Council Bluffs, IA 51503
712.328.3360
Open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 7am to 1pm, Sun 8am to noon, closed Tues
Duncan's Cafe on Urbanspoon
 |
| French Dip and Jacket Fries |
Attracted to the mysterious nature of a restaurant that doesn't have an online menu but does decide to run a Living Social deal, I couldn't resist trying out the enigmatic Duncan's Cafe across ye ole Missouri. Plus, getting out of my zip code felt really good, even if it was to a place called Counciltucky. (Oh come on guys, as if Omaha is like, sooooo cosmopolitan in comparison.)
 |
| Exposed brick and weird giraffe picture equals "quirky country kitchen" feel. |
The coffee was watery, and the chili wasn't very edgy. Over the semi-bland but piping hot cup we discussed the Bean Question. (Do beans belong in chili or not?) Here there were just a few kidney beans, a safe compromise for all.
 |
| Cup o' Chili, Stack o' Crackers |
"I'll have the Skillet Breakfast," I proudly proclaimed, after several minutes poring over the two pages of selections. The exceedingly nice waitress only then informed us that breakfast is not served during the lunch rush. Certifiably bummed that I wouldn't be annihilating a cheesy, hashbrown-y platter, I reluctantly ordered the lunch special of pork and mashed potatoes. I chose green beans over peas. When it came, I imagined myself an old widower, unable to open my own can of green beans at home, sliding the gummy mashed potatoes over my gums, at Duncan's mostly for the friendly faces. The French Dip was above average, with tender beef and savory jus, but the unseasoned "jacket fries" were not much more than floppy, oily potato discs.
 |
| The Daily Special-- Points for the Simon-inspired plates. |
I'm biased as I grew up with this place, but give it another try at breakfast time. Best hashbrowns around. Service is always stellar, the food is exactly what you want out of a greasy spoon, and the plates are overflowing.
ReplyDeleteHaving just moved from the Twin Cities to Omaha, I had low expectations for Duncan's given the lack of food-smell upon entry of the old bank-like building in which it's situated, and my prior spoilage living in Minneapolis where breakfast is amazing everywhere, but Duncan's breakfast is not to be scoffed at. I ordered the skillet with eggs over medium and really enjoyed everything about it, minus the peppers and onions, which were either way overcooked, or from a can. They far from ruined the meal, as the hashbrowns are truly some of the best I've had, and my eggs were cooked perfectly.
ReplyDelete