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If you’ve got a hankering for Southern food, you needn’t cross the Mason-Dixon line. Check out these restaurants for Southern-style comfort food right here in the Hudson Valley.
If you’re a foodie, the Hudson Valley is the place to be. But if you’re a comfort foodie, the Hudson Valley is definitely the place to be. Plenty of chefs have settled down their Southern roots here and, in turn, bless us with scrumptious comfort food from classic fried chicken to barbecue pork.
So, if you’re ready to head down south and go homestyle, look no further than these Hudson Valley restaurants.
Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen
Clinton Avenue, Albany
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At this cozy eatery, it’s all about the food and the flavors. Whether it’s grilled barbeque chicken or fried fish, each meal comes with your choice of three sides. Baked macaroni & cheese and potato salad are just two of the many options to consider. A catering menu is also available.
Alvin & Friends
Memorial Highway, New Rochelle
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Making the Best of Westchester list five years in a row, this Caribbean-inspired restaurant is sure to impress with its upscale interior, decorated with paintings by restaurant’s owner, Alvin Clayton. As for the menu, Southern food favorites like buttermilk fried chicken and jambalaya sit right alongside grilled jerk pork chop and rum punch meatballs. By the way, be sure to catch live music on the weekends!
The Beacon Daily
Teller Avenue, Beacon
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Offering breakfast all day 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 K.F.C. (Korean Fried Chicken), you can nosh to your heart’s content. If you crave even more, don’t miss the Detroit-style pizza pop-up on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bee Soulful Restaurant
Center Street, Middletown
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A tavern turned soul food restaurant, this Black-owned, woman-owned establishment offers a range of honey-themed eats from their appetizers to their desserts. Diners can savor honey-braised short ribs or fried honey catfish nuggets, but are well-advised to save room for the sweet potato pie and banana pudding. At Bee Soulful, you will find “good food cooked with love, and a congregation with family and friends.” Both indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Big Daddy’s Home Plate BBQ
Route 9W, Haverstraw
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Head chef James Parker, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, has created a sports-themed eatery where South Carolina-style barbecue reigns supreme. From traditional pulled pork and fried chicken to fish tilapia filet and grilled beef sausage, every menu item is a home run. Diners can order one of over 10 sides, such as corn souffle and fried sweet potatoes.
Dixon Roadside
Tinker Street, Woodstock
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If you’re searching for a spot to eat delicious comfort food made with local ingredients, you’ve found the right pit stop. This eatery’s open-air location is the ultimate backdrop for a roadside regular. Try the brisket meatloaf, or opt for a rotating daily special which changes daily. Thanks to a wide selection of beers, it’ll be easy to find the perfect complement to your meal.
Related: Dixon Roadside Hits the Right Notes With Comfort Food in the Catskills
Essie’s Restaurant
Mount Carmel Place, Poughkeepsie
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In close proximity to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, this charming restaurant is led by another Culinary Institute graduate, Brandon Walker. On the menu, you’ll find grit coquettes, jerk ribs, and hand-cut parmesan wedges. Belgian waffles and “chicken n’ wedges” are in store for you during weekend brunch.
Lady K’s Southern Comfort
Violet Avenue, Hyde Park
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This homey eatery is guaranteed to provide you with “YDF” (that’s yummy delicious food). No matter what you’re in the mood for, Lady K’s has you covered—from Southern fried chicken and pan-seared shrimp to empanadas and wing flings. The full menu is available for dine-in, takeout, or catering.
My Father’s House Southern Cuisine
North Broadway, Nyack
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At this café-esque restaurant, you can find all your Southern favorites, from fried chicken and waffles to shrimp and grits. Don’t miss out on all the vegetarian offerings, such as veggie wingettes and pasta slaw. Make a mental note to try the pecan Belgian waffle or a slice of homemade blue velvet cake while you’re at it. Saturdays and Sundays are reserved for brunch—sometimes with live gospel music.
Ole Savannah
Rondout Landing, Kingston
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The riverfront location of this table and bar provides beautiful scenery for delectable Southern food. Treat your tastebuds to buttermilk-brined fried chicken wings with bacon jam or a New Orleans-style chicken gumbo with andouille sausage and Creole spices. Be sure to also take advantage of the family to-go menu, Sunday buffet brunch, and late-night treats served until midnight throughout the summer.
Ruby Mae Soul Food Restaurant
Broadway, Kingston
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Established on a foundation of love, Ruby Mae is the place to go for classic comfort food. Order a chicken dinner or smoked barbecue rib dinner; try some fried pickles with home sauce; and devour a “Messy Seafood Bag” complete with crab legs, shrimp, and baked potatoes. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays, the family-style atmosphere is welcoming for people of all ages.
Related: Where to Find Savory Indian Cuisine in the Hudson Valley