Originally a local Houston phenomenon, Bamboo House opened the doors to its first North Texas location. Hungry families have since piled in the Plano joint to get a taste of what the chain claims to be the ‘best Peking duck in town.’

The platter’s arrival is almost a royal event; it’s trolleyed in on a large, black cart with a wide spread of traditional accompaniments. A basket of thinly sliced Chinese pancakes, platters of slivered vegetables and small cups of tangy plum sauce are served alongside a steaming plate of duck.

Juicy slices of duck are meant to be swaddled in the thin, paper-like pancakes before being drenched in plum sauce and enjoyed much like a taco. Servings of clear-broth soup, stinky tofu and roasted pea sprouts are larger convoys to the main course duck. It takes multiple servers (and steady hands) to offload the full meal onto the table.

The duck is served on an elegant white platter, molded into the shape of a swan. Breathe in the scents, soak in the royalty, and perhaps snap a picture before digging in. The duck tastes almost as royal as it looks. It’s prepared by creating an air-filled sac between the duck skin and meat before tossing it into the bake. The result is an ultra-crispy outer skin and a buttery meat inside. Dunk it in the plum sauce for a nice marriage of crispy, soft, juicy buttery and tangy.

Additional entrees include both classics and eccentricities like lo mein and beef tongue soup. Fast-food favorites like orange chicken and honey-walnut shrimp ($21.95) are also scattered throughout the almost excessively large menu. But regardless of your order, it’s almost a crime to leave here without the duck. Disapproving glances from the staff discourage any intent to skip out on the main part of the meal. It’s—according to our waiter—the “star of the menu.”