The Local Hen — Restaurant in Oviedo

The Foodie Factory just opened up less than 100 yards away from my apartment, so of course I need to check out every restaurant that ever opens up there. One of the original restaurants that opened up with it is this place, the Local Hen! Cute décor, obviously appealing to Oviedoans, and with a banging looking menu. Would the food be banging, too?

Uh yes, it was.

I ordered, like I always do when I see a new one, the Classic Chicken & Waffles (Seasoned fried Chicken breast, served with 2 Sugar Pearl Waffles and warm Maple Syrup). And this was a good rendition of it. Two, good-sized, well-breaded chicken breast cutlet patties. Very moist and juicy. Standard pearl waffles, very warm and soft and chewy, crunchy when you run into a pearl, juuust sweet enough.

It came with a nice, warm, maple syrup on the side for dipping. I was very happy with it. No complaints. I would like it, though, if they offered a savory version of it. No pearls, maybe some hot sauce dipping sauce. Just throwing it out there.

I also got the chance to taste the The Hen's Locals Fried “Messy” Chicken Sandwich (Toasted rustic bread with bacon, dressed lettuce, onions & a drizzle of our pimento cheese sauce. Comes with American Fries). Nice, soft ciabatta roll with the same, nice-sized chicken patty from earlier. Lots of good veg, and a small dollop of that pimento cheese sauce. Could have used more, it was very good!

And for funsies, we ordered an extra side of Mac & Cheese. Ooey, gooey, could have used some bread crumbs, but just lovely on the side of this decadent, Southern meal.

Overall, this was a wonderful little meal that was even better because it's just a few steps away from my front door, so I can pretty much go back and eat it whenever I want. Lots of other good stuff on their menu, too, so I'll probably be a repeat customer for a...

Honestly the most disappointing experience I’ve had in recent memory at any restaurant. I decided to try this place out, got the Mac and cheese with fried chicken. The chicken was quite bland and on the verge of being dry, and the Mac and cheese was anything but creamy and tasty, quite dry it was with a weak flavor as well. Icing on the cake was when I was offered a drink by the gentleman who brought out my food, and so I took him up on a microscopic glass of tea. Then, I try to leave, and the lady working the front calls me out for not paying for it, but not a soul bothers to ask about my food or experience, or show any real hospitality (except for when I was offered the drink). I just thought it was a small compliment for my first visit to help make me feel more at home and enjoy myself, anything but that it was. The owner or higher up manager was way more focused on the female working than anything else, hell that could have been a customer, but I caught the vibe quite well and am assuming he has some role with the restaurant by the way they were mingling and he was posted at the bar the entire time. Overall every aspect I was looking for was missing and it’s quite unfortunate as this is close to home. If I’m being honest there’s absolutely no reason to even give this place a chance based off my experience, but clearly lots of folks have experienced otherwise and I hope for the best for this restaurant. In conclusion, I don’t think the food was worth paying for, much less the drink, but I see where this place stands on service/hospitality and that’s all I need to know, especially with food...

I like this place! I wouldn’t say love, as I wouldnt consider it one of my favorites in Oviedo, but IT IS one of my favorites in the food factory area. Out of the other options in the plaza, this one surpasses the rest for me personally.

They have some good pulled pork sliders, and their Caesar salad is yummy as well! But before you think, meh, maybe it’s just mediocre — let me tell you about the real allure here.

I think the highlight for me at The Local Hen, is the MIMOSAS!🍸 They have or had a lavender mimosa at one point, that i absolutely love. They have a good variety and i believe they do some kind of bottomless deal, but i can’t quite remember the details. It may be something to ask about before you order. But, the mimosas are so good they were actually on my mind yesterday. I think the food is good don’t get me wrong, but the drinks here are just chefs kiss Also the service here is amazing, i would say I haven’t been to another location in the food factory that had such wonderful staff. There was a young woman who was working, I believe her name may have been Polly — and she was very sociable, friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant. As mentioned in previous reviews, when i come to a bar, i am looking for the bartenders to be somewhat sociable and inviting and she did just that! She struck up a conversation without overwhelming guests, and made appropriate food recommendations based on my preferences! Overall I would say that if you’re looking for drinks and great conversation, definitely swing by...