Thursday, May 18, 2017

Hudson Grille Grows Up, Godavari Moves In

Hudson Grille on the move, new Indian eatery opening.

After 10 years, Hudson Grille has closed its popular Alpharetta location on North Main Street in Windward Promenade.  A post on the restaurant's facebook page this past Sunday evening suggests that it closed after dinner service that night.  

"Thanks to all for your continued support at our current location. We have had a great run with our original location, but we have closed the doors as we gear up for our move to North Point. We will keep you posted with updates! Again, thank you for all the support through the years."

As the announcement hints, the restaurant is in fact moving to a larger, more visible location close to North Point Mall.  Specifically, Hudson Grille has leased the former Champps Americana restaurant at the corner of Mansell Road and North Point Parkway.  The former Alpharetta Hudson Grille was 5,136 square feet, whereas the new location is about 9,000 plus a 1,500 square foot patio.  

Champps was being marketed for sale/lease even as the restaurant operated from the space a few years ago.  Unable to find a buyer at the time, the restaurant closed in 2012.  In 2015, there was talk of an iFly indoor skydiving facility opening in its place, but the project never received needed city approvals.  iFly opened instead near SunTrust Park in Cobb county.  In the years since, the building sat vacant.  

The new Hudson Grille Alpharetta is expected to open in the coming months but no firm timeline has been revealed.   In addition to Alpharetta, Hudson Grille also operates locations in Midtown, Downtown, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Tucker.  A new location is also planned to open in the coming months in Toco Hills shopping center.  Hudson FC, a new sibling concept, is expected to open soon in Brookhaven. 

Godavari, a 14 unit South Indian restaurant franchise, has leased the former Hudson Grille to open their first Atlanta area location.  The full service restaurant will offer a lunch buffet seven days a week.  Sources say the restaurant is expected to open late this summer or early this fall. 

In a strange coincidence, Godavari Express, an unrelated quick serve Indian restaurant, opened last month in Jordan Court Plaza, about a half mile from Godavari. 

Are you excited for a bigger Hudson Grille in Alpharetta?  Have you been to Godavari Express?  Are you surprised to see the continued interest and strength of the North Point Mall trade area?

Please share your thoughts below.  

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who enjoys Hudson Grille? The food at the one in Brookhaven is so gross. I wish it would close and bring in something better.

Anonymous said...

Agree with Anon@11:48 100%.
I have been to the Brookhaven location a couple of times and both times the food was less than mediocre and the service was horrendous. I won't be back anytime soon.

Anonymous said...

While I don't find the food at Hudson Grille gross, I do find it "meh" - in that it's just a typical sports bar menu. It does surprise me how successful they are. But hey, they're doing something right. Just not with many readers of this blog!

Anonymous said...

Hudson food is ok. I have had decent service there. Really depends on the server. But even ok Hudson food is better than most Indian food.

Anonymous said...

I agree Hudson grille's food and service is overrated. My hamburger was dry and grease fries. I guess the more you drink the better the gross food taste and you don't remember the service. Drink up nothing special here but the cute drunk men.

Anonymous said...

The Tucker location has good food, in my opinion. Service is sometimes great, sometimes slow. But I still enjoy eating there.

Anonymous said...

The alcohol is the draw. Consumers are willing to forgive mediocre to horrible food if there are adult beverages involved. In general people going there to get wasted are not the same consumer as a foodie that would be expecting more of the menu. Regarding the post above that mentions hot drunks, the great thing about this formula is whether it is the sports on TV or the food or the patrons, everything looks better after a couple of pitchers of beer or margaritas!

jeff a. taylor said...

Are there any good sports bars in ATL? Mindful that the fare is going to be limited, but does anyone do the concept with some pride and professionalism?

Unknown said...

We always enjoyed Champps. Much better than Hudson Grill. Not sure why they think they will make it in that location if Champps didn't. How Hudson Grill stays in business baffles. Very mediocre.

Stacy said...

After two horrendous service experiences at the Sandy Springs location, I will never go back.

Anonymous said...

@anon 5/19 5:05pm
While you are absolutely correct - I can deal with the mediocre food. Lord knows Taco Mac food isn't more than just okay. But they do deliver your drinks in a timely fashion. As Hudson, you can grow old waiting for anyone to come by to see if you'd like another drink.

Anonymous said...

I am going to miss the Alpharetta location. It was close to my workplace, and to me they do the best burgers around, much better than any fast food that only costs 1 dollar less. Better than Red Robin "Gourmet burgers", and only at same level than Vortex in midtown or H&F in Ponce Market. ut again, this is my opinion based on my experience on food around Alpharetta.

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