Restaurant Week Contest: Hugo’s
Anyone who’s even remotely familiar with Fayetteville’s dining options has experienced the cozy, eclectic basement restaurant that is Hugo’s. With its dim lights, intimate seating and motley decor, Hugo’s is a place a first-timer walks into and thinks, “Ooh… This is going to be good.” Locals often steer Fayetteville visitors through Hugo’s swinging screen door for a true taste of Original Fayetteville. Just off Fayetteville’s downtown square, the tables are continually full of locals looking for a great meal, a small bite to eat or a nightcap, and it’s inevitable you will see at least one familiar face during your visit. This Fayetteville staple is shoulder-to-shoulder on any given weekend night, so be sure to get there early and put your name on the list – then go grab yourself a drink at the bar, be sure to dodge the wait staff and keep your ears open for your name to be hollered.
Since 1977, Hugo’s has been serving up a diverse American menu, including great sandwiches, monster plates of nachos, grilled meats and fish, and arguably the best burger in Fayetteville – with a basket of inarguably the best homemade French fries in Fayetteville. Hugo’s also caters to the vegetarian crowd, offering up delicious options like the Veggie Reuben, the Avocado Sandwich and a multitude of crepes. And don’t forget dessert – the Grasshopper Crepes are a Fayetteville legend. Hugo’s drink menu also spans the globe with domestic and import beers, a wine selection and a full bar. No one will leave hungry or unsatisfied, and that’s a promise.
Every Fayettevillian has their own Hugo’s memory: “I broke up with my high school boyfriend there – and gorged on the Grasshopper Crepes after he stormed out…” “My best friend worked there through college and said it was the best job of her life.” “I talked my Red-Robin-loving uncle into trying Hugo’s for the Bleu Moon Burger, and now he’s a convert.” “I ate there before prom, even though I didn’t have a date. Don’t judge.” So what’s yours?
Share your most memorable Hugo’s moment with the Flyer and enter to win a $25 gift certificate.
How to enter: Leave a comment and tell us your best Hugo’s memory!
A few rules (read ‘em carefully):
1. You may only enter this specific contest once. If you enter this contest more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified.
2. This contest is open to anyone anywhere except Fayetteville Flyer writers, Hugo’s employees, and their immediate family members.
3. Contest is open until 11:59pm CST on Friday, February 6th, 2009.
4. Make sure you leave a valid e-mail address when filling out the comment form since that’s how we’ll contact you if you’ve won.
5. You’ll have to provide us with your first and last name, and mailing address if you win. Then, we’ll mail you the gift certificate.
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Comments
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sofresh-n-sogay
February 4, 2009
memories are hazy, euphoric fries, ask again later.
Beebs
February 4, 2009
I’ve got lots of good Hugo’s memories but some of the best are eating there before shows at JR’s. Great. Now I’m hungry for a burger and fries at 9:18 in the morning.
P-Dub
February 4, 2009
Yeah, Hugo’s was to JR’s what Hunan Manor was to Clunk. You just didn’t even consider your other options for pre-show grub. I used to be a Derek’s Special guy all the way, but now I’m just obsessive about finding my favorite burger. Too many good ones, so hard to choose. But I still go back to Derek every now an again.
jones
February 4, 2009
My best memory would be a valentines date with a friend at Hugos years and years ago. Said friend became my wife.
Dustin
February 4, 2009
Wow Jones. Good memory.
I can’t win, but I have to echo Beebs and say most of my best memories at Hugo’s involve eating there before shows at JR’s. Hugo’s+JR’s=some pretty awesome nights.
cbc
February 4, 2009
My best memories involve the Blue Cheese
Don
February 4, 2009
I’m a Derek’s man at heart like P=Dub, but I’ve never been disappointed by Hugo’s.
Best memory: A night out with friendsGuiness. Deep Fried Potato Skins. Dereks (for me anyway). Fries, lots of fries.
And, of course, Grasshopper Crepes!
Funny thing was, the pictures on the walls seemed to keep staring at us… following us with their eyes… hmm…..
OhDannyBoy
February 4, 2009
My Hugo’s routine usually begins with several $1 beers at Tables and Ale, basket of fries, cup of beer cheese soup, grasshopper crepe, followed by several more $1 beers at Tables and Ale. That’s a perfect night.
Jcx
February 4, 2009
My bet memory at Hugo’s was watching my friend eat her first Hugo’s burger. She later on told me that it was the only burger she’d had that was undeniably better than her father’s.
Toni Ashcraft
February 4, 2009
The first time I visited Hugo’s was about 10 years ago. My friend told me I would just love it. I thought it was great. My only mistake was splitting the chicken sandwich with my friend….never again. That is my favorite entree and after that first time I always order the whole sandwich for myself!!! My memories are always good there!! Cheers to Hugo’s!
jawikst
February 4, 2009
There are a lot of great memories… but I have memories of being about 13-14 and being dropped of by my parents and eating with my friend Steph and other girls at Hugo’s and then going upstairs to Arsaga’s for dessert/coffee. I think I probably had grasshopper crepes followed by a grasshopper drink upstairs. Only sounds good to a tween.
I also have fond memories of making myself laugh by trying to work the new Chick Fil A on 6th street into all of my comments.
Brett Harkey
February 4, 2009
Hugo’s was the first place I ate in Fayetteville when I moved here in 1996. If I ever move away, it will be the last place I eat in Fayetteville. That day I tried the Derek’s special and was immediately a convert. Then I had the grasshopper crepes and knew this was the beginning of a long relationship with a restaurant.
When my wife and I go out on our weekly dates, Hugo’s is our location at least half the time. Why? Amazing food (the Derek’s special is the best Chicken sandwich I’ve ever had – anywhere), great service, my favorite fries, and Spaten Optimator. And the atmosphere is perfect. Kitchy & original.
This is my favorite place to take out of towners. They always love it.
IncreasethePeace
February 4, 2009
The first time I went back in 1994, I had the Blue Moon burger, fries, and topped that off with some Grasshopper Crepes at the end, and I decided this was good stuff.
Bev
February 4, 2009
There are WAY too many memories to fit inside this comment field, but I’ll try. Kidding. I have to agree with the music boys above and say eating Hugo’s before playing a show at JR’s will forever be among the golden memories. We don’t live in Fayetteville anymore, but when we visit, Hugo’s is always on the to-do list.
George
February 4, 2009
A lot of good memories of just enjoying good food and Purple Haze with friends. The place just feels like true Fayetteville to me. Maybe it’s cheezy, but the atmosphere tends to bring on a nostalgia that is almost goosebumpy. Yes, yes…I’m a fan. Most vivid food memory has to be the first time I ordered the black & blue chicken sandwich (i was a die hard derek’s and burger boy). Wow…good sandwich.
jawikst – At what point do you drop the “new” from the “new Chick Fil A on 6th Street”? It has been open over a year now.
Total Bastard
February 4, 2009
My best Hugo’s memory was probably my second time ever in the restaurant. A friend commented within earshot of the waitress..”It smells like somebody’s smoking weed in the bathroom”.
The waitress stopped, looked in the direction of the “Typewriters” neon sign, sniffed, and said.. “yeah, I think you’re right” and walked off.
Being young and from conservative hometowns, I remember how funny we thought it was that our waitress thought it was no big deal to smell weed in the bathroom at Hugo’s…
Lankford
February 4, 2009
I think someone already mentioned the photos on the wall, but I have to repeat the fact that they are indeed creepy. My girlfriend always has to sit facing away from the photos of the old folks and the “psycho baby”. Scares the crap out of her.
Best memory was the day a good friend introduced me to the Derek’s Special 12 years ago. I never looked back.
Me
February 4, 2009
My best memory would have to be dipping the smoked cheddar burger in the beer cheese soup… oh man I’m hungry now. Wash that down with a Guiness (for some reason I have to have a Guiness at Hugo’s) and then strawberry crepes to go. I don’t understand the popularity of the grasshopper crepes… strawberry ones are much better in my opinion.
Kyle
February 4, 2009
I’ve never ate there, but I would love the gift card to try it out :)
pat dallas
February 4, 2009
I remember when it opened, under Working Class Hero.
Boggy Creek Creature
February 4, 2009
I love the tapestry behind the bar of the girl with the deer.
DragonLady
February 4, 2009
1. Black and Bleu Chicken Sandwich
2. Get the fries on Monday–they’ve been soaking for a day and that’s when they’re the best
3. CHOMO
I once ate there 3 times in one day. I worked there at the time, but still…
jesse
February 4, 2009
. . . the day I first tried mayonnaise and Louisiana hot sauce with homemade fries. Life altering.
Scott Stapp of Creed
February 4, 2009
Brett Harkey is completely on the money about the Spaten Optimator. I will provide love for the guacamole burger and for their bold choice in serving nachos with round tortilla chips as opposed to the traditional triangular.
Be careful for the pipes!
Allen
February 4, 2009
Lots of memories there. Like everyone above I used to go before going to shows at JR’s. But the memory I will squeeze into this box was being taken by my parents for my 21st birthday and having my first legal drink there. But there are many more probably more interesting memories than that lost in my brain somewhere. Hugo’s and the original ROTC were my haunts when I was younger.
jawikst
February 4, 2009
George – I don’t plan to ever drop it. That makes it funnier to me. Ha!
The new Chick Fil A on 6th street also plans to never drop the ball on making hot fresh chicken minis for your breakfast every morning.
Total Bastard
February 4, 2009
I am going to Hugos tonight. HOORAY!
lauren
February 4, 2009
black and bleu chicken burger…just eat it for your own good.
kt
February 4, 2009
I can’t win, however I have a favorite. When I was about 5 or 6 my Mom decided to show me how to call 911 if I ever needed to from the pay phone by the bathrooms. Guess she didn’t know you don’t need coins to make that call and actually dialed it. We returned to our table and a waitress came to ask if I had been playing with the phone because 911 called back. Mom was busted.
reed
February 4, 2009
One time I ate there with about 6 or 7 other people and, completely by coincidence, we all ordered chicken fingers. Gotta love the sweet and sour, especially with fries after the chicken is gone.
halfdeserted
February 5, 2009
When I worked the door at JR’s, my now-husband used to woo me by bringing me avocado sandwiches from Hugo’s for dinner. Ah, true love.
Sherry
February 5, 2009
A co-worker and I ate lunch at Hugos during a break from a meeting we were attending at the hotel, and a gentleman in the restaurant picked up our tab.
Free lunch from a stranger,how cool is that?
George
February 5, 2009
jawikst – I freakin’ love it. I’m a big fan of beating something into the ground. It’s kind of the Family Guy effect. The fact that it often annoys other people makes it all the sweeter.
hogsbreath
February 5, 2009
My favorite memory was after I moved from Fayetteville to start a job at a small law firm in LR (which was an awful experience), but I had to return to take a deposition in Fayetteville. I desparately missed Fayetteville. I was so discouraged about my job, my direction, and the crappy deposition – but I stopped in Hugo’s after the depo, had a blue moon burger, a couple of Black & Tans, and the world seemed right again. I quit my job later that year. I don’t care if I win a gift certificate, I’m happy to pay for Hugo’s. I go there every time I come back to Fayetteville.
Eric
February 5, 2009
BURGERS….HMMMMMM… Now I’m hungry!
Nichole
February 5, 2009
My husband took me to Hugos for our first date after moving to Arkansas. He grew up here and had been telling me about Hugos for three years before we moved. He was right- The food was fantastic!
roger
February 5, 2009
I had some macho nachos at hugo’s yesterday even though i’m a yellow bellied coward, literally. i have a rare skin disease which makes my belly skin yellow, also i wear a yellow primer base on said area to get pity-points from chicks. this isn’t a story, more like an explanation. i’m also lactose intolerant but ate the nachos anyway, knowing i would be sick all night. i’m also intolerant to waitresses who insist i wear a shirt when eating.
Total Bastard
February 5, 2009
Hey Hugo’s, here’s proof giving away a meal worked on the Flyer. I took two buddies to Hugo’s last night for beers and food and dessert. Spent 60+ bucks in all.
Not bad, eh?
Afterwards I went to West Mountain for some beers and to watch the last second basketball loss.
christine
February 5, 2009
Went last night and my friend ate a whole basket of fries to himself! That was pretty amazing…
Kim Agee
February 5, 2009
The year: 1978
I was a UA freshman, living in Yocum, steadfastly avoiding my Fayetteville family. My mom was laying traps (mostly involving food!) with the goal of getting me to spend a little time with her, my dad, and my sisters. She and some of her coworkers at Uptown School met on Friday afternoons for libations and snacks…so she calls and tells me about this new place in some basement off the square, Hugos…where they have a dish called “natchos”. She pronounced them “Nat–choos”; “they’re a bunch of corn chips with chili and cheese melted on ‘em”. Well, that didn’t sound too bad, and the offer of a beer tempted my 18-year-old heart enough to get me to spend an hour with my parents. So I rode my bike down off the hill, chained it to those red pipes, walked down the stairs into the low murmur of conversation and the beer-scented air that pervades the undoubted Center of Coolness in Fayetteville….and when I stood up from that table, I was a changed man.
Dgold
February 6, 2009
Taking pictures of a server in Hugo’s for a newspaper ad!
Julie Zeigler
February 6, 2009
Hugos.
I was a vegetarian for about 10 years, started adding fish and chicken to my diet first. Then I started craving beef. I wanted a hamburger. Bad. I inquired of my meat-eating friend where I should go and almost everyone recommended Hugo’s. I ventured there and ordered a hamburger with the works and a cold brew. It was an exceptional experience for my mouth, I must say.
Exceded expectations. I still go there when I have that craving but not very often as now I am a single mom and there’s not much room in the budget for eating out. Please help me.
Thanks,
Julie Ziegler
Kevin
February 6, 2009
Back in 1979 I ran into my cousin Alan just before lunch. He suggested we go to Hugo’s for lunch. Alan insisted that I try the Beef Stroganoff crepes. I’d never had a crepe and wasn’t really sure what one was. Back then, they used tenderloin in the Stroganoff, and I thought it was fantastic. Then Alan insisted we have dessert with lunch. Decadent, you say? So what. The strawberry crepes were magnificent. I later figured out the magic of the topping is bits of cream cheese in the whipped cream.
This was the same cousin who took me to Pizza Hut and ordered Canadian Bacon, which I’d never heard of, when I first came to America in 9th grade. He said I’d like it, and I did.
Lubsy
February 6, 2009
I’ve only eaten there once, so that would have to be my favorite memory! Just me and my hubby before babies… Sure would like to relive that memory! I hear the lemon mousse is good too. Love the atmosphere!
Tracie
February 6, 2009
Hugo’s is the best restaurant in Fayetteville. I think I have tried almost everything on the menu at one time or another. When I go to Hugo’s it’s usually with lots of friends on our girls’ nights out. It is so much fun. My favorite thing is the fries of course…and I do love the apple pie with whipped cream. So good. :)
SteezyDeezy
February 6, 2009
Enjoying all of the stories…. The tapestry behind the bar… nice :) The steam pipe running along the wall to the bathrooms next to the tables for 2, awesome after coming in on a cold winter’s day.
Urk
February 6, 2009
Pat Dallas, I’m glad someone else remembers the Working Class Hero.
Hugo’s was my first restaurant job, sometime in the very early 80s. I got the job because my friend, who was a busboy called the owner the night that Cheap Trick played at Barnhill and told her that he didn’t think it would be very busy, so he wasn’t gonna come in. Lee Tomboulian still played piano there sometimes, and one of the waiters insisted on playing “Street Life” by The Crusaders all the time. Actually, i think there were only 3-4 cassettes and they got played alot. I had my first afterhours beer(s) at Hugos, and did smoke weed in the bathroom, but not during business hours. I had a halfway crazy affair with a waitress who was 11 years older than me. I worked there again in the early 90s and this time when I quit one of the other cooks and I initiated an epic foodfight in the kitchen. I won.
As a customer I love the burgers and fries am not too crazy aobut the “burrito cheese” that goes on the nachos, and secretly love the chocolate “Mousse” which is actually sweetened condensed milk and chocolate syrup, frozen.