On two recent occasions, I found myself with a group of friends at two different Hudson’s Tap House locations – one at the corner of Whyte Avenue and Calgary Trail, and the other at 6111 – 104 Street.

Each time I was able to taste a variety of items, while downing a glass or two of rather decent suds with good friends in pleasant atmospheres with notably good service and timely delivery of food and drink.

At the Whyte Avenue location my wife eased her guilt for drinking beer by ordering Miranda’s Mandarin Chicken Salad. The dish consisted of large chunks of chicken on seasonal greens and mandarin oranges. The salad was tossed in what the menu described as a “sweet dressing” and garnished with pine nuts, sesame seeds and mozzarella cheese.

The salad was delicious. There were copious amounts of ingredients, the chicken had been freshly cooked and the pine nuts and sesame seeds contributed to a nice flavor combination. I definitely took home some ideas for making future salads. However that “sweet dressing” did little for me. Although the others like it immensely, I would love to have seen something along a Thai dressing with a little ginger to augment the mandarins.

Our neighbour and best friend, Graham, went straight for the Philly Cheese Wrap. Where one would find the Philly Cheese Wrap almost exclusively at submarine establishments, they are becoming increasingly popular with many bars, bistros and mid-range restaurants.

This one was a variation of the traditional wrap, with a house blend of cheese over shaved beef, onions and mixed peppers wrapped in a soft tortilla. I quite liked Hudson’s variation, which was fresh, tasty and satisfying.

Our other friend, Claire, who was the instigator of both evenings by the way, was compelled to try the house special, Mama Hudsons Meatloaf. We sort of joked about the missing apostrophe; but that was all there was to joke about. This was impressive meat loaf, the recipe for which they guard quite diligently.

It was topped with wild mushrooms demi-glaze, and came with a salad, home fries and a onion rings. Hudsons calls this dish the “ultimate comfort food”. Admittedly, I wouldn’t have thought of ordering meat loaf in a restaurant – that is until now.

I was drawn to the Buffalo Burger on a Kaiser. Having written many articles on buffalo meant, and finding it absolutely incredible, there was little doubt in my mind. Buffalo is generally more expensive; but most people can’t tell it apart from very, very good beef. It’s lean, healthy and delicious.

It came with the usual hamburger dressings and was almost too much to eat. Luckily there were others and we were doing quite the job of sharing.

Years ago, I took my former editor at newspaper out, and in the subsequent write-up I teased him about ordering French fries on a review, as I refuse to review fries. We became friends over the years and, as he also now writes on the Epicurean site, I can’t help wonder what he’ll say when I mention that the onion rings served at Hudsons are among the best onion rings you’ll find in Edmonton.

All orders were between $9.00 and $11.00 – including the buffalo. So prices are certainly reasonable enough, considering they come with home fries, a Caesar salad or a garden market salad. Order just one item and you won’t leave hungry.

The second evening a buddy, Winston and I joined Claire at the Hudsons just south of 61st Avenue. Winston, being British, had to check out the Beer Battered Fish and Chips. This time I tried the Cowboy Steak Sandwich while Claire darn near drowned herself in the Three Sisters Nacho Plate.

I was impressed that my steak sandwich was comprised of a very nice cut of meat containing no fat or gristle, with the usual garlic toast and garnish. Around here, steak sandwiches are notorious for being lesser cuts of beef. No complaints here whatsoever.

Winston’s Fish and Chips would have bordered on extraordinary for fish and chips; except it was clear they kept cooking them a little longer so they could bring out the dishes at the same time. What would have been very delicious cod in a clearly superior batter cam out dry and obviously overdone.

The Three Sisters Nacho Plate has to be the largest nacho plate served in Edmonton. It could well serve as munchies for a whole table of guys stopping off for a brew. As I said, Claire almost drowned in it.

The only thing we didn’t like was that if you wanted guacamole, or either chicken or beef, you had to pay $2.00 for each. While the size of the dish makes it a good deal, who ever heard of nachos served without guacamole? Better to have one inclusive price for a specialty dish than seem cheap.

Again, all dishes fell within the $9.00 to $11.00 range.

BEST POINTS: Combining the two visits, the Meat Loaf, Buffalo Burger, Mandarin Salad and Steak Sandwich were all superior munching. The Whyte Ave location also has the view of the Whyte Ave. strip. Service is also worth complimenting.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Fish and Chips overdone (although I’m assuming that was a one-time occurrence), the menu is very difficult to read in dim light, and I mentioned the matter of the nachos.

RATING CATEGORY: In terms of general dining around Edmonton, I’ll give Hudsons Tap House a clear 7 out of 10. Comparing it to other combined bars and tap houses…give it a 9. Despite a few little things, it’s near the top of its class