Reader: Southern Hospitality looks like a hip Cracker Barrel

Ryan Tedder, the lead singer with One Republic and a Grammy-winner for his work in the recording studio, knows his music -- but does he know food? Tedder jumped on board at the Hell's Kitchen location of Justin Timberlake's Southern Hospitality, and now Tedder and his father are bringing the...

By Patricia Calhoun

May 11, 2012

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Ryan Tedder, the lead singer with One Republic and a Grammy-winner for his work in the recording studio, knows his music -- but does he know food? Tedder jumped on board at the Hell's Kitchen location of Justin Timberlake's Southern Hospitality, and now Tedder and his father are bringing the restaurant to LoDo.

They've inked a deal to put Southern Hospitality into the old St. Elmo's building, and if that goes well, they could expand the franchise with thirty stores across the country.

But is this just Planet Hollywood for the hip?

More like Cracker Barrel, says Philo99:

It looks like a Cracker Barrel without all the fancy decorations.

Knowing how much the health conscience people of Denver love things like BBQ and fried Twinkies, I'm sure it will be a huge hit. Maybe Paula Dean can stop by and give a lecture on diabetes.

Out of curiosity I checked out the New York location on Yelp, where it received a spectacular 2 1/2 stars.

Denver needs more good barbecue -- but will Southern Hospitality get a warm welcome here? Post your thoughts below.

Follow @CafeWestword on Twitter and at facebook.com/denvercafesociety

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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