GA has 5 of most legendary restaurants in South, according to Southern Living. Here’s why
Southern cuisine is comforting, scrumptious and to put it like Southern Living: “Legendary.”
In Southern Living found “The South’s Most Legendary Restaurants” and with that, found eateries that “outlasted trends” and no doubt, “set the standard.” Although spots in South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee were named, a few from Georgia also made the list.
Here’s what to know:
These are Georgia’s most ‘Legendary’ restaurants
The Olde Pink House
The Olde Pink House in Savannah, Georgia serves up shrimp and grits, fried chicken, southern mac and cheese. It was built in 1771 and is one of the oldest buildings in the state, once serving as a private residence, then a bank and even a teahouse, but the best yet is the iconic restaurant it is now.
“In the kitchen at The Olde Pink House, Bridget Johnson Burgess — affectionately known as Ms. Bridget — pulls tray after tray of biscuits from the oven, turning out more than 300 each night and treating everyone with care, a reflection of the attention to detail that defines the entire restaurant,” said Chelsea Brasted with Southern Living.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Mary Mac’s in Atlanta is “legendary” because while there were 16 tea rooms in the city back in postwar years, Mary Mac’s is the only original left. Now, it is a full restaurant with six rooms and a bar, cooking up catfish, cobbler and of course, fresh cornbread.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
Mrs. Wilkes in Savannah is a classic southern restaurant with family-style eating tables and a different menu every day.
“That’s all part of the fun. It’s a throwback to a simpler time, as is the restaurant’s cash-only policy,” Brasted said.
Doors open at 11 sharp and don’t forget to bring your appetite for ever-changing classics like meat loaf, potato salad and baked beans.
The Smith House
The Smith House in Dahlonega was built by Frank Hall, who was convinced of gold within the house. Unfortunately, officials denied his order to dig, but once the Smith House was renovated in the 1970s, a mine-shaft was indeed found. Even now, the mine shaft is still there and with it comes delicious homestyle ham and country fried chicken in its dining room on family-style tables.
The Pirates’ House
The site for this Savannah restaurant was first developed as an agricultural experiment to find what Georgia crops would thrive, but today, it serves up biscuits and gravy, blackened salmon, calamari and more.
“The Pirates’ House opened in 1953, and today it’s as much known for its fascinating history and its ghost tours as it is for the daily Southern lunch buffet,” according to Brasted.
Have you been to any of these restaurants? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
