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    The Ugly Duckling

    4.4 (119 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order The Ugly Duckling Takeout or Delivery

    The Ugly Duckling Photos

    Business Info

    THE UGLY DUCKLING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Ugly Duckling

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    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast Burrito
    Karen D.

    Great lunch/brunch visit today at the Ugly Duckling. We lucked out & were able to walk in & grab a table. Mom loves very hot coffee & it hit the spot, she normally has to ask restaurants to warm up, but not here. The staff gave us time to review the menu that I went with the breakfast burrito. I've heard others rave about it, and then Mom went with a veggie quesadilla. Our food arrived pretty quickly after our order and the breakfast burrito was fantastic especially with our house salsa which note is very spicy, but it was totally worth it. Mom enjoyed her quesadilla too. Great service, atmosphere & interested in checking out more on the menu on future visits.

    Lovely view
    Suzie E.

    THE UGLY DUCKLING IS A MUST! WOW, we waited about 25 minutes and it was worth the wait. I loved everything about it. The food was phenomenal! The pancakes are vegan but you can't tell. Pancakes are made out of apple sauce and oat milk, but delicious don't let this stop you. (Seen this is problem for some). However the eggs were cooked perfectly, sausage was delicious (we order an extra side of them). I would come again and wait however long it would take. This local spot is filled with knickknacks, good music playing and so cozy! Our waiter Bill (I think) was amazing! He was so nice and apart of the experience, he made it better! Very attentive. It is a small place so if you are waiting to eat there are some seats or you can go to your car until they ring for you. Come early or wait either way it's worth it! Still thinking about that pancake.

    Dan V.

    We wanted to stop on our way through Dayton to grab some breakfast and totally lucked into the Ugly Duckling. What a find! Now we're already planning on making return trips even though we live 3 hours away. THAT is how good this is. From the moment we walked in we knew we were in the right place. The ambiance. The smells. The CUTENESS!! We ordered the breakfast burrito and the chicken and waffles. Both were the best we've EVER had in their respective categories. The burrito was piping hot, stuffed with flavor and grilled to a perfect crispness. And they serve it with this heavenly, homemade salsa/picante that I can only describe as having all the flavors. All of them. The chicken and waffles were divine, with the seasoned breading on the chicken worth the trip alone. The service is prompt and friendly, and the coffee isn't just robust and welcoming, but served in the most massive mug you'll ever see in a quaint little breakfast place. They've cracked the code. This place may have ruined all other breakfast joints for all eternity. The Ugly Duckling it anything but. It's beautiful, and we'll be back.

    Tots
    Jessica W.

    Met up with a friend for morning treatos and was not disappointed! I ordered some tots and added the house-made Quack Sauce because when in Rome, amirite?? Absolutely magical array of flavors dancing across my tastebuds. The service was fast and friendly. The Ugly Duckling is the small, neighborhood diner of your dreams. They are absolutely worth the hype!

    Sign at old location
    Michael H.

    I come in here most Tuesday mornings. Super attentive servers and the best food. I'm hooked on the veggie hash because I'm addicted to tater tots. Also the best pancakes with real syrup. I love that they offer plant based veggie options too. These are the best servers in the area. I don't care where else you're eating you won't find better people.

    Their mural outside
    Sydni G.

    Amazing time! The pancakes were so fluffy and yummy! The bacon was nice and crispy. It was very packed so get there early or be prepared for a quick wait. The staff were so kind and helpful. I had such a great time and will definitely be back!

    Tater Gravy'd Cheddar Tots
    Regina D.

    We walked to the ugly duckling from our downtown hotel based on reviews here in yelp. We were not at all disappointed! The 30 minute wait for Saturday brunch was a good sign that this is a popular spot. All of the food is fresh, well portioned, and flavorful. My husband had some kind of gravy, tater tot thing. I had the berry French toast. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. Super charming location in the St. Anne's Hill District.

    Brad's Hash
    Kathleen C.

    Really enjoyed this restaurant. There were no tables available when we arrived but the staff got one cleaned up quickly and the food comes out very quick. My husband ordered the Brad's Hash and I got the Breakfast Burrito. Ingredients were similar in both. I have to admit, the sauces on the hash really took things to the next level. Eggs in both dishes were not overcooked. Good location with parking on the side and on the street.

    Carolynne P.

    A corner cafe with personality, great service and an eclectic, fantastic menu? Yes please! So glad we found this cafe this morning! Really cool atmosphere, great vibe and comfort food. Loved our experience here this morning!

    Steak burrito, spicy and filling with tots inside!
    Brocha E.

    What a absolute gem of a place for brunch! Had the goat cheese BELT and the steak burrito and neither disappointed! The tots are amazing and came fully loaded with bacon and cheese. The vibe is a perfect hole in the wall diner moment that I will decidedly be back for more. The service was so kind and friendly! Be ready for a little wait. But you can occupy your time at the amazing bakery the next corner over for an appetizer to your perfect brunch experience!

    The Masons Jarfait. Yogurt and fresh fruit parfait.
    Jessica L.

    Absolutely LOVE this place! Delicious food, great service and cool art on the walls! I've brought a lot of friends here and everyone always raves over the food and ambiance. Had a lot of different meals here and the food is always FIRE!

    Brads hash
    Sasha M.

    Omg. I can't say enough good things about this place. I have taken every person that agrees to go to breakfast with me to this place. I just love it. The staff is amazing. Always charismatic! And the food is to die for. I haven't had a bad thing here, it's all fabulous. If you're on the fence, definitely try it out!

    Alex D.

    Great place for breakfast! Bacon and Tots are crispy and delicious. Staff are really chill and great at recommendations. The portion size I are big so bring the appetite!

    Breakfast burrito and brioche french toast

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    FUUUUDGE, this place is a go-to now. Really good food and very friendly people with a very laid back environment.

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    Ask the Community - The Ugly Duckling

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    Salt Block Biscuit Company

    Salt Block Biscuit Company

    4.6
    (111 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We come here once a year as we visit Dayton for WGI percussion world championships. This is the…read morefifth year and the food is always consistently good. We see the same staff every year. The theme is around their biscuits. They make the food in front of you. One thing to note is they don't have a stove! Everything is made freshly plated or in the oven. We will be back here next year!

    It's YE Gurl @ Salt Block Biscuit Co., Dayton…read more Dayton, we need to talk -- because YE Gurl went on a little Nov. 4th wander through your downtown, trying to get a feel for the actual city, and stumbled across the sweetest little gem: Salt Block Biscuit Co. Picture this: a tiny café tucked into the artsy, alternative side of town, the kind of spot you only find when you're really out here walking. Inside? A large, 1950s-style counter wrapping around the whole operation -- ovens humming, ingredients flying, and a crew of women running the place with the ease and precision of folks who either trained classically or cooked their way into mastery. You could feel there's a backstory here... something like "We left the industry to build the space we wished existed." I'd watch the documentary. Now let's talk food, because YE Gurl came to taste. Portobello Florentine Soup -- $6 Hearty. Homey. Creamy. Thick with mushrooms, a flour + cream roux, spinach, cheese, and herbs. Flavor was there, seasoning was on point -- no salt, no pepper needed. What I did want? A little heat, a little acidic lift, something to brighten that rich base. Still, for six bucks? A win. Paired it with the Strawberry Black Tea (unsweetened) -- $4 which cut the richness just right. Sweet Honey on the Lox -- $18 Now THIS was the moment. A thick, everything biscuit layered with: maple-smoked salmon, boursin, pickled beets, beet-pickled egg, greens, and spicy honey. The biscuit alone? Large and unapologetic -- classic Salt Block flex. The sandwich was flavorful and hefty; so hefty I ate half and tucked the rest away for my beau (sharing is caring but also... survival). The only note? That spicy honey was a touch aggressive for me. I get the concept -- the Dayton crowd probably sees this as edgy culinary innovation -- but I wanted the boursin to have more kick or tang to balance everything out. Oh I also had the Cinnamon Bun - $6 which was okay. I could tell there was good ingredients in it though so not the ugh feeling after say a Cinnabon. And here's the real tea: I noticed the clientele -- mostly older local men -- and it made me think. The food style here is more advanced than the typical café, but I can see how the everyday patron base might keep the menu playing it a little safe. Salt Block has the talent for bigger, bolder plates. YE Gurl's Suggestion: Give these chefs a "stretch item" -- a place on the menu where they can go all out. A seasonal dish. A holiday special. A monthly flex. Let them show what they can really do. Because the bones? The skill? The vibe? Already here. Salt Block Biscuit Co. is one creative spark away from being the downtown Dayton destination.

    Photos
    Menu of the day
    Menu of the day
    Toasted coconut cake
    Toasted coconut cake
    Peach Tea

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    Peach Tea
    The Blue Berry Cafe

    The Blue Berry Cafe

    4.2
    (342 reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$

    I have been driving by BBC for ~one year. It was brunch time and I was hungry and decided to…read moredecided to visit. So glad I did ... it would be easy to become a regular if I lived 250 miles closer. The parking lot was crowded. Lots of people waiting for tables, but I found a seat at the counter. Service was friendly and instantaneous. My Reuben was perfectly grilled on a flat top and appropriately greasy. The corned beef was coarsely shredded and also grilled to perfection. Ditto the Swiss cheese. My only complaint? I like my sauerkraut to have serious tangy kick and this sauerkraut was Ohio-mild. The ambiance has a bit of a rural farmhouse vibe. The others seated at the counter were friendly and chatty. The dining room and restroom were both clean. Will I return? Yes!

    We love the mom & pop feel!…read more The food is plentiful so don't be surprised if you have leftovers (win!). The pancakes are massive and it's enough to share with 2 other people as well. Every time we visit, the food is always delicious and the coffee is always spot on. We always leave satisfied. Dishes that we've gotten that I can remember: cowboy bennys, pancakes (plain, chocolate chip and blueberry), omelets, French toast, & muffins. All very simple meals, but worth the trip. Customer service is 10/10. Everyone is so nice! There is ample parking. It is much better compared to their previous location, that's for sure. Things to note: the wait can be long! If you go early enough, go on a random day or call ahead to get on their wait list, then the wait won't be as long.

    Photos
    For sale items and check in counter
    For sale items and check in counter
    Order Biscuits And Gravy
    Order Biscuits And Gravy
    Entry way

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    Entry way

    The Ugly Duckling - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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