Mrs. Wilkes’ reputation was strong, and business was brisk from the beginning. It received coverage in Esquire and the New York Times, and was even profiled on David Brinkley’s evening news program. That brought Southern food lovers from all over the world to her doorstep. Read More…
In 1943, a young Sema Wilkes took over a boardinghouse in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was modest: to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and homestyle Southern cooking served family style in the downstairs dining room. Mrs. Wilkes picked up where the previous proprietor left off, cultivating relationships with nearby farmers who dug sweet potatoes for her in the fall and shelled whippoorwhill peas in the summer. Read More…
Check out one of Mrs. Wilkes’ cookbooks in the Store for more featured articles over the years that have been written about this famous restaurant. Or stop by for a hearty lunch and read some of the articles hanging on the restaurant walls. Try a few of her recipes from epicurious.com.