Duckfat

Great place for lunch in Portland. It was recommended to me a couple times so when I was in town I had to try it. Loved the fries, like truly it does make a huge difference when things are fried in animal fat…sorry vegans. The garlic mayo and truffle ketchup were so good with those hot crispy salty fries. Also had a great Caesar salad and the beet salad, as well as the tomato and fennel creamy soup which is def one of my favorite tomato soups I’ve had now. Fennel is such a good addition. It’s super cool they have all these homemade sodas too but I didn’t try them and had a good blueberry (classic Maine) kombucha instead. The servers were all super nice and just made the experience even better.

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!

We visited Duckfat for lunch today and had a great experience. To start, we had the fries and the poutine - both which had amazing flavor. Highly recommend getting the 5 sauce flight with the fries so we could try all of them. The truffle mayo was a fan favorite. For our mains, we tried the Rueben, Cubano sandwich, Caesar Salad and the Green Goddess salad topped with duck. For dessert, we obviously had to try the infamous donut holes and the milkshakes. Would recommend getting there early when they open to get in line / put your name in. We had 7 people and only had to wait 45 minutes.

Out of every restaurant I have been to in my memory, this has earned its place in my top three--beaten only by a Michelin restaurant in Paris and one other. The atmosphere is unmatched: staff with clear cohesion, and a passion for their jobs, bustling activity on a Friday night; and, much more! The food was good, although I would only recommend the large fries for those planning on splitting with another person, or someone with an incredible appetite. The sauce flight was an experience, with the Horseradish and Thai Chili being my two favorites. The Duckfat Ceasar salad was great, especially with the incredibly intelligent balance of acid from the dressing, textures, and sliced cured (?) duck breast layered on top. For those who prefer an alcoholic beverage, there was an extensive menu; however, those who do not drink can enjoy one of the several craft-made sodas available--I recommend the grape, which lacked the chemical 'cough syrup' flavor found in most commercial grape-flavored sodas, and wasn't overwhelmingly sweet either. In a city such as Portland, known for its high density of good restaurants, Duckfat is definitely one I will be coming back to!

Duckfat has been on my list for several years, and when I finally got to Portland, they didn't disappoint. We went there for lunch and had to wait about 20 minutes. We started with a cup of clam chowder and the fries. The chowder was delicious and the fries lived up to the hype. We had the flight of dipping sauces with the fries, which created a nice variety of flavors. I had the House Smoke Pulled Pork Cuban, which was savory and delicious. My wife had the Grilled Cheese with soppressata- also fabulous. Their sandwiches don't look large but they are very hearty. We were quite full when we left. I definitely recommend Duckfat.

Poutine was to die for, milkshakes were hearty and perfectly sweetened, they even give you a little extra ( comes out to two shakes!) Whatever you do - DO NOT get the grilled cheese, it was so dry I actually choked 🥲 one slice of cheese for two pieces of thick bread is ridiculous. Other than that everything was delicious.

This restaurant is 100% worth the wait. Duckfat unfortunately does not accept reservations. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday afternoon, a table for two was only a 45 minute wait. The space is small so you will be sat next to other parties. We started with the tomato soup and it was one of the best I've had. I strongly recommend the poutine and don't forget to add the egg. The smaller portion is enough for two, however, if you're really hungry the larger portion will also do too! We ordered the larger portion. Service was fast & friendly. If you're ever in the area this place is a must! Overall 10/10

Small space with indoor and outdoor seating. Had the lobster roll here, which needed Salt, not much flavor. The lobster itself was also pretty bland, so I'm not sure if it was the season that we're in. Also had the chowder, which was not creamy, so if that's what you're looking for, do not order it here. The salad was tasty, and so was the Arnold Palmer and lemonade. Everyone was very nice. About a 15 min wait.

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!

Duckfat was the perfect lunch experience on a cold winter day. The staff was remarkably kind and warm so it set a great ambience for the meal. The poutine was the perfect ratio of gravy to cheese which rarely happens! I was so happy to have ordered the duck confit with the dish as it was super tender. I ordered the flight of sauces to try them out and probably would have skipped that next time and went straight to the garlic mayo and truffle ketchup. Not pictured was the grilled cheese, which was good - it was pretty standard! Great quality bread with a phenomenal tomato spread. The showstopper for me were the citrus scented doughnuts with caramel. They were not too sweet and made fresh to order. Even as someone who does not have a sweet tooth, these were a must order!

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.

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.

You should definitely go to Duckfat. You should definitely NOT go alone. And I'm not saying that because I didn't have a good time here all by myself. I'm not saying it because the service wasn't great, or because they don't accommodate solo diners quite well. They are super welcoming, and I loved my visit wholeheartedly. I'm saying it because: 1. Everyone knows you can't get a small order of fries. 2. You really shouldn't eat a large order of fries to your face. 3. If you get a large order of these fries (with five amazing sauces for a very reasonable fee, as you should), you're obviously going to eat them all like the glutton you are. Your lack of self control aside, Duckfat is amazing. The room is warm and bright and comfortable. Fries don't get better than this. The wine list is quite nice. The service is excellent. The sandwiches (I got a reuben) are awesome. I want to come back for that duck confit caesar salad situation, as well as the duckfat lobster roll special thingy, but that would require having some friends. Maybe you could do it right when you visit.

Went to Portland for a long weekend with my boyfriend and heard great things about Duckfat so we had to check it out. We got the poutine and tomato soup. Both were fantastic! Service was okay (bartender /server kind of gave an odd vibe) but we will definitely be back next time we are in the area.

Delicious food, friendly, welcoming staff and tasty drinks the atmosphere was nice and relaxing.

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!

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!

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.

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.

This is my favorite restaurant in Maine-- my partner and I drive in from 5 hours away to enjoy THIS restaurant. And the beach, and the boardwalk, but mainly Duckfat. It is a small, extremely popular restaurant specializing in duck fat-fried french fries and contemporary American fare, their other speciality being their milkshakes. Their rotating menu of sandwiches and entrees is always good, but their standout to me always is their poutine with duck, cheese curds, a delicious gravy all over a bed of amazing french fries. The duck egg on top is amazing and definitely worth the $3 add on. It is one of the best fry dishes on the east coast and amazing every time. This year, in addition to the poutine, my partner and I also ordered a duckfat caesar and a duck confit panino. The caesar was savory, well balanced and the cured duck yolk added a great richness and umami, though the breast meat was not very tender it was flavorful. The panino was also delicious and the broccoli stems added a nice acidity to an otherwise rich sandwich. Overall just really solid meals from a really good restaurant, and definitely worth the drive and the wait.

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!

Let me start this by saying I have waited years to visit this restaurant. To say it was worth the wait would be an absolute understatement! Expect to wait, but I promise you, it is worth it! The staff here are some of the nicest people I have ever encountered, even when I hung out for hours on a very busy Monday! It's a small place and you're going to more than likely be at a communal seating area whether it's the counter, the bar, or tables outside, but it's so homey you hardly notice! They do have a couple tables for a larger groups but you're going to wait a while for those . Cozy, warm and friendly are the three words I would use to describe it ! Now let's get down to what you're really here for! The food! Let's just say if I could give them six stars I would! The fries, obviously fried in duck fat, are the staple item of the business. Even if you're going just by yourself, do yourself the favor and get a large! They offer a variety of sauces and in my opinion it's best to do the flight of sauces because it's the best value. Five sauces for $4. One is a rotational option. Which this time was a Chimichurri Mayo. The others include a Horseradish Mayo, a Thai Chili Mayo, Garlic Mayo and Truffle Ketchup. They were all delicious! Garlic Mayo was my #1 ! Now, something you have to understand about me is, I aggressively dislike ketchup. You will see in my photos just how much of the Truffle ketchup I used! It offers a welcome relief from the other creamy options and is absolutely delicious! Moving on from the fries... they have a great full menu offering sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, soups & some sweet stuff! They also have rotational specials. We ended up getting two orders of fries, the flight of sauces, a small poutine (with a duck egg on top ) and their Lobster Roll special! Everything was spectacular! When I went back on Monday by myself, I got more fries, the duck fat shishito peppers, a grilled cheese and blueberry milkshake. Hands down the best milkshake I've ever had. Definitely worth it! No matter what you order you really cannot go wrong. There's plenty I want to go back for! Try whatever sounds good to you, but do not skip the fries! They'll be the best you've had! If you're in Portland you absolutely need to stop here!!! You will NOT be disappointed! If my new buddy Calvin is the host, tell him I sent you! Duckfat is officially checked off the restaurant bucket list. But make no mistake, there will be many returns! Duckfat Forever!

Overall I'd say if you're looking for a casual spot with an inviting menu to enjoy with friends, Duck Fat is a good spot. Service was a bit slow though as a basic poutine order took 20 minutes around 5pm. The food itself was alright. Crisp was good on the fries but the poutine gravy lacked much flavor depth. I'd have liked more duck stock or even herbal notes to enhance the gravy. It felt very subdued. This won't scratch the itch if you've actually been to Belgium. But they're a good try.

I enjoyed the poutine but wish it had more cheese curds. I had the duck confit added to the poutine and i dont recommend it because it's a little pricey for the small amount. The vanilla milkshake was good, and kind of tasted like a vanilla root beer float.

As someone who's spent time in Portland for over 20 years, I had begrudgingly never tried Duckfat solely because I didn't want to be let down on the basis of how much hype it had gotten. Safe to say I feel like a fool--although I only tried their fries and a shake, they were both excellent, and VERY worth the wait. The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, subtly seasoned, and paired perfectly with the sauces I got. My only regret is not getting a larger size of the fries. The sauces were amazing as well and made the fries every bit worth it. In order of most to least favorite: 1) Garlic mayo - a savory classic 2) Horseradish mayo - spicy but delish 3) Thai chili mayo - " 4) Truffle ketchup - simply tasted like standard ketchup 5) Spicy blueberry mayo (a special) - a unique taste, but also incredibly spicy The vanilla milkshake was unlike any I've ever had before. Incredibly creamy and thick, it was quite the treat. However they got it to taste that good, props to them. I went on a random weekday at 3pm and it was still pretty dang busy, but I was seated quickly, and had an incredibly nice server (Robin!). The interior was small and cozy, but not cramped. Can't wait to go back!

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.

Tiny place with great service and a fun word board to entertain you... staying at the Hilton across the street and this was perfect dinner spot! Poutine is amazing!!

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!

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.

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.

Stopped here for a quick lunch bite after being out on the water. It was a Friday afternoon and we had a 45 minutes wait for party of 2. The text system was easy to use, and we were able to see where we were in line. We ordered the salmon dip and poutine. We would pass on the salmon dip next time - it was dry and the bread was not that great. However, we would get the poutine again. The fries were hot and fresh, the gravy was savory, and there was a lot of cheese! Good stop for an app - we did not order any drinks this visit

Love the walk up window, gives it a unique vibe. That being said, all seating outside, which in Maine isn't bad. I order a small fry, $8, includes one sauce (garlic mayo) and added the truffle ketchup for $1.50. Tried their original Duckfat milkshake for $10 and the wings that were a special for $14, with their homemade ranch. Overall, pretty good food. Nothing that was mind blowing or anything but good and worth the stop if you haven't been! Fries were alright, liked the flavor and the two dipping sauces evenly. The wings were cooked perfectly and the ranch was a skip for me, bland. The milkshake was probably also a skip for the price, tasted like a vanilla milkshake. Friendly and helpful service.

Made reservations here for our first night in Portland. Poutine was great along with the sea salt caramel milkshake I ordered. Might not be everyone's thing, but the sweet and savory balanced quite nicely together. Seating inside was a bit tight since we sat at the bar area, but still it was an enjoyable experience. Service was great and we got our ordered taken and served rather quickly. No gripes with food and experience as both are exceptional. Highly recommend.

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.

Ate a late lunch here before going to the airport because I heard good things. The duckfat fries were good but I would try the poutine next time instead, the turkey sandwich was good but I would also try a different entree next time before ordering it again. And the salmon dip I did not enjoy. Overall the food quality was good and we got seated pretty quickly for a Friday afternoon. Service was great and it was small inside but nice. Mostly bar type seating. I would come back to try other items, more duck/duckfat type items for sure like the duck panini and poutine.

Duckfat is a nice restaurant near the Portland harbor, their specialties are all fried/cooked in duck fat! I tried the fennel salad, duck fat poutine, and a local milk stout beer. The poutine was excellent, the duck on top was smooth and rich with lots of flavor, the gravy and fries were delicious, but maybe too salty. The salad had a great flavor and a lot of crunch, and the beer was excellent! My group had to wait a little bit for seats, but we were able to wander around and get a text when they were ready for us.

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.

Also, another well known gem in Portland, Maine. This place has good energy and everyone is very nice. The portions were reasonable especially for two people. I'd definitely come back when I'm in town again!

This place did not disappoint. Get a reservation and go next time you want to experience the most savory, tasty food and warm service. The pictures exaggerate the space available. This is a tiny restaurant. So definitely call ahead. Three of us ordered three different drink and food options. We were all happy with what we ordered, as was the group next to us. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Duckfat.

This is a cute little restaurant that came recommended to us when visiting from out of town. We were told there would be a 30 minute wait when we put our name in, so we walked across the street for a cup of coffee while we waited. Our table was ready less than 15 minutes later, which was great, but we did feel a little rushed to get back given that we were expecting a longer wait. Our waiter was fantastic. Friendly, chatty but not overly so. He made good recommendations. We started the a large fries with garlic mayo and the daily special sauce which was a poblano mayo. The fries came out perfect, soft in the middle but crisp on the outside. The sauces were great. Kiddo had the grilled cheese which was buttery and crispy. Hubby had the Reuben which he loved. I had the mushroom squash salad from the specials menu which was tasty. I will say the portions were small, especially the salad, so I'm glad we got the large fries between the 3 of us. Overall we enjoyed our lunch and would return when back in town.

This was our first bite when visiting Portland Maine and WOW!! It's a bit of a snug place but definitely a good vibe. The food....Soooooo delicious. Truly everything was so good.. poor ducks but lucky us! We had a bit of a wait but the hostess was really helpful and let us know how it would work. We had a great server, named Canaan. So attentive and so nice. Definitely going to try and stop back for a few more bites!

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!!

We are in love. Duck Fat was incredible. I am so happy we randomly went to Portland and ended up there for dinner! The food was delicious. The service was fantastic, I can't remember his name but he was so pleasant and took great care of us. The poutine fries are incredible and the coffee shake is a must. There was a long wait time but it is worth the wait!

If I were rating just my strawberry milkshake, it was amazing!!! My friends tried the duck fat poutine and said it was spot on and clear their plate. I had a cubano. The smoked pulled pork was over top smoked and way too Smokey and salty. I took it off and the rest was fantastic. By far the milkshake made my meal.

What an amazing delicious dinner we just had at Duckfat!! The service was top notch, the people who work here are so pleasant and happy. Everyone was so delightful from the young man who seated us to our waitress who took our order and checked on us every so often. Duckfat is a cute little spot, only wished it was bigger. The don't take reservations and when we tried coming here for lunch, the wait time was 2-2 1/2 hours. We came back for dinner and the wait was only 1/2 a hour. Started with their small order of Belgium fries with the flight of sauces .. delish!! I wish we ordered the large after we finished the small. My fave was the garlic mayo but my husband and son's favorites were the horseradish mayo and garlic mayos. If you like horseradish, you'll love the horseradish mayo. My husband had the Ruben sandwich which he said was the best he's ever had and he's had 40+ years of having Ruben sandwiches. My son had the Tuscan spiced roasted turkey sandwich which he too thoroughly enjoyed and devoured. I had the Caesar salad with sliced duck ... simply superb!! It was light and crispy and the lemon zest addition was delicious. To end our meal we had the donut holes. The donut holes had a little bit of consistency like cake but they were light with a citrus bite. The caramel sauce was a wonderful addition to the donut bites. To be quite honest, I'm glad we only came up to Portland, Maine for a couple of days ... if we lived here ... we'd eat at Duckfat EVERYDAY .. the food is THAT good. Wishing Duckfat continued success in 2024 and beyond!!

TL;DR: come for the fries but don't sleep on the other items on their menu We came one rainy evening and were seated right away. The restaurant filled up immediately after we sat down and had a constant inflow of new customers for the rest of the evening. Considering how busy they were, the kitchen was extremely efficient and fast, and service was friendly and everyone made sure we were having a good time. The food was delicious! I saw this featured on Somebody Feed Phil, and was doubtful but the reviews looked very promising so here we came. The menu is fairly curated with some daily specials so you don't need to take too long to decide. Duck fat Belgian fries: we got the large size served with garlic mayo, horseradish mayo and ketchup. These were so delicious and were a pretty large portion! They were salted just enough and we fished out every last fry from the cone. Duck Rilettes: served with apple gelee, and rye bread, this was one of the specials. One of us thought it was too sweet overall with the apples, I thought it all went deliciously together. However the coarse rye was pretty filling. Duckfat Caesar: this was served with smoked duck on top of the salad which was salty and delicious with a good smoked flavor! The salad was dressed just right and wasn't dripping dressing which I appreciated. The star of the show were the crunchy breadcrumbs strewn on top that provided a delightful textural contrast. Montreal Reuben: I was surprised when this was served, it looked more like a panini than a Reuben I'm used to seeing. Maybe they do things different in Montreal. The brisket was thin cut but very juicy and flavorful, the sandwich held together very well and they were kind enough to cut it in two when serving to facilitate sharing. Couldn't really taste the thousand island though I'm used to places using Russian dressing. Was delicious overall. We saw a lot of people getting the poutine and milkshakes. Both looked good but heavy so I'm glad I ordered what I did. One fun highlight: someone came in and sat on the patio with their pet pig!

Im not sure I get the attraction. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table. No issue. Atmosphere is busy and the place is small so you are crammed in, sometimes even with people you dont know. Maybe its a Maine thing. Menu is fries poutine, sandwiches etc. Good flavors . Staff is nice and friendly especially considering how busy they are. Chairs are super uncomfortable. Major downer for me. I guess you have to try it for the hype. For us its one and done. So many great options in Portland

Delicious fries and shakes! The place is small and gets pretty busy, but definitely a worth visit! The duckfat fries were perfectly crispy and well seasoned. We thoroughly enjoyed our garlic mayo and sour cream and onion mayo (special) dipping sauces. The sandwiches and caesar salad were also solid, but the real star of the show was the vanilla milkshake. The milkshake was creamy, vanilla-ey perfection. They use vanilla gelato and fresh vanilla bean which give it that extra vanilla flavor. Highly recommend!

Duckfat is one of those places that is on every "must visit" Portland list for eating. We found the staff are classic Maine hospitality- warm and welcoming. Overall, food was decent but not a good price to value. $17 for a turkey panini with nothing else just doesn't seem worth it to me. Our poutine, one of the signature dishes, was lacking gravy and flavor. I will say the charred salad with duck and milkshake was very good, it was unfortunate they were brought down by an average panini and lackluster poutine.

Amazing fries, and shakes! We stopped in here on a food tour of the Portland area, and found that it exceeds expectations. The fries are full of flavor, crispy on the outside, yet fluffy inside. The sauce options are unique (we tried Garlic Aioli, and Truffle catsup.). We also had a duck fat shake, which is just as good as the fries were.

While Duckfat is small and does not have a lot of seating, it is worth the wait! Fun environment. Fries cooked in duckfat..what more could you want. Don't forget about the flight of dipping sauces and the incredible sandwiches. This is a must if you're in the Portland area!

Hands down one of the best western restaurants I've been to lately. My sister and her friends come here all the time whenever they're in Portland so I just had to see what the hype was about. It was Memorial Day weekend, so the wait was a little long but definitely worth it. We took a stroll around downtown Portland for 45 minutes which worked out since by the time we got our food it was 6:00pm. To whomever reads my review, make a reservation ahead of time :) We ordered the Duck Congit Panini and the Duckfat Poutine...and OMG, they were amazing! I definitely have to return to try more.

This is a very small yet cozy spot. There are very few tables so the wait can be a bit long. The duck confit was amazing. It was so good that we even asked for another side of it to eat by itself. Their soup was also really delicious. Very flavorful and creamy. Highly recommend. The paninis were okay. Nothing too special but the smokiness was too overwhelming for us.

This restaurant has the best milkshakes and fries I've had in a while. We got the classic vanilla milkshake and it was perfect to dip our crunchy, salty fries into. We got the flight of sauces just so we could try them all- Truffle Ketchup, garlic mayo and atomic horseradish mayo were our favorites. We got the Cesar salad with duck on top to balance out the meal with some greens. This is an upscale feeling restaurant with a very friendly staff. Great for a laid back yet nicer night out in Portland.

A friend and I came here on a trip to Portland. The restaurant itself is TINY but that's true of quite a few places in that area of town. The lines can be really long, so if you can pick an off time of day I highly recommend doing that. The food was delicious. I had the fries with poutine - and well YUM, that was essentially my lunch but even so it was still too much food. The staff was really nice and they take the time to chat with you a bit and offer recommendations on food if you'd like them. This place is definitely worth a visit if you get the opportunity. Just make sure you allow for enough time if you're going at a busy time of day, the wait can easily be an hour or two.

TLDR: Always phenomenal, fries and upscale pub fair. Make sure to get your fries with a flight of sauces. Whenever we come to Portland we always make sure to come here. Food is all excellent with a shout out to the most recent specials - the fiddlehead and the duck confit. Don't forget to get a shake too!

Have been here a few times but had not reviewed, silly me! Today I brought some new co-workers from Boston for a Duckfat dial in. There was a line, pre usual and moved quickly per usual. It was a beautiful day with a slight breeze off the bay. We talked while we waited and before we knew it seated outside at one of their primo outside dining tables. Shannon was our server and very helpful with any questions and quick service. We ordered the Brussels, fries of course, two sandwiches and a salad. Very thing was excellent! The Brussels were super tasty with balsamic vinaigrette reduction to toss the Brussels and green apple as well as other ingredients. The green apple really stood out to me and added another texture and taste to a favorite. I enjoyed their Reuben sandwich with the fabulous pastrami...yum! Downside of a working lunch was phones were not being used. So sorry no pictures. We were enjoying each other's company. Definitely worth a visit if you have not been.