In Savannah’s historic centre, eating for less depends on how much you want to try and how much time you have. Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, beside City Market, sells pizza by the slice for a quick meal before continuing your walk; Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room serves a generous Southern lunch on platters shared at communal tables. Neither should be presented as a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet: one is a pizzeria selling individual slices, the other a fixed-price family-style meal. The choice depends on appetite, waiting time and interest in local cooking.
Vinnie makes thin New York-style dough and sells slices as well as whole pizzas. The listing checked showed 4.5/5 from 5,653 opinions; comments highlight generous slices, the crust and patio, while noting waits when City Market is lively. Order a slice if you are alone or want a quick bite; a whole pie makes more sense to share. Its published schedule starts at 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, so do not plan to have lunch there on those days; it opens from late morning on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mrs. Wilkes offers a different scale: shared tables, fried chicken, cornbread and sides that change by day. The official price is US$35 per adult, including tax, and US$17.50 for children under 13. There are no reservations, the queue forms early and the restaurant takes cash or cheques only; the listing checked showed 4.8/5 from 3,406 opinions. Diners often appreciate the variety and shared-table experience, although the format and wait will not suit everyone. It is closer to a home-style meal served on platters than to a self-service, all-you-can-eat buffet.
For a quick meal that can be adjusted to your budget, a pizza slice is the simpler choice; to try a traditional Southern table, allow time in the morning and budget for Mrs. Wilkes’ fixed price. The first address is 317 W Bryan Street and the second is 107 W Jones Street; both are walkable from the historic district. Check hours before setting out and account for drinks, extras and waiting time. If you are specifically looking for an inexpensive buffet, neither fits that formula exactly: compare slices and set meals rather than assuming that “eating a lot” means spending less.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
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At City Market, Vinnie Van Go-Go’s offers an informal break between downtown’s squares and River Street: thin-crust pizzas made with dough prepared each night and mozzarella and Parmesan grated on site, according to the pizzeria. The business describes its style as New York and sells slices as well
Thin-crust New York-style pizza, by the slice or whole pie, near City Market.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room does not offer a self-service buffet; instead, it serves a shared Southern meal. Diners sit together and receive platters of fried chicken, cornbread, sides and dishes that change each day. The tradition began in 1943, when Sema Wilkes took over a downtown boardinghouse and c
Southern home cooking served on shared platters; US$35 per adult, tax included; cash or cheque only.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Vinnie Van Go-Go’s ↗
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Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room ↗
Primary source
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room ↗
Primary source
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, preguntas frecuentes · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Vinnie Van Go-Go’s · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Experiencias de clientes ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 2, 2026
La ficha agregada mostraba 4.5/5 en 5,653 opiniones y resume comentarios sobre porciones grandes, masa, ambiente informal y esperas. También mostraba 4.4/5 en 3,157 opiniones de Tripadvisor. Consultado el 2/10/2026.
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Comentarios de comensales ↗
Secondary source
Restaurant Guru · Accessed October 2, 2026
El agregador atribuía a la ficha 4.8/5 en 3,406 comentarios; los viajeros hablan de abundancia, pollo frito y convivencia en mesas comunes. Consultado el 2/10/2026.