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    El Cangrejo

    4.0 (72 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood

    El Cangrejo Photos

    Business Info

    EL CANGREJO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Very loud
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Rice
    Monika W.

    Oh. My. Gosh. I came here on a date and the food changed my life. First they start your off with a complimentary fish ceviche served with tostadas and crackers. You know a place is gonna be good when the first thing they bring you before the menu is ceviche! This was my first time having langostinos in Nayarit sauce and I'm worried I'll never find anything as good as how this restaurant does it. Their Nayarit sauce is absolutely flavorful and delicious, I could not get over it. Put it on your rice, dip your tortilla in it, dip some bread in it and it all pairs nicely. The langostinos were cooked perfectly, the sauce was flavorful but not to the point that it overpowered the flavor of the langostino as well. The service was fantastic and they're BYOB as well! We washed everything down with agua de jamaica. I can't wait to come back and bring my friends!

    Pulpo a la diabla Langostinos Chicken nuggets

    To start off with it's packed for the hype It's not that great We got the langostinos and they where too salty We got the pulpo a la diabla and they tasted like bar barbecue sauce and some hot sauce and weren't that good And on top of that my little girl got some nuggets and didn't even eat them she said McDonald's nuggets were better Only pro it's byob but they took my miche mix cuz they said they sell it

    12 oz shrimp ceviche, cooked

    4/5 Food 4/5 Service 3.5/5 Atmosphere / Seating Arrangement 3.5/5 Value (good but better at other places) 4/5 Cleanliness I was really craving some fresh ceviche on a hot 80 degree day in May. El Cangrejo did not disappoint! We were given fish ceviche as an appetizer which was enough for 2 tostadas. The small 12 oz shrimp ceviche was a great size, enough for 3-4 tostadas more. After 2, I was full so I took the rest home.

    Osiris R.

    I'd give them more stars if i could! Best seafood in all of the Chicago area ! Bit of a wait on weekends , but trust me it is very much worth it !! The restaurant is BYOB friendly and they have live music . Make sure you check it out

    The sign.
    Damian P.

    This place at one time was La Isla Maria's and wow the seafood was awesome. With that said: We decided to come on down on a Sunday afternoon for some seafood soup and a shrimp/octopus cocktail, since we do live about 5 minutes from their front door. Now, back in the day (a few years ago actually), we use to come and have the above concoctions and be so satisfied and always we would leave with a smile. Of course, they are BYOB so that was a plus. Today was different..... We came in and of course my partner wanted the Sopa de Mariscos which is seafood soup. I, on the other hand wanted a cold and cool dish such as a cocktail of shrimp and octopus. We brought in our beers, from the outside. And they seemed warm so of course, the waitress gave us glasses with ice, ummm corona's so don't taste good when they are watered down. So I asked: "Miss Waitress, what is the Mendiga Especial"? It was in the section with the cocktails so this had to be good. Of course, she said it was minced up jalapenos, octopus and whole shrimp. Okay this is an easy hit, I want it. My partner of course got his seafood soup ("Why am I not surprised), so I was happy. Until she came with a cocktail glass and HOT SOUP! Oh no, I thought this was a cocktail, and I didn't really bitch about it because it took a while and I didn't want to wait any longer. But she did state, would you like something else instead. Ummmm no I am hungry! (YELPers, we never compromise on a meal and I am sorry to say, I broke that mantra, I COMPROMISED)!!! It was weak, the shrimp still had their shells on and their feelers looked so unappetizing. What is wrong with me? But I take full blame, but it still doesn't help the taste. They just don't have that. So of course I give it a 3 Star, yes my friends, a rarity, but it happens. Next time we go to a real seafood joint that we are familiar with. So not worth the $30+ tip we spent. *(Well the partner spent). Go somewhere else if you want seafood that has flavor. It just didn't make the cut. But you be the judge,

    Raw oysters
    Angie 'Nana' M.

    You must try the cucaracha style/sauce. It is straight FIRE. I eat it on its own. It's amazing on tostadas, shrimp, langostinos...haven't tried it, but for sure would be bomb on oysters. The restaurant is BYOB. The waitresses are really nice and professional. The restaurant is clean and adheres to social distancing and reinforce wearing masks. The aqua mineral preparada (with salt and lime, served in a salt- rimmed cup) is my go- to drink.

    Lino I.

    Bro this shit it bad 20 dollar for the this shit. I might as well go to Los Magueyes Seafood there pasta taste better and it's more for sure. This is how I got it my plate all I did was push everything together. Not even for three bits I have her in the dish. It's a rip off

    Krystal R.

    Wow!! From BYOB (family had micheladas, in which the place gave them the mix and they brought their modelos), to the live music, and of course all of the yummy, spicy seafood!! I'm just mad I haven't found out about this place sooner!! P.s don't go with a large group on a Friday because you'll wait a while for a table. Pic of the stuffed pineapple I had but family had way more delicious food as well.

    Platillo de chapuzon...spicy! But yummy!
    Stephanie R.

    This is my favorite spot for langostinos! Every time we've come here we are sat immediately and the service is usually good. Beside the delicious langostinos, the shrimp empanadas and the chapuzon are among my favs on the menu. The patrons are always served an appetizer of ceviche and tostadas to share and an unbelievably spicy (but also delicious) habanero salsa. El Cangrejo is a BYOB restaurant which is a major plus but it's does tend to get pretty loud when there's a band playing, so if you're looking for a nice romantic date night spot this is NOT the place for you lol. But it is great for large groups.

    Camarones a la Diabla
    Andrea R.

    This little restaurant has delicious spicy seafood to fill your cravings! The presentation and taste of the food was al cien! I arrived before 3:30pm on Friday and there was plenty of tables available but were immediately filled so my suggestion is to arrive timely! Since it's BYOB, tables take a lot more time to empty.

    Coco Relleno

    Soo so good! The shrimp ceviche, mussels, stuffed coconut and paella are delicious! It's a BYOB restaurant so it keeps the bill low and they don't take reservations.

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Service was not bad but the food was oily :( not worth returning. I ordered lagostinos and pastas

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Best Mexican seafood in Chicago! Staff is great and its BYOB! Best Langostinos & Red snapper, both must try...

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This is a great place the food is cooked perfectly. The Saturday nights karaoke is a great time.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Literally the best seafood place in Chicago. Everything on the menu is FIRE! Cucarachas and garlic bread is my fave!!!

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    6 years ago

    My parents go to place for mariscos. They are very timely and quick with orders during covid.

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Ahi Tuna Tartare*

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.4(3.3k reviews)
    6.9 mi•Near North Side
    •$$$$

    Went yesterday to celebrate my 40th birthday. The service was impeccable. From the high-five I…read moregot at the Host stand to the well-wishes on my way out the staff made the experience very enjoyable and memorable. Our server, Jacob, was helpful and his recommendation of the Lyonnaise Potatoes did not disappoint. We had the small whale, an aged ribeye sandwich, and I got the filet mignon with bone marrow butter. The chilled seafood was delicious, especially with the house mustard sauce. My partner said the steak sandwich was the best they ever had. The filet was easily the best steak I've ever had though the dry-aged ribeye at Abrasado in Mendoza, Argentina is a close second. The grand martini was a perfect pairing for the chilled seafood. They threw in a complimentary brownie with ice cream for a bday dessert which was appreciated on multiple levels. We're not affluent and a meal like this was definitely a splurge but I have zero complaints and would 100% come back for a comparable special occasion. Everything was perfect and I'll remember this meal forever. Thanks, Joe's!

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab was a highlight of my time in Chicago. I started with East…read moreand West Coast oysters, then had the filet mignon and lobster tail. Both were fantastic: the filet had a beautiful sear and rich flavor, while the tender, sweet lobster was perfectly cooked, especially with butter. The service was top-notch. Everyone was welcoming and attentive without being overbearing, and our knowledgeable server offered great recommendations. The staff made the meal feel special. Joe's also delivers a classic Chicago steakhouse atmosphere: dark, polished, and lively, with families, business diners, and couples. It's a confident, established spot for more than just steak; a proper night out with polished service and timeless ambiance. Great food and exceptional hospitality made this an experience I'll remember. I'd gladly return on my next visit to Chicago.

    Photos
    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - The dining room

    The dining room

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Creamed Corn

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    Ocean Grill & Bar

    Ocean Grill & Bar

    4.2(190 reviews)
    4.7 mi•Pilsen
    •$$

    Before you go up north looking for really good pho, I encourage you to try this place out! For…read moreyears I've seen this place and never ventured inside but today I decided to take a leap and try out this little gem. Everything was so good and all the dishes coming out the kitchen peaked my interest. The pho was phenomenal from the noodles to the broth everything was so well balanced and sooooo good! I am thinking about my next visit already. The service and the decor was very nice and opening too! Very family friendly vibes as well. I would try a little of everything, I know for my next visit I'll be partaking in the salt and pepper lobster!

    After living literally 5 minutes away from this lively Vietnamese hotspot, I can't believe I never…read morewas curious enough to go check it out . Well, it is kind of tucked away in a desolate area on Canal Street, but still. One of my good friends suggested we check this place out after hearing about it from a co-workers. The only thing I know about Vietnamese cuisine is pho (which for some insane reason, I've never had) and banh mi, which I tried (and loved) while visiting my fave cuz in the Bay. . I arrived early to this very large, beautifully decorated venue on a Tuesday night and was intrigued by the set-up. One side was all tables, the other side was tables and multiple gigantic screened tvs playing Family Feud and the World Cup games. Kinda crazy. I chose to sit on the big screen side while waiting for my date. He called to say he was running late and to get the order started. I had been waiting a bit, so i caught the eye of one of the workers, who came right over. He was so friendly and accommodating and answered all questions. I ordered the green Thai kumquat iced tea, spring rolls and the chicken wings he highly suggested. He rushed off to place the order. Moments later, a couple of distinguished gents walked in and sat at a huge round table cater-corner from me and soon thereafter the nice man who took my order sat down with them. I'm assuming he was the owner for obvious reasons. I gained more respect for this establishment because customer service goes a very long way with me and he obviously cared about that. Our server, a very friendly young lady, brought my drink out and I was surprised to see that it was served in what looked like a sippy cup, with a cartoon design on the lid. Kinda weird seeing as I am an adult, but it was a tasty beverage, nonetheless. My friend showed up as the spring rolls and chicken wings came out. We devoured both, which were delicious and then placed our orders. I went with lobster noodles and my friend got the beef tenderloin pho. Even though my entree presentation wasn't the best, it was a very tasty dish to both of us. The beef tenderloin pho was definitely the star of the show! The broth was fragrant and flavorful and the beef was tender beyond measure. I'm an avid ramen fan but this pho definitely had my attention and I can't wait to try more. Ocean Bar and Grill is such a cute, quirky place that caters to date night diners, groups and families. They were all in there that night and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I know I did. I'll definitely be taking my daughter when she comes home from her summer internship!

    Photos
    Ocean Grill & Bar - D3. Tr sua thi xanh - Thai Milk Tea (Green)

    D3. Tr sua thi xanh - Thai Milk Tea (Green)

    Ocean Grill & Bar - O22. Oc Mng Tay Nuong Mo Hnh Grilled Razor clams w/ scallion oil

    O22. Oc Mng Tay Nuong Mo Hnh Grilled Razor clams w/ scallion oil

    Ocean Grill & Bar - O9. Nghu Xo Cay Clams stir-fried in chili sauce

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    O9. Nghu Xo Cay Clams stir-fried in chili sauce

    Wentworth Seafood House - Shrimp n eggs.....great dish......couldn't make it my own tho....

    Wentworth Seafood House

    4.3(223 reviews)
    4.8 mi•Chinatown
    •$$

    Tl;dr this place is very solid and my go-to dim sum place. I'm sure the seafood and everything else…read moreon their huge menu is also good. Be prepared to wait a little bit for a table, or share a big one with another party at peak times. Prices are reasonable and portions are pretty generous. ===== Kind of lost count of how many times I've been. Love getting the dim sum and noodle dishes here. Some favorites: beef cheong fun with egg, siu mai, Singapore noodle, xo rice noodle rolls, spare ribs, pork and century egg congee. All the food has been very solid. Inside is always bustling and can be a bit crowded. Service is pretty friendly as far as Chinatown goes, and very efficient. There's a guy who works there who I think is the manager or something, because he puts in 200x effort and is always hustling. When he's not around it feels like something is missing. Prices are very reasonable and we like ordering a lot here so that we have tasty leftovers for later. This place has quite a few big tables and is good for large groups. My only nits are that very occasionally a dish or teacup will have a dirty spot, and that the bubble tea here is kind of meh. I don't remember exactly which one I ordered, but it was a little watery and lacking in flavor. It's also probably tough since they're boxed in by boba places now. Pro tip: When you first get your table, they'll ask you what kind of tea you want. If you ignore them or don't know how to answer, the default is green tea. Another one is to come at off-peak times. Not only will you get a table faster, but I think they tweak their portion sizes depending on how crowded it is. Definitely will be back! And I recommend you visit too

    We like this restaurant. It is about 4.25 stars. The restaurant decorated nicely and clean. There…read moreare a lot people come to enjoy typical Hong Kong style cuisine. We got the sea cucumber beef tendon casserole. This is a good dish and my wife has not have sea cucumber sometimes. The sauce is great to go with rice. We also got seafood chow mein. This is a pan fried noodles with different seafood. Overall we enjoy it. Their menu has good selection.

    Photos
    Wentworth Seafood House - Interior of the restaurant

    Interior of the restaurant

    Wentworth Seafood House - Nice shrimp rolls

    Nice shrimp rolls

    Wentworth Seafood House

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    Shaw's Crab House - Oysters, East coast

    Shaw's Crab House

    4.2(2.8k reviews)
    6.8 mi•Near North Side
    •$$$

    My husband and I returned back to Shaw's Crab House a year later, and it was still just as fabulous…read moreas it was before. We were lucky enough to get the same amazing waiter. He'd been there 32 years. Hope to get him next time we're back. Honestly, it's the freshest seafood around. They know how to shuck oysters and prepare them perfectly anytime of the year. The oysters were absolutely amazing. And then the crab legs....oh my goodness..delish. Everything was just so delicious. And I have to give a shout out to their sweet, creamy butter. Lastly, we love sitting in the thick of it where you get to see them preparing the oysters and all the seafood. Love this place. Thank you Shaws!

    Incredibly delicious. Everything was as fresh as can be. Definitely come if you like crab!!…read more We were a little mislead by some of the pictures online / on the website of the Norwegian crab (not by any fault of their own, just a poor assumption from our side). When we received it we were a little disappointed by the size. But the pieces were still so juicy and delicious! Just want to give a heads up also that their menu is on rotation, what you see online may not be what you get! Love me some sushi, so I was excited to try the California roll, although it was hard to justify it being $18!!! The crab was very minimal, as you can tell by the pictures... it was missing the classic California roll taste given barely any meat. The Mac and cheese side was good. Nothing too special. plus. But standard is the best word I can think of. Shareable portion, which is a plus. Service was excellent. The server was friendly and personable. Ambiance is great, it's an elevated crab house aesthetic. There is a dress code to enter. Overall, I can't say we had the experience of the price we paid. They gave us free the dessert sampler for our anniversary, yay!!!

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    Shaw's Crab House - Inside main dining room

    Inside main dining room

    Shaw's Crab House - Full Dozen Oysters

    Full Dozen Oysters

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    Langosta Nayarita - Chapuzon

    Langosta Nayarita

    4.1(30 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Chicago Lawn, Marquette Park
    •$$

    Great, high-quality food. Great service. Bacon wrapped shrimp are always perfect. Red snapper was…read morecrispy on the outside, tender and moist on inside. (I usually avoid times of day when the loud musicians are there, usually late evenings and weekends, because I prefer it more quiet.) I highly recommend Langosta Nayarita!

    Avoid This Place: A Dive Bar Masquerading as a Restaurant…read more​If I could give this place zero stars, I would. We came to Langostra Nayarita expecting a decent meal, but what we got was four and a half hours of pure frustration. ​We arrived ahead of our group and were seated quickly, but that was the only efficient part of the entire experience. They dropped off a tiny cup of ceviche and some tostadas, and then we effectively ceased to exist to the staff. ​The service was nonexistent. Our waitress (the one with blonde hair) was the definition of unprofessional. She spent the entire afternoon doing shots with other customers and lounging at their tables rather than doing her job. In the nearly five hours we were there, we only saw her twice. ​To make matters worse: ​The Food: Completely average. Nothing justifies the lack of service. ​The Atmosphere: They're acting more like a messy dive bar than a professional restaurant. ​The Exit: We have currently been waiting for our check for over an hour. ​It is insulting to pay for a meal when you have to beg for the bare minimum of attention. Save your time and your money--skip this place. I will never be back.

    Photos
    Langosta Nayarita - Fixed water

    Fixed water

    Langosta Nayarita - Chapuzon

    Chapuzon

    Langosta Nayarita

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    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Dry Aged Bone In Ribeye

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

    4.6(3.6k reviews)
    6.5 mi•River North, Near North Side
    •$$$$

    Came here for a weekend in Chicago, heard so many good things about it including my chicago local…read morefriends. It's a dark chicago pub looking place with dim lighting and mood lighting, making it look exactly like you'd imagine. We came for walk in at 4 and were told we could sit at the bar immediately or wait for a table. We chose to wait for a table because we weren't fully hungry yet, and got a callback at 5, perfect for us. We ordered the sourdough, crab avocado salad, dry aged ribeye, fried chicken, and mac and cheese. Sourdough: 10/10- ate the entire loaf before we even got the appetizers. Salad: 10/10- amazing flavor and unique. We usually never order salad but this sounded so unique and didn't disappoint - creamy, acidic, perfect appetizer. Fried Chicken: 8/10- above average fried chicken on mashed potatoes. Well spiced but nothing to write home about. Ribeye: 10/10- great steak and honestly not bad pricing. Great crust and flavor, would definitely recommend to split for 2 since it's big. Mac and Cheese: 4/10- pasta was not hot and was undercooked. I usually like al dente but this pasta was hard. It was barely cheesy and was like a alfredo sauce more than cheesy, and the crust on top was lukewarm and stagnant like it had been sitting there. Overall great experience but avoid the mac and cheese.

    Classic Ribeye-Chicago Cut (5/5): Delicious steak that was well seasoned and well cooked but it…read moredidn't wasn't as good as the ribeye I had at Vegas Bavettes. Truffle Mac & Cheese (5/5): Very creamy and cheesy with a lot of truffle flavor that actually came through. I really liked this. 10oz Double Wagyu Cheeseburger (4/5): A good burger but nothing super special. The bun was also a bit dry. The side of fries was good. Sizzling Shrimp Scampi (3/5): Got this for the garlic bread that I LOVED in Vegas, but this was not the same. No smokiness and very little garlic flavor. Pretty disappointed. The shrimp was fine though. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

    Photos
    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Inside Upstairs

    Inside Upstairs

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Bone Marrow

    Bone Marrow

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Waiting area and first floor dining

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    Waiting area and first floor dining

    El Cangrejo - seafood - Updated October 2026

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