Written by Kendall McKinnon, photos by Hannah Rodbell
Say goodbye to the days of bickering over where to eat in downtown Savannah. Starland Yard, the city’s first food truck park, is now serving Savannah a variety of food, events, gatherings and good times.
Located at 2411 Desoto Ave., the park is an all-inclusive destination at the heart of the Starland District. Though removed from the downtown scene, the Yard is easily accessible to SCAD students by taking a bus to Victory Village and walking a few blocks. “We wanted to create a space where anyone can walk in and feel comfortable,” said John Benhase, one of the Starland Yard creators. Comfort, ease and accessibility were of the utmost importance when the creators began conceptualizing the space five years ago.
Since its grand opening in August, Savannahians have flocked to Starland Yard for its array of options and welcoming environment, making it the ideal venue for group outings. After all, Starland Yard is “for people who might not agree on what to eat or drink, but agree they’re looking for a good time together,” reads Starland Yard’s Instagram bio.
The yard is built from old shipping containers, cut and stacked. Murals designed by local SCAD alumni, add color and flavor to the outdoor space. The venue includes a large outdoor bar, rooftop courtyard, bocce court, kids’ play area and a drive for four food trucks. The new brick and mortar restaurant, Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana, is also housed within the Starland Yard park. The quasi-independent restaurant is owned by Chef Kyle Jacovino, formerly of The Florence and the 1540 Room at the DeSoto Hotel.
Customers can expect a variety of food and entertainment options when visiting Starland Yard. While eating, enjoy lounging in the courtyard, watching the game or listening to live music.
Beyond just managing an outdoor restaurant, the Starland Yard owners are intentionally cultivating community within the Starland District. Since it has grown over the past month, they’ve added new events such as pop-up movies and pet adoptions. Demonstrating further outreach, the Yard donated a percentage of their sales to World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts in the Bahamas in response to Hurricane Dorian.
Other upcoming events include a stretch and HIIT session with Lululemon and Revolution Yoga, the Distinguished Gentleman Ride for men’s mental health and a masquerade with Savannah Pride. In collaboration with the Forsyth Farmers Market, the Yard is developing a mid-week market for greater accessibility to locally grown produce. For more information on Starland Yard’s pop-up events check out their Instagram page.
Starland Yard is open Tuesday through Sunday, offering dinner on weekdays and lunch and dinner on weekends. Check out The District Dish for a taste of what the Starland Yard has to offer.
