By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Hudson – Going out to eat on a Friday night can sometimes be frustrating because a restaurant may be really crowded, resulting in the service and quality of food suffering. But that is not the case at Checkerboards Restaurant & Bar in Hudson. When my husband and I decided to go there for dinner on a recent Friday night, the restaurant was busy but because it is so spacious, we were seated right away. And at meal’s end, we agreed that the service had been excellent and the food delicious.
Actually that is not surprising considering the restaurant is now celebrating its 25th anniversary in the same 10 Technology Drive location. Restaurants don’t survive that long if the service and quality of food is not top-notch. The restaurant, owned by Chris Tsiros, his father-in-law Joe Martocci and sister-in-law Jill Smith, delivers on its promise of fresh, homemade delicious food at a fair price, served by a caring and knowledgeable staff in an impeccably clean establishment.
Shortly after we were seated in the restaurant’s attractive main dining room, our friendly and attentive server Karen took our drink orders and brought over a basket of homemade Scali bread. We decided to share two appetizers, the chicken tenders with barbecue sauce and the fried ravioli with marinara sauce. Both were crispy and tasty and the accompanying sauces were perfect compliments for them.
My husband ordered the fish tacos ($11.95) which featured fried haddock in soft tortilla shells, topped with cabbage and a spicy sauce. He said the fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce gave the tacos a “nice kick.”
I decided to try one of Checkerboard’s specialties – the open-face turkey sandwich ($10.50). This entrée was comfort food at its best. Big tender slices of roasted turkey on Scali bread were smothered in a delicious homemade gravy. The dish was accompanied by mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Although it was delicious, the entrée was so big I could only eat half of it. My husband gladly finished the rest of it the next day and agreed with my assessment that it was fantastic.
As we enjoyed our dinner, many other patrons, including families of all ages, filled the restaurant but it was never too crowded or too noisy. The wait staff was bustling but always attentive, ensuring that everyone was happy and had their needs attended to promptly.
There really is something for everyone on the menu ranging from burgers and sandwiches, Italian entrees, seafood specialties, their famous marinated steak tips, prime rib served every Saturday, and vegetarian entrees. Next time I want to try either their pizzas or flatbreads.
They also offer vegan, low-carb and gluten-free options.
Checkerboards’ fall menu favorites are also back including homemade meatloaf, baked stuffed chicken with a sausage, apple and cranberry stuffing; roasted butternut squash and arugula flatbread pizza; and apple cranberry walnut salad with grilled chicken.
Checkerboards bar is a great place to enjoy football and special appetizers on Sunday game days.
Patrons can also enjoy apple cider and pumpkin spice martinis at the bar along with special fall mules.
Checkerboards is located at 10 Technology Drive in Hudson, in the shopping center at the intersection of Route 85 and the connector to I-290.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. They also offer catering services for corporate parties, funeral collations or family parties, either at the restaurant or off site.
For more information, call 978-562-4400, visit the website, www.checkerboardsrestaurant.com and their Facebook page.
