The Lady & Sons
The Lady & Sons is a renowned restaurant located in Savannah, Georgia, established by famed chef and author Paula Deen in 1996. Celebrated for its Southern comfort food, the restaurant quickly gained popularity for its hearty, traditional dishes and warm Southern hospitality. Over the years, The Lady & Sons has become a staple in Savannah’s culinary scene, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The establishment is known for its all-you-can-eat family-style dining and its historic setting within a restored Victorian building. The restaurant’s success has cemented Paula Deen’s reputation as a leading figure in Southern cuisine, and it continues to serve as a beloved destination for those seeking authentic Southern flavors.
News Summary
Paula Deen has announced the closure of The Lady & Sons, her famous restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, after nearly 36 years. The final day of service was July 31, and the decision comes as part of the shutdown of her second establishment, The Chicken Box. Despite this closure, Deen will continue to operate her four remaining restaurants across various locations. The beloved restaurant was known for its traditional Southern cuisine and served as a cultural landmark in Savannah.
Savannah, Georgia – Paula Deen, the Southern culinary icon and television personality, has announced the closure of her renowned restaurant, The Lady & Sons, after nearly 36 years of operation. The final day of service occurred on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The restaurant, which helped propel Deen to fame, was a staple in Savannah and known for its traditional Southern cuisine.
The closure of The Lady & Sons coincided with the shutdown of Deen’s other establishment, The Chicken Box. In a public statement posted on Deen’s official website and social media accounts, she expressed gratitude to her loyal customers and emphasized the difficulty of the decision. At 78 years old, Deen did not provide specific reasons for the closures.
Despite these closures, Deen confirmed that her four remaining restaurants in various locations will continue to operate. These include establishments in Nashville and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee, as well as Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and Branson in Missouri. Following the closures, Deen’s family has planned visits to these locations, beginning with Branson on August 8, 2025.
In the wake of the closure, the windows of The Lady & Sons were covered with brown paper, and signs announcing the restaurant’s retirement were placed prominently. Many locals were taken aback by the sudden closure, as the restaurant had maintained a steady flow of customers and was a significant draw for tourists, serving approximately 1,100 diners per day at its peak.
The journey of The Lady & Sons began in 1989 when Deen launched her catering business, The Bag Lady. This venture laid the foundation for her first restaurant, which opened in a Best Western hotel. The restaurant later moved to its present location in November 2003, expanding its capacity and continuing to serve patrons with its beloved Southern dishes.
Paula Deen’s fame was further amplified through her Food Network program, Paula’s Home Cooking, which aired more than 200 episodes before its cancellation in 2013. This ending followed a significant backlash related to her use of a racial slur during a legal deposition, which prompted a nationwide discussion about race and public figures. Despite the controversies, Deen made substantial efforts to rebuild her brand, making appearances on shows such as Dancing With the Stars and MasterChef: Legends.
As of August 2025, Deen remains active in the culinary space, routinely sharing cooking videos on her popular YouTube channel, which has garnered over 582,000 subscribers. These videos continue to showcase her passion for cooking and her connection with fans.
The closure of The Lady & Sons marks the end of an era for both Deen and the Savannah community, where the restaurant has been a cultural landmark and a culinary institution for nearly four decades.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Paula Deen
- WTOC
- Google Search: Paula Deen restaurant closure
- AJC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Paula Deen
- WJCL
- Google News: Paula Deen restaurants
- Live Now Fox
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