Mr Pickwicks Café and Bar in Cape Town Much-loved Long Street institution makes the move to Greenmarket Square
Hudsons on Somerset
An American burger diner experience
The big question is always "Where to get the best... in Cape Town?". When this question is about burgers, Hudsons will surely be on many people’s lists. Hudsons is a burger joint – there are two of them, the long-established and intimate Hudsons on Kloof Street and bigger brother, Hudsons on Somerset Road in Greenpoint, opened in November 2010.
Families from the Atlantic Seaboard love Hudsons on Somerset since it has space (120 seats) and you can have your own area. "People come here for the food, music and the vibe" says manager Lyall Luyt. The service is efficient and friendly. You can be sure that manager Lyall will remember your face and probably your name.
Hudsons on Kloof Street only serves burgers, however, Hudsons on Somerset also offers pizza. But the focus is on burgers, big time. The interior supports the diner-feeling well. Leather couches, tables, wood – Hudsons is nice in winter and summer – heaters and blankets keep you warm, and there’s an outside area for when the sun is out.
These burger joints are the brainchild of David Raad (who also owns Café Caprice) and Ross Collins. And, it was the burger bar in the Lermeridan Hotel in New York City, which was the inspiration to start Hudsons in Cape Town.
Order The Shroom
The idea was to offer Capetonians an authentic, old school, American diner bar with many different types of hamburgers. There are round about 20 burgers on the menu - a tough choice. First of all you choose a patty: chicken, veggie (chickpea & lentil), ostrich, beef or lamb. I ask for the bestseller, "tricky to say," says Lyall but I go for The Shroom, one to remember and highly recommended. The Shroom is a beef patty topped with cheddar cheese and creamy mushroom sauce. I have my burger with sweet potato crisps, I also steal a few skinny cut fries from my lunch partner. Other side orders include house salad, onion rings battered or dusted or flame grilled corn wheels. Hudsons supports fresh and local produce, the beef and lamb is freshly ground on Somerset Road as well as the buns are freshly made here. "The burgers are cooked to perfection," says Lyall.
Don’t forget to order a milkshake; my BarOne milkshake is huge, real American sizes here. And what’s also quite American are the tomato sauce, vinegar and mustard squeezers. I like.
By Antonia Heil
Hudsons on Somerset
Corner Somerset & Portswood Road | Greenpoint | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 433 1496
Opening hours: 7 days a week from 12pm – 11pm
P.S. Happy hour is every day from 4.30pm – 6.30pm: half price on appetisers, cocktails and draughts. Hudsons on Somerset offers free Wifi.
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