Captain B's

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

It's been a while since I featured a Chicago style shrimp shack on here. They are no doubt an endangered species but the good news is the old school spots seem to be sticking around. Places like Captain B's which has two locations out west. One in the city and the other in Bellwood.

Locals Favorite on the West Side

Captain B labels themselves a Chicago style shrimp shack and that they are. What does that mean? Well they're old school for one. But on top of that to me anyway it also means thickly breaded shrimp with a crisp cornmeal-like coating. This is the style of fried shrimp I grew up on over at Goose Island. I admit it's not as pleasing to me as the lightly breaded shrimps you find in other regions but it's a taste of childhood. It's home. B's makes prototypical Chicago style shrimp. One tip I can give as far as ordering is always get the jumbos with this style as the shrimp to breading ratio is much better.

Fried Shrimp at Captain B's 

Captain B's
5641 W Roosevelt Rd
Chicago, IL 60804
(708) 656-8700

Halsted Shrimp

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi (land)

While cruising thru the South suburbs last month I spied a shrimp shack hidden in a strip mall in Chicago Heights. You'd have to be on the lookout for it or something to spot it as there isnt a sign outside just a mention of fried shrimp. Inside it's got the classic feel of a Chicago style shrimp shack. This means it's pretty much bare bones.

Fried Shrimp in Chicago Heights

Always curious I decided to stop in and have a bite. Turns out 'Chicago's Best' had already been here giving praise to their shrimps that come with a special to the house breading. The menu is small with fried shrimp and a couple types of fried fish to go with it, including lake perch. I saw a lunchbox special that came with three pieces large shrimp and a filet of fish of my choosing. I went with that and ordered lake perch as my fish. What I got was three pieces of well fried shrimp but if these were the large ones I can only imagine how small the little ones are. The breading was different, definitely more aggressively seasoned. The fish was fried well and all in all it was a nice snack.

Fried Fish and Shrimp Lunch Special 

Halsted Shrimp
190 S Halsted St
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
(708) 898-2313

Haire's Gulf Shrimp

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

I love the abundance of fried shrimp options in town. People know about the hot dogs and pizza but the Chicago style shrimp shacks are as much a part of the cities food culture as the others. These days they're mostly found in places where they've always been. Away from the high real estate priced land. Many of them are long time operations. I don't know exactly how long Haire's Gulf Shrimp has been around but it's been at least a few years.

Locals favorite in Chatham

Located across the street from Simeon Career (in basketball) Academy, shrimp is all they do here. It comes in one size with two portion options offered. The shrimp served are unlike the style more commonly found at the other shrimp shacks in town. Instead of a twice battered shrimp that's been seasoned these are on the smaller side and come with a really light breading. Included with each order is some nice kicked up hot sauce on the side. Also of note is the fact that like the name says, these are from the Louisiana Gulf, not China. Best in the City like so many that played hoops across the street? Tough to choose just one but I'm a big fan. Some of the best for sure.

Fried Shrimp from Haire's

Haire's Gulf Shrimp
8112 S Vincennes Ave
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 783-1818

Mama Nena's Shrimp House

-Snoopin' around
a peak into my favorite food sites

Hey all good news! You can now read more of me over at Serious Eats: Chicago. Your favorite food site editors favorite food blogger has joined the team as I try and show some love to the Southside and elsewhere. I'll make sure to link any stories from there to here. First up is a Mexican owned shrimp shack in the shadow of the Stock Yards.

Click HERE for the article

Shwings

-KingT's Wing Fling

I wasn't sure if I should share this new find in Stone Park in the 'Wing Fling' posts or the 'Shrimp Shacks of Chicago' but it's worthy of both. Located in a small strip mall you might not ever think twice about this place unless maybe the name catches your eye. It did mine as they had the "coming soon" sign up for a while. Last week I was told of this new place I should try near a site and sure enough this was it.


Stone Park

I stopped in for early lunch around 11a after being up all morning and starving I was told to give them a little time as they were just getting the fryers going. Fine by me. I'm all for making sure the fryers are up to temp before serving soggy shrimp. The lady working the front was really nice and told me how their homemade soups have been a big hit around that way with all the locals and people that work around the area. I didn't try any but nice to know for the future. I opted for a 1/2 lb of jumbo shrimp and a 5 piece wings.


Jumbo Fried Shrimp

They did an excellent fry job with both the shrimp and wings. Shrimp had a crunchy medium battered exterior and didn't dry out on the inside. The wings are cheaper (5 for $3.25) and better than most every bar in the city that has a weekly wing special. They're as good as most others I can remember. They have a variety of sauce options in-house that I look forward to trying the next time I'm out this way. Other seafood options include catfish and cod and they also do boneless strips made to order and have fresh cut fries and specials. They're open until 4a Thurs-Sat. Good stuff.


House Hot Wings

Shwings
1743 N Mannheim Rd
Stone Park, IL 60165
(708) 483-8595

Website

Fish Sandwich Showdown

-Grubbing in Chicago 
5 Sandwiches You Should Try

With Lenten season in full swing I thought now would be a good time to get a post up about some fish sandwiches to be found in Chicago. I never eat at fast food corporations like McDonald's but if forced too I'll order myself a filet o' fish. That's something that for whatever reason I like every couple of years. But today we explore five spots who deserve your business and want it by offering tasty fish sandwiches. I recommend all of them featured here today. Enjoy.
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Dock's

I believe that the Dock's in the strip mall on 87th in Chatham is the last one left. For those unfamiliar, Dock's got its start in 1973 at 87th and Dorchester and was basically to fried fish and shrimp in the city to what Harold's is for fried chicken these days. At a time there many more. Shark's it was/is not. Much better.

Though on the brink of extinction this is a healthy outlet with constant traffic

The "quick fix" of fried shrimp was $3 so I said what the heck and tried that too. It was nothing great, you can even see in separate ones that some were fried longer than others. But still you cant beat the price.

Fried Shrimp

Now their famous fishwich was what I remember it to be. Two lightly coated whiting filets go on one of their signature wheat rolls and it's topped with tarter, lettuce and tomato with the option of cheese. Bring your own bottle of hot sauce or ask if they have any, that would of made it much better and similar to the famous hot fish sandwiches of Nashville. Wednesday's they're on special for $3.89 each. Good sandwich.


Famous Fishwich Sandwich
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Feed

Located in a desolate business area on Chicago avenue just off Grand is a cute southern style diner called Feed. They've been a part of the area for a while now and I'm always pleased with what they make. But I hadnt had their southern fried catfish sandwich until recently. What was I thinking? This is one of the best fish sandwiches in the biz. They give you a huge filet which you need to break in half to make into a sandwich. Their fresh cut fries and other sides are great as well. Ask for extra hot sauce.

Catfish Sandwich from Feed

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New England Seafood Company

The Tribune's Kevin Pang does good food work over there and apparently great food minds eat alike. At the start of lent season he did a Fish Sandwich roundup of his own and me and him both agree that the one at the New England Seafood Company on Lincoln avenue deserves to be on any best of list. The place doubles as a fish monger and they do a heck of a job with their haddock sandwich. Nothing fancy here, just a really fine constructed sandwich. More on this place when the time comes. In the meantime try this.

 Haddock Sandwich from NESC

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Ba Le

When Lent started I decided I was going to try and post a worthy place to eat a fish sandwich each Friday on LTHforum. So when I started sharing them someone there mentioned that they really like the cod Bahn Mi over at Ba Le. The guy who rec'd this one was right on. Nice find sir. They take a nice piece of Corona battered cod and place it in one of their Bahn Mi buns and it becomes a somewhat unique fish sandwich. More on this Vietnamese sandwich shop HERE.

Bale's Corona Battered Cod Bahn Mi Sandwich

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Superdawg

The last place on our list needs no introduction. The only reason it hasn't had it's own post is because I'm saving it for "Classic Chicago" month later on. Superdawg is the cities only drive in left and one of the best places to get a hot dog in the best city to eat them. But that's not all they do well.

Chicago's Only Drive In

Some folks swear by their cut in house crinkle cut fries which are fried in beef tallow. So when Kevin Pang found out that the cod filets used in their SuperFish sandwich were fried in it as well he had to try. So did I. Served on a classy onion bun with the option of cheese they place two creamy fried cod filets between the bread and include some of their first class fries and tarter sauce too. Nevermind best fish sandwich at a Drive In, this is one of the best in the city overall. I'll be back for one sooner than later.

The SuperFish Sandwich

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Bonus Recipe!

I was up on Lake Superior last summer and one of the several family owned fisheries near us had freshly caught walleye at $8/lb. I cooked with it or whitefish everyday we were up there and have a report coming soon. Pan fried walleye is still one of my favorite fishes to eat and it also makes for a great fish sandwich. While up there I saw a truck for Boston Fish Company in Des Plaines outside one of these family fisheries. They were loading up for a haul back to the suburbs. I would recommend checking them out.

Loading up outside Halvorson Fisheries (Cornucopia, WI)

Walleye is the official state fish of Minnesota and cooking it coated with Ritz cracker mixture is the unofficial state dish. I pan fried the fillets with a crushed ritz cracker coating (used like any other). I also added some slivered almonds into the mix and the sandwiches turned out great. I cooked the fish in a mix of bacon grease and added olive oil in when needed. As we all know by now bacon makes everything better. You'll have to leave it out for lent though if you do that kind of thing. Still fantastic. See y'all next time @chibbqking.

Coating on and ready for cooking

Ritz Cracker Crusted Walleye Sandwich

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Dock's
112 W 87th Street
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 723-0055

Feed
2803 W. Chicago ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-4600

New England Seafood Company
3341 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 871-3474

Ba Le
5014 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 561-4424

Superdawg
6363 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660

Snappy's Shrimp

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

'Big Shrimpin' on the History Channel was one of my recent reality TV guilty pleasures. Long before I knew just how much dedication and passion it takes to be a shrimp fisherman, fried shrimp was a guilty pleasure of mine as well. We've been making the round at S'C'&C visiting some of Chicago's old and new shrimp shacks which have long been a part of the city eats locals love. Today we head down Irving Park road over to the North Center neighborhood where Snappy's Shrimp House sits. It might not be as old as some of the other shrimp spots around the city but it's following is as loyal as any.



Popular fried shrimp shack on Irving Park and Walcott

Lets start out by saying yes it's the shrimp that are the namesake. But if for some odd reason you don't like crusty crustaceans or if you've been cursed and are allergic to them, they also happen to do grilled chicken to a charred bird lovers standard. I had heard heavy praise for their chicken sandwiches and also their jerk chicken wrap. Intrigued, as there are actually times when I feel like something "healthy", I tried both of them and was impressed with each. Snappy's is pretty barebones and doesn't try to be anything else other than an excellent fried shrimp shack and also a really good neighborhood lunch spot with a few other things in case shrimp and other fried seafoods arent your thing.

Jerk Chicken Wrap

The wrap is simple but savory so I enjoyed it for what it was. Much better than your neighborhood Shitpotle. The chicken had a mild jerk sauce and was cooked up previously but then chopped and reheated which lead to the pieces being crispy. Also inside the tortilla were pineapples, rice, lettuce, tomatoes and sauce. A nice bite for a nice price ($5.50). The house marinated chicken sandwich is not something I ever would of thought to order if I hadn't heard good things about it from a few trustworthy sources. They were right. Again the chicken is chopped up so the pieces are crispy. Add in the lettuce tomato and sauce with a Kaiser bun and again another example of simple is sometimes better. I've had this sandwich a couple times.


House Marinated Chicken Sandwich

But as mentioned already it's all about the shrimp at Snappy's. Nothing farm raised from China or elsewhere is used. It all comes from the Gulf, Alabama to be exact. The same state where the boys of 'Big Shrimpin' make a living. If your a shrimp cocktail fan they make a great example of it. Nothing fancy as there shouldn't be, just perfectly cooked shelled shrimp which are kept cold and come served in a plastic container with a side of cocktail sauce. I like to grab an order from their fridge to have later in the week when I stop in but it rarely lasts past that day.

Snappy's Shrimp Cocktail

And introducing the star of the Snappy's show his name is Shrimpy. He comes from the Gulf Coast where the best of the best come from. Snappy's does an excellent frying job and has the perfect coating as far as thickness goes because you never want too much. Especially not when the flavor in these wild caught American fished shrimp is what makes them so good. They come about sixteen to a pound and I like to use just a tad of the sauce you choose (hot and or cocktail rec'd) to drop them in before devouring them down. Nothing fancy here folks, I'm not sure they twitter and dont know if they'll care what hip trendy new cocktail lounge your taking their top notch fried shrimp product too. But you should take note if you like the places that pick something tight and do it right. Snappy's knows shrimp.


Snappy's Fried Shrimp Perfection

Snappy's Shrimp House
1901 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 244-1008

Joey's Shrimp House

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

Joey's Shrimp House opened up back in 2010 and had my attention right then when I read about it in the 'Coming Soon' section of some food site. Unfortunately for whatever reasons I had never been by until recently. I drove by plenty of times and always said "I'm gonna check Joey's out soon" but would never remember too. Well I felt like some fried shrimp and remembered Joey's this crave around so I finally checked out the shrimp shack over on Western ave in Humboldt Park.


Another really nice fried shrimp shop in the Chi

When compared to some of the remaining fried shrimp shacks of Chicago, Joey's is just a little baby. But that comes with some perks. You can actually dine in here and they also serve beer and are open late, until 2a Fri. & Sat. It's a pleasant vibe inside I actually felt like I was at a seafood shop somewhere in Porta Del Sol. This is not a complete surprise since Joey's is a Puerto Rican owned place. On my visit, there were a few regulars watching TV, with who I assume to be Joey, the man who made the food.

View from one of the tables inside

I went with my standard order of jumbo shrimp (regular available too) and got a full pound to split with my mom. Not a bad price at $16 and Joey's uses Gulf shrimp which is nice. The rest of the menu is typical fried foods and also some sandwiches like a shrimp po' boy and what I plan to try next time, a shrimp jibarito. Joey's goes the extra mile and has homemade sides, including fresh cut fries, and also five sauces for your shrimp dipping pleasure. I thought these were really nice and similar to Goose Island Shrimp House which is a favorite of mine. Not as heavy breaded as the Goose's that's good and their hot sauce is identical and my favorite of them all. Joey's is now in my fried crustacean rotation, it took me long enough but it was worth the wait and probably better for my heart after four straight years of Smokin' Chokin' & Chowing. See ya next time.


A pound of Jumbo Fried Shrimp from Joey's Shrimp House

Joey's Shrimp House
1432 N. Western ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-1400

Calumet Fisheries

-The Shrimp Shacks of Chi

We're in the dog days of summer here @chibbqking. It's only fitting that during July we hit up a long time Chicago legend which is truly an All American shack. Calumet Fisheries has been a fixture at 95th and the bridge since 1948. One of the last few places in the city that takes you back to another time every time when you experience it. Not much has changed at what is now one of the few (fish) smokehouses left in Illinois. Located right at the bridge that goes over the Calumet River, it's the same bridge jumped by Blues Brothers in their Bluesmobile. Calumet was first started by two brothers and its still in the family. Spots like these were the thing in Great Lakes territories back in the day and Chicago had its fair share. Calumet lives up to the term 'house' as you can see in the pic below, it's a small shack and take out only, just like its always been.


a Chicago legend at 95th (just off Ewing) and the bridge

as we enter


The fried part of the menu


Fish/Shrimp is battered that morning and ready to go when ordered

If Calumet Fisheries looks familiar and your not from Chicago nor never been, it's most likely because you saw it on Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations' television show during the Chicago episode. Calumet smokes fish out back in their smokehouse and it's some of the best smoked fish anywhere and generations of Chicagoan's have known this since they're youth. Calumet offers all kinds of fish smoked including salmon, trout, whitefish, chub. This is how it was back in the day. Chicago's hard working men and women, many who helped build the city would stop in and eat lunch at Calumet. No tables no bathrooms, you it right there on the hood of your car or take it back down to your boat by the Calumet River. It's said these smoke fisheries were most likely always along the river so that they could get the fish as fresh as possible. Nowadays you'll see abandoned steel mills, large empty lots from long gone manufacturing plants when enjoying your fish. A very different picture of Chicago than Michigan Avenue. These places were once in abundance around this area, Calumet lives on.

Smoked trout with garlic pepper


Smoked Salmon

I would prefer my fish fried to smoked but there's just something about the smoked shrimp at Calumet Fisheries. Everyone should try it once. Smoked fish comes cold if you didn't know. The combo of seafood flesh and smoke makes for a really pleasant taste with a little cocktail sauce thrown on especially on a hot humid day. The shrimp are jumbo things of beauty and come in peel and eat form. Hard to pop just one, they get addicting and make for a great snack for anyone heading to Indiana or Michigan for a quick getaway or just get some and go to one of the many city parks along the lake. Calumet Fisheries is right off the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route too and a great stop on that trip. If your ever feeling like getting out and just cruising the city for some scenic views and good eats, hop on Lakeshore Drive and ride it all the way to Calumet Fisheries, it's a beautiful ride, tasty too.

Pound of Smoked Shrimp from Calumet Fisheries

My favorite item at Cal Fish is a favorite food of mine to chow on. The fried shrimp are some of, if not the best in the city. I would put them in the starting five of 'Chi Shrimp Shacks' for sure. I like the freshly breaded light batter that makes for a perfect bite each time. As with all shrimp shacks in Chicago you have your choice of hot or mild for the sauce and they make a great hot with just the right heat and ting to it. One of my favorite places to eat, everywhere included, is Calumet. Some smoked shrimp with some fried shrimp on the hood of my car overlooking the Eastside. There's a reason this place has been around as long as they has and there's always cars parked around it when theres no other businesses near. Its real deal Chicago. Check it!


Calumet Fisheries Fresh Fried Shrimp

Calumet Fisheries Inc.
3259 East 95th St.
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
Website

Shrimp Daddy Dollar$

-Grubbing in Chicago(land)
Where the locals eat and also all those who know

Please Note this is a repost of one of my favorite stops along the Lake. The original page wasn't loading as I was made aware of by some readers thru an email. Since I get here now and then, especially during warmer months I'm reloading it with a few updates. I have a few more pictures to add into the collection as well as some additional info. Once again thanks for reading.

"Dino should be as much a treasured natural resource as Illinois Beach State Park"-JoelF

"Eat here once and you'll be back again"-Dino himself

"When I get my sail boat, I'm harboring it near Zion so I can eat Porky's big, juicy, succulent, shrimp all day" -The Stanimal

"do these come wrapped in bacon and served between a dixie cream?"-Don Barzinini

"This is the best fried shrimp I have ever had" -KingT

"So this is why Forrest Gump was so crazy for shrimp...huuuh, now I get it" -BStalworth


Capt. Porky's is straight north up Sheridan Rd. from Chicago

I wanna take this time to introduce you to Dino...king of fried shrimp and as we call him over in the Chi--"Shrimp daddy dollars" cause he's reeeal. Dino is also known as Captain Porky and has to be Zion, Illinois and its surrounding areas most popular resident. Captain Porky's is one of the great eating gems in all of America and it rests right along Sheridan road adjacent to Illinois beach state park in Zion along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. It has no tables inside and it's takeout only but that's ok because you can eat it on the hood of your car, in your car or at the beach, weather permitting of course. In fact this place isn't just frequented by the locals, those who know and aren't from around the way will take the drive on a nice day and love doing so.


Guy Fieri hasn't been here yet...but you know he's coming

When I tell you that everything is good at Porky's, I shit you not, and the fresh fried jumbo gulf shrimp are the best I have ever had and I done eaten fried shrimp at alot of places. Got it? Good. When it comes to fried shrimp you can put it there with hot dog's, pizza, Italian beef, pizza puffs, ribs and other notable Chicago style foods. Unfortunately the fried shrimp shack is a dying breed and of those that are left only a handful do a five star effort. First up on the list is the best, I cant make you wait. The key to ordering your fried shrimp at Porky's is to make sure you order the large jumbo shrimp. The difference here is that you will watch Dino weigh, bread and fry the shrimp all after ordering. The fresh shrimp are large in size and hand breaded to a tempura like crust. My main problem with most of the places around today is that they use a pre-breaded frozen shrimp that has way too much breading...not here.


You get the idea of the size


Notice the thinness of the batter

The moment you walk into Porky's you are greeted by a large refrigerator packed with ice where you can see thru the glass what is available for fresh frying on that day. Aside from the shrimp which are a must order every time, they do everything exceptionally well here. The calamari like everything else is fresh breaded and contains both rings and crispy tentacles and not just a few of the good parts about half and half. This is some of the best 'mari I have had. On any given day they could have crawfish tails, lake perch, wings, alligator, frog legs, soft shell crab, gulf shrimp, fried clams ala New England, walleye and a handful of other seafood available fresh for frying. I have never had anything bad there from the display case. The shrimp, calamari, crawfish and clams are my favorites thus far. But since this is a repost with recent visits added on, it only gets better.


The calamari is better than any fancy sitdown joint's and also half the price


Close-up of the fresh fried crawfish tails


Captain Porky's Perfectly Fried Shrimp

Whats funny is when I made the OP on this place back when this site was first starting, I had that comment about Guy Fieri up above there. Well since then DDD has gone to Dino's other spot that the locals love called-The Shanty. I have not made it over to the Shanty yet but will do so this summer. I wonder if Guy made it over to the other family owned joint featured here? Well in my recent since the OP was made I have had nothing but goodness from the guys over there. Almost all of the fried veggies and cheeses come from Dino's own farm and as mentioned above are fried to perfection to the point where you can still taste the freshness of the veggies when their in season. Whatever is in season is also on the specials page taped to the glass.


Porky's fry's everything to perfection


My favorite battered veggie in the land is the fried zucchini from CP's


Smoked Rib Tips

If you like something in the display case then by all means order it up and watch them hand bread and fry it for you. It will be good. How serious is Dino about his craft? most of the ingredients he uses he also produces. The batter for the fried items, did I mention the fresh fried chicken wings are bomb? come from duck eggs laid by his ducks at his farm. On any given day you may find any variety of mushroom from his farm available for frying. Cheese from his local goats? yep that's fried fresh available to you too. As if all this selection wasn't enough they also have Gumbo, jambalaya, po' boy sandwiches and real smoked BBQ like Ribs, Chicagoland favorite rib tips, chicken etc. It has to be one of the more unique chow spots in the country. I love the dedication they have to be the best at what they do..and they sure do succeed.


Some of the finest fried shrimp anywhere

Captain Porky's
38995 N US Highway 41
Wadsworth, IL 60083
(847) 360-7460