Celebrity chef and former Food Network star Paula Deen has announced the permanent closure of two of her restaurants, including her flagship establishment in Savannah, Georgia.
Known for her signature Southern dishes like fried chicken and banana pudding, Deen made the announcement on 1 August through Facebook and her official website. She revealed that The Lady & Sons, operated alongside her two sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen, as well as the nearby The Chicken Box, has officially closed.
“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,” the official statement read.
Deen also expressed her deep gratitude to the loyal customers and dedicated staff who have supported the restaurants over the years.
“We have endless love and gratitude for every customer who has walked through our doors. We are equally grateful to our incredible staff — past and present — whose hard work, care, and hospitality made The Lady & Sons what it was. Savannah will always be our home, and we’ll always be here to support our wonderful community,” she added.
The Lady & Sons received widespread acclaim, including the title of “International Meal of the Year” from a USA Today food critic in 1999. Deen rose to fame through the Food Network and launched her own cooking show, Paula’s Home Cooking, in 2002. The show, filmed mostly in her home kitchen, ran for a decade.
Despite the closures in Savannah, Deen will continue to operate four other restaurants located in Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Branson, and Nashville.