If you’re walking down West Congress Street in Savannah right now, looking for that famous three-story shrine to butter and fried chicken, you’re going to be disappointed. The doors are locked. The windows are covered in brown paper. Honestly, it’s the end of an era that lasted nearly four decades.
The Lady & Sons is officially closed. It happened fast. No warning, no "last call" for biscuits, just a sign on the door on August 1, 2025, saying they had retired. For a place that used to serve 1,100 people a day and basically invented the "celebrity chef destination" in the South, it’s a massive shift for the Savannah waterfront.
The Rise and Fall of the Buffet
Let’s be real: Paula Deen was Savannah tourism for a long time. She started with "The Bag Lady" catering business, literally delivering lunches out of her car when she was broke and struggling with agoraphobia. By the time The Lady & Sons moved to the big building at Whitaker and Congress, she was a titan.
But things changed. The world-famous buffet—the one where you could pile your plate with collard greens and mac-and-cheese until you couldn't move—never really recovered after the 2020 lockdowns. It was removed and replaced with family-style service. Local foodies in Savannah started whispering that the quality had dipped, especially after private equity got involved about a decade ago.
Where can you eat now?
If you’ve got a craving for Paula’s cooking and you're actually in Savannah, you aren't totally out of luck. You just have to leave the historic district.
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Paula Deen’s Creek House Seafood & Grill is still kicking over on Turner’s Creek. It’s a different vibe. Think less "city market tourist trap" and more "coastal hangout." They do a lot of seafood classics, but they also serve the Deen Brothers' BBQ.
- Address: 104 Bryan Woods Rd, Savannah, GA 31410
- The Vibe: Outdoor seating, views of the water, much more laid back.
- Top Picks: The chargrilled oysters and the BBQ pulled pork tacos.
It’s actually where a lot of locals go because it’s easier to park and you don't have to fight a sea of people with fanny packs.
The Family Kitchen Strategy
Paula isn't retiring from the restaurant business entirely; she's just pivoting away from the Savannah flagship. Her family is doubling down on the Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen brand.
These are the massive "Family Style" restaurants where you pay one price and they just keep bringing platters of food to the table. You’ll find them in tourist hubs like Pigeon Forge, Nashville, Myrtle Beach, and Branson.
The menu at these spots is pretty standardized:
- The Savannah (Choice of 3 Entrees): Usually costs around $27.99 per person.
- The Georgia (Choice of 4 Entrees): Runs about $29.99.
- The Kids' Price: About $5.99 for ages 3-5 and $12.99 for ages 6-10.
It’s basically an all-you-can-eat sit-down experience. You get the fried chicken, the pot roast, the creamed potatoes, and of course, that Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.
Why the flagship closed
Thirty-six years is a lifetime in the restaurant world. Paula is 78 now. While the closure felt abrupt to fans who had reservations canceled via text message on that Friday morning in August, the writing was sort of on the wall.
Running a three-story restaurant in a historic district is expensive. Real estate in Savannah has skyrocketed. Plus, the competition in the city has become fierce. Savannah isn't just a "fried chicken and sweet tea" town anymore; it's a legitimate culinary destination with James Beard-nominated spots on every corner.
What to do if you’re visiting Savannah today
If you had your heart set on the Paula Deen experience, don't let the closure ruin your trip.
- Check out the Creek House: It’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown. It’s got that Lowcountry feel that The Lady & Sons lacked in its later years.
- Visit the Gift Shop (if it's still open): The retail side of the business often outlives the kitchens. Keep an eye out for book signings; Paula still makes appearances at her brand locations.
- Try Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room: If you want that authentic, old-school Savannah boarding house style lunch, this is the place. Be prepared to wait in line. It’s legendary.
- The Olde Pink House: For a more "upscale" version of Southern classics in a gorgeous historic mansion.
The closure of the Savannah flagship is a bit of a gut punch for nostalgia seekers, but the brand is just moving to more efficient, high-traffic "vacation" markets. It’s a business move.
Pro Tip: If you’re heading to the Creek House, go on a weekday for lunch. The wait is almost non-existent compared to the weekend dinner rush, and the river breeze is much better when it’s not crowded with a hundred other people.
If you’re still dying for those specific Lady & Sons recipes, they’re all in her early cookbooks. Honestly? Sometimes the homemade version of that hoe-cake is better than the one that’s been sitting under a heat lamp anyway.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
- Call Ahead: If you're planning on Creek House, call (912) 898-3336 to check current wait times, as they don't always take traditional reservations like the downtown spot did.
- GPS Caution: Make sure your maps app is updated. Many still list The Lady & Sons as "Open" because the closure was so sudden. Don't waste money on downtown parking just to find a closed door.
- Explore Pooler: If you’re staying near the airport (Pooler, GA), you’re actually closer to a lot of the newer retail developments where the Deen family still has a presence.
The Savannah food scene is changing, and while the "Queen of Southern Cooking" has shuttered her main kitchen, her influence is still all over the city’s tourism DNA. Just be ready to drive a few miles out of the city center to get your fix.