Give schnitzel a try at Seven Hens in Decatur

“GBD. That’s Golden Brown Delicious.” That’s how 7 Hens owner Michael Gurevich describes his Decatur restaurant’s signature dish, the chicken schnitzel.

“We take a locally raised product, fresh chicken breasts from Gainesville, Georgia, pound them out, bread them and fry them to GBD, Golden Brown Delicious,” Gurevich says. The chicken gets a taste of international flavor using six profiles such as American, Mexican and French, and finishing touches in the forms of sauces and toppings. The schnitzel is served on a baguette, as a wrap, on a platter or as a salad. 

7 Hens chicken schnitzel wrap. Joseph Szala

 

Schnitzel is Israeli street food, Gurevich says, “But it’s more than that. You’ll find it cooked at home, too.” The entrepreneur came to the U.S. as a student and chose the Emory area to build the first of what could become a fast-casual schnitzel franchise.

A fast-casual chicken schnitzel restaurant, 7 Hens is now open in Decatur. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 The name 7 Hens is taken from the six variations on the schnitzel flavoring –  American, Mexican, Italian, French, Chinese and Indian, plus the build-your-own option, the Traveler. Finishing touches include olive tapenade aioli, chipotle aioli, barbecue, teriyaki, and Ranch, most of which are house-made. Toppings include greens such as lettuce and spinach, pickles, avocado and mushrooms. Sides feature fries made with Yukon Gold potatoes, chips or salad. Vegetarians are accommodated with schnitzel-fried tofu and those with a fear of frying may ask for their chicken to be grilled. My little one gobbled up the Lil’ Henny meal for children 12 and under. She chose the house-made Ranch dressing to accompany her sliced chicken schnitzel and loved the sauce so much we had to take the extras home.  

7 Hens' Brad Allan pounds out the chicken breast before breading and frying. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

7 Hens is located in North Decatur Plaza at North Decatur and Clairmont Road, the same shopping center as Rainbow Grocery and Mattress Firm. 2140 North Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033. (404) 633-3000. The restaurant hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.7hens.com

The chefs use a mezzaluna to slice the chicken schnitzel. (Ryan Kersting, left, and Brad Allan, right.) Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.

Thanks for a lovely and fun meal, 7 Hens crew - owner Michael Gurevich, and Chefs Ryan Kersting and Brad Allan!

The American from 7 Hens. Photo by 7 Hens.