We have been to FAT HEN before and the Food never excited us ... not they are closing Shop and yesterday I had the BEST Dinner ... weird and I can'' explain. Place was "packed" and we waited 30 minutes for our reserved Table for 6 ... not my Cup of Tea for sure (I hate waiting - usually I leave after 15 minutes)
Adam McCardell
The most underwhelming food for the price. Must be paying for the candle light. Plus when we tried to tell the manager that the "beef brisket" looked and tasted like pulled pork with manwitch sauce he aggressively tapped the check and said pay the bill and walked off. They are lucky the lawyer in my family wasn't with us because they are false advertising and price gouging on meals we have literally made better at home. Don't waste your time or money here. Do yourself a favor and get one of those slightly better microwave meals from the grocery store and a candle. You will be much more satisfied
SC568
Have been coming to Kiawah for years and usually multiple times per year and always have eaten at Fat Hen. We were in SC this past week and ate there twice. The second time was the night the staff was told they were closing. Very sad news. Will leave a big hole. love everything about Fat Hen and the institution will be missed terribly. :(:(:( My last meal was the Pork Chop and it was off the charts great. Thank you very much, Fat Hen, for the memories.
RonH294
My husband and I were at this restaurant same time and same day as the last customer. We had very different experiences!!!! Most wonderful dinner and service and house wine and Humidity beer( which he enjoyed greatly) squash rice was a vegetarian dish that anyone would love ( field peas are my favorite- grew up in eastern NC and have shelled a few of these) mussels were outstanding and pork chop done to perfection. We had planned to make reservations for our next trip and found out that the owners ,chef Are retiring as of Saturday April 24! We are saddened but understand . Best to them!
fullpricej
We love this restaurant and have been eating here for years. Never had a bad meal or service experience. Interesting drinks, delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. Sadly it is closing.
hcwhitaker
We had a great meal at Fat Hen last fall when we were in Kiawah so wanted to try it again and made a 5:15 res for outside since our year-old grandbaby was with us. We all ordered appetizers and then daughter-in-law and I both ordered the chicken confit. Server returned a few minutes later to say that (at 5:40!) they were already sold out of the chicken (seriously?). DIL eats not much except protein and veg and asked if there was a non-carb side option if she got the salmon. Server seemed very exasperated and said that there were no options other than the all-carb sides on the menu — no effort to accommodate. My pasta and grilled shrimp was marginal, other entrees were pretty mediocre as well. Service was minimal, and no one ever came to ask if we needed anything else (including drink refills.) When the bill came, I was shocked at the total, then noticed that we had been charged for the 2 chicken entrees we didn’t get as well as the replacements. The manager I asked to correct the bill was also uninterested in our unhappy experience... I understand there aren’t many dining options outside the resort property but this was one of those nights that seriously left a ‘bad taste’ all around... Normally I don’t bother writing an unfavorable review but apparently other people have had similar experiences. We’ll stick with Wild Olive next trip!
yourbizdr
This place is just good, all around. The menus is eclectic, French, yummy. Everything we tried was good, there was a lot of sharing; Mussles, Short Ribs, Soups, Bone Marrow it was all amazing. Drinks were good, atmosphere was great as was service.
nancy Nolen
Fat hen has the best staff! They are super friendly and helpful. Food is always delicious!
Sara M.
Good food. They offer take out and will even bring it curbside. Haven't been inside since before covid but have eaten at their outdoor area several times. The food remains to the same high standard. The Hen's food is even better than the fancy new royal tern's. It's the best place on the island imo! Hopefully they will get rid of the mask policy now that people have had their vaccines.
DianeW370
First, I need to say I left a message with the manager to call me, so we can discuss my complaints privately. I waited 5 days and no return call! I understand restaurants are short staffed, however that is not my issue. Our server was very attentive right up until he brought the wrong entree to me. I said I would try it, more based on time of making a new entree, we had a 3 year old who hasn’t been in a restaurant for over a year (Covid). The server agreed to stop back and said he would change if necessary. Well, my son-in-law ended up trading me, I couldn’t eat the soft shell crabs. The server never returned to check on anything, at all! Although my son-in-law liked the crabs, 2 of us ended up with entrees we did not want. When the bill arrived there was a $7.00 difference between what I ordered and the soft shell crabs that arrived. There was no attempt to correct the difference! Next, 2 of us ordered the “house wine” at $8.00 per glass, we were charged $13.00 per glass X 4 glasses. I left the table to take our grandson outside, as the bill arrived. My husband had no idea the cost of the wine ordered or the difference in the entree price! I heard about it in the car, which is when I immediately called the restaurant and ask for the manager to call me.
We had the best meal on our trip to Charleston at Fat Hen. It's not located in Charleston but it's worth the drive to St. Johns Island if you're going to see the Angel Oak. We started with mussels, chicken liver mousse and my daughter had the French onion soup. All three were excellent. I ordered the braised pork, my husband ordered the braised short ribs and our daughter the salmon. All three entrées were scrumptious. The cocktails were also great. Don't miss the Lavender '75. The mud pie was also delicious. Melissa our server made the experience even better. 5 stars all around!
ARJACT
We have been here several times and the experience is usually fine. First off, the food is very good. You can usually find something that’s interesting. Staff is friendly and professional. The place has a nice ambiance. OK, some nit picking. Prices are high for what you get. I know it’s Charleston, touristy and it’s French. We paid an extra $6.00 for 7 slices of very nice but, not exceptional bread. Most of the average sized entrees are hovering around $30.00 and it’s an la carte menu. Wine is pricy and they give you a very light pour. Now that I’ve vented I feel better. Will we be back? Probably. I’m a s***** for ambiance.
Sheryline Ingersoll
Great ambiance and food. Service was good as well loved the pomegranate martini. They couldn't substitute some of the options but the server made a great recommendation.
Tara Scogin
Probably the best salmon I’ve had and we lived in Alaska for 3 years. Definitely recommend.
namastenomi
Simple night out good food with good company. I had the crab filled deviled eggs. Not what I was expecting they were good but I wouldn’t order them again. Also had the butcher steak with grits. The grits were the real winner on this plate. They were perfect. I’d love to have more.
We have been to FAT HEN before and the Food never excited us ... not they are closing Shop and yesterday I had the BEST Dinner ... weird and I can'' explain. Place was "packed" and we waited 30 minutes for our reserved Table for 6 ... not my Cup of Tea for sure (I hate waiting - usually I leave after 15 minutes)
The most underwhelming food for the price. Must be paying for the candle light. Plus when we tried to tell the manager that the "beef brisket" looked and tasted like pulled pork with manwitch sauce he aggressively tapped the check and said pay the bill and walked off. They are lucky the lawyer in my family wasn't with us because they are false advertising and price gouging on meals we have literally made better at home. Don't waste your time or money here. Do yourself a favor and get one of those slightly better microwave meals from the grocery store and a candle. You will be much more satisfied
Have been coming to Kiawah for years and usually multiple times per year and always have eaten at Fat Hen. We were in SC this past week and ate there twice. The second time was the night the staff was told they were closing. Very sad news. Will leave a big hole. love everything about Fat Hen and the institution will be missed terribly. :(:(:( My last meal was the Pork Chop and it was off the charts great. Thank you very much, Fat Hen, for the memories.
My husband and I were at this restaurant same time and same day as the last customer. We had very different experiences!!!! Most wonderful dinner and service and house wine and Humidity beer( which he enjoyed greatly) squash rice was a vegetarian dish that anyone would love ( field peas are my favorite- grew up in eastern NC and have shelled a few of these) mussels were outstanding and pork chop done to perfection. We had planned to make reservations for our next trip and found out that the owners ,chef Are retiring as of Saturday April 24! We are saddened but understand . Best to them!
We love this restaurant and have been eating here for years. Never had a bad meal or service experience. Interesting drinks, delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. Sadly it is closing.
We had a great meal at Fat Hen last fall when we were in Kiawah so wanted to try it again and made a 5:15 res for outside since our year-old grandbaby was with us. We all ordered appetizers and then daughter-in-law and I both ordered the chicken confit. Server returned a few minutes later to say that (at 5:40!) they were already sold out of the chicken (seriously?). DIL eats not much except protein and veg and asked if there was a non-carb side option if she got the salmon. Server seemed very exasperated and said that there were no options other than the all-carb sides on the menu — no effort to accommodate. My pasta and grilled shrimp was marginal, other entrees were pretty mediocre as well. Service was minimal, and no one ever came to ask if we needed anything else (including drink refills.) When the bill came, I was shocked at the total, then noticed that we had been charged for the 2 chicken entrees we didn’t get as well as the replacements. The manager I asked to correct the bill was also uninterested in our unhappy experience... I understand there aren’t many dining options outside the resort property but this was one of those nights that seriously left a ‘bad taste’ all around... Normally I don’t bother writing an unfavorable review but apparently other people have had similar experiences. We’ll stick with Wild Olive next trip!
This place is just good, all around. The menus is eclectic, French, yummy. Everything we tried was good, there was a lot of sharing; Mussles, Short Ribs, Soups, Bone Marrow it was all amazing. Drinks were good, atmosphere was great as was service.
Fat hen has the best staff! They are super friendly and helpful. Food is always delicious!
Good food. They offer take out and will even bring it curbside. Haven't been inside since before covid but have eaten at their outdoor area several times. The food remains to the same high standard. The Hen's food is even better than the fancy new royal tern's. It's the best place on the island imo! Hopefully they will get rid of the mask policy now that people have had their vaccines.
First, I need to say I left a message with the manager to call me, so we can discuss my complaints privately. I waited 5 days and no return call! I understand restaurants are short staffed, however that is not my issue. Our server was very attentive right up until he brought the wrong entree to me. I said I would try it, more based on time of making a new entree, we had a 3 year old who hasn’t been in a restaurant for over a year (Covid). The server agreed to stop back and said he would change if necessary. Well, my son-in-law ended up trading me, I couldn’t eat the soft shell crabs. The server never returned to check on anything, at all! Although my son-in-law liked the crabs, 2 of us ended up with entrees we did not want. When the bill arrived there was a $7.00 difference between what I ordered and the soft shell crabs that arrived. There was no attempt to correct the difference! Next, 2 of us ordered the “house wine” at $8.00 per glass, we were charged $13.00 per glass X 4 glasses. I left the table to take our grandson outside, as the bill arrived. My husband had no idea the cost of the wine ordered or the difference in the entree price! I heard about it in the car, which is when I immediately called the restaurant and ask for the manager to call me.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had the best meal on our trip to Charleston at Fat Hen. It's not located in Charleston but it's worth the drive to St. Johns Island if you're going to see the Angel Oak. We started with mussels, chicken liver mousse and my daughter had the French onion soup. All three were excellent. I ordered the braised pork, my husband ordered the braised short ribs and our daughter the salmon. All three entrées were scrumptious. The cocktails were also great. Don't miss the Lavender '75. The mud pie was also delicious. Melissa our server made the experience even better. 5 stars all around!
We have been here several times and the experience is usually fine. First off, the food is very good. You can usually find something that’s interesting. Staff is friendly and professional. The place has a nice ambiance. OK, some nit picking. Prices are high for what you get. I know it’s Charleston, touristy and it’s French. We paid an extra $6.00 for 7 slices of very nice but, not exceptional bread. Most of the average sized entrees are hovering around $30.00 and it’s an la carte menu. Wine is pricy and they give you a very light pour. Now that I’ve vented I feel better. Will we be back? Probably. I’m a s***** for ambiance.
Great ambiance and food. Service was good as well loved the pomegranate martini. They couldn't substitute some of the options but the server made a great recommendation.
Probably the best salmon I’ve had and we lived in Alaska for 3 years. Definitely recommend.
Simple night out good food with good company. I had the crab filled deviled eggs. Not what I was expecting they were good but I wouldn’t order them again. Also had the butcher steak with grits. The grits were the real winner on this plate. They were perfect. I’d love to have more.