The Dog & Duck Pub

This is my first time at the Dog and Duck since they moved, and I’m a happy beer drinker. Call it Dog and Duck 2.0. We were there almost 90 minutes and no one left while we were there.
The Dog and Duck pub is best enjoyed when you have no where to be. There is a huge selection of great micro brew beer and Guinness beers. Grab your favorite beer and chat with friends. All beer and food orders must be made at the bar. This is not traditional and is sure to produce a few bad reviews.
The food is still the same. The burgers are just as I remembered… very good. The chips and queso are no longer on the menu… sad face.
They had all day Mimosas the day we were there. I just stuck with beers from Thirsty Planet and Real Ale Brewing Company.
With no complaints, I rate the new Dog and Duck 5 stars.

Are these the best fried mushrooms in Austin? Yes.
Are these the best fish and chips in Austin? Yes.
Is this the best shepherds pie in Austin? Yes.

I like the beer, I like the location… Worst interior design I’ve seen lately (i even get the pub thing). The seat cushions are almost enough to make me not come back. But I’m going to try to get over that since its in my neighborhood and been a long time old Austin business. Still might pick Gourmands instead, though.

Shepard’s pie so winner, with actual delicious lamb. The malgheny Great selection of drinks if you are into that. Great place to get some homey British comfort food.

I feel bad for them as a majority of the lower reviews are based on comparing it to the old place, or the fact you had to get off your ass to order anything, (wah!) I had been to the original only once, and am able to look at this place with fresh eyes. We have been to this location 4 times and love it. The beer selection is extensive, and heavenly cold (which seems to be a difficult task for many bars.) The fish and chips is a huge portion of light and flaky fish encompassed in deep fried crispy goodness. The tartar is great too! The burgers were meaty with lots of fresh toppings and great flavor. Shepherd’s pie was good, but portion is a little bit on the small side. Service from the staff has always been swift and friendly. It’s cozy, not overly loud, and again that frothy cold beer.

Y’know that annoying person that couldn’t like the Cohen Brothers’ True Grit because it didn’t have John Wayne in it, even though it was easily a better movie than the original? The person who hates every cover song because they can’t take them on their own merits without comparing them to the originals? I’m about to be that person.
The old UT Dog & Duck was a classic, easily my favorite campus bar and the closest thing to the feel of an English pub that you’re ever likely to encounter in Texas. Its low ceilings and warped wooden floors and sprawling outdoor area either reminded you of a student pub in Oxford, or, if you’d never been to Oxford, was just a great place with cheap pint nights and a stellar beer selection plus surprisingly decent food.
And new D&D tries to do that, in many instances literally importing the décor of the old location, but it just can’t quite pull it off. The giant wooden porch and side areas of the old location have been replaced by a tiny patch of concrete out back with a few tables. The high ceilings and bright lights and shiny new TV make the place feel like a corporate knockoff of itself, and the main thing that has been kept – the lack of wait service and bar-​only ordering – was easily the least likable feature of the original concept.
Is this still an alright pub? Sure, and I don’t want to be too hard on them. Beer selection remains great and prices are reasonable for the area. It’s just that campus needed a bar like this and Webberville Road, in the shadow of bar-​saturated East Sixth, really doesn’t. Since Gourmands a few doors down has better food, a much better patio, and an atmosphere that I just prefer overall, I’d probably never make it out of there when I’m back this way. Would I come back to D&D if invited? Yes, I would. But I probably wouldn’t suggest it. If you’ve never been to the old place, though, and can view this through a fresh lens, you might like it more.

I come to the Dog and Duck and sit at the comfortable tables and drink coffee and/​or beer and work. It’s extremely easy to chill there — the wifi is great and they have ample outlets. The burgers (meat and veggie) are delicious and the staff is awesome. It’s a nice change from a coffeehouse. I’ve always felt very welcomed. I can’t compare it to the last location (because I only went there once — forever ago) but I know, from speaking with the staff, that most of the employees are the same and they worked really hard to keep as much of the old Dog and Duck as possible. Whatever they’ve done, I love it and have already become a regular. It’s a great neighborhood spot.

Returned to the D&D a couple of weeks ago — this visit was at night when I was not pressed for time. It was still hard to get served but once I made contact with the bartender, he was reasonably available the rest of the night. The kitchen was slammed but they got everything out a bit faster than at lunch, and the food was fresh and good. Improved!

I was there with a group, which made a big difference. The Fish & Chips was just ok. We had to go to the bar to place any order. They’ve recently relocated, so I’ll keep my complaints short. Maybe if I was a beer drinker… c’est la vie.

After the reviews here, I wasn’t sure what to expect. While it’s true that it doesn’t have the cluttered, lived in feel of the old spot, i do think they’ve done an admirable job of bringing in about 75% of the items you’ll recognize from the old bar. Brocade seats, parts of the floor, the fireplace, the bathroom mummy.
The thing that was always annoying at D&D is still there too — the ordering at the bar. You have to order all your drinks and food at the bar. They’ll bring it to you but if you spend any time there, you’ll be up and down a lot. Good beer selection, anemic wine selection, huge fish and chips and all the same Irish faves (bubble and squeak, e.g.)
I’ll come again I’m sure though I do think that ordering system is going to be a problem when it’s really busy.

Nice place, great staff, good selection, not too crowded and noisy, nor too dead, prices are a little high, but the fish and chips was huge (the chips were not crispy at all).

Ambiance:
It’s a dark pup with hard and rustic finishes. This wouldn’t be a place I would bring a date, but if you wanted to reenact Cheers, then this is your spot. They also have a small patio, which they allow dogs on.
Cuisine:
Get the burger. I know, you’re thinking Luci, why would I get a burger at a British pub? I’m not sure what kind of black magic happens in that small, busy kitchen, but it sure isn’t limited to traditional English dishes. What happens back there is pure, meat lovin’, pickup ownin’, down home cooking.
Service:
These bartenders are great. They love this place. From what I heard, most of them followed it to the new location and I think some are switching where they live to be closer to it, that says something. But, beware there is no table service, so if you sit outside you’ll have to get up for every beer. (this may be a good thing after you drown yourself in fried onion rings and red meat)

We love that this place is on the Eastside! We visited once and ordered the fish and chips and they were amazing. We came back a second time and they sucked balls!!! We ordered another set just because we wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, those sucked as well. I hope they find some way to be consistently good.

I’ve literally been dying in anticipations of the re-​opening. To be honest, I was genuinely a little disappointed with the new location space and parking lot. But I really can’t be a beggar about the location and space. They’ve reopened and I can finally get my fix on fish and chips. Do I wish they had the large expanded menu back heck yes, hopefully it will return.
So don’t walk in expecting the olé dog & duck pub, this is not the same! Yes they did bring back all the old tiles and booths and the grandma floral print haha. Just not the same… but I bet they will attempt to make the same olé dog & duck pub. Just keep returning and don’t be turned off by the current state. Things take time to great better, so let’s give the pub some time to regain it old glory.

From the ashes… rises a version of the Dog and Duck.
Smaller than its predecessor, with a tiny parking lot. Bringing into question, what soul become of the infamous Dog & Duck St. Paddy party ?
Food was really, really good. The place is just.. tiny. No pool table. No games. No juke box. No room. Patio is tiny & sterile. Looks like they brought or replicated the ceiling tiles from the old location.
Doesn’t suck. Feels familiar, but doesn’t feel like the Dog & Duck.

I really really wanted to love it. I ended up only liking it. This review is from a week or so after opening.
Positives:
Beer selection!
Friendly service.
Laid back vibe.
Negative:
The fish and chips just weren’t up to par. The chips were good but the fish had far too thick of a batter and seem to have been dropped in the oil before it was up to temp. The fish was oily to its core.
I will be giving this joint another try as I really dug the service and beer selection. Hopefully the kitchen will have worked out of those growing pains.

Best fish and chips in Austin! Also, great beer selection and a relaxed atmosphere. I’m eager to try their breakfast selection!

I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of this pub! I stopped in for lunch on a cold Friday afternoon for some comfort food. They do have parking behind the building in a lot but, we opted for the street parking in the front. They have a small side patio with a couple picnic tables and I saw some dogs out there so, i am assuming it is dog friendly.
You seat yourself in one of their booth or tables and you order at the bar for food and drinks. There is also some bar seats if you care to sit there. They currently only have their beer and wine license so, we opted for a couple Austin East Ciders to accompany our meal. They had some specials on the chalk board next to the bar and a very small menu. I inquired with the bartender and they will be adding to the menu as they are open longer.
We order an order of fish and chips and bangers and mashed. The fish an chips was the best that I have had in Austin or anywhere for a matter of fact. The fish was flaky, just the right amount of batter and fried to that perfect temperature you would expect in a true pub. The fries were just ok but, oh that tartar sauce… wow! The bangers and mashed was well executed but, the gravy on it could have been a little more flavorful. Props for the traditional mashed potatoes and the fact that the bangers came from Smokey Denmarks! I did find it a bit strange that they were served with beans on the side. The toast is Texas toast but, could have benefited from some butter or seasoning.
I realize they just opened so they will work out those small kinks I am sure. My only other recommendation was that they should turn the air conditioning down because we were freezing!

Wins:
— Relaxed atmosphere
— Indoor & outdoor seating
— Neighborhood parking was easy to find, but may change if zoning changes
— Good beer
— Some cider and wine options for non beer drinkers
Opportunities:
— No table service
— Long slow line at the bar
— No Irish Whiskey
BLUF: It doesn’t feel like the old Dog & Duck at all and I wish they had given it a new name. That aside, it’s a solid choice for good beer on the east side.

Dog & Duck is nothing but reliable. Lot of beer on tap and friendly service. Fish and chips were really good. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I would get this again in a heartbeat. While several lament the vibe of the old location, I don’t miss it one bit. I like the brighter and new location.

Still some growing pains, as the owner pointed out. He has had quite the struggle getting this place open and had to delay a few times because of the city.
The beers on tap are not all ready to go as they are waiting for some keg selections, as I was told. I had to dance around the menu a bit to find one they had, but the bartender was really patient and understanding with me even when I probably did not return the pleasantness (admittedly, I was pretty hangry). Our food arrived quickly. The fish and chips are OK — about the best you’re going to find in America, but severely lacking in comparison to the real deal in the UK.
We had several employees stop by the table and ask how everything was, and I could tell they were really excited to be open again, and also hoping they can iron out the kinks. Someone was was very rude at their restaurant and recently left a one-​star review that really irked them, but they said they take the feedback seriously (no, I did not drop the word « Unilocal» on them at any point) and hope everything is back up and running. Remember, folks, restaurant owners and employees are people who have good and bad days, too, and coming here to unload some dramatic story on them having an isolated failure is akin to kicking them while they’re down. Be constructive and kind, it goes a long way.

Disclaimer: This review is for a visit on their 3^rd day open in their new location. Even so, I feel some feedback is in order. I hope they work it out, and others have a better experience than I did. I waited overnight to write this review, given how upset and hangry I ended the night, and wanted to give them a fair shake in a better mood. Even so, I cannot recommend right now.
First off, for fans of the old place, this is NOT that. The funky, comfy vibe is gone. It’s small, and the patio is tiny. There is no organization for an ordering line like there was at the old place, so you have to find a spot at the bar, get someone’s attention, and order. There is still no table service.
On this, their 3^rd day open, with a very limited menu, they still hadn’t gotten it worked out. While it was full-​ish, it was not so packed you couldn’t move. It was just reasonably full. We were warned there was a 45 – 60 minute wait for food. So I ordered some beers according to the happy hour listed on the website. 2 out of 3 of the beers were not actually available, although a better one WAS available, so it worked out ok. But for being so new, you’d think the website might reflect reality.
We took a chance on the wait, despite being pretty darned hungry, and ordered fish & chips and a burger. I paid cash, and watched the fine gentleman at the bar write down my order, my name, and my location (outside) ON A PHYSICAL SLIP OF PAPER. This is important to note for later. Not just in the computer, on an actual PIECE OF PAPER.
After some time (30 – 60 minutes) I started to see food come out, notably for people who had arrived after I had placed my order. Since none of them seemed to have fish & chips, I figured maybe burgers were faster, or they were backed up on fish. Then I started seeing fish & chips come out too. I never saw anyone carrying BOTH FISH AND A BURGER at ANY TIME. This is also important to note for later.
After 90 minutes, I went inside to inquire. I was then told that the computer had gone down a few times, everyone had made the EXACT SAME ORDER as me, they were unable to locate that PHYSICAL PIECE OF PAPER, and they begged pardon, being this was their 3^rd day open. I saw someone go back and inquire of the harried and confused-​looking cooks, and she came back and asked if the order was under Shea. I said no, it was Eve. There seemed to be no sign of it.
Now, as I mentioned, somewhere there was a slip of paper with my NAME and my LOCATION (outside) — and I kept an eye out and no one EVER brought out an order with both fish AND a burger. Believe me, I was watching. We had come from a rigorous workout, and were not just hungry, we were full-​blown hangry. And very much looking forward to some delicious fried food.
There were some helpless looks given, and I said I would just take a refund. The guy who originally took my order looked up my order in the computer, and returned 20.50 to me. Now, I had originally paid 33.50, and the food totaled $ 25 ($ 13 for fish, $ 12 for burger). So I told him this, that the food I was not getting was $ 25. He looked again and said the balance was for my beers. I said that may be, but the food was $ 25. I said perhaps he undercharged originally for my beers, which is a separate problem (for them, not for me), but if I was being refunded for food, that total was $ 25 (assuming no tax, which perhaps is included?).
At this point he became irritated, threw open the register, and gave me another $ 13, with some commentary. There was some discussion with another person behind the counter, and they again tried to impress on me this was their 3^rd day, etc., but there was definitely some unpleasantness about the whole thing, which left me feeling very uncomfortable, and like somehow I was being made to feel like I was being unreasonable.
Now, while I was willing to pay for the beers we nursed for nearly TWO HOURS (at this point), I don’t feel bad about being given a full refund, given the circumstances. At least I was only out $ 5 for tip. Given the totality of the experience, I am not inclined to return. Knowing Austinites, I’m sure someone I like will have a gathering there, and I’ll go to be social. But I hope it’s not until after they’ve figured out how to serve their customers.
Obviously, can’t tell you how the food was. I may never know.

I was a regular at the old campus site and am giving 5 stars before the new one opens for old times sake. It’s a huge disappointment to see the parking lot everyday where DND used to be. Today is Tuesday, or what I used to call «pint night». I hope the new is as fun as the old, but it’s going to be hard to beat. I visited the new site and took a couple pix. Looks smaller, and will be harder for me to get to there, but when if opens I’m there!
I had lunch at DND yesterday. It’s hard to find a better fish and chips. It was good to see Robbie again! I sat next to a tattoo artist who runs the parlor next door. Nice guy.

We were very sad when Austin development pushed out one of our favorites. We’re so happy that they are now back! These are the best fish & chips in Austin among other greats about this pub! We’ll miss the history of the old location, but we’ll take it!

Yup, it’s back (finally). In a shiny new place with some of the old stuff with it. If you walk around take a close look, you can see lots of stuff from the old place so it ‘kinda’ feels like home but I really, really miss the lopsided floor at the bar from the old place. It was an art form to get your chair situated just right so the slanted floor worked. ahhh, I’ll miss the old Dog and Duck, but we saw quite a few of the old crew behind the bar and in front of the bar. The burgers are damn good and the menu is a bit more civilized (English-​ized) with breakfast offerings all day. The tap wall had nice local/​regional offerings and THE MUMMY IS BACK! He/​She stands guard by the bathrooms. The place is smaller and the outside is much smaller than before but it is what it is. Overall the pub has a nice, warm and welcoming feel to it. The nice cozy sitting areas, few private spots and lots of window space.
I’d give it a 5 star rating but the move to the east side means we won’t be able to be «regular» regulars. Too far to drive and not direct routes for us. Oh well… regardless, I think they’ll do well but it will be an adjustment for you regulars. Just get over it and go.