There was a time that calling a place a dive bar would be adding another nail in the coffin of a dying spot. There are a lot of these crungy old places scattered across North America and many of them are just oozing with local cool. Add in some personality, great food and cold beer and you’ve got the makings of a winner. Hudson Yards Cafe in New York is a definite winner!
While covering the 2011 New York Auto Show, the prospect of standing in a huge line to get a box lunch wasn’t overly appetizing, so I grabbed a couple of buddies and went on a hunt for grub and pints. One of the security dudes out in from of the Javits Center suggested we walk one block to Hudson Yards Cafe. That dude knew his stuff!
We sat at the bar and were greeted heartily by this charming gent behind the bar who took our pint orders promptly and ensured they remained full without being asked. That might offend some folks, but this dude was my hero! As the place filled up for lunch, it would seem that he is a lot of local folks’ hero, as he plunked down their libation of choice without asking what it was. How many pubs can you walk in to these days and the bartender enjoys a beer with you?
One of the keys to a great dive bar is great food and Hudson Yards blew me away. I ordered a simple burger with cheddar. I wasn’t prepared for the masterpiece that arrived in front of me. A half pound of beef, formed into a patty that must have been 2 inches thick, and it was quite possibly the juiciest burger I’ve ever eaten. The crispy fries were perfect too.
The decor could be called Seventies Rec Room Jumble, which is more than a little bit comfy for those of us who grew up in that environment. All that is missing is the broken ping pong table! Reading through some reviews online, I noticed that a few folks have complained that the location is out of the way. Given that I don’t know my way around NYC, it seemed pretty convenient to me. I will definitely be heading back for another visit next year when I return for the 2012 show.
You can get all the deets at the HYC website.
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- Pouring the perfect pint of Guiness
