What do you think?
Rate this book
Mrs. Wilkes' Boardinghouse Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from Her Savannah Table
A historical cookbook with more than 300 recipes from a pioneer of Southern cuisine. In 1943, a young and determined Sema Wilkes took over a nondescript turn-of-the-century boardinghouse on a sun-dappled brick street in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and Southern home cooking served family style in the downstairs dining room. Mrs. Wilkes' reputation was strong and business was brisk from the beginning, but it was the coverage in Esquire and the New York Times, and even a profile on David Brinkley's evening news that brought Southern-food lovers from all over the world to her doorstep. With over 300 recipes, photos from the boardinghouse, and culinary historian John T. Edge's colorful telling of Mrs. Wilkes' contribution to Savannah and Southern cuisine, this rich volume is a tribute to a way of cooking—and eating—that must not be forgotten. Recipient of Southern Living's Reader's Choice Award 2000Winner of the 1999 James Beard “America's Regional Classics” Award
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2001
97 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 3, 2016
Favorite cookbook
This was a real treat. I own so many cookbooks and felt guilty to buy another. When I saw how the Seaboard Airline Railroad employees were at one time were her main customers,I had to have it. My grandfather was a section Forman and am sure he ate there. The recipes also brought a picture of my mother cooking huge dinners on Sunday for after church meal. Mrs. Wilkes has more of the old southern recipes than any book I have ever found. They are simple but know how good they are because my mother and granny cooked just like she does. .I enjoyed reading the stories to go along with the many recipes. Most of all I found the coconut cake and fruitcake like we had so many years ago at Christmas when all the kin came back home to Carolina. So happy to have this book.
This was a real treat. I own so many cookbooks and felt guilty to buy another. When I saw how the Seaboard Airline Railroad employees were at one time were her main customers,I had to have it. My grandfather was a section Forman and am sure he ate there. The recipes also brought a picture of my mother cooking huge dinners on Sunday for after church meal. Mrs. Wilkes has more of the old southern recipes than any book I have ever found. They are simple but know how good they are because my mother and granny cooked just like she does. .I enjoyed reading the stories to go along with the many recipes. Most of all I found the coconut cake and fruitcake like we had so many years ago at Christmas when all the kin came back home to Carolina. So happy to have this book.
November 1, 2016
My favorite place to eat lunch in my hometown. I grew up at theses tables with conversation that was as tasty as the food! Great buy...fabulous recipes!
October 9, 2018
Great Southern Cookbook
This is the kind of food that my grandma cooked. I loved everything seeing the recipes written down. There was also some interesting history thrown in. I like that’s it’s recipes from my childhood, without the pretentious spin new style chefs put on their food.
This is the kind of food that my grandma cooked. I loved everything seeing the recipes written down. There was also some interesting history thrown in. I like that’s it’s recipes from my childhood, without the pretentious spin new style chefs put on their food.
January 10, 2021
My husband and I have eaten at this restaurant several times and it is one of our favorite places in Savannah, Georgia. The food is always outstanding and the people sharing your common table are always interesting and entertaining. The recipes included are very good. The story of Mrs. Wilkes and how the restaurant came to be is interesting.
May 25, 2017
Love Mrs. Wilkes' the best chicken and dressing I have ever eaten!
October 13, 2018
Good old-fashioned southern cooking.
October 14, 2018
Down home cooking.
Having eaten at Mrs. Wilkes' table more than once, I'm delighted to have this book.
Simple, scrumptious, honest country food cooked the old-fashioned way
Having eaten at Mrs. Wilkes' table more than once, I'm delighted to have this book.
Simple, scrumptious, honest country food cooked the old-fashioned way
October 23, 2018
My thoughts
All recipes sounded so good. A little old fashioned but so am I!
Can’t wait to try them! Hope you will too.
All recipes sounded so good. A little old fashioned but so am I!
Can’t wait to try them! Hope you will too.
November 16, 2018
Excellent
Loved it great recipes and a great history lore. I love Savannah. I haven't been to mrs wilkes on my visits but sure to go on my next one.
Loved it great recipes and a great history lore. I love Savannah. I haven't been to mrs wilkes on my visits but sure to go on my next one.
April 5, 2019
Who reads cookbooks? I do!
Fun read, lots of good info. I will refer back to this, several interesting recipes and local stories. I might wish I had a hard copy!
Fun read, lots of good info. I will refer back to this, several interesting recipes and local stories. I might wish I had a hard copy!
February 2, 2014
Read and bought this cookbook because of my sister's recommendation of the restaurant when she visited Savannah years ago with Girl Scouts. Most of the recipes are so easy and love the stories of Savannah in the book!!
August 1, 2016
Mrs. Wilkes Boarding house cookbook
Having visited Savannah, Ga several times, I always make time to visit Mrs. Wilkes' for lunch and/or dinner. The lines are usually long but the food certainly makes the wait worthwhile.
Having visited Savannah, Ga several times, I always make time to visit Mrs. Wilkes' for lunch and/or dinner. The lines are usually long but the food certainly makes the wait worthwhile.
July 8, 2011
I love this cookbook!!!
May 26, 2016
Good food and a little history
Great southern cookbook. Each section has a little information about the family, special guests and the foods of the south. Recipes are very good.
Great southern cookbook. Each section has a little information about the family, special guests and the foods of the south. Recipes are very good.
July 12, 2016
Horrible, racist, and unappetizing.
February 8, 2012
One of my top 10 restaurant meals of all time. Her recipies are the bomb dizzle!
May 24, 2014
Yummy cookbook! you must own this book if you enjoy southern cooked food!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews