Real Savannahian Sh*t

Savannah Don’s one-of-a-kind streetside joint is an example of just how far a keen attention to detail can take you in the culinary world. “I’m not letting nothing come out that window if it ain’t flawless.”

On a post-dinner service walk one night, I stumbled with weak knees out the back end of a gas station and found myself standing before a white storage trailer. It might as well have been a pot of gold at the time. Rather than a leprechaun, however, I was introduced to a man with a unique approach to his culinary craft—a craft I was very eager to benefit from after a long and espresso-fueled day in the kitchen. He’s Shadon Miller (a.k.a. Savannah Don) of Savannah Traditional Wingz, 101 Kool-Aid & Wing Flavors. After his time working in fine dining, owning a wing joint on the west side of Savannah and traveling the states studying regional cooking styles, Don has settled into a trailer on Indian Street where he boxes up wings to cure locals’ late-night munchies. Springing up from a table stacked high with seasonings and herbs, Don shook my hand and let me into his story.

I was surprised when I poked my head into the Savannah Traditional Wingz unit and found a setup mimicking that of a kitchen line—a four basket fryer, spice shelves, low-boys and waist-height stainless steel countertops along the perimeter. There’s an efficient professionalism in the trailer, one that could only be influenced by a serious commercial career. “I still hold on to the mindset of fine dining. People love my wings because I handle ‘em seriously.” On the street-facing side of Miller’s trailer is a branded decal, a string of LED lights and a brick backsplash paying homage to his childhood housing project on Savannah’s eastside, Red Brick.

Perhaps the most electric part of Don’s grub-to-go operation is its menu, boasting 101 varieties of KoolAid and wing combos sprinkled with hip-hop shoutouts and culture references (Boosie Badazz Combo, Zaza Mild, Kodak Sauce, Cocaine Ranch, etc.). His inclusion of 101 styles of wings and juice is also significant, pulling inspiration from Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation 101, an album Miller says “got it all started.”

“My rap-related menu ain’t just for fun though,” says Don, “I do my research day and night.” Don studies the wing aficionados of the US and takes notes on each region’s approach to the beloved meal. He travels, studies and fine tunes the area’s wing recipes to Savannah’s liking. “Shaq likes a classic barbeque, Sexyy Red likes sweet n’ sour, and Boosie’s on some real Louisiana shit. Those wings hot as hell.” (They are. I tapped out after five) Each combo comes with a side of dirty rice or Cajun ranch fries and any imaginable flavor of Kool-Aid.

At the heart of Savannah Don’s southern entrepreneurship is a gratefulness and care for the people that raised him. Through his non-profit catering organization “Hug the Block” and a number of jewelry and food-based endeavors, he’s managed to give back just as much as he’s received. At this year’s MLK Jr. day parade in the city’s historic district, Miller set up his trailer to sling discount meals and show his pride in Savannah’s continued perseverance. “This community has been more than good to me. Real Savannahians help real Savannahians, period.”

Savannah Don isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Even with an abundance of success and love from the community, he’s still researching, planning and saving for his next big move, all the while giving back to his Savannah roots. “Love, wings and motion man, that’s my game.”

Savannah Traditional Wingz is open from 10pm to 5am every weeknight on the east end of Indian Street. 10% discount for SCAD students.