Brisbane's first American diner, The Ohio Cafe in Clayfield, opened during World War II to provide hungry US military personnel with a taste of home. It's there to this day, still dishing up classic burgers.
There's been an American food revival of late, with venues branching from burgers to more regionalised tastes.
The latest, Hudson Corner Barbecue and Ale, opened just down the road from the Ohio in Albion last week with a southern barbecue focus. The owner, you might be surprised to hear, is dietitian Matt Lim.
“Yes, the meat may be rich but as a dietitian I'm aware of portions, plus there's plenty of vegetables and fresh parts of the meal to provide balance,” Lim says.
He's been cooking up a storm (tornado?) at the Eagle Farm markets in recent times with Wildfire Barbecue and Grill but decided to put down more permanent roots just across the road from the former Albion Mill.
Despite the "American barbecue and Ale House" signage, the craft beer is on hold while a license is procured, but Lim, himself a keen home brewer, says to expect lots of American pale ale, brown ale and German beers, hopefully by the year's end. In the meantime, diners are welcome to BYO.
As to food, the barbecue part of the name will be represented by slow-cooked pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked barbecue wings and other traditional southern American-style meat dishes based on quality produce, Lim says.
There'll also be an incursion across the Tex-Mex border with homemade corn tortillas and pulled pork nachos with fresh salsa.
Hudson Corner is open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday and diner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. There's also a takeaway menu.
Hudson Corner, 10 Albion Road (Corner of Hudson), Albion, facebook.com/hudsoncorner
Other American-style venues to try out:
Carolina Kitchen, 38 Macaulay Street, Coorparoo, 3847 8227
Mighty Mighty, Shop 6/7 100 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley, 3666 0184
Papa Jacks, Corner Connor and McLachlan streets, Fortitude Valley, 3162 8466
PJ Steaks, 2/173 Boundary Street, West End, 3844 1886
Sloppies, 3/226 Leichhardt Street, Spring Hill, 3839 1112
Southside Diner, Shop B8/B9, 168 Grey Street, South Bank, 3844 3040