After a typical Sunday morning, my family decided to indulge our appetites by trying The Mad Duck. Located in the Clovis Commons Shopping Center on Herndon and Willow, this small neighborhood grill and taphouse offers a casual yet comfortable atmosphere.
The Mad Duck opened on March 22 of this year. Although it has only been in business for about eight months, manager Jacob Urive said the concept of the restaurant has been in planning for two and a half years.
“The Mad Duck is a nice neighborhood grill and represents the American pub,” Urive said. “The dark colors inside and decoration of old brick portray the East Coast.”
Upon entering, the first thing that caught my attention was an assortment of flags and brown pendent lights hung from the ceiling. Five flat-screen TVs were scattered around the room, showcasing sports such as football and soccer.
Once my family found a booth to sit in, a friendly waitress welcomed us and passed out menus. For sitting at a booth with five family members, I thought each individual had a spacious amount of room. After ordering drinks, we were left to consider the various selections.
The waitress returned, showing great attentiveness in memorizing our choices. In the mood for an all-American meal, I decided to order the Mad Burger. The grilled burger was garnished with American cheese, tomatoes and lettuce, and stacked in a freshly baked bun.
Before noticing the 10 to 15 minutes which had passed, our meals were delivered. Although the Mad Burger’s presentation lacked decoration, I still had high hopes for its taste.
As I took the first bite, juices squeezed from the burger and met my taste buds. The mixture of burger, fresh tomato, just the right amount of lettuce and soft bread was an enjoyable taste, which left a craving for the next bite. This delicious burger comes at the manageable price of $5.95.
Among the entree choices, appetizers include onion rings, tater tots, baked brie and sweet potato fries. My dad ordered the sweet potato fries, which had just the right balance of crunchiness on the outside and chewy texture on the inside.
In addition to the Mad Burger, the menu offers veggie burgers, soups, salads and other sandwich options. The Mad Duck also serves signature items like the Jalapeno Cheeseburger, Burger Melt, Grilled Chicken and Marinated Grilled Steak.
Making the visit more enjoyable, many dishes come at reasonable prices. While appetizers can range anywhere from $3.95-6.95, entrees can start at $6.95 and go up to $8.95. However, all items are a la carte, so the tab can add up quickly. There is not a huge dessert section, but the offerings start at $1.95 and reach about $6.95.
The restaurant also holds special events for groups like the radio station, Blaze 101, which takes place on Friday nights. Along with providing their place for soccer and football fans, the Tuaca Girls host a night for liqueur.
My overall experience was very pleasant. Even though the food presentation did not capture my attention, the friendly and productive customer service was refreshing to see. The atmosphere is appropriate for a family meal, but is probably best suited for young adults. If I ever feel like a simple yet filling meal, The Mad Duck would be on my list of choices.
The Mad Duck is located at 765 W. Herndon Ave. Suite 200. The restaurant can be contacted by phone at 559.298.3825.
For more food reviews, read the Aug. 30 article, Eureka! Burger offers superior menu.
