Where to eat Southern food in the Hudson Valley

Southern food, comfort food — Adobe Stock/mina709

If you’re a foodie, the Hudson Valley is the place to be. But if you’re a comfort foodie, the Hudson Valley is Certainly the place to be. Countless chefs have established their Southern roots here and in turn bless us with delicious comfort food, from classic fried chicken to barbecue pork.

So if you’re ready to head south and go homestyle, look no further than these Hudson Valley restaurants.

The cozy kitchen of Allie B

Clinton Avenue, Albany

This cozy café is all about the food and the flavors. Whether it’s grilled barbecue chicken or fried fish, you can choose from three sides with every meal. Baked macaroni and cheese and potato salad are just two of the many options you can consider. A catering menu is also available.

Alvin & Friends

Memorial Highway, New Rochelle

This Caribbean-inspired restaurant has been on the Best of Westchester list for five years in a row and is sure to impress with its luxurious interior, decorated with paintings by the restaurant’s owner, Alvin Clayton. As for the menu, Southern food favorites like buttermilk fried chicken and jambalaya stand alongside smoked barbecue ribs and shrimp and grits. Make sure you catch live music on the weekend!

The beacon daily

Teller Avenue, Beacon

Offering all-day breakfast from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Beacon Daily is certainly the reigning monarch of Hudson Valley fried chicken sandwiches. From the Nashville Hot to the Fuster Cluck, you can sneeze to your heart’s content. If you’re even more excited, don’t miss the chicken and waffles and handmade English muffin sandwiches for breakfast.

Essie’s Restaurant

Mount Carmel Place, Poughkeepsie

Located near Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, this charming restaurant is led by another Culinary Institute graduate, Brandon Walker. On the menu you will find grit coquettes, jerk ribs, chicken and dumplings and hand-cut Cajun wedges. Shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles await you at weekend brunch.

Handsome Devil BBQ

Corwinhof, Newburgh; Academy Street, Poughkeepsie

In two great locations on either side of the river, Handsome Devil BBQ pays tribute to Southern cuisine with its unique yet familiar dishes. From brisket to pulled pork to homemade sausage, you can find all the meats at this place. Order the Carolina coleslaw, the Better Than Grandma’s mac and cheese, or the apple pie baked beans to make it a complete meal.

Miz Hattie’s Southern BBQ

Main Street, Baken

Miz Hattie’s is a staple of the Hudson Valley Food Hall and was famous for its catering in Dutchess County long before the eatery opened. The Southern-style barbecue menu includes pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, brisket and sweet, all-American desserts such as apple or sweet potato pies. Make sure you order a large original sweet tea from Miz Hattie to wash it all down.

My father’s southern cooking

North Broadway, Nyack

At this cafe-style restaurant you can find all your Southern favorites, from fried chicken and waffles to shrimp and grits. Don’t miss the vegetarian offerings, such as vegetarian wingettes and pasta slaw. Make a mental note to try the Belgian waffle with pecans or a buttermilk biscuit with cinnamon-honey butter while you’re at this spot. Sundays are reserved for brunch, sometimes with live gospel music.

Ole Savannah

Rondout Landing, Kingston

The riverside location of this table and bar provides a beautiful backdrop for delectable Southern fare. Treat your taste buds with braised short rib quesadillas or jambalaya with andouille sausage, Louisiana shrimp and scallops. Be sure to also take advantage of the family takeout menu, Sunday brunch buffet, and dessert options like pecan pie and carrot cake.

Savannah & Company

Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor

Savannah and Company has been open in Westchester since 2014 and is celebrating 10 years in business this year. The Southern food options here are endless, including choices like fried green tomatoes, Nashville hot chicken, jambalaya, barbecue brisket, skillet mac and cheese, and baby back ribs. Eat some kale or Parmesan cheese on the side to really get your fill of comfort food.

Southern table kitchen and bar

Marble Avenue, Pleasantville

Southern Table Kitchen & Bar, a unique dining experience in Westchester, puts an inventive spin on Southern cuisine. This spot combines the best of Tex-Mex and Southern classics, serving dishes like Louisiana shrimp tacos and hot chicken burritos. Try the Cajun gumbo or braised short ribs as comforting entrees, and don’t forget to add Mom’s cornbread and slaw on the side.

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