YOU MAY WISH TO DUCK INTO THIS PLACE SOMETIME.
This place quacks me up. Now that I’ve tossed that out of the way, let me wade into some commentary about Long Beach’s THE CROOKED DUCK.
Not unlike so many neighborhood eateries, the initial challenge is to find a place to park. The lot is miniscule, yet there are some other options down the street if walking is not a struggle.
It is fair to say that this local hole-in-the-wall favorite provides limited seating opportunities, features a personal sign-up clipboard at the entrance and exudes a laid-back, friendly vibe. It can be described – one supposes – as thoroughly “beachified” with its owner, outfitted in requisite shorts and tee shirt, welcoming patrons to the campfire. A delay should be expected before seating while others on the list above the latest entry are methodically scratched off the penciled pecking order.
Once seated, the guest peruses a fairly standard brunch menu with a few distinctive, preening choices. Susie decides on a malted waffle with scrambled eggs for her indulgence while Bill selects the grilled reuben sandwich on rye accompanied by breakfast potatoes. Thank goodness for the generously- sized coffee mugs brimming with “joe” which elevate the promise of the day. Pricing seems above average overall.
The friendly waitstaff hovers attentively, ensuring that coffee refills are ever at the ready. Our food selections, once delivered, prove to be ample and tasty (just “ducky” so to speak), although not particularly extraordinary. Loud conversations imbue the environment with an amiable flavor as well and that registers positively with these diners. Of course, there’s a pass on the available mimosas (which might have ruffled our feathers unnecessarily).
Given that these visitors do not normally frequent this particular neighborhood, could there be a choice to ford a different stream on the next visit?
(N.B. Also visit NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at Musical Theatre West while in Long Beach.)
