Eat your way into Spring

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everybody, and welcome back. Welcome back to Savannah. What
a cool city that is. It is. We've been talking
about Savannah for four weeks now, and we know where
to go, how to get there, how to get around
once we get there. We know something about the nightlife,
we know something about the history, we know something about
all the ghost stories and where to go get yourself scared.

(00:21):
So now we're going to talk about something that's near
and dear to my heart, and that is a taste
of tradition, the culinary scene, and Savannah is a vibrant
ta pet tapestry woven from threads of traditional innovations and
the whole heap of Southern hospitality. Forget bland chain restaurants

(00:46):
not in Savannah. That ain't gonna happen. Savannah offers a
feast for the senses, a delicious journey throughout time, and
a taste of what makes Southern cooking so iconic. This
isn't just about fried chicken and sweet tea, though you'll
find plenty of both and gloriously so, and being a
Southerner myself, it is amazing. It's about the stories behind

(01:06):
the recipes, the families who passed down these culinary secrets
and the unique terror of the shapes and the flavors.
Let's begin with the basics, the cornerstone of any Southern experience,
the classic dishes. You'll find countless variations across the city,
but some dishes are universally cherished. Shrimp and grits, for example,

(01:29):
I must try this isn't just your grandmother's bland grits.
Savannahs chefs elevate the dish to an art form, often
pairing creamy stone ground grits with succulent, perfectly seasoned shrimp,
perhaps a drizzle of spicy rimologue or a sprinkle of
sharp cheddar. The variations are endless, each chef adding their

(01:52):
unique touch, but the core remains the same, a harmonious
blend of the textures and flavors that bodies of Southern
spirit don't be shy ask around for recommendations. You might
be surprised that the hidden gems tucked away in less
touristy spots and find I found my personal favorite, a

(02:13):
tiny eatery tuck down a couple cobbled alley way, serving
shrimp and grits so good I almost cried. I mean,
it was just that good. And there's fried chicken. Now,
I've self proclaimed fried chicken connoisseur. My wife is too.
Let me tell you Savannah doesn't disappoint. Forget the dry,

(02:33):
rubbery stuff you find in the fast food chains. Savannah's
fried chicken is a symphony of crispy, golden brown skin,
juicy tender meat, and perfectly balanced seasoning. Many restaurants boast
their own secret recipes and not from the kernel passed
down through generations, each with its own distinct character. Some

(02:54):
prefer a lighter, crispy or crust, others opt for the thicker,
more flavorful coat. Regardless of the style, the quality of
the ingredients always shines through a parrot with some creamy
collared greens, mac and cheese, you know the kind that
just clings to your fork and makes you want to
lick the bowl clean, and yeah, you can do that.

(03:17):
And a slice of corn bread. I love some good
corn and this is a good corn bread too, And
you'll understand why this dish is a Southern staple. Don't
forget to try the biscuits. Light fluffy and often served
with butter melting into the warmth. They're particularly a religion
down South. And I'm getting hungry talking about it, guys.
But let's not forget the soul food gems Savannahs soul

(03:40):
food is tradition and it's rich and varied, reflecting the
city's unique history and the cultural influences. From a savory
smothered pork chops slow cooked to perfection and swimming in
a rich gravy, good gravy, and the comforting warmth of
oxtail stew. With each dish tells a story, a testament

(04:04):
of the resilience, the culinary creativity, the community. If you
have a sweet tooth, then you need you need to
brace yourself for the Southern onslaught of deliciousness, pecan pie,
sweet potato pie, cheese chest pie. The list goes on
and on. I love some pie. These pies are not
simply desserts, and they are in experience, an explosion of

(04:27):
flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. And
don't forget the cobbler. I mean you can't forget the cobbler.
That was what my father's with that and the cobbler
and banana pudding, whether it's peach, BlackBerry, or apple, the
bubbling sweet fruit filling swattled in a warm, buttery crust
is the perfect ending to a Southern meal. Beyond the classics,

(04:51):
Savana's culinary scene is ever evolving, constantly pushing boundaries and
reinventing traditional dishes. Many rest instaurants or incorporating modern techniques
and global influences into their menus recruited, resulting in a
truly unique and exciting dining experience. Expect to find innovative

(05:11):
takes on classic dishes as well as entirely new creations
that blend Southern flavors with international tastes. Finding the perfect
place to indulge in these culinary delights is half the fun.
Savannah boasts a diverse range to restaurants, from casual eateries
to upscale dining establishments, catering every budget and preference. From

(05:32):
truly authentic experience venture beyond the main tourist areas. Always
ask the locals where they go, and that's where you
go and explore the city's hidden culinary gems, those family
run establishments that have been serving up delicious food for generations.
You might stumble upon a tiny diner tucked away in
a quiet side street offering mouth watering soul food. At

(05:55):
prices that won't break the bank. Or you might find
a charming bistro serving up an innovative interpretations of Southern
classics in a sophisticated setting. Don't be afraid to ask
locals for recommendations. Listen, ask, you shall receive. People love
to talk about themselves and what they like to do,
so don't be afraid to ask. Savannah residents are known

(06:17):
for their warm hospitality and are always happy to share
their favorite spots. Engage with the servers and staff. Their
knowledge and passion for food will enrench your culinary adventure.
Ask about the history behind the recipes and the sources
of the ingredients, and the stories that have shaped the
culinary traditions. To help you navigate this delicious landscape, I've

(06:40):
compiled a list of some of my personal favorites, categorized
by style, budget, and remember this is just a starting point.
The best culinary discoveries are often though stumbled upon yourself.
Budget friendly. Miss Wilkes's dining room was amazing. The Old

(07:01):
Pink House. I've eaten there a couple of times and
it's good. Don't let the name fool you. The Old
Pink House isn't just for special occasions. They have formal
seating options, but there's always a chance to grab a
casual seat at the bar. Back in the Day Bakery,
not strictly a restaurant. Back in the Day Bakery is
a must visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. Mid

(07:26):
range of cost levels. Elizabeth on thirty seventh is absolutely amazing.
The gray and as g R e Y. It's a
beautifully restored Greyhound a bus station. Amazing fine dining circa
eighteen seventy five, located in the historic building circa eighteen
seventy five, offers an elegant and romantic setting. The menu

(07:49):
features are refined Southern cuisine, absolutely amazing. This isn't an
exhaustive list, of course, savannah culinary scene is constantly evolving,
with new restaurants and chefs emerging regularly. But this is
a starting point. So you know, do some Savannah has
some great websites. Get on there, do a little bit
of research and find out what you really want want

(08:12):
to do you know what, and go you can. You
can visit a bunch of restaurants and bars the same night.
You don't have to drive anywhere if it's a little
too far. To walk or the you know it's a
little too cold or a little too hot, get a
rickshaw and we do that all the time. And you
know what you can do. You could have a beverage
and I'm talking about an adult beverage, a glass of wine,

(08:34):
a cocktail while you're sitting there, you know, getting getting
cruised around in your rickshaw. Poor guy or gal is
just pedaling their little butts off. Not many hills in Savannah,
which is good for them, but uh, you know it's
still still can be taxing, especially you know, you know,
I'm not a I'm not a little fella, so you know,
they they earn their money when they're taking me somewhere.

(08:56):
But it is kind of nice because a lot of
towns now you can't have any kind of open containers
or anything like that. So in Savannah you can so
make the best of it while you can, because that
may change one day too. But like I said, the
old Pink House absolutely was delicious, had some really cool
takes and different takes on some different dishes. So go

(09:19):
check it out and enjoy, and don't be afraid to
ask the locals about where the best places are to eat,
because they're going to know, and they're going to be
more than happy to tell you where you need to go.
And you know, if you want to eat yourself into
spring in Savannah, you need to go ahead and start
booking those reservations and get yourself down there because spring

(09:43):
is great in Savannah. Like I've talked about before, you
even got Saint Patrick's Day coming up pretty soon, which
is amazing, big celebration down there, just in what's the
date today? I call it run together, so I'd like
it about one next weekend and then all the way
until next Monday, the seventeenth. It gets a little crazy

(10:05):
down there, and it's fun. So if that's your if
that's your vibe, jump on it. Because at the hotels
book up really quickly for Saint Pagie's Day. But other
than that, springtime in Savannah is absolutely amazing. The colors,
the trees, all of that. So you know, get down
there and check it out, all right, I will until

(10:29):
next time. God bless