The Dog and Duck”s new menu focuses largely on traditional British pub fare.
The Dog and Duck Pub’s original location near the University of Texas campus shut down at the end of October 2014, in advance of its building being demolished to make way for new development. For 24 years, the pub served beers and a menu of pub favorites, becoming a much beloved institution. Well-known for its huge St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, The Dog and Duck garnered 13 Best of Austin awards and 14 Restaurant Poll Awards from The Austin Chronicle before the sudden announcement of its closing.
A little over a year later, however, the venerable purveyor of comfort food and brews has rejoined the Austin culinary arts scene. On Monday, Nov. 16, following a weekend soft launch for family and friends, the new East Austin location at 2400 Webberville Road officially opened its doors to the public.
Owners Jeff McKillop and Susan Forrester remain to shepherd the pub as it stakes its claim in trendy new surroundings. East Austin is full of popular and critically acclaimed dining choices. However, the Dog and Duck brings with it a history and reputation, and the owners have assured that patrons will be reminded of the pub’s storied past.
As the Chronicle reported, McKillop and Forrester brought along several distinctive pieces of decor to the somewhat smaller space. Though there is a new bar for service, the old one stands stands in a corner as a drink stand; the old fireplace returned by the entrance; tin ceiling tiles were refitted for the dropped ceiling; the wooden floor was repurposed as wainscoting and the dog-and-duck statue stands proud once more.
There have been some changes in the course of the move, however, including expanded beer offerings. The new bar will have 33 beers on tap, ranging among American macrobrews like Miller Lite, imports like Warsteiner Dunkel and local craft beers like Real Ale’s Lost Gold IPA.
The menu posted on the pub’s website lists a number of new items, many emphasizing the pub’s British theme, and including new breakfast options. Among the choices is a full English breakfast, including two fried eggs, bubble and squeak (mixed vegetables fried in a pan with potatoes), three slices of bacon, two grilled tomato slices, sauteed mushrooms and toast. Some of the other notably British items available are fish and chips, Welsh rarebit, shepherd’s pie and a Scotch egg.
Those with more domestic tastes can stick with a cheeseburger, available with a variety of toppings and served on a potato bun with fries. The Willie burger with Swiss cheese, bacon and jalapenos on wheat remains from the old menu. If you don’t eat beef, you can substitute in a chicken breast or a handmade black bean patty. A gardener’s pie, or vegetarian shepherd’s pie, is also available.
McKillop told Austin360 he plans to draw as much of the pub’s beverages and fare as possible from local sources. “We’re really focused on being part of Austin,” McKillop said. “We’re Austinites and we want everyone to feel welcome.”
