You’re looking for an escape from routine, and wings sound really good. You choose a restaurant, perhaps almost at random, and find yourself inside. Light, bright colors and distressed wood, a tropical mural, surfboards....You feel a lovely cool wave of laidback energy crash over you like an exuberant embrace. Then you realize that, yes, that is sand, and, yes, that’s six-foot dune grass. Are you on Florida’s Treasure Coast?
As of the time of printing, Hurricane is available for take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery.
No, you’re in the warm embrace of Hurricane Grill & Wings right here in the Hudson Valley. Hurricane is a smallish family-run chain that originated in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1995 and found a winning formula in big, fresh wings prepared 35 different ways and a breezy tropical vibe. And while many larger chains are failing to compete with the many independent chef-owners of the Hudson Valley’s foodshed, Hurricane Grill & Wings has been thriving. The Poughkeepsie location opened in 2013 and the streamside Newburgh restaurant in 2016.
It’s a sports lover’s paradise, with 20 TVs so that nobody misses out on a game, and 24 beers on tap, ranging from local craft brews to macro labels. But it’s also a full-service family place with a quieter dining room. Garage doors roll open when the weather is nice, joining the four-sided bar to the patio area with its white Aruba sands. “The kids can make sand castles while their parents relax at a high-top,” Anthony says.
“We have lots of tropical drinks....You may or may not be in a position to be a snowbird, but this way you can get that sweet tropical feel without the plane ride, any time. Kick back, and you’ll forget where you are.” Variety is part of the Hurricane Grill & Wings trademark; besides those 35 wing flavors and half-dozen dipping sauces, there are specialties like garlic ‘n parm fries, firecracker shrimp and riptide calamari, and a mouthwatering selection of burgers and tacos. “A couple of our burgers are really interesting,” Anthony says, and you can always build your own from a long list of topping choices. Another popular treat on the menu, recently added, is personal pizzas.
It’s a sports lover’s paradise, with 20 TVs so that nobody misses out on a game, and 24 beers on tap, ranging from local craft brews to macro labels.
There’s a robust selection of salads, too; Anthony is a fan of the grilled ahi tuna. “We have the Impossible Burger and it’s doing well; we do gluten-free offerings too,” he says. “We want everyone to feel comfortable and be satisfied.” There’s a kids’ menu, and, along with the chicken tenders and mac-n-cheese, young diners will find wings and quesadillas in portions sized just for them.
Hurricane Grill & Wings takes pride in offering the Hudson Valley a lively, laidback, and tasty option for a family dinner out or a casual date night. And when what you want is a truly great sports bar, the Hurricane Grill & Wings folks have you covered through and through. “Football Sundays are just so much fun here,” says Anthony, who played soccer for Hamilton but is clearly an enthusiast of many sports. “And I love when the kids’ teams come in....We take care of a lot of different needs.”
hurricane grill & wings
9 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie | 845-243-2222
829 Broadway, Newburgh | 845-562-8200
hurricanewings.com
