The Most Popular ‘Hole in the Wall’ Restaurants in the Hudson Valley

It can be fun to get dressed up and have a fancy night out on the town, but sometimes you just want to have a great meal in a casual spot that doesn't care if you're wearing a three-piece suit or your pajamas.

"Hole-in-the-Wall" is a term of endearment for a business that seems to put all of their attention into the food they serve rather than the design of the restaurant. Not to say that that hole-in-the-wall establishments aren't without their own unique charm, but look elsewhere if you're trying to dine at a place that requires reservations or a dress code. But where should you go in the Hudson Valley?

The Best Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants in the Hudson Valley, NY

That was the exact question posed recently in the Hudson Valley community Facebook page, and with nearly 400 comments, it was clear that local diners all had a favorite casual spot. While we can't cover them all, five restaurants had the most mentions among the many nominations.

Pete's Hot Dogs in Newburgh, NY

Pete's Hot Dogs in Newburgh, NY had many nominations from Orange County, NY residents as the best hole-in-the-wall spot in the Hudson Valley. With an average 4.7-star rating on Google from nearly 800 reviews, it seems that most of the Internet agrees as well. Crowd favorites are the chili dog as well as the "kraut and mustard". Also as with many classic hole-in-the wall establishments, Pete's is cash only.

Red Pepper Diner in Beacon, NY

The Red Pepper Diner in Beacon, NY has been a favorite for years, and while the exterior is so well cared for that it's almost hard to define the restaurant as a "hole-in-the-wall", perhaps it's the fact that the restaurant is almost hiding in plain sight that gives it the needed street cred. They are a favorite for both traditional diner food as well as Sri Lankan dishes (above).

Holy Dog in Middletown, NY

Holy Dog in Middletown, NY has a near-perfect 4.9-star Google rating from 660 local reviews. Hot dogs seem to go hand-in-hand with the hole-in-the-wall theme, and Holy Dog has built up a loyal following. As one 5-star review said, "Down to earth/ good vibes/ comfort food at its finest. Love it."

Gino's in Wappingers Falls, NY

There may not be a more classic location for a "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant than in an unassuming strip mall. Curious diners are rewarded for looking past the fact that Gino's is located next to a nail salon and dry cleaning business with food that one reviewer called "perfected and out of this world".

Shirley's India in New Rochelle, NY

While New Rochelle may be a stretch to fall in the "Hudson Valley" category, there's one special reason it was included on the list. As one commenter put it, the restaurant is "literally a hole in the wall". While that may not be exactly true, Shirley's only offers take out or delivery, meaning that it's small enough to not be able to offer any seating options. Hole-in-the-Wall, indeed! But wait...

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...there's more. While no list of Hudson Valley restaurants can ever be complete, there are still at least 14 more that need mention. Check out the dining options that don't get the attention they deserve below, and keep scrolling to plan your trip on New York's "Ice Cream Trail".