Heather K.
Yelp
Although the Grey Lodge is long gone. its spirit lives on, reborn, reimagined and elevated in the Drunken Hen. The new owners, locals, understand its legacy. Paying tribute by reusing the upstairs bar as their counter and most of the iconic tile mosaics remain, not as relics, A bit of nostalgia wrapped in something exciting and new.
The food. This is a more than a chicken joint There is roasted chicken, but the menu contains so much more, like Pernil, beef stew and assorted hot sandwiches.
Now let me tell you about this food!
Chopped salad generous and bring with a dressing that danced lightly over the greens, a perfect refresher as their AC was out. No worries there, they opened those big windows to let the breeze blow through, ensuring our comfort as we dined.
The smash burger was indeed a SMASH! It quite literally raised my standard for what a burger should be. This wasn't just a good burger. This was a culinary work of art. perfectly seasoned fresh ground beef seared with love, slathered with garlicy aioli and served on a toasted bun that didn't just hold up - it showed up.
The Drunken Hen - I have had this sandwich at several places recently and this one... it didn't just rise above - it flew! Chicken cutlet perfectly fried, juicy and tender, vodka sauce and fresh mozzarella all contained within a toasted bun that knew how to support the richness within.
The owner and chef extraordinaire actually popped out to personally speak to us and thank us for stopping in. If you know anything about me and my reviews you know this is a benchmark of how I view a restaurant.The kind of humility and care, it's rare. It lets you know this is more than a business, it's a passion. The ability to realize that if it isn't for your customers, you wouldn't have a business. Taking the time to ask what could have been better and ensuring we were satisfied makes the difference in where I spend my money.
Only open a few months and has a few good things "incubating" (Wines and Brews to come) Drunken Hen already has a lot to be proud of, I can't wait to try the rest of their food items and enjoy a nice glass of wine outdoors this summer! I not only recommend I urge you to give them a try. You won't regret it.