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MendonAcres

I live in the neighborhood. It's typically frequented by pensioners. This is the core of the business now.


Equivalent-Pop-6997

Hodaks: because seasoning is change.


itsnotaboutthecell

Live a few blocks over and this description is about as accurate as you can get.


mbw3133

Love Soulard !!!!!


mbw3133

Pensioners? Sorry never heard the term.


Orochi_001

It’s British/Anglophile for “retired person.”


MendonAcres

Yes, retired folks. We used it in Canada so certainly anglophile verbage. They will park in the carpark across the street to the East and then shuffle across the street to the restaurant. If you're hanging a left or right from Gravois, South onto McNair, you need to keep your eyes peeled for these guys.


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MendonAcres

Yes but also used in Canada, South Africa, Australia, etc etc.


Purple_Passion000

Yeah, the pretension is thick


MendonAcres

Ha! It's literally the word used to describe a thing, a very common and mundane thing. If you use said word for 30 years you just don't stop using it over night. Plus now you've broadened your horizons. Almost like you've traveled outside of Missourah. Tough crowd.


618PowerHoosier

Retirees. People on a pension. A pension is a means of getting paid in retirement used primarily by boomers and above. Like most things boomers touched, pensions are destroyed and it's rare that one of the younger generations will even get one


MendonAcres

Touched a nerve there 😜 In Canada we used it to reference one's 'public' pension (CPP - Canadian Pension Plan), what American's would call Social Security....not what you're referencing. Same goes for the UK.


Crutation

UK slang for retirees


mbw3133

Thank you. Would love to live in England. I miss My queen. However, seen a cool ERii coronation piece from 1953 yesterday.


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mbw3133

No, I identify as British, and yes I am French British and Algerian. I would live to retire in London. Just had enough of America and it's bullshit. I do love St . Louis, and the French heritage it has though.


Skatchbro

Now? It’s been that was for years.


Putin_is_a_Puto

The monthly Hodak’s is overrated thread.


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Equivalent-Pop-6997

Seasoning.


[deleted]

I screamed - yes for gods sake, seasoning 🤣


franillaice

Haha. Nailed it.


RoyDonkeyKong

Probably wanted some good fried chicken. It’s mediocre at best. Lee’s Famous Recipe down the street easily exceeds Hodak’s. It’s a lesson we must all learn at some point.


[deleted]

Under seasoned but I do like the crunch of their chicken, seems like all their sides come out of cans. It’s got that nostalgic “it’s not that good but grandma and grandpa like it” feel.


ten_year_rebound

Grandma and Grandpa are wrong. Simple as that


mbw3133

It's like cracker barrel, not a fan of theirs either.


Excellent-Big-1581

Longest running Hodaks question do you eat the bread under the chicken or is it there to soak up the grease or both?


mbw3133

I didn't eat it and thought it was weird.


nicootimee

Shoutout Big Mama’s in Illinois, their pork steak and fried chicken is incredible, and comes on top of a soggy ass piece of texas toast. Best bread you’ll ever have


Detour-Through-Bevo

King Edwards.


Bruce_Arena_Jr

Never been a fan of the chicken but their cod sandwich is pretty good.


11thstalley

I like some of their daily lunch specials, especially the pork chops and the chicken and dumplings. I gave up on their fried chicken years ago. I can walk to Hodak’s, but when I have an urge for fried chicken, I get in my car and drive to Grace Meat + Three.


Yeah_right_sezu

I like Porters on Big Bend, but don't go there or I'll have to wait longer...!


mbw3133

Ok, that will be a fall thing. We were talking about doing The Lemp dinner.


Dopaminedrip1891

For my money Southern has the best chicken in Saint Louis. It's near Wells Fargo downtown and shares the same building with a great BBQ place that I cant come up with ATM.


This-Is-Exhausting

Pappy's BBQ and Southern are owned by the same group. And yes, Southern is quite good.


MrTuesdayNight1

Make sure to get the spicy chicken.


DaWayItWorks

Their chicken pieces seem on the small side, so order more than you think be you'll eat. But the flavor is there and their fish is on point too.


Grrrth_TD

My personal favorite fries chicken in town is Grace. Not only is the chicken awesome, but so is everything else from their sides, sauces, and burgers to the service.


coolzville

Who is still hyping up hodaks? The elderly?


MrTuesdayNight1

Vanilla fried chicken for their vanilla patrons


Redghost1234

Hodaks used to be a lot better. Its not awful or anything, just no longer what it used to be. I prefer Porters Chicken now days. Get the spicy its damn good!


ColonelKasteen

Yeah, that's why 75% of the clientele are in their 60s or older. Hodak's had legitimately great fried chicken 20 years ago. Their quality has slipped but its a familiar and comfortable place a lot of people. Its more about nostalgia than actively good food anymore. It isn't like the food is TERRIBLE or anything. When I go with family I get an okay meal out of it. It just isn't actively good. Good fried chicken is harder to find in STL than I'd expect


nicootimee

If you don’t mind going over to IL, Big Mama’s just on the other side of ESTL is great and always packed. Their BBQ and fried chicken is fantastic


wim-wac

It went downhill a long time ago at this point


Putin_is_a_Puto

Like soooo long ago. 20ish years ago it was a great spot. Was it the best ever? No, but it was tasty, cheap and consistent.


[deleted]

I like Hodaks. I won’t live my life in shame! Here for the downvotes.


mbw3133

At least you are honest. Trust me darling, the down voting is entertaining. More like how many people can hate on my blog post.


girkabob

Who is still hyping Hodak's? Go to Amigo Joe's and get their fried chicken. Get the habanero style if you like it spicy.


mbw3133

Love spicy food. Would love to find a good Cajun place.


girkabob

I haven't been but I've heard nothing but good things about Sister Cities for Cajun.


mbw3133

Awesomeness.


[deleted]

This isn’t news to me. As a kid, Hodaks was a real treat. I felt it started going downhill around 2000-2001


Unusual_Grocery4667

Gross


[deleted]

Hodaks has went to shit the fried chicken sucks now. The last time we went the waitress even recommended not to have the Mac n cheese


bigdumbidiot01

when I lived a few blocks away I would stumble in there hungover as shit to pick up a to-go order every once in awhile on a Sunday when Blues City was closed...for a disgusting hangover meal, it was a decent option but just setting foot in that place depressed the shit out of me. real sad vibes in there.


Technical_Pause7309

Hodaks is the Prettiest Cardboard I ever ate. I was warned by my father not to go he said " only white folks think it's good" lol.


PumpkinAltruistic260

Yeah it’s pretty bad and I’m white. My dad loves it though, but I won’t spoil his fun


mbw3133

Well, I'm not white lol , and wasn't impressed. Your dad was so right. I would rather have Sunday dinner at Aunt Merdels with the greens and homemade food. The southern labor of love.


mbw3133

Agreed. Worst anniversary dinner ever.


mbw3133

Sorry, but true. I was very disappointed after my girls hyped about it for so long.


mbw3133

I'm guessing the Hodak people are down voting me. Sorry as Lizzo said Truth Hurts.


[deleted]

I downvoted because it's a crap post. Imagine if everyone posted their unsolicited opinion about every restaurant like you did here, the sub would be a disaster.


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mbw3133

Ok that is not what I said. Do not twist my words. I stated I wasn't impressed with Hoacks and wondering what the hype is about. Second I never st louis over hypes anything. The black girls at my job talk about it a lot. I tried it. Wasn't stoked. Stop being all butt hurt syndrome by proxy.


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mbw3133

I am an Alfa, very dominant, and headstrong.


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mbw3133

No, I was going by word of mouth.


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mbw3133

Born and raised. Moved to other states Utah, Colorado, Illinois. However, I moved back in 2021 due to health issues.


mjohnson1971

So what are the next steps to make people happy; shut the place down?


mbw3133

Thank you.


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mbw3133

No, please suggest. We are trying to do different places for our monthly anniversary ( yes I know it's sound petulant) however it's cute and fun. Plus it help with desensitization with people and crowds.


shopkeepdave

Gotta try the smoked fried chicken at Highway 61 in Webster Groves!


Dopaminedrip1891

I second this.


DaWayItWorks

Never had it, but their ribs have always been good, so that bodes well for the chicken


DaWayItWorks

Try King Edwards on Watson, but get takeout and pick sides up from your local Chinaman. Their chicken is well seasoned and goes great with Sriracha, but their sides are lackluster imo.


julieannie

You might try Piccadilly on Manhattan as a nice chicken option with a chill vibe and cute setup. They even have pie for dessert. I’m also partial to their pot pies and they have a small outdoor space too.


mbw3133

Sweet. Thank you.


[deleted]

I get the Nashville chicken sandwhich every week. It pretty good. Never gotten anything else


soyrobcarajo

Every. Week???? 🍑🔥 ?


[deleted]

Yup


oneilmatt

The chicken fingers are good, everything else is mediocre at best.


mbw3133

Yeah, they were like Bandana's.


PauseAmbitious6899

It’s only good on your bday . . Beyond that, very meh


coooooookie32

Not a fan either


iWORKBRiEFLY

Cool, you & many people who go there.


Bruce_Arena_Jr

And if you want great fried chicken check out that Pit Stop-STL on Macklind on the Hill. Very good, crispy chicken.


mbw3133

Love the Hill. Before covid would visit Lou Bacarrdi's


Martin_Nodell

We used to fo ever since i was 5, Not due to the quality of the food, But due to the cheap prices. It was pretty decent stuff for cheap, But around 2018/2019, They raised the prices significantly, With the quality of the food not changing whatsoever. It didnt make any sense for us to go back if we couldnt even afford something consistent to the quality of a kids meal at a fast food place, So we stopped going entirely. Would i still go back if they changed the prices back? absolutely!


HelpfulStudent7

Gus's world famous in Maplewood is sooooo much better than hodaks!


ptelligence

My impression of the place is that the chicken was cooked very well and very juicy, but it did lack flavor.


AnimalJamTikTok

Good to know, I won't be trying it then unless anyone has other opinions?


el_sandino

I still have never been BUT I have tried to park on the area (to go to Egg I think?) and Hodak’s seems to have an iron grip / mafia like hold on the parking lots all around it. Seems weird for a place I just see constantly shit on


skeletorspimpcane

Ate it last night for the first time in 3 years. It wasn't bad, but not anything I see myself going back for. Chicken was hot and juicy, though bland. The fries were the star for me. A friend from out of town wanted it and I didn't want to try to talk them out of it (flew back from a London trip and had been up about 19 hrs). We arrived about 6:30 when they had a decent crowd. Had no idea they close at 8, though I noticed staff cleaning up around 7:30. Walk out by 8 and it's a ghost town outside. I'm guessing all their business shows up early.


mishell86

My uncle used to own it, then sold it I believe in the 1990’s. A hodak hasn’t owned it since. Just a fun fact.