ZipPicks Awards
Best Seafood in South Loop
Master Critic Review
All Star Seafood & Sports
7.7
A sports-bar format that doubles as a seafood plate engine—big screens, loud energy, and fried-to-grilled options that work best with a tight order. Go for the straightforward hits (shrimp, crab cake, po’ boy) and treat the room like game-day fuel, not fine dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Seafood Platter, Maryland Crab Cake (6oz), Po' Boy Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A seafood-and-sports setup that mixes fried baskets with bigger seafood platters.
Who should go: Game-watchers who want seafood with drinks.
When to visit: During a big game or weekday happy hour.
What to order: Grilled seafood platter, crab cake, po’ boy.
Insider tip: Skip menu-sprawl—order one anchor plate and one side to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking in Printer’s Row (harder during big games and after ~6pm); nearby paid garages are the safest fallback if you don’t want to hunt.
Dress code: Casual sports-bar attire—jeans, sneakers, jerseys all totally fine.
Noise level: Loud during games (you’ll be talking over TVs); moderate on off-peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–45 min during prime time; 45–60+ min if there’s a marquee game on.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or 5–15 min tops.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—expect fries/sides and a couple simple non-seafood snacks, but it’s not a vegetarian-focused menu.
Vegan options: Very limited—plan on sides only and confirm ingredients (butter/egg-based sauces can sneak in).
Gluten-free options: Some grilled seafood can work, but cross-contact risk is high in a fry-forward kitchen—ask for simple grilled prep and no breading/sauces.
Best For
Better for: Game-day seafood cravings—fried baskets, quick platters, and a loud sports-bar atmosphere where the TVs are the main event.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a polished seafood dinner, a quieter meal, or dietary-friendly precision—choose a more focused seafood restaurant (or a calmer sit-down spot) instead.