Poulet Du Jour — Restaurant in Hermosa Beach

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this family owned and operated poultry palace. Yes, it’s an unassuming, in the midst of a strip mall, along busy PCH, palace. Don’t let the facade fool you.

Oh, and the garlic sauce is just SO delicious - ask for extra - and don’t expect to make out with anyone afterward or have a big meeting the next day, unless they’ve all had it too, because you’ll definitely wreak of garlic for at least 24 hours afterward, but you know what...it’s all well worth it...and besides, garlic is extremely good for your health - so just dive in.

And so I’ve completely digressed.

As I was saying, the chicken is fantastic here and so are the simple, hearty sides of fresh steamed veggies, rice and potato salad too. Personally, I like to spoon a little heap of the veggies, rice and a several small pieces of chicken breast into a pita and dip it all into the garlic sauce and do my best to savor each delectable bite. However I always seem to end up devouring everything much too quickly. As long as this little place keeps serving up amazing, healthy, savory chicken dinners I look forward to the repercussions of 24 hour garlic breath and failing at...

It's hard to tell you in words what the experience is like to take the first bite of this magnificent food. You open the door of this family owned and operated restaurant...and the smell hits your nose immediately! You have just entered another dimension of culinary artistry! Food at it's finest! The chicken stands on it's own. One smell...one bite and you are hooked! Perfectly seasoned and prepared..fall-off-the-bone tender. The "hot hummus" is silky smooth...the heat just starts as a tickle...then builds and builds...releasing maximum full flavor. This is truly so hard to do. It takes the total understanding of the "alchemy"...or "chemically" how to combine and balance ALL taste dimentions of the food, at-the-same-time...that's very rare! The best falafel's I have eaten this side of Australia. He makes them from scratch (soooo much work) but the end result...perfection! Nael...the owner chef, is a master at his craft. He "brags" he is fondly known in the neighborhood as "the chicken Nazi"...he takes it so seriously...and we reap the benefits. Perfection in EVERY bite! On my top 10...

The menu is not expansive but everything on it is amazing. Personally I have two items I adore here and I always have a hard time deciding between them. The best Cesar salad in the south bay, but if you're here for lunch don't discount the falafel sandwich, it's soooooooooooo good! Everything here is great and every person I go with has there own specific thing they cannot stray from. If you haven't been here you'll be amazed at how busy they are, between the Togo orders and people eating here, if it's open its busy. Don't be put off by the casual service, most people who go here are regulars, if you want a drink, go get it, If you want the bill, go pay it, food will come to your table but otherwise your mostly on your own, it's not that they aren't friendly, it's just super casual cause...