Duckies Chowder House

Amazing little spot off California 1 in the beach side town of Cayucos. We had the clam chowder, onion rings (these were huge btw), and the fish and chips (best we've had in awhile). Everything was really tasty, even the tartar sauce was too notch. We'd come back in a heartbeat I this was in LA. Definitely take a walk on the pier and look for otters playing in the surf and then check out the antique shops.

Steamed clams were disappointing for the price. Served with two small pieces of bread. Tiny clams. 2 that didn't open. Not impressed given the price. The onion rings almost made up for it. My parents had the fish and chips and calamari sandwich. They were happy with their meals.

Stopped in for lunch on a Sunday. Although it was quite busy, the weight staff was great very laid-back friendly and helpful. We did the fish and chips and the clam chowder which was amazing. If you’re going to do the chowder definitely recommend getting the bread bowl.

I dont know how I've never reviewed, we've come to Cayucos a few times now as a summer tradition and a must eat is always Duckies! Obviously the clam chowder is GOAT but there's a good menu overall!! This time tried the calamari strips 🔥🔥🔥 Chicken bowl is also a delicious and lighter option. Service is always great 👍

The best chowder on the central coast! You have your choice of red or white. The white is my go to and throw in some shrimp and chips and it’s heaven. And while you eat check out the local police blotter, hilarious. Have never had a bad meal here.

Fast service. We came just to grab some appetizers to hold us over for dinner. We had crab cakes. They were 7/10 Friendly atmosphere. Perfect weather to sit outside. Open on Easter Sunday 💯

This is a simple place where you go up to the counter and order. I had the fish bowl which comes with rice pilaf, veggies, and Fish prepared in your choice of three ways, sauté, grilled, or blackened. I skipped the rice and had double veggies. Everything was very flavorful I was very happy with my meal. My friends ordered the fish and chips and they were not quite as impressed. It is not a smooth, beer batter on the Fish. It’s more of a crumbly style. I thought the pieces were rather small and I was glad I didn’t order that. Today’s current prices I thought it was fair. Certainly not cheap but no Place is cheap anymore. I’d go back and order the bowl that I had. I thought they didn’t excellent job it’s a vegetables, good Brady and flavorful

This restaurant is right off Ocean Ave at the entrance of Cayucos pier. There is on street parking. It is within walking distance from any of the inns off Ocean Ave. We came here after reading the reviews. I wanted to have really good clam chowder. You order at the counter and seat yourself indoors or outdoors which I prefer so the wait isn't as long. Josh at the order counter was great, patient and helpful. The wait to be served was under 10 minutes. The clam chowder was very delicious, lots of clam, not salty, creamy with no potatoes. My hubby had the crab louie which he hadn't had for years. He absolutely loved it. We will definitely return here on our next visit to Cayucos.

I'm a pretty hard judge of Fish & Chips. Too many times I've had really good fish, just okay chips and less than okay tartar sauce. Duckie's has it all! The tartar sauce carried the fish. Really good fries and very good fish! Batter wasn't too heavy and they came out flakey and crunchy. 10/10 would recommend. I agree that the chowder was a little watery, not horrible but I've had better. Service was great! We ordered take out this day to enjoy our meal on the beach. Overall I would be back.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a seafood guy, and this is what this place is known for. I personally did not have any seafood but members of my party did and they can attest to the quality and taste. The restaurant itself is as close to the beach as it gets. It is such a cool spot with their building being open concept. Seating is fairly limited as it is smaller in size, but we were able to find a table to sit out after about 5 minutes of waiting. On our particular experience the staff did their job and nothing more. Not super friendly or talkative, just right to the point. I ordered a cheeseburger because I was craving one so bad. I was surprised that the cheeseburger did not come with any fries. Overall, the whole burger itself was one of the most mediocre burgers I have ever had. No sauce, the greasiest bun I have ever had, and cooked medium well- well done. When ordering, they asked how I would like it cooked and I said medium, so that was a bit of a let down. At $12, this is a common price for this area. Overall, nothing stands out about the burger and I wouldn't order it again. There is many spots within a short distance that offer a much better burger for the price. I ordered fries separately, and they came out barely warm, borderline cold to the touch. They lacked seasoning and texture in my opinion. My parents ordered the fried shrimp and fried fish and chips. They had similar opinions on the fries as they were a let down for most of our party. On the other hand, the shrimp and fried fish were wonderful. My parents enjoyed the crispy, light, flakey batter that the seafood had been coated in. The fish and shrimp was the saving grace of the meal for them. If you are ordering just fish and want something fresh, give this place a shot. Otherwise search elsewhere if you are looking to enjoy something besides seafood!

I don't know if it's the sea air - but somehow my appetite was wide open and ready to try all the things! The fish and chips were delicious! Perfectly crispy outside and tender, flakey fish inside. The tartar sauce was AMAZING and infused with dill and relish - I've never had anything like it! The Louie salad was fresh, generous servings of crab meat all nestled on a bed of lettuce. And the clam chowder was perfect!! Creamy, not too thick, and generous servings of clam - and I thought I tasted crab meat too (?) - throughout. Ambiance was great! Good energy, fast and attentive service. There was a good variety of beers to compliment your dish. You can sit outside and enjoy the passersby or sit inside. Both are good as the restaurant has open windows. I'd definitely come back and try the manhattan chowder and get my own fish and chips.

The perfect beachy lunch spot. Just seconds away from your toes being in the sand , this location is a favorite of beach goers. The inside of the restaurant is spacious. The inside is great for large groups or small parties. The same is true for the outdoor seating as well . The staff inside were extremely courteous. You have your food in to time at all.The restaurant is clean and inviting. We tried a sampler plate and chowder bread bowl . The presentation was amazing . I couldn't believe my eyes . There was so much chowder! The sampler plate was stacked with food as well . Well worth the money for this experience. I enjoyed the chowder and the sampler plate . I will say , I wasn't a fan of the fried oyster . I'd recommend giving this place a try if you haven't .

We all loved this place! Excellent chowder (we opted for white), plus the non-seafood eater in the group got an excellent turkey sandwich and fries. Perfect beach vibe, great service. Highly recommend!

For Fish N Chips being a basic meal on most seafood menus. Some places Can be below average, average or amazing. It was average, I prefer my fish to be Crispy and Crunchy at that first bite but it was a very light. I would recommend Dorn's instead for this meal. The Clam chowder was a 3/5. IF you like yours hearty and thick, this was nearing more runny. I do believe the local favorite is the Fish Burger but don't quote me. So you can go straight for that instead of trying what I did. We also got the fish tacos which had good flavor 3.5/5

M was departing for home and said she wanted some clam chowder and she wanted Duckies. We timed it so we arrived at 1230 and gave her get ready time and wait time at the airport. Yes even on a rainy day most folks stay in, Duckies had a good line of folks wanting to warm up. We sat by the window counter, tall stools not my favorite but comfortable enough. Service was fast chowder was out in five minutes and my shrimp taco's a close second. Good size on the taco's, they were hot, tasty and just enough on ingredients No surprise here, this was the first place I had chowder on my first visit to Cayucos some years ago. M says its the best and shes tries chowder at nearly every place we eat at so.. I'd agree we'll always be back for another serving, foodguy, martin

I love this place. The seating is open. Close to the water, it has that beach / surf vibe. Families dine here making it great for kiddos. I commend them on their Louie Salad - Crab. The crab was delicious and quite fresh! I had some leftover to take in a small condiment container do to my salad being generously showered with crab meat. The cashier and waiters are awesome! I have been a few times and never had a bad experience. Keep it up!

I am always looking for a spot that serves a Manhattan clam chowder, so I was very excited to try Duckie's Chowder House. Seating is fairly limited, so it may be difficult to snag a spot for a large group. The staff are super approachable and helpful. We ordered the Manhattan clam chowder as well as a fish and chips (substituted the chips for onion rings). The Manhattan clam chowder was just okay. The portion size was great and had a good amount of clams, but the overall flavor was lacking. I did really enjoy their fish and onion rings. The fish had a perfectly fried exterior with a juicy interior. The onion rings were very crunchy and paired nicely with their dipping sauce which tasted like capers.

Soul satisfying chowders and crisp breaded jumbo onion rings. The service is quick friendly and efficient. Love the open air feel of the ambiance. Love the Big Sur on draft My go to spot for fresh casual well prepared seafood.

While visiting San Luis Obispo for the weekend we stopped here in a whim on the way to Hearst Castle. We loved it and would definitely be back. It's casual, food comes out fast, and they have a decent selection of local beers on tap. The lines can get long and there's not a ton of seating. We got a bowl of clam chowder. It was really good, served quite hot and stayed hot, and was a very large serving. The only thing that could have made it better was a slice of warm sourdough bread with butter. We also got the calamari with chips. Wow was this good. The calamari was incredibly delicious and the batter was perfect...not too heavy and lightly breaded. We got a light beer that was good. They also have merchandise that's cute. We will definitely be back!

Light lunch to try something new along the journey and stumbled upon Duckies. The clam chowder was fresh and they were generous with the toppings. The crab melt was a delicious surprise. I usually don't like to order crab in a sandwich because I tend to be disappointed but I'm glad I went against my better judgement and chose this sandwich. It was light and the avacado was a nice compliment to the crab and melted cheese. I will definitely be back!

2.5 at best. Got the calamari (which were long strips?), fish and chips, clam chowder bowl, burger and a half dozen oysters. Oysters came on a bed of melted ice, with shell shards on it. Crowd is rude. The only decent part of the meal were the fries.

Duckies looks like exactly where you want to eat when you're in a small beach town. It's 20 steps from the beach, it smells delightful, and the people are really nice. (It also can get really crowded.) Order from the counter and try your luck nabbing a table/booth. There's a decent amount of seating inside and a few tables outside, so if you see someone wrapping up -- it's in your best interest to hover. They offer two clam chowders -- New England and Manhattan. I should have tried both, but went with a bowl of New England. One of my favorite things when ordering soup, especially a creamy one, is when they arrive at the table piping hot, which this did. It was delicious. I would have liked more/bigger pieces of clam, but the overall flavor and components was great. Next up -- a Crab Melt, which is a grilled cheese with crab and avocado. It was nice, but not killer. The flavor of the crab was so delicate, it was totally overwhelmed by the avocado. The second half was deconstructed at the table to better enjoy the individual components. Finally, fried clams and fries. Highlight of the afternoon! The fries were hot and crispy, and the clams flavorful with a just-right crunch. We also tried the Garlic Fries, just because. They certainly were garlicky ... and delicious! But the serving size was far too large in addition to all our other food. Cayucos seems out of the way, but it was a delightful diversion from our wine tasting. The beach wasn't crowded and the tidal pools were teeming. If you're in the area, do stop by -- and give Duckies a try. There were so many great things on the menu!

the clam chowder definitely was not the greatest i had, but it also wasn't the worst. For my taste it definitely needed more salt and once salt was added it was pretty good, but i like to review foods as they are. the bread was a little more dense than what im used to with a bread bowl, so i ended up not finish it but it was pretty good. I don't know if i would get the clam chowder again because i have had better, but for the price it will hit the spot if you are looking for it. This place has a nice view of their pier of pismo beach so eating at the establishment i would say is definitely a must. I would come back and try some of their other dishes as they sounded and looked very appetizing. I also love how they brought the food out instead of having to retrieve the order. Overall, decent food with decent prices and you get to enjoy the beach view while you eat only thing is table was a little stick, but other than that would come again

The food was great very casual ate at a cement table outside where we could throw a rock and hit the pier. Had clam chowder and fish and chips they were great! Wife had the crab cake sandwich that was fantastic My granddaughter had clam chowder and a bacon and turkey sandwich and she loved both of them. The soup was HOT which was great my pet peeve is soup that isn't hot.

Looked this place up ahead off time. Good reviews and we decided to order the Famous Fish n Chips. The plates had generous servings of Fish & Fries. Cooked to perfection. If you happen to be in the area, stop in you will not be disappointed. Service by the time we sat down our food came to us , nice decor inside also.

For such a busy place, your food comes out quick and delicious. How do you go wrong with burgers and fries. Very large basket of fries, so much so that the seagulls got to enjoy some.

The food was just ok. The fish tacos were bland and didn't have much flavor. The french fries were large shareable portion but stale. Cute place

Service is standard. It's a casual, order first and seat yourself. They give you a number and bring the food to your table. They clean the tables pretty quickly. I like this atmosphere. I would say the fish and chips are great as well as the oysters. However I would not order the crab melt again. It's just meh. We came another day and got the clam chowder white and red. I prefer the white one. Red tastes like minestrone to me. However I prefer Giovanni but I don't think that is a fair comparison because we are somewhere else. Fish tacos are good too.

I had the fish and chips for dinner here and thought it was pretty good. You get 3 good sized pieces of fish and a generous portion of fries, and it goes for $17. The place offers counter service, so you order at the counter, help yourself to a seat and they bring out your food when it's ready. They also have a soda dispenser, so you'll also help yourself to the drinks. This place appears to be quite popular, even though Cayucos is somewhat of a sleepy little town not far from Morro Bay. Of course, I'm pretty sure the crowds do vary a lot depending on when you go.

Food was great, wasn't to die for, but got the job done. I'd give it an 8 out of 10 stars. Restaurant was pretty clean ambiance was nice, and the service was decent

The server Ellie was so fantastic!! She was friendly and patient with us with our kids and so talkative. The food was amazing too had the fish and chips and the calamari. Definitely will be back again!

Right on the beach! Fun coastal place. Stood in line to order and then they brought out to us. We had a bowl of the clam chowder and the fish sandwich. A little pricey, but good.

Im a local! I went into get a 1/2 burger . 12 dollars a day you get a burger that tastes like it's been microwaved also the counters were you sit and look out at the vets hall is sticky like come on guys . The worst burger iv ever had. I don't recommend getting a burger

Food: Kids fish & chips: fries were amazing, fish not so amazing. Tartar sauce good! Kids chicken strips: fries were bomb, chicken is good. Fish tacos: my mom got the grilled fish and she loved it.

Taking a break from the books, my family and I traveled to Cayucos for some time away from home. The chilly weather made it perfect for some clam chowder, and a family friend recommended Duckies Chowder House. Located near the pier, parking was hard to find on a Saturday afternoon. There is limited indoor and outdoor seating, so traveling with a large group was harder, but not impossible. Lines moved quickly and so did the service. We ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl along with the fish and chips and they did not disappoint. The chowder was creamy, the sourdough bread had a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior, perfect for dipping in the chowder. The fish paired perfectly with the tangy tartar sauce. The fish was piping hot and perfectly crunchy without being greasy. The overall vibe was extremely welcoming and encapsulated a perfect beachside restaurant. This is a must-try when visiting the beautiful beaches in Cayucos!

Came back a year later and still consistently delicious! This time I tried the half and half Manhattan and New England and it was delicious. Also tried the crab melt and it was buttery with large pieces of crab and avocado. Fish and chips are still delicious as always!

Excellent Seafood and great service. Prices are higher but the portions are larger as well!

Casual spot along the beach. Service was friendly and the wait was not long. Food was good. We ordered the crab melt and a side of coleslaw. The sandwich was filled with crab and the law was crunchy. If you are in the neighborhood, give it a shot.

Bad, no flavor food when ordering the fish tacos. Looked like fish mush. Same with calamari, no flavor. Fries were over cooked. Non-proactive employees just standing around when tables needed to cleared we had to ask them to clear the table for us to sit even when it wasn't busy. Just really ordinary, unimpressive food and unimpressive staff and atmosphere. Only positive is it's right next to the beach.

Duckie's is located right off the pier. It's a cute, clean, small little restaurant with plenty of seating in and outside. It looks like it use to have an ocean view but now they are building something right in front of it. Prices are a little below some of the other places I have been to. The staff were wonderful and efficient. They were constantly moving around the restaurant and cleaning tables. Overall the food was okay. I ordered the fish and chips. It was basic. Just okay. The fries got cold fast but were good. The clam chowder was not good. Great presentation but didn't have much flavor. I wouldn't go back especially with so many great seafood restaurants.

My wife and I are locals and Duckie's is one of our favorite places in town. My wife always orders fish and chips, but I am more adventuresome and have tried every sandwich on the menu, plus the chowders and some daily specials. My favorite sandwiches are the tuna sandwich, which can also be ordered as a tuna melt, and the chicken sandwich. We have never been disappointed and all the employees are friendly and topnotch.

Before COVID, this was our favorite restaurant for tacos when we stayed in Morro Bay. Their fish and shrimp tacos were large and full of the flavors you expect in a seafood taco. We just returned after several years and were very disappointed. We do not know what they changed but the fish and shrimp tacos were average at best. No flavor in either taco without adding some of the bottled hot sauce. The hot sauce felt added on instead of an integrated flavor in the taco. We had been looking forward to a Duckie's taco for years. We may stop by again but we will not order the tacos.

Went hiking on the bluffs and needed some sustenance afterwards. I love clam chowder in a bread bowl so this was an easy choice. And it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't as good as I expected considering they're right on the beach. Maybe I'm biased from spending part of my childhood near Monterey, but the clam chowder tasted like something I could get in Fresno. A good soup to be sure, just none of the magic that usually comes from fresh ingredients. Add to that they charged about $10 for a glass of low ABV non local/craft beer, and it was all around a bit disappointing. When we were there it was very crowded, but we managed to get seats by the window with minimal anxiety. The employees however were top notch. Very friendly and helpful, and definitely doing their best to deal with a crowded dining room. Skip the beer and set your expectations for medium for the food, and you'll have a good time here. I think they lean on their location to the detriment of their offerings.

My husband and I were in the mood for chowder for lunch and this place popped up in our search. It is located right off the beach in Cayucos and has a cute, appropriate beachy vibe. I decided on getting New England style in a bread bowl while my husband had a regular bowl of Manhattan Clam Chowder. Typically, bread bowls mean less soup but here they generously fill it so that it overflows into its serving bowl. While my husband enjoyed his Manhattan chowder, I tasted it and felt it was way too salty. Overall, service was good, it has a nice ambiance, and we would go back!

Hands down the best tartar sauce I have ever had. With their fresh and crispy fish and chips you don't even need ketchup. Clam chowder is also really good rated at top 2 on my list in Morro Bay (#1 clam chowder down here is at The Galley IMO). I love this quaint little town for their friendly service and great views

Delicious clam chowder!! I had the shrimp tacos and it was full of flavor! My husband had the combination platter and it included a fried oyster . Oh lord it was good! Right next to the water so it's a nice place for lunch or dinner and then a walk on the pier! Definitely a must try if you are ever in the area! Very friendly service as well. It is a bit pricey but well worth it!!

Highly recommend the fish and chips. Fish was cooked to perfection. Light and flaky. Fries were just right. First time there, will definitely be back on our next visit to Cayucos.

The clam chowder was the worst. The clams smelled old and the flavor was not tasty. I would not recommend this place.

DELICIOUS!!!! Located in a really good area close to the beach and everything within walking distance. Service was very accommodating and kind. Not much of a wait although we did wait in a line. The food was very tasteful and the mimosa even better! Their restroom was pretty cool with lots to look at on the walls. Can't wait to go back!

When in Rome, go straight for the chowder! One of the best on the Coast. All you need to know. Crab quesadillas are also the bomb!

Duckie's has become a tradition for us! You CANNOT go to Cayucos and miss Duckie's. What I love the best is all the really nice, friendly local kids who seem to run the place, they are without fail a total Cayucos vibe and Cayucos does have its own vibe! The chowder has never failed to be delicious! We come here a few times of year and Duckie's is first on the list!

Great service and excellent crab Louie salad. Crab cakes are delicious as well. Lively atmosphere with ocean views

Hands down the best Clam Chowder I have ever had! Mix the New England with the Manhattan and holy cow! Delicious! The Oysters are fresh and tasty. The kids working the counter are friendly and funny. They make you feel like a local. We stayed in Cayucos for 4 nights, we ate here 3 of the days! I can not say enough about Duckies!

If you are looking for a place to enjoy good seafood, this is the place. It's kind of pricey but worth it. You can even order the wine to go!

Absolutely Delicious! Recommended by a friend and I hope to make it back soon food was tasty.. yet to have something I didn't like

I remember when Duckie's location was Pier Cafe. I was sad when they closed down. They had (IMHO) the best chowder in the county. There was nothing better than a hot bowl of chowder and hot sourdough with butter after a cold winter surf. The memories are good. So, Duckie's had big shoes to fill, and although they never quite measured up, they were absolutely adequate. I went there fairly often the first couple of years they were there. Now, 25ish years later things have certainly changed. The service was mediocre at best. The lad who took my order was a good indication for how my food would taste. No personality. Not unfriendly or friendly, just blah. The whole crew seemed to be phoning it in. I ordered the fish tacos and a cup of chowder. I started with a taco. The menu said "Fish Tacos 13.50 Two soft corn tortilla tacos with sautéed fish, shredded cabbage, cheddar & jack cheese and two kinds of salsa." First impression: Very fat, lots of contents. The tortillas were dry and store bought. There was a TON of shredded cabbage, incidentally, the best part of the taco. The fish was so bland, I couldn't taste it. It literally fell apart like canned tuna with a texture more like paste than a nice firm piece of fish. The texture of the shredded cheese just added to the messy tuna salad like conglomeration. It wasn't unpleasant, it was just bland. There was also no sign of "Two kinds of Salsa." About half way through the first taco I took a bite of chowder. First impression: This tastes like flour. It didn't get any better. No bacon. No potatoes. Hardly any clams. And, it needed salt. Again, not unpleasant, but certainly well below par. I was hungry, so I wolfed everything down. I tried to give the second taco a bit more life by putting some chowder in it. It didn't work. Bottom line. Very disappointing. I will not be returning.

Very busy. Had fish and garlic fries. Shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, and onion rings. Clean chowder was so buttery and creamy. Onion rings so good. Big thick onion with beer batter cooked just right. Fish cooked just right. Large pieces of shrimp