Duck and Decanter — Restaurant in Phoenix

My family and I began eating at Earl Mettler's (With family and partners') Duck and Decanter within a month of moving to Mesa, Arizona from Monarch Beach, California in June of 2001. Back then, I was a full time partner in a security corporation while being a full time motion-picture and book illustrator. The profound differences in the manner in which foods were presented and the recipes created around Phoenix as opposed to the Beach Cities of Orange County, California were quite injurious to my palate. Finding something good around town was quite laborious. And I was no fan of Deli foods. Deli foods--'Yuck!'--Then my wife made me try the "The Duck"--NOT so at the "Duck!" Earl's Duck and Earl's family's service were exactly what I expected anywhere between the Grapevine on the North of LA County and San Ysidro at the border! We had business in Phoenix on a weekly, sometimes nightly basis and averaged approximately twenty-to-thirty visits per year until we moved to Pinal County in 2012 due to the needs of my late-in-life-career in Corrections. The food was always consistently outstanding and fresh--just like what I always expected from all my favorite haunts in California--with the meats, cheeses and condiments being absolutely fresh and clean. Now we eat at the Duck and Decanter approximately eighteen times per year due to the demands of my job and our schedule as parents of a young adult with special needs--speaking of ADA issues: Nobody in business in Arizona has consistently treated our special needs young adult from birth to adulthood with more kindness, tolerance and consistency than Earl Mettler, his granddaughter, the rest of his family, partners, employees and associates. Our son cannot wait for each opportunity to return. Only at the "Duck," do I eat sandwiches. I'm NOT a bread-eater. I won't eat bread or sandwiches at home. ONLY at the Duck! Only in Europe or in Phoenix at the Duck do I eat soup! The only baked goods better than those at the Duck are those I find around Europe, and/or those in my mother's or wife's kitchen at home. As for Earl, I'm a Veteran who specializes in the history of a certain special team of other Veterans, and anybody eating at the Duck is supporting a family predicated upon National Service. We are a family of first responders employed by the state who appreciate EVERY bite of food we get at the "Duck!" None in our family have ever seen another "Nooner" customer unhappy. Our son's doctors all eat at the "Duck." Everybody should eat...

Oh man, let me tell you about Duck and Decanter in Phoenix, it's like the OG of delis. This place has been serving up sandwiches and salads since before I was born. But don't let their age fool you, they're still slinging some seriously good eats.

First of all, let's talk about the sandwiches. I did a “build your own” with marinated chicken on sourdough bread. The bread? Oh, It's like they stole the recipe from heaven or something. Soft and pillowy on the inside, with just the right amount of crust on the outside. Chicken was tender too. You know how I like my toppings, I load them up.

But wait, there's more! The atmosphere at Duck and Decanter is just as charming as the food. The deli is nestled in a cozy corner of Phoenix, with a rustic interior that feels like a home away from home. There are shelves filled with wine bottles and gourmet snacks, adding to the cozy ambiance. The staff is friendly and welcoming, which only adds to the warmth of the environment. There's a sense of community here that's hard to find in other places.

The only downside? This place can get busy, so be prepared to "duck" and weave your way through the crowds. But trust me, it's worth it. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch break or a leisurely afternoon spent nibbling on a sandwich and sipping on a glass of wine, Duck and Decanter is the perfect spot. The atmosphere is laid-back and inviting, making it a great place to...

First time here from a recommendation by my dentist. I was excited from looking at the reviews, photos, and menu. It was so disappointing once I came to have lunch today. I had the (full) duckling sandwich $12.99, 8oz coleslaw $2.89, fountain drink 24oz $2.99, and Kettle Chips 2oz bag $2.39… with two free pickles. The sandwich was good quality, but skimpy on the portion of meat - see photos. The coleslaw was dry; and not creamy at all. The chips and pickles were enjoyable. Everything served ‘To Go’ in a bag. You find your seating. There seems to be enough inside, and far more outside — nice to see the weather improving for outdoor dining. Mind people who are in the way unsure of where to stand while waiting for their order. Bathrooms are in a separate facility accessed out the back… turn right, turn right, and turn left. They’re clean. Keep the lights on so the fan/AC continue to run. Parking is a challenge. A lot of spaces marked Reserved for Copenhagen and DXL… so many that it’s ridiculous. I parked a good distance in the Target 🎯 parking lot. There’s a lot more to D&D — novelties, cheeses, sausages, breads & crackers, wines, etc. There’s a separate room for sampling(?) and drinks. I don’t know if I’ll return. Try them and see for yourself. I was disappointed in the serving portion of the duckling, and the coleslaw could...