First time at Half Shell, heard so many great things about this place... and it did not disappoint!! My wife and three kids, 2 of which are PICKY eaters... we had the freshest oysters you will find in Chicago, calamari, lightly battered and fried, Snow Crab, mussels, salmon and smash burgers... for the picky eaters... which they didn't finish because they filled up on the the mussels and snow crab! Everything was seasoned very well, drinks were on point and the staff was amazing! Lots of laughs and good times, thank you to the staff at Half Shell and cooks! Phenomenal job all around! read more

First time eating at Half Shell and I can't believe we didn't know about this place for the last 30 yrs! We went for Happy Hour, arriving at 4.10pm, we grabbed a table, our timing was perfect, by 4.25pm the place was packed and people were waiting for tables. We enjoyed a dozen oysters for $12, they were good (Chesapeake), we love east coast oysters, these certainly weren't the best we've had but they were decent. The fried clam strips were good and the jumbo peel and eat shrimp were excellent. We had a few of the $7 happy hour margaritas and they were also decent. The service was good, this is a real old school Chicago staff, big characters, accents and personalities, I was half expecting to hear "cheezburga, cheezburga" at any moment. We will be back. Recommended !!!! read more

I guess if you don't mind eating out of rusty pans in a cramped dank basement, you won't mind eating here. Enjoy that extra rust flavor on your nice jumbo shrimp. Why don't they just get pans made out of something else? I'm not panning for gold in California with the damn thing! We were the first table to be seated, but the fifth table to receive our food. UPDATED RESPONSE TO ANTHONY D: You, as the owner, did NOT wait on us personally. A woman with long blonde hair named Liz did. Politely asking to use your bathroom 10 minutes before opening shouldn't be that big of a deal. It was a simple request, and I don't think it warranted the reaction it received. Asking for an umbrella wasn't about keeping us cool or providing shade from the sun. We wanted protection from the sun's glare. My friend was wearing a sweater because, as anyone familiar with Chicago knows, it can get chilly near the lake. He removed it almost immediately, so staying warm clearly wasn't the issue. We did manage to eat 11 of the 12 shrimp after washing them off in my water glass. Eventually, having to do that got old, so we decided not to eat the last one. That alone should tell you something about the experience. Regarding the rusty pan that "slipped through the cracks", I've seen other photos here on Yelp from your customers of shrimp in rusty pans. Look at all of them. Yes, I left a slightly smaller tip than I normally would, but let's get the math right: the bill was $107, and I left $120. That's a $13 tip, or approximately 12%--not 8%. So please don't misrepresent the facts. Finally, requiring customers to withdraw cash from your ATM because you don't accept anything but cash is an inconvenience that could cost you business in the long run. Most people today rely on debit cards, credit cards, or mobile payments. Making customers jump through extra hoops just to pay their bill is hardly a recipe for good customer service. NOBODY uses cash anymore. Constructive criticism is an opportunity to improve, not an attack. Rather than focusing on defending your business against a customer's experience, perhaps consider the points being raised and how you might make the experience better for future customers. And you "hope you never come back so our staff and other customers don't have to deal with your shenanigans." What shenanigans are you referring to? Asking to use the bathroom? Requesting an umbrella to shield us from the sun on your patio? Calling you out on unsanitary food conditions? Small, family-owned business or not, you need to take care of your customers before you lose them. UPDATE TO LIZ (the WIFE of the owner): My review describing your establishment as a "cramped, dank basement" is my personal opinion and reflects my experience. Yes, I can go elsewhere, as I often do. However, telling customers off for expressing their opinions is incredibly unprofessional and gives the impression that you simply don't care about customer feedback. Your comment, "Maybe you should have found somewhere else to go," was repeated twice during your rant. That kind of response from a business owner is disappointing and completely unnecessary. I also did not "troll you on the internet." I simply responded to your comment on my Yelp review after receiving an email notification that someone had replied. I was surprised to find that the response came from the business owner and was so unprofessional. Calling me a "keyboard warrior" was yet another bizarre and inappropriate reaction to a customer expressing an opinion. After that exchange, I changed my rating to one star. Apparently, that must be part of my supposed "shenanigans." You describe your establishment as having an "old-school Chicago vibe." Marie's Pizza had that same kind of old-school Chicago character, but a lack of attention to quality and customer service ultimately caught up with them. You're entitled to disagree with my review, but how you respond to criticism says a great deal about how you run your business. Rather than trying to insult or belittle customers, perhaps you should consider their feedback. Continuing to handle criticism this unprofessionally could cost you customers and negatively affect your ratings. Time will tell soon. UPDATE AFTER LIZ REMOVED HER RUDE RESPONSE TO MY REVIEW: Thanks Liz, that's how you should've responded in the first place. We do enjoy your food. We may consider returning but please, get rid of those pans that can rust! read more

Half Shell - Nice jumbo shrimp, but a nasty rusty pan below the icy water. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kari's Rating TLDR -CASH ONLY (atms on site) -Outdoor seating -Downstairs is divvy read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Oysters were so fresh and loved how meaty the snow and king crab legs were. Calamari pieces were also pretty big in size! Will def go back to check out their happy hour deals. read more

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I had such a great experience here and will definitely be back! The seafood was incredibly fresh and delicious. Nothing tasted fishy at all, which is always a good sign when it comes to seafood. Everything tasted clean and high quality. The staff was one of the highlights of the experience. Everyone was so kind and worked together seamlessly to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. They were incredibly attentive without being overbearing. I was extremely impressed which how they cleared empty plates almost immediately, which kept the table clean throughout the meal. I highly recommend sitting outside if the weather is nice. The patio has such a fun atmosphere which made the experience even more enjoyable. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Seafood was good! Cash only though. Cocktails were not great but the food makes up for it. The fries were also yummy, they were thin and crispy on the outside but soft in the middle! read more

Half Shell - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Unfortunately was not impressed with Half Shell. Worst mahi mahi I've ever had. Flavorless and way over cooked. Weird sides with it. Oysters weren't terrific either, but good happy hour deal ($1 M-F 4-6). Cash only. Service was bad. Food took a long time, we had to ask twice for our wine, and had to flag someone over to get water and the bill. Only redeeming quality was the patio. read more

Half Shell - Oyster - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I originally was going to go to a ramen restaurant when I found this gem on the corner on diversey. From the moment I walked in I was met with a warm welcome. Anthony met me at the door as I sat at the bar. My bartender, Dixie was amazing! Come to find out he use to work where I currently work so that was refreshing. I had the grilled oysters and a crab cake sandwich with a lemon drop. Good energy! Great vibes! Amazing food! My overall experience was 10/10 highly recommended. I'll be back for sure to try out some crab legs and other items I was interested in. Please stop in and show them some love! read more

Half Shell - Crab cake sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Date place this is not but they have do have good food with honest pricing. Stand outs are the fries (skinny/crispy), mussels(good appetizer portion) with a heavy buttery/wine sauce. Dip that toasted bread in the sauce and your day is complete. The shrimp corn chowder is good. It has a distinctly different taste than clam chowder. I do prefer the traditional New England version. The soft shell grab is excellent. It's perfectly seasoned but for $45 I'm complaining. The smelt was ok. If it wasn't for the $45 crabs granted they told me the market price but I thought I heard $25. I would give this place 5 stars. My bad. It's just they were 4 tiny crabs. For $45! read more

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An iconic Chicago seafood spot that's been family run since it's opening in 1968. The interior is a cozy bar with nautical decorations and both table and bar seating. Staff are friendly and kind. And the food... it's delicious!! Their seafood is very fresh, especially the oysters and crab legs. We enjoyed an assortment of things including fried shrimp, raw and grilled oysters, snow crab legs, and mussels cooked with a delectable white wine sauce. Also, you must get a slice of their key lime pie for dessert. It's very hard to find a good key lime pie in the Midwest! Half Shell is a Chicago institution and if you haven't visited yet, make plans to do so soon! read more

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Honestly I've been missing out that I've lived in the area for years and this was my first time here. Half shell is a local cash only spot and the servers have been working here for years! Such kind and genuine people. They have a great happy hour and the patio vibes are immaculate! I got an iced tea and a few shrimp on a Sunday afternoon and it was soooo good. Definitely will be back! read more

Half Shell - Happy hour shrimp! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a great place! Loved the crab legs, crab cakes, and clam chowder! Coming back for sure. read more

Half Shell - Crab legs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friends and I went here for there Happy Hour. $1 Oysters, $2 Peel & Eat Shrimp, $7 Margaritas, and much more. The oysters were pretty good and the margaritas were good and strong! Calamari was delicious but the charred oysters were not good unfortunately. The service was good but a little slow because there was only one person working but he was nice. The atmosphere was fine, a-lot of different people dining. Definitely recommend for the Happy Hour. read more

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A place you love and hate - it is a "dive" in all respects; in a basement with a decor that has not been updated in 30 years - and they only accept cash :) But the seafood is great - the crab, oysters and the fried fish are all very good, the service is "brusk" but efficient enough - and getting a pitcher of beer and some solid seafood in a little dive is just fun. We go a couple of times a year and visited again yesterday - and it is always a good time read more

A Chicago original. Tucked underneath an old Lincoln park building, this place is a basic dive bar with not so basic food. Absolutely charming and delicious. Cash only! We all left full, happy and healthy! read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025! Restaurant: 38/50 Month tried: July Favorite dish: Catfish Sandwich I am kicking myself for waiting so long to try Half Shell!! I am not a shellfish fan, and I had really only heard about the crab legs and oysters here. Never thought to look further at any other options. But, we stopped in one day for Aperol spritzes on the patio, and I had a seriously delicious catfish sandwich! All the non-shellfish options looked and sounded amazing - they have sandwiches and plates and soups with all kinds of fish. Mahi, catfish, tuna, swordfish...I want to try them all. Also, I am not an oyster fan, but my group really enjoyed the oysters and claimed them to be better than other oysters we had nearby. I neeeed to come back! read more

Cash only! I really appreciate how the whole staff helps each other, our cups were always full and we never had to wait. It's little things like asking for extra cherries for the first drink, and every drink refill the rest of the time had extra cherries. Patio was packed, we sat inside. Yes it can seem steep spending $70 on a plate of food, but it's priced well for what you get! read more

Half Shell - King crab and snow crab combo - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Could this be one of my favorite places in Chicago, yes. What a pleasant visit on a weekday evening as the cubs wrapped up a L. The crab cakes served steaming hot hit the spot with that hot suave and tartar sauce oh my goodness what a delicious bite. Made an even better sandwich. A+ read more

Restaurant is DOWNSTAIRS dont make the mistake like most of our group and go the residence. Food was fresh and high quality. Our group had mussels, snow crab legs, dungeness crab, blackened shrimp, fried lake perch, sashimi, oysters, catfish sandwich and calamari. The lake perch could use some seasoning, but s&p at the table helped. All but the shrimp were enjoyed, the shrimp were large and fresh but overcooked and gave an unpleasant rubbery texture. Service was attentive until the dinner crowd came, leaving very little personal space and room for the servers to move about. Took nearly 20 minutes to get the check. Please remember they are CASH ONLY! My wife and I have plans to return for happy hour and seats at the bar. read more

Three of us decided to try this lace looking for seafood. This is a great place that's been around for a long time. Glad it's still here. They have a full bar. Service was right on we got seated and served quickly. Started with the calamari that was great, crispy and super fresh with 3 dips. then ordered the snow crab and the lake each dinner. The portions are huge and come with fresh crispy fries. the lake perch tastes just like in Saugatuck MI. A nice portion with bunch of fries. Definitely a place to return to. All cash and they have an ATM. Nice seating outside. read more

Had a mid-afternoon meal at the Half Shell. The food was pretty good and the service was solid. The Half Shell is a lower level place (not quite underground) - I liked the low-key feel. All-in-all an Ok spot. read more

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love the old school vibe... it had been years since i last visited (and apparently i never reviewed it). i'm now an occasional salmon eater which is helpful bc the only vegetarian item is eggplant and it's fried :( standard seafood/fish dishes and standard taste - no wow factor but delicious enough. a great spot with family. each dish comes with a colorful lolli whether you like it or not lol. claustrophobic diners need not dine here! read more

The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered king crab, snow crab, shrimp, and drinks. The service was so friendly and the bartender found us a table quickly on a Saturday night. The inside is very cool and relaxed with a bar and minimal tables. No reservations required! Cash only, but they have an ATM inside. They give you butter in a bottle on the side so you're never running out. Reasonable prices and portions for seafood. Hole in the wall magic & delicious. We've gone twice now! Highly recommend read more

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Fun atmosphere. Dive bar vibes inside, great patio outside. Oysters were some of the best I've had in the city, and the shrimp po boy was delicious, simple and refreshing. We opted for bar seating and were tended to promptly and often. Bring cash! read more

I want to kick myself for not coming here sooner! Knew I wanted king crab, but there was no way I was going to be able to eat 21 oz of it, so the server recommended I get the appetizer portion and it was 3 meaty legs. He even was nice enough to show me the easiest/cleanest way to crack them and get the most meat out effortlessly. So sweet and juicy and delicious. Comes with a mustard butter, which is chefs kiss! Also had a bowl of clam chowder, which was just as good as the crab. The vibe is dive bar meets oyster bar, and it's pretty perfect. Only accepts CASH! They do have an ATM inside! read more

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Been going to Half Shell for 40 yrs! Nothing has changed... Thank God!! It's my go- to place when entertaining friends from out of town! read more

I was in Chicago to attend the Kings/Blackhawks game. Half Shell was the best place I went to other than the game. This small dive bar offers a cozy, no-frills atmosphere with some of the best seafood around. The staff is incredibly friendly, adding to the welcoming vibe. We enjoyed talking to Anthony as he fed us and made us drinks We tried the grilled oysters, which were fantastic, but the real star of the show was the "32 Pointer." It's a mountain of fried goodness, packed with smelt, clams, perch, frog legs, and shrimp. Everything was perfectly crispy and flavorful. They also have a full bar, so you can enjoy a drink with your meal. If you're a seafood lover and enjoy a laid-back spot, Half Shell is definitely worth a visit! read more

We came in for a date on a Saturday evening and had our choice of seating. It wasn't crowded at all and had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The crab cake appetizer was amazing and fresh, our waitress was also very attentive, kind and patient. I had the shrimp po' boy, it was buttery, warm, and delicious. My partner went with the cheeseburger, which he got medium well, with a side of fries. He said the burger was exceptional and a good portion for him, and he was especially hungry that day. We loved the atmosphere and the food was tasty and came out quick. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I've had this place bookmarked for as long as I've been on Yelp, I'm 10yrs in Elite status, no telling how long I've been on here, but yeah this visit was LONG overdue!!! Thank God they're still open. That's a blessing in itself! Anywho, craving king crablegs, so we decided to drop by. We came in right before closing, but we were able to get seated and eat. We ordered fried shrimp, king crablegs, & snow crablegs. We also ordered 2 Mai tai's. Everything came out quickly and was fresh and hot. They don't season the crablegs, but their butter sauce is AMAZING!!!! That sauce was GOOD! The staff was friendly but hurried due to them nearing closing time. Which was fine. I live an hour or so from here, so that's why it took years to come by, but I'd come again if in the area. read more

Half Shell - King Crab - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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1. King Crab Legs - 22oz, garlic butter, lemon 2. Strawberry Margarita - Volcan Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Strawberry Puree, Fresh Lime Juice No complaints about the food and drink. Crab legs cooked to perfect tenderness. The fries were crispy and seasoned. I don't have anything to say about the underground restaurant interior since I dined outside. The outdoor dining area is relaxed, not cramped, and conveniently located across the street from a Trader Joes! Employees were nice and helpful. Cash only unfortunately so be careful what you order. read more

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Cash only. I love king crag legs. They come served on a bed of French fries and a dessert sucker. These are not inexpensive but if you're needing a solid plate of legs, this is the best place to get them. Located right across from Trader Joe's; they have a patio and have garden level indoor seating with full bar. This is not fine dining as in fancy but fine as in tasty! Service staff is attentive and food gets out fast. A local neighborhood gem for decades. read more

This was our second time and did not disappoint! It hit the spot and can't wait to make it my third time read more

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Absolutely love this establishment. My ex husband took me here years ago. Everything is fresh and service is excellent. I hope to return soon. read more

Half Shell has been around since the '60s, and I'm surprised that I haven't written a review on this place! Their menu offers various apps, an oyster bar, and shellfish/seafood/meat options. Coming here for a small get-together is popular, and we've tried: +Deep Fried Clam Strips - served with house cocktail, tartar, and sweet & sour sauce +Fried Jumbo Shrimp - served with house cocktail, sweet & sour sauce, and lemon +Dressed Smelts - lightly breaded and fried, served with fries and house cocktail +King Crab Legs - we prefer the version that's chilled, served with mustard sauce and lemon; they also have an option where it comes on a bed of fries with garlic butter and lemon +Snow Crab - served on top of a bed of fries with garlic butter and lemon +Charbroiled Jumbo Shrimp & Vegetables - with grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, and fries The seafood options are fine, and service can be hit-or-miss. Street parking can be found in the area. +hit-or-miss service +good for small get-togethers +street parking available read more

great happy hour deal - $1 oysters and cheap wine / margs. outdoor seating was nice. they only take cash.

Amazing oysters! My bf had 6 dozen.. YES 6!! Amazing service and loved the ambiance! Cute little local spot. We were in town from California and found this little gem! Thank you to the amazing friendly staff, we felt right at home. read more

Half Shell - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was to good everything that came out taste so good from the crab legs to the oysters and soft shell crab..ambience is hella nice it's real dim inside but definitely a vibe! read more

I called in an order for two Shrimp Po' Boys and an order of their Fried Calamari. They told me about 40 minutes until it was ready. When I arrived they I still had to wait another 15 minutes and didn't realize it was cash only. That's some important information that should be mentioned when phoning in an order. Luckily I had cash, so it was no big deal. There was a guy at the bar that gave me a glass of water while I patiently waited for my food to be ready. He made for a nice conversation and made me feel welcomed. They said they had some of the best crab prices in town and recommend me trying them next time I paid them a visit. The fried calamari was priced average. They were perfectly fried and tasted great. They were served with cocktail sauce, tartar and a sweet and sour sauce. I've never had calamari with sweet and sour sauce until now. The calamari tasted great with that sauce. The shrimp po boys were definitely on the pricey side. They were tiny, which made it feel even more expensive. You get about 8 pieces of shrimp, lettuce, tomato and onion in a French roll, served with a side of house dressing. A very tiny sandwich, yet packed with flavor. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned and lightly breaded, the house dressing with the sandwich also tasted amazing. I can only imagine how the fresh crab legs would taste like. I can definitely see myself returning to check out the rest of their menu. read more

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Some of the best casual seafood in Chicago! I love their crab legs and crab cakes and the service is always great.