Outstanding service by Rachel C. Her service made our night. The food was great. The floor manager came by and spent some time with us and he enlightened us on Shaw's Crab House. We enjoyed the ambiance of the main dinning area. Great night. read more

My husband and I returned back to Shaw's Crab House a year later, and it was still just as fabulous as 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! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Incredibly delicious. Everything was as fresh as can be. Definitely come if you like crab!! 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!!! read more

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I went for the HH and have to say I was super disappointed in both the food and service. I ordered the oysters, mini lobster rolls, buffalo shrimp, and golden crab stack. I wouldn't return for any of them. As for service, I asked the bartender if I could sit at one of the tables in the oyster bar, he said "of course." Ten minutes later, when the waiter finally stopped by, the manager said "did someone say you could sit here?" Apparently the space was reserved for a large group, but a simple "would you please move" would have sufficed. While all this happened, the waiter again disappeared. I also ordered the crab stack a little after the other items but the waiter first forgot to put it in. I was waiting 15 mins before he came by to ask if I needed anything else-- I told him I was waiting on the crab stack. Instead of admitting he didn't put it in, he put it in and had me wait another 10 minutes. For the food: Oysters: Meh. Did not taste fresh and have had much better oysters at nearly every other place in the city. I did like the cocktail sauce and mignonette. Buffalo Shrimp: these are medium-large shrimp, not jumbo shrimp, and 3 for $10 seems a little lame. Mini lobster rolls: huge disappointment. These are literally little puffs smaller than your thumb with half a teaspoon of shredded lobster meat. You can't taste the lobster and not worth it. Golden Crab Stack ($16): the biggest disappointment of all. A little pile of shredded lobster meat that didn't taste like lobster but instead like imitation crab. It was served with 5 saltine crackers (I kid you not). It totally not worth it. There are so many great happy hours in the loop, including seafood HHs, and I wouldn't come here again. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Golden King Crab Stack - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a legitimate restaurant in Chicago. For a town that is meat centric, Shaws seafood really stands out. The atmosphere is one of a throwback to the nostalgia of an establishment that pride itself on excellent food and service. There is literally something for everyone at Shaws. Highly recommended are the scallops and lobster roll. Their choice of wines and other spirits are top-notch. Service is unobtrusive yet very attentive. For dessert, don't overlook the sampler which is outstanding. Surprisingly reasonably priced in a town where chain restaurants tack on all kinds of stupid overhead, Shaws is definitely a repeat visit in my book. read more

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I enjoyed a wonderful dining experience. The restaurant was busy and buzzing with energy. It gives old school, classic Chicago. My food was wonderful. My server was very attentive. I only ordered appetizers because I was headed to a show. I would love to go back to try an entree. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lump Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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(Kari's Rating 8/10) Came for an early dinner as we were seated by 5:30. I actually love coming to eat early because the servers are a little more attentive since they just started their shift and the service is a little faster as there are less tables. Let me tell you, though, whatever we came it was quite busy with graduations and family dinners-which I didn't mind at all! What ate a relatively large meal as I had eaten a smaller lunch. We started off with the wedge salad and a yellowtail sushi roll. The wedge salad was pretty average, but the dressing was really delicious. The yellowtail was also pretty good and the jalapeño topping gave an extra kick last minute. For the entrées, we ordered the scallops as well as the pan seared Chilean Seabass. The scallops are buttery, rich, and had a perfect crispy crust. The Seabass was flaky and light-overall a very good combination of flavors. We got a side of the broccolini and then the crème brûlée and a piece of Keylime pie to go. Overall a very filling and delicious meal-I was pleasantly surprised with the scallops and how light the sea bass was. read more

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I absolutely love the Oyster Bar. Their Happy Hour is top tier and the oysters are always delicious, perfectly shucked, and briny and the martinis are always ice cold. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was fresh and delicious! We had the seafood tower. Plenty for 3 of us. The rolls are heavenly. I had a great espresso martini. We had the crème brûlée and strawberry rhubarb dessert, both fantastic. The service was excellent. Very attentive waiters. Loved our evening at Shaws Crab House! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Rolls! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're looking for a great place to eat for any occasion, this is the place to go. Everything we ate at Shaw's was fresh and delicious . The restaurant has a great old school ambience. A very classic and upscale look to it. The service here was top notch and matched the quality of the food. Our cups were constantly filled with water and they were very attentive. We will definitely be coming back here. read more

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We came here for lunch 2 days ago - came back for dinner this evening. We sat in the more formal section and the atmosphere was very nice ! Franky was our server and he was very helpful with menu suggestions and recommendations. I had the chopped seafood salad and my wife had the seafood platter. Both were delicious and we topped it off with the seasonal cherry cobbler, yummy ! When we visit Chicago again, Shaw's will be on our list ! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to Shaw's to celebrate my husbands promotion and had a great time! We ate in the main dining room, which had a lot of tables but still felt intimate given the timeless decor. Our server was very helpful and friendly. We started with the crunchy garlic salmon roll as an appetizer. It was very good, the fish seemed fresh and the rice was soft. The Serrano was very spicy and there was just enough crunch. For our main, we shared the crab cakes and seafood fettuccine, which they kindly separated into two portions for us. They were both great! The crab cake was almost all crab and it was a very generous portion. I would get this every time. The fettuccine was cooked well, maybe a tad firmer than I would have preferred, but it was very good! We finished with a Cherry cobbler, a la mode. I loved the cobbler topping and the cherries were nice, but a little tart, though we knew the risk before we ordered. Overall we had a wonderful time and I'm very pleased with our meal. We look forward to coming back... not just for a special occasion but for any nice seafood dinner! read more

Great happy hour deals on oysters and drinks. Sat in the oyster bar section of the restaurant and enjoyed the atmosphere, great quality food with a casual vibe. Service could be better, not rude but not friendly. read more

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I've been here three times with groups; tonight, I came by myself and sat at the bar. I started with the tuna tartare, which I've had before, and then had the scallops, which I haven't. Both were fantastic. Service at the bar was about as prompt as bar service can be, knowing the bartender also takes your food order. I'll definitely come back. It's not cheap, but then again, quality seafood rarely is. read more

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I came here early on a Sat and sat at the bar. I started with a lobster bisque which was horrible. Salty and made like none I have ever had. My entree was Alaskan king crab legs. Best I have had in ages. For dessert I had chocolate cake which was so delectable. Paired it all with a CA cab. Bartender was very busy but I got good service. Will come back as I want to try the lobster mac and cheese. read more

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We went here for a quick dinner and sat in the more casual room where the oyster bar is. We had calamari that was delicious and ordered the seafood gumbo and lobster bisque soups. The seafood gumbo was delicious though the rice was a bit chewy/overcooked. The lobster bisque was interesting - theirs is very heavy on a brown butter flavor which I like but have never tasted in lobster bisque before. Not sure if I loved that combo but something to be aware of. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lobster Bisque - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Have I really never written a review for Shaw's Crab House?! Okay well then today's the day! I have been here several times, both for 'individual' dining as well as for larger group events (private rooms). The food has always been excellent and the service has mostly been fantastic (one or two 'one off' incidents but overall still a high average). We were just here last week for a team dinner and our server was amazing-friendly, attentive, and gave us great recommendations. While they do make a great steak, their specialty is seafood, so if that's up your alley, don't sleep on it. I've had great oysters, sea bass, and scallops here (and probably more I can't remember). We joke that this has become a bit of a department staple, but there's good reason for it. It is on the pricier side, but for good seafood and great service, that's the price you'll pay. read more

This crab house offers lunch, which is convenient, but the overall experience was just so-so across the board. The decor felt pretty average--nothing memorable or inviting. Service was mediocre, not bad but definitely not attentive either. Food followed the same pattern. The lobster rolls came on cold, toasted bread, which didn't quite work. French fries were fine, nothing special. The clam chowder leaned too milky and lacked depth. The salad was probably the most balanced item, but still nothing standout. Overall, it's an okay option if you're nearby and need a quick meal, but not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit again. read more

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Loved it - again! We were here last night for dinner as a party of 5 and dinner was fabulous. As we no longer live in the Chicago area and we're staying downtown, we felt we should pop back over here for lunch today so glad we did. Our server, was quite pleasant and attentive. The support staff were efficient. My wife and I shared the following: - Lobster Mac and Cheese - Seafood Salad - Parkerhouse rolls and butter - Hot tea - Iced tea See you this summer Shaw's Crab House! read more

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Swanky, welcoming, and delicious!! Me and hubby went here last weekend and let me tell you...DIVINE. I had an espresso martini and my partner ordered a custom Mezcal drink and they made it for him no problem! and his drink didn't taste like gasoline like most Mezcal drinks do HAHA. Our waiter spoke Spanish and made us feel so welcome. I got the lobster roll and hubby got the lobster mac and cheese. We shared the calamari for the starter as well. Everything was wonderful. I love a swanky, moody, and old school vibe and Shaw's had it. 10/10 would go again. read more

My husband and I celebrated our 29th anniversary with our 3 boys while visiting Chicago-June '26. I can't say enough about the ambiance, outstanding service and absolutely delicious food! Lauren made us feel right at home even thought we felt underdressed. (I called ahead & was instructed there was no dress code). She went above and beyond with helping us celebrate our anniversary. My 2 adult boys and I shared a plethora of seafood items (lobster bisque, a dozen of raw oysters, 2 seafood platters, Dungeness crab, lobster mac & cheese and a bottle of wine), my youngest ordered sushi and husband a filet, the anniversary old fashion & mashed potatoes. Lauren surprised us with celebratory champagne & dessert...thank you!! This was such a fun night & will be a cherished memory for my family. We will definitely visit again next time we're in Chicago! read more

New to town and it's just me and my Husband so I want to check out Shaw's. I know it's a Chicago legend spot. Made our dinner reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother in law said to just valet and take cash. I always try to tip in cash. Valet was amazing, nice crew and they were friendly and efficient. It's old school vibes indeed and we loved that! We felt like we were in a movie lol Our waiter, Antonio was awesome! Top notch service!!! We got a Caesar Salad, lobster Mac and cheese, swordfish and surf and turf. Everything was TOP NOTCH DELICIOUS! WOW! We enjoyed every morsel of it. The meats tasted healthy and fresh! Melt in your mouth lobster and swordfish. Seasoned to perfection. Steak was incredible. Excellent sear! We got key lime pie to go because we were stuffed! A couple of hours we ate it and it was delicious! read more

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Wonderful service, waiters knowledge of menu was great. Waiters were attentive and friendly. Food was excellent. We had a private dining room which added to the ambiance.enjoyed this Chicago restaurant. A must visit. read more

Was craving some seafood, and was able to snag some reservations at the oyster bar at Shaw's. My friend and I arrived a little early, but were seated pretty quickly anyway. The vibe in the oyster bar is casual, diner-y and pretty loud. But overall good vibes. I ordered the lobster bisque and the lump crab cake. The lobster bisque was creamy and deliciously savory. It went exceptionally well with the table sourdough as well. I practically wiped the bowl clean with that bread wow. Only complaint there is that it was quite pricey, and there wasn't any actual lobster. At least that I could see. The lump crab cake was ginormous. A lot bigger than I expected. Definitely worth the money here given how much crab meat I got. It did start to get heavy towards the end, so it would've been nice for some more acidity either in the sauce or the crab cake itself. Overall, pretty good food. The soup and the sheer amount of crab in the crab cake was definitely the star for me. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lump Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had the fish and chips for lunch. The fish seemed to have been an item from a food service. I don't think they bread their own fish. The batter reminded me of something that comes on frozen chicken and the fish had the texture of being previously frozen. The presentation was nice, the chips were properly fried. read more

The seafood at Shaw's was spectacular! We were able to make an advance reservation for a large group. They had a decent wine selection, an oyster bar, and a tank of live lobsters. I tried the salmon sashimi, calamari, and had the seared scallops that were fresh. I could not decide on a dessert, so I went with the Shaw's Dessert Sampler that included four mini desserts and shared it with a friend. Everyone else in my party of eight enjoyed their entrees, drinks, and desserts. I would definitely go back to Shaw's again! They also hold Happy Hour in the oyster bar from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. read more

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We had reservations at 8pm on a Thursday night for a party of four. We were seated right away The tables were very close together and the ambiance was buzzing. It looks like a vintage steak house and the servers all wear fancy vests. We like that! However, the table was so cramped with dishes, drinks, and food that it made it hard to relax and enjoy the meal like we should have. Our server, Franky, took excellent care of us. He was professional and friendly. When we returned the Halibut dish for being way overcooked, he brought us a new one that was perfectly cooked and stayed at the table to make sure it was to our liking. After explaining that "we never send back food, but we had to for the price ($50)", he said we should always say something to the kitchen. They would rather remake the dish then the customer be disappointed. Other than that little hiccup, the food and drinks were excellent. My dirty martini with mignonette tincture was SO good. We had the Tuna Tartare, Yellowtail Yuzu sushi roll, and Lump Crab Cake for appetizers - YUM! The steak on the Clubroom Combo was cooked perfectly, as were the shrimp and scallops. And I thought the Sea Bass was the best dish of the night. Our generous side of sauteed spinach was garlicky goodness and fed all four of us. And because the Halibut didn't come out correctly, Franky brought us a complimentary dessert sampler. It was also delicious. Next time we are in Chicago, Shaw's will be on the dining list for sure. I wish we had a place like this is Cincinnati. read more

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Fresh seafood & great clam chowder, but the haddock fell a little flat I stopped into Shaw's Crab House for lunch, and while it did smell a little extra fishy inside (hey, it's a seafood spot after all ), the food definitely made up for it! I started with the mini lobster rolls and wow, they were so fresh and buttery, I could've eaten a dozen! For my next course, I had the clam chowder, and honestly, it was one of the best I've ever had. Creamy, flavorful, and comforting, even without the oyster crackers they forgot to bring. It was so good I actually ordered one to go (call it my "big back" moment, haha). For my main, I tried the breaded haddock. It was decent but could've used a little more flavor, the spinach on the side wasn't really my thing either. I even asked for some sauce to give it a boost, but it was still just okay. Overall, Shaw's has great potential and I'd definitely give it another shot, maybe try something different next time. The service was solid, and those lobster rolls + chowder alone are worth coming back for! read more

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We came in and sat at the bar on a Saturday night around 6pm. There were plenty of open seats at that time but things seemed to fill up quickly after that at the bar and in general throughout the restaurant. We ordered the oyster shooters, because why not?! They were good but I wasn't impressed. Next we ordered our cocktails I chose Embers of Autumn which was very good!! The mezcal definitely gave it a smoky taste which I thought brought out the rest of the flavors too!! My boyfriend had a Negroni. We then decided to go with the oyster sampler - a dozen oysters, 2 of each variety ( Island Creek, Hammersley Inlet, Love Shuck, Flapjack Point, Black Magic, and Big Cove ) My boyfriend thought they were all fantastic, I had favorites..and those were Island Creek, Love Shuck, Black Magic and Big Cove. I think my number 1 favorite was the Love Shuck oysters. Unfortunately, I was so excited to eat the oyster sampler that I never got a picture of it with the oysters organized clockwise starting with the Island Creek at 1 O'Clock and following the order that they are listed on in the menu. The bar staff were super friendly as well as everyone else we encountered during our visit. read more

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Gerardo was excellent, answered all out questions for the menu and added suggestions. We got the club room combination, they hit it out of the park! Our appetizers were a perfect starter. Great drinks and great staff. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Clubhouse Combo - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yes, please! Casual and classy. Food was incredible. Service on point. Ambiance was perfect. It was so good that we went back twice over our two week stay in Chicago. And just do it and splurge on the crab legs. Totally worth it. read more

My Husband and I had a great lunch yesterday at Shaws crab house in the oyster bar. Our server, Luis it was very pleasant and helpful. When we started to order oysters, he let us know that happy hour would be starting soon so they would be half price. The bloody Mary's were very tasty and the lunch special with three courses is a great deal. Old school, New England ambience makes you feel like you're on the East Coast. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Happy hour menu. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Don't sleep on Shaw's, they are a good option in the downtown Chicago restaurant scene. We came for lunch and it wasn't busy, but stull enjoyed the upscale ambiance of the place. Everything was delicious and service was top notch. read more

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It's our favorite seafood restaurant because of the fantastic service and great food. Of the 4 of us, 3 of us ordered the Walleye. Perfectly done with a horseradish crust. To start we ordered perfectly shucked oysters and the lobster crispy rice. I always have to have a cup of the chowder. For sides it was the lobster Mac and cheese and the coleslaw. Franky was a great server! read more

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If you're hunting for the absolute best happy hour vibes in River North, you need to hit up Shaw's Crab House right now! Start your night off strong with their $10 Mignonette Martini--made with Ketel One vodka and olive brine, it's a total savory dream--or keep it crisp with the $7 Oyster Bar Wine of the Month. Next, you have to get your hands on these mini lobster rolls for $15; they are perfectly buttery, packed with fresh Maine lobster, and literally melt in your mouth. If you want a little kick, the buffalo shrimp tossed in their signature sauce and topped with Maytag blue cheese is an absolute must-try. But the real star of the show is the $57 Happy Hour Tower, loaded with fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, and juicy lobster tails that feel like pure luxury without the luxury price tag. Finally, do not even think about leaving without treating yourself to their decadent dessert sampler. Trust me, this spot is an absolute 10 out of 10! read more

We came here with a group of people from the ace convention hardware show. Someone had picked out this restaurant and it did not disappoint. Pedro was our server and he was super attentive and gave opinions on what foods were good to get. He was professional and personable. I started off with a glass of Moscato wine. We ordered appetizers, lobster, tacos, and calamari. I also got a cup of the lobster bisque that was very delicious. I decided to get the crabcakes and a side of au gratin potatoes. I ended the meal with an espresso martini and crème brûlée. It was a great ending to an amazing meal. It definitely gives off like a 1940s five. It's kind of dark and elegant. When I come back to Chicago, I will definitely be putting this on my list. read more

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An absolutely incredible night dining in this one of a kind establishment. Our server was kind, engaging and helped us make the best selections. We started off with the shrimp cocktail. Perfectly prepared. We then shared a couple of roles that our server helped us pick out and a chopped salad that the kitchen split for us. We also shared the combo, shrimp, scallop, and fillet. It was absolutely perfect in preparation and size. Everything was tremendous. The dining room is layered in decades of Chicago dining history. We simply can't wait to return. Thank you for a very memorable night. read more

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We needed to spend our Lettuce Entertain You holiday bonus cards, and we were meeting friends for a concert in the loop Sunday afternoon. Shaws was one of the few Lettuce places that was open before 4 and not serving brunch. Extra points for a real lunch and not brunch. The space is classic Lettuce, extremely effective in creating the vibe but stopping just short of going over the top. The formal dining room seems like a spot to be wearing your ivy league tie colors. Old money seafood dinner kind of place. Which also means big money menu. Bring a credit card with a healthy balance. At 12:30 the dining room was nearly empty, but it was a brutally cold day so that could have been a factor. Cocktails took forever to arrive. They came after the appetizers. But they were good. The anniversary old fashioned was overpriced and tasted very much like the cheaper, regular old fashioned. Espresso martini and manhattan were well received. Shrimp cocktail appetizer was fantastic, if a bit smaller than the price point warrants. The grilled calamari was the star of the meal. Never had better grilled calamari anywhere. Excellent swordfish with a great steaky texture. Scallops special was also fantastic. Lobster roll, perfectly done. The lobster roll, for the size and quality, was probably the only great value on the menu. For a space that was not remotely busy, service was less than attentive. We ordered no desserts. Still landed just south of $500 for four of us. I know food prices have jumped in the last few years, and we have to expect to pay more for great dinners out. I don't think I've ever whined about prices on Yelp before. But I think Shaw's pricing is a little excessive. Especially, given that it's not some kind of mom and pop establishment, trying to get by. Lettuce is making enough to be continuously expanding. Here's where we apply the bonus points for not giving us another overrated and mediocre brunch. More bonus points for truly excellent seafood preparation. It would have been a 2/5 or 3/5 without these factored in. Four stars, but not sure were coming back anytime soon. read more

I absolutely love Shaws! Even the steak is OUTSTANDING at this seafood restaurant. Alaskan Halibut THE BEST! The Chilean Sea Bass is delicious. The fried calamari and shrimp delectable! Eat eat eat! Great vibe and superb service. read more

Amazing find! A true, classic, old school restaurant experience. You can tell the staff care about you and want to provide the best service. Love the decor and sinus commitment to good ingredients. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Oysters Rockefeller - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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