Cancel

Open app

Search

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room

4.6 (1.8k reviews)
ModerateSouthern, American
Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room Photos

Business Info

MRS WILKES' DINING ROOM ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

You might also consider

More like Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room

Recommended Reviews - Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

My plate of food, double decker!
Sharon D.

It was our first time in Savannah, and we had to try Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room. The family style seating and meal presentation was homey and comfortable. The service was excellent, our wait staff as sweet as the tea, and the food was delicious! My favorites were the fried okra, the collard greens, mashed potatoes and fried chicken, which was l truly the best I've ever had! We will definitely be back with hearty appetites!

Lisa M.

Mrs. Wilkes holds such a special place in my heart. I remember coming here back in high school, grabbing food to go out the back entrance--the smell alone brings back so many memories. Every time I'm in Savannah, I make a point to come here, and now I've introduced my husband to it as well. We usually visit in December, and this time we were pleasantly surprised there was no hour-and-a-half wait around the block. We walked right in and felt incredibly lucky. The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the food is pure comfort--especially the fried chicken, biscuits, cornbread, banana pudding, and all the vegetables. Everything makes you feel full, happy, and right at home. Mrs. Wilkes is truly a Savannah institution, and one that should always be treasured.

This wide angle shot barely tells the whole story:  so many sides
J P.

Yes, it's touristy. Yes, the lines are long. Yes, they only take cash and do not take reservations. But don't let these arguments keep you away: Mrs. Wikes' is superb. The fried chicken is among the best I have ever had: perfectly seasoned and with a crackly crust that practically shatters. The other mains of pulled pork and beef stew were also perfectly executed. But the side dishes are the real stars here. From Low Country red rice to au gratin potatoes, and beans to collards, they are all perfect examples of quality Southern home cooking. The staff are all super friendly and welcoming...you feel like you are guests in an old friend's home. And you are.

So many sides!
Pam R.

Quite the experience! Family style with more food than you could imagine. You sit at large tables of 8-10. Dishes are family style and they will bring you more of any of them. Staff is very warm and friendly! Definitely recommend!

Angelica D.

I've have been trying to get to Mrs. Wilkes for years, but they' were always closed by the time I arrived during past trips to Savannah. This time, I did ALL the research and made sure I arrived by 12:00 pm. Their hours are M-F 10am-2pm. Reviews say there's always a long line. To my surprise, when I arrived there was no line. I informed the host that I was dining alone and she had me wait for a short period for other guests to arrive so that I could join their table. All of the tables were occupied at the time and the dishes are served communal. One tip that I overlooked is that they only accept cash. It's $35 (tax included) and they have an ATM on site for people like me who rarely carry cash. No other guests arrived by the time I was seated so I was the only person at a table with mounds of food. I was flabbergasted by the amount of food, but when in Rome.... I sampled everything. The fried chicken was delicious! Some of the sides were hit or miss, but I enjoyed everything. They even brought out different types of breads and dessert. The staff here were so welcoming! Every single person that I encountered had a smile and was pleasant.

Vyshak C.

Fried chicken was so good! Recently rated #5 fried chicken in the country by Yelp, Mrs Wilkes didn't disappoint. Located on beautiful Jones Street, despite an hour wait to be seated, we had an amazing family style lunch. The sides were somewhat up and down - we surprisingly loved the Cole slaw and the fried okra, but the Mac and cheese for example tasted a little off. I'm not sure if things just didn't get cooked properly, but it was almost sour. The decor on the walls and the house is lovely, and the service was amazing! Would definitely come back but would definitely try to come earlier to avoid such a long line

Got in line at 10:30 am and ate around 12:30. They are very organized in handling and feeding the crowd. Loved the family style seating and how they just lay out tons of different dishes on each table for everyone to take some and pass around - they also were great about bringing more of whatever you wanted. Awesome fried chicken! It's a good way to get a taste of lots of Southern side dishes, like okra and collared greens, corn bread and Mac n cheese and Peach cobbler for dessert. The experience was cool so glad we did it.

Entrance
Erin O.

Heard so many good things about this place, we had to try it out. Pro-tip either come at least 35-40 mins earlier and be one of the first in line to get in or come later between 12:45-1pm if you don't want to wait too long. Reminder: this place is cash only, $35/person. Can't pack leftovers. When we got there, people were already waiting, so we were in the second group and waited about an hour. Staff are friendly, service is quick, and we loved all the dishes. We were sooooo full. You can ask for more as much as you want! Tables are arranged like a family dining room and you sit with strangers, but this is a great opportunity to start a conversation and get to know someone new. Everyone at our table was very friendly and cordial, like they're a part of the family. Loved the dishes so much I bought their cookbook. Remember either come early or come later.

What we remember eating at Mrs. Wilkes!
Corey H.

I can guarantee you probably never had an experience like this. You will wait in line for like an hour, probably outside being entertained by one of the Wilke's relatives who do a very good job at telling stories about Mrs. Wilke, her history. they will give you copies of cookbooks if you want to buy one. The time will Fly by. You'll start talking to people in the line, knowing that those people will probably be seated next to you at your table then, once you get to your table, all the food will be already on there. They will have sweet tea for you, which you can trade out for unsweetened tea or water. The food will vary by season. They'll probably be more food than you can comfortably fit in your body. The food will be passed around the table, family style, but you'll be at a table with strangers. You'll pass it towards the left, Cotillion style. I took a sampling of everything. I took extra helpings of fried chicken, biscuits and fried okra. I'm still dreaming of the biscuits. Buttermilk biscuits. Soft and melts in your mouth biscuits. Lovely. You will take your plates and your cup and your silverware to the kitchen. Everybody in this restaurant is paid the same wage. The tips go to the same basket and it is split evenly by everyone. They do not take credit cards. Bring cash.

Monique B.

I recently tried the infamous Mrs. Wilkes restaurant in Savannah. As a general native of Savannah, well a resident of seven years; I've heard so many different things about this place from Barack Obama to many other celebrities stopping in and how long the wait times were. I had tried the to go option during Covid and I was pleasantly surprised with the taste of the chicken and some of the side items that were available. So finally, my wife and I had a day off of work so we decided to go check it out. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the family style seating, it really gave us the opportunity to speak with other people, whether they were locals or tourists and get their thoughts about Savannah. The food was very good, overall I rated it about a 7 to 8. Some of the side dishes were not to my liking, I don't generally like sweet potatoes with raisins in them or egg noodles with carrots and celery; I also was not sure if the mashed potatoes were instant or homemade. But overall, with the amount of food that you get including the full family style meal, the iced tea and the options for dessert; I feel like it's definitely worth the $35. It's not something I feel like I have to go to often, but I would definitely take family members or friends that were visiting and wanted to try a different style of dining.

Waiting in line
Jennifer T.

We were told how amazing Mrs.Wilkes house was but we weren't ready for what we walked into. The wait is long. We got to the restaurant at 10:15am Monday morning. We waited around 2 hours to be seated. We kept telling ourselves, "this better be worth it". Oh man was it worth it! The moment we walked in, we were greeted with a FULL table of southern food. I was left speechless. Everything looked delicious. Once we sat down, our group went to town on everything! Soooo delicious! The fried chicken was crispy and flavorful. My favorite was the corn casserole. The restaurant gives you a feeling of being at your grandmas house being spoiled with comfort food. Then to finish off the meal, they offer banana pudding, or peach cobbler, both delicious.

Zemin H.

This is a family style dining place. We had lunch on Christmas Eve, by 10:40am there was long line in front, wait time was about one hour and ten minutes. Every table sits about 8-10 people, they serve typical southern food, like fried chicken, fried okra, cornbread, etc. The legendary chicken was really juicy and tender, all the food was very delicious. The hostess was very courteous to come to every table to ask if food is satisfying. This is truly unique dining experience.

Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy
Leonard C.

UNBELIEVABLY GREAT!!!!! The fried chicken??? Heaven!!!!! Please go there. Worth the wait.......

See all

Photo of J T.
18
91
55

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 2

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 20
Thanks 11
Love this 14
Oh no 2

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

18 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 3
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Corey H.
576
1026
1395

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 1

24 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 3
Love this 2
Oh no 5

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of M F.
10
24
6

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

23 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 3
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 5
Love this 6
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 45

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room

What's your chances of showing up closer to 2pm and getting sat? Party of 2.

We went on a Wednesday and waited for an hour. Of course, we got there early, and there were already 30 people ahead of us. Once in, they had 3 tables that still had room to seat others. I know this won't answer your question, but it depends on the… Read more

What time should you get in line?

Depends on the day but there is seating for only about 100 so to be in the 1st serving group, I'd shoot for no later than 10:15 am.

Is your place wheelchair accessible?

If I remember correctly, there is a small step but check with the restaurant for sure.

Is there a 12 And under price for kids?

While I was not there with kids, I did overhear the man at checkout saying something about kids under 10 get 50% off. So $15 instead of $30. I would call to confirm...

How are they handling the COVID distancing and sanitary concerns?

There is no Dine In option right now, they are only open for Pick Up. They do have tables and chairs outside if you would like to eat "picnic style." For the most part, you just order your meal, they bring it out to you, and you leave.

Has the dining room opened after COVID closure?

I don't know. You could call them.

Are the greens, beans, peas, and cabbage cooked with pork?

Sorry I can't remember, but I do know this, we went with my vegetarian daughter and she had plenty of options. We all really enjoyed it. But be prepared after the meal you take your dishes to the kitchen!

Can one person go since it is family style?

Absolutely yes

Where is the nearest location for public parking? Thanks!

I don't know as far as parking lots are concerned but we didn't have any trouble finding street parking within walking distance.

Some of the people in my party are unable to stand for long periods of time, especially in the heat. Do all members of the dining group need to stand in line or can a representative or two hold the space in line until seating time?

I believe a representative or two can hold the line, but you may want to call and ask. If you have a very large party, people might not like you "cutting" in front of them, but if your party is like 3 or 4 people and you have 2 in line, I don't… Read more

Do they do to go orders at all? UPDATE: I was told about the food. Just realizing the point is a family style dining experience. Thanks for the answers.

I can't say for certain, but I highly doubt it. They have a very specific system that they follow.

How much does it cost?

It is $23 and cash-only. There is opportunity for tipping when you cash out at the end, as well.

Are there long waits during the middle weekdays like Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday?

We waited a half hour in November on a Wednesday!

I see that the restaurant closes at 2:00 PM. If you're in line at 2:00, do they come out and tell you to leave or do they cut off the line earlier so that if you're in line by a certain time, you can get in?

Staff will come out, assess how many more people they can take, and cut the line off at a certain point. (That's what I observed the one time I dined there.)

Do you have to get there at 11:00?

We actually got there at 10am and were let in around 11:15am, which was great. Last time, we got there around 11:30am and got in at 1:30pm, so I recommend arriving earlier rather than later.

If your table runs out of chicken will your table get more? How many pieces of chicken are you allowed to get?

They keep refilling items as they run out! They were very quick and attentive about what was running low.

View All 18 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Southern 2,929 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

The Olde Pink House - Peanut Butter Dessert

The Olde Pink House

4.3(6.9k reviews)
0.6 mi
$$$

The Olde Pink House is a Savannah staple, oddly enough, it took me over 5 years to finally go. It…read morecan be extremely hard to secure a reservation here, but if you're able to go, do it! I'll preface by saying the vibe was interesting. There's a woman that sitios by tables to sing, which I didn't particularly like. The house itself gives off pre civil war vibes... so take that as you will. Nothing strange or offensive happened to me, it was the energy. Now to the meal. Our waiter was great. We ordered wine to go with our food and started with the biscuits and some oysters of the half shell. Delish! My husband ordered the scorched flounder and I got the fried lobster tails. Amazing flavors, and we were stuffed. The Olde Pink House is on the pricier side, but there's attention to the detail in the meals that match the price. There is an elevator inside, which is good since the stairs are a bit steep, and there are so many places to sit with a different feel.

So glad we went here during our trip to Savannah. Our server was excellent, the manager stopped by…read moremultiple times, and the vibes were solid. It may sound crazy - but I would actually skip the entrees and order multiple appetizers and salads. The BLT salad was incredible. The crab cake app was so good. And the fried green tomatoes were delish!

Photos
The Olde Pink House - Upstairs ballroom seating - there's an elevator . . . ask, if you don't like stairs

Upstairs ballroom seating - there's an elevator . . . ask, if you don't like stairs

The Olde Pink House - Red fish with Rice (seasonal)

Red fish with Rice (seasonal)

The Olde Pink House - The main dining room we were sitting in upstairs before it got crowded

See all

The main dining room we were sitting in upstairs before it got crowded

The Public Kitchen & Bar - Soup special - delicious

The Public Kitchen & Bar

4.3(1.6k reviews)
0.2 mi
$$

Food was amazing, we had JALAPEÑO POPPER CHICKEN grilled & sliced chicken breast,…read moreroasted garlic & jalapeño whipped cream cheese, hoagie roll with red grapes and pineapple slices. Husband had CLAM LINGUINI crispy pancetta, sweet peas, classic white wine & garlic butter broth, fresh herbs. We sat outside, next to the sidewalk. We had our puppy with us. They brought him water. Patio furniture was comfortable. Our waitress, Nicole, was great. No complaints. Will go back here when we are in town.

Let me preface this review by saying that I love The Public and it's one of my go-to places to…read morebring friends visiting from out of town. Unfortunately, my experience last night left a bad taste in my mouth. We were seated in the lower dining room. Everything was going well with good service and delicious drinks... and then I spotted a cockroach crawling under our table. Of course, we are in the south & I am willing to overlook the odd roach here and there. However, when a second one emerged from the hallway, my confidence that this was just a one-off incident tanked. By the time our food arrived, our focus had been diverted to be on roach alert. Unfortunately, the food also missed the mark--overly salty and bland at the same time. None of this aligns with The Public I know and love, so I am really hoping this was just an off night. Might be taking a break from this place for a while.

Photos
The Public Kitchen & Bar - Bar

Bar

The Public Kitchen & Bar - Caesar - not my fav

Caesar - not my fav

The Public Kitchen & Bar - Savannah Shrimp & Grits

See all

Savannah Shrimp & Grits

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern - Mahi po boy

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern

4.0(1.4k reviews)
0.7 mi
$$

Trying to eat anywhere on River Street on a Friday around 6:30pm is challenging, so waiting 40mins…read morewasn't a shocker. Walking up stairs was. We ordered Glazed salmon with pilaf rice and garlic broccoli. Also, The Feast which includes fried oysters, shrimp, catfish, fries and coleslaw. Pink lemonade. I didn't taste the garlic but I love broccoli so much that it was still good. The right amount of crunch. Fluffy pilaf rice that was tasty. Like actually good. I enjoyed the glazed salmon, cooked to perfection. There was no complaints at all pertaining to the well seasoned, crispy fried everything lol oysters, shrimp , fries and catfish. Good service and nice place to sea the ships sailing by while enjoying your meal. Nice clean bathroom. I do have a suggestion: inform the patrons ahead of time they may have to go upstairs to dine. I witnessed many complained about those stairs

For today's lunch, the salmon seafood sandwich caught my attention…read more With a decent amount of lunch options to choose from, the salmon sandwich with it options made the cut. . You start out with a choice of bread, followed by lettuce, tomato, and French dressing, bacon and cheese. Minus the bacon and cheese of course course the sandwich was actually quite good. You get a very nice piece of salmon cooked the way you want it and it did not have that fishy taste or smell. You also get a choice of sides unfortunately they forgot to include my potato salad side. To kick off the lunch, I went with their clam chowder with potato. This was pretty good with a good amount of clams, but it was a tad on the salty side.

Photos
The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern - Inside dining area

Inside dining area

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern - Blackened Mahi Poboy with Onion Rings

Blackened Mahi Poboy with Onion Rings

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern - Beers

See all

Beers

Ardsley Station - Seared Jumbo Scallops

Ardsley Station

4.6(354 reviews)
1.4 mi
$$

Really great food for our whole party. Also great service from Chase and a great atmosphere inside…read moreand out. Liked the completely shaded patio. I had the special soft shell crab sandwich. It was exceptional and the best one I've had. Other members of my party really liked the deviled eggs, burger, and fried chicken sandwich.

UPDATE: Raising my rating from 2 to 4 stars. After my review, the owner Tyler reached out…read morepersonally -- not just with a thoughtful response, but he located my check and issued a full refund without me ever asking for one. The refund came through exactly as he said it would. To be clear, the food on my visit genuinely missed, and I'm not pretending otherwise. But Tyler responded publicly, owned it, and followed through completely. That kind of accountability is rare, and it's what earned the bump. Credit where it's due on the space, too -- the ambiance is genuinely great. Warm, candle-lit dining room, an open kitchen, a well-stocked bar, and a covered patio that had a real buzz to it. It's a spot that looks and feels like somewhere you want to be, which is exactly why I'd give the kitchen another shot based on how the owner runs this place. --- Original review (2 stars): Disappointing birthday dinner. Came in for my birthday and left underwhelmed. Our server Troy was the one bright spot -- professional and attentive all night. Caesar salad: Several bitter pieces of lettuce, and no black pepper offered or available. Faroe Island salmon: Overly buttery like it had been sitting under a heat lamp. The shishito cream sauce was way too acidic -- tasted like uncooked wine or vinegar. Crispy rice cakes were bland and a strange pairing (rice blocks with salmon?). The baby bok choy was decent until the sauce drowned it out. Braised beef short rib: Tender but flavorless. The mashed potatoes tasted old, not fresh that evening. To top it off, my wife had arranged ahead of time for the birthday dessert to be brought out -- the message never reached Troy, so that moment never happened. Troy deserved better than what the kitchen sent out.

Photos
Ardsley Station - Dining room

Dining room

Ardsley Station - Crabby Deviled Eggs

Crabby Deviled Eggs

Ardsley Station - Braised Beef Short Rib

See all

Braised Beef Short Rib

Cotton & Rye - Georgia Peaches & Cream @tiffhuangry

Cotton & Rye

4.6(1k reviews)
1.0 mi
$$$

This is a must-stop on the culinary tour of Savanah. They are a Michelin-starred experience for the…read moreservice and quality of the food. The greeting from our arrival to seating was prompt and very courteous. We got suggestions from the wait staff and started our experience. They have an extensive cocktail and wine list. We started with a drink called Southern Hospitality and their branded Old Fashioned. Both drinks were exceptional. We accompanied that with Grilled Octopus, which was sensational. Very hard not to make it chewy. Great char and sauce that accompanied it. For entrees, we did the Perloo, an amazing interpretation, and a swordfish. Both dishes were immaculately prepared and perfectly sized. We chose a bottle of Loss and Lehn, something we had never tried before but recommended based on what we had ordered. It matched perfectly with both dishes. We also choose items from the pick 3 menu to accompany our entrees. We finished with the best bread Pudding we have ever had nd french press coffee. The price was very reasonable considering the quality and the service, and should not be missed next time you are in Savanah.

Stopped into Cotton & Rye with my wife for dinner while in Savannah…read more My wife had the striped bass with sweet potatoes and flash fried broccolini, and I had the trout with crab rice. Both dishes were very well prepared and felt thoughtfully put together without trying too hard. The fish on both plates was cooked correctly, portions were solid, and flavors worked well together. With my wife's gluten and dairy allergy, plus my tree nut allergy, Alpha-Gal, and diabetes, we're usually a decent stress test for a kitchen. Staff handled questions professionally and didn't make ordering feel complicated. Atmosphere strikes a nice balance--upscale enough for a date night or business dinner, but still relaxed and comfortable. Service was attentive without hovering. Good for: dates, business meals Probably not ideal for: small children

Photos
Cotton & Rye - Dining area

Dining area

Cotton & Rye - Crispy Chicken Wings @tiffhuangry

Crispy Chicken Wings @tiffhuangry

Cotton & Rye - Beet the Heat cocktail - delicious!

See all

Beet the Heat cocktail - delicious!

Mrs Wilkes' Dining Room - southern - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...