Paula Deen Abruptly Closes Two Savannah Restaurants Including The Lady & Sons
Celebrity chef Paula Deen closes two iconic Savannah restaurants—The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box—after 36 years shifting focus to her Family Kitchen locations nationwide .
Celebrity chef Paula Deen has announced the abrupt closure of two of her longstanding restaurants in Savannah Georgia—The Lady & Sons her flagship establishment and its nearby takeout counterpart The Chicken Box Both venues officially ceased operations on Thursday July 31 2025 .
The announcement made via Deen’s social media platforms and official website was co-signed by her sons Jamie and Bobby Deen In a heartfelt statement she shared :
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“Hey y’all my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday July 31st was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years”
A Brief History of The Lady & Sons
The Lady & Sons was born from Deen’s humble beginnings in 1989 when she started a home-based catering business called The Bag Lady In 1996 she opened the restaurant in downtown Savannah which later moved to a larger space across the street to accommodate its growing popularity .
Famed for its rich Southern cuisine—including fried green tomatoes banana pudding hoecakes and a signature fried chicken buffet—the restaurant quickly gained national attention In 1999 it was recognized by USA Today with the title “International Meal of the Year” .
The Chicken Box A Short-Lived Expansion
Opened in 2023 just behind The Lady & Sons The Chicken Box offered a more casual takeout-only experience It served a simplified version of Deen’s menu and aimed to cater to the fast-paced crowd Its closure on the same day marks the complete end of Deen’s restaurant presence in her hometown .
Reaction & Local Sentiment
The closure came as a shock to both residents and tourists Several patrons noted they were alerted to cancellations only hours before their scheduled reservations A local Savannah resident remarked to CBS News .
“Nobody knew anything was wrong … it was always packed”
While disappointed many extended warm wishes to the Deen family acknowledging the impact the restaurants had on the city’s culinary tourism .
What’s Next for Paula Deen
Despite the closures Deen is not stepping away from the restaurant industry Her Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen chain remains active with four operational locations :
- Pigeon Forge TN
- Myrtle Beach SC
- Nashville TN
- Branson MO
She announced plans to regularly visit these restaurants beginning with an appearance in Branson on August 8 .
Paula Deen’s Career A Look Back
Deen gained national fame in the early 2000s with her Food Network show Paula’s Home Cooking However her career faced setbacks in 2013 after a high-profile controversy surrounding racially insensitive remarks Since then she’s rebuilt her brand through restaurant ventures YouTube videos and a cooking show on Fox Nation .
Final Thoughts
With the closure of The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box Paula Deen concludes the chapter that launched her into culinary stardom While the news surprised fans her legacy in Southern cooking continues through her Family Kitchen restaurants across the country .