Savannah has plenty of white tablecloths. You can find them all over the Historic District, draped over heavy mahogany tables where tourists pay $40 for a plate of shrimp and grits that looks like a painting. But if you actually live here—or if you just want to eat like you do—you eventually end up on Victory Drive or Skidaway Road. You’re looking for a low-slung building with a lot of cars in the lot. You’re looking for Sisters of the New South.
Honestly, the name says it all. Founded by Kenneth and Vicky Brown, this place isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just trying to make the wheel taste like it was fried in a cast-iron skillet by someone who loves you. When people search for Sisters Restaurant Savannah GA, they aren't usually looking for a "culinary concept." They want a Styrofoam container that’s heavy enough to break a toe if you drop it.
The Real Vibe on the Ground
If you walk into the Victory Drive location expecting a hushed atmosphere, you’re in the wrong place. It’s loud. It’s busy. You’ll see city workers in high-vis vests standing in line next to SCAD students and families coming from church. It’s a great equalizer.
The menu is a massive board of soul food staples. It’s the kind of place where the "sides" aren't an afterthought. In some restaurants, a side of mac and cheese is just a filler. Here? The baked macaroni and cheese is a structural achievement. It’s dense, cheesy, and has that specific burnt-cheese crust on the edges that you only get when someone isn't rushing the oven.
Kenneth Brown often talks about how these recipes came from his mother and grandmother. That’s not just marketing fluff. You can taste the lineage in the oxtails. Oxtails are tricky. If you don't cook them long enough, they're tough and disappointing. If you cook them right—the way they do at Sisters—the meat basically gives up and falls off the bone the moment it sees a fork. The gravy is thick, dark, and requires a bed of white rice to act as a sponge.
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Why the "New South" Label Actually Matters
The "New South" part of the name is interesting because it reflects a shift in how Savannah eats. For a long time, soul food was relegated to home kitchens or very small, hyper-local spots that tourists rarely found. Sisters brought that flavor to a more prominent stage without stripping away the soul.
They’ve expanded over the years, even hitting the radar of major food networks. People like Andrew Zimmern have stopped by because word got out that this wasn't just another buffet. It’s specialized.
One thing most people get wrong about Sisters Restaurant Savannah GA is thinking it’s a "quick" fast-food joint. Sure, it’s counter service. But this is slow food served fast. You can’t rush collard greens. To get that deep, smoky, slightly bitter but mostly savory flavor, those greens have to simmer. They use smoked turkey to season them, which gives a cleaner, meatier hit than just using straight fatback. It’s a subtle touch that makes a huge difference if you’re eating there three times a week.
The "Must-Order" Reality Check
Look, everyone talks about the fried chicken. And they should. It’s seasoned all the way to the bone, not just on the skin. But the real sleepers on the menu are the smothered items.
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- Smothered Pork Chops: These are the gold standard. They are submerged in a brown gravy that has clearly been simmering for hours.
- Peach Cobbler: It’s sweet. Very sweet. It’s the kind of dessert that makes your teeth ache in a good way, with a crust-to-fruit ratio that favors the buttery dough.
- The Cornbread: It’s more like cake. Don't come here looking for dry, crumbly cornbread. This is moist, sweet, and probably has more sugar than your doctor would recommend.
Vicky Brown has been quoted saying that they don't use "a pinch" of anything. They use "a lot." That philosophy is visible in the portions. If you order a three-side plate, you are essentially getting three separate meals.
Addressing the Consistency and Wait Times
Let’s be real for a second.
Because Sisters is so popular, especially on Sundays or during the lunch rush, things can get a bit chaotic. It’s a busy kitchen. Sometimes they run out of the most popular items like the oxtails or the turkey wings by late afternoon. That’s actually a good sign—it means they aren't pulling stuff out of a freezer and dropping it in a microwave. It’s fresh.
If you go during peak hours, expect a line. Expect to wait. If you’re in a massive rush, maybe call ahead, but even then, the rhythm of the restaurant is its own thing. You have to adapt to it, not the other way around.
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The Skidaway Road location is often a bit quieter than the Victory Drive one, so if you're trying to avoid the heavy tourist crowds that have started to find the main spot, head that way. It’s the same food, same recipes, just a slightly different neighborhood feel.
The Cultural Impact in Savannah
Savannah is a city that’s rapidly gentrifying. Old neighborhoods are changing, and classic businesses are being replaced by high-end boutiques. Sisters feels like an anchor. It represents a part of Savannah’s Black culinary heritage that is often overlooked in the glossy travel brochures that focus on Paula Deen or The Olde Pink House.
When you eat at Sisters Restaurant Savannah GA, you’re supporting a family-owned business that has stayed true to its roots even as the city around it becomes a playground for developers. There is an authenticity there that you can’t manufacture.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
- Check the daily specials. Some of the best items aren't on the permanent board every single day.
- Get the lemonade. It’s homemade, tart, and usually purple or bright red depending on the day's mix. It’s the perfect counter to the salty, savory fried food.
- The "Sides" are the main event. Don't feel pressured to get a big meat entree if you just want the mac and cheese, candied yams, and lima beans. A vegetable plate here is more filling than a steak dinner elsewhere.
- Parking is tight. At the Victory Drive location, the lot is small. Don't be "that person" who blocks the flow of traffic. Be patient.
Moving Forward with Your Savannah Food Tour
If you’ve finished your meal at Sisters and you’re looking for what to do next, the move is to head toward the coast or take a slow drive through the Victorian District. You’ll need a walk to digest all that gravy.
Stop by the Savannah State University area if you want to see more of the "real" city outside the downtown squares. It’s where the locals live and eat. If you're still hungry later, find a spot for some Lowcountry Boil, but for the soul food fix, you’ve already hit the peak.
The best way to experience Sisters is to go in with no pretension. Forget the calorie count for one afternoon. Grab a stack of napkins—you’ll need more than you think—and just enjoy the fact that places like this still exist. In a world of corporate chains and "reimagined" southern food, Sisters is just... southern food. No imagination required, just an appetite.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
- Location Choice: Use the Skidaway Road location (2602 Skidaway Rd) if you want a slightly more local, less crowded experience compared to the Victory Drive flagship.
- Timing: Aim for an 11:00 AM arrival for lunch. By 12:30 PM, the line often stretches toward the door, and the seating fills up fast.
- The "Half-and-Half": Ask for a mix of the sweet tea and lemonade. It’s a local staple that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.
- Takeout Strategy: If the dining room is packed, take your food to Daffin Park nearby. It’s a five-minute drive and provides plenty of benches and shade for a soul food picnic.