Sisters of the New South — Restaurant in Savannah

To give them the benefit of the doubt I would count the employees HORRIBLE customer service on the fact that maybe they don’t have enough help. It hurts to say that my family came all the way from Atlanta to experience such disgraceful service. I try to support black owned businesses but it’s businesses like Sisters of the South that make you just want to throw your hands up.

Recap of our experience: When we walked through the door there were several door dash drivers complaining that their customers had been waiting on their orders for over 20 minutes. The cashier showed NO expression or any reassurance to the dashers that the orders would be up shortly or anything. Also, the dasher was complaining that the food the customer had ordered was no longer available. This should have been updated on the site. Red Flag 1!

An older guy finally came in to assist the lady cashier. Before his arrival the lady cashier had previously announced to the waiting customers that Mac n cheese would be up in 10 minutes (it took all of 30 minutes) before the Mac n cheese had come up. Red flag 2!

My mother finally got her plate made and explained that she would be purchasing another plate for 2 children. An older guy made her plate set it at the register. My mother waited to pay and explained to the cashier that I (her daughter) would be letting the older guy know what the other order would be. While waiting next in the line the guy ignored me while making to other plates although I was already waiting in line to order. The cashier and my mom went back and forth while my mom tried to explain that she had two plates to pay for. The cashier kept insisting that she didn’t know what my mothers order were as she didn’t make the plates. For some reason she and mom could not get an understanding as to what my mom had ordered. Additionally, she never opened the plate to verify her order ( which I suggested and the cashier rudely responded that she did not want to keep opening and closing plates). Finally after some time the guy was able to make my Childrens plate. At this point I really hate the fact that I’m about to spend my hard earned money with this establishment smh! But considering the fact that we had just traveled from SC and everyone was really hungry we decided to stay.

My mom was given several silverware none of which contained a fork! She was not given her cornbread.

As we set down to dine in the trash was filled to an overflow! The tables were a wreck and dirty! I guess the guy heard us mention the trash and decided to take it out. While doing so he wasted a trail of some liquid all over the floor. I had to warn my 5 year old baby to be careful to not step in it and fall.

My brother asked the guy taking out the trash if there was a restroom and was ignored. We all had to turn and ask him before he responded. The restroom had no tissue or paper towels.

Although the food was tasty the treatment from the staff took away from the experience as a whole. My mom is a stickler about us keeping our money in our community and although she remained silent about her experience I know deep down she was disappointed. Being well over her 70s she knows all too well our struggle as a people and i know this experience didn’t make her feel good. Our first choice was 2 chefs off of MLK and regret them being closed. Although, I want give up on our black establishments I want spend my money with Sisters again. My hope is that Sisters value their business enough to really try and get some individuals that understand the significance of customer service. I know that working with the public especially in the food industry can be quite the challenge but the face of any business can make it or break it. It saddens me that although we have come along way we have...

I walked in and the food caught my eyes first. The macaroni looked dry and that made me nervous because it's an important factor in soul food for me. I questioned the fried chicken and waited the 15 minutes to receive it fresh.

I felt like the woman serving the food was nice nasty. Let me explain, she was a bit short even with the other customers and she didn't listen. I repeated myself more than once and so did a couple other customers. I asked her, “which one is better your sweet tea or lemonade?” (they mention on the menu that they’re handmade and homemade) She responded, “I mean it’s just a tea bag and it’s just country time lemonade” her lack of enthusiasm made me not get a drink at all.

Anyways,

The Mac surprisingly tasted way better than it looked, the yams came in second place but did have a bit too much cinnamon reminding me more of sweet potato pie but the collard greens (which has been my favorite since birth) was the biggest disappointment. The cornbread was dry (thus it sitting out so long) and I had high hopes for the fried chicken but the flavor fell short to me.

After taking a bite of each side Kenneth came down the stairs through the door and I recognized his picture from Yelp. I asked him was he the owner and also asked could I trade all these sides back in for a side of rice and gravy. He asked me what was wrong but gladly exchanged my food and gave me a slice of pound cake on the house after apologizing more than once.

He came out and made small talk with me while he ate and then I tried the pound cake....

THE POUND CAKE!!!

...It took me back to my grandmas kitchen table and flooded my heart with a child like sensation. My eyes started to form the happy tears and at that moment Kenneth and the pound cake saved the day for me.

So while I don't know if Sisters of the New South is better than Genevas I will say that I had a special moment at both of these establishments. I'll definitely be back during the start of their lunch hours to see if the taste hits different because I really want to give 5-stars for Kenneth and the pound...

Mr. Brown, please excuse my husband, Damon Waters, he has a culinary degree from Johnson and Wales and can be an extremist at times. I would like to address some of your concerns about my disappoint hearing you lost an employee.

I first came to Sisters in 2012 while on vacation. The food was great! However, the women serving were curt and rude. I then moved to Savannah area in 2016 and returned to Sister’s to find the same great food with new servers. Still, not very pleased with the service. That continued for a while. Until, I came in with my staff and met the lady you fired. Her spirit made me feel welcomed and I felt like family. For the first time, I dined in the restaurant because I felt welcomed. Hearing that she was fired for the reasons you stated was disheartening because I very much enjoyed her as a person. It had nothing to do with the food I had yesterday.

Reading the reviews before I decided to comment, was vital. Because not only my husband and I feel that something is amiss in the flavors of the food. Especially, where that macaroni and cheese is concerned. I waited for the new pan because I, as a frequent flyer customer know what it is and what it is suppose to be. The plates we were served was absolutely not the standard for Sister’s macaroni and cheese. The pictures in your reviews attests to this as well as the my picture posted from 2016. If you can honestly look me in my face and tell me that what we were served is....please keep my money and I will gladly not return to Sister’s.

We know the quality of food that comes from Sister’s and the extent of the review was to aide in getting back to where we know it to be. Reading the reviews from your loyal customers and those that frequent Sister’s.....in the last 2 months something has changed for the worse.

My hope is that Sister’s returns to greatness. I have tried almost all the soul food places in Savannah. There was one I found to be greater than Sister’s called Marandy’s. It was on MLK but closed some years ago. We are rooting for you and wish you nothing...