The Blue Duck is definitely one of the best brunch spots in Philly! On the weekends it’s so packed, if you know you want to try this during the brunch hours try to make a reservation. My boyfriend and I have been here multiple times. I personally really like eating duck, so my favorite dish from there is the Duck House Salad with shredded duck. I love it, the salad is always perfectly tossed and coated with the dressing with fresh vegetables. The duck is always soft and perfectly shredded even though it doesn’t have a lot of flavor or any sauce on it, but that’s what brings out the true flavor of the duck! All their side dishes are great including the Brisket Mac, Quack & Cheese, Blue Duck fries. Both the Brisket Mac and Quack&Cheese are both bowls of cheesy and gooey goodness that isn’t too heavy, but it does come in a nice portion for a group of friends to share! The fries are also a one of a kind, I’m not sure what they exactly do to the fries but they have the perfect crunch and also comes in a hefty portion. On Sundays they only serve their brunch menu and unfortunately the salad is not on that menu, so I got a Duck Benedict. Oh, it definitely hit the spot! The duck breast is very tender! Awesome dish, I personally will like it will a little less hollandaise sauce, but none the less still really good. Overall, this is my favorite brunch spot near my house, it can get a little busy so the wait time can be a little long but it’s definitely worth the wait!
Andrea M.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
Quack & Cheese is where it is at! We were there for the lunch menu. The duck fries are so delicious. It was my first time there & I ordered the portabello burger. They didn’t have the right mushrooms & asked if a substitute was ok. I said sure. But I couldn’t eat it. I asked for some kind of sauce & instead they let me order something else. That was so nice. I don’t usually complain about anything. I felt like they really catered to our whole party. I would definitely love to come back for a date night.
Moira M.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
What a great surprise! The Blue Duck was so good! Not what you would expect from a strip mall restaurant in the NE. The food was very good and the server attentive. We shared the duck fries, which were wonderful! We got the scallops and the burger, which had a gluten free bun! The food was delicious. Our only request would be a gluten free dessert!
Brittany B.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
I’ve been the The Blue Duck 3 times now, and each time is somehow better than the last. First time I went, I made the mistake of showing up on a Sunday without a reservation. Absolutely DONOTDOTHIS. In fact, to save yourself time and frustration, just make a reservation whatever day and time you are thinking of going. The place is super small and you’re not going to want to wait outside. That being said, when you do make a reservation, they are READYFORYOU. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made a reservation at other places and was still made to wait. Now the food. FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. Whether you are going for brunch or dinner, you are in for a complete awesome and different experience. Normally I have a hard time picking things on a menu because it’s so damn boring. I always try to order something new. Here I just have a hard time choosing because the everything on the menu sounds so good, and it’s stuff you won’t find somewhere else. Burgers? Amazing. So far we’ve tried the Pork Roll Burger, which totally lives up to its reputation. My friend also had the Beast of the Northeast, which unfortunately was just a limited time thing, but they really should put it back on the menu because of how much he, and everyone else that has had it had reacted. Wings? Also great. Fries? Holy crap the fries. It may sound silly, but the fries they have here are incredible. All varieties I have tried. If they did takeout, I would be coming at least once a week to pick up just some of those alone. If you ever see they are making bacon, egg, and cheese waffle fries for brunch, GO. The staff is so, so nice. The owners and management have everything set up perfectly here. My only super tiny complaints are the size of the place, and the noise level. It is REALLY small in there. Probably for the best though. If they served a much larger crowd, I’d worry that the quality would suffer. With it being so small, it is incredibly loud! You won’t really be able to hear the people you are there eating with. Doesn’t matter too much though. You’ll be too busy stuffing your face to really care.
Carla F.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
Went here for my birthday Jan 16th2016. The place was crowded. You need to make reservations. Table was ready by our reservation time. Food was great I had their seafood stew. Which reminds me more of an Italian seafood pasta without the presence of cheese. I also shared a serving of their brisket mac and cheese it had little slices of jalapeños on it that gave it this extra zing. My boyfriend had the pork roll burger. He loved it. It didn’t come with fries though and it was kinda small. He enjoyed it immensely and said it was satisfying regardless of the size. Since it was my birthday they gave me a complimentary piece of cake. It was a whiskey honey cake. It was just delicious you could taste the whiskey but it was so buttery. I can’t wait to go back.
Kathleen S.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
The Blue Duck is hands down my favorite restaurant. So blessed to have this gem in the Northeast and it’s only a good 15 minute drive from my house. I have had pretty much a lil of everything on the menu. First meal I have ordered from here is their pork roll burger and blue duck fries.(My friend and I were super lucky because the fries were half off! Of course, we ordered two plates because America.) Where do I even start? The pork roll burger was just everything you wanted and more. The moment you bite into that burger and break the yolk is just glorious. The duck fries were tossed in duck fat and seasoned really well. Fries were topped off with melted Gouda goodness, shredded duck, and chives. I’ve never had Gouda in my life and I’m glad I got to share this beautiful moment with The Blue Duck. I’ve only been to brunch here about two times and both times were amazing. First time I came for brunch I had the chicken and waffles. I read the menu and saw that chicken breast was soaked in buttermilk Sriracha. Basically, that is what sold me and it was a great choice. Second time I came around I ordered a special which was short-rib tater tots. Let me tell you, I am a potato fiend and these were the best damn tots I ever did have. Perfect crisp. Oh, and did I mention these tots were drizzled with Gouda? A+ Best way to know the specials is to follow their Instagram and if you’re coming on a weekend definitely make a reservation to be on the safe side. I could go on and on about more The Blue Duck but it’s way better if you experience it yourself. I have told everyone and anyone I knew about this place and I usually get a text or snap saying how amazing it is. So, definitely do not miss out if you have an opportunity to eat here! :)
Arielle K.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
Located in Northeast Philly, Blue Duck is not the most convenient for those without a car. But if you find yourself with a rental, you own, or you have friends with cars, make the drive out. It’s completely worth it.(And don’t worry, for those of you who can’t parallel park, Blue Duck is conveniently located in a strip mall). We had made reservations(which I recommend), although I accidentally made them for the wrong day, and was surprised when we showed up and the reservation wasn’t there. Luckily, there was room at the bar, so we were able to sit without having to wait. The General Tso Buffalo Wings with wasabi blue cheese was definitely a great decision to start, and set the perfect vibe for the evening. The wasabi added an extra kick, and was definitely something I had never tasted before. Since we weren’t too hungry when we went, we decided to share a burger and mac and cheese. I am very particular about my burgers. They need to be juicy and flavorful, and you need to be able to taste the cheese– or else it’s just a waste. Don’t worry, Blue Duck did not disappoint. You could absolutely taste how fresh the burger was, and it was cooked perfectly the way I liked it. As for the mac and cheese, we went with the Classic Mac– homemade cheddar sauce and panko bread crumbs on top(you can get the mac with bacon, but we chose to go without it). As you can guess, it was delicious. It was creamy, the shells were the perfect choice for the pasta, as they gathered the right amount of cheese in them, which oozed with every bite. The panko added that crunch that you usually need when eating something soft, and didn’t overpower any of the flavor. If I had been hungrier, I definitely would have tried the Blue Duck Fries: fries tossed in duck fat, smoked Gouda cheese sauce, shredded duck confit, and scallions(see cover photo). Don’t they just look delicious? Also on the menu is: Wild Boar Meatloaf, Duck Pirogues, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and a Pimento Grilled Chicken Wrap. Everything looks delicious, and there definitely is something for everyone(don’t worry, they have salads too). Like I said, it is a bit of a drive for someone coming from Center City, but trust me, it’s worth every second waiting in 95 traffic.
P E.
Classificação do local: 4 Swarthmore, PA
Mmmmmmmmm… That is my first response to my Sunday brunch experience. There were so many yummy things to choose from that we over ordered and took it home. General Tso’s wings. Delicious. Just the wasabi blue cheese sauce is enough to to give it a 4 star rating. Blue Duck Fries — love the duck confit with the smoked Gouda cheese sauce. It brings fries to a whole new stratum Duck Benedict — eggs were a bit on the runny side but the sriracha Cherry hollandaise makes it fabulous. Duck a l’orange– thin pancakes with duck and blood orange syrup. This was good but not as good as the other things, but then I like thick pancakes. Nonetheless I will be back to try other things on the menu. The music here was very loud but the atmosphere rustic, though fresh and bright featuring a concrete floor that had been epoxied over and wooden tables. Two large screen TVS dominate the space. Tables are close. Look out for the creepy mannequin in the back if you head back to the restroom. Reservations are advisable. Not the place to bring grandma. More the spot for hipsters and empty nesters who still have their hearing
Jennifer R.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
This place was so so incredible. We went for brunch and enjoyed the heck out of everything. I got the duck benedict and it was so beautifully plated and delicious. They gave a generous amount of duck meat as well. They had some unique wing flavors and we tried some blue moon ones to share and the blue duck fries. Sooo worth any stomach heaviness after. Everything was perfect. The décor is crazy adorable, servers attentive and friendly, and byo. If you find yourself in this odd shopping center of a location, go get your duck on.
Mike G.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
After eating here a few times, I have to say it’s really very good. It’s really very GREAT for North East Philly, where I grew up. Living in the city now I, I enjoy an abundance of high quality joints like this. The duck fries are truly a must; thanks for all the Unilocal suggestions on that! It’s a great way to wait for your meal. And, one order is enough for 3 or 4 to pick on easily. The dishes Ive had each time have been really good but last time in, my friends raved about their crab cakes which I chose not to try; I didnt want to share my perfectly prepared grilled pork chop. It was the best pork chop Ive had in years. Serving it with a side of mustard mash was pretty damn great too.
Tanya M.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
So this place was up to all the hype. I’m just sorry I didn’t try it sooner First I suggest reservations and it is a BYOB. We actually got seated at the counter which I wasn’t happy about but then I was super happy about it. It was awesome to see these guys in actions and get a look at all the amazing food that was being put out. We had the Mac and cheese with bacon. It was pretty good but not amazing. The buffalo wings were huge and delicious with a slight tang on the wings that made them awesome and we can’t wait to get them again. We also had the fries fries in duck fat with duck crumbles on them. The fries where awesome. I didn’t like the actual duck but the man loved it. The fries where somehow crispy and covered in cheese(Miracle). Now we both had burgers which we had to change to to go because of children that needed picked up and thy wrapped our burgers up and we took them home and ate them. They were delightful he had the porkroll with a egg on top. And I had one with blue cheese. Can’t wait to go back and try more things!!!
Jeff H.
Classificação do local: 5 Margareten, Vienna, Austria
Blue Duck is a surprising find hidden in the vastness of Northeast Philadelphia. It’s def worth seeking out. First of all the atmosphere is bright and cheerful with varied seating that ranges from a counter by the open kitchen to a large communal table near the entrance. For my first visit I went with the blue duck sandwich.(Who makes duck sandwiches besides this restaurant?) It was great. The shredded duck provides both a sweet and savory taste sensation. I could have used a bit more Swiss chard and a little extra of the blueberry bbq sauce but it was still totally tasty. The menu has much of interest to try on future visits now that I know how to get there. Blue Duck is a worthy addition to the Philadelphia culinary scene!
Jeanne P.
Classificação do local: 5 Bensalem, PA
Everything I said to my prior review and more. I’ve been wanting to try Southern style chicken and waffles for a long time. I searched through and through. All of a sudden, a Unilocaler points out to me that The Duck offers them on Sundays. Oh, The Duck! I had been here before, and thoroughly enjoyed my food. Why not have at it again? Brunch is 10 – 3 on Sundays(it’s recently been changed). They offer a different menu with an interesting choice of specials(if I wasn’t mistaken, I believe I saw what looked like Fruity Pebbles cooked into French Toast going to someone’s table). I skipped the specials because I knew what I was there for. While I was at it, I went for the General Tso Wings for an appetizer, because… why the hell not? Wings sounded great at 10am. A cup of coffee also accompanied my meal. As I waited for my food, I did see that the place fills up QUICK. We even got there a few minutes before they opened, and there were people already waiting to get in. It’s a small space. It’s cozy. You will have a table 2 inches from yours, but it’s fine. You’ll be so focused on your food that it won’t even matter. I suggest you make a reservation, which they gladly take, or just get there early. The Rivals Bros coffee was delicious. It’s $ 3.00 a cup, but the cups are pretty big with welcomed refills. My wings had such a beautiful presentation that I didn’t even want to touch them. They were FANTASTIC. It was $ 6.00 for 6 very large wings that were tender and bursting with flavor. I could have eaten that side of wasabi blue cheese with a spoon. It was smashing. I would have been fine with coffee and wings alone. Shortly after came out the chicken and waffles. I actually really loved that it wasn’t drowning in syrup(though if you’re a syrup lover, you will want more– they use it sparingly). The waffle was good. The chicken… that chicken was so great. It had been a very long time since I had eaten a piece of fried chicken, and it was worth eating. How you’re able to get the outside so deliciously crispy while retaining the moisture within is behind me, but I was certainly pleased. The guy that runs the place(I’m only assuming he runs the place) is really friendly. He treats everyone like he knows them, which is super dope. The waitress we had this morning was sweet(something that fell short the last time I had been here… but the food was so good the first time that I didn’t give a shit how grumpy my server was). Today though, it was all good. Yes, the hostess isn’t the happiest person in the world, but who cares? My bill came out to around $ 32(I was with someone else who had also ordered a coffee, as well as the chicken and waffles). Left the waitress a really heavy tip and practically rolled out the joint. I was stuffed. I can’t wait to to do it again. I also vote that you leave the hip hop on, but that’s just my opinion. =P Keep up the good work, guys. Please don’t get so cool that you have to relocate downtown. I like having a place with truly awesome food so close to home.
Christine F.
Classificação do local: 4 East Brunswick, NJ
Comfort food at its finest– the Blue Duck offers a great menu full of the best comfort foods. Mac&Cheese taken to the next level, duck-fat fries piled high with delicious pulled pork and cheese sauce. This place is not for those watching their waistline, for sure! We ordered the sweet potato gnocchi and fried chicken as entrees. Both were absolutely delicious. Flavorful, tender — dishes that left you wanting more, even though you were full when finishing — just because it was THAT good! Only reason why I did not rate this a 5 is the noise. It was nearly impossible to hear due to how loud it was inside. Maybe the hardwood floor and practically bare walls just amplifies the talking. Our ears were ringing by the time we left. Would definitely return for brunch next time. And hopefully on an off-time when it’s not crowded(less noisy). Awesome spot!
Michelle C.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
I finally made it to The Blue Duck, and it was worth the car ride to the northeast. The restaurant is situated in a shopping center with very uniform looking signage for all of its stores. Inside, the restaurant is bright and sweetly decorated with cool lighting fixtures and pretty wall art. It was around 2pm on a Saturday but there were still several tables full for lunch. We ordered the blue duck fries and a couple sandwiches. The fries arrived before the sandwiches — a good thing because we were super hungry. Said fries were covered in melted cheese sauce and shredded duck. Somehow, they were also still crunchy. Best fries I’ve had in a while. There was quite a bit of time before our sandwiches arrived, which is fine, but this is when I started wishing we had brought some beer along. Mental note for next time! I opted for the fried chicken sandwich but requested a wheat wrap. It was delicious! The ranch dressing from the coleslaw had a slightly sweeter flavor than I was expecting but it was very tasty. The chicken was excellent. My fiancé’s grilled chicken sandwich with pimento cheese and bacon was also great. Already looking forward to my next visit, definitely with some brews in tow!
Peter N.
Classificação do local: 4 Willow Grove, PA
Duck Fat Fries!!! I absolutely loved these here. Huge portion with so much flavor — you definitely need a fork for this dish. This restaurant really stands out in a neighborhood of pizza joints and delis — it does look out of place. But word travels fast, and judging by the crowded dining area and full parking lot, I’m not the only one that made a trip to try Blue Duck. Besides duck, they seem to also specialize in wings and mac and cheese, as they offer a variety of housemade sauces and styles. Mac and cheese dish is made with shells, which I thought I wouldn’t like. But I was proven wrong. Very flavorful and the shells really carry the cheese sauce well into my mouth. The wings were crispy and the blue cheese was excellent. Not the best wings i’ve ever had, but still good. I SHOULD’VE gotten their famous Blue Jawn burger like I planned, but opted for an off-menu special — some grounded duck burger. While it was good and I really tasted the duck in the ground meat, it was too well for me and it definitely didn’t satisfy my burger craving. Good nonetheless, just not a hamburger replacement. Also, the burger did NOT come with fries. Weird. But it’s not like I could’ve eaten more fries after the Blue Duck fries. That was definitely my fave of the night — melted cheese, fresh cut fries, duck confit. It was divine, and I would come back solely for these fries. If you like duck in the least, you should definitely make a visit here. And don’t forget to bring a bottle or two: it is BYOB.
Michael F.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
Everything you may have heard and more… Came out on my day off with a friend who saw the chefs in action at a Philly Cooks event. We grabbed duck fries and split two burgers. While I’ve never been a huge fan of fries, their duck fries had me locked. Full of taste with every bite, we didn’t leave a single fry behind. The house special duck sandwich was awesome, yet overshadowed by the special venison burger we also split. Working in the northeast I never knew this gem existed. It’s also s BYO! Learn from my mistake and take a trip out to eat here soon!
Thutrang L.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
I was in the area so I hit up Unilocal to find some local eats! This place reminded me of an old-fashioned house that was converted into a restaurant. There was nice, smooth hard wood floors that made the table tops and chairs. I didn’t have reservations so I sat at the bar, facing the kitchen. Order the General Tso Chicken, the Remedy(breakfast bagel), Duck Benedict. The wings were really good, especially the wasabi dipping sauce that came with it. I just wished the sauce wasn’t so heavy on the chicken. My Benedict was also too saucy, that my meal was kinda soggy. Don’t get me wrong it was delish, but it was kinda a mess. Service was good, it was a bit awkward to have to turn 180 degrees around just to hear what the waiter was saying, but it was manageable. But the waiter was very attentive! Comparable to brunch places like Green Eggs and Café La Maude in Philly, this place didn’t really give me much for my money. Servings were small and the flavor was very simple, nothing too outstanding. But I may return for the fries fried in duck fat.
Brad P.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
The fact that I haven’t written a review of Blue Duck yet is a horrific travesty. I must correct this. Blue Duck Sandwich Company is the undisputed leader in changing the Northeast Philly Dining Scene. If NE Philly is the old school Scottish army, then Blue Duck is William Wallace(in the leadership element and not really the whole getting disemboweled thing). The burgers are fabulous. The Duck fries are fabulous. The real secret winner here, honestly, is the quack n’ cheese — This jawn combines salty, sweet, savory, meaty, and horrifically unhealthy to create my favorite mac n cheese dish in Philly. Go.
Stephen B.
Classificação do local: 5 Philadelphia, PA
Been reading Unilocal reviews on Blue Duck Sandwich Company for months before deciding to make a visit for Dinner. Today desided to Drop in with few freinds for something to eat. First thing I could think was the great atmosphere. Was seated in less then 2 min by a very polite waitress, This was about 4:30pm. Then I notice about 20 min after sitting down that the servers putting reserved cards on 90% of the Tables. And this is on a Wed night. So if you plan on coming hear for Dinner. Eaither get hear early, or call ahead and make reservations, because the tables fill up fast, and only so many tables inside it’s not a huge place, The food and quality is what makes this place so popular to eat at. Everything is homemade. And is by far some of the best food you can get in the northeast philly area. I got the pork roll burger and duck fries. Both good. Consider getting one order of duck fries for 2 ppl. You get alot. Freinds of mying got the Mac and cheese. And the House Grind Burger. Said everything was good. Next time back like to try the wings. By what I hear they are really good. Didn’t have any cheese cake available. So hopefully next time they do so I can give that a try. All in All this place is a win win for anyone looking to get a good bite to eat if it’s Brunch or Dinner. Do recommend it. It’s a spot you will see yourself coming back again to eat at. I’ll be back to try other things in the near future.