WITH this sultry Southern heat taking the breath right outta ya, who wants to turn on the stove? Here are a few spots this foodie girl loves to haunt during the summer sweat-a-thon – and you don't have to dress up to enjoy a great meal at any of them.
• Wayback Burgers is a newbie to the food scene in Savannah, but they already have an avid following—why? Big, flavorful burgers, incredible creamy milkshakes in flavors like Orange Creamsicle & Butter Pecan served up in metal shakers that keep’em cold until the last slurp, and so-called “Irish Nachos” made from hand-cut fries and slathered in DEE-licious chili, two kinds of cheese, onions and jalapeños!
• Craving a good breakfast to accommodate everybody’s tastes? A sunny, cheerful room where the AC hums and the scent draws you ‘round the corner and through the door before you realize it? Check out J. Christopher’s on Liberty Street and order any one of their luscious Skillets, the Huevos Avocado, or, for the truly starving: the Bubba Breakfast. Vegetarians, weight-watchers, carnivores and pancake aficionados will all find something here to amaze and delight!
• If seafood is what your mouth is watering for, take a trip down to Tybee to Sting Ray’s on the main strip, and enjoy it fried, steamed, grilled or served up in a huge Low Country Boil. Best seats in the house are outta-the-house, on the open patio under beach umbrellas, or on the covered porch. Feel the breezes, breath in the salt air, throw back an always cold beer and feel free to wear yer flip-flops and shorts. On weekends you may have to wait a bit, but believe me, it’s worth it!
• Even in the scorching heat BBQ lovers will seek out that smokin’ ‘Q, bravin’ the gnats and sweaty armpits to get to a juicy stack ‘o beef brisket or tender pork at Sandfly BBQ on Ferguson Ave. down at the end of Skidaway Rd. Hand-cut fries, juicy & tender smoked chicken, the best damn smoked BBQ beans you’ll ever eat, friendly service, and—if you can get it before it disappears—old-fashioned scratch made Coconut Cake to die for! Sit inside or out at the picnic tables, family friendly, a great place for lunch or dinner!
• Lili’s Restaurant & Bar on Wilmington Island is a just-arrived little jewel of a place on Johnny Mercer Dr. where you can find—honest-ta-Goddess--the best fried oysters you’d ever imagine, succulent lamb, local favs like a truly tasty Shrimp n’ Grits, eclectic selections with a Persian or French savor, and fantastic salads. Everything is so fresh, so beautifully presented, and weekly specials are guaranteed to bowl you over. Sit outside on the shaded patio or inside in the shadowed cool, have a glass of wine and enjoy an incredible Sunday Brunch, it’s dress up or dress down and one of the BEST places in town for summer dining!
• For the brave among us who look forward dusting off our picnic baskets for an afternoon under the trees or sunning at the beach, you will find everything you need at Parker’s Urban Market on Drayton Street. Gourmet goodies, Southern favorites, fresh baked goods, decadent desserts, an awesome wine and beer section and enough drink choices to boggle the mind, make a stop before heading out to the picnic grounds. Keep hold of the kids, too, because the brilliant array of candies and confections will have them tuggin’ on your shorts for sure!
• In the last few months the area has been graced with two spectacular Asian eateries: Lady Saigon’s inside ‘Boomy’s Bar’ on Congress Street, and ‘Splendid Shabu’ out on the Pooler Parkway. Rachel Tran has reincarnated a former Savannah favorite inside ‘Boomy’s’ and serves a superb menu of truly authentic Vietnamese and Thai dishes, fresh, beautiful and ranging along a wide variety of tastes. Her menu also includes American cuisine such as a juicy grilled rib-eye, lambchops and delicately crispy fried softshell crab. Don’t miss this one!
• Splendid Shabu in Pooler is Tommy Tsoi’s answer to Chinese hotpot: choose either a delicate or spicy broth and a dazzling array of thin sliced meats, fresh vegies, dumplings, mushrooms and seafood for your own personal hotpot. For those who wanna avoid the heat, don’t worry—each pot is simmering atop a flat burner—no live flames here!—on a cool marble table. Choose your items from a convenient menu and everything is brought to you ready to go; get your sauces from a neat array on the side, order up a cold brewski or a boba tea and get ready to enjoy!
• Collin’s Quarter on the corner of Bull and Oglethorpe, and is one of those places suffused with good vibes either by early morning light while enjoying your espresso n’ scones, at midday with their astounding array of fresh salads and super-tasty sandwiches, or having a gourmet dinner in the cool of the evening. Super coffees, teas and artisan beers are a specialty, and a scrumptious, BIG, juicy and flavorful burger,
• Another newbie-but-goodie is ‘Melody’s Coastal Café and Sandbar Cantina’ out in Richmond Hill, and I just can’t rave enough about’ em! With flavors that amaze, generous portions, an eclectic menu that still has plenty of well-loved goodies like supremely delish burgers, wings and tacos, yet tempts one to try more, Ron & Kelli Lash gotta good thang goin’ y’all. I have no problem racin’ up the highway to get my Banh Mi or fried shrimp cravings satisfied. Oh, and killer desserts—check out their Facebook page for fresh decadence weekly!
