for me. The okra was one of the best sides with the opposite end being the mac and cheese which sadly tasted a bit sour. There is so much food to sample and enjoy. Definitely a place I would recommend to anyone at least once for the experience alone! read more

Got in line at 10:30 am and ate around 12:30. They are very organized in handling and feeding the crowd. Loved the family style seating and how they just lay out tons of different dishes on each table for everyone to take some and pass around - they also were great about bringing more of whatever you wanted. Awesome fried chicken! It's a good way to get a taste of lots of Southern side dishes, like okra and collared greens, corn bread and Mac n cheese and Peach cobbler for dessert. The experience was cool so glad we did it. read more

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My wife and I go to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room whenever we are in Savannah, Ga. The best fried chicken I've ever eaten.

Our first stop on our last trip to Savannah was Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room. We arrived just after they opened at 11 am and the line was already down the block. We waited about an hour and 15 minutes to get inside. Once inside, our group was taken to a table in the back room. Lunch was served! Southern sides covered the table and the food kept coming. Everything from creamed corn and green beans to cornbread and sweet potato casserole. I didn't even get to try everything because there was so much food. The BBQ pulled pork and fried chicken were delicious. One of my favorite sides were the collard greens. The mac and cheese and biscuits were really good, too. Dessert options were banana pudding and peach cobbler. Hubby and I got one of each to share and they were rich and luscious. The peach cobbler was my favorite. Totally worth the wait for this unique family-style dining experience. I would highly recommend paying Mrs. Wilkes' a visit! read more

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If you're going to Savannah, you do not want to miss this experience. Please come early and bring cash. The food was also very yummy. I liked the fried chicken a lot as well as the fried okra. It is also a good way to talk to others who may be local or also visiting as well. It was very homey, the vibe felt like Thanksgiving. You can also get a cookbook as well! read more

once in a lifetime must try!!! 10/10 experience. Food and service was phenomenal. Will definitely recommend read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - the best experience ever! a once in a lifetime must try! - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

The most unique and delicious meal we had in Savannah! Loved the family style dining and the ability to try so many authentic dishes. Fried chicken was the star of the meal! read more

Savannah weekday cash only lunch went well. Line started early and the sides and tea were on the table upon being seated. The fried chicken was brought out and the rounds began of all the sharing of sides. Met people from across the country. Took our plates, silverware, and cups to the dish room area after. Remember cash for tip. Register by the front door. read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Line for weekday cash only lunch - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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I was so afraid this was going to be a tourist trap! But this turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Met a lot of fun people waiting in line for the 11 AM opening and then sat with a lovely group of at out table of 10. Bowls filled with all sorts of homecooked southern favorites were loaded on the table when we arrived and after a lovey blessing by the grandson of Mts. Wilkes we started passing the food taking bits of everything. While the staff refreshed empty bowls and brought even more we all filled ourselves and shared our favorites. The fried chicken was amazing and I was in love with the collard greens.... 3 helpings I think! There were a few okra dihes ad butter beans and a noodle dish and biscuits and cornbread and green beans and potatoes au gratin and stuffing ... and the list goes on. The servers were warm and funny and attentive and really added to the whole experience. They even made us bus our own tables. Would absolutely return here if I am ever in Savannah! read more

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - Southern Near Me - Savannah, Georgia