The Hudson in Sedona

The Hudson is a popular, chef‑owned American restaurant in Hillside Sedona with big red‑rock views, a lively bar, and a menu of comfort‑food classics done upscale—salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, steaks, and seafood.

Atmosphere and vibe

• Located in the Hillside shopping center (671 State Route 179, Suite D), it has an industrial‑chic dining room, large bar, and a deck overlooking the red rocks, often praised as one of the better casual view spots in town.
• The feel is relaxed and family‑friendly (kids’ menu available) but still stylish, with happy hour on weekdays and an energetic noise level at peak times.

Food style and standout dishes

• The menu leans “fresh American”: chopped and quinoa‑style salads, hearty sandwiches, several burgers, mains like Southwest chicken pasta, chicken pot pie, chicken scaloppini, ribs, steak, scallops, and seasonal fish.
• Frequently praised items include Chef Jeff’s corn chowder, the salted soft pretzel with Guinness cheese sauce, whipped feta, dynamite‑style shrimp or blazing cauliflower, the Hudson mushroom or bison burgers, ahi tuna sandwich, Southwest chicken pasta, and desserts like butter cake.​

Price range (current menu)

• Starters run roughly $17–$22 (corn chowder cup at $6, bowl $10; most shared appetizers in the high‑teens).​
• Salads are around $19–$27, burgers and sandwiches about $21–$27, and larger entrées like Southwest chicken pasta or chicken scaloppini about $30–$33.
• Cocktails such as cactus or prickly‑pear margaritas and other specialty drinks are solidly mid‑priced for Sedona and get frequent positive mentions.

Service and reservations

• Reviews consistently praise the view and generous portions but note that it can feel pricey and very busy; service experiences range from great to disorganized, so reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and patio tables.

The Hudson’s prices are mid‑ to upper‑range for Sedona: most starters are around $17–$24, burgers and sandwiches about $21–$27, and steaks around $55–$68.

Starters and bruschetta

From the current OpenTable menu:​

• Chef Jeff’s Corn Chowder: $6 cup / $10 bowl / $22 quart to go.
• Salted Soft Pretzel Bread or Four‑Cheese Spinach & Artichoke Dip: $17
• Whipped Feta: $18.
• Blazing Cauliflower: $19.
• Fireball or Ranch Chicken Wings: $19.
• Beer‑Battered Calamari: $22.
• Meatballs & Garlic Bread: $23.
• Dynamite Shrimp: $24.

Bruschetta (priced per piece):​

• Street Corn, Fresh Mozzarella, Smoked Salmon, Blackened Shrimp, Funghi, Brie & Apples, Olive Tapenade: $7 each slice.

Burgers, sandwiches, and mains

Burgers:​

• Juicy Patti Cheeseburger: $21.
• Hudson Mushroom Burger: $24.
• Bison Burger: $27.

Examples of entrées:​

• Southwest Chicken Pasta: $31.
• Chicken Pot Pie: $30.
• Chicken Scaloppini: $33(with options to sub salmon +$4 or add fettuccine +$5).

Prime cuts (include potatoes and vegetables):​

• Prime Filet (8 oz): $55.
• Prime Ribeye (22 oz bone‑in): $63.
• Prime Dry‑Aged Ribeye (20 oz bone‑in): $68.
• Akaushi Wagyu NY Strip (14 oz): $68.
  Toppings like blue cheese, mushrooms, shrimp scampi, scallops, or crab Oscar are available for $3–$30 extra​

Drinks

Signature cocktails typically cost $17–$19:

• Examples include Lala’s Blueberry Lavender Lemon Drop ($18), Cactus Fruit Margarita ($18), Sedona Paloma ($17), Stone Fruit Old Fashioned ($18), and others in that same band.​
• Mocktails (Blood Orange Ginger, Golden Hour) are $12.​
• Beer is usually $7for bottles and $9 for 16‑oz drafts.​
• Wines by the glass generally run $14–$19, with bottles commonly $53–$65+for many labels.​

This means a typical meal with a starter to share, a burger or pasta, and one cocktail will usually land around $45–$60 per person before tip, while steak dinners with drinks are more like $75–$100+ per person.

The most‑recommended things to order at The Hudson are the corn chowder, salted pretzel with cheese sauce, whipped feta or dynamite shrimp, one of the burgers (especially the Hudson Mushroom or bison), Southwest Chicken Pasta or Chicken Scaloppini, and the butter cake for dessert.​

Starters and appetizers

• Chef Jeff’s Corn Chowder – Very frequently praised as rich and comforting; many people say it’s a “must‑order,” even in warm weather.
• Salted Soft Pretzel with Guinness cheese sauce – One of the most‑mentioned starters, called addictive and great for sharing.
• Whipped Feta – Creamy feta spread with warm pita or bread; shows up often in recent reviews as a favorite starter.
• Dynamite Shrimp – Crispy shrimp in spicy aioli; reviewers and YouTube tastings single this out as one of the best appetizers on the menu.​​
• Blazing Cauliflower – Spicy roasted cauliflower that a lot of guests recommend as a lighter, shareable starter.

Salads, burgers, and sandwiches

• The Hudson Chopped Salad or quinoa/veggie‑style salads – Frequently noted as fresh, generous, and good as either a starter or main, especially at lunch.
• Hudson Mushroom Burger – Topped with sautéed mushrooms and cheese; often named as the best burger on the menu.
• Bison Burger – Popular with burger fans who want something richer and a bit different; shows up in lots of “top dishes” comments.
• Ahi Tuna Sandwich – Seared tuna with Asian‑style flavors; reviewers call it a standout non‑burger option.

Main dishes people rave about

• Southwest Chicken Pasta – Creamy, mildly spicy pasta with chicken and Southwest flavors; probably the single most‑recommended entrée, with many repeat‑order comments.​
• Chicken Scaloppini – Classic lemon‑capers‑and‑wine style; frequently highlighted as a very good, reliable main.
• Chicken Pot Pie – Described as rich and comforting with a flaky crust; often mentioned as a favorite cool‑weather dish.
• Prime steaks (filet, ribeye, Wagyu strip) – Not cheap, but diners who splurge often say the steaks are cooked perfectly and worth it for a special occasion.

Desserts and drinks

• Butter Cake – The dessert that comes up most; many guests say to “save room” for it and call it one of the best parts of the meal.​
• Seasonal fruit crisps or cheesecake – Also get positive mentions but not as consistently as the butter cake.
• Cactus Fruit Margarita, Blueberry Lavender Lemon Drop, and other house cocktails – Repeatedly praised as strong and well‑balanced, good to enjoy on the patio at sunset.