Crazy Duck

Back at the end of May, I read about a new "fast-casual" concept restaurant specializing in Roast Duck opening in Poway named Crazy Duck. We really enjoy roast duck, but Poway, man, that's over 20 miles away and with gas prices and such..... Well, I wasn't sure. But then I read Soo's post on the place and decided to check them out. So, back in July I made the 45 minute drive to the mall in Poway. Nestled between the combo of Jamba Juice-Chipotle and Pizza Studio-Starbucks-Baskin Robbins is Crazy Duck. 

I saw several roast duck hanging in the typical case as I walked in.

The place is very clean and spacious, during my visits it was a cashless process. It does look very "fast-casual".

Though the prices for the roast duck were not. It was $19.99 for a half duck in July of last year which is what I got.

I made the 45 minute drive home and the Missus and I set about to sample the duck immediately.

Sadly, this was a bust. The skin was rubbery and measures to "resuscitate" said epidermis failed. The meat was dry and tasteless and there was no "jus" to help support things. After the drive, the gas, and time...well, to say I was disappointed is an understatement.

And there was no way the Missus wanted to make an effort to actually drive to Crazy Duck and dine in. And so the photos sat........there were several moments where I was just going to delete the photos, but somehow I didn't. This is one of those situations where I felt a second visit was necessary if I was going to actually do a post. And so, I basically just sat on those photos. Then, at the beginning of December, Calvin wanted to meet for lunch. And even though he'd also had rather mediocre duck from CD, he was a good enough sport to agree to have lunch there. The one condition? "Let's have some duck, but not order a whole or half."

As of this visit, a half duck was now $20.99.

And the menu had been really expanded with a some noodle dishes, dumplings, including xiao long bao, and other items. 

We were told that the noodles were hand made, so we decided to order a couple of noodle soups and some sides. And because we were dining in, we were told to help ourselves to the "soup bar".

We both got hot and sour soup, which was quite salty, gloppy, and too much white pepper, though it hit it on the head in terms of "fast food hot and sour soup".

Calvin and I got some extra bowls and split the noodle soups. The Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, while not being spicy was the better of the two.

While the beef was on the tough side, the broth had some good beefiness, soy, anise, and other spices. Plus, the sodium was under control here. It was a heck of a lot better than what I'd last had at Formoosa. The noodles were a bit on the brittle side, but was not bad. In this case, the broth is what made this NRM.

The Duck Noodle Soup was interesting.

  The noodles were the same as the NRM. The duck was much better this time around; you can tell by the color, there as much more five spice flavor and the meat, while on the tough side had taste. The skin was still a bit rubbery for my taste, but the fat had been rendered nicely. This was a definite improvement.

The broth was almost a watery tonkotsu-like bone broth that really lacked flavor or richness. It was a bit of a "head scratcher" for the both of us.

We also got the version of Smacked Cucumbers.

Which had a good amount of garlic and a nice crunch, but was pretty mild overall.

We also got the Spicy Won Tons.

We both enjoyed the won tons, the wrappers had that nice balance of "pull" and tenderness and the pork filling was well seasoned. The "sauce" was on the "gravyish" side, not very spicy, but super salty. Those won tons were good though!

So, overall it seems that the duck is getting better, though the food is mixed bag. I do like this ownerships other restaurant Taste of Hunan, but it's a totally different style of Chinese cuisine. Perhaps if/when gas prices come down, I'll make the trek out to Poway again.

Crazy Duck
13487 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
Current Hours:
Sun - Tues, Thurs 11am - 8pm
Fri - Sat 11am - 9pm
Closed on Wednesday

You can read Soo's post here.

Comments

[kat]

bummer

[Kirk]

Yes, really not worth the drive at this time Kat!

[Sandy]

Crazy Duck isn't as far for me, and I'm always in this neighborhood. I thought it was a rather interesting location to have a Chinese duck restaurant. I've only been once, and got the duck fried rice on a friend's recommendation. I'll have to try it again and get the spicy won tons.

[Som Tommy]

Too bad about the duck

[Soo]

Thanks for the link! Sounds like I should give the duck another try next time I go to the Poway Farmers Market.

[Kirk]

Hope you enjoy Sandy!

Yeah, that duck wasn't very good ST.

Hope you enjoy it Soo!

[Junichi]

Bummer. Guess I'll stick to Sieu Sieu.

[Kirk]

I think Sieu Sieu is better than this Junichi. Though our favorite be it ever so humble is Noble Chef.

[RedDevil]

Well, I had some of my wife’s leftovers and I agree with you. Next time you’re out that way look up Ju Feng dumplings in Scripps Ranch.

[Kirk]

Thanks for the recommendation RD! My buddy Calvin told me that the two times he went Ju Feng Yuan didn't have XLB and they still didn't have their full menu. Did you encounter that!

[RedDevil]

Yes, we went a week or two ago and they were not serving many menu items. They were hoping to have everything within a month but I’d call before going especially as it sounds like a trek for you guys. Food was pretty good, especially for the area, if a bit pricey. I believe they are branching off from a place in Rowland Heights, hence my excitement.

[Dereck]

Hmm. I very occasionally meet up with an industry colleague way out in Poway once every month or two and we usually hit the Brig. I think I will suggest this next time to get another data point.

[Kirk]

I do have the place on my "list" RD! So hopefully will go once the entire menu is in place!

Sounds good Dereck!