Asian

Opposite the Oglethorpe Mall across busy Abercorn is Chiriya’s (7805 Abercorn St., 912/303-0555, Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m., Sun. 5–10 p.m., $15–20), an excellent Thai place with some Hawaiian touches sprinkled into the mix. The kitchen will gladly spice up your food to your personal comfort level.

It’s not pretty and it’s not fancy. But hands-down the best Vietnamese cuisine in town is at Saigon Flavors (6604 Waters Ave., 912/352-4182, daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.), a humble little place in a nondescript storefront. But the food is anything but nondescript—excellent, authentic, inexpensive, and tasty. I usually get the pork and noodles dish with a side order of their delicious fried spring rolls, but any of their shrimp dishes are great, too.

Southwestern

Should you find yourself shopping at Oglethorpe Mall on Savannah’s ugly, paved-over southside, take a quick jaunt across Abercorn to Moe’s Southwestern Grill (7801 Abercorn St., 912/303-6688, daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m., $5–10) in the Chatham Plaza shopping center. This regional franchise offers made-to-order Southwestern fare—or a Southeastern version of it, anyway—in a boisterous atmosphere. Local vegetarians and vegans love this spot, since you tell the counter staff exactly what you want in your burrito and you can always substitute tofu for any meat.

© Jim Morekis from Moon Charleston & Savannah, 4th Edition