Former Food Network personality Paula Deen has shuttered two of her Savannah, Georgia-based restaurants, marking the end of an era for one of her most iconic establishments.
Deen — who gained national fame for her signature Southern cooking and charismatic screen presence — was dropped from the Food Network in 2013 following a widely publicized racism controversy. Despite the fallout, she continued operating her beloved restaurant, The Lady and Sons.
More than a decade later, Deen surprised fans with an August 1 announcement via social media, revealing that The Lady and Sons and her newer venture, The Chicken Box (launched in 2023), had closed their doors for good.
“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,” Deen wrote in a statement.
“Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years.” She ran the restaurants alongside her sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen.
Looking ahead, the family plans to concentrate on their remaining Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Branson, Missouri — all of which they’re scheduled to visit on August 8.
Signing off the announcement with “love & best dishes,” Deen expressed deep appreciation: “We have endless love and gratitude for every customer who has walked through our doors,” she said. “We are equally grateful to our incredible staff—past and present—whose hard work, care, and hospitality made (the businesses) what they were.”
She closed the message with a nod to the city that supported her rise: “Savannah will always be our home, and we’ll always be here to support our wonderful community.”
Deen’s television career began with Paula’s Home Cooking on the Food Network in 2002, followed by Paula’s Best Dishes in 2008 and several other shows. Her brand expanded rapidly through best-selling cookbooks, a line of homeware products, and national endorsements — cementing her place in the world of Southern cuisine.
But in June 2013, Deen faced public backlash after admitting during a deposition — part of a lawsuit — that she had previously used racial slurs and tolerated racist jokes in the workplace. The Food Network chose not to renew her contract, effectively cutting ties with the celebrity chef.
The lawsuit, filed by Lisa Jackson, a former manager at Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House (co-owned by Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers), alleged racial discrimination and sexual harassment. Uncle Bubba’s closed in 2014.
Despite the controversy, Deen remained active in the public eye. She retained a strong social media following, with more than 5 million fans on Facebook and Instagram. In 2015, she appeared on Dancing with the Stars (Season 21) and later served as a guest judge on MasterChef: Legends in 2021.
