Roderick Hudson, a local barbeque icon, is the executive cook at the newly opened T & T Diner in North Chicago. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

North Chicago was always known for little under-the-radar places, whether diners or barbeque spots, with the word spreading quickly about where the best-cooked food could be found.

In 2009, Roderick Hudson began cooking grill and barbeque meats out of a corner in a gas station at the corner of 22^nd Street and Lewis Avenue. This was one such place.

“I learned to cook from family members, and their friends that were the best when it came to teaching,” said Hudson. “They did things by feel, and know how much of what to put in. I just kept doing it, and refining my own style.”

Hudson has now joined with family members to open a diner in the municipality, and again word of mouth is spreading through the community over its comfort-food menu. The T & T Diner, located at 2234 Green Bay Road, has now turned into a second home for the former volunteer football coach of North Chicago Flames, at the town’s youth center.

Susan Dixon, Hudson’s aunt, greets customers and handles counter duties at the T & T Diner. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

“Everybody in the family had input on the food choices, but I’m the executive cook,” said Hudson. “We saw the building was vacant, it was a former Hunan-style restaurant, and took about four months of renovation, from top to bottom, to what it is now … real comfortable. We’ve been open since late June, and this is good to be with family.”

A local barbeque icon, his two-year stay at the station carried a reputation for the tender meats and sauces. After closing down, other barbeque restaurants in Lake County approached him to cook for them.

As a result, he and family members launched Nardo’s Restaurant in 2014, near Route 176 in Lake Bluff. The sit-down establishment found success with Hudson manning the smoker unit and supervising the kitchen. Leaving a short time afterwards, the matter of finding the right situation for another business was paramount.

“Nardo’s was named after one of my cousins, who was shot during a home invasion and died in the hospital … he tried to defend his family,” he said. “We wanted to honor him. The restaurant was an exciting time and we made many new friends there. Once we found this site in North Chicago, we worked on the place … being surrounded by family is what makes this so special.”

An uncle, Terry Usher, and a cousin, Tony Usher, came into the fold and took part in getting the effort moving forward. Another cousin, De-Aushea Usher, works behind the counter, and Susan Dixon, Hudson’s aunt, keeps things on an even keel by providing a matriarchal influence.

“All the family came together to get done, what needs to get done,” she said.

The menu has constantly been shaping up through addition and attrition before turning the corner on comfort food.

Diane Lezine bakes and brings homemade cakes to the diner several times a week.

“My sister, Ruby Bryant, makes banana pudding and the homemade sweet potatoes,” said Dixon. “It has butter in it, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. The nutmeg is what gives that special taste. She also makes the potato salad with eggs.”

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the standard dishes available, the menu continues to evolve on the morning fare.

“For breakfast, we have shrimp and grits, salmon coquettes and rice, and catfish fillets,” Dixon said. “Sundays are all about greens, mac ’n’ cheese, cabbage, baked beans, and spaghetti … the comfort foods. Fridays, we want to start a fish fry with spaghetti.”

Hudson is looking forward to the future, and having the current venture reach the level of his past gains and accolades.

“The real reward is in knowing that people enjoy the food I cook, and keep coming back. Regular customers are starting to come by now, and they’re like friends now. It’s more like a family atmosphere, and I like that.”