Their fries are amazing. Crisp on the outside and melt in your mouth goodness on the inside. The different dipping sauces were also very good. We sat outside which was nice because inside was very cramped on noise level was just a tad too much. I wish there was a place like this near me. This is by far the best Belgian fries I've ever had. Will definitely return if I'm ever back in Portland. read more

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

How do you remain a must-stop destination in Maine's trendiest city for two decades? Duckfat answers that with great food and service. We have only dined there a single time, but of the many (dozens) of meals we enjoyed over 9 days of an anniversary vacation, including some high-end eateries in Boston, this was my wife's favorite. If you are a fry aficionado like myself, and are anywhere near the area, this is a must-stop. Get the larger size, even if it's just a couple of you sharing them, and splurge to have a flight of the dipping sauces. Not all places live up to their reputations, but Duckfat is one that does! read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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MUST GET CARAMEL !! Stopped by on a Sunday for lunch and was seated, though seating was very limited. Larger groups faced long wait times, despite the host mentioning it was a slow day. I ordered the Small Fry, Flight of Sauces, Tuscan Spiced Smoked Turkey Panini, and a Sea Salt Caramel Shake. The fries were well-cooked but lacked the distinct flavor of duck fat, which was a bit disappointing. Out of the sauces, the garlic mayo was the standout- rich, flavorful, and reminiscent of the garlic sauce you'd find on a good shawarma. The Tuscan Spiced Smoked Turkey Panini was decent, but nothing exceptional- it didn't surpass a typical Toasted Frontega Chicken from Panera. The dessert, however, stole the show. The Sea Salt Caramel Shake was delicious, but it was the caramel itself that truly impressed. It had a distinct richness that set it apart from butter-based caramel. The flavor was so good I ended up purchasing a jar to take home. Unfortunately, the service was surprisingly poor for bar seating. Despite standing right in front of me, the staff rarely checked in to see if I needed anything or even wanted the check. Overall, the fries didn't live up to expectations, but if you visit, the caramel-based desserts are a must-try. read more

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Duckfat in Portland is unreal. The poutine is absolutely incredible -- crispy fries, perfect gravy, and it's one of those dishes you think about after you leave. Straight up comfort food done the right way. And I have to say it: their sodas are my literal favorite sodas. Not just "good," like genuinely I'd go back just for those. The whole place has a great vibe, the food comes out hot and on point, and it's the kind of spot that lives up to the hype. The service is always on point also. If you're in Portland, this is a must. read more

We loved Duckfat in Portland, ME. We only waited 10 minutes for an outdoor table. We walked the block and came back to the table set with a bowl of water, ready for our dog, Moose! The staff genuinely was dog friendly. All of them came over to say hello and give a French fry to our 7 month old puppy. The delicious food was just a bonus! read more

So good! Fries are a must and get a shake for the table. The cauliflower sandwich had a great tan and a good alternative to the meat options. The bread as nice and crispy. They have a grilled cheese option for the kiddos. It's small inside so if you can't snag a table head down to their other location that's take out only. Expect a wait but it's well worth it! read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Shut the front door, such an amazing eatery with local farm ingredients! You cannot come here and not get the poutine. Definitely get the poutine and homemade sodas! They are both so so delicious. I also recommend their sauce flight for their fries that are fried in duck fat as well as their infamous milkshakes! We also got the pork cubano sandwich which had great, toasty bread. However, it was a bit too smokey for us and kind of overpowered the taste of the whole sandwich. I see why this place is so popular in Portland, definitely a must try when visiting the area. Just account for having to wait to get seated! read more

They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait! We got a table after waiting about 30 minutes, but they send you a text and you can check your status in line through the text. The fries were def the star of the show! We got an order of fries and the Cubano sandwich. The fries were soooo delicious and crisp. We ended up getting their seasonal sauce which was a lemon thyme mayo and it paired very well with the fries. The cubano was just ok. The pulled pork inside of the sandwich was very dry. I wouldn't order this sandwich again. We ended the meal with the blueberry and buttermilk milkshake and that was sooooo good!!!! I know everyone raves about the salted caramel milkshake but the blueberry one is the star for me. The service was top notch. Our waiter was so nice. We got a table outside to enjoy the nice weather. read more

Duckfat - Blueberry and Buttermilk Milkshake - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Fun Upscale American dining both inside and outside. Given we had our dog, we opted for outside. Service was friendly and the fries were abundant and very good. My Montreal Reuben sandwich was tasty but with brisket instead of corned beef. The menu is limited but offers interesting taste sensations- worth another visit. read more

Duckfat - Montreal Reuben - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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After hearing about Duckfat for years and never being able to get in, on a cold January evening we managed to find space. First the positive, we had a couple of nice local brews. The large cone of frites were good (not extraordinary) but overpriced at $12 with most of them 1 inch or less. I splurged and ordered the French dip, made with prime rib--for $25!! What I got was a panini with some cheese, some caramelized onions and scant roast beef. I only ate half of the sandwich as I took the rest home, so I could weigh and photograph the remaining portion. Using my wife's kitchen scales the meat in that remaining half of the sandwich weighed in at 46 grams/1 and 1/2 ounces (!!!) So if the meat was doubled and evenly distributed across the whole sandwich it would have been ~3 ounces. What a rip off. That's not even a "quarter pounder"! My wife had the chicken sandwich ($18) that was...meh. Staff were friendly. Won't be back, as it was much ado about very little read more

Duckfat - One half of the French Dip, with a scant 1 and 1/2 ounces of roast beef-- for $25! What a rip! - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

We had great service. The outdoor seating is nice for the summer. The french fries are the best I have ever had. But be prepared to wait for a table because it is popular. read more

Food was good. Small location. Limited menu. Wait time was long. Servers were great. We were seated in the sun.

I'm just another 5-star review so I speak for the masses. There isn't a bad thing on their menu, however it's sometimes tricky to walk-in and expect to be seated immediately (unless you're lucky). Usually a 30-45 min wait depending on the day so make a reservation! Well worth the wait! read more

I'd been to Duckfat's frites shack before but not the restaurant (mostly because it's so popular that in good weather there's always a line), so I was delighted to take a visiting friend there on a Monday night in winter. This is a tiny place (hence the wait when it's busy), but there's also not a bad seat in the house at any of the tables or bar seats. Super friendly service, and as far as the food goes, well: this is one of those happy cases where the hype is real, people! There's nothing better than tucking in to poutine in cold weather, and my friend and I each inhaled a "small" portion with duck confit on top (side note: this is the same friend who went with me to Katie's in New Orleans where we inhaled debris fries; clearly there's a pattern here). The so-called small is actually quite a lot, too. We shared the green goddess salad on the side--and this is not one of those mediocre side salads you order to feel good about yourself, but one that's just as crave-worthy as the poutine itself. And if you can manage it, save room for dessert! The milkshakes are amazing, with a range of options and specials; I like the classic salted caramel (yes, there's duckfat in the caramel omg yum). You may as well just go for it and get some donut holes while you're at it too, and then roll yourself happily on home. Glad we have both the shack and the restaurant option, and Duckfat does not disappoint! read more

We were excited to return after many years, but unfortunately left disappointed. The food wasn't as good as we remembered, and the restaurant could definitely use some sprucing up. We also didn't appreciate the political messaging while trying to enjoy a meal. We come to restaurants for the food and atmosphere, not politics. Sadly, this visit didn't make us want to come back. read more

Very long wait and very worth the wait! The duck fat fries were delicious, as was my salad. I don't usually do for salads but it was so well dressed with loads of fresh avocado. The clam chowder was more like a Manhattan clam chowder, while it was good I don't think it was the winner. read more

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Literally drove over 3 hours to finally try this place! Well deserved of all the hype it gets. Got a small poutine with egg and the duck confit. It was delicious, the skin crispy the deck so flavorful and juicy. I should have gotten a large to go as well. Cute in the inside, small friendly staff. Showed up 5 mins after they opened and they had a 30 minute wait probably 10 mins after opening. It is a must stop in Portland read more

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

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It's a small little place that we wanted to try for lunch while in Portland. We were lucky to get a spot and did not have to wait. I read that the fries were a must so we ordered them with the truffle ketchup and Thai chili mayo. They were outstanding! Made with locally grown potatoes they are super fresh. We also split the Montreal Ruben sandwich which was great made with fresh bread. Our server was very nice helpful. Next time we are in the area we will be back again. read more

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

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The food was excellent. We loved the poutine. If you're in Portland definitely stop by. The restaurant is very small. Only groups of 3 or more are given their own table. Service was awesome, kind, and efficient. There is street parking but also a public lot right next door. read more

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

When we're in Portland we do enjoy going to Duckfat, especially for the fries as those are the main draw. They were out of the clam chowder which was disappointing but on the plus side we only waited about 15 minutes for our table for two when they said it would be 30. - large fries with flight of dipping sauces - 5/5, fresh, hot, delicious fries and five different small cups of sauces. I definitely like the garlic mayo the best (not a big truffle fan so truffle ketchup not appealing), the other sauces were okay for me. Next time just ordering the garlic mayo and the horseradish (for my cubano!) - green goddess salad with lobster - 4/5, meeting my goal of having lobster every day we're in Maine, the salad was solid but the crunchy lettuce was not actually crunchy and I wished it had been more of a substantive lettuce to go with the rest of it. - cubano - 5/5, nice grilled cubano with excellent ratios of cheese, pulled pork, pickles (was there salami in there too?) It says there's mustard in there but I found dipping my sandwich in the horseradish sauce from the fries made it extra tasty - peach milkshake - 4/5, a little too sweet for my taste especially with the addition of the crumbles on top but my husband drank the whole thing (which came in two full size milkshake glasses so a very large serving) I was so full I didn't have room for the doughnuts which are supposed to be amazing. Overall, glad we went as our pitstop on the way to Ocean Point. My husband did point out, however, that essentially Duckfat serves pub food but at a much higher price point. And the shared tables makes for interesting people watching and eavesdropping (like the couple next to us who were clearly on a first date!) read more

I had high expectations for this place given all the hype, sadly I was disappointed. Belgian Fries with flight of sauces: The fries did have a good texture and crisp to them, however given that they were fried in duck fat I was expecting a more savory flavor just from the fries alone. Regarding the flight of sauces, it was hard to differentiate the five sauces except the atomic horseradish mayo which had a strong radish flavor to it, it just seemed like they were all mayo based but with a small hint of whatever flavor they were supposed to be. Oxacan Style House Smoked Brisket Sandwich: So I originally was going to order the Duckfat TNT sandwich but unfortunately it was unavailable. So I went to what was seemingly the next best thing on the menu which was the brisket sandwich. The listed ingredients for this sandwich were cotija, tomatillo, mole mayo, and tajin seasoning; so needless to say I was expecting a more kick in flavor that complimented the brisket, but I did not taste any of those flavors. And regarding the brisket itself, I felt that the amount served with the sandwich was almost despicable, there were maybe 2 slices of thin brisket in the sandwich. Wild Maine Blueberry & Kate's Buttermilk Milkshake: The only thing that I enjoyed here. It was a good blend of creaminess and blueberry flavor. Whatever Kate is putting in that buttermilk is absolutely delicious. Overall review: 5/10 read more

Duckfat - Oxacan Style House Smoked Brisket Panini - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Fries are good and you get a good amount. The flavored dipping sauces are so good but they need to give you more of it! Especially for price. read more

Duckfat - Large fries - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

It's everything people rave about. We had a great lunch, the fries with gravy were the best I've ever had and I'm not huge on fries. They've converted me. read more

We heard this place was must-stop in Portland, and I agree! The place is quite small with both indoor and outdoor seating, so plan to come at a down time or prepare to wait for a bit. But it's worth it! We were seated immediately at a side bar inside by the super friendly host. We found ourselves visiting Portland during the heat wave and there was no AC inside the restaurant, so it was quite toasty. So why not order a beer to cool down? They had a good local craft beer list, which I always enjoy, as well as wine and cocktails which looked delicious. My husband and I split the poutine and the roasted turkey panini. We were super pleased with the poutine with huge chunks of cheese curds and plenty of gravy! The panini was excellent as well, and the bread was to die for! Overall, this is a quaint little place for both great food and service. Again, it's a pretty small place so plan ahead! read more

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I was very oversold on this place. The 2 things that stood out were amazing fries that came with so many sauces and fantastic service. I was mainly dissatisfied with the menu, and maybe was looking for some "healthier", simple, less greasy options aside from just a salad. I love poutine, but the only poutine I have had was in Canada, and this is NOT Canadian-level poutine. They have minimal indoor seating, but I think they do a great job of making the most out of what they have. I had a spiked iced tea cocktail that was recommended, but I could only stomach a few sips. Overall, I think this is a place for when you want heavy, greasy food, and with my stomach, that is never a good idea. I can see why people like this spot, but I can also see why others feel like it is missing something. You pay a price that doesn't equal what you get and if they are a toe into rush hour you also wait quite a while for just that. read more

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We had this restaurant suggested to us by someone in our travels! Since it was within walking distance of our hotel, we decided to check it out. The restaurant itself seemed pretty small, and was PACKED for a weeknight dinner. We wound up sharing a picnic table outside of the restaurant on the sidewalk- it was still full service. My husband and I chose to share the small poutine. I got the wild cherry soda which was the *highlight* for me- it was made from a 100 year old recipe and tasted very unique for a "soda". And we each got a sandwich- I got duckfat grilled cheese and my husband got the cubano. We both enjoyed the food, the price was kinda steep for what it was- almost $60- plus tip! But it was an experience. read more

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Excellent food and service. We went on a random weeknight and there was a 25 minute wait, always a good sign. They don't take reservations. Once seated, I enjoyed a local brown ale. We had to start with the poutine, which was super rich and tasty, the duck based gravy working well with the cheese curds. I enjoyed my Cuban sandwich, but in retrospect since I don't usually eat this much rich food, it would have been a good idea too to follow the lead of others at my table and around the restaurant with an order of a large salad instead. Family finished off the meal with a large milkshake, which was enough for three to easily share. We really enjoyed our dinner here and would happily come back. read more

We visited the restaurant for lunch during our first trip to Portland. It was an easy wait , only 20 mins for 4 of us. However the hostess - with the gap in her front teeth, only sharing to give a description - was incredibly rude. She was snappy and not kind or welcoming. For example: she snapped at us for the timing of our sitting claiming we had only been there for 20 mins when she quoted us 40 then tried to push our seating back to equal the 40 mins Once we sat, we were greeted by an incredible waiter Andy who was kind, helped us with all of our food questions and totally made up for the snarky hostess and for the experience when we first arrived. We ordered: Tomato soup Caprese salad (special) Poutine with extra curds Cubano All delicious and we couldn't decide our favorite. Don't think we'll ever go back but it was fun to try. read more

Food: tasteless and stone cold. Service: minimal attention. Ambiance: dismal and unpleasant. Rude staff and grumpy customers.

In Portland for a week and flagged Duckfat as one we wanted to check out. On our first day we swung by for a late lunch. We were seated outside at a shared table, which was a little weird but I understand and appreciate the host wanted to seat us promptly and meet our request to sit outside. The server was quick to greet us and was super friendly. He also offered any advice on the menu, but gave us time to peruse the menu and select our options for lunch. After looking at the menu, we selected the large Duckfat poutine, tomato and fennel soup, and a roasted cauliflower and pickled mustard panini. We also got a bottle of wine. The soup was really great and I probably should have ordered the grilled cheese to go with it. The panini was overpowered by the pickled mustard and I couldn't find the cauliflower. It wasn't my favorite but the idea of it is appealing. The poutine was OK but after a while, it sort of became boring because it was a lot of sameness. I think next time I would just get a small order, and I think that would probably be enough. read more

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Perfect fries. The best I've had, and that's probably also including Belgium itself. The sauces were delicious (Thai chili mayo and the garlic scape mayo in particular) but the fries are also good enough to stand alone. Believe me, I also love ketchup but there isn't a need with fries this good. Service is quick and it's a popular place. We came here two nights in a row for the fries. Maybe next trip to Maine we will branch out a bit on the menu...Or just stick to the fries! read more

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

First and last time. I had high hopes. Maybe that was my first mistake. We ordered two apps and a sandwich. Everything came out at once and I felt like I was being rushed as soon as we sat down. I asked the waitress why everything came out at once and that things are sitting and getting cold. Of course she denied any blame and made the excuse that she can't control the kitchen. That's boloney. That's why there are appetizers and entrees. I appreciate everything being cooked in duck fat and not seed oils. Poutine was forgettable. Needed some salt/seasoning. Rabbit app was boring. Brisket had good flavor but portion of meat to bread ratio was off. My son loved the doughnuts and milkshake. Probably should have went with my gut and gone to Eventide. Lesson learned. read more

Stopped here for a late lunch around 3 and was able to get seated quickly. Food was tasty and a bit food coma inducing, as to be expected at a place called Duckfat. The double fried duckfat fries were the star, and we liked the horseradish mayo and truffle ketchup the most of the 5 dipping sauces. The cream of tomato fennel soup was comforting, and the reuben was smokey with good bread and a balanced ratio of fillings for me. I don't normally drink soda, but the creamsicle was a delightful treat. Cute small space that had a warm bistro feel to it with a touch of class and fun with the magnet poetry on the wall. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive. Would definitely stop by again if I'm craving some fried carbs in Portland. read more

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Poutine was fantastic. They have a half and full option. If you get the full it is definitely enough for a meal. We also ordered the brisket sandwich. There was not a lot of meat on the sandwich which was slightly disappointing. Overall we didn't love the taste. Servers were great. Seating is tight but great experience. read more

Duckfat - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Classic restaurant in Portland. Food is good for a quick bite. Small menu but options are pretty good. Not a favorite but pretty solid restaurant. read more

This place was awesome. I didn't know if it would be gimmicky or over the top with duck stuff, but I was pleasantly surprise with the quality and flavors. I got the the duck gravy poutine with a duck egg and duck confit. Wow!! So good. Delicious, rich flavors. Nice, friendly servers and bartenders. The restaurant is small, but that also added to the experience. Great location. Plenty of parking. I topped my meal off with a duck fat caramel shake, which blew me away. So good. The crunchy salt element was amazing. I will definitely be going back. Plus it is located near Eventide, which has the best lobster roll in the area in my opinion. read more

Duckfat - Yum. Duck Poutine - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

Duckfat for BRUNCH? Yes!!!!!!! And go early, because a line forms around the block before the restaurant even opens. We sat outside on the little deck they have in front- loved the atmosphere of the high picnic tables with the umbrellas, as well as the wooden floor, with the wall with a port hole in it. Service was 10/10- waitress was funny, personable, and happy. She was helpful with the menu, brought my dog a water bowl and treats, and had our food out to us fast. For brunch we ordered the cheddar grilled cheese (with sun-dried tomato pesto) with soppressata, Belgian fries with the flight of sauces, and the lobster roll. The grilled cheese had great grill marks on it, the cheddar was sharp and creamy, but the soppressata combined with the pesto made it a bit too salty. The lobster roll had a fair amount of lobster (only knuckle and claw meat), and an amazing flavor combination of brown sugar and red pepper jelly. The milk bun really was a great finishing touch on the sandwich. The fries were fried in duckfat, and all the sauces were all so different, but all so tasty. My favorite was the garlic aioli. What a great idea to do a flight of them for $4!! I would definitely return here for brunch or dinner- and next time would save room so I could try their famous milkshake!! read more

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Huge shoutout to ChatGPT for this recommendation! Duckfat did not disappoint. The donuts? A MUST try. Seriously, they're crispy, warm, and so satisfying--it's worth the trip just for those. Everything else on the menu was solid as well. From the fries to the sandwiches, it's clear that this place really knows how to elevate comfort food. The service was on point, too--friendly, efficient, and they made us feel right at home. Now I totally understand why they're always packed and operate on a walk-in basis. It's the kind of spot where people are willing to wait because the food is that good. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to! read more

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The food and the service was phenomenal. The wait time was minimal, the staff was very friendly. The seating choices were inside and outside. I am glad we choose outside. They have taken the time to make the seating chic and eclectic. Now the food was amazing. The poutine is a must and the smoke rolling off the cubano would call in the fire department. Well done from the Maryland girl! read more

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My boyfriend and I stopped at Duckfat on our way home from Sugarloaf around 1 PM and waited an hour for a table--totally worth it. Our server, Andy, was great, and service was quick. I got the Turkey Panini, and he had the Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese--the soup and grilled cheese stole the show. Seriously, get the grilled cheese. We also tried the Caramel Duckfat Milkshake, and it was insanely good. Would 100% come back. Just be ready for a wait on the weekends! read more

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

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