We’re a Korean-inspired, veteran-owned bodega that’s focused on nourishing Savannah and Pooler, creating community and connecting hearts with international comfort food.
We originally founded Big Bon in 2016 as Savannah’s first pop-up wood-fired pizza food truck. Today, we’re honored to prepare small-batch menu items from scratch while remaining true to our core values of quality, kindness and community.
At Big Bon Bodega, we make everything with love
We use the freshest ingredients to make our pizza, bowls bagels, coffee and pastries, and believe that food serves as a vehicle to connect with others. We use locally sourced items whenever possible and have a strong connection to the community in Savannah and Pooler.
We believe in the power of connection, community and food as the ultimate language of love.
That’s why we use high-quality, non-GMO ingredients as well as low-gluten unbleached Italian flour and local honey.
Big Bon Bodega is more than an award-winning, casual, locally owned neighborhood eatery.
We’re incredibly honored to be featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri, “Good Morning America” and other national media, but our true passion is creating warm, inviting places where people can connect over great food.
Our menu has a international twist.
We hope you’ll try our Korean Mama Bagel Sandwich (Guy Fieri’s favorite!) K-Steak & Egg Bagel Sandwich, K-Beef & Kimchi Pizza, Beef Bulgogi Bowl and Korean Cheesecake. We also offer classic American, French, Italian Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Vietnamese-inspired menu items.
Big Bon Bodega is a place where you’ll always feel at home.
We hope you’ll join us for handcrafted bagel sandwiches, internationally-inspired bowls, Savannah Square pizza, locally roasted coffee and tasty pastries to fuel your day and bring a smile to your face.
KAY HERITAGE
Founder
“Mama Kay” Heritage is a Southern girl from a different kind of South (Korea) and proud U.S. Army veteran. She was a tall, lanky kid who struggled to fit in, and eventually found her way to Savannah, Georgia, where she launched the city’s first wood-fired pizza food truck and created a supportive, welcoming community at Big Bon Bodega. Kay is the architect behind Big Bon’s signature Korean-inspired bodega vibe as well as the warm, inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel relaxed, comfortable and at home.
My passion: Sharing love and kindness, mentoring young entrepreneurs and supporting culinary creatives.
My mantra: I love people, food and being connected to the local community.
What I love most about Big Bon: Nourishing hearts and inspiring connection.
Korean influences: In South Korea, we ask “Have you eaten?” as a standard greeting. Food is so communal and such an important part of my culture, which carries through everything we do at Big Bon.
Why Savannah and Pooler are so special: We’re historic but also hungry for new ideas and trends -- and we have such a beautiful community spirit.
My life before Big Bon: I joined the U.S. Army, traveled abroad, worked in catering kitchens, trained with chefs and taught myself everything about running a culinary business, which took about 30 years!
What the bodega concept means to me: We’re here for the neighborhood and the community.
Fluent in: English and Korean
SHAHIN AFSHARIAN
Chef and Partner
Shahin Afsharian began cooking as a child growing up in Mexico City and has always been fascinated by the intersection of food, people and culture. His culinary career has taken him around the world and provided the foundation to get creative in the kitchen, celebrating global flavors as well as human unity. Inspired by his extensive travels and years of experience in top kitchens around the world, Chef Shahin effortlessly blends comfort food with international influences at Big Bon Bodega.
What makes Big Bon Bodega special: We take local ingredients and give them a global spin. I love seeing people's faces light up when they taste something familiar but with an unexpected twist. Every day at Big Bon Bodega is a new adventure. We're not just serving food -- we're sharing stories, creating experiences and, hopefully, making people’s days a little brighter one plate at a time.
Did You Know: In 2016, Shahin served as a popular contestant on The Food Network's hit TV show, “Chopped,” where he impressed judges with his versatility, culinary talent and international influences.
My background: Growing up with both Persian and Mexican roots, I always felt like I was straddling two worlds. In the beginning, that felt like a struggle, and I wasn't sure where I fit in. Ultimately, that unique background became my secret ingredient.
Education: Master of Arts in Hospitality Management from Lycée Hôtelier de Monte-Carlo and B.A. in Gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of Mexico
Culinary training: Trained by international master chefs including Joël Robuchon, Takeo Yamazaki and Christophe Cussac
Awards: Michelin Star recipient; JW Marriott Leader of the Year
Previous experience: Executive Chef at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, Mihoko’s 21 Grams in New York City, Vespucci’s Italian Restaurant in Atlanta, Havana Blue in the U.S. Virgin Islands and British and French Embassies in Mexico City. Sous chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver, Colorado and Yoshi Restaurants at the Hotel Metropole in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Fluent in: English, Spanish, French and Farsi
