Hudson's Smokehouse Express

Gervais is all about Hudson’s Smokehouse in Lexington for good ‘cue. In fact, my only major problem with Hudson’s Smokehouse in Lexington is, well, that Hudson’s Smokehouse is in Lexington. It's a proximity thing.

But since the last season of Barbecue & Politics, Hudson’s has changed my life by opening up an outpost on Knox Abbot Road in Cayce, across from the Farm Bureau building (where Po’ Pigs Bo-B-Q used to be). The Express doesn’t offer live entertainment or a bar like it’s older brother on Sunset Boulevard, and it isn’t decked out as pretty, but it has the stuff that counts.

For those unfamiliar with the Hudson’s brand, this is real-deal, slow-smoked tender barbecue pork, with your choice of three sauces. I can vouch for the mouth-watering Smokehouse Gold sauce, and if I ever develop an acute mustard allergy I’ll let you know how the other ones are. (While I’m working on a cure for mustard allergies.)

The array of sides is really what set Hudson’s apart. The overwhelming favorite based on a scientific poll of everyone I know is the sweet potato casserole. The sweet potato fries and banana pudding are also good, and I always get the collard greens … which could probably be considered an entrée due to the amount of meat they’re cooked with.

The hash is tasty and gets points for being not too runny, but since there’s no buffet, you really don’t get to decide the all important hash-to-rice ratio. And, of course they also have cole slaw, green beans, fried okra, fried squash, and a few other sides.

The best time to go to Hudson’s Express, if you have a Bridges-sized appetite, is on Thursday and Friday evenings after 4PM. For $10.99, you can get an all-you-can-eat platter, which is three side items and an endless supply of three of the following: BBQ pork, fried shrimp, fried chicken, deviled crab, bacon wrapped chicken, and shrimp & grits. The youngin’s eat for a lot less.

Gervais says, the next time you get the itch to try some good barbecue with some succulent sides, head on over to Cayce and “Express” yourself. You’ll be glad you did.