-I am well aware of the fact that Summer doesn’t ‘officially’ end for another couple of weeks, but I think we’d all agree Labor Day waves that checkered flag. I mean, if Pumpkin Spice Lattes are on the menu already, then that must mean it is time to drain the pool.

-That said, it was probably the most intense Summer season we’ve ever had here at Eat It and Like It. Two brand new websites (including this one) and a third on the way. We are very excited about our future.

-The other website we rolled out, if you haven’t heard, was poolereats.com. It’s the result of our collaboration with the Pooler Chamber of Commerce. We’ve provided a digital guide to everything there is to eat within Pooler City Limits. Every bite, every cracker, every calorie. It is there. A great resource if you live in the area (or are visiting) and are looking for something great to eat. Pooler has more than chain restaurants, by the way. Take a look for yourself. Poolereats.com

-Speaking of Pooler, the Taste of Pooler event is coming up on Thursday night September 26th at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler. 20 restaurants represented. One ticket gets you all of the samples you want to enjoy. Last we heard, 60 tickets remain. Don’t delay. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Find a link to tickets here.

-One last note about Taste of Pooler, I’m looking for a couple of lucky people to be a judge with me on the 26th. One winner will be chosen. They, along with a plus one, will then join me at the Taste of Pooler eating and liking everything there is to enjoy. We will tally our scores and name a winner. All you have to do to enter, is go to Pooler eats dot com and sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the home page. One winner will be named by the 20th.

-The big story in Savannah this week is the opening of E-Tang’s 2nd downtown location. E-Tang is widely regarded as Savannah’s best Chinese food. E-Tang Dim Sum is at 10 Whitaker Street near Bay Street. Read more about it and their plans for Pooler and Bluffton here.

-By every account I’ve heard on the street the last few weeks, Summer 2024 was morbidly slow for the restaurant business. Not only in Savannah, but Hilton Head Island as well. I had one restaurant owner tell me “it’s been pretty bad out here. There are a couple of spots I know that could be a hurricane evacuation away from having to close.” Thankfully we haven’t had that. Fingers crossed.

-Please take that as your friendly reminder to support your favorite restaurant. If you are reading this, chances are you already do, but keep it mind it has been a tough stretch for them over the Summer.

-To that end, Alure on Congress Street closed very quietly a couple of months ago. Initially there was a sign on the door that they were closed for a kitchen remodel. They never returned. The space is available and, as you might expect, already drawing interest. The location is prime just off of City Market.

-On the other end of the spectrum are Dottie’s Market on Broughton Street and Sandfly BBQ. Both of them enjoyed record numbers following a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris last week. Keith Latture, owner of Sandfly, told me the next day was their busiest day in the 17 year history of Sandfly BBQ. Great news.

-Have you signed up for our newsletter? One email, every Thursday, to your inbox. Find the sign up at the bottom of the home page at eatitandlikeit.com

-The Palmetto Smash Burger at Oak 36 is legit. Too many restaurants out there are claiming to offer ‘smash burgers’ without any clue as to what that means. Oak’s are the real deal. In fact, the one I had at Oak last weekend was the best burger I’ve had at Oak36 since they opened.

–Deathless Food Truck and Origin Coffee on MLK downtown are collaborating on a weekend vegan pop up dinner series. They will be held every Saturday and Sunday from September 14th through October 6th. 5pm until 9pm on those days. Find more about Deathless here. Their menu will drop soon. We will share it when it does.

-Did you catch the new Service Brewing Kiosk at Savannah/HHI International Airport? Good looking spot. I’ve seen it a bunch, but have yet to stop by for a cold one.

-On the calendar the next few weeks: We told you about Taste of Pooler on September 26th. Before we get to that, the Hilton Head Shrimp Festival will be on Saturday, September 21st at Harbor Town. That’s a GREAT event. Find tickets here.

-The 4th annual Rock n Ribs event will be held at Coligny Plaza on the island October 17-20th. It’s the best BBQ event in the region. Pit Masters from all over the country on the island for one weekend. Find tickets here.

-Speaking of the Low Country…The Orechiette con Salsiccia (below) at Pomodori Too in Bluffton is one of the best Italian dishes in the area. Certainly the most consistent. I hadn’t had it in MANY years before having it again a couple of weeks ago. Sausage is an old family recipe. It’s a show stopper. Find Pomodori Too on May River Road in Old Town. 4pm-8pm. So so good.

-Last but not least, if you are ripe for a road trip, Amelia Island (2 hours away) is offering their first ever “Dining Month”. It is essentially a month-long restaurant week. September 1-30th. 25 participating restaurants. Find more on that here.

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