Top 5 Seafood Options in Chicago
Chicago was never really ground zero for seafood lovers. I remember a few years ago, struggling to come up with a suggestion or two – beyond the obvious choice, Shaw’s – for a friend who was looking for something other than Catch 35. Yet over the past two years, the city has seen more new seafood options than Dudley Nieto and Brandon Baltzley have had employers. The Fish Guy Market may have closed recently, but it’s just temporary; Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop remains the city’s best source for fishmonger fans – Dirk is always on hand to offer advice on species, sources and cooking methods.
These five all offer fabulous, fresh, (mostly) sustainable seafood, with deliveries nearly everyday.
21 E. Hubbard
(312) 527-2722
The grande dame of Chicago’s seafood scene, open for a quarter century and still cranking via two dining rooms, one more formal, the other, a casual, everyday oyster bar. I love their chowder, daily selection of oysters and lobster rolls. The key lime pie is no slouch, either.
531 N. Wells
(312) 929-3501
One of the newest players in town, Giuseppe Tentori (Boka) works wonders with his daily catch; often creating dishes you’ve never seen before, such as shrimp bruschetta with grapefruit and avocado. While his lobster roll can hold its own among local competitors, it’s his more creative offerings that set this place apart.
1820 W. Montrose Ave.
(773) 506-1720
What every casual, neighborhood seafood-focused restaurant should be. Excellent crab cakes (maybe not the best in the world, as the sign outside says, but darn good) and a daily selection of fin and shellfish that hits all the right notes. The clam chowder rivals, if not surpasses Shaw’s.
3341 N. Lincoln Ave.
(773) 871-3474
Nothing more than a florescent-lit deli with a few odd tables jammed against the opposite wall, but clearly, the kitchen is working with pristine seafood. Their lobster roll was divine and the fried clam bellies reminded me of a long ago summer at Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine.
5. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
60 E. Grand Ave.
(312) 379-5637
Yes, the steaks are very good. The fried chicken is a revelation as well. But there are two reasons to eat here: stone crabs and Alaskan king crabs. You’ll pay a king’s ransom for the latter, but there’s no one in town doing/procuring/serving them better.
Honorable Mentions:
166 E. Superior St. (Affinia Hotel)
(312) 523-0923
837 W. Fulton Ave.
(312) 733-9555
2956 N. Sheffield Ave.
(773) 687-8177
