This Diversey dive may not look like much, but it serves some of the best--and cheapest--crab legs in town.
Great Neighborhood
Pub and Oyster Bar
Take-Out
This seafood restaurant and pub is known for crab legs, fried shrimp and its wide variety of burgers and other beef entrees.
Also whether you come from around the corner or happen to be from Istanbul, Turkey, you will always enjoy our Luncheon Specials, served daily from 11:30am to 4:30pm.
The Scene Set back from the street and down a narrow flight of stairs, Half Shell hides in a dark, low-ceilinged room decorated with Christmas lights and nautical-theme bric-a-brac. Regulars drink steins of draft beer at the bar--Chicago accents abound--while straight-talking servers nonchalantly go about their business.
The Food If you don't know about Half Shell, it's because Chicago seafood lovers know how to keep a good secret. And who wouldn't be protective of such huge, perfectly fried shrimp and succulent king crab legs? The menu also features scallops, catfish, red snapper and dungeness crab, but those legs are the stars. Full of tender meat and needing no more than a squirt of lemon, they're delicious in a combo with beef tenderloin: Get two big legs, a half-dozen tender chunks of beef, grilled veggies and shoestring potatoes all piled atop toast--with a sucker for good measure.
For the man who said they wash their oysters....Obviously you're not a big oyster eater. When oysters are farmed they actually have mud in them. Maybe you'd rather eat mud rather than eat the oyster. Great food great value. Recommend to anyone.
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My sister introduced me to this great place! I love it! The food is great. I'm a huge fan of seafood and this hits the spot, tasty and inexpensive! The service and ambience are great, very casual and comfortable!
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The food is not that tasty but it is very cost efficient sea food restaurant. If you are short of cash this is the best place to go...Also the atmosphere is ok not too goo not too bad also. I you would ask me if I would go back and eat in that restaurant I would say Yes but only if other options are closed
PROS: Cheap, cost efficient
CONS: Food not that tasty
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VERY REASONABLE ON THEIR SEAFOOD PRICES,LOVE THEIR OYSTERS AND SOFT SHELL CRABS....IT'S A SMALL RESTURANT,LOCATED IN A BASEMENT,BUT IT'S COZY...THEY HAVE A FULL BAR ALSO AND MAKE EXCELLENT DRINKS.. THEY ALWAYS SERVE EACH MEAL WITH A LOLIPOP HIDDEN UNDER YOUR FRIES..LOL!! I THINK THAT'S CUTE,MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A LITTLE KID,A ADDED BONUS WITH YOUR MEAL. PARKING CAN BE KIND OF A PAIN SOMETIMES,SO GO EARLY AS I KNOW THE WEEKENDS THERE ARE PACKED WITH PEOPLE...FRIENDLY STAFF..AND THEY RUN "SPECIALS" EVERYDAY AND HAVE GREAT PRICES OVERALL.
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 10 reviews
on Citysearch)
Great food - great local ambiance
By abescott
As the other reviewers state- this place has great food. Fried oyster appetizers were clean and crisp. King crab legs were GREAT seemed like every table had an order. Huge pieces of succelent meat. The fried shrimp were A+ as well. Great portions with both being served on bed of french fries.
Very small dining area and cramped tables- I wouldn't exactly call it romantic more of a dive bar that would be uninteresting if not for the food.
Total bill was $75 for appetizer, 2 entrees and 4 beers.
Pros: Great value Cons: Parking- cramped seating
Posted 11/09/07
I've been here more than 200 times. I WORSHIP this seafood dive bar, best value in town
By katherinedonald
My Pop used to sneak me in here when it was a biker dive bar in the 70s/80s when I was a youngster and The Turk was the Boss. So aside from many fond memories it is one of my favorite value-for-money places in Chicago AND the best seafood place I have been to and I have been everywhere, from up to downscale. When you enter the Half shell you think you are going into a cave--it is in a basement and has a few tables with Christmas lights left up year round. The service is no frills, and luckily the menu doesn't change much. The shrimp are large and excellent and when softshell crabs are in season (usually in June) they actually prepare them correctly which is saying something about their seafood know-how since most restaurants I have been in (even ridiculously overpriced Loop and river North places), do not prepare them properly. The women's restroom has a bathtub in it. May this place stay open forever. My favorites--softshell crabs in season (usually June), fire roasted clams, and the crab specials. If you don't like seafood don't go--aside from a few side dishes (decent house salad), it's seafood served with a lollipop and lettuce leaf, and there aint much else (there's tenderloin & shrimp too). It's a romantic place, but also they will accommodate kids (but they have to like seafood AND not run around since it is dark!).
Pros: great prices, tasty seafood, nice relaxed atmosphere Cons: for me there aren't any, but be aware the waitstaff won't hover, CASH ONLY
Posted 10/20/07
They wash their oysters before serving! Absolutely horrible.
By xkmasada
I went one day at lunch time and ordered a dozen raw oysters at the bar. The oysters were the worst I've ever had.
The kitchen actually *washed* the oysters, removing all of the nectar!
I've never ever seen this done at any restaurant before. The oysters were rendered plain, with hardly any taste. They were fairly fresh, but were so bland that I ate 3, paid up, and left. I will never ever go back to this place again. Absolutely horrible.
Pros: Casual Cons: They wash their oysters after shucking them, rendering them tasteless
Posted 09/14/07
UNBELIEVABLE Neighborhood Seafood Joint!
By chrisegilbert
I stopped into Half Shell tonight and can honestly say it's the second best seafood I've had in Chicago - slightly behind Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop on Clybourn. The difference? Price! Half Shell, as a RESTAURANT, was about ? more affordable than Dirk's - a retail seafood shop. AMAZING! I'll definitely be back to Half Shell, but, per the handwritten messages from the owner posted on the door I won't think about wearing a tank top, sporting a baseball cap, or paying with anything other than cash. Make sure you don't either or else you'll be asked to comply with house rules!
Pros: Excellent seafood at a great price! Cons: Dingy inside - eat out on the patio and do some people watching!
Posted 06/29/07
Secrets are always best kept
By mr_dog
I've been going to the Half Shell since 1972. When west of Halsted, was considered dangerous (or German). If you like dives, if you like seafood, you will like this. I am surprised that it's just since 1968, I would have pinned it earlier since my much older brotherinlaw introduced it to me in '72..... well before any of you reading this were born. Yes, "were". Subjunctive.
Don't take any cutesy-wootsy people here, though. We want to keep it cool. For eg, John Cusak (ugh) think's this joint has been here since the 80s. Duh.
