Full name: Hudson’s – The Burger Joint, is on Kloof St, opposite the Lifestyles on Kloof Centre. First impressions, on entering, are promising. The small streetside space has awnings to guard against the ravaging wind, the interior is neat in modern dark wood and leather banquettes, with interesting recycled cardboard chairs (and a steer head of same material). It’s designer, but comfy.
The menu is designer burger: The Hudson (classic dill and mustard mayo); The Cheese; The Works; The Wiseguy etc. Come with fries or a salad, and on the side options like chili poppers, (good) beer-battered onion rings – and Jessica Simpson’s Real Macoy (sic) Buffalo Wings. Also assorted extras to DIY your ideal burger. Aside from the fun sense of humour in the menu, what is great is that you can order your burger in two sizes, 150g and 250g.
What was not so great was how long my friend and I waited after placing our order, on a moderately quiet day. Also not great was the quality of the burger (one sent back, raw; the other rare, though the menu talks of “all burgers cooked to medium unless otherwise requested”) or the quality of the fries, dry and stale-tasting. The Caesar salad was ok, and the Jessica’s also, though the side of goop they came with was not.
Great concept, good prices (from R33 to R66 for a burger) but pity about the delivery on basics, which really erodes value. 69a Kloof Str, Gardens. 021 426 5974. Open daily 11am til 10pm. They also do take-away.
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12 Comments
I went there on Sunday and also had to sit around and wait for quite a while. With all the burger joints around, Hudson’s really needs to add that something special to their mix, otherwise, it’s just another average burger joint.
I was there last week Wednesday. A friend had the Ostrich burger which he raved about and I had the Royale (Cheese, Onion Rings, Chilli). Cooked Medium Rare and was decent. Chips were great too, twice fried nice skinny frites – just out of the frier. Agreed service was a touch slow. On my experience I will go back.
I am addicted to their burgers, they need to get the consistency up apparently, although I have had only amazing burgers, and great service, others have not. I love the ambiance and amazingly the music, yes music, not muzak, solid rock and blues at that! My regular hangout, just needs better coffee and free wi-fi and I’ll need a chair with my name on it.
Have eaten here several times, love the decor, service can be patchy and the food slightly inconsistant, will get better over time I think.
On another note, did anyone hear anything about a new restaurant opening up where The Showroom was ???
Re Showroom, yes, there will be a new restaurant opening there in September called Portofino – based in concept on the River Cafe, London.
this sounds awesome…
I worked at the River Cafe for 2 years and have always wished we had something even remotely similar in SA. I hope they go to the full extent of the seasoned operation that the Cafe is.
Does anyone know who is going to open it?
The gent who is opening it is named Cormac, that is as much as I know.
Hi,
We are busy redecorating at the moment and hope to open in September. Our influences and inspiration are indeed The River Cafe in London, also places like Ottolenghi also in London and A16 in San Francisco. The executive chef is Steven Kruger who has been working alongside Richard Carstens for the last five years.
I am trying to create a comfortable and friendly eating space serving simple, light, elegant Mediterranean food, with emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients where possible.
I hope people will come by and have a look when we open.
I went there three times and each time I had a great experience, filling what you could expect for such a cheap meal! I mean come one… for 2 people your bill is average 100 rands! Obviously you not expectingt a fine dining experience : )
I really liked the french fries nicely done, and my burgers were always well cooked and tasty.
I actually prefer the quality of Hudson’s Burgers than the one at the famous Royal in Long Street even though they bigger….
I will definitely return!
Went last night for the first time as part of a table of 8 people. Service was slow (I acknowledge the waitresses were running off their feet) and we waited 40 mins for our food once ordering. Two of the food orders came out wrong. Surely it cannot take 40 mins to throw a burger pattie onto flames? Even if you have to throw on 20 at the same time? It was busy, good atmosphere, but too loud for my liking. Doubt I’ll go back.
In the mood for burgers we gave it a bash last night and it didn’t disappoint. I was on the look out for issues mentioned in JP’s review, but have to say both service and food impressed. Two sizes of burger is a great idea; we had “The Works” and Cheese burgers and both were well cooked — solid patties, not too rare or over cooked and nice touch having a wheat-free bun. Fries were outstanding, best in the city (I’m finding wedges a bit overdone, greasy and stodgy). Good music mix and attentive service. Keep that up and we’ll be back for sure.
Hated every second of it.
Burgers were raw, definitely not medium-rare as mentioned in the menu. The MSG filled salt on the fries is okey for KFC but not for a burger joint.
Waitress got my order wrong then never came back to offer condiments then had such an attitude. Really didn’t feel looked after. We didn’t tip and and the payment procedure was just so uncomfortable.
Music was too loud for a Sunday night and the choice of music was far from appropriate (blaring screaming rock, non stop).
I was really hoping that the food would be as good as the interior design but was hugely disappointed.
Never again.
What