The Early Word on All-Day Restaurant Sour Duck Market

Sour Duck Market, the third and most casual restaurant in Bryce Gilmore’s lauded restaurant group, opened in May of this year to great fanfare in central east Austin. It was quickly grabbed a slot on Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants long list, and entertained long lines for pastries. But has Sour Duck Market proven itself a worthy sibling to Odd Duck and Barley Swine? Read on for the verdict on the all-day restaurant.

The food and drinks: Surprisingly, the dishes at Sour Duck Market get mixed reviews, particularly that famed wagyu burger. On Yelp, some said it was the best they’d ever had, while others found it to be “nothing special.” The goat chorizo sandwich got high marks across the board, while one reviewer complained the dirty rice “should be 50% larger and $2 less.” On the other hands, drinks, particularly the beer selection, seem to be satisfactory, and the Infatuation advised, “don’t skip the pastry case.”

The space: The Infatuation described Sour Duck Market as “perfect for really anyone, dogs and infants included.” The large patio, and its fans with misters, has been popular with customers, as is the specified kid’s corner.

The service: In another surprising turn from a restaurant group known for its service, Sour Duck Market gets mixed reviews. Many Yelpers were confused by the ordering system and have complaints of unhelpful staff. Food can now be ordered at the front or back bar, and roaming servers have iPads for additional orders.

Overall experience: Amidst these quibbles, Sour Duck Market still holds a solid four stars on Yelp. Trekbible named it one of the best restaurants in Austin. So it seems Gilmore’s all-day restaurant will be around for a while.

This article has been updated to reflect Sour Duck Market’s current ordering system.

• Sour Duck Market [The Infatuation]
• All Coverage of Sour Duck Market [EATX]