What Savannah restaurants were left off USA TODAY's list? We offer our thoughts
USA TODAY released its Restaurants of the Year 2024 list. Savannah’s own Cotton & Rye was named among the 47 best spots in the country for its inventive interpretations of classic Southern dishes, its stellar bourbon-heavy bar program, and its outrageously decadent desserts. The service is always warm and thoughtful, giving the elevated industrial atmosphere a hint of cozy familiarity.
But choosing the best restaurant(s) of any place depend(s) on so many variables, not least of which is personal preference. Some measures, of course, are sacrosanct: taste, quality of ingredients, consistency of food and service. Other criteria are squishier, such as technique, creativity of presentation, atmosphere and ambience, comfort, and price.
Considering the above, there are more Savannah-area restaurants that deserve a nod on USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year list.
Alligator Soul
114 Barnard St., alligatorsoul.com
The rustically romantic ― is that a recognized vibe? ― of this cellar-level establishment belies its adventurous offerings. There is a bit of New Orleans jazz playing through every dish on the curated, seasonal and mostly organic menus, which is filled year-round with game and seafood. It's the ideal mood setting for special occasions.
Brochu’s Family Tradition
2400 Bull St., Suite 8 (entrance on 40th Street), brochusfamilytradition.com
So, the chamomile-spiced fried chicken with the shattering crust is supposed to be the draw. But, honestly, it's the oysters that bring us back. The ideal stop between work and home is seated at a picnic table beneath a porch umbrella with an Arctic-cold glass of Pinot Grigio and a dozen or two mixed-and-matched half shells ― grilled, raw or roasted, and dressed with something as simple as a scallion butter or as satisfying as a benne crunch. That's a tradition worth keeping.
Common Thread
122 E. 37th St., commonthreadsavannah.com
Some of us still remember when the Victorian at 122 E. 37th St. housed Al Cobb's Antiques, and you could find dusty treasures if you took the time to dig through years of auction and estate sale finds. There are many gustatory treasures to discover now that the house has been reborn as Common Thread. It's so much nicer now to settle into the bright, sophisticated (but not stuffy) rooms and build a shareable meal for two or three or four from the many fresh, seasonal offerings among the constantly changing four courses listed on the menu. Some days there are chanterelles and on others, there are spring onions and some guy named Richard's chicken. No matter what's available, Executive Chef Joseph Harrison's joy and playfulness is evident in the delivery.
Elizabeth on 37th
Because Elizabeth was on 37th when folks were scared to venture south of Gaston or north of Victory, sometimes it seems she gets overlooked, what with all the hip Starland kerfuffle happening around the gray lady. But she remains steadfast, with the most impeccable and gracious service and the most thoughtful wine pairings magnifying a consistently creative seven-course prix fixe menu. Because tastings from the kitchen comprise the first course, there is always an element of surprise. Chef Kelly Yambor's evolving set of dishes, from a sunflower seed-encrusted flounder to an oyster dressing, are steeped in coastal Georgia history while pushing the flavor profiles of food so fresh.
105 E. 37th St., elizabethon37th.net
The Grey
109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., thegreyrestaurant.com
In the brief time before the James Beard awards and the expansion to Austin and now Paris, The Grey felt very much of Savannah. But holding Chef Mashama Bailey too close would have clipped her wings, even if she helped the city tell a different story about itself and its food. Channeling the spirit of Edna Lewis, Bailey crafted a menu that asserts the best of the Lowcountry's abundance ― whether it comes from the dirt, the water, the pasture, or the pantry (as the restaurant's menu is organized). The pickled oysters sparkle, and the Country Captain with its hint of curry and almond reminds that Savannah is a port city, after all. The seasonal Country Pasta is a mashup of two geographies, central Italy and the American South, as if Cacio e Peppe and pulled pork were made for each other all along.
Over Yonder
2424 Abercorn St. (behind Moodright's), overyondersav.com
There are some days when only a burger that tastes like it was smashed on an ancient griddle seasoned by the gods coupled with an ice-cold Lone Star will do to quiet the noise in your head (even if Anders Thompson or Andrew Sovine are belting out boot-scooting boogies). This authentic Texas roadhouse on the hind side of a duckpin bowling alley is a little slice of honky tonk heaven on the outskirts of the Starland District. Be sure to order a side of Cowboy Ranch for dipping those salt-and-peppered fries, and if you can solve the riddle under that Lone Star cap, well then, you have better eyesight than we do.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: savannah restaurants we wish were on USA TODAY's best list
