Ducks Grille & Bar — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Well, we're new to the JAX area and heard good things about Ducks, so we booked a reservation for New Years Eve. Upon arrival, we were lead through the main restaurant into the back opening area where the New Years Eve party was to be held. It was like going into a separate building. Bland surroundings, not like the main area. Well, Duck's was supposed to be noted for their steaks, so I wanted my wife to order the Ribeye, and she insisted that I order the Filet. Both were on the menu priced "At Market Price", which I've NEVER seen for a piece of meat. Lobster Yes, Meat No. When reading the description, they were called "Montreal", whatever that means. Well, we started out with the Crab Dip for $ 13, which was good for two people, but there was no fresh bread or nice hot yeast rolls offered. When the steaks came, they were dropped on top of a serving of garlic mashed potatoes and small amount of button mushrooms. Both of these were considered "sides". Combining both, I considered it equal to one side. BTW, there was no house salad or Caesar salad as part of the selection. Those were a la carte at $ 9.00 each for the small version. I ordered a side dish called "garlic wilted spinach" and it lived up to it's name. Pretty tasteless and wilted. Both steaks, the 8 oz. filet and the 12 oz. ribeye were prepared exactly how we ordered them and they were very good. Then the Bill came. $ 49 for the ribeye and a whopping $ 56 for the filet. I was shocked. In some of our other favorite steak places, like Texas Roadhouse, Longhorns and even Outback, my steak would have been 1/2 the price, maybe $ 28. In summary, the food was good, but for the prices charged, it was NOT a good value. We ordered water and the bill came to a whopping $ 132 after tax. We left an $ 18.00 tip for our server, who was very attentive. We might be back for their Monday Taco Night or their All You Can East boneless wings on Tuesday, but a full blown dinner for us is "off the menu". If they had offered some freshly baked bread, a small salad and 2 legitimate sides, the prices charged would have been close to being worth it. BTW, the highlight of the night was the dessert, which I had at home made by my wife called "coconut flan". If you can find it in JAX, try it. Best Cuban...

A Moment at Ducks Restaurant, Jacksonville – A Lesson in Grace and a Lack of Decency

Last night, my husband and I had dinner at Ducks Restaurant in Jacksonville. Our waitress was incredible — calm, poised, and deeply attentive. She gracefully took care of us without rushing, even while juggling a massive table of 18 guests, another couple, and a group of four women who arrived shortly after.

From my seat, I had a full view of how masterfully she handled it all. The table of 18 — well-dressed, older adults, likely in their 60s to 80s — were chatting, reminiscing about how they met their spouses in cute ways. It was charming… at first.

But when the check came, the tone shifted. There were small billing errors (easily understood with such a large group), which the waitress corrected promptly. Then the outrage started: they had been charged $2 per person for dessert plating, even though they brought their own desserts, plates, and silverware. The entitlement in their reaction was stunning. They demanded the manager. Not to calmly ask — but to chastise. And what did the manager do? Stayed behind the bar, out of sight. Never approached the table. Never backed up their staff.

As I watched the waitress try to stay composed, my heart broke. The group berated her, only to turn and offer insincere hugs, saying, “It’s not your fault, sweetheart — it’s everyone else's.” I could see her fighting back tears. I was doing the same.

My husband put it perfectly: “People always say kids can be bullies, but some older adults think age gives them the right to say whatever they want.”

And he’s right. That group owed that young woman an apology — and so did the manager who failed to lead. A $2 plate fee is completely fair when bringing outside food into an establishment where you’re still receiving service, cleanup, and seating.

Shame on that group. And shame on that manager. To the waitress: I saw you. You were amazing. You deserved better.

P.s. The manager gets a one...

Probably one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. I was so excited to try their brunch as their menu was filled with unique items and seemed like great quality. We shared a small plate and got the black peppered seared tuna and it was really good, if not the best thing we tasted the entire time there. For his meal he got the shrimp and grits and I got the Eggs Benedict that is marked as MP. Typically when something’s marked MO I’m expecting something a little special or good quality, I definitely wasn’t expecting overly crispy bacon. My poached eggs were mostly over cooked and hardly any hollandaise sauce to have on each bite. I chose the side of fries and it turns out their fries are pretty much tater tots just square, buttery were crispy and seasoned well. My husband got the shrimp and grits and there was more liquid than grits and he wasn’t even given a spoon, so he’s having to search in the liquid for his grits with a fork. The flavor was awesome but there was hardly a decent sized portion to enjoy especially after paying 17.50 you would expect more. The drinks were okay, we each got a mimosa and it came without orange juice, the waitress knew it was our first time there as she asked us in the beginning and we just drank it without the juice and we’re confused but I think she forgot to tell us to go to the table upfront as it’s apparently you make your own mixed drinks? My husband also had to go up and pour his own Bloody Mary mix into his vodka in a glass and it was also unlabeled. The entire experience was pretty awful and we spend about $85 before tip and it was not worth it, I think they should be more forward about their meals or put more effort into them if they are going to charge the way they do. I definitely regret going and feel like I need to warn people of the “illusion” they have going on. After that brunch experience I couldn’t imagine paying even more money on a...