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Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
This Bridgeport offshoot of the long-running Lawrence Fish Market brings value-driven sushi trays and maki to 31st Street with dine-in seating. Guests lean on large party platters and signature rolls to feed groups at prices that undercut most full-service sushi restaurants in the area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Magma Roll, Kamikaze Roll, B1 Nigiri Tray
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A south-side extension of a longstanding Chicago sushi market focused on affordable rolls and trays.
Who should go: Groups wanting lots of sushi without spending heavily.
When to visit: Early evenings on weekends before prime tray rush.
What to order: Magma Roll, Kamikaze Roll, B1 Nigiri Tray.
Insider tip: Call ahead for larger trays; they move quickly on weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along 31st Street and nearby residential blocks; generally available but can be competitive during weekend dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are common.
Noise level: Moderate — conversational at most times, but can get lively during large group pickup and weekend evenings.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes for dine-in during peak tray rush; longer wait for large platter orders without calling ahead.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — seating and counter service move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veggie rolls and cucumber/avocado maki options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few rolls without fish or mayo, but cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Limited — soy sauce and many sauces contain gluten; no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-key dates than romantic ones — it’s value-driven, informal, and geared toward trays and groups rather than ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with walk-in seating; tables are first-come, and calling ahead is mainly recommended for large tray orders.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — relaxed seating, shareable trays, and mild rolls make it suitable for families; best for school-age kids and up rather than toddlers during busy periods.
Best For
Better for: Feeding groups on a budget, large sushi trays, and value-focused roll combos compared with full-service sushi restaurants nearby.
Skip if: You want premium nigiri/omakase, craft cocktails, or a quieter, date-night setting — a full-service sushi bar will be a better fit.
Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown
8.1
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
This south-side offshoot of the longtime Lawrence Fish Market brings value-driven sushi trays and maki to the edge of Bridgeport and Armour Square. Takeout-heavy and modest inside, it attracts regulars with large combo platters, BYOB-friendly packaging, and fish that overperforms its strip-mall footprint.
Must-Try Dishes:
B1 Nigiri Tray, Kamikaze Roll, Magma Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Neighborhood-focused sushi shop known for oversized party trays and affordable maki sets.
Who should go: Groups wanting lots of sushi without dine-in ceremony.
When to visit: Early evenings and weekends before big tray orders stack up.
What to order: B1 nigiri tray, Kamikaze roll, Magma roll.
Insider tip: Call in larger tray orders ahead so they can time them before peak pickup rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding residential blocks; usually manageable on weekdays but can tighten during peak dinner hours or nearby event days. No confirmed dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual — most guests are picking up trays or sitting briefly; everyday attire is appropriate.
Noise level: Low to moderate — small space with light dine-in traffic, generally easy to hold a conversation when seated.
Weekend wait: No host wait for tables, but tray prep times can stretch to 25–45 minutes during peak pickup waves.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; most orders are prepared quickly with short pickup times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (vegetable rolls, avocado/cucumber maki, select platters), but the menu is primarily seafood-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — a few plain veggie rolls; sauces and fillings may contain non-vegan ingredients, so confirm when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Possible with care — many items contain soy sauce or tempura; ask to avoid sauces and bring your own tamari if needed, as cross-contact cannot be guaranteed.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Best for a casual, low-key date or takeout sushi night rather than an ambiance-driven dine-in experience — the space is modest and functions primarily as a pickup hub.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is limited but walk-in only; most guests order to-go, so seats are typically available outside of brief rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families grabbing trays or a quick meal; simple seating and fast service, but few kid-specific amenities and limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Large sushi quantities at strong value, party trays for groups, and cost-efficient maki sets that outperform typical takeout pricing.
Skip if: You want a full-service sushi dinner, premium omakase-style fish, or a polished dining room with atmosphere and table service.
Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
This south-side offshoot of the long-running Lawrence Fish Market focuses on value-driven sushi trays and maki, with party platters that undercut most dine-in sushi spots nearby. The small, no-frills space is used mainly as a pickup hub for big takeout orders feeding families and friend groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
B1 Nigiri Tray, California and Spicy Tuna Roll Combo, Salmon Sashimi Add-On
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Counter-service sushi shop where large trays make raw fish surprisingly affordable.
Who should go: Groups wanting lots of sushi for less money.
When to visit: Late afternoon or early evening before weekend tray rush.
What to order: B1 nigiri tray, mixed maki combo, extra salmon sashimi.
Insider tip: Call ahead for big platters; same-day orders can sell out on weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding residential blocks; usually manageable but can tighten during weekend evenings and event times.
Dress code: Very casual — pickup-focused and no-frills; everyday clothing is totally appropriate.
Noise level: Low — brief counter interactions and short waits; not a linger-and-dine environment.
Weekend wait: No traditional dine-in wait, but platter prep times can stretch to 30–60 minutes during peak tray rush if you don’t call ahead.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait beyond standard prep time; same-day tray orders are usually easier to secure.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some veggie rolls and avocado/cucumber options, but the menu is primarily fish-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — a small number of vegetable rolls only; verify sauces and add-ons when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Some sashimi and simple rolls may work for gluten-avoiding diners, but soy sauce, marinades, and shared prep mean cross-contact is likely — best for those comfortable with non-strict GF environments.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a pick-up spot for sharing sushi at home or with a group — the space is basic and geared toward takeout rather than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and limited seating; plan on takeout. Order ahead for large trays to avoid long prep times on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for takeout family meals — large trays work well for groups. On-site seating is minimal, so most families opt to bring food home.
Best For
Better for: High-value sushi trays and large group orders at prices that undercut most full-service sushi restaurants nearby.
Skip if: You want premium omakase, extensive specialty nigiri, or a polished dine-in experience with service and ambiance.