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| - We also live in the neighbourhood and were looking forward to having another go-to favourite. The following is our experience from three separate visits:
We went for dinner in the first week or two that Hardy's opened and loved it. We had the Caesar salad w smoked pork loin, brisket sandwiches, collards, Apple Pilsner, and bourbon bread pudding. Each thing-- save the Caesar which was only so-so--was quite perfect, and we were looking forward to coming back again and again. The perfectly cooked brisket was nicely sauced and flavoured, the collards were caramelized loveliness, the Pilsner was ideally-chilled and flavourful--a perfect complement to the meal-- and the dessert was just divine. The portions were adequate, not over- the- top like you would expect in a Southern establishment, but adequate.
The second time, we had a take-out order which we quite also enjoyed but again found to be a bit expensive for what and how much of it was offered: brisket sandwiches, collards, potato salad, mac n cheese. The standard of the brisket and collards stood, but the potato salad was just like whatever. The mac n cheese was, however, awesome.
Our third experience with Hardy's was also take-away, and sadly, it was quite poor, in taste, quality and value. We had a trio of sliders, ie. meat on buns--brisket, pulled chicken, and rib tips. Two of the three meagrely-portioned meats were dried out and inadequately sauced. The buns were mediocre at best. Three mediocre buns w a wee bit of meat on each for $17, really? The side that came w the entree--we chose collards--was exactly three forkfuls, no longer caramelized and flavourful, just kind of limp and drippy.
We also had mac n cheese that was happily still great. We tried the Caesar again, hoping for some salad evolution, and it was still just so-so. Could we do something zippy w those croutons? Do they really have to taste like they come out of a box? The cornbread was ok.
Don't know what is going on w the kitchen in Hardy's, but the early promise has disappeared, for us anyway. The portions are tiny, and the price is just way too steep on what is now being offered.
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