Hudson’s On The Bend

Best belated valentines dinner I could have ever wanted and more. I honestly didn’t know where we were going and when we pulled up to this cute this house off the side of the road, I fell in love with the walk way leading into the restaurant and the outside bar.
While waiting for our table to be ready, the outside bar is a prime place to hang out and lounge and enjoy one of their custom drinks which are very tasty, but also a bit pricy. I honestly felt like I was hangout at one of the restaurants in Hawaii, enjoying the lovely breeze, great company and amazing drinks.
The food was to die for. Even though the menu is a bit elaborate with the variety options to choose from, I loved the fact that you can get a craft of wine instead of ordering a full bottle and they had a variety of options from California wines to wines that were international. For the main dish, I enjoyed a mango crusted sole which was delicious and it was paired with fresh vegetables on the side.
I will say that I notice some couples had a tasting menu that paired a variety of wines to some appetizers and entrees that were purchased on Groupon. Would like to try that so we can enjoy more variations of their meals. Overall-​I am truly a fan and would come here again when they reopen after renovations.

Honestly came in and wanted to leave because I thought it was going to look like a fancy restaurant but turns out, it’s just a house next to the road.
This review is all about the food. Best lobster bisque I’ve ever had in Austin and that tenderloin… It looks like bubble gum and it taste like bubble gum… Lol it’s tender and chewy, it melts in your mouth… The trout is pretty good too but make sure you get the Bisque and tenderloin!!! It’s literally to die for!

I might be the last person to review the ORIGINAL Hudson’s on the Bend, owned by Chef Jeff Blank & masterfully managed by Sara Courington. In 5 days it will no longer exist ! Many have reviewed this wonderful unique dining experience over the years… the food is well known and more often than not, was close to perfection. The exotic menu choices & combinations of fresh local ingredients delighted the most timid of palates, while at the same time… the most sophisticated.
The rustic hill country atmosphere was abundant the moment you entered the 100 year old farm house. You felt as if you were dining with family on the best of occasions. It was romantic & intimate, or full of laughter from a large party. The addition of the outside bar was wonderful for single service dining or for Happy Hour with the perfect menu accompanying. The bartenders always welcoming, fun, easy going professionals. Everything had a sense of comfort as soon as you arrived, thanks to Sara, who really was the heart of it all, and of course, there was Phillip Dubov, the ever consummate sommelier. This brings me to what was Hudson’s 2^nd finest asset… an essential factor of any 5 star restaurant and the focus of my review…
The Staff… the ORIGINAL Staff…
They were like family, they truly enjoyed working with each other, that was apparent. They greeted & served each patron as if you too, were part of this special family. Friendly, knowledgeable, never hovering as to disturb your experience, yet available when needed, outwardly proud of the service they provided.
I have lived in this area for well over 30 years, and know this restaurant intimately. It is with a sad heart I write this review, due to the recent sale of the icon. The staff «family» is being forced to break up… so you see, things will never be the same again. New staff, new menu items, new buildings, new décor… Hudson’s on the Bend as we have known it…(though some would like for you to believe will stay the same)…has died! Another landmark gone! Sometimes change is just not that good. Several of these staff members have been at Hudson’s from the beginning, while others have been there a minimum of 10, 15, 20 years. Change obviously knows no loyalty either. Even though all of the press releases have stated the staff will remain … this truth has been grossly manipulated.
I for one will miss the ORIGINAL Hudson’s on the Bend. Austin has been flooded with pretentious yuppie restaurants, where the staff changes as regularly as the menu. A consistent familiar staff for repeat customers is vital… after all, the very best wild boar ever prepared, is inanimate until a server helps tantalize your taste buds! I will miss all of you that have served us for years & years, who did whatever you had to do, just to keep the rest of us happy. I apologize that your valuable asset to this iconic brand was not recognized.
I wish you all the very best in your next endeavors…
The 5 stars on this review are for YOU…
So to…
Sara, Phillip, Nora, Blake, Rosie, Rocky, Kevin, Ryan, Bonner, Abby, Erin, Nela, Nixon, Amy, Luke, Tanner, Cory, Davis, McCaily, Kelly, Ian, Brooks, Jay, Andy, Tommy, Ruben, Paulino, Ellie, Zach, Ross, GIen, Cindy, Rae Rae & Chops…
THANK YOU ! … YOU WERE … Hudson’s on the Bend
P. S. — Just a footnote — I have never been an employee of Hudson’s on the Bend, so «disgruntled employee» can be taken off the table… Thank you for taking the time to read this… It was the least I could do for this great group of people !

Travelling from downtown out to 620 takes quite a bit to get me there. I have heard rave reviews about Hudson’s on the Bend and some good friends who live out in Lakeway invited us out to dinner with them at their favorite spot. So we battled the traffic on a Friday evening to get to a 7:00 reservation. The reviews look good. Photos of food on Unilocal,enticing. When we arrived, the situs of the restaurant was not what I was imagining. I had a more picturesque hill country location in my imagination. It is on the highway, not architecturally significant. Yet after parking up the hill and walking down, immediately liked the vibe of the patio, entering through the bar. It was essentially Austin way out on 620. The host was polite and prompt. The waiter was friendly, helpful but not intrusive. We had a great bottle of Cab that was recommended by the waiter. No appetizers, no salads. Our group had the venison back strap, pork chop, crusted trout, and duck. Everyone was super happy with their entrees. For dessert, we had one key lime pie and two mix berry cups. It is not an inexpensive evening. That bill for four people minus gratuity was about $ 250. Yet, the food quality was really nice, the ambiance was really nice. Like most places in Austin, all of us had on jeans and it was totally comfortable. I will definitely be back. We are going to their cooking school next month so I’ll report back on that experience. So if you have friends out in that part of the world or have to be out in the 620 area, it is definitely a fabulous spot to dine at.

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. We go for special occasions and have never been let down.

Met expectations, again, and mine are high for this place. A little more spice in the Chipotle lobster bisque than usual but good, the tenderloin was a little more crispy on the outside but delicious. They had swapped out desserts but it was fine as well. French press coffee is great to top it off. Looking forward to my next visit.

You MUST GO THERE for romantic dinner! Great place for dating, also good for family gathering. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
We went there for dinner around 8pm. The restaurant appears to be located in the middle of nowhere. The scene of «Texas Chainsaw Massacre» immediately came across my mind. I shivered, but we keep driving to there.
Surprisingly, the interior of the restaurant is very cozy, romantic and classy. I seriously want to hold my wedding there. Food are amazingly delicious. Servers are friendly and politely. (One of the male server looks like Beckham!).

We had the three course chef’s tasting menu. The Chipotle lobster bisque was delicious with just the right bit of spice. The beef tenderloin was outstanding and cooked perfectly. The trout was by far our favorite; so yummy! The desserts were good, but not as great as everything else. I would pass on the turtle pie dipped in chocolate– meh. The key lime pie was tasty enough, but average flavor wise. The coffee was actually really good too and the service was exceptional. I will definitely be back. Pricy? Yes, but worth it!

One of my favorite spots. I buy two groupons whenever they have them. Best trout in the world, intimate setting, great staff, just awesome.

We wanted to enjoy HotB but sadly it did not meet our expectations. Hopefully we just hit a bad night — don’t get me wrong, the food was OK but seemed to lack the «wow» factor and was overpriced for what we received.
To make matters worse, the waiter also had an air of condescending arrogance about him as well. Maybe this is something you could have gotten away with in the fine dining establishments of a few years ago, but not now and HotB needs to move with the times.
Would we go back? Yes, we would, in order to give the restaurant one more chance but we would set our sights a little lower this time.

First off, let me say that if you’re in the city of Austin proper (visiting or otherwise), and on the fence about making the drive out to Lake Travis to check out Hudson’s on the Bend — do it. It’s fantastic food, great service, and a really awesome spot.
The décor is comfortable and classy, and as another reviewer said, a good reflection of hill country aesthetic. Since my first visit, they’ve added bar area for hanging out or waiting on your table. Hudson’s is also blessed to be staffed with one of the most solid and helpful groups of folks I’ve ever encountered. You definitely get the feeling that not only do they genuinely like working with each other, they take great pride in making sure everyone is taken care of and happy. I was telling a former boss of mine about my first visit a few years back (I’m from South Carolina and he’d lived in Austin in the 90’s), and found out that he’d actually gotten engaged to his wife of 20 years out there, with the staff coordinating and helping him out with a rather intricate surprise proposal.
Probably most importantly, the food is absolutely delicious — honestly delicious seems like an understatement — and the menu is interesting without being overly complex or «trying too hard.» I’d recommend first timers try out the Duck Diablos, the charcuterie plate, foie gras, and the wild boar quesadilla. For the entrees, the pork chop and NY strip are always on point, but you owe it to yourself to order the Hudson’s Mixed Grill at least once. It’s unreal good, and great for sharing between a couple folks to get a sense of how they do different meats. You won’t be disappointed.
Bottom line /​TLDR — without question worth the drive, a great spot for dates (and proposals), and staffed with some of the best folks in the business, both front and back of house. I’ve never had anything off the menu that I didn’t love, and look forward to my next trip to Austin so I can visit them again!

[Note: I posted the bulk of this review on OpenTable as well, but posting here as well for visibility.]
Hudson’s is an Austin staple that’s been in business for a great many years. This was the first visit for myself and my wife, as we were in town visiting family over Thanksgiving. Based on high marks from friends and family members over the years, both of us went in with high expectations for a game-​heavy meal that would be unique. Ultimately, we left feeling underwhelmed: the game choices were OK, but not as abundant as anticipated; the preparation tended to mask rather than embrace the exotic textures and qualities of game; the atmosphere was more «grandma’s house» than the «big game hunter lodge» we expected. For reference, our entrees consisted of the elk back strap (masked by lump crab and cilantro lime) and duck with scallops (not hugely gamey, but we’ve had better duck and scallops). Our appetizers were actually the best being the smoked duck diablos and pheasant egg rolls.
I’d say it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for an out-​of-​the-​way upscale dining experience in Austin. If you’re expecting some mind-​blowing event, you’re best served looking elsewhere. Maybe I’m too picky (or said differently for you Austinites «a snob from Dallas»), but I think there are better options, particularly in this price range, even in Austin.

This place, in an old farm house a long way from where I live; has some amazing food. While I am not a huge fan of the location, nor the interior (kind of small), the food more than makes up for it. I had the elk backstrap the first time here and it was delicious, as is the lobster bisque, the goat cheese salads, etc. I have not had anything here I did not like. I usually get the tasting menu which has been top notch. Since then I have tried the trout, the prime tenderloin, the pork, etc. It is a special occasion place for us as it is pricey, but worth it.

I just love the homey feeling of this establishment. Fabulous service, wonderful food & a great wine selection are just a few of the things that round out the wonderful experience when you visit this restaurant. A perfect spot for anniversaries, birthdays, date night or just a sporadic dinner. You’ll never be disappointed!

Great food great service, and great ambience. I’ve never had a bad meal here, and the tryout is the dish everyone is always talking about. Last time I had the elk and it was fabulous! My wife had the three-​course dinner and she said is one of the best steaks ever.

Over rated! The elk was tasteless and very little of it. Others in our party were very disappointed with their entries. The apps were boring and way over cooked. Not sure how this place got a reputation for good food.

Great date spot. Low light, good wine list, delicious selection of foods. Plan on spending a fair amount on the bill. Definitely worth it.

We’ve eaten at Husdons for years and the food has always been inpecable! We ate there again Sunday… I’m glad to see the restaurant has expanded their cocktail menu (they used to have none), and our Duck Diablos and charcuterie platter appetizers were great as always.
But unfortunately the restaurant forgot to make our entrées so there was quite a bit of a wait. When our entrées finally arrived, my pecan smoked ribeye didn’t seem up to par as year’s past, and my partner’s pork chop was totally raw inside. Did the restaurant rush to get our forgotten entrées out of the kitchen? Or perhaps they had a second tier cook in charge on Sundays? I’m not sure, but when we saw all that raw pork we lost our appetites completely.
I was also a bit offended when the $ 200 check arrived. Mind you they didnt charge for one appetizer because we had to wait so long, and they didnt charge for the raw pork on our plate. However my advice is when a customer complains (after having to flag down the third staff member) and tells you they lost their appetites from serving raw food, you should comp the meal entirely.
Unfortunately we can no longer hold this restaurant in such high esteem as we used to based on this total bust of a birthday dinner. 2 stars is more than generous for this review.

Truly amazing restaurant. I only came at first because I won a gift card through an event at UT, but I would happily return any time. Our reservation was on an early Wednesday evening, odd enough timing that we basically had the whole restaurant to ourselves.
The trout was so delicious that it made my boyfriend regret his choice of the prime tenderloin. The desserts and service were both great as well.

The place is not fancy, the waitresses don’t wear white gloves, the décor is clearly hill country. Don’t let that misguide you, this is an excellent restaurant.
My wife and I had the trout and a steak. Both were wonderful, flavorful and unique. Our French friends thought they had the best duck and the best crème brûlée they have had anywhere in the U.S.
the chocolate cake was underwhelming, a bit bland, especially for something labeled triple chocolate. There is a good wine and liquor list. Service was friendly and fast.
I left wanting to come back to try rattlesnake sausage and the Elk.

Wonderful place for a special occasion. They have a 3 course tasting menu, $ 62 for 2 (also options for 4 and 6) that comes up on Groupon every couple of months.
We enjoy the pecan crusted goat cheese salad, ruby trout (I get it non spicy), and rosemary beef tenderloin (terrific). For dessert off the tasting menu all three are good choices: the turtle pie dipped in chocolate ganache is their signature and is amazing. The crème brûlée was very tasty and the key lime pie with coconut crust was great.
On our last visit we added the soft shell crab appetizer, which is a tall and delightful stack of vegetables and herbs with the crab at the bottom.
The atmosphere is a lovely old farm house and staff have always been terrific. However the location is a little off the beaten path — tough to plan something before or after, I’m sure those who live closer to it will feel different.
Honestly, with all the other choices in Austin I don’t think we will return. We have really enjoyed our 3 trips with the Groupon tasting menus but otherwise it is a little out of our budget. Plus we have a list of restaurants yet to try in Austin.
I may be more inclined to return if the tasting menu changed but we have had three trips in the last year and it has remained the same.

Great restaurant near lake Travis. Nice old-​fashioned setting, great recipes like the crunchy trout on a bed of polenta and with nice fresh veggies. It never disappoints. If you are in the mood for venison, get their sampler plate. Restaurant is on the pricey side, but service is excellent and fast and once in a while they run groupons…

My husband and I have come here twice now. The first time I got the crusted trout. I remember wishing I got what my husband ordered.
This time, I ordered what he recommended and it was amazing. We got the tasting menu With the smoked beef tenderloin! It was so tender and I loved the smokey flavor. It has a jalapeño hollandaise that was extremely flavorful. The potatoes and veggies were a good touch and balance to the whole meal. I also recommend the bourbon crème brûlée. I don’t like desserts but the bourbon made it fantastic!
We are definitely coming back for that beef tenderloin!

I had dinner with three friends and we decided to share multiple appetizers, have soup and share a hot & crispy trout which was amazing.
We had the foie gras, pheasant egg rolls, crab cake and cheese tower, the baby back ribs, bacon wrapped scallops & the best French onion soup I’ve ever had. The Gruyère cheese was already in the soup. Amazing!
Dessert was a Belgian chocolate dipped Texas pecan pie slice. And let me tell you that chocolate was thick! :-) My friend had a wonderful bourbon crème brûlée with a crispy sugar top crust. Wonderful wonderful meal!

Hudson’s is our «go to» place when having visitors from out of town, esp. those from other states. We have been here a couple of times in the past few months and Hudson’s never fails us.
Typically we get the three course tasting menu as it’s a good value. They have put the boar schnitzel back on the menu which is one of my favorites. And of course, who can not get the turtle pie? I don’t think we have ever had a bad meal here.
I totally disagree with Brett P. who didn’t even stay around to taste the food. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Even our friends from out of state find the place quaint and homey.
The staff at Hudson’s never disappoint. The bartenders are great, Sarah, the hostess, is a sweetheart, Philip, the sommelier, is very knowledgeable, and if you can, ask for Blake. Best waiter in town.
Keep it up, Hudson’s. Here’s to another 30 years.

I’ll start by say that we didn’t have any food so I can’t rate that (which is obviously a bit part of a restaurant review… and why I’m calling this out up front). That being said… you know there is a problem when it’s so bad you can’t stick around to have the food.
This place looks like a stiff wind would topple it. To us, the ambiance of a fine dinner is a huge part of the experience. I do agree that some of the best food can be found in some dumps… but that is almost always true for food that is priced on the mid to low end of the spectrum. If I am going to pay $ 200 plus for me and my wife… I expect the food to be great, and the surroundings where I enjoy the meal to be nice, warm, comfortable etc.
Now — for Hudson’s none of this was true. The outside of the establishment was rickety and the outside patio area resembled a dog run. The outside bar area was like trying to have s drink on a seesaw. The floor was so uneven I spent most of the time trying to balance my chair. The bartenders seemed to be too cool to be warm and welcoming and were very brief and short.
The inside was not much better. The hostess was a very nice older women who was perfectly fine. The design was… lets just say eclectic (which I typically like)…but it was more jumbled than anything. It felt like somebody started with a double wide and just kept building into it. We had special anniversary seating which ended up being just inside to the left in what felt like my grandmothers run down neglected breezeway (including old dingy ceiling fans and louvre glass windows). I looked at the menu and it seemed like a decent offering of varied wild game. The food must be decent to have this place stay open for 30yrs now… but every award we saw for the place was at least 7yrs old if not over 10.
For a place to charge what they do, they must be making a tidy sum for the owner. Try putting some into the actual upkeep of the establishment. I’m not saying you have to make everything feel new and inauthentic… I’m just talking about upgrading the run down fixtures, patios, doors (the entrance had a dingy old white door that was shot).
If you just want an expensive dinner and don’t care if it’s in a beat up place… this could be for you. Otherwise I’d see if you could get it «to go» and go have a picnic someplace with a nice view (which by the way I assumed it had a view of the river of something and wasn’t just located on «the bend» of a major busy thoroughfare.
Not for anyone wanting ambiance. We finding up eating at a new cent place called Trio downtown with a nice view of the river and outdoor seating (part of the four seasons hotel). The meal was actually cheaper than what we would have paid at Hudsons… and we actually felt relaxed and waited on with great service.
The inside didn’t get better

Well it’s been a long time since I’ve been to Hudson’s on the Bend but it is one of my all time favorite restaurants. It inspired me to cook more and to be more creative and I just love the flavor combinations, southwest fusion and don’t think I’ve ever had a bland bite here. I liked it enough to take a cooking class put on by one of the chefs and I’ve owned a couple of his books for at least 7 years or so and when I want to make something special I still revert back to them.
Some favorites over the years are the Hot n Crunchy Oysters, Hot n Crunchy Trout, the ancho bock beer smashers, and the smoked meats they do as well. Such a quirky, unique restaurant and a place I always have enjoyed. Who else makes eating rattlesnakes and antelope so delicious and normal?
Very pricy, but worth at least one visit on a special occasion for the variety, ambiance and creativity.

We came up this way for vacation and wanted to enjoy a good meal with fresh ingredients. We found that here. Enjoyed the cute décor and the lighting inside and out was perfect. Cute little outside bar for overflow when busy. Great for parties and for an intimate dinning experience.
CC Ribs were super yum. Just go ahead and eat those things with your fingers. Ha And expect to get them stuck in your teeth.
I had the crab cake for dinner. Perfect size for me. So fresh and full of flavor. It was with Alaskan KC! Yum!
Cory had the Salmon with Gnocchi. So delish. I can say this because I had some! Corys first time having Gnocchi. Haha It was kinda cute. He thought it was cheese. (;
Two glasses of wine– a Blend good!
Homemade Vanilla ice cream. Cool and refreshing. Came with a peanut butter cookie
Call ahead and make reservations. You never know how busy it can get! Cheers!

Last night was my 3^rd time dining at Hudson’s on the Bend and I must say the service and food quality are consistently great. If you arrive early there are two things you must do:
1. Check out the beautiful grounds laced with herbs they use in their dishes
2. Grab a seat in the bar area and take advantage of their happy hour which runs until 7pm. They have a wonderful wine list and happy hour offers 25% off wines by the glass.
I have ordered once a la carte and twice with their 3 course tasting menu. The three course gives you a variety of first, mains and desserts to choose from. If you are looking for game and poultry on the menu look no further. Last night Dawn H. and I met up for dinner and I ordered the salad for the first course and the duck breast for my main. The delightful salad had a creamy pecan crusted goat cheese with local mixed greens and blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. Simple and delicious. The pecan wood smoked duck breast was on top of a red chili glaze and served with fresh vegetables.
I would recommend Hudson’s for a celebratory/​romantic dinner, happy hour or a girls night out.

Oh, how brilliant! The Chefs have added a delicious, moist Pecan Smoked Duck Breast prepared over a sweet red chili glaze with a bed of green rice to the Three Course Tasting Menu. It made me want to quack out loud!
Whenever Hubs sees this Groupon, he snags one. Only $ 55.00 for two to dine in a fantastic setting, with wonderful service and superb food. I love knowing that any child who misbehaves will be given espresso and a free puppy when dining here. It makes my meal so much more enjoyable.