CHIReview
The Duck Inn
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On the corner of Eleanor and Loomis just off the Chicago River, the first thing you’ll notice about The Duck Inn is it’s a pretty good sized cocktail lounge with a big bar. You can hang out over some drinks, or dabble in snacks like fried cheese curds with bloody mary ketchup, duck and foie tamale, and a duck fat dog. And we wouldn’t judge if that was the extent of your trip, but you’d be missing out by not hitting up the smaller main dining room in back.
The more proper dining area is set through double doors, with wood furnishings and exposed brick walls, one of which contains a large duck mural. Despite the size, it’s a lively and loud room filled with a crowd who is clearly there to dine. The menu is a bit limited, so don’t expect endless pages of options, but the things they do, they do well. It’s all highlighted by a rotisserie duck for two, which is fantastic. The meat isn’t too fatty, and served with seasonal sides, like potatoes and a winter citrus salad. As if all of that isn’t good enough, The Duck Inn has an awesome f*cking patio out back.