(dukeschowderhouse.com) – Green Lake
How I heard of this place: The first I had ever been to Duke’s, despite walking past the hole-in-the-wall space on 4th Avenue almost daily while living downtown, was through my friend Sarah, who suggested it as a lunch spot on one of our lunch dates.
Type of cuisine: Chowder, hearty salads, various seafoods, burgers & sandwiches, as well as seafood and beef.
Ambiance: Casual setting, perfect for a quick bite at the lunch hour, or for a family dinner. Large interior mostly chair & table seating, as well as a few booths in the middle of the space. Outdoor, patio seating is also available. Floor to ceiling windows line the front of the establishment, where diners have a view of the patio and street separating them from the lake.
What I ordered: I ordered the blackened salmon cobb (full-size $17.99), which included a large portion of blackened wild Alaska salmon over a bed of lettuce, bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, chopped egg, fresh tomato and avocado, dressed with homemade bleu cheese dressing. The dining companion directly in front of me ordered the cajun chicken corn chowder ($10.99 for the bowl) with fajita chicken and Creole seasoning, topped with sour cream, for something new and interesting. Another dining companion ordered the Duke’s Combo ($16.99) which came with a cup of chowder (your choice), a starter salad (your choice) and tortellini in a garlic cream sauce. One dining companion opted for something a little more simple and ordered Duke’s spinach salad ($6.99 for the half-size) with bacon, chopped egg, toasted almonds, diced tomatoes and parmesan with a sweet caper vinaigrette. Our fifth dining companion selected the 2-piece ($10.99) Mac & Jack’s fish & chips: wild Alaska cod battered and lightly breaded in panko, served with homemade tarter sauce, crispy ginger slaw and Duke’s signature wedge cut french fries. Our final dining companion ordered the 1/2 Fish & Chips and Chowder Combo ($14.99) which included a half order of Mac & Jack’s battered Wild Alaska Cod served with wedge cut french fries, crispy ginger slaw, homemade tartar sauce and a cup of Award Winning Clam Chowder.
What I loved: Having only sampled the chicken chowder and the cobb salad, I have to say both were tasty and full of flavor. The chicken chowder was a very different spin on the traditional clam chowder that I have always stuck to. Spicy and thick, it had a mouthful of flavor! The blackened salmon was well seasoned and prepared just right. The bacon was perfectly crispy, the half fanned avocado fresh and ripe, the tomatoes and eggs diced small and the combination delicious.
Why I loved it: The space is simple and casual, an easy place to stop for a bite after a walk around Green Lake. The service was quick and there is something on the menu for everyone!
Cost: Average to high ($11 for a bowl of chowder, $8-$12 for a burger)