Running off at the keyboard while officially welcoming the first taste of autumn.
**We spoke to the owner of the two new Dunkin Donuts being built in the Savannah area. One on Derenne and one in Pooler. I’m told the Savannah store is expected to open on Novmeber 1st. Pooler, meanwhile, will follow on December 1st.
**HUGE Congratulations to our friends at Cotton and Rye. They entered the Atlanta Wing Fest competition and walked away with…yup…1st place!
**Look out for the chicken fried brats coming to Oktoberfest along River Street in Savannah. Complete with Cracker Barrel-like white gravy. Oktoberfest will be held on the riverfront October 7 and 8. Diet starts on the 10th.
**For my look at Oktoberfest and some other festivals around the area the next 60 days, click here. There are some good ones.
**Speaking of Cracker Barrel, a story out this week says they are going ‘trendy’ to attempt to attract millennials. Seriously? There are about 350 jokes we could insert here. I’m took tired, had a long week. Read all about it here.
**Starbucks is now open on Bay Street between Barnard and Whitaker (next to Five Guys Burgers).
**Totally random, but worth a mention because, well why not. Carnagie Deli, and institution in New York City will be closing at the end of the year.
**Meanwhile, Ben and Jerry’s is coming to Broughton Street. Click here for my story.
**Savannah’s very popular Greek Food Festival is next week. October 6 through 8. Click here for more information.
**There’s a new restaurant downtown Savannah you should take a look at. It’s called Kitchen 320. Inside of the B Historic Hotel on Montgomery and Harris Streets near the Savannah Civic Center. Small bar. Small dining room, but good food. We’ll be talking a little more about them in the near future.
**Japaleno’s Mexican Grill on Broughton Street opened last week to tremendous fanfare. Happy Hour 4pm-7pm. Half priced margaritas.
**Meanwhile, if I had a nickel for every red-hot rumor about an opening of a restaurant in Savannah, I’d be wealthy. Good news is on the horizon though.
**Italian spot at 606 Abercorn? Coming soon. Maybe mid-October.
**If you missed my story last week, Atlantic is the new hot shot restaurant coming to Savannah’s Victorian District. Read all about it here.
**The black beans at Blowin Smoke Southern Cantina are very good. And sometimes I can be a black bean snob.
**The Savannah Food and Wine Festival is coming up in November and the BBQ Masters event will likely be one of the first to sell out. It’s a takeover out in front of Service Brewing downtown Savannah on Friday night, November 11th. Don’t say we didn’t give you plenty of warning. More info and tickets here.
**Artillery, a new cocktail bar on Bull Street is open and absolutely gorgeous. Very glad to see more spots in Savannah moving in an elegant direction.
**Alley Cat Lounge will open soon underneath Broughton Street. It’s going to be beautiful as well. Owner tells me they are shooting for 3rd week in October.
**Some of the best sandwiches downtown Savannah for lunch time are at Smith Brothers Butcher Shop on Liberty Street. Their lunch counter features house made pastrami, fresh baked bread and all kinds of other items all made from scratch. Very much worth a look.
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See you on TV,
Jesse
