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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Address and Contact Information
Address: 1430 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: (937) 951-2040
Website: http://uglyduckling.cafe/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Related Web Results
THE UGLY DUCKLING DAYTON – The Ugly Duckling
Enjoy breakfast and dinner at The Ugly Duckling in Dayton, Ohio! Start your day with pancakes made from Uncle Boof’s Pancake Mix or our hearty breakfast …
The Ugly Duckling | Dayton OH – Facebook
The business is a venture of the team behind The Ugly Duckling restaurant on East Fifth Street in Dayton. The Book Worm Café opens at downtown Dayton Metro …
The Ugly Duckling (@theuglyducklingdyt) – Instagram
Fifth Street Monday-Sunday BREAKFAST-LUNCH-DINNER 7am-4pm. Dayton, Ohio 45403 937-951-2040 …
Reviews
Vanessa Camacho
I love quirky little joints like this! Loved that there was parking available and I didn’t have to pay or download and app. First experience walking in was a wow factor. It’s so vibrant, fun, artsy and unique. The whole esthetic keeps you entertained the entire dining experience. The host, a tall thin man was very friendly and kind. FINALLY staff with personality! Our server was a shaved head tatted guy and I wanted to give him the BIGGEST props. I have 20 years serving experience and I’m so proud thankful and sadly surprised what a great experience he gave. I couldn’t have been there longer than twenty minutes and I didn’t ask for anything other than my food and water but he checked back the appropriate amount of times, while making eye contact and a kind smile on his face. He was sweet and genuine and everything you want in a server. The food was simple, I left with a full belly, but the service is what made it all worth the while.
… moreRyan (Rye105)
Stopped in for brunch while traveling for work. The vegan pancakes were delicious. Also got eggs and bacon. Got a side of the house made Hot sauce. Highly recommend! They brew Press coffee which was delicious. Great spot for a fast breakfast.
… moreDan Tres OMi
I have been meaning to visit the Ugly Duckling for awhile now. I know many people who have been to it. I invited some co workers to it and I was worried they wouldn’t like it.
We all enjoyed it.
First off, the service was fast. I believe it was less than 10 minutes after we ordered that our food arrived in the order that they were taken. I think that says alot.
The food was great. I had the chicken and waffles. It was alot but I was able to get through it. Everyone else had to bag their food. I was super hungry since I got up early and did not eat anything.
It is definitely family friendly and they have a big menu. It’s a great place to take a date, have family brunch, or meet up some friends.
I can’t wait to go again.
… moreWe all enjoyed it.
First off, the service was fast. I believe it was less than 10 minutes after we ordered that our food arrived in the order that they were taken. I think that says alot.
The food was great. I had the chicken and waffles. It was alot but I was able to get through it. Everyone else had to bag their food. I was super hungry since I got up early and did not eat anything.
It is definitely family friendly and they have a big menu. It’s a great place to take a date, have family brunch, or meet up some friends.
I can’t wait to go again.
mq1714
Visited late morning on 1 Jan 2026. Yes, it was busy. The kind host/door greeter had us stand along the wall where we waited for about 15 minutes.
I’m not necessarily a chicken-n-waffles fanboy BUT the way the dish looked on another patron’s plate; I had to try it. Yeah, I was not disappointed! Belgium waffle was soft, flavorful with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. The chicken tenders were ‘slap your momma’ good! They were not over breaded with just enough syrup with the right of spiciness (not spicy at all, imo). Check the pic!
My wife ordered the Biscuits-n-gravy. She said it was good. Biscuits were just the right amount of softness to her liking. And according to her, sausage gravy was a divine mixture.
The proof is in the pudding, customers were steadily flowing in for breakfast. Lol, I should have placed a to-go order, for real. The Ugly Duckling is on the list, for us, when visiting the Dayton area. Get here like yesterday!
… moreI’m not necessarily a chicken-n-waffles fanboy BUT the way the dish looked on another patron’s plate; I had to try it. Yeah, I was not disappointed! Belgium waffle was soft, flavorful with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. The chicken tenders were ‘slap your momma’ good! They were not over breaded with just enough syrup with the right of spiciness (not spicy at all, imo). Check the pic!
My wife ordered the Biscuits-n-gravy. She said it was good. Biscuits were just the right amount of softness to her liking. And according to her, sausage gravy was a divine mixture.
The proof is in the pudding, customers were steadily flowing in for breakfast. Lol, I should have placed a to-go order, for real. The Ugly Duckling is on the list, for us, when visiting the Dayton area. Get here like yesterday!
Grey
Andi you da baddest! Beautiful personable and kind!
Food 10.
Service 10.
Vibes : a million
I’m from the south. Like deep south. This is yummy! And the music! And the black owned! Yes!
I will come back here Everytime I’m in town. Lovely . If I lived here, I would be here 2x a month at least.
… moreFood 10.
Service 10.
Vibes : a million
I’m from the south. Like deep south. This is yummy! And the music! And the black owned! Yes!
I will come back here Everytime I’m in town. Lovely . If I lived here, I would be here 2x a month at least.
Ryan H
The Ugly Duckling in Dayton, Ohio, was in full for Sunday brunch. Standing room only, line spilling onto the sidewalk, and a 30-minute wait just to get a table. The place hums with energy: exposed brick, mismatched chairs, and the smell of coffee and fried chicken in the air. It’s not fancy, but it feels lived-in and welcoming.
The staff stood out. The hostess managed the crowd with a smile, buzzing numbers without missing a beat. Our server appeared within seconds of us sitting, water glasses filled, menus down, and ready to take orders, no small feat with every table full. Refills came fast, plates cleared quickly, and every interaction was efficient. They earned every tip.
Food arrived hot and fast. The breakfast burrito was generously stuffed: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, tots, melted cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla that didn’t disintegrate under the weight. The house-made hot sauce was bright fresh tomatoes and a solid jalapeño kick. A side of sour cream balanced the heat perfectly. My wife’s chicken and waffles were textbook, golden, crisp-fried chicken with a light, seasoned crust, tender inside, stacked by two thick waffles with maple syrup. Portions were hearty, flavors on point.
The only downside? A couple of nearby customers were very entitled. One complained loudly about the wait to get seated, another demanded a seat from another guest while she waited and insisted she get sat ahead of others because she needed to take her medication, then didn’t like her option of seating available when it was her turn. Classic entitled energy. But the staff? Unfazed. They nodded, and kept moving. No attitude, no drama just professionalism.
Prices were fair. Nothing felt overcharged for the quality and quantity. The Ugly Duckling delivers honest, well-executed comfort food in a high-pressure environment and makes it look easy. Definitely worth a return trip.
… moreThe staff stood out. The hostess managed the crowd with a smile, buzzing numbers without missing a beat. Our server appeared within seconds of us sitting, water glasses filled, menus down, and ready to take orders, no small feat with every table full. Refills came fast, plates cleared quickly, and every interaction was efficient. They earned every tip.
Food arrived hot and fast. The breakfast burrito was generously stuffed: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, tots, melted cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla that didn’t disintegrate under the weight. The house-made hot sauce was bright fresh tomatoes and a solid jalapeño kick. A side of sour cream balanced the heat perfectly. My wife’s chicken and waffles were textbook, golden, crisp-fried chicken with a light, seasoned crust, tender inside, stacked by two thick waffles with maple syrup. Portions were hearty, flavors on point.
The only downside? A couple of nearby customers were very entitled. One complained loudly about the wait to get seated, another demanded a seat from another guest while she waited and insisted she get sat ahead of others because she needed to take her medication, then didn’t like her option of seating available when it was her turn. Classic entitled energy. But the staff? Unfazed. They nodded, and kept moving. No attitude, no drama just professionalism.
Prices were fair. Nothing felt overcharged for the quality and quantity. The Ugly Duckling delivers honest, well-executed comfort food in a high-pressure environment and makes it look easy. Definitely worth a return trip.
Callie Main
The Ugly Duckling is the perfect hole in the wall diner! The food is great, decently priced, and it has it’s own unique atmosphere. It’s gives Luke’s Diner from Gilmore Girls vibes and I love it! ❤️
… moreSeasea
OMMMMGGGGG
‼️FIRST OF ALL‼️
The art, the music, the atmosphere in here is so alive and welcoming!
It’s small in this restaurant but the decore itself is so fun and the vibes are 10/10!!!!
I give the food a 4/5 only because the pancakes were thin and soggy… not what we expected but I guess that’s their style of pancakes??? I’m not hating too much because everything else was AWESOME!
… more‼️FIRST OF ALL‼️
The art, the music, the atmosphere in here is so alive and welcoming!
It’s small in this restaurant but the decore itself is so fun and the vibes are 10/10!!!!
I give the food a 4/5 only because the pancakes were thin and soggy… not what we expected but I guess that’s their style of pancakes??? I’m not hating too much because everything else was AWESOME!
Joe Cox
Service was fast and food was absolutely delicious. I had the Biscuand Gravy Sammy. Amazing, and the tots were spot on perfect. Crunchy and fresh. I got it to go and wished I would ate there. Next I will for sure.
… morePhillip Roney
Eclectic and relaxing, this place makes simple things sensational. I stopped in for something quick and found a new Dayton favorite. Best tots I have had in Dayton, the sauce on the Breakfast Sammy was amazing, and the coffee was warm and wondeful. The absolutely great service from Aliyah made my day. Can’t wait to come back.
… more