In this mouthwatering episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Guy Fieri takes us to Savannah, Georgia, where he indulges in some authentic Southern cooking at Sisters of the New South. Located in the heart of Savannah, this family-run restaurant is renowned for serving up soul food that makes you feel right at home. As Guy eloquently puts it, “I’m looking for some Southern cooking, and boy, am I hungry.”
A Family Affair
Sisters of the New South is helmed by Vicki and Kenneth Brown, who have turned their family’s culinary traditions into a beacon of soulful delights. “All that glory goes to Vicki and Kenneth Brown who are cooking up Southern staples right off the branches of their family tree,” says Guy. The recipes come straight from their parents and grandparents, making every dish a homage to their Southern roots.
The Dish: Oxtail Soul Roll
One of the standout dishes at Sisters of the New South is the Oxtail Soul Roll, a unique twist that packs multiple Southern staples into a single bite. The process begins with seasoning the oxtails with salt, black pepper, minced garlic, onion powder, and paprika. The seasoned meat is then slow-cooked with peppers and onions for three hours until tender. “You pull them out just before they’re falling apart,” Kenneth explains.
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The broth from the oxtails is turned into a smooth gravy by mixing all-purpose flour and water. This delicious gravy is poured over a filling of deboned oxtails, creamy mac and cheese, and red rice. This filling is then wrapped in an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried to perfection. “You got a lot of big flavors besides the richness of the oxtail, the creaminess of that mac and cheese, and even those greens have a little sweetness to them from the sugar that was added,” raves Guy.
Collard Greens and Mac & Cheese
The collard greens are seasoned with chicken bouillon, sugar, turmeric, and garlic, and cooked with pepper vinegar and vegetable oil for about 45 minutes. The mac and cheese, a staple of any Southern table, is mixed with eggs, salt, garlic powder, paprika, white pepper, melted butter, and cream before being baked at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
The Grand Finale: Peach Cobbler
No Southern meal is complete without a decadent dessert, and Sisters of the New South doesn’t disappoint. Their Peach Cobbler is made with fresh Georgia peaches and a homemade biscuit crust. The crust is prepared with a mixture of water, butter, egg, and sugar, then pre-baked to ensure it’s crispy on the bottom. The filling is a heavenly mix of peeled peaches, vanilla flavor, sugar, butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a cornstarch slurry. The filling is added to the pre-baked crust, topped with another layer of crust, and baked until golden brown. “That is about one of the most honest desserts I’ve had in the last 10 years on Triple D,” declares Guy, clearly impressed by its simplicity and flavor.
The Verdict
Guy’s experience at Sisters of the New South is nothing short of extraordinary. “What you think? It’s good? ‘Good’ is an understatement,” he says after tasting the Oxtail Soul Roll. The Peach Cobbler also leaves a lasting impression: “You’re highlighting the peach; outstanding.”