Hen House Eatery — Restaurant in Minneapolis

5 Star Part: Food is always consistent and well-prepared so the kitchen staff and food runners deserve the 5 full stars. I have had their biscuits and gravy, the chicken and waffle, their pancakes, and their breakfast hash and all the recipes I've ordered across my visits are wonderfully executed in their kitchen and everything is consistent, HOT, and attention to plating and detail is excellent.

1 Star Part: This last visit, however, the staff working the bar seating area, was inconsistent and quite a disappointment. It is disappointing given that there were multiple hand-offs but slow service on a weekday morning when table traffic is not at its peak. The two young ladies working the bar swapped back and forth and I couldn't really tell who was taking point in taking my order, asking for the check, offering a refill, etc. Neither were consistent and one definitely was lacking in their service.

I witnessed one of the ladies talking to I assume a regular patron and swapping phones and looking at pictures and then went out of her way to offer tourism attractions to out of towners across on the other side of the bar. I was the only one at the bar in my vicinity that was NOT offered a refill nor asked if the food was prepared well as I heard all the other patrons were asked from the two ladies. No follow up whatsoever, I had to initiate every stop/ask until departure.

*Perhaps the bar staff all just interchangeably works all seats but given that only one of the two (who happened to be tending to the farthest opposite side of the bar and was making drinks for other tables) made the only attempt to get me a to-go container for leftovers, and got a bakery item after I stopped and asked her, I won't give a default 20% tip to the different server whose only jump to help was taking my bill as if that would give her dibs on claiming tip.

Overall: The food is top notch, no reason to miss out on awesome brunch dishes and a downtown spot. Excellent place to still go, but pro-tip: ask to be seated in the dining room area and not the bar to ensure you know who is owning their zone and the experience of...

Rating: 5.5 Stars

Well, I officially blame the Hen House Eatery for cinnamon roll pancakes being my favorite food. This is ground zero for my cinnamon roll pancake and pancake addiction in general. While I have not had the privilege of dining here since October of 2017, I still proudly speak of the Hen House Eatery to any foodie who will listen. As a dental educator in St. Louis, my students from Minneapolis and/or Minnesota have heard plenty about this restaurant. When first attending a dental residency conference nearby, my co-residents and I happened upon this restaurant by divine intervention. Like I said previously, it was here that I fell in love with cinnamon roll pancakes. It was Friday, October 2nd, 2015, and I will never forget that date. When I returned to Minneapolis in 2016 for the same residency conference, the first thing that I did was RUN to the Hen House Eatery to order the pancakes again because I had spent over a year dreaming of them. The date: October 14th, 2016. I hated that the conference that I was attending provided breakfast because I would have loved to go here multiple times. Fast forward to my third and final year of the conference, and I yet again IMMEDIATELY returned here for this same meal after waiting and dreaming of it for another year plus. The date: October 27th, 2017. It was at this third--and unfortunately final--visit to the Hen House Eatery that I finally had the restraint to take a picture of the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Yes, they are documented; and yes, they do exist! At this particularly visit, they lasted a record 2 minutes and 30 seconds. These pancakes had incredible flavor and just look like perfect cinnamon rolls. Perfect taste. No syrup necessary.

Honest to God, it is because of the Hen House Eatery that I am begging for a reason to return to Minneapolis. This is still in my top two favorite breakfast places in America. Please give them the business during this trying time. You will be so glad that you did! I am glad that I am finally getting around to...

If you’re looking for the ultimate brunch experience in Minneapolis, look no further than Hen House Eatery. This place absolutely nails it on every level—from the food to the service to the vibe, it’s a standout spot that I can’t recommend enough.

First off, let’s talk about the Bloody Marys. These aren’t your average brunch cocktails—Hen House’s Bloody Marys are practically a meal on their own and packed with bold flavor, the perfect balance of spice and savory. They somehow manage to be both over-the-top and totally drinkable. Plus, that garnish game? Legendary.

Now, onto the omelettes—they’re fluffy, packed with fresh ingredients, and just downright delicious. Every bite tastes like it was made with care, and the portions are generous without being overwhelming. Pair one with their homemade jam and toast and you’re golden. Speaking of the jam—wow. It’s that sweet, tangy, fruit-forward kind of homemade goodness that instantly makes you wonder why you ever settled for store-bought.

And here’s the wildcard: the chicken tortilla soup. I don’t even know how to explain this—it’s soup for breakfast, which sounds totally insane until you take a bite and then suddenly everything makes sense. It’s rich, hearty, perfectly spiced, and absolutely packed with flavor. It might just be the best thing on the menu, and I say that as someone who came for eggs and cocktails.

Finally, shoutout to Danielle, our server, who was everything you’d hope for and more—friendly, fast, funny, and genuinely made the whole experience even better. She knew the menu like the back of her hand and had amazing recommendations (yes, she insisted we try that soup—and thank goodness she did).

Hen House Eatery is a Minneapolis gem and totally worth the hype. Whether you’re local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and get in there for brunch. You’ll be talking about it long after...