It’s the Flavor to Savor
The PubScout hits up Savor Southern Kitchen in Wilmington and finds a little taste of his home state.
Having retired in southeastern NC, there’s not much I miss about New Jersey. The taxes, the crowded, the cruddy roads, the taxes, the tolls on those broken roads, the crumbling infrastructure, the taxes, the crooked politicians like Gold Bar Bob Menendez, the hour ride to the beach that turns into a four-hour trek, the taxes, the beach badges, the draconian gun laws — and did I mention the taxes?
But I do miss two of my children and grandchildren, and I do miss the unique Jersey diners. I can FaceTime my kids and grandkids, but FaceTiming an iconic Jersey diner is not yet possible — even with AI.
Here in NC, I’ve often longed to be able to pull into a Jersey-type diner — you know, with a long row of stools at the counter and booths and tables where you can sit and get breakfast at any time — early in the morning, but especially after 2 am after clubbing. Of course, that was back when I could actually stay awake at 2 am.
And unless my native NC friends are holding out on me, I still have not been able to find one of those here.
But I have found something close enough to it.
I was warned by a local in writing about Savor Southern Kitchen, a Wilmington breakfast and brunch place, that I’d better not make my story too appealing, because the regulars consider it a best-kept secret, “hidden gem” type of place. And they had no desire to see it overrun by every Tom, Dick or Harry — especially those from Jersey and the Northeast.
Savor, owned by Danielle and Jeff Cousler, has been in place since COVID.
And darned if it doesn’t have the appeal of a Jersey diner. Lots of tables and a counter with stools where you can order outstanding homemade food and a plethora of cocktails, just like the Jersey joints. And the distinct aroma of good food being cooked in the kitchen and brought out to enjoy.
We met Ray and Lisa, our regular dining buddies, there the other day for lunch/brunch. Our server was a little volcano of bubbling, friendly excitement named Domino (long story about the origin of her name) who asked if anyone at the table was a first-timer to Savor. We confessed that we were.
She launched into a polished presentation about Savor, its origins (it was Bon Appetit before), what was good on the menu and why, and especially noted that EVERYTHING was made fresh on premises. I glanced over at the next table next, which had just received their breakfast order, and saw that the portions were huge, but the biscuit that accompanied their respective food orders was at least 5.5, maybe 6 inches high.
You don’t get biscuits like that commercially. I was going to ask the couple if I could take a picture of their treasure, but the local who advised me not to make Savor too appealing put the kibosh on that idea. As friendly as they are, people buried in their meals here don’t like to be bothered seemed to be the implicit warning.
Hmm. I thought. Another way this place is like Jersey.
The missus, Lisa and I were in a breakfasty/brunchy sort of mood and ordered accordingly. Ray, on the other hand, ordered a full lunch, which turned out to be two huge pieces — at least an inch thick — of Smothered Meat Loaf and various side dishes. I thought to myself, “He isn’t finishing that here.” I was right.
With Domino stressing the deliciousness of their “Bennies” (Eggs Benedict menu, although we have “bennies” in Jersey, too, albeit inedible ones), I ordered a traditional benny with NC pit ham.
There was another ham option that was somewhat thicker, but that would have to wait until another day.
Savor offers craft beer on its menu. Although I have had and enjoyed an occasional Founders Breakfast Stout, I did not order any beer with my breakfast. I’m not always a cerevisiae psychopath.
The missus ordered a dish that wasn’t even on the menu that day called Crab Cake Sliders, and Lisa had a Hissy Fit. She wasn’t upset at all; it was just the name of the dish. And it was fabulous.
The consensus all around was “delicious and outstanding.”
We were all members of the “clean plate club” — except for Ray who couldn’t have cleaned his plate without help. He’s probably still cleaning it as you read this.
Savor’s menu is quite varied and worth examining online at Savorsouthernkitchen.com. All their dishes are “farm to table,” and a chalkboard near the bar informs you where the day’s ingredients were sourced.
The only downside to the experience was that Savor, which also runs an extensive and well-known catering business, is open every day except Tuesday from 8 am until 2 pm — not 2 am, like in Jersey
But, no biggie. These days, I could probably nod off after a Savor brunch or lunch at 2 pm just as easily.
Want to go?
Savor Southern Kitchen
3704 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
(910) 769-8112
savorsouthernkitchen.com
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