You walk in, they tell you to order at the counter, hand you a number, and for a split second you think "oh, this is gonna be a glorified Chipotle situation." Reader. It is not. It is a Trojan horse for one of the best burgers in St. Louis (my wife says I'm being dramatic for calling it THE best; I say I am not NOT going back for another). We enjoyed everything we order: the pork belly burnt ends and cashew chicken wings, and a coffee & cardamom old fashioned that sounds like a personality disorder but tastes like a vibe, smoky, a touch sweet, and very drinkable year-round. The Sam Elliott burger, BBQ sauce, bacon, crunchy onions, brioche, is named for a man who has never disappointed anyone, and neither does the sandwich. And the meatloaf is NOT your grandma's brick: tender, charred at the edges, laid over silky mashed potatoes with broccolini, perhaps closer to a chop steak than a loaf in the best possible way. Vibe is farm-chic: old church pews, repurposed interior doors, a proper bar up front, plus a patio and rooftop for when the weather cooperates. Fun fact -- it's named after the blue duck Billy Madison paints in elementary school, which is a fantastic piece of trivia and tells you absolutely nothing accurate about the actual restaurant. 4.7 Stars. Picking Nits: the counter-order setup is efficient, but it sets expectations in the wrong direction for the first 90 seconds, you brace for fast-casual and instead get something considerably more ambitious. Food comes out fast once you've ordered, which is great if you're hungry and slightly jarring if you wanted a slow, lingering dinner. And the Billy Madison naming is charming trivia but entirely misleading as a vibe preview, no complaints about the actual restaurant, just the branding expectations it sets. If The Blue Duck were a character: Ron Swanson. Hear me out. If Ron ate here, he'd be suspicious of the entire experience until his first bite of protein -- the counter ordering, the repurposed doors, a burger named after a fellow mustachioed American, all of it registering as potentially too clever. Then the Sam Elliott hits his plate, he takes one bite, and the skepticism dissolves into the quiet respect of a man who has found his people. Looks rustic. Has strong feelings about meat. Secretly sophisticated -- plays saxophone in a jazz club under a fake name, builds his own furniture, would 100% approve of the farm-chic decor once the protein has spoken. Presents as simple. Isn't. read more

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I've been here many times and sadly I can say twice I had decent food and service. Saturday, March 14th we had awful food and the service wasn't any better. read more

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Came here for an early dinner. When you walk in there's menus and a counter where you'll order at. There's not much room at the front so it was awkward to stand and keep shifting out of the way of people while trying to read the menu and decide what to get. Once you order they'll give you a number & you'll be seated. Once your food is ready it's dropped off to your table. For additional drinks you can either go up to the bar or order with a staff. I ordered an old fashioned, a beer on draft, the steak & fries, and a cookie sandwich. The old fashioned was ok, I really enjoyed the beer & think I'd stick to trying more of their draft beers. The steak & fries was just ok, considering the price point I wished the steak would've been higher quality as there were pieces almost entirely of fat but the steak was cooked to my liking. The chimichurri & the accompanying sauce was excellent! I think I could've skipped the cookie sandwich as it was extremely sweet especially the filling. I'd probably just try a cookie or bread pudding next time. Regarding service it was a little funky as one person sat me and helped me initially, a separate person served my food, then another person took care of me towards the end so it was hard to keep up with who my actual wait staff was. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. read more

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Love that they have a rotating burger special - and to say they have amazing food is putting it lightly. The rooftop is a hike, but totally worth it on a nice day/evening. Also, never a bad idea to grab a few macaroons and other items from the bakery case on the way out ;) In the mood for really good food but a more casual environment where you don't have to dress up per se - this is your place! read more

The Blue Duck is always fantastic. Had a lovely brunch with family here this past Sunday. Everyone loved their food & the service was excellent! The drinks were also incredible. Pro-tip: order the breakfast sando on toasted sourdough. The egg was cooked perfectly! read more

The Blue Duck - Breakfast sando on sourdough with Bacon Fat Fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Came for brunch on a Sunday morning still lots of seating and was seated fast. We explored the rooftop and considered eating upstairs, but it was a little too windy for our liking. The food came out super quick. Our service was a little spotty nice day (we never got a refill on water). Ordered the French toast it was pretty good, maybe not as good as the first time I got it. read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

I was in the mood to try a new to us place and my husband was in the mood for a burger so we ended up here. When you walk in the door, there's a counter right there and you place your order there. We had to look at the menu for a few minutes and then we made our choices. You place your order, get a number, and then choose a table. You pay your server when you're finished. We didn't wait too long for our food to be brought over. Meanwhile, the place was filling up and the area in front of the door was getting crowded - people were waiting to order. My husband enjoyed his burger. He had the Hot Honey Cheddar. The tots that came with it were not great. Over half of them were overcooked and rock hard. He ate the other ones. I had a burger someone behind the counter recommended and I don't know what it's called. It came on a potato bun and the top was a dark color and the bottom was not. Maybe under a heat lamp for too long? It tasted burnt so I took it off and ate the burger without it. My burger had no flavor except salty. I didn't even taste the onions or the sauce. It was literally basically flavorless. And the fries were just not good. My husband is a fry guy and he did not like them at all either. Every staff member we interacted with was efficient, but none of them smiled or were friendly or showed any personality. It was odd. Anyway, we won't be going back. read more

Second time at The Blue Duck and we tried something new! The meatloaf is to die for. My fiancee got the Rangoon burger and while it wasn't her favorite, we love the bacon fat fries. Our server was Kaylee and she was absolutely amazing - so attentive and kind. read more

The Blue Duck - Meatloaf & The Rangoon - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Yum! We went here for brunch on Saturday around 10:30 am and we were seated immediately. You order at the counter then you can continue to get table service once you are seated. The servers are very attentive. The place is decorated cute and a little hipster (are we still saying hipster in 2026?). I got the breakfast burrito without the meat so I cannot review it fully-- I loved the ranchero sauce and the cheese sauce inside the burrito. The burrito is big enough for 2 people to share, especially if you get a side! My friend got the ham benedict and loved it. The ham is a nice cut (not too fatty) and the hollandaise sauce is very tasty. Fries were obviously made fresh and had a delicious buttery afternote to them. They have a lovely dessert case which I am looking forward to sampling next time. read more

The Blue Duck - Burrito - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

We went here on a busy Friday evening for Stringfest. When we walked in, it was such a city casual vibe spot with most of the staff being friendly, attentive high school students. You wait in a line, you go up to a counter and you order your food there. Then, you find a spot and sit down. The burger was good and the chips were actual house made chips rather than the house made chips I have been having. The burger and the ketchup were entirely homemade. From the bun to the toppings to the patty. They really pay attention to homemade deliciousness. The salad was also really good with the homemade ranch. There is zero pre packaged things here, which makes the food fresh and delicious. read more

The Blue Duck - House Salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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We've been here multiple times, and we've been satisfied every time. I'm from Texas, so while nothing comes close to the BBQ there, this place has some close contenders. The service is quick, and there's lots of seating in the place. Nice casual-vibe place to go for lunch or dinner. Among the many things ordered, we got the burnt ends, the pork belly cheese fries, the chorizo bowl, and brisket quesarito. All of the dishes were good, but from bottom to top, it starts with the chorizo bowl. Overall, it's a decent dish, can't go wrong with tator tots and meat. It was exactly as was described, but maybe the chorizo didn't hit as hard as it usually does? Next would the brisket quesarito. Overall, an excellent dish with tons of dynamic flavors and textures. The crunch of the tators, the richness of the brisket, the creaminess of the avocado, and the sweetness of the jam -- really makes a complete experience. The cheese fries/burnt ends I would list together because they're very similar. It's a very rich/decadent experience. I'm not saying it's the most fancy tasting dish, but man does it push gluttonous spot in me. Really rich and the meat was very tender. The sweetness of the BBQ hit really good, and the cheese sauce was the extra cherry on top. Overall, a really good place. The desserts were pretty good as well. 4/5 stars. read more

The Blue Duck - Brisket quesarito, Chorizo bowl - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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The Blue Duck is now going to be on my list of places to visit more often. I went last night for dinner with my hubby and a friend and it was such a great experience. When we arrived, the parking lot was mostly full, but we were able to find street parking close by. Once we walked inside, we were greeted by the hostess and she told us to take a look at the menu and then order at the counter. We reviewed the menu and made some decisions on dinner. We were all excited to try the spinach/artichoke dip so we ordered that as a starter. Then we ordered our meals. My friend and I both ordered the chicken blt. I asked for tots as my side and my friend ordered the salad as a side. My hubby ordered the spicy burger bc he loves all things spicy. He also ordered a salad as a side. The guys ordered drinks. A margarita for one and a lager for the other. I just asked for water. After ordering at the counter, we were easily able to find a table to sit at while we waited for our food. The bartender came over with our drinks and made sure we each received a cup of water (and yes, I took the cups home because they told me I could)! The spinach dip came out quickly, and while it was creamy and tasted great. It was not as hot as I had hoped, more like room temperature. I wanted to ask them to heat it up, but did not want to be difficult. Despite the temperature, the dip tasted great and there was a good amount for us to share. When our food came out, everything looked great. My chicken blt was good, the chicken was still moist and flavorful and the avocado spread and sauce on the bun was really great. I almost ate the whole thing. My hubby said his burger was awesome and that he would def get it again. In fact, I would order the same thing again too and plan to next time I visit. Service was great throughout the night. We had lots of people checking in with us and they made sure we had enough to drink as well as enough to eat. The guys were so friendly and helpful especially since my friend was being excessive with is margarita requests! Thanks for the service. Once we were done, they closed out our bill and we paid and then were on our way. With full bellies and good memories. Can't wait to try this spot for brunch since that's what I hear is the best! read more

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Amazing food. Cool atmosphere with great vibe. You order at the front and pay at your seat. Great service all around read more

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The blue duck is a great spot to grab a drink, meal, or better yet a sweet from the bakery case. Hands down best bakery items in Maplewood, id give 5 stars just for the cookies and macaroons alone. They also have a brunch which is nice, but never been. Over the years we've enjoyed the duck fried rice but have discovered the past two times it just doesn't live up to the hype anymore - idk changed recipe? New chef? Now we don't get that, it's usually greasy and tastes off.. other options on the menu are relatively solid and they always have fresh offerings. The atmosphere is a little different, you order at the counter then sit down. We had multiple people from the staff helping us during our short visit. Everyone is always nice. This is a Maplewood classic, don't skip it! read more

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My last review was pre-covid where the menu and the setup was completely different. I would delete the old review if I could. The food was fine when we tried it again. read more

Gluten free and vegetarian choices! This was a fun stop on the small business Saturday shopping trip! The service was great we had good recommendations at the counter. Order, take your seat and the food and drinks come to the table! Highly recommend the Bloody Mary! Great for a family lunch, friend visit or date! read more

The Blue Duck is known for making their foods from scratch. The vibe is casual but thoughtful, with fun duck-themed touches throughout the space. Our orders: DLT ($19) + Duck Fat Fries ($4): Smoked duck ham, lettuce, tomato, fried egg, and honey chipotle mayo on sourdough -- our favorite dish of the meal. The duck ham was smoky and well-cooked, and the components (especially the runny yolk) came together nicely. That said, the sauce leaned a little too sweet for our taste. The duck fat fries were crispy and fragrant, but the "duck fat" flavor didn't come through quite as much as we hoped. Loved the curry ketchup, though. Spicy Byrd Sandwich ($18): Fried chicken with pepper jack, Calabrian chili honey + aioli, pickles, and arugula on a green chile bun. It was fine, not bad. We have a high spice tolerance and didn't find it particularly spicy, but others might. Also wished the chicken was a larger portion. The bun was nice, and the textures were good. Fries were again crispy outside, soft inside, and their house ketchup deserves a shoutout. Margarita: ...big miss. Tasted way off, and we genuinely wished we'd just ordered a Diet Coke instead. ‍ read more

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When you walk in and want to sit in the bar area, you have to order your first round of drinks at the hostess station and the rest you can order from your table. It is so cute inside! They must have been filming some social media posts because the duck was out in costume and 2 guys were recording. We were mainly there for drinks, but 1 person got the cheeseburger and said it was delish! We also ordered desserts to go, but I forgot to take pics before ordering. I will say the lavender lemonade gooey butter cake was so full of flavor. The lemon glazed cookie was too much lemon. The only other downfall was how long it took us to get our bill, but I hear they have a fantastic brunch so I'll definitely go.back to try that.....stay tuned! read more

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Why was this my first time into the Blue Duck?!? Im actually upset I waited this long to go in! We stopped in on a Sunday for brunch (ends at 3pm) before shopping the antique mall around the corner. Plenty of parking and if need be you can overflow into the schnucks lot. Upon entering we were greeted at the front and informed of their ordering process: 1)review menus 2)order at counter 3) take a seat Luckily the cold weather n holiday hangover kept the crowds away so we got a spot right away to unload our coats n decided on grub. For drinks: Grandpa's kisses & Martini Depresso (both excellent) For starter: Pork Belly Cheese Fries For Meal: Hot Honey Cheddar & DLT So every bite was just phenomenal, but I still cannot believe how incredible those pork belly cheese fries were! Literally trying to figure out how to get another order as soon as possible and we don't live in the area at all. Not sure how they do it, but the fries and pork melted the moment they touch your tongue and that sauce could've easily been licked from the plate if I wasn't in public. Ive never wanted to request to speak to the chef more than I did while eating those fries... but honestly Im sure they know. Ok I can't forget the soup! I wish I could remember exactly what they called it but it was the soup of the day and was like a southwest chicken soup.... Had kidney beans and peas with green onions... doesn't matter, was INSANE how good that was. The entire experience was perfection. Honestly they may want to consider adding partitions to the tables so people can have privacy while making the most intimate faces at their food. Those fries and I needed a room, yeesh! read more

The Blue Duck - Pork Belly Cheese Fries (Couldn't stop eating to get a complete photo) - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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I like the Blue Duck. It has polite and attentive staff. The atmosphere is like a bar and grill with wood accents. The food portions seemed ok. I ordered off the happy hour menu so I think the portion sizes vary there. The food was delicious. I wish my fried chicken breast was thick and juicy through the whole sandwich, unfortunately one half was flat and dry. My wife ordered the pork belly fries, they were great, and we had enough to take home at the end. This restaurant has you order at the counter before you sit but doesn't ask you to pay until you're done eating. Don't make the same awkward mistake I made because I almost left without paying. I think they should ask you to pay at the counter or order from the table. It's an unconventional way of dining out that can lead to an awkward experience, like I did. The kitchen does hang up your picture in the back if you leave without paying too, just FYI! read more

The Blue Duck - chicken club - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Tried the Blue Duck for the first time today. The food itself- tasty. The workers were nice, and it was decently large. Parking was easy, they have their own lot + multiple surrounding lots. The ordering process lost a star for me. You order when you first walk in & then hope to snag a table. We were able to rather easily, thankfully. I ordered the eggs bene-duck for $20, and tried to order an espresso martini but they didn't offer one they had no espresso in house, and for being a marketed brunch place I thought that was super strange. I could find myself returning if that ended up being an addition to the menu! read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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I haven't been in a while and I'm glad to see it's just as delicious as always. Loved my DLT and tots - and I was able to get some duck wings and mashed potatoes to go. Love the dessert case too. Quick service and good service. read more

I've been here several times to either eat in for brunch or at the bar for dinner and during COVID, for take-out cocktails. This place is really hit-n-miss. The cocktails are usually on point which a plus but the food is not consistent. I love the Louberry Pie. Strawberry and blueberry pie with gooey butter topping. Topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. It's always a winner for me. Also the bacon fat fries, simply delicious!!! Herbs, Parmesan, shallot aiolii and catsup. I love their aiolii. They at one point had on the brunch menu a catfish benedict which was absolutely amazing!!! So much flavor and thought packed into such a unique dish. The Duck Fat Fried Rice is completely over-rated and over priced. Duck quarter, gochujang pepper jelly, carrot, onion, peas, furikake, egg. It taste nothing close to fried rice which was the ultimate bummer and the duck is literally just OK, nothing special, not bursting with flavor, just blah. read more

The Blue Duck - Catfish Benedict - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Delicious food and friendly service. I came here with my sisters before a wedding for brunch. The pork belly burnt ends were so delicious- a bit fatty and perfectly sauced. Definitely would recommend to share. We got it over fries and it was a lot of food. We each got our own entree as well and could barely finish anything we ordered. The portion sizes are very large. I got the brioche French toast and it was tasty, but could've used a bit of fruit or other flavors. It was just a bit plain/unexciting. My sister got the biscuits and gravy - and the gravy was very different in a good way. Great flavor and texture. Definitely would come here again! read more

Can I give 10 stars?!? Service was amazing, everything we ate was amazing. Cannot say enough good things. We had the pork belly burnt end fries, biscuits and gravy and had to try 3 different desserts. Everything was 10/10. Will definitely be back. read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Came here for a lunch with my friends and we all ordered off the brunch menu. My friend and I shared the Breakfast Sando and the DLT. Of the two, the Breakfast Sando was our favorite. The sweetness of the challah and the kick of the maple aioli made a super well rounded bite, and the savoriness of the egg and bacon brought it over the top. The DLT was also good but I felt like the bread was out of place. It was just plain white bread, but the sandwich fillings were so unique (especially the duck ham) that I just felt the bread needed to level up to match it. But overall, good lunch!! read more

The Blue Duck - Breakfast Sando - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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The Blue Duck has been on our list for months. We finally made it for brunch and got to sit on the rooftop patio! The food was good, very tasty. Smaller portions but it was enough. Good service too. We liked the ordering and seating process. The lady taking orders at the registered informed you of where there were open tables. You get to pick the seating you want. I would return. read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Went for the first time for during Burger Week and it was a nice experience. We tried thier advertised smash burger and the bacon grease fries and it was delicious. Service was awesome they were very helpful and accommodating. I wanna go back and try other items! read more

The Blue Duck - Bacon fat fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Great food and service. A little on the pricey side but most places are lately!!!!!!

Holy blue duck, Batman! Trying a new place on the way back into town after vacation, and oh my word it was awesome! Pricy, but awesome. The chicken club was absolutely incredible, and shockingly, the fries -- just the regular ones; I didn't try duck fat fries, etc -- have catapulted up to my "top 5 fries ever" list! Decor is fun. I need to learn the story of the restaurant name. Staff was friendly and efficient, and I love that they gave me (great!) suggestions when I proclaimed I'm a newcomer. I can't wait to get back here! Menu is kinda small, but I am committed to trying it all. read more

The Blue Duck - Chicken Club with regular fries - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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The food was good, and the service was quick, but not incredibly attentive after our food came out. Everyone was very friendly though! The vibe is kind of like a quirky brunch place (lots of old doors as decoration). I had the breakfast poutine. It was extremely hardy with chunky chips (steak fries). The jalapeño gravy was delicious. The meal was a bit salty but when you're mixing fried potatoes, gravy, and bacon, it's expected. My other half had the chorizo bowl. It was yummy too but I think the chorizo could have been spicier. We shared a Louberry pie. It was a bit too sweet, and served cold. Ok, but not my favorite. We went with friends. Would come again but not out of our way. read more

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I really like going to the blue duck for a drink and sometimes a meal! They have a great rooftop patio that always just makes the experience so much better. I really feel like the cocktails make this restaurant the best. They have specials that you can order as well as a typical menu. Last time I went, I ordered the strawberry whiskey sour and my mom got the aviation. I think next time I would get the aviation, as well, because it was really good! I have not ordered this (yet), but I always see people with the chicken sandwich and it looks amazing. I plan to try it in the future! read more

The Blue Duck - Strawberry whiskey sour - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

The Blue Duck is a charming little restaurant in Maplewood with seating inside or out. The menu is a unique blend of brunch and dinner items with some really good desert items. On a recent visit I had the classic smashburger with tots and my friend had eggs Benedict with beef brisket in a brown butter hollandaise, a small but hearty ham and vegetable soup on the side. For desert we both had the nice tasting peanut butter cookies. Total bill of 47 dollars was a fair price . Service was good and the atmosphere very nice on the lower patio. read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Maplewood is a great location anyway, but with The Blue Duck? Awesome! Went here for lunch and had the Poutine (Poutine!!!) and a half salad with, what else, duck (substituted for the chicken) and it was spot on! The staff greeted us as we walked in, helped with questions, and really made the experience so much better. Lovely space, ample seating, and we ended with a walk about the neighborhood on a brilliant day. If you are in Maplewood, or even close, try The Blue Duck! read more

Wow! I can't believe it took us this long to visit The Blue Duck. From what I heard a lot of people think this is a fancy restaurant located in Maplewood Missouri however, it is a nice casual eatery. When you walk in, you grab a menu and select your meal choices along with drinks. Place the order with the hostess and then take a number and find a table at your table. You will be waiting on as any other restaurant and serve one of the most delicious meals you can get in that area of St. Louis . I ordered the bacon cheeseburger with fries and garlic, aïoli dipping sauce. It did not disappoint. Every bite was amazing! It was a delicious burger, and the fries with the dipping sauce were delicious. The service was outstanding as we were waited on and given refills and checked on multiple times. You can tell that quality is of the utmost importance at The Blue Duck. read more

The Blue Duck - Sandwiches Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Still delicious and great staff! Happy hour 3-5pm is a great deal. They also have high chairs and booster seats if you're bringing little ones. read more

Such a cool spot in downtown Maplewood! Interesting art on the walls, a killer looking bar with dozens of awesome tap handles hang above it and local beerobilia adorns the bar walls. The Blue Duck has a killer menu with something for everyone! Great selection of craft beer on draft and in bottles and a wide array of specialty drinks! The staff was uber-friendly and very helpful. My wife and I enjoyed the food, the drink and the experience of the Blue Duck. We'll be back! read more

Another fantastic brunch experience. This time, I brought three of my adult kids and we had an awesome meal, as expected. We grabbed a table on the roof and enjoyed the nice weather. The young man serving us was funny, attentive and a good server. What we had this time: - Brisket Quesarito: (4.8/5): I confess to being a breakfast burrito snob, so when I tell you this is fantastic, believe me, it is fantastic! It's dishes like these that will keep me from ever being a skinny man! - Hot Honey Cheddar burger (4.7/5): Might be a best burger I have had all year. So many flavors, excellent texture and the hot honey just took it to an 11! - pork belly cheese fries (4.8/5): You might hate yourself an hour or two after licking the bowl clean, but you will enjoy every moment you are doing it. This dish is literally to die for. read more

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The food is great, very comfortable atmosphere. Service was good, order at counter before seating, but then full table service.

This place is a hidden gem in Maplewood. Fantastic food from a fantastic award winning chef. Lunch/dinner is always terrific. We are looking forward to trying their breakfast sometime. They also have very nice seating areas, multiple areas to choose from with different vibes. Highly recommend the "Duck Blind" on a nice day, it's beautiful to watch the sunset from there too. read more

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