Lady & Sons, The

I just thought I'd check out what all the hype was about. I've heard of Paula Dean but I don't watch the show. Well you definitely should get there before 9:30am (even off-peak). It was completely full by 10am. However, the awesome tour guide across the street had a fabulous suggestion: get the buffet to go! I didn't know you could do that. She said just be in front when the doors open and tell them you're getting something to go. Voila! The food w/o the wait. They are very generous with their containers too. The food was good but it wasn't absolutely fabulous to me. Pros: The Buffet To Go! Cons: Long wait for table. more

So funny reading other reviews! You see the difference between three years ago and now when the FOOD Network has really upped their Paula and Sons viewing! Love Paula Dean but I had no intention of eating at the restaurant especially after walking past the lines on a ninety degree OCTOBER day! But my buddy wanted to see what the fuss was about (he doesn't have cable, poor thing) and we found out what we had to do to get in. First of all, for lunch you should be there to put your name on the list for lunch no later than 9:00am. They give you a time to be back and you can go spend the rest of your morning as you wish. For dinner, same rules, except they start taking names around 2:30 or 3:00pm. We got there about 12:45pm for our 1:00pm ""reservation"", and made sure they knew we were there. And we proceeded to wait patiently. It was about 1:45 when we were seated, and no one brought water for the throngs of people waiting on the sidewalk. It was entertaining watching the people who walked up and threw little hissy fits because they have been waiting so long or they didn't know they had to leave their name, get a time, wait for the second coming ... oh and the guy who's been in the restaurant business for years and curses that this is not how you treat paying customers!!!! Yeah he was steamed. Good entertainment! We were seated on the third floor, had the buffet, became newly addicted to cheese biscuits, hoecakes with syrup, the best ever mac and cheese, and candied sweet potatoes!!! I know I'm going on, but my mouth is watering and there's drool... service was good one of the waitresses did an amazing Billie Holliday(?) song, it sent chills! Lemonade was too sweet, but Iced tea, fabulous. Did I mention the mashed potatoes? No? Yeah, I think I gained five pounds sitting there, but hey you don't eat like that every day! Pros: Every starch on the buffet Cons: Nasty people that think they're too good to stand with the masses more

This was the best southern food that my wife and I have ever had, and we live in the south. The greens were perfect and the black eyed peas were just right. The fried chicken was crisp outside, tender inside, and coocked through, and the veg-all casserole was fantastic. We sat at the bar and were entertained by the singing bartender. We bought the cookbook after we were finished so we can try some of her recipes. Pros: Food, Staff, Environment Cons: Lines more

We went there for lunch and had fried green tomatoes, the crab cake, chicken pie, and pecan pie. Be prepared to gain weight after leaving here...nothing really healthy about the food. The food was ok, nothing really exceptional and was overpriced. In reference to someones comment below about the ambiance, it IS a tourist trap. I am sure there are better dining options in Savannah for lunch. Pros: you can say you ate at a tv personalities restaurant Cons: the wait, average food, overpriced more

I went to Lady & Sons for lunch while vacationing in Savannah. Luckily, a friend who I was staying with knew someone on the wait staff and we were seated right away (there is usually a very long line to get in, and I believe that they only take reservations for large groups). Anyway, the atmosphere was just mediocre. It was very crowded and busy ... not very intimate. In fact, it reminded me a bit of a gimmicky tourist spot like Hard Rock Cafe (but with southern decor touches; not guitars and records). Luckily, though, the food was great (very filling, hearty southern dishes) and reasonably priced. My friend, the Savannah-native, always orders the pot pie ... I wish I would have done the same, because Ive never seen anything like it; it is GIGANTIC. Anyway, this is by no means a posh, romantic or elegant dining experience, but the food is very nice. more

VERY CLEAR THAT WERE JUST DOLLAR SIGNS, NOT PEOPLE! Intending a nice thing, I took WWII veterans group - what a fiasco! Ten are required for ""reservations"" I said 10-15 but it had to be exact. They took my credit card and lectured if all didnt show, my card would be charged. The entire party must be there to be seated (although I explained many were elderly). THREE TIMES I heard if even 1 is 15 minutes late, the reservation was void and my card would be charged $300 for ""loss of income"" for holding the table! WE were on time, but an hour+ later (9:15PM) were still waiting, although the line was gone! Finally seated, the service was poor, got sweetened tea instead of unsweetened (diabetic!) One asked twice but never received ketchup, anothers plate was snatched before he was finished! Then they added a mandatory 35% tip! Pros: OK Food Cons: RUDE RESERVATION AGNT, NASTY HOST, BAD SERVICE more

With all the fanfare I definately expected more. We could not make a reservation - we only had a party of five, so we waited until after 9:30 to be seated although we were quoted 9PM when we put our name on the list at 6:30. The lobster was overcooked, although everyone else in my party enjoyed their meals, which included chicken pot pie and meatloaf. Unfortunately the waiter never checked back to find that my dinner was unpalatable. He also did not tell my guest who had the buffet that his dessert was not one that was included in the buffet (desserts are not located on the buffet). The one good thing was the wine list - some good choices which were reasonably priced. I would not go back to this restaurant nor would I recommend it. Overhyped and underserviced are the two words that come to mind. Pros: Wine List, Good Location Cons: Service, No reservations more

No visit to Savannah would be complete without having lunch at Paula Dean's Lady & Sons! Real ""Southern Style"" home cooking. NO accept reservations unless you have a large group. There is usually a line, but wait time is not long. There are interesting shops across the street. The price fixe buffet offers a wealth of Southern Specialties. There is a salad bar as part of the buffet. After being seated and getting drink orders, you will be served a homemade cheese bisquit and a ""Hoe"" Cake,"" which is eaten with Cane Syrup. There is a menu, but it is the buffet that made this restaurant famous. One of the menu items that deserves special mention is Chicken Pot Pie. Scrumptious!! The server will bring around a tray with the day's desserts (included in the buffet). Service is excellent!! Food quality - excellent!! Ambiane is Southern Casual. Pros: Food, Service, Decor Cons: a short wait more

The sunday buffet brunch is very good. Very good southern food. Sweet tea with lemon and mint leaves is perfect. Desserts are so good that I can't have it enough. Very good service. I highly recommand this restaurant. Pros: great food, good service Cons: , parking limited more

My sweet wife is a huge Paula Deen fan, having watched her show on The Food Network. We first heard of The Lady & Sons restaurant during our 1996 honeymoon in Savannah, but never made it there. We finally tried it in 2001 and really enjoyed it. During our recent trip in December 2004, we tried it again and loved it so much that we went back the next night! The food was absolutely delicious; and we got to meet Paula herself, which added even more fun to the visit. Don't be discouraged if there is a long line waiting to get in! They have three floors and split up large crowds evenly on each floor. We were nearly last in line to get in but never waited a single second to get our food from the buffet. Make sure you try the hoe cakes with some maple syrup! Delicious! Pros: Romantic, Very friendly staff, No lines at buffet more

Lady and Son's have a great atmosphere and is a place to go to where you want to be treated right and have attentive service. Some days you can come in and get served by the Lady Herself. The sons are always smiling and are always willing to help you with what ever pproblem you may have. They have done a wonderful thing gone from a Mom and Pop restaurant to a world known eatery. Pros: Ambience, Food, Service Cons: Price, Parking, Wait more

Not much of a fried chicken fan but this was THE BEST I've ever had. RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST! We had ice water with mint leaves served to us outside while we waited for our table - - we were early for our reservation. GREAT experience! more

I really love this place! I had been there twice, while on vacation. Lunch and dinner and both were wonderful. I live in KY, I was in FL this past Christmas and drove out of my way to have lunch with ""The Lady"" on my way home. The food and service were fantastic! I have all three of Paula Deen's cookbooks and everything I've tried has been a hit! My one suggestion is, make reservations!!!! Pros: Biscuits, Hoe Cakes, Macaroni & cheese more