Old Southern BBQ - Hudson — Restaurant in Hudson

TL;DR - If you want BBQ, go here. The food is good.

This food is very good. But lets address the elephant in the room right away: you aren't going to achieve the same culinary high from this place that you get at those ancient, well established BBQ pits from the south. But do you expect to get authentic cheese steaks outside of Philly? Are you expecting perfect Italian food outside of Italy? Do you frown upon every Korean dish that doesn't taste like it was served hot from Seoul itself? Do you go to a seafood place in the Midwest expecting a fish that was caught that morning? If so, then you're being unrealistic. Nothing can replicate the authentic experience. However, I don't believe that is what this place is trying to do. What this place offers is simple: a delicious and simple escape to happier days when you lived in a place where legendary BBQ places were plentiful and abundant. You know when you catch a whiff of bread baking and for a moment, you re-live the memory of being a child at your grandma's house, or when a classic car drives by and the exhaust smell takes you back to your teenage years working on cars with your dad or friends? That is what this place does for your taste buds; its a little escape from reality back to the happiest you've ever been eating a rib.

As a man who has patronized perhaps too many BBQ establishments not only in the South, but around the world, I will confidently say that Old Southern BBQ scratches that itch for me. Don't try to fool yourself and tell yourself that the itch will completely go away; it won't. But this food hits the right spots. And not only that, every time I come here, and especially the last few times, the service has been fantastic. Specifically, Lee has always been super enthusiastic and exceptional in his duties. He's always johnny on the spot with suggestions and knows what I would like before I do. Guys like him are a rare breed.

If what you're looking for is a reminder of your time in the beloved BBQ pits of the south and great service, don't be afraid to stop in here and give...

• FOLLOW-UP, UPGRADED POST/REVIEW* As a follow-up to my less-than-stellar review two months ago, big thanks to Dave Anderson (chain owner) and store manager Joe Seaver, for reachng out to us, and inviting us for a second try... VERY good food (we went with, a party platter... the "hot links" and the cole slaw, of all things, were actually my flavor-ites!) and much improved customer service. Looking forward to our return visits! Many thanks again, and blessings on your continued success.

(Original post, June, 2016): Decent food, horrible customer service from the supposed "top" on down. Upon placing our order, we were informed, point blank, "We're outta ribs." (... ummm... okay..?). When our food came, there were a couple of minor. mistakes which my wife pointed out, and was told, verbatim, "Yup." (After three mistakes were cleaned up, we did not see, not hear from our waitress again 😞)

We watched the owner walk out and back from his vehicle (which occupied the closest handicap space nearest the restaurant). As we were leaving, I walked over to the table where he sat talking with another employee, and asked, "Are you the owner?"

"Well, I'm Dave.."

"Oh... well, are you the owner?" I asked.

".... well..." (looking awkwardly at the woman employee with him)... "we're ALL owners."

When I asked whether he'd like to know how it - our food, our service and experience and our first visit- was.

"Oh.. sure..yes.."

"Well," I told him, "Then you're the first who seems to care or want to know," adding, "This is 'grand opening'.... someone, YOU, needs to be up and moving around, introducing yourself, asking if anyone needs anything."

"... We usually do.." replied Dave.

Well. You didnt. And now we're gone.

Dale Bohnert,...

I attempted to eat here twice this last weekend. I came in at 8PM on a Friday. A light amount of customers. I was told to "hang on a second" by an African American woman while she went in back to converse with other employees for a few minutes. She later comes up with another employee explaining to us that they were completely out of pulled pork, potatoes, macaroni, chicken, and beans (which is pretty much everything you would put in most the bowls). We decided to eat at home upon hearing this. I'm not sure if it is store policy to stop making food when you're an hour to close at this location. If this isn't policy perhaps the employees were just looking to speed up the closing process at 9 (makes sense as they all appeared to be teenagers or young adults). I would like to add that if the ladder is the case this business has employees costing it money by looking for ways out of working. They're discussion in back looked and sounded like they made a mutual decision not to do any more work for the evening.

We stopped in again Sunday evening around 7pm. The dining area was moderately busy. Fortunately we were able to order food to take out (mind you it took 20 minutes). We had a few nibbles in the car before driving home and was suprised that the food was quite cold. Not even warm to the touch. I have picked up bowls a few times in the past for lunch and can recall experiencing equally cold food (I worke down the street at the CPR any food that is supposed to be warm should still be by the time I return to my business). After trying this restaurant out about five times now with disappointing results. My family, friends, and I have decided this place just isn't worth the...