Southern Soul in Saint Simons, GA

Good Name

When Don and I visited Saint Simons Island last year, we hoped to find a local favorite for lunch. Then we learned about this place, with the comfy name. We found out it had been spotlighted on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so that made the decision easy. We arrived close to 11:00, since we heard the place gets a big lunch crowd.

---

Once a Gas Station?

We'd heard this yummy little "dive" had once been a gas station. I love well-worn buildings that are cleverly converted. But when we pulled up, the building looked too darn fresh and cute to be old.

Inside

I don't usually complain about places being too clean.  But where was the charm of the old gas station? 

Regulars
​At least there were a lot of fellas that filled up the bar stools. Maybe they were talking cars or the price of gas. 

Actually I stopped complaining about this new diner pretending to be old, when I learned about the fire. In 2010, not long after Guy Fieri filmed his piece for Food Network, the original Southern Soul burned to the ground. It had indeed been a gas station. Luckily the cooks and staff got out in time and they were able to rebuild.

A Table!

There were plenty of picnic tables outside, but it was too cold and windy. We snatched an inside table right next to a young mama and her baby stroller. Another table of dining girlfriends yakked and giggled nearby.

This was clearly not a place where you get a medal of dining bravery. But that's okay. We were there for the good food reviews as much anything.

Stew and Sandwich!
Don was eager to give the "Pig Sandwich" a try.  The pulled pork and coleslaw was sweet and crunchy, with lots of options for sauce.

I was eager to try the Brunswick stew. I'd heard about the famous food from a Georgian a year before. My little Styrofoam container was packed with smoked meat, tomatoes, butter beans and corn. It was indeed yummy.

Sauce

I'm the last one in my family to tell you which BBQ sauce to choose. When we've had our own sauce tasting gatherings, I end up drawing pictures on my score sheet. But I will tell you, I like the name Red Swine Wine best. 

Decor

Even though the tables and stools gave the diner an "eat and get going" feel, there were some homey touches. Yes, there were pigs and goats and that always gives me a boost! Maybe I'll visit again.