Hudson's , as far as BBQ goes, is one of the best I've been to in South Carolina. That Said, everyone's tastes differ when it comes to what good BBQ is, but this is by far and away some of the best food Ive eaten in my time here. As far as what the menu offers, its a wide variety of Pork delicacy's to really tasty Brisket. They also offer a Buffet which has what looks to be over 35 to 40 items which include soul food to fried catfish and shrimp, chicken livers, to Prime Rib... Salad and deserts, while not first on peoples mid when going to a BBQ joint, are also not too bad, as they offer up a basic array of salad stuffs and some really kick ass chocolate pudding with Crunched up oreo's!.. amazing stomach topper! As for the BBQ, its very tender, well seasoned and comes with some very amazing gold sauce, a cross between carolina mustard vinegar and kansas style I think... but its tangy and delicious... there are two Hudsons actually.. this one in lexington, and another in Columbia off of Harbsion Blvd.. both taste the same and are highly recommended! Great Job Hudsons..
(5)
Susan O.
10 of us showed up on game day and this place was pretty busy. Despite that, our server, Teri, was so gracious and helpful. She warned us that our food would take awhile but the wait was really not very long considering the size of our group. She handled our children's rambunctiousness with grace and even replaced my sandwich when I forgot to take my doggie bag home. I can't speak for everything but my pulled pork sandwich was awesome. We'll be back.
(5)
Jeremy J.
While traveling up I-20, this place was a convenient place for lunch - only a couple miles from the interstate. For authentic southern barbecue, this place is the real deal. We opted for the buffet but you can also order from a menu. The pork barbecue was lean and tender. The mustard-based barbecue sauce was delicious. The buffet was, of course, all you can eat (for adults anyway, for kids we opted for the one-visit kids buffet which was much cheaper), so we sampled just about everything. Our favorites included the pork-and-beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, and hush puppies. Everything was clearly made fresh. We left stuffed and vowed to return again the next time we're traveling near Lexington.
(5)
Colleen R.
Love, love, love this location. We liked the idea of one closer, however, they have closed the buffet there, so to the other side of town we go. Normally, the service is average, but Friday, we had a GREAT server. She was very attentive, kept our drinks full, and kept the clean plates coming. They've changed their catfish breading, but it's still tasty. The food is tasty, I just wish they could offer more items for the price on the buffet. Also, we prefer to sit out on the patio, because the wood floor in the dinning room will make you feel like you're on a boat every time someone walks by, lol. I hear they are serving breakfast or brunch on the weekends soon!
(4)
Loretta G.
I ordered the half chicken dinner and added on some pork... The flavors on everything was good but my chicken was so dry it was almost brittle. I ended up only taking a few bites and just eating everything else I got, which was PLENTY of food. Huge portions.. My only complaint was the chicken!
(3)
Jonathan R.
Very good value for your money. Food is excellent. Wish they had a better beer selection, though.
(4)
David G.
The owner finally arrived and saw the error of his ways and comped the gets. So kudos for doing the right thing and I will give this place another chance when I'm back in the area.
(3)
Mark D.
My girlfriend and I came here on a recommendation, and it couldn't have lived up to the hype better. We live in Columbia, so we had a little trouble finding the place, but the food made every mile worth it. The rolls, the mac and cheese, the mashed potatoes, the chicken. Everything was fantastic. A lot of well cooked food that one can tell the cooks put a lot more work into than normal for a place of this pricing. The pork was moist and tender, though I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq sauce, but that's a matter of regional opinion, since I'm a northerner. My only complaint was that I didn't want to stop eating after I got full. Definitely recommend, and will return.
(5)
I. F.
This building is very attractive; it looks like a log cabin with a hunting lodge motif. There are a dozen mountain goat heads mounted on the wall watching you eat. ( I always wonder if the butts are hanging on the other side of the wall, but I guess not.) The lunch buffet is really quite large--fried fish and chicken, potatoes and gravy, pork hash and rice, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, some puddings, salads, etc. And the pulled pork, of course. They've got a bar--yeah!!! You can have a beer with your pig. Excellent. (Happy hour is 4-7 pm.) What I enjoyed the most was the shrimp and grits, which had a spiciness to it. The pepper in the shrimp and grits made me realize the blandness of the other dishes there. The food wasn't bad, it was just . . . bland. The potato salad seemed vinegary, the broccoli casserole had too much garlic in it. The pulled pork was okay, the sauces were good. The servers were really friendly.
(2)
g l.
Ever since they opened up the one in Irmo , the one in Lexington is not as good as it used to be. They took out the salad bar , fresh fruit and their desserts. The hush puppies , sweet potato fries and the collard greens are great! I won't be going back.
(3)
Mark S. I.
4 stars because Thurs. night is rib night at Hudson's in Lexington. 1lb of ribs comes with every entree. Two words: Want. Now.
(4)
Mrs. R.
Great place to visit any time. With groups,families,work lunch. etc. Can be a little loud when busy, so as previous person said sit in bar area if you want a little more privacy. They have TVs in there too. Everything is good if you like southern cooking. Great value! If you want get a to-go order & enjoy at home or work.They also do catering that is awesome! Ribs are perfect for tailgating!! It is a vinegar base sauce on bbq Which makes it tender. But it comes plain & you have your choice of 3 sauce to top it with.Makes it nice because it isn't needed but if you want it you can pick & not have it overdone like other places. I have been to both locations both are great! great service an actual good buffet!
(4)
Adrianne M.
We've been to Hudson's several times and it never fails... Always delicious! The BBQ is so good on its own I don't even use sauce! The sides are amazing and service is usually great. Buffet on Friday night or Sunday brunch... You can't lose. Oh, and try the banana pudding. Yum. :-)
(5)
Benjamin S.
Great BBQ. Reasonable price for the buffet. Some highlights of the buffet included the hash, brunswick stew (so great), fried okra, and fried shrimp. We had great service and the place had a nice atmosphere. Even in the chilly night, the outdoor seating area was nice and warm thanks to the heaters. Recommended!
(4)
Michael G.
All around good experience. I went a 3pm on a Saturday expecting the buffet to be old but the were still rolling out fresh food! I had both the mustard and vinegar BBQ and the were good. The sides we good as well - green beans, Mac n cheese, hash, and mashed potatoes. The desserts were awesome.
(4)
Michael M.
Great place! I'm not always big on BBQ, but we had a hankering for some so I looked up BBQ on Yelp and found this place. Given the four stars out of over 70 reviews I figured it had to be good and yes it was! We fed four for under $30 and left full! The BBQ buffet has a great selection of sides and BBQ pork but I decided to go with the brisket. It was smoked and marinated in traditional BBQ sauce. It was very tender and quite tasty but even better once I put a little Carolina Gold sauce on it! (The traditional mustard-based sauce that is commonly found in South Carolina, and in my humble opinion the real BBQ sauce as BBQ was invented here!) The salad was crisp and fresh and the sweet potato fries were the perfect compliment to my meal. The roll was probably the best I've ever had! The place is very kid-friendly, clean, fun and the service was great! Eat here.
(4)
Andrea R.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. We were told by many that this is some of the best BBQ in town so we were excited to check it out. Upon arriving we realized that it's mainly a buffet (small buffet at that) with a small menu to order from table side. The buffet included all of the normal sides; greens, mac n cheese, macaroni, shrimp & girts, rice, green beans, baked beans etc and as far as meats went they had fried fish, fried chicken and pulled meat, I think it was pulled pork. My husband and I were both craving something meaty so I ordered the rib plate and he ordered the brisket bowl. My husband's order was wrong, he asked for the brisket bowl but it came on the sandwich anyway, he also ordered mac n cheese and hush puppies as his sides, the hush puppies never came and the mac n cheese was alright. My ribs were okay; my sides (baked beans, green beans and mashed potatoes) were blah. The baked beans had lots of onion strings in them that grossed me out, the green beans had too much vinegar and the mashed potatoes were dry as anything. I'm also fairly certain that they just walked over to the buffet and loaded the sides on my plate from there. As far as BBQ goes I've had much better elsewhere. The service was dismal; I think our waitress was new but considering 80% of the tables take advantage of the buffet I really don't see an excuse for slow service. She took our drink orders right away and then it took 15 minutes for our sweet tea to arrive. Everything we asked for took forever, extra napkins, more BBQ sauce and as I mentioned the hush puppies we ordered never came. We never got refills on our sweet tea because she never came back to check on us. The interior is all wood and the place has a divey feel to it. Best thing was that it was CHEAP. $9 for my plate which was probably 3 lbs of food.
(2)
Larry M.
Buffet closes 30 min prior restaurant closing for Sunday lunch. No way to know this prior to arrival. Seem to more concerned with leaving than with customer service. We arrived at 2:30 after driving a half hour to get there and then left. What a disappointment! Will never return.
(1)
Jason H.
Came in for my first visit today. My wife and I showed up right after the breakfast buffet ended and they were in their transitional period. The waitress was extremely attentive and giving us updates on the buffet. The service here is beyond anything I've experienced before. We were the only ones dining in but the staff was top notch and didn't slack one bit. The food was excellent but I don't think anything beats the service here!
(5)
John S.
(First time here) I was tired of my coworkers telling me how good this place was so I went. I had to order to-go because other family members were still working on base. Well, when I got there it was packed full with people for a weekday; a very good sign. They sent me to the bar to order to-go which is the norm everywhere else. I ordered (1 lb. each) ribs, BBQ pork, beef brisket with cabbage, fried okra, mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy as sides. They had a few choices for BBQ (4 kinds I believe). The BBQ pork was red so I am going to assume it was ketchup base. It was a little sweet. The ribs were really good and they must have cooked the sauce with the meat because they were not that messy. I just wish they were bigger for the price I paid for them; one to two bites on them. The beef brisket was plain and tasted like pork. The menu said chopped but it was shredded and tasted like plain pork. (I did try the mustard base BBQ on the plain meat and it was really, really good. Sweet and spicy) I think they messed up my order but I was not going to drive across town to fix it and I just did not want to deal with the help again. For the sides, the fried okra was good but salty, the cabbage came with potatoes in it even though I asked and the woman told me sausage came with it as well. The mac and cheese was very good and not too greasy at all and the mashed potatoes and gravy was good. The mash potatoes was baked potatoes mashed up with chucks of potatoes and skin in it. This is a buffet restaurant and you are better off getting the buffet for the price or you will be spending more money than you want. You will wait to be seated. The line was outside the door. The workers are either zombies trying to keep the madness down or in the hallway talking to each other. If you bring kids then ask for a table away from the bar. The customers there will drop the F bombs many times over and none of the staff were able to stop them. I understand it is the bar area but it is not a bar or pub...it is a family restaurant. Name tags on everyone should help fix this problem because I did not know who to address this problem to until after the fact. This resturant could be better with more training and workers checking the to-go orders in front of the customers.
(3)
Lucy W.
I wasn't too hungry when I joined a group of family and friends for lunch at Hudson Smokehouse, so I ordered our table ordered ribs for the table to share and I got an entree from their "Smaller Appetites" section, where you can choose a meat item (I got fried chicken) and two sides (I got mac & cheese, and broccoli casserole). I thought I received the wrong plate, because there was a huge amount of food that was on the plate! Very inexpensive...what a value! Though the buffet is tempting (and let's you try a little of everything), it doesn't offer some of the BBQ meat items I wanted to try, i.e. ribs. Server was efficient- making sure we all had drinks quickly, and serving our food fast so that those who ordered from the menu wouldn't be too far behind those who got the buffet.
(3)
Lois M.
Delicious ribs and barbeque. The hash is my favorite in the Midlands. You can't go wrong ordering from the menu. For those so inclined, the buffet was really good.
(4)
David L.
Decided to visit Hudson's while in town visiting my gf's family. Went around 6pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too busy when being seated. After 15 mins, the place was packed. This place is a buffet/restaurant. We all went with the buffet and a side order of 1/2 lb ribs. I personally did not like the ribs as much as I thought I would. 1-Poor - 5-Delish Plate 1: Mashed potatoes - 3 Rice w/ Hash - 4.5 Green Beans - 4 Squash - 3.5 Baked Beans - 5 Pulled pork w/ Mustard-based BBQ Sauce - 4 Plate 2: Peach Cobbler - 3 ***Wasn't the peach cobbler I'm used to. It was definitely more dry. Not a lot of peach or liquid inside*** Banana Pudding - 5 Oreo Pudding - 3.5 I would definitely come back since it was a BBQ buffet. The food was good! Loved the environment! Great place! Great food!
(4)
Allison C.
After looking at the restaurant's webpage, we decided to go for the buffet. When we got there, we noticed that the buffet is actually $9.99 (it's listed as $8.49 on their menu on the website). $9.99 is still not a bad price for a buffet, but as false advertising is illegal we asked if they would honor the price on their website. The hostess just kept repeating that the buffet was $9.99. Finally we had a manager come out. He was extremely rude and said "Our website guy sucks, the price has been changed for over a year." That's right a year and no one has bothered to update the site. The site also stated that the Friday buffet had shrimp and grits on it, which we were all excited for. However, the site has not been updated to let us know they no longer have shrimp on the buffet. Other than the very rude manager, the food was great! The Mac and cheese was my favorite. It is so cheesy and creamy. Other highlights were the BBQ (obviously), the hash, and field peas. Our server was very friendly and did a great job keeping our waters filled and clearing our plates.
(3)
Jonathan W.
Buffet. I don't generally like buffets, but this one is good. All the items are pretty tasty and the turnover is enough that it is pretty fresh. BBQ pork is good with a good mustard based sauce. Dry (a good thing), not sloppy wet like it has been stewing in a pan all day. Fried chicken is good, not great. Mac n Cheese is awesome, green beans are good, mashed potatoes and banana pudding are good. Hard to be for 9.95 lunch.
(4)
Roger B.
As regular readers already know, I love BBQ. This highly touted place is very good indeed. It's a pleasant setting with a good staff. I started with pork skins. They were very good while they were hot but got tough as they cooled. There were enough for a table of 4, so no one has to have any that have cooled. I had the ribs with a dry rub and they were excellent. The broccoli casserole was surprising and delicious. Well prepared buttered cabbage and cole slaw rounded out my dinner. My wife had chopped brisket which was tender and tasty, made even more so with a tasty mustard/vinegar sauce. Two of her three sides were very good too. The sweet potato fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the buttered squash was very nice. Only the green beans came up short. They were boiled and tasteless. All in all Hudson's provided a very good dinner.
(4)
Brian M.
I could stop by just writing "great southern restaurant". This was my second visit and I've had the buffet on both visits so I have no comments regarding an individual dinner. When you say buffet you think mass produced food with little thought for quality. That could not be further from the truth at Hudson's. The pork is tender, flavorful and not at all fatty. There are several different barbecue sauces to try. The fried chicken is crispy and has great flavor. There is a honey butter roll that almost melts in your mouth. My personal favorite is the light/flakey fried catfish. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a little loud. This is definitely a place for a group or family to dine. You have the option of inside or covered patio seating. Not your place if looking for a quiet romantic dinner but definitely the spot for a fun dinner experience. I only wish Hudson's was not 15 hours from home.
(4)
Jess C.
Ribs and pulled pork are good. Chicken is ok. Service leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly high school aged girls so don't expect good, consistent service. And no real pork skins?? Not sure how you can call yourself a BBQ joint in SC without skins! Bottom line: decent food, service is a crap shoot...there are other better places to get BBQ in the area
(3)
Matthew P.
The catfish!!! This is the story all about bbq in my mouth. On a drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Charlotte, NC I stopped into this glory house. I had the Friday night buffet based on the reviews. It was priced right. Wow the quality and flavor of every ingredient. There was no bland or over salted food here. I Tried everything but the chicken livers. The pulled pork was smoky, moist, and tender. The catfish w lightly battered, packed full of seasoning, and just addicting. The sauces reside tableside and the sweet mustard one was a real punch in my mouth of flavor. I'm sad I wont be likely visiting ever again as I live in Detroit. This makes me sad. My first and last SC BBQ experience was inspiring. I tried to buy their sauces but they were out of jars :(.
(4)
Joel T.
Hudson's BBQ is the first southern BBQ place that I take my out of town relatives to. Their barbecue is sumptuous ( and all you can eat!), and I love all of the sauces. But the main reason I put Hudson's #1 on my Columbia area BBQ list is the sides. I could eat the Mac & Cheese all day. My sister from NY was blown away by the hash and rice too (she'd never had it before). My only complaints are that the bar is a small room attached to the kitchen and it gets really hot (one of my family members had trouble breathing in there because it was so hot). Additionally, my brother ordered a chicken sandwich off of the menu and it took at least 20 minutes .
(5)
Mrs. C.
Delicious! Fresh! Yummy!!!! Definitely love this location the best. I'll be back again and again.
(4)
Jason H.
The best we had in Columbia. We visited Hudson's for dinner 3/13/15. An extremely friendly wait staff with a great vibe inside. I heard blues music playing in the background which always adds to the atmosphere for me personally. The mustard sauce here was the best I had during my BBQ eating trip across SC. An excellent spicy / mustard sauce. The pork and brisket were both excellent containing distinct smoke flavor. I need to spend some time talking about how good the ribs were. I have been to Memphis and had the best ribs that city has to offer. Hudson's produced some of the most unique ribs I have ever had. They are dry rubbed with a sweet outer shell that is followed by an unexpected spicy chaser. Our whole group really loved the ribs and the yellow mustard sauce. It's worth noting, the meat here was all good without any sauces which is a true testament to really good meat.
(5)
Angelo A.
Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) was Kids (10 years and under) Eat Free Night! Awesome! Option of having the buffet or ordering from the menu. Buffet items were standard BBQ buffet fare: pork hash, pulled pork, corn on cob, hush puppies, mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, rice, banana pudding (of course), etc. Service was OK considering we had a large, disorganized group, ordering on 5 separate checks. The waitress was very patient with everyone shouting random drink orders, requests for plates, menu questions, etc. at her. Dining room was VERY WARM.
(3)
Scott T.
I have eaten BBQ all across the country. Hudson's is hands down my favorite. The pulled pork doesn't even need sauce. The salt & pepper catfish beyond outstanding. Give them a try
(4)
Arabelle S.
Visited Columbia, SC for my best friend's boot camp graduation and luckily we were able to have lunch here. That southern hospital, though. Food was inexpensive, and the portions were huge. The sweet tea to die for. I would fly back to just eat here. For four adults and one child our bill came out to $39. Waaah. Yes, this place is amazing.
(5)
M A.
Great portion sizes. We were a little disappointed by the brisket because it was shredded. Not very tasty. The skins were ok. The ribs and pulled pork was also ok. Everything was just ok and we've eaten much better BBQ from other places. Unfortunately, there aren't too many other great BBQ places in Columbia SC.
(2)
Lori D.
Delicious smoked BBQ and homemade macaroni & cheese, red rice, fried okra. One of the best restaurants in Lexington for comfort food!
(5)
Michael S.
I have what I consider a pretty good bbq joint on Long Island, at least I thought that it was good, now I know it's only good compared to Long Island bbq. This place is sick!!! Maybe it's average for South Carolina but I can say it was easily one of the top 5 meals I've ever had. Got the buffet but also ordered off the menu, ribs and pork skins. The ribs were spicy and absolutely insane. Just enough of a bite, not over tender like mush, just right. The crispy pork skins were a thing from pig heaven. The buffet was amazing too especially the collard greens, bbq chicken, Mac and cheese, hash, liver, beans, oh, I guess the whole buffet was that good.
(5)
Jack B.
Came back from Eugene Oregon to get some more of these ribs. First time was a couple years ago and they blew my mind. After two years I wondered if they could possibly be as good as I remembered, or with time had my imagination elevated the experience to unachievable heights, never to be seen again?...I was beyond pleasantly surprised when I returned today for lunch and ordered the rib plate with original recipe ribs and a side of extra ribs (dry rub recipe). Now, I love ribs and opt for them on most menus so I eat a lot of ribs and...dammmmmnnnn these made my top 3! And top three is basically a three way tie for first. The dry rub has such a delicious sweetness to it as it tops off the slow smoke flavor and Hudsons special sauce...the meat itself was perfectly cooked and tender and had just the right relationship with the bone, all while maintaining its moisture under the ahh so thoughtfully done, caramelized sweet, spicy somewhat tangy outer edge.. well done Hudsons well done... Will return with gusto...
(5)
Ray M.
Martha and I had dinner here tonight. It was a different experience than we were accustomed to, but different does not mean bad. The buffet was clean and someone was stationed there's at all times. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. Our waitress, Keely, was attentive and there was no lag time at all. Some of the best service we have ever had at a buffet restaurant. This was our first time dining there but it certainly will not be the last.
(5)
Crystal C.
I just wasn't impressed with the flavor, the choices, or the price. I guess I'm to accustomed to the southern style where the commitment to the flavor of pulled pork borders on the religious, the prices are really good and its pulled pork, sides are an afterthought, its not why we come on droves. I did not get that here. I'm actually baffled why its been rated so well in other reviews.
(2)
Adam R.
I moved away from SC nearly a year ago. I still daydream about those ribs. Those delicious smokey, tender, dry rubbed ribs. My biggest tip is to not sit in the tables in the middle of the room where everyone can constantly hit your elbows on the way to the buffet.
(5)
Stephanie D.
Cant say anything no other reviewer probably hasnt already said. Try the BBQ Nachos. Its the best thing there!
(4)
robert s.
Their barbecue was very good and had a choice of sauces...I like the vinegar and pepper and the "sweet mustard" though my Columbia cousins thought it was not proper "mustard" sauce. The "vegetables" were very nicely done! The shrimp and grits were awesome!!! The Buffet Price made it one of the culinary deals of the decade!
(5)
David W.
First visit here, ok if you like sweet bbq pork. For some reason they add sugar to the pulled pork. OK unless you have diabetes. The pork was good. Everything else was so-so. The collards were tough. The slaw was dry and flavorless. The hush puppies were also packed with sugar. The banana pudding had no bananas in it. They have a buffet, with no plates. You have to ask for them. Not worth a repeat.
(2)
Maria H.
We used to frequent the Irmo location which is no longer open so we decided to try the Lexington location. For our first there we stood at the front desk waiting to be seated for a few minutes before the girl looked up from texting on her cell phone to realize that we were standing there. I personally don't think that your employee who works the front on a busy Friday night should even have a cell phone out much less on their persons. Shouldn't the customers be taken care of first?! When we were seated, there was a strong draft against my back that I asked my server if we could move to the booth next to us that had just been cleaned off. While I was getting my food at the buffet, they approached my boyfriend who was still sitting at the table and asked to move us because they had been cleaning that booth for someone else. That wouldn't have been a problem for me, except the reason I felt pretty put off was because (in addition to being ignored when we first walked in) we had been already sitting there for almost 10 minutes before they approached us about moving. The waitress had already been to our table three times and I was already getting food by the time they asked us. If someone had been waiting for the table I believe we should have been approached immediately. The only thing that made up for our experience was our waitress. She provided excellent service and was very attentive. They food was good but it don't think it's the best in town. The hush puppies looked so over cooked that I didn't even want to try them. The plus side was that they provided all 3 types of sauces at the tables. My boyfriend likes mustard base while I like vinegar. The fried catfish was my favorite thing on the buffet and the sweet tea was the perfect sweetness for me.
(3)
Laura S.
The food here is INCREDIBLE! We love the BBQ so much, that we will often times order it to take home for dinners at the house. The bartender, Matt, is one of the best bartenders ever! He's always so friendly and remembers our name when we come in! Love this place! It's always a treat when my company caters with them!
(5)
Melissa L.
Definitely worth stopping for! My husband and I drove from MA to GA and were road weary when we pulled in at 8:30pm.. We were greeted by several friendly faces, a very personable bartender and a super selection of BBQ. I didn't say a word to anyone until my plate was clean! Must try the ribs they are phenomenal, but don't miss the buffet. I'm sad we live so far away!
(5)
Roger Y.
Good but not great BBQ.
(3)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yummy SC BBQ from a great place. Get the buffet and that way you get try a little of everything. PLUS if you come on Monday or Wednesday... your kids eat free!!!
(4)
Logan R.
The ribs are what makes this place shine...the buffer is just OK. Went here twice and below is what I thought the first time, but on the second trip I had the ribs and they are what make this place good at BBQ...see my other thoughts below on the other stuff. Had plenty of people suggest Hudsons to be a place to get BBQ and I guess I've just been spoiled by the BBQ and smoked meats done by the small food trucks that have moved in and out of our area. Tried a slider sampler with brisket and catfish plus the buffet. Brisket was good, but pre-sauced. Catfish was good. Sliders were on a sweet little bun though. Buffet was fresh with well done greens, tasty baked mac-n-cheese, perfectly cooked fried chicken liver and onions and good (though too little smoke for my taste) pulled pork. Their sauces are what make the meat really shine...and by itself the meat is just average.
(3)
Susan G.
This location is the closest to our home, so we stop on occassion to eat here. The food is always good, but whenever we order take-out our order is almost always wrong or they've forgotten something (this has happened the last 4-5 times). While I realize they have a sign in the drive-thru telling customers to check their order before leaving, I feel like it's the restaurants responsibility to double check orders before giving the order to the customer. Plus, normally we order very large orders to take with us out of town when we visit my in-laws so attempting to check the order before leaving the window is difficult. I have started picking up the order at the window, going to park in their parking lot to double check and then having to go back because they've forgotten something or given me the wrong item. They always make the order right and give extra for free, which I appreciate, but it seems to me that this would get expensive on their side if it happens multiple times a day. The plus side is that the food is always good, the services always friendly. We will continue to eat here, but I will ALWAYS double check my order.
(3)
James R.
During the summer of 2012, my wife, son, and I enjoyed a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and August 1, we visited 12 different locations. We've learned a lot along the way. While we don't pretend to be experts, the experience has been eye-opening and educational. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing at length about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ), including a longer review of Hudson's, which we visited some time after our original tour ended. Hudson's is a buffet, not unlike most BBQ places. I have to honestly say at this point, I don't remember the BBQ or the sauces like I should. I do remember liking it enough as a whole that on another trip through Columbia shortly after our first visit, Camden and I made a point of going back for lunch.It is not great BBQ, like Scott's or McCabe's, but it was good enough that we went back when we had a chance, and that says something. Unfortunately, I apparently didn't record any of our thoughts on either visit as I typically do, which makes this recollection even more difficult, but the bottom line in most of our reviews is: Would you make the trip back? We already have, maybe not specifically for the BBQ, but we made a point of going there instead of elsewhere on that journey, so it must be worth our recommendation.
(4)
Nicholas T.
I like to call myself a realistic foodie. I think that to understand the quality of a restaurant you have to take into consideration the surrounding environment. Past experience and comparing food items to those at other restaurants will always be part of my reviews. But to do it justice, I will try to review a restaurant based on my whole experience in the context of its environment ie I don't expect a filet mignon at a roadside burger joint but I do expect a good burger at a decent price. Hudson's BARBECUE: I first discovered Hudson's BARBECUE shortly after moving to South Carolina. It was featured on a show aired by SCETV that claimed that Hudson's BARBECUE is "100 mile BARBECUE" (BARBECUE worth a 100 mile drive). They were right, this is 100 mile BARBECUE. First things first, there are a few different locations and I've only been to this the one in Lexington. This is a pretty large restaurant lot of indoor and outdoor seating. This place will fill up at night and on the weekends so might want to shoot for earlier to eat. If you wait until closer to closing time the quality of the food suffers a bit. This is a family place so very rarely will you come here and there won't be a large family or a family or two with kids, so if you don't want to deal with people and kids -- ask to sit in the bar area, there are always seats here (this includes high top tables for larger groups). The service here is pretty good and fast, the wait staff is younger so don't expect anything more than someone filling your drinks and bringing your food out - nice and attentive staff. This place is very cheap you can feed a lot of people on little money, whether you choose the buffet or order from the menu. Take a look at the buffet, but the meals on the menu will fill you up just as well and might even save you money. When ordering don't forget where you are (South Carolina) so stick with what the Carolinas do best, pork. The pulled pork is my favorite here --either in sandwich or order the plate. The barbecue pork comes out dry (meaning no sauce) but it will have a taste of vinegar and pepper flakes for a kick. Hudson's does good fried chicken, great flavor, moist and good crisp if pork isn't your thing. Vegetables: Most of the meals will come with a choice of multiple vegetables. Hudson's uses the term vegetables loosely ie I don't know how much nutrition is left after they prepare them. My favorites are the Broccoli Casserole, Mac and Cheese and brunswick stew (when in winter). Couple more I will recommend will be the fries, hand cut good amount of salt and they give you a lot, also the sweet potato casserole which should be on the dessert menu it's so sweet. Barbecue Sauce: Whether you think it's a sin or not they have some decent sauces that really enhance the pork or anything else you slather it on. I'm from Texas where it's all about the sauce and beef so you can take this for what it's worth-- my favorite is the sweet thick barbecue, it has a kick to it so you don't lose the pork flavor. Next I would go with the vinegar with pepper flakes; you will have to shake it up some so that you get some seeds coming out of the bottle. If you're a traditionalist they have your Carolina mustard based sauce (full disclosure: I hate that stuff so I haven't even tried it). You would think this place would have good southern country dessert but honestly the banana pudding wasn't impressive -Nilla Wafers and vanilla pudding. My wife recommends avoiding it. Nothing worth of note for the cobbler either. I haven't been to too many strictly barbecue places in the area but so far this place as the best flavors out of any barbecue I've ordered at various area American style restaurants.
(4)
Springsy S.
In my opinion this is the best BBQ in SC. They serve the BBQ without sauce and I think their meat is delicious by itself, however various sauces are served at the tables so you can choose what kind of sauce you are in the mood for. Their buffet is also fantastic. Great place to take out of town friends!!
(5)
Itza S.
This was absolutely HORRIBLE! The service was ok, but the food was disgusting. The bar had watermelon with slime in it. My son had a bit before he saw the slime below in the container and got very sick! The food was cold (even in the bar) and the bbq was dry and pretty terrible. I wouldn't suggest going here!
(1)
S. O.
Buffet with pulled pork and all the "fixings" is a great deal. Thursday night is rib night (just ask your waitress for rib plate) after going through the buffet. Good food for reasonable price.
(4)
Leslie L.
Visiting here from Texas so had to try BBQ. I only tried the Carolina mustard based stuff once before about 15 years ago and planned to avoid it, but tried a wee bit on my pork and it was pretty good. I ended up eating bits with that and bits with the western sauce they have. It was good also, but I like the not so sweet stuff we have back home. Their pork was moist and very good, a nice helping also, with very good collards, okra, and macaroni and cheese. The vinegar based sauce is good on the collards and okra, didn't care much for it on the meat. Service was good and the atmosphere also. I would recommend it to friends.
(4)
Chris M.
Great authentic pulled pork with all the fixings. Different sauces to choose from. I like the vinegar based sauce because it is lighter, but they also have mustard and tomato based sauces. They also have an excellent buffet.
(4)
Shawna K.
This food was amazing!!!! The service was perfect, the food was perfect! It was a great place to take our 2 young kids. They had both tomato based and vinegar based sauces! Delicious...will go back again and again!
(5)
Dave S.
Been here three times. Service great, food was good first couple of times...this last visit food was sitting in buffet to long, peach cobbler was like eating oat meal that was three days old.Still will come back.
(3)
Michael Y.
Very good for a buffet. Great selection of sides. I peraonally like the brisket which you have to order a la carte but it comes with 3 sides so that's enough for me. If you're in the mood for bbq in Lexington and want some variety this is the place.
(4)
Rebekah P.
got there about 5 minutes to 5 so we had to order from the menu instead of the buffet which starts at 5pm. We asked when the buffet would be available and we were told "10 minutes". We decided to go ahead and order since sitting for 10 minutes did not appeal to us. The buffet started right on time 5 minutes later. so not too happy about that, but what we ordered was great, as always. Hudson's is a great place if you love traditional Barbeque and a great selection. Just get there after 5 if you want the buffet. So sorry they no longer have one in the Irmo area.
(4)
Michael M.
I don't like the ambiance. The taste is so-so. There's a good selection of sauces available at each table. Parking is always available and service is pretty quick. Price is average-to-low
(2)
Daniel M.
Delicious! I wish we had more places like this in the north. We are visiting here from Maryland. We ordered ribs, briquette, fried shrimps, hash and rice, French fries, green beans , fried orca, rolls, hush puppies and fried pig skins. Everything was great. The service was good. The food was super tasty!
(5)
Travis A.
I was in town for vacation and i wanted to go to Shealy's. Well my Mom suggested Hudson's i think because she didn't want to drive 45 minutes. Have to say that it was pretty good. Definitely not on the level of Shealy's or Hite's but just below. I too felt really crowded while eating and that is not a good feeling at a BBQ joint. Overall i'd say the selection of bbq and sides was good and that most of them tasted good but not great. I definitely think they do well there since Shealy's is so far away, but they have good food at reasonable prices so if you don't want to drive out to BL then this would be a good 2nd choice.
(4)
Ne'Cole V.
I agree with the other reviewer who said they liked the sides the best! The mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, hash and rice, and mac n cheese are awesome!
(5)
Nathan S.
My family and I weren't able to finish our meals, before we got sick. I wasn't surprised, seeing how many flies were in the place. I would only suggest Hudson's to someone with a dog's stomach.
(1)
Jon W.
ATTENTION! If you like Sweet Potato Fries, you NEED to go here. They are the best that I have ever had - they are seasoned with salt, a little bit of cinnamon and sugar. Oh man, they are great, not too sweet, not too salty, but it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It would be an atrocity to put ketchup on them as they are too good to be blanketed with the taste covering red sauce! The rest of my meal there was great, I had the Fried Chicken and it was firm and tasty and just juicy enough, not as much as most would like but still, good. The Green beans were very good, albeit salty enough that my roll floated in its juice.... Also, the staff of youthful, pretty girls was very nice and service was great. I assume that this place is hopping on a Friday night, so I am glad that I got to enjoy their 90% sugar/10% Tea mixture that is simply called "Tea" in the South without having to fight for a table.
(5)
Daniel S.
Decent barbecue, but interestingly, the sides are my favorite part about eating at Hudson's. They have a great buffet if you like buffets, but don't go on Sunday because it's ridiculously overpriced compared to local competition.
(4)
George H.
Really didn't see what all the fuss is about. Found the experience sub par. I did not think that the barbecue was all that great. Probably won't go back unless dragged
(1)
Bill B.
This place used to be great, then they added the buffet and it all went down hill fast. I used to eat there about once a month, now I don't even consider it when I want barbeque.
(2)
Sarah H.
Oh I miss this place! Why can't I get mustard bbq sauce outside of SC? Delicious pulled pork, smoked right outside. They keep the crispy bits in it. It has a lovely flavor and is moist but not so much that your sandwich is soggy. You almost don't need sauce! The sandwiches are a half pound I think, and for goodness sake make it a basket! Choose two of the delicious sides.. like sweet potato fries or macaroni and cheese (my picks every time). I also used to plan events for the university and we used Hudson's many times. They're very accommodating for catering orders (however large they may be). If you're around, please support this family run business! You will not be disappointed.
(5)
ronnie l.
this place has the best bbq in sc. i've eaten a lot of bbq and they are the best. they also have one of the best wait staffs we have been around. robin and the group make you feel right at home.
(5)
Jason R.
I enjoy their mustard based BBQ. Service is great and it has a great atmosphere. Everything is good.
(5)
Greg W.
The best BBQ in South Carolina, especially their Sunday Brunch. Great Food, Great Prices, Great Service and Great Atmosphere. Can you really ask for anything better. I would give it 5 stars, but I just can't make a BBQ place a 5 star restaurant.
(4)
Jason N.
Hudson's , as far as BBQ goes, is one of the best I've been to in South Carolina. That Said, everyone's tastes differ when it comes to what good BBQ is, but this is by far and away some of the best food Ive eaten in my time here. As far as what the menu offers, its a wide variety of Pork delicacy's to really tasty Brisket. They also offer a Buffet which has what looks to be over 35 to 40 items which include soul food to fried catfish and shrimp, chicken livers, to Prime Rib... Salad and deserts, while not first on peoples mid when going to a BBQ joint, are also not too bad, as they offer up a basic array of salad stuffs and some really kick ass chocolate pudding with Crunched up oreo's!.. amazing stomach topper! As for the BBQ, its very tender, well seasoned and comes with some very amazing gold sauce, a cross between carolina mustard vinegar and kansas style I think... but its tangy and delicious... there are two Hudsons actually.. this one in lexington, and another in Columbia off of Harbsion Blvd.. both taste the same and are highly recommended! Great Job Hudsons..
(5)
Susan O.
10 of us showed up on game day and this place was pretty busy. Despite that, our server, Teri, was so gracious and helpful. She warned us that our food would take awhile but the wait was really not very long considering the size of our group. She handled our children's rambunctiousness with grace and even replaced my sandwich when I forgot to take my doggie bag home. I can't speak for everything but my pulled pork sandwich was awesome. We'll be back.
(5)
Rebekah P.
got there about 5 minutes to 5 so we had to order from the menu instead of the buffet which starts at 5pm. We asked when the buffet would be available and we were told "10 minutes". We decided to go ahead and order since sitting for 10 minutes did not appeal to us. The buffet started right on time 5 minutes later. so not too happy about that, but what we ordered was great, as always. Hudson's is a great place if you love traditional Barbeque and a great selection. Just get there after 5 if you want the buffet. So sorry they no longer have one in the Irmo area.
(4)
Michael M.
I don't like the ambiance. The taste is so-so. There's a good selection of sauces available at each table. Parking is always available and service is pretty quick. Price is average-to-low
(2)
I. F.
This building is very attractive; it looks like a log cabin with a hunting lodge motif. There are a dozen mountain goat heads mounted on the wall watching you eat. ( I always wonder if the butts are hanging on the other side of the wall, but I guess not.) The lunch buffet is really quite large--fried fish and chicken, potatoes and gravy, pork hash and rice, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, some puddings, salads, etc. And the pulled pork, of course. They've got a bar--yeah!!! You can have a beer with your pig. Excellent. (Happy hour is 4-7 pm.) What I enjoyed the most was the shrimp and grits, which had a spiciness to it. The pepper in the shrimp and grits made me realize the blandness of the other dishes there. The food wasn't bad, it was just . . . bland. The potato salad seemed vinegary, the broccoli casserole had too much garlic in it. The pulled pork was okay, the sauces were good. The servers were really friendly.
(2)
g l.
Ever since they opened up the one in Irmo , the one in Lexington is not as good as it used to be. They took out the salad bar , fresh fruit and their desserts. The hush puppies , sweet potato fries and the collard greens are great! I won't be going back.
(3)
Mark S. I.
4 stars because Thurs. night is rib night at Hudson's in Lexington. 1lb of ribs comes with every entree. Two words: Want. Now.
(4)
Daniel M.
Delicious! I wish we had more places like this in the north. We are visiting here from Maryland. We ordered ribs, briquette, fried shrimps, hash and rice, French fries, green beans , fried orca, rolls, hush puppies and fried pig skins. Everything was great. The service was good. The food was super tasty!
(5)
Travis A.
I was in town for vacation and i wanted to go to Shealy's. Well my Mom suggested Hudson's i think because she didn't want to drive 45 minutes. Have to say that it was pretty good. Definitely not on the level of Shealy's or Hite's but just below. I too felt really crowded while eating and that is not a good feeling at a BBQ joint. Overall i'd say the selection of bbq and sides was good and that most of them tasted good but not great. I definitely think they do well there since Shealy's is so far away, but they have good food at reasonable prices so if you don't want to drive out to BL then this would be a good 2nd choice.
(4)
Ne'Cole V.
I agree with the other reviewer who said they liked the sides the best! The mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, hash and rice, and mac n cheese are awesome!
(5)
Nathan S.
My family and I weren't able to finish our meals, before we got sick. I wasn't surprised, seeing how many flies were in the place. I would only suggest Hudson's to someone with a dog's stomach.
(1)
Mrs. R.
Great place to visit any time. With groups,families,work lunch. etc. Can be a little loud when busy, so as previous person said sit in bar area if you want a little more privacy. They have TVs in there too. Everything is good if you like southern cooking. Great value! If you want get a to-go order & enjoy at home or work.They also do catering that is awesome! Ribs are perfect for tailgating!! It is a vinegar base sauce on bbq Which makes it tender. But it comes plain & you have your choice of 3 sauce to top it with.Makes it nice because it isn't needed but if you want it you can pick & not have it overdone like other places. I have been to both locations both are great! great service an actual good buffet!
(4)
Adrianne M.
We've been to Hudson's several times and it never fails... Always delicious! The BBQ is so good on its own I don't even use sauce! The sides are amazing and service is usually great. Buffet on Friday night or Sunday brunch... You can't lose. Oh, and try the banana pudding. Yum. :-)
(5)
Benjamin S.
Great BBQ. Reasonable price for the buffet. Some highlights of the buffet included the hash, brunswick stew (so great), fried okra, and fried shrimp. We had great service and the place had a nice atmosphere. Even in the chilly night, the outdoor seating area was nice and warm thanks to the heaters. Recommended!
(4)
Michael G.
All around good experience. I went a 3pm on a Saturday expecting the buffet to be old but the were still rolling out fresh food! I had both the mustard and vinegar BBQ and the were good. The sides we good as well - green beans, Mac n cheese, hash, and mashed potatoes. The desserts were awesome.
(4)
Jon W.
ATTENTION! If you like Sweet Potato Fries, you NEED to go here. They are the best that I have ever had - they are seasoned with salt, a little bit of cinnamon and sugar. Oh man, they are great, not too sweet, not too salty, but it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It would be an atrocity to put ketchup on them as they are too good to be blanketed with the taste covering red sauce! The rest of my meal there was great, I had the Fried Chicken and it was firm and tasty and just juicy enough, not as much as most would like but still, good. The Green beans were very good, albeit salty enough that my roll floated in its juice.... Also, the staff of youthful, pretty girls was very nice and service was great. I assume that this place is hopping on a Friday night, so I am glad that I got to enjoy their 90% sugar/10% Tea mixture that is simply called "Tea" in the South without having to fight for a table.
(5)
Andrea R.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. We were told by many that this is some of the best BBQ in town so we were excited to check it out. Upon arriving we realized that it's mainly a buffet (small buffet at that) with a small menu to order from table side. The buffet included all of the normal sides; greens, mac n cheese, macaroni, shrimp & girts, rice, green beans, baked beans etc and as far as meats went they had fried fish, fried chicken and pulled meat, I think it was pulled pork. My husband and I were both craving something meaty so I ordered the rib plate and he ordered the brisket bowl. My husband's order was wrong, he asked for the brisket bowl but it came on the sandwich anyway, he also ordered mac n cheese and hush puppies as his sides, the hush puppies never came and the mac n cheese was alright. My ribs were okay; my sides (baked beans, green beans and mashed potatoes) were blah. The baked beans had lots of onion strings in them that grossed me out, the green beans had too much vinegar and the mashed potatoes were dry as anything. I'm also fairly certain that they just walked over to the buffet and loaded the sides on my plate from there. As far as BBQ goes I've had much better elsewhere. The service was dismal; I think our waitress was new but considering 80% of the tables take advantage of the buffet I really don't see an excuse for slow service. She took our drink orders right away and then it took 15 minutes for our sweet tea to arrive. Everything we asked for took forever, extra napkins, more BBQ sauce and as I mentioned the hush puppies we ordered never came. We never got refills on our sweet tea because she never came back to check on us. The interior is all wood and the place has a divey feel to it. Best thing was that it was CHEAP. $9 for my plate which was probably 3 lbs of food.
(2)
David L.
Decided to visit Hudson's while in town visiting my gf's family. Went around 6pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too busy when being seated. After 15 mins, the place was packed. This place is a buffet/restaurant. We all went with the buffet and a side order of 1/2 lb ribs. I personally did not like the ribs as much as I thought I would. 1-Poor - 5-Delish Plate 1: Mashed potatoes - 3 Rice w/ Hash - 4.5 Green Beans - 4 Squash - 3.5 Baked Beans - 5 Pulled pork w/ Mustard-based BBQ Sauce - 4 Plate 2: Peach Cobbler - 3 ***Wasn't the peach cobbler I'm used to. It was definitely more dry. Not a lot of peach or liquid inside*** Banana Pudding - 5 Oreo Pudding - 3.5 I would definitely come back since it was a BBQ buffet. The food was good! Loved the environment! Great place! Great food!
(4)
Jess C.
Ribs and pulled pork are good. Chicken is ok. Service leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly high school aged girls so don't expect good, consistent service. And no real pork skins?? Not sure how you can call yourself a BBQ joint in SC without skins! Bottom line: decent food, service is a crap shoot...there are other better places to get BBQ in the area
(3)
John S.
(First time here) I was tired of my coworkers telling me how good this place was so I went. I had to order to-go because other family members were still working on base. Well, when I got there it was packed full with people for a weekday; a very good sign. They sent me to the bar to order to-go which is the norm everywhere else. I ordered (1 lb. each) ribs, BBQ pork, beef brisket with cabbage, fried okra, mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy as sides. They had a few choices for BBQ (4 kinds I believe). The BBQ pork was red so I am going to assume it was ketchup base. It was a little sweet. The ribs were really good and they must have cooked the sauce with the meat because they were not that messy. I just wish they were bigger for the price I paid for them; one to two bites on them. The beef brisket was plain and tasted like pork. The menu said chopped but it was shredded and tasted like plain pork. (I did try the mustard base BBQ on the plain meat and it was really, really good. Sweet and spicy) I think they messed up my order but I was not going to drive across town to fix it and I just did not want to deal with the help again. For the sides, the fried okra was good but salty, the cabbage came with potatoes in it even though I asked and the woman told me sausage came with it as well. The mac and cheese was very good and not too greasy at all and the mashed potatoes and gravy was good. The mash potatoes was baked potatoes mashed up with chucks of potatoes and skin in it. This is a buffet restaurant and you are better off getting the buffet for the price or you will be spending more money than you want. You will wait to be seated. The line was outside the door. The workers are either zombies trying to keep the madness down or in the hallway talking to each other. If you bring kids then ask for a table away from the bar. The customers there will drop the F bombs many times over and none of the staff were able to stop them. I understand it is the bar area but it is not a bar or pub...it is a family restaurant. Name tags on everyone should help fix this problem because I did not know who to address this problem to until after the fact. This resturant could be better with more training and workers checking the to-go orders in front of the customers.
(3)
Lucy W.
I wasn't too hungry when I joined a group of family and friends for lunch at Hudson Smokehouse, so I ordered our table ordered ribs for the table to share and I got an entree from their "Smaller Appetites" section, where you can choose a meat item (I got fried chicken) and two sides (I got mac & cheese, and broccoli casserole). I thought I received the wrong plate, because there was a huge amount of food that was on the plate! Very inexpensive...what a value! Though the buffet is tempting (and let's you try a little of everything), it doesn't offer some of the BBQ meat items I wanted to try, i.e. ribs. Server was efficient- making sure we all had drinks quickly, and serving our food fast so that those who ordered from the menu wouldn't be too far behind those who got the buffet.
(3)
Lois M.
Delicious ribs and barbeque. The hash is my favorite in the Midlands. You can't go wrong ordering from the menu. For those so inclined, the buffet was really good.
(4)
Allison C.
After looking at the restaurant's webpage, we decided to go for the buffet. When we got there, we noticed that the buffet is actually $9.99 (it's listed as $8.49 on their menu on the website). $9.99 is still not a bad price for a buffet, but as false advertising is illegal we asked if they would honor the price on their website. The hostess just kept repeating that the buffet was $9.99. Finally we had a manager come out. He was extremely rude and said "Our website guy sucks, the price has been changed for over a year." That's right a year and no one has bothered to update the site. The site also stated that the Friday buffet had shrimp and grits on it, which we were all excited for. However, the site has not been updated to let us know they no longer have shrimp on the buffet. Other than the very rude manager, the food was great! The Mac and cheese was my favorite. It is so cheesy and creamy. Other highlights were the BBQ (obviously), the hash, and field peas. Our server was very friendly and did a great job keeping our waters filled and clearing our plates.
(3)
Jonathan W.
Buffet. I don't generally like buffets, but this one is good. All the items are pretty tasty and the turnover is enough that it is pretty fresh. BBQ pork is good with a good mustard based sauce. Dry (a good thing), not sloppy wet like it has been stewing in a pan all day. Fried chicken is good, not great. Mac n Cheese is awesome, green beans are good, mashed potatoes and banana pudding are good. Hard to be for 9.95 lunch.
(4)
Roger B.
As regular readers already know, I love BBQ. This highly touted place is very good indeed. It's a pleasant setting with a good staff. I started with pork skins. They were very good while they were hot but got tough as they cooled. There were enough for a table of 4, so no one has to have any that have cooled. I had the ribs with a dry rub and they were excellent. The broccoli casserole was surprising and delicious. Well prepared buttered cabbage and cole slaw rounded out my dinner. My wife had chopped brisket which was tender and tasty, made even more so with a tasty mustard/vinegar sauce. Two of her three sides were very good too. The sweet potato fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the buttered squash was very nice. Only the green beans came up short. They were boiled and tasteless. All in all Hudson's provided a very good dinner.
(4)
Brian M.
I could stop by just writing "great southern restaurant". This was my second visit and I've had the buffet on both visits so I have no comments regarding an individual dinner. When you say buffet you think mass produced food with little thought for quality. That could not be further from the truth at Hudson's. The pork is tender, flavorful and not at all fatty. There are several different barbecue sauces to try. The fried chicken is crispy and has great flavor. There is a honey butter roll that almost melts in your mouth. My personal favorite is the light/flakey fried catfish. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a little loud. This is definitely a place for a group or family to dine. You have the option of inside or covered patio seating. Not your place if looking for a quiet romantic dinner but definitely the spot for a fun dinner experience. I only wish Hudson's was not 15 hours from home.
(4)
Matthew P.
The catfish!!! This is the story all about bbq in my mouth. On a drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Charlotte, NC I stopped into this glory house. I had the Friday night buffet based on the reviews. It was priced right. Wow the quality and flavor of every ingredient. There was no bland or over salted food here. I Tried everything but the chicken livers. The pulled pork was smoky, moist, and tender. The catfish w lightly battered, packed full of seasoning, and just addicting. The sauces reside tableside and the sweet mustard one was a real punch in my mouth of flavor. I'm sad I wont be likely visiting ever again as I live in Detroit. This makes me sad. My first and last SC BBQ experience was inspiring. I tried to buy their sauces but they were out of jars :(.
(4)
Joel T.
Hudson's BBQ is the first southern BBQ place that I take my out of town relatives to. Their barbecue is sumptuous ( and all you can eat!), and I love all of the sauces. But the main reason I put Hudson's #1 on my Columbia area BBQ list is the sides. I could eat the Mac & Cheese all day. My sister from NY was blown away by the hash and rice too (she'd never had it before). My only complaints are that the bar is a small room attached to the kitchen and it gets really hot (one of my family members had trouble breathing in there because it was so hot). Additionally, my brother ordered a chicken sandwich off of the menu and it took at least 20 minutes .
(5)
Jason H.
The best we had in Columbia. We visited Hudson's for dinner 3/13/15. An extremely friendly wait staff with a great vibe inside. I heard blues music playing in the background which always adds to the atmosphere for me personally. The mustard sauce here was the best I had during my BBQ eating trip across SC. An excellent spicy / mustard sauce. The pork and brisket were both excellent containing distinct smoke flavor. I need to spend some time talking about how good the ribs were. I have been to Memphis and had the best ribs that city has to offer. Hudson's produced some of the most unique ribs I have ever had. They are dry rubbed with a sweet outer shell that is followed by an unexpected spicy chaser. Our whole group really loved the ribs and the yellow mustard sauce. It's worth noting, the meat here was all good without any sauces which is a true testament to really good meat.
(5)
Angelo A.
Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) was Kids (10 years and under) Eat Free Night! Awesome! Option of having the buffet or ordering from the menu. Buffet items were standard BBQ buffet fare: pork hash, pulled pork, corn on cob, hush puppies, mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, rice, banana pudding (of course), etc. Service was OK considering we had a large, disorganized group, ordering on 5 separate checks. The waitress was very patient with everyone shouting random drink orders, requests for plates, menu questions, etc. at her. Dining room was VERY WARM.
(3)
Scott T.
I have eaten BBQ all across the country. Hudson's is hands down my favorite. The pulled pork doesn't even need sauce. The salt & pepper catfish beyond outstanding. Give them a try
(4)
Arabelle S.
Visited Columbia, SC for my best friend's boot camp graduation and luckily we were able to have lunch here. That southern hospital, though. Food was inexpensive, and the portions were huge. The sweet tea to die for. I would fly back to just eat here. For four adults and one child our bill came out to $39. Waaah. Yes, this place is amazing.
(5)
M A.
Great portion sizes. We were a little disappointed by the brisket because it was shredded. Not very tasty. The skins were ok. The ribs and pulled pork was also ok. Everything was just ok and we've eaten much better BBQ from other places. Unfortunately, there aren't too many other great BBQ places in Columbia SC.
(2)
Lori D.
Delicious smoked BBQ and homemade macaroni & cheese, red rice, fried okra. One of the best restaurants in Lexington for comfort food!
(5)
Michael S.
I have what I consider a pretty good bbq joint on Long Island, at least I thought that it was good, now I know it's only good compared to Long Island bbq. This place is sick!!! Maybe it's average for South Carolina but I can say it was easily one of the top 5 meals I've ever had. Got the buffet but also ordered off the menu, ribs and pork skins. The ribs were spicy and absolutely insane. Just enough of a bite, not over tender like mush, just right. The crispy pork skins were a thing from pig heaven. The buffet was amazing too especially the collard greens, bbq chicken, Mac and cheese, hash, liver, beans, oh, I guess the whole buffet was that good.
(5)
Jack B.
Came back from Eugene Oregon to get some more of these ribs. First time was a couple years ago and they blew my mind. After two years I wondered if they could possibly be as good as I remembered, or with time had my imagination elevated the experience to unachievable heights, never to be seen again?...I was beyond pleasantly surprised when I returned today for lunch and ordered the rib plate with original recipe ribs and a side of extra ribs (dry rub recipe). Now, I love ribs and opt for them on most menus so I eat a lot of ribs and...dammmmmnnnn these made my top 3! And top three is basically a three way tie for first. The dry rub has such a delicious sweetness to it as it tops off the slow smoke flavor and Hudsons special sauce...the meat itself was perfectly cooked and tender and had just the right relationship with the bone, all while maintaining its moisture under the ahh so thoughtfully done, caramelized sweet, spicy somewhat tangy outer edge.. well done Hudsons well done... Will return with gusto...
(5)
Ray M.
Martha and I had dinner here tonight. It was a different experience than we were accustomed to, but different does not mean bad. The buffet was clean and someone was stationed there's at all times. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. Our waitress, Keely, was attentive and there was no lag time at all. Some of the best service we have ever had at a buffet restaurant. This was our first time dining there but it certainly will not be the last.
(5)
Crystal C.
I just wasn't impressed with the flavor, the choices, or the price. I guess I'm to accustomed to the southern style where the commitment to the flavor of pulled pork borders on the religious, the prices are really good and its pulled pork, sides are an afterthought, its not why we come on droves. I did not get that here. I'm actually baffled why its been rated so well in other reviews.
(2)
Adam R.
I moved away from SC nearly a year ago. I still daydream about those ribs. Those delicious smokey, tender, dry rubbed ribs. My biggest tip is to not sit in the tables in the middle of the room where everyone can constantly hit your elbows on the way to the buffet.
(5)
Stephanie D.
Cant say anything no other reviewer probably hasnt already said. Try the BBQ Nachos. Its the best thing there!
(4)
robert s.
Their barbecue was very good and had a choice of sauces...I like the vinegar and pepper and the "sweet mustard" though my Columbia cousins thought it was not proper "mustard" sauce. The "vegetables" were very nicely done! The shrimp and grits were awesome!!! The Buffet Price made it one of the culinary deals of the decade!
(5)
David W.
First visit here, ok if you like sweet bbq pork. For some reason they add sugar to the pulled pork. OK unless you have diabetes. The pork was good. Everything else was so-so. The collards were tough. The slaw was dry and flavorless. The hush puppies were also packed with sugar. The banana pudding had no bananas in it. They have a buffet, with no plates. You have to ask for them. Not worth a repeat.
(2)
Jeremy J.
While traveling up I-20, this place was a convenient place for lunch - only a couple miles from the interstate. For authentic southern barbecue, this place is the real deal. We opted for the buffet but you can also order from a menu. The pork barbecue was lean and tender. The mustard-based barbecue sauce was delicious. The buffet was, of course, all you can eat (for adults anyway, for kids we opted for the one-visit kids buffet which was much cheaper), so we sampled just about everything. Our favorites included the pork-and-beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, and hush puppies. Everything was clearly made fresh. We left stuffed and vowed to return again the next time we're traveling near Lexington.
(5)
Colleen R.
Love, love, love this location. We liked the idea of one closer, however, they have closed the buffet there, so to the other side of town we go. Normally, the service is average, but Friday, we had a GREAT server. She was very attentive, kept our drinks full, and kept the clean plates coming. They've changed their catfish breading, but it's still tasty. The food is tasty, I just wish they could offer more items for the price on the buffet. Also, we prefer to sit out on the patio, because the wood floor in the dinning room will make you feel like you're on a boat every time someone walks by, lol. I hear they are serving breakfast or brunch on the weekends soon!
(4)
Loretta G.
I ordered the half chicken dinner and added on some pork... The flavors on everything was good but my chicken was so dry it was almost brittle. I ended up only taking a few bites and just eating everything else I got, which was PLENTY of food. Huge portions.. My only complaint was the chicken!
(3)
Jonathan R.
Very good value for your money. Food is excellent. Wish they had a better beer selection, though.
(4)
David G.
The owner finally arrived and saw the error of his ways and comped the gets. So kudos for doing the right thing and I will give this place another chance when I'm back in the area.
(3)
Mark D.
My girlfriend and I came here on a recommendation, and it couldn't have lived up to the hype better. We live in Columbia, so we had a little trouble finding the place, but the food made every mile worth it. The rolls, the mac and cheese, the mashed potatoes, the chicken. Everything was fantastic. A lot of well cooked food that one can tell the cooks put a lot more work into than normal for a place of this pricing. The pork was moist and tender, though I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq sauce, but that's a matter of regional opinion, since I'm a northerner. My only complaint was that I didn't want to stop eating after I got full. Definitely recommend, and will return.
(5)
Springsy S.
In my opinion this is the best BBQ in SC. They serve the BBQ without sauce and I think their meat is delicious by itself, however various sauces are served at the tables so you can choose what kind of sauce you are in the mood for. Their buffet is also fantastic. Great place to take out of town friends!!
(5)
Itza S.
This was absolutely HORRIBLE! The service was ok, but the food was disgusting. The bar had watermelon with slime in it. My son had a bit before he saw the slime below in the container and got very sick! The food was cold (even in the bar) and the bbq was dry and pretty terrible. I wouldn't suggest going here!
(1)
Maria H.
We used to frequent the Irmo location which is no longer open so we decided to try the Lexington location. For our first there we stood at the front desk waiting to be seated for a few minutes before the girl looked up from texting on her cell phone to realize that we were standing there. I personally don't think that your employee who works the front on a busy Friday night should even have a cell phone out much less on their persons. Shouldn't the customers be taken care of first?! When we were seated, there was a strong draft against my back that I asked my server if we could move to the booth next to us that had just been cleaned off. While I was getting my food at the buffet, they approached my boyfriend who was still sitting at the table and asked to move us because they had been cleaning that booth for someone else. That wouldn't have been a problem for me, except the reason I felt pretty put off was because (in addition to being ignored when we first walked in) we had been already sitting there for almost 10 minutes before they approached us about moving. The waitress had already been to our table three times and I was already getting food by the time they asked us. If someone had been waiting for the table I believe we should have been approached immediately. The only thing that made up for our experience was our waitress. She provided excellent service and was very attentive. They food was good but it don't think it's the best in town. The hush puppies looked so over cooked that I didn't even want to try them. The plus side was that they provided all 3 types of sauces at the tables. My boyfriend likes mustard base while I like vinegar. The fried catfish was my favorite thing on the buffet and the sweet tea was the perfect sweetness for me.
(3)
Laura S.
The food here is INCREDIBLE! We love the BBQ so much, that we will often times order it to take home for dinners at the house. The bartender, Matt, is one of the best bartenders ever! He's always so friendly and remembers our name when we come in! Love this place! It's always a treat when my company caters with them!
(5)
Melissa L.
Definitely worth stopping for! My husband and I drove from MA to GA and were road weary when we pulled in at 8:30pm.. We were greeted by several friendly faces, a very personable bartender and a super selection of BBQ. I didn't say a word to anyone until my plate was clean! Must try the ribs they are phenomenal, but don't miss the buffet. I'm sad we live so far away!
(5)
Roger Y.
Good but not great BBQ.
(3)
Larry M.
Buffet closes 30 min prior restaurant closing for Sunday lunch. No way to know this prior to arrival. Seem to more concerned with leaving than with customer service. We arrived at 2:30 after driving a half hour to get there and then left. What a disappointment! Will never return.
(1)
Jason H.
Came in for my first visit today. My wife and I showed up right after the breakfast buffet ended and they were in their transitional period. The waitress was extremely attentive and giving us updates on the buffet. The service here is beyond anything I've experienced before. We were the only ones dining in but the staff was top notch and didn't slack one bit. The food was excellent but I don't think anything beats the service here!
(5)
Mrs. C.
Delicious! Fresh! Yummy!!!! Definitely love this location the best. I'll be back again and again.
(4)
Logan R.
The ribs are what makes this place shine...the buffer is just OK. Went here twice and below is what I thought the first time, but on the second trip I had the ribs and they are what make this place good at BBQ...see my other thoughts below on the other stuff. Had plenty of people suggest Hudsons to be a place to get BBQ and I guess I've just been spoiled by the BBQ and smoked meats done by the small food trucks that have moved in and out of our area. Tried a slider sampler with brisket and catfish plus the buffet. Brisket was good, but pre-sauced. Catfish was good. Sliders were on a sweet little bun though. Buffet was fresh with well done greens, tasty baked mac-n-cheese, perfectly cooked fried chicken liver and onions and good (though too little smoke for my taste) pulled pork. Their sauces are what make the meat really shine...and by itself the meat is just average.
(3)
Susan G.
This location is the closest to our home, so we stop on occassion to eat here. The food is always good, but whenever we order take-out our order is almost always wrong or they've forgotten something (this has happened the last 4-5 times). While I realize they have a sign in the drive-thru telling customers to check their order before leaving, I feel like it's the restaurants responsibility to double check orders before giving the order to the customer. Plus, normally we order very large orders to take with us out of town when we visit my in-laws so attempting to check the order before leaving the window is difficult. I have started picking up the order at the window, going to park in their parking lot to double check and then having to go back because they've forgotten something or given me the wrong item. They always make the order right and give extra for free, which I appreciate, but it seems to me that this would get expensive on their side if it happens multiple times a day. The plus side is that the food is always good, the services always friendly. We will continue to eat here, but I will ALWAYS double check my order.
(3)
James R.
During the summer of 2012, my wife, son, and I enjoyed a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and August 1, we visited 12 different locations. We've learned a lot along the way. While we don't pretend to be experts, the experience has been eye-opening and educational. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing at length about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ), including a longer review of Hudson's, which we visited some time after our original tour ended. Hudson's is a buffet, not unlike most BBQ places. I have to honestly say at this point, I don't remember the BBQ or the sauces like I should. I do remember liking it enough as a whole that on another trip through Columbia shortly after our first visit, Camden and I made a point of going back for lunch.It is not great BBQ, like Scott's or McCabe's, but it was good enough that we went back when we had a chance, and that says something. Unfortunately, I apparently didn't record any of our thoughts on either visit as I typically do, which makes this recollection even more difficult, but the bottom line in most of our reviews is: Would you make the trip back? We already have, maybe not specifically for the BBQ, but we made a point of going there instead of elsewhere on that journey, so it must be worth our recommendation.
(4)
Nicholas T.
I like to call myself a realistic foodie. I think that to understand the quality of a restaurant you have to take into consideration the surrounding environment. Past experience and comparing food items to those at other restaurants will always be part of my reviews. But to do it justice, I will try to review a restaurant based on my whole experience in the context of its environment ie I don't expect a filet mignon at a roadside burger joint but I do expect a good burger at a decent price. Hudson's BARBECUE: I first discovered Hudson's BARBECUE shortly after moving to South Carolina. It was featured on a show aired by SCETV that claimed that Hudson's BARBECUE is "100 mile BARBECUE" (BARBECUE worth a 100 mile drive). They were right, this is 100 mile BARBECUE. First things first, there are a few different locations and I've only been to this the one in Lexington. This is a pretty large restaurant lot of indoor and outdoor seating. This place will fill up at night and on the weekends so might want to shoot for earlier to eat. If you wait until closer to closing time the quality of the food suffers a bit. This is a family place so very rarely will you come here and there won't be a large family or a family or two with kids, so if you don't want to deal with people and kids -- ask to sit in the bar area, there are always seats here (this includes high top tables for larger groups). The service here is pretty good and fast, the wait staff is younger so don't expect anything more than someone filling your drinks and bringing your food out - nice and attentive staff. This place is very cheap you can feed a lot of people on little money, whether you choose the buffet or order from the menu. Take a look at the buffet, but the meals on the menu will fill you up just as well and might even save you money. When ordering don't forget where you are (South Carolina) so stick with what the Carolinas do best, pork. The pulled pork is my favorite here --either in sandwich or order the plate. The barbecue pork comes out dry (meaning no sauce) but it will have a taste of vinegar and pepper flakes for a kick. Hudson's does good fried chicken, great flavor, moist and good crisp if pork isn't your thing. Vegetables: Most of the meals will come with a choice of multiple vegetables. Hudson's uses the term vegetables loosely ie I don't know how much nutrition is left after they prepare them. My favorites are the Broccoli Casserole, Mac and Cheese and brunswick stew (when in winter). Couple more I will recommend will be the fries, hand cut good amount of salt and they give you a lot, also the sweet potato casserole which should be on the dessert menu it's so sweet. Barbecue Sauce: Whether you think it's a sin or not they have some decent sauces that really enhance the pork or anything else you slather it on. I'm from Texas where it's all about the sauce and beef so you can take this for what it's worth-- my favorite is the sweet thick barbecue, it has a kick to it so you don't lose the pork flavor. Next I would go with the vinegar with pepper flakes; you will have to shake it up some so that you get some seeds coming out of the bottle. If you're a traditionalist they have your Carolina mustard based sauce (full disclosure: I hate that stuff so I haven't even tried it). You would think this place would have good southern country dessert but honestly the banana pudding wasn't impressive -Nilla Wafers and vanilla pudding. My wife recommends avoiding it. Nothing worth of note for the cobbler either. I haven't been to too many strictly barbecue places in the area but so far this place as the best flavors out of any barbecue I've ordered at various area American style restaurants.
(4)
S. O.
Buffet with pulled pork and all the "fixings" is a great deal. Thursday night is rib night (just ask your waitress for rib plate) after going through the buffet. Good food for reasonable price.
(4)
Leslie L.
Visiting here from Texas so had to try BBQ. I only tried the Carolina mustard based stuff once before about 15 years ago and planned to avoid it, but tried a wee bit on my pork and it was pretty good. I ended up eating bits with that and bits with the western sauce they have. It was good also, but I like the not so sweet stuff we have back home. Their pork was moist and very good, a nice helping also, with very good collards, okra, and macaroni and cheese. The vinegar based sauce is good on the collards and okra, didn't care much for it on the meat. Service was good and the atmosphere also. I would recommend it to friends.
(4)
Chris M.
Great authentic pulled pork with all the fixings. Different sauces to choose from. I like the vinegar based sauce because it is lighter, but they also have mustard and tomato based sauces. They also have an excellent buffet.
(4)
Shawna K.
This food was amazing!!!! The service was perfect, the food was perfect! It was a great place to take our 2 young kids. They had both tomato based and vinegar based sauces! Delicious...will go back again and again!
(5)
Dave S.
Been here three times. Service great, food was good first couple of times...this last visit food was sitting in buffet to long, peach cobbler was like eating oat meal that was three days old.Still will come back.
(3)
Michael Y.
Very good for a buffet. Great selection of sides. I peraonally like the brisket which you have to order a la carte but it comes with 3 sides so that's enough for me. If you're in the mood for bbq in Lexington and want some variety this is the place.
(4)
Daniel S.
Decent barbecue, but interestingly, the sides are my favorite part about eating at Hudson's. They have a great buffet if you like buffets, but don't go on Sunday because it's ridiculously overpriced compared to local competition.
(4)
George H.
Really didn't see what all the fuss is about. Found the experience sub par. I did not think that the barbecue was all that great. Probably won't go back unless dragged
(1)
Bill B.
This place used to be great, then they added the buffet and it all went down hill fast. I used to eat there about once a month, now I don't even consider it when I want barbeque.
(2)
Sarah H.
Oh I miss this place! Why can't I get mustard bbq sauce outside of SC? Delicious pulled pork, smoked right outside. They keep the crispy bits in it. It has a lovely flavor and is moist but not so much that your sandwich is soggy. You almost don't need sauce! The sandwiches are a half pound I think, and for goodness sake make it a basket! Choose two of the delicious sides.. like sweet potato fries or macaroni and cheese (my picks every time). I also used to plan events for the university and we used Hudson's many times. They're very accommodating for catering orders (however large they may be). If you're around, please support this family run business! You will not be disappointed.
(5)
ronnie l.
this place has the best bbq in sc. i've eaten a lot of bbq and they are the best. they also have one of the best wait staffs we have been around. robin and the group make you feel right at home.
(5)
Jason R.
I enjoy their mustard based BBQ. Service is great and it has a great atmosphere. Everything is good.
(5)
Greg W.
The best BBQ in South Carolina, especially their Sunday Brunch. Great Food, Great Prices, Great Service and Great Atmosphere. Can you really ask for anything better. I would give it 5 stars, but I just can't make a BBQ place a 5 star restaurant.
(4)
Michael M.
Great place! I'm not always big on BBQ, but we had a hankering for some so I looked up BBQ on Yelp and found this place. Given the four stars out of over 70 reviews I figured it had to be good and yes it was! We fed four for under $30 and left full! The BBQ buffet has a great selection of sides and BBQ pork but I decided to go with the brisket. It was smoked and marinated in traditional BBQ sauce. It was very tender and quite tasty but even better once I put a little Carolina Gold sauce on it! (The traditional mustard-based sauce that is commonly found in South Carolina, and in my humble opinion the real BBQ sauce as BBQ was invented here!) The salad was crisp and fresh and the sweet potato fries were the perfect compliment to my meal. The roll was probably the best I've ever had! The place is very kid-friendly, clean, fun and the service was great! Eat here.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yummy SC BBQ from a great place. Get the buffet and that way you get try a little of everything. PLUS if you come on Monday or Wednesday... your kids eat free!!!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jason N.
Hudson's , as far as BBQ goes, is one of the best I've been to in South Carolina. That Said, everyone's tastes differ when it comes to what good BBQ is, but this is by far and away some of the best food Ive eaten in my time here. As far as what the menu offers, its a wide variety of Pork delicacy's to really tasty Brisket. They also offer a Buffet which has what looks to be over 35 to 40 items which include soul food to fried catfish and shrimp, chicken livers, to Prime Rib... Salad and deserts, while not first on peoples mid when going to a BBQ joint, are also not too bad, as they offer up a basic array of salad stuffs and some really kick ass chocolate pudding with Crunched up oreo's!.. amazing stomach topper! As for the BBQ, its very tender, well seasoned and comes with some very amazing gold sauce, a cross between carolina mustard vinegar and kansas style I think... but its tangy and delicious... there are two Hudsons actually.. this one in lexington, and another in Columbia off of Harbsion Blvd.. both taste the same and are highly recommended! Great Job Hudsons..
(5)Susan O.
10 of us showed up on game day and this place was pretty busy. Despite that, our server, Teri, was so gracious and helpful. She warned us that our food would take awhile but the wait was really not very long considering the size of our group. She handled our children's rambunctiousness with grace and even replaced my sandwich when I forgot to take my doggie bag home. I can't speak for everything but my pulled pork sandwich was awesome. We'll be back.
(5)Jeremy J.
While traveling up I-20, this place was a convenient place for lunch - only a couple miles from the interstate. For authentic southern barbecue, this place is the real deal. We opted for the buffet but you can also order from a menu. The pork barbecue was lean and tender. The mustard-based barbecue sauce was delicious. The buffet was, of course, all you can eat (for adults anyway, for kids we opted for the one-visit kids buffet which was much cheaper), so we sampled just about everything. Our favorites included the pork-and-beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, and hush puppies. Everything was clearly made fresh. We left stuffed and vowed to return again the next time we're traveling near Lexington.
(5)Colleen R.
Love, love, love this location. We liked the idea of one closer, however, they have closed the buffet there, so to the other side of town we go. Normally, the service is average, but Friday, we had a GREAT server. She was very attentive, kept our drinks full, and kept the clean plates coming. They've changed their catfish breading, but it's still tasty. The food is tasty, I just wish they could offer more items for the price on the buffet. Also, we prefer to sit out on the patio, because the wood floor in the dinning room will make you feel like you're on a boat every time someone walks by, lol. I hear they are serving breakfast or brunch on the weekends soon!
(4)Loretta G.
I ordered the half chicken dinner and added on some pork... The flavors on everything was good but my chicken was so dry it was almost brittle. I ended up only taking a few bites and just eating everything else I got, which was PLENTY of food. Huge portions.. My only complaint was the chicken!
(3)Jonathan R.
Very good value for your money. Food is excellent. Wish they had a better beer selection, though.
(4)David G.
The owner finally arrived and saw the error of his ways and comped the gets. So kudos for doing the right thing and I will give this place another chance when I'm back in the area.
(3)Mark D.
My girlfriend and I came here on a recommendation, and it couldn't have lived up to the hype better. We live in Columbia, so we had a little trouble finding the place, but the food made every mile worth it. The rolls, the mac and cheese, the mashed potatoes, the chicken. Everything was fantastic. A lot of well cooked food that one can tell the cooks put a lot more work into than normal for a place of this pricing. The pork was moist and tender, though I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq sauce, but that's a matter of regional opinion, since I'm a northerner. My only complaint was that I didn't want to stop eating after I got full. Definitely recommend, and will return.
(5)I. F.
This building is very attractive; it looks like a log cabin with a hunting lodge motif. There are a dozen mountain goat heads mounted on the wall watching you eat. ( I always wonder if the butts are hanging on the other side of the wall, but I guess not.) The lunch buffet is really quite large--fried fish and chicken, potatoes and gravy, pork hash and rice, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, some puddings, salads, etc. And the pulled pork, of course. They've got a bar--yeah!!! You can have a beer with your pig. Excellent. (Happy hour is 4-7 pm.) What I enjoyed the most was the shrimp and grits, which had a spiciness to it. The pepper in the shrimp and grits made me realize the blandness of the other dishes there. The food wasn't bad, it was just . . . bland. The potato salad seemed vinegary, the broccoli casserole had too much garlic in it. The pulled pork was okay, the sauces were good. The servers were really friendly.
(2)g l.
Ever since they opened up the one in Irmo , the one in Lexington is not as good as it used to be. They took out the salad bar , fresh fruit and their desserts. The hush puppies , sweet potato fries and the collard greens are great! I won't be going back.
(3)Mark S. I.
4 stars because Thurs. night is rib night at Hudson's in Lexington. 1lb of ribs comes with every entree. Two words: Want. Now.
(4)Mrs. R.
Great place to visit any time. With groups,families,work lunch. etc. Can be a little loud when busy, so as previous person said sit in bar area if you want a little more privacy. They have TVs in there too. Everything is good if you like southern cooking. Great value! If you want get a to-go order & enjoy at home or work.They also do catering that is awesome! Ribs are perfect for tailgating!! It is a vinegar base sauce on bbq Which makes it tender. But it comes plain & you have your choice of 3 sauce to top it with.Makes it nice because it isn't needed but if you want it you can pick & not have it overdone like other places. I have been to both locations both are great! great service an actual good buffet!
(4)Adrianne M.
We've been to Hudson's several times and it never fails... Always delicious! The BBQ is so good on its own I don't even use sauce! The sides are amazing and service is usually great. Buffet on Friday night or Sunday brunch... You can't lose. Oh, and try the banana pudding. Yum. :-)
(5)Benjamin S.
Great BBQ. Reasonable price for the buffet. Some highlights of the buffet included the hash, brunswick stew (so great), fried okra, and fried shrimp. We had great service and the place had a nice atmosphere. Even in the chilly night, the outdoor seating area was nice and warm thanks to the heaters. Recommended!
(4)Michael G.
All around good experience. I went a 3pm on a Saturday expecting the buffet to be old but the were still rolling out fresh food! I had both the mustard and vinegar BBQ and the were good. The sides we good as well - green beans, Mac n cheese, hash, and mashed potatoes. The desserts were awesome.
(4)Michael M.
Great place! I'm not always big on BBQ, but we had a hankering for some so I looked up BBQ on Yelp and found this place. Given the four stars out of over 70 reviews I figured it had to be good and yes it was! We fed four for under $30 and left full! The BBQ buffet has a great selection of sides and BBQ pork but I decided to go with the brisket. It was smoked and marinated in traditional BBQ sauce. It was very tender and quite tasty but even better once I put a little Carolina Gold sauce on it! (The traditional mustard-based sauce that is commonly found in South Carolina, and in my humble opinion the real BBQ sauce as BBQ was invented here!) The salad was crisp and fresh and the sweet potato fries were the perfect compliment to my meal. The roll was probably the best I've ever had! The place is very kid-friendly, clean, fun and the service was great! Eat here.
(4)Andrea R.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. We were told by many that this is some of the best BBQ in town so we were excited to check it out. Upon arriving we realized that it's mainly a buffet (small buffet at that) with a small menu to order from table side. The buffet included all of the normal sides; greens, mac n cheese, macaroni, shrimp & girts, rice, green beans, baked beans etc and as far as meats went they had fried fish, fried chicken and pulled meat, I think it was pulled pork. My husband and I were both craving something meaty so I ordered the rib plate and he ordered the brisket bowl. My husband's order was wrong, he asked for the brisket bowl but it came on the sandwich anyway, he also ordered mac n cheese and hush puppies as his sides, the hush puppies never came and the mac n cheese was alright. My ribs were okay; my sides (baked beans, green beans and mashed potatoes) were blah. The baked beans had lots of onion strings in them that grossed me out, the green beans had too much vinegar and the mashed potatoes were dry as anything. I'm also fairly certain that they just walked over to the buffet and loaded the sides on my plate from there. As far as BBQ goes I've had much better elsewhere. The service was dismal; I think our waitress was new but considering 80% of the tables take advantage of the buffet I really don't see an excuse for slow service. She took our drink orders right away and then it took 15 minutes for our sweet tea to arrive. Everything we asked for took forever, extra napkins, more BBQ sauce and as I mentioned the hush puppies we ordered never came. We never got refills on our sweet tea because she never came back to check on us. The interior is all wood and the place has a divey feel to it. Best thing was that it was CHEAP. $9 for my plate which was probably 3 lbs of food.
(2)Larry M.
Buffet closes 30 min prior restaurant closing for Sunday lunch. No way to know this prior to arrival. Seem to more concerned with leaving than with customer service. We arrived at 2:30 after driving a half hour to get there and then left. What a disappointment! Will never return.
(1)Jason H.
Came in for my first visit today. My wife and I showed up right after the breakfast buffet ended and they were in their transitional period. The waitress was extremely attentive and giving us updates on the buffet. The service here is beyond anything I've experienced before. We were the only ones dining in but the staff was top notch and didn't slack one bit. The food was excellent but I don't think anything beats the service here!
(5)John S.
(First time here) I was tired of my coworkers telling me how good this place was so I went. I had to order to-go because other family members were still working on base. Well, when I got there it was packed full with people for a weekday; a very good sign. They sent me to the bar to order to-go which is the norm everywhere else. I ordered (1 lb. each) ribs, BBQ pork, beef brisket with cabbage, fried okra, mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy as sides. They had a few choices for BBQ (4 kinds I believe). The BBQ pork was red so I am going to assume it was ketchup base. It was a little sweet. The ribs were really good and they must have cooked the sauce with the meat because they were not that messy. I just wish they were bigger for the price I paid for them; one to two bites on them. The beef brisket was plain and tasted like pork. The menu said chopped but it was shredded and tasted like plain pork. (I did try the mustard base BBQ on the plain meat and it was really, really good. Sweet and spicy) I think they messed up my order but I was not going to drive across town to fix it and I just did not want to deal with the help again. For the sides, the fried okra was good but salty, the cabbage came with potatoes in it even though I asked and the woman told me sausage came with it as well. The mac and cheese was very good and not too greasy at all and the mashed potatoes and gravy was good. The mash potatoes was baked potatoes mashed up with chucks of potatoes and skin in it. This is a buffet restaurant and you are better off getting the buffet for the price or you will be spending more money than you want. You will wait to be seated. The line was outside the door. The workers are either zombies trying to keep the madness down or in the hallway talking to each other. If you bring kids then ask for a table away from the bar. The customers there will drop the F bombs many times over and none of the staff were able to stop them. I understand it is the bar area but it is not a bar or pub...it is a family restaurant. Name tags on everyone should help fix this problem because I did not know who to address this problem to until after the fact. This resturant could be better with more training and workers checking the to-go orders in front of the customers.
(3)Lucy W.
I wasn't too hungry when I joined a group of family and friends for lunch at Hudson Smokehouse, so I ordered our table ordered ribs for the table to share and I got an entree from their "Smaller Appetites" section, where you can choose a meat item (I got fried chicken) and two sides (I got mac & cheese, and broccoli casserole). I thought I received the wrong plate, because there was a huge amount of food that was on the plate! Very inexpensive...what a value! Though the buffet is tempting (and let's you try a little of everything), it doesn't offer some of the BBQ meat items I wanted to try, i.e. ribs. Server was efficient- making sure we all had drinks quickly, and serving our food fast so that those who ordered from the menu wouldn't be too far behind those who got the buffet.
(3)Lois M.
Delicious ribs and barbeque. The hash is my favorite in the Midlands. You can't go wrong ordering from the menu. For those so inclined, the buffet was really good.
(4)David L.
Decided to visit Hudson's while in town visiting my gf's family. Went around 6pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too busy when being seated. After 15 mins, the place was packed. This place is a buffet/restaurant. We all went with the buffet and a side order of 1/2 lb ribs. I personally did not like the ribs as much as I thought I would. 1-Poor - 5-Delish Plate 1: Mashed potatoes - 3 Rice w/ Hash - 4.5 Green Beans - 4 Squash - 3.5 Baked Beans - 5 Pulled pork w/ Mustard-based BBQ Sauce - 4 Plate 2: Peach Cobbler - 3 ***Wasn't the peach cobbler I'm used to. It was definitely more dry. Not a lot of peach or liquid inside*** Banana Pudding - 5 Oreo Pudding - 3.5 I would definitely come back since it was a BBQ buffet. The food was good! Loved the environment! Great place! Great food!
(4)Allison C.
After looking at the restaurant's webpage, we decided to go for the buffet. When we got there, we noticed that the buffet is actually $9.99 (it's listed as $8.49 on their menu on the website). $9.99 is still not a bad price for a buffet, but as false advertising is illegal we asked if they would honor the price on their website. The hostess just kept repeating that the buffet was $9.99. Finally we had a manager come out. He was extremely rude and said "Our website guy sucks, the price has been changed for over a year." That's right a year and no one has bothered to update the site. The site also stated that the Friday buffet had shrimp and grits on it, which we were all excited for. However, the site has not been updated to let us know they no longer have shrimp on the buffet. Other than the very rude manager, the food was great! The Mac and cheese was my favorite. It is so cheesy and creamy. Other highlights were the BBQ (obviously), the hash, and field peas. Our server was very friendly and did a great job keeping our waters filled and clearing our plates.
(3)Jonathan W.
Buffet. I don't generally like buffets, but this one is good. All the items are pretty tasty and the turnover is enough that it is pretty fresh. BBQ pork is good with a good mustard based sauce. Dry (a good thing), not sloppy wet like it has been stewing in a pan all day. Fried chicken is good, not great. Mac n Cheese is awesome, green beans are good, mashed potatoes and banana pudding are good. Hard to be for 9.95 lunch.
(4)Roger B.
As regular readers already know, I love BBQ. This highly touted place is very good indeed. It's a pleasant setting with a good staff. I started with pork skins. They were very good while they were hot but got tough as they cooled. There were enough for a table of 4, so no one has to have any that have cooled. I had the ribs with a dry rub and they were excellent. The broccoli casserole was surprising and delicious. Well prepared buttered cabbage and cole slaw rounded out my dinner. My wife had chopped brisket which was tender and tasty, made even more so with a tasty mustard/vinegar sauce. Two of her three sides were very good too. The sweet potato fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the buttered squash was very nice. Only the green beans came up short. They were boiled and tasteless. All in all Hudson's provided a very good dinner.
(4)Brian M.
I could stop by just writing "great southern restaurant". This was my second visit and I've had the buffet on both visits so I have no comments regarding an individual dinner. When you say buffet you think mass produced food with little thought for quality. That could not be further from the truth at Hudson's. The pork is tender, flavorful and not at all fatty. There are several different barbecue sauces to try. The fried chicken is crispy and has great flavor. There is a honey butter roll that almost melts in your mouth. My personal favorite is the light/flakey fried catfish. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a little loud. This is definitely a place for a group or family to dine. You have the option of inside or covered patio seating. Not your place if looking for a quiet romantic dinner but definitely the spot for a fun dinner experience. I only wish Hudson's was not 15 hours from home.
(4)Jess C.
Ribs and pulled pork are good. Chicken is ok. Service leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly high school aged girls so don't expect good, consistent service. And no real pork skins?? Not sure how you can call yourself a BBQ joint in SC without skins! Bottom line: decent food, service is a crap shoot...there are other better places to get BBQ in the area
(3)Matthew P.
The catfish!!! This is the story all about bbq in my mouth. On a drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Charlotte, NC I stopped into this glory house. I had the Friday night buffet based on the reviews. It was priced right. Wow the quality and flavor of every ingredient. There was no bland or over salted food here. I Tried everything but the chicken livers. The pulled pork was smoky, moist, and tender. The catfish w lightly battered, packed full of seasoning, and just addicting. The sauces reside tableside and the sweet mustard one was a real punch in my mouth of flavor. I'm sad I wont be likely visiting ever again as I live in Detroit. This makes me sad. My first and last SC BBQ experience was inspiring. I tried to buy their sauces but they were out of jars :(.
(4)Joel T.
Hudson's BBQ is the first southern BBQ place that I take my out of town relatives to. Their barbecue is sumptuous ( and all you can eat!), and I love all of the sauces. But the main reason I put Hudson's #1 on my Columbia area BBQ list is the sides. I could eat the Mac & Cheese all day. My sister from NY was blown away by the hash and rice too (she'd never had it before). My only complaints are that the bar is a small room attached to the kitchen and it gets really hot (one of my family members had trouble breathing in there because it was so hot). Additionally, my brother ordered a chicken sandwich off of the menu and it took at least 20 minutes .
(5)Mrs. C.
Delicious! Fresh! Yummy!!!! Definitely love this location the best. I'll be back again and again.
(4)Jason H.
The best we had in Columbia. We visited Hudson's for dinner 3/13/15. An extremely friendly wait staff with a great vibe inside. I heard blues music playing in the background which always adds to the atmosphere for me personally. The mustard sauce here was the best I had during my BBQ eating trip across SC. An excellent spicy / mustard sauce. The pork and brisket were both excellent containing distinct smoke flavor. I need to spend some time talking about how good the ribs were. I have been to Memphis and had the best ribs that city has to offer. Hudson's produced some of the most unique ribs I have ever had. They are dry rubbed with a sweet outer shell that is followed by an unexpected spicy chaser. Our whole group really loved the ribs and the yellow mustard sauce. It's worth noting, the meat here was all good without any sauces which is a true testament to really good meat.
(5)Angelo A.
Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) was Kids (10 years and under) Eat Free Night! Awesome! Option of having the buffet or ordering from the menu. Buffet items were standard BBQ buffet fare: pork hash, pulled pork, corn on cob, hush puppies, mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, rice, banana pudding (of course), etc. Service was OK considering we had a large, disorganized group, ordering on 5 separate checks. The waitress was very patient with everyone shouting random drink orders, requests for plates, menu questions, etc. at her. Dining room was VERY WARM.
(3)Scott T.
I have eaten BBQ all across the country. Hudson's is hands down my favorite. The pulled pork doesn't even need sauce. The salt & pepper catfish beyond outstanding. Give them a try
(4)Arabelle S.
Visited Columbia, SC for my best friend's boot camp graduation and luckily we were able to have lunch here. That southern hospital, though. Food was inexpensive, and the portions were huge. The sweet tea to die for. I would fly back to just eat here. For four adults and one child our bill came out to $39. Waaah. Yes, this place is amazing.
(5)M A.
Great portion sizes. We were a little disappointed by the brisket because it was shredded. Not very tasty. The skins were ok. The ribs and pulled pork was also ok. Everything was just ok and we've eaten much better BBQ from other places. Unfortunately, there aren't too many other great BBQ places in Columbia SC.
(2)Lori D.
Delicious smoked BBQ and homemade macaroni & cheese, red rice, fried okra. One of the best restaurants in Lexington for comfort food!
(5)Michael S.
I have what I consider a pretty good bbq joint on Long Island, at least I thought that it was good, now I know it's only good compared to Long Island bbq. This place is sick!!! Maybe it's average for South Carolina but I can say it was easily one of the top 5 meals I've ever had. Got the buffet but also ordered off the menu, ribs and pork skins. The ribs were spicy and absolutely insane. Just enough of a bite, not over tender like mush, just right. The crispy pork skins were a thing from pig heaven. The buffet was amazing too especially the collard greens, bbq chicken, Mac and cheese, hash, liver, beans, oh, I guess the whole buffet was that good.
(5)Jack B.
Came back from Eugene Oregon to get some more of these ribs. First time was a couple years ago and they blew my mind. After two years I wondered if they could possibly be as good as I remembered, or with time had my imagination elevated the experience to unachievable heights, never to be seen again?...I was beyond pleasantly surprised when I returned today for lunch and ordered the rib plate with original recipe ribs and a side of extra ribs (dry rub recipe). Now, I love ribs and opt for them on most menus so I eat a lot of ribs and...dammmmmnnnn these made my top 3! And top three is basically a three way tie for first. The dry rub has such a delicious sweetness to it as it tops off the slow smoke flavor and Hudsons special sauce...the meat itself was perfectly cooked and tender and had just the right relationship with the bone, all while maintaining its moisture under the ahh so thoughtfully done, caramelized sweet, spicy somewhat tangy outer edge.. well done Hudsons well done... Will return with gusto...
(5)Ray M.
Martha and I had dinner here tonight. It was a different experience than we were accustomed to, but different does not mean bad. The buffet was clean and someone was stationed there's at all times. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. Our waitress, Keely, was attentive and there was no lag time at all. Some of the best service we have ever had at a buffet restaurant. This was our first time dining there but it certainly will not be the last.
(5)Crystal C.
I just wasn't impressed with the flavor, the choices, or the price. I guess I'm to accustomed to the southern style where the commitment to the flavor of pulled pork borders on the religious, the prices are really good and its pulled pork, sides are an afterthought, its not why we come on droves. I did not get that here. I'm actually baffled why its been rated so well in other reviews.
(2)Adam R.
I moved away from SC nearly a year ago. I still daydream about those ribs. Those delicious smokey, tender, dry rubbed ribs. My biggest tip is to not sit in the tables in the middle of the room where everyone can constantly hit your elbows on the way to the buffet.
(5)Stephanie D.
Cant say anything no other reviewer probably hasnt already said. Try the BBQ Nachos. Its the best thing there!
(4)robert s.
Their barbecue was very good and had a choice of sauces...I like the vinegar and pepper and the "sweet mustard" though my Columbia cousins thought it was not proper "mustard" sauce. The "vegetables" were very nicely done! The shrimp and grits were awesome!!! The Buffet Price made it one of the culinary deals of the decade!
(5)David W.
First visit here, ok if you like sweet bbq pork. For some reason they add sugar to the pulled pork. OK unless you have diabetes. The pork was good. Everything else was so-so. The collards were tough. The slaw was dry and flavorless. The hush puppies were also packed with sugar. The banana pudding had no bananas in it. They have a buffet, with no plates. You have to ask for them. Not worth a repeat.
(2)Maria H.
We used to frequent the Irmo location which is no longer open so we decided to try the Lexington location. For our first there we stood at the front desk waiting to be seated for a few minutes before the girl looked up from texting on her cell phone to realize that we were standing there. I personally don't think that your employee who works the front on a busy Friday night should even have a cell phone out much less on their persons. Shouldn't the customers be taken care of first?! When we were seated, there was a strong draft against my back that I asked my server if we could move to the booth next to us that had just been cleaned off. While I was getting my food at the buffet, they approached my boyfriend who was still sitting at the table and asked to move us because they had been cleaning that booth for someone else. That wouldn't have been a problem for me, except the reason I felt pretty put off was because (in addition to being ignored when we first walked in) we had been already sitting there for almost 10 minutes before they approached us about moving. The waitress had already been to our table three times and I was already getting food by the time they asked us. If someone had been waiting for the table I believe we should have been approached immediately. The only thing that made up for our experience was our waitress. She provided excellent service and was very attentive. They food was good but it don't think it's the best in town. The hush puppies looked so over cooked that I didn't even want to try them. The plus side was that they provided all 3 types of sauces at the tables. My boyfriend likes mustard base while I like vinegar. The fried catfish was my favorite thing on the buffet and the sweet tea was the perfect sweetness for me.
(3)Laura S.
The food here is INCREDIBLE! We love the BBQ so much, that we will often times order it to take home for dinners at the house. The bartender, Matt, is one of the best bartenders ever! He's always so friendly and remembers our name when we come in! Love this place! It's always a treat when my company caters with them!
(5)Melissa L.
Definitely worth stopping for! My husband and I drove from MA to GA and were road weary when we pulled in at 8:30pm.. We were greeted by several friendly faces, a very personable bartender and a super selection of BBQ. I didn't say a word to anyone until my plate was clean! Must try the ribs they are phenomenal, but don't miss the buffet. I'm sad we live so far away!
(5)Roger Y.
Good but not great BBQ.
(3)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yummy SC BBQ from a great place. Get the buffet and that way you get try a little of everything. PLUS if you come on Monday or Wednesday... your kids eat free!!!
(4)Logan R.
The ribs are what makes this place shine...the buffer is just OK. Went here twice and below is what I thought the first time, but on the second trip I had the ribs and they are what make this place good at BBQ...see my other thoughts below on the other stuff. Had plenty of people suggest Hudsons to be a place to get BBQ and I guess I've just been spoiled by the BBQ and smoked meats done by the small food trucks that have moved in and out of our area. Tried a slider sampler with brisket and catfish plus the buffet. Brisket was good, but pre-sauced. Catfish was good. Sliders were on a sweet little bun though. Buffet was fresh with well done greens, tasty baked mac-n-cheese, perfectly cooked fried chicken liver and onions and good (though too little smoke for my taste) pulled pork. Their sauces are what make the meat really shine...and by itself the meat is just average.
(3)Susan G.
This location is the closest to our home, so we stop on occassion to eat here. The food is always good, but whenever we order take-out our order is almost always wrong or they've forgotten something (this has happened the last 4-5 times). While I realize they have a sign in the drive-thru telling customers to check their order before leaving, I feel like it's the restaurants responsibility to double check orders before giving the order to the customer. Plus, normally we order very large orders to take with us out of town when we visit my in-laws so attempting to check the order before leaving the window is difficult. I have started picking up the order at the window, going to park in their parking lot to double check and then having to go back because they've forgotten something or given me the wrong item. They always make the order right and give extra for free, which I appreciate, but it seems to me that this would get expensive on their side if it happens multiple times a day. The plus side is that the food is always good, the services always friendly. We will continue to eat here, but I will ALWAYS double check my order.
(3)James R.
During the summer of 2012, my wife, son, and I enjoyed a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and August 1, we visited 12 different locations. We've learned a lot along the way. While we don't pretend to be experts, the experience has been eye-opening and educational. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing at length about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ), including a longer review of Hudson's, which we visited some time after our original tour ended. Hudson's is a buffet, not unlike most BBQ places. I have to honestly say at this point, I don't remember the BBQ or the sauces like I should. I do remember liking it enough as a whole that on another trip through Columbia shortly after our first visit, Camden and I made a point of going back for lunch.It is not great BBQ, like Scott's or McCabe's, but it was good enough that we went back when we had a chance, and that says something. Unfortunately, I apparently didn't record any of our thoughts on either visit as I typically do, which makes this recollection even more difficult, but the bottom line in most of our reviews is: Would you make the trip back? We already have, maybe not specifically for the BBQ, but we made a point of going there instead of elsewhere on that journey, so it must be worth our recommendation.
(4)Nicholas T.
I like to call myself a realistic foodie. I think that to understand the quality of a restaurant you have to take into consideration the surrounding environment. Past experience and comparing food items to those at other restaurants will always be part of my reviews. But to do it justice, I will try to review a restaurant based on my whole experience in the context of its environment ie I don't expect a filet mignon at a roadside burger joint but I do expect a good burger at a decent price. Hudson's BARBECUE: I first discovered Hudson's BARBECUE shortly after moving to South Carolina. It was featured on a show aired by SCETV that claimed that Hudson's BARBECUE is "100 mile BARBECUE" (BARBECUE worth a 100 mile drive). They were right, this is 100 mile BARBECUE. First things first, there are a few different locations and I've only been to this the one in Lexington. This is a pretty large restaurant lot of indoor and outdoor seating. This place will fill up at night and on the weekends so might want to shoot for earlier to eat. If you wait until closer to closing time the quality of the food suffers a bit. This is a family place so very rarely will you come here and there won't be a large family or a family or two with kids, so if you don't want to deal with people and kids -- ask to sit in the bar area, there are always seats here (this includes high top tables for larger groups). The service here is pretty good and fast, the wait staff is younger so don't expect anything more than someone filling your drinks and bringing your food out - nice and attentive staff. This place is very cheap you can feed a lot of people on little money, whether you choose the buffet or order from the menu. Take a look at the buffet, but the meals on the menu will fill you up just as well and might even save you money. When ordering don't forget where you are (South Carolina) so stick with what the Carolinas do best, pork. The pulled pork is my favorite here --either in sandwich or order the plate. The barbecue pork comes out dry (meaning no sauce) but it will have a taste of vinegar and pepper flakes for a kick. Hudson's does good fried chicken, great flavor, moist and good crisp if pork isn't your thing. Vegetables: Most of the meals will come with a choice of multiple vegetables. Hudson's uses the term vegetables loosely ie I don't know how much nutrition is left after they prepare them. My favorites are the Broccoli Casserole, Mac and Cheese and brunswick stew (when in winter). Couple more I will recommend will be the fries, hand cut good amount of salt and they give you a lot, also the sweet potato casserole which should be on the dessert menu it's so sweet. Barbecue Sauce: Whether you think it's a sin or not they have some decent sauces that really enhance the pork or anything else you slather it on. I'm from Texas where it's all about the sauce and beef so you can take this for what it's worth-- my favorite is the sweet thick barbecue, it has a kick to it so you don't lose the pork flavor. Next I would go with the vinegar with pepper flakes; you will have to shake it up some so that you get some seeds coming out of the bottle. If you're a traditionalist they have your Carolina mustard based sauce (full disclosure: I hate that stuff so I haven't even tried it). You would think this place would have good southern country dessert but honestly the banana pudding wasn't impressive -Nilla Wafers and vanilla pudding. My wife recommends avoiding it. Nothing worth of note for the cobbler either. I haven't been to too many strictly barbecue places in the area but so far this place as the best flavors out of any barbecue I've ordered at various area American style restaurants.
(4)Springsy S.
In my opinion this is the best BBQ in SC. They serve the BBQ without sauce and I think their meat is delicious by itself, however various sauces are served at the tables so you can choose what kind of sauce you are in the mood for. Their buffet is also fantastic. Great place to take out of town friends!!
(5)Itza S.
This was absolutely HORRIBLE! The service was ok, but the food was disgusting. The bar had watermelon with slime in it. My son had a bit before he saw the slime below in the container and got very sick! The food was cold (even in the bar) and the bbq was dry and pretty terrible. I wouldn't suggest going here!
(1)S. O.
Buffet with pulled pork and all the "fixings" is a great deal. Thursday night is rib night (just ask your waitress for rib plate) after going through the buffet. Good food for reasonable price.
(4)Leslie L.
Visiting here from Texas so had to try BBQ. I only tried the Carolina mustard based stuff once before about 15 years ago and planned to avoid it, but tried a wee bit on my pork and it was pretty good. I ended up eating bits with that and bits with the western sauce they have. It was good also, but I like the not so sweet stuff we have back home. Their pork was moist and very good, a nice helping also, with very good collards, okra, and macaroni and cheese. The vinegar based sauce is good on the collards and okra, didn't care much for it on the meat. Service was good and the atmosphere also. I would recommend it to friends.
(4)Chris M.
Great authentic pulled pork with all the fixings. Different sauces to choose from. I like the vinegar based sauce because it is lighter, but they also have mustard and tomato based sauces. They also have an excellent buffet.
(4)Shawna K.
This food was amazing!!!! The service was perfect, the food was perfect! It was a great place to take our 2 young kids. They had both tomato based and vinegar based sauces! Delicious...will go back again and again!
(5)Dave S.
Been here three times. Service great, food was good first couple of times...this last visit food was sitting in buffet to long, peach cobbler was like eating oat meal that was three days old.Still will come back.
(3)Michael Y.
Very good for a buffet. Great selection of sides. I peraonally like the brisket which you have to order a la carte but it comes with 3 sides so that's enough for me. If you're in the mood for bbq in Lexington and want some variety this is the place.
(4)Rebekah P.
got there about 5 minutes to 5 so we had to order from the menu instead of the buffet which starts at 5pm. We asked when the buffet would be available and we were told "10 minutes". We decided to go ahead and order since sitting for 10 minutes did not appeal to us. The buffet started right on time 5 minutes later. so not too happy about that, but what we ordered was great, as always. Hudson's is a great place if you love traditional Barbeque and a great selection. Just get there after 5 if you want the buffet. So sorry they no longer have one in the Irmo area.
(4)Michael M.
I don't like the ambiance. The taste is so-so. There's a good selection of sauces available at each table. Parking is always available and service is pretty quick. Price is average-to-low
(2)Daniel M.
Delicious! I wish we had more places like this in the north. We are visiting here from Maryland. We ordered ribs, briquette, fried shrimps, hash and rice, French fries, green beans , fried orca, rolls, hush puppies and fried pig skins. Everything was great. The service was good. The food was super tasty!
(5)Travis A.
I was in town for vacation and i wanted to go to Shealy's. Well my Mom suggested Hudson's i think because she didn't want to drive 45 minutes. Have to say that it was pretty good. Definitely not on the level of Shealy's or Hite's but just below. I too felt really crowded while eating and that is not a good feeling at a BBQ joint. Overall i'd say the selection of bbq and sides was good and that most of them tasted good but not great. I definitely think they do well there since Shealy's is so far away, but they have good food at reasonable prices so if you don't want to drive out to BL then this would be a good 2nd choice.
(4)Ne'Cole V.
I agree with the other reviewer who said they liked the sides the best! The mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, hash and rice, and mac n cheese are awesome!
(5)Nathan S.
My family and I weren't able to finish our meals, before we got sick. I wasn't surprised, seeing how many flies were in the place. I would only suggest Hudson's to someone with a dog's stomach.
(1)Jon W.
ATTENTION! If you like Sweet Potato Fries, you NEED to go here. They are the best that I have ever had - they are seasoned with salt, a little bit of cinnamon and sugar. Oh man, they are great, not too sweet, not too salty, but it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It would be an atrocity to put ketchup on them as they are too good to be blanketed with the taste covering red sauce! The rest of my meal there was great, I had the Fried Chicken and it was firm and tasty and just juicy enough, not as much as most would like but still, good. The Green beans were very good, albeit salty enough that my roll floated in its juice.... Also, the staff of youthful, pretty girls was very nice and service was great. I assume that this place is hopping on a Friday night, so I am glad that I got to enjoy their 90% sugar/10% Tea mixture that is simply called "Tea" in the South without having to fight for a table.
(5)Daniel S.
Decent barbecue, but interestingly, the sides are my favorite part about eating at Hudson's. They have a great buffet if you like buffets, but don't go on Sunday because it's ridiculously overpriced compared to local competition.
(4)George H.
Really didn't see what all the fuss is about. Found the experience sub par. I did not think that the barbecue was all that great. Probably won't go back unless dragged
(1)Bill B.
This place used to be great, then they added the buffet and it all went down hill fast. I used to eat there about once a month, now I don't even consider it when I want barbeque.
(2)Sarah H.
Oh I miss this place! Why can't I get mustard bbq sauce outside of SC? Delicious pulled pork, smoked right outside. They keep the crispy bits in it. It has a lovely flavor and is moist but not so much that your sandwich is soggy. You almost don't need sauce! The sandwiches are a half pound I think, and for goodness sake make it a basket! Choose two of the delicious sides.. like sweet potato fries or macaroni and cheese (my picks every time). I also used to plan events for the university and we used Hudson's many times. They're very accommodating for catering orders (however large they may be). If you're around, please support this family run business! You will not be disappointed.
(5)ronnie l.
this place has the best bbq in sc. i've eaten a lot of bbq and they are the best. they also have one of the best wait staffs we have been around. robin and the group make you feel right at home.
(5)Jason R.
I enjoy their mustard based BBQ. Service is great and it has a great atmosphere. Everything is good.
(5)Greg W.
The best BBQ in South Carolina, especially their Sunday Brunch. Great Food, Great Prices, Great Service and Great Atmosphere. Can you really ask for anything better. I would give it 5 stars, but I just can't make a BBQ place a 5 star restaurant.
(4)Jason N.
Hudson's , as far as BBQ goes, is one of the best I've been to in South Carolina. That Said, everyone's tastes differ when it comes to what good BBQ is, but this is by far and away some of the best food Ive eaten in my time here. As far as what the menu offers, its a wide variety of Pork delicacy's to really tasty Brisket. They also offer a Buffet which has what looks to be over 35 to 40 items which include soul food to fried catfish and shrimp, chicken livers, to Prime Rib... Salad and deserts, while not first on peoples mid when going to a BBQ joint, are also not too bad, as they offer up a basic array of salad stuffs and some really kick ass chocolate pudding with Crunched up oreo's!.. amazing stomach topper! As for the BBQ, its very tender, well seasoned and comes with some very amazing gold sauce, a cross between carolina mustard vinegar and kansas style I think... but its tangy and delicious... there are two Hudsons actually.. this one in lexington, and another in Columbia off of Harbsion Blvd.. both taste the same and are highly recommended! Great Job Hudsons..
(5)Susan O.
10 of us showed up on game day and this place was pretty busy. Despite that, our server, Teri, was so gracious and helpful. She warned us that our food would take awhile but the wait was really not very long considering the size of our group. She handled our children's rambunctiousness with grace and even replaced my sandwich when I forgot to take my doggie bag home. I can't speak for everything but my pulled pork sandwich was awesome. We'll be back.
(5)Rebekah P.
got there about 5 minutes to 5 so we had to order from the menu instead of the buffet which starts at 5pm. We asked when the buffet would be available and we were told "10 minutes". We decided to go ahead and order since sitting for 10 minutes did not appeal to us. The buffet started right on time 5 minutes later. so not too happy about that, but what we ordered was great, as always. Hudson's is a great place if you love traditional Barbeque and a great selection. Just get there after 5 if you want the buffet. So sorry they no longer have one in the Irmo area.
(4)Michael M.
I don't like the ambiance. The taste is so-so. There's a good selection of sauces available at each table. Parking is always available and service is pretty quick. Price is average-to-low
(2)I. F.
This building is very attractive; it looks like a log cabin with a hunting lodge motif. There are a dozen mountain goat heads mounted on the wall watching you eat. ( I always wonder if the butts are hanging on the other side of the wall, but I guess not.) The lunch buffet is really quite large--fried fish and chicken, potatoes and gravy, pork hash and rice, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, some puddings, salads, etc. And the pulled pork, of course. They've got a bar--yeah!!! You can have a beer with your pig. Excellent. (Happy hour is 4-7 pm.) What I enjoyed the most was the shrimp and grits, which had a spiciness to it. The pepper in the shrimp and grits made me realize the blandness of the other dishes there. The food wasn't bad, it was just . . . bland. The potato salad seemed vinegary, the broccoli casserole had too much garlic in it. The pulled pork was okay, the sauces were good. The servers were really friendly.
(2)g l.
Ever since they opened up the one in Irmo , the one in Lexington is not as good as it used to be. They took out the salad bar , fresh fruit and their desserts. The hush puppies , sweet potato fries and the collard greens are great! I won't be going back.
(3)Mark S. I.
4 stars because Thurs. night is rib night at Hudson's in Lexington. 1lb of ribs comes with every entree. Two words: Want. Now.
(4)Daniel M.
Delicious! I wish we had more places like this in the north. We are visiting here from Maryland. We ordered ribs, briquette, fried shrimps, hash and rice, French fries, green beans , fried orca, rolls, hush puppies and fried pig skins. Everything was great. The service was good. The food was super tasty!
(5)Travis A.
I was in town for vacation and i wanted to go to Shealy's. Well my Mom suggested Hudson's i think because she didn't want to drive 45 minutes. Have to say that it was pretty good. Definitely not on the level of Shealy's or Hite's but just below. I too felt really crowded while eating and that is not a good feeling at a BBQ joint. Overall i'd say the selection of bbq and sides was good and that most of them tasted good but not great. I definitely think they do well there since Shealy's is so far away, but they have good food at reasonable prices so if you don't want to drive out to BL then this would be a good 2nd choice.
(4)Ne'Cole V.
I agree with the other reviewer who said they liked the sides the best! The mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, hash and rice, and mac n cheese are awesome!
(5)Nathan S.
My family and I weren't able to finish our meals, before we got sick. I wasn't surprised, seeing how many flies were in the place. I would only suggest Hudson's to someone with a dog's stomach.
(1)Mrs. R.
Great place to visit any time. With groups,families,work lunch. etc. Can be a little loud when busy, so as previous person said sit in bar area if you want a little more privacy. They have TVs in there too. Everything is good if you like southern cooking. Great value! If you want get a to-go order & enjoy at home or work.They also do catering that is awesome! Ribs are perfect for tailgating!! It is a vinegar base sauce on bbq Which makes it tender. But it comes plain & you have your choice of 3 sauce to top it with.Makes it nice because it isn't needed but if you want it you can pick & not have it overdone like other places. I have been to both locations both are great! great service an actual good buffet!
(4)Adrianne M.
We've been to Hudson's several times and it never fails... Always delicious! The BBQ is so good on its own I don't even use sauce! The sides are amazing and service is usually great. Buffet on Friday night or Sunday brunch... You can't lose. Oh, and try the banana pudding. Yum. :-)
(5)Benjamin S.
Great BBQ. Reasonable price for the buffet. Some highlights of the buffet included the hash, brunswick stew (so great), fried okra, and fried shrimp. We had great service and the place had a nice atmosphere. Even in the chilly night, the outdoor seating area was nice and warm thanks to the heaters. Recommended!
(4)Michael G.
All around good experience. I went a 3pm on a Saturday expecting the buffet to be old but the were still rolling out fresh food! I had both the mustard and vinegar BBQ and the were good. The sides we good as well - green beans, Mac n cheese, hash, and mashed potatoes. The desserts were awesome.
(4)Jon W.
ATTENTION! If you like Sweet Potato Fries, you NEED to go here. They are the best that I have ever had - they are seasoned with salt, a little bit of cinnamon and sugar. Oh man, they are great, not too sweet, not too salty, but it is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It would be an atrocity to put ketchup on them as they are too good to be blanketed with the taste covering red sauce! The rest of my meal there was great, I had the Fried Chicken and it was firm and tasty and just juicy enough, not as much as most would like but still, good. The Green beans were very good, albeit salty enough that my roll floated in its juice.... Also, the staff of youthful, pretty girls was very nice and service was great. I assume that this place is hopping on a Friday night, so I am glad that I got to enjoy their 90% sugar/10% Tea mixture that is simply called "Tea" in the South without having to fight for a table.
(5)Andrea R.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. We were told by many that this is some of the best BBQ in town so we were excited to check it out. Upon arriving we realized that it's mainly a buffet (small buffet at that) with a small menu to order from table side. The buffet included all of the normal sides; greens, mac n cheese, macaroni, shrimp & girts, rice, green beans, baked beans etc and as far as meats went they had fried fish, fried chicken and pulled meat, I think it was pulled pork. My husband and I were both craving something meaty so I ordered the rib plate and he ordered the brisket bowl. My husband's order was wrong, he asked for the brisket bowl but it came on the sandwich anyway, he also ordered mac n cheese and hush puppies as his sides, the hush puppies never came and the mac n cheese was alright. My ribs were okay; my sides (baked beans, green beans and mashed potatoes) were blah. The baked beans had lots of onion strings in them that grossed me out, the green beans had too much vinegar and the mashed potatoes were dry as anything. I'm also fairly certain that they just walked over to the buffet and loaded the sides on my plate from there. As far as BBQ goes I've had much better elsewhere. The service was dismal; I think our waitress was new but considering 80% of the tables take advantage of the buffet I really don't see an excuse for slow service. She took our drink orders right away and then it took 15 minutes for our sweet tea to arrive. Everything we asked for took forever, extra napkins, more BBQ sauce and as I mentioned the hush puppies we ordered never came. We never got refills on our sweet tea because she never came back to check on us. The interior is all wood and the place has a divey feel to it. Best thing was that it was CHEAP. $9 for my plate which was probably 3 lbs of food.
(2)David L.
Decided to visit Hudson's while in town visiting my gf's family. Went around 6pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too busy when being seated. After 15 mins, the place was packed. This place is a buffet/restaurant. We all went with the buffet and a side order of 1/2 lb ribs. I personally did not like the ribs as much as I thought I would. 1-Poor - 5-Delish Plate 1: Mashed potatoes - 3 Rice w/ Hash - 4.5 Green Beans - 4 Squash - 3.5 Baked Beans - 5 Pulled pork w/ Mustard-based BBQ Sauce - 4 Plate 2: Peach Cobbler - 3 ***Wasn't the peach cobbler I'm used to. It was definitely more dry. Not a lot of peach or liquid inside*** Banana Pudding - 5 Oreo Pudding - 3.5 I would definitely come back since it was a BBQ buffet. The food was good! Loved the environment! Great place! Great food!
(4)Jess C.
Ribs and pulled pork are good. Chicken is ok. Service leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly high school aged girls so don't expect good, consistent service. And no real pork skins?? Not sure how you can call yourself a BBQ joint in SC without skins! Bottom line: decent food, service is a crap shoot...there are other better places to get BBQ in the area
(3)John S.
(First time here) I was tired of my coworkers telling me how good this place was so I went. I had to order to-go because other family members were still working on base. Well, when I got there it was packed full with people for a weekday; a very good sign. They sent me to the bar to order to-go which is the norm everywhere else. I ordered (1 lb. each) ribs, BBQ pork, beef brisket with cabbage, fried okra, mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy as sides. They had a few choices for BBQ (4 kinds I believe). The BBQ pork was red so I am going to assume it was ketchup base. It was a little sweet. The ribs were really good and they must have cooked the sauce with the meat because they were not that messy. I just wish they were bigger for the price I paid for them; one to two bites on them. The beef brisket was plain and tasted like pork. The menu said chopped but it was shredded and tasted like plain pork. (I did try the mustard base BBQ on the plain meat and it was really, really good. Sweet and spicy) I think they messed up my order but I was not going to drive across town to fix it and I just did not want to deal with the help again. For the sides, the fried okra was good but salty, the cabbage came with potatoes in it even though I asked and the woman told me sausage came with it as well. The mac and cheese was very good and not too greasy at all and the mashed potatoes and gravy was good. The mash potatoes was baked potatoes mashed up with chucks of potatoes and skin in it. This is a buffet restaurant and you are better off getting the buffet for the price or you will be spending more money than you want. You will wait to be seated. The line was outside the door. The workers are either zombies trying to keep the madness down or in the hallway talking to each other. If you bring kids then ask for a table away from the bar. The customers there will drop the F bombs many times over and none of the staff were able to stop them. I understand it is the bar area but it is not a bar or pub...it is a family restaurant. Name tags on everyone should help fix this problem because I did not know who to address this problem to until after the fact. This resturant could be better with more training and workers checking the to-go orders in front of the customers.
(3)Lucy W.
I wasn't too hungry when I joined a group of family and friends for lunch at Hudson Smokehouse, so I ordered our table ordered ribs for the table to share and I got an entree from their "Smaller Appetites" section, where you can choose a meat item (I got fried chicken) and two sides (I got mac & cheese, and broccoli casserole). I thought I received the wrong plate, because there was a huge amount of food that was on the plate! Very inexpensive...what a value! Though the buffet is tempting (and let's you try a little of everything), it doesn't offer some of the BBQ meat items I wanted to try, i.e. ribs. Server was efficient- making sure we all had drinks quickly, and serving our food fast so that those who ordered from the menu wouldn't be too far behind those who got the buffet.
(3)Lois M.
Delicious ribs and barbeque. The hash is my favorite in the Midlands. You can't go wrong ordering from the menu. For those so inclined, the buffet was really good.
(4)Allison C.
After looking at the restaurant's webpage, we decided to go for the buffet. When we got there, we noticed that the buffet is actually $9.99 (it's listed as $8.49 on their menu on the website). $9.99 is still not a bad price for a buffet, but as false advertising is illegal we asked if they would honor the price on their website. The hostess just kept repeating that the buffet was $9.99. Finally we had a manager come out. He was extremely rude and said "Our website guy sucks, the price has been changed for over a year." That's right a year and no one has bothered to update the site. The site also stated that the Friday buffet had shrimp and grits on it, which we were all excited for. However, the site has not been updated to let us know they no longer have shrimp on the buffet. Other than the very rude manager, the food was great! The Mac and cheese was my favorite. It is so cheesy and creamy. Other highlights were the BBQ (obviously), the hash, and field peas. Our server was very friendly and did a great job keeping our waters filled and clearing our plates.
(3)Jonathan W.
Buffet. I don't generally like buffets, but this one is good. All the items are pretty tasty and the turnover is enough that it is pretty fresh. BBQ pork is good with a good mustard based sauce. Dry (a good thing), not sloppy wet like it has been stewing in a pan all day. Fried chicken is good, not great. Mac n Cheese is awesome, green beans are good, mashed potatoes and banana pudding are good. Hard to be for 9.95 lunch.
(4)Roger B.
As regular readers already know, I love BBQ. This highly touted place is very good indeed. It's a pleasant setting with a good staff. I started with pork skins. They were very good while they were hot but got tough as they cooled. There were enough for a table of 4, so no one has to have any that have cooled. I had the ribs with a dry rub and they were excellent. The broccoli casserole was surprising and delicious. Well prepared buttered cabbage and cole slaw rounded out my dinner. My wife had chopped brisket which was tender and tasty, made even more so with a tasty mustard/vinegar sauce. Two of her three sides were very good too. The sweet potato fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the buttered squash was very nice. Only the green beans came up short. They were boiled and tasteless. All in all Hudson's provided a very good dinner.
(4)Brian M.
I could stop by just writing "great southern restaurant". This was my second visit and I've had the buffet on both visits so I have no comments regarding an individual dinner. When you say buffet you think mass produced food with little thought for quality. That could not be further from the truth at Hudson's. The pork is tender, flavorful and not at all fatty. There are several different barbecue sauces to try. The fried chicken is crispy and has great flavor. There is a honey butter roll that almost melts in your mouth. My personal favorite is the light/flakey fried catfish. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a little loud. This is definitely a place for a group or family to dine. You have the option of inside or covered patio seating. Not your place if looking for a quiet romantic dinner but definitely the spot for a fun dinner experience. I only wish Hudson's was not 15 hours from home.
(4)Matthew P.
The catfish!!! This is the story all about bbq in my mouth. On a drive from Myrtle Beach, SC to Charlotte, NC I stopped into this glory house. I had the Friday night buffet based on the reviews. It was priced right. Wow the quality and flavor of every ingredient. There was no bland or over salted food here. I Tried everything but the chicken livers. The pulled pork was smoky, moist, and tender. The catfish w lightly battered, packed full of seasoning, and just addicting. The sauces reside tableside and the sweet mustard one was a real punch in my mouth of flavor. I'm sad I wont be likely visiting ever again as I live in Detroit. This makes me sad. My first and last SC BBQ experience was inspiring. I tried to buy their sauces but they were out of jars :(.
(4)Joel T.
Hudson's BBQ is the first southern BBQ place that I take my out of town relatives to. Their barbecue is sumptuous ( and all you can eat!), and I love all of the sauces. But the main reason I put Hudson's #1 on my Columbia area BBQ list is the sides. I could eat the Mac & Cheese all day. My sister from NY was blown away by the hash and rice too (she'd never had it before). My only complaints are that the bar is a small room attached to the kitchen and it gets really hot (one of my family members had trouble breathing in there because it was so hot). Additionally, my brother ordered a chicken sandwich off of the menu and it took at least 20 minutes .
(5)Jason H.
The best we had in Columbia. We visited Hudson's for dinner 3/13/15. An extremely friendly wait staff with a great vibe inside. I heard blues music playing in the background which always adds to the atmosphere for me personally. The mustard sauce here was the best I had during my BBQ eating trip across SC. An excellent spicy / mustard sauce. The pork and brisket were both excellent containing distinct smoke flavor. I need to spend some time talking about how good the ribs were. I have been to Memphis and had the best ribs that city has to offer. Hudson's produced some of the most unique ribs I have ever had. They are dry rubbed with a sweet outer shell that is followed by an unexpected spicy chaser. Our whole group really loved the ribs and the yellow mustard sauce. It's worth noting, the meat here was all good without any sauces which is a true testament to really good meat.
(5)Angelo A.
Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) was Kids (10 years and under) Eat Free Night! Awesome! Option of having the buffet or ordering from the menu. Buffet items were standard BBQ buffet fare: pork hash, pulled pork, corn on cob, hush puppies, mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, rice, banana pudding (of course), etc. Service was OK considering we had a large, disorganized group, ordering on 5 separate checks. The waitress was very patient with everyone shouting random drink orders, requests for plates, menu questions, etc. at her. Dining room was VERY WARM.
(3)Scott T.
I have eaten BBQ all across the country. Hudson's is hands down my favorite. The pulled pork doesn't even need sauce. The salt & pepper catfish beyond outstanding. Give them a try
(4)Arabelle S.
Visited Columbia, SC for my best friend's boot camp graduation and luckily we were able to have lunch here. That southern hospital, though. Food was inexpensive, and the portions were huge. The sweet tea to die for. I would fly back to just eat here. For four adults and one child our bill came out to $39. Waaah. Yes, this place is amazing.
(5)M A.
Great portion sizes. We were a little disappointed by the brisket because it was shredded. Not very tasty. The skins were ok. The ribs and pulled pork was also ok. Everything was just ok and we've eaten much better BBQ from other places. Unfortunately, there aren't too many other great BBQ places in Columbia SC.
(2)Lori D.
Delicious smoked BBQ and homemade macaroni & cheese, red rice, fried okra. One of the best restaurants in Lexington for comfort food!
(5)Michael S.
I have what I consider a pretty good bbq joint on Long Island, at least I thought that it was good, now I know it's only good compared to Long Island bbq. This place is sick!!! Maybe it's average for South Carolina but I can say it was easily one of the top 5 meals I've ever had. Got the buffet but also ordered off the menu, ribs and pork skins. The ribs were spicy and absolutely insane. Just enough of a bite, not over tender like mush, just right. The crispy pork skins were a thing from pig heaven. The buffet was amazing too especially the collard greens, bbq chicken, Mac and cheese, hash, liver, beans, oh, I guess the whole buffet was that good.
(5)Jack B.
Came back from Eugene Oregon to get some more of these ribs. First time was a couple years ago and they blew my mind. After two years I wondered if they could possibly be as good as I remembered, or with time had my imagination elevated the experience to unachievable heights, never to be seen again?...I was beyond pleasantly surprised when I returned today for lunch and ordered the rib plate with original recipe ribs and a side of extra ribs (dry rub recipe). Now, I love ribs and opt for them on most menus so I eat a lot of ribs and...dammmmmnnnn these made my top 3! And top three is basically a three way tie for first. The dry rub has such a delicious sweetness to it as it tops off the slow smoke flavor and Hudsons special sauce...the meat itself was perfectly cooked and tender and had just the right relationship with the bone, all while maintaining its moisture under the ahh so thoughtfully done, caramelized sweet, spicy somewhat tangy outer edge.. well done Hudsons well done... Will return with gusto...
(5)Ray M.
Martha and I had dinner here tonight. It was a different experience than we were accustomed to, but different does not mean bad. The buffet was clean and someone was stationed there's at all times. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. Our waitress, Keely, was attentive and there was no lag time at all. Some of the best service we have ever had at a buffet restaurant. This was our first time dining there but it certainly will not be the last.
(5)Crystal C.
I just wasn't impressed with the flavor, the choices, or the price. I guess I'm to accustomed to the southern style where the commitment to the flavor of pulled pork borders on the religious, the prices are really good and its pulled pork, sides are an afterthought, its not why we come on droves. I did not get that here. I'm actually baffled why its been rated so well in other reviews.
(2)Adam R.
I moved away from SC nearly a year ago. I still daydream about those ribs. Those delicious smokey, tender, dry rubbed ribs. My biggest tip is to not sit in the tables in the middle of the room where everyone can constantly hit your elbows on the way to the buffet.
(5)Stephanie D.
Cant say anything no other reviewer probably hasnt already said. Try the BBQ Nachos. Its the best thing there!
(4)robert s.
Their barbecue was very good and had a choice of sauces...I like the vinegar and pepper and the "sweet mustard" though my Columbia cousins thought it was not proper "mustard" sauce. The "vegetables" were very nicely done! The shrimp and grits were awesome!!! The Buffet Price made it one of the culinary deals of the decade!
(5)David W.
First visit here, ok if you like sweet bbq pork. For some reason they add sugar to the pulled pork. OK unless you have diabetes. The pork was good. Everything else was so-so. The collards were tough. The slaw was dry and flavorless. The hush puppies were also packed with sugar. The banana pudding had no bananas in it. They have a buffet, with no plates. You have to ask for them. Not worth a repeat.
(2)Jeremy J.
While traveling up I-20, this place was a convenient place for lunch - only a couple miles from the interstate. For authentic southern barbecue, this place is the real deal. We opted for the buffet but you can also order from a menu. The pork barbecue was lean and tender. The mustard-based barbecue sauce was delicious. The buffet was, of course, all you can eat (for adults anyway, for kids we opted for the one-visit kids buffet which was much cheaper), so we sampled just about everything. Our favorites included the pork-and-beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, and hush puppies. Everything was clearly made fresh. We left stuffed and vowed to return again the next time we're traveling near Lexington.
(5)Colleen R.
Love, love, love this location. We liked the idea of one closer, however, they have closed the buffet there, so to the other side of town we go. Normally, the service is average, but Friday, we had a GREAT server. She was very attentive, kept our drinks full, and kept the clean plates coming. They've changed their catfish breading, but it's still tasty. The food is tasty, I just wish they could offer more items for the price on the buffet. Also, we prefer to sit out on the patio, because the wood floor in the dinning room will make you feel like you're on a boat every time someone walks by, lol. I hear they are serving breakfast or brunch on the weekends soon!
(4)Loretta G.
I ordered the half chicken dinner and added on some pork... The flavors on everything was good but my chicken was so dry it was almost brittle. I ended up only taking a few bites and just eating everything else I got, which was PLENTY of food. Huge portions.. My only complaint was the chicken!
(3)Jonathan R.
Very good value for your money. Food is excellent. Wish they had a better beer selection, though.
(4)David G.
The owner finally arrived and saw the error of his ways and comped the gets. So kudos for doing the right thing and I will give this place another chance when I'm back in the area.
(3)Mark D.
My girlfriend and I came here on a recommendation, and it couldn't have lived up to the hype better. We live in Columbia, so we had a little trouble finding the place, but the food made every mile worth it. The rolls, the mac and cheese, the mashed potatoes, the chicken. Everything was fantastic. A lot of well cooked food that one can tell the cooks put a lot more work into than normal for a place of this pricing. The pork was moist and tender, though I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq sauce, but that's a matter of regional opinion, since I'm a northerner. My only complaint was that I didn't want to stop eating after I got full. Definitely recommend, and will return.
(5)Springsy S.
In my opinion this is the best BBQ in SC. They serve the BBQ without sauce and I think their meat is delicious by itself, however various sauces are served at the tables so you can choose what kind of sauce you are in the mood for. Their buffet is also fantastic. Great place to take out of town friends!!
(5)Itza S.
This was absolutely HORRIBLE! The service was ok, but the food was disgusting. The bar had watermelon with slime in it. My son had a bit before he saw the slime below in the container and got very sick! The food was cold (even in the bar) and the bbq was dry and pretty terrible. I wouldn't suggest going here!
(1)Maria H.
We used to frequent the Irmo location which is no longer open so we decided to try the Lexington location. For our first there we stood at the front desk waiting to be seated for a few minutes before the girl looked up from texting on her cell phone to realize that we were standing there. I personally don't think that your employee who works the front on a busy Friday night should even have a cell phone out much less on their persons. Shouldn't the customers be taken care of first?! When we were seated, there was a strong draft against my back that I asked my server if we could move to the booth next to us that had just been cleaned off. While I was getting my food at the buffet, they approached my boyfriend who was still sitting at the table and asked to move us because they had been cleaning that booth for someone else. That wouldn't have been a problem for me, except the reason I felt pretty put off was because (in addition to being ignored when we first walked in) we had been already sitting there for almost 10 minutes before they approached us about moving. The waitress had already been to our table three times and I was already getting food by the time they asked us. If someone had been waiting for the table I believe we should have been approached immediately. The only thing that made up for our experience was our waitress. She provided excellent service and was very attentive. They food was good but it don't think it's the best in town. The hush puppies looked so over cooked that I didn't even want to try them. The plus side was that they provided all 3 types of sauces at the tables. My boyfriend likes mustard base while I like vinegar. The fried catfish was my favorite thing on the buffet and the sweet tea was the perfect sweetness for me.
(3)Laura S.
The food here is INCREDIBLE! We love the BBQ so much, that we will often times order it to take home for dinners at the house. The bartender, Matt, is one of the best bartenders ever! He's always so friendly and remembers our name when we come in! Love this place! It's always a treat when my company caters with them!
(5)Melissa L.
Definitely worth stopping for! My husband and I drove from MA to GA and were road weary when we pulled in at 8:30pm.. We were greeted by several friendly faces, a very personable bartender and a super selection of BBQ. I didn't say a word to anyone until my plate was clean! Must try the ribs they are phenomenal, but don't miss the buffet. I'm sad we live so far away!
(5)Roger Y.
Good but not great BBQ.
(3)Larry M.
Buffet closes 30 min prior restaurant closing for Sunday lunch. No way to know this prior to arrival. Seem to more concerned with leaving than with customer service. We arrived at 2:30 after driving a half hour to get there and then left. What a disappointment! Will never return.
(1)Jason H.
Came in for my first visit today. My wife and I showed up right after the breakfast buffet ended and they were in their transitional period. The waitress was extremely attentive and giving us updates on the buffet. The service here is beyond anything I've experienced before. We were the only ones dining in but the staff was top notch and didn't slack one bit. The food was excellent but I don't think anything beats the service here!
(5)Mrs. C.
Delicious! Fresh! Yummy!!!! Definitely love this location the best. I'll be back again and again.
(4)Logan R.
The ribs are what makes this place shine...the buffer is just OK. Went here twice and below is what I thought the first time, but on the second trip I had the ribs and they are what make this place good at BBQ...see my other thoughts below on the other stuff. Had plenty of people suggest Hudsons to be a place to get BBQ and I guess I've just been spoiled by the BBQ and smoked meats done by the small food trucks that have moved in and out of our area. Tried a slider sampler with brisket and catfish plus the buffet. Brisket was good, but pre-sauced. Catfish was good. Sliders were on a sweet little bun though. Buffet was fresh with well done greens, tasty baked mac-n-cheese, perfectly cooked fried chicken liver and onions and good (though too little smoke for my taste) pulled pork. Their sauces are what make the meat really shine...and by itself the meat is just average.
(3)Susan G.
This location is the closest to our home, so we stop on occassion to eat here. The food is always good, but whenever we order take-out our order is almost always wrong or they've forgotten something (this has happened the last 4-5 times). While I realize they have a sign in the drive-thru telling customers to check their order before leaving, I feel like it's the restaurants responsibility to double check orders before giving the order to the customer. Plus, normally we order very large orders to take with us out of town when we visit my in-laws so attempting to check the order before leaving the window is difficult. I have started picking up the order at the window, going to park in their parking lot to double check and then having to go back because they've forgotten something or given me the wrong item. They always make the order right and give extra for free, which I appreciate, but it seems to me that this would get expensive on their side if it happens multiple times a day. The plus side is that the food is always good, the services always friendly. We will continue to eat here, but I will ALWAYS double check my order.
(3)James R.
During the summer of 2012, my wife, son, and I enjoyed a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and August 1, we visited 12 different locations. We've learned a lot along the way. While we don't pretend to be experts, the experience has been eye-opening and educational. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing at length about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ), including a longer review of Hudson's, which we visited some time after our original tour ended. Hudson's is a buffet, not unlike most BBQ places. I have to honestly say at this point, I don't remember the BBQ or the sauces like I should. I do remember liking it enough as a whole that on another trip through Columbia shortly after our first visit, Camden and I made a point of going back for lunch.It is not great BBQ, like Scott's or McCabe's, but it was good enough that we went back when we had a chance, and that says something. Unfortunately, I apparently didn't record any of our thoughts on either visit as I typically do, which makes this recollection even more difficult, but the bottom line in most of our reviews is: Would you make the trip back? We already have, maybe not specifically for the BBQ, but we made a point of going there instead of elsewhere on that journey, so it must be worth our recommendation.
(4)Nicholas T.
I like to call myself a realistic foodie. I think that to understand the quality of a restaurant you have to take into consideration the surrounding environment. Past experience and comparing food items to those at other restaurants will always be part of my reviews. But to do it justice, I will try to review a restaurant based on my whole experience in the context of its environment ie I don't expect a filet mignon at a roadside burger joint but I do expect a good burger at a decent price. Hudson's BARBECUE: I first discovered Hudson's BARBECUE shortly after moving to South Carolina. It was featured on a show aired by SCETV that claimed that Hudson's BARBECUE is "100 mile BARBECUE" (BARBECUE worth a 100 mile drive). They were right, this is 100 mile BARBECUE. First things first, there are a few different locations and I've only been to this the one in Lexington. This is a pretty large restaurant lot of indoor and outdoor seating. This place will fill up at night and on the weekends so might want to shoot for earlier to eat. If you wait until closer to closing time the quality of the food suffers a bit. This is a family place so very rarely will you come here and there won't be a large family or a family or two with kids, so if you don't want to deal with people and kids -- ask to sit in the bar area, there are always seats here (this includes high top tables for larger groups). The service here is pretty good and fast, the wait staff is younger so don't expect anything more than someone filling your drinks and bringing your food out - nice and attentive staff. This place is very cheap you can feed a lot of people on little money, whether you choose the buffet or order from the menu. Take a look at the buffet, but the meals on the menu will fill you up just as well and might even save you money. When ordering don't forget where you are (South Carolina) so stick with what the Carolinas do best, pork. The pulled pork is my favorite here --either in sandwich or order the plate. The barbecue pork comes out dry (meaning no sauce) but it will have a taste of vinegar and pepper flakes for a kick. Hudson's does good fried chicken, great flavor, moist and good crisp if pork isn't your thing. Vegetables: Most of the meals will come with a choice of multiple vegetables. Hudson's uses the term vegetables loosely ie I don't know how much nutrition is left after they prepare them. My favorites are the Broccoli Casserole, Mac and Cheese and brunswick stew (when in winter). Couple more I will recommend will be the fries, hand cut good amount of salt and they give you a lot, also the sweet potato casserole which should be on the dessert menu it's so sweet. Barbecue Sauce: Whether you think it's a sin or not they have some decent sauces that really enhance the pork or anything else you slather it on. I'm from Texas where it's all about the sauce and beef so you can take this for what it's worth-- my favorite is the sweet thick barbecue, it has a kick to it so you don't lose the pork flavor. Next I would go with the vinegar with pepper flakes; you will have to shake it up some so that you get some seeds coming out of the bottle. If you're a traditionalist they have your Carolina mustard based sauce (full disclosure: I hate that stuff so I haven't even tried it). You would think this place would have good southern country dessert but honestly the banana pudding wasn't impressive -Nilla Wafers and vanilla pudding. My wife recommends avoiding it. Nothing worth of note for the cobbler either. I haven't been to too many strictly barbecue places in the area but so far this place as the best flavors out of any barbecue I've ordered at various area American style restaurants.
(4)S. O.
Buffet with pulled pork and all the "fixings" is a great deal. Thursday night is rib night (just ask your waitress for rib plate) after going through the buffet. Good food for reasonable price.
(4)Leslie L.
Visiting here from Texas so had to try BBQ. I only tried the Carolina mustard based stuff once before about 15 years ago and planned to avoid it, but tried a wee bit on my pork and it was pretty good. I ended up eating bits with that and bits with the western sauce they have. It was good also, but I like the not so sweet stuff we have back home. Their pork was moist and very good, a nice helping also, with very good collards, okra, and macaroni and cheese. The vinegar based sauce is good on the collards and okra, didn't care much for it on the meat. Service was good and the atmosphere also. I would recommend it to friends.
(4)Chris M.
Great authentic pulled pork with all the fixings. Different sauces to choose from. I like the vinegar based sauce because it is lighter, but they also have mustard and tomato based sauces. They also have an excellent buffet.
(4)Shawna K.
This food was amazing!!!! The service was perfect, the food was perfect! It was a great place to take our 2 young kids. They had both tomato based and vinegar based sauces! Delicious...will go back again and again!
(5)Dave S.
Been here three times. Service great, food was good first couple of times...this last visit food was sitting in buffet to long, peach cobbler was like eating oat meal that was three days old.Still will come back.
(3)Michael Y.
Very good for a buffet. Great selection of sides. I peraonally like the brisket which you have to order a la carte but it comes with 3 sides so that's enough for me. If you're in the mood for bbq in Lexington and want some variety this is the place.
(4)Daniel S.
Decent barbecue, but interestingly, the sides are my favorite part about eating at Hudson's. They have a great buffet if you like buffets, but don't go on Sunday because it's ridiculously overpriced compared to local competition.
(4)George H.
Really didn't see what all the fuss is about. Found the experience sub par. I did not think that the barbecue was all that great. Probably won't go back unless dragged
(1)Bill B.
This place used to be great, then they added the buffet and it all went down hill fast. I used to eat there about once a month, now I don't even consider it when I want barbeque.
(2)Sarah H.
Oh I miss this place! Why can't I get mustard bbq sauce outside of SC? Delicious pulled pork, smoked right outside. They keep the crispy bits in it. It has a lovely flavor and is moist but not so much that your sandwich is soggy. You almost don't need sauce! The sandwiches are a half pound I think, and for goodness sake make it a basket! Choose two of the delicious sides.. like sweet potato fries or macaroni and cheese (my picks every time). I also used to plan events for the university and we used Hudson's many times. They're very accommodating for catering orders (however large they may be). If you're around, please support this family run business! You will not be disappointed.
(5)ronnie l.
this place has the best bbq in sc. i've eaten a lot of bbq and they are the best. they also have one of the best wait staffs we have been around. robin and the group make you feel right at home.
(5)Jason R.
I enjoy their mustard based BBQ. Service is great and it has a great atmosphere. Everything is good.
(5)Greg W.
The best BBQ in South Carolina, especially their Sunday Brunch. Great Food, Great Prices, Great Service and Great Atmosphere. Can you really ask for anything better. I would give it 5 stars, but I just can't make a BBQ place a 5 star restaurant.
(4)Michael M.
Great place! I'm not always big on BBQ, but we had a hankering for some so I looked up BBQ on Yelp and found this place. Given the four stars out of over 70 reviews I figured it had to be good and yes it was! We fed four for under $30 and left full! The BBQ buffet has a great selection of sides and BBQ pork but I decided to go with the brisket. It was smoked and marinated in traditional BBQ sauce. It was very tender and quite tasty but even better once I put a little Carolina Gold sauce on it! (The traditional mustard-based sauce that is commonly found in South Carolina, and in my humble opinion the real BBQ sauce as BBQ was invented here!) The salad was crisp and fresh and the sweet potato fries were the perfect compliment to my meal. The roll was probably the best I've ever had! The place is very kid-friendly, clean, fun and the service was great! Eat here.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yummy SC BBQ from a great place. Get the buffet and that way you get try a little of everything. PLUS if you come on Monday or Wednesday... your kids eat free!!!
(4)