The Lady & Sons
The Lady & Sons is a renowned restaurant located in Savannah, Georgia, founded by acclaimed chef and television personality Paula Deen. Opened in 1989, the establishment quickly gained fame for its traditional Southern cooking and warm hospitality. Over the years, it has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a variety of classic Southern dishes such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. The restaurant’s success stems from Paula Deen’s dedication to authentic, family-style cooking and her commitment to showcasing Southern comfort food. Today, The Lady & Sons continues to be a culinary landmark, celebrating Southern culinary traditions and community spirit.
News Summary
Paula Deen has officially closed her iconic restaurant, The Lady & Sons, in Savannah, Georgia, after nearly four decades of serving Southern comfort food. Patrons were taken by surprise by the sudden announcement shared through social media. The closure affects both The Lady & Sons and adjacent takeout spot, The Chicken Box. Deen expressed gratitude to her loyal customers, while the community reflects on the restaurant’s legacy as a significant dining attraction. Despite the closure, other Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen locations will remain operational.
Savannah, Georgia – Paula Deen Closes The Lady & Sons After Nearly Four Decades
Paula Deen, a celebrated chef with a substantial following of over 4.7 million on Facebook, has announced the closure of her flagship restaurant, The Lady & Sons, located in Savannah, Georgia. The restaurant officially shut its doors on July 31, 2025, leaving locals and tourists taken by surprise as there was no prior warning regarding the closure.
This closing also includes The Chicken Box, a popular takeout restaurant that operated adjacent to The Lady & Sons. The unexpected announcement was shared via a heartfelt message on Deen’s website and social media accounts, in which she expressed gratitude to patrons for their loyalty over the past 36 years.
At 78 years old, Paula Deen has enjoyed a remarkable career in the culinary world. She gained fame through her successful cooking show on the Food Network and has authored 15 cookbooks, further contributing to her popularity. The Lady & Sons, which opened its doors in January 1996 in downtown Savannah, became a culinary landmark known for its Southern comfort food, including favorites like fried chicken and banana pudding.
Deen began her culinary journey in 1989 with a catering business called The Bag Lady, which paved the way for her first restaurant established in a Best Western hotel. Over the years, The Lady & Sons gained immense popularity, attracting approximately 1,100 diners daily at its peak, with lines often stretching out the door. The restaurant’s success led to numerous appearances on popular television shows, including The Today Show and The Tonight Show.
Despite facing significant challenges in her career, including a racial discrimination lawsuit that led to the cancellation of her TV show, Paula’s Home Cooking, in 2013, Deen has maintained a loyal fan base. This following has enabled her to continue drawing tourists to Savannah even after the controversies.
While The Lady & Sons has closed, other locations of Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, and Branson will remain open. Deen’s family has expressed their heartfelt appreciation for their customers, emphasizing that Savannah will always be their home.
The announcement has left many employees and local patrons astonished. Reports indicate that staff received minimal severance, and locals expressed disappointment, highlighting that The Lady & Sons was not just a restaurant but a significant attraction for visitors to Savannah. The sudden closure has sparked conversations among community members regarding the restaurant’s legacy in the area.
As the dust settles, the local community reflects on the lasting impact The Lady & Sons had on Savannah’s dining scene and the memories it created for countless diners over the years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Paula Deen Closes The Lady & Sons Restaurant in Savannah
Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons Restaurant Closes After 36 Years
Additional Resources
- AP News
- Wikipedia: Paula Deen
- WTOC
- Google Search: Paula Deen restaurant closure
- AJC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Southern cooking
- WJCL
- Google Scholar: Paula Deen food culture
- People
- Google News: Paula Deen restaurant Savannah
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