The story
Savannah's most iconic dining experience — communal tables loaded with fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and 20+ Southern dishes served family-style. Started as a boarding house in 1943 by Sema Wilkes. The line wraps around the block daily. No menus, no reservations, cash only. Barack Obama ate here in 2010.
Everything that was here
- 1966–present · still open
Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Roomrestaurant
Savannah's most iconic dining experience — communal tables loaded with fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and 20+ Southern dishes served family-style. Started as a boarding house in 1943 by Sema Wilkes. The line…
See the map in 1967 → - 1943–1966
Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding HouseBoarding House / Restaurant
Sema Wilkes began serving boarding house-style meals to tenants in her Jones Street brownstone in 1943. Word spread about her Southern cooking and soon non-boarders were lining up. She stopped taking boarders in the…
See the map in 1944 →
Connected places
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Nearby history
Peter Meldrim Residence / St. John's Parish House
Mercer-Williams House
Poetter Hall (SCAD)
Crystal Beer Parlor
Monterey Square
Sorrel-Weed House
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