Ugly Duckling Dublin

sunday noon — hangover o’clock. All i needed and wanted was a burger. Sadly, Bunsen was closed. Not being a fan of the sambo’s in Ugly Duckling, I thought maybe their burgers could be better. I got the Bacon/​Cheese burger for take away. It was pretty massive, and not at al bad… But not a bit of lettuce, onion or tomato in sight. I pimped my burger at home myself and added some crunch. which made a lot tastier plus less dry!

Up a star. Back for lunch today and very glad I gave this place another try. The shredded chicken on Brioche was very tasty with a wonderful zingy salsa and a chunky guacamole. The menu has improved and they have a better selection including the classics like BLT and brisket and the ever present pulled pork.

Unbelievable sandwiches at an excellent price, if you want a great sandwich drop in to Ugly Duckling. They have two locations in George’s Street Arcade and the Epicurean Food Hall and neither will disappoint! Friendly & relaxed atmosphere in the place, excellent service from the guys and most important of all the sandwiches! My god the sandwiches. Like no other sandwich you’ve ever experienced.

I’m baffled as to why people are leaving such good reviews for this place. I’m only leaving one star because I can’t leave zero stars. It was by far the worst meal I’ve eaten in Dublin ever.
I dropped in here one day after it came highly recommended by a bar man I was speaking to (I can only think now he must be mates with the owner!). There were 4 people in total and we tried 4 different sandwiches. Absolutely disgusting. The meat they used in the sandwiches, I wouldn’t feed it to my dog. I’d also echo what one reviewer said about the questionable hygiene of the person making the sandwiches which was a real turn off.
Some reviewers said this place was trying to deliver big American type sandwiches you see on programmes like Man vs Food etc. Its no where near that, it’s pathetic. I wish I had complained on the day, because unlike some reviewers say it wasn’t that cheap. With drinks included it was over € 40 which is expensive especially when you leave half it behind. Absolutely inedible, can’t warn people enough.
I find myself in the food hall quite regularly because I like the Italian coffee place in the corner beside the ugly duckling sandwich bar. Every time I go in I’m amazed to see The Ugly Duckling still in business!

Had lunch. Massive portions and good quality. Well worth the value and made fresh. Best place in the epicurean food hall.

For quite a few weeks I’ve walked by this sign on Abbey Street…
I first discovered Po’boys watching shows like Diners, Drive-​ine & Dives (
) or Man v Food (
) Since then I’ve eaten them in Pat O’Briens at Universal City Walk (
) and Lola’s Louisiana Kitchen in Las Vegas (
) Both places were amazing and I was so so chuffed to discover somewhere in Dublin was doing them. So with that in mind I dragged my fiancé to Ugly Duckling (
) in the Epicurean Hall on Middle Abbey Street (across from Arnotts) I think they’re also open in George’s Street Arcade.
Looks good right? I wanted to change to chicken and waffles but I went there for the po’boy so that’s what I got. I did order it without tomato but there it is on my bread. It was easily picked off so no biggie.
It’s a big sandwich. I had to eat some of the prawns (or shrimp?) off before cutting it in half getting «the hunch» on :)
The sandwich is made up of Cajun Creole Tiger Prawns, lettuce and a sauce with a serious kick on Ciabatta.
In my view this is a great attempt at a Po’boy!!!
It’s v v nice to see it on this side of the pond… Give it a go!

I went to the Epecurian Food Hall looking for a healthy lunch, I found a variety of healthy salad at Ugly Ducking.
I had a healthy tuna salad, so fresh and so good, with a side of fresh Italian bread.

I present a morning radio show with two others, in Dublin several days a week! As we approach 12 o’clock and tummies start to rumble Conversation often drifts in the direction food and specifically lunch.
The ultimate sandwich, the ultimate burrito, The best salad, the best burger! We often fight over these things and regularly the only way to solve these debates is to rush straight over and do the proverbial Pepsi challenge.
On one such day only recently I was dragged across the river to the Epicurean food hall to a small restaurant called the ugly duckling. It was no-​frills and there was no branding speak of but the proprietors seemed super friendly so I sat myself at the bar and waited patiently for what I was promised would be The best burger in Dublin. As I sat and watched the chef prepare sambos and burgers and wraps that can only be described as food porn, my mouth began to water in anticipation. If you’re counting calories, just don’t bother! If you’re into delicate or subtle or clean food, you’ve come to the wrong place! This is Gargantuan dirty, sloppy, kick you in the balls, Life changing, man food!
I have since gone back on three occasions, each time trying a different dish from the menu and one is simply better than the next! I still haven’t tried the Pittsburgh or the big Jack basically because I’m scared! This place is the fricking boom! Don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself but be warned, any dinner plans you may have made, will have to be cancelled. The best part is that these guys are opening a second place with the same food only this time on the south side. I have decided to ration my visits to once a week because I don’t think my waistline could cope with any more. The new one opened two days ago in Georges Street arcade. I can’t wait to try it out and see if it’s up to the same ridiculously high standard!

Average at best. Wanted the Pittsburgh but they had run out (at lunchtime!) so ordered the San Fran which didn’t have enough coleslaw as the ‘chef’ just gave me whatever was left in the pot before it was refilled. The same fella didn’t seem like the most hygienic, didn’t wear gloves while he handled various types of food and kept barking orders at one of his assistants.

We came with the family for an Irish breakfast on Saturday. I order a Full Irish Breakfast. It did not even was close to typical Irish Breakfast. No hasbrown, no bacon (2 slices of ham instead, but to crispy), no toasted bread — instead of this chewy bread, no beans.
Tomatoes were not even grilled and soft, but raw and tasted like only heated up in microwave. Rashes were soaked in a fat.
Everything tasted like a undercooked meal.
And in addition to this: overpriced. I left everything a half eaten.
I’m only not leaving 1 stars because:
* the staff was friendly
* caffe latte was quite good (€ 1 extra payed)

I went here using Unilocal and trying to find a really good filling sandwich and ugly duckling came up loads. I have to say, i think this is really overrated and not sure how or why people rate this so high, when the chicken fillet roll sandwich from centra is much more filling and affordable.
Firstly, I do quite like the little food hall. It good to have an undercover place to sit and eat your food, as the irish weather can make it difficult to enjoy takeaway food.
I order the P-​Bo, as it had so much of the «best» recommendations… now, I have to say, yes the prawns and the batter/​seasoning on the prawns, absolutely lush. However, the bread roll is nothing special, its like bought at lidl, was plasticy/​chewy in the texture. It then just had mostly lettuce a bit of tomato and then 5 wee prawns. The sauce was quite nice that came with it. But honestly, this is more like rabbit food, as the lettuce overpowers the sandwich.
Honestly for 7.95, i’d rather go somewhere worthwhile like a burrito place or get 2 chicken fillet rolls from centra — at least i know i won’t be full after and guaranteed every bit to be tasty.
Anyway, I certainly am not fussed to go back here ever again

Hands down the best sandwichs in Dublin. I have had everything on there old menu and there all excellent. My personal favourite is there club sandwich and the Pittsburgh.

Thank you, Unilocal!I spend a ton of time in Dublin, but never would have visited the food hall without you. To be honest, the entire place looks a little crappy, but this place is a hidden gem. Do yourself a favor and come for a great breakfast or sandwich.

I went into the Epicurian Food Hall with some relatively unhealthy friends of mine, so thinking I was going for the healthier option I went for a sandwich… The Ugly Duckling looked like a lovely spot & for less than € 10 I could have a sandwich & a coffee so i went with that.
First sandwich on the menu was pulled pork (my fav) & then after the meat they listed the salad, coleslaw etc etc blah blah blah. I’m not a fussy eater so once I like the meat I’m generally ok with the sandwich, didn’t even bother to read the rest of the list of veggies once I glanced at the first few. Big mistake on my part.
Unbeknownst to me I had ordered the most mamoth sandwich I have ever come across including a layer of chips underneath my meat. (I believe it was called the Pittsburg Sandwich). Oh my God, it was the best sandwich I’ve ever had. Bar none, ever. The chips were hot, crispy & not at all oily, but full of flavour, the bread was soft & fresh. The pork was so tender, so juicy & full of flavour coming from their bbq sauce which was to die for. The Coleslaw was just the right amount of crunchy & creamy so that it cut through the sandwich’s richness rather than adding to it & the lettuce & tomatoe were super fresh too.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! But so much for my healthier choice that day!

Today i tried the outstanding Deep Fried Brie sandwich. The joys of the ugly duckling continue. Really great service, very reasonable prices and simply the best sandwiches in Dublin. Cousin tried the manhattan dog which was very tasty.
Next sandwich: Beef Yorkie

So I read the reviews and had a feeling I was in for a foodie treat today when a friend and I popped by for lunch. I chose the Po Boy (baguette, Cajun creole prawns, lettuce, tomato and spicy mayo) my friend the Brisket Baguette (beef, gravy, crispy fried onions, tomato, lettuce, baguette) — mine was really tasty but I have to admit that when I looked at my friends choice I almost felt hard done by as hers was so jam packed, a real meal in itself and 50 cent cheaper. I had a nose at the other offerings as they were dished out to customers and everything looked fab! Healthy, not exactly — my Po Boy was kind of — but definitely fresh, decent sized portions and definitely tasty! I’m looking forward to returning to try the brisket and the Monte Cristo Sandwich (French toast, bacon, cheese with a side of maple syrup … Nom bloody nom!)

This place is class! And now I’ll tell you why…
I was told about this place while in Zulu and as I had an hour to kill I tried it out, when I got there I realised I had the wrong idea in my head, firstly the guy behind the counter was only too happy to explain the finer details of making a first class brisket. When I asked about the sandwich he explained the process happily, a guy who is obviously proud of his work — here is where the first two stars came from.
Secondly there was a short menu with enough variety in BBQ style «sandwiches», burgers and salads to reassure me that these items had thought behind them and again, a sense of pride In the food. An American style menu with irish ingredients is a combination anyone would get excited about, but it needs someone who cares to put it together and this is definitely evident at The Ugly Duckling — another two stars
The final reason this place gets a 5 star rating from me is the fact that the brisket baguette and water only came to 7 euro something, great value for Dublin! The brisket by the way is the best I’ve tasked outside of a proper US bbq spot called Rudy’s, and I couldn’t finish the bread, but managed to eat all the brisket :)
Bottom line is great menu, great cooking and great value, 5 star joint!

Starving, and unsure of where to get fed, I headed into the Epicurean determined to find something.
I spotted the Ugly Duckling, and several people having the Pittsburgh Sambo, so thought I’d try it.
For under 7 euros, its a substantial serving! I almost ate ¾ of it, and I now kind of regret that as I’m sitting in work, ready to explode now.
I’d like to try some of thier other things. The sambo was good, but personally the bbq sauce on the meat was just a bit too sweet for me, which led it to be quite cloying once I hit the halfway mark. The ingerdients seemed fresh, the chips were decent.
There was only 1 guy making the food, so there was a few minute wait, however at least everything is made fresh. I could see him cooking up bacon and sausages for someones order. If I was in a hurry and there were people ahead of me in the que, I’d hesitate to go due to the wait.

I’ve a terrible habit of watching the Food Network late at night. I’m pretty sure ‘Man vs Food’ and ‘Diners, Drive-​ins and Dives’ weren’t meant to be watched at three in the morning just as you’re about to go to sleep. Some interesting dreams though. No wonder those shows are referred to as «American Food Porn».
But back to the subject at hand. About a month ago I discovered The Ugly Duckling Café in the Epicurean Food Hall and it instantly became a favourite eating spot of mine. Big, meaty American style sandwiches, hotdogs, baked potatoes and burgers made to order with skill and pride and using the best of ingredients. This wasn’t food porn though, it was the real thing.
Whatever I’ve ordered my plate always arrives piled high with delicious, mouth watering food. The Brisket Baguette is tender beef brisket that has been marinated overnight topped with crispy shredded onions. The Pittsburgh sandwich is barbecued pulled pork served with chips and a generous heap of coleslaw.
Note the use of the words ‘heap’ and ‘piled’ in the last paragraph. The Ugly Duckling doesn’t do dainty, fancy food — it does large, generous portions of satisfying tasty grub and if thats your thing you’ll love it.
They also serve good coffee too and carry some interesting selections of craft beer to match their sandwiches if you feel so inclined.
Pricewise the Ugly Duckling is excellent. I usually get a sandwich and a coffee and pay less than ten Euros and as one of their sambos is basically a full meal that is very good value.
The Ugly Duckling café is well worth trying out for yourself as this is seriously the best of good food being served at very low prices.

Went here today and ordered the Pittsburgh sandwich and I was not disappointed. The chef and the cashier were both really nice lads and the food was excellent. The sandwich was presented in a very neat fashion and the massive steak knife at the top just made my day. There is a lot of pride that clearly goes into the chefs cooking.
The food was delicious and the BBQ pulled pork has all the right flavours going for it and the serving size was very generous. The tomatoes and lettuce were nice and fresh and the coleslaw was perfectly done. The chips weren’t too soft or too crispy and tasted great.
Long story short next time you’re in the city centre check this place out, Great Food, Great Portions and Great Value