Serious Eats
Where to Find Duck Fat French Fries Across the Country
Duck fat fries from Duck Fat Restaurant in Portland, Maine. Photograph from the Paupered Chef.
Duck, fat and fries are three words that please most people. Combining them is a very beautiful thing. Chef Amanda Freitag at New York City's The Harrison isn't the only one bathing spuds in quack-quack grease. She cuts hers with a malt vinegar mayo, given the duck fat's richness. After the jump, see what other chefs across the country are skipping peanut or cottonseed oil to embrace rendered duck fat.
Portland, Maine
Duck Fat Restaurant
Address: 43 Middle Street, Portland ME 04101
Phone: 207-774-8080
Website: duckfat.com
A place with this name has to represent. Belgian-style fries first sizzle in duck fat solution, then are served with fun dipping sauces like truffle ketchup, sweet and sour mustard or (wait for it) homemade duck gravy.
New York City
The Harrison
Address: 355 Greenwich Street, New York NY 10013
Phone: 212-274-9310
Website: theharrison.com
See above.
Strip House
Address: 13 East 12th Street, New York NY 10003
Phone: 212-328-0000
Website: theglaziergroup.com/striphouse
Washington, D.C.
Blue Duck Tavern
Address: 1201 24th Street NW, Washington DC 20037
Phone: 202-419-6755
Website: blueducktavern.com
If the Park Hyatt restaurant was called Blue Vegetable Oil Tavern, things might be different. Served in a mini metallic pot with tongs, their fries need three days of blanching, double blanching, freezing and seasoning.
Baltimore
Salt
Address: 2127 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21211
Phone: 410-276-5480
Website: salttavern.com
According to Baltimore Sun critic Elizabeth Large, the duck fat "adds a texture and flavor only those who remember potato chips fried in lard can imagine." Despite the restaurant's name, the fries aren't oversalted, according to Large, and are served with a trio of aoilis: white truffle, chipotle and orange mango.
Annabel Lee Tavern
Address: 601 South Clinton Street, Baltimore MD 21224
Phone: 410-522-2929
Website: annabelletavern.com
Chicago
Hot Doug's
Address: 3324 N California Avenue, Chicago IL 60618
Phone: 773-279-9550
Website: hotdougs.com
Only available Friday and Saturday, these are "redolent with a touch of duckiness and a perfect glistening sprinkle of sea salt," according to our Chicago correspondent, Michael Nagrant. Regular fries are available every other day, which Nagrant notes, are slightly meatier.
Sweet and Savories
Address: 1534 W Fullerton Ave., Chicago IL 60614
Phone: 773-281-6778
Website: sweetsandsavorieschicago.com
San Francisco
One Market
Address: 1 Market Street, San Francisco CA 94105
Phone: 415-777-5577
Website: onemarket.com
Called "big fries" on the menu under "farmers market sides." Code for "simmered in duck grease." In a very big way.
New Orleans
The Delachaise
Address: 3442 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans LA 70115
Phone: 504-895-0858
Website: thedelachaise.com
St.Louis
The Shaved Duck
Address: 2900 Virginia Avenue, St. Louis MO 63118
Phone: 314-776-1407
Website: theshavedduck.com/
Atlanta
Shaun's Social Club
Address: 1029 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta GA 30307
Phone:404-577-4358
Website: shaunsrestaurant.com
"Graisse de canard" frites, which loosely translates as: fries with duck lubricant.
Denver
Bourbon Steak
Address: 7575 E Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: 480-585-4848
Website: michaelmina.net/bourbonsteak
Portland, Maine
Strip Steak
Address: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas NV 89119
Phone: 702-632-7777
Website: michaelmina.net/stripsteak
Cleveland
Bar Cento
Address: 1948 W 25th Street, Cleveland OH 44113
Phone: 216-274-1010
Website: barcento.com
Southern California
Crow Bar and Kitchen
Address: 2325 East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar CA 92625
Phone: 949-675-0070
Website: thecrowbarcdm.com
Bin8945
Address: 8945 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood CA 90069 [CLOSED]
Phone: 310-550-8945
Website: BIN8945.com
Executive chef Matt Carpenter was inspired by the duck fat fries at a restaurant in Bordeaux called La Tupiña.