we LOVE oysters on the half shell and given that the restaurant is about things on the half shell we thought it would be better. the oysters were smaller than a quarter. i’m not saying it was bad but it was pretty disappointing. we won’t go there again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Anyah Gilmore-Jones
I came here with my grandmother a couple weeks ago and was not feeling well, but let her order. The server was very accommodating and nice, and got me whatever I needed because I had a stomach issue. I took my food to go, and enjoyed it the next day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Frog Legs
Jensen Byrd
Came here with a group of 12 or so for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day and had the best time! We didn’t have a reservation, and the staff accommodated us so well.The food is phenomenal! I lived in Charleston, SC for a couple years, so I’ve had a LOT of great seafood. Naturally, I was doubtful that any restaurant in the Midwest would be able to match that quality. But Half Shell rivals it for sure! This was easily some of the best crab I’ve had, and my friends haven’t stopped talking about the food since.The owner, Anthony, is a very cool guy as well! It’s clear that he cares a lot about the restaurant. The neighborhood is lucky to have this spot. Truly a staple of the area. Excited to have a drink on their patio this summer!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zach
Tucked away in the heart of Chicago, this small seafood joint is a true hidden gem. With its quaint, old-world charm and decades of history, stepping inside feels like taking a culinary journey back in time. But what truly sets this place apart is its mouthwatering fried shrimp – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. Each bite is a delight, leaving you craving more. If you're in the mood for some classic, no-fuss seafood done right, this is the spot to visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Toast, Lollipop, Dinner Salad
Rye
CASH ONLY !!!! There is an ATM inside but just a warning ! To enter you go down a flight of stairs and once inside you find a cute seafood bar / restaurant. it seems there is patio seating but it was closed since it was raining. We started with drinks and apps. I got a draft beer and some oysters to start. The oysters were from canada and they were small little things but was pleasantly surprised how flavorful they were ! We also got the french fried egg plant - it was a thin fry and was good. I thought the tarter sauce was ranch, as it was lacking flavor, it was meh. We then got the shrimp and crab for an entree. The crab legs were fat ! they were so juicy and the garlic butter was tasty. The shrimp was fried and was SO GOOD. The cocktail sauce was nice, the horseradish was pretty strong. It came with a lot of fries too that were thin and crispy. You could definitely split it with someone, as it’s a lot of food and the price is pretty standard for a casual seafood joint. They also gave a lollipop with the meal that was a nice cherry on top hehe. The staff was friendly and everything was quick. I would come back to try some more food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, Lollipop
Jason Kochan
Best kept secret in chi town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John S
The crab legs were delicious. The king crab legs were really the best, but honestly, it’s exactly the same type of king crab legs that you can get at Whole Foods. And Whole Foods, you will make it even more healthy by putting less salt in there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo
Kevin Boor
I don't know where to start. Cash only? Ok, where does it go from here? Oh, walk down the steps and through the swing door. Wow, it was crowded, but the aroma of fresh seafood was in the air. We put our names in and waited near the bar until some spots opened up. We ordered beers to get us going. Before ordering another round, a table opened up for us. Our orders consisted of oysters on the half shell, mussels in a garlic sauce, snow and king crab!!!! I can't say more than this rich and freshest of delicacies kept my mouth watering and tongue wanting more and more. However, there was plenty to go around for our table of 5. We even had the fried frog legs. After dinner, we topped off our night with a round of Marlort at the bar. Ending our night I visited the ATM. The 4 bills were way worth it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian Turner
Food was good. I liked the crab cakes with the spicy ranch sauce and the jumbo grilled shrimp with fries was good also. Overall, a really good dining experience.
Tracy Kimbrough
Great place to hangout with friends, have drinks and fill your belly. Only draw back is the parking. It can be very challenging.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, Fried Calamari, Fried Shrimp Appetizer, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Calamari and Shrimp Appetizers, Dungeness Crab
Half Shell, located in Chicago, provided a satisfying dining experience that left me pleasantly impressed. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated, allowing us to start our meal without delay. The drinks offered were enjoyable, complementing the dining experience nicely. While the service was decent, it was efficient enough to ensure our needs were met throughout the meal. The cleanliness of the establishment was notable, contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere.One of the highlights of the experience was the promptness with which our order was delivered. Our food arrived swiftly, allowing us to indulge without much waiting. Additionally, the prices were reasonable, offering good value for the quality of food and service provided.Overall, my experience at Half Shell was enjoyable, and I would certainly recommend it to others seeking a casual dining spot in Chicago. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Half Shell delivers on both taste and convenience, making it a solid choice for any dining occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Crystal Powell
I have driven by this place 100s of times, the first time I had dinner was this week. Let's start by saying RUN DONT WALK. With a pock full of cash no credit cards accepted. Established in 1963 Chicago used to have these amazing fish restaurants often serving fresh water fish caught locally. Yes the resturant is down a few stairs in the basement with lots of outdoor seating. The interior is a throw back to its early hippy roots and the classic fish shack.. it's authentic its been this way since 1963. THE FOOD IS BEYOND SUPERIOR. We had fried oysters their breading is light delicate crispy on superior quality seafood. We also had blacken grilled Mahi tuna served with fries and a awesome mango relish. We also had fried Catfish just perfect. Really a great experience, fantastic food.. remember they DONT TAKE CREDIT CARDS take CASH. We had 4 beers it was less than 100. I would have gladly ordered more to take home. Enjoy this is a summer must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cindy camarena
This place is Such a hidden gem and has the best seafood in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jaime Rosario
Best place in Chicago. We've been going there for nearly 35 years. If i could give more than 5 stars, i would.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo
Adrian Fugler
Hands down best neighborhood seafood joint in the city. Always busy, but doesn't negatively impact service. Atmosphere is casual "Wisonsin"; nothing fancy, just comfortable! Started off with oysters on the half shell. Then had snow and king crab, clam chowder, steamed shrimp and crusted tuna (which was cooked perfectly!) Will definetly be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Chowder
we LOVE oysters on the half shell and given that the restaurant is about things on the half shell we thought it would be better. the oysters were smaller than a quarter. i’m not saying it was bad but it was pretty disappointing. we won’t go there again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
I came here with my grandmother a couple weeks ago and was not feeling well, but let her order. The server was very accommodating and nice, and got me whatever I needed because I had a stomach issue. I took my food to go, and enjoyed it the next day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Frog Legs
Came here with a group of 12 or so for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day and had the best time! We didn’t have a reservation, and the staff accommodated us so well.The food is phenomenal! I lived in Charleston, SC for a couple years, so I’ve had a LOT of great seafood. Naturally, I was doubtful that any restaurant in the Midwest would be able to match that quality. But Half Shell rivals it for sure! This was easily some of the best crab I’ve had, and my friends haven’t stopped talking about the food since.The owner, Anthony, is a very cool guy as well! It’s clear that he cares a lot about the restaurant. The neighborhood is lucky to have this spot. Truly a staple of the area. Excited to have a drink on their patio this summer!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tucked away in the heart of Chicago, this small seafood joint is a true hidden gem. With its quaint, old-world charm and decades of history, stepping inside feels like taking a culinary journey back in time. But what truly sets this place apart is its mouthwatering fried shrimp – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. Each bite is a delight, leaving you craving more. If you're in the mood for some classic, no-fuss seafood done right, this is the spot to visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Toast, Lollipop, Dinner Salad
CASH ONLY !!!! There is an ATM inside but just a warning ! To enter you go down a flight of stairs and once inside you find a cute seafood bar / restaurant. it seems there is patio seating but it was closed since it was raining. We started with drinks and apps. I got a draft beer and some oysters to start. The oysters were from canada and they were small little things but was pleasantly surprised how flavorful they were ! We also got the french fried egg plant - it was a thin fry and was good. I thought the tarter sauce was ranch, as it was lacking flavor, it was meh. We then got the shrimp and crab for an entree. The crab legs were fat ! they were so juicy and the garlic butter was tasty. The shrimp was fried and was SO GOOD. The cocktail sauce was nice, the horseradish was pretty strong. It came with a lot of fries too that were thin and crispy. You could definitely split it with someone, as it’s a lot of food and the price is pretty standard for a casual seafood joint. They also gave a lollipop with the meal that was a nice cherry on top hehe. The staff was friendly and everything was quick. I would come back to try some more food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, Lollipop
Best kept secret in chi town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The crab legs were delicious. The king crab legs were really the best, but honestly, it’s exactly the same type of king crab legs that you can get at Whole Foods. And Whole Foods, you will make it even more healthy by putting less salt in there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo
I don't know where to start. Cash only? Ok, where does it go from here? Oh, walk down the steps and through the swing door. Wow, it was crowded, but the aroma of fresh seafood was in the air. We put our names in and waited near the bar until some spots opened up. We ordered beers to get us going. Before ordering another round, a table opened up for us. Our orders consisted of oysters on the half shell, mussels in a garlic sauce, snow and king crab!!!! I can't say more than this rich and freshest of delicacies kept my mouth watering and tongue wanting more and more. However, there was plenty to go around for our table of 5. We even had the fried frog legs. After dinner, we topped off our night with a round of Marlort at the bar. Ending our night I visited the ATM. The 4 bills were way worth it!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good. I liked the crab cakes with the spicy ranch sauce and the jumbo grilled shrimp with fries was good also. Overall, a really good dining experience.
Great place to hangout with friends, have drinks and fill your belly. Only draw back is the parking. It can be very challenging.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, Fried Calamari, Fried Shrimp Appetizer, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Calamari and Shrimp Appetizers, Dungeness Crab
Restaurantji Recommends
Half Shell, located in Chicago, provided a satisfying dining experience that left me pleasantly impressed. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated, allowing us to start our meal without delay. The drinks offered were enjoyable, complementing the dining experience nicely. While the service was decent, it was efficient enough to ensure our needs were met throughout the meal. The cleanliness of the establishment was notable, contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere.One of the highlights of the experience was the promptness with which our order was delivered. Our food arrived swiftly, allowing us to indulge without much waiting. Additionally, the prices were reasonable, offering good value for the quality of food and service provided.Overall, my experience at Half Shell was enjoyable, and I would certainly recommend it to others seeking a casual dining spot in Chicago. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Half Shell delivers on both taste and convenience, making it a solid choice for any dining occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have driven by this place 100s of times, the first time I had dinner was this week. Let's start by saying RUN DONT WALK. With a pock full of cash no credit cards accepted. Established in 1963 Chicago used to have these amazing fish restaurants often serving fresh water fish caught locally. Yes the resturant is down a few stairs in the basement with lots of outdoor seating. The interior is a throw back to its early hippy roots and the classic fish shack.. it's authentic its been this way since 1963. THE FOOD IS BEYOND SUPERIOR. We had fried oysters their breading is light delicate crispy on superior quality seafood. We also had blacken grilled Mahi tuna served with fries and a awesome mango relish. We also had fried Catfish just perfect. Really a great experience, fantastic food.. remember they DONT TAKE CREDIT CARDS take CASH. We had 4 beers it was less than 100. I would have gladly ordered more to take home. Enjoy this is a summer must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is Such a hidden gem and has the best seafood in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best place in Chicago. We've been going there for nearly 35 years. If i could give more than 5 stars, i would.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo
Hands down best neighborhood seafood joint in the city. Always busy, but doesn't negatively impact service. Atmosphere is casual "Wisonsin"; nothing fancy, just comfortable! Started off with oysters on the half shell. Then had snow and king crab, clam chowder, steamed shrimp and crusted tuna (which was cooked perfectly!) Will definetly be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell Clams, King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Chowder