Duckfat

Duckfat is a Portland, Maine restaurant that serves a variety of American cuisine. Located on Middle Street in downtown Portland, Duckfat was opened in 2005 by Nancy Pugh and Rob Evans.

According to the owners, hand-cut Maine potatoes fried Belgian-style in duck fat, tossed with our seasoning salt and served in a cone with your choice of five homemade dipping sauces were the inspiration and reason we they opened the restaurant. Duckfat is proud to be independently and locally owned.

Duckfat’s chef, Rob, was named “Best Chef Northeast” by the James Beard Foundation in 2009. Duckfat is also a three-time Food Network 'Chopped' Champion restaurant. The restaurant strives to keep its focus on great homemade food made from the best quality ingredients.

Over time, Duckfat has become a Portland staple for hanging out and grabbing great food and drink. The restaurant does not take reservations, and takeout orders must be placed in person rather than via the phone. There is a 5% service charge for all to-go orders. According to the restaurant, this service charge is shared equally between their kitchen team and serving staff.

Per the Duckfast website, the restaurant composts all of their food scraps with We Compost It. Portland based customers interested in using the We Compost It service are able to get a 30% discount by citing a referral from the restaurant.

Explore some signature items from the Duckfat menu, below:

Snacks

• CHICKEN GALANTINE - sauce gribiche · Night Moves rye crisps · fresh herbs
• TASSO HAM - pimento cheese · Night Moves sourdough toast · parsley
• HOT SMOKED SALMON- fennel · pickled mustard seeds · creme fraiche · Night Moves rye crisp Salad
• CHARRED FIDDLEHEAD - baby kale ·pickled red onion · ricotta · white anchovies · smoked tomato vinaigrette panino
• BUFFALO CHICKEN - celery & carrot pickles · bleu cheese · romaine · buffalo sauce

Additionally, Duckfat recently opened a second, spinoff location called Duckfat Friteshack. Located at 43 Washington Ave, Portland, ME, Duckfat Friteshack is a walk up fry window much like you would find in Belgium or the streets of Amsterdam. Nestled in the new beer garden at Oxbow Blending and Bottling, you’ll find the Friteshack offering some of Duckfat’s longstanding favorites including poutine, extra thick milkshakes, craft sodas and, of course, our Belgian “Frites” fried in duckfat served one size only…. large. Duckfat Friteshack does not offer paninis. Specials are offered daily.

The bottomline is if you're looking for exciting Portland, Maine restaurants or just new things to do in Portland, be sure to explore both of these options.