Buy your German Sausages here

One of the first things Jürgen did when we got to Savannah was type “German Restaurant” into Google. The nearest authentic place we could find bore the tongue-twisty name of Schnitzel Shack, and was a half-hour away in a town called Rincon (rhymes with Lincoln).

So far away, we eventually forgot about it. But on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, I came home to find Jürgen dressed in his lederhosen, playing the accordion and wailing “Deustchland, deutschland über alles” with tears rolling down his cheeks. The homesickness was terminal. Nurse! I’m going to need an injection of sauerkraut STAT! Let’s roll, destination: Schnitzel Schnack! I mean Shack!

Minutes later we were seated at our table in the tiny restaurant just on the Savannah side of Rincon. Color flushed back into Jürgen’s pale face as he read the menu with growing delight. “Jägerschnitzel? Goulash?! SPÄTZLE?! Ja Ja Ja! Wunderbar!” The restaurant actually offers a selection of both German and Thai dishes, an odd combination which owes itself to the homelands of the Shack’s owners — Pao is from Thailand, and Joe is from Germany.

We soon discovered that Joe’s not just from Germany, but actually from Jürgen’s home town of Darmstadt: a small city south of Frankfurt. Once that unbelievable factoid was unearthed, the night really got going. Joe came over and swapped stories from the Heimatland. Jürgen’s mom even worked at the same company as Joe! We stayed late after eating, and talked with him and Pao while trying out some of their beers. They’re a great, super-nice couple; Joe still works a day job, and comes into the restaurant at night. The Shack is pretty popular; the tables were all full and it seems to attract a crowd of regulars.

And the food! I almost forgot. Joe told us that when a couple comes in, the man typically orders hearty German food while the woman chooses a dish from the Thai section of the menu. Well, Juergen and I are both guys, so we went with Jägerschnitzel, Cordon Bleu, Spätzle and Sauerkraut (okay, fine: and a Thai Dumpling appetizer). Gott im Himmel, was it delicious. The Shack also offers fusion dishes, such as Ginger Cashew Schnitzel and Sweet & Sour Schnitzel.

So, yeah. Somehow, there’s great German-Thai cuisine in Rincon, Georgia, served by a cool guy from Juergen’s home town. It’s unbelievable how many crazy treasures are hidden right in plain sight. If we hadn’t researched the Schnitzel Shack in advance, we’d have driven right by without ever noticing it. But now you know: there’s no excuse to miss this great little restaurant in Rincon. Make sure to say hi to Joe and Pao from us.

Location on our map

- Visit Berlin

Southern Cooking

About a half hour south of Savannah, in the small village of Townsend, is one of the area’s best-kept secrets: The Old School Diner, owned and operated by Chef Jerome. A couple friends invited Juergen and I to the restaurant, and we had an incredible time which won’t soon be forgotten.

When we pulled into the Old School’s driveway to find it covered in carpets, I suspected we were in for a treat. The wooden building was painted in bright red with farm tools hung on the outside walls, and we entered cautiously. If I hadn’t known in advance that this was a restaurant, nothing would have immediately tipped me off. It felt like we were invading someone’s home — photos were on the walls, comfortable furniture was strewn about, and there was nobody to be seen. As we ventured further inside, a young girl came around a corner to greet us and lead us to our table.

The dining area is big, with room to seat a lot of patrons. We ordered beer and took a look at the menu. There wasn’t much debate about what to order — I mean, with a special called The Wheelchair Platter, you don’t have much choice — you are going to get The Wheelchair Platter. I suppose the name comes from the mode of transportation you’re likely to need afterwards. When it was brought out, my veins seized up in fear and my stomach shuddered in ecstasy. Mountains of fried food — oysters, shrimp, chicken. Clam bakes and ribs. We were five hungry people, and although everything was delicious, we couldn’t finish it.

The evening really got going when Chef Jerome came out of the kitchen to greet us. He does all the cooking, and clearly enjoys meeting the people who’ve discovered his little place. The first thing he did was give us all big bear hugs. “You’re family here”. And he meant it! He took us on a tour around the restaurant, telling us about his life and work. We saw pictures of famous people who’ve eaten there, including Ben Affleck and Michael Oher (from the Blind Side). He showed us love letters he’s written to his wife over the years (complete with drawings) and into his kitchen and its wall-to-wall deep fryers. The staff clearly love him, and were just as friendly and welcoming as their boss.

I think we spent about an hour talking to Chef Jerome, and he even walked us out onto the carpeted driveway to say goodbye. “Don’t forget now! This is your home, and you are family when you’re here!” And as I gave him a final farewell hug, I didn’t doubt it. It was an incredible night, and the Old School Diner is truly a special place.

Official Website

Location on our Georgia map

- More Restaurants

Adventures of a Pirate from Savannah

The Pirate’s House, on the northeastern corner of Savannah, is thought to be Georgia’s oldest building, and is certainly one of its most famous. This is where Captain Flint, from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island, is said to have died from drinking too much rum.

So we went. We had to! Like Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Pirate’s House is a Savannah institution, and demands at least one visit. Our food was good… a little overpriced, but we expected that. At the Pirate House, you’re paying as much for the experience as the dinner. We started with fried pickle slices, and I had a kind of seafood lasagna bake. Arrr, delicious! Just as me matey Blackbeard might’a liked! (Halfway into the meal, Juergen no longer found me amusing, and asked me to stop Arrr-ing every 30 seconds. “Fine, you got a point. Arrr, that ye do!“)

Legends abound in the Pirate’s House. One of the more popular concerns the underground tunnels that lead from the basement of the house into the sea. Back in pirate days, they were used to shanghai drunken sailors — wait until they passed out, then steal them away through the tunnels onto ships bound for destinations unknown. That really happened, and the tunnels still exist. “Pirate’s House” isn’t a misnomer: it actually was. And normal, 18th-century Savannahians knew to stay well away from it.

After our meal, our waitress led us on a tour of the house. She explained a bit about its history, and showed us into the attached Herb House, the oldest structure in Savannah and (naturally) haunted. It’s also the coolest dining room in the restaurant, available for fancy parties.

We had a good time at the Pirate’s House … by simply being inside a building with so much history, you’ll enjoy yourself. And if you wear an eye-patch, and insist on talking in “Arrr-matey”-pirate-voice to your dinner companions, you’ll enjoy yourself more. But they might not.

The Pirate’s House
20 East Broad St
Location on our Savannah Map
912 233 5757

- Book your Savannah Ghost Tour here ($13.50)