Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

A Savannah Legend Since 1941

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room stands as one of Savannah's most beloved and iconic restaurants—a legendary establishment that has welcomed generations of locals and visitors since 1941. More than a restaurant, Mrs. Wilkes represents the very essence of Savannah hospitality, Low Country tradition, and authentic Southern cooking served in the most genuine and communal way possible.

Walking through the doors of Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is stepping into Savannah history and experiencing a dining tradition that harks back to simpler times when families gathered around tables, shared food, and created memories through conversation and connection. This is Southern dining at its most authentic—unpretentious, generous, and deeply rooted in tradition.

A Century of Southern Hospitality: The History of Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room was established in 1941 by the Wilkes family as a restaurant dedicated to serving the kind of food and hospitality that defined Southern home cooking. Founded on the principles of generosity, warmth, and culinary excellence, the restaurant quickly became a gathering place for Savannah residents and a must-visit destination for travelers seeking authentic Southern cuisine.

The restaurant's longevity in the competitive hospitality industry speaks volumes about its quality, consistency, and genuine commitment to its guests. For over 80 years, Mrs. Wilkes has maintained its core philosophy: serve excellent food in generous portions, create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, and honor the traditions that make Southern cuisine distinct and meaningful.

The Philosophy of Family-Style Dining

What distinguishes Mrs. Wilkes from typical restaurants is its commitment to family-style dining—a dining tradition that emphasizes community, sharing, and connection. Rather than individual plates served at each seat, family-style dining features large platters and bowls of food placed at the center of the table, passed from person to person, shared among strangers and friends alike.

This dining style encourages conversation, breaks down social barriers, and creates an authentic community experience. It harks back to earlier American traditions when dining was an act of communion—a time for people to gather, share stories, and create connections over shared food and hospitality.

Historic Setting: Dining in a Savannah Mansion

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is located in a historic Savannah mansion, adding layers of authenticity and charm to the dining experience. The building itself is a testament to Savannah's architectural heritage, with period details that create an atmosphere of genuine Southern elegance without pretension.

• Historic Architecture: The mansion features hardwood floors, period-appropriate detailing, and authentic Southern design elements
• Multiple Dining Rooms: Various spaces throughout the house, each with its own character and charm
• Intimate Atmosphere: The residential setting creates warmth and homeliness rather than formality
• Historic Context: Dining in a real Savannah house, not a purpose-built commercial structure, enhances authenticity
• Lived-in Character: The imperfections and authenticity of a historic home create genuine appeal

The Food: Authentic Low Country Comfort Cooking

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room specializes in authentic Low Country and Southern comfort food—the kind of cooking that has defined Southern hospitality for generations. The menu changes daily but always features the classics that have made Southern cuisine beloved across America and the world.

Signature Dishes and Menu Staples

While the daily menu varies, certain dishes have become legendary at Mrs. Wilkes and define the restaurant's identity:

• Fried Chicken: The cornerstone of Mrs. Wilkes' reputation—perfectly seasoned, golden-brown, and impossibly tender chicken that represents Southern fried chicken at its finest
• Collard Greens: Slow-cooked with traditional preparation methods, these greens are tender, flavorful, and quintessentially Southern
• Cornbread: Warm, buttery cornbread that pairs perfectly with the meal and represents traditional Low Country cooking
• Biscuits: Warm, fluffy biscuits made from scratch daily—a staple of Southern breakfast and lunch service
• Mac and Cheese: Creamy, rich macaroni and cheese made with quality cheeses and traditional preparation
• Black-Eyed Peas: A traditional Low Country staple prepared with ham hock and Southern seasonings
• Okra: Fresh okra prepared fried or stewed, a distinctly Southern vegetable preparation
• Cheese Rice: Creamy rice with cheese, a comfort food side that complements the savory mains
• Beef and Rice Pilau: A traditional Low Country dish reflecting the region's rice-growing heritage
• Sweet Potato Casserole: A holiday classic made available year-round, representing Southern holiday traditions
• Peach Cobbler: Fresh fruit dessert reflecting Southern fruit traditions and home-style cooking

The Daily Menu Philosophy

Rather than offering a static printed menu, Mrs. Wilkes features daily specials based on ingredient availability, seasonal considerations, and what the kitchen determines will best represent authentic Southern cooking on that particular day. This approach maintains freshness, honors seasonal ingredients, and keeps the dining experience from becoming routine.

The daily menu might include items such as meatloaf, roasted chicken, seafood preparations, beef stew, or other Southern classics. Vegetables rotate seasonally and based on market availability, ensuring that dishes always feature quality ingredients at their peak.

The Family-Style Dining Experience

How Family-Style Service Works at Mrs. Wilkes

The family-style dining experience at Mrs. Wilkes is fundamentally different from typical restaurant service. Here's what to expect:

• Communal Seating: You are seated at shared tables with other guests (unless your party is large enough to fill a table)
• Large Platters: Main dishes arrive on large platters, placed at the center of the table for all to share
• Passing Food: Rather than individual service, you serve yourself from shared platters, then pass them down the table
• Abundance: Portions are generous, and platters continue to arrive throughout the meal as needed
• Breadbaskets and Sides: Cornbread, biscuits, and vegetables arrive in large quantities to be shared
• Conversation-Friendly: The shared nature of the meal naturally encourages conversation with other diners
• No Menus: There are no individual menus; you eat what is served that day
• Fixed Price: The meal is a set price regardless of how much you eat

The Social Aspect of Family-Style Dining

One of Mrs. Wilkes' greatest gifts is the opportunity to dine with strangers who become, for a moment, part of your extended family. The communal table setting naturally breaks down social barriers, and conversations flow easily as people from different backgrounds, cities, and countries gather around shared food and Savannah hospitality.

It's not uncommon for diners to exchange stories, recommendations, and contact information during their meal. The family-style format creates a uniquely warm and inclusive atmosphere that pure restaurants cannot replicate.

Atmosphere: Warmth, Authenticity, and Southern Charm

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room exudes warmth and authenticity in ways that no commercial design can manufacture. The atmosphere flows from genuine hospitality, the lived-in character of a historic home, and the presence of a restaurant that has consistently served its community for over eight decades.

• Historic Home Ambiance: Dining in an actual mansion creates authentic Southern charm
• Warm Staff: Service is genuinely friendly and welcoming, not scripted
• No Pretension: Mrs. Wilkes celebrates the simplicity and authenticity of the food and experience
• Casual Dress Code: Come as you are; this is unpretentious dining
• Visible Activity: You can often see servers moving through the kitchen, platters being prepared, the visible work of hospitality
• Organic Decoration: The decor is not designed but accumulated over decades of operation

Practical Information for Your Visit

Hours and Seating

Important: Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room operates lunch service only (Monday-Friday, 11 AM - 3 PM). There is no dinner service. The restaurant also closes on weekends and major holidays.

Plan to arrive early—lines frequently form 30+ minutes before the 11 AM opening, particularly on weekdays and during peak tourist seasons. No reservations are accepted; seating is first-come, first-served. Once capacity is reached, the restaurant closes for the day even if lunch service technically continues.

Dress Code

Mrs. Wilkes has a refreshingly casual dress code: come as you are. Casual clothing, shorts, t-shirts, and comfortable shoes are perfectly appropriate. This is unpretentious, genuine Southern dining where comfort and authenticity matter more than formality.

Payment and Pricing

Lunch is $40 per person (ages 13 and older) and $20 per person (ages 12 and under) for the complete family-style meal. Tax is included in the price. Payment is by cash or check ONLY—no credit cards are accepted. An ATM is available on-site for convenience. This cash-only policy is part of the restaurant's long-standing tradition and authentic character.

Dietary Considerations

Mrs. Wilkes specializes in traditional Southern cooking, which often features meat broths, butter, and animal products. Vegetarian options exist but are limited. If you have specific dietary restrictions, it's best to call ahead to discuss what will be available on a particular day.

The Perfect Post-Matinee Experience: Pairing with New Oak Theatre

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room pairs beautifully with a matinee performance at New Oak Theatre, offering a distinctly Southern cultural experience that complements dramatic arts perfectly.

The Perfect Cultural Afternoon

• Morning/Early Afternoon: Walk through Savannah's historic district, visit nearby squares and galleries
• Post-Matinee Lunch: Head directly to Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room for a family-style lunch (arrive by 2:15 PM to ensure seating before 3 PM closing)
• Extended Afternoon: The communal dining experience at Mrs. Wilkes creates perfect space for conversation and reflection about the performance you've just experienced
• Shared Cultural Experience: Dining with strangers at a family-style table creates community similar to the shared experience of attending theatre

Theatre and Hospitality

There's a beautiful parallel between theatre and Mrs. Wilkes' family-style dining: both are fundamentally about shared human experience, connection, and the magic that happens when people gather together. A morning matinee at New Oak Theatre followed by lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room creates a complete cultural experience that captures the essence of Savannah—where arts, history, and community hospitality converge.

What to Know Before You Visit

Reality Check: Lines and Wait Times

Mrs. Wilkes' popularity means you will likely wait. Understanding this helps you plan appropriately:

• Arrive 30-45 minutes before 11 AM opening for shortest lines
• Weekdays are less busy than weekends (but restaurant closed weekends anyway)
• Peak tourist seasons (spring/fall) mean longer waits
• The wait is part of the authentic experience—use the time to observe Savannah's historic district

Be Prepared for an Adventure

Mrs. Wilkes is not a polished, corporate dining experience. The historic building is not climate-controlled to perfection. Seating might be tight. The pace of service follows the restaurant's rhythm, not your schedule. The food might not be gourmet plating but rather honest, generous, home-style cooking.

Embracing these characteristics—viewing them as features rather than bugs—transforms a meal at Mrs. Wilkes into an authentic cultural experience rather than a disappointment.

Come With an Open Mind

You will eat what is served that day. You don't choose your dishes. You sit with strangers. The menu might include offal or organ meats or other items outside your usual range. The communal dining might feel awkward at first. Embracing these elements with openness and curiosity creates the most rewarding experience.

Cultural Significance: Why Mrs. Wilkes Matters

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is more than a restaurant—it's a living archive of Savannah culture, Southern hospitality traditions, and American culinary heritage. In an age of homogenized chain restaurants and internet-optimized dining experiences, Mrs. Wilkes represents something increasingly rare: an authentic, unchanged institution that has maintained its values and practices for over 80 years.

The restaurant preserves family-style dining traditions, honors Low Country cuisine, and demonstrates that genuine Southern hospitality is not performed but rather lived and shared daily with every guest. In this way, Mrs. Wilkes contributes to Savannah's cultural fabric and to the preservation of American regional foodways.

The Essence of Savannah Hospitality

To dine at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is to experience Savannah at its most genuine—not the Savannah of postcards and tourism marketing, but the real Savannah of community, hospitality, tradition, and authentic culinary heritage. This is where locals have brought their families for generations, where Savannah's true character reveals itself, and where the simple act of sharing a meal becomes a profound human experience.

Whether you're a first-time visitor seeking authenticity or a returning guest reconnecting with an old friend, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room welcomes you to the Savannah table—a table that has been set with generosity, warmth, and genuine hospitality for more than 80 years.

Arrive early, bring your appetite, come with an open heart, and prepare for one of Savannah's most authentic and meaningful dining experiences.