Duck’s Diner in Gulf Shores: A New Local Favorite for Breakfast and More

If you order the Duck’s Choice plate at Duck’s Diner, get ready to make a lot of decisions. You’ll choose how you want your eggs cooked, pick a side, and select from options like bacon, ham, sausage, or bologna. Then decide if you want pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, or even upgrade to a waffle.

When the food arrives, you might wonder if you really need all this, but don’t worry—without extras, the whole meal costs just twelve bucks. Inside, Duck’s Diner feels like a classic American diner with people enjoying everything from omelets and pancakes to country fried steak.

Duck’s Diner is the newest local favorite in Gulf Shores, replacing Hazel’s Nook, which had been a landmark for 67 years. When Hazel’s Nook closed, Richard Schwartz, who was 82, decided to sell the restaurant. Garrett Spence, who owns Duck’s Diner in Orange Beach, quickly took over the spot.

Duck’s Diner opened just a few days after Hazel’s Nook closed, keeping most of Hazel’s staff and adding some from the Orange Beach location. Despite being new, Duck’s Diner quickly became popular with locals.

The diner offers a variety of breakfast options, like the Creole Omelet with Gulf shrimp ($15), the Philly Cheese Omelet ($15), and deep-fried Banana Stuffed French Toast ($14). Breakfast sandwiches, including a BLT with bologna ($6), and other dishes like Wesley’s Fried Chicken with Gravy ($13.50) are also available.

Duck’s Diner is open daily from 7 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., with breakfast served all day and lunch starting at 10:30 a.m. The lunch menu features the Meat & Three special ($10.95) and options like sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. The Sunrise Burger ($13.50), topped with an egg, bacon, and American cheese, is a standout.

The new Duck’s Diner has a bit of blank space inside, but Spence plans to decorate with duck-themed items over time. He’s thrilled with how quickly the locals have embraced the diner, which is already busy every day.