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    The Ugly Duckling

    3.6 (58 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    The Ugly Duckling Photos

    THE UGLY DUCKLING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Ugly Duckling

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    Kevin M.

    Very good bar and service. it can get a little loud in there at times but the prices on both drinks and food are very reasonable. Excellent bar pizza and sandwiches and a great small selection of entrees. I usually get the Greek wrap that includes delicious marinated chicken and a good portion of hot crispy fries. The Mediterranean wings are a winner as is the fish and chips.

    Wings!!!
    Michael M.

    I will have to say this place has lost a little of its shine... don't get me wrong the owner, wait staff and bartenders are great, but for years the food has been inconsistent with some of the cooks they've had and the wait for the food can sometimes be pretty long. Still saying all that, Ugly Duckling is still one of the better low key places in the city to have a few drinks!

    Brandi R.

    I'm here almost every Wednesday for the wing special (the wings are some of the best I've ever had!!!) And to see my favorite bar tender Amy. The atmosphere is nice and homey in a way. That is until it hits after 5 or 6 or it's a weekend. Then it can tend to be a little packed and loud. Food is good and the drinks are usually good. Again, I can't reccomend the wings enough! Lol

    Stuffed mushrooms
    Elizabeth N.

    Bad location from the outside it looks kind of like a rundown bar. The restaurant is nice and clean. Great bar and sitting area. The waitstaff was nice and friendly. Food OK: I got the stuff mushrooms mushrooms kind of chewy Aloha chicken sandwich: it was smothered with barbecue sauce, The chicken was extremely thin. And the best part was probably their fries.

    Linguiça Empanadas
    Jonathan B.

    Finding an enjoyable restaurant in an area of downtown Taunton that isn't overrun with transients, prostitutes and drug addicts has been a perennial problem for diners in recent years. So it came as a bit of a surprise to find this friendly eatery in a vicinity historically associated with nefarious types. Maybe the restaurant is improving the neighborhood. I hear some of the tenants even pay their own rent. My girlfriend and I arrived around sixish last night and pulled up a few stools at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and invited us to make some drink selections while offering us menus. A patron selected a song on a nearby jukebox and the atmosphere could have been described as festive if there had been more people around - it was a monsoon of a night. The dining area, bathroom and bar all appeared clean and well kept - a fact worth mentioning for a restaurant in this neck of the woods. The dining area was dimly lit and while seated at the bar with our backs to it, we couldn't help but feel a certain sense of foreboding. The beer offerings appeared to be of the bottled variety - no draft service was made apparent. An appetizer was placed for linguiça empanadas. I ordered a Narragansett Lager while she opted for a mixed drink which arrived watery. Her second brought no improvement. The arrival of freshly baked empanadas stymied our hasty departure. In hindsight, I'm glad it did. I've had far worse at bona fide Mexican restaurants that brag about the quality and authenticity of their plates. The Ugly Duckling's empanadas were first and foremost delicious - warm and tasty with excellent flavor. They tempted me to break etiquette and devour more than my fair share. Our entrées were of the bread, meat and cheese variety. Mine was a linguiça, pepper and onion sandwich while hers was a steak, onion and cheese sandwich. They were both served with customary French fries of intermediate quality. My meal was tasty enough, but a painful stomachache on the ride home forced me to reconsider such an indulgence in the future. Being from Pittsburgh, she is a steak and cheese snob, but managed to give her highest accolade yet of the New England version: "It's the best I've had in the area so far." Take it for what it's worth. Overall, The Ugly Duckling did not compel me to return. I'd give it four stars, but the fourth would be entirely out of pity and the third is halfway there. The location is terrific if you're in the mood for some pizza or comfort food to compliment your deck of choice. The service was stellar and our food was globally above average in taste. But for all the hard work the owners have clearly put into this restaurant, it just doesn't seem to have any lasting pizzazz. You'll receive it in doses here, but it's fleeting at best.

    Pepperoni pizza
    Terry T.

    Came in on a Thursday night (pre Pats game). It was fairly busy and only one person working both the bar and floor. The music was so loud we had to shout. The drinks were meh and it took awhile for the food to arrive. We ordered an appetizer that consisted of hot wings,Mediterranean wings and a steak and cheese roll-all were pretty good! Hubby got the $4 pepperoni pizza (special this night) which he thought was good. Friend got the fish sandwich and I got the Aloha chicken sandwich. Both were good but the meat and fish portion inside the sandwich was skimpy. I'll probably try this place again and hope this was an off night with lack of staff and too loud of music was an oversight.

    Antipasto!

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    9 months ago

    Good food. Great service! The bartender remembered our drinks order...always smiling!

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    3 years ago

    Delish food atmosphere and staff keep up the good work. Our city needs more places like this

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    8 years ago

    Food was ok. The one man kitchen isn't conducive for getting your meal in a timely manner.

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    Aire Restaurant and Catering

    Aire Restaurant and Catering

    4.7
    (37 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    My wife and I had dinner here last night. Richard was training a new waitress, so we basically had…read morehim as our waiter. It was great. My wife had the Duck Pata and loved it. I had the Apple fennel stuffed pork loin, also excellent. Since Aire is a scratch kitchen, the pace of the meal is nicely relaxed. We ate outside on the terrace. It's covered, so sun or even light rain are not a problem. All said, we had one of the best dining experiences we've had in a while.

    We finally have a true scratch-made, fine dining experience in the Taunton-Raynham area. Every dish…read moremy wife and I tried was outstanding, and I will be back with the rest of my family and friends to be regulars now. The chef actually crisped up croutons in a skillet so they were warm, and it ended up being the best caesar salad I have ever had. My seafood stuffed haddock was cooked perfectly and filled with flavor. Everything that hit our table was seasoned perfectly and fresh. These are clearly high-quality ingredients prepared with care and time, and it shows--absolutely worth the price. Compared to what you'd pay in Boston, I found the pricing very reasonable. I've been hoping for a restaurant like this ever since moving here 15 years ago. Until now, I've had to drive about 35 minutes to Solstice in Kingston for a similar level of food--and at a higher cost. I'm excited to come back and explore more of the menu, especially the burger. It's almost unheard of to find a place that makes its own burger buns from scratch or uses ingredients grown at a local farm. That kind of commitment to quality and craftsmanship is what truly sets Aire apart from our other local options that all rely on frozen, prepackaged ingredients and premade sauces filled with chemicals. Most importantly, when the owner of a restaurant is also the chef and also the person actually cooking your meal, you have the rarest situation in restaurants....the best situation for quality.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    You can see the talented chef working in the open kitchen.
    You can see the talented chef working in the open kitchen.
    Dining room

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    Dining room
    Union Straw

    Union Straw

    4.0
    (52 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    First timer at the Union Straw! Made early reservations but preferred to sit at the bar, which…read morewasn't crowded at 6:45pm. Folks really started coming in around 8 pm. Lindsay was an amazing bartender--lots of attention to detail. I wasn't planning on imbibing but I couldn't resist an espresso martini I'd been watching her make on repeat. There were five or six other specialty cocktails that looked great too. We ate small plates (the tenders & cauliflower are great) and I had a yummy flatbread and he had the sirloin. The World Cup was playing on all TVs, so it's a great spot to catch a game. Staff is friendly and I liked the overall vibe, even for a younger crowd!

    Really good & consistent. A bit on the pricier side but I'm willing to spend more if im guaranteed…read moregood food so im not complaining. Their honey buffalo wings are great. You get about 5 wings for 17$ which is a stretch but again, they're so yummy and cooked perfectly that I buy them again and again. Want wings? Good wings? Try them. The fries aren't anything to rave about but they're not bad. Again, small portion for the price but you can't wings without fries and unfortunately they come separate. I've also had the tenders, they're fine. Not my favorite. The wings are the star here. Haven't tried anything else. Wish the menu was bigger. I've only ever gotten them doordashed btw. Not sure how service is or anything else.

    Photos
    Union Straw
    Chicken Piccata with shrimp
    Chicken Piccata with shrimp
    Veggie stir fry add chicken

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    Veggie stir fry add chicken
    Time Travel Cuisine

    Time Travel Cuisine

    4.7
    (54 reviews)
    8.3 mi

    Authentic Chinese - so good. We found this place in the fall and got a chance to go again today as…read morewe up here again for another trip. Wish this place was in Delaware near us. 7 of us today. All the dishes were good. The celtuce salad was available. Never had something like it before. Looks innocent but it has a spice that kicks in the back of the throat. Recommend. The beef buns were another good appetizer. If you're not sure what you want, ask for suggestions. They didn't steer us wrong. FYI, the sliced beef with peppers are not bell peppers. Very tasty.

    Four-month-old modern looking authentic Chinese eatery in a Route 140 shopping center offering…read moredumplings, noodles, dim sum dishes, and a slew of authentic Sichuan entrees. Spacious seating, with many booths and a long bar. Reasonable pricing, with all but a few items under $20. Easy parking. Seafood Pastry: Unique item, flaky outer shell (think phyllo dough), and a moist filling with chunks of softer seafood, with shrimp the predominant flavor. Good mouthfeel, good flavor, and something new. Fried Pork Buns: A favorite dish of mine, and theirs are unique in that there's much more meat, the meat is incredibly tender, and the filling doesn't separate from the buns. Nice thin lacy "skirt" that forms from contact with the frying surface. Good flavor, good texture (browned bao dough different from Peking ravioli), great dish. Elite. Soup Dumplings: Perfectly cooked, perfectly filled (pork and slurpable soup), and good flavor. Served with a different soy-based dipping sauce from the pork buns. Really no negative here, but nothing distinguishing from other good ones I've had. Pork with Sweet Bean Sauce: Shredded strands of stir-fried pork with a sweet bean sauce. Think hoisin sauce but not quite as sweet. Some strips of greenery provide flavor and texture contrast to this 99% meat dish. Served with four pancakes similar to mooshi for do-it-yourself wraps. Solid item as long as you like sweet. Twice Fried Pork: One of my "barometer" dishes I try at any first-time visit to a Sichuan restaurant, and Time Travel knocked it out of the park. Bacony strips on the cusp of crisp with great flexibility to match the alluring flavor. Thin-cut leeks for extra complexity and contrast, perfectly worked into the mix. Appealing heat that tingled with every bite, but wasn't trying to blow your face off. The perfect mix of flavor and heat, and of meat and vegetable. Easily elite and my favorite dish so far. Boiled Beef in Spicy Broth: Some of the most velvety, tender beef I ever had, boiled or not. The sauce it was sitting in had plenty of heat and flavor throughout, though not as spicy as it looked. Dried chilies, minced garlic and cilantro added to the equation if desired. Stunning and a dish I'll return to for sure. Veggie Dumplings: Tender green exterior and a soft and tasty interior of tofu and mushrooms. Good mouthfeel, much different from crumbly veggie dumplings. Asparagus Lettuce Salad: A cold item with a tall mound of long, thin, shaved strips they're calling asparagus, but technically it's a Chinese vegetable called celtus. Crisp and refreshing, with hints of vinegar and hot oil, and way more than a hint of garlic. Scallion Pancake: Very good batter flavor, great crispness, and light enough to not fill you up before the entrees. Even though the sauce didn't have ginger, it's darker and thicker than most, and a little tangy. Garlic Wings: Their standard wings, tossed in the same sauce they use for Garlic Eggplant. Tasty stuff, even inside. Saucing a little spicy but mostly sweet. Sizzling Fish in Spicy Oil: A gigantic bowl and an absolute bargain, with the fish large, tender, and infused with the spicy oil. Thin sauce, brothy texture, and not as oily as most. Plenty of dried chiles. Very enjoyable. Eggplant in Garlic Sauce: Bright purple vegetable, likely fried (without batter) to get them bacony crisp on the outside, while lusciously tender inside. It's loaded with little garlic bits, thick, and more sweet than garlicky, making it approachable for American palates. Spicy and Sour Potatoes: Solid rendition, with matchstick-like shreds of droopy but al dente potato, with both heat and sourness present, but less sour than most. Taro Puff Pastry: This is an absolute must at the end of the meal. Served hot, crispy, flaky and with a mildly sweet hot taro filling. I can't imagine a superior version. Service: This was another strong suit, handled by two young, affable men who doubled as kitchen staff. You've got to love having a server who not only brings you the food but who also has a hand in making it and who knows the menu firsthand, able to answer questions about ingredients and dish composition. Great guys. If you're looking for something authentic, fresh, and different, without going to Chinatown, this is an exciting new place that's worth a drive.

    Photos
    Very nice Chinese food! And warmly service!
    Very nice Chinese food! And warmly service!
    Mi fenso good
    Mi fenso good
    Time Travel Cuisine

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    La Familia Restaurant

    La Familia Restaurant

    4.2
    (255 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    My wife and I have been fans of La Familia for years. The Cumberland, Rhode Island location has…read morebeen our special place for anniversaries and Valentine's dinners, so we already knew how wonderful their food and hospitality could be. Today we had the opportunity to visit the Taunton location for a bereavement luncheon after a family funeral, and I was truly impressed. The luncheon was held in a beautiful private room upstairs that was set up perfectly for our gathering. Everything was elegant, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged. The meal was served family-style buffet, and every dish was outstanding. The quality of the food was exactly what we've come to expect from La Familia--fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. What really stood out, though, was the staff. They were incredibly welcoming and attentive to everyone's needs, yet never rushed our group. Considering the emotional circumstances of the day, their kindness and professionalism meant a lot to all of us. And I have to mention the bread--whoever makes it deserves special recognition. I would happily buy a loaf or two every week if I could. A sincere chef's kiss to the entire establishment and especially the function team who handled our event so beautifully. La Familia continues to prove why it's such a special place for our family.

    Ask them to spice up the shrimp scampi if you like shrimp scampi spicy. Do not eat the bread with…read morethat awesome oil, be patient and wait, it will be worth it. That bread will sop Up the rest of the shrimp scampi sauce that you can't get to with a spoon. I licked the bowl clean it was that good.

    Photos
    Chicken Marsala
    Chicken Marsala
    Cheese Ravioli and Meatballs
    Cheese Ravioli and Meatballs
    Fried Ice Cream

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    Fried Ice Cream

    The Ugly Duckling - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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