Hen and Chickens - Birmingham

This is a stalwart of the Birmingham and Black Country desi pub explosion. Proper Indian food in an old school Brummie boozer. Class. It's not much to look at from the outside. Desi pubs are known for their unassuming exterior. It looks like a dilapidated old pub that hasn't been open for years. But inside I was pleasantly surprised. The decor is more light and airy than dark and dingy. A bit old school but nice! But it's got a welcoming atmosphere. There are a couple of big screens showing Sky Sports but they don't intrude on the laidback atmosphere. The place was rammed at lunch time, which is always a good sign! Full of families, groups of friends and business people like us. The mixed grill we had between us was RIDICULOUS. Sizzling away on a cast iron skillet, the smells and sight of the Seekh kebabs super juicy despite their crisp grilled exterior, spicy chicken wings, chicken legs and crispy fish pakoras were an absolute treat. Reasonable beer selection a nice IPA that I'd not heard of before was lush. Service was great albeit we'd pre ordered our food before arrival, but 15 mins in, we were eating. £17 for a large mixed grill, which is easily big enough for 2/3 bods. Go here!

Had a great meal, mixed meat platter. Great quality and reasonable price October 2021

This place would not be for everyone but to me has to be one of Birmingham's best kept secrets. The outside of this place is a traditional boozer but as soon as you walk in you are hot with the smell of amazing Indian cooking! We were shown to our table and had our drink orders taken quickly....but don't be expecting restaurant table service this was a full on lean behind and order across the bar near where we were sat. Possibly one of the most relaxed services I have ever seen but the staff could not have done more for us. We ordered a large mixed grill to share and some masala seasoned fries....no I am not joking the food was insanely good. The platter was packed full of chicken, fish and lamb and everything was perfectly cooked and spiced. We had two cokes each while eating and the bill only came to 25! Amazing value and my friend said it was as good as the good she had while visiting India....I have not been but judging from the quality meal we had I want to go ASAP. Now I need to re-illiterate an earlier point this place is not a restaurant....it's a pub serving amazing food that is very much a traditional Brum Boozer. While we were in the place we watched the footy, chatted to some guys crowded round the bar and listened to some people singing football chants (it was some sort of football final) To me this adds to the charm but I know it wouldn't be for everyone. My advice....go here....eat all the meat....

Our go to Indian in the JQ for takeaway and occasionally eating in. The first time my boyfriend brought me here I did wonder where the hell he was taking me from the outside (and inside) it looks like a very unassuming, slightly scruffy pub. But this place 100% makes up for it with the friendly staff and great Indian food. The mixed grills are piled high in with chicken tikka, chicken wings, shish kebab, chicken drumsticks and fish pakoras. Everything is good but the fish pakoras are especially delicious! All the curries we 've tried have been really tasty and the portions are generous I rarely manage to finish mine and we usually end up taking leftovers home. I 'd also recommend the masala fries as a side not the most traditional dish but they 're so good! The prices are also really reasonable tonight we had a small mixed grill, extra portion of fish pakora, masala fries and 2 drinks each for about £28. My advice? Don 't be put off by first impressions and let the food do the talking.

This place is a prime example of the saying 'don 't the judge a book by its cover '. For what looks like a intimidating and rough neck pub, there is a gem layered beneath and unexposed. The pub features a simple menu of different curries like your Madras or Korma. However! There is especially one dish that will treasure my mind forever about Hen and chickens which is simply the mixed grill. Meat heaven arrives to your table with a mountain consisting of chicken tikka, chicken wings, fried chicken wings, lamb kebab and fried fish. It 's a joy to behold as it was so cheap and filling. This place certainly reaches my bargain eats and if you 'd ever stuck for ideas anywhere in JQ, always have Hen and Chickens at the back of the list somewhere.