We’re not food writers. Don’t pretend to be. Just two travelers who love to eat, but not on any kind of schedule. We eat as we go by dropping into an interesting place or trying out a recommendation from someone who’s been there, done that. Like re-acquainting ourselves with Gryphon (227 Bull Street), the little tea and sandwiches place run by SCAD students in a historic pharmacy that we recently wrote about — and loved for its service and charm.

Our recent trip to Savannah was no different. We made reservations at Vic’s on the River (26 E. Bay St.) since good friends from Nashville recommended the jumbo lump crab cakes, spicy fried shrimp, and seared pork chop au poivre. But otherwise, we were happy to subsist on the gourmet breakfast , afternoon hors d’oeuvres, and evening dessert at our bed-and-breakfast inn, Eliza Thompson House (5 West Jones Street), one of the Historic Inns of Savannah.

But you can’t spend time in Savannah without finding good food on every corner. Here are some happen-upon places we remember for ambiance, good food, or both.

Two Cracked Eggs

Facing the Riverwalk and Savannah River, Two Cracked Eggs (301 W. River Street) is a little place we suspect stays full (Note: during the pandemic, seating is limited), but now we know why: there can’t be a bigger plate of food for starting your day anywhere else in Savannah! Order eggs (cooked any way you like), and you’ll get one gigantic biscuit that we dare you to finish! Two Cracked Eggs has it covered: friendliest wait staff, interesting presentation, and more food than you need even if you do over-extend your Fitbit’s recommended step count for the day! But here’s the best part: you can order breakfast all day long!

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The Collins Quarter

Bringing a taste of Melbourne to Savannah, The Collins Quarter was a whirl of activity the day we had lunch at the 151 Bull Street location. It was Bachelorette Party weekend evidently, and pretty young ladies wearing tiaras and giggling over their bountiful plates of trendy food made us realize that this was THE place to be! The Roasted Chicken Sandwich was our choice — plump chicken breasts covered with Swiss ale onions and roasted red peppers — and a huge serving of fries on the side! You might not even need dinner after this.

The Little Crown by Pie Society

Sometimes you just see a place that looks interesting — and, in this case,it was the iconic blue door at 19 Jefferson Street that got us into The Little Crown.

From what we could tell, most people came for the British fare — steak and kidney pie, chicken pot pie, bangers and mash, pork and apple pie — but we found that little pasties had a charm and great taste all their own. For the road, we grabbed a Millionaire Shortbread and headed back out to City Market with smiles on our faces. It’s a pub, a restaurant, and a take-out all in one.

Byrd’s Famous Cookies, City Market

We rarely head home without something for our kids, even though they’re grown-ups. After all, when you start a trend, you have to keep it up, I suppose, and when we found Byrd’s, we knew what “the kids” would love to have from this trip.

Since 1924, Benjamin Tillman “Pop” Byrd, Sr. has been baking Byrd’s Famous Cookies (423 East River Street) in Savannah. He began with Scotch Oatmeal, but the company expanded its offerings to include many sweet favorites like Key Lime Coolers (their best seller), Georgia Peach Cookies, and Almond Shortbread as well as salty fare like Cheddar Pecan and Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits. Best of all? You can get a free sample of just about anything in the store. And the friendly folks at Byrd’s will gladly bag up purchases for your kids.

Chocolat by Adam Turoni

We may have saved the best for last, or at least the most creative — artisanal chocolates from Chocolat by Adam Turoni at the Library, 236 Bull Street. Named one of 10 Top Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert Professionals, Adam Turoni has made it his life’s work to create chocolates that indeed look like art.

We were pleasantly surprised to be see handmade chocolates like we have never seen before. Displayed in tall glass-fronted bookcases, the chocolates looked right at home in surroundings that rival shops in Paris. And the chocolates – oh, my.

Poured into handsome molds then gilded (See photo at top), the chocolates themselves entice you to select your favorites from those bearing images of animals or hand-rolled in pieces of choice nutmeats. Some even incorporate local products like honey from Savannah Bee Company. Pick up a tray, select your special sweets, and watch how they are made — it’s an event in and of itself. If chocolate makes you feel special, you’ll be royalty here!

Be sure to check out the website and then move quickly to one of their three locations in Savannah.

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So, when in Savannah, seek good food and ye shall find. Whether you’re making a night of it or just grabbing a quick treat, there’s something that will entice you in this foodie Southern town!

Travel hungry,

Rusha & Bert