Hen House

As first time customers, we went on a holiday weekend, another well known local breakfast place was closed, so chances of The Hen House having overflow customers (like ourselves) was pretty strong. When we walked in, one table for two and one for a larger group were only tables left, but counter seats were still aplenty. Well lit, friendly atmosphere, & I was acknowledged immediately. It was also recognized I was uncertain of self seat or not, which was kindly answered with a wave of the arm. I took a chance ordering a meal with multiple opportunities to dissappoint or impress - Steak & eggs. Furthering my risk, I ordered poached eggs & med well steak. The waitress was attentive, it seemed staffing was appropriate, and they were quick to clean a table/counter seat as soon as it was available, allowing the next customer(s) to sit down. My poached eggs were perfect...no runny white, but some runny yolk...Steak was also perfect...and I was very satisfied with both meal & experience. My husband ordered an omelette with side of hash. He was less satisfied with his meal, so the four star rating is given.

I sat at the bar right in front of the grill and watched as the cook flipped English muffins and biscuits with his bare hands. This wouldn’t normally bother me too much but then I watched as he opened a package of raw meat with a knife, splash raw juice on the serving/prep area, put it on the grill with his bare hands, then immediately grab toast from the toaster and start butter it. He never washed his hands once. I’m fairly certain this is a health code violation. However, food was good and staff were friendly.

Have been there twice. Really hard to get service if you’re not a regular as the waitress spends the whole time talking to people she knows. First time we were seated after 5 min and ate, I enjoyed my omelette. Second time, we came in and waited - waitress greeted us and said she’d be back to help us. We stood there for 15 min and she eventually seated regulars that came in after us. We understand it being busy, but at least getting seated would’ve been nice - as the restaurant is very cramped. We weren’t acknowledged for 15 min, so we left and instead enjoyed an amazing brunch at the Gardner Ale House. Hope they can be a little more considerate of their patrons, food was good but I won’t return after that experience.

Well I'm completely convinced that there are no decent places in Gardner to enjoy a meal beside the 99 restaurant or Dugays. Stopped here yesterday opened the door and saw 75 percent of the table's covered in uneaten food and dirty dishes and the only place available to sit was the counter. Unfortunately I have problems with my back and spine. So that was not an option. Thought I'd give them a second chance today. Well the eggs were cooked perfectly, but the butter (or what ever it was) tasted spoiled. The toast was barely toasted, the home fries were cold and nasty and the bacon was almost black and the coffee could remove paint. Lastly I received the check and waited 15 minutes for waitress to cash it out, Never happened!, The waitress was awesome! Not her fault way too many people and table's for one person to care for. She also had some very nice buns 😋. Unfortunately I won't be returning.