* Please be aware that this place is cash only This place is pretty easy to find, but is located in the lower level of the building. There are stairs located outside of the building. They don't accept reservations, but we didn't have to wait for a table when arrived around 6:30pm on a Friday night. Most of the people I saw that arrived after 7pm seemed to have to wait a little bit for a table. The restaurant has been in business for decades. The bar menu has several beers and cocktails available. I believe that my cocktail was about $10. The sashimi appetizer was pretty good, but would not be a must have next time. I think that it is a good way to sample a variety of items though. I ordered the fried jumbo fish for my main meal and really enjoyed it. Our main dishes did take a little on the longer side to come out, so I wouldn't recommend coming if you are tight on time. We weren't in a rush, so it wasn't a big deal to us, but I just wanted to mention for others. read more

I'm extremely disappointed with my outside dining experience today for numerous reasons. First of all there were very very few customers inside or outside and the only server there took her sweet time getting anything out to me; whether it was a menu or just to pass by casually to check up on me every so often. I'm going to assume it's because I'm not a drinker. I only wanted to try this place because I believe I used to come here for oyster specials in the past but perhaps I genuinely confused this oyster restaurant with another because the pricing is much higher and the oyster I actually did receive were extremely tiny. I guess i was expecting a larger sized oyster because I ordered a dozen for over $25 but I was presented with extremely tiny oysters and only ONE sauce...a tomato horseradish and a lemon plus some cheap wrapped saltine crackers. I asked my server if they had root beer and she thought I meant beer so after I mentioned non alcoholic options she said all they had was coke, ginger ale and lemonade so I chose lemonade. The lemonade was very good but no refills and long after I had polished off all my raw oysters my server never bothered to check up on me and offer me more water. I absolutely waited assuming there must be tons of people inside that she was serving so I didn't go inside to ask for my check. Once she came out and presented me with the final bill I pulled out a credit card and was informed it's strictly cash only here. I had to go inside with my debit card and everything inside was dark and drab. There was barely any lighting which isn't good if you're using an ATM machine. I got charged a $3 service fee on top of the $32 for tiny oysters, saltine crackers and lemonade. I'm not happy at all because I feel cheated and honestly this isn't the type of restaurant service or food portions I am used to receiving so this is a hard pass for me moving forward. read more

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Great shellfish here in the city! Nice little corner place with a patio and insides pretty charming and like a Maine Fishing Bar. read more

Half Shell - Excellent Blue Oysters! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

can't beat the king crab we have been going here since the mid 1980's and it's wonderful. A dive bar with great seafood and nice servers, strong cocktails. You won't be disappointed. it's cash only, extremely casual, very fun for all ages and consistently good. read more

CASH ONLY !!!! There is an ATM inside but just a warning ! To enter you go down a flight of stairs and once inside you find a cute seafood bar / restaurant. it seems there is patio seating but it was closed since it was raining. We started with drinks and apps. I got a draft beer and some oysters to start. The oysters were from canada and they were small little things but was pleasantly surprised how flavorful they were ! We also got the french fried egg plant - it was a thin fry and was good. I thought the tarter sauce was ranch, as it was lacking flavor, it was meh. We then got the shrimp and crab for an entree. The crab legs were fat ! they were so juicy and the garlic butter was tasty. The shrimp was fried and was SO GOOD. The cocktail sauce was nice, the horseradish was pretty strong. It came with a lot of fries too that were thin and crispy. You could definitely split it with someone, as it's a lot of food and the price is pretty standard for a casual seafood joint. They also gave a lollipop with the meal that was a nice cherry on top hehe. The staff was friendly and everything was quick. I would come back to try some more food and drinks. read more

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Literally my new favorite restaurant, I came here with my 9 yr old daughter because she wanted crab legs but we didn't want any place fancy. The amount of crab for the money is insane and our server saw me cracking all her crab so she could eat first and took over so I could enjoy my meal. everyone was super nice, good beer selection. Chowder and oysters were great as well. read more

Hard for me to give such a low score as the couple who run the place are very nice, and are just trying to stay in business. Place is pretty run down. Food quality is just Ok. I had the clam chowder which was all cream and very few clams. Also got the fried shrimp which were decent but small. They don't take credit cards, so bring cash. read more

Wow I've been missing out !!! My bf, mom and I visited last week after hearing my mom talk about this place for YEARS. She was so excited to be here... it's like so many old memories rushed back. The music they were playing definitely helped... oldies!! We should have listened to her sooner because Half Shell is a GEM. The first thing my bf said when he walked in "this is my kind of place." And of course the food lived up to the hype as well. We split the 1/2 king and snow crab combo, which was plenty for two. My mom got the fried jumbo shrimp and she loved it. We all got Long Island ice teas and the bartender made them great. After a few rounds we left satisfied and full. We love a family business with loyal staff and history... says a lot about the restaurant and overall operation. We're already planning our next visit and brining our friends with! As expected.. cash only but they have an ATM inside. read more

Half Shell - King and Snow Crab Combo - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing! We came on a Friday night and we were able to be seated outside. The wait time was about 30 minutes which was not bad at all. The staff was friendly and very fast paced. The food was amazing!!! We got 2 orders of blue oysters these were very fresh and large. These came out within 5 minutes of ordering it King crab and snow crab combo with fries the meat was thick and juicy. If we were to come back we would definitely come back for the king crab. The snow crabs were good too but the king crab was our favorite. Charbroiled shrimp- these were jumbo and very tasty it came with onions and grilled peppers it had about 8 pieces. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best Crab legs in city!!!! Fried Shrimp and cocktail sauce are great also!!! I could drink the butter in bottle if thirsty read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great, very casual seafood place with outdoor dining. I love to visit in the summer so I can sit outside (basically just a fenced off part of the sidewalk but it works). The inside, which is mostly below ground, is a little dark and divey which could also be fun if that's the vibe you're looking for. Service is a little slow but not a problem on a nice summer afternoon. They don't take reservations so if you're looking for a table outside I'd recommend getting there a little on the earlier side. I enjoyed the shrimp cocktail, oysters, fried clams, and the fun cocktails. The king and snow crab platter was definitely the highlight - would probably be enough for two people to share, my party of 3 split it along with a few other smaller things. Overall definitely worth a try if you're a seafood lover! read more

Half Shell - Blueberry Mule and Mango Marg - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

How did I miss this place all my life?! The bar is quant. The food is amazing. The service is exceptional. The girls' bathroom is quirky. Please try this restaurant read more

Half Shell - Orchard and Division - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome food, service and prices. Anyone who thinks it's expensive needs their head checked.

Okay so I really liked my experience. I'm from Madison WI. And I went to go see the cubs game. But me and my bf were basically only there for 2 days. So when I saw there was a seafood place nearby the hotel. I got excited. When I walked in I was greeted. I forget the guys name but I asked him if they accepted card. He said "No we are a cash only establishment". There is a ATM there but I just went to my nearby bank just to withdrawal cash. Anywho I was greeted again by the same guy. He offered me some water I said "sure". I believe I got the snow crab and sirloin steak. It was a 15-20 minute wait. Which I had time I wasn't in a rush. The same guy brought my food. Another thing that was slightly annoying was the price. I believe it was 63 dollars. I paid. Left and arrived at the hotel. And started eating. Now personally back in Madison, they have a seafood boil place. The crab is mid there. But when I tell you I could pull the meat out of the arms of the crab. And it wouldn't break apart. They obviously knew what they were doing cooking that crab. I couldn't even finish my steak I was so full. I'd say this was a great little hidden gem in Chicago. I think if you enjoy seafood you'll definitely love this place. Also loved the atmosphere of the place. The feeling felt welcoming. read more

I have been going to Half Shell for years. Their King Crab Legs were the best in the city at an affordable price. I went there end of 2024 and May of 2025 and ordered the King Crab Legs. They were double the price at $90 and super dry. Not sure what happened but stay away from King Crab Legs which was one of the top things that made this place special. I won't be back anytime soon and noticed it is not as busy as it used to be. read more

Great food! Love this place. Everything is fresh and delicious. Any time I am remotely close we have to go. It's clean and the staff is really nice. read more

Went for a day date with my mom. We loved everything. Crab cake, mahi tacos, and a burger. We've been during the evening and it's slammed and vibrant! Checking the space out during the day was awesome. read more

What a gem! Casual, fun ambience with attentive service. The cash only requirement was surprising in this day and age and was inconvenient but they have multiple signs giving a heads up before you even enter. My wife and I loved the dozen PEI oysters we had as an appetizer. My wife's shrimp and corn chowder was, in her words, more like a broth, lacking thickness. Nevertheless, she completely enjoyed her mussels and I was happy that, when asked about sandwiches that avoided fried preparations, our server recommended the mahi. It was outstanding! It is a shame that crab is so darn expensive but that isn't the fault of Half Shell. Thankfully, they have many less expensive options. They offer to substitute, for an additional cost, a salad for fries. I wish they offered fruit or sweet potato fries as alternatives as well. Admittedly, despite my less healthy decision, their fries were delicious. Oh, and they make a mean martini! read more

Half Shell is a throwback, sort of divey but nice. Old school decor and really good seafood, what more could you ask for? It is still CASH ONLY so prep for that. The shrimp, scallops and clams are only fried but there are tons of other choices. Portions are more than generous. Get something unique like the oyster shooters. With cocktails lunch for two was just over a hundred bucks. read more

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Have passed by this place for years and finally tried it tonight. Debated between a 3 and 4 star review but it's definitely closer to 4 than 3 so I'll round up. Bare bones little restaurant. Super casual. Pricy but not outrageous. Shared a dozen oysters ( pretty good), shrimp cocktail ( very good and loved the red sauce) and king crab ( good but not worth the 69.00 price tag). Also ordered a tomato and onion salad - pass on that it was covered in a thick creamy dressing which was not good. Overall solid food with good service but at that price I won't be a regular customer. read more

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I've been coming to half shell for a decade (can't believe I haven't written a review). My absolute go to crab place! If you haven't been you're missing out. My roommate and I were craving seafood and we gave them a call and they said they re-opened WINNING!! We placed an order for king crab and snow crab. Please note they are still taking cash only! I believe they said they also take Venmo. The owner and his son were there super friendly per usual. While I waited they had some hand sani (the good stuff) and they even gave me a set of gloves (that's like gold bricks these days). Since they take cash only I brought in a baggie of cash and had them put the change in there ( yes was very weird but we're making do with these weird times) I was handed my food and made the trip back home ready to eat it!! When I came home and unpacked the boxes I have to say everything was sealed up nicely and the fries were in a separate bag so they were not soggy Per usual food was delicious and super fresh! Thank you for being open can't wait to come back read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Haven't been here in probably twenty five years but the food and service was still stellar. It's kind of a little dive, but you definitely shouldn't judge it by its ambience. We got a bowl of corn/shrimp chowder which was heavenly. A combo of snow and king crab legs, which we split between 2 people and it was a huge plate full with delicious crisp fries. There was so much food and the bill was only around $75. The only caveat is that they take cash only. Be prepared to use the on-site cash machine if you only have cards on you. Definitely a great Chicago hidden gem! read more

Half Shell - Combo King and Snow Crab Legs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A casual, CASH ONLY, seafood joint. It is a lot more affordable than a fancy restaurant and the portions are much larger. The butter sauce is perfect and I think it's fun to crack your own crab legs. But if you don't then this isn't the place for you. The crab sits on a bed of crispy fries and they are addictive. I've previously gotten the frog legs and they are fried to perfection and delicious. This isn't a place to expect high class but if you just love seafood then this is worth a try in my book. The indoor space is small and same with the outside- so be mindful when going on a prime night since they don't take reservations. Yum yum yum! I keep coming back and have for years!! read more

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

We went on a Saturday night so obviously crowded, but they did a great job of getting us a spot at the bar (within 20 minutes). All the seafood is delicious! We ordered king crab / snow crab combo and oyster / clam combo. Very happy with our experience! read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was good. I'm not much into seafood but it was good. It feels like a "dive bar" nestled in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. Is directly across the street from Trader Joe's so you can estimate who the average clientele is. The mussels I ordered were fried which made my stomach upset, but I also don't eat a lot of fried food. Overall, it was a pleasant. For those who are into the "pier" or "dock" bar experience, this place is for you. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So happy to have found this place! My wife and I stopped into Half Shell on our day date last weekend. We'd walked a bit in the sun, enjoying the surrounding neighborhood & fall colors, and decided to grab a bite. This place is tiny & FULL of character! We had a cocktail & snacks and loved the time there. Will def go back for more & perhaps legs! read more

Half Shell - 6 Blue Point Oysters & Jumbo Shrimp cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow do we love half shell. I can't believe I haven't posted a review here for as much as we go and love. Talk about a secret gem in Lincoln park for seafood. While their prices have certainly increased given the current environment, it is worth it because you know you're getting great crab. My husband and I usually split a crab meal and the perch along with some oysters. No oysters this time since I'm pregnant but they are delish and fresh. Perch is fresh, crispy, and served with lemon and tarter sauce. But the real draw is the crab. Whether you get the snow or the king, both are great and reasonably priced. Complete with fries and a ton of butter...so good! This place is divy for sure and it's limited seating so come in the sprin/summer so you can sit outside or be ready to wait. Also plan to use the bathroom before hand and bring wet wipes so you don't have to wash your hands in the bathroom after. It's small and not good... but food outshines that. The dining is in a basement so we won't be taking the stroller and certainly no changing table. Baby may not make it here and we will consider for a date night! read more

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Came here with a group of 12 or so for dinner on St. Patrick's Day and had the best time! We didn't have a reservation, and the staff accommodated us so well. The food is phenomenal! I lived in Charleston, SC for a couple years, so I've had a LOT of great seafood. Naturally, I was doubtful that any restaurant in the Midwest would be able to match that quality. But Half Shell rivals it for sure! This was easily some of the best crab I've had, and my friends haven't stopped talking about the food since. The owner, Anthony, is a very cool guy as well! It's clear that he cares a lot about the restaurant. The neighborhood is lucky to have this spot. Truly a staple of the area. Excited to have a drink on their patio this summer!! read more

This is an obligatory stop every time I come to Chicago to visit family. Always awesome. We order the same thing always lol. Shrimp cocktail is great. Nice calamari. Eggplant for the family as I'm not a fan. Salad with their amazing dressing. And of course king crab legs. As awesome today as it was in 1968 when it opened. Love eating outside. Always wonderful service. read more

One of the best seafood spots we've been to. No frills, attentive server, fresh food. Prices were very fair for the product they served. We had the King crab, snow crab and shrimp combo, as well as raw oysters. Meat was firm and fell right out of the shell. Oysters were very fresh and didn't have a fishy taste or smell. It was a dark basement with a bar, one of those spots were everybody knows your name. If you're not high on the fancy decor and want to get down to the business of eating and have a great time with friends, this is a must try. A staple since 1968, I hope this family owned business continues to serve the Chicago community for many more generations to come. read more

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This is such a cute divey place and you can tell the server (maybe the owner) really cares. We went for an early Saturday dinner. We started with the clam chowder which was good and hot! It came out so quick next up was the king and snow crab combo. The fries were great. We had to ask for some regular melted butter as it comes with more of an herb butter. The portion was great. We split between two. The king crab was huge and the snow crab was great definitely more fishtail and larger than you get at most places. My fiancée also ordered the frog legs which were good but a bit unseasoned given he didn't like the sauce served with it. They don't have ranch so the owner brought us this spicy siracha ranch to try which I thought was a nice gesture. It was good. Overall great quality and quantity you don't often find for such a reasonable price in Chicago. It is cash only so be prepared. read more

Love well prepared seafood. This is the place. Good neighborhood vibe. Friendly efficient staff. No frills....good food. Good bar drinks.

This place is fucking awesome. There's booze. There's great servers and bartenders. There's oysters. There's crab legs. I mean, what else do you need? NOT A DAMN THING, BRENDA. read more

Half Shell - I'm not usually fond of IPA's but I chugged the first 2 of these down like a thirsty US Open fan on a Jumbotron - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I received a very snarky and inappropriate response from management of this establishment to further solidify the fact that I will advise everyone I know and meet to avoid this restaurant at all costs. read more

The lightly breaded, fried smelt is just as good now as it was 30 years ago! The orange marmalade/horse radish side sauce used to be much better, though; the other accompanying red sauce was tastier than the usual same ol' predictable cocktail sauce one usually gets with this type of dish. If you like McD's fries and who doesn't, you'll like theirs, too. The raw little neck clams are top notch. Definitely recommended. The Manhattan (I asked for it to be made with dry vermouth instead of sweet, with NO cherry) was "all shook up" just the way I like it and looked gorgeous upon arrival, full of bubbly foam and floating ice crystals. A winner, thanks to the bartender's willingness to crank her shakin' arm up a notch or two. Even though the faces are different from the ones I remember back in the day, it has been kept in the same original fam for 3 generations and it shows in the attitude. It is matched only by Mart Anthony's Italian Restaurant for that family feel that welcomes all as one of their very own. read more

It's hard to feel at home in a place where you can eat quality oysters and perfectly cooked king crab legs. But that is exactly what half shell is. Keep your sport coat at home, bring a bib and an appetite and be prepared to eat every single one of Nemo's friends. If you live in LP, the surrounding neighborhoods, or are just visiting, save your trip into the stuffy loop and get stuffed with the wonderful wait staff/bartenders at half shell instead. We had a dozen oysters, shrimp & corn chowder, tomato and onion salads, jumbo shrimp cocktail, king crab legs, and the steamed shrimp. Our wallets stayed stuffed while our bellies left stuffed. 10/10 recommend. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The seafood was mediocre, our waiter forget about us but if was pretty busy so could've been then that service was pretty good though and the ambiance was chill and they had a jukebox, but it really smelled in their and if you want a spacious , this is not the place. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food: I had the jumbo shrimp appetizer and the shrimp corn chowder. It was delish! I wish I'd been hungrier. My dining partners both had crab cakes, and were both disappointed. I didn't taste them so IDK. Service: The place was crowded so the staff was jumping. But they were friendly and efficient. Ambiance: The place is a lot smaller than the pictures make it seem. Maybe 6 tables inside and another 6 outside. Despite the smallness of the room, the A/C couldn't keep up, so it was quite warm. Overall, 2 thumbs up. read more

Absolutely Delicious,! I ordered a king and snow crab platter. Everything was nice and hot. It was easy to retrieve the meat from the shell. Nice and chill atmosphere. The staff were friendly and very attentive. Definitely a hidden gem. read more

No frills restaurant- it has more of a bar feel. The service was very friendly and attentive. I've been a few times for different items, and I've always enjoyed just about everything! The price is also affordable. Mmm get the snow crab legs. The butter is so good; idk what they do to it!! The shrimp po' boy is also flavorful- the sauce makes it. Oysters are fresh. read more

Half Shell - Snow Crab, Shrimp Po'boy - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois