What does the first day of spring smell like? You might say the air is heady with aromas of wildflowers or a nearby barbecue. But for a gaggle of hungry people in downtown Danville, it was the scent of fried chicken that made this March 20 special.
Hen House, a new chicken shack specializing in sandwiches and rotisserie, opened to much fanfare on Saturday in the former Gotta Eatta Pita space on Hartz Avenue. Maybe it was because Danville doesn’t have a ton of affordable, fast-casual options on that side of town. Maybe it was because word got out that this family-owned business was opening.
Or, maybe, people leaving the farmer’s market drove by, saw the goofy, googly-eyed bird logo on the storefront and made a sharp turn into the parking lot, nearly sending their fluffy Maltese flying into the dashboard. Nope not us (Cotton is fine, by the way).
Across the country, and especially in the Bay Area, we are having a crispy chicken sandwich moment that is more like an era. Whether you’re a Popeye’s fan or a Bakesale Betty devotee, there are enough styles and slaws to send you into a feathered frenzy. And Hen House is poised to be a serious player.
For the opening weekend — we arrived during the first hour of business to a socially-distanced line out the door — the small crew offered a limited menu of rotisserie chicken by the whole ($12) or half ($8) in addition to sides ($2-$7) and a variety of crispy chicken sandwiches (Classic, Nashville Hot, BBQ, Buffalo and Ranch, $7 each).
According to our taste buds, The Classic is made from large chicken thighs coated and fried in a light, non-greasy batter. The sandwich is served on a brioche bun with secret sauce, house-made pickles and mild coleslaw. You can add cheddar sauce to any sandwich for $1. Also look for tenders ($5-$9), wraps ($7), salads ($10-$12) and milkshakes ($3.50).
Opening hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for takeout and outdoor dining on the patio at 110 Hartz Avenue in Danville. See the full menu at https://henhousedanville.com
