This is a restaurant that does a few things well namely "Belgium fries" However, I thought the star of the show was their Wild Blueberry milkshake. Simply delicious. The wait to get into the restaurant reflects its popularity but it was be very long. The restaurant has a good vibe and the staff were very nice. read more

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I loved everything about this place. I ate so much that I forgot to take photos. The fries and sauces were tasty. The green goddess salad was nice and refreshing. We also had the turkey panini. The staff at this restaurant are full of joy and welcoming. If you sit at a share stable the people are just as lovely. This place is worth the wait. It's fun and the food is tasty. The drinks hit the spot as well. read more

Duckfat - Belgian Fries - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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The wait at around noon on a Monday was 15 minutes. They text you when your table is about ready so you can wander around. The place is small with some outdoor seating. Though they turn the tables quickly - you do not feel rushed- at all. We are a family of 4. 3 adult eaters one child. We shared a small poutine with added pork confit. It was absolutely perfection. The crispy confit crispy and moist at the same time. Fries - kiss! Gravy yummy. We followed with 2 shared sandwiches- think panini. The Cuban and chicken both were wonderful. Added a small fry. The 4 of us were full and we had half of each sandwich left over. Kids had 2 original shakes and they were out of this world! read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Multiple friends told me that this was a must. Even then, my friend and I really didn't plan to come here. Instead we found ourselves really hungry around 6pm and decided to come here. Unsurprisingly, there was about a 30 minute wait for either indoor or outdoor seating. When you put your name down, they give you a beeper that works within a 2 block radius. My friend and I were initially going to split a large order of fries that would then come with 2 sauces. We were going to do garlic Mayo and truffle ketchup, which sounded like the two most popular choices based on reviews and on peoples' orders. But then we talked ourselves into trying the poutine. So we ended up getting a small of each! The gravy on the poutine was phenomenal! My friend got the duck bahn mi, which she enjoyed, but I didn't get the vibe that it was the most delicious bahn mi shes ever had. I opted for the small bowl of tomato soup and the smoked duck breast kale salad. I thought the portion of the salad was surprisingly small. The kale could've been massaged more! Otherwise, the vinaigrette was great! I could definitely see myself coming here for the fries again! read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Food was alright. Soup was good. Sandwiches were okay, I didn't enjoy it much. I got the turkey panini. Wait was about 45 min. Space is tight and it's a busy place. read more

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This place is definitely all it's quacked up to be! This restaurant was on our potential dinner options while planning our trip with our first night being in Portland. Although there are some hard hitting options for dinner in this area, we are so glad we chose Duckfat. I will warn travelers that the establishment is quite small which may cause long wait times during peak season. However, the wait is definitely worth it. We started with a small portion of the poutine (recommendation from our server) We opted to add the duck egg and duck confit. The plate was beautifully messy (as poutine should be) And created for the perfect bite. The yolk was runny to add an extra layer andThe duck melted in our mouths. We then shared a duck fat grilled cheese which the servers split for us before being asked for a separate plate! The thoughtfulness in an extremely busy restaurant was impressive. The crunch from the bread was unreal. As we were able to share both of these, we kept a perfect amount of room to take some milkshakes back to our hotel for dessert. He opted for the original duck fat milkshake and I, the sea salt caramel milkshake. The modern rustic vibe is perfect and cozy, especially on those chillier nights. If you are a party of two, you will likely be sitting community style with another couple but it makes the experience that much more intimate when sitting and sharing food with a partner. read more

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Stopped in for lunch and the place is small and popular so prepare to wait. We sat outside and the patio is so cute. Love the umbrellas for shade. We obviously got the fries and they were so good. I love fries and these are probably in the top few I've ever had. The sauces are also so fun. I also had the turkey sandwich and the bread is so good and crunchy. Our server was also so sweet and fast. read more

Duckfat - Belgian Fries - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Delicious lunch spot in Portland! We couldn't ignore the thought of duck fat fries. When we got there is seemed like the wait was going to be over an hour based on the line of people but by the time we checked in with the host he said he had a table for us and sat us right away. The waiter was super nice and had great suggestions. We ended up both getting a craft soda (creamsicle and cherry). The creamsicle was not was I was expecting but was very good and refreshing. We both got a lobster roll (MP is $32 btw) and a large duck fat fry with the seasonal fry sauce (Thai chili) and the garlic Mayo. Honestly some of the best fries I've ever had!! The lobster roll was very good and different than any I had had before with the peppers and corn! We debated on getting a milk shake but passed. Maybe next time. Would highly recommend!! read more

Duckfat - Lobster Roll - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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No problem recommending this place. The food is good, but honestly, my favorite part was chatting with the servers (Sat at bar) and listening to people's stories, as well as a little banter! Also, the fries are yum! The major con is that the space is small; not that great for large groups, and you may have to deal with a wait. read more

The fries (poutine) are incredible and the donuts are amazing. All the other food was okay. I wouldn't recommend the lobster rolls here if you like the hot ones better. They accommodated for a large party pretty well and their outside seating was a nice ambiance. If you have a party of more than 6, don't expect to sit at a table together. It's sad they don't do anything special for birthdays - I think that is a missed opportunity. We had an interesting experience where our waiter's shift ended in the middle of serving us which is interesting since it was the middle of the dinner rush so not sure what's going on there. They also have pretty fun merch. But overall, it was a very pleasant dinner. read more

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Duckfat was a total knockout! We were seated inside right away on a Sunday at noon, which doesn't seem to be common so perhaps we got lucky. We ordered the tomato fennel soup, small poutine with a duck egg on top, a duckfat banh mi, and an Arnold Palmer. The soup was debatably our favorite part. The croutons, the rich creamy broth, the bits of fennel - it was sooo good and comforting. It's a must get! The poutine on its own would have been a little too plain, but the egg on top sealed the deal. The banh mi was not really a typical banh mi, so I'd get that out of your mind if you're used to traditional Vietnamese food, but as a sandwich it was perfection. The Arnold Palmer was super refreshing, not too sweet and a nice tart contrast to the meal. I would highly recommend! read more

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I was torn between a 3 and 4 mostly because all the hype indicated 5++ and while it was enjoyable it wasn't a 5. Went on a Thursday at 1 and waited about 40 minutes for a table. Got a cozy spot in the back and ordered a tea and a cherry drink. Both were good. Had to get a large fries. Delicious, seasoned well and chose a garlic mayo and curry ketchup. Delicious but not the best fries ever. We split the tinned fish on toast special (sardines with a delicious tomato sauce) and the Reuben. The latter is why I was torn between 3/4. Very fatty-fatty meat, tons of dressing. I couldn't eat more than a bite. Next time would order something lighter to balance the fries. Would go back at a quieter time. read more

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This was already on our list but was highly recommended by some locals. I ordered the grilled cheese and added soppressata. We had fries and poutine for the table. Everything was delicious! The wait can be long and they don't take reservations. But there are picnic tables across the street and lots a shops in the area. read more

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Locals recommended it but the poutine was not as tasty as the poutine in Canada. I also had a shake but was just ok. The staff are friendly but the other customers are a quite snobby. It's a hang out place and it would have been nice for a more causal environment. I wouldn't be back but glad I tried it for myself. read more

Ordered: Small Belgian Fries (~$7): hand-cut Belgian fries fried in duck fat Flight of Sauces (~$3): Truffle Ketchup, Thai Chili Mayo, Atomic Horseradish Mayo, Garlic Mayo Aya's take: We already had an early dinner but knew we had to stop by Duckfat on our first Portland, ME trip! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the sauces were all delicious. I particularly enjoyed the Garlic Mayo and Truffle Ketchup had legit truffle essence. Stop by for the fries if you're in town! read more

Duckfat - Small Belgian Fries (~$7) & Flight of Sauces (~$3) - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

The panini was a bit greasy and salty but overall the food was great and worth the wait. read more

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What is there to say about Duckfat that has not already been said? A stellar gastropub-meets-the fanciest possible take on a diner classic-meets-a wonderful winebar-meets-simply wonderful front of house. Anyone who says the frites are not amazing is just being contrarian. Since my first visit a decade ago, they've always hit the spot. My most recent visit was for girl dinner (chocolate shake, frites, rose) and that might be one of my favorite ways to enjoy the goodness! read more

Duckfat - Large frites, chocolate shake, and prestige rose - all fabulous. Who says you can't be a beverage goblin in public? - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Was recommended by locals, friends, and blogs alike. Even people on the streets walking by commented on this place regarding how good it was or how it was on their list to try. Really quaint place with tight seating. Friendly service. Ordered: poutine: ordered a large with the additional duck, with tax and tip this dish was essentially $30, the fries were a very dark extra crispy kind, cheese curds didn't squeak, and gravy was rich, the duck meat was the STAR, a crispy block of unctuous dark meat, only complaint was that after a couple of bites there was a real desire for acidicity cubano: added soppressata instead of ham to the sandwich added additional salty punch cut by a healthy amount of well-needed pickles, perfectly toasted vanilla milkshake: a classic flavor with real vanilla beans, no skimping on quality and comes with 'extra' in the mixing cup, perfect way to end an already decadent meal read more

Duckfat - cubano - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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We came here for lunch on Memorial Day and had a 30-40 minute wait. Surprisingly they were exact and we were seated within 30 minutes. However the place is small, so you'll probably share your table with another party. We ordered the labneh special, duck fat fries and the duck fat grilled cheese. The labneh was very flavorful with a hint of heat with the harissa. The fries were nice and crispy and enjoyable. But the star of the show was duck fat grilled cheese with turkey which was the perfect balance of cheese, crisp and turkey. That was truly the star of the show! We also would recommend the house made sodas! Would recommend if you're in the area! read more

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Robin gave us great and fast service. They seat people pretty quick. Heaters outside and good environment. We had fast and happy service. read more

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We waited before opening to get a table (came the previous night at 8pm but were told they stopped accepting folks for the waitlist since it was already so long). The service is really great here - everyone is welcoming and helpful. There aren't really tables for 2, it's more of a long bar style counter. We ordered the large fries (definitely a lot!) with the sampler sauces. We only really liked the truffle ketchup and garlic aioli so I'll probably just stick to those in the future. The special was a honey mustard which was okay. The duck Caesar salad was a little overdressed for my taste (and pretty acidic). Usually that's my jam but it could've used something to cut it down. The grilled cheese was very hearty but didn't stand out too much. The OG milkshake was a really bright vanilla and delicious - our server graciously split it for us. Don't sleep on the craft sodas! We got the cherry and grape, and they're great. We wish we could've tried them all (same for the milkshakes!) read more

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Saw this place on Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil". Since I love Phil, I had to try it. Loved this place! Very small, so you may have a small wait at busy times. I arrived at lunch and only waited about 15 minutes to get a counter seat. Wait staff was very nice and attentive. I had a handmade italian soda, wild cherry, it was fantastic....like a black cherry soda, but more fresh and refreshing. The fries did not disappoint and loved them along with the side options. My Tuscan Roasted Turkey sandwhich (panini) was delicious as well. would definitely recommend, especially if you love Belgian style fries. read more

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We went for the fries cooked in duck fat which was very good. We also enjoyed two dark beers. It is a small venue and we sat at counter which was ok. The service was great. read more

The most comforting of comfort foods! Dined at Duckfat last week during our honeymoon at the recommendation of many people and was so glad we made the stop. Their poutine is the only poutine you need in life with the perfect balance of ingredients and a gravy that doesn't overwhelm. The tomato and fennel soup was easily the best tomato soup I've ever had and the grilled cheese croutons were a nice touch. The turkey sandwich with added bacon was so fresh and every element stood out perfectly. We ended the meal with a strawberry buttermilk and a blueberry buttermilk milkshake to go and they were outstanding too! read more

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This place was popular. We arrived before 11 am, and there was already a line. We gave the host our number and waited close to 50 min instead of 30 min. Luckily our hotel was across the street. The creamy tomato soup was great and had a good amount of creaminess and tomato flavor. The Tuscan roasted chicken sandwich was good but had too much mayo; I wouldn't get that again. Now for the fries, I like it but wasn't crazy about it. Good dipping sauces. Despite their busyness, I liked that we didn't feel rushed and could enjoy our meal. Our server was kind and sweet, so I appreciate the service we got from here. read more

If this was a review for just the fries, it would be 5/5. However, the rest of the meal was kind of "meh". Not bad, still enjoyable, but fell short of the expectations given the other reviews and hype surrounding the place. A very solid spot to grab a meal, but wouldn't by my #1 if I was back in Portland. read more

Honestly, what's not to love? I'm a sandwich guy through and through. Seriously I love sandwiches. So you're gonna tell me that one of the best sandwich places in the universe is nestled into a super cool corner of my home city? Let's freakin' go! The Duckfat caesar led us off and it's larger than you'd think - it's really tasty, good dressing that's not over saturating the salad, and the sourdough breadcrumbs really come through. Fab. Excellent thing to split with someone when you both get sandwiches. The wife got the Montreal Reuben, I got the Cuban, and we like rhymes apparently. Both were out of this world. Excellent balance of simplicity and complexity - they aren't trying to put everything under the sun into these sandwiches, but still manage to get such complex and complementary flavor profiles out of simple ingredients. They're just really, really good. Service was excellent, though seating is a challenge here. We had to sit at these two little stools in a corner and it wasn't the best, but that's life. Vibes are great here every time I've been. Honestly it's probably my favorite sandwich shop I've ever been to and I already can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Maine and next time I'm just gonna order one of everything. read more

Absolutely delicious staple restaurant in Portland. Been here 20+ years I think. Super unique and tasty items. Small location so be prepared to wait during peak hours. The Caesar and the brisket are both top notch. Keep up the great work. read more

Wow, what took me so long to try this place out? Not sure what more I can say here that has not already been said. Like some other spots just don't the street, you need to arrive a bit early if you don't want to spend a long time waiting in line. The outdoor seating area is nice, but fairly tight. Lots of community style seating both inside and out, with a few tables for two. The fries are the thing here, and we planned to start with an order of small fries. Our waitress discouraged us and said we REALLY want the large, so we did. They were delicious, served up in a cone with a variety of sauces. You get two with the large order, but for a few bucks more you can try them all. The food here is comfort food, and let's just say not the place to visit if dieting. With the large fries ordered we went head long into the milkshake. Our waitress happily split that for us, and it was more than enough for two people. We also ordered one panini, and again the kitchen split for us, a nice gesture. Portions are large, so share away! At this point we saw no reason not to order the donuts for dessert! We were told to expect the best Portland had to offer. They were actually more like fried dough muchkins or zeppole. Served piping hot with a delicious lemon/citrus flavor they were indeed light, fluffy and great, but I was expecting a "donut", and well, these were not quite that. Service was top notch and food was great. I thought the prices were typical for Portland, and it's obvious why they literally have a line down the block. Must try when in Portland read more

Duckfat - One chocolate milkshake split for us - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I love Duckfat. The fries are amazing, the sauces delightful, the salads crunchy and tasty, the duck perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. It takes restraint not to visit daily. read more

We grabbed a quick lunch here today. My daughters each had the cream of tomato fennel soup. I'm not usually a fan of tomato soup, but I tried a bite of theirs and it was rich and hearty. I ordered the house smoked brisket sandwich and loved it! I enjoyed the crispiness of the panini bread and the brisket was cooked perfectly. The BBQ sauce and the vegetable chow chow (basically deliciously pickled veggies) added huge depth of flavor to the sandwich. The seating is minimal, so plan ahead to when you decide to check them out! read more

OK, I'm going out of my way too. Come here and write a review about duck fats tomato fennel soup. I'm eating it RIGHT NOW. And I wish you were too. This is the coziest soup in the world. read more

Would you be surprised to hear that the French fries were NOT our favorite thing? And yet they get 5 stars? Keep reading! So we arrived for a bite of lunch and by the line outside knew we'd be in for a wait. We didn't mind because we knew what we signed up for, which was what we heard the best French fries in all of New England. So we hangout outside and awaited our turn. About 45 minutes later we were sat with another group at a large table with a stool separating our party from theirs. We were anticipating just munching on some fries, but also opted for a turkey sandwich with avocado. Right before she walked away I saw a list of milkshakes that caught my eye, specifically the vanilla. So we put in an order for that as well. The fries came out first, and we regretted getting more food due to the size of these fries. We got a large, our mistake, and found that just the two of us couldn't eat it all. We got some sides to dip the special dip of the week which was a garlic parm style dip and Thai chili mayo. We enjoyed them both but found that the fries were a little salty and also small. I think we got the end of a batch of fries because nothing was larger than 1-2 inches in size. Very stubby, so we weren't the biggest fans. Next time we would opt for a small! The turkey sandwich with avocado was split for us into two plates, which was very thoughtful! And I have to say, it was one of the BEST turkey sandwiches I had ever had. It was well toasted, turkey flavorful, the bursts of fried shallots added a nice crunch and depth of flavor, the avocado added a layer of fat...it was amazing. Just when I thought the meal couldn't get better out came the milkshake. They also split the milkshake in two for us, which was again very thoughtful! When I tell you that this would be worth a drive to get....I mean it. It was so unique, made with vanilla gelato, crème anglaise & fresh Tahitian vanilla bean. And you could taste EVERY vanilla bean flake. The soft smooth texture applied with that creme anglaise....I cannot stress how much we loved this. We actually went back the next day and grabbed one to go for dessert after we had lobster rolls at Eventide. All in all, that milkshake was what I would say Duckfat should be known for! It was such a fun experience, delicious food, and worth the wait. I cannot wait to come back for another meal! read more

Duckfat was another "Somebody Feed Phil" recommendation that I just had to try out for myself! Upon arrival, you realize its a small, charming restaurant with some indoor/outdoor seating. Friendly staff informed us of our 30 minute wait which we spent at the picnic tables across the street (there really isn't a lobby or anywhere to wait.) I had my heart set to try the duck poutine, so you know I had to get it with the duck confit (extra $5)! Let me tell you, the first bite was MAGIC! The gravy was so smooth and flavorful, the curds added a beautiful springiness to the mouth feel, the fries were salt and peppered to perfection, and the DUCK! So juicy and full of umami flavor, I felt like a flavor bomb went off in my mouth. The first initial bite was definitely the best because it contained most of the gravy provided on top of the dish. I should have asked to see if I could get some extra gravy on the side to dip the fries in - it would have honestly been worth it! To round out meal, I tried the turkey sandwich. The turkey was very tender but was overpowered by the flavor of their cheese blend. I feel regretful that I didn't order the duck banh mi - trust, if the place is called "Duckfat", you know the duck has to be their signature, so order all the duck you can! Overall, I give the food, ambiance, customer service, and experience a solid 4/5! read more

Duckfat - Duck confit poutine - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Came as a party of 6 so the wait was def there. Even with such a large group, our food came out fairly quickly. We ordered two shakes and it was intended to be shared since we wanted to try a bit of everything. When the server found out, she was kind enough to offer to separate and put the shakes into 4 glasses! That's was so kind! I'd you like coffee, I'd recommend trying the tandem coffee roasters shake. Now onto the food. My husband ordered the Bahn Mi and I was pleasantly surprised - the flavors were all there. Made me regret my pulled pork because I thought it was slightly dry. I was a little disappointed since everyone seemed to highly recommend this place. The fries were just okay too - didn't seem too special. Def get the garlic Mayo sauce for dipping. read more

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Tomato bisque was so delicious! Had it for lunch and loved it so much that I had to go back for more! Lobster roll was one of their specials. Expensive but there was lots of filling and on a nicely toasted, buttered bun. Fries were crisp. Enjoyed the garlic and truffle sauces. read more

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The poutine fries did not disappoint! Filled with flavor I'm sad I couldn't make it for a second round! Highly recommend read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Years later, still legit. Got some poutine with duck confit. *chefs kiss*. Regrets were that we didn't get the egg as well. Pro tip: consider adding for a side of jalapeños. They're not too spicy and add an acidic bite. The Caesar salad was also super good, bright and savory. I loved the duck fat breadcrumbs instead of croutons. Rounded out the meal sharing a Cuban sandwich which is always classic. Honestly though. Those fries always steal the show. read more

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We went to Portland last week for our anniversary, and everyone told us we had to go to duckfat. It took us three tries to get a table because they were so amazingly popular! I was incredibly disappointed. The fries were so heavily salt and peppered that they were inedible. The poutine was lukewarm and became cold within moments of being set down at the table, and like the fries, was so salty it was almost inedible. It's so tightly packed you basically feel like you're sitting at a communal dining hall table. I have no idea why this place is so popular. The milkshake was excellent which is why I gave this two stars instead of one. I don't know if we just had an off experience but ... will not go back. read more

Duck Fat is the highest rated spot in Portland. Even as it was approaching 9 PM there was a minimum 45 minute wait and a huge line for pick up orders. At this restaurant you receive a buzzer when you're ready to be seated but since the wait this night was about an hour wait we got drinks at another near by spot seeing as how things are so close. My impressions of Duck Fat is that it's good, but a tad overrated for it's large amount of reviews. The name comes from the fact that some of their offerings, such as their fries are cooked in duck fat. yeah sounds odd, but it was alright as I felt obligated to get the fries and try this. They were pretty good, but nothing outstanding. With this, you're prompted to get the "flight of sauces" which are five dipping sauces for the fries. These sauces are: The truffle ketchup which was good. Thai chili was ok, Charred poblano was my favorite, followed by the atomic horseradish mayo. Garlic mayo was just ok too. So even though a couple of them are the really good, I'd still recommend getting the flight. It's probably the best deal. The entrees are few. Soups, salads and panini's so it kinda reminded me of a Panera Bread in that regard. I got the Oaxacan style smoked brisket panini. Tomatillo, Oaxaca cheese, mole mayo. All sounded good, and was good but not "Oh Man this is GOOD!" levels, especially for the high rating Duck Fat holds. That all said, Duck Fat is good. Nice patio type seating and that staff were really nice. Fries with a selection of sauces and unique panini's Duck Fat will more than deliver. For the huge wait and high rating, I wasn't thoroughly impressed. read more

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