Vegetarian options, beet salad, good atmosphere, good brew
(5)
Jodi Y.
Love love this place. Everything about it was amazing. The service , atmosphere, wine, and of course the food! My friend and I shared a variety of things: hush puppies, oysters, crab cake, and Tina tartare. Yum, yum, yum, and yum. Thank you fish bar for such fresh food and excellent service.
(5)
Jason S.
Our party of 5 took advantage of a nice night and sat outside. Service was surprisingly fast even being outdoors. Hush Puppies were not too sweet and perfect crunch. Really enjoyed the food, in general, but the oysters and fish sliders were exceptional. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Ankit M.
Phenomenal idea and experience. Great date spot, ambiance, and service. Love the big blue exterior. Fish tacos, tuna tar tar, lemon fritters, and po-boy were the highlights. That said, there was just a little too much aioli on everything. They could probably take that down a notch. My favorite part is the deserts. The key lime was killer, but the smores was even better. For the smores, they bring out a small little burner that is perfect for two. It's like camping inside the restaurant.
(4)
Allie P.
I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. We had fish tacos, a shrimp po boy, crabby patty and corn fritters. All were very good, but portions are pretty small for the price. Its also pretty small and loud in there. Overall...good but people were waiting in line when we left. Definitely not a "wait in line" worthy place,
(3)
Lindsay K.
Food was decent! Portion sizes are a bit small for the prices. But let's get to the real 3 star reason- the service was honestly horrible. Our waitress I think was on something. Constantly singing and using weird voices to communicate. Forgot our drinks multiple times, brought out appetizers and didn't bring plates or silverwear, and some main entrees came out after people were already done with theirs. I also noticed that multiple waitresses were giving tables problems. Forgetting more drinks, sauces, appetizers. They need some help on the service end.
(3)
Rosa J.
Rosa J.'s verdict on this trendy joint next to the gloomy hospital: 4.5 stars! Daddy wanted to try out different restaurants in town because he has been following me on Yelp. I will be using him as my "Yelp buddy" for the time being so that I can clear as many ever-accumulating bookmarks as possible. Once getting from the CTA Wellington Brown/Purple Line station, we walked one (1) block west to Sheffield. "Fish Bar" was the sky-blue building across the road from the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The special menu items were quickly explained by a sunny-smile young man. Daddy spotted the beer menu and immediately showed his interest in trying one (1) of the local and Midwestern-region specialties. The young man suggested the "Founder," brewed in Grand Rapid, MI. His recommendation was right on the money. The "Founder" had a very prominent barley aroma. It had a "bitter" initial kick, yet the "sweet" after-note was soon released to complete the experience. That probably was one my favorites I've ever tasted so far in my foodie life! We eventually made our decisions: gumbo, fluke sashimi, and six (6) east-coast (from Virginia) and west-coast (from Washington) kinds. The gumbo came in first. While it didn't skimp on seafood, the flavor wasn't as extraordinary as I anticipated. I felt that was missing a wow factor and it wasn't that memorable. However, the sashimi was delightful and refreshing. The touch of "yuzu" sauce with scallions was nice. The portion was on a smaller side, but it served as a "transitional" dish to the protagonist: the raw oysters. Their oysters were very fresh (perhaps off the boat)! I preferred the east-coast oysters, for they were larger in size and accompanied more harmoniously with the garlicky cocktail sauce that came with. Reiterating on the beer one (1) more time, the "Founder" was delicious! Dad and I shared two (2) mason jars worth of beer and were very satisfied. By the way, the total came to $64 and some change (pre-tip). Dad said he wanted to come back for lobster and other menu items next time, and I said I would certainly concur with him.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great tasting fish and a great casual atmosphere. Just not cheap and not incredibly hearty. The good: The food is delicious and fresh. The service was very good, friendly and knowledgeable. They had a good selection of craft brews and even some wine. The bad: The music was too loud inside. The prices are kind of expensive, especially for the portion sizes that you get. There's limited seating, especially if the outdoor area is closed. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)
Brian J.
I just had the best Lobster Roll!!! Sooooo good!!!! The customer service was outstanding Kristi was our waitress, she was the best.
(5)
Artur O.
Lobster rolls are better than I had anywhere in U.S. Also the sachamo poboy forgetaboutit just the best Sunday $1.50 oyste what? And fresh really good ! One of my favorite places in the world .
Fish Bar is seriously awesome. DMK group has it going on. The best Cod Fish Sandwich in the city! Great Oyster special on Sundays, $1.50 an oyster. The rest of the menu is awesome and they usually have different specials each day. Space can get tight in the winter. The outdoor space is great during the summer. There is only 3 booths so make sure you get one if you bring kiddies. The rest of the restaurant is bar stools. Service is usually very good. The special drinks are great!
(5)
Arya R.
Great selection of good food
(5)
Jeng F.
Great service, good food!
(4)
Mia T.
Cute atmosphere, a bit overpriced for the quality... We had gumbo (delicious), tuna tartar (eh okay), crabby patty sand(delicious), grilled oct (not recommended & im a seafoodie), sashimi on slaw (recommended), s'mores (cute presentation but not a fan), keylime pie (just okay).. It's a neighborhood Restraunt, very yuppy, it's convenient & it's open late (12am)... I'm more picky then most seafoodies, this place wasn't my cup of tea... Bon Appetite
(3)
Joe P.
The service was attentive and nice. Our drinks were served promptly and only took a few minutes to order. The food also came out in speed. With knowing its a bar, wasn't expecting anything fancy. The smatcho poboy was decent with a ok amount of shrimps and or crawfish...? The baby octopus was the bomb. Should've got grilled salmon or red fish... The redfish tacos were killer good. Very nicely prepared rare style. The octopus was grill served with a lemon butter and caper sauce. It was quite good. Total was 40$ for the tacos, octopus, poboy n ice tea plus tip. I however spent 10$ later at portillos to get finally full... So Idk if it's worth the value at all. Let me go into the food- the redfish tacos were like a sushi kind of meat. If we had ordered two of everything, it'd have been the price of a pappadouex dinner... At 9$ a pair. The satchmo po boy was a ton of bun. Not nearly enough shrimp not crawfish. Too many scallions and onions ugh. Overpowered it all. The baby octopus was worth the 10$. Perhaps I would order the grilled salmon or red fish... Nothing else on the menu was worth half the cost. Overall I'd not come back due to having so many restaurants to choose... Dmk burger bar appears good but idk anywhere haha
(3)
Elise K.
I used to love this place and rave about it, but coming in tonight has changed it... 5 stars = 100%... 3 stars = 60%. Last time I checked, 60% is a F. The food is still at least slightly above average, but a few things were lacking -- the artichoke fritters literally had no identifiable artichoke in them, the variety was missing from the menu, the charred redfish tacos weren't great, and the soups were a bit thin for being bisque. The old cocktails have been replaced with less creative new cocktails and prices have increased $3+ for each. The crux of my problem is really the service. I have never seen so many staff standing around talking to each other rather than helping customers. This is a generous 3-stars.
(3)
Nikki C.
It's like half the staff is on holiday and got Robyn to cover all the shifts despite her no longer working here. I like chowdah.
(5)
Ashley F.
Great place for seafood, New England Style! As a native New Englander I was impressed. We will definitely be back. Can't go wrong with $1.50 Oysters and delicious cocktails!
(5)
Jenny N.
I've only been here a couple of times, however both times were fantastic. The seafood and dishes were delicious however, with all honesty, I've had better. The service was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance and atmosphere is very comfortable and fun - reminds me a lot of SoCal. I would recommend trying this place if you have never been if you're looking for some good seafood in LP.
(4)
Joe O.
ive only been there on thurday night for the $1 oyters and so far is has been a good experiance. oyters are great and the beer is great too. service is good but sometimes slow. keep doing a great job fish bar.
(4)
Shelley Z.
We had the blackened red fish tacos, satchmo po'boy, a (free) cup of clam chowder, and specials for the day: fried scallop tacos and a monkfish platter. With a beer, the bill ended up being just under $60. Everything tasted great, no complaints there! Both the red fish and fried scallops were crispy, the monkfish was cooked well, and we basically inhaled the po'boy (beware low fish to everything else ratio) Highly recommend Moody Tongue. However the portions! Understandably, seafood can be pricey and fish bar certainly isn't the priciest..but we were surprised at the quantity of every dish, esp because of the more casual atmosphere. We originally settled on just one order of tacos and the monkfish, and quickly realized we would have to order more to call it dinner. I am sad but I will probably be shelling out $ again to try some of their other sandwiches (ugh lobster roll i'm coming for you) Just don't expect large portions! Service was good. Our waitress accidentally brought us a cup of chowder, then apologized and gave it to us for free, really appreciate that! Ambience is nice, seating is limited, but we didn't wait. Last tip, we've been here twice on Sundays hoping to catch their one dollar oysters but they've run out on both occasions. Get there early!
(3)
Chris H.
This was our last restaurant visit during our trip to Chicago and it was such an awesome end to an awesome trip. We ordered fish tacos, lobster roll, hush puppies, artichoke fritters, and a couple of beers. Everything was delicious, but I think the fish tacos were THE BEST FISH TACOS I HAVE EVER HAD. If we hadn't ordered so much food, I would have eaten at least another order, if not 8 more.
(5)
Jen R.
Atmosphere- Really good atmosphere and decor. Always hoping inside and the communal bar seating is fun. The patio is also on a nice street for taking in the neighborhood vibes. Food- High quality and tasty. The portions aren't very substantial but enough. Lemon rings and hush puppies were interesting but I wouldn't get either again. The fish sliders, oysters and tacos were all spot on. Drinks- Creative and tasty. $9 is typical for a Chicago drink but it's still a lot. Good beers on rotation ($6). All in all a solid spot.
(4)
Adam A.
haven't been here for several months. New menu is amazing. Love the experience, great fresh food. Amazing staff - super friendly and always there to help you decide on that extra key lime pie ;) I recommend anything here - The fish special, taco special and of course the tuna tartare
(4)
Jennifer R.
The food was good. It was more fillers than fish. The tacos had nore rice than fish. The calamari had more jalapeños than calamari.
(2)
Alex I.
This place is. The. Tits. Amazing selection of oysters and a lobster role that would give a burly Maine sailor full chub. Not pretentious but a little pricy. Kinda like a good bottle of scotch. WHITCH!! brings me to my second point. The booze in on point. Buckets I could drink. However they discouraged that. Which brings to my last point, service is fantastic. Those lovely girls balance speed, charm, and knowledge magically, like those sisters from that awesome 90's show Charmed. Cheers all around. Also ask for the secret canoe cocktail, you will not regret it.
(5)
Kenny C.
Went last night after 10 pm to avoid the huge dinner crowds. Went with a buddy from culinary school. Hostess greeted us and we got sat quickly. Decent crowd and patio was packed. Food- I ordered the salmon spread, tater tots and the satchmo po boy. The salmon spread was good, smoked salmon, mayo,celery,onions, it was really good, my friend got the smoked mackarel spread and I thought it was very good. The tater tots were okay, nothing special, would of loved old bay or spice seasoning, even a dipping sauce would of worked. My friend got the crabby patty, he said it was good. The Satchmo po boy (crawfish and shrimp) was good but hate how it was plated, literally served in a little hot dog paper container. *** Service-It was okay, there was a few times I tried to get her attention because I wanted more water and needed another beer. My friend ordered a cocktail, it had hibiscus in it and he liked it. Overall,great for a dinner with friends/first dates, prices were reasonable. I want to go back and try the rest of the menu. Just don't go during prime dinner hours, long waits.
(3)
Cristina C.
We ordered a lot of things because it was our first time. For starters we tried the clam chowder which was on the lighter broth side which was very refreshing, oysters (very fresh just shucked), and the fritter artichokes vey good. We had the lobster and satchmo sandwiches that were both amazingggg!!! If I had to choose which one was better it would be pretty hard but I'd go with the lobster ! Our server, Maria was awesome, great service !!
(5)
Kristine C.
How have I not written a review about Fish Bar? This is my boyfriends favorite restaurant in Chicago (that's saying a lot). But that is my boyfriend, I'm writing my review. We have dined here many times, Winter, Summer, Fall, Valentines Day (that isn't a season?). There have been good and bad. Why I am giving them three stars? Well, their reservations, or lack therefore, for anything during the summer. Small patio and closing the patio at a moments notice, and not seating the party until all have arrived. This is a small restaurant, I get i, but if one or more people are there, do not leave them hanging, seat them, make them happy. Do not punish them for an always-tardy friend. (the end of my rant). We LOVE the patio and changing seafood options. Their rotating seasonal beer options are usually spot on and a little off the cuff, though small, there is usually something we can enjoy. These points are what bring us back time and time again. Also, the main stays on the menu, such as my boyfriend's favorites, the Crabby Patty or, on a splurge day, the Lobster Roll. I always get the Clam Chowder (no matter how hot it is.) We have tried almost everything on the menu, I will not bore you with all that. But, my favorites: Clam Chowder. Recently learned to love it, a few years back. Now do not trust it anywhere but a seafood joint. Enjoy it at Fish Bar. I then usually go with either one of their special tartar options or tacos, or both. I think I am moving away from the tacos, I find myself disappointed with the the dry taco shells and slaw. I need a sauce with my tacos.The tartar portion is small, I am usually excited by it. If they have Scallops, I'll go for it. I also enjoy the Ala Plancha. And next time I am set on getting the Satchmo Po Boy to fill me up. For sides, if you like spice, go for the Spicy Slaw. The Tater Tots with the garlic aioli are amazing. (Tip, ask for the garlic aioli). Also, you cannot go wrong with the Brussels Sprouts, they are halfed and backed, but do not let that fool you out of the flavor. With the added onions, pretty tasty.
(3)
Rima M.
It was my first time here since I love DMK I figured I try the Fish Bar next door. Amazing food!!!!! I love their oysters !!! And the staff is amazing especially Christen is such a sweet heart. We will be back again.
(5)
Julie Y.
Really wanted to like this place since I work so close to here and whenever I walk by it seems so legit.. Ehh def not.. I'm no fatty but the satchmo po boy left me hungry still so i ordered the codfish sandwich after. They were both pretty plain. Nothing special at all..Not horrible or overly salty but had to drench it in hot sauce cause I was so bored with both of them... No other way to explain my experience here but disappointment and would not recommend this place to anymore.. Sry!
(2)
Heather D.
Oh Fish Bar. How I am going to miss you terribly now that I'm living in LA. My bf and I use to stop in here a few Sunday's a month for their half price Oysters, ginger mules, crabby patties, and calamari among other things. This place is awesome and truly tasty! My favorite thing ever is coming on a warm Sunday with our puppy and sitting outside at their wooden picnic style tables. A great experience indeed! Final Verdict: Great food, friendly service, cool atmosphere, and a price that's pretty darn decent for seafood - any time I find myself back in good ol' Chi-Town I will be stopping in for a bite!
(5)
Blind Service Association ..
Fish Bar went above and beyond for our large group. The food and service was exceptional. We highly recommend Fish Bar!
(5)
Mallory L.
I've been to a fair share of seafood restaurants and this one is by far one of my favorites. I started off with the artichoke fritters which tasted exactly like hush puppies with a tad of artichoke. Then we switched over to the calamari and it literally melted in our mouths. The calamari was super fresh and not too crunchy. I proceeded to order the crispy cod tacos and the blackened bluefish sliders which were both special items on the board. Both dishes completely blew our minds and tasted so fresh. We thought four dishes wouldn't be enough to hold us over, but we were pretty full when we left. Alex was our waitress and she was super attentive and even gave us free raw oysters and complimentary drinks for our next visit! We will definitely be back in the Lakeview neighborhood for this dining experience!
(5)
Hilary S.
The food was fantastic! We got the smoked mackerel spread, fish po' boy, and fried scallop tacos. Our server was so friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was great. Our food arrived promptly and was out of this world. We will definitely come back soon!
(5)
Jay K.
2 stars because the beer good. Overpriced even my chicago standards. Medium quality. A good idea, not executed well.
(2)
Caroline A.
I am a midwest girl so nothing I say can compare to the seafood of the coasts but for the midwest this seafood is damn delicious. It is definitely a good date spot for the more adventurous palate. Also, it is expensive for a smaller plate (you are paying for the high quality of the fish). Our server was very sweet and knowledgeable, she even had me trying the oysters of which I am not normally a fan. The Crabby Patty, White Fish Spread, Ceviche were my favorites along with the Calamari. This is a great spot for a date or to catchup with a companion. In my opinion, not a good spot for larger groups.
(5)
Brittany H.
Being a dmk addict, I have to admit I expected more from this place. The atmosphere is cute, but the place is tiny, so even on a Monday there was a wait. The staff seemed friendly enough, but was a little aloof. While a lot of their food took a unique spin on seafood, the portions were pretty small and were definitely on the expansive side. The fried lemons were delish, and the fish tacos and soft shell crab po boy were good, but nothing I'd have to have again. I liked this place, but it doesn't hold a candle to burger bar.
(3)
Ray C.
If you want to eat real seafood, prepared correctly, then skip Fish Bar and walk a few blocks west to the New England Seafood Company on Lincoln and Roscoe. There is no comparison. Fish Bar has a great atmosphere and the service was good, but that's about it. The food was awful. The chowder was high on salt and low on clam. The lobster in the lobster roll was rubbery. I had to take it out of the bun and manually shred it t make it edible. The shrimp tacos were disgusting, with overcooked shrimp and some type of green goo that did not mix well with seafood. We had other dishes, none worth trying. Skip this place.
(2)
Jessica B.
This place has amazing fresh food, attentive/kind servers and laid back atmosphere. We had east and west coast oysters, the lobster roll, and calamari... All were super delicious! Went on a Monday around 230ish so it was open seating. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Richard M.
Great Service... Very tasty food - just WAY to expensive for what you get. to spend $50 on 2 fried shrimp tacos ( total of 7 shrimp between the 2 ) , Small Salad, , 3 Oz portion of Skate and a Fried fish sandwich....with no alcohol is a little spendy - even given the address. Yes, I realize this is not Cheesecake Factory -- but seriously overpriced. Again, could not be better service and quality is good..
(3)
April L.
Good food, good atmosphere. Small portion. A little pricey. But excellent bloodymary Go with friends when you are not starving Also, recommend the patio for summer months Not good for huge groups.
(5)
Amy K.
The main reason this is a five star review is for the service. I am all about praising a place that has excellent food but it seems that the recent trend of the ultra trendy food spot with terrible (flat out shitty) service needs to end. Our service was great; She listened and even brought us three free apps to try! They were attentive and it was nice to have service such as that. The food was good; our group got the soft shell crab (very good), the lobster roll, cod sandwich, and satchmo poyboy. The food was fresh and had good flavors. A little on the salty side but still good. We would definitely go back to the fish bar for the service and to try a few more things on the menu.
(5)
Adrienne T.
I usually try a restaurant out twice before reviewing, but I know I probably won't be back to Fish Bar anytime soon. There was nothing wrong with the service or the atmosphere. Those aspects of my dining experience were really well done. However, coming from Boston I thought the food was a bit on the expensive side for such a small amount received. The gumbo and calamari were flavorful, but I thought I would receive a bit more. My friend ordered the Po Boy and hush puppies but he was still hungry afterwards. Nevertheless, he did say they were fairly tasty. With these prices, I would rather go to Shaw's downtown. Overall, an underwhelming, small plate seafood restaurant with a large price tag in the heart of Lakeview.
(3)
Hilary D.
One of my absolute favorite places in the area. Fish Bar always has nice and attentive waitresses, great food & drinks (sliders, calamari, shrimp tacos, moscows & s'mores). One time, the waitress even gave my boyfriend and I 2 free drink coupons for if we came back! Such a calm atmosphere and perfect for a casual date night or a night out with friends.
(5)
Al K.
I had a disappointing meal there, nothing great just another overpriced Chicago establishment. We ordered the gumbo which was supposed to have sausage, shrimp and crab, but there was no shrimp or crab in it at all. Flavor was good but for $6.00 I've have better out of a can. The special was scallop tacos. They were good but with only three bay scallops and the smallest tortilla I have ever been served they were not worth the $11.00 for two. Drinks were limited and their specialty drinks were not good at all. I surely will not be going back there.
(2)
Lauren S.
I was so excited to go to this place because I live a block away. I looked up yelp reviews beforehand and saw that the plates were small. Since I was going with a larger group I thought if we each ordered one-two plates and shared we would be fine. We all got one the cocktails which were delicious, but when our food came out we were disappointed. Every bite was so extremely flavorful. But the dishes were in fact TOO small for their price. $12 for 4 shrimp? We were led to believe that our shrimp dish would be our biggest dish. While I understand these are probably the prices they have to charge for good seafood in the midwest, my group left hungry and we went to another place around the corner for more food. Overall, it is delicious food but be prepared to order a lot of dishes in order to have a satisfying meal.
(3)
MacKenzie F.
My boyfriend had a craving for clam chowder (weird craving, right?!) so I looked up reviews for clam chowder and found this place. I called to make an order for pick-up and they asked me to come in and then order. When I got there, the woman recognized my voice from the phone call and when I ordered, she offered me a half-pint on the house while I waited which I graciously accepted. The order was up in 5-minutes and they told me not to rush and to finish my beer before I went. GREAT SERVICE. As for the clam chowder, my boyfriend said that the soup was awesome. We will definitely be returning to eat in!
(5)
Michael A.
Came in for a late dinner on a Sunday. Very hard to find a great spot on Sundays. Alex took great care of us. Tried a plethora of options. Each small plate was great. Great flavours and a variety of options. Had a beer and shot to go with it all. I will definitely be heading back. With all the options in Chicago, that is saying a lot. Looking forward to the next trip.
(4)
Melissa F.
I had high hopes for this restaurant but left disappointed. Decor is cute, I guess; I like that the specials are written on the window. The chairs (outside) are probably meant to seem kitschy but are actually uncomfortable. Our waitress was pretty nice. My friend and I ordered drinks, and mine (Woodshed?) was weird tasting...but in a good way! My friend liked her drink, too (Coney Island Baby), and she also found her drink odd but intriguing and overall good. I liked the scallop ceviche I ordered - excellent flavor, from the cilantro to the jicama and its textural contrast. I also liked the gumbo I ordered. My friend ordered some type of fish (forgot which type) a la planxa - grilled with farro, the menu said. What arrived was maybe 3/4 the size of an iPhone, at most. Neither of us is the type of person to have a massive appetite or to be the first in line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Still, it was almost insulting how diminutive this was for $9. My friend was nowhere near full from this, and although we knew it was small plates, we didn't know how absurdly small they were. I might go back, but my friend definitely would not - I don't blame her.
This boutique seafood restaurant has the look of a bar, but it's all about seafood and a good selection of wet bar offerings. The beauty of this restaurant is that the staff is upfront and personal -- not as in being in your personal space, but as in being like great friends. They don't just tell you their names as a courtesy, but they ask for your name and address you accordingly while you're there. One would have to be anti on a personal level to not fall in love with that kind of service. But you'll be blown away with the food regardless. I had a cup of clam chowder that if I had some bread with it, I would have sopped the remaining chowder without pause or complaint. The gumbo had a roux base that I favour because there was no skimping on the okra. The person responsible for the recipe had to have gone to some restaurant shacks in the eastern parts of New Orleans because they got it correct. Where I had to pause and smile my usual stupid smile when food is good was with the lobster roll. There were chunks of lobster in the lobster roll, although they will cut the lobster up more if requested. But you really know you're indulging a delicacy when the lobster bursts when your teeth pierce the chunks. And with them adding cumin to the homemade mayonnaise, I sat and pondered ordering another one for take-away. I waited for an hour and had a crabby patty -- crab cake slider with a dusting of bread crumbs covering a serious clump of meaty crab -- instead. However, I am still thinking about the lobster roll and how I felt some kind of way after it was all gone.
(5)
Gina V.
I think my wife saw Jennifer Lawrence here one time as we waited in line for the chowder. She was my favorite fly girl on that one hiphop show, but her movies kind of sucked, though I really enjoyed the one where she fought back after getting abused by her asshat of a husband, i think it was called Enough. It was cold outside when we decided we needed some really warm soup, though granted its Chicago and so it could've been July, but I think the last time I was here was early fall and there was a chill in the air. At least cold enough to have the lady folks still in those ugly boots and leggings that reveal odd colored underwear if they bend over. Anyways, we walk in and there's a line, but they let us know the bar in the middle is serving beers while we wait, so we were able to enjoy the moment with some really interesting beers. This girl that reminded me of Miley Cyrus was behind the bar where this other girl that could've been Lindsey Lohan?, but she was named after a car like Lexus or Volkswagen?(sorry) was a big help for my wife to pick out a good drink. I think it even got busier as we waited, but this really nice lady I think a manager Cindy came by with a small plate of crackers topped with some fish spread to taste. It was good, and got me every hungrier. Soon enough we sat and I remember our server was named Sara Lee though she didn't really look asian, but maybe was adopted by Chinese parents(kind of ironic). She got us through the menu quite quick and soon enough I was eating a really good fish sandwich and some smelt fries. Fish on fish! Anyways I remember Sarra because she then puts down this fire pit and marshmallows and we're like we didn't order this. But then she goes 'i love you' and you can have these for free. She was really friendly, and my wife must've been into her, because she wasn't jealous or angry. The smores were fun and smelled up the joint like really enjoyable farts.
(5)
Anthony L.
Went a while back and forgot to review. Such a great place. Not the best for big groups, its pretty small and mostly counter seating, but it was wonderful for a date. Scallop tacos were the special, and so good, along with the krabby patty, octopus, and everything we got. For dessert, they had make your own smores, bringing out a little burner for you. The drink selection was also pretty good and the service was great. The only thing that has kept me away is the potential wait(we were told 45 minutes for two, but actually got seated in about 15) and the price. But there is a price to great seafood and I just need to save up before I splurge on my favorite seafood place in Chicago.
(5)
Liz S.
seafood fam, I'm not sure why anyone would give this place less than five because this place is f'n awesome! The service was amazing....told us the specials right off the bat and the staff was extremely attentive though out the night. The food was perfect! And let me say one thing.... If I die, bury me in those lobster rolls bc it was that damn good. You can also throw in those scallops and Brussels I had in there too bc they were cooked to perfection. Pillowy soft not chewy at all. 5 stars well deserved plus many more!!
(5)
Julie P.
Love this place! Have been here twice in as many weeks for dinner and really enjoyed everything. The lobster roll, scallops and crabby patty were amazing and oysters excellent too. My only gripe is that too many specialty cocktails on the menu means the beer & wine selections are lacking. Definitely a go-to spot for fresh seafood, and they even serve food until 11PM during the week!
(5)
Laura B.
Being from the East Coast, Fish Bar makes me feel like I'm back at the shore. Great food, amazing service- I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Julieanne T.
First time trying oysters but the super friendly staff told me I had come to right place because theirs are so fresh. They were totally right. I am now an oyster lover and for a buck a shuck after 9, I am going to be going there more often. Would be an awesome date spot, but also just so much fun with a small group of friends. I need to try the lobster roll ASAP because I think the guy next to me was experiencing some type of euphoria whilst eating it.
(5)
Eric B.
Good bloody Marys and nice to have a good selection of fresh oysters. The Gumbo was awful though.
(3)
Ashley G.
A hidden gem! Casual spot and right next to the 'L' Station for convenience. We ordered about 8 items for 2 of us and we were so stuffed but couldn't stop eating because everything was just so good. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Insun M.
Minus stars for limited seating and not so fantastic ceviche. Bonus stars for the BEST OYSTER POBOY IN THE WORLD.
(4)
Lisa H.
Fish Bar is a small and beach-like restaurant that specializes in "fresh" seafood. They bring some coast-like vibes to the Midwest with their wooden panels, bar stools, hanging canoe, mason jars, and daily specials handwritten on an oversized chalkboard. I was really intrigued when there was so many raved reviews about how fresh and good the seafood Fish Bar offers. So I stopped here one night with a friend and shared a couple of items: Clam Chowder: this is served New England style; cream based chowder with a thinner consistency than other regional styles. I liked the creaminess, but it was overly salted. No amount of water helped to tone it down. Lobster Roll: claimed to have one whole Maine lobster in a roll. For $22/roll, I didn't expect anything less but miraculous. This roll definitely didn't disappoint. The lobster was fresh and perfectly seasoned. There were also so many pieces of lobster stuffed inside the roll that it kept falling out. Calamari: breaded, deep fried, tossed with banana pepper, jalapeno, and garlic, and topped off with some parmesan cheese and parsley. I enjoyed the unique pickled component with a tad of spiciness, but the actual calamari was too chewy for my liking. Also the ratio of calamari to other ingredients in this dish was a joke. There was five pieces of actual calamari, so not an ideal dish to share. Surf and Turf Burger: crab with a grass-fed beef patty. I thought the beef would overwhelm the light taste of the crab, but to my surprise it didn't. They balanced each ingredient perfectly. Overall, the food was pretty good but does not meet up to the standards of seafood from the coastline. Also the ratio of price to size is ridiculous; almost $50 for our meal and we weren't full. The waitress there was nice in the beginning, but later on became a little pushy about ordering more food. One of my biggest pet peeves is pushy employees. Ugh...she made my experience there really uncomfortable.
(2)
Abigail D.
Big fan of this place. It would be a great spot for a date, but I came with a small group and they sat us in a decent amount of time. Small plates, tapas style which is great because everything on the menu looks amazing. Started with calamari which was amazing. Jalapeños cut up throughout for a nice little surprise. We also shared the crouched and lobster rolls which again, unreal. Then we all got a different array of oysters which were fresh and juicy! Nice little treat for the mouth. Good beer selection and cocktails as well. Big fan! I will be back for sure!
(5)
Helen H.
BE CAREFUL- both my friend and i got charged twice for this meal on different days. watch out for your credit cards! ambiance- cute and casual prices- average for chicago although the portions are pretty small. drinks- good! food- hit or miss. the clam chowder was very good! the smoked fish dip was wayy too salty so i didnt care for it very much. the satchmo po' boy was delicioussss.
(3)
Chan S.
The satch'mo po boy was outstandingly good. Fish tacos were amazing as well. Lobster roll was good, wasn't great. I had high hopes for it but was a lil disappointed. Great atmosphere! Waitress was very friendly. The prices are higher than what I expected & the food was smaller in portion. The portions are actually ridiculously SMALL! I think it could of at least came with a side of fries or something (you get what I'm saying). Def wud go back for the satch'mo po boy!
(4)
Allan C.
There are a lot of things about Fish Bar that I don't like. It's stupid expensive. 6 bucks for a cup of mediocre soup is not my thing. You serve various sandwiches / tacos with fried shrimp or oysters but you don't simply sell a basket of fried shrimp or oysters like you do with your calamari. You are crowded even on a late night weekday. This means that the market justifies your freaking decisions. This makes me question the town that I just moved to. Severely. All I want in this town is a decent basket of fried oysters. But you know what, your $1 shucked oysters after 9pm on weekdays have been decently consistent with the occasional shell shrapnel and maybe one not so awesome oyster. For that, I salute you.
(3)
Mihir P.
Hostess: socially awkward, OCD and was very specific of where we could sit at the bar. Waitress: very nice but to the point. Food: the best was not the seafood but the artichoke fritters. New England clam chowder was super salty and buttery, lacked the carrots, and the clams were rubbery. The waitress did take it off the bill though. Cod fish sandwich was fresh and crisp but also super-salty (and I like salt). Good variations of the Moscow Mule in that you can get it with gin or bourbon.
(3)
Mollyann R.
A DMK Restaurant. Love the concept! So fishy. We ordered cocktails and a bunch of small plates. The cocktails were genius and served in adorable mason jars. If a restaurant offers anything in a mason jar, I'm sold. Everything tastes better out of a mason jar. Once we had enjoyed a few cocktails, we were feeling brave and adventurous so we ordered the frog legs. They were served buffalo style with ranch. They were very chewy and quite the experience. Knocked that one off of my bucket list! Shout out to our server, Alexa. She was phenomenal.
(5)
Sam R.
Best Po' boy I've had outside of Louisiana. Bun is perfect, slaw is perfect, oysters done just right, not too bready. I had to come back about two and a half hours later because it was just that good. Friendly, fast service, simple menu... I'll have to come back again and I should probably try something else, but it'll be hard to not order the Po boy. A little pricey, but not bad considering the quality of food, service and atmosphere.
(5)
Caroline M.
Sometimes my brain hurts and I hate reading lots of words. Here is my official run-down of Fish Bar. 1) Go early. 2) Get the lobster roll 3) And tator tots! 4) There are, in fact, purse hooks along the underside of the bar. 5) (gasp) communal seating! But...you + dining companion are seated side by side, so if it's a date, get cozy. 6) It's very loud. Save intimate convos for later. 7) 2 people = $50+ bill 8) Public transit nearby. 9) Have dessert at home ;)
(4)
Tom K.
This is one of my favorite places to take out from. It is great for dining in also, as it is an intimate spot with no TV's which is a plus. The great part of taking out though is that all of food here cooks quickly so you don't have to call ahead and order, you can just walk in and walk up to the beer taps and put in your order with someone. I typically go for the Satchmo Po'Boy, but everything I have had here is good from the frog legs to crabby patty, calamari, fried lemon rings, oysters, lobster roll. Not only do you get your order quick but they also give you tiny mason jar of a beer of your choice while you wait which is very nice of the owners.
(4)
Glo K.
With the terrible snowpocalypse looming over Chicago, I got a chance to sail away for a bit and forget the chilly weather at the Fish Bar. The tiny beach shack-style restaurant offers a very straight forward seafood menu with the the finest fishes from the sea. When you step into the shack, you will notice the always-changing menu board at the center. The board showcases the "catch of the day" which changes for the ceviche, tartare, sandwiches, tacos and the soup. However, they do offer a menu for the same-thing kind of guy to be satisfied with. My dining companion and I started with the mahi mahi ceviche ($9) which was a bit underwhelming. The underwhelming feeling was probably the presentation of the ceviche. The ceviche came in a plankton-size mason jar (womp womp) and I felt like I was fishing for fish bits in the jar... maybe the problem is that I have an appetite the size of a beluga whale. Next we shared the gulf shrimp a la plancha which was a little bigger than our first plate and better. The dish was very simple, but had a small kicks of flavor to it. Also the dish varied in textures as well. The grilled shrimp had a nice crunchy texture and the black lentils gave it a soft balance. It was delicious. Another great treat was the Blackened Blufish Sliders ($9). The buns were so soft and the remoulade was wonderful. I wouldn't mind coming back again to eat the Today's Catch Sliders. I wasn't really kidding about my beluga whale-size appetite. Our last order was the fish plate which was the Char ($12). I've never had Char before, but the fish taste like a mix of trout and salmon with balance of mild sweetness and robustness. Oh! I can't forget the wonderful drinks at the Fish Bar. i would say the Old Man and the Sea ($6) and the GImlet ($6) were my two favorite. I mainly got the Old Man and the Sea because I appreciate the Hemingway reference. (Way to represent an Illinois-native, Kornick... gold star. lol) :) Also, I would like to note that the shack is pretty tiny and the diner-style seating is limited. I would not suggest going with a big group. My dining companion and I went on a snowy Thursday night, so it wasn't packed at all. However, I can imagine Fish Bar reeling in some serious business in the summertime for sure. Anways, thanks FIsh Bar. You were a little pricey for the amount food but you somehow got me hooked. I will be paddling back to try the rest of your menu next time with my whale-size appetite.
(4)
Livery H.
I come here every time that I am in Chicago. I usually come on weekday nights and so I have never had to wait to be seated. Sometimes, there is a wait in between drinks and food but I would still give them 5 stars because the food is so good. I usually end up trying at least 5 items on the menu each time I come ( 4 x already) and I have only been slightly disappointed with one entree. Otherwise, this is my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Plus, they give free drink coupons for your next time - and that happens every time!
(5)
Wendy Y.
This place rocks. I want to come here every weekend and eat Lobster rolls and have the Carpiccio. I wish more of my friends liked seafood so I could come here all the time!
(5)
Bill B.
Getting into the Lakeview neighborhood late on a Friday puts a serious crimp in your dining choices. Luckily, I happened upon Fish Bar.... once again! (I'd come here three weeks earlier with a friend who'd taken me) They serve until midnight (at least on weekends), so you can score some seriously good eats, and I did! The style is small plate but both times I've been here the taste has been big. I love a good a clam chowder and theirs is very good. I had it each visit and it's not just veggies and broth. There's a nice mix of potatoes and good sized meaty clams. I will say that ordering it that late at night does concentrate the celery but those chunks of clam more than compensated. The menu varies regularly, depending on what's freshly delivered but, if it's on the menu, the fluke was amazing! Both the fish and the scallop tacos are definitely worth ordering but if you have to choose, go for the scallops. The calamari is great, even at the top end of my spicy heat scale, and the baby octopus dish was dee-lish! The only dish that I would say that was a bit lackluster was the ceviche. A little more citrus flavor or mango or cilantro, but not more jalapeño, might give it a little more character. It's good, but compared to all the other dishes I've had, it just seems a little plain. The staff is knowledgeable.... and honest! They'll tell you what they like or what is 'popular' on the menu. If you're as lucky as I was both times, you'll get Jolanda, "Jo", as your host and you will be well taken care of. Whatever you decide to order, you'll appreciate the elevated casual atmosphere, the cocktails whimsically served in mason jars, and the throwback diner seating style, of Fish Bar. Enjoy!!
(5)
Heidi P.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and always enjoy myself. The food is small portions, but always good. They have a small but solid beer selection and their cocktails are great. Low key, trendy atmosphere with some outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)
Ed F.
Very good food.. Small portions. Very pricey if you order enough to feed two people, and a couple drinks. But good tasting and unique presentation. Would give 4 if price was about 20% less..
(3)
Casey Z.
The food was spectacular. I was here for a New Years Party and I was able to try a few items from their menu (crabby patty, lobster roll, crab legs). Everything was extremely fresh and delicious. Great ambiance too!
(5)
Andrew T.
Being an East Coast boy to the core, when I saw this place finally open I practically ran in. I have been twice now, right when it opened and then about a month later, and I absolutely adore it. I know some people might not be crazy about the no-frills food, but for me it is perfect. The lobster roll is fantastic; not smothered in mayonnaise, but just a touch on the bun. The crabby patty too is great, with just a hint of heat and the wonder that is Old Bay. I will be in many, many more times.
I had ERRRYYYYthang on the menu today. Yes. Everything! I got really lucky and was invited to eat at Fish Bar by my friend who was receiving the outdoor seafood feast for four from DMK's loyalty program. I"ve been to Fish Bar before, and tried several different things. But this time, we tried everything! The feast includes one of every menu item. So we set out and ordered it all. I've posted pictures of most of the items that we ate. It got dark towards the end so I stopped taking pics. I love the freshness of the seafood at Fish Bar. I loved it before, and I love it even more now. Once you dive into the food, for a moment in time you forget that you're in Chicago and you honestly feel like you're on the East Coast somewhere. Especially on a beautiful night out on the patio (that's how I felt). I would list everything we ordered, but there's not point since it was everything on the menu. So, I will list the items that stood out as amazing and those that stood out as just ok. Nothing was bad. Drinks: #1 and #5 were great. #3 not so much (froma girly standpoint). Great: clams, ceviche, cobb salad, surf n' turf, po' boy, dessert Just OK: mussels (too much beer taste), all the fried stuff (not hot and crispy), lobster roll (just missing something...), octopus a la plancha (too soft and chewy) My dinner mates may not agree with me, but this is my review. I will admit that I'm a little bit of an octopus snob (it's my favorite sea creature to eat). And also a lobster roll addict. They were really busy and perhaps that's the reason for some of the lackluster dishes. But it was still a feast to remember. The service was great. We had a main server but also others who helped run out the food and took our orders when ours wasn't around. The only person who was just so-so was the hostess. She was a blonde one. Didn't catch her name. Not terrible, but I would have appreciated more hospitality since after all, she is the hostess. I will definitely return to Fish Bar. They have a seasonal menu, so it won't be long until there are new dishes (and fish) to try.
(4)
Keith A.
Oh hell yea. Lemme see, beer and fish all in one place, yup, me likey. It's really rather dumb that I've yet to be here considering my friends live right up sheffield. We got here and it was time to sample a whole bunch of different stuff........and drink beer. We started off with an order of ceviche. This was a real nice ceviche. It wasn't as acidic as I would've liked it, but I love acid in stuff like that (yea, exactly). We also got an order of lobster that was a special. It wasn't a whole lobster (I think), but it was lobster and that is always a good thing. We finished things off with an order of belly clams. These were damn delicious. I didn't get as many of them as I was also working on an order of tots. I haven't noted the beer yet. They don't have an extremely deep list, but everything they have is quality. There's a nice range in styles and the prices are decent for the quality.
(4)
Brandon N.
The food here was just OK for me. There are some things that they do REALLY well, such as the Clam Chowder (possibly the best in the city), Manila Clams, and the Salmon Tartare, The rest of it was just alright, nothing really special or standout. This includes the Crabby Patty (something like a crabcake, except no jumbo lumps and plenty of filler), the Fish Tacos (for whitefish, had a very strong "fishy" taste to it), and the Bay Scallops (if you've ever had a fried scallop before, there's nothing new going on here). The staff is SUPER friendly, attentive, and helpful... DEFINITE PLUS. THE VERDICT: It was OK. I'd go back for the clam chowder and then go next door to DMK for a burger. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in, but I certainly wouldn't make any special trip to come here.
(3)
Heidi S.
This place is cool. I don't think that I've ever said that about a restaurant before, but I really enjoyed the set up. We had a late reservation for 4 on Friday night and the two groups at the tables had long overstayed their welcome -- but 30-40 minutes. The chef came out to speak with us and apologize at one point and offered us a new drink that he's experimenting with and offered us some snacks while we waited. We all agreed that while we normally would have been really annoyed with waiting, it's amazing how very simple gestures can turn your experience around in a hurry. Our waitress did a great job of describing the dishes and their limited menu is very creative and fun. I got a mackerel ceviche with avocado that was creamy and delicious. Our oysters were fine, nothing to write home about, but very well shucked, and our soup was amazing flavorful. Overall we had a really fun time eating and sharing food, we felt full when we were done and it didn't break the bank as much as I'd expected. Would definitely go back and sit at the bar!
(4)
Alexander D.
I Love Fish Bar! Their food is delicious! I am a bit particular about fish and Fish Bar has always been on point! Janna is awesome! I will be returning!
(5)
Maria B.
Been here several times and it just keeps getting better. The food delivers and what's outstanding is the service. I have such an appreciation for sincere service and this place is second to none. You would never expect to receive such a great experience in a neighborhood place. The space itself is unpretentious, the menu is simple, yet everything I've had has been superb. Marina was my server the last couple of times I've been in and she is professional and sweet. I dine out frequently and forget to write reviews often times, but I had to let everyone know how much I love Fishbar and will continue to go back again and again. Must try: mussels in white wine with rosemary, escolar carpaccio, fried artichoke with chipolte aioli , and their raw oysters.
(5)
Elina K.
Finally got to try this place (and its infamous lobster roll): Decor & set-up: really cute nautical interior and picnic tables outside. Service: excellent, friendly and fast Drinks: small but tasty selection of wines, ales and liquors (all served in adorable Ball canning jars) Food: we had frog legs, tater tots, the watermelon feta salad with prawns aaaaaaaand...the ($22) lobster roll. Food was really, really good overall. But I must say I was a tad disappointed in the lobster roll. Maybe I really hyped it up in advance but it was nothing amazingly special. It was solid, though.
(4)
Danny W.
Marina, We came back for the key lime pie, and lord am I happy we did. Fish Bar continues to keep it real, and that's really all you can ask out of a seafood restaurant. Truth.
(4)
Angela Z.
Hadn't been back here since way back when it opened. Back then I remember feeling pretty neutral about the food and drink choices. But I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I stopped in Friday in the late afternoon after a meeting for a quick bite. I saw on Instagram that they were having a lovely salmon wrapped spring roll so I quickly ordered that and loved it. Then I proceeded to one of the large mason jar sized cocktails, the bourbon featured Tool and Die I believe? Fan! Had just the right amount of booze to flavor ratio and the size makes it worth the price. For my main I had the scallop and brussel sprout special, really good. Scallops were just the right texture and the flavors along with the sprouts were delish. I see there's some comments about poor service here but I must have come on the right day because my server Curtis was very hospitable. Explained everything and asked if I had questions and made conversation in between asking if i was doing ok so I really appreciated that--great service. Enjoyed the music and atmosphere for sure. It seems like this place has balanced its menu and drinks a little better than what I remember from when it first opened and I liked it!
(4)
Shahrooz E.
So here's what's good: Taste (my Po'Boy had the perfect flavors & texture!) Service Complimentary Beer Samples with your order Here's the not so good: Portions aren't filling A little over priced My order was to go and no napkins or silverware left in the bag :( Overall I will comeback but wish the portions were a little larger for what I paid. Figure the friendly neighborhood, freshness and good service are worth the extra coin but value is the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)
Ryan C.
Very small so I don't recommend it unless you are with a party of two. They have two tables that would fit 4 but thats it. I live in the neighborhood and one of the few seafood small plate restaurants I've been to but I'm a fan so I can try many dishes. They constantly rotate what they serve to keep the menu and the seafood fresh.
(4)
Yvonne B.
I don't know WHY I haven't gone to this place sooner. After all, my Yelpy friends have been haunting this place for ages. They're like, "I'm at Fish Bar. You should come!" And I always take a pass. It took two of those Yelp friends and a birthday to get me there and it was pretty pimpin'! It seems shiny and new. You know - kinda like a Chipotle: big windows, clean, and modern. There's just a smidge of kitsch thrown in. I mean, what else would you call an upside down row boat hanging above the table? It was cool and definitely reminded me that I was in a seafood place. I don't even remember what all we had. Definitely some sort of tartar, s'mores, and key lime pie, but we had other things too. We all had drinks and we all loved them. Everything was fabulous. The server was personable and on top of her job. We were all absolutely flying in and around cloud nine.
(5)
Mary B.
I discovered recently that a friend of mine also has a food blog and writes under the pen name, the Chowder Chaser. Needless to say, a joint expedition was in order. I gotta be honest, being from the Midwest, I don't actively go out and seek great seafood. I got to taste some quality lobster and fish while I was in Manhattan this summer but I've lived the past 19 years in a land-locked state. In Indiana, the beach is Lake Michigan. I know, it's pathetic. The Chowder Chaser is from Vermont and is experienced with the fresh seafood flavors that my Hoosier upbringing deprived me of tasting. His beloved clam chowder was subsequently my coveted corn chowder. My friends had given rave reviews about Fish Bar, a DMK restaurant in Lakeview conveniently off the brown line. Their sister restaurant, DMK Burger Bar, had stolen my heart many months ago but this Saturday night would be a new adventure. I was replacing my typical burger with fish, furthering my attempts to consume more seafood and less meat in typical Scandinavian fashion. The snowy weather made the promise of delicious clam chowder more savory and appetizing. The interior of the restaurant is unique and welcoming. The bar set-up evoked a romantic and intimate vibe which allowed my friends and I to bond over the scrumptious seafood that we would quickly consume. We ordered a bowl each of their famous clam chowder and opted to split both the oyster po'boy and the Mexican shrimp cocktail. The chowder arrived and we went silent. After a quick photo and discussion over speciality oyster crackers straight from the hometown of the Chowder Chaser himself (he was extremely pleased), we dug in. One word: phenomenal. The chowder was slightly spicy, adding a kick to the typical flavors of fresh clam chowder. The ingredients were fresh and combined well with one another. The chowder was neither too hot nor too cold. (Goldilocks & the three bears would've loved it) Overall, a solid option and may have changed my opinion on soup altogether. Previously have never been a big fan of soup but if I were to come here again, I would order the clam chowder in a heartbeat. The Mexican shrimp cocktail consisted of mini shrimp in a vegetable salsa served with tortilla chips. Interesting combination of seafood and spice. The Mexican element presented a completely different approach to shrimp that I would have never come up with. Overall, it was decent but I am hesitant whether I would order again. The oyster po'boy was my second favorite. The toasted bun combined with the meaty oyster was fantastic. Topped with a slightly zesty coleslaw, the oyster po'boy was a perfect complement to a bowl of clam chowder. For dessert, my friends and I split a slice of their key lime pie which was recommended by our polite and friendly waitress. The lime flavor was crisp and tart, contrasting perfectly with the crispy, sweet taste of the graham cracker crust. A perfect ending to a delicious meal of seafood. Fish Bar is definitely another treasure owned and managed by DMK. If you can't decide what to eat, I'd advise a visit to Lakeview and once there you can decide whether you want a hearty and artisanal burger or fresh and flavorful seafood. Either way you can't go wrong!
(4)
Asif K.
Any place that has shrimp sandwiches and smores for dessert has my attention! The lobster sandwich is cold and doesn't carry much flavor so it's not worth the price tag. Their shrimp sandwich is the star, so get a few of them. DEFINITELY get the s'mores for dessert. You get to melt your marshmallows over a burner which just adds to the experience.
(4)
Vicki L.
We're lucky to live close enough to Fish Bar that we can choose when we want to go and not have to deal with lines or waiting to be seated. Since moving to the hood in April we have been going here about once every two to three weeks and we really enjoy it overall. Yes, there are some times we think some of the food is a bit pricey but the quality overall is very good and there has been multiple times they gave us new dishes for free to try out so that for me evens it out. Only the second time we were in it was my bf's birthday they heard us talking about it and brought two free oyster shooters. We love oysters and will go on Sunday when they are half off ($1.50) or just a buck after 9pm, totally worth it. Otherwise during the week we will usually stay away from paying the $15 for a half dozen, just not worth it when you know you can them half off on Sundays. They have also been really cool about letting us put the order in for them on Sunday before 9 (but close to it) and charging the $1 price for them. Really enjoy the fish sliders and have had them with different fishes a few different times, the tartare and ceviche are always super fresh and yummy and the key lime pie is a really traditional one that we love. I have to admit I am not sure we would go so much if it wasn't in our hood and we could just walk over and see how the lines/crowds look but since it is I will definitely continue to keep visiting!
(4)
Dan K.
I went here for lunch noonish on a Friday. I split the Shrimp Tacos which were extremely good not to fancy but overall good. We also split the special, trout sliders which were quite awesome as well. We also enjoyed the jalapeño Hush puppies and drink selection. The service was fast and they were helpful. I am a Nanny and I brought a 1.5 year old with us. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BRINGING KIDS....they were all very nice but not really set up for it.
(4)
Jason R.
I went to Fish Bar last night with a friend before a concert at the Vic. I had a salmon BLT sandwich, a side of "lemon rings" and a beer. It was easily one of the best sandwiches I had in the past 6 months, and I now have to add lemons to my list of Things that Taste Surprisingly Good When Fried. I'd have changed one thing about the lemon rings. Slice the jalapenos, onions and lemons a bit thicker before frying, and serve the side with a nice garlic aioli (or a similar creamy dipping sauce, perhaps flavored with Old Bay or something in that vein.) I asked one of the servers whether Fish Bar made grilled cheese sandwiches. She said "sometimes, but usually only for kids when the kitchen isn't busy". Well, I want to pitch you guys on an adult grilled cheese sandwich: bacon, smoked oysters, and either smoked cheddar or mozzarella on sourdough bread. If you attempt this, I'd like to be the first to try it.
(5)
Troy H.
My cousin came in from out of town, and I've heard good things about this spot. I got the Satchmo po boy, the ginger-bourbon drink, a cup of clam chowder, and tater tots. My cousin got the cod sammich. The outdoor seating is pretty nice, and the weather was perfect. But then, the food came. My clam chowder was salted down clam juice, which scant potato or clam. My Satchmo had good flavor, but the tater tots suffered the same salty fate as my chowder. I'm not talking just oversalted. Whatever is beyond oversalted. I drank copious amounts of water to try to counter it. My cousin said that her sandwich was good, but she too couldn't deal too well with the tater tots.
(2)
Michael H.
The Food: Delicious and fresh. We started with the salmon tartare and ceviche. The tartare was rich, velvety, and full of flavor. The ceviche was made with a few types of seafood, including octopus. Tasty, but the portion was small and it needed more lime juice and salt. I also had the Satchmo po' boy, which comes with breaded and fried shrimp and oysters on a butter toasted bun. The po' boy hit the spot and is a cheaper alternative ($12) to the lobster roll ($22). Although if you have the money to spend, the lobster roll on the table next to me looked mouth-watering. My partner ordered the fish fries, and I was surprised how much I like them. These are whole, small fish that are breaded and fried. You eat them like a french fry. They ended up being a highlight of the meal for me. The Drinks: Fish Bar has a decent selection of beers on tap, with a couple of local options. I had a Daisy Cutter (I love Half Acre) and a rotating tap. Beer is served in mason jars and is $6. I will probably stick with beer when I return. My partner ordered a couple of cocktails and neither one was great. We watched an overworked bartender try to fill 15 cocktail orders all at once so she was just pouring shots and liquids as fast as she could. At least they don't charge craft cocktail prices - the drinks are $6. The drinks next door at DMK are much better, perhaps the bartenders could have a meet up? The Atmosphere: We sat outside on a beautiful summer evening. I love the outdoor patio. If it is nice outside, and you have the option, sit outside. The inside is small and probably not good for large parties. It gets very busy on the weekend, so expect a wait. You are allowed to grab a drink at the bar and hang out on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. I love seafood and can't wait to return for the fish tacos, calamari, and cod sandwich.
(4)
Kelly B.
Hi there, Southern gal here. As I searched for a seafood restaurant in Chicago that would satiate my desire for raw seafood from time to time, Fish Bar seemed to be the winner. I was terrified to try seafood in the Midwest being from South Florida and all, but Fish Bar provided me with some solid, fresh choices. Hallelujah! I hit this place once every two months or so. The oysters---oh no, I'm craving more just talking about them. They usually offer a choice of East or West coast oysters(right now the West coast oysters are spawning, so they're unavailable). Slimy and perfect. The Satchmo Po'boy is a highlight every time. Consistently delicious. So is the tartare. I always order the ceviche, but unfortunately, I am always disappointed. I ordered it last night, and just like times in the past, it needed a lot more acid and salt. Seasonal menu, so it changes frequently. The fish and shellfish are always fresh and never too fishy. I like the small square footage of the place, too. It makes for a cozier environment. Just go here with a friend or two, not a group kinda place.
(4)
Faraaz U.
We Ordered : Buffalo Frog legs seafood Gazpacho Crab cake sandwich Lobster roll In order of what i liked #1) lobster rolls- super delish!! packed with meat on a toasty bun #2) buffalo frog legs - these came out early we ate two then more food came out when we went back to eat them after a while they were not as good cold so i recommend eating them as they come out hot! # 3) Crab cake sandwich - it was OK but to me it tasted like an Indian shami kabob which I don't like # 4) Seafood Gazpacho - I wish i didn't order this, there was a small amount of seafood on this cold soup. I guess it was an aquired taste .
(4)
Noy And Alan T.
Maybe I'm a little biased since I'm from New England and have been spoiled with great seafood...but I was disappointed by the food. The first time we came here, it was a one and a half hour wait. Thankfully we decided not to stay then or else I would've been livid. The bf and I tried again today. We were told the wait would be about 25-30 minutes, which was fine. We grabbed a pumpkin ale, served in a cute mason jar...that was probably the only decent item in the restaurant. 15 minutes later, we got seated. I'm happy we didn't have to wait too long. The first thing I like to ask people when it comes to lobster rolls is whether or it is hot or cold. Apparently not many Chicagoans know the difference between the two. The waitress said its hot and cold (meaning a cold lobster on top of hot toasted bun.). Just as an FYI, hot lobster roll has warm buttered lobster. And a cold lobster roll has mayo in it, like a salad. With this being said, I decided not to order the lobster roll since it was $22! I cringe even paying that much in Boston & Maine...so I definitely know it wouldn't be worth it here. Next, we didn't have faith in the restaurant to create a good New England clam chowder so we opted for the gumbo. It was so watery and barely had any substance to it. Maybe 3 pieces of crab meat and two piece of sausage. It was also cold when we got it. Our next dish - the ceviche. That was by far the worst dish there. It came in a small open mouth mason jar - half of it was lime juice. Way too much lime! It was so bad we had drain the octopus & scallops from all the lime juice. Total disappointment. I would rather go to the savoy for this dish. Sea scallops from Maine...I've been to Maine many many times and never has it ever been that small. It came with 3 pieces - lemme rephrase...3 small scallops. The first scallop I tasted was soooooo salty I had to drink a lot of water. Then the second piece wasn't as bad...but still undercooked. I just find it weird that all 3 pieces tasted differently. Manila clams - pretty darn bland. Soggy bread that came with it. Some of the clams still had a lot of sand in it. Our server was really friendly but I noticed that the other servers were arguing and having shit fits so I was a little annoyed and distracted by that. Overall, I don't get the hype of this place. The food wasn't good. And the prices makes it even worse. I don't mind paying a lot for seafood but the price has to match the quality.
(1)
Char Y.
We came for a week day lunch after our great massages, and we ordered lobster roll - where is the lobster??? for $21 it should be packed! fried shrimp po boy - YUM! really impressed fish taco - flavorless. come on! for the price, there should be more seafood!
(3)
Caitlin A.
Seafood, bourbon drinks, and local brews at it's best. Take bar to as a literal definition. It's a bar for fish and fried delicious beachside seafood! It's the best way to get seafood is in small plates. We went in as a group of 4 sharing each item together-- all amazing! Specifically crabby paddie! Stephan, I believe the manager, felt so bad because we had made 6:45 reservations and because a crowd came in and our reservations was lost. He gave us a round of drinks on the house to make up for it. We sat at the bar, ordered food, and they forgot to put in an extra order of tacos... But Again, tacos on the house! Although it would be frustrating to most, the staff were all so nice and did everything they could to make it an enjoyable, delicious experience! We will definitely go again! Yummmmmy!
(5)
Paul G.
Got the lobster roll. 21. Was not good. Too much celery mayo. I was excited to try it. It was also cold. Some reason I thought it would of been warm. The cactussalad was weakkkkkk. The waitress said it was the best bang for your buck but it was like one prawn and 3 pieces of spinach. Not worth it. We got the stuffed calamari with chorizo and it was not good. The chorizo tastes liked cheap. Like it was straight out of the package and unfortunately wasn't good. Now what was good.. The rock shrimp was average but the sauce it came with was delicious. So not bad. The fried fish was great. It has crunchy leaf veggies on top and the sauce it came with was yummy. Now i think or waitress was really awesome and helpful but the food was not that good. So would I go back? Probably not. Not worth the money. We each paid 25$ and had one drink and only half the food was good. So... I'm sorry but 2 stars is all I'm giving. If you love choriZo and stuffing it in places. I'd try AVEC they have the best chorizo stuffed dates. Wow. Anyway. wouldn't go back. not worth the wait or the price. :-(
(2)
Emily Z.
Sadly I have never been to the East Coast, though I know that everyone wears polo shirts and boat shoes and they only eat crab, oh and according to Wedding Crashers they love sailing too, I think. Well Fish Bar seems very East Coast to me... whatever it is I can rest assure there is nothing like it in Chicago. Pretty small little laid back joint with 4 tables and one really long bar that snakes around, the servers can reach everyone from behind the bar, though many things are communal and self serve such as paper towels and the silverware. I love the bar stools they use, each is unique as in none are the same, ha. I really wanted to try a drink, they have giant mason jars filled with what I am presuming is liquor and assorted fruits but it was moving day for us so we stuck with water served in low key mason jars as well. Me and my roomie split the lobster roll (market price ($18)). Delicious, light yet somehow rich, the bun was super crispy and yummy. She had the Tots ($2), can't mess those up, and Gumbo ($6) and I had the Little salad ($4) which was good but I was slightly caught off guard that it was served in a paper bowl thing. This place has been packed every night I have walked past it, its definitely an awesome change of pace but if you're like me and like avoiding crowds and lines as much as possible I would hit it up for lunch !
(4)
Joe S.
as always.. I could not do better but.. this place is over rated. Its expensive and the food is just good..it is not great , it is not innovative. If it were 25% less in cost I would be at 4 stars but when you spend $45 for a small beer or two and 3 small plates that have nothing special to offer it's a disappointment. The truth is I think the owners DMK could do better.. serve 20% bigger portions and keep your prices. the one thing that is made incorrectly is their version of sopa de mariscos.. tastes like dish water.. I love DMK but they can do better with this place..no hard feelings ... only because the oyster Po' Boy w/ remoulade and slaw is very good and the bun is excellent..
(3)
Elli T.
I had heard so many amazing amazing things about Fish Bar, so I was thrilled to try it out on a perfect early summer evening. We were seated at a communal table, which was fine by us, and were giving our order to a wonderful waitress...when the owner's son and a friend sat down next to us. Let the nightmare begin... 1. Owner's son and friend got waters and placed an order before we were given water or our drinks. 2. Owner's son was obnoxious as hell, uttering "brah" after every freaking thing he said and talking ridiculously loudly so it was impossible not to listen to every annoying word. 3. Owner's son ordered and received MASS amounts of food before we even got our APPETIZER. 4. Owner's son paid bill "using [his] mom's company credit card because it's a business expense." Meanwhile, we still hadn't received our appetizer. 5. Owner's son finally leaves, and my boyfriend's entree arrives, along with appetizer. He ordered the Hobo Dinner, which was a mix of seafood grilled in a large foil package. He loved it and started eating because we were told my fish tacos would be coming soon. 15 minutes later, my meal still hadn't arrived. So, bf closed up his foil as we waited...and waited...and waited. When my meal finally came, the waitress was incredibly apologetic and offered to take our drinks off the tab and give us a free dessert. I really appreciated that and it helped ease the painful experience. The food was good, but really hard to appreciate given the horrendous experience. That said, I will give Fish Bar another try simply because I've heard too many good things not to. Hoping for a better experience next time. One that doesn't include an obnoxious teenager.
(2)
Liz C.
First off, love the crabby patty and the special salmon BLT. I also looove their drink the jackhammer. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is for the food. I think some dishes are just decent. That said, their service is awesome, as always with dmk restaurants. Seriously, they always nail it on the service part. Overall, it's definitely a great, small place to grab a bite if you're in a fish mood. Since it is small, be prepared to wait. Just sip on that jackhammer and the wait will fly.
(4)
Jasmin V.
Waited about 1 hour to sit on a Friday during lent arrived around 830 pm. Got some drinks while we waited... Punch taste like Mai tai. SO GOOD! Pineapple taste like Patron. Almost straight up on ice. I was a pretty happy camper before we even ordered food. Each drink pretty small and $6 each The service was very friendly and fast. -Lobster roll: yummy but i'm not sure if it's worth $18 (market price) -Crabby patty: i preferred this over the lobster roll $11 -Rock shrimp: mmm i could eat this every day! we got it wet. nice and saucy! -Tater tots: sad it was gone too fast I really LOVED this place BUT i thought it was a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The portions are waaay too small for what you are paying. The sandwiches come alone with no sides. Sides are $2. You can easily rack up a nice bill without even realizing it, especially after drinking their amazing drinks!
(4)
Brian F.
Yum! The lobster roll was just chuck full of big chunks of lobster wit a light mayo. Maybe a bit too much seasoning but disregarding the sodium overload it was a seriously tasty sandwich. I also tried their salmon tartar which was also really good. I will definitely come back here.
(4)
Joseph D.
As the name implies, this is a seafood-centric place with most dishes being served as "small plates" so you can sample a number of different things at a time. Seating as others have mentioned is at a bar (hence the name Fish Bar) so it makes for a nice communal dining experience. With that in mind, the place is a bit noisy so don't bring grandma here as she'll have to hoist herself up on a bar stool and dial up the hearing aid! Might be a good place for a first date though as there is lot to look at if it's not going well and good music and energy to support it if it is. We ordered quite a number of things and all of them were either very good or excellent. So the good news is, no matter what you get, you're going to enjoy your meal. Food is served as it's ready so you may find yourself with a plate being served to you here and there which is actually good as it extends the evening (bad if you're waiting for a space) and keeps everything fresh. No one wants to eat cold fish. Yuk! One other thing to keep in mind - there is a large chalkboard showing the various dishes of the day as much of the menu varies which makes this a nice place to return to again and again (clever marketing people I tell you!) So when I talk about our dish, it may not be available when you go (and you should go). Our selections and thoughts are as follows: 1. Ceviche - tangy and well balanced with nice chunks of seafood. Ours was scallops and shrimp I believe and served with saltines. Favorite of the bunch. 2. Fish tacos - 2 crispy mini tacos served with two sauces (one green that lacked a bit of taste so I'm not ever sure what it was) and a red sauce that reminded me of sriracha hot sauce which was smoky and quite tasty! 3. Crabby patty - like other mentioned more filler than seafood but tasty none the less. I'd rather they up the price and the seafood quotient. 4. Crab Salad - green salad big enough for sharing of iceberg lettuce, crab meat and asparagus. The dressing was supposed to be a balsamic vinaigrette but perhaps it was white balsamic as it was quite tangy! I'd probably skip this in the future but it was still good. 5. Seared scallops - 3 on a plate and served with a cream sauce which was nice (rich but not too rich). 6. Key Lime Pie - creamy and a nice cracker crust. Nice way to end the meal. The above was more than enough for my wife and I to be quite full. In addition to the above, they have an nice eclectic selection of beers on tap and some top shelf liquors to do cocktails. Not sure if they have wines by the bottle or glass though as I did not see any on the list. We each had two beers and with tax, tip and the food above, dinner cost $115 so it's NOT a cheap evening. But if you think of it like going out to see a show, you can pace yourself, order one thing at a time and make the evening last, with Fish Bar serving as your entertainment. One thing to mention is the staff. SUPER friendly (the manager Stefan sat with us and talked to us and Angela our server was so nice!) so even though this place could be perceived as trendy based on its decor and food style, the vibe is definitely casual and welcoming. Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Kevin C.
There is a boat hanging from the ceiling in this restaurant, and I spent maybe 95% of dinner thinking about how horrible and amazing it would be if it fell and just ruined somebody's birthday dinner, and how many terrible boat puns would show up in Yelp reviews as a direct result. Honestly, the food was fantastic. Mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy and whitefish sandwich gumbo. Everything was delicious, tasty and fresh, the way seafood and vaginas are supposed to be.
(4)
Anne M.
Oh so cute. This place has a little beach shack sort of vibe - and I mean that in the best way possible. From the exterior sky-blue walls to the outdoor picnic table eating area, to the indoor decor of fish, canoes + such, there's a down-to-earth ambiance that is the perfect setting for some fresh, small-plates of seafood. Warning: the place is tiny and maxes out quick. Get there early for dinner or anticipate a wait. I met my sister here for a Saturday dinner date, where we filled up our mini picnic table with all kinds of delectable morsels from the sea: - clam chowder (good + good size, with large pieces of clam) - shrimp cocktail (fresh + seasoned - can't go wrong) - crab salad (so light + pretty looking, with a heap of crab meat on top of the fresh greens) - house salad (also pretty - butter lettuce with a light balsamic dressing) - crab cake sandwich (awesome. decent size and nice spice / flavor) - cod fish sandwich (also awesome. a perfect little fish sammy) - tots (a tiny chalice of tots. odd presentation, okay, but my least favorite of the meal) - key lime pie (yummy. tart + served with a big dollop of whipped cream) They're small plates, okay...? [ "Lay off me I'm starving!" ]
(4)
Joe B.
It was very hard for me not to go next door to DMK burger for one of my all time favorite burgers coming from a self proclaimed connoisseur but we wanted to try something new. I was not disappointed. I really wanted the full belly clams but they were out so I opted for fish fries (smelt) and an oyster po boy. Everything was so fresh and so clean like Outkast. My wife's clam chowder was one of the best soups I have tasted and comes highly recommended if you like creamy soups or chowders. The beers looked so good and ice cold served in mason jars which I really enjoy. Everything I did not order looked amazing and made me want to go back to try other things like the ceviche, tartar and oysters. Service was very nice and gave us a free app for somehow not putting our order through, I ain't mad at him or the restaurant at all. Was
(4)
Hilary T.
Pretty good spot. The whitefish spread was really good as well as the oysters. There could be more added to the menu but I enjoyed it and will come back. Cute relaxing decor as well.
(4)
Roxanne R.
Came here on Saturday afternoon for lunch. No wait and our pick of the outdoor seating area. I had the Punch cocktail. It was a bit too strong for my taste and you'd think with all fruit like pineapple and oj described in the description it would be a bit sweeter but it wasn't.. On to the menu. So one portion of the menu is enough for a meal and the other is tapas style. They also have a wall of specials. So I ordered the crabby sandwich $11 and my husband ordered the sea scallops also for $11 and $3 tater tots. So luckily we were not in the mood to stuff ourselves and only wanted to have "enough" food because there were only 3 scallops! Poor husband, we split our meal down in half so it was just enough. Okay let me say that they were really fresh scallops that were cooked perfectly but c'mon $11? That is a bit steep. The sandwich was really good. Probably one of the better crabcake sandwiches I'll ever have. Maybe i'll comeback when the scallops are on special but don't expect to get full off of that $11 plate.
(3)
Leslie B.
Had a second experience here that trumped the first! Went in the daytime, which has a completely different vibe from at night. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar and having a Sunday Funday with my best friend. Went with Tinge of Ginge drink which was refreshing and strong! Made me remember that I had been walking in the sun for 2 hours no hydration...we had to order the rock shrimp, crispy, spicy goodness, and it was probs better than I remembered. We split the crab cake sandwich and the soft shell crab sandwich, which was on its last day at Fish Bar for the season. Both were faaaantastic. Yum. Our server, Emma, convinced us to get the key lime pie. Was I practically waddling out of Fish Bar after consuming it? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
(5)
Darin C.
The po'boy is my fav! I have been here twice and so far so good! The last time I came here, my friend and I spent $50 per person because everything tasted so great and we wanted to try everything! We had a lot of food and it was definitely worth it. The lobster roll is a must try but I do prefer the po'boy. The only thing that wasn't too great were the lemon rings. Yeah, don't order the lemon rings. We also had the smores and it was pretty great since you get to roast them yourself on a small flame.
(5)
Fish Y.
We had lobster sandwiches! they are good!
(5)
Karlos J.
I guess I am part of the small sample that had a bad eating experience here. Seafood in the Midwest can be pretty dicey but I thought I would give this place a shot due to all of the great reviews. The hostess was friendly and seated us in a short amount of time. The server was decent too for the most part. The food is atrocious here. I grew up in New England so I may be a bit jaded. We ordered the lobster roll, fish fries, and calamari. Everything was so over seasoned and salty. The jalapenos they put in the calamari is a really odd blend too. Actually, the lobster roll was pretty decent, until I started to feel a crunch in my mouth while I was chewing which turned out to be pieces of the lobster shell! I told our server and he did apologize but really just shrugged it off. Not exactly the best way to retain customers. Needless to say I am never going back here and will not recommend this place to my friends.
(1)
Hannah H.
This was a very cute place with a nautical theme. The service was great, and we tried out their famous Eastern Belly Clams (which is based on market price). It was nicely battered and seasoned well, and it was great dipping into the sauce that comes with. Tap water comes in those Ball canning jars, which was cute. Limited parking can be found around the residential area. +Eastern Belly Clams +limited street parking
(4)
Barry A.
It's dismaying how waiting in line to eat is now an integral part of dining out. A line obviously creates excitement, but restaurants like Fish Bar also turn the line, and the people in it, into part of the ambience - which is humiliating. There were 2 empty tables and 7 empty spaces at the bar after we'd waited 35 minutes, but the maitre d' was not seating people - I suppose to make the line longer. The decor is what you'd expect if IKEA decorated a fish shack. We sat at the bar, next to where people line up to get drinks. We were regularly jostled by these patrons and even slammed-into by the over-stuffed backpack on a drunk and disappointed Cub fan. This must be a trend, as it's similar to the mindlessness of people who stand, blocking vestibules on el cars at rush hour. The raw oysters and my soft shell po'boy were adequate, but not good enough to justify the $40/person price. The crabs were not completely fried. The bread was well toasted and the other filling was tasty. Something especially obnoxious was that our waiter asked for our names and referred to us by name all night. This creates the same warm intimacy one feels at the Gap or Wal-Mart when greeted by the "Hello, Welcome to..." drone. Fake friendliness seems like a suburban thing. Indeed, most of the patrons look like people who grew up in the suburbs and are living in Chicago for a few years to sow their wild oats and vomit on the sidewalk.
Love this little place. Great seafood and drinks. I don't think I've had one dish I didn't like. It's one of those small plate places so you can order a bunch of things to share. Highly recommend the gumbo, the tuna tartare and you must get the key lime pie. Great service too. Sometimes there can be a long wait as it's super tiny, but you can grab a drink at the bar. Nice big outdoor area for when it's nice out. Dog-friendly though technically you're supposed to tie your dog to stay on the sidewalk, but they don't really mind if he ends up under your table as long as he's not in the way.
(5)
John Z.
Went there on a Sunday with my wife, had a good seafood meal. We had clam chowder (good), oysters (very good), calamari (surprisingly good) and scallop tacos (disappointing). I would say we will definitely go back for the oysters and calamari. The "federal style" calamari has parmesan and banana peppers. It was surprisingly good. The drinks are definitely overpriced, but we knew that going in. I would definitely not get the tacos again, they were disappointing. We will probably be back.
(3)
Yvonne H.
Micro portions, macro prices. On the menu, the prices look reasonable until you discover the dishes are tapas-style and not a meal. It's hard to review the quality of the food because there was so little of it. I ordered the redfish tacos, got two scant soft shells with a few scraps of fish. No side. Just a lime wedge and two tiny paper cups of salsa. More like an appetizer. How cute. I downed it all in about three whole bites. It seemed fresh and tasty...I think. My dining companion got the $11 crabby patty. It looked good and she liked it, but again, it was smallish and came with no fries, coleslaw, or chips. The idea is obviously to force you to get several plates in order to feel full. Also, my dish was served long before my friend's. Since it took me about 45 seconds to finish it, I was done eating by the time she got hers. Poor service. As far as the dining experience, they're trying to go for the seafood shack thing. Other reviews mention booths; either I missed them or they got rid of them, because all I saw was a U-shaped wooden counter with stools and standing counter along the wall. Cramped and uncomfortable. Unless you like communal dining where you are up close and personal with other diners and their conversations, and enjoy having the wait staff banter with them right in your ear and your face, and having to tear off a roll of paper towels in lieu of napkins, you probably shouldn't eat here. The music stopped just short of being obtrusive. Other reviewers recommended it as a date place, which is baffling. There is no sense of intimacy or privacy with your dining companion at all. Not my idea of romantic but maybe I'm different. And fair warning: If you are over 30 you will definitely be the oldest ones in the place. But I would expect that in the DePaul area. What I object to was how much I paid only to leave still hungry. The only thing I would recommend Fish Bar for is maybe to grab a beer and oysters or something before moving on to another place for your main meal. Or, as a good place to dine if you're on a diet.
(2)
Jim K.
I couldn't decide between a couple of the fresh sections, so instead decided to go at it tapas style, asking the server to bring these three dishes out as came up: smoked whitefish, beet and feta salad, Satchmo PoBoy. So glad I went that rout - all were exceptional , and modest enough in both price and size to make a perfect meal. Fabulous!
(5)
Adriana K.
Really love the vibe here,,but the food is mostly fried frozen seafood..Soups have been really good, and enjoy the outdoor seating once the weather gets better. Calamari is very good, but a small portion. Think they are connected to DMK, which is next door and has some great burgers as well.
(3)
Bert T.
BE WARNED! The Redeye's review said they served brunch until 3 -- but they really pull that menu at 2 pm. Since I've been having a lot of trouble walking recently, I stayed anyway. I ordered the "Satchmo poor boy" -- for $12 they served me six shrimp on a hot dog bun. Nothing came with it -- just a tiny appetizer size sandwich all by itself. No fries, no slaw, not anywhere near a main dish portion.
(1)
Steve V.
After eating at DMK out in the burbs I wanted to try this place. The vibe was super chill as expected and the seating was pretty interesting. The waiters were prompt and extremely flexible with multitasking. Whether it was communicating with the customers while cleaning, or remembering the order without writing it down. Ordered a Satchmo Po'boy and a Crabby Patty (because of sponge bob of course) and was not disappointed. The sandwiches were both perfectly balanced. The spectrum of all the flavors were just so... So great guys. You gotta go, you just got to go. Keep up the good work guys. I can't wait to go to the other DMK restaurants.
(5)
Caroline J.
This is the second time I've been to Fish Bar - however, first time I just enjoyed a few drinks sitting outside in the summer. My boyfriend and I dropped in on a Tuesday night so it was definitely not crowded. We could sit wherever we wanted so we grabbed a booth. Our waitress was very friendly and greeted us immediately. However, when we were each torn between a few menu items she didn't really seem to have an opinion about any of them, except to say they were all good. Not a problem or anything, but I would have loved a suggestion! After we ordered food we decided to get a few beers, so my boyfriend ordered his. Right after he was done, she walked away. I had to flag her down to then order my beer. Again, not a huge problem, but it seems odd to not ask the other person if they'd like anything. The only other service aspect that bothered me (and this is just me being me) was that she kept pronouncing "pollack" like the derogatory name for Polish people. You're in Chicago - maybe you don't want to go around announcing you're frying up Polish people. I got the spicy mahi mahi sandwich and my boyfriend got the satchmo po' boy. Both were SO tasty. Mine was the perfect amount for me and easily one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. His was equally delicious, but definitely left him needing more food. For the price, I wish we would have gotten some kind of side with the sandwich so he didn't feel the need to run over to DMK after. Overall, the food and beer was great. I love the atmosphere of this place. The service could be improved a bit, as could the amount of food you get for the prices. Our waitress did give us coupons for a free drink each when we came back, which was very nice of her. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but might have a little pre-meal snack at home!
(3)
Jessica R.
Too expensive for the small portions. The Calamari was really good though! Excellent service!
(3)
Cuitlahuac F.
If you like seafood this place will not disappoint. Anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong. The fish tacos are amazing and the dollar oysters at night are dope. I could put down two dozen.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Stopped by here for lunch one of the days my bf and I visited Chicago. Was recommended here by a coworker. Everything was delicious here. We ordered clam chowders, ceviches, ahi tartare, and the famous lobster roll. Everything was a bit pricey for the portions that they served. But it all tasted so good, left us wanting more!! Def worth it to try this place out! I will go back if I visit Chicago again!
(4)
Molly D.
My husband and I have had this place on our list to try for months. Because they don't take reservations for 2 people we waited until it was nice enough to wait outside with a drink. We arrived at about 7:00pm and, as expected, were told there was about a 30 minute wait. We decided to order some cocktails to pass the time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a cute bar setting. It makes you feel like you have left the city and are in a restaurant in a lake or ocean vacation town. I ordered a "Three Hour Tour" which was served in style in a mason jar. It was a bit on the expensive side but it was tasty. After waiting the 30 minutes we were seated at the bar and began ordering food. The food is served as small plates so you are able share and to try a lot of different things. While we were waiting for our first small plates to come out, one of the hostesses came over and asked if we would be ok moving to a different area (I guess another group that had reserved for 4 people actually ended up having 5 so the table they reserved for them was too small). We agreed to move to the table. I'm glad we moved since it didn't really matter where we were sitting because about 5 minutes later they sent out two complimentary oyster shooters for us as a "thank you" for being flexible. You have to appreciate when restaurants go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy. The oyster shooters were good, the oyster was a decent size at the bottom of the shot glass and the shooter liquid had the right amount of spice and good flavor. Anyways, back to the food, the small plates started arriving: calamari, fish tacos, fried shrimp, garlic bread, and steamed mussels. Everything was delicious. We would definitely go back again when craving small plates of seafood in a fun atmosphere and I would recommend this restaurant to family/friends. The only reason I gave Fish Bar 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt for the amount of food you got the prices were a little too high. Other places in the area that serve small plates like Girl and the Goat, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, or Quartino also serve seafood, and in my experience you get more food or the prices are lower if the portions are on the smaller side.
(4)
Shannon K.
Don't mistake the 3 stars, this place is more like 3.5 pushing 4 stars. I am still working my way through the menu and as I do I imagine my "update" will include an extra star. It's becoming one of my favorite lunch spots, I'm just a tough judge of seafood because I have lived in San Fran and Boston. They pull that shit right out of the sea on the coasts! The food is solid. I have had the tartare, fish tacos (on special), one of the sandwiches, and the oysters. And the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno is delish. I need to check out the ceviche (one of my favorite foods) and carpaccio next! The staff is super friendly and incredibly good looking. I always ask their favorites and they tell me and they tell me why they like what they like. I like. Each time I have been there they always throw in an extra oyster or give me a card for an oyster shooter on my next visit. Nice touch. The place is small, but super cute. Love the hanging wooden canoe. Love the two seafood bars with stools, love being able to see the chefs, love all the windows, love the sidewalk seating (in warmer months). It's less than a block from the Wellington EL stop. And I always feel comfortable if I pop in and dine alone. Definitely yummy and worth checking out!
(3)
Clayton B.
Another great Dmk restaurant! This place is always packed as the dining room is very small. They have made efficient use of the small space inside with a horseshoe bar and a few booths. Outside there's a decent size patio along Wellington. My service has been great both times I've been here. Lindsey at the bar was great. She was busy but seemed attentive to every guest. The food here is tapas style so the portions are definitely not large but I think the price is reasonable for the quality. I ordered the shrimp and octopus ceviche to start. It was very acidic but that's right up my alley. It reminded me of Mediterranean tabbouleh with the onions, parsley, and celery. After that I had the sea scallops..... SO SO good. Only three scallops (I could have eaten 20) but cooked to perfection. I originally was going to give this place four stars because the menu isn't very big, but then I realized they have a seasonal menu on the board that changes due to market. Ill be back!
(5)
Ariel L.
****2.5 stars*** $19 for an average lobster roll? I don't think so. AVOID the lobster roll, it is so not worth the money. If you ever been to the east coast and had one, you will be very disappointed. I also ordered the mussels and the grilled calamari. Both of those were quite good, but the portions were quite small. Had I gone in with a full appetite, I could have easily run up the bill to $50 (without libations). The place itself is cute, but the chairs at the bar are awfully uncomfortable. Try and snag one with a back, or you will be walking funny on the way out. Servers were friendly and they brought us out a fried oyster with their special sauce. That may have been the best part off the meal. I have to say i'd probably prefer to go to the Half Shell on Diversy if it was one or the other, but i'm glad i tired the place. I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Stephanie M.
If you are looking for a restaurant with delicious food and a unique atmosphere, Fish Bar is a great choice. The decor is very north eastern fishing shack with wood panel walls, chalkboards and a canoe hanging from the ceiling. The majority of the seating inside is stools around bar tops behind which your waitress takes and serves your order. There is also a great outdoor area when the weather is nice enough. The food here is great! Very fresh and flavorful seafood from BBQ frog legs to salmon BLT, everything is tasty. The drinks are one of my favorite parts, fitting in the theme of the restaurant they are exactly what you would picture holding while sitting on the porch and staring at the sea. Everything is served as a "small plate", even the drinks are pretty small, and can be a little pricey for the amount you get, but always tastes great!
(4)
Holly R.
I wanted to like Fish Bar. I really, really did. The decor is seriously so adorable. It's like a little fishing shanty! And literally my mouth was watering at the menu. But when everything I ordered arrived (ceveche, crab salad), I needed a gallon of water to wash it all down. It was SO SALTY. I love seafood. It's my fave. I was so excited when Fish Bar came in to town, but I honestly don't know if I would go back.
(3)
Ana W.
There is literally nothing wrong with this place - unless you hate waiting for a table at restaurants (which is pretty unavoidable on a Friday or Saturday night in this neighborhood). My boyfriend and I come here ALL THE TIME - we come for date night just us two, bring friends on occasion, and have even brought our parents here - you can't go wrong! Fish Bar is unique because rather than a bunch of small tables scattered throughout the restaurant, they made the most of the space and have three "bar seating" arrangements, all in U-shapes where the waitress is in the middle and can easily serve the people at that particular bar. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend bringing a large group unless you're going to sit outside (did I mention they have a great front patio?) The wait has never been unbearably long, and it's pretty painless when you order one of their specialty cocktails - always refreshing during the summer and pair nicely with the food (definitely order the #6 - bourbon something?!)! At restaurants I usually stick to my favorite dish, but Fish Bar constantly has new specials that I always just have to try! About a month ago I had the special fish tacos, which were super flavorful and even though there are only two were pretty satisfying! The last time I went (last Friday) we ordered the frogs legs which had buffalo sauce on them and were super different and delicious (don't be shy people, they literally taste like chicken)! For my main plate I got the salmon BLT which had some amazing celery mayo on it and was just what I wanted! The hostess is usually the same super cute, super friendly girl and the waitresses are no different - always real and make you feel right at home! And unlike some restaurants I have been to lately, they genuinely know about the food and the restaurant in general - it's nice to see people actually enjoy what they're doing (or doing a really good job pretending they do!). Fish Bar isn't the cheapest place in town, but there's a reason for it. I have yet to find another place that even comes close to matching the fantastic food, service and atmosphere here.
(5)
Melanie S.
The crowds have kept me away from Fish Bar since its opening, but that all changed this past weekend. We were planning on heading next door to DMK, but it was late afternoon and since Fish Bar was virtually empty, we headed there instead. A late lunch is the perfect time to go; save for one table of four, there was no one else there. We took a seat at one of the two bars. I love the casual vibe of this place --silverware in glasses, and condiments laid across the counter. We started with a round of drinks: A $2 PBR and an "Old School" cocktail. The cocktails ($5), are served in mini Mason jars, hence their cheap price tag. We ordered a half dozen oysters, and were asked if we wanted East Coast, West Coast, or a combination. We ordered all East Coast and six plump beauties arrived with all the adornments: mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon, and horseradish. I don't eat oysters, but the report was that they were very good and fresh. We moved on to fried calamari, "Federal Hill" style. Federal Hill is an Italian neighborhood in Providence, RI that I'm familiar with as I visit RI a couple times a year. As expected, the calamari has an Italian touch and is served with pepperoncini and grated parmesan. The peppers added a nice kick and the parmesan added a nice saltiness. I had my doubts when I saw the parmesan, but it really worked. The calamari itself was lightly breaded, perfectly crispy, and not at all chewy or rubbery. In fact, it was so good, we immediately ordered a second one. I'll admit, my raison d'etre for trying Fish Bar was to sample the lobster roll and I'm happy to report that it was stellar. Imagine a lightly toasted bun, dressed ever so gently with celery mayo, and positively overflowing with huge chunks of succulent lobster and that's what I ate. It was so luscious and decadent. If you're a seafood restaurant and you're only going to serve one dessert, by god, that dessert better be key lime pie. And that's all that Fish Bar has on its menu. But this isn't just any old key lime pie; this is key lime pie supplied by none other than Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate fame. It's probably my second favorite key lime pie. It's a generous slice served with barely whipped cream. It's the ideal finish. I'm not sure if the great and friendly service was a result of the lack of crowd, but our server, Marina, was so personable that we stayed and chatted long after our meal was over. She even gave us cards for two free drafts next door at DMK, where she also works. Yep, I'm on board with Fish Bar. Can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. It's a rousing 4.5 stars.
(4)
Debbie F.
First class service that deserves 5 stars. Everything else about the restaurant does not. -Very tiny portions (see pictures) for exorbitant prices -Fresh ingredients, but flavours are not memorable -Patrons are irritating enough to ruin the experience The quest for fresh, affordable seafood in America's Midwest continues.
(3)
Mike W.
I have to say I was not impressed. I lives on the east coast for a few years and was up in cape cod vacationing, nothing here came close to the seafood I had out there in diners. I also don't like the fact that almost everything they serve is just fried. That combined with huge wait times I won't be back. There are plenty of fish in the sea, this one's not for me :(
(3)
Belle L.
Gumbo -- I came for Gumbo. I dare you to search for the bits and pieces of andouille sausage with a spec of blue crab. Rice was a tad uncooked. Too soupy. You have to be in New Orleans to enjoy good gumbo. Eastern belly clam -- caution: it can get clammy even fried. Not all but some. Its how it's cook and how it is position or floating on fryer. Uniformly battered. Tater Tots -- perfect crunch. Well seasoned. Nothing special. Looks like one of the frozen selections at grocery store. Home made tartar sauce. The ketchup packets for the tots reminded me of the 2001 Kate and Leopold movie: "You shake and shake the ketchup bottle. None will come, and then a lot'll." using ketchup as a mask for bad food. Excellent service. The moment I put down my lemonade, Sonja immediately asked me for refill. Impressive. 6 types of hot sauce. Tested and enjoyed Trappy's. Excellent drinks list from beer to cocktail at a reasonable price with cosmopolitan sophistication. Warning: Seat Thyself. No sign. No one will tell you. Will go back again for p'o boy, Manila clams and fish/chips.
(3)
ProjectChitown I.
Meh. The ambiance of a small place on the beach. Staff is friendly but not super attentive. The portions are super small and really don't justify the cost. If you have had a good lobster roll - pass on it here. It's underwhelming and not worth $22. Your better off getting the Satchmo Po' Boy - pretty good. Hush Puppies are another pass. Biggest disappointment was the ceviche! It was probably the worst we have ever had. The marinated citrus juice tasted like it came out of a grocery bottle. It was really off, almost rancid. We still think GT is the place to go...never a disappointment.
(2)
Liz K.
I haven't been here since last spring -- but I really like this place. It's a bit pricey but the food is pretty damn tasty. My boyfriend and I both had the satchmo po boy, I believe, and shared some oysters. The oysters were fresh and they had a decent variety to choose from. The po boy, though, was amazing. 10 dollars for a sandwich is a little crazy, but this one was stuffed full and all of the seafood tasted fresh. You'll have a long wait here on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday -- but there are great cocktails that make the wait a bit easier.
(4)
Kate G.
This place is awesome! Loved the atmosphere, although it made me slightly sad I wasn't vacationing in a beach town somewhere. Even though I'm not a huge shrimp fan, I felt compelled to order the satchmo po' boy and was not disappointed. The shrimp and crawfish was cooked perfectly and didn't have the gummy texture I despise. The breading they use is also delicious. My boyfriend got the crabby patty which was also good. We also split the lemon, onion and jalapeno, which we enjoyed immensely. Definitely will be returning here in the future to try some of the other dishes!
(4)
Jackie C.
I've wanted to go here for a while! So when I finally got here, the taste of the food was slightly disappointing, the drinks were Fantastic.. The drinks were so cute being served in mason jars, and a good value for your money (6$/drink). I had one with tequila, and it was perfect- not too sweet! Our server was awesome! So cute and attentive! The other servers were great too! They all checked on us throughout the service to make sure we were doing ok- (just the right amount of times). Some highlights in the food: tartare, and the special salmon, and clams (in this delish bisque!). The lobster roll was fair; this is because it comes on an extra-large roll that overtakes the lobster that's inside... I would go back, (they do have outside seating!) with a little extra cash in my pocket or maybe after an appetizer or 2 from somewhere else...
(3)
Stephanie H.
It's ok. I put Fish Bar in the same category as DMK (see my review) in that it's a great concept, but just not executed well. The actual restaurant is very small. Most seats are around a bar, there are a few booths. Large groups will not work here. The menu is subject to change quite a bit depending what's available and is fresh off the market- which is nice. Thanks to my fellow yelpers I was cautious of the prices. So I opted to stay away from the crab cake and lobster roll although the latter was so tempting (but at $19?!). I got the Manila Clams which were very tasty. Having been around the seafood block several times, I know it's common to have a bit of a grit, but the last clam in the pot was full of grit, a bit of a delayed beach vacation. It happens, but again this wasn't a little, it was a lot. I also ordered the shrimp salad. I hesitate to call it a salad because it was so small. Think of the salads you get in economy class on an airplane, now picture it with 2 big prawns on top. What a bummer. My waitress offered to get me another piece of garlic bread that comes with the salad, but I said no as even the bread wasn't very good. The salad was tasty, but I was still hungry. The people on either side of me got the crab cake sandwich and it was so so small- think of a slightly larger slider. I decided to leave and get a slice of Chicago's on the way home when the manager came by. I mentioned the gritty clam and how the food was fine, but not great. He offered me a sample of the salmon carpacchio which was nice. I really appreciated how he professionally handled my feedback. One thing I forgot to mention was that at times the music is waaaaaay too loud in there. To sum it up- it's not bad, but it's not great. I will consider trying it again in the summer.
(3)
marco o.
Very tasty food, outdoor seating, great drinks, but balanced out with OK service and silly prices ($3 for 7 tater tots, really?). All the food we got was good, but too expensive for the portions received. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, but everything took way too long. Not sure if she was spacey or they were understaffed, but it got sort of silly.
(3)
Nikki A.
This place is the real deal; great quality on the seafood and superb service. The decor is cute (I love the mason jars) and it's a small place, but they just set up their outside patio service yesterday so hurrah, more seats. Everything is tasty. Booze/alcohol selection is seasonal and small but they know exactly what goes well with their food. Our server actually gave us a sample of the ginger-infused cocktail and it was delicious. Their tap beers rotate very frequently, so if you like yummy craft beers with your seafood, this is the place!
(4)
Matt B.
This is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Fresh, simple and creative small plates of seafood. The clam chowder and gumbo are outstanding. The staff is amazing. Friendly, intelligent, and well informed. Nice beer selection and creative cocktail selection. If you're looking to study a wine list, this is not the place. There are two wine choices, Spanish Red, and Chilean white. Both very good though. The ambiance is "diner/bar style". 2 very small booths. During nice weather, they have picnic tables set up outside. Highly recommended. Not really kid friendly, no high chairs available. Remember, it is a BAR. However, we brought our 2 year old and met friends with their 5 and 3 year olds. We called ahead and showed up early for dinner on a Sunday evening at 5 pm. The staff was friendly, patient and accommodating.
(5)
julie q.
Yay! I'm a fan!! I really like this place and for one huge reason - I'm not committed to buying a $15 piece of fish that I may or may not like. I can pay $15 for two or three small portions of stuff and if I don't like it, it's not a huge deal. I like the idea of the seafood tapas. Everything we had was fantastic. The carpaccio, tartare, clam chowder, po boys, rock shrimp, scallops, and gumbo were great. The cocktails were tasty and potent. It's a very small place but we had reservations on a Thursday and we got seated right at our reservation time. I like this place very much and we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Beata M.
I am pescatarian and this place always hits the spot with the unique and delicious seafood and fish dishes! The drinks are awesome too! The staff is always very friendly and helpful!
(5)
Kathleen C.
Upon entering Fish Bar, I had to check to see if I was still in Chicago...this is one of the cutest restaurants and you really feel that you're in another spot (even in the winter!). Seated at the bar, we were quickly greeted (though I can see why you can't bring groups here - the bar is really awesome, but you definitely can't seat a group larger than 4 unless you really dislike half of the group and don't want to speak/see them). The meal started with Ball jars of drinks (love the Ball jars!) and a super friendly server. We also received some fried artichokes to start (the group next to us received ceviche as a 'treat'). The lobster roll was delicious, though I'm a bit of a purist (I could go for just plain mayo...). It is pricey, but huge and delicious. The oyster po boy..also wonderful. All in all, it's a bit expensive, which is why I dropped a star, but it's a great spot and I can't wait to return. Oh - also, get some take out - it comes with a beer!
(4)
Matthew J.
Coming from Boston were you regularly eat Lobster Rolls I was nervous about having one in the Midwest.... Fish Bar was incredible... Our server Celeste was amazing, friendly, knowledgable and beautiful.. Food came out quick and every dish was perfection. Ill definitely be back again and again!!!
(5)
Mary T.
When my dining partner said he wanted seafood, we settled on Fish Bar solely based on the posted photos. I would urge Fish Bar to give their website a little love; when we looked at the site, every menu link errored out and today, the URL has expired. Fortunately, the place lived up to the Yelp pics we drooled over. When we arrived for an early dinner on Sunday, the inside was completely empty and the patio was only half-full. By the time we left, things had filled in considerably. Both of us were a little surprised by the interior, which is three smaller booths and one long counter that snakes around the place. That said, when the patio is closed, it's probably not ideal for parties of more than 4. I wish I recalled our server's name, but she was really nice. While we perused the menu, she gave us a sample of the salmon tartare served on saltines. She also wasn't afraid to share her opinion, so we got the most out of our meal. We started out with drinks, the frog legs and the rock shrimp. To drink, I ordered #3 Old School, which comes in a baby mason jar. Maybe I'm bad with innuendo, but I didn't get the description had to ask what type of booze was in it (tequila). Made with grapefruit juice and lime, it has a clean refreshing taste; I think grapefruit haters would even like this drink. Of our starters, we both agreed the rock shrimp served wet (at our server's recommendation) were our favorite, although I would've liked a little more sriracha to give it a bigger kick. The frog legs, served buffalo style, were...interesting and messy. I've always heard they taste like chicken, but they had a fish-like flavor to me; I was glad I tried them, but I don't think I'd order them again. For our main meal, we split the Satchmo Po' Boy and the Cod Sandwich. Of the two, I think I preferred the cod sandwich. This ain't no McFish; for starters the cod patty actually resembles the shape of a fish. Toss in some Old Bay seasoning and you've got a great sandwich. The po' boy was tasty too, but a bit heavy for my liking; I think the buttery bun sent me over the top. Overall it was very tasty, stuffed with shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles and really balanced out the flavors. It took us a while to decide what to order, which means we have plenty of reasons to come back! It doesn't hurt that we got cards for a free drink too.
(4)
Brett F.
Fish Heads Fish Heads Roly Poly Fish Heads Fish Heads Fish Heads Eat Them Up, Yum! And eat them up I did! This fish was nothing short of delish, yo. Whether you're looking for a healthier fish experience via raw tartare or carpaccio preparations of the fresh daily catch, or a full out, steamy, deep fryer extravaganza, it's all here for the catching at Fish Bar. Get in early and avoid the wait time at this (mostly) counter-only hot spot. Dinner rushes bring considerable lines with them and the only lines this lassie likes are the ones in the water with bait on the end! While it's items like the light and crispy fried Eastern Belly Clams and a true classic, the Maine Lobster Roll, that have solidified a place in my sea lovin' heart for Fish Bar, the unparalleled Codfish sandwich is truly where it's all at. All you need to do is just take one look at its glorious photo to see what I mean... golden brown, glistening cod on a superdupersoft bun nestled sky high in between crunchy lettuce, fresh tomato, tangy tartar sauce and melty American cheese... Wowzer! It's an undoubted thing of beauty and ten times effing tastier. love. Love. LOVE. A nice assemblage of cocktails (try the Negroni Baloney), beer (hellooo Goose Island Matilda) and - let me not forget! - the terrifically tasty tots that round out this fabulously fishy feast. Grab your sea legs, it's time to eat!
(4)
Carol K.
Was it crowded? Yep. But worth the wait? You betcha! Fish Bar is a casual take on an east coast type seafood eatery. No frills, that's for sure, for this down and dirty, sit at the counter or at a picnic table outside, restaurant, has a limited menu with specials changing daily. We put our names in, and then rather than stand in the melee, we decided to walk down the block and have a drink at Kirkwood before heading back to the Fish Bar where our timing was perfect! We were seated at the counter on a couple of the rickiest stools I have ever sat on, and after a few "jiggles" to make sure the darn thing wasn't going to collapse on me, I began to look over the menu. We wanted to taste a range of food so we ordered a little of this and that. The server will tell you that the serving sizes are smallish so that you may want to order a few things per person. We ordered the rock shrimp (fried but good), bluefish spread (a little salty), grilled octopus (wish I had gotten two) and the lobster roll (very fresh and tasty!). The perfect amount for a light dinner. And while they were out of domestic beer and could only offer craft beers on tap, we were fine with a mixed cocktail to go along with all of that. The noise level is high- so know before you go that this is not going to be a quiet date night out. And the food comes up quickly to get you in and out so lingering in really not encouraged. Our bill was about $60 for the two of us including cocktails. If I had a wish- it would be for a view of the ocean outside of the windows instead of the cars cruising up and down Sheffield. But since that's not going to happen- I'll settle for squinting my eyes, pretending to see waves crashing and just imagining the calls of seagulls in the air!
(4)
aldrich b.
I would definitely come back for the food, but not for the wait. Our party of 4 waited an hour to eat at the counter. The place is really small, and most of the seating is at the counter with like 4 booths only. We were cold, hungry, and desperate to try this place. I love seafood, and being in chicago away from the ocean, you don't get the best and freshest stuff. So I have to try every new place to see if it can rival the seafood I've had from the east and west coasts. We ordered the lobster roll, the rock shrimp, the tail-on shrimp, tater-tots, and the clam chowder....i know, don't judge me. I have to admit that the food was really good, and the lobster roll is legit. My friend friend that was with us, who is originally from Maryland, said the same thing...."their lobster roll is the real deal." It's awesome, just the right balance of citrus and mayo....not heavy at all, with great contrast in texture between the soft lobster meat and the crunch of the celery. The roll that they serve it on is nice and buttery....mouth just salivated, excuse me. I've never had an $18 sandwich before, but I'd pay for that sandwich again. Everything else was good also: the chowder was full of seafood and flavor, the shrimp was adequate...definitely prefered the rock shrimp vs the tail-on. Bottom line, I would go back to this place when it's less busy and i will have that lobster roll again. I would say it's worth a 10-15 min wait. Wish this place was a little bigger so the wait isn't so long.
(4)
Frank R.
This has been on my shortlist of places to try since it opened, and last night I personally verified all of the extremely positive reviews by having not just a dinner, but a feast. I called ahead for reservations, but they let me know that this probably wouldn't be necessary and that they only accept them for the booths off to the side for parties of 3 or more. Even though I was going with two other friends, we had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar upon arrival. I am a big fan of DMK next door, and I was impressed with the layout the two owners used for this space, but the dining area to kitchen/bar area made me chuckle; the restaurant is clearly an experimental culinary lab for the owners and the layout and operation reflects this. The silverware, condiments, and appetizer plates are all self-serve. However, you come to appreciate the no-frills feel, and the decor and atmosphere more than made up for the somewhat cramped space. I'd just hate to see what the place looks like during peak hours. For starters, my friend and I ordered from an impressive beer list, which wasn't extensive but had something for everyone's preferences. I had the Blanche du Bruxelles, a witbier that recalled a richer Allagash White. The menu also had a nice selection of summery mixed drinks, so fear not if you're not the beer type. After ordering drinks, it became apparent that service would be ridiculously good, as our waiter was friendly but not intrusive, helpful but not condescending. Usually someone my age (21) isn't given the best service by wait staff, but not so with Fish Bar. We then proceeded to order fried calamari for a group appetizer. The waiter warned the servings were on the smaller side, which was about true for the calamari, but all three of us got a good sample, which was fried in a great breading and topped with extremely flavorful jalapeños and banana peppers. I also ordered a cup of the clam chowder, which was hearty, rich, and loved by all three of us; we'd decided at this point that we were pretty much splitting everything since it was all so delicious. After we finished the appetizers and ordered our main courses, we were greeted by one of the managers, who was again extremely welcoming without being overbearing or interrupting our experience. More to come on him later, but now back to the food. For the main course, we all tried to order relatively dissimilar items to appease our interests. My two friends ordered the Crabby Patty (just like SpongeBob) and the Fried Oyster Po'-boy, respectively, while I went with the special, whitefish a la plancha, which was pan fried in a light crust and topped with olive oil, chili flakes, and microgreens. The Crabby Patty was excellent, with so much flavor and color to it that I had to slow my chewing to really savor it. I didn't get to try the Po'-boy, but my friend's sounds of enjoyment really said it all, and she only made it through half. We were also given an order of the garlic bread gratis by the waiter, which to my surprise was a large, soft half loaf which was toasted to perfection and topped with shredded parmesan; it reminded me of french toast or even a cinnamon roll in how soft the bread was. My fish was excellent as well. The crust was bursting with a tangy flavor that really enhanced the already wonderful, light flavor and texture of the underlying whitefish. The chili flakes added a nice spice, and all I really needed to add was a pinch of sea salt (one of the self-serve condiments, which is still in the large canister that they're shipped in). After this veritable smorgasbord of delicious food, we were all stuffed, but had to inquire about dessert, which they let us know was key lime pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, both excellent, summery choices. Alas, we were too full. No pie this time, although there was one more delicious item coming our way when the manager I mentioned before brought out some of the new tartare they were preparing, which was juicy and packed with flavor without being too overbearing on my already exhausted palette, even on the saltines it came with. Then, as if this wasn't enough, the manager talked us through their summer menu and how it differs from what they've previously had and then gave us his business card for free oyster shooters the next time we came in. I work in retail and realize you should invite customers back in, but the demeanor and non-pretentious attitude both the waiter and manager had felt extremely sincere, and this is a rarity in the service industry for me. Fish Bar was a fantastic experience in every aspect for the three of us. I went in with extremely high expectations and even they were exceeded. I hate to be such an idealist about this (because really, it's just food, right?) but this type of experience is why I'm glad I moved to Chicago. I wish there was a "fuck yeah" button next to the five stars up top so I could click it. I couldn't recommend Fish Bar more.
(5)
Sam B.
Fresh, wild caught seafood. Great service. Will definitely be returning, I just wish there was more seating inside!
(5)
Dean K.
I shouldn't do this because I want the crowds to die down but fair is fair. This place is outstanding. Best, freshest seafood I've had in Chicago, ever. I had 3 orders of oysters, white tuna carpaccio, garlic bread, tater tots, gumbo, and a bunch of other stuff. I couldn't stop ordering (maybe that's why the manager gave me his card before we left). The bartender/server was super cool too. My non-fish-eating girlfriend had the BLT and it was great. I am so fortunate to be able to walk to this place and I'll be doing it as often as I can.
(5)
Alex F.
I'm kind of over the tapas trend in chicago, but although the portions are small at fishbar, but the food was fresh and tasty... and i like the setup.
(4)
Audrey S.
Go here if 1) it's before 6pm on the weekend, 2) you're up for a couple of snacks, 3) want a couple of beers/cocktails. No, it's not cheap, but that's because the fish is fresh. The place is small, so get there early (we went around 4m on a Saturday and had no problem getting a seat). All the servers are awesome and overall it's an excellent place. Just manage your expectations.
(4)
Kerry M.
Fish Bar is a really cool little place with wonderful food. I would not, however, recommend this place for a group larger than four. There just isn't room. This restaurant is teeny tiny, and most everyone (with the exception of a handful of booths) is seated at a winding bar/counter top. My friend and I hit this place on a Wednesday night. Turned out to be a great decision, as we got seated immediately. The food, is excellent. We had the ceviche, the seafood salad, and the gumbo. All, were delicious. Everything was really fresh and tasty. Bob Marley was blasting the entire time we were there, which made the mood inside very relaxed and cheerful. The service was good, and the ambience was better, but the food was the stand out, as it should be. Go now, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jonathan W.
Very very very good. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey. The portions are small, and they should be, but are still a little pricey for what they are, even given the quality. The lobster roll was expensive but worth every penny. Amazing. Also the drinks are microscopic.
(4)
Charlene S.
We've been hearing all the hype and were kinda turned off to come here. We didn't want to fight the crowds on a Friday night after the Cubs home opener. But we risked it and glad we did. The hubs and I were immediately seated at a communal bar served by 1 waitress. Cozy, but the loud guy next to us with the handlebar stache was a bit obnoxious and I didn't like hearing his conversation and him gawking at whatever we ordered. We ordered a lobster roll and it was DELICIOUS! Fresh, cool lobster with a little kick on a toasty roll with remoulade sauce that was refreshing and very complimentary. The hubs had the cod sandwich, which he thought was bland, but the tarter sauce added to its flavor. I defended... maybe they're trying to be purists and not overwhelm the cod with seasoning. The cod on its own was very fresh and tasty. That seems plausible because of the other dishes we got. Very simple, very true to flavor. We also got the octopus a la plancha. Two little octupusses or octopi (hmmmmm?) grilled and served with a little lemon sauce and microgreens. Very simple. Very delicious. The hubs got the lobster bisque. He didn't enjoy it too much. Not like the usual tomato type reduction salty and savory... This one was sweeter, gravy brown looking in color, with corn and fresh lobster... which was pretty generous. Just not what we were anticipating. I got the clam chowder and explained to the hubs that I thought this was the best clam chowder I ever had... scallions, creamy slightly spicy, didn't congeal on top, well cooked not mushy potatoes, and fresh clams... oh so good. It was a bit loud in there and when it filled up, the chatter and music got overwhelming. There was a crowd that soon developed (after 5:30p on a Fri) and were standing around waiting. But the turnover seems pretty quick, cuz the stools aren't comfortable and you feel weird sitting there enjoying a beer or 2 or 3. It doesn't have that inviting atmosphere cuz people are waiting. But someone came out and started handing out little samples of their specialty beer so that probably made the wait more bearable and my husband forgot about how much he didn't like the lobster bisque.
(4)
Patrick M.
Stumbled across this joint and walked in and ordered raw oysters and Hendrick's and gin. Beverages served in a mason jar (plus!). The raw oysters were fresh, and perfect consistency. Tater tots were crisp, NOT mushy and piping hot. Finally, the key lime pie is other worldly. Have no idea what they put in that crust. Damage was a little $$$ for lunch, but this was my best stop in 5 days of exploring Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Little Italy, and elsewhere.
(5)
TaipeiGal N.
it's a cute place with long lines. food is fresh but i hit a wall eating the same way of preparation. its fun to check out once. Dont keep ordering the fried ones. You will feel ewwww like me.
(3)
Mark N.
Original plan was to visit Taste of Chicago but to our dismay it ended at 6pm on the final day. A friend recommended we try out Fish Bar so we all met there. Small dining room, so we waited it out by ordering some drink cocktails made by the manager Sasha. The #2 Tea was delicous and I convinced all my arriving friends to try one or 3. We ordered NE Clam Chowder, soft shell crab, calamari and ordered (and re-ordered) many rounds of oysters, both the west coast and east coast variety. The atmosphere and service were outstanding, we all forgot all about the Taste of Chicago. Will visit again and again!
(5)
Jeanine h.
I didn't think it was worth the cost. Food is good, but not spectacular. Small portions and over priced.
(2)
Brad N.
Not pretentious, good food, good beer, good (and inventive) layout, nice and helpful staff, reasonable prices for the most part...overall, very nicely done.
(5)
Christine J.
I enjoyed my first time dining experience at Fish Bar. The vibe is casual, where you sit on stools around a silver metal bar. But it feels trendy still. I scoffed a little at the prices when I saw the menu. $9 for 3 ounces of fried clams? Besides the price though, the food was quite good. High quality ingredients, fried items were hand battered and deep fried fresh. And their key lime pie was very tasty. I felt portions were on the small side, so getting something hearty like the gumbo or the po' boy is a must. Good service, I'll be back, but not too often.
(4)
Alex M.
Have to order an oyster shooter. Fried clam bellies and oyster po boy were amazing. Great beer too.
(4)
Katie P.
The newest seafood joint in Chicago, Fish Bar, definitely hit the mark with the design of the interior. Imagine an east coast lobster shack meets New Orleans. The layout features almost all counter seating (there are three booths, if you are lucky enough to grab one) which works out well for a quick lunch but would be a bit tricky for a nice dinner or busy saturday night. Although the design of Fish Bar was fairly authentic (for a merging of two coast, anyways), the visit went downhill from there. We had the fried clams which were pretty good but the portion size was fairly skimpy(3.5 pieces, literally) for the price. We also tried the Maine lobster roll and the 'catch of the day'; trout. The lobster roll came on the correct roll; split down the center with buttery-toasted sides but was completely over-seasoned with celery salt and old bay seasoning. The lobster and mayo mixture was watery, leaving me to believe the meat had been frozen, and definitely not worth the $18.00 market price. A true east coast lobster roll has to stand by the idea of simplicity and purity, no seasonings, toasted bun, and either cold meat with mayo or warm with drawn butter. Let the fabulous taste of the fresh meat shine, don't mask it. The trout was served well after the lobster roll came out and after the first bite I noticed it was completely raw still. I had to send it back and have them cook me a new piece which resulted in me eating quite a bit after everyone else was finished. I wish I could say the service was great and completely made up for these huge goof-up's but at the end we were left without an apology(!) and a full priced bill. see the full review on my blog: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…
(2)
Gwanda P.
Small portions calls for a lovely brunch, lunch and even a nice lite dinner! The Mahi Mahi starter slider, the salmon BLT (I ordered it without bacon) and the PUNCH drink is what I ordered! The Mahi Mahi sliders are $3 each....well worth ordering two or three....My friends ordered a lite trout and white fish grilled. Sides are ordered separately! ALL yum-me!
(5)
Lauren R.
Stopped in here on a snowy Sunday afternoon for some oysters & beers. The Stingray oysters (from VA) were on special for $1.50 a pop. Usually when oyster bars have deals on oysters, they give you the small ones that hardly have any meat. Here at Fish Bar, the oysters were terrific - so fresh & hands down the "meatiest" oysters I've ever had. The beers were delicious (The Crisp & Daisy Cutter) and the service was outstanding. The waitress & the manager, Mindy, couldn't have been friendlier! Definitely plan to make this a weekly outing to get my oyster fix!
(4)
Eric M.
I can see this become a regular haunt of mine. Know going in the place is pretty small and you probably won't want a party of more than four. The staff was awesome. Very knowledgeable on the menu and fish in general. Great beer and cocktail list also helps. The food is very good. I can't recall the name of the fish I ordered but they cooked it to perfection. Looking forward to going back for more.
(4)
Kristina C.
Do not come here. I just do not want any more people to know about this place. I want to be able to go and not wait 20 years to get in. So, just dont go. My boyfriend says to me, hey, I got a great place we should try out. Seafood. I, not being a stranger to shrimp and other treats of the sea agrees to try out this new place. I walk in and fall in love. I love the counter style seating, I spy Goose Island Matilda on draft and I know everything is going to be alright. On Sunday around 7, we only had a 15 minute wait, which we enjoyed a few cocktails. The place isnt that big, but I did note that getting drinks took a while (both while waiting and when we sat). We started with Lobster Bisque and oysters. The Lobster bisque has no cream in it, just the actual flavor of lobster. I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink it. It was that good. I'm not that much of an oyster fan, I tried one, thought it was okay and let my BF enjoy the rest. And enjoy he did. Then we had the rock shrimp (great-we had it wet), the calamari (the lemon was such a great flavor with the grilled calamari), lobster roll (amazo - served cold, which my BF didnt like). The beers were great - a bunch of Belgian styled brews that were great to compliment the food we enjoyed. I'm totally in love with this place and am salivating at the idea of eating there again. They take reservations for parties of 4. So me and 3 friends will be headed there really soon. Swoon. So please, just don't go.
(5)
Nicole L.
Okay $19 for a Lobster Roll? Really? All of the hype didn't match the food quality. The lobster roll was mediocre at best. Didn't think it was worth the $19 price tag. The fried calamari wasn't all that either. It was drenched in oil or lemon or something. It tasted better once it was dipped in the cocktail sauce. All in all, it was pretty meh. The whole drinking out of mason jars is a cute concept though. Not too sure if I would hit up this place again. I'm almost positive that there's better seafood out there.
(2)
Linda N.
Sunday dinner around 7pm - pretty hostess says it's a 45 minute wait for a table. No problem. We grab two beers at the bar and 15 minutes later, two seats open up. What we ordered: Ceviche, served with saltines. Cute setup, full of flavor. Gumbo with blue crab, Andouille sausage, and wild rice. This NOLA born and bred girl gives it a thumbs up. Bisque with lobster and sweet corn. Nice texture, date loved it. Hama Hama oysters from Washington. Orgasmic. Calamari, "Federal HIll" style. Deliciously prepared. Oyster Poboy. Probably our favorite thing on the menu thus far. My date is no longer a poboy virgin. Octopus (yummy) and Whitefish (subtle on the palate) Key Lime pie - oh my heaven! The portions were perfect, as we were able to try MANY dishes without stuffing our gills. We loved this place and will be recommending it to other seafood lovers.
(5)
jamie k.
DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!! $15 for 6 oysters!!!!! ridiculous price!!!! calamari and pulpo - use the same marinade, dressing and the serving size is way too small i am not sure what all fuss is here we spent $180 between two people, had a bunch of items, and some drinks, but nothing was super amazing! everything was average i have had much better, just like the 2 star rating says on here! they could definitely work on increasing the portion size, then this could be a great place!
(2)
M C.
The good thing about this review is I have experienced the Fish Bar and I know I'll never go back. The place is small, almost dumpy, it is more a cafe than restaurant. The service was somewhat slow and clumsy, we had to wait 15 minutes for one piece of Key Lime pie. I almost asked for the bill before it came because the whole experience was rather annoying. If your a fish or seafood foodie, don't be tempted by this place. The food is over salted(Oyster Po'Boy, chowder, fish in fish tacos) and everything is a la carte. This is the only restaurant you'll spend $30 at and never see a plate of food. The ceviche was $9 and came in something a little bigger than a shot glass. Even the sandwiches, which your waitress will tell you are the only "full size" items on the menu run on the small size for $9. And remember, that $9 gets you a small sandwich on a monkey plate with not so much as a stem of parsley or a pickle. The Manila Clams were good, but again a pitiful appetizer sized serving. The clam chowder is $6 a CUP. Our bill was $88 for 3 adults including two drinks and the tip. If your looking for good seafood in Chicago try Hugo's, Shaw's (same prices as Fish Bar and you won't leave hungry), Tanta, Ay Ay Picante or El Barco. The ceviche at Ay Ay Picante ($13) is almost as good as Tanta.
(2)
Sandy N.
I went here a few days ago with another Yelper around 7:15 pm. There was a short wait, so we headed over to DMK to get some truffle fries. The ambiance was very nice, casual but also with an intimate, a personal touch (one server took care of our entire area, which was a sort of U-shaped bar seating so that she was always within 5-10 feet of us). We had the: sausage & crab gumbo - good, smoky and spicy (not my strong suit) lobster bisque - sweet, delicious, creamy, though lobster a tad overdone--it was made with sweet corn and didn't contain any cream, which was a pleasant change (not too heavy) lobster roll - OMG. the lobster was perfectly done, tender and moist, and the roll was buttery and delicious. my friend really noticed the celery salt, and while i also hate celery, it didn't bother me at all. this one was a definite win. softshell crab a la plancha - i didn't really know what a la plancha meant (after we ordered the dish, i looked at the menu to check) but i love softshell crab, so i figured it would be a safe choice. turns out, a la plancha meant fried and served in olive oil with preserved lemon and arugula. the flavor combination was wonderful and worked really well with the flavor of the crab. yum. the service was good, and the server was really nice and personable, making sure we were taken care of the whole time. added to the ambiance and the quality, Fish Bar gets 4 stars (minus one since the lobster roll was just a tad bit pricier than i would have liked).
(4)
Amy L.
I am a huge seafood lover and Fish Bar definitely met my expectations! We called ahed and they don't take reservations for parties of 2, so we went in at 545 to make sure we didn't have to wait a long time. We sat right down at a table outside. Our server was awesome! He brought us crackers with sardines for free since it was our first time. We got oysters, which were awesome, but pretty small. We split the fish of the day, salmon tartare, and garlic bread, which were all amazing. My only complaint is that it was pretty pricy and very small plates. If I went back, I think I would get a sandwich to make sure I didn't leave hungry again.
(4)
Chaz A.
Allow me to take this opportunity to bring up an issue that's been biting me in the back of the neck for the past couple of months. Just because I have hair like a certain über-famous pop star, and happen to dress nicely and also be 16, doesn't mean I am said über famous pop star. So.. stupid drunk man at 1 pm on a thursday I am not him, therefore do not persist to keep calling me by his name. And save for this man who looks like Billy Baldwin, (I told him, too) and his slightly less douchey this would've been the perfect lunch with my best friend on a spring break afternoon. We went all Lobster, or as they say in New England "Lobstah" with the Bisque with sweet corn and Lobstah. And maybe, and here I am nitpicking this most wonderful bisque, a bit less corn..... Just a bit. And then we split a Lobstah roll. And really, you don't need a full sandwich, but you will inhale the half. Mmmmmmmm, dreaming about it now. And props to Mindy Segal for a Kickass key lime pie. Add 2 cokes. Bill $51 with tip. Not TOO Shabby.
(5)
John H.
Let's preface this review with one simple fact: I have never given a Yelp review, nor will I ever give one again, unless my experience resembles that of "Fish Bar". My wife and I are super laid back - easily pleased, always pleasant, doesn't take much to satisfy our food needs... seriously. It takes almost no effort.... but Fish Bar managed to fall short.... I would give a better review for my worst McDonald's experience! We live in the vicinity of Fish Bar and we had been extremely excited for its grand opening around a month ago. We decided to give it a shot for her birthday!!! (an awful mistake) We are here to give a few theories on their business acumen, as well as a review on their service. First of all, my lady and I arrived at 6:30pm and were told we had an hour and ten minute wait. We left, had drinks, and came back around 7:30 (an hour later). At around 8:30, we were finally seated. That's right, a 2 hour wait, after we were told 1:10..... not a great start. The theory behind this: Fish Bar has no reservation system, so if you show up and decide to wait, you offer them business through drink purchases. They will remind you that you will be seated soon, so you purchase more drinks. If you get worn out with all the waiting, you will leave and they just earned money from you drink tab.... Luckily, we fought this tactic, because we were told "the food is served very quickly" so we waited patiently.... for about an hour longer than we were initially told. Starting to get a bit annoyed, but we are cool about it.... (Essentially, they avoid reservations because they can bring in more people and more money if reservations are NOT accepted.....) After being seated, we ordered drinks..... mine never arrived. It was a bottled beer! Twist off the lid, and hand it to me....... seriously. The couple next to us was seated 10 or 15 minutes after we were seated. They managed to get drinks, dinner, and pay their bill before our meal ever arrived. Yes, we still remained friendly and positive (not sure why) We ordered 3 items, and 2 of the same items were ordered by this neighboring couple...... meaning we ordered the same thing, but while theirs arrived in 5 minutes, ours arrived in 45 minutes.... ??? Now I am a little grumpy. To sum up the timing, we put our name in at 6:30 and our food was brought to us at around 9pm. We ordered the Maine Lobster Roll - i rode my bicycle up to Maine and caught my own lobster before this order was ready.... awful service is what i am emphasizing, if you don't get it. We also ordered fried clams between 2 of us.... there were 7 clam bites..... seriously? i would rather buy frozen fried clams from Jewel Osco and add my own seasoning. Again, for all the waiting we did, I could have purchased a flight to any coast on any continent, ordered the most complicated menu item, and eaten said item before i received my order at Fish Bar..... and again, no apologies for the delay, no drink suggestions or anything. Weak. We considered leaving at any given moment, but the thought of this Yelp review encouraged us to see it through the bitter end of this agonizing dining experience that could easily equal the enjoyment of a root canal. You know what our waitress Sonja said when we finally got our food? " Wow, you really snarfed that down...." No duh! We waited for 2.5 hours for a measly portion of clams and a lobster sandwich. I think a starving child from a third-world country would expect more expedient food preparation. Of course she didn't apologize for the nasty slow service, forgetting my drink, and did i mention the slow service? And forgetting that I ordered a drink? And the fact that we were there, alive, and breathing? This average meal took so long to make, it was comparable to the evolution of man. This is 3 hours of my life that my lovely lady and I will never get back and I wasted my wife's birthday, to boot. I honestly don't remember if the food was good.... we waited so long we felt like we were famished enough to receive government funding. There were no apologies at all, and don't expect a reservation system anytime soon. This is how they make their money. Fish Bar sucks. Don't waste your time or your money. We definitely did not, with our $1.10 tip... and that was generous!! I have no regrets about that. Our meal should have been free, in our opinion. From someone who would eat almost anything, I will never eat here again. This place is garbage - pick any place in Chicago and I would bet you that the service is better than Fish Bar.
(1)
Crista L.
The Fish Bar is nothing more than over-priced "casual" joint. If you have less than 4 people in your party, you are allowed to dine here. If there are 5+ people in your party, you are not welcome. For 50$, 2 of us ate a few miniscule-sized appetizers. I notice the lobster roll was 18$. I mean, I'd have a hard time spending 18$ on a tiny portion of food that may very well be served on a paper plate. (yeah, county fair style) Order the calamari, it's delicious. HOWEVER, don't expect more than 8-10 pieces of calamari to be served (in a county fair style paper bowl.) The ceviche was nothing to brag about... and it was served with saltine crackers. 4 saltine crackers, to be exact. Just 4. The Chocolate Mocha pie was DEFINITELY the highlight of our meal, provided by Mindy at Hot Chocolate. For more of that, I'll visit Hot Chocolate instead of going back to the Fish Bar. I really wanted to like this place, but I wasn't impressed. With all the amazing restaurants that Chicago has to choose from, chances are I will not return to the Fish Bar. I feel like I could get an equal amount of seafood at Shaw's Crab House for 50$ . And it'd be better quality, and it'd be served with bread, and it'd be deeeeeelicious...... I see a few people have waited 1 - 1.5 hours to be seated at this place!! There's not a fvcking chance I'd wait that long to eat at the Fish Bar. Just sayin'
(3)
Rebecca H.
3.5 I need to give this place another try. It's too pricey but good atmosphere and outdoor seating.
(3)
Joe S.
Food is not bad by any means here but the thing I don't like about this place is that (a) you can't really have a party of more than 2 people without having some major issues being seated here, and (b) Fish Bar gives you the cozy "run down" hole-in-the-wall east-coast ocean shack restaurant theme, but only along with expensiveish nice-restaurant sized prices. I thought the whole charm of those small fish shacks is that they were cheap too!? Just an observation.... Anyways...
(3)
Little D.
This place has a LOT of work to do... My husband and I have been excited to try this place, we finally did last night. A nice, scaled down look on the inside, but almost too minimal and cheap. My husband and I had to play musical chairs up at "the bar"(or stools in this case) for about 5 mins because a majority of the stools in there were wobbly, shaky and falling apart! Suggestion to the owners: We like the idea of the mismatched, crude stools - BUT - get stools that aren't broken! Your customers should be comfortable! Also, warm up the environment just a touch. Maybe some rustic placemats at the bar seats, some tea lights around, actual place settings (instead of a bunch of random utensils in a big glass that difficult to reach because it's way on the side). Also, make sure your condiment bottles aren't empty and clean at the end of the night. We reached for 2 different bottles of hot sauce with our meal, one of which had nothing in it and the other was grimy! The "bar": There is NO bar in here. I asked for a vodka martini and was told that they do not have vermouth or olives. Really? Not even olives? The serve was nice enough and explained they only have a few things to drink and that the bar is limited. Suggestion to the owners: You can't call yourself a "bar" if you don't even have some basic items to make some basic drinks! The staff: They were very nice. Suggestion to the owners: There needs to be some type of uniformity in the dress of your servers. Though very nice, they would create a more professional environment if they had some type of piece (be it an apron with Fish Bar on it or whatever) showing that they are staff and not patrons. Apps: Calamari and Rock Shrimp - The Calamari was just ok. Very average for the portion and the price! We enjoyed the "Federal Hill" style of it, but it seems the Federal Hill took over the appetizer and there was not much calamari in it! Plus, it was almost over cooked/borderline chewy. It was very average and unimpressive. The Rock Shrimp wet was very fresh and tasty! The portion was too small for the money. Suggestion to the owners: Go to The Pony on Lincoln and try their fried Calamari and Rock Shrimp appetizer. Super fresh, super delicious, and a nice portion for an app to share. New England Clam Chowder: The absolute WORST we've ever had! It was watery, skimpy portion for the price; the potatoes in it were still hard, and SO SALTY!!! OMG! Really it was terrible. Suggestion to the owners: The fact that you have a small menu is really awesome! It leads people to believe that the few items you have on it must be out of this world and you have really mastered each of the items on it. Unfortunately, your soup showed this is not the case. You need a new recipe badly. WE WILL BE BACK FOR ONE REASON: The Soft-shell Crab Po'Boy!!! Despite the constructive criticism above, Fish Bar has nailed the Soft-shell Crab Sandwich!!! Our server told us that it comes on a hot dog type bun and after the soup, I wasn't expecting our sandwiches to be that great - BUT - they were awesome! 2 very BIG soft-shell crabs, perfectly seasoned and fried in a very nicely buttered and grilled bun (the bun was not cheap at all and super fresh), with a fantastic seasoned slaw. WOW - seriously, we were blown away by the quality of this sandwich, the portion of it was perfect, and the price was only $10! Suggestion to the owners: Keep this sandwich as it is! It trumps the soft-shell crab sandwich at Half Shell and at some other places in the area. Just delicious and the price is really fantastic. So, all in all, this place needs to improve if it's going have staying power - but - we are going to keep coming back for that soft-shell crab sandwich (we'll probably just take them to go though).
(3)
Ryan G. S.
You don't normally get calamari this good in this country. Forget everything you know about calamari being rubbery and tough; this calamari (whether grilled or fried) is tender and fresh. It's just as good as the calamari I used to eat every day after work in Spain, where they take their seafood more seriously than the national economy. The only downside is it costs four times what it did in Spain, but such is the price for living in a country where gasoline and drinking water are more than abundant. The oysters are also de puta madre, and if you feel like you're spending too much on fish, cans of PBR are only $2. No reservations (or seating) for parties bigger than 4, which is probably because the whole place is a bar. (There are no tables.)
(5)
Meredith P.
Yum! 3 was the perfect # for this spot. We went on a Sunday evening around 7 and only had to wait about 15 minutes for a nice corner spot to open up. We ordered the ceviche and the "wet" rock shrimp to share. The rock shrimp were SO good. Nice and spicy! Then we each ordered a sandwich and the crab cake sandwich had a nice balance of sauce to meat and bread. Really really good. About 6 or so beers on tap and then a few specialty drinks. Will definitely be back to try the calamari, lobster bisque and clam chowder! Overall the food and ambience was great. Our waitress was a bit slow/confused but everything else was great so we overlooked it.
(5)
Kevin C.
I got a craving for a lobster roll the other day and decided to give the Fish Bar a try with my girlfriend. We went in at about 8pm on a Friday so I was prepared to wait. The hostess was very sweet and said it was about a 60-90 minute way. A little bit long, but they had a bartender who was getting drinks out quickly. We were seated after about 55 minutes, so not too bad. The waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Always made sure we had a drink in front of us. We got the Lobster Bisque as an appetizer and it was delicious! It's made with a butternut squash and tasted great. My girlfriend got the Shrimp Po' Boy and I got the Lobster Roll with a side of tater tots. We were really impressed! The only complaints/improvements I have are that the beers were a little skimpy. For $6 draws, the bartender wasn't even filing the beers to the top of these 12 oz jelly jars. $6 for about 9 oz of beer seemed like a rip-off. I switched to mixed drinks after my first one. And with the lobster roll, either they should add more lobster or make the roll a little smaller. It felt like there was too much bread relative to the amount of lobster. This is something minor and the richness and the taste made up for it. Overall, I was impressed and satisfied. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Tom O.
I love this place! Great atmosphere, good drinks, friendly helpful service and 12 out of 13 things I have ordered over 2 times there were wonderful. Oysters are always great and whatever grilled fish they have is always a sure bet. Tacos were surprisingly good.
(5)
Kimberly D.
I had a craving for fried oysters so thought we'd give Fish Bar a try after hearing about last week's opening from what seemed like every media source and local guide that is printed and emailed. Fish Bar definitely met expections and lived up to the hype. I was expecting a crowded dining room and long wait considering it was still new. We arrived on Sunday around 6:30 pm and the wait for our party of 4 was about 20 minutes, but we were seated within 15 minutes at the counter. Seating is limited especially for groups larger than 4. There only a few booths and the rest is counter seating. For larger parties, there is a sign about being seated next door. Service was super friendly and attentive from the hostess, to the bartender, to the manager, to the server. While waiting, we were offered to order a drink from their bar area (could be a bit bigger). Our group tried the TEA, OLD SCHOOL, and PUNCH. All delicious and came in a cute little jar that was the perfect size. OLD SCHOOL was like a margarita but flavored with grapefruit instead of lime, while the PUNCH was very flavorful. Everything sounded good on the menu. Since orders come in small plates, we decided to try what seemed like everything. LOBSTER BISQUE was good but not what I expected. Not your typical bisque...but rather a corn chowder with chunks of lobster. GUMBO was pretty good with a nice kick to it. ROCK SHRIMP was breaded perfectly and sriracha dip made it tasty. I opted to order "dry" but think it would have tasted even better if I ordered "wet." FRIED CALAMARI was decent but breading was a bit soggy. Catch of the day was TASMANIAN SEA TROUT, which was cooked and seasoned just right. TAIL-ON SHRIMP was not overcooked and did not have too much breading. CEVICHE was served with crackers and seemed more like a seafood dip than ceviche that we expected. However, it was still good and came in a nice presentation. My friend said the CRAB PATTY was just ok. Crabcake was good but she didn't care too much for the sauce. OYSTER PO'BOY was delicious and definitely filled my craving. My only comment was two of us ordered the oyster po'boy. Mine was filled just right with not too much remoulade or slaw and 3 decent size oysters. However, my friend's po'boy was soggy and filled with too much slaw, so it was pretty messy for him to eat. TATER TOTS were just ok, nothing special just nice presentation. GARLIC BREAD was delish! Based on the above, I was ready to give Fish Bar just 4 stars. However, I bumped it up to 5 for making an effort for a special request. After we were done eating, we wanted only fried oysters, which is not on the menu, other than the po'boy. Server and manager checked with Chef and were able to make the accommodation for us. Oysters were really amazing and we highly suggest Fish Bar to add it to the regular menu or as a special. All in all, we had a great experience at Fish Bar. Spent more than we wanted but it was only because we wanted to try almost everything. However, the oyster, shrimp, and fish were all high quality and super fresh that were neither overly breaded or overly seasoned. Also was not dripping in grease. Service was terrific and in a nice casual setting. Even though space is small and people were waiting, the staff never once made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning....
(5)
John O.
Been here twice now and continue to love it.
(4)
Raph V.
This place can get rather crowded real fast, but the service is great. I highly recommend the Lobster Roll and the Satch'mo Po'boy.
(4)
Cara T.
The first time I attempted to go to the Fish Bar (Saturday at 5), the wait was like 2 hours. No thank you. I went back on a Saturday at 4:30, and walked right in, with plenty of seats open. Necessary to go off peak hours. But now, I know what people were waiting for. Some of the best seafood I've had in Chicago. The hubby and I sampled and sampled. We had the fried rock shrimp (dry), fried clams, we shared a lobster roll and codfish sandwich, he had the bisque, I had the peanut butter pie...We just ate and ate and ate. The atmosphere is very casual, chill, and friendly. I snacked on crackers that were on the counter and sipped on the punch I ordered (which came in a mason jar, yes please). The shrimp was perfect, served with a spicy dipping sauce. The clams were a little chewy, but still awesome. Served with tarter sauce, which I thought was weird, but I really liked. The lobster roll was my first ever. I'm positive if lobster rolls are your thing...this one is phenomenal. But I don't think lobster rolls are my thing... The codfish sandwich...HANDS DOWN one of the BEST fish sandwiches I've tasted. Piping hot, melted cheese, crisp lettuce...light batter, fresh fish...you just can't beat it. I don't understand why the Fish Bar just can't become that whole block...do the same bar thing...but expand it by a block (or two)...so everyone can get in...and maybe have a seat with a back (don't worry, you won't even know you can't feel your butt until you've already had all your yummy food and try to stand up...). I love the hostess, but I imagine that can be stressful to seat people in that small area...take the whole bar, expand it by a block. Le Fin.
(4)
Ashley A.
Went to Fish Bar a couple of weeks ago for lunch on a Sunday. Had a great time chatting with our server, who was very friendly and made great recommendations. He brought us a complementary okra dish (which was delicious), as well as a special beer on the menu he heard us talking about but that we didn't order. Hits: Service Satchmo Po Boy - Absolutely delicious shrimp and crawfish po boy with a tangy and garlicky aioli - definitely our favorite. Fish Tacos - Changes daily, we had the shrimp tacos. Generous portion of well-cooked shrimp with two accompanying sauces which complemented the slaw perfectly. Miss: Oysters - I was actually a little disappointed by the oysters. The selection changes regularly and I ordered 12 West Coast, but when they came they looked somewhat butchered. I was a little disappointed they weren't shucked better from a place like Fish Bar. Having said that, they are still oysters and therefore still divine. Overall - recommend coming here for a low key lunch or dinner - I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Scott T.
I've only been here once and would like to try it again. My first experience last night was just OK. The food portions for the price are really small. Pretty much everything is deep fried and served in small cardboard boats. We had oysters, calamari, fish bites, frog legs and a fish salad. The oysters weren't the best quality, for $15 a half dozen they should have been better. The calamari was a total disappointment, three small squids sauteed in something and then tossed in what was probably just salt and pepper, not what we were expecting at all. the rest of the stuff was just battered and deep fried and was just OK.
(3)
Jennifer R.
I'm giving them 3.5 stars and here's why. Arrived at 6:30 pm on Friday night and waited 1.5 hours until we were seated. I can tell you for a fact that they seated people ahead of us who came in after us. I was trying to be cool as a cucumber, but deep down I was a starving, ravenous biatch waiting to jump out of my skin. The bottom line is that we waited 1.5 hours for FAST FOOD (essentially). We were finally seated at the bar and ate our meal within 20 min. I can see this being very cool during a time when I can come in and grab a seat. I just don't like to wait. Drinks were $6 and the smallest thing I have ever seen. Seriously, a little larger than a shot glass. It was good though...just too expensive for something that size. Ordered: Crabby Patty sandwich - I liked the sandwich overall, but there was a hint of curry or cumin in the seasoning and I hate both so it ruined it for me. They really should mention this on the menu or before ordering as I read another reviewers comment below and apparently the lobster roll also has curry in it. Calamari Federal Hill Style - loved this - the banana peppers were delish. Fried Jalapenos, Onion and Lemon - probably one of the worst things I've ever tried in my life. I love all 3 of these and could not believe how bad this was. All in all, it was just ok for me. I'm open to going again though.
(3)
Jerry G.
Went to Fish Bar during Lent hoping to fill my desire to have some mouth watering fried seafood dishes. The place was able to fit the bill and then some. Normally I don't expect Fish bar to have a 2.5 hour wait but any friday during Lent would increase the line at a seafood place so we bided the time by devouring their mixed drinks. The "Punch" and "Sonja Does Sicily" in the mason jars were like nectar from the Gods and had a near perfect mix of juice and alcohol. Once we were seated our stomachs were yearning for food, luckily the Lobster Roll and Crabby Patty sobered us up. The prices we paid for the dishes did not correlate to a pleasing portion size, this was the main reason this place loses a star to me. Otherwise, as a good bar to eat some great seafood and have conversation with friends it works tremendously. Must Have: - Lobster Roll - Crabby Patty - Any mixed drink Tips: - Expect long lines during holidays that have people not eating meat
(4)
Stacie K.
Ok......so.......I'm sure as most of you know.......this place is awesome. The service has always been amazing, the food has been even better, and the drinks were even delicious... The first time I came here, I had a dozen oysters (yes, all by myself), a lobster roll and 2 bloody marys. The oysters were amazing. As I sit here thinking about them, I am LITERALLY salivating. The lobster roll.....I don't even remember it very much because I inhaled it. It was so yummy and there was so much lobster. The 2nd time I went I had an oyster poboy which was also amazing. I had the same server both times and she recognized me! I signed up for some rewards card to use with Fish Bar. Not to mention.....there was some really good eye candy here. For real.
(5)
Rapeepat C.
When the weather warms up, I won't be surprised if this place is packed all the time. It's conveniently located at an El stop (Wellington). Big bright happy blue building packed with awesome, fresh seafood inside. My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Thursday night. We probably waited for about 10-15 minutes (might be even less, I was admiring the pee-baby tap "Blanche de Bruxelles" which I do recommend since the light crisp taste go well with seafood in general). Once we get seated, we quickly asked for sample of the raw clam which is $1 to try, $12 for 6. After that we just take our time deciding what to eat. Note the name of the place is more of a bar than a proper restaurant. The layout of the place is about 80% counter/bar space with maybe 2 proper table with 4 people seating. So, I think service was adequate. We ordered 6 raw oysters, lobster roll, rock shrimp, fried lemon/onion/jalapeno and grilled octopus. Fried lemon/onion/jalapeno is probably an acquired taste...I don't really enjoy deep fried lemon but that's just me. Raw oysters (half and half with east/west coast) are super fresh and it's interesting to get a mix of it since you can taste the distinct difference between the coasts. Rock shrimp was awesome. We had it wet which mean it's premixed with the sauce (Dry - sauce on the side). Lobster roll is really really yummy but for $18...I guess I'll eat again on my bonus day. Grilled octopus was cooked very well. It was not tough at all which is what I was afraid of. I will definitely come here again to try to the seafood chopped salad and gumbo! along with some other fish.
(5)
Christopher K.
I didn't expect to find the best tater tots in the city at Fish Bar, but happy early St. Pat's to me! The satchmo po' boy and scallops were excellent as well. And who doesn't enjoy unleashing their inner Toby Keith and tipping back a few from a mason jar?? Love the vibe of this place. Friendly, prompt service doing what they can to help you enjoy great food. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Laura C.
So I'm fourth to review, not bad. I really wanted that "First" badge but didn't want to venture out in the rain for opening day. So day 2 of Fish Bar it was. At the corner of Sheffield and Wellington, Fish Bar is a no frills, fresh, sustainable seafood joint. The interior is mostly bar seating with a few booths. Decor is high end seafood shack. If you have five or more people, they encourage you to go next door to DMK Burger Bar (also owned by the same dynamic duo of David Morton and Michael Kornick). At 10PM Thursday night, we were warmly greeted by David. There was a 20ish minute wait, so we saddled up to the bar (or just the space near the tap) and chatted with the bartender for some interesting mixed drink recs. They have unique brews, one ultra hoppy Urthel IPA from a female brewmaster that I highly recommend. Their cocktails are small but unique. Served in mason jars, one could easily toss back a few before dinner. I tried the Tea with Weed Vodka which was the bartender's fave. I thought it was a little too sweet - Arnold Palmer-ish. Next was the Old School - a grapefruit/tequila concoction, which was basically a margarita with grapefruit instead of bitters. Not bad, something you would drink on vacation, or in March in Chicago wishing you were on vacation. Once we were seated, we got the rundown on the 86 list. For day 2, they were out of the bisque, lobster po' boy and shrimp. We started with oyster shooters (a little love from our server). Fresh, spicy and a good amuse. Next we tried the fresh catch of the day a la plancha - trout. Light, flaky, well seasoned and gone in about two seconds. Also tried the crabby cake - a 3 oz SPICY crab cake served on a hamburger bun. A little too much kick for my taste, but worth a try if you're into capsaicin. Then - the codfish sandwich - a high end filet-o-fish. The American cheese on top took away from the whole experience, I just can't get over the artificial taste/look/texture of congealing cheese product. The fish, on the other hand, was good, what you would expect from an MK filet, but I would try something else next time I went back. Also tried the tater tots - a good side to our dishes. MK - partner and executive chef - stopped by the table to say hello - always a big plus for me. Service was excellent, and they really try to make you feel welcome. Desserts (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate) could be purchased by the slice or whole. We tried the key lime pie - excellent flavor, good amount tang. Texture was smooth and airy. The only slight imperfection was the overbaked graham cracker crust. Also tasted the apple pie with a housemade whipped cream. Nice sugar coated crust, but I'm not a big apple pie fan. Nice job DM and MK - I'll be back.
(4)
Phil T.
Love=seafood only joint! Small place that offers a killer fresh seafood. No real hilarious moments except for the orgasmic expressions on my face after each bite I took of my dinner. So equivalent to about 7-8 O's no joke! A few friends wanted to try almost everything on menu so imagine a thanksgiving type of spread of seafodd. Lol literally we had lines of food just coming the whole time. Here are just a few of my favs the shrimp "wet" is a must, calamari, n the sotcha Sammy. I'm not a dessert guy UNLESS they have tres leches or bread pudding and well........they had bread pudding. After my 6th orgasm I finally hit my limit. :-) Servers exceptional cool, food came out super fast, n it was delish! They did give out a few freebies to keep ya coming back. It was a nice addition but no matter what Im a repeater from now on.
(5)
Jeff R.
The DMK Empire is expanding - next door is the latest called Fish Bar, and there's a new DMK going into the suburbs. Since I live so close and love DMK it was an easy decision to check out Fish Bar on it's opening weekend. There were crazy long wait times, which we passed mostly in our apartment, but still had a long wait to get seated even after we arrived. That's likely a small kink in the system that will get worked out as things get settled, and a risk when trying any new spot TOO soon after they arrive. I get what they are trying to accomplish and the vision - a fast paced, counter style spot dishing out seafood quickly and efficiently. What they likely did not expect was a gaggle of people just hanging out before and after eating - slowing down their entire process. Our overall experience was good, once we were seated. The service was friendly and quick, and our food arrived super fast. We really liked the grilled fluke and Erica's fried cod sandwich. Jed devoured his po' boy and we all loved the keylime pie for dessert. Additional things we tasted included shrimp (nothings special and a little small), garlic bread (awesomely garlic for only $2) and ceviche starter (kind of goofy texture and not a ton of flavor). We started with the shrimp and ceviche. They came out lightning fast. We thought the ceviche had an interesting texture, kind of squishy, and there wasn't a lot of flavor (especially compared to central american/mexican styles). The shrimp were fine, with a tasty cocktail sauce but a bit smaller than expected. Next up were the calamari and garlic bread. The bread smelled amazing and filled up the room. It's plenty large to share with people, though I'm not sure you will want to. Our fried calamari were also just ok, made a lot better with tartar and cocktail sauce. The plate came with a lot of the legs/spiny things as opposed to the round hoops. It also came with spicy peppers, a nice touch for those of us that like a little kick. The best news is that our favorite dishes were the largest, or "main course" size. I went with the fluke and Erica chose a fried cod sandwich. Jed went with the highly recommended po' boy that he enjoyed. My fluke was well cooked and served with a nice citrus sauce (with a few pepper flakes). Erica liked the sandwich but thought there was a lot of sauce. I had a bite or two and highly approve. Finally, we were talked into a keylime pie for dessert. They had two pie options (the other apple), and I'm sure they're both amazing. We did quick work on our slice. I'll be back since I live so close, but the product is not as delicious as their neighbor DMK Burger Bar. If they get the seating time down, or show up at an off hour, it'd be fun to sit at the counter and have a beer with some seafood. The food is good but not revolutionary and good value. Once they get the kinks out I'm sure it will succeed like DMK - and the empire will grow...
(3)
Onur U.
They've got a casual atmosphere that works with the simple but well-prepared food. I like the bar style seating since you can get your water refilled and bus your plates easily just by putting them up on the counter where the waitress can see them. Though the portions are a little on the small side, I like that everything is under 10 dollars. Go with a couple friends, share a handful of seafood dishes and you've had a light, delicious seafood meal for a reasonable price. Just don't expect mounds of food, which is fine by me. The fried dishes have a nice, crunchy breading that doesn't come out too greasy or overpower the fish. I particularly enjoyed the oyster po boy that had plenty of juicy oysters to go with a buttery east-coast style roll. All the dishes featured fresh seafood with simple but well-executed preparations that highlight the ingredients. Also the grilled squid was juicy without being rubbery and the fried belly clams were silky and sweet. Great stuff! My only complaint was the menu lacked any vegetable side dishes. With all the protein they're pumping out, it'd be nice to have a side of fresh grilled veggies. And no, though they were great, tator tots do not count as vegetables.
(4)
C P.
Very solid neighborhood joint. Service is excellent, as is the atmosphere. Very well curated beer list and comprehensive seafood menu. I wish they had 1 or 2 non seafood dishes to round things out, but overall really good meal.
(3)
Michael H.
We went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30, it couldn't have been better. There was no wait, not only was the girl behind the counter very helpful, but the chef was great too. We ordered just about everything on the menu, and we loved every bite. The chef insisted that the octopus was far greater than any octopus we had ever had... so we tried it...he did not disappoint. I can understand why there is a 2 hour wait on Thursday-Saturday nights, remember that all good things come to those who wait. Oh yeah, patience is a virtue too. I have read many of the reviews and I have some input on them: What do you expect when you go during peak hours? You are going to have to wait, maybe try a different day that is not as busy. Pompeii is right across the street, and they seem to be looking for more business(not that they aren't a fine establishment.) So you think that you are special and your entire party doesn't have to be present to be seated? Almost every restaurant has this rule, abide by it! You are not a celebrity, you should, and don't deserve any special treatment over those who follows societal rules. If you didn't like the food, maybe mac 'n cheese, and pb&j is more suited for you. Sit at home with your terrible food and watch more reruns of the Gilmore Girls instead of complaining out of ignorance, and lack of knowledge. Yes, it is pricey, but worth every penny. Instead of complaining about it you should have worked harder to get a higher paying job to afford the meal and leave at minimum 20% tip. I rarely go on here unless I have been blown away by a place, and Fish Bar did just that. Just in case you are wondering, I have no affiliation with the place, it was just that incredible.
(5)
Ashley K.
I was really excited to try Fish Bar based on a recommendation from a friend but hesitant based on my lackluster experience at GT Fish. I'm happy to report that Fish Bar lived up to the hype. This is a fairly no frills place, which I feel like would be just as much at home, if not more so, on a beach in Florida than it is on the corner of Wellington and Sheffield. The food is also fairly no frills - but in a very good way. They don't try to gussy up the seafood with a bunch of different flavors and ingredients. The seafood is the star and Fish Bar does a great job of letting it shine through. We tried 3 different a la plancha options: the whitefish, calamari, and scallops. Scallops can go from perfectly cooked to rubber in about a millisecond. While it should be easy for professional chefs to nail scallops - I've experienced more than a few restaurant scallops that taste like garbage. The scallops were outstanding. They were served with a lemon, olive oil and chili flake sauce that made me want to pick up the plate and lick it. Delish. The whitefish was good but suffered from our own poor decision let it sit for a bit while we finished another dish. The calamari was the one letdown of the night. It was undercooked and gummy. However, our server immediately took it off our bill without our even needing to ask. Quality move on their part. The soft shell crab sandwich was huge - two crabs on a buttery grilled bun, with a yummy slaw. The half sandwich I had was more than plenty. It wasn't the slightest bit greasy...just really, really good. The fried clams were awesome as well. They were served with a tartar/remoulade type sauce that I'm fairly certain had curry in it and made me fairly certain that I never want to eat any other sauce on fried fish again. These fried clams were full belly clams, more akin to what you'd get on the east coast, not just the strips you usually find in Chi-town. We also got a steal of a deal on oysters. The oysters are $15 for an order, however, they offer a single oyster for a buck. We were able to get one east coast and one west coast oyster each for $4. Awesome. I didn't care much for the east coast oyster, but that's not Fish Bar's fault. The only thing I didn't really like was that the cocktails were all served in such small glasses. They were delicious and went down super easy...which can make for quite the expensive night. We only waited about 15 minutes at 6:30 on a Friday, which was a pleasant surprise. This place is a little cramped but that seems to be the trend lately. I fail to understand why restaurants think it's a good idea to open in a microscopic space but count that among one of life's great mysteries.
(4)
Sabra R.
The Fish Bar and DMK are my two favorite restaurants in Chicago. Sure, I've had more high-end foodie experiences. But as far as food goes, these two cannot be beat. As an east coaster, I'm very particular about my seafood and the Fish Bar does not disappoint. The Eastern Belly clams are tender and delicious and the fried smelt are melt in your mouth wonderful. The lobster poboy is delish as are ther oyster and Satchmo versions. Perfectly grilled rolls, super fresh seafood and just the right toppings. What my friend and I like most about Fish Bar is that they dont have unnecessary sides like chips and fries. Here, iIts ALL ABOUT THE SEAFOOD! The drinks are wonderful--from the spicy oyster shooters to the original cocktails like Sonja does Sicily and Sabra in the Rain. And then there are the people who work there----just an amazing bunch of really nice people who treat you like you're an old and dear friend from the very fist visit. I absolutely love this place!
(5)
Blake H.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. the lobster roll is absolutely fantastic & totally worth the price! i have had the ceviche twice with two different seafoods (scallops & a fish) amazing the raw oysters were fantastic as well as the OYSTER SHOOTERS! the soft-shelled crab was also AWEEEESOME. anyways all the food i had was really really good quality seafood and i loved it. and god bless a place with cheap beer ($2 PBR) it means i can be outrageous with ordering more fooooooooood!!
(5)
David D.
WOW! I am a seafood fiend, and this place more than lived up to its expectations (I love DMK and have been anticipating its arrival). I took my girlfriend here on opening night, and we can't stop talking about how unbelievable the food was. We had the calamari and lobster bisque for appetizers. Both were great, but if I had to pick one, I would go back every night this week just for the calamari appetizer. It is fried with banana peppers, giving it a tangy but not too spicy kick. For sandwiches, I had the oyster po'boy and she had the crab cake sandwich. I was expecting to be overwhelmed by fried Cajun spices, but the oyster pieces were quite large, and you could really appreciate the seafood flavor blended with the spices. Her crab cake was extremely tender with some fresh tomatoes (isn't there a tomato shortage?). My only complaint would be that the place is tiny, and this could lead to some long wait times. We stumbled upon opening night, and from my understanding, opening night was unannounced. We got there at 6:30 and had to wait 40 minutes for a 2 person spot. I can only imagine the wait time when word spreads about this place...
(5)
Sara D.
This is a great place - we came here last night (Wednesday) and waited comfortably for a half hour to be seated. It is likely that you won't mind waiting....with a fun, boistrous but comfortable environment, and a good drink menu, its a quick wait. The food was scrumptious - we tried the ceviche, fried Tiger shrimp, and grilled calamari. It was hard to decide, but I think my favorite were the shrimp...the ceviche was a close second. The ceviche comes in a little jar with crackers. For dessert we had the mocha brownie pie, and it didn't disappoint. I appreciate both the portion sizes as well as the prices. You can try a lot of dishes without going overboard. Also, all of the staff, from the hostess, bartender, and waitress, were awesome.
(4)
B C.
It's pretty impressive whenever a restaurant can serve seafood that I like. What's more, I really appreciate a business that has a well executed and distinctive style. Fish Bar did all of this and was so good I'm recommending it to friends as a new option for a light lunch. I went there for lunch last Wednesday and it was busy but didn't have a wait. It's within walking/throwing distance from the Wellington stop - convenient enough that it could be a lunch destination for loop workers. I split 2 sandwiches with my meal compadre: 1/2 codfish and 1/2 crabby paddy along with some tater tots and it was all excellent. Both were solid, but the crabby won with a little more flavor. They also had a handful of delicious soup options, and they let us take tasters of a chilled bisque - good for the summer. They had our food ready within just a few minutes. The sandwiches were satisfying but not sleep-inducing or heavy. In all, it's a great place for a quick and casual bite to eat.
(4)
Andi M.
Overwhelmingly great service from the moment I walked in. We were greeted by David Morton and Michael Kornick was in the kitchen. We even saw him doing dishes and delivering food. When I walked in, I said "i've been waiting for you" and Mr. Morton replied " we have been waiting for you!" So very nice. We had the Calamari a la plancha with this crazy lemon sauce that was so good, I had to eat the legs. I never do that. I then had the lobster roll and my husband had the cod fish sandwich. The lobster roll had a little bit of a curry undertone on the dressing that was placed in the bun. The lobster was cooked to perfection and you could taste the butteriness of the lobster. it was not overwhelmed by bun or dressing. I was in LOVE. The bun was soft and delicious. I tasted my husband's fried cod sandwich, which looks nothing like it tastes. it looked average but when you bite into it, whoa. The fish was perfectly cooked, the bun and accoutrement were perfect. We also got the apple pie (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate). the crust was sweeter than the filling. I liked it. The apples were subtle and it was a great capper. The decor is great. a canoe hangs over the seating on one side of the restaurant and there is a giant pop art mural of men and the fish they caught. Drinks are served in mason jars and it has a feeling of an upscale fish shack. They had great beers and a couple of wines that pair well with the food. Service was friendly.
(5)
Jonathan A.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a huge craving for a lobster roll, even though I'm not a huge lobster fan. But it was something I needed to get out of my system. I was looking to relive a little bit of a trip to New England a few years ago in Chicago. The day was perfect for it, cool and breezy summer day. I did get the lobster roll even though I have to say, it is probably not worth the $19 price. But then I say that about every lobster roll I've ever eaten. Even in and around Boston, most lobster rolls were average $12-17, and this one was better than most of those. But I also tried the calamari which awesome, and came resting in a bed of hot peppers. The gumbo and fish sandwich I tasted were also really good, and everything else was priced about right. The lobster roll was definitely the most overpriced item. But good nonetheless. I will definitely be back to eat sometime on the patio and start trying everything else on the menu.
(4)
Kristin S.
We came early, so we missed the legendary wait times, but as we were leaving, there were at least 10 people standing and waiting for a seat. It was nice out, so people could stand outside, but I'd imagine the place can get pretty claustrophobic in the winter. The best things we ordered was the fried calamari appetizer recommended by our server. It was perfectly fried and mixed with tomatoes, peppers and parmesan if I remember correctly. It sounded very weird, but it was delicious. We also tried the clam chowder and the oysters to start and both were okay, but not fantastic. We also shared a lobster roll and "today's catch" a la plancha as also reco'd by our server. We specifically asked if it was too much food, and were assured it was not. It definitely was, though the portions are not huge. I was still very full by the time the grilled fish came. Everything was "good", but I won't be making any special trips back, especially at those price points, which really sneak up on you when you're ordering multiple items and drinks, so be wary of that. It's a casual and kitschy kind of place, but it feels a little gimmicky and less about the quality of the food. I'll stick to Fish Bar's meatier neighbor for future visits, though.
(3)
Mike M.
DMK's new neighbour Fish Bar is small, so it shouldn't come as surprise you'll have to wait (40 min at 6:30pm on a Saturday), but it was huge on food memories. Having lived in Southern California, the menu reminded me of the roadside seafood shacks along the PCH in Malibu, except there was no view of the Pacific, and counter intuitively, the food tasted better on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington. The menu has an emphasis on sustainable seafood and is divided by preparation method which includes: raw, a la plancha, fried, sandwiches, and several others. We started with the raw oysters (6 for $15), a mix of East and West coast varieties that were served with lemon, mignonette and cocktail sauce. All were fresh, plump, and tasted of the briny sea. Fantastic. From there we moved onto the lightly battered calamari ($6) which was perfectly cooked, and accompanied by pickled peppers that added subtle heat and a pleasing sourness. Do I even need to recommend the nostalgic tater tots for $2? Make sure to finish with dessert, because the pies are from Hot Chocolate's Mindy Segal. If the seafood took me back to the West Coast, the tart and creamy key lime pie transported me to the East Coast. The tight seating along the bar provides an opportunity to survey the selections of fellow patrons. A common item coming out of the kitchen was the Maine lobster roll which was overflowing with meat and served on a buttered bun - a priority item next time we visit our new neigborhood gem. The wife and I sampled the tea, punch, and negroni baloney cocktails each served in miniature mason jars. All were great, if not a little ahead of the weather. I can imagine these going down easy once the temperature breaks 80 and the rumored sidewalk seating opens.
(5)
Kelcey K.
We tried DMK Burger Bar about a week back and decide to venture into their sister bar - Fish Bar. We had visited Boston last month and fell in love with the New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll at Quincy market that we tried to search for an equivalent here in Chicago. Since DMK Burger Bar was great, we thought Fish Bar would be as good. We were slightly disappointed though... We had clam chowder, lobster roll ($18) and a cod fish burger. The oyster crackers and clam chowder weren't as tasty as I thought they should be. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster meat and came with celery mayo. I hate celery! But amazingly, the celery wasn't overpowering such that it masked the taste of the lobster. I think the bun was smeared with garlic butter because it tasted really nice. Although the lobster roll wasn't all that bad, it just didn't have the oomph factor that the Boston one had... The Cod Fish burger wasn't too bad either but the bun could have been over baked because it was too crispy it caved under the sauce, making it difficult and messy to eat the burger. The bar concept of the place was really interesting though and service was excellent.
(3)
Chris H.
Be prepared to wait during normal dinner hours, but it's worth it. lobster roll, lobster bisque, octopus, carpaccio and oysters were fantastic... don't forget the oyster shooters!
(5)
Nicole S.
Awesome food!!! Loved this place. We wanted to go to dmk burger but they had a 45 min wait, so headed next door where they surprisingly didn't have a wait. Amazing food, tried a bit of everything. Wait staff was awesome, knowledge but not rude. Very fun night. Would love to come back.
(5)
Samuel M.
At face value, Fish Bar had a lot to overcome to wrest a solid review from me. I'm never really a fan of kitschy decor, which Fish Bar has in abundance. Also, it serves small plates, a dining concept which I find has become a played out, uninspired way of getting diners to overpay. Despite these two strikes right off the bat, Fish Bar manages to deliver a solid single, or at least an RBI groundout. The menu is, in actuality much bigger than it appears on the internet; there were 3-4 options for grilled fish, a couple fried options, a soup of the day, and a number of draft beers available. So, if the seemingly limited options put you off, fear not. Blue crab and andouille sausage gumbo ($6) is delicious; the meats aren't cooked to death, the broth is appropriately thickened and very liberally spiced. This was unequivocably my personal highlight - I could probably eat this every day. Calamari "a la plancha" ($7) is good; the squid is not overcooked, which by itself puts this in at least the top quartile of grilled calamari offerings, but the flavor profile (lemon, garlic) is not earth-shattering by any means. White baitfish "fries" ($5) are alright I guess - not too greasy, and surprisingly thin (about as thin as neighbor/partner DMK's potato fries), but the fish was definitely too fishy (which ordinarily doesn't put me off, but in this case it did). Next time, I'm gonna skip these for sure. The service is attentive and knowledgable. As far as the pricing, I don't really see what everyone is complaining about; this is Chicago, about as far away from a major coastline as you can get. Any fish we eat has to be shipped over Herculean distances, which jacks up prices astronomically. Sadly, if you want fish that is both cheap and good, you're in the wrong city. All in all, Fish Bar did about as well as it could have considering it's a kitschy small plates restaurant. I did like that I could eat a non-gross seafood dinner for around $20, which means I will probably be back when I'm in the area. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)
Jeanus T.
Originally, I was going to give this place a 4-star. The seafood is really fresh and nice. However, I have to take out a star for noisiness and too pricey. It's a tiny place and they turn the music really loud like you are in a sport bar. You can't really talk to your friends in there! And I thought the place is slightly overpriced. A lobster roll costs $18! I do like the food. We had two dozens of raw oysters, 1/2 from the West coast and 1/2 from the East coast. Personally, I liked the East coast oysters better. But they are both delicious. We also ordered the clams and they were delicious!! Lobster bisque tasted unusual. Not saying it's bad, it's just different. We also had the clam chowder and that was really good. Go back to the lobster roll, which is what I was there for. I go to Boston a lot and always love the lobster bun in the Quincy market. This lobster roll, however, is a different version. At first, I wasn't sure if I like it because it's very different than what I was expecting. I had to finish it and then think back. I think I liked it. They didn't mix the lobster meat with mayonnaise like the Boston style. Instead, I think they mixed with lemon juice and herbs, that's it. It's good. I'd recommend it. I thought the a la plancha dishes were so-so. Too salty altogether.
(3)
Stephanie M.
Eff it, this place gets 5 stars. Last night, the chef came out with a special plate for my gal pals and I. Whatever it was, it was excellent. I hate seafood, and yet love Fish Bar... Explain that one to me!!! We all got the Satchmo Po'boy last night, along with the Calamari, and pepper and lemons... all plates were like whoa! The chef brought us another plate of tater tot salad bacon greatness with a poached egg on top of it, which was to die for. I am craving everything I ate last night right this second. I will be back. Very soon. Goddamn this place rocks.
(5)
Andi W.
Meh.. Food is just so so.. But the atmosphere is good. I wouldn't come again though. Not good seafood..
(3)
MaryAnne M.
Simply adorable restaurant. Counter service only. On a cold February day during Lent had a taste for some Lobster Bisque: butternut squash & cayenne. I also grabbed some Gumbo: blue crab & andouille sausage. Both delicious. The shrimp/beet salad is light & refreshing. Bartender at counter serves and is very helpful.
(5)
Sarah R.
I love it so much I can't stand it. Such a fun atmosphere with canoes hanging from the ceiling, wooden benches, gigantic fish mural-ed walls, mason jar cocktails, and sociable bar seating. The staff is a rare mix of hip but accessible and always looking to elevate your dining experience. I love chatting with everyone working there and hearing their recommendations. The oyster shooters have a kick and are definitely unique to this spot. My top picks are the fish fries, scallops, cod sandwich, corn and crab chowder, and cioppino. All in all, one of the top dining experiences I've had in Chicago. They serve adorable/ delicious cocktails and my favorites are the cucumber cocktail and grapefruit paloma. They are seriously the cutest, only complaint I'd have is on the occasional wait time. But definitely worth the wait every. single. time. Constantly amazed with the service and quality of the meal with perfect price points to boot. They are owned by the same folks as Ada Street and DMK burger, but stand out as my clear choice for a week night dinner with friends.
(5)
Lisa O.
Great Food!
(4)
Allyce B.
I am just a lover of seafood in general and this place was my seafood heaven. As you can see in the photos posted, the lobster roll is popular. Get it! If you don't like lobster though, I doubt you'll be disappointed with whatever you order. Besides the lobster roll I ordered calamari and the soft shell crab. I'm pretty much drooling thinking about it right now. This place would be a 5 for me but the wait situation is very cramped. Since they don't really have a place to sit and wait and sometimes the weather isn't on your side (it started raining when I was), they should really just take reservations and manage the space.
(4)
Eugene C.
Ok I see people complain about the prices and it is somewhat pricey however the seafood is fresh and good with regular, human sized portions. If you want subpar seafood with large portions then go to Red Lobster. Anyhow the service is uber friendly and attentive. The interior is nice and did I mention the food is good? The server made very good recommendations. We started out with the Shrimp / tobiko and Octopus a la plancha complemented with cups of Clam Chowder and Gumbo which were all delicious. Then we tried the Lobster roll and the Satchmo Po' Boy which had a mix shrimp n crawfish. Amazing. As a side we had tater tots and a complimentary side of fried lemon, onion and jalapenos from our server which was really nice of her. Both good too and the right size. We left satiated and full. So yes it is somewhat pricey but you know where that extra money is going to. Go treat yourself. Good seafood is hard to come by in the midwest!
(4)
Mandy M.
Amazing!! So happy to have found this place. I got the oyster po boy and it did not dissapoint. I could come here once a week easily and not get sick of it. We also had the mussels which were also yummy. The service was great, cool little place. But I have to agree with one of the reviews down below that I was dissapointed when I got my beer that is wasnt filled all the way. The little mason jar was cute but atleast fill my glass up! I dont think mine was even to the rim :( But since the food was so yummy, especially the po boy it still gets 5 stars..yes its thats good get it. now!
(5)
Keith H.
I really do like it here. All of their seafood is seasonal and fresh and their specials rotate to give returning customers a better idea of what they might want to order. Their cocktail/beer menu is quite small, but effective. I enjoyed the decor and the music played is superb. And the service - it really can't be beat. Fine dining institutions needs to go and recruit these people because they know exactly how dining should be handled. But - all that said. This is NOT a place where you get a GOOD VALUE for your dollar. I understand that the seafood is fresh, but I left quite miffed about what I received for what I paid. My Po'Boy was the size of a hot dog roll with 5 breaded shrimp and cost $10. The oysters are incredibly small. Actually, everything as too small. There's no reason they couldn't serve some fries (and extra $5 or tots for $3) with their dishes, or a side of cole slaw with their fish, just to make it a little more worth your while. The music, while good as previously mentioned, is just too loud and everyone is shouting over everyone else. This is a small place, so someone should know better. But business is booming - and people will continue to flock. My recommendation is to make a reservation and ask for a booth if you have 3 or 4 people. If you can - sit outside.
(3)
Ehow C.
To start my birthweek celebration, I came here with a fellow Yelper for dinner. The 20 minute wait wasn't too bad, but it was long enough for us to sneak out for truffle fries at DMK Burger (which I also reviewed). I started the meal with the Pineapple cocktail, which was pretty good. This was followed by a sausage/crab gumbo and lobster bisque, which were both superb in their own ways. The gumbo, while not as "meaty" as I'd like it to be, had a lot of depth in flavor, so much that I forgot I wanted more meat. The bisque had a very unique and flavorful sweet corn base, enhanced with a spice that builds over time. The lobster was good, but maybe a little overcooked. We split the lobster roll, which was the highlight of the meal, despite the celery mayo (read: I hate celery). The bread was crispy and buttery, and the lobster was plump, juicy, and well cooked. I would have had another, but my wallet is a bit light. I guess we ordered the fried softshell crab for for "dessert," and it was also very good, just second to the lobster roll. The lemon/arugula flavor combination was absolutely splendid. I'd come back for the food, for sure, especially with such great service. What's stopping a 5-star rating here is the price point. If it's slightly cheaper, I'd be completely content with this restaurant.
(4)
Chelsea Laine H.
The food is overpriced (was there in 2012), the layout is bad (awkward, crowded even when you are eating). The drink selection was poor even though DMK next door (same owners, I believe) had an awesome selection. Food was okay, nothing special.
(2)
Anne L.
Went to the fish bar to celebrate hubby's birthday for lunch. First off if you are in a hurry do not go here, service is very slow. That being said even though service is slow the staff was very friendly and attentive. My husband had the scallops (on special) as well as the mussels. The scallops were a little undercooked but still had a good taste. The mussels were great. I had the surf and turf on a sandwich with skirt steak, crab meat, asparagus, and hollandaise sauce. It was delicious but the steak was a little undercooked for my liking. Overall it was a great experience. Would go back but just request everything be cooked how we asked the first time.
(4)
Anna M.
The Setting / General Area: Awesome! Right on the corner, the building has an awesome paint scheme and overall lovely atmosphere. We were a party of 5 people and opted to sit outside as the actual indoor area does not really accommodate for more than 4 people. Our Hostess: I did not get her name but she was excellent! She kept us entertained and struck up conversations with us while we waited for a table. Our Waitress: Was decent. She was polite and got our orders correct for the most part (more on this later) She did not have many tables to look over so did not appear busy but never came back to check on us after after taking our food/drink orders. She reappeared only to deliver the check. The Food and Drink: The drinks were very good. We enjoyed several of the #2 Teas and they were very delicious. My girlfriends ordered mostly everything on the sandwich side and had no complaints. However, my husband ordered the lobster roll, which as $22.00, and it was not very good at all. It was very over-seasoned , could only taste the cilantro and nothing of the lobster. for $22.00 we were also expecting a larger portion. It wasn't very big either. However, we do normally live in the suburbs where portion size is usually twice as large as city-standards. My other friend ordered the tacos which were not tacos at all but merely a piece of fish on quarter size corn-tortillas. I am torn because what I had eaten was very good while the other half of my party did not have the same experience. Recommendation: This is place is nice as an in-between lunch and dinner stop or if you are not in the mood for a large meal. Do not get the lobster roll if you are looking to save money.
(2)
Kimberly D.
Was hoping to bring my boyfriend who is visiting from out of town, walked in at 10:10, walked out at 10:11. As soon as we walked in the waitress behind the bar informed us that the kitchen was closed and it happened apparently 5 minutes ago. We decided to leave but there were a few other employees closing up the patio outside, we asked if they knew why the kitchen was closed and they said it wasn't and we still had until 11 and said the waitress I spoke to must have been confused because they don't wear watches! We went back inside thinking it was a mistake and went to another waitress who said they weren't serving food anymore, when asked why she said just because. - Seemed like your employees just didn't want to work and close early. That's unfortunate because the food is good. My boyfriend's would have been first time will be his last and most likely mine. He really wanted to go because the food looked really good and he's heard so many great things about this restaurant. 1 star for terrible service or should I say lack there of.
(1)
Tanisha M.
This was a cute little place...I was greeted as soon as I walked through the door. I've been on a lobster roll kick lately, so naturally I tried theirs. The sandwich was good and had big chunks of lobster, but I felt like there should have more to it for $22....no zhz zha zhu....it was just a basic sandwich and to add insult to injury, it came with a small bag of chips (not even fresh made kettle chips). The service was good, nonetheless and I'd be open to trying other things there. ...the lobster sandwich just won't be it. Cheers!
(3)
Mira S.
I'm sure they get a lot of business from people not willing to make the long wait at DMK -- that's how we ended up there. It was a bit below capacity the whole time we were there. The food was okay, but I don't think I'd go back. My friend wasn't happy with her po' boy--nothing special, and pretty skimpy on the food, just a lot of bread. I ordered the salmon special, which was overcooked, and also not much food. The hush puppies were fine, but the sauce wasn't great, and I'd have preferred a non-mayo choice (even just honey). The scallop tacos were also fine, the scallops were cooked properly and weren't rubbery or fishy. They had a decent selection of drinks, both beers and mixed drinks, and it looked like they rotated them. The mixed drinks weren't generously poured. The service was fine, fairly attentive, but there were little annoying things, like the fact that we had to ask for water more than halfway through our meal. Anyway, I might go again in a bind if in the area and wanting to avoid a wait, but it wasn't my favorite.
(3)
Anna D.
Everything here is so fresh and delicious. The staff is so friendly and attentive. I was waiting with my date and they brought us some samples of the crab cake. Another time I had a to go order and they brought be a sample of the gumbo. The customer service is awesome. Now the food is no short of amazing. The fish sandwich is crispy but airy and light. The potatoes and po boy are on point too. Try anything on the menu and you will be more than pleased.
(5)
Sal B.
The service is great. The team they have is very hospitable. The shrimp tacos are probably the best I've had in the city. The cod fish sandwich is amazing. Overall a great place to dine!
(4)
Mary M.
I love this restaurant! As others have said, it does get busy so I suggest getting there early on weekends. I normally don't enjoy places where you share seating with other parties but I've never felt cramped. Service is usually really fast and all of the servers are really attentive. I've gone so much that I've tried almost everything on the menus (changes seasonally and with whatever fish they have that day) and never been disappointed - I love the lemon rings, crabby patty, scallop ceviche, tuna tartare, any tacos they feature, and key lime pie. Same goes for the drink menu. The only reason I am knocking off a star is because their bar access for those not seated/eating is small and in between where people are seated. On a Saturday afternoon it causes a lot of crowding at the bar and is obnoxious if you're seated and eating there. It also seems to slow the drink service.
(4)
Aaron P.
This place was delicious. The entire restaurant is one long bar that zig zags around in two rectangles. Our waitress/bartender was very friendly and patient. She also handed out free samples of the tuna ceviche, which was excellent. Their ceviche had a great balance of heat and spice without drowning out the falvor of the tuna. I ordered the crabby patty and a side of the smoked whitefish spread. The whitefish dip was loaded with capers, dill, and cream cheese. This would have made my grandmother proud. It was on the salty side, but that's pretty much what I expected for a smoked fish spread. The crabby patty was excellent also. Few crab cakes can stand up to this one. I appreciated the warm bun and Old Bay mayo. I can see why people are raving about this sandwich.
(4)
Sarah Y.
If you're a seafood lover, then you won't be disappointed with your visit here (but your wallet might be crying...it ain't cheap!). All of the seafood items that we had were fabulous, and the nonseafood items were forgettable in comparison. This might be seasonal, but the butternut squash lobster bisque was phenomenal. Ack I'm swooning. Don't think those two things go together, you would be very wrong. The creaminess of the butternut squash soup was infused with lobster stock or something equally seafoody, and there were CHUNKS of lobster in the mix. So hearty, and so indulgent to have during winter. The sandwiches are all I will ever eat when I come back. Lobster roll was fantastic. It was simple, the mayo didn't overpower the flavor of the lobster, and the roll was buttery, crispy yet yeasty. Why does it have to be so small?! 6" is not enough! The satchmo po-boy, a crispy mix of crawfish and shrimp in a tangy dressing was fabulous. It's meaty, savory and a little sweet, on a buttery roll. Yummm!
(5)
Shana A.
Wish I could give zero stars. We went on a Friday so we were expecting the wait. We were told it would be an hour so that was fine. After over an hour and a half with people arriving after us sitting I asked the host about our seating and she said they were waiting for 2 girls to leave. These 2 girls has been there the entire time and were friends with their waitress. We asked if there was anywhere else we could sit and she said no we needed to wait for these girls and they could not ask them to leave. Then the entire staff proceeded to take group shots with these 2 girls I mentioned that I thought that was extremely rude and no one including the manager seemed to care. We proceeded to walk out and will never go back
(1)
Luvyoga B.
Had lunch here today. The best lobster roll ever!! Bread fresh, buttery and crisp on the outside. Big chunks of lobster, Spicy coleslaw and chips to go with. Satchmo po boy was excellent. Calamari was good. Like the added hot peppers. Pineapple cider delicious. Key lime pie with vanilla bean whip cream the best! Staff super friendly. Food came fast. Nice casual ambience. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Emina l.
We went there for late lunch on a Saturday. Cute decor but much smaller than I imagined. Menu was on the small side as well but had great selections and literally made me want to try everything. We had several different fish and scallop tacos, an octopus dish and split a lobster roll, which came with a bag of chips. I absolutely love fish tacos and have them any time they are on a menu, and who doesn't love a good lobster roll? These were just all right. Maybe it was the size portion... Not a bad joint and a decent concept but nothing to write home about. I feel like they belong on a beach - perfect for a quick, low key bite before going back in water. Server was very casual too, which I usually don't mind but I had a few questions and he seemed like he was not into it. Food tasted good and was fresh but I wasn't blown away. I would go back if in the neighborhood but would not go out of my way.
(3)
Tricia B.
My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Saturday for a spur of the moment. This place is always packed and the night we went showed no difference either. Needless to say, we gave it a chance and got seated within 10 minutes, which is great. The weather outside was slowly getting chilly, so most of the business was indoors but there were a few that stayed outside to enjoy the last of the summer weather. Our server was very pleasant and although it was busy all around, she made sure to check up on us when she could. We placed our order and slowly awaited for our food to arrive. When it did, it turns out that my boyfriend's order was wrong. Our server was busy attending to other customers, so when another server was near our table area, we mentioned to her that one of the orders was wrong. Now, normally when an order is placed incorrectly, the server apologizes and reassures that the correct order will come out shortly. This was the response from the server who we informed of our incorrect order, "Well, I can't take that back anyway so why don't you just eat it and we'll get your food out soon." The response was rude, inconsiderate and we were both shocked at the response. This server then motioned the hostess to come towards us and scolded her in front of us, stating that the reason business is so crowded in the restaurant is because she keeps taking carry out orders for people who are waiting outside, and demanded her to stop taking orders. Our dining experience quickly turned from pleasant to thinking we should just walk out. When our regular server returned with my boyfriend's correct food, she apologized for the incorrect order and was still very pleasant. We both asked who the server was that we had spoken to earlier. She noted she was the restaurant manager, which shocked us both. So we found out the Manager was being short with customers, but being condescending to her staff in front of customers. Our server was very pleasant but the fact she had to apologize for her boss is ridiculous. I can't give the restaurant all of bad credit because the food we ordered(well, when my boyfriend finally got the correct food he ordered) was good. But the poor service coming from the Manager of all people brought our first experience here down. It'll take a long time for us to reconsider coming back here for a pleasant dining experience.
(2)
Angela B.
Yum. Just Yum. Most of everything on the menus here is delicious. I do have a preference for the summer menu rather than the winter one. I also never had the sandwiches, so I cannot comment on those, however the tacos are excellent as is anything raw or with a shell. The lemon, jalapenos fried thing is unique and pretty good as the the drinks. The only minus it that the seating is really uncomfortable/cramped if you're not in a booth.
(4)
Andy L.
I don't like fish. They let me modify my chicken sandwich enough to my liking. Drinks we're great and the manager, Alexa, was very accommodating. They literally let me roast my own marshmallow for dessert. I would recommend this place to people even if they don't like fish, or bars.
(5)
Ryan L.
Only 100 more visits and I can catch up to Nikki C. I enjoyed the odd setup of the bar inside. Don't know why this was case. The waitstaff are alotted an area all to themselves to provide service, which is nice. I think the only problem was that the drinks were made right in front of the station where the food was coming out. The staff seems to work efficiently around it, so I guess it's not an issue. Despite being told a very incorrect price on the Eastern Belly clams, I went ahead and ordered it anyway. They were great and definitely not the Gorton's style I grew up on. You can skip the fingerling potatoes, but the clam chowder is a definite must-order. I ordered the gumbo because I read Andre W.'s review about how delicious it was. The man doesn't often use hyperbole so I tried it and did work on it! Definitely killed that gumbo. The drinks are smaller than normal, but priced cheaper ($5-7 dollars I believe). I think I'm a fan of this system, and I did enjoy the drinks we ordered. I can sample much of the drink menu without getting totally blitzed. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Sorry about the random shout-outs in this review.
(4)
Emma T.
The fish bar has a nice atmosphere but the portions are tiny and not very well seasoned. I won't be returning
(2)
Neamen L.
Food was good. Calamari was delicious. Fish sliders were real good. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends but overall a good experience.
(4)
Phoebe W.
I have a confession. I, Phoebe W., am not a fan of lobster. PLEASEDONTJUDGEME. I love seafood. I love learning about and eating all forms of it. When I was a bitty one, my favorite food was shark fin soup (SERIOUSLYDONTJUDGEME). When I spent spring break in Boston, I am relatively sure I decimated a sizable percentage of the marine life on the East coast in 5 days. I once ate crab guts as a dare from my uncle. I'll eat anything if it came out of the ocean. Despite my tastes, I think I can still provide decent insight into a good quality lobster roll. For $20ish Fish Bar gives you a monstrous amount of lobster on a very fresh roll. The flavors were all there, just...lobster just doesn't wow me the way other sea creatures do. If you think you can convince me otherwise, please message me! I guess I'm more of a crab leg kinda gal. Anyway, there's a ton of other things to order besides the lobster roll. Oyster po'boys, fish tacos, salads, and raw oysters (Get the Naked Cowboy, they're "salty and girthy" as described by our server). But my favorite item at Fish Bar is the clam chowder. Somehow it's rich, but not heart clogging. Flavorful without being too fishy or salty. How do you do it, Fish Bar?? Get yourself a Bourbon on Belmont and enjoy, folks.
(4)
Jody B.
Well, I was in the neighborhood, so I went again. So this is now when I say, I ain't going again! We sat outside which was a plus. Our waiter was nice (another plus). But I am not impressed with the food. Everything is fried. :-P We shared a surf/turf sandwich and a shrimp po boy. Everything I have tasted here tastes the same....like fried breading. We ended up ordering out a burger from next door at DMK. NOW THAT WAS GREAT! Too bad they don't set up a few tables outside their place so you can hear yourself think... meh.
(2)
Andre W.
Nothing but deliciousness going on here! Salmon BLT blew me away as the salmon/bacon combo was perfect. The gumbo was phenomenal and what I would imaging true New Orleans gumbo would be like...I was told its great for hangovers...I know where I will be next time I need a cure...lol The fried Bay Scallops were delicious as well as they came with fresno chili, soy, ginger & sesame Key lime pie (one of my favorite desserts) was as good as any I have ever had. Drink wise I had a Jackhammer which is a tequila based drink. Fucking phenomenal as I had about 5 of them! The staff of beautiful women are really nice and attentive. The girls seemed to be able to break down the menu for anyone who had questions...very nice to chat with as well. One of my new favorite places!
(5)
Hollina U.
Love the spicy tequila drink here. Cocktail #3! I always get the double since the regular size is super tiny. The double is just a normal mason jar. The ceviche is good, but the serving is small for the price. Hmm sensing a pattern here? I like blackened fish sliders though!! Both times I've gone they give me coupons for free cocktails.... But then again each coupon is only worth $6 for the small size. Well, the gesture is nice. The set up of Fish Bar is fun though, because the majority of people sit around a bar... Hence the name! I'll come back for more of the #3 cocktail... And will prob order some fish tacos and sliders the tipsier I get!
(4)
Pierre W.
Well.. I went here last week. I had a lobster roll. It was OK..I had some NE Clam Chowdah!!(smile).. It was quite good. The waite staff was very nice, and helpful. My experience was OK.... OK....
(3)
Karen C.
Yet another one of my "WHY did I wait so long to go here!?" reviews. Definitely a great date place, not so much for a group... I now understand why they say if you have a party of 4 to go next door instead. Super cute set-up, it's literally a fish BAR... they do have a few tables but the main seating area is at the bar. We went on a Saturday night & we were expecting a crazy wait. I started out with a Half Acre beer which you can never go wrong with, and the boy had the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail... wow. It was delicious. I love that the drinks are served in jars... little stuff like that always makes me smile. Moving on... we got seated after about 20 minutes, so that wasn't as bad as I expected. We ordered the crabby patty (yum! stuffed full of crab), fish fries, shrimp, swordfish & the trout salad. Everything was seriously so delicious. Our waitress was very nice & helpful, too... you really get the feeling that everyone actually cares about you here. I can't wait to go back & try more... that lobster roll is calling my name!
(5)
Chris C.
I will make it simple. Good food and great staff! When you come here this place makes you feel like you're at home.
(5)
Daniel G.
First I gulped down a savory oyster shooter. I then had a delicious Rainbow trout special. It was grilled with a brown butter caper sauce with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Curtis, the generous server, offered me a tasty cobia ceviche. Great place! I've been here many times.
(5)
Jesse T.
Good seafood with outstanding atmosphere. This place isn't the cheapest place to get seafood in Chicago, but it's definitely one of the best. Every item is at least good, and the po boys are great. The drink list is fine, and goes very well with the rest of the menu. When I want something light and flavorful, Fish Bar is my go-to.
(4)
Ritu R.
Crispy bay scallops. Many small sized scallops. Delicious. Very Indian flavor but not overwhelming. King prawns - in half shell. Spicy and flavorful. Tater tots. Crispy & light! Very nice side. Sea scallops special. Omg! . Citrus & creamy remoulade and arugula. Three medium scallops. Mussels - bland. Bread was nice flavored which we ate in the sauce. Mussels are fresh and nice sized. Good amount to share. Taco of the day was salmon. Hubs liked it. A bit fishy tasting for him. 3 2-seater booths. Rest is bar (communal on bar stools) seating. Hence. "Fishbar". We'll be back :)
(4)
Matt T.
Went here last night with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. The seating is very limited on a Friday night so for a table of 4 we were quoted an hour wait. No big deal, we went down the road for a drink while we waited. Came back after an hour and were seated right away. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable, explained the menu very well (it was our first time). This restaurant serves small plates that are meant to share, so we stared with some hush puppies, calamari, and clam chowder. Federal hill style calamari is amazing! (Served with peppers and onion). She got the tartar and I got the lobster roll. At $22 it's the most expensive item on the menu but let me say that it is worth it! You get an entire lobster tail worth of meat and it's just fantastic. The tartar was great as well. Overall, VERY impressed with the food and the service here. At $80 for a dinner for 2 it's not the cheapest spot, but it's great if you want to treat yourself. We'll definitely be back. 5 stars.
(5)
Talia G.
Any place that specializes in seafood is automatically a place I want to go. For the most part, I really enjoyed my experience at the Fish Bar. I arrived SOAKING wet in the middle of a torrential downpour and the waitress was kind enough to seat me even though my friend hadn't arrived yet. I ended up having to wait a half an hour before my friend arrived and in the meantime, the awesome waitresses chatted with me, recommended food and drinks, and even served me a complementary small snack to tide me over. Honestly, I'll be back just because those girls were so nice. I ended up deciding to give Fish Bar three stars because, despite the wonderful waitresses, my food experience wasn't the best. We ordered a scallop ceviche, fried calamari, and blackened lobster tacos, and the tacos were the only really good item. The calamari was way over-salted and the ceviche just wasn't very exciting. The lobster tacos were great as was the "spicy margarita", although I would definitely not call it spicy. Overall, not the greatest food experience, but a memorable and pleasant evening despite the rain. And I can't forget - the ambiance is fantastic! It's all bar seating, but done in a really intimate way. Great for a date or a night out with one or two friends.
(3)
Tracey H.
Ate here with some friends after intending to try it for years. I would say that this is the kind of place that is better for a weekend lunch, rather than dinner. Still, we were happy going early on a Saturday. We tried: The lobster roll, mussels, clams, hush puppies, po boy, and the lobster bisque, the key lime pie, and the smores. The bisque was not good for some reason, so I would avoid. However, everything else was great! The server was also very good; she was able to pick up on the fact that one of the people dining with us had a dietary restriction (he does a low carb diet) without his specification, just from her observation. I thought this was a sign of great service--kuddos!
(4)
Zuhair A.
Great poboys, fresh seafood. Chill atmosphere. However one star off for an isolated incident of unwanted hair.
(4)
Annie M.
After a few more trips to fish bar (and upon discovering the new england seafood company), I don't think this is quite the amazing experience as I did originally. Most of the time, I leave pretty hungry still, spending just as much money as I do other places for more food. I've struck out with the clam chowder a couple of times now...most recently, it was very fishy. The servers are great about checking up to make sure everything tastes all right but the set up inside is so awkward that it doesn't feel personalized at all. I love this place when it's summer and their patio is open, and I still stand by my claim that the satchmo po'boy is super unique and delicious, but fish bar just strikes out for me in the colder months when too many people are crammed inside.
(3)
Kiara C.
This place is definitely the go to place if you're craving for a higher upscale hot dog in a bun..but instead of meat, it's fried seafood on a bun! I ordered the oysters po'boy. These oysters were cooked in perfection, the fried batter made it crunchy on the outside but the inside just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is pretty relaxing. Love the mason jars they use for drinks.
(4)
Bryan U.
My wife and I have visited Fish Bar several times over the last year. We keep going back for three reasons: The menu board is always changing. The staff is very warm and friendly. Most of all, the food we had is delicious. I have no complaints or critiques whatsoever, so Fish Bar deserves my 5 stars. We've had the lobster roll, fried clams, hush puppies, fish tacos, gumbo, chowder, ceviche, tartar, and lots more. It's hard to find a fun casual restaurant with great seafood. We'll keep going back.
(5)
Natalie C.
The food we had at Fish Bar was very good (we sampled the satchmo poboy, the soft shell sandwich, lobster roll, and fried codfish sandwich, along with an order of hush puppies and garlic bread). Solid food, fresh and tasty. The service we experienced was amazing. Our waitress was friendly, sincere, and completely on point: refilling waters, joking around with us and giving us suggestions on what to try, checking up on us, and even bringing us a bunch of snackies and appetizers to try, on the house. We got to try these little artichoke fritters, some white fish spread, and also the ceviche for free. All fresh and tasty. In today's trend of purposely sub-par service (ahem the hipster waiters at Parson's Chicken and Fish, I'm talking about you), it is SUCH a relief to find establishments that have good food AND great service. Will definitely be back to sample other items on their menu when I am in the mood for some seafood.
(5)
Denzell W.
Fish Bar is owned by DMK Burger Bar (next door). Equally as "hip" and tasty. This franchise really nailed presentation and atmosphere, so much so that we've googled their other restaurants and look forward to going to all of them. After walking in we were greeted by the chef and a server, "Welcome to Fish Bar!"--- caught me off guard, but immediately set the tone that this place is approachable, professional, and not your ordinary seafood restaurant. Bex was my server -- she gave us a card and recommended we ask for her when we return (cool points for that). It tells me something--- this place invests in their servers, and I'm willing to invest back in you for that. It's literally built like a "Bar". The server walks around and serves your table as if your sitting at a Bar! I had the Lobster Roll and we split a Crabby Patty. Both were really tasty. The thing that stood out the most here was the speed of service. It's a small plates style of menu and they really fly the food out fast. You drink out of mason jars, there's a roll of paper towels on the table and it feels like you're at a nautical pier somewhere. I'd recommend this place for dates for sure. Couples night out expect to spend about $60-75 total to fill up. They're even open late! Swing in for a late night to-go Lobster Roll.
(5)
Sleepless-In S.
A great spot for a date or random dinner. Although small, Fish Bar has a unique atmosphere with superb food and drinks. The service may be a bit laid back and the portions are on the small plate side, but that seems to fit in with exactly the kind of establishment Fish Bar is- a boutique seafood restaurant.
(5)
Amy W.
Loved the decor! Loved the beachside/wartime vibes going on here. I'm such a sucker for exposed wood done appropriately. The service was pretty good; we ordered with the bartender/waitress from the bar, and our food came out within a pretty reasonable time. The monkfish sliders, which were a special of the day, were rather tasty. I also loved the fish fries, which were whole (headless) smelt that were deep-fried. However, the grilled octopus was rather underwhelming; I would have liked less of the citrus and more of the grilled/smokey flavor. Overall, not too bad, but I felt not the least bit sated on the amount of food that I got for the amount of money that I spent at this place.
(3)
Jennifer S.
I will echo the general sentiment of other reviewers here- the portions are small and some arent even 4 ounces of fish. To make a meal for two, you will need to order 5-6 plates. If you add beer, easily your tab will run $30-$35 per person. The flavors of the dishes are generally well developed and the gumbo i had was superb. But one theme through out all the dishes was the heavy hand of salt on each one! yes, fish must be šeasoned before cooking and i do so generously when i make fish at home too, but is the kitchen preparing food for smokers who have lost their tašte buds? I couldnt believe how over šalted and over šeasoned each dish was. This was my second time here and the first time I had the lobster roll,so i didnt sample the grilled dishes to which this applies. So, beware- if you are on a reduced sodium diet or have kidney issues, tell them to take it easy with the salt! The stand outs are the lobster roll and the gumbo. I'd Travel x town for those.
(3)
Claire C.
Despite the fact that I don't like seafood but my husband does, this place was so wonderful and accommodating. They were happy to modify their menu to make something that I would like and I loved it. The atmosphere is so cute and welcoming and the staff is equally so (Janna). I will definitely come back. Well done Fish Bar.
(5)
Allison S.
It sounds like lunch is the time to go here, which is when I went. Was able to get two seats at the comfy bar. I love the atmosphere, it's full of light but still cozy on this winter day. I had the crabcake sandwich, which was very good. I REALLY liked the tater tots, tasted like they had some light sea salt on them. The only thing I wish they'd do is use slightly larger plates -- the plate my sandwich came on was barely bigger than the bun, so it's hard to eat because it gets messy once you bite into it. But i'd go back, it reminded me of my time spent in New Haven, CT.
(4)
Marta K.
If you can eat outside, then yes.. inside is noisy and uncomfortable. We had the asparagus-good.. the rare tuna-meh, although the accompaniments are good.. fish sandwich-good. The sliders are great. The key lime pie is to die for! Lot of money considering the atmosphere.
(3)
Brittany L.
Came here with a girlfriend a couple months ago. Had a great cocktail called the Bourbon off Belmont. Thought some bourbon would keep me warm while we waited for our food. We had the calamari to start off with. Wished it was a bigger portion but still good. We also had clam chowder which was also tasty. I had the Oyster Po'boy and my friend had the Lobster Roll. Both delicious but enjoyed the Oyster Po'boy more. I'd love to try the other DMK establishments next time. Heard they're great!
(4)
Gary C.
I don't know what happened. I was standing on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington and I DIDN'T go to DMK Burger Bar. Don't the DMK, she might think I'm cheating on her...with her pescetarian sister. But truth be told. I did sneak off for a little action on the side at Fish Bar. The place is small. No more than like thirty people can enjoy FB [not to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg's creation] at a time. The bar setup is really cool. You've got your traditional bar seats around this U-shaped bar. Then there's the booths. My girlfriend and I were seated in a booth that was up against the bar area. They've got a few booths for groups that would otherwise take up most of the bar top. The staff is super friendly. Our server helped figure out what to order, and we ultimately got the codfish, crabby patty, and tots. No lie, I had no idea what to expect. I was just hoping I wasn't going to get a Fish Fillet from McDonald's or a rock-hard crab cake. What I got was one of the most simple, well-executed fish sandwiches I have ever eaten. A whole breaded fillet. Single slice of American cheese. Lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce. So gooooooooood. Don't even get me started on the crabby patty. Holy schmoley. Best crab cake I've ever eaten. There. I said it. And the tots? Oh yes. You know the tots were good, too. To round out the meal, I was sippin' on Sonja. Ya know, the #7. Sonja does Sicily. It's very appropriate for the summa summa summa-time. Light, citrusy, and vodka-y. Oh, and they rock mason jars. Be sure to check the big board for any specials. I missed out on soft-shell crab the first time I was there [insert sad face]. With that said, I can't wait to hit the bar fishin' again.
(4)
Kathy S.
My husband went here for lunch for the first time and loved it so much that we went back for dinner. This place has really top-notch seafood and exceptional service. The manager Sasha remembered my husband from lunch and even greeted him by name...how many other places can tell you that? He was very friendly and I was so impressed with his passion to make a great dining experience for all the customers. It's difficult to see that these days. The servers and hostess were very sweet as well. Now to the food. My husband LOVED the oysters, even with the $15 for half a dozen price tag. Good seafood isn't cheap and you can tell these oysters are quality. I'm not a big fan of fried oysters but the husband was in love with his oyster po boy. I very much enjoyed my lobster roll and can't wait to have it again...I got a lot of fresh sweet lobster meat and the celery mayo was divine. We also had the rock shrimp and the yellow tail snapper, yum. The perfect ending to the meal were the desserts. We ordered the key lime pie but Sasha also gave us a complimentary slice of the strawberry rhubarb as he told us he wanted us to try that too. They were both heaven but he knew what he was talking about because that strawberry rhubarb was insanely good (my default dessert from now on). They offer a points card which I know we'll be filing up pretty quickly. Yeah, the place isn't cheap but you really get what you pay for.
(5)
Abby Z.
We had a fun time coming here to check this place out. Nothing was out of this world, and nothing was bad by any means. We had a fish that was done in a browned butter sauce that was the highlight of the night, as well as a lobster roll that was good but not the best I've had. This might sound silly but my biggest complaint was the size of the drinks (and I'm not one to complain about skimpy portions, I prefer petite to large). Sure the beer and cocktails are cheap, but that's because they are served in tiny little mason jars therefor you are paying a cheap price for a small pour. I'd much rather pay twice the price for twice the size of the drink so I can sip it for a while especially when the wait for a table is an hour and there's hardly room to squeeze up to the bar to order another after the first drink magically disappears too quickly.
(3)
Kristin R.
Hearts all the way for Fish Bar! Came here with a couple of friends of mine during a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We were able to snag a table outside, and as per usual, they were running some nice deals that we caught on Facebook, and simply had to try. They have a nice assortment of fresh fish that you can order tapas style, and a number of beverages from which to choose from their fully stocked bar. Started out with a nice and hoppy beer, then onto the Bloody Mary's! The Bloody Mary's are fab, and well, beer is beer, but they have a nice selection for any kind of preference. The service was friendly, and they were very attentive to our table seeing as we were there for around 5 hours. Our sunday definitely turned into a "sunday funday", but Fish Bar is the perfect place for this, especially on a beautiful day. I know I'll be back because a) they care about their customers b) they advertise their fish of the day deals, drink deals, etc. on a daily basis c) their fish is excellent d) so are their bloody mary's and e) a nice short bike ride from my home is reason enough to enjoy Fish Bar at any time of the day. Highly recommend!
(5)
Toni M.
What can I say about this place and Romantique well-kept Sacret the food is unique service sometimes is great sometimes is mediocre martinis are great I love their music great hangout place try the crab legs and alive lobsters delicious
(3)
Kelly F.
My sister in-law brought us here last month after having run a Half Marathon earlier that day. Well played - pretty much, best decision EVER. Let's sum it up: -Get there early. (5pm on a Saturday to be precise, as it gets crowded fast, so much in fact that those waiting might stand and stare at you longingly while you eat) -What?! Order everything all at once? Thankfully drinks are an exception. (Yes, they actually make you do this - but, it's not as annoying as it sounds) -Okay, do yourself a favor and order the Oyster Po' Boy (maybe two). The Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno is also pretty amazing. -Impressive beer selection, even for uppity ones like my husband (who, with a gleam in his eye, ordered a De Leyerth Brouwerije "Urthel Hop-It" Belgian IPA). -For those that enjoy liquor like myself, I slurped down two or three "Negroni Baloney" beverages (hey, I hadn't indulged in alcohol for a week due to running that Half Marathon, so it tasted beyond delicious). -Fresh, urban atmosphere. Smart service. Old school music plays in the background, comforting your soul, just like the food. Loved it.
(4)
Richie D.
Well, it's a bar...that sells fish. The name simply says it all. Picture a quaint Glenn's Diner, without the cereal or amazing potato pancakes. They make up for the latter with a side of tator tots at $2 though. My friend's fairly good sized taster of the pineapple jalapeno cocktail concoction quickly took my mind away from comparing the two eateries. She ordered and shared the Calamari a la plancha (grilled) and Tuna Carpaccio, both which were super fresh and well marinated. While I came to Fish Bar with the Lobster Roll in mind, I couldn't find it in my heart to throw down a "market price" set at $18! I could buy an entire lobster for that in Chinatown or Little Saigon! Instead, I ordered the item listed below it: Crabby Patty sandwich with old mayo, lettuce, tomato, and (I want to say pickled) red onion. Best Crabcake sandwich I have every had! Slightly crispy, tons of flavor (without the seafood flavor which I'm not a fan of), and a soft bun. Really there was nothing special about the presentation (hamburger bun + white glass plate), but the flavor stuck out. I'll be back for it! Fish Bar is great as long as you don't mind the close quarters/seating a la Francais, or the huge whiff of strong seafood the minute you step foot in the door (don't worry, your senses get used to it before you become nauseous, while your clothes may reek a bit afterwards; Note to self: Have a bottle of cologne for afterwards if I'm going out). I arrived at 5:30 pm and was glad I did. By 6 pm, there's a wait. Plus, they can't seat groups bigger than 3-4 people. Guess that's why it's called a "bar" yet has a hostess?? Oh and they close between 3 pm and 4:30 pm (annoying!).
(4)
David R.
The Fish Bar bandwagon (or band-dinghy?) slowed down long enough for this old fogey to jump on. Usually I assiduously avoid new and "hot" spots no matter how compelling, but this concept sang its siren song seductively enough to entice me for an off-peak, Saturday mid-afternoon visit. And now I'm hooked. First off, this place is fun and unique. The double u-shaped counter/seating area; the bright blue paint job on the exterior walls; the weathered planks on the walls (surely salvaged somewhere like Nantucket); the bright, engaging service; the awesome soundtrack (CCR and Tom Petty during our visit)--all good stuff. And the menu, there's another distinction. Seafood, glorious seafood. Nothing too gourmet, but a notch above your typical greasy shrimp shack. Here is an oh-so-rare place where I could see myself trying everything on the menu, visit after visit after visit. The calamari was my #1 focus based on other reviews, and I was not disappointed. It's fried, but comes out a little soggy due to the pickled vegetables--onions, peppers, and the like, a sort of giardiniera. Don't quibble about the moisture content--just gobble it up! Delicious. Perfect tater tots. Exquisite cocktail sauce (far better than anything that you have ever had from a bottle). Solid fried shrimp. Catch of the day prepared a la plancha with lemon, pepper, olive oil, and chili for a lovely lighter option. North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, a perfect beer to match all this aquatic bounty. I've only nibbled at the line which they're dangling, so between the promise of the rest of the menu and the warm atmosphere, I hope to make this a semi-regular stop.
(4)
Gary T.
The service from Kate was great!!! The lobster roll not so much. The lobster wasn't fresh so it didn't taste very good. The lobster roll was also very small. I can't recommend the lobster roll. My friend had the red snapper taco and enjoyed it.
(3)
Pamela P.
This place is explosive on Yelp. I've been dying to try it because of all the reviews and its proximity to mi casa. This Sunday afternoon we decided to peek in to see how long of a wait it would be. None. Great, I thought, now we can definitely see what all the fuss is about. We were seated on rickety steel stools around a decently nice bar area. The server immediately popped up behind the bar and I asked for an iced tea. Served in a mason jar, the tea was actually quite good. I looked around for some sweet and low packets but no such luck. I didn't feel cool enough to ask for them so I made it work. Having heard great things about the lobster roll and the crab sandwich, we had to try both. Before that, though, we were feeling adventurous and landed on the fried jalapenos, lemons and onions. Well, this started the downward spiral. I quickly began to hope this was a "grower not a show-er" place. Too bad, it wasn't. The fried trinity was so greasy I could see the grease just hanging out on the food before it was soaked up into the paper basket it came in. The lemon, jalapenos and onions were so greasy that they lost any crunch that may have been intended. The $18 lobster roll arrived and it was paltrily filled with a little bit of the lobster/mayo mix. It was good but not orgasmic and most certainly not worth the price tag. The lobster itself was just "meh." I've had better. If you're dying for some tasty lobster, head to Capital Grille. Trust me. There's no comparison. The crab cake sandwich was slathered with mayo and some tomatoes and some other cheap greenery and it was just such a measly portion that I was getting irritated. I hoped the crab cake itself was much tastier but alas, it too was killed with hot grease and all its crabby goodness must have bled into the hot oil, killing its flavor. I've had amazing crab cakes in Chicago and this isn't one of them. What a letdown! After a beer each and that iced tea with all the above food, it was $56 total (including tip)--very much over-priced and not worth it's weight especially since you'll leave with some mild hunger in your belly. We were about to inquire about the dessert but our waitress already made the judgment call that we couldn't possibly have any room for it and brought us the check. When we finally saw her and were going to ask about the pie, she just said--"oh sorry, didn't know you were interested." Well, we're not anymore. Save your money--go somewhere else. Really, all the hype is totally unjustified.
(2)
Coleman B.
Definitely a much better experience. You just have to try out what you like. I love the service here, I like certain raw fish, and certainly its a matter of taste. Definitely comes with experience, but I'm at a place where I know what I like, and when I order it, its superbly prepared. Always ask for recommendations.
(5)
Vince N.
Seafood in Chicago? Yes ladies and gent, it's possible! I've been wanting to eat at Fish Bar for the longest time now and got the opportunity to last week. Didn't have to wait too long, we sat in the cool patio area. The lobster roll is UNREAL. I've tried other lobster rolls around the city but Fish Bar def. has the best. The succulent juicyness of the lobster pieces melted by the buttered bread is to die for. We also had oysters, crab patty, tacos, tots, and calamari--all hit the spot. When I come back here, I am sure to order thousands of lobster rolls.
(5)
Elena M.
I am dedicating this 5-star review to the sweet, kind, lovely, waitress Janna at Fish Bar. What a gal! She went above and beyond to make mine and the boy's first experience here delightful. She started by recommending some dishes which I will pass on to my fellow yelpers: The Rock Shrimp: You have the option of getting the sauce on the side, or 'wet' meaning they're doused with this spicy yummy-ness. I ordered them wet via Janna's suggestion and it was killer... Lobstah Roll: a lovely piece of New England, right here in the heart of Lakeview. I'm quite a seafood snob when it comes to these babies. I like my lobster FRESH not slimy or rubbery and the mayo-celery concoction has to be just right. Idk what this place did, but the lobster tasted like it came straight from the harbor, and this place goes easy on the mayo which i prefer. Scallops: Personally, I HATE scallops, therefore, I cannot attest to this dish, but the boy ordered this, and according to him, he loved them. He was able to confirm this to me by devouring them in a blink-of-an-eye complimented by satisfying moans. Oysters (East and Special): Despite the fact that I'm all about an aphrodisiac, oysters are my favorite and the kind of dish I can eat and never get tired of. I like East Coast better than West so we ordered three servings of those. The way it works here is you can order six east/west oysters for $15. Not too shabby. They compliment the oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and this garlic/olive oil dip (I'm not quite sure what else is in it) that was delish. In addition to the east and west, they also have these other oysters on special. I cant remember the name for the life of me (I think it starts with a 'K') but we ordered those. The serving came with 3 huge, meaty oysters. They were my favorite by far. New England Clam Chowder: By the time we finished the above dishes (yes we are fat-asses and enjoy a lot of food) we opted out of ordering anything else. Janna was so sweet to bring us a clam chowder on-the-house because she overheard us talking about our interest in trying it earlier. She wanted us to really enjoy our first experience here, and experiment with our palettes as much as possible. From there, we proceeded to ramble about our names (we all have unique-uncommon names) and other light-hearted topics. I'm all about food, but what makes a place truly amazing is atmosphere and service. Janna- thank you for making our first experience at Fish Bar unforgettable! We'll be back :)
(5)
Gamaliel E.
Fresh seafood...great beer.....cool staff.....nice vibe.........worth a try. This really isn't my part of town I like to visit, probably because I was out there way too many times in my 20s....but I was happy I made the trip. First off the bloodies here are one of the best I've had. The food was solid, small portions, so your bill will get hefty in a flash. I would say try the fried lemon peels & onions. Everything was good, but I doubt I'll be craving anything enough to make a regular trip back to this place. I will definitely return, just not on a regular basis given the hood its in.
(3)
Laura H.
We ate outside, tried something from different parts of the menu (fried, fresh, etc) and were impressed by everything. It was all delicious, fresh, simply plated, and worth every penny. I'm really looking forward to going back.
(5)
Alaina F.
This place is pretty good, for a fish bar in a landlocked city. It's definitely cute and kind of unique, and I like the blue picnic tables. We sat outside which was loud, but we had a good time. The menu was predominantly seafood duh, and consisted of your standard fried shellfish items, raw bar picks, and a couple of random salads and sides. A few things we liked included the Federal Hill style calamari, a pork belly BLT, and the tater tots. Seeing as we had just come off of a vacation in Maine, we skipped the lobster roll because there is no way it could compare. Speaking of Maine, this place is good for Chicago, but really does not hold a candle to the seafood available in New England destinations. I'm sorry to those who said they felt like they were in Cape Cod, but due to geographic location alone, that is simply not possible.
(3)
Amy H.
Weeks ago, I jumped off the L to see a man painting on giant fish on the side of, what I thought was, a dentist's office (turns out, the dentist is next door). Fish Bar is exactly one million times better than the dentist, and I will definitely return. Expecting crowds, we came around 4:30 on Sunday and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is lively, and the decorations are casual and fun. I can recognize complaints regarding the lack of coat hooks and barstool seating, but personally found it charming and perfectly matched to the Bar's "World's Classiest Shack"-decor. We were greeted by David Morton, who took time to introduce himself and check up on us a few times during the meal. I'm guessing this guy won't be hanging around for too much long after opening weekend, but I have to say that he's an entirely charming and gracious host. We ordered two beers, both of which were delicious (especially the Trappist-Style Abbey Ale), and paired them with 1) fried calamari 2) tuna carpaccio 3) gumbo 4) Krabby Patty. The standouts were absolutely the crab cake and calamari. The calamari is perfectly cooked and battered, and the zing of the banana peppers is a nice surprise. The Krabby Patty is just an awesome sandwich. Fresh, perfectly seasoned and just spicy enough. The bun is lightly toasted and buttery, but somehow managed not to crumble under the hearty patty and zesty sauce. My gumbo was everything I'd hoped; deliciously fresh, powerful flavors with sweet crab and vegetables. I was all prepared to make use of the hot sauces available on the counter, and couldn't bear to add anything to the already-fantastic stew. The tuna carpaccio was also tasty, and came lightly seasoned with olive oil, onions, herbs, fried egg and capers. Staff is friendly and accommodating, and the bar setup makes it easy to strike up conversation and request more food/drinks. On the way out, we learned the giant bell jars on the far end of the counter are set to be tasty liquor infusions for summer, which is just one more reason to return to this neighborhood seafood delight.
(5)
Cody W.
I love this place. Been here a bunch of times and only had maybe one dish I wasn't a fan of. Always had fresh fish, good service, good beers on tap, chill crowd. Sometimes they run out of things, which can be a bummer. But for a seafood place, maybe not such a bad thing as it lets you know they have a good rotation going on.
(4)
Marii L.
The Lobster po'boy was what drew me here, but once I got there and saw the price difference between the lobster v. the satchmo, I went with the satchmo po'boy. Why? So that I could order all the other stuff on the menu, of course! We started off with the tater tots, lobster/butternut squash bisque and rock shrimp (wet, which just means it's tossed with the yummy sauce!). In the midst of my order, I rattled off that I wanted the clam chowder, when I really meant to say the rock shrimp. I realized it and corrected myself. However, when my lobster/squash bisque came out, she had a "extra" clam chowder for us as well! Super score! Hubs was happy with the clam chowder, it had a very buttery touch and an unexpected kick at the end. I was happy with my lobster chunks in the butternut bisque. I didn't think it would work together, but it really did! Also, the chef sent Robin out with a little salmon concoction atop a saltine, complimentary of course! Man, they really know how to put a huge smile on your face with freebies :) Tots were nice and crunchy, but geez, the rock shrimp was SOO good! I could easily had two more servings of that goodness. If you've never had rock shrimp, the best way I could describe it is that it's "meat-ier" and is more tender. I pegged this description after I had the satchmo po'boy that had fried shrimp and crawfish, and was able to compare the two. Definite winner! Next, we ordered the satchmo po' boy, which I initially felt like I was settling on, since I REALLY wanted to the Lobster po'boy, but couldn't justify the $21! Perhaps another day. However, the satchmo did not disappoint and the buttery bun, olives and the fixin's were divine! We asked Robin for another recommendation, and she recommended the grilled octopus. We then added one last order - the fried lemon/jalepenos/onions. VERY unique and delicious, but at that point, we were pretty "fried out". The octopus was good and I'm glad we ordered it, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Loved the place, the set up and how close the servers are to you to make sure you have everything you need. It'll be awhile before I come back, only because it is a small(er) menu than other places and I felt like I had a good sampling. It's definitely worth going to and I'm glad we did!!
(4)
Jamie B.
This place kicks ass. We walked over here during halftime from our NE bar down the street....what a lucky find! We had the lobster roll, east coast oysters on the half shell, and smoked trout salad, and fried clams. All the food was outstanding and very fresh. Our server, Suzanne, was super nice and very helpful. We had a couple cocktails too-- oyster shooters and the #7. Can't wait to return!!
(5)
J F.
This is one of my go-to places in my neighborhood. It's a great place for a few (dozen) drinks and lunch. The po-boys and appetizers are always delicious. The daily ceviche special is really good and refreshing especially given the lack of quality, relatively inexpensive sushi options in Chicago (something about the ubiquitous Lincoln Park Chinese-meets-Sushi-meets-sports bar doesn't appeal to me.) One key thing to note which is a huge selling point -- if fish isn't your thing, the fried shellfish should be ok for even the most redneck or pallates (and just relax rednecks...we can smell our own, I always get shellfish there.) The ambiance is a little Martha's Vinyard garrish but it's a great layout and the outside seating in the summer is some of the best around. I've also reviewed DMK next door. I think it's the same owners. Kinda the same vibe at both places. Definitely check it out.
(4)
Heather P.
To be fair, I'd truly give this 3.5 stars. My experience was so-so, but I would give it another shot and expect it might go a little better because I would have the knowledge I didn't going in the first time. I called ahead and asked for reservations for 4; which I was told they don't do. When we walked in, they asked if we had a reservation. Not exactly sure what happened there. So we waited for a table and I'm not complaining about that because I wasn't aware of the interior layout and the fact that they only had 3 tables to suit parties of more than 2 if you didn't want to all sit at the bar where only the people sitting next to each other would be able to interact. The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were all exceptionally helpful and polite. That's always a plus. As for the drinks, they came in mason jars. Looked delicious and the presentation was very playful. Personally, I thought the drinks looked a little on the small side but I did have my eye on the bloody mary shooter with an oyster that I was dying to try. Alas, I'm expecting so all of these drinks weren't in the cards for me on this visit. With that said, I was also slightly disappointed at all of the raw options that I was pining for and couldn't indulge in. Again, not their fault and had I known going in that half the menu was raw I might have chosen to go somewhere else so that I didn't experience an extreme case of the "I want, but I can't have" syndrome. It's a small menu, but is packed with lots of scrumptious options. We had no idea going in that it was small plates so we were a little surprised when we kept seeing plates and plates of food being delivered to tables while we were waiting. That's a good thing to know going in because if you have your heart set on an $18 lobster roll and have a big appetite, you better plan on shelling out for at least a second plate. I had the federal style calamari and I thought it was good. Didn't knock my socks off, but had a kick which I like and a very crisp texture. Then I had the oyster po boy. In the future, I would go with maybe the crab cake sandwich instead. I didn't find either of my plates memorable at all. On the other hand, my fiance had the fish sandwich and we both agree that was the star of the meal. He also had the tator tots, eh, nothing special and the trout; which was the catch of the day. That was good. My MIL had the lobster roll and granted I know we're not in Maine, but we have family who is and have eaten our share of Maine lobster rolls there so of course by comparison this didn't make the cut. Here's my plan for the future because I liked the atmosphere and think I just wasn't able to appreciate everything The Fish Bar has to offer: I'd come for a date night and sit at the bar with my honey because as he pointed out, it would be a really fun place to go on a date if that date could drink so hopefully he waits for me and doesn't just go find someone else to take in the meantime :) We would definitely get a few of the bloody mary shots and probably some of the ceviche and raw oyster options. I would skip the lobster roll and po boy and go straight for the fish sandwich. When this happens, I'll be sure to update this review!
(3)
Danielle C.
I am not truly sold on Fish Bar. I grew up on the west coast (HELLO! FRESH SEAFOOD) and have spent more than a few months working in Rode Island. I know and crave fresh fish like there is no tomorrow. I crave the flavor, the multiple textures, and the subtle differences in preparation like a true addict. The Fish Bar just did not provide my fix. We went in for a weekday lunch, no waiting and that was a score. With just 8 people total inside you might have thought that we would be able to have a conversation. Nope, sorry, you would be wrong. The music was BLARING! This is the place to go if you are not wanting to be overheard, but beware, you may not be heard by your table mates. Before you order- consider this. It is basically tapas seafood. Each individual is recommended to order 3 plates. Onward to the food- The clam chowder was buttery. I like rich soups but was not overly impressed. However, if you are hungry- order this. It will fill you up. It had a bit of a spicy after bite (peppery)- so if you are not a fan of this, heads up. The ceviche was excellent. Limey, tasty and wonderful. However, served with three crackers (you could get more off the table) it left something to be desired. The lobster roll was lacking. I am used to lobster rolls stuffed with HUNKS of fresh lobster. This was more like pieces of shredded lobster, or maybe I should say small 1/4 bites of lobster. This just left me hanging. For 19$ (not a large sandwich) I expected more. I also was not a fan of the citrus flavor that was somehow pervasive in the lobster roll mix. The grilled bread was good, but come on! The calamari (Ala planche) also had a lemon flavor. It was great calamari but at this point 3 of the dishes had extremely similar flavoring. It was getting pretty darn boring. I think they should rethink how this is prepared. I also had a bite of the whitefish. Not overwhelmed with this dish either. Citrus taste was prevalent here also. The server was friendly, kind and did her job well. I just am not gonna recommend this one. The fish flavors were not embraced or enhanced by the prep methods. Conversation was limited due to the extreme amount of noise from the stereo and all members of our party left unimpressed.
(2)
Magen M.
completely overpriced. $21 for a lobster roll that tasted like a stick of celery (and i had NO celery mayo) with no sides. the rock shrimp were good, but again, too expensive for a handful of small shrimp. the decor is nice and the staff is friendly, however.
(2)
Aaron L.
4.5* Clam Chowder 4* Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail 3.5* Maine Lobster Roll 4.5* Peanut Butter Pit
(4)
Becky T.
Everything is good! I especially love that you can get one oyster if you do not want a whole bunch! The outdoor seating is so cute and the service is great! Sean was our waiter and he was a pleasure! He really took care of us and we will definitely be back! If you are around the area and looking for good seafood, stop here!
(5)
Michelle S.
Love that this place is in the neighborhood, wish it had been here when I was a resident. Although then my wallet would probably not love me as much! The staff and service here was very friendly and mostly on top of things. (My one gripe? Having to ask for water a few times, but other than that nothing.) There were three of us so I called ahead to make reservations and we got a table at 8:00. I was surprised at a) how little the restaurant is and b) how crowded it was. I was happy that you can call ahead with a part of 3 or 4. That was worth it, otherwise the wait was around 45 minutes. The menu looked awesome, I love that the chalkboard above the kitchen tells you what seafood is from where and what's fresh that day. The drinks were great, we had the #3 which was a tequila drink (and delicious, this coming from someone who doesn't care for tequila), the #2 which was the sweet tea drink and it was fairly tasty and the # 6 which was some sort of pineapple concoction which was tasty. Food wise everything that I tasted was pretty awesome. The tartare was the one thing that I didn't care for. It lacked flavor and just wasn't great. The calamari and fried clams rocked. You can't go wrong with the tater tots and garlic bread. The lobster roll was delicious! I loved that it wasn't mayonnaise heavy because that's gross. The lobster was great, nice big chunks of it and the bread was perfect. I didn't try the crabby patty but my friend said that it was meh. No real taste of old bay (which is what sold him in the first place) and it just wasn't special. The codfish sandwich I also didn't try but my other friend said it was great. Dessert was disappointing because they had run out of key lime pie by the time we were done. I was seriously bummed. My advice? When you sit down order the pie immediately and either start with it or just have it at your table or they might run out! Overall it was a fun time at dinner and I'd say it was a pretty nice way to end my eating in Chicago tour this time. Why 4 stars and not 5? It's fairly pricey and I just couldn't go with the 5 stars. Nothing bad about my experience, at all, it just seemed lackluster in the end. I'd probably head back on my next trip for some more calamari and a piece of pie !
(4)
Ashley S.
This place just doesn't do it for me. first off, the seating is awkward as you have to sit next to strangers if you dont score one of the few booths here. I ordered the rock shrimp, and the satchmo poboy. $8 for a few pieces of popcorn shrimp? The satchmo poboy was mostly bread with a very small amount of meat. Expensive prices for small mediocre food, that about sums up my experience here.
(2)
Vivian H.
This place gets packed on the weekend but we were able to snag seats with no problems on a weeknight. They're smaller portions, so the 2 of us shared mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy, and whitefish sandwich with a tiny gumbo. Favorites were definitely the mussels and poboy, but everything was pretty much fantastic. Simple and clean, just really prepared well.
(4)
Brennan C.
If I was a restaurant owner I would love to have a place like this. I could charge a lot of money while keeping the food costs waaaaay down. The staff is friendly, the service is good, the space is well decorated, the food is good, but not great. Basically it boils down to this: trendy and over priced. If you want a true small plate experience save your money for Girl and the Goat.
(2)
Ay D.
Fish Bar hit the spot on a dreary, rainy spring afternoon. The clean simplicity of the three small booths and two large wraparound counters and the surprisingly good stereo system piping warm indie tunes (Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes) makes you feel like you're vacationing on the northeastern seaboard. Great drink selection - various shades of Belgian ales on draft, PBR and cheap pilsner for the bottle crowd, modern takes on classic cocktails (J. C. Paloma, punch, Campari and soda, etc). The raw bar rivals anything you'd find downtown at Shaw's. The oyster po' boy, tator tots, and Matilda draft are a winning combination. The cute cook in the back proudly proclaimed that this was the largest po' boy he's ever made. My server told me it was made with love. I believe them both - I had to attack the juicy, flavorful oysters with a fork prior to lifting the bread. The remoulade was creamy and tangy, and the slaw provided a nice crunch against the luscious decadence. The tots were as good as childhood and the Matilda impressed me as always. Well done, Fish Bar.
(5)
Deirdre L.
I have been wanting to try this place since it opened so a friend and I went there last night for diiner. There was 20-25 minute wait to sit outside or we could sit inside, no wait. We sat insideat 1 of the 3 booths only to be told that these were for reservations only, could we be finished in an hour. We didn't plan on lingerin so we said yes. Our waiter ws helpful and friendy. The food on the other hand was bland and boring. Started out with the Gumbo that had no flavor other than salt. I had the red fish po-boy, I couldn't even taste the fish. The only good thing about it was the bun. My friend had the grilled yellowtail, it was OK but not a lot of flavor. We shared tator tots, which I love, and these tasted like they were cooked in the same oil as the fish - yuck. I am sadly disappointed.
(1)
Kelly G.
Everytime I come here it just gets better. I haven't had a bad dish yet, and I've brought everyone from my parents to my best friends and all of them love it. From the delicious sweet ceviche to the buffalo frog legs to the slightly spicy calamari - it is all awesome. Plus the servers are always fast and very nice. It's now one of my regular spots. :)
(5)
Grace G.
I stopped in Fishbar recently and was very impressed with their cocktails as well as their variety of fresh fish. I had a great Bourbon cocktail, but I don't remember the name of it and their drink menu online doesn't have it listed. My friend and I split several items, including the rock shrimp, frog legs, oysters from the East and West coast, the fried lemons/onions/jalapeno dish, and the scallops with andouille sausage and we really enjoyed it all. The fried lemons/onions/jalapeno side dish was one of the best side dishes I've ever had, and it complemented the meal perfectly.
(4)
Derkins R.
every summer my girlfriends and i take a trip to various towns in new england (rhode island, maine, etc.) to soak up the sun and gorge on seafood (raw/fried oysters and clams, lobster, etc.). fish bar very nearly makes this trip unnecessary. everything we ordered (oyster po'boy, codfish sandwich, fried lemon thing) was so delicious. they even threw in a free order of tater tots (don't know why but we were not complaining). fish bar makes me really eager for the summer to arrive. and, please, try the fried lemon, onion, jalapeno thing. it is... amazing.
(5)
Deena D.
Ah yes, Kornick has done it again and I'm glad I was finally able to see what the buzz was all about this past weekend. Yes, this restaurant is not only brand spankin new but new genre of restaurant completely so its likely you will be waiting for a while to be seated. Any more than 4 people and this prob won't work for you - for 2 of us it took about an hour & a half (Friday around 7PM) which allowed us to get well acquainted with their beverage menu - no complaints here! The ambiance is super casual & fun - while Kornick jams out to Marley and other beach tunes on their stereo while helping the wait staff & talking to customers - loves it. I gotta hand it to these guys too for a simple yet witty menu, it actually makes you look forward to reading the whole thing through. We tried the punch first and then moved onto the brew tap. I do like how they serve drinks in the mason jars but the cocktail sizes are somewhat smaller than my liking. As for the big shabang, we each ordered a lobster bisque and new england chowdah, shared the calamari, and split a crab cake and oyster po'boy sandwhich. "Lay off I'm starving" My friend was OK with the bisque, I thought the chowdah was a good consistency/taste but could have used some more potatoes/clams. Calamari was hands down fabulous, I love how the mixed peppers in with it! The oyster po'boy was quite aggressive to be honest, I could barely finish it but did enjoy it (and I'm not even a huge fan of oysters), I did like the crab cake a little better but overall both were tasty & fresh. This was MORE than enough food for 2 people, probably because what we ordered was all fried or wicked heavy. Next time I would love to try the tar-tar, ceviche or salad. From what I saw around me people seemed to like it. Also - try not to get too full so you can try the homemade pie, only $3 for a slice. Overall I'm sure it's no surprise, the restaurant makes a good mark in my book, BUT not sure if it's the best I've ever had. I would comeback on an off peak night with a friend. We heard they might add tables outside in the summer and I think that would be huge to accommodate more peeps. All in favor, I!
(4)
Jessica B.
The restaurant is the bar. It's that simple! The food is delicious, the service great. Definitely worth going- but get there early, the wait can be pretty long.
(5)
Chris S.
Awesome food. 3 of us shared sriracha rock shrimp, frog legs, and the fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side. We then each had a sandwich and topped the meal off with a shared slice of blueberry pie. The shrimp was very good, the frog legs too much like chicken, and the fried side was surprisingly awesome (our favorite!). I had the crabby patty sandwich which was basically a big crab cake on bread. It didn't need the bread. The blueberry pie, which we learned was provided by Hot Chocolate, was pretty super. Definitely want to go back.
(4)
Patrick J.
Small portions but great taste. Everything is made fresh to order. I had the delicious calamari,Tater Tots,& the Maine lobster roll with water. It set me back $29 bucks but it was worth it. The Lobster Roll was $19 by itself.
(5)
Joel M.
Fish Bar has an extremely small dining room with probably less then 50 seats total. There is always a wait, so it can get a little claustrophobic with so many people hovering around in any open space waiting to be called. Expect 1-2+ hours easily on the weekend, but you can grab a beer while you wait which makes things a little easier. Even though its small, its a really cool looking place. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the beer situation here. They are pretty much ALL Belgian wheat beers. If you like that, you will be in heaven, but if you don't you're going to be stuck with an average German pilsner or a PBR (yuck). Also, you're paying $6-$9 for a 300 ML pour. 300ML is 10 ounces for those of us not on the metric system. I'm sorry, but $9 for a 10 oz beer is a rip off any way you cut it. Thats where the complaints end. The two most important things - food and service - were outstanding. We had the Calamari (best I've ever had), Gumbo (better then anything I tried in Louisiana), Codfish sandwich (delicious), and the Lobster roll ($18 but worth it). We ordered everything at once and had our food on the table within about 20 minutes. The calamari just completely blew me away, I could have eaten seven portions of it. It was fried perfectly and had a mix of banana peppers and spices that just made it irresistible. The fish was fresh, crisp, and was complimented well by the bun and dressings. The lobster roll was what I would expect from great restaurant on the east coast. After the long wait and mediocre beer experience, the food made up for everything. I will be back, hopefully when the hype dies down and I can get a seat a little quicker.
(4)
Sadat A.
A taste of New England/Cope Cod fried seafood right in my backyard. If your looking for a party in your mouth then this is the place to be. (Not to mention that I went during a serious tooth ache and still enjoyed my meal). I must start off with the service. Some of the friendliest waitresses in the area. Our waitress explain the cocktail menu perfectly. The mason jars for beer and cocktails were reasonably priced and very delicious. Our party tried a little of everything off the Fried menu and also had the Eastern Oysters. All were hands down amazingly tasty. (Check my photos) The only concern I would have would be how bad the dinner rush is after 6pm. We went for lunch and it was a packed house. If your with a party of 5 or more you can also order off the DMK Burger menu also. That's badass. 100% going back sometime soon to try the crab cake sandwich.
(5)
Angela C.
Fish Bar is a small joint with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere. I wouldn't recommend coming here with more than 4 people in your group, at least not if you want to all sit together. I was not a fan of drinking beer or water out of a Mason jar (a kind of canning/freezer jar), but I was happy with the oyster po'boy, the fried calamari, the fresh oysters, and the gumbo. Fair warning, the food comes in small portions (the server told us to consider them closer to small plates), so expect to have to buy at least an appetizer and a main dish to get full.
(4)
Roger M.
Nothing to scream or, even yelp about. Ha ha ha! Seriously and all kidding aside, it wasn't bad nor was it great. Ordered gumbo, clam chowder, rock shrimp, ceviche, satchmo po boy, grilled scallops, buffalo frog legs and a side of tater tots. Oh yeah, they comped us a soft shell crab sandwich that was out of this world salty. It was like they marinated the crab in the ocean water it came from, reduced the ocean water to a crystallized form and...ok being dramatic here but you get it. But hey, it was free (perhaps that's why it was free?) FOOD: It's important to remember, portions are small plates. Ceviche was good, not great and it came in a small cup that a place would use to serve tartar sauce on the side. Wasn't fishy, but not too flavorful; too tangy. Gumbo was spot on and it's really hard to find real gumbo in Chicago. This was the Cajun version, not red with rice, okra and celery but brown and heavy on shrimp, andouille and blue crab with a nice seafood flavor and that's what this was. Chowder was good, but too many chunks of celery. To me that says cheap as it's a way to stretch the stock on hand. Satchmo Po'Boys were outstanding packed with flavor; sweet shrimp and crawfish with a nice spice, garlic aioli and sweet butter pickles that balance the garlic and oiliness all rolled into a nice fresh, crusty roll. Rock shrimp was good, crunchy and sweet yet it felt a little salty for my tastes and the sriracha mayo was a nice touch. ?Buffalo frog legs? were ok. Here's my thought: keep buffalo style in chicken. Fried frog legs are best plain with lemon and shrimp cocktail sauce. Even just plain. Don't mess with the legs. Had tater tots and dang nelly, them were salty nuggets too. Someone in the kitchen had an affinity for the salt shaker that night. I think my blood pressure shot up to deadly levels in just an hour. SERVICE: Did well with a reservation; we had three (they only accept for three or four) and they happily accommodated us the same day on a Saturday night for 8pm for a booth seating (which are small; max of four medium folk). Service was spotty; had to keep asking for water which we initially didn't get. The waitress, while friendly and knowledgable, came too much at first and then not enough later when we wanted to order more dishes. So there you go. Not a bad place if they lay off the salt and keep a better eye on service, but there are other seafood places I would consider before coming again (e.g., the always great Davis Street Fishmarket in Evanston).
(3)
Jamie H.
My two friends and I decided to come for an early dinner (around 5:30) on Friday night thinking the place would be pretty dead....boy were we wrong! There was already a 15 minute wait and before we were seated it was already up to an hour wait for others! It was decorated very fun, the food was great and service was pretty quick. The portions are pretty small....except for the garlic bread- only $2 and it's very big and delicious! The fried calamari was pretty decently sized and delicious. The grilled calamari on the other had was a tiny portion, but the oil and spices with it were amazing. The lobster bisque was pretty good, but I have had better. It's much lighter, as others I've had have been pretty heavy. All in all, it was a very nice dinner, I would certainly recommended and would come back again and try some new items!
(4)
Dan G.
This place has been on our radar for a while. We finally had the chance to try it a few weeks ago. And it lived up to the hype on Yelp. When we walked in I expected the smell of fish but was greeted by a more tempting smell, roasted marshmallows. A couple was making s'mores for their dessert over a little grill. I was hungry and this made me salivate. We had a 30 minute wait and enjoyed some drinks while we waited. Once we got a seat we knew what we wanted and ordered right away. The portions are tapas style so me and my sweetie ordered a bunch of dishes to share. First out was the fried belly clams. They were okay, it was close to the end of the night so they had that heavily used frier taste. I was disappointed but the rest of the meal made up for it. Next was the Oysters, they were East coast and had that delicious sea water taste to them. Served with horseradish and cocktail sauce these were really good. Like I could live off of these for the rest of my life good. Next came the tater tots. I know, tater tots? Let me tell you these were great. A good crunch and a perfect side to the fishy stuff. After that was the King Prawns. Cooked on the grill, split in half, and served head on. These to had that ocean taste you want and was complemented with a soy ginger sauce that made these little guys amazing. On to the next dish, which was the fish tacos. They were cobia fish tacos I believe, grilled served with cilantro, onions, and a rojo and verde salsas. Very fresh and very tasty. And finally for dessert, the s'mores that smelled so good when we walked in. Simple ingredients but an amazing way to cap off the fishy madness we just had. It is a dessert that takes you back to your childhood and a perfect way to end the night. Overall I had a great meal here, service was friendly, the drinks good, and the seafood fresh. Like most fresh seafood it does come with a high price tag so it isn't a place I would go regularly but it is good for that special occasion or if you have a group that wants to try something a little different. I could see bringing a good group here and having a blast.
(4)
Danielle S.
This pescetarian has been dying to eat at Fish Bar since it opened, but made it out for the first time only just last month. It was a Sunday, so I had some of the $1.50 oysters, the daily special ceviche, and the satchmo po' boy. Yum. If I lived nearby, I wouldn't be able to resist coming here at least once a week. How dangerous.
(5)
elissa w.
Cool atmosphere and good food - overly hospitable hostess. She must have asked us how our meal was four times between finishing up dessert andour drinks. I get it, it is super crowded and lots of people are waiting since this place is tiny but we got it that you were killing us with kindness to get up out of our chairs. Oysters, wet fried shrimp, lobster roll and salmon carpaccio were all delish. The special pineapple cocktail - loved the spicy kick to it. Will come back but most likely on a lower key week night
(4)
Ngoc T.
I walk pass here everyday... Customer service is great and VERY friendly. Owned by the same people from DMK, I presume. I'm amazed by the simplicity yet effective architectural design of the small place. Food wise, it's delicious, and tastes very fresh, somehow...? I'm a little disappointed by how limited their menu appears to be, I believe there's only 3 types of sandwiches. All my roommates and I, being all burger girls, got burgers.. and they were delicious! (even though I wished they had bigger options) I know that the crabby pattie was a little spicy for my roommates' taste, the cod fish burger looked good. But I got the oyster po' boy and in my opinion, it was the best seafood burger I have ever tried in my life! Check out some of the pictures I uploaded :) Very cute place to bring a first date to, although when crowded it can get a little noisy... so come on a weekday. Good music, btw! Very hip-indie style stuff... One thing I have to add. Come here if you're not expecting to count calories, coz everything here is fried. In fact, when it's crowded, your food can feel pretty greasy. Keep in mind that it's also a bar, not a restaurant. So when you order things, it's to share. Portions are small so you take a bit of everything... it's not a separate portion Tips: I recommend you should only come there with a party of 4 or less. I also wished that each table had their own tall water glass to refill since their drinking cups are punny! The way they split the check for us was a little overly-complicated, so perhaps just let one person pay and you should pay your portion to your friend Dessert: I wouldn't recommend the apple pie. It wasn't anything exceptional, even though our hostess recommended it? Get the .... something mocha... it looks like a mocha cheesecake or something, but that was delicious!!
(3)
Geoff H.
I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, therefore this place makes me very happy. The oysters were amazing! They have a great drink selection and our server was awesome. Again, because of where I'm from, I tend to be a bit weary of seafood in the midwest, but I will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Tom R.
Really enjoyed my night at Fish Bar. Walked in at about 7:45 on a Wednesday night and was told that there would be about a thirty minute wait (which it was). Fortunately, there is a full bar with unique craft cocktails and they have a specific area for you to order at if you're waiting for a table - much more convenient than fighting for elbow room and trying to get the bartender's attention. I started with the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail and it was delicious enough that I decided to have another, and another. For food, we ordered a total of six items for two people - half a dozen oysters, a lobster roll, sriracha rock shrimp, shrimp ceviche, stuffed calamari, and then their fried lemons, onions, and jalapeño side. The lobster was astoundingly awesome. So good that I felt like I needed a cigarette afterwards and I don't even smoke. The fried side dish of lemons, jalapeños, and onions was incredibly unique and acted as a nice snack between courses. The oysters were good but I really prefer cocktail sauce and horseradish on them which wasn't available. The calamari, sriracha rock shrimp and ceviche were all very good as well. All in all, Fish Bar was pretty great albeit pricey. I was surprised that I dropped $80, but, I will likely be going back.
(4)
Amanda F.
Fish Bar beware of yelpers from Baltimore. We know good seafood and love bragging about it. That being said, Fish bar's menu is more about the sauces, spices, and use of a deep fryer than it is about a fresh daily catch. Forgetting my seafood snobbery and reminding myself that I live in the Midwest, I think that Fish Bar is tasty, fun, and worth a visit. To Fish Bar's credit, it doesn't attempt to call its "Crabby Patty" a "Maryland crab cake" (as is popular on Chicago menus), nor does it over-charge for its "Oyster Po'Boy." While these dishes may not exactly be authentic, they are inspired, yummy and fried, just like the Midwest likes them! And I liked them too! Other points from my latest dining experience: -The drinks are all fantastic, maybe a little small, but only $5 -Forget the salads, they are very skimpy on the seafood, although the Smoked Trout was much better than the Crab. -The Calamari "Federal Hill Style" is really jalapenos and banana peppers garnished with fried calamari. I've lived in Federal Hill, and I don't remember ever having that much heartburn. -The Steamed Mussels are tasty, but not particularly memorable. -The Gumbo is quite flavorful, without being over seasoned, but I'll defer to New Orleaners to decide. Overall, I do enjoy this restaurant because its unique in Chicago and reminds me of the Raw Bar markets back home in Baltimore. If you're from anywhere outside of the great state of Maryland and visiting Fish Bar, you'll be a happy diner and quite pleased with Fish Bar's kitchy charm. Marylanders will continue their seafood elitism and write yelp reviews.
(4)
Erin M.
Wow! What a cute place. We literally stumbled in here one day. We were drawn in by the cuteness of the outside patio and all the happy people enjoying there meal. As we stepped inside, we were taken aback by the ambience of the interior. Think Seattle waterfront bar or a Nantucket diner. Loved the ambiance!! We were greeted promptly and were told of the specials and the waitresses personal favs. I love when we get the inside scoop btw....We split the fish fry which consisted of a nice piece of deep fried fish (I believe it was cod) and hand cut French fries. The tarter sauce was hands down the best I've ever had. Ever. The coleslaw left a lot to be desired. Too bland. I will totally be back to this restaurant. In fact, this is the best fish fry I've found in the city. Great job Fish bar!!!
(5)
Kae O.
I ordered smoked trout salad and satchmo po' boy and manhattan clam chowder. Pros: smoked trout salad "bun": I'm usually hesitant in ordering smoked fish in sandwiches b/c many times, the fish is too dry. This was prepared just right. My friend said she could probably eat it straight with some rice. That may be a bit too dry for me but iwith greens, tomato, cucumber, radish and horseradish cream balanced it well. Could definitely taste the smokey flavor but wasn't overwhelming. Note: I eat pre-packed raw smoked salmon without anything. Plus the bread was soft but thick enough to absorb any escaping fluid. The manhattan clam chowder and oysters were average but I would order them again. The fried ingredients in the satchmo weren't oily which is what I like. Service was excellent. Cons: It's small so going in big groups would be a challenge.
(4)
Aaron N.
Son of a bee sting! Fish Bar is a great place to get some fish and have a great time. To start with the food, everything that touched my taste buds was freaking delicious. Since this place serves smaller portion dishes, I had a variety of treats from the sea which I will now tell you about. The Satchmo was my "main" meal, which was a shrimp and crawfish po'boy cooked to perfection with some bread and butter pickles that were also delicious. For my sides, I tried the rock shrimp (spicy fried shrimp), scallops (so fresh that you might need to wear a snorkel), and steamed mussels (the sauce they were served in literally knocked my socks off). Last, but not least, were the oysters. If your name is "fish bar" your oysters better be really good.....and we got a crap load of these because they were really really good (Tip: Make sure you try both the west coast and east coast oysters). Other than the food being slamming, the service and atmosphere was top notch. If you are looking for a great group spot or a date spot, this is the place to come. Seriously....get here. The only problem is that everyone knows how great this place is, so there is a long wait and the place gets packed. I would suggest coming early for dinner or putting your name in and getting drinks to pass the time. Fish Bar. Very good. BOOOM!
(5)
Rachel W.
My mom and I were dying to check out this new addition to lakeview, but are not the kind of people that think waiting over an hr for anything is worth it. So, we did the early bird special and arrived just after 5 on Saturday night. The place was full, w/maybe 3-4 spots open around the bar, we sat right down and marveled at how unique the layout and decor was, as this is definitely an untapped niche in chicago. Our server was very friendly, we decided to try a variety of things and shared them all. Great gumbo, grilled shrimp was yummy, the fried jalapeno/lemon/onions were awesome...but a heavy, we only ate about 1/3 of them. The star though was the grilled trout, deliciously light and tasty. The fried belly clams were my least favorite, they were a little tough in my humble opinion. Go early, and make SURE to order the homemade key lime pie to finish it off. Heaven.
(4)
Lee P.
This is a delightful place for lunch or dinner. The staff is "attitude-free" and welcoming. Start out with the clam chowder, served in a coffee mug. Add a craft beer from their ever-changing list, served in a Mason jar. All portions are "small plates," but not overpriced. Nowhere in the midwest have I tasted fried clams as authentic as these. My wife loves the tater tots. We always leave Fish Bar with smiles. You'll enjoy it.
(4)
Osi U.
A fish lover beer drinker's paradise. All pescetarians converge. Urban Daddy recommended this place after a short conversation about where I was and who I was with and what I wanted to do. What a guy, that Urban Daddy. The fish fries where interesting, they look like fat fries at first glance then you look closer and they actually gently battered decapitated fingerlings. The set up is really hip, and the music selection is eclectic. I enjoyed the service, prompt and courteous. I will certainly be returning.
(5)
David C.
All the food I have had here is good.... however, the bang for the buck is flat. The food is good but the price is a bit much. I have no problem paying for great food... but the food here is good... not great. It is a nice place to people watch.
(3)
Ronnie P.
For the last 6 months I have been getting off at the Wellington brown line stop and passing this place on my walk home. I have always been very intrigued to try it as I have eaten at the Burger Bar right next door. This Saturday I had the opportunity to grab a late lunch at the Fish Bar. My girlfriend loves seafood, I do not, but agreed because they had a few non-fishy items on the menu. We entered and it was a really cool vibe. The host was really nice and friendly and sat us immediately. He was chatted with us for a few minutes and let us know our server would be right with us. At this point everything was going well. Our waitress Sonya came and took our drink orders. A reasonable amount of time passed and another waiter brought us our drinks. It took her about 10 minutes to come back and take our order- this would not have bothered me had I not watched her text for at least 5 minutes of that wait. My girlfriend and I ordered- she ordered the Lobster Bisque and the Crabby Patty, I ordered the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Tater Tots. The tots came quickly and were hot, crunchy and good. My girlfriend said she was very pleased with her Bisque and devoured her Crab Cake sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good, I wasn't expecting much though as I was ordering chicken at a seafood place. We finished, paid and left. I am giving this restaurant only two stars because within two hours of finishing my meal I was throwing everything up. My meal at the Fish Bar was the only thing I had eaten so far that day and know that it could be nothing else. I had the WORST case of food poisoning that I have ever had. My girlfriend attempted the contact the restaurant just to let them know and has yet to hear back. I believe a restaurant should stand behind their food and should be very considerate when a customer becomes ill because of something they serve. I do not know if I will ever return or recommend this place to a friend. The food was fine going down but not coming up.
(2)
Ann S.
They were very nice to us-- we had a party of 8 and were high maintenance. Didn't do any raw, but the sammies were delish.
(4)
Lauren T.
I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. First off, all of the beer is served in mason jars and they have some good beers. Everything is better in a mason jar! I would say it was some of the best fish I have had in a really long time. Really really fresh. I got grilled octopus and fried shrimp. My friend got the cod sandwich which was outstanding. Really nice layout with the bar that goes around the restaurant. The decor is really rustic like and it felt really warm and inviting inside. Seriously I have told everyone about how good this place was! Everyone needs to go here.
(5)
Veronica M.
I guess I was expecting something else ???? The name of the restaurant is Fish Bar and looks pretty simple a place where you would go get some good normal seafood. It was a too gourmet I felt like I was in a tapas restaurant and portions are very small!! I'm not trying to look like a fat ass but I was expecting some sort of hearty seafood. Not this over cool tapas hipster place
(3)
Kelly K.
We came here for a dinner on an early Friday night and I was excited to try Fish Bar! The highlights were definitely the fish straws and the scallops. However, I think the prices were a bit high for the portions, so you don't get the best bang for your buck here.
(3)
C D.
Oh boy! The place is next to DMK and we couldn't pass it by without trying it! We went on a Saturday night and it was pretty cold. The wait was around 30 minutes, so we decided to sit outside. It was so cold. The lovely hostess gave me her own jacket! We ordered the clam chowder soup, lobster roll, and Po Boy sandwich. The soup was super salty. Okay no big deal. $6 for a little cup. The lobster roll came. It was decent, but I've tried better. Fine. $22 for market price. Finally, the shrimp and oyster sandwich came like 20 minutes later. Okay, we can live with it. The things we can't live with was there only 4 fried stuff on the sandwich. Fish Bar, I don't know what had happened, but I don't deserve 4 little shrimps on top on my sandwich and you're asking me to pay $13 dollars for it. The bill was around 50 something with taxes and tips. We walked away hungry and cold. We pay en expensive meal just to eat the buns and lettuce in the buns. Thanks Fish Bar. Do you expect me to go back to it? Of course not because my bf got so hungry after reaching home and he had to dig through the fridge for something to eat.
(2)
Stella W.
kinda glad that i came here on an expense account....LOL I know good seafood is expensive in chicago...all in all, their seafood was quite fresh, but i couldn't justify the price they charged for the ambiance of the place. Service wasn't bad except there was a bit of a hiccup at the seating assignment. One of us was on a cast and clutch and they couldn't even give the booth that were freed up at the time because we only had 3 people. Besides, i would probably need a few orders of the tiny grilled octopus alone to be full. Then for that price, I could probably go to a nicer restaurants/less bar-feel restaurant, esp when they don't take reservation and we had to wait at least an hour. And if i want to just eat good fried seafood, i could go to Lawerence fisheries for some juicy big fresh fried oysters in the bridgeport area. and it would been a lot more affordable.
(3)
Karl M.
Definitely a great spot to come and get some tasty fried seafood, and great beer. Cute, cute, cute servers.
(5)
Georgia K.
It was Saturday afternoon. We easily grabbed a table outside and started with some very refreshing spiked sweet teas. Then we proceeded to order half of the menu (but really, the menu isn't that big). Here's what the three of us had, in descending order of yumminess: --Skatewing... amazing --Scallops... almost as amazing --Seafood Cobb salad... topped with shrimp, crab, calamari & salmon and a yummy lemon vinaigrette- DELISH --Raw Oysters... tasty although I preferred the East Coast oysters over the West Coast oysters (West Coast were too salty) --Lobster Roll... decent, but I've definitely had better --Ceviche... alright, but served with crackers which was all I could taste --Raw Clams... okay, but I'm not really a clam fan. --Key Lime Pie for dessert... definitely solid. The only drawback is that the portions were small for the price. If you're hungry, be ready to drop quite a bit of cash-money. Especially for a restaurant where you dine at picnic tables and use paper towels as napkins. I waffled a bit between giving Fish Bar a 3 or 4 since 3.5 isn't an option, but I guess I'm feeling generous today. But all in all, pretty good seafood for Chitown.
(4)
Jim D.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand the five-star reviews of The Fish Bar. Even four stars might be pushing it. I went there recently with a friend, and we were both underwhelmed. I started out with one of their drinks, the Five and Dimers, a nondescript concoction topped by a sprig of mint. Then we both had the gumbo, which was tasty, but I've had better at several places. The artichoke fritters were probably the best things we had - sort of like artichoke tempura. The hush puppies were pretty good and full of flavor. But of course we didn't go there just for appetizers, we went went for the highly-praised lobster roll. That was the biggest disappointment. I've seen the pictures here on Yelp, and our lobster rolls looked nothing like those overflowing mouth-waterers. It consisted of, perhaps, a very small tail's worth of lobster meat and a dash of some mayo-ish spread stuck in a hunk of toasted bread. It was almost utterly flavorless. Considering that the lobster roll cost $22.00, I expected something better. I do have to mention the staff. We interacted with a few of the waitresses/bartenders during the evening, and every one of them was wonderful - very friendly, engaging and accommodating. Also, the beer selection, although small, was quite diverse.
(3)
Rod C.
Very good Lobster Rolls! They really pack on the lobster in the roll. It's kind of pricey as the market price for lobster these days is $19! The New England Clam Chowder was good, although I prefer a thicker base and more potatoes. Ally the bartender was very helpful and courteous. I strongly recommend trying Fish Bar!
(4)
Catticut P.
A decent seacreature bar in the middle of the Midwest? Yes, please. We were late to the party on this one, but today decided to indulge in fishy goodness. Thank you Yelpers for being 99% accurate when it comes to recommendations - we had a pretty awesome time eating and drinking the entire menu, but standouts for us were the rock shrimp (yummers), and the Satchmo po'boy (bless). Loved the mason jar bevvie receptacles, too. Place is casual and comfortable, but the real shining light of Fish Bar is the staff - super friendly, super knowledgeable, attentive but not overbearing (yet bearing free gifts). It cannot be understated how much of a difference the disposition of the staff has on a business - if they seem genuinely happy, you know the place is valid. It was a little pricey, but that's to be expected with what you're getting - go on Sundays for the $1.50 oysters!
(4)
Michelle A.
Tapas seafood? AWESOME. Loved pretty much every bit of it- from the old school, bar seating to the super strong drinks and to-die-for clam chowdah. The wait was a bit long (40 minutes to seat two), but they do take reservations and the greeter was extremely friendly. Our waitress was also equally kind, albeit a bit flighty. Mahi-Mahi was excellent. And the s'more desserts were too cute. Totally recommended for a fun, romantic night out. But make reservations if you have over 3 people coming.
(4)
Emily C.
Love, love the creative interior design. It feels like an authentic yet kitschy New England clam shack. We got there around 5:30 and got seated and served immediately, but I hear there's a wait if you go much later. The Good: Spectacular food. The fried full-bellied clams were very authentic. I'm from New England and I could have closed my eyes and imagined I was in Maine. I also tried the calamari which had a tangy lemon spice sauce. I also liked how they serve cans of PBR - again, very authentic clam shack! - and they also served cute mixed drinks in mason jars. The Bad: Portions. I thought they were far too small for the prices. I left slightly hungry. True, it's not easy to find fresh fish for cheap in Chicago (we're not actually in Maine, after all) but I didn't realize that the items on the menu are really, really small serving plates. Well noted for next time.
(4)
Claudia D.
Lemonade, tartare (salmon & tuna), shrimp a la plancha for birthday lunch with the husband & bride-to-be. The food was good. Pricey---too much to be a daily lunch spot. The portions were bite size. I left feeling not quite full, but that was OK, because I knew I would get more to eat later. The ambience is fish-filled and fun. The booths are small for 4. The bar is good for parties of one or two. The menu states no parties of more than 4 and it makes sense to go elsewhere if you have more than 4 people in your group. Everything on the menu sounds delicious and I want to come back.
(4)
Jackie G.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The food is always fresh and tasty. I have had two different types of fish tacos when I've gone, tilapia and rainbow trout, and both were amazing. My boyfriend who is from South Carolina loved the oysters. They serve small plates of food but they seem to get it right.
(5)
Laura W.
Fish Bar was a success. We got there right at 5pm because I was panicked that there would be a wait. After reading the Yelp reviews of people having to wait for seats I didn't want to take any chances. Fortunately there were PLENTY of seats when we arrived, but it did start to fill up by 6pm when we were leaving. I wanted to try the soft shell crab since it is seasonal but I figured for my first time there I would go with the most famous, the Lobster Roll. It was worth the $18 because it was huge and had nice big chunks of lobster. I went against my natural instincts to order the tater tots and go with the garlic bread. It was a smart choice as the bread was definitely meant to be shared and it was thin, garlicky, and soft. I could have eaten 3 more pieces. Finally we tried the clam chowder and it was spicy. I've never had it spicy before so that was a bit of a surprise. There we also nice chunks of potato in there. To drink I had 2 of the Negroni Baloney's because it is a gin drink and sometimes they are hard to find on drink menus. I could have easily had two more but I showed restraint. I cannot wait to go back and try more of the seasonal specials, the soft shell crab, oysters, salmon tartare.
(4)
Jay S.
Around Fall of last year, I went on an seafood binge fueled by my curiosity to try oysters. Never was a fan when I was kid... but I grew up now! Inevitably, Fish Bar became one of my prime targets to try for lunch. Fish Bar is literally attached next to DMK out in Lakeview. It's fairly distinguishable on the outside due to the aquatic blue exterior. Inside, it's pretty standard decor with communal bench seating and regular table seating. So if you are planning on going there with a party, you might want to reserve. The table seating isn't huge (fits probably 4). On to the food... Forewarning: This place can get expensive real quick. So the portions are small plates. There are some "bigger" items like the Lobster Roll but the majority of the stuff is shareable small plate items. Thus, could get expensive. For soups, the Lobster Bisque I had here is different than any other place I've had it. I liked it but I can certainly see others not liking it (g/f didn't like it). It seems to be a seasonal item but I might be mistaken. The Clam Chowder is more traditional of the two and is also very good. For sandwiches, I had the Oyster Po'boy. Gal pal got the Lobster Roll. Personally, I loved the Oyster Po'boy and was by far the better value of the two - that's saying a lot considering I absolutely love Lobster Rolls from anywhere. Really enjoyed the Po'boy. Their codfish sandwich is next on my list. For sides, shared tots the 1st time we went. They were ok. 2nd time we went here, we opted for calamari. That was ok too. Nothing special. The iced teas (non-alcoholic) were good and refreshing. My favorite part of the entire meal had to be the key lime pie. I'm a sucker for key lime pie to the point that you have to royally screw it up badly for me to dislike it (so that's a bias). It's served very simple here and that's just about the way I like it. And how about those oysters? Well, they were good. I'm no oyster connoisseur but they were fun to eat and tasted better than when I was a kid. No oyster epiphany or anything like that. Just some good, solid tasting oysters. But as good as they are here, there's another place on my list that beat Fish Bar slightly on oysters. So overall, a fresh and tasty spot for lunch that I enjoy going to. Yes, it is pricey for the portions. Luckily, my favorite items aren't that bad.
(4)
Matt M.
I went to fish bar on a first date last Saturday and we both had a great time! The food was good, but the service was better. Our cute bartender Sara took care of us, made some good recommendations. If it wasn't for Sara I'm not sure I would be getting a second date out of it! I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Tom S.
Great concept. Transports you to the east coast. Food seems fresh. Service is good. Enjoyed the lobster roll. My friends enjoyed the place too.
(4)
Mari Y.
I don't know why my friend always suggests to come here but I never fight her on it. Hence, yet another dinner at Fish Bar. The portions are quite small. They're sort of like tapa/pintxo size so you need to order a few items to get full. We went on Sunday night when they discount the oysters so I had two of those and the Oyster Po'Boy. We also shared the fish fries. The Po'Boy only had 4 oysters in it and was otherwise quite bready. At the end of the meal I wasn't full but more importantly, I wasn't hungry. If you're with someone who likes to eat a lot, I would not bring them to Fish Bar because you'll end up spending a fortune. Whether I like it or not, I'll be back.
(3)
Laura K.
This place was excellent! Delicious food, fun drinks, and a nice casual atmosphere. I will definitely be back. As a number of people have already mentioned, it is set up like a bar so I would suggest 2-3 people groups. I went with a group of 3 and we had a corned of the bar which was perfect. I ordered their punch which was delicious. Beware that it is a very small drink (and priced accordingly - $6) which was perfect for me because I just wanted a small cocktail since it was a Sunday night. My friend ordered the Bloody Mary shot which had an oyster at the bottom - she liked it a lot. As for the food. YUM! Fried deliciousness. We ordered the shrimp and the ceviche to start. The shrimp was out of this world! The ceviche was yummy too, but the shrimp in my opinion was a clear winner. I also got the Crabby Patty which was unreal as well. It was a huge crab cake on a bun and I enjoyed every last bite of it. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Timothy L.
The plates are as small as they say they are. Skip the crabby paddy. It tasted like something out of a Banquet frozen dinner. The lobster roll was delicious, but like everything else it was smaller and more expensive than what you can find elsewhere in Chicago.
(2)
Sarah Beth B.
Fish Bar really is A-ok. I don't looooooooooooove it like i love DMK, which I consider one of my best friends in the neighborhood, but I certainly didn't dislike it. A friend and I went on St. Patrick's day around 630. Short wait, nothing too bad. We were seated at the long counter and had an awesome waiter, who was pretty honest when we asked a bunch of questions. We got cocktails, which i think is a reason I took a star off-- I just don't like cocktails, and I never like food as much when I'm drunk. I got the margarita-ish one, which was nice, a-ok, but ... not for me. My friend and I share tots and the fried lemon, onion and jalepenos, which was hands down the best part of the night. We asked the waiter about them, and he honestly said they were pretty weird. On that ringing endorsement, we gobbled them up. Weird! but also, Yum! I had the fried clams, which were nice fat clams, almost like oysters. I really liked them, but... it just didn't feel like a meal. I'm not sure how to order the right amount of things to get the right amount of food. So, in sum! the food is yummy! the counter is nice, especially endless oyster crackers to dip in hot sauce! The portions are weird and take some getting used to. I think I'll go back, but stick to a beer and order a few more things-- and then i'll be back with an update. I hope I like it more next time (but I won't be hungry for food on that corner no matter what).
(3)
Katie V.
Really love this place -- love the relaxed beach shack vibe, the way the tables are arranged, the menu. The seafood always tastes fresh and though they serve a lot of staples (lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried calamari), every dish is well-executed. The fried lemon and jalapeno slices are to-die-for and the daily soup is always delicious. And the small plate format makes it easy to try a little of everything!
(5)
Julie Z.
East Coast Vs West Coast = debate of the table. The East Coast oysters win hands down although a few fellow diners may object. This is a very casual place to grab seafood. I think the vibe screams fast and easy. It's fine but probably not the place to go and hang for too long. We sat at a picnic table outside. Don't get me wrong, I like casual but this may be too casual for me. Also the menu isn't that large but this what I had: - Oysters - LOTS of them. Not a bad one in the bunch - Cevichce - mmmmm....this is how it should be done - Chowda - average at best. GT Fish & Oyster smokes this place My co-diners had the shrimp and oyster po-boy's and they devoured them. They have a good beer selection too. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go here but I wouldn't put it on a list of recs either.
(3)
Borracho G.
You have to really like food and be willing to trying something new to appreciate this place. I assume they are trying to be authentic to NE fish shack because this place is really the size of a shack. There is only bar seating except for 3 tiny-tiny tables but I guess you could also stand and eat some of this stuff if you had to, kind of like a hot dog stand. The lobster roll averages about $18.00 (ouch) and most of the menu items are all fried. Despite those things, the food is really really good. The ceviche was great and it's interestingly served in a jam jar with a side of saltines. They also had this interesting side of lightly breaded and fried jalapenos, lemon slices, and onions. I would have never thought that fried lemon slices would be so good. I plan to go back and get the oyster poboy with the honking huge oysters and see if the chowder is worth it. Good stuff, give it a try and don't look at receipt. Just eat, pay, and walk away happy.
(4)
Amy C.
Yes, I'm a fan! I came here back in March and am just now getting around to writing the review - a friend was visiting from out of town and wanted seafood - I was looking for something casual and neither of us wanted to break the bank. I came across this place the last few times I was at the DMK Burger Bar (right next door). In the evening, the line to get in was out the door. But the day my friend and I went to the Fish Bar (a Sunday afternoon) we got right in and out. It as a small-ish place but with a good menu selection, cute decor, friendly service and good bang for the buck. The po'boys, fish sandwiches, and clams were tasty. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Mike N.
I came here with my wife and father-in-law who is from Michigan and never had an oyster in his life. He self-proclaims that he grew up eating steak and potatoes over 95% of the time and yet even he enjoyed his food. The best part of meal was the clams and soups. The chef's special was a crab chowder and I thought it was done very delightfully. You can honestly tell that the seafood is very fresh. The only thing that I thought was pretty bland and not worth ordering was the fish fries. The highlight of this place, though, was our waitress Mindy. She was delightful. She was very attentive and appeared to do many small favors for us; which I'm not sure whether it's genuine or part of the act to attempt to get me to come back again. Regardless, it worked. The best part was that she offered to take the desert we ordered off the check since it took slightly longer than expected. (maybe 10 minutes) Good food and great service for about $25 bucks a person. Can't ask for much more than that.
(5)
roxie s.
Best fried fish sandwich in town!!! I don't know what they do to the tartar sauce, but it is unbelievable! The service here is amazing too. If you are waiting, they will usually bring you a little something for free to try. Also, if you order something to go, they will give you a free beer while you wait (they do not take to go orders over the phone. They want to serve it extra fish, so you have to order it there.) They have great beer, a simple menu, and the freshest ingredients. I would like to try everything! Their daily soup is also something to rave about. Always homemade, and perfect portions. Since there are so many restaurants in Chicago, I try to avoid repeating visits. However, this is one that I will always come back to!
(5)
Eugene C.
Went to Fish Bar on a afternoon with a buddy of mine. Umm....ordered 2 lobster rolls for $22 each. So not the money. Totally overrated and small. Seafood Gazpacho, very blend. Fried scallops-turned out to be about 15 baby scallops for $11. Beers, thumbs up. Very cold beer. Probably about 37-38 degrees. Overall, too much money what what it is. $130 before tipping for 2. So not worth the money.
(2)
Mandi G.
This is a great weekday lunch spot. Try to go a little later (like 2ish) and there will be no wait. Dinner and weekends pack this place up. I have always had great, friendly service and pretty much the entire menu is perfection. I am especially in love with the crab cake sandwich. It can hold its own in a "best sandwich in Chicago" contest. Truth. Also delicious is the fried calamari which comes topped with giardinera. I now wish all restaurants would serve their fried calamari with a side of giardinera. My only complaint would be I was slightly disappointed with their lobster roll, which is what they seem to brag about the most. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But for $18, I would expect it to be a little bigger and/or truly blow me away in the taste department. Super casual atmosphere and best crabcake sandwich ever. That's all you need to know.
(4)
Beckee W.
I give this more like a 4.5 with room for growth only because they had only been open 48 hours when I went. The wait was shorter than what they said which is nice, the drinks are great, the oysters were to die for, and my clam po boy was great. Word to the wise, use this as a date place and go early, like 630, don't roll in with 6 people at 8pm, they won't seat you, the place is super dinky and the 3 booths are made for 3 small to average sized people or 4 Lilliputians with small shoulders. If you have boobs, sit at the counter. I like that this is in the Chi now, a really good fun alternative for early dinner options!
(4)
Keith B.
Just came back from an early dinner. Deeply disappointing and incredibly expensive for a casual fish place. $67 for two people; 2 glasses of blech wine, one beer, one tiny scallop appetizer and two sandwiches. No sides (all small plates). If you like wine you should know - they have 3 flavors "white, red and rose". Service people were nice but the food was absolutely mediocre (and I know seafood).
(1)
Jamie C.
I went to Fish Bar in order to try the Maine Lobster Roll. Went on a weekend afternoon. First of all, after reading other reviews I thought it would be a total hole in the wall. To my surprise, it was small but well organized. There were only 3 booths available, so I was apprehensive when I was sat at the bar, but the service was wonderful and it was easy to keep a conversation going. I think every seat in the place was taken, but it didn't feel crowded. Had a few doubts about the structural integrity of my chair, but it survived my lunch so I guess I can't complain! The Lobster Roll was very tasty. The rolls were buttery with complimented the seafood. It was delicious, but I mostly tasted the dill in the mayo, and less of the lobster (which they give you plenty of). When I was there, market value was $21. The Satchmo Po Boy was FANTASTIC. I love shrimp and crawfish and was pleasantly surprised when they came breaded. In my opinion, the Po Boy was even better than the Lobster Roll. Fresh raw oysters from the east and west coast: I got to try one of each on the house. Not a huge fan, but it was really cool of them to let me give them a try for free. I'll be back for another Po Boy real soon. A place like this made me feel like I was sitting in a little place in California.
(5)
Jenn K.
Everything from the clam chowder, to the calamari, to the crabby patty and to the Po' boy were absolutely incredible!
(5)
Rich R.
Good quality seafood snacks. Expensive, but worth the buck!
(4)
Linda D.
Pretty good! Came here for a late-ish night fix and was pleasantly surprised that they had oysters marked down to $1.50 after 10 p.m. Great deal, and the oysters tasted fresh and flavorful. We got a mix of the east and west coast flavors. The actual bar is super cute. It's small, so I can imagine that it must get crowded during peak hours. Our server was helpful and friendly, and didn't give us the "you're here late on a weekday and I want to close up NAO" vibe at all. He came to check on us and refilled our waters constantly. Ordered the lobster gazpacho, calamari, and an oyster po' boy. I loved the gazpacho, nice and spicy, with big chunks of lobster. The boyfriend got a little tired of it after a while though. That's alright, mo' fo' me. Calamari was just ok. The oyter po' boy was just too much fried breading for me to handle. And it tasted a little fishy. I know that sounds really, really, stupid talking about an oyster sandwich from a place called Fish Bar, but I just didn't enjoy the taste of it as much as the other stuff. It didn't taste bright and fresh; it tasted kind of old and greasy. Another complaint I would have would be on prices - the portions were small, and while I understand it's seafood, I think the quality could have been a little higher. Maybe we went in too late, so I probably would give it another try during the day.
(3)
CeeCee Y.
I never knew how much I loved raw oysters until i was taken to Fish Bar for the first time like last week. My God. The brine, the lemon juice, so good! The lobster roll is kinda pricey at $21 especially for how small it is, but it did have a ton of lobster chunks in it. I kinda wished the lobster meat itself was served warm instead of cold, but then I guess that would make the mayo taste weird. The bread roll itself is served warm. They have other items on the menu like tater tots and fried clams etc, your usual seafood place items. I liked how they had a huge variety of oysters from each coast too. My only true complaint is that it was super freezing in there, like they didn't bother to turn the heat on at all. And I felt like one of the (male) workers was checking out my (male and straight) date if you get my drift...haha. All in all would totally go back to Fish Bar!
(4)
Jordan M.
This place is great! It will probably be busy on the weekends and some weeknights, so go a little before the time you want to eat. You can get a drink and hang out. The place has a really cool atmosphere, they have a canoe hanging from the ceiling and it looks like it could be a old fish market with old wood planks, fishing pics, etc. The service and food was just as good. It was our first time there so the waitress explained the dishes and helped us decide when we asked. They also gave us some free food to try! We tried the Rock Shrimp, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Mahi Mahi Tacos, and finished with DIY S'mores. It all was very well present and delicious. The rock shrimp was my favorite, closely followed by the Mahi Mahi tacos. For the S'mores they give you a small flame where you roast your own marshmallows. I highly recommend to anyone likes fish in all states. They also have a selection of 6 or more good beers.
(4)
Mark B.
Great food and atmosphere. Noisy and fun environment. Recommend the tater tots, Satchmo sandwich and key line pie.
(5)
Steve S.
My girlfriend and I had lunch there and it was delicious. Then afterward we went and got some food because we were starving.
(4)
Braden W.
This place is awesome! Newly open I eat here every week. Best fish in Chicago hands down. Jessica and Jenn always treat me well. The staff is cool and sweet. The fish is fresh daily, the chef makes great combos. The oyster po boy is unreal! Calamari great, rock shrimp great, dried lemons w/ onions and more great, clam chowder..yup great, but then there are the soft belly clams which are juicy inside with an amazing batter cover (to die for) and the lobster and crab sandwiches are stellar. Now drinks, I always get the Abby ale which is superb but chef is making tea cocktails like pineapple and vodka fermented with chili that is going to bring the summer home! (I tried it and loved it) There is a ton of great food here but to add to it they are green! They donate profits to fisheries, use sustainable and environmentally friendly fish. A business model we should all support more of. And on top of it all, it's very well priced, not expensive at all! Amazing people, great service, awesome food, and green. If you have not been go...don't cheat yourself, treat yourself. Go see the J's (Jenn x2 and Jessica), eat and drink your heart out, and maybe even find a pearl in your po boy!
(5)
A H.
I'm so glad I found this place! One day, I was remebering the lobster roll that I had in NYC, and really wantied to find one in Chicago. Fish Bar was the first place that popped up. So, we hopped on the train and found ourselves outside a beautiful brick building painted blue. From the look on the outside to the food, I love everything about this place. I like that it's small and you sit at a bar. I like the decor, and how bright it is. The drinks are delicious, whether it's a fancy beer or a cocktail. The food delicious! While the lobster roll is expensive, it's worth the price. It's so delicious! We've also tried the gumbo, bisque, soft-shell crab, tator tots, po boy, and a few others. Everything was delicious! Make sure to note that the portions are not huge and the prices are a little high. However, considering how far we are from an ocean, the prices seem fair.
(4)
Coll P.
Fish Bar (and Kristen our server) were awesome! As I waited for friends she brought out two crackers with a salmon dill spread AND at dinner she brought out a side of complimentary potatoes with bacon. She was a great and personable server! My group had chowder, grilled calamari, ceviche, ahi tuna tartare, an oyster po boy, and the lobster roll. There was not one thing we weren't crazy about! I wish the seating arrangement was different, as it was a little tricky finding four spots together. Other than that, Fish Bar is highly recommended!
(4)
Marc D.
I wanted to like Fish Bar . . . . But it didn't live up. As a native New Englander, I'm admittedly biased but good food is good food, and there are better seafood options in the city. Two stars go to atmosphere (sat outside at a cool shared pick-nick table), service (attentive, friendly waitress) and drinks (well poured cocktails, solid beer list and decent seasonal wine selection). The food was bland and, because of that, overpriced. Started with the buffalo frog legs. They were small and didn't have much taste beyond the buffalo sauce (if you've had the buffalo frog legs at Longman and Eagle, you'll be disappointed). Followed that up with with two lobster rolls and the octopus. The octopus had little to no flavor and was chewy. The biggest disappointment was the lobster rolls - granted, the portion and the bun were strong but the flavor wasn't there. Putting my New England lobster-salad style preference aside, they still lacked. Not sure what the flavor was (vinegar?) but there was't lobster taste. And, I get the charm of it, but for $22 for a lobster roll (served alone), I'm not sure it should come on a paper fry boat. Doubt we'll be back.
(2)
Samantha L.
I am useless on most Sundays for some unknown reason, and I always feel groggy and lethargic. My boyfriend managed to drag me out of the apartment to try Fish Bar, but since I felt crummy, I only wanted to eat cold stuff. I ordered the ceviche and two of each of the oysters they had available that day. The ceviche is a very small portion, which is typical of their a la carte menu. It was decent, but I wouldn't write home to mom about it. The oysters were pretty great, and even better, they are only $1.50 each on Sundays. My boyfriend got the lobster roll for like $21, and it was decent, but I don't think it was worth $21. I personally would rather spend $20 more and have a nicely prepared lobster tail drizzled in butter. The beer menu is small, but at least the options pair well with seafood. I will definitely be back here for the oysters some other lazy Sunday.
(4)
Lauren B.
If you want to splurge on some seafood and don't mind paying a small premium on seafood that is quality and has been sustainable farmed/caught, go here. There are also ways to eat here without majorly breaking the bank such as, ordering the a few dishes and splitting the hearty and reasonably priced fish and chips, etc. Ordering tots or salad allows you to save a little and fills you up. That being said, my price issue is with the alcohol. I'd go here more often if the price of alcohol was either lower (since the beers and drinks are smaller) or if they upgraded to the normal size. To know in advance: reservations of only parties of 4 can be made and go early if you want to be sat at a reasonable time, otherwise be prepared to kill some time drinking/standing on the outer edge of the restaurant.
(4)
n l.
I've come here three times now and I'd have to say it's just okay. Nothing has really impressed me thaaaattt much here. Sorry. :(
(3)
Jamie B.
I think I was expecting a lot more from Fish Bar than what I got. I guess to sum it up, it was a little pricey for what you got. I didn't find anything I ate to either be exceptionally creative or so perfectly prepared to make me want to spend around $10 for what ends up being a 'taste' of something. I see the value in small portions when what you're eating has complex flavors and a lot of creativity going into it, but that was not the style of food they were creating here. We ordered the rock shrimp, ceviche, and steamed mussels. None of them were bad, but they all seemed fairly standard with nothing special about them. We also got the butternut squash and crab bisque (or something to that extent), and that would have to be my favorite thing I ate, although it still didn't knock my socks off. I really did like the look and feel of the place though. It's on the smaller side, so I would recommend getting there earlier rather than later (as lame as that sounds), or expect to have a wait 20-30 minutes. The service was good as well, so I don't have any complaints there. If the prices were half of what they were I don't think I would have been disappointed with my experience. I just know that in the past when I've paid what I did here I got a much more well rounded and satisfying meal.
(3)
Matt M.
Overall this was simply disappointing. We were originally told it was a 30-45 minute wait, which was okay because we came during the dinner rush on a Friday and didn't have much to do. Even when we were seated an hour and fifteen minutes later it still didn't matter too much except that we saw a couple who were clearly "regulars" walk up and get seated. Another couple was also seated before us (by only a couple mins) despite arriving after us, plus they were given a private table leaving us to sit at one of the communal tables. The hostess was terrible at multitasking. Consolation though: she brought us two saltines w/ mayo and an anchovy "complementary" for how long we were waiting. This item wasn't even listed on the menu (which is good bc it was meh) which made me feel special! What makes the above worse was that the meal was mediocre. Soup was lukewarm, salad was decent, prawns we solid but incredibly small portions, and the tacos weren't bad. Pretty much a big let down after waiting so long; you'd hope the awesome food and service make up for. Speaking of service... Our waitress spent a long time either with the regulars I mentioned earlier or not around at all. Because the iced tea maker was broken as of this morning, I asked for lemon for my water. The lemons came after I had finished the first glass and weren't refilled even when she left the lemons or for another 10 minutes. Pretty much the whole meal was a waiting game. Soup and salads took 10-15 mins to come. The next item, the prawns were at least 10 mins after the previous course. After that it was a really long time until our next course. So long in fact that our waitress came over and asked if there was anything else we'd like at which point we informed her we were still waiting for our last dish. While we were pretty annoyed we didn't say anything because we really had nowhere to be. Interestingly, and I have to give him credit because we didn't say anything and I have no idea how he found out, the manager brought out our tacos and informed us they'd be on the house because of how long we had waited and that the prawns that were to come out (mind you we had already received them, so we informed him of such) and anything else we'd like were on the house as well. He ended up bringing the extra set of prawns as well because they had already been made. The waitress took another 5-10 minutes to bring the check, another 10 minutes to return for it, and then brought it back after another 5 minutes. I honestly thought we were on Boiling Point or something; everything was set up to test us. The manager's gesture was actually really genuine and he was very nice about the whole thing. I actually appreciated it because we weren't going to say anything. Oh well, many other places to try.
(2)
Anne C.
This place is small, but kitschy and fun. If you're with a big group, just forget about coming here as I am pretty sure they can seat 25 people in the whole place. For groups of 2-4, this is perfect. Fish Bar is like New England clam shack meets sushi bar meets tapas. Everything is basically a small plate and they serve them as the kitchen turns them out. I'd give high marks to the chowder, the crabby patty (a crabcake sandwich), and the lobster roll, although its market price and can get awfully expensive. They also had a really delicious lobster and butternut squash soup the last time I was there-- an odd combo, but really tasty. The staff is friendly and helpful and the place is super cute. They also serve pies baked by the pastry chefs behind Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park. Amazing!
(4)
Matt C.
Imagine Sebastien from "The Little Mermaid" singing a merry tune about how delicious he is right before you devour him on a french bread roll. That what the Lobster Roll at Fish Bar is like. When my girlfriend and I first decided to try Fish Bar (before we ate the food) we were finding it hard to justify spending $20 for a sandwich, even if it is a fancy lobster roll. A sandwich is a sandwich right? NOPE! Find me a better lobster roll. Seriously. I would love to try it, and I might pay $25 for it if it's, well, better than Fish Bar's. But it won't be. So don't even try. Singing Sebastien Sandwiches aside, Fish Bar isn't just a good fish place -- I think this is one of the best restaurants in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. From the decadent lobster bisque, to the SpongeBob-inspired crabby patty, to the fried lemons and jalapenos they serve as a side dish (delicious), it's allll good. And the oysters, ohh the oysters. Fresh, tasty, grit free, served with two sauces. This place gets it. Also the menu changes constantly based on what ridiculously fresh fish they acquire; you are guaranteed something new and awesome every time you go. The service is great, every time I have been there the staff genuinely seem like they enjoy serving and are excited about the food. It can be a little hard to get a timely table on the weekend, but they have great seasonal beer on tap so you can get your drank on while you wait. Oh and try the Lobster Roll.
(5)
Gabe M.
Think this is a great place. I lived in Boston for three years and learned a lot about seafood. When I moved to Chicago one of the things on my list was to scout out some oyster and ideally lobster roll places. Thankfully I found Fish Bar. Wow, great place. This place is on par with anything in the Northeast, dare I say even Cape Cod. They don't mess around. Its expensive so not really something to do often, but it is a great place to get your seafood on once in a while.
(4)
Jason S.
After having a great experience at Fish Bar a month ago, I had been wanting to go back every time I was craving seafood. Finally made the trip again tonight and it was an extreme disappointment. From start to finish, it was mediocre at VERY best. My girlfriend was looking forward to getting the gumbo as it was so delicious last time, but they were out. She opted for the clam chowder and I got the lobster gazpacho which I loved on my last visit. Our server came back with 2 clam chowders by accident. She took mine back and came back with my gazpacho a few minutes later. While waiting, I tried my girlfriends clam chowder expecting a place with such a reputation to pump out something pretty special. It was not... Luke warm, watered down, and had no seasoning whatsoever. In the entire bowl, there were 5 cubes of potato and 3 little bits of clam. I don't want to be crude or obnoxious in saying this.. but in all honesty, this makes a can of Campbell's clam chowder seem worthy of a Michelin star. When my gazpacho arrived, I dug in. Setting aside the fact that there were only 2 small pieces of lobster in the whole bowl, I couldn't eat more than half of it even if I wanted to. It was like eating spoonfulls of jalapeno infused tomato water. The veggies were totally unidentifiable - overall, terrible. I was excited for my scallops which would have been tasty if they were cooked through, but it didn't really matter at that point because my palate was completely shot after being set on fire from the gazpacho that I had stopped eating around 10 minutes prior. Long story short - disappointed. I thought I had found my new seafood joint in the city, but the search continues.
(2)
Christine K.
I love Fish Bar. I've been here many times already and the service/food is always great. One item on the menu continues to blow me away: OYSTER PO BOY. It's delicious. It's succulent. It's juicy and briny and wonderful. Each po boy comes with three oysters, but each oyster is the size of my hand. (Admittedly, my hands are on the small side, but that doesn't take away from the fact that these bad boys are huge!) The fried clams are also moist and tender. These are the most tender and pure tasting bivalves I've ever had at any restaurant. They're not fried to oblivion. The flavor of the seafood really comes through with all the clam and oysters dishes. The softshell crab po boy was also very delicious. They don't have this menu item all the time so I would recommend getting it if you like soft shell crab and see this sandwich on the special menu. The only item I did not like as much was the Crabby Patty. There was too much breading, and the spices were a bit overwhelming so it was difficult to taste the actual crab. The fish sandwich is very good, as is the octopus. Marina is the biggest sweetheart, and Jessica is fabulous as well. :)
(5)
Jess V.
3.5 stars. After sitting in Fish Bar for about seven minutes, I realized why I liked it. The decor and bar setup reminds me of a crab shack I would frequent in Florida, except it's cleaner. Made to look rustic and beach wind-worn, but clean so you avoid splinters. It's the best of both worlds. My dining partner and I both started with the Sonja Does Sicily cocktail, served in a little Ball jar. While I didn't taste the Campari, the cocktail was good. It wasn't very strong, but tasted like nectar. I would have preferred to taste some of the alcohol, though. If you review the menu online, you will see the preparations for some of the foods, but not the fish. They have sustainably caught fish and the selection rotates based on what is in season. We started with the ceviche, which was prepared with bay scallops last night. The ceviche was good, but it didn't stand out as an amazing dish. I appreciated the toasted Saltine, as it was warm and the cracker concept works with the atmosphere of the bar, but I would have preferred a piece of toasted bread. My friend had the oyster po' boy, which was supposed to have three fried oysters on the bun. If there were only three, they were the largest oysters I have ever seen. I had the special po' boy with soft shell crab. This sandwich came with two full soft shell crabs. These sandwiches did not lack in "meat," bread, or size. I would have preferred the remoulade on top of the crab, though. It was difficult to eat and needed the flavor of the remoulade, but since it lined the bottom of the bun, I had to take several bites of crab and bun before I could reach the flavor. The staff was very kind and greatly enhanced my meal. When I left, I thought I would definitely go back. After thinking about it more, I realized that I would rather go back for the staff than for the food. They sent us a complementary side of the fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. For a fried side, it was good. Although the tater tots looked more substantial. In winter, when I'm missing warm weather and want a vacation to Florida, I'll go back to Fish Bar. But until then, I will be content summing up my visit as decent food, amazing staff.
(3)
Shaun S.
The vote is in.... I LOVE the fish bar. The rock shrimp are the best! The drinks are also very good...and STRONG. The portions are small and the price is high..but you will enjoy this place.
(4)
Ricky S.
Upon first stepping into Fish Bar with my girlfriend, I have to admit I am unsure about the layout. I get the whole bar concept as a theme but the seating just looks a little too uncomfortable. As soon as we seat ourselves and get acquainted with our server, however, it all begins to make sense. The bar setting meshes beautifully with the menu and the service. The "bartenders" walking back and forth, taking plates and bringing more, discussing food with us and making jokes, oh and they call the check your tab. What really makes Fish Bar an unforgettable restaurant experience is in the details. Your evening starts off strong with the like-able servers, picks up steam with a fine array of gourmet yet familiar food, and ends amusingly with a check that always ends up being more expensive than expected. Don't be surprised if you venture in with a few interesting entrees and aren't able to stop ordering more and more. The mussels were exquisite, the oyster selection better than most, the po-boys never disappoint, and the seviche/carpaccio were both a delight. One item I almost overlooked was the clam chowder not being the biggest chowder fan, but I cannot stress this enough: order the clam chowder. Will I be back? If they gave me a blanket and a pillow I would camp out and enjoy their menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(5)
Chris A.
We've been here multiple times--the food, drinks, and service are always excellent. There can be a bit of a wait during peak times, but it's never been too crazy (and with one of their excellent beers in hand, completely tolerable). I don't get how someone can rate a restaurant one star without having set foot in the place. The website clearly states "more than 4, go next door." You give them one star because they won't give you a reservation for 5 during peak hours at a small and packed restaurant?
(5)
Eric M.
Let me start off by saying Im not a huge fish eater, but this place is AMAZING!!! The wait staff is amazing, very nice, very accomodating...gave us free apps and an entree for the long wait!! I had the Crabby Sandwich (forgot the actual name) but it was by far the most amazing sandwich I have had in Chicago. It is a MUST HAVE! Calamari was amazing, Salmon BLT was amazing, there really isn't a bad dish here. Its very small and perfect for date nights. You wont regret going.
(5)
Nathan R.
This place is awesome! The best option for sea food in Lakeview. I went here last night for the first time and now know why I've heard so many great things. The staff was friendly, the microbrews were tasty, and of course the food was amazing as well. I'll def. be making this a regular dinner destination. Love it!
(5)
Rebecca C.
This is one of the most unique and fabulous eating experiences in Chicago. I love the smaller, family style portions and the pop of flavor is fabulous. My favs are the rock shrimp (wow), fish fries (so unique), the lobster roll is so refreshing, the smoked trout salad is packed with flavor, and the crabby patty is moist and filling. Just try it you will see how GREAT the service is (hence I am a repeat customer) and the food is yummy.
(5)
Rachel H.
Ok. Having one of the worst days on record- locked out with no cell phone (ever notice how pay phones don't exist anymore and even if they did the only number you know is your mom's??). Anyway... rolled in there to wait for help. The place has this great casual vibe and music like I had just walked in off some east coast beach (I am speculating here as have never been east coast). The staff were all dolls - offering to help/use phone/etc. While waiting, I had a great witte, sampled two other draughts, munched on an excellent tuna tartare, and passed the time chatting with the super genuine folks working the bar. Seriously, if this place could turn my spirits on a day like today - well, it must be something, indeed. Def a must go.
(5)
Mark V.
Surprisingly GREAT New England style "seafood shack" in the heart of Chicago! Spending my weekends in Chicago from LA this summer, I'm trying to enjoy as much of the culinary scene as possible from Friday - Sunday. I stumbled upon this place on a run through Lakeview / Wrigleyville and was drawn in by the bags of "Cape Cod Potato Chips" in the window of the kitchen...running in the windy, cold rain of Chi-town vs. reigniting my childhood summers on Cape Cod and in Boston, I took the latter: 1. Sea Bass Ceviche - Reminded me of Hawaii...the dark days of late spring in Chicago, any reminder of Hawaii or the sun is greatly welcomed. 2. New England Clam Chowder - the only way to properly prepare clam chowder. Tasty, creamy, a cold day in Boston (or in this case Chicago)...problem solved. 3. Lobster Roll - Only an LA'er would request no mayo (even with my Boston roots, health has won out these days)...Fish Bar accommodated, another big winner. Fresh, chunky, succulent lobster, and ample amount...on the original hot dog bun. Well seasoned lobster on a toasted roll, simple and good. PS - I was with my fiance, explaining the no mayo! BUT if you're looking for a grease-pit lobster roll, this is not your place. Perhaps McD's will give that concept a shot again someday... 4. Fried Lemons, Onions, Jalapenos - yes, all fried, just those 3 items...dont know what else to say other than tasty, different, original...think lightly fried onion rings with hints of lemon and spice. I will certainly be back to try many other items at this new Chi-town gem, a modern salute to the throwback New England style seafood shack...I have been told lines for dinner get crazy, so give a little Saturday afternoon brunch a shot...and of course, don't forget the Bloody Mary.
(4)
Garrett G.
Small place with great food that doesn't try to be fancy. Everything I have tried in my multiple visits has been great. My server Janna friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is small which I am a huge fan of. I would rather have fewer choices that are all good than filler items. It is a very small place so I don't recommend going during the busy hours unless you are patient. Most of the restaurant is communal seating which I am normally not a fan of but the crowds are fun and not stuffy so it actually isn't bad.
(5)
shivi d.
Service ambience menu quality price all created a perfect pitch. This place is just awesome with their $1.50 oyster Sundays, salmon BLT, lobster roll and clam chowder. Fresh and delicious. Not the best we've ever had food-wise but an overall fantastic package!
(5)
David G.
I have tried to like this place. Have gone 4 times now. But this time was the final determination, the food was ho hum, small portions, the booths are small, counter awkward to sit at. Today, I had the salmon sandwich. It was a narrow piece of fish on a round hamburger bun, so 1/2 of the bun did not have fish. What I didn't realize the first time is that you need to order 2 to 3 items to leave full, which ends up being 15 to 30 bucks a person, that is quite expensive for this atmosphere and counter service. And for some reason both Fish Bar and DMK don't seem to like kids. Fish Bar does not have high chairs, claims it on fire code, but there is no reason in the code that would even offer that as a reason. Neither have changing tables in the toilets. You would think the owners would see their typical demographic of the neighborhood and respond , but apparently not. Don't think I'll be back.
(1)
Worlowitz W.
I ate here on Sunday afternoon and have nothing but positive things to say. I had the crab cake sandwich & tater tots and both were delicious! The menu was great, simple, written in a fun way, with lots of rotating options (ceviche, carpaccio, catch of day). Other diners were enjoying a whole range of items and lots looked great: the sriracha rock shrimp, lobster roll, oyster po' boy. Everyone was knowledgeable about the food and happy to make suggestions. The prices were fair, the service was great, and I look forward to returning and trying more! My only bone to pick was the hostess telling me to "pop a squat" on my bar stool when seating me--not exactly the most appetizing image to share before a meal.
(4)
John B.
Good but overpriced and small portions. You pay for being trendy and not for a filling meal. At $21 the lobster roll was a big letdown.
(3)
David R.
Great service, tasty seafood, and a bright, casual atmosphere. Nice selection of fresh, grilled and fried selections. The gumbo is perfectly balanced with plenty of spicy sausage and fresh crab. The flash fried shrimp are lightly breaded, crispy and delicious. Fish Bar also has a great section of Belgium Style brews on tap. Looking forward to many return visits.
(5)
Kelly P.
Great staff, small plates are a nice change of pace and the price is right to me. The wet rock shrimp might be my favorite appetizer in Lakeview. I've never visited without being offered something complimentary from the kitchen usually a tartare, carpaccio or ceviche. A scallop special was really great too! Try the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno peppers- definitely a better side with some of the entrees.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Visited for the first time around 10pm on Friday night and really loved it! My date and I ordered the lobster roll, scallops and fish fry and ate everything in sight. :) I loved the scallops - they were perfectly cooked and very tasty (and didn't need the heavy sauce served with them). The ambiance was charming and cozy and our waitress was kind, attentive and helpful. I'll definitely return!!
(5)
David M.
Kinda disappointed pretty much sums it up...we had expected more...go there for a beer and the gumbo...maybe as an appetizer ... Then next door to DMK for better value and to fill you up...had to make popcorn after we got home later.......and the beer pour was maybe 1/2 glass and foam....boo!
(3)
Jason A.
You know the feeling. You meet a friend for dinner, knowing full well that you're going out for drinks later. You order a burger. The thing arrives. It's huge. Not only that, there's a heaping pile of fries next to it. Because echoes of your mother still ring in your ears, you clean your plate. Even the pickle spear. Your friend tells you it's time to meet everyone else. You stand up and realize you're uncomfortable. Five pounds heavier, you sway to the door. All you want to do is find your couch and channel-surf. But it's Saturday. Yeah, it's Saturday at 8 o'clock and you just fell into a food coma because you can't control portions. Know the feeling? Good. Because you'll never have that feeling at Fish Bar, where the menu is short and the portions are small -- an ideal place to meet up before going out for drinks or even for a light lunch. What's cool about Fish Bar, which has the most apropos name imaginable (a bar that serves fish), is that it serves fish from the Great Lakes. The catch of the day was Lake Superior Trout. Why don't more restaurants do this? When I'm on either coast, I always order seafood because it's hauled right out of the water and dumped on your plate. There's nothing fresher. And, believe me, the taste is palpable. In Chicago, we're at Ground Zero of the Great Lakes, one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet, yet everything seems to be flown in. I hope Fish Bar keeps this up -- even goes further and expands the menu with more Great Lakes fare. But I digress. The service was wonderful. It was Friday so the place filled up fast. I had the calamari and the gumbo -- both delicious. But just know that you're not going to fill up there. Which, let's face it, is actually a blessing. You know the feeling.
(4)
Erik J.
I'm glad Fish Bar exists; it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood options. I don't, however, know that I'll rush back. First, they have two options for wine - Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, available only by the glass. One glass of the Sauvignon Blanc had me switching to beer; it is dreadful stuff (Fish Bar doesn't provide the winery's name, but it's a couple of levels below Yellow Tail). We started with the ceviche, which tasted mostly of pineapple (couldn't taste the fish). Then we had the fried calamari, which was ok. I enjoyed the pickled peppers served on the side more than I did the calamari. The grilled octopus was the highlight of our dinner. If I return, I'm going to head straight for the "A la Plancha" section of the menu. Next, we split a Lobster Roll. It was good, but not great. I can think of two restaurants (you know where I'm talking about) with far better lobster rolls. You won't linger in Fish Bar. The service and menu are all about getting you in and getting you out. This isn't all bad (especially on a weeknight), but we went on a Saturday evening. We were in and out in 45 minutes.
(3)
Laura B.
We went to Fish Bar randomly and were very impressed. The server was great and the food was amazing. We went and shared 6 dishes and weren't disappointed with any. The po boy was by far the best thing we tried. All the fish is fresh and great! When they ran out of something we ordered they brought over a free dish. Definitely going back soon!
(4)
Vince F.
Delicious. Relaxed environment. Great service and even better food. Cod sandwich prepared perfectly, yummy tater tots that actually tasted like potatoes and small but interesting beer selection. We ate there for lunch and plan to return for dinner in the next day or two. Good value.
(5)
Samantha H.
When I give a half rating I always try to think of one thing to push them one way or the other (since the average will go into their stars). This is 3.5 stars but giving them a 4 since the server gave me a half wine on the house when I just wanted a little more and not a full glass. I followed the Yelp! advice of not getting the $21 lobster roll because I felt that would only be disappointing. The fish special of the day were scallops, which were excellent! They were cooked in chorizo and had a hearty gravy on them. Yum! The rock shrimp were also very yummy and a decent size portion of those. I agree with a lot of the reviews that the portions really are tiny. Usually, even at a tapas place, I can get full eating several dishes. Here there were 2 of us and we got 6 plates and I could've had more. I'm not asking for huge plates, just a tad larger than they are. We each got 2 oysters (one east, one west), which I didn't care for at all. I like oysters but this was only the fourth time I'd had them so I'm not an expert. At GT and Everest, for example, they came in a preparation like with some sauce or cucumbers or something with them other than just the oyster. No, these were just the oyster in sea water (which was quite salty). If you're expected a prepared oyster, I would stay away from these. The baby octopus was very good and that was also a decent size. The calamari was average as was the ceviche. Over all food was average to above average with the scallops being my fave. Service was good other than forgetting the water I ordered. I actually really liked the set up. We got there at like 4:45 after furniture shopping so it was sort of a weird time but within an hour the place was full. I'd go back.
(4)
Abigail L.
It makes me sad to give Fish Bar only 3 stars. The atmosphere is a 5. The service 5. The taste 4. The beer served in mason jars 6 stars! The serving size 2. The price 2. We thought we would split a small plate, Salmon sliced thinly, which was tasty and a entree which was a $21 lobster roll, which should have been priced as a small plate. It was TINY! but flavorful. We had to order more. Shrimp and Crawfish po boy, again tasty, yet small. We spent $67 on a light lunch and a beer each. Too much! I would not mind spending that for a nice dinner, but for a crab shack type fish joint, I'll pass. And that's exactly what I'll do next time Fish Bar is suggested. PASS.. However, I would like to say that the place was busy, so I guess they are not doing too bad for themselves. I will just spend my money elsewhere.
(3)
Nicholas W.
I love this spot! So much so that I'm hesitant to write a review and give it any more attention. The interior design sets a great Maine-y vibe without being too kitschy. We had almost everything on the menu and it was all pretty awesome but the lobster roll was a standout. Although, next time I'll pass on the lobster bisque and oysters-they're good but there are better options. The wait-times can get lengthy so make a res way ahead of time.
(5)
Patrick I.
Our waitress made our experience that much better. I had a shrimp/crawfish po boy and an excellent tequila drink. Outside seating was relaxed and unpretentious. Breezy atmosphere, great service and food.
(4)
Meredith H.
I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I had kind of wanted to go when it opened, but have been avoiding it because their online menu doesn't do it justice. I love seafood, but most of what they have on their menu is fried which i try to avoid. But i randomly went there last weekend and it was fantastic! They have a few fish options that are written on the board along with other specials. First the drinks. The bartender/server was extremely helpful when we were asking questions about the drinks. I loved the beer i had and everyone we were with enjoyed their mixed drinks. Generous pours that you don't taste by the way. Beware of sudden drunkenness. They started off by giving us a complimentary shrimp dish in this aioli sauce. it was so good. Definitely not good for you, but delicious. We ordered the fish taco special, since it was cinco de mayo. Followed by garlic bread and grilled fish off the board. It was like a piccata set up and both fish were perfectly cooked and flavorful. Garlic bread was so good, perfectly toasted. Oysters were fresh. Finally had a cup of clam chowder which was not super thick while still being creamy and delicious. Lastly we split a derby pie for dessert, it was a crazy brownie type dessert that was totally necessary. My favorite part about the place was how casual and just laid back it was. Everyone was friendly and it was just a nice change of pace. Absolutely going back.
(4)
Emma C.
What a total hipster rip-off. When I ordered shrimp, I did not realize they were referring to the size of the portion. I saw on other reviews that the portions were small, but still found myself unprepared, as I have honestly seen more generous servings at a doll's tea party. And why other people have described it as delicious is beyond me...lob roll was meh, and trying to pass off that frozen, flavorless Jewel grocery store shrimp as Gulf shrimp was actually insulting. Cocktail sauce came in a little skimpy paper thing like what you put ketchup in in a fast-food joint. Fish Bar, do you know where you are? It's Chicago, one of the greatest food cities in the world. Do you really think we don't know what a proper shrimp cocktail looks like? Do you dream that we have never been to Fish Keg? The service was sensational, kind and friendly, but I guess that's the least they can do when they are planning to serve you a tablespoon's worth of sustenance for every ten bucks you spend...honestly, I think they should be embarrassed, I would not serve someone such a paltry amount out of my own kitchen or they would think I had something against them and wished to offend. Everything was twice what it should have cost and half as good. After $60 for lunch, I had to go get a bagel. Avoid, avoid, avoid, unless you're a millionaire on a diet. I am neither and I won't be back.
(1)
Patrick n.
Think Seafood Tapas. This place is really unique and charming. The food is good all around. Portions are small and you will want to order a couple things per person. We've had the ceviche, tartare, mussels, clams, scallops, and poboys, it was all very good and reasonably priced.
(4)
Jessica F.
Good beer choices, and good fish. The menu is small and the plates are even smaller. But it has a true Cape vibe that is appreciated.
(4)
Brian F.
I cannot get enough Fish Bar. As a preface, I am allergic to shellfish (there goes half the menu), and have not (previously) been the biggest fan of fish, but this place definitely makes me a big fan of the sea (and/or lake). Yes, they have small plates. Yes, your bill adds up. Yes, you will love it. I love coming here frequently with a small group of friends. In true small plate theory, it is so fun to order bit by bit and share the bite(s) provided. All of the raw options are delicious and full of fresh flavor. The Federal Hill style calamari is among the best I've ever tried. My shellfish allergy limits my "main dish" options, so I always opted for an awesome BLT (yes, BLT) for $6 featuring avocado and a fried egg... But they've changed this in recent months, using pork belly instead of bacon. Not a fan. Now, they've even got me hooked on their fried codfish sandwich. Like I said, becoming hooked on the fish. Also love the other garlic bread and tots sides. Great drinks offered: small, strong, tasty, around $5; plus cheap PBR cans. Now, onto the non-food points... It's a small spot. Small but quaint. They now take reservations (for a few); otherwise be prepared to wait. All tables inside surround a U-shaped bar. It's intimate but also public, and I like that. Nice simple, small-ish outdoor space too. I will say the biggest thing that is NOT intimate: the noise level. Guess they still haven't learned from the noise chamber that is DMK Burger next door... Service has always been stellar. This could be a big component of my frequent returns. The girls make their way through the U shape and deliver quick orders, replenishments, and delightful conversation. They add a lot to the fun of the experience. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Love going here with friends and taking out-of-towners here for a quality night. I always look forward to new/seasonal changes to the menu and returning for my favorite staples.
(5)
Amy X.
my main homie/squeeze is leaving chicago for the beacon of the west, san francisco! i admit, that city has its draws -- year round temperate climate, a wicker park vibe through the whole city, and...everyone is a CEO of some burgeoning start-up or another. to mourn my loss as well as celebrate this new beginning, we embark on the Jack M. "See-Food-Eat-Food Tour of Chicago 2012" -- a series of visits to restaurants where we sample all the treasures of the sea that you can imagine. we come to fish bar because of the $1.50 oyster special. started with a dozen of the east and the west (washington state and virginia, i believe). loved the virginia, like the west coast ones. i read somewhere that oysters are a "real" adult food. to enjoy them, you have to inhale and anticipate the flavor, taste and experience the tactile sensation, and then swallow and savor the lingering notes. these were so good that at the end of our meal, we opted out of the key lime pie and ordered 6 more oysters for dessert. next up, hot items. steamed clams, wet fried rock shrimp, oyster po' boy, lobster roll. my advice, skip the lobster roll. $19 bucks, and at the end of the day, it's a sandwich with bits and pieces of lobster. tasty, yes -- not worth two orders of clams or two orders of rock shrimp though. other items, yummo! favorite were the clams, which had chorizo and tomatoes and were light, yet savory. we fought for sips of the broth. lastly, i believe we ordered too much food. a sandwich should stand in as two orders of a fried/a la plancha dish. stay tuned for more reviews of the see-food tour!
(4)
Brett N.
All I can say is I loved it, as did my pescatarian girlfriend! There's a little wait if its a 1-2 person party, but we were there on a Friday night as well. As for parties of more than two, I would recommend making a reservation. The menu is kept seasonal and simple. I chose a little something from each part of the menu. The food is fresh, and the service is great. The Gumbo is full of Andouille sausage and blue crab (and flavor.) My girlfriend tried the Lobster Bisque, we both loved the generous sized chunks of lobster, and the taste was just the right amount of creamy/sweet. It was also the first time the both of us had tried raw oysters, that are so fresh they still taste like the ocean (your choice of East or West Coast oysters.) The Eastern Belly Clams are lightly fried and delicious. My first choice of an entree was the Satchmo Po' Boy, but they were unfortunately out of it (which only makes me want to return sooner to try it), but the Oyster Po' Boy was still a very tasty alternative. My girlfriend could not stop talking about how great her her Calamari A La Plancha was. As an intriguing side dish, we branched out to try the Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalpeno, we were told this was Chef's favorite thing on the menu, and was to remain on the menu regardless of how well it sold. Definitely made us want to try it even more. It certainly was worth a try, mixing bitter, spicy, and almost sweet flavors all at once. Lastly, for dessert, the Key Lime Pie seems to be the staple of the dessert menu (understandably so), we ordered that along with a revolving dessert (not listed). The Banana-Rum Bread pudding is like heaven in a dish! All in all, a great experience! Once again, can't wait to go back!!!!
(5)
Holly H.
It is obvious that this place is trying to be the seafood version of "Big Star." Well, I have to say it, but Big Star knows what they are doing, this place.. hmmmm. Not sure. I was so excited for this place to open... I finally went with my boyfriend and father. While the food was good, I was overall a little disappointed. The staff was very friendly and service was good and fast. Everything is a la carte and pretty expensive. For a fish bar, I would want to see more options for raw bar items- individual oysters, clams, and shrimp boil, etc. You can only get oysters by the half dozen. My dad had a piece of white fish about 3 oz. for $8. Pretty bad. Not sure if we will be back as often as we had originally planned.
(2)
Sheila C.
Food is delicious & Lauren, one the managers rocks. My husband and I strolled over there with the baby and placed a rather large order ... and then whoops...we forgot our wallets. Lauren the manager insisted that we take our food order and call in with a credit card number once we got home. I'm not sure many restaurants do business that way anymore. What a great experience!!
(5)
Severen H.
Kinda small, and the portions equate the same. The taste though was great. Great atmosphere, cool staff. I look forward to going back. Only problem is that it's bad for groups.
(4)
Matthew S.
The fish bar is now on my list of restaurants to take out of towner's to. I would say it is really expensive for what you are getting and for that reason I only gave it 4 stars. However, the oyster po-boy might be the best one I have ever had! Also, their drinks are really awesome.
(4)
Andrea G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar last Saturday night. Our plan was to have a casual date night with a good but relatively inexpensive dinner followed by a movie. We arrived at Fish Bar at 5:30pm and, even though it was early in the evening, we still had to wait 15-20 minutes to be seated. We knew that would be the case based on other Yelp reviews so we sucked it up but it is definitely not our preference to wait for a table (especially when you are going at the Early Bird Special time of day). Other than that though, here is what we thought... The Good -Everything we ordered (calamari, wet rock shrimp, lobster roll, octopus a la plancha, key lime pie) tasted good. -Portions were not too large. -Service was friendly. The Bad -Food was good but not great. -Portions were a little too small and thus, we felt compelled to keep ordering more food. -Service was a little too fast. -Seating is very cramped and uncomfortable. -The bill (with tip) came to $70.00 which was way too high for the small amount of food we ate (plus two beers) and the casual dining experience. If the bill were $50.00 (or less) for the same items, we would have felt it was a good choice and definitely would return but there are a gazillion other, nicer, better "date night" restaurants to choose from if we are going to be spending that much money. The Ugly -When I went to use the restroom, it was occupied. As I was waiting outside in the hallway, I heard the toilet flush and then a female kitchen worker immediately walked out. Unless she washed her hands after going to the bathroom but before flushing the toilet (and I did not hear running water), she did not wash her hands!!!! Sorry, Fish Bar, but that is a total deal breaker. Gross.
(2)
kevin c.
All in all I like there concept. I loved the Chowder, Tator Tots, and Salmon Carpaccio It's just stupid expensive. I wont be coming back unless they have some sort of happy hour pricing. Oysters $15 for 6! They were fresh, but a serious rip-off. Loster Roll $18 3.5 stars 2 much mayo and 2 expensive Bloody Mary $8 or $9 1 star Seriously lacking in flavor, and expensive. Come on get a real mix, like Zing Zangs or Ditkas. Salmon Carpaccio $6 Fresh, seasoned great *4.5 stars* Clam Chowder $6 Amazing 4.5 stars Oyster Poor Boy $8 2 stars Just not good. Smelt (forgot how much) but they were good 4 stars! Tots $2 5 stars wow those were perfect Coctails: They only carry a few brands alcohol. If I'm going to spend $120 on lunch please let me order what I want. Im not talking about a rare type of absinte... but come on. They dont carry any of the vodkas I prefer. Absolut, Belvedere, and my Dad drinks Beefeater Gin and they dont have that either. Figure it out fishbar our 2 expensive! After the newness buzz wears off ur going to have to GROUPON for people to come back!
(2)
geri s.
I was so disappointed here. It may have been because I love DMK so much and I expected it to be on the same level. It wasn't though. The service is mediocre, the place smells like bad fish and the food was nothing that I would go out of my way for. I feel like I am being a baby about this... BUT they didn't have straws. I have extremely sensitive teeth and it is very difficult for me to drink anything cold without a straw. Not sure why they don't offer straws. The server didn't bother giving me a reason. Just kinda rolled her eyes and said "we don't have straws" We left after two appetizers. They kept our business though, we went right next door to DMK and got the service and food quality we were accustomed to.
(2)
Lauren P.
6:30pm on a friday during lent. 40 minute wait. sipped on an old school (which more or less tasted like a margarita) while my date partook in an abbey ale (samples were later passed out to the crowd - nice.) most yelp reviews tend to comment on the food or the waitstaff. rarely, does one find it necessary to comment on the host or hostess: one of the most undervalued jobs in the biz. it's not rocket science, but a bad hostess can put a serious cramp in your night. let it be known that fish bar has one of the WORST hostesses known to man. let me count the ways: 1. the hostess writes down a description of the person who puts their name in. read: do NOT take any articles of clothing off. she will not remember you (she would have skipped over our party had we not checked in, simply because my date took his coat off.) 2. instead of seating people, she paced back and forth, looking at her list like it was constantly changing or that it was going to reveal how the universe was created. 3. there were 6-8 seats that remained open the ENTIRE time we were there. someone explain that to me? fish bar doesn't take reservations. 4. the food comes out so fast from the kitchen, the turnover on tables is incredible. there's no reason anyone should be waiting an hour and a half. ever. we're lucky our wait was only 40 minutes. if i had been told an hour and a half & watched seats sit open for 30+ minutes, i would have been enraged. it was absolutely painful to watch her quote wait times while seats remained open. not just bad for customers, but bad for the waitstaff trying to make money. girlfriend needs to be FIRED. rant over. now onto the food. we ordered: calamari "federal hill" style: almost feels wrong without a dipping sauce, but it doesn't need it. as everyone else has mentioned, the jalapenos put a different spin on it, in a good way. east coast oysters: a little small. you'll find better elsewhere. (half shell, if you really wanna know.) crabby patty: pretty legit. crab tends to get lost in crab cakes with all of the breading & ingredients, but not the case here. a healthy sized sandwich too. oyster po' boy: fried oysters on steroids. my date really dug it but i liked my crabby patty better. has a little kick to it & is served with coleslaw on the sammy. tater tots: perfectly seasoned. i wanted more! key lime pie: yes. whoever makes these pies, god bless you. also drank a punch & a negroni baloney. both were status quo, albeit a little small for my liking. fish bar is a little more expensive than dmk, but to be fair, it is seafood. 0 stars for the hostess 4 stars for the food
(3)
Kryste N.
This place needs another good review like I need a kick to the pants, but here goes! Fresh-fish-fabulous!! Went with a friend on Friday night, it was packed, but we found a little corner to have a drink while we waited. It was so worth the wait. The Calamari is some of the best ever, the fried lemon are strange but good, I would get them again, rock shrimp are perfection, the lobster roll was delicious, and last but not least the scallops that were on special were to die for!! The service was stellar, this little joint is a gem. So glad I got to cross this off my to-do list, I will definitely be back!
(5)
James M.
Moved into Lincoln Park last summer. Has been my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Great selection, great help, nice ambience. They comp you food all the time, and have a really relaxed manner. Will continue to come back.
(5)
Monica G.
Cant say enough great things about Fish Bar - mainly because the staff is so great. They always hook us up with a free oyster shooter or app to try. The wait is never as long as they predict. The servers (especially Spenser) know the menu backwards and forwards and can recommend items with detail and expertise. Cheap(er) oysters if you go after 10 pm most week nights. The small menu is very flavorful, and constantly evolving. You HAVE to try the garlic bread - it will not disappoint. The communal seating seems intimidating, but turns out to be more intimate than initially thought. The only hesitation would be the price tag to plate size ratio - but you must expect to pay a little extra for great coastal seafood in the Midwest. Plus, you know the flavors are crafted with care. This is a go-to spot in Lakeview, highly highly recommend.
(5)
VeryWhiteGuy S.
Was excited to check out this place serving sustainable seafood, but was not so impressed by the food. A few raw/ceviche dishes tasted great. Some people complain about the portions, but we had no complaints in that regard. For the level this place is going for, we weren't turned off by the prices either. However, the food was not at the level we expected. Dipping sauces were great, but the cooked items were otherwise unimpressive. We also tried all 3 soups, but were to our taste the weakest dishes offered. We had oysters that were pretty rough (fishy) tasting, and which we believe were the reason all 3 of us were sick later that night. Seriously, we all were ill. I"ll let you use your imagination. So, with unimpressive dishes, and the final "blow" of food poisoning, we will not be recommending or returning to Fish Bar...
(2)
Courtney W.
This place is outstanding! I had been a fan of DMK for some time when Fish Bar moved in next door (from the same owners). My boyfriend loves the ceviche and tartare and I am a fan of the carpaccio. I have also had the oyster shooters but I'm not a big oyster fan but even I thought they were good. My favorite is the lobster roll (pricey at $19-22) but good. I also love the crabby patty. The lobster bisque is good but I didn't care for the lobster gazpacho (too spicy for me!). The absolute best though is the rock shrimp. I normally get them dry (sauce on the side) and they are to die for! The tater tots are also very good. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the drink options and beers are great. The key lime pie and banana bread pudding have no competition. The new rewards program that DMK/Fish Bar has started is great. I have already earned a t-shirt (that I always get compliments on) and I am five points away from getting an entire key lime pie! I am beyond excited! Don't come with a large group. There are only three booths. The rest of the small place is bar seating. They do have a nice outside section for warm days.
(5)
S P.
I had the shrimp and crawfish po boy and it was amazing! Buttery toasted bun filled with perfectly seasoned seafood. Totally worth trying! Can't wait to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Carolyn L.
I went here with my parents the other day for lunch. I can say, without exaggeration, that the meal we had was one of the top 3 best seafood meals we've ever had in Chicago. We started out with a dozen oysters, ceviche, and some beers. The oysters were super fresh, the cocktail sauce was perfect, and the ceviche had the surprisingly crunchy element of jicama. Plus I got to try some Hades Belgian Golden Ale. Next we moved onto lobster rolls. Being from New England, we judge our lobster rolls with a very critical palate. But these, with their hint of cumin, were fantastic. We've tried lobster rolls at other places but have always been disappointed and don't usually order them anymore. Thank God we went for it at Fish Bar. They were delectable! The guys at the restaurant also gave us some fresh-out-of-the-fryer tater tots. Awesome. Oh and one of the most original things I've ever eaten? Fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions. They were bittersweet and spicy, totally rounding out all of the flavors of our meal. I'm so glad I have a Frequent Fryer card now cuz I'll be going back many times!!
(5)
Karen L.
The food is decent here - fresh seafood that is nicely prepared and really reasonably priced. However, I don't know if it is worth all the hype. One thing is it is SO tiny and only basically has bar seating. It is very casual, and would be a great place to just catch a bite. Once it dies down from its "newness" hype, I will probably go back for some oysters or something. Note: one thing I didn't like was since they were all stools, there wasn't anywhere to put your purses or coats. (Well, they had a coat rack on one far wall.) So it is a little inconvenient having to sit on your coat and hold your purse, unless you have a purse hanger (which i did) or you stick it on the ground.
(3)
Dawnie L.
Fishbar has the freashest seafood you can find in Chicago. They are small portions tapas size and price reflects that. Everytime we have been there we have been treated like family and Lauren, Sasha, Spencer gives us something on the house to try. Walking in to fishbar is a breath of fresh air welcome to Lakeview. I always take my visitors here to get something you wouldn't expect. The freshest seafood with a smile and a friendly inviting dining area. I love it.
(5)
Shawn P.
The small plates concept is an excellent ideal for this place. The service was friendly the food was very good. Both the Rock and regular shrimp were lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Tried the crabby patty and unlike Mr. Krab's (sponge bob restaurateur) I don't see Plankton in any hurry to steal this recipe-it was nothing special. And what's fish without key lime pie? The pie was taste although I'd of liked the crust to have a different consistency but did appreciate the whip cream on the side. Overall, I'll be back as the atmosphere is perfect as its casual and pretty authentic to its east coast premiss. Oh yeah, the oysters were fresh and very good!
(4)
Matt Y.
I had high hopes for this place, because I like DMK a lot, but I was disappointed. Ordered the following: Clam Chowder, Calamari "Federal Hill" Style, Rock Shrimp (Wet), Tots, Key Lime Pie. The Chowder was good - my only criticism is that it's lacking in clams. Calamari - It was like a salt lick and fried to death - the calamari inside the salt crust was on the order of rubber band. Rock Shrimp - good, but something I'd expect on TGI Friday's menu, not a medium-to-up-scale fish bar Pie - Excellent The service was fine, and the atmosphere was OK - but it was the quality of food that put me off. Given the quality, the portions should have been bigger for the price. Or, alternatively, the food should have been much better. A small nitpick - getting stools with backs on them would be much more comfortable given that there are so few table options.
(2)
Courtland H.
Went for a private New Years Party, could not have had a better time! staff was very attentive, remade food for me that i missed, always there with the beer, champagne toast at midnight, best new years my wife and i have had in a long time!!
(5)
Mark C.
After a Cubs game on a warm summer day, there is nothing better than coming here and sitting outside. I must admit that the lobster roll was disappointing, but then I find all lobster rolls disappointing after going to Red's Eats in Wiscasset, ME (seriously, if you are in the area, just go there). The Rock Shrimp (wet) appetizer was amazing though and the place just had a good vibe.
(3)
Nirav S.
love love love this place. Great seafood at affordable prices, fantastic atmosphere, great beer list, friendliest staff. My go to seafood place. Best fried cod sandwich, tater tots, grilled calamari!!
(5)
Layne S.
I had to go back to Fish Bar. My gf works in the area and we're sick of all the usual places. I had the lobster bisque which is new and the lobster roll; we shared the fried calamari. The lobster bisque and the calamari were very good yet this time the lobster roll wasn't great - I don't know - the bread/roll flavor won out when it should have been the lobster in the roll that dominated my palate. The manager on staff that evening was great and the service was spot on. I guess I'll keep checking back every few months. I want to like this place as I've been a fan of MK since it opened.
(3)
Daniel G.
Very cute little seafood joint, with great decor, friendly staff and delicious food. If you are feeling adventurous, try the octopus. Clam chowder is good too. It kind of has the feeling of a Cape Cod fish place. Same owners as DMK and since it is small, I would recommend going at a strange hour to avoid a big wait.
(3)
Alexandra S.
Stumbled upon Fish bar while looking for lunch. was very surprised by the laid back vibe and craveable menu. Hard to pick what to order since so many of the offerings (fried clams, clam chowder, calamari) seemed so tasty. Opted for the Satchmo po' boy and could not have been happier. Meaty shrimp with tasty aioli mayo. Gave into my craving for key lime pie and was not disappointed. Definitely worth the caloric splurge. Sat at the bar and service was very attentive and friendly. Cannot wait to go back and try more!!!!
(4)
Nicole K.
Things did not start off on a good foot: we waited 90 MINUTES for our RESERVED TABLE. One member of our party was 3 minutes late once the table opened the first time - I get that. Then, the hostess asked if we wanted to wait for the next available booth or take some open counter seats. We pointed to the booth that was opened, said, "We'll wait for that," and she said, "Okay." Thirty minutes later she seats a different party at OUR booth, apologizing that they had a reservation THIRTY MINUTES AFTER OURS so she had to seat them first? (Does this logic make sense to anyone?) Anyways, we continued to wait...and wait...and wait... Until the group that had more or less changed their home address to Fish Bar, Booth #3, got up from their three-hour loungefest and left. Of course we were all starving at this point. So, onto the food.... Perhaps my expecations were too high after reading these reviews, or I was expecting nothing less than amazing after convicing myself I should wait 90 minutes to eat dinner at 9:30 PM. Either way, not all that impressive. They gave us a sample of salmon tartare and fish terrine to apologize for our wait (even though I'm pretty sure they gave this to everyone). Both were decent - the terrine is a texture to aquire, almost like a mushroom loaf, but very good with the basil sauce. We then started with the ceviche (made with fluke this evening), the rock shrimp, and the iceberg salad. Ceviche was very good - lightness of citrus with a nice serrano kick to finish. The rock shrimp was just okay - I honestly could not distinguish these from any other bar's fried shrimp. The salad was tasty, but nothing special - essentially no one can say they wouldn't enjoy fried calamari and large hunks of blue cheese. For the next round we ordered the lobster roll, the crabby patty, the tator tots, and the garlic bread. Lobster roll was fabulous - huge hunks of lobster; seemed pretty authentic. Crabby patty, on the other hand, was not - a stringy crab/lots-of-filler patty when I was expecting a crabcake made mostly of crab (crazy, I know) . Good flavor, but not a crabcake. The tator tots were awesome, but that just indicates that someone back there knows how to work a deep fryer. And the garlic bread was delightful, but really not what I came there for.... Again, perhaps my expectations were too high, but it really is exactly what it is parading as - a very casual, counter-service seafood joint transplanted from a beachside to Chicago, that serves its food in paper cones and trays and its drinks in mason jars. I think I was expecting all this to be a cute gimmick, with the food quality and creativity really shining through - especially for the prices and ala carte style. Alas, I was mistaken...
(2)
Amy S.
Completely overrated. Lobster quality great but parsley added to it just took away from the flavors of the meat. Tater tots worth it. Came out nice and hot. Pricey. Wasn't sure what all the hype was about this place. GT Fish & Oyster has a better lobster roll.
(2)
Sam S.
It's quaint. It's always busy, which is a mystery to me. The portions are ridiculously small, the prices are way too high, the service is marginal at best. OHH, and although they have a phone they don't do carry out orders nor do they take reservations, so they may as well just have it disconnected. Normally I get dragged to this place by ditzy trixie friends and I'm reminded each time why I swear I'll never come back. I guess you can't argue with success though. This place benefits from the lack of any viable options anywhere close by, otherwise the doors would be closed.
(1)
Amy L.
I've been super excited for this place to open. There really aren't many options for casual seafood in Chicago. We went in yesterday around five. The place was packed but we only had to wait about fifteen minutes for a table. The place is super small with only three actual tables for parties of four. Basically, they mean it when they say it's a bar. You probably don't want to go in with more than yourself and one other person. Now I know that the little stools at the bar add to the whole New England fish spot feel, but I absolutely hate being forced to sit at backless chairs. It's not comfortable and when I'm paying for a meal that after tax and tip was more than $50 each, I should feel comfortable eating it. We both got a specialty cocktail to start. They were tasty but tiny. Three sips and it was time to move onto a beer. We pretty much tried something from every section on the menu and I can honestly say I enjoyed all of it. None of it blew my mind but it was all solidly good. From the ceviche, carpaccio, lobster roll, oysters and more, we liked everything we tried. For better or worse, it was not "fish" but the key lime pie we had for dessert that I thought was the best. I probably could have sat there and had another drink but towards the end of our meal the place was packed with people waiting for a table. I could feel from the staff and the waiting diners that we were occupying valuable property and we should beat it. Overall, I really liked Fish Bar. I'm just not sure why they went with such a tiny space. It forces a turn and burn atmosphere that serves food and drink that deserve to be savored and enjoyed just a little bit longer. I think the atmosphere definitely lends itself more to lunch than dinner.
(3)
Brit T.
I love this place. The seafood is really good, the atmosphere is super casual, and it's a good time.
(5)
christina h.
I have been to the fish bar a couple times and I gotta say the food here is pretty good.everything is small plates so its easier to just order a few things and share.they have a fantastic green tea as well.the seating is a bit strange,its basically sitting at a bar,and there are only 2 tables inside that are usually occupied.overall,I enjoy coming here for a quick bite and do recommend this place if you don't mind sitting in a bar atmosphere close to others.
(4)
Cheryl S.
I"m a HUGE seafood fan and was really excited to finally try Fish Bar, but I must say I was a little disappointed. It didn't exactly live up to the hype for me. We tried pretty much everything on the "Summer" menu which included the lobster gazpacho and ceviche, along with the tuna salad and grilled calamari. I really enjoyed the latter two dishes but the gazpacho and ceviche were both very bland. I felt like I was spooning bitter, unsalted tomato juice into my mouth with the gazpacho. The ceviche would have been better had it been served with something other than saltine crackers. I was just eating it plain and it needed something else to accompany it. On the bright side, the grilled calamari was excellent and the tuna salad was really tasty, too. Maybe I made a huge mistake by not ordering the lobster roll??
(3)
Janis W.
We all enjoyed our dinner here. My friends said the Washington Oysters and garlic bread were the best they'd ever had. We all loved the key lime pie. I loved my Crabby Patty sandwich. I like that the portions border on small. That way you can order more! Also, prices border on cheap, so likewise, you can order more. My only disappointment was the lobster bisque. It did have chunks of lobster in it, but there wasn't much flavor involved. We waited about 25 minutes on a Tuesday night, but there were 3 of us, if you were a party of 2, you might get right in. All staff were nice, helpful and professional.
(4)
Tom D.
A fitting name, considering the vibe and layout. First, I'll get my one major annoyance out of the way. The 300ml beer pours need to go. Your draft comes served in a mason jar filled EXACTLY up to a line on the glass. The rest is a fat layer of foam... or air. I'm sorry, but Chicago is a big beer town and this concept is for twinks. It looks bad. Imagine serving a 12 oz beer in a 16oz glass...it just feels like a ripoff, like an intentional skimpy underpour. Yes, I was instructed by the waitress to study the fine print - "300ml pours, sir" but I don't care. I don't want fine-print with my meal. It's a turnoff. Charge an extra 50-cents or whatever, but fill the damn glass all the way up, please..Sorry, offering up a $2 can of PBR doesn't make me feel any better. OK, one more gripe - the service. Not very attentive. A la-di-da pace, like "Ok, Skitch, we'll get to you when we get around to it." Next, the food. Pretty decent. Small portions abound, but the problem is that seafood isn't the most filling of fare. New England clam chowder was ok...not the best, not the worst. Crispy smelt appetizer was right on. And the codfish sandwich was teriffic. Overall the tastebuds say things are on par for a fish bar. But you know, there used to be a place in Lincoln Park called Minnie's. The theme there was everything "minnie"....small, Fisher-Price little people friendly, including the drinks and the midget bottles of coke. Undersized plates and portions, but you knew what you were getting into when you walked in. But without warning that's what you get with Fish Bar - the seafood version of Minnie's, which by the way went belly-up a few years back. They say bigger isn't always better; smaller ain't necessarily a party, either.
(3)
kj w.
Loved the ceviche and tater tots (yum!); the lobster rolls were solid - not Reds - but solid. There is something about those buns. The beer selection leans toward my style - Saison, Weisse - got to love them for summer!
(4)
Rina Y.
You will begin to see a confused looking asian girl standing at Wellington and Sheffield, trying to decide between DMK or Fish Bar - I am a huge fan of both! Arrived with a friend on a Sat night at 8:45 pm, hostess told us it would be a 1.5 hr wait, ended up being only an hr wait. Since we had an hr, we had a chance to taste some delicious cocktails (all drinks, including water, served in mason jars and are only $5 or $6 each- perfectly priced!) - the old school (a paloma-like drink) and the #7 (made with oj but def tastes like tropical fruits but not sweet) were our favorites. Love the flow of the place - the bartenders and wait staff are all able to move around on the inside - seems very efficient to me. Just so you know, they can only accommodate groups of 4 of less. Had the raw oysters (you get 6 for $15 so a pretty good price; we did a mix of the Washington and Virginia ones; served with cocktail sauce, horseradish, a slice of lemon, and mignonette; fresh and delicious however I did have a small piece of shell in 2 of them, but no complaints since its sooo hard to find good raw oysters here in chicago), grilled octopus (fork tender and ah-mazing; best I have ever had in my life!), gumbo (pretty good but nothing to write home to), new england clam chowder (perfectly flavored broth, not super creamy, but not enough clams) and finished with a slice of key lime pie ($5; looked like every group was ordering these and no one had any leftovers!). The sandwiches looked awesome at the other tables, especially the fried oyster po boy or the lobster roll, but sadly my belly was too small to allow me to try an order.
(5)
Ben K.
Fish Bar is pretty good, if overpriced. We had a bunch of items, most of which cost $7-9 but were barely appetizer sized. If you come in looking for tasty small plates and looking to spend $25 per person on food, you won't be disappointed. Notes: -The sriracha fried rock shrimp were fantastic, lightly breaded and tossed in a light aioli. The perfect light and crispy bite -The clam chowder was pretty tasty, although it was apparent from the first bite that there was an ungodly amount of butter in there. -The garlic bread was possibly the best thing I've ever eaten, was a great value at $3 for a massive trencher of the stuff, and went fantastically with our soup. -The beer selection is pretty limited if you aren't into belgian stuff. Also I am not a fan of serving draft beer in mason jars; it gains nothing and leads to an awful pour. Anyway I'm sure I'll be back here at some point. The food is good and fairly creative.
(4)
Jenn H.
We've been to Fish Bar numerous times since my first review, and every experience since has been great. The Crabby Patty is the best sandwich in the city! And the cocktails and service remain great. Plus, they love our dog and we always luck out and get an outside table off the street (dogs have to stay on the other side of the patio). We love going to fish bar for a late lunch and I hope the neighborhood continues to patronize this place.
(4)
Steve K.
Lobster roll (with a full pound of lobster) - check West coast oysters - check Great servers - check Decor - check A little on the pricey side, but the quality is high and the service is great. The side of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions is excellent.
(4)
Tom T.
This is a decent neighborhood eatery with very reasonable prices. We tried several things from the menu and I can't say anything in particular blew me away. The gumbo was good but not spectacular (they just had a lot of pepper in it). The ceviche and tuna tar tar were absolutely forgettable. Honestly though, it's just not that hot. It's like a nice version of Red Lobster. You'll find similar but better versions of this food at a place like Heaven on Seven. A side note, it gets extremely loud in here. They haven't put in any baffling anywhere so it's like being in a gymnasium.
(3)
Lindsey C.
How have I NOT reviewed Fish Bar yet!?! Very friendly staff. Great drinks (I always get the punch, YUM) and rotating beer menu. As far as must-eats on the menu, you HAVE to have the rock shrimp. I also always love whatever they have "a la plancha" - I usually get squid, scallops. The garlic bread is amazing! One thing I did try that I didn't like was the mussels... they tasted REALLY fishy. That was just once, so hopefully it was a fluke. The key lime pie is delish also.
(5)
Aimee F.
I have driven by but finally decided to try FIsh Bar this summer. I have now been 4 times and it keeps getting better.From the freshest fish to the diverse and tasty menu, there is always something new to try and it never disappoints.The beer and drinks lists are perfect and precise, offering the perfect pairings for the vibe and food.Fish Bar feels like an east coast fish place with a great Chicago vibe.Sasha the manager goes above and beyond to make the experience and quality superior, sometimes sampling for us his latest amazing and creative drink creations. Great date place or go with friends. Casual vibe but incredible food! I have declared Fish Bar my FAVORITE new place of the summer.Lucky I have more friends to take there!!! WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, unless you go Monday when they are closed! Enjoy!!!!
(5)
Bobby G.
Believe the hype. This is a great and probably the freshest fish bar in the city. Really relaxed and I love that everything's affordable and the waitress seemed to feel bad that the lobster roll was a lot more expensive than everything else ($19). Btw, lobster roll = extremely fresh light cole slaw with lots of chopped lobster served in a Texas Toast-like bun. Hooray for my taste buds. We went here in the summer and, while I guess there's always a minimum 20 minute wait, the bar itself is small and friendly and there's picnic tables to eat at outside too. Either way, you can wait and have drinks. They've got awesome, inprounouncable beers on tap. We also had some oyster shots. oyster, vodka, bloody mary mix, all in a shot glass. Not something I'd ever say no to. Also had Clam Chowder, LOBSTER GAZPACHO, and octopus. My advice, everything's great but steer clear of the octopus. I like when octopus is served with legs cut up on a plate, but this was more like they just found a baby octopus and didn't really know what to do with it so they just boiled it and left the thing whole on the plate and sauced it up real good. I've yet to see a restaurant in Chicago with a bad looking wait staff and here is no exception. On top of that everyone was nice and helpful. Friendly crowd in the place as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Michael Y.
I live right down the street from Fish Bar and it is a straight up 5/5. I have never had a bad dish there, great beer selection, friendly wait staff. If you love seafood this is a place you have to check out!
(5)
Krisp D.
Not a fan of this place. The staff was too cool for school and acted very condescending to our group. The portions were tiny and the prices were very high. I was just relieved the packets of saltine crackers did not show up on the bill. We won't be going back to FISH BAR for a palm full of so - so fish. Ha!
(2)
Matt P.
I think these guys put forth a solid effort, but it's really expensive for what you get, especially with the actual fish dinners. We would have been much better off getting the cod sandwich and maybe a cup of chowder ... which still would have put us close to the $20 range. Anyways, I'd go back, sure ... because there's not a lot of actual seafood places around.
(3)
F C.
I want to start by saying that the people are very friendly but I have no idea how this place is still standing with the type of service and prices. Our server took a very long time to take our order and then never checked on us. We had a craving for Lobster Rolls and I must say the lobster was good. Not sure if I would pay 22.00 for it again. I have had Lobster rolls from New England Seafood and it blew me away for 16.00. This was ok. The major problem was the prices for the sides and snacks. We paid 8.00 for the salmon dip that came with a few slices of bread on the side. The ceviche came with a few saltins on the side for 9.00! That is just crazy. Did I mention that the salmon and cerviche were served in very small containers. It was way overpriced. When we recieved our rolls , it came with chips. Not homemade chips but chips in a bag. So at the end of the day. Our party of 4 spent 143.00 and we were left really hungry after our meal. I can understand going to a fancy place and expecting small portions but this was petite portions. I suggest they fix their prices or go bigger on their portions.
(1)
Lois A.
There was a restaurant that made clam chowder that I used to eat at all the time with my family when I was little. When that place closed I thought I would never have clam chowder as good as that again and I didn't until I went to Fish Bar. The chowder is amazing. I can't say enough good things about it. The crabby patty and fish sandwiches are both excellent. Perfect toppings and great taste. The place is small and the food comes out pretty quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable and liked the large selection of hot sauces on the tables. I'm looking forward to a long, long winter of clam chowder eating.
(4)
Jennifer J.
It is what it is...a fish shack. I wouldn't go here expecting high end stuff but that doesn't mean it isn't tasty. Drinks are small, food is mostly fried but I would just say it's only ok. I probably won't go back but I'm glad I at least tried it out. I'm just not a fan of fried food and that's the main reason I don't find it outstanding.
(3)
Fuffie G.
Fish Bar...hmmm...not quite sure what to rate it. I liked it on many levels but wouldn't go running back...how's that for an answer?? Got there and was told about a 20-25 minute wait by the sweetest host. Nice guy, cute personality. After right around 20 minutes we were seated and then another really sweet nice guy came and took our drink order. Being that we went for lunch, we did not order a whole lot of food. I had the soft shell crab po'boy and my friend hand the crabby patty...love the tribute to Sponge Bob there. I also tried for a buck, one east coast oyster and one west coast oyster. I don't remember exactly what type they were but whatever that east coast oyster was, I could have eaten a dozen of them. The soft shell po'boy was good as was the crabby patty. So why would I not go running back??? I'm not quite sure. Service was good, food was good...maybe because you eat at a counter and it feels like an eat and beat kind of joint?? I don't think this is my last time at Fish Bar but I also don't think it will be anytime soon.
(3)
Michael B.
I loved DMK, but this place leaves me wanting more. From the start, we arrived right when they opened (to avoid the wait) and were told that the booths were reserved for tables of 4 only. Since there were two of us, we figured that made sense and sat at the only other seating option - at the bar. Kind of an awkward setup and not very comfortable. To our surprise, we see two guys come in who are seated in the booth. Wha? Guess we didn't have enough clout. So, this place is a bit pretentious, and is trying to be. I love a cool, hip restuarant, but this is a little much. It isn't THAT special. While the service was ok, they don't allow you to alter things (e.g., you serve fried rock shrimp and oyster po' boys, but we can't pay extra for a shrimp po'boy?) Now, for the food. The portions are rediculously small for what you are paying. And, sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the mini-lobster roll for 18 bucks. Yes, the MINI roll had a good amount of meat, but it just wasn't anything to write home about. This food suffers from over-hyping. And, I like spicy stuff, but EVERYTHING was spicy, and overly so. Did I mentions the portions are small? Calamari, meh, rock shrimp, meh... And, the lobster bisque was awful. Tasted more like a hot and sour soup from a bad chinese restaurant. Best thing on the menu was the pies at the end. But, I must say, this place would not be worth any amount of a wait. I'd save your money and head over to DMK next door (also owned by the same people). Better food, less pretentious (by just a little bit), but definitely worth the money.
(2)
Janet E.
I am not one to typically write a review, but this place was worth me typing one out! We had not read the reviews before going and did not know that it was one of the "new trendy hot spots" - we were just looking for a new place for a lunch date. First of all it was really cute inside and out and the counter top seating was a fun spin. My husband is all about the crab so he got the crab roll at MP (which was $18 today) and he said it was worth every penny. He has traveled to the East coast for business and he said that this one rivals any he has had there. There is almost a pound of lobster and they don't pile on the mayo like others he has had. He also ordered the #4 Punch ($6) which I ended up drinking for him - it was soooo yummy!!!! I had the Crabby Patty ($11) and it was AWESOME! I was going to get it without the bun, but I forgot to tell the waitress and boy am I glad I forgot! It was lightly toasted and so yummy! It was definitely something I would have again. So I then got home and was reading some of these reviews and can't understand why some people would rate this restaurant so low... Albeit that we were there for lunch so we didn't have a wait, but our server was great, the Manager/Owner? was there and very attentive, and the food was excellent. Done Deal - we will be back again!
(5)
Andrew H.
Oyster po-boy is really good and filling. The wet rock shrimp were also tasty. I'd go back just for those. That said, this place has some very underwhelming items. The cod sandwich really was reminiscent of Mcdonald's fish sandwich. It just sticks out their crappy bun. The lobster bisque was only ok, as were the octopus and tatertots. I mean, when I order tatertots, I'm not expecting much, but I'm at least expecting something that tastes better than what I used to get in my elementary school cafeteria. Also, it's tiny. We had reservations, which I strongly recommend, because otherwise you're left to stand around the few seats that there are thinking about why you didn't just make reservations.
(3)
Stephen F.
This is a "seafood bar" conveniently located in Lakeview. I came here for some drinks, more drinks, and a sampling of the raw and cooked specialties (menu rotates). I like this place, but there are a number of problems in execution that will hold it at 3 stars for now. First, the liquor selection is not appropriate to a po' boy hut. Gin and Belgian ales? I like them sure, but they clash with fried clams and ceviche. Also, I don't like the drinks-served-in-mason-jars conceit (even white wine!). I was bewildered by the lack of structure in the menu and order of service. I never figured out if the chalkboard and printed menu had any of the same items, nor if there was any attempt to structure a meal around our various snacks. Was I supposed to get my bisque last? Speaking of the bisque -- some of the items were sublimely good (tuna carpacchio, salmon ceviche and crackers), while others were merely okay (bisque and chowder). Given that a meal's worth of food and drinks runs $40-50 a head, I wasn't blown away. But I AM impressed with the concept, hundreds of miles away from any real coast. Fish Bar well deserves to draw a curious crowd willing to wait 90+ minutes for a seat. I might be back and hope they will up their game into 4-5 star territory.
(3)
Tommy O.
A little overrated, in my opinion, just like DMK next door. Fish Bar is unique in that it's kind of like seafood tapas, and the food was tasty, but it's overpriced. Quality beer selection. The place is worth a try but isn't earth shattering.
(3)
Kyle D.
I'm pretty sure a few of these people ate at a different restaurant. Fish Bar is reasonable, friendly, and most importantly, delicious. Went there on the first 60+ degree day and waited for about 30 minutes while sipping on good beer. Yes, your party has to be less than 4 people. There are 30 seats total -- plan ahead, people. When you order, do yourself a favor and order two of the octopus right away. They're that good -- and the lemon sauce is crazy delicious. Trust your server for other suggestions -- they are really helpful and won't judge you when you keep ordering long after you should be full. Can't wait to go back -- it's a piece of seafood heaven in my hood.
(4)
Agnes F.
Another great visit to Fish Bar, this time we tried the lobster gazpacho since its 100 degrees outside and that proved to be a fantastic choice it was spicy, full of flavor and with chunks of lobster we also tried the frog legs, 4 meaty legs prepared buffalo style, great bleu cheese sauce, i could use another dozen of those :) then i had the cod fish sandwich, it came out pipping hot and super delicious my fiance had the oyster po boy which was as good as ever 5 stars for Fish Bar!
(5)
Ellarey M.
Awesome. That's what I thought of Fish Bar. I loved the ambience, loved the staff, loved the drinks, and most of all - loved the food. I am a huge seafood fan, so I was very excited about coming here. We went on a Saturday night with 3 of us, and because we're not picky, we sat inside at a booth with no wait. Had the #4 Punch drink, tator tots, and the Maine Lobster Roll. Both were great. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster. Whether it was worth $19, meh. I would probably have liked to see it more around $15, but whatever. The experience was worth it. The tator tots were a great compliment to it, and the drink was tasty too. I'm now a proud member of the loyalty club and plan to come back very soon for some clam chowder and tartare!
(5)
Daniel F.
This place is great because they are able to provide fresh seafood, which is often hard to find in our mid-continental city. However, they are not giving anything away here. You're going to walk away only slightly-full, and easily down $50. I don't mind the crowded seating arrangements. This lends to the shell bar-style atmosphere, and makes the experience exciting. You'll have to wait a little while on most nights, I believe, but once you get that seat you'll be quivering in seafood anticipation. The oyster Po'Boy is the only thing we ordered which was worth the money. It was very very tasty, and I was pleased with the mix of garnishes and the spicy mayo sauce. The rest of the seafood was also SO GOOD that it kills me to give this place only three stars. However, the portions are like 100-calorie packs. They are even smaller than tapas servings. The rock shrimp came with about 8 pieces (small pieces), and the grilled calamari was a total JOKE! There were literally three MICROSCOPIC pieces of calamari on a plate, for like $7-8.... Calamari is not a rarity. This calamari tasted just like any other calamari I've ever had, so why are we acting like it's edible diamonds??? Come on, fish bar! The lobster roll is INCREDIBLE. However, it is also $30+. Worth a try, but you're wallet won't be happy with you. This place should re-think their portions, or at least be more clear about what you are getting. Since it is so busy seemingly all of the time, it is hard to tie down a waitress and really get a lot of information out of her, and you end up being surprised at the small portions. I wouldn't mind paying $12 for fried clams, but the portion would need to be 2-3x bigger. This place is probably more about the excitement and experience than the food, so it definitely deserves a try from anyone. Eat a snack beforehand, though.
(3)
Rob J.
Wonderful! Reminds me of east and west coast dive seafood joints that I grew up with in CT and CA. Great fried clams and the soft-shell crab po-boy was fantastic. We also switched up the cod fish sandwich, substituting snapper for the cod- so replace the cod with any market catch fish and you'll get a grilled fish sandwich instead of the fried cod...much better.
(4)
Kristin L.
Thought we'd be in good shape, showing up at 6:30 for dinner, but this was opening weekend, after all, so with a party of three we had an hour wait. Not really a big deal, as service is quick once you're seated. Seeing as I'm a Belgian and whiskey fan, I was happy with the drink selection, though I thought the jam jar-size cocktails (tried the #6--very tasty) didn't quite have the volume to earn their $6 price. The food was sort of a mixed bag for me. The lobster bisque was satisfying, once I'd doctored it with some salt and hot sauce. The fluke ceviche was fresh and flavorful but would've been better served with tortilla chips rather than Saltines. Now for the good: The standouts for me were the tuna carpaccio--a generous serving with great accompaniments (fresh herbs, fennel seeds, capers, and hard-boiled egg)--and the key lime pie, well worth its $5 price tag. If I go back, it'll be to try a po' boy . . . for lunch . . . on a weekday.
(3)
Dayna R.
The Satchmo Po' Boy (shrimp and crawfish) is my absolute fav with a side of tater tots!!! Love the Blue Crab patty sandwich as well!! A wonderful place to come and get great-tasting fried seafood, and a great drinks!
(5)
Lindsay S.
I'd rather give Fish Bar 3.5 stars, but I'll settle with 3. I really enjoyed the *experience* there. Sitting at the bar casually, sipping from jars, and having some food brought out as it came was unique. The service was also quite good. We ordered multiple dishes to do some sampling. The clam chowder is fantstic, and the gumbo is okay. Carpaccio of the day was pretty good, and the ceviche could have been better. I had to order the lobster roll everyone raves about, and was disappointed. Maybe I had spent too much time on Yelp reading about how amazing it was and set my sights too high. Either way, I would have preferred the lobster be cooked and served warm, and would expect a slightly larger sandwich for $18. It was also a bit lacking in the flavor department - I requested extra sauce so I could jazz it up myself. Long story short, I have mixed feelings about the food as there were things I liked and things I didn't. Will I go back? Maybe. It was a cool place to go for a casual Saturday lunch.
(3)
betsy b.
It's probably a good thing that this place wasn't here when I lived around corner. This place makes you feel like you're on the east coast or something. I loved the tail on shrimp, scallops and the wet rock shrimp. I just wish they have more sandwich options....like a shrimp po-boy or something. Our server was awesome and super friendly I think her name was Ali. After reading reviews I expected to walk into a tiny place where you order at a counter but was happily surprised to walk in and get seated right away at a booth. I'd come back here over and over again when in the neighborhood.
(4)
Mad I.
Read a lot about this place, awaited the opening, had the oyster po boy as my yelpers suggested....good, not as huge as everyone says...would I go back, not sure. It was one of those fun-to-do-once.... I do love seafood and this menu was a bit to small for me. Although I'm very curious about the lobster roll...but I've had the one from the Milwaukee Public Market (traitor I know) and I just don't think anything can beat it...
(3)
steve b.
Loved it; a great place for a Sunday afternoon lunch out on the patio on a nice day. We had two of the specialty drinks - both were tasty & $5 each. Scallops, a Seafood Salad, Tater Tots, Fried Clams, and some Key Lime Pie made for a nice lunch for two. Portions are not huge but everything was tasty and the place had a nice vibe; I liked Fish Bar much more than GT Fish, and will definitely be back to try the Lobster Roll and a few other things.
(4)
Peter C.
Good, not great. Not a great value for the money, but the service was very, very friendly and we liked most of what we ordered. I don't recall everything we had, but I remember the ceviche being only ok and the octopus being really good. The rest wasn't memorable enough for me to even recall it, so that's saying something. Decor is nice and charming, but you will smell like greasy food when you leave. (Nothing we ordered was greasy, but we still smelled like deep fryers when we were walking around afterwards.) 4 stars is generous, but they're better than three and I'm feeling generous since I liked the vibe of the place.
(4)
Sam M.
Let me start by sa ying how excited i was to come here. I had tried last monday to be clever and avoid a busy night, should have checked they were closed, understandable. Came back Last night on Sunday and to my great suprise, no wait and immediate patio seating. Awesome. Took a little bit to place our first order, but still reasonable time. Started with the ceviche, rock shirmp wet, and some oysters. I also had a cup of gumbo for myself. The Rock Shirmp were out of this world good, just phenomenal, and will be back for it. The oysters were good, but small and only got six for $15.00. Also not a whole lot of topping choices other than tabasco type sauces. Needed more horseradish and lea and perins in my opinion. Still good. Ceviche was good, but not exciting. The gumbo was quite honestly bland and unexciting. The beers are way too small, not looking to get drunk, but want a real mason jar of beer, think jar of pickles size, not gourmet jam size. For the "main course" I had the fried oyster po boy which was awsome, large and gone in 5 minutes. Girlfriend had the lobster roll and said it was worth the cost, though i've read on here it wasn't. Beers still small. tots were good, but some more side options would have been preferred. Rarely do I splurge on desert, but had to get some key lime pie. did not regret that one bit. All n' all a good place with a fun atmosphere. Little pricy for fried seafood to get full, but I could see going back especially when the seasonal menu changes. Writing this at work quickly so hopefully the amount of typos and mispellings won't make it useless.
(3)
Fix M.
Just went today with my mom, dad, and roommate and had a great experience. The bartender/server Kelly, was awesome. She explained everything about the menu to us and gave many great recommendations. She was very friendly which is great because we live 2 minutes from here, and will return hopefully when she is working again!
(5)
Michael H.
I don't get all the buzz? Went again Tuesday night/walked in--it REEKED of Fish? Don't think exhaust fans were working properly? I really can't stand getting "Nickel/Dimed" to death and here they have it down to a science!! Start--couple drinks... an 8 oz "Ball" Glass filled a little more than halfway?? The "Drink" glass is even smaller-JOKE! Ordered half dozen Oysters..$15/Tiny Plate with 6 of the TINIEST Oysters I've ever seen/No Ice under them/A HALF FILLED Cocktail Sauce with not even enough for the 6? JOKE! Tried Calamari- was good first time I was there.. They must be buying the SMALLEST Grade of Calamari now? Wasn't fried correctly and hardly any peppers? TINIEST PORTION Known to man!! FAIL! Got a couple of Fish Sandwiches and they had those bright red "Rotten" looking tomatoes? I lost my appetite at this point..got my 2nd beer/Literally HALF-FULL? Paid the WAY OVERPRICED BILL and walked out reeking of FISH!!! Not sure if they had some "Novice" cooks on because it was a Tuesday or what but it surely was a pathetic meal! We had shitty food/ got ripped off/ smelled like FISH!!! The Trifecta! GTFJD PS---Turn down the shitty music!!
(2)
Esther K.
I have a few friends who have been raving about Fish Bar continuously, so I was excited when I finally got the chance to check it out. A girlfriend and I stopped by around 7:30p on a Friday, and were greeted by a very friendly hostess and a 1.5hr wait. Oy. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded by the beer samples they pass out every so often, which is a nice gesture toward the waiting crowds that form in this tiny space. Our server Marina was extremely helpful and friendly, especially when we mixed up our order a bit. The food came out very quickly as well, which was much appreciated after the wait. My friend and I shared the clam chowder, which was creamy and thick with lots of clam chunks. Next was a side of fried rock shrimp- we found the portions to be rather small and too greasy for our tastes. The highlight was the tobiko sauce it came with, very yummy. Next we both had the oyster po' boy- YUM YUM YUM! As fellow yelpers have noted, the size of these fried oysters is hugeee, and contrary to the shrimp they weren't very greasy at all- very nicely breaded and light. I loved the spicy slaw in the sandwich as well. I also tried a raw clam for $1- what a great deal, and it was VERY fresh! We finished up the meal with a slice of key lime pie, which was very tart- a nice kick after maybe a little too much fried food (is there such a thing?) (+) The price is right, the staff are lovely, the decor and vibe of the crowd draw you in. (-) The portions are on the small side overall, the wait can be crazy, and they cannot accommodate big groups. I think I would return, but wouldn't think of it as a go-to place for seafood.
(4)
Carri C.
Ok food, very small portions. Odd decor.
(3)
John R.
The Captain (Capt Steve) of our sailing tour recommended that we come here for dinner, when we asked for a Fish place. We SO did! 1/2 dozen oysters (3 west-3 east. The West were better - very tasty, but both were smallish.) Fried clam belly. Super yum and cooked and seasoned perfectly. these were $$$$ Oyster PO-boy - Very tasty with a little cabbage-slaw, and fried perfectly and the Toast bun was right on! Crab sandwich - or Crabby patty. Nice, crunchy and big patty, well seasoned.. Ceviche - (for desert, sort of) Was a little heavy on the Cucumber, but still good. The manager ask how it was and was super friendly in accepting this feedback. Everyone we met from the staff were perfectly friendly and accommodating! + + + Raw Swordfish belly (Gratis from mgr.) This was so subtle, the texture was very light, and it was prepared and seasoned perfectly. I am not one for Raw fish much, but this was great. (not on the menu... shhh!) Thanks again to everyone at the Fish Bar. Well done! Over all, perfect dinner and priced right.
(5)
Patrick K.
FISH BAR. One of my go to restaurants in Lakeview. ALWAY a good meal. They are always changing up the menu. They are really good at posting pictures of their dishes on Facebook and it always looks delicious. Recomendations: one of their soups (Gumbo and Clam Chowder), an oyster of two, sandwich (poboy, Salmon BLT, Codfish) or a seasonal special. Negatives: super small restaurant with only twenty-five seats, most of the seats are bar stools. Other complaint, sometimes the potions are a little small... but sure are tasty. If your a seafood lover, then you have to stop on by.
(4)
L L.
I love fish, seafood, sea creatures, whatever the fuck you want to call it. Randomly walked in here after watching a coworker's rugby game - I have literally wanted to come here for over a year! (don't live nearby) The 5 of us were greeted by a smiley staff and our ROCKSTAR server Marina. Food: AMAZE BALLS - I love that I ate octopus, oysters, tartar, ceviche, etc. It was great to be able to order all of it in smaller portions so that I could eat everything, because homegirl loves to eat EVERYTHING! Service: MARINA! OH MY GOD MARINA! I LOVE MARINA, WE LOVE MARINA! She was great at taking all our orders, checking in, had a lovely disposition and is the number 1 reason why I will go back. I will go out of my effing way to go back man! BECAUSE OF HER! All the staff seemed pretty friendly and on top of things but not only did she sell us on Fish Bar, she sold us on Ada St and DMK the other two spots they have. GO TO FISH BAR It's SO GOOD Slightly drunk, but I am always right! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
(5)
Erin C.
Eh. To me, this was just ok. This is the prototypical east coast fish restaurant sandwiched in the middle of lakeview. It's definitely ok when you need a seafood fix, but compared to the originals out east, this is subpar. I would willingly pay $19 for a lobster roll if it tastes like it is right out of the sea, but here, it just doesn't. The tatertots are nice and the drinks are yummy and reasonably priced. The staff was nice, but the octopus was not cooked perfectly and the crust of the key lime pie was soggy. I probably wouldn't come back, not because it's overpriced or too crowded, but just because it wasn't mind-blowingly good. I'll wait until i'm back out east and can eat the real thing.
(3)
Deb B.
Best part of this restaurant is that it has outdoor seating on Sheffield,which most places do not. That's about all that is good. 1. Service is forgettable. 2. WAY overpriced,and the portions are very small...imagine like tapas, but being charged full price. 3. Previously frozen seafood and appetizers served in small portions on nice sidewalk is what Fish Bar is. 4. Don't waste your time or $$$..Go to a real bar, and at least get some real bar food,or go to a real seafood restaurant for a decent meal. You get neither at this place,just a feeling of being ripped off, and hungry. 5.Don't be "marketed in" to check this place out..read the reviews of other Yelpers.
(1)
Sheila H.
I heard about the long waits for dinner, so I went for lunch and was seated immediately. Cool decor inside and out. Fun menu. Great service. Now, let's talk about the food. I love seafood of all kinds, so this is my kind of place. Seafood salad - delish, chowder - delish, grilled fish of the day (trout) - delish, grilled octopus - very delish. Had a beer served in a mason jar which I though was a cute touch. Instead of another drink, I had my first ever oyster shooter. Loved it. And key lime pie for dessert. What's not to like.
(4)
Mary H.
Came here for an early dinner on a Friday and everything was delicious! And any place that has a $2 beers (even if they are PBR) gets an automatic gold star in my book. We ordered a variety of things including: the salmon tar tar, garlic bread, clam chowder, calamari (fried), oysters (West), oyster po'boy, the crabby patty sandwich and a soft shell crab sandwich. All of this and a couple rounds of beers amounted to $110 (including tip and fed one smallish girl and three large guys). Not too shabby considering we all left stuffed. My favorite was the soft shell crab sandwich - OMG it was good. Everything else was tasty too, but I did notice that the fried seafood (even though we had different types of it) did kind of blend together, as they all had a spicy, salty taste. Regardless, Fish Bar, you have made a fan out of me. Be sure to sign up for the awesome rewards card they have, which is also good at DMK Burger Bar next door.
(4)
Allison B.
I had a strong desire for a fish sandwich for lunch today - but I am originally from Florida and I am picky when it comes to fish sandwiches. I consulted Yelp and we picked the Fish Bar. I am so glad we went there. The atmosphere was clean and kind of cool - like a diner with many seats at the counter and a couple of booth seats. We were greeted by their very friendly staff and sat in a booth. It was 1:30 on a Thursday - still a lot of people enjoying their food, but not too crowded. Our server was amazing. Great friendly service. The fish sandwich was spot on. We had oysters on the half shell - also really yummy. Our server brought us some fried oysters as a bonus appetizer - the remoulade was really fresh. My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and enjoyed it so much I didn't get to taste it. And then our server brought us some tots on the house - we certainly felt special. I am looking forward to going back again - and trying some of their other fresh fish items. Thanks so much for making our first experience at your restaurant so warm and welcoming.
(5)
Ruairà B.
With the food being on the pricey side, I was surprised there wasn't more value in the beer selection, I'm all for good beers, but a simple Sierra Nevada or Green Line on tap for $4 would have pushed this up to 4 or 5 stars. The trout was excellent, oysters were good, lobster roll was also excellent. Overall I liked it and glad we checked it out, its a good addition to the neighborhood. Sort out the beer selection with some good pale ale or IPA options and this would be 4 or 5 stars.
(3)
Reid G.
I keep updating my Fish Bar reviews because it keeps getting better. The new Satchmo Po Boy is on point and is highly recommended over the Oyster Po Boy. They upped the ante on the Belly Clams, increasing the serrving to 1/2#, which is spectacular because we always ended up ordering two servings.
(5)
Hamster P.
The fish was delicious but it's really hard to go wrong with fried...anything. Not much to say , I thought it was good but not mind blowing. Nothing to rave about but nothing to really complain bout either.
(3)
Kelly A.
I stopped by on a Wednesday night around 7 pm because I happened to be in the neighborhood. As soon as a spotted the restaurant I knew I needed a seafood fix! After moving to Chicago a year ago from Boston I've been missing fresh, well prepared seafood and was curious to see if this place could live up to some of my favorites on the coast. I'm happy to say, I was pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of an upscale take on some of the seafood/clam shacks that existed on the coast in Massachusetts. It had a very laid back clostal vibe (think wine served in a mason jar), but with a slightly refined twist. Because of the fact it was a weeknight and a somewhat early hour I was also able to get seated right away, which was a plus. (Though there was a 20-30 minute wait for an outside table.) They had a lot of compelling sounding specials, but I decided to go with 6 oysters (I did a mix of the East Coast and West Coast oysters that were available) and a lobster roll. I also had some white wine to go along with my meal. Although I pretty much knew this was going to be my choice when I read the menu, my server was still very knowledgable about the menu, which I appreciate at a seafood restaurant. I have to say, this place was perfect for a single diner. Because of the counter set up inside there were a lot of other solo diners so it didn't feel awkward at all. It also helped that my food came quickly and even when I requested an order of tatertots last minute they still came out very quickly so I could enjoy them with my lobster roll. However, the service wasn't flawless. My waiter had quite a few parties to attend to,so while my order went in quickly it was a challenge to flag him down for ketchup for my tots & a second glass of wine. Part of it is because customers seem to have so many questions about the menu I would guess he lingered with each guest longer than at a normal restaurant. And that of course brings me to the most important part - the food! My oysters were fantastic. They tasted unbelievably fresh and had great flavor to them. My only wish was that they had more oysters to choose from or at the very least, more variation in flavor between the two oysters. Though they were from two different coasts the flavors were pretty similar and I would have much prefered a milder smaller oyster and a more robust oyster for contrast. None the less, they were delicious. The lobster roll was also fantastic. The portion of lobster was very generous and I loved the celery mayo they used for the lobster salad. It was very lightly dressed but still packed a lot of creamy flavor. I love that it definitely tasted like a classic lobster roll, but with a slightly more refined flavor profile. The bun was also nicely done. It was well crisped and tasted very fresh. Overall, this place was great. I really enjoyed my meal and it was the best seafood I've had in Chicago (outside of some fantastic oysters at Girl & The Goat) I'd highly recommend it. I'm not sure it's worth the long waits that are reported on the weekends, but I'd definitely stop by for another weekday meal. My entire bill with tax & tip came to $63 for the oysters, lobster roll, tots, & two glasses of wine and it seemed like an appropriate price for the quality and amount of food.
(4)
Jennifer K.
(Note: I wrote this review in April, though I'm just publishing it now. So it's possible some of the things I've mentioned have changed in the last 3 months.) A friend & I had an early dinner at Fish Bar tonight. It was good, but not fabulous, though my reaction might be tempered somewhat by the fact that their AC apparently wasn't working and it was probably the same temperature inside as outside (mid-80s). Some quick thoughts: Wait - No wait for seats for two at 5 pm on a Sunday. Seating - Almost entirely mis-matched stools at two U-shaped counters. If you're larger and/or prone to back problems, you may not be comfortable. Both my friend & I have back problems and it's painful to sit too long at a backless-chair, particularly if the chair or counter lacks a footrail. Drinks - An interesting but small selection of Belgian-style beers plus a handful of cocktails. Everything is served in Mason jars, including water. Raw food - We had the carpaccio and and ceviche, both of which apparently change daily depending on what's in season. I preferred the carpaccio (tuna?) to the ceviche (scallops), which was served with four saltines. The saltines overpowered the ceviche, I thought, but even without the saltine, the ceviche didn't wow me. Carpacchio was dressed with olive oil, capers, onions, chopped egg and some kind of sprout...maybe a little salt and lemon, too. Fried stuff - We had the fried clams (I grew up eating the clam roll at Friendly's on the east coast, so I love all friend clams) and fried lemons, onions & jalapeno. Fried clams were fantastic. Fried lemons, etc., were so-so...they'd do better to user Meyer's lemons, because these were a bit bitter and the breading on the onions & jalapenos was so thin that the onions & peppers came out a bit limp. Lobster roll - This is one of those dishes that probably tough to serve because anyone who's eaten a lobster roll has a strong opinion about what makes a good one. Theirs is $18 for a good-sized (but not overly generous) serving on a buttered & grilled roll. The menu describes it as "Maine Lobster Roll * Celery Mayo" but it's more than that. There was an unidentifiable herb (I didn't spend too much time trying to figure it out) and something distinctively sour...maybe lemon juice, not relish. Now, if you eat a lot of lobster, you know that one of the joys of lobster is that sweet meat, and, IMHO, lemon juice (or anything sour) has no place near a lobster roll. These seem to be made to order, so you could possibly have them omit ingredients if you desire. Our bill, including a beer & cocktail was about $60 before tip.
(3)
Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try Fish Bar since it opened and finally stopped in a few weeks ago. It's really cute inside- like a beach restaurant. They have some interesting drinks in huge mason jars on the counter which is cool. The chairs at the bar aren't very comfortable, but that's part of the atmosphere. I was here at 4:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait, but by the time I left 45 minutes later there was. It's pretty small inside! Don't bring a group of more than 4 or they can't seat you. I had the oyster sandwich (HUGE oysters, so good) and a raw oyster for $1 to slurp down. First timers are allowed to just buy 1. Sonja our waitress was very nice! Would definitely go back and want to try their other options but am not into huge waits.
(4)
Colleen R.
When I heard that the folks behind DMK were opening a New Orleans-inspired seafood bar next door, I was excited to try it. As a Southerner in Chicago, I should have learned my lesson by now, but I just can't resist the prospect of (relatively) fresh seafood. As some other Yelpers have noted, Fish Bar ain't cheap -- but then, I wasn't expecting it to be, what with the cost of airlifting oysters into the Midwest. But aside from the La Plancha squid, we just weren't wowed by the menu. The fried oyster po-boy was disappointing, as was the lobster bisque that tasted mostly of corn. To top it all off, the whole experience felt very rushed. The loud music, the cramped layout, the hurried service, the hordes of people waiting right behind us for our seats... on a Tuesday. I can't imagine what eating there on a weekend would be like, and after our first experience, I can't imagine I'll be hurrying back on any night to give it another try.
(3)
Michelle H.
We went for the lobster rolls, we'll be back for the lobster rolls! Oysters were v-e-r-y super delish as was the calamari! We enjoyed the Hendrick's and tonics and were rewarded at the end of the meal with a lovely little Bloody Oyster shot. 4 of us sat very comfortably in a booth - not sure where the complaints are coming from on the size of the seats? The atmosphere is lively and celebratory.
(5)
Jonathan C.
Was here last night, early so there was not crowd. Our bartender Mariana was most helpful in making suggestions not only for food but for a good beer to pair with. The calamari was so fresh it almost melts in your mouth. Clam chowder is the richest I've had in the Midwest. And the Oyster Po' Boy had plenty of oysters and the sauce was delicious. The only downfall to the experience was that the music is a bit too loud for regular conversation. Highly recommend this place for anyone who wants fresh and good seafood.
(4)
Sean M.
Super friendly staff but very pricey for average seafood (and yes, I've been to Maryland so I DO KNOW good seafood). $21 for a 5" narrow bread sandwich w cold pieces of lobster. $7 for a beer which is served in a small mason jar. This place is known for small portions and they will even tell you that. Seating is awkward as you must sit next to strangers. I will not be going back. If they gave you "free" food on the house ascyou wait for your order don't feel special it's what they do there.
(2)
Kate P.
My husband and I have been waiting for Chicago to get a good inexpensive fish place. We first went to DMK Burger Bar (around the corner and owned by same people I believe) and split a burger intending to stop by Fish Bar for another little tasting. I was very disappointed in this place. We ordered the ceviche and split something else (so unforgetable I don't even remember the 2nd item we ordered to split). The ceviche was pre packaged and small for how much it cost. We left immediately after we were done eating and do not intend to return. For the $ and atmosphere there are other establishments in Chicago that offer better seafood at an equivalent price.
(1)
Frances A.
They made my bday sooo special. Flounder ceviche was divine... Not to mention the gumbo, frog legs, po boy, tartare, calamari, fried octopus, white fish, key lime pie, aaaand 7 mason jar drinks... The decor is awesome. Perfect for a date, or another foodie, always a fun time.
(5)
Andrea C.
one day, while walking home from the train, i noticed a building that had recently been painted a pretty periwinkle blue...a few weeks later, a giant fish appeared on that blue wall as well as the name of a new restaurant, "fish bar". i was definitely intrigued! i am a huge seafood fan, so i was excited to try a new place! on our third try, there was finally a reasonable wait time...(it can get hairy it seems...ex: the first time we went, the wait was 2.5 hours, which we just couldn't do). we were seated in a cute corner at the little wrap around bar and were promptly greeted! everyone in the restaurant was super helpful and friendly, just adding to the cute atmosphere and decor. we ordered drinks (he had beer...appropriately priced pbr $2 and i had a glass of white wine) and as some have mentioned, the drinks were served in adorable mason jars. we both started with a cup of the clam chowder, which was awesome. my pet peeve with chowder is when the potatoes are grainy and these were not, at all. it wasn't overly thick, either, which was nice- and left room for other food! bf was not too hungry, so he had the iceberg salad, which i stole a few bites of. delicious! the bleu cheese was creamy and the calamari was flavored so well! i had the oyster po' boy at the recommendation of our server, which was SO good. i love all things about oysters, but i have to say, i think someone who isn't a fan of raw oysters would even like this. the fried oysters weren't slimy at all and the slaw was perfect. finally, the sub the po' boy was served in- so good! you can tell so much thought and love has gone into all of these meals. ok enough, i've said alot, but the point is- i definitely intend to go back and try more. there was so much on the menu that i'd love to try! fish bar, welcome to the neighborhood!
(4)
Keith P.
First time I was able to get in this place...Lucky me! Top notch quality. Octopus Salad so tender, Kusshi Oysters, small but a lovely-seawater bite, Ceviche & Tartare melt in your mouth. Planca Shrimp-to suck head to die for and Skatewing-buerre blanc, savory heaven. Service was over the top! Robyn was wonderful and created value-added. Incredibly knowledgeable, extremely efficient, and beautiful. Will definitely be back to my neighborhood joint...I can only hope that I can get in to this tiny space.
(5)
Mark C.
finally checked out Fish Bar last night with lukewarm expectations. On a thursday evening around 7pm, the wait wasn't too bad, around 30-40 minutes, and the manager, Sasha, did bring around beer samples. The atmosphere is very intimate (as it is appropriately named Fish "Bar". Service was excellent - server was extremely knowledgable, manager and staff were all very friendly and helpful. Food was hit or miss. The good: the BC oyster was the biggest I have ever had, about the size of my hand - hopefully, the radiation isn't making it's way across the pacific....the east coast oyster from PEI was smaller, but just as good, if not more flavorful. The Fried belly clams were superb. The lake superior whitefish was good, well cooked, and fresh...well, executed. The OK: the lobster roll - the amount of meat was a bit skimpy, and the mix lacked flavor. The brioche was very good, nice and buttery, and cooked to a gentle crisp. For $19, I expected a bit more....beer selection - primarily Belgians, good, but a bit more variety might be nice. Overall, I think it fills a nice niche, but I'd hit up Big and Little's before I went back (for a fraction of the cost). Haven't checked out GT yet, but am looking forward to it. MCMC
(3)
Tammy L.
I came here for lunch this Saturday and really enjoyed it. There was no wait, which was great. The boys ordered beers and the girls ordered cocktails--I had the punch and our friend had the pineapple drink. My punch was tasty and definitely packed a punch. The pineapple drink, which I didn't try, was apparently pretty light. My husband and our two friends ordered a bunch of stuff to share: fluke tartare, which so refreshing with the addition of mint, a tasty ceviche, salmon carpaccio (I loved this one), oyster po'boy, lobster roll, fried belly clams, and tater tots. My favorite things were the carpaccio, oyster po'boy, tartare, and belly clams. The fried items were not too greasy and very crunchy. The rolls for the po'boy and lobster roll were perfectly toasted and fluffy. Drool. The carpaccio had a terrific balance of flavors and textures. Of course, all the seafood is immaculately fresh and I love that it's sustainably harvested. I liked the lobster roll, and the lobster portion was very generous, but I don't know--I just thought the oysters were tastier. Definitely for the much smaller price tag, I'll stick with the po'boys. For dessert, we split 2 pieces of Mindy Segal's yummy key lime pie. It was tart and creamy, exactly as a key lime pie should be. Michael Kornick himself was running food, which was pretty great. I also liked the music--a few Beatles tracks, my favorite band of all time. The service was friendly and prompt too. I would definitely come back. Yes, it's not cheap, but the quality is great and I am willing to pay a little more for sustainable seafood. The bill, with a generous tip, came out to about $30 each, which I don't think is bad at all since we were stuffed and tried an expensive menu item. I don't think I'd wait in line for more than 15 minutes, but that's just me--I hate waiting in line for any place. I'm perfectly happy coming here at lunch when it's less crazy, especially since it's more lunch-type food anyway. Yum! MK wins again!
(4)
Dana B.
Oh wow. Delicious seafood. Fantastic beers served in little mason jars. Super friendly and cool servers. What's not to love? I will be back again and again and again and...
(4)
B.D. K.
Went for late lunch last Sunday, and it wasn't busy at all. Great service, good food. Not sure it is worth the outstanding amount of buzz it's been getting, but it was a nice place to relax, grab a good Belgian ale, and eat some well made dishes. Pineapple ceviche is very good, the lake trout special was the real standout. In fact, their specials were $6 and $8! - that's awesome. Screw the heavy-handed, mayo infused lobster roll -- did you really go out for seafood to clog your artery? But damn, some of you on here complain to no end. The prices here really aren't that bad, I think most of you ordered poorly. You all are trying to eat the lobster roll, and complaining about the price! It's lobster! and we live in Chicago! Or you ordered crab cake?! Why? You aren't in Maryland - how good do you really think it's going to be? Try the specials, they have The Lost Abbey on tap.. that's all you need to know.
This is a great spot for folks looking for a reasonable, casual seafood option in the city. Go with no more than 4 people, since the seating is not conducive to larger groups. You may have to wait a bit, but our hostess got us in quickly on a Friday night and the staff was great! It''s a perfect place to share plates allowing you to sample several sections of the menu and get the most bang for your buck. The menu is divided into fried, ceviche, a la plancha, raw and "on a bun"- with the lobster roll and fresh fish specials being the highlights (IMO). Our group of three shared the lobster roll, soft shell crab, rock shrimp, octopus a la plancha, the special of hamachi a la plancha, and garlic bread. I really REALLY enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crabs (fried) and the hamachi, which was prepared with preserved lemon, olive oil and chils. The lobster roll was delicious, but would have been too much to eat alone (grilled brioche roll and may lobster salad are rich!). Our group of three found it perfect to share along with several other plates. Scrimshaw and Saisoon DuPont were on tap while we were there, which both paired well with the seafood. Looking forward to the next visit.
(4)
Reema S.
I've been planning on going here for a while and finally made it there with a friend. Service is very friendly, Robyn took care of us and let us know she was new so if we had any questions she couldn't answer she would find out for us. We had the rock shrimp, fried calamari, and oyster po boy and they were all good. It all tasted fresh. The only downside is the portions are smaller, which she warned us about, and the price doesn't exactly match the portions but the taste makes up for it. The food also came out very quick which is always a plus. I plan on going back for sure.
(4)
Rochelle R.
Heard alot of good things about this place so definitely had to try it for myself. We went here late at 8 pm on a Tuesday night and sat right down. The place is small and very casual. It has a "southern" New Orleans vibe to it. Although prices seem very reasonable, it is because the portion size is very small. Do not be fooled! Our cups were miniature. We felt like we were being served at a concession stand with all the appetizers served on a paper plate. We tried the rock shrimp and fried lemon, onion and jalapeno. Definitely try the rock shrimp (wet). It was pleasantly spicy and did not make the shrip soggy. The fried lemon was something new for us. Although this was very good, it was also very greasy. We then tried the scallops, trout (special for the day) and seafood cobb salad. Again, can't really go wrong with scallops. Not the best I've had but it was decent. The salad was a good portion size filled with a variety of fresh seafood. This was filling. DO NOT order the trout. Definitely not what I was expecting. It was dry, bland and had a very fishy taste.
(3)
Kim T.
We came. We ate: - ceviche - gumbo (delish) - oyster po boy (I am forever looking for a good po boy sandwich, and this one really hits all the right spots) - calamari (with peppers, nice touch) - octopus - strawberry rhubarb pie (cloyingly sweet) We conquered! And we shall definitely return. Can't wait to try the lobster roll!
(4)
Marta P.
Thanks to social media word about Fish Bar has spread like wild fire. I have been following this restaurant for months and HAD to get in opening week. There is nothing like it in Chicago and I am so happy it is finally open and has lived up to all of my expectations. Of course they were packed on their first Friday night and with out a reservation the chance of getting seated was slim, after some begging (I'm not proud) we were called and told there was a seat for us!!! The place has a Florida fish shack feel with a few booths and bar seats for parties of 3 or less. They do not take reservations unless you are a group of 4, so the wait was a bit long for smaller parties. The service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing and even though we were squeezed in we did not feel rushed. Drinks are served in mason jars which was kind of fun and the beer list, albeit not extensive, had a great selection... and no bud lights or miller whatevers which was a bonus! The food was perfect for sharing, served in paper baskets for a casual take on seafood. We shared fried calamari, tater tots, (I was with others that were not huge seafood eaters) and rock shrimp. Although the fried food was excellent, the tuna carpaccio was my favorite. Fresh and perfectly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and HUGE capers! The flavors were simple but really good. I can't wait to go back again, and if the summer ever comes, hopefully there will be outdoor seating that will allow for more people to eat here.
(5)
D Mike K.
Loved Fish Bar, my kind of place! Quick list of highlights: Shrimp Ceviche: Perfecto! Best Crabcake Sandwich ever! Drinking alcoholic drinks out of mason jars. Amazing whitefish a la plancha Great Tater Tots! Fantastic chocolate Pie. Server: Jessica. Very accommodating and friendly. Only seats 1-4 people at a time, but that is just fine with me. Just hoping the lines don't get too ridiculous! Thanks Fish Bar!
(5)
John T.
Lobster roll, gumbo, soft shell crab, fish fry and stuffed calamari were all great as was golden monkey 9.5 abv ale. Great service, really worked hard to accommodate my wife, who is wheelchair bound. Congrats, fish bar, you get the big 5.0!
(5)
Kara C.
Go for the atmosphere, not the food. It takes about 20 minutes on the phone with the hostess to understand the rules and regulations of this joint, so one would think that a restaurant so tough to get in to would be well worth the wait. Wrong. While the ambiance is cool, you can really only go with a party of four - they legitimately wont allow anything larger. So start cropping that friend invite email now. And while the staff is friendly and attentive, the food is minimal in portion and pizzazz. My friend ordered the shrimp entree and they served her 3 pieces of shrimp. Yes, you heard me correctly, three. She was so hungry she had to order the clam chowder after her entree because she was still starving. I had the famous "crabby patty" and was pretty underwhelmed - it was basically just fish on a cheap white bun with mayo. Honestly, if you're in the area and want a great bite to eat, go next door to DMK Burger and order the sweet potato tater tots - you wont be disappointed by these at least.
(3)
Tiff W.
Yup, despite being sick as a dog and not being able to breathe out of my nose, much less SMELL anything, I still came to Fish Bar. I am stubborn like that. Sinus infections, you suck. You know how they say if one of your senses is deprived, the remaining four senses are just BETTER? Even though I was not able to fully taste or smell everything that I ate (I left that portion of the review up to John G....you can read his review below), I'll give my two cents. First off, the inside of Fish Bar is super interesting. It's definitely different from your typical seafood joint...it actually reminds you of more divey restaurants you can find along a beach or something. Get a bunch of things to share between 2 or 3 people. Come with any more people and it becomes slightly harder to converse with each other, since the seating is situated in two "U" shapes in the room. I think if more than 4 people are in your group, they actually recommend going next door to DMK. The menu is diverse and there are so many yummy things to choose from. Some highlights were the West coast oysters from Washington (so fresh!), the fried calamari (very very lightly breaded and not heavy), the octopus a la plancha (perfectly charred), the rock shrimp (get it wet! I could taste the Sriracha through my sickness...and that's a GOOD thing), the oyster po' boy (they don't skimp on the oysters), and the codfish sandwich (oh so flaky. Like a super classed up Filet O' Fish sandwich from Mickey D's). Beers and water came in little mason jars, which was an awesome touch to the whole experience. Every dish was fresh and perfectly cooked...I don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the items on the menu. This is a great place for you to come straight from work and get some happy hour drinks and delicious seafood...don't sit there for too long and hog up valuable real estate though, because by the time 6 or 6:30PM rolls along, there will be groups lined up and waiting along the wall for your seats. Now that I'm no longer sick, I can't WAIT to go back to Fish Bar and try everything again. If I liked Fish Bar this much on dulled taste buds and a stuffed up nose, can you imagine what it will be like now that I can actually taste the food??
(4)
Michael S.
This place is like a small slice of the Northeast, right in our own backyard. However, I'm going to wait until the 1.5 hour wait dies down before I make a return (that was a bit much). Literally, think small (as in 3 tables small), with bar / stool seating for the remainder. If you have to wait for a seat (like we did), there's a limited amount of seating by the door, as well as some standing room. Drinks were hand poured, and were pretty good -- with the young woman behind the bar happy to accommodate a request for less sweet (which the punch was a bit). They are small, but the prices were commensurate. As for the food, it was really good.... Definitely, get the lobster roll. It has loads of lobster (as it should for $18), piled into a great roll. The Crabby Patty was good, and had a nice kick to it, but wasn't as good as the lobster roll. Otherwise, the lump crab, which is served on a bed of crunchy celery in a mild dressing, was excellent, as was the popcorn shrimp served with a spicy mayo on the side (dry). They were really nice to give us a sample of their gravlax (due to our having to wait for the sandwiches), and it was superbly fresh, melt in your mouth salmon, with excellent flavor. We finished off with a slice of key lime pie, which also took a really long time to get, but it was a nice finisher to the meal. Finally, kudos to the owner, Michael Kornick -- it's not every day you see the owner of a place serving the food and wiping down the tables and counters. It doesn't get more "hands on" than that. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Cassie B.
Fish Bar-DO IT! Everytime I got off of the el at Wellington, I was perplexed why that dentist's office had a big fish painted on it suddenly. It wasn't until later that I was made aware that this building is not a dentist's office, and has become the sister restaurant of DMK Burger Bar (a favorite). I am a seafood fan, so of course, we were there asap. The concept is actually pretty cool. They played reggae all night, and the seating area is essentially a large bar with servers behind the counter. The drinks were delicious (try the Sonja Does Sicily) and the food was great too! We really liked the East Coast oysters, and the whitefish was probably the best I have ever had. We also had the lobster bisque and calamari, which were also good. The wait times can be crazy. We went to have a drink elsewhere, and came back after 45 minutes, but still waited for about 30 minutes after that. However, the service was very good and we had a very nice time. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Mark G.
Fish Bar is a great spot and the idea is unique for Chicago. I've never been to a counter seating fish restaurant. I felt like I was eating in Cape Cod or the Florida Keys. Food - Great stuff. Lots to choose from. We had mussels, escolar crudo, fried fish, oysters, lake trout, Coho salmon, buffalo style frogs legs, ceviche and octopus salad. Everything was above average. The standouts were the escolar crudo and the octopus salad. Overall the food came out quickly, it was fresh and nicely prepared. Service - Outstanding. Nice people, prompt, gracious. Atmosphere - Fun, unique, buzzing, informal. Drinks - Great selection, great drinks, great beer. Fun place, good food. I highly recommend.
(4)
Johnny G.
I know it's the same owners of dmk and the offerings are unique, but this place is a rip off for food and drinks. It is an experience, but I won't be back. There is way too much hype.
(3)
Kevin H.
Fish Bar is fun, has a unique menu / style, and is worth going to. My average rating is because the value is not good. At a place where you get your own silverware and rip your napkin off a paper-towel roll, you would expect much more aggressive prices. I paid $20 including tip for two small plates (octopus, shrimp) and walked out not really full. You may need three plates to be fully satisfied, and that's getting very expensive for such a casual place.
(3)
Crystal M.
Had an up and down experience, but a good restaurant can turn this into a 5 star experience, and that's just what Fish Bar did! We stopped by on a Friday night at about 7:30pm. The place was packed, with an hour wait for an outside table. We opted for the shorter wait for inside and it ended up taking less time than quoted. Bonus! Our server, Jordan, was awesome. He asked if we'd been to Fish Bar before and when he found out we were newbies, his eyes lit up and he took us thru the menu in great detail. We ordered: Gumbo, Clam Chowder, Lobster Roll, Crabby Patty and Tater Tots. Everything came out looking delish - except mine. I thought the Crabby Patty was a crab cake sandwich - which it is - but the food runner brought me the soft shell crab po' boy. I took one look at it and knew I couldn't eat it. I have a thing about eating things that look like they are still alive. I pointed the issue out to Jordan a few minutes later and he was super apologetic and went to get my order fixed. In the meantime, my boyfriend finished his food and was singing Fish Bar's praises. Of course I was jealous. After about 15 minutes, I still hadn't gotten my sandwich, and we had already paid the bill! I asked Jordan if when the sandwich came up could he just wrap it to go. He looked surprised that it hadn't been delivered and devoured by this point. He apologized profusely and said "that just shouldn't happen!" After another minute or two, the manager came over with my sandwich wrapped up and a $50 gift card to make up for it! She said she was so sad that I had to leave with my dinner in a to go bag and she hoped that we'd come back and let them make up for it. Needless to say, that was above and beyond. I wasn't even that upset about it! But they definitely showed that they care about their customers and their reputation. My boyfriend cannot wait to return. He's in love with this place now, and I can't wait to actually eat my dinner when it's made!
(5)
Alex C.
I thought food was amazing. Fresh and flavorful with nice presentation. But it's tapas portions for full meal price. We had to reorder more food once our plates came out.
(3)
Alex P.
Really very good food, which was the high standard set by the reviews I read as I happened upon this place yesterday while digging through yelp.com to waste time. Went immediately and loved the fried shrimp as a starter and my friend and I both had the cod fish sandwich as mains. Dessert was a chocolate + + cake that was yummy. My only gripe is the wait and it's pretty damn noisy in there.
(5)
Morgan L.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and both were great experiences. Most importantly the seafood is fresh. I have had the Scallops, Lobster Roll, Clam Chowder, grilled calamari, and salmon tartare. All are stellar and highly recommended. They also have a daily pie selection. I have experienced both the blueberry and the key lime. Again, stellar.
(4)
Melissa S.
Great service, fantastic lobster roll and gumbo that this Louisiana lady endorses! Will come bk
(5)
Mike S.
Don't go to Fish Bar. You'll love it and it will be hard for me to get a table. Seriously. Don't go. Stay away. Here's a story to confirm this. My girlfriend, me and another couple tried this place on a Friday night right after they opened. When we got there at 7:30 it was packed and the hostess said the wait could be 90 minutes. Ok, no problem. We got drinks and huddled in a corner to wait. We waited patiently, and after a while the manager (or maybe one of the owners, a skinny chap with short hair and a jacket- we didn't catch his name) came around with a tray of shot glasses filled with Scrimshaw, a tasty German Pilsener beer for everyone waiting. A nice touch, and well appreciated, I'm sure by everyone waiting. Look, the place is new, it's small, it doesn't take reservations, it doesn't seat parties greater than 4 and it's run by a couple of Chicago culinary rock stars. We all knew what we were getting in to showing up at 7:30 on a Friday. The hostess was apologetic for our wait (which was appreciated) a couple times. Our party of 4 must have looked particularly pathetic because some time into our nearly 2 hour wait, the manager (and again I think he was the manager: he could have been an owner) came over and apologized and offered to buy us a round of drinks. He may have done the same for other parties, but we didn't notice it. We were all floored by this generosity and were very grateful. At a hot place like Fish Bar, you'd think management wouldn't take a step like that - why do they need to? People are willing to wait 2 hours for food, and if you as a patron don't like it, tough, there are plenty of other people who will tolerate it. That's not the attitude we saw. And we appreciated it. I don't know if you'll get the same treatment or not. I hope so. What about the food? Try the Rock Shrimp wet. The gumbo has a great smoky flavor. The ceviche I could take or leave- it was served in a sealed mason jar. The oysters were great. Our friends had sandwiches and were very satisfied. The thing you'll notice about this place is that it doesn't really have any entrees per se. So don't expect to go and order one thing. You won't leave full with that ordering strategy. It's definitely a place where you share. I'll definitely go back. Just after all the hype and buzz has died down.
(4)
Lauren C.
Yummmmmmm. Amazing hospitality AND amazing service. There is a difference, and they nailed them both. The drinks were rocking - Sonja is great at her craft. The food was amaze-balls.... and for the price?! Done. Sasha was fantastic and truly made you feel like part of the Fish Bar family. Great atmosphere, we'll continue to go until it gets cold. Then I'm nervous that all the rest of you people will find out about this place and it will be so packed that we will have to wait a long time to sit inside. Get the rock shrimp. Just get it. Oh, and ask for a quickie....
(5)
Andrea R.
I've been wanting to try this place since I saw the beginning of it's construction months back. The bright blue outside is definitely an eye catcher... So it's Friday and I decided to stop in and treat myself to a relaxing lunch alone. I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess, who sat me down at the bar on one of the eclectic antique stools. Spencer, my waiter, broke down the menu for me and recommended a nice Belgium ale. It was served in a mason jar, as were all the other beverages. I ordered the lobster bisque. I was trying it for my husband. It's his favorite soup and sadly we have a hard time finding it around here. It is a lobster broth ( dairy free), thickened by potatoes. It was yummy! Huge pieces of fresh lobster... And guilt free:) I took a bowl to go for my hubby's dinner tonight I also ordered the lobster roll. A hotdog bun jam packed with lobster meat. The bun was dressed with a tarter like sauce and the lobster was perfectly poached. I plan on returning-- not on a Friday or Saturday night though. According to Spencer, the place is jammed then. I prefer an early lunch on a weekday, as the place is small and was beginning to fill up as I was Leaving at 1230pm.
(4)
Paul S.
It has great character. I liked the focused menu and beer selections. There's plenty of variety, but you're not overwhelmed with options, so you know when you order anything, it's going to be prepared well. We had the gazpacho, oysters, shrimp, and seafood cob salad. Everything was great. I had lower expectations on the seafood cob salad, and that actually turned out to be the winner.
(4)
John H.
A welcome addition to a city with relatively few good seafood options. It can be tough to get a seat since the place is so darn small, but if you can wait until 10pm you'll sit right down. The fish is very, very fresh and while nothing is overly creative, they execute classic seafood favorites from around the country reliably and with an upscale flair. The atmosphere is fun, and it does give a nice "fish house" kind of vibe. I enjoyed the cold appetizers, the grilled fish and the fried shrimp, which were amazingly light and tasty. My main complaint would be regarding the addition of heat to so many of the dishes. Some might like it, but in my opinion seafood generally has a pretty delicate flavor that should be allowed to stand on its own and not overwhelmed by spice. Overall, though, a good option for fresh seafood.
(4)
Elyse C.
The best thing to do at Fish bar is go with a couple friends, or a date, spend around $15 to $20 bucks a person on some fairly good finger food and good beer and share it all. Upsides Fried clams: the best dish we ordered Oyster Po Boy (even though frying oysters in general = bad) Fried Octopus Fried Calamari $2 12 ounce cans of PBR permanently on the menu. Who the heck wants to drink bad beer with good seafood though? Very small place and nice to go during obscure hours (late night dinner) Open till midnight! Everyone is very friendly Downsides Gespacho: plain and too spicy Soft shell crab (special): they were way too small and had too much salt Octopus, soft shell crab, and calamari were all served with the same light lemon dressing. You have to switch that up guys Portions are too small! Neutral Everything is served is mason jars, woopie! Bottom line My family and I left satisfied but the allure of the place itself may have had something to do with that rather than the food itself. I'd take a date there again or go late night for some grub.
(3)
Ron G.
If you do not like this place, you ordered wrong. I deduced that from reading the reviews of the people who gave 3 or fewer stars. If you want fried fish, soups and sandwiches, go somewhere chainy. If you go here, order the raw or grilled items. In my 5 or 6 visits, I have not been disappointed. The carpaccio is absolutely perfect. Capers, egg, fennel, and thinly pounded raw fish. Do not share, order your own. The ceviche and tartare each come in mason jars and are refreshing if not my favorites. I prefer to save room for the grilled octopus. They braise the octopus so it comes sweet and soft. The a la plancha style which is grilled with olive oil, black pepper and a bit of spice is perfect. They usually serve a fish of the day this way as well. I have had amazing Lake trout my last two visits. And right now they have sea scallops which are big, sweet, and delicious. As it should be at a fresh seafood restaurant, they switch their fish often. The belgian beer list is great, but lately I have been trying the mixed drinks. The #2 tea is my personal fave, but it is hard to come here and not get a great beer. The pie is terrific as well. Basically, this is a must stop place for seafood lovers and foodies. If you are a conservative eater/orderer, I can not help you. Order from the left side of the menu and you can not help but have a great meal. Two more things that I am reading here which I can slightly dispel. My food bill comes out to about $50 for 2 and it is plenty of food. I have never ordered the lobster roll which is the most expensive item on the menu. I order exclusively from the left side of the menu. It is far cheaper than publican or avec, my favorite spots before this place opened. Also, the waits have died down from the spring when the place was new. The outdoor section adds plenty of space, and the newness has died down. You can get a seat on a Saturday usually with minimal wait if any.
(5)
HR C.
I love that you actually can sit at a bar while eating all the seafood you want here. The staff was extremely friendly and the location was very easy to get to, hop off the Brown Line at Wellington and take a left. In this casual joint we had lobster bisque & clam chowder soup, oysters, fried clams, and fish sandwiches. Get there early, this place is tiny so you might have to wait but I would tell you it's a food snack spot and worth the wait.
(4)
Brad W.
LOVE Fish Bar. I took my Boyfriend there for our first date and found a pink pearl in the first oyster I had! Magical. The outdoor seating feels like you are sitting on the wharf, waiting for the catch of the day. Romantic night spot with candle light and delightfully fresh menu - changing everyday. Def Recommend this place!
(5)
Jamal P.
I was really excited to visit this place.To me it is nothing more than an extremely bad attempt at pick and fry or cook. To those who haven't seen a real pick it let me set the scene.You walk in and order your seafood by the pound at one counter and they prepare it at the next counter. It"s not already breaded or doctored up you pay for the seafood and they cook like you want it. It's simple as that. This town seems to missing out on these. Well anyway I arrived and was told it would be an hour wait , ok no problem I will wait for fair that's good. I had the oysters and others in my group ordered clams and the lobster roll. The food was just lower end mediocre. Not great, not upper end mediocre, but just hitting mediocre. My friend who had the lobster roll was really disappointed but he is from the east coast so I guess he has a different level of judgement. I don't think I would go back anytime soon, especially with the wait.
(2)
Lady D.
Really enjoyed this place. The seafood is fresh and creative. I like the ambience through it gets very crowded very quickly. My only gripe is that I am really not into eating on things made of paper. I know thats part of the "experience" but I just don't like it.
(4)
Amanda B.
The Oysters were great, but the staff was very interested in moving people out instead of letting myself and the people I was with ordering more food, beers and cocktails. Fresh Oysters, Great Gumbo, Crab Cake Sandwich and the Shrimp were great. Call ahead for a reservation, but if you do they will serve drinks while guests wait.
(3)
John R.
Same guy that owns DMK burger. I really dig the atmosphere here (as opposed to DMK burger). I had the Oyster po'boy and it was pretty decent. I definitely need to come back and try something else though.
(4)
Megan P.
I don't even like fish, but I decided to go here with a friend because I had a serious craving for shrimp. This was definitely the place to go! We ended up having to wait a little while longer than they told us to get a seat outside, but they definitely made up for it with free beer samples, two free oyster shooters, AND a free serving of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions (sounds weird but delicious!) I've never been to a place where they seemed so concerned about our wait time (which btw was only like 30 min...not that bad for Chicago). I was super impressed by the service. The manager was doing an "experiment" to see what waiting tables was like. He was very friendly and great to talk with. Plus the atmosphere on their outside patio was so relaxing on a nice breezy summer night But the best part of Fish Bar was by far the "wet" rock shrimp....omg AMAZING! Probably the most addicting food I've ever eaten. I don't know what's in that sauce but I wish they would bottle it so I could put it on everything.
(5)
Erin W.
Totally worth the wait!!! My friend and I made three attempts to eat at Fish Bar...thankfully the third time was the charm. I would absolutely go back. While we were waiting for our table the manager starting handing out samples of beer to everyone that was waiting for a table. My friend and I struck a conversation with him and he brought us over an additional beer to sample. Once we sat down at the counter we were taken care of. My friend and the clam chowder and I had the lobster bisque, both amazing soups and not in their traditional form. Neither were diary based which I loved. The manager also brought us over a sample of the gazpacho which was new to the menu. We got the Eastern Belly Clams, Tartare, Ceviche, Scallops and the manager brought us over the Capriccio. This was my first time eating clams and they were amazing. Ended your meal with a freshly baked pie is a must. The pie of the day when we were there was Key Lime and it was great. Instead of napkins Fish Bar has paper towels which I loved. The atmosphere is great and you truly feel like you are out east coast at a seafood style restaurant.
(5)
Maciej O.
Great atmosphere, amazing food and even better service.
(5)
Mike D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Worth the wait. Try a little of everything and you won't go wrong. Went last week, had great Belgian Ales, and tried a sampling of menu items. Our favorite was probably the clam chowder and the lobster roll. One of the best lobster rolls i've had (which is odd that it was in Chicago). Also excited that they had tater tots. Wish we had a place like this in Manhattan.
(5)
Steve J.
If I was to have a last meal before they pulled the switch and ran 1000 volts of electricity through my body, I would request a meal at the Fish Bar. I started with the Bisque which consists of a smooth bitternut squash bisque with chunks of lobster, a pinch of cayenne pepper and parsley, absolutely awesome than the mussel steamed with white wine, cream, and parsley with razor thin shavings of garlic like they sliced in Goodfellas, with a great slice of seasoned grilled bread to soak up all the delicious wine and buttery cream juice from the mussels. I washed it down with an iced cold Stone IPA. I think I died and went to heaven.
(5)
Kristin J.
Absolutely Amazing food and service! My husband and I have loved everything there, so we end up ordering a bunch of stuff to share. Delicious Lobster Roll with about 1lb of fresh lobster, Rock Shrimp wet style are the best things on earth, Crabby Patty has a kick and is one of the best things on the menu. Even the garlic bread is mouthwatering! Add that to their cocktails (the iced tea vodka with sweet tea is my fave!) and what a great place for a 2-4 people. We've been back at least 3 times and each time we find something new. Only down side is having to wait so we try to go at off times.
(5)
Maggie C.
A few friends and I just went last night. We were able to squish five girls into a booth (it was quite the feat and don't really recommend it). We had the rock shrimp which was great, just enough spice! The bay scallop ceviche was amazing, but there weren't that many scallops in there. I indulged in some east coast raw oysters and clams, I probably could have ate another dozen of each! Finally, I had the lobster roll, I wasn't a fan of it. The celery mayo was too intense for me and the flavor of the lobster got lost. My friends tried the crabby patty, the cod sandwich, and calamari a la planche. They all enjoyed their meals. We also indulged in some drinks...the tea was great but be careful it's potent! Overall, I think the food was good but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and service! I will definitely return!
(3)
Keith C.
High Prices for little amount of food. Fair service at best.
(1)
jeffrey m.
Scrumptious to say the MOST-est!!!!!
(5)
Sharon S.
I was excited to experience all the hype surrounding Fishbar. We got there early and am I glad we did because not 10 min later it was standing room only. Great concept and space. You can grab a drink while you wait and the manager even came around and offered up beer samplers for the people having to wait. The staff was great and the decor is well thought out. But the food was inconsistent. The oysters were good...clam chowder=white water...gross and sent it back...jumbalaya..ok....calamari good taste very greasy..but the guy next to us had great calamari...crab cake sandwich...great, as was the octopus. I would go back in warm weather and try it again for sure. Not great food but it hopefully will be! But the homemade key lime pie?.....to die for!!!!
(3)
Tom W.
Awesome food, great beer selection, friendly and nice staff, and a cool environment. This play has got it right. I love DMK, and have been a ton of times and never been disappointed, and now Fish Bar is equally as great! Keep it up!
(5)
Leslie H.
I love the layout and food at this place. The lobster roll is delicious, I also loved the calamari! Because it's a small space, I'd recommend going with only one other person to get in quickly.
(5)
Scott K.
I grew up out east on the water and was hoping this place would remind me of the places ate at growing up. The food hear is way overpriced for what you get and it is not very good. I read all the reviews and can not believe so many people love this place. If you are thinking of trying this place save your money and go get a good meal at Shaws or walk down the street to Half Shell. Both are way better than this place.
(1)
Mark Z.
I've been walking by this place for the last few months wondering what the heck was on the other side of the doors. After opening up this past week, I finally found the answer. Friendly staff, upbeat, very busy restaurant with excellent choices on the menu. Let's get to the food first, because that's what we're here for right? I was here with my fiance so we decided to poke around at the menu a bit before ordering the garlic bread, clam chowder, seafood cobb salad, and finally the oyster po boy sandwich. Garlic Bread: delicious, crisp, garlicky, with a nice sprinkling of cheese to top it off. Worth it for a primer. Clam Chowder: My fiance's favorite, and probably mine too. Creamy, but not too chunky. Sometimes chunky is good, but the consistency was perfect. I'd call it a clam chowder bisque if I could choose something out of thin air. Not quite sure what the exact culinary definition is for bisque, but I'd liken it to that, with some nice clams in there. The garlic bread served perfectly for dipping into the clam chowder. They're both so good, why not combie! Seafood cobb salad: Not my favorite. It just didn't do it for me. Lettuce and seafood? Just not my bag, but probably plenty of others might like it. Oyter Po Boy sandwich: Incredible. I've never had an "official" po boy from New Orleans, but man this was deliciuos. ENORMOUS oysters piled on the sandwich on top of slaw with some sort of sauce. A real crowd pleaser even if you don't like oysters. Only downfall is that my mouth isn't large enough to bite the whole thing at once. I would if I could. Service: friendly and willing to please. We were offered free oyster shooters upon inquiring about them. Really nice people behind the counter who are just as thrilled to be working there as the customers are to have a seat. We met Dave, the GM of the restaurant who is a really really nice guy. It's nice to be able to talk to the man in charge while they get things in order the first few weeks of being open. I highly recommend going there, but probably early, like 5:30 on a weekday if possible. The place doesn't have many seats so it fills up quickly, but they have some good beers to pick from on the menu. After talking with the GM, they plan on doing something outside the restaurant when the weather gets warmer (like it has the past couple days). I believe he spoke of picnic tables, which would be a huge bonus. More seats, more customers, potentially less waiting! Like seafood? Eat here!
I would like to give this place 4 stars but will need try it one more time before I can change this rating! Overall the fish was fresh, the service was friendly and the cocktails were delicious! Biggest drawbacks - we had the mackerel ceviche and there were only a few pieces of mackerel in the actual dish. For a place that is all about fish we just expected more with this dish than it delivered. The tuna tartare was good but the portion was extremely small as well and it made the dish underwhelming. Recommendations - the 2 soups (Bisque and Gumbo) we had were really good but the gumbo also did lack a good amount of fish. The fried food is basically the best with the most accurate portion sizes. The rock shrimp (wet) is the reason we will be back! Overall the food was good but portions were a tad bit small and we were looking for more fish in each dish! We will go back and try other dishes and hopefully will be changing this rating in the future!
(3)
Holly T.
AWESOME experience! The service was phenomenal, friendly and fast. The food was really fresh and great, I had the lobster roll and was extremely happy with my choice. The atmosphere was perfect for a fish bar but VERY small, we went on a Sunday for lunch and didn't wait at all to be seated but on a Friday night we stopped in and were told the wait was over an hour. The prices are reasonable for fish however, beware the sandwiches don't come with any side at all so it could get expensive if you are really hungry. We left satisfied but not overly full after eating Ceviche and each having a sandwich and a bloody mary. I am definitely excited to go back and try the soup selection.
(4)
C C.
Meh... I paid $18 for a small drink and small salad. Yes, the salad Nicoise was tasty was well-done, but tiny, especially for $9. The cocktails are 150 mL as stated which I didn't know what that meant but as the bartender warned me (I asked!) it means SMALL. The place is also teeny. Tasty, and nice, but miniature. Too bad the prices weren't small to match.
(3)
andrew s.
They definitely hit a home run with this one. In my opinion there is nothing worse than sub-par seafood...that being said everyting I have had here is great...clam chowder...lobster roll...oysters...smelts.. all good. My only complaint is they are relativity small portions... it is what it is .. still good though.
(5)
Karolyn S.
Worst seafood experience in Chicago ever...and I've lived here for 20 years. Overpriced, overrated is what I think. I'm from South Boston. Was assured the clams with bellies were the best in the city as proclaimed by other NEerners. Wrong. I'd like to meet those people and introduce them to real clams with bellies. Ordered the oysters. Had shells in them (not just one, not just two, not just three, but of six oysters there were four of them with shells still in them). Just unacceptable from a restaurant's point of view. Stopped there. Wasn't willing to take a chance on anything else except the wine (which they only have white...don't they know that there are red wines that go fantastic with fish??). Having said this, the manager, Lauren, was wonderful along with our server Ally. But, I'm not willing to pay 9 bucks for 6 "clams with bellies" ever again. I'll stick with Glen's Diner. Oh, and the lobster roll that they claim to be right out of Boston is totally wrong. I saw it. The bread says it all.
(1)
Bob C.
We decided to try this because I had read a few very positive reviews of the place. Wow, this is the most I've ever spent NOT to get a meal. This place reminds me of the Emperor without the clothes. Probably had we realized that portions are small tapas style, we would have never stayed. The $6 cup of bisque soup was watery, the fried clams (1/4 pound for $9!!!!) salty and greasy and the $11 oyster po boy sandwich, which was about two bites, mostly cole slaw. Our bill for 2 people was $50 for lunch and we left hungry. Of course the fish they serve is "sustainable" -- they're making sure you get very little of it. Overpriced, microscopic portions, greasy, and simply not very good and you have to eat at a counter on top of it. Would NOT return.
(1)
Moira S.
I have been to Fish Bar a number of times and really love the food. They are a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood. I almost always order the rock shrimp dry and the gumbo...they do both of these really well. Their carpaccios and ceviche are always tasty. I have also tried the crabby patty sandwish and the oyster po-boy...also very good. They have a fun selection of signature drinks...my favorite is Sonya does Sicily. The service can be spotty but overall everyone there is very friendly. I really love the atmosphere there as well. The music, the lighting, the decor...it was all done perfectly and I cannot help but feel happy when I am there.
(4)
Liz G.
The food is great, but small portions for the price. The scallops are excellent, the salad with shrimp was tasty but not something to make a meal - more like two shrimp with a green garnish. Good beers and a nice atmosphere, and outdoor seating is always a plus.
(3)
Eazmg C.
mmm mmm lobster roll and oyster po boy. not as good as GT Fish but better prices and slightly larger portions though. good patio for when its warm out too, but warning it's small (outside and in).
(3)
Matthew C.
I want to give this place 4.5 stars because everything was awesome. Service was perfect, amazingly nice staff. Lobster roll...left a little to be desired. Fantastic ambiance. Amazing drinks. Reasonably priced. I'll be back.
(4)
kay b.
This is a very weird concept. Being from the east coast myself, I was confused at the ala carte and small plate scenario. Soooo NOT East Coast. That being said...the counter seating is a good idea for the space except you are bumping elbows with poeple that you don't know and the music was so loud that I couldn't carry on a conversation with my husband right next to me. Literally, everyone in the place was shouting to be heard. Also, they have stools that don't have backs on them, so there is no place to hang your coat except for a 3 ft coat rack that they try to hang 45 coats on. OK, now the food. Some things were excellent, like the rock shrimp and lobster roll. Not so hot, the oysters. The taste was great, but they were the size of quarters! ANY seafood restaurant on the East Coast would be embarrassed to serve oysters that small...and 6 for 15 dollars is unheard of! The clam chowder needs work. The potatoes were raw and the clams were chewy. They should be diced up and not whole and it's chowder, not broth! Lastly, a fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side thingy, that the waitress told me was a huge thing on the coast, I've never heard of it...oh well, there must be another East Coast. But to Midwesterners this all they know, so it must be working, hence the great ratings. Again, this is conceptual not actual.
(2)
shell h.
I know better. I know better in terms of understanding that I may happen to be disappointed by eating seafood in Chicago. By seafood I mean "good" seafood. I mean the stuff I was spoiled on living in Boston for the past few years. It was often advertised (and perhaps was) local seafood. But somehow the origin of the seafood didn't matter so much as the fact that the region it was prepared in just knew the right way to prepare it. Thus lies my multiplicity of issues with Fishbar, a place that on it's face appears to serve extremely tasty seafood that was caught hundreds or thousands of miles away from the kitchen in which it is culinarily (of course that isn't a real word) destroyed. Instead of paying the tab at Fishbar, perhaps it might be a wiser decision to save up for a trip to New England. In New England, lobster rolls are served either cold (with mayo) or hot (with drawn butter). At Fishbar, they are served only cold, with tasteless lobster meat, tepid mayo, and a splattering of herbs to trick your tastebuds. This is what I'd expect from McDonalds (google: McLobster), I'm very sorry, but that's the truth of the matter. The essence of a lobster roll is the former rather than the latter, meaning that simplicity and freshness play the main role. That means you want just a few ingredients to support the delicious taste of the lobster. Of course, if you can't serve fresh lobster (that actually tastes like lobster should) you sprinkle herbs all over it, such as Fishbar appears to do. My advice is to stop being fancy, buy fresher lobster, and live and die by the sword of simplicity. Leave the seafood alone! The Mackerel ceviche was served in a sealed jar sort of device. It was cute and clever until I realized that the taste was much like I'd imagine ceviche would taste out of a jar! The saltines on the side couldn't have made this dish anymore bland. It was like eating Gerber's baby food all over again, with chunks. To be fair, the trout, oyster po boy, and oysters were delicious. But these are things I'm not sure I want to wait two hours for. The service was great and the beer was tasty, but the mixed drinks could use a little more elaboration (meaning actual descriptions of what you are about to imbibe). In all, the small portions are reasonable considering the price, but one who has truly enjoyed local East or West coast seafood will find that this restaurant comes nowhere close to it's seaboarding bretheren.
(2)
John G.
So.....this place is LEGIT! However, you need to get there early, because it gets crowded. Having known this my girlfriend and I met here after work on a Friday for a pseudo happy hour/early dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on Friday afternoon, and each found a seat at the bar immediately. The server was extremely friendly, and knowledge about the food and drink options. The beer selection there is pretty legit solid. Lots of Belgian and Belgian-style crafts beers from all over the US. Additionally, they have my beloved PBR if you feel like having a beer that tastes good, and one that you don't want to think about while you are eating. I got an Ommengang Abbey Ale, and my girlfriend got the Saison DuPont. They were served in mason jars, which is felt was a nice touch (more on that later). Now for the grub. Started off with 1/2 dozen raw oysters, 3 West Coast & 3 East Coast. These oysters were solid, and they had a nice variety of hot sauces that you can use to enhance the flavor. We then got some fried rock shrimp which had good kick, awesome! Octopus a la plancha, which had a very Greektown flavor, and fried calamari with some spicy pickles & peppers, they were all great! We then finished off with some of the sandwiches, which I felt were the highlight! Fried Oyster Po Boy & Fried Cod burger, and both were exquisite!!! The Fried Cod sandwich honestly looked like an actual good tasting fish fillet. I have all hate and despise for anything related to the golden arches, however I felt this was clever, and the sandwich at Fish Bar was AWESOME! I recommend getting both of those sandwiches, and splitting them. So if you couldn't tell yet, I really really like this place. The food, drink, service, and ambiance I thought were really cool. I want to harp on the ambiance here for a little bit, and I want to compare the ambiance at Fish Bar to the ambiance at Big Star. I know I know......I am crazy for saying this, but hear me out. Where Big Star takes the concept of a dive bar in Bakersfield, CA from the mid-50s, and makes into a fun, affordable, hot spot that serves amazing food; Fish Bar takes the concept of some "hole-in-the-wall" bar in Key West, or any various on the water resort town for that matter, where the locals who have owned the place for 40 years hang out, and where tourists go to have some drinks, and eat great seafood, while on vacation. Both places take their respective concepts, and make them places where people love going and grabbing something to eat. So all in all both places give us a unique concept, great drink options, and most importantly, they give us fresh and excellent food! I will definitely be going back to fish bar many times, and I recommend that everyone try it outs. Just be sure to go early, because it gets crowded.
(5)
Archer D.
Amazing concept!!! But where the heck is the follow through? I was so excited to see that someone was going to use this space and once I saw the big fish on the side I was ecstatic! Could not wait... Maybe I should have, cause they do not have their act together. Aside from not getting food poisoning I have Not One good thing to say about the food. Bland, chewy pointless squid, surprisingly small shrimp that taste previously frozen, and oysters thrown on a plate with no ice and their juices dumped all over the plastic plate instead in my mouth where they should be. Lame, pretentious bar selection ( you are not the drawing room so why go there). Tuna that is completely overwhelmed by fennel and lemon. I'm from SF so seafood is my passion and you can trust me they do NOT do it right, not even close. Sticking to Shaws, if you want a fast food version of seafood I recommend long John silvers( not that I would eat it) but it would be a hell of a lot cheaper
(1)
John D.
My girlfriend and I ate at Fish Bar on Friday night. It was packed when we got there at 9:30pm and, even though they don't take reservations, we were sat in 15 mins. We drank draft beers at the back beer ledge while we were waiting for seats to open up. It wasn't too crowded in the back even though that's where everyone waits for seats and we were able to hang our jackets under the drink shelf which was nice. For dinner, we ordered a ton of food and liked it all. The ceviche seemed like a small portion when it was served but ended up being more than we expected. It was served with saltine crackers which I thought was different but ended up being really good. Next we got the satchmo po' boy. I have a few friends from New Orleans so I've had some good po' boys but this one was awesome! It had tons of shrimp and crawfish and the seasoning was awesome. Then we got the lobster roll...which is more like a lobster po' boy and is a little expensive at $21 but was really good. The lobster meat was fresh and the seasoning wasn't overpowering so you could still taste the meat. Next we got the iceberg salad which has crispy calamari on it...might sound weird but it was really good. We ordered tater tots at the same time as the salad but could've held off given how much calamari was on the salad. Even with the calamari on the salad, the lettuce was still crispy and cold. I'm not a huge fan of key lime pie which is the only dessert on the menu, but they also have smores. We decided to get a third round of beers instead of a dessert and we stayed until around 11:30. Word to the wise..the monkey beer is good but very strong! Overall, we had an awesome time and hope to go back soon.
(5)
cindy s.
went to fish bar because Glenn's Diner was booked solid. big bucks for little proportions, and cheesy presentation. everything tastes OK, but not anything to remember or return for. we had the buffalo frog legs, which were decent, but tasted just like chicken buffalo wings in which I would've gotten about triple the amount for my money. the salmon tartare which was good, but they gave us a pack + 4 saltine crackers....come on. the fried calamari "federal hill style", tasted great...but over priced for the tiny proportions. everyone knows for $8 you should get a hearty serving of calamari. and if you don't, serving it up in a cheap paper container for kitch is not going to justify the wimpy amount they gave. all in all, I would not go back. Seems like a tourist trap.
(2)
Jenny D.
I love fish bar. The service is top notch - everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, attentive. They make you feel like family! And the food? Above top notch. Pick from the rock shrimp, po boy, crabby patty, oysters, chowder, and you'll be a happy camper. If you have more than four people, you might wait awhile. But perfect for a pair.
(5)
Amanda D.
Sorry Fish Bar lovers, I was not that impressed. I went here tonight with a couple of friends. We sat at one of the small tables which was a nice scene and more intimate than the bar. I'd been wanting to go here for a while since I live right down the street. A couple things to note...First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of the decor. It seemed inauthentic in its attempt to appear New England, or seaside, or Naw'leans. Secondly, their Lobster Bisque is not Lobster Bisque. It tastes more like a corn/lobster soup - it's not very creamy and the corn/spice overpowers the lobster flavor. For someone that loves lobster bisque, this was a disappointment. I also ordered the calamari. This was quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. The one thing that I would come back for was the Codfish sandwich. At $7, this is delicious. I don't think you can beat the price for this type of sandwich. It came out piping hot and was a good sized portion. My friends ordered the Clam Chowder (which they thought was good), Ceviche (not good) and Crabby Patty. I tried the Crabby Patty (=crab cake sandwich) and thought it was good, albeit a little heavy. For those of you going to Fish Bar, I would stick to the "On a Bun" menu section - I was most impressed with these items. Otherwise, I would prefer DMK from the Kornick/Morton duo.
(2)
Rob R.
Can't tell you about the food because we didn't stick around. We were told there was a 45 minute wait. The surly hostess didn't ask us if we wanted a drink while we waited. She seemed to hope we wouldn't wait. We found our way over to the bar where we were informed that the establishment features only white wine. I guess that's some ignorant 25 year-old's idea of a fish restaurant's wine list. Before we could decide what cocktail to order- my companion doesn't drink white wine- the hostess came over and scolded us, evidently because she felt we were standing too close to a couple of empty chairs that she was reserving for somebody or other. At this point my friend and I burst out laughing and walked out into the driving rain and dashed a block or two down Sheffield to Soprano's, where we enjoyed an excellent grilled calamari and baked whitefish with white beans and escarole. And a delicious malbec. For you ignorant 25-year olds, that's a nice Argentinian red wine. As for Fish Bar, I suppose those who like that sort of place will like it.
(1)
Arlene T.
Just had lunch there with my husband. The gumbo and the Crabby Patty sandwich were both delicious!!! The only reason I am not giving it more stars was the smell. I realize this is a fish place, but I am back at the office and I know everyone is wondering why I smell like fish. It was overwhelming. They did open the door when I asked about the ventilation. I will definitely go back though and give it another shot.
(3)
happy c.
Love this place. Chicago needs more of these - excellent fish, welcoming and helpful service, great casual fish house vibe with booth and counter seating. We brought our kids and they fit right in. Looking forward to going back for cocktails and more great seafood. Thought prices were completely fair given how fresh everything was.
(5)
Heather F.
After reading a million reviews on both Fish Bar and GT Fish & Oyster, I tackled both places over the course of a few days. Ultimately, the differences are in the menu and ambiance. Fish Bar is a very casual feel, think getting your seafood in a cabana vs. GT Fish which is more yacht club, if that makes sense. Fish Bar left me wanting more...more to eat...and quite frankly more options (the menu offers garlic bread and tater tots, but other than that you're choices are basically naked/raw fish or fried fish; it lacks some balance; expect to overeat on the fried food out of necessity). The service was also very slow and not terribly responsive (which can be frustrating when your communal silverware jar is empty). Portions are good to share, but small. Our group of 3 was able to conveniently split some things, so we all got a taste, but not really much more. Here's the breakdown: -tartar (salmon)--ok; not enough crackers to go with, and quite frankly not enough flavor. I realize it's not ceviche, but still needed some lemon. -rock shrimp, wet--very good flavoring, but know they will get soggy quickly. -belly clams--good, but also on soggy side of things -calamari, a la plancha,--my favorite of the evening, good flavor; three major tube pieces -scallops, a la plancha,--same preparation as calamari, yet seemed slightly less seasoned (three scallops) -lobster roll--okay; brioche bun was a bit too sweet for my tastes, meat was a bit watery almost, making me wonder if it had been frozen, more mayonnaise base than I like (GT Fish wins) -key lime pie--okay, but a bit runny; wasn't the best I've had for sure -seasonal pie (blackberry)--good -beer--they have a great selection of craft beer, and some cocktails; it is worth noting that for the several rounds we had, every small mason jar was about 1/3 head. considering how little you're getting, not cool in my book.
(3)
R W.
Great seafood, but its a tiny space (especially in winter when the outdoor seating is gone). Last few times I have done takeout just to avoid the crowd and long wait.
(4)
Christine M.
Since moving to the neighborhood 3 months ago, I've been to Fish Bar 3 times! The menu changes often and I've never had a bad dish. Their fixed menu items are delicious, but I suggest ordering from the chalkboard, you will not be disappointed. The service is wonderful. I can't say a bad thing about this place. Hands down the best seafood I've had in the city. This isn't a large restaurant and it gets busy quickly. I've had to wait 20+ minutes every time I've come for a seat but it's worth it. Grab a drink and just chill, your food will be amazing!
(5)
Lucia Z.
Extremely overrated with laughably small portion sizes and mediocre taste factor. We did receive a complimentary side for waiting like 30 minutes for our order to arrive.
(3)
Nick M.
The only way to roll into Fish Bar is to roll with Nikki C. The staff is cute and crazy, they are so much fun that I would come in even if the food was bad. That being said, the food is cute and crazy, desserts are so much fun that I would come in even if the staff was bad. The decor and seating gives it that casual vibe, so it's hanging out at a friend's place. You can chill at the wrap around bar or grab a booth with friends. I've been in a few times before and had a blast but I got unbelievable treatment on my birthday (THANKS!!). Drinks are cool but I only wished they had rum.
(5)
L. Danovia ..
My husband loves seafood so we stopped in one day to check out the menu. Everything sounded great. I got the poboy and he got lobster tacos. Everything was great, including the service. However, the portions were soooo small, we ended up hitting a drive through on the way home. Disappointing since we had just spent fifty bucks for lunch.
(3)
JENNIFER K.
Lobster roll was really good. Cod sandwich was good too, but a little greasy. Lemon/onion/jalapeno appetizer was surprisingly good too. Reminded me of an east coast beach shack.
(4)
jacey h.
fish bar is quickly becoming our go-to spot. it is the trifecta of superb restaurants- fabulous food, exceptional staff (thank you Kelly & Spenser!!) & superior drinks. everyone gushes about the lobster roll for good reason, but the rest of the menu is just as tasty!
(5)
Teri G.
Had a great first meal here today at lunch. Upon sitting down, the very friendly and warm staff brought me two oysters on the house. I ordered ceviche, lobster roll and my husband had soft shell crab po'boy and tater tots. Everything was delicious and cooked as requested, including the tater tots which came as crispy as we wanted. The friendly staff brought us an order of fried lemons, onions, and jalapenos, which were delicious, savory, great texture, interesting. We ended up ordering dessert, which was the one thing I was lukewarm about. After our waitress Lily sold us on the strawberry rhubarb pie, we chose to try that instead of their standard key lime. While it was not bad or unpleasant, it had a totally different taste and texture than we expected of a fruit pie. Next time, we'll try the key lime. One note; music's a bit loud as there's nothing in the room to absorb any sound. They might dial the volume down a bit.
(4)
Lindsay C.
Went here last week on a Wednesday with the sister. Everyone wanted to sit outside and there was no wait for inside, so we sat at the counter. It is pretty loud, so you'll have to speak up. We kinda had to wait a while just to get menus (they ran out), which was kinda weird. You would think a restaurant would have enough menus for customers. They also didn't have the beer I wanted, which was no biggie, they recommended another one. We shared the crabby patty, lobster roll, fried calamari, fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. It was definitely enough food for us and probably too much fried food. The lobster roll is what would make me come back, it was amazing. Service was also a little slow, but it really comes down to the food, which was great.
(4)
Bob B.
What a delightful surprise. Had the oyster po'boy (wonderful) with a side of fried lemon rings, onions and jalapenos (yes, you read that correctly), also delicious. Limited alcohol selection, small but nice beer selection, very limited wine. A joint! But yummy. Not a destination place, but what a great neighborhood find, next door to DMK and owned by them.
(4)
tim g.
This place rocks! Its exactly what your looking for. I left both full and toasted, a good combination.
(4)
Lori G.
Had lunch yesterday for the first time. Kasey was our server and she was awesome! The food was insane delish! Such fresh oysters from both coasts. The Lobster roll was just like they are on the East Coast. Rock Shrimp that blew us away. The idea of fried lemons with japs and onions was strange but so incredibly right. Lastly the punch...it definitely gave a punch! I think I forgot to mention how marvelous the prices are...Thank you!
(5)
Robert M.
I love yelp, however when places like Fish Bar get glowing reviews I am sometimes left scratching my head. We stopped in on a Sunday toward the end of the night and the place was empty so we managed to avoid the main complaint of most reviewers, the wait. To start, we ordered two Tea cocktails which were very good, though a bit small and the bay scallop ceviche. The bay scallops were fresh and the Mason jar presentation I appreciate, but the overall flavor just left a bit to be desired. Ceviche can be a delicious, amazing dish, but the key is the balance of flavors which we did not experience. We followed this up with the lobster bisque which our waitress informed us was quite different from the usual lobster bisque and true to her word it was. The soup was more of a sweet corn broth with surprisingly large chunks of lobster within. Interesting take, not bad, but again just short of delicious. We finished the meal by splitting a rock shrimp and a lobster roll, which again came with significant chunks of lobster and a delicious torpedo bun, two main staples for a lobster roll. Unfortunately the lobster roll was very fitting for our entire experience, average at best.
(2)
John W.
It was good. But the portions are too small. Even if the menu was likened to small bites or tapas. Walking away with $24 dollars a person for a casual lunch and still being hungry afterwards isn't going to be appealing to a lot of people. I did like the flavors and everything was fresh. A great idea but delivered at too high a price point.
(3)
Mike K.
I really wish that restauranteurs would teach their servers to not ignore tables that have already ordered. Last night, our server Mindy was great at greeting us, explaining the specials, helping us pick some plates, and taking our order. After that, she disappeared. Our water glasses sat empty while we ate, and a beer I had ordered didn't get to our table until after we were done eating. Mindy made up a story about the bar being backed up but it was clear that she had never even put in the order. Wife and I were very likely going to have ordered another half-dozen oysters ($15), 2 more beers ($16), and s'mores for dessert ($8?). But by the time we'd finished eating and sat for a long time unvisited by our server, we got tired and had lost our appetites and desire to sit there any ignored any longer. That's almost $40 in lost opportunity for The Fish Bar and some unhappy diners that had a good start to their meal but it didn't last as it should have.
(2)
Pony J.
The oyster po' boy was outstanding! Delicious!
(4)
Tabitha B.
We had a delicious lunch here on Saturday. The service was great. She was chatty but not overly chatty. We had fried clam bellies, oyster po boy and lobster roll. All were delicious. I really wanted to order another order of the clam bellies. Next time I will be trying calamari and octopus.
(4)
Jon M.
Lobster Roll was amazing and affordable! I also enjoyed the beer served in a mason jar. The tuna/salmon tartar was pretty good.
(5)
Kevin L.
I went here on St. Patty's and still could taste the great flavor combinations. This is a very casual place and the the seating arrangement was indicative of the cleaver and simple approach to the menu and service. It is a 60 year fast forward from oyster bars and martinis to craft beer and variety . I look forward to my return, but will pick an odd time to avoid the rush.
(4)
Leah H.
Darling restaurant with staff who weren't just friendly and efficient but SUPER NICE! Spotless bathroom (I would have prefered handtowels as well as dryers to open the door). The cod sandwich was a dream. The bun on the lobster roll was outstanding. Fun menu. However, when we arrived the music was so loud I feared it would literally damage my children's ears. I asked them to turn it down which they did instantly so it was just WAY TOO LOUD. I could not speak to my friends and couldn't stay for dessert, which is really really unusual! Great addition to Chicago food scene with that one caveat.
(3)
Ryan S.
I wasn't too impressed. There was only a handful a items available on the menu and only one type of fish available. I won't be going back.
(2)
Jon H.
Contrary to my expectations, I was not very impressed. The first dish I tried was the tuna and salmon tartare. It was ok, but a bit dry and lacked any citrus flavor. Also the consistency was a bit off...decent, but I've had better. I split the lobster roll which I have to admit was good, but not overwhelming (especially for the price.) I also had a cup of clam chowder-no complaints, but again nothing extraordinary. Last I tried a bight of the fried lemons onions and peppers...greasy and unappetizing. The overall price is reasonable hence the 3 stars, if it were any more expensive, I'd drop it to 2 stars. I think they have a good niche in terms of concept with dmk and this place, but I think the dishes could use a bit of work...I'm in no hurry to dine here again.
(3)
Katie M.
Just ate lunch here. I got the oyster po' boy. It was awesome. Definitely going back!
(5)
michael b.
freshest fish in chicago with prices that can't be beat
(5)
R L.
Visited for lunch on a Saturday and was looking forward to my first visit based on the rave reviews... have to say I was sorely disappointed by the food. Atmosphere and service were good and exactly what I expected. I ordered the fried whole belly clams and tater tots... both were not very well seasoned and were greasy (frankly burnt oil greasy). The tater tots were crispy (although tasted like they may have been refried to warm them up) but the clams were soggy as well as grease laden. My dining companion had the fried shrimp and clam chowder (which I tasted). She enjoyed the shrimp which were frankly fried in the same burnt grease, but I must say were fresh, crsip, and tasty. The potatoes in the chowder were a little too "al dente" for my taste and while the soup was flavorful, not many clams to be seen. We left about a third of the chowder, half the clams, and nearly all of the tater tots. Good thing we weren't starving when we arrived!
(2)
Meagan C.
just went to fish bar today and it was great! i like the set-up inside and the staff was friendly. they have a nice outdoor seating area too. my mom had the lobster roll and even though i HATE lobster, i had to try it and i have to say, it was quite delicious! i had the fried tail-on shrimp which were so yummy. they werent your usual fried shrimp, the batter was nicely seasoned. we had a side of garlic bread and i am pretty sure they sprinkled magic on top of it because it was the best garlic bread i have ever eaten! i also had a crabby patty and that was the only thing i could definitely do without next time. i thought it was too peppery and the spices overpowered the crab- plus the giant bun, tomatoes and onions didnt help either. their key lime pie was not what i expected either, it was a little too sour and warm for my liking. i guess it just depends on personal preference... i will be back though! :) sidenote: drinks in mason jars? so cute!
(4)
Irene J.
oh YUM! i broke my vegan diet here and don't regret it! i checked this place out soon after they opened with a friend. the hostess and staff were extremely friendly. i went during lunch time and 'twas packed. however, i was lucky and was able to grab a seat soon after arriving. cerviche was yum! the salad was YUM! i think it's really hard to go wrong here. if you love seafood don't skip out on this place!
(4)
Kathleen B.
We're big fans of DMK and have been anxiously awaiting the opening of Fish Bar as there aren't many options for seafood in the Lakeview area. The two of us arrived shortly before 7 pm on Saturday evening. The host (who I'm pretty sure was David Morton that night) indicated the wait was about 45 minutes to an hour and since we were so excited we decided to wait. I had an "Old School" from the bar while we waited and it was a good drink. Small but to be expected since it was only $5. And sometimes I like a smaller drink if I don't feel like drinking much. The wait ended up being a little over an hour and though we were warned we did notice that a few people who arrived after us were seated before we were (as another reviewer mentions). Maybe this had something to do with it being opening weekend and that DM/MK were inviting friends to try out their new place. Once we were seated at the counter things really took a turn for the better as the food was fantastic. We tried the clam chowder, iceberg salad, lobster rolls, and tater tots. The iceberg salad was different than any that I've had elsewhere and there was a generous amount of fried calamari on top. The lobster rolls are to-die-for and you get a ton of lobster meat for market price (which was $16 that night). Service was excellent as well and our server was very attentive. DM and MK also checked in with us and they wanted to make sure we were enjoying the experience. All in all we'll definitely be back, although probably not as often as we'd like because the restaurant is very small and we don't want to spend every Saturday night waiting for over an hour for dinner. But once they have outside seating in the summer and the newness wears off we're hoping the wait will improve and it will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(4)
Molly M.
The best place to get great seafood without the price tag or the pretentious atmosphere. The staff is always super friendly and the music is always good. They have really unique takes on classic dishes & although I can neither promise or explain this, one time when i received my bill it was 50% off... I love this place!
(5)
Fatima K.
The Satchmo po'boy as the other reviews said was really flavorful especially because of the sweet and tart pickle they used in it! The lobster roll though pricier than that was below average. Liked the lemon/jalapeño/onion rings as well. The ambience of this place is what makes it unique. They have a nice outside seating area as well. The staff was friendly and efficient! All in all it was a good experience.
(4)
Radha K.
This place is awesome. We always go to DMK (their sister restaurant) which we love, and this is a new favorite as well. This is the kind of place where everything on the menu would be worth a try. The staff is friendly and due to the way seating is arranged (bar style), you're able to talk to someone next to you and ask for recommendations! I could eat their Satchmo Poboy every day. On a similar note, the shrimp appetizer is amazing as well. On THAT note, the serving size for everything allows you to get quite a few items on the menu without feeling like you've overeaten. The tartare was amazing, the calamari was great and for $3, you might as well get the garlic bread which was also satisfying. Their specialty drinks are reasonably priced where you can try different ones and not get too buzzed and they've all got different flavors. Check it out! ...I know we will be doing so soon!
(5)
Cat V.
I've left Chicago, but Fish Bar became my favorite summer restaurant. The $1 oyster happy hours, the delicious fried lemon (!!), and the crabby patty found their way into my heart. It's one of the restaurants I'll miss the most and now that I've left Chicago- use this 5 star rating and hit Fish Bar up! It's no longer my secret!!!
(5)
E H.
This place was mehhhh. Had been craving a lobster roll for like, three days. Went to this place to satisfy lobster roll craving. It did the job. Wasn't blown away or anything. Fish tacos were pretty awful. Looked like hospital food...tasted like farts. My poor GF had to suffer through two miserable fish tacos. Poor Schmackie!!! Clam chowder...again, mehhhhh. Not impressed. Watery. Two or three, tiny, little clams. Have had better canned soup. Bill was stupid. Would only go back on a dare and/or if idiot friend Peter S. paid for everything. This is something he would like.
(5)
Sara L.
I've heard so many rave reviews about this place and finally got the chance to go this weekend. This place is small, I mean reeaalll small. The entire time they kept blaring loud music that made everybody raise their voice to speak....huge pet peeve of mine. We ended up waiting an hour and 10 for a seat at the bar for a group of three. This isn't the place to go if starving. The menu is all small "plates" to share. The prices are pretty steep for what you get. We had the oysters which were 16 bucks for 6...they were the smallest oysters I've ever seen and lacked flavor. Save your cash and head to GT's, Shaw's or even Hooters for oysters. I ordered the oyster po boy and the calamari. The calamari came in a small paper basket with rings the size of marbles. The calamari was cold, greasy and topped with giardiniera...really no marinara, horseradish or even lemon. The calamari was fishy, barely even filled the small paper basket all for 8 bucks. The oyster po boy was meh....the bread was just too buttery and all you could taste was the cole slaw. The oysters were way over breaded that all you tasted is the breading. After such a disappointing dinner and wait, I think the 8 bucks I paid for a giant breakfast at a late night dinner was waaaaayy better.
(2)
Bennie Q.
My girlfriend and I are new to Chicago and decided on seafood for dinner. On the way home from work we discovered Fish Bar. The place is great! Great location and a fun atmosphere! The employees were upbeat, having fun and courteous! To add to all that the food was excellent! I don't like to try many new things but my girlfriend insisted and I was not disappointed!! We started with a seasonal crab dip that's mixed with local fare, awesome! Next, was the gumbo, never had it before, loved it! Moving on the the salmon BLT, perfect! And our gracious server was nice enough to comp a starter just to try it out! I don't remember the name but it was artichoke and lemon blended together and deep fried. I know I murdered the description but it's close enough to figure it out when you order. Don't pass it up!! All in all this place was a great find!! It all seemed too perfect and our experience may have been a fluke but I doubt it; it was busy with happy locals and the team had it wired tight! Thanks for the friendly experience and GREAT food!! We'll be back, frequently!! BQ PS....had the fish tacos as well, I almost left out how great these were, also!! Fantastic!!!
(5)
Ozge S.
attention fish lovers, appetizers are great and fish burgers are killers! I tried cud burger and find out it was so delicious that wanted to order and share another one-however the waiter said that burger was the last cud burger they had but guess what? they brought another complimentary crab burger instead which was as good. personnel are super friendly here.
(4)
Libby T.
Let me start by saying that Fish Bar is a amazing. Not only is the food delicious, the drinks spectacular, but the service is truly unmatched. I come out quite a bit in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park area, but when I came into Fish Bar I felt like I was with a bunch of friends. The wait staff was so attentive and knew their stuff. Our waiter, Janna, was unbelievable. She knew exactly what we'd enjoy just by me mentioning what it is I usually eat. She suggested the perfect drinks, and again, she made me feel welcomed. It was tough to leave Fish Bar. Go here if you want great food, amazing drinks, and a wait staff that makes you feel at home. You won't regret it... Oh, and ask for Janna.
(5)
Bong K.
I generally don't write average reviews, but with this place, I felt I had to given how over-rated its reviews currently are. The food is really only okay. Many of the dishes we tried like the Hush Puppies were crazy salty. Their drink selection is decent and I'm guessing they're trying to get you to drink more with the saltiness of their food. Also, the layout of the place is pretty inefficiently designed so there's a lot of empty space. I'm going to guess that they have a fairly savvy business manager who uses saltiness to drive up drink revenue and artificially induces waiting time to create lines that increase marketing appeal. I wouldn't willingly return to this place given there's always a wait.
(3)
Deb F.
Came here on a Friday around 6:00 with 2 girlfriends. The wait was around 40 minutes, which was a little long but well worth it. We were seated inside at a booth in the back after switching our minds from wanting to sit outside. I ordered the scallop ceviche, which was excellent. Fresh and light - just what's best on a summer day. My friends ordered the fish tacos, olives, Satchmo po' boy, and the soup of the day. Our AWESOME server Blaine also gave us some artichokes to try as well as some tuna, which was excellent. I would definitely recommend the fish tacos and scallop ceviche. The Satchmo po' boy was tasty as well, but entirely deep-fried, so a little heavier. The outdoor seating area is great for a summer night. Overall, the service is what really pushed our dinner from 4- to 5-stars. Blaine was attentive throughout our entire meal and had good suggestions on what to try. Free food tidbits, a great server, and a round of beers on Lagunitas? It was a great meal. Definitely recommend for a date night or low-key meal with friends.
(5)
D G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar for lunch this past Sunday. We've driven by Fish House for 2 years now and consider ourselves foodies who are open to spending $$$ for great food. We were also curious since there is always a crowd outside. Upon entering, we were shocked to see how little Fish Bar is. There are three small 4 tops inside. We commented that you'd have to be really close friends to sit with another couple at these tiny four tops. We should have taken this as a sign of things to come. The additional seating is around a bar, or larger picnic tables outside (which explains the crowd). We ordered two orders of tacos and the lobster roll. Tacos: Scallop - 3 tiny tiny scallops in the taco, and fried fish tacos. The breaded fish taco was outstanding - the scallop was good, not great, and way too short on scallops. The tacos were $4.50 each ($9 an order). We also ordered a lobster roll. The lobster roll ($22) was skimpy and served with a bag of chips. We know the cost of lobster but they fill the roll with tartar sauce so it appears that the lobster is overflowing, not the case. When ordering, we asked the waitress is this was enough for two hungry people and she confirmed these were more "hardy". I can only imagine the size of the less "hardy" dishes. While the food itself was delicious, the portion size was ridiculous. We are well aware of the cost of fresh fish/seafood but to spend $70 on lunch for three items, two reasonable priced beers ($6 each), and to leave hungry is outrageous. The atmosphere and service are also far too casual to meet this price point in Lakeview. We will not return.
(3)
Dana O.
Excellent seafood - I am from Maine and I grew up eating some of the best seafood (shrimp, lobster, haddock, etc...) in the world, so I totally mean it when I say that. A lot of the time I eat seafood ('Real Maine Lobster," "Canadian Rock Shrimp" ) and it's been frozen and is far from fresh - also it is ridiculously overpriced. Fish Bar's prices are reasonable and their fish is fresh and delicious!!! I ended up not eating fish this time around, and opted for the No Fish Sandwich. I have eaten fried chicken sandwiches from dozens of places in my lifetime, and none of them even come close to comparing to the No Fish. The batter they fry the chicken in comes out perfectly crispy, salty, and full of flavor. The chicken is not dry, but very, very juicy. The bun seals the deal though - it's fried to a crispy buttery perfection. The Rock Shrimp is also tasty. Our waitress told us that they recommend that their customers order the dish "wet." However, the jalapeño aioli they tossed it in wasn't really to my liking. So, I ordered a cup of cocktail sauce and it was amazing- just tangy and spicy enough. I wish I had gotten the shrimp dry and just used the cocktail sauce. But beware! The cups of cocktail sauce they provide are the same cups you pump ketchup into at places like Wendy's and McDonalds - AKA they are super small and they only give you one but the cocktail sauce is so good you'll obviously have to ask for another so wtf!? Anyway, my only gripe is that I wish they served french fries. Many sad faces - and also minus one star!!!
(4)
Mustache B.
Loved everything about this place. The food was fresh and very delicious. The service was outstanding and the drinks were also great. Overall great seafood restaurant.
(4)
Christine S.
Poppped in here on Saturday evening and got a seat at a community table right away. I wasn't really sure what I was in for until I looked at the menu. I think they need to change the name of the restaurant to ShellFish Bar because that's mostly what's on the menu. I think I counted 3 or 4 non-shell fish items that would be considered a main course, which is okay, if you're not allergic to shell fish, but I am so it's a problem for me. No worries, I'll find something on the menu that I can eat. I ended up with the Salmon Tacos and they were good. The calamari was also delicious, I enjoyed the peppers that are on top...it's a nice mix up from the typical cocktail sauce you normally get with calamari. We also had the fingerling potatoes, and I REALLY enjoyed those a lot. Great flavor! My friend had the musles and she seemed to enjoy them as well. We had John Daly's which are served in a not so big mason jar. The drinks are expensive for the size of them, so buyer beware. Our server was super duper nice...but service here is super duper slow (food and drinks). Meh.
(3)
E M B.
Tasty seafood, love the tacos. Cute atmosphere and good service. However, the place is overpriced. $9 for two tiny tacos is a bit much. $15 for four shrimp in a salad or $22 for a lobster roll is crazy. Amp up the seafood portions or lower the prices because they aren't justified! Really enjoy this spot but I've been twice and can't get behind the prices when you can get great seafood for a fraction of the price elsewhere (lobster roll at Da Loster for $12, fish tacos at Big Star for $3).
(2)
Magen R.
Tried out Fish Bar with my sisters - what a neat place! We decided to go all out and try a bunch of different stuff on the menu and everything was pretty great! To share we tried the calamari and garlic bread. The calamari was lightly breaded and banana peppers and jalapenos mixed in. I loved the flavor combination and could not stop eating it! The garlic bread was thin and crispy, it was also a huge portion for a great price. For our entrees one of my sisters ordered the gumbo and the lobster roll, the other ordered the surf and turf with the bacon and egg salad and I ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy with fingerling potatoes. We all loved our meals! All of the seafood was perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful. The standout for me had to be egg and bacon salad which was a crazy combo of tater tots topped with salad, crunchy bacon and an egg - so yummy! We also all drank and I was really impressed with the yummy tequila drink I had. The drinks were reasonably priced but the portions were not very large. However, I loved that the drinks came in little mason jars - very original and they added to the ambiance of the meal. Speaking of ambiance this place is so original and amazing! They only have a few tables that seat 3 or 4 and the rest of the seating is literally a bar! I love how the seating ties in with the name of the place. The service is very interesting and also ties in with the ambiance, the restaurant is set up so all of the servers remain behind the bar at all times, they are able to serve all of the patrons at the boothes and at the bar at the same time. The service was so so, the waiters were attentive at sometimes but not at others. My only real complaint is that where we were seated you could not see any of the specials that are listed on the board. The specials are a fairly major component of the menu and it would do well to either have them printed or posted in an additonal place.
(4)
Xida Z.
Incredible, beautiful, fresh fish in a local Chicago place I love the look of the place. The panelling. The bar. The local vibe. Lots of things look good on the menu. Little did I know, I was about to set sail on a tasting adventure. The Oysters were very fresh. I tried an East coast (5/5) and a West coast (3/5) . The west was too salty for me, and east was nice and sweet. The po'boy sandwich I got was two pieces of garlic bread with 7 pieces of shrimp/crawfish. It wasn't enough and I didn't really taste the fish ($11, 2/5). Most sandwiches probably aren't worth it, though the crabcake sandwich would have been better. Still hungry and looking to taste some fish the Citrus cured salmon carpaccio with capers and citrus vin was next. Citrus cut into the salinity of the capers. The fish was like good sashimi slightly cooked ($7, 5/5). The fried calamari was bland in the middle. There was too much pepper and oil, which made a gritty paste. I added the capers from the salmon and fixed that ($6, 3/5). Food presentation is a strength at the Fish Bar and for the most part, the food matches it's appearance. If you're here for fish, avoid the sandwiches. Don't be surprised if you end up dropping $30 for lunch. Ambiance and Service 5/5 Food 4/5 Value 3/5
(4)
Gary B.
We have always wanted to go here but our major deterrent was that we heard (and read reviews) that this place can get crowded and somewhat difficult to get in to. Well we made it and couldn't be happier that we did. Went on a Sunday evening around 5:00 and the place was empty. I think we can be thankful that the bears were playing which seemed to keep everyone in front of a tv which Fish Bar has none. Our server was extremely friendly and went over the menu from drink options, specials and answered all of our questions. Over the next hour we consumed beers, oysters, fish fries, a crabby sandwich and the Smoked Trout. All were very good and we certainly enjoyed our meal. We will be back and I would recommend to anyone that is looking for some fresh fish. In the summer they also off outdoor seating.
(4)
Karla B.
Food was great and the perfect "after game spot" after a Sunday Cub's game. It was our first time here and we loved the oysters, calamari, the white fish spread, and crab cake sandwich. However, our favorite was definitely the Satchmo po' boy - perfectly cooked, not overly greasy for something that was fried, and highlighted by housemade pickles. Our server even treated us to the fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions just because she wanted us to try them. The decor was cute but not over the top or cheesy. Can't wait to be back!
(4)
Kris G.
I liked Fish Bar! I happened to come in with a group larger than recommended (I didn't realize until after the fact, I was with 4 others making us a "large" group of 5), luckily during off hours--around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday. DMK is already my favorite restaurant, and knowing that these are owned and run by the same people, I had high expectations. The staff were very friendly and didn't make our large group feel like we had to leave or were inconveniencing them in any way. We each ordered a drink and loved the mason jars they came in--the ambiance is carried through the whole experience and that's a definite plus for me. Almost the entire party ended up ordering the lobster po'boys. My dad also got some soup to start (knowing he wouldn't be filled up on the sandwich alone) and I opted for the clam po'boy instead. On the side I also ordered the fried lemons. We all really enjoyed our food and felt that the price was where it should be for the quality. The only reason I dock a star is for the amount of food you get in comparison to the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the side dish, especially, and if you do decide to spend your money here, I don't think you'll be disappointed in taste, quality, or service. Just plan on coming in for a lighter lunch or be prepared to spend for a bigger dinner.
Everything about this place reminded me of the taste of Chicago and not in a good way. Everything is super expensive and you get a tiny portion. Which would be fine if there was some amazing flavor or quality but it wasn't there. I had the oyster po boy after seeing a pic of a oyster the size of the bun, mine appeared to have slivers of oysters, why? Besides the oysters being butchered they were flavorless under all the salt. I also received half the portion of rock fish that was promised from the pictures I saw. Walked out feeling robbed and extremely disappointed. Glad they decided to do a craw fish boil after living in New Orleans for 5 years. They advertise it as being $30 but when you try and buy your tickets it's $39 before fees. So besides not ring able to cook they can't really add either. There are other crawfish boils in the city that actually are $30 which leaves you with some cash for beer. Really disappointed here.
(1)
Kara B.
LOVE this place! The drinks were awesome! We got the Tea and the Jackhammer- both delish! Bartender Aly was awesome! Great atmosphere, the music was awesome! The food was Better than I could have imagined! The calamari was easily the best I've ever had, loved the addition of the peppers and parmesan cheese! The scallops were so perfectly grilled and a great portion size. The lobster roll was amazing. So light and fresh with plenty of lobster. I hadn't had frog legs in years but I saw them on the menu and had to try. They did not disappoint. They were served buffalo style- not at all fried which I liked- they were so tender and juicy I would absolutely order them again. And finally the key lime pie was easily the best I've ever had... You cannot leave without getting the klp! Cannot wait to come back to fish bar, new favorite spot!
(5)
Donn S.
Decent food; a little cramped. The mule variations drink really wasn't for me but the key lime pie for dessert made up for it. My friends go there pretty regularly and had gotten some drink vouchers from the staff, so that was nice.
(3)
Coka B.
it was good.. kinna wish the portions were a little larger. And maybe more items on the menu. But the food was great and our server was very well put together.
(4)
Traci B.
Went here on a Sunday evening since it was $1.50 oysters. We sat right down outside without a wait. However, it took about 10-15 minutes before a server took our drink order. She apologized so I was ok with that. We tried both kinds of oysters (east coast only that day) and both were delicious. The special that night was grilled cod sliders which were really good. I had been wanting to try this place not only for the $1.50 oysters, but also saw it on a Yahoo list for 10 best lobster rolls in the country. Maybe it was the hype of thinking it would be awesome, but it was a total let down. It was extremely small, didn't have much lobster meat, and the sauce was in one glob of little flavor. Nothing special and was overpriced at $22. I had a much better lobster roll at a fast food place for about $15. I'll be back for $1.50 oysters and to give other menu items a try but won't get the lobster roll ever again.
(3)
Kateryna G.
Underwhelming food at high prices. Won't be going back Food - 2/5. On their website they have a list of fish they have. We assumed they always offer all the fish listed, which is wrong. Only one special comes from that list. We had fish tacos, grilled white fish, seared ahi tuna, tator tots, smoked fish dip and cole slaw. Nothing was memorable, and cole slaw was by far my favorite part of the meal. Smoked fish dip was too salty and came with too little bread, seared ahi tuna was good, but nothing special, fish tacos were flavorless, grilled white fish had delicate texture, but the portion was small and had no sides. Drinks - 1/5 We had gin cocktails, which we couldn't finish because of how bad they were. Service - 1/5 The hostess seemed very stressed out running around, while completely ignoring new comers. Our waitress not once checked on our food or drinks, and never offered to check out desserts.
(1)
Yahaira T.
I enjoyed the food, although portions are small for the price! I know this is a small plates type of place so it's a bit pricey. The oysters are $15 for 6. So I only ordered 1, just to try it. When I got it, the waitress (Alix) said "here is your one oyster" I heard the person next yo me laugh! She made up for it though by being nice the rest of the time & gave us a little sample of artichokes, I think. My boyfriend loved the salmon blt. I liked the cod tacos & shrimp tacos! I would come back again! Ps, the three hour tour cocktail was good & strong.
(4)
Lauren F.
Wow is all I can say. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved Fish Bar. We stopped in for dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving around 6:30pm and only had to wait about 10 minutes before a couple of seats opened up at the counter, we grabbed a couple beers while we waited so it was no big deal. Our server let us know that the plates are smaller and meant to be shared, so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us. Lobster Bisque-delicious! Pretty decent sized chunks of lobster in a creamy yet not too rich broth with tons of flavor-very good. Gumbo-again, delicious! This bowl was just packed with flavor-blue crab and andouille sausage with a great spicy kick at the end. Scallops a la Plancha-3 large scallops cooked perfectly on the grill. Delicate seasoning really let the scallops themselves shine. Rock Shrimp-If you don't like fried shrimp there might be something wrong with you (unless you have a shellfish allergy which, in that case, I feel really bad for you). If you don't like Fish Bar's rock shrimp, you're crazy! Hot out of the fryer with a yummy sriracha dipping sauce-I could've eaten the whole basket myself! Maine Lobster Roll-With the market price of lobser making this sandwich a pricey $19 you may be wondering if its worth it. Well let me tell you, it is soooo worth it. Huge chunks of cold lobster, and lots of it, mixed with a light celery mayo on a warm, buttery piece of bread. Heaven on a bun. Satchmo Po' Boy-They hit another home run with this fried crawfish and shrimp sandwich with a tasty roasted garlic aioli on the same warm buttery bread as the lobster roll. It was awesome, I would have a hard time picking between this and the lobster...solution, just get both and share! Its no east coast seafood joint but when you're craving seafood in Chicago and want a cool, laid-back setting definitely hit up Fish Bar and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Alan T.
Being from the east coast I definitely have a high expectation for good seafood. My gf and I have not had good seafood since moving here. I admit we should lower our expectations since this is the midwest, but it's like going out with a bitch of a gf that u know will cheat on you but you always forgive her and think it will turn out well in the end lol. I really wanted to like this place. The staff are really friendly the ambiance is very chill. Unfortunately i give this two stars because theres always a wait and locals in the area recommended it for good seafood so my expectations were def high. We ordered: Gumbo - crab was good but when i think of gumbo I think of a thick n hearty soup, this was not it. It was mainly broth with barely any sausage or crab. The flavor was still good though. Octopus/scallop ceviche - it was VERY tart, to the point it masked any flavor from the octopus n scallop. Sea scallops - on the smaller size for scallops and a tad too salty, but cooked well (not overcooked and not undercooked). Manilla clams - this was the best dish but some clams still had some sand. They give u a toasted bread thats sitting in the broth/sauce so by the time u get it half the bread is soaked and soggy.
(2)
Jammir G.
I ordered the crabby patty and the scallops. It was not that great. All I have to say is that Spongebob would have never sent that patty out to the guest and me and him are like super close so I know. It was CRAZY overwhelmingly peppery and tasted super bready. It was that stereotypical crab cake with crab flavor and a few chards here and there. I thought with them being associated with DMK they would have had at least some lumps in there of crab meat but alas no... :( The only saving grace was the scallops. Totally uninspired but not overcooked. Meh...!
(2)
Lia V.
I lived a couple blocks away from this spot and every time my boyfriend and I drove by it I told him I wanted to go so when we finally went I was really excited. It wasn't as good as I was hoping for. :-( The patio looks so appealing and the inside has a nice atmosphere too. The servers are really nice and helpful and the beer selection is good. The food is just okay. Maybe it's what we ordered, but oh well. The calamari was served a weird way with peppers and stuff on it. My boyfriend got pork belly... at a fish place... silly man.
(3)
Stassi S.
Love the service. Kelly is the best! Love the atmosphere. Love the food. Best clam chowder ever. Awesome fish tacos and fish sliders. My husband loves the buffalo frog legs- I'm not as adventurous. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)
Alexis M.
This place is small, quaint and to the point about serving fresh and flavorful fish. I am severely allergic to shellfish and I never worry about them serving contaminated food to me (as they separate the shellfish from the rest of the fish). I always get various oysters and they have a number of amazing beer options to pair.
(5)
Elina S.
LOVED this place. Were we in Cape Cod, but seriously? I was in Cape Cod just last year and this place totally reminded me of it. I will start with the negative, and there is only one, they don't take reservations for parties of two or six or three or five, ONLY four, which is kinda annoying and it's a first come first serve seating arrangement and the place isn't huge. On the contrary, it's small, intimate, cozy, fishies on the wall and a huge boat hanging above the four-seater tables. The place has a very fun and unique ambiance and walking in, the first thing you smell, is fresh seafood. That smell alone makes me want to come back. Now onto the food, we tried everything from the talked about rock shrimp, we asked for wet, and they were a tad spicy, and absolutely delicious. The oysters were incredible and as fresh as ones I've had in Welfleet last year, now that says something. The lobster roll for $21 is a tad pricey, but so worth it. Full of chunks of fresh lobster meat, on a warm toasted roll, not drenched in mayo, wow, mouthwatering. I'm drooling just thinking about it. We also had the mussels in white wine with some bread which were very yummy as well. I mean everything we put in our mouth was delicious. When our server brought out complimentary garlic bread because our friends were waiting a while for their fresh fish of the day sandwiches, that was just icing on the cake. The garlic bread w/ melted cheese was one of the best I've had anywhere. The beers served in adorable mason jars, totally a cuteness factor which I appreciate and like. I cannot wait to come back here for more oysters, more lobster rolls and more rock shrimp as those were my absolute faves. We were too full for dessert, but definitely next time. They also have outdoor seating which is perfect in the summertime. I will definitely take advantage of that when it's warm! I'm very picky when it comes to seafood, but this place beats GT any day because the prices and quality are much better.
(5)
Jeff S.
My search for the best lobster roll in the city continued on to Fish Bar. But I've been meaning to check out this Lakeview spot for quite a while, given that it's owned by the same fine folks next door at DMK Burger. FOOD Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno - Who knew fried lemon would be so good? I'm a fan of fried onions and fried jalapeno, but I've never tried a fried lemon. Fish Bar slices lemons super-thin, throws them through some batter, and fries 'em up, rind and all. And it's delicious. The fried onions were cut way too thin for my liking, though. Same for the jalapenos, although not as big of an issue since they have a pretty strong flavor. But they should really cut up those onions a bit thicker. Eastern Belly Clams - I didn't think that these were anything too special. They tasted like any other fried clams I've ever had. Not much else left to say for these. Scallops Special - The scallops were cooked perfectly on this dish and they were beautifully translucent on the inside. A good amount of seasoning too, but maybe a bit too generous; no need to completely mask the flavor of the scallops! Lobster Roll - This had the perfect bun. Buttered and toasted, light and fluffy but substantial enough to properly handle the morsels of lobster within. Fish Bar gives you a decent amount of lobster meat (not that I would call it generous), and the overall size of the roll is good. But the problems might negate the goods on this one; the lobster was cut up in chunks that were too small, some pieces of lobster seemed to be slightly overcooked, and I thought it was a bit overpriced at $21 that day which was market price. Compare this to the $17 lobster roll at NE Seafood Company which has more lobster and comes with homemade potato chips...well you get the idea. THE REST Service was great! If anything, the service bumps it up from a solid 3 to a 3.5 star. Nice decor, a bit of New England + Southern hospitality thrown in. I can't say for certain that I'll be back anytime soon, but for those in the area (and if DMK is too packed for your liking), check it out.
(3)
K P.
This place is a joke! It's over priced! You get 4 oz worth of ceviche for $10. Really? I wasn't expecting a whole bowl but come on. The ceviche came in a 4oz mason jar. My husband and I were shocked! 10.00 fora 4oz mason jar full of ceviche! For one their ceviche is not CEVICHE! it does not have plum tomatoes, nor red peppers. That's not a true ceviche. Plus the mason jar was to small to even get a cracker in it. Next, we had fish tacos. Again we were shocked to see how small of a portion you get. You get two tacos for $10.00. Really?!!!! They were good but very overpriced! If you are looking to get your money's worth don't go here! Portions of food v what you pay is not equal. We were very disappointed. I do not normally review a restaurant because it's all subjective but this place should really serve a bit more of portions if they're going to over charge you. Would of given this place one star but the environment and the mason jars of drinks was unique. Other than that don't bother.
(2)
Gary K.
5 star rating. I was excited. I could not have been more disappointed. Dozen oysters lobster roll and soup and a beer 86$.
(1)
Doug V.
I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and don't think I've been to any one restaurant more than 5 times, but now I've been to Fish bar 5 times in the last month. You won't find a friendlier group of people who are this excited about their restaurant. Whether you go in and spend $20 or $80, they treat you like you are their next door neighbor. The menu is constantly changing but always offers a wide variety of Fish, Scallops, Oysters, Ceviche, Tartare. Each plate is about half the size of an entree and ranges from $6 -11, with the exception of a few select items like the Lobster Roll which are more. If you go with a group of 2, I recommend the Garlic Bread ($3.50), sharing one of the many creative salad options that are constanty changing, then choosing 3 fish plates (or more if you are starving) . Then cap it off with a plate of key lime pie. If you like Craft Beer , there are always 6 Craft Beers on tap and usually at least 3-4 of them are beers that you have never seen or tried before. They are more than happy to give you a sample of any beer that you'd like to try before ordering. Currently, I recommend Lagunitas 'Little Sumpin Sumpin' and for the Bengali Tiger IPA. Each season they swap these out with a new group. Fish Bar is an incredible place and I cannot wait to continue going there with my wife on Fridays to celebrate the end of the work week. You can go there and spend $50-60 and get a meal that would cost you $140 in River North. If you get a chance to meet Sasha, Dan, Marina, or Alexa, they are amazing people. Thanks for making our week...again.
(5)
k E.
Won't be back. We love DMK Burger Bar. Fish Bar is the ugly stepsister. Started with gumbo which was lukewarm and bland. My husband had frog legs and calamari. Both were just ok. I had the Oyster Po Boy, which was tasty. The problem was, it came with about 5 oysters. The server dropped one on the counter and just said "oops" and left it there as if I would eat it anyway. Horrible wine selection. Uncomfortable seating.
(2)
Sam M.
Honestly could be my favorite restaurant, and only gets better with every time I dine there. The interior is cool and fun, and usually packed with people (which I like). The wait stuff is unbelievably friendly and attentive. I have had the fresh catch, the fish sandwich, and soft shell crab sandwich that we got for free (there was an extra in the kitchen) as entrees. The garlic bread and tater tots are great appetizers. And the key lime pie is absolutely fantastic. If you live in Chicago and enjoy fish, this is a must. If you have a mediocre/good time at first, come back. I guarantee you will like it.
(5)
Bob W.
Hard to write a review about Fish Bar as it is just frightfully underwhelming. Nothing we had was bad, but neither did it make us turn to each other and say "OMG you have to try this!" Why get an oyster po boy here when you can get an oyster slider at GT Fish and Oyster that is actually something special? It doesn't help that the prices are high for such small plates. It looks like a bar, but the food is not fitting the theme. It's hard to reconcile eating small scallops at 4 dollars a pop while sitting on mismatched stools at a counter. The only exception to the mediocrity was the key lime pie. Probably the best piece of key lime I have ever tasted.
(2)
Arlene A.
It was a craving for Lobster Rolls that led us to Fish Bar. Well actually it was "another" Lobster Roll place closing at 8pm (??) that led me to use my Yelp app to find Fish Bar. That means this review was brought to you by the letter serendipitous. While we came here for the Lobster Roll, (pricey, but worth having) we're coming back for the Satchmo Po' Boy. What a pleasant surprise! Fried shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles, garlic mayo and extra crispy provided by the lettuce. So delish, and a steal for 10 bucks. We tried one of each of the sides, but the two that really stood out were the Garlic Bread and their Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapenos. Boy, oh boy (did I just type that?) both so very different, and so very delicious. The Garlic Bread is made with the same bread as used for the Satchmo Po' Boy, and loaded with butter, garlic and cheese. The outstanding Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapeno side was a rollicking roller-coaster of flavor and texture, right up my alley. Who knew that the tart of the lemon with the spicy of the jalapeno would do so well together? The interior of Fish Bar is simple, with clean lines that still manages to be cozy and warm. While not where I'd celebrate an anniversary or birthday, the seating layout lends itself to a lot of duo dining (due to the very cool coffee shop seating) with limited booth seating.
(4)
Karisma E.
I need fish bar! I need Fish Bar! I NEED Fish Bar's cod sandwich in my LIFE!!!
(5)
Caitlin G.
We ordered the salmon tartar, house salad, crabby patty sandwich, clam chowder and oysters. All were very good. My friend said the clam chowder though didn't have enough clams in it-so he was disappointed with that. I would say the service is lacking here. The waitress was very unfriendly and looked pissed off to be working. All of our plates we ordered came out at different times, which I am not a fan of if you are trying to eat an actual meal with someone.
(3)
Charlie H.
Any disappointment that I feel regarding Fish Bar lies with the fact that the place is not a bar for fish. "Fish need to relax too," I told Ira (my pet goldfish) as I scooped him up into his small plastic traveling tank. "We're going to Fish Bar so you can enjoy some quality time with your own kind! Aren't you excited?" I'm sorry to write that the happy part of this story ends here. Poor Ira suffered what I believe was a stress-related goldfish panic attack as we waited at the Brown Line platform to ride to Wellington. Little guy went belly-up right there in his traveling bowl and died on the spot. My normally hardy little fish seized in the face of a train ride. Lesson learned: goldfish don't like to ride the CTA. After shedding some tears -- neverminding the weird looks from strangers on the train -- I vowed to soldier on and to make sure that Ira's death was not in vain. Yes, I would complete the journey to Fish Bar alone. I ducked into a White Castle to give Ira a proper send-off into the watery depths of the city sewer system -- see ya, little buddy -- and continued the journey. Though rather despondent over the loss of my goldfish, I wiped away the last of my tears on my sleeve and entered Fish Bar. "What else but the company of other fish will comfort me in this tender moment of grief?" I asked myself. Imagine my disappointment when Fish Bar was not a bar for fish, but in fact for humans. WTF? I mean, cop bar = bar for cops, singles bar = bar for singles, karaoke bar = bar for karaoke singers... I'm glad Ira didn't live to see this! Anyway, I had a seat and ordered a delicious cocktail -- a wonderful campari/orange juice concoction that superbly cleared the way for the delicious fish to come. I started with the carpacio of the day -- ueber-fresh North Atlantic Salmon matched with a tasty assortment of diced veggies. I went on to enjoy the crispy and hot fried clams and the steamed mussels served with a buttery piece of toast for sopping up the sausage/tomato sauce at its base. Heavenly! The highlight might have been the grilled octopus. Perfectly cooked and served with a buttery sauce. Amazing. Washed it all down with a 2 dollar can of PBR for dessert. NOT BAD. Short story: Fish Bar = Good. Rest in peace, Ira O goldfish of goldfish. PROTIP: There's a great pointillistic screen-printed mural on the wall at the West end of the bar. Touch the bumps on it for tactile bliss.
(5)
Ellie R.
I don't even like seafood and this food is so tasty. While I'm not really a fan of the "small plates to share" phenomenon, because I find that you end up paying way more than for a normal meal and still leave kinda hungry, I really like this place. Like I said, a bit over budget for me but worth it every once in a while. Their dishes are delicious and flavorful - I really loved the satchmo po'boy sandwich.
(4)
Kelly C.
This was my second trip to Fish Bar. I got the lobster roll both times. It is great. However, I'm fairly sure the clam chowder this weekend got me sick. The pieces of clam were not only rubbery, but not even edible. The tasted out of date, and I had to spit several out. Halfway through the meal I had a feeling like a rock was in my stomach. I can't be sure if it was the chowder, but every time I think of it, I feel nauseous. Despite the fantastic menu, I doubt I will be back.
(2)
Kelly K.
Date night. After a day on the boat or at beach. Absolute protein power up before night of drinking! Must LOVE seafood and be willing to try wicked brilliant flavor that are easily a product of mad scientist experimentation. Pickled onion garnish, hot sauce infused cole slaw, or straight lemon juice will surprise your mouth. Beer list is short & sweet, just as it should be. Garlic bread is gigantic portion for 3 bucks, and will be needed to soak up every last drop of magic in the bottom of the bowl of mussels. Music is loud or louder, and is turned down if requested. But who wants to hear such kickass tunes below louder?! Sasha is Tha Man. Colleen is Tha Bomb. One or both have been there during each of my visits. All the less than pleasant reviews can suck it. Go back to New England or leave your East Coast ego at the door. It will be there when you leave, and readily find plenty of local bar youth to look down your nose at as you head south on Sheffield. If you savor the seafood it's impossible to not enjoy. If it doesn't make your tongue dance with delight, then say something to the staff. If you think $11 for the best crabby patty sandwich on earth is too expensive, then don't order it. Doing this and then bitching about it in a review... well now more people know you're a whining moron. Questions and constructive criticism would not fall on deaf ears at Fish Bar, so speak up while your there warming a seat.
(5)
Jeff S.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews for this place. It's a nice idea, but the seats are uncomfortable, and it's weird/sort of awkward to have to watch the wait staff behind the counter while you eat. The portions are very small, but the prices are high: $9 for a tiny smoked whitefish salad. It tasted fine but I expect a little better for the price. The drinks were tasty and creative; I know some people like drinking from a mason jar but I find it unpleasant.
(2)
Elyse D.
Made my first trip over to fish bar last night and LOVED it. I've been wanting to go since the summer, as it's super close to my apartment and looked so fun in the summer. I can't believe I waited until now to stop in! My boyfriend and I tried several things on the menu and were impressed with each and every one of them. First, we had the iceberg salad with fried calamari....YUM. The bleu cheese dressing was perfect with the calamari. Our waitress then brought us free fried artichokes to try, which were yummy as well. After that, I had the corn and crab chowder which was delish and my boyfriend had the skatewing. I only had a taste but he loved it. I ordered the salmon BLT for my meal and he ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy...needless to say, we were both more than impressed with the deliciousness in front of us. My only complaint was that the beers were overpriced, so we ended up only getting one each as to avoid the huge bill. I will DEFINITELY be walking over to Fish Bar again soon. :)
(5)
Mandy M.
4.5 stars really. C'mon Yelp, why ya gotta be so rigidly old fashioned with your rating system? Its been a while since a business has impressed me enough to Yelp, but tonight Fish Bar managed to just that. I had my sights set on a burger at DMK, but after stepping inside the obnoxiously loud and dark quarters to be faced with a 40 min wait, we immediately turned around and went to look elsewhere for eats. I must admit at this point I was pretty hangry, as I had not eaten lunch, we had just driven almost an hour from Forest Park and I had my heart set on a fancy burger. So I wasn't exactly thrilled when Fish Bar was suggested simply out of proximity. However that changed once we entered and were graciously greeted at the door by Sasha. The atmosphere in Fish Bar is totally different from DMK, and while smaller, much more inviting. We were once again faced with a 30-40 min wait, at which point Sasha took our names and we left briefly to scour the area for anything that looked potentially more appealing. After about 5 minutes though, we returned. I was already smitten with the service and I think we were all excited to enjoy some beverages served in mason jars while we waited. I started off with the Tinge of Ginge with Freckles, which was a strong sipper and eased my hanger fairly quickly. By the time we were seated there was another greeter, but she was equally as friendly. And our waitress was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Good service can overcome a lot in my book and Fish Bar has that area covered nicely. But I know what you're thinking - get to the food already! No one in our 3 party group left unsatisfied, although I can only truly report on how tasty my own meal was. After some discussion with the waitress (whose name escapes me), I settled on the rock shrimp (dry) and salt potatoes. Delish. My boyfriend had the salmon a la plancha and tater tots and my friend had the sashimi salad and tater tots. I also tried the Tea, which was twice as good as my first drink. Too drinkable almost. And then to top it all off, Sasha sent us some fried calamari on the house, which ended up being my favorite part of the night. Its served "Federal Style", which translates to perfectly fried with pickled banana and jalapeno peppers. I could've taken a bucket to go, or at least ordered another round. And then for dessert my boyfriend and I shared an order of s'mores, which consisted of 3 marshmallows, 3 plain graham crackers and 3 graham crackers smeared with chocolatey goodness. We were given our own miniature fire pit to roast our marshmallows over. It was the absolute perfect way to end a great dinner. Overall I'm looking forward to returning soon, just probably not on a Friday at 7 pm. That's the only drawback to the place - its just a little too small!
(4)
Renee S.
Everything was prepared very well, however portions are tiny. Party of 4 rang up $150 bill in no time--and we left still feeling hungry. That included one Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can for $2. Crabby Patty was good, but the bread was not impressive at all. Skate fish (sp?) was awesome, but again--very tiny serving. The menu will fool you because the prices seem lower. But your portions are significantly smaller than any other restaruant. Service was friendly. I would never go back though. The menu is small, and they were out of things at 6PM on a saturday. Seriously? There is _NOTHING_ on this menu for a non-fish eater. So if you have one in your group, they will be very disappointed.
(2)
Dana B.
I drive past this restaurant every day going to work and every night coming home from work and have always wanted to go. Yesterday(saturday) a friend and I decided to roll out of bed from the night before to grab some food and catch up on a recent date and to b*tch about life. Upon arriving we were greeted right away from the host and were seated right at the counter. Inside was not what I expected but I really liked the seating arrangement, it even had hooks under the counter for purses. The menu is kinda hard to read I'd say but everything looked good. We decided on the app of stuffed calamari. Really good its just the filling isnt what I expected(spinach, some cheese.. idk) interesting. I got the po boy with shrimp and crawfish(?) which was really good. Very flavorful and the bread was nice and toasty yumo. My friend got the crabby patty which I grabbed a bite and it was also awesome. I will def go back to try more off the menu. The service was kinda.. well not all there I'd say. We waited 5-10 with no water and the server passed us a couple times before acknowledging us. Weird because there seemed to be a lot of employees on the floor for such a small place. Our entrees came before the app. which is fine with me. The server asked us if we wanted a little extra for the wait which was very generous of her. All n all I would 100% go back and am excited to go back. I like the small atmosphere because it reminds me of my restaurant that I work at. The food is great and the drink menu looks awesome. (would have took advantage but was still recovering from the night before). Def. a place to check out.
(5)
Diana P.
Great food but insanely small portions and high prices. $19 for a lobster roll sandwich. Sure, it was great but $19!!!?? My husband and I dropped $70 for lunch and we barely had anything to eat. Calamari good but once again, TINY portion. This isn't a gourmet restaurant by any means in terms of how this place looks (you sit on bar stools). If you have the cash to spare, sure, I'd recommend coming here. We tried the Po Boy and were not a fan but you're safe with the lobster roll sandwich-very good. Clam Chowder was okay, very salty but fresh tasting. Octopus was fantastic, however, sticking to the theme of this review, TINY PORTION. :)
(4)
Robin M.
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!!! Ok, there is no chicken pot pie at Fish Bar. But if you want some screamin' seafood, look no further. Got there early, because we could not handle crowds tonight. And we got a seat right away. Server was super friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Had #4 punch which was sweet and delicious. My friend got a beer. Prices good. She got a lobster roll and I got a soft shell crab po-boy. And tater tots. Holy Mother of God, they have tater tots! Whoo. Then I'm not sure what happened because when we both looked up, sandwiches were gone. And we both looked mighty happy despite the mayo smears across our faces. Server came back and asked if we wanted pie. Uh, yeah! So had a fantastic blueberry pie (clearly made with fresh blueberries) and my friend got key lime. Took all we had not to lick the plates. Total bill was less than 60 bucks. Only criticism is that the music is rather loud. However, I'll be back for the tail on shrimp, the fish sandwich, and the lobster roll. And I'll shake my groove thang if they don't turn down the music! Hey, wait a minute...why didn't anybody give me a loyalty card? I'm loyal!!
(4)
Jacob J.
Hella busy on weekends and on nights which we all know are busiest you can expect up to a forty minute wait. I tried visiting on a few occasions with different sized groups and got different wait times. One Friday evening I was in a group of five and was told it would take approximately one hour and forty minutes! (We hit Pequod's instead) This is due to their seating. They expect that most would be in pairs of two, for those in a party they only have 2 - 3 booths which can accommodate (5 max) and those are hard to come by. The photos on Yelp and their website are deceiving, only that it's hard to tell the amount of true space. Before entering and without thinking about the physical address, I assumed they were as big as a Hooter's. Not!. As far as food, I was let down. Huge disappointment. Two things I looked forward to would be their cod sandwich and a rummy punch. I love the pricing, it's all affordable stuff. However a staple like a decent cod sandwich is ruined by trying too hard. Forget that silly dill sauce and give me a tartar sauce I'd want to dip my tots into, that's what I'm looking for. BTW, $2 for a handful of tots, give me a break. Cod sandwich had a good amount of meat though not filling and a nice fleshy slice of tomato, but that's where it ended. My friends that dined on a shared sandwich thought far less about it. Fish Bar's cocktail pricing seems like a dream but when you see the final product served in what's a small (jam) jar, eh, the shit loses my interest. Good pour, just too small. I can cross the street to Vaughn's and expect a heavy handed cocktail in a tall glass for another $2 bucks. I love the idea of the place. The cute counter staff and hostesses, especially that gal with the lip stud, hot. Freaking love the bar, it's either a Maple or Hickory. The bar is so smooth, I could wax on and wax off that thing all the day long. One of these days someone is going to Eff that up with leaving their hot sauce on there too long or scratch it. Great disappointment. For now I'll leave the excitement of it up to the Lakeview locals and tourists. Offer a option of a decent tartar and I'll enjoy my cod sammiches with youz guyz. Until then, it's the char houses for me.
(3)
Allison K.
Wanted to go here for my friend's birthday on a weeknight, and there are five of us celebrating. The website says reservations for only "3 or 4," so I was little confused. When I called to find out more, they told us we *might be able to get a table for 5 if we come in at "4:30 p.m. or late in the night at 11:00 p.m." Um, no restaurant is worth that ridiculous time frame, so before even trying this place, I'm giving it a preemptive 1 star.
(1)
Leda G.
I hadn't planned on coming here but was really surprised and so happy I went! The ambience is really cool as other reviewers wrote. It is almost all bar seating, really great for a date! The staff was really friendly. The servers were informative and really know the menu. The drinks were soo tasty!! Sweet Tea= amazing! And pretty reasonably priced. The stone IPA was also delicious!! The food was very good! We got the ceviche, frogs legs, clam chowder, prawns, and the crabby patty. Also smores for dessert. (for two people) Every thing was very flavorful and fresh. I really liked the mix between classy and casual (mason jars for drinks- cute touch).
(5)
Adam K.
Awesome little spot, def allow about 45 minute wait after 7pm. SUPER NOISY! Cool decor, seems like a hellish place to work, I got: Clam Chowder - A little too creamy and thin for me, tasted fresh however. Lobster Bisque - ON THE NUTS. Not too heavy and a bit of spice. Fried Clams - Eh, OK. The dipping sauce was bomb. My wifey thought it was Calimari but she is from Wisconsin so WTF does she know. Crabby Patty - Delish. The waitress described it as tangy and a bit spicy, I found it kind of sweet and not spicy at all, i was torn between this and the Lobster Roll, but after seeing the lobster roll was 18 bucks I was kind of glad i got this guy. Very delish and not heavy at all. Key Lime Pie - I actually drooled on myself putting the last bite in my mouth. Did not get to try the fried jalepenos, onions and lemon even though I ordered it, but I will give the waitress a break because it was SUPER noisy in there, I was like 5 inches from her face and I could barely hear her. Also, to all the people complaining about the sizes being small, guess what? Your fat. Order something else then, or better yet go to McDonalds and super size your fat ass. Cool little extra, as we were leaving I said to one of the dudes behind the bar, "Worth the hype!" He introduced himself as the manager, although it was barely audible he said "Let me give you one of my cards!" I was like ok thats kind of nice I guess, he gave me two cards. I was like whatever, dude likes that he is a manager & wants strangers to know it. I get home look at the back of the card and it says "One Free Oyster Shooter when you Present this card." SCORE!!! Will def be back to try the frog legs.
(4)
Kirsta W.
I LOVE Fish Bar! I love the size (allows reservations for 3 or 4), I love the food (ROCK SHRIMP!), the waitstaff is fantastic. It's just a great restaurant. Always fresh, always amazing. Be sure to order the bloody mary oyster shooters - they aren't on the menu but they have them! Have only gone on double dates there but it's fantastic!
(4)
Melissa R.
I was pretty intrigued about this new place for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that the corner of the building had been painted blue with a large fish on it for quite sometime before I realized what was going on. Then I realized that it was a seafood joint by the same owners of DMK Burger Bar (next door, and I'm a fan). We went here on a Friday night straight from work. When we arrived around 5:30 there was already a 30 minute wait. No biggie, we sat down and waited patiently while perusing the food options. We were seated at the bar and it was tight quarters. Keep in mind that when they say Fish Bar, they mean it. There are three booths that fit four each, so if you don't have one of those then you are sitting on a stool. Besides the fact that you are constantly bumping elbows with your fellow diners, the ambiance is very cute. You feel like you strolled up to a seafood shack off the beach...very casual and fun. The food was good, but pricey. Considering the price, I was expecting more food and/or it to be more delicious. Everything we ate was "good" nothing was "great". The best items we tried were the lobster roll and tater tots. The service however was fantastic and we got along swimmingly with our waitress. Also, my fiance is a beer snob and he was pleasantly surprised by the options they had on the menu. And it unfortunately seems they have carried over my least favorite thing about DMK...the crazy loud music. However, this music here is much more low-key and not so clubby...but it is still unnecessarily loud.
(3)
Abby H.
I almost didn't go inside due to it being so crowded (on a Tuesday night no less). I am so glad I went in though. This place did not disappoint. I think I noticed some Yelpers who had an issue with the bar/counter set up. I suggest going back to whatever podunk town you came from and stay there. I went there for oysters and theirs are some of the best I've had. I was talking to one of the wait staff and mentioned my love of oysters, but they are rather expensive so I opted for the smoke trout sandwich rather than another 6 oysters. As my trout sandwich arrived, the woman I spoke to about my love of oysters hands me a plate of 6 oysters I hadn't ordered. As I looked perplexed, she told me the kitchen made an error and asked her if she had someone to give them to. She said she knew just the person. Really? 6 free oysters?? She also handed me her card and said it's good for a free drink during my next visit. The entire wait staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Oh and the trout was unbelievably good with a smokey flavor I've not tasted before. The service here is top notch and the food is just as good as the service. Needless to say, I think I left a 40% tip.
(5)
Emily S.
I thought Fish Bar was pretty A-OK. I have to disagree with the (incredibly pretentious) reviewer who said that if you think Fish Bar is pricey, you need to get a "good job" so you can afford to eat there and a 20% tip. Let me just say that I have one of these "good jobs" that allows me the luxury of dining out fairly frequently. Just because I can afford to pay the amount shown on the check doesn't automatically make it a good value. That's moronic. All that said, I can see how people did not find Fish Bar to be a good value ($15 for 6 oysters?!). The cocktails are very small. I also found the size of the apps to be a bit on the small side (and not particularly well-prepared). We started with the ceviche and the calamari a la plancha. I LOVE ceviche and this was probably the worst I've ever had. Advertised as fluke with lime, pineapple, onion, serranos, avocado, I expected this to be tart and acidic and spicy and briny. It was none of those things. So, so bland - just begging for salt and acid. It was mushy and there was barely any fish in it. The calamari was overcooked, and despite the description of "olive oil, salt and pepper, red chili and preserved lemon," it was also pretty tasteless. No tartness, no salt. I must say, the sandwiches are where the value truly lies. I had a really awesome oyster po boy, and my husband really enjoyed his crabby patty. The tots are delicious and a steal at $2. I would go back, but I would stick with the sandwiches and the tots.
(3)
Katarina X.
I get it. If I were dating a Trixie- I would not want to hear her nasal voice squeaking three octaves higher than natural pitch either. The music here is overwhelming loud and it is obnoxious! Alas, I have a very sexy voice my date can't hear, there is no place to put my handbag (the wall, across the room? This is my phone! This is my wallet! This is my entire lipgloss collection! NO!!!!) I'm nice, I am not stupid looking to get robbed. Bad design with no females consulted there. And the final star kicked off is for the patronizing server: Yes honey, I could leave. I will. She's absolutely right! Food and drinks might be worthwhile- but after the ear-ringing noise, lack of space and sh!tty service just walking in? I am never, ever going to find out.
Love this little place. Great seafood and drinks. I don't think I've had one dish I didn't like. It's one of those small plate places so you can order a bunch of things to share. Highly recommend the gumbo, the tuna tartare and you must get the key lime pie. Great service too. Sometimes there can be a long wait as it's super tiny, but you can grab a drink at the bar. Nice big outdoor area for when it's nice out. Dog-friendly though technically you're supposed to tie your dog to stay on the sidewalk, but they don't really mind if he ends up under your table as long as he's not in the way.
(5)
John Z.
Went there on a Sunday with my wife, had a good seafood meal. We had clam chowder (good), oysters (very good), calamari (surprisingly good) and scallop tacos (disappointing). I would say we will definitely go back for the oysters and calamari. The "federal style" calamari has parmesan and banana peppers. It was surprisingly good. The drinks are definitely overpriced, but we knew that going in. I would definitely not get the tacos again, they were disappointing. We will probably be back.
(3)
Hannah H.
This was a very cute place with a nautical theme. The service was great, and we tried out their famous Eastern Belly Clams (which is based on market price). It was nicely battered and seasoned well, and it was great dipping into the sauce that comes with. Tap water comes in those Ball canning jars, which was cute. Limited parking can be found around the residential area. +Eastern Belly Clams +limited street parking
(4)
Steve V.
After eating at DMK out in the burbs I wanted to try this place. The vibe was super chill as expected and the seating was pretty interesting. The waiters were prompt and extremely flexible with multitasking. Whether it was communicating with the customers while cleaning, or remembering the order without writing it down. Ordered a Satchmo Po'boy and a Crabby Patty (because of sponge bob of course) and was not disappointed. The sandwiches were both perfectly balanced. The spectrum of all the flavors were just so... So great guys. You gotta go, you just got to go. Keep up the good work guys. I can't wait to go to the other DMK restaurants.
(5)
Yvonne H.
Micro portions, macro prices. On the menu, the prices look reasonable until you discover the dishes are tapas-style and not a meal. It's hard to review the quality of the food because there was so little of it. I ordered the redfish tacos, got two scant soft shells with a few scraps of fish. No side. Just a lime wedge and two tiny paper cups of salsa. More like an appetizer. How cute. I downed it all in about three whole bites. It seemed fresh and tasty...I think. My dining companion got the $11 crabby patty. It looked good and she liked it, but again, it was smallish and came with no fries, coleslaw, or chips. The idea is obviously to force you to get several plates in order to feel full. Also, my dish was served long before my friend's. Since it took me about 45 seconds to finish it, I was done eating by the time she got hers. Poor service. As far as the dining experience, they're trying to go for the seafood shack thing. Other reviews mention booths; either I missed them or they got rid of them, because all I saw was a U-shaped wooden counter with stools and standing counter along the wall. Cramped and uncomfortable. Unless you like communal dining where you are up close and personal with other diners and their conversations, and enjoy having the wait staff banter with them right in your ear and your face, and having to tear off a roll of paper towels in lieu of napkins, you probably shouldn't eat here. The music stopped just short of being obtrusive. Other reviewers recommended it as a date place, which is baffling. There is no sense of intimacy or privacy with your dining companion at all. Not my idea of romantic but maybe I'm different. And fair warning: If you are over 30 you will definitely be the oldest ones in the place. But I would expect that in the DePaul area. What I object to was how much I paid only to leave still hungry. The only thing I would recommend Fish Bar for is maybe to grab a beer and oysters or something before moving on to another place for your main meal. Or, as a good place to dine if you're on a diet.
(2)
Jim K.
I couldn't decide between a couple of the fresh sections, so instead decided to go at it tapas style, asking the server to bring these three dishes out as came up: smoked whitefish, beet and feta salad, Satchmo PoBoy. So glad I went that rout - all were exceptional , and modest enough in both price and size to make a perfect meal. Fabulous!
(5)
Adriana K.
Really love the vibe here,,but the food is mostly fried frozen seafood..Soups have been really good, and enjoy the outdoor seating once the weather gets better. Calamari is very good, but a small portion. Think they are connected to DMK, which is next door and has some great burgers as well.
(3)
Bert T.
BE WARNED! The Redeye's review said they served brunch until 3 -- but they really pull that menu at 2 pm. Since I've been having a lot of trouble walking recently, I stayed anyway. I ordered the "Satchmo poor boy" -- for $12 they served me six shrimp on a hot dog bun. Nothing came with it -- just a tiny appetizer size sandwich all by itself. No fries, no slaw, not anywhere near a main dish portion.
(1)
Caroline J.
This is the second time I've been to Fish Bar - however, first time I just enjoyed a few drinks sitting outside in the summer. My boyfriend and I dropped in on a Tuesday night so it was definitely not crowded. We could sit wherever we wanted so we grabbed a booth. Our waitress was very friendly and greeted us immediately. However, when we were each torn between a few menu items she didn't really seem to have an opinion about any of them, except to say they were all good. Not a problem or anything, but I would have loved a suggestion! After we ordered food we decided to get a few beers, so my boyfriend ordered his. Right after he was done, she walked away. I had to flag her down to then order my beer. Again, not a huge problem, but it seems odd to not ask the other person if they'd like anything. The only other service aspect that bothered me (and this is just me being me) was that she kept pronouncing "pollack" like the derogatory name for Polish people. You're in Chicago - maybe you don't want to go around announcing you're frying up Polish people. I got the spicy mahi mahi sandwich and my boyfriend got the satchmo po' boy. Both were SO tasty. Mine was the perfect amount for me and easily one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. His was equally delicious, but definitely left him needing more food. For the price, I wish we would have gotten some kind of side with the sandwich so he didn't feel the need to run over to DMK after. Overall, the food and beer was great. I love the atmosphere of this place. The service could be improved a bit, as could the amount of food you get for the prices. Our waitress did give us coupons for a free drink each when we came back, which was very nice of her. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but might have a little pre-meal snack at home!
(3)
Jessica R.
Too expensive for the small portions. The Calamari was really good though! Excellent service!
(3)
Cuitlahuac F.
If you like seafood this place will not disappoint. Anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong. The fish tacos are amazing and the dollar oysters at night are dope. I could put down two dozen.
(5)
Nick M.
The only way to roll into Fish Bar is to roll with Nikki C. The staff is cute and crazy, they are so much fun that I would come in even if the food was bad. That being said, the food is cute and crazy, desserts are so much fun that I would come in even if the staff was bad. The decor and seating gives it that casual vibe, so it's hanging out at a friend's place. You can chill at the wrap around bar or grab a booth with friends. I've been in a few times before and had a blast but I got unbelievable treatment on my birthday (THANKS!!). Drinks are cool but I only wished they had rum.
(5)
L. Danovia ..
My husband loves seafood so we stopped in one day to check out the menu. Everything sounded great. I got the poboy and he got lobster tacos. Everything was great, including the service. However, the portions were soooo small, we ended up hitting a drive through on the way home. Disappointing since we had just spent fifty bucks for lunch.
(3)
Molly D.
My husband and I have had this place on our list to try for months. Because they don't take reservations for 2 people we waited until it was nice enough to wait outside with a drink. We arrived at about 7:00pm and, as expected, were told there was about a 30 minute wait. We decided to order some cocktails to pass the time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a cute bar setting. It makes you feel like you have left the city and are in a restaurant in a lake or ocean vacation town. I ordered a "Three Hour Tour" which was served in style in a mason jar. It was a bit on the expensive side but it was tasty. After waiting the 30 minutes we were seated at the bar and began ordering food. The food is served as small plates so you are able share and to try a lot of different things. While we were waiting for our first small plates to come out, one of the hostesses came over and asked if we would be ok moving to a different area (I guess another group that had reserved for 4 people actually ended up having 5 so the table they reserved for them was too small). We agreed to move to the table. I'm glad we moved since it didn't really matter where we were sitting because about 5 minutes later they sent out two complimentary oyster shooters for us as a "thank you" for being flexible. You have to appreciate when restaurants go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy. The oyster shooters were good, the oyster was a decent size at the bottom of the shot glass and the shooter liquid had the right amount of spice and good flavor. Anyways, back to the food, the small plates started arriving: calamari, fish tacos, fried shrimp, garlic bread, and steamed mussels. Everything was delicious. We would definitely go back again when craving small plates of seafood in a fun atmosphere and I would recommend this restaurant to family/friends. The only reason I gave Fish Bar 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt for the amount of food you got the prices were a little too high. Other places in the area that serve small plates like Girl and the Goat, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, or Quartino also serve seafood, and in my experience you get more food or the prices are lower if the portions are on the smaller side.
(4)
Shannon K.
Don't mistake the 3 stars, this place is more like 3.5 pushing 4 stars. I am still working my way through the menu and as I do I imagine my "update" will include an extra star. It's becoming one of my favorite lunch spots, I'm just a tough judge of seafood because I have lived in San Fran and Boston. They pull that shit right out of the sea on the coasts! The food is solid. I have had the tartare, fish tacos (on special), one of the sandwiches, and the oysters. And the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno is delish. I need to check out the ceviche (one of my favorite foods) and carpaccio next! The staff is super friendly and incredibly good looking. I always ask their favorites and they tell me and they tell me why they like what they like. I like. Each time I have been there they always throw in an extra oyster or give me a card for an oyster shooter on my next visit. Nice touch. The place is small, but super cute. Love the hanging wooden canoe. Love the two seafood bars with stools, love being able to see the chefs, love all the windows, love the sidewalk seating (in warmer months). It's less than a block from the Wellington EL stop. And I always feel comfortable if I pop in and dine alone. Definitely yummy and worth checking out!
(3)
Mira S.
I'm sure they get a lot of business from people not willing to make the long wait at DMK -- that's how we ended up there. It was a bit below capacity the whole time we were there. The food was okay, but I don't think I'd go back. My friend wasn't happy with her po' boy--nothing special, and pretty skimpy on the food, just a lot of bread. I ordered the salmon special, which was overcooked, and also not much food. The hush puppies were fine, but the sauce wasn't great, and I'd have preferred a non-mayo choice (even just honey). The scallop tacos were also fine, the scallops were cooked properly and weren't rubbery or fishy. They had a decent selection of drinks, both beers and mixed drinks, and it looked like they rotated them. The mixed drinks weren't generously poured. The service was fine, fairly attentive, but there were little annoying things, like the fact that we had to ask for water more than halfway through our meal. Anyway, I might go again in a bind if in the area and wanting to avoid a wait, but it wasn't my favorite.
(3)
Anna D.
Everything here is so fresh and delicious. The staff is so friendly and attentive. I was waiting with my date and they brought us some samples of the crab cake. Another time I had a to go order and they brought be a sample of the gumbo. The customer service is awesome. Now the food is no short of amazing. The fish sandwich is crispy but airy and light. The potatoes and po boy are on point too. Try anything on the menu and you will be more than pleased.
(5)
Sal B.
The service is great. The team they have is very hospitable. The shrimp tacos are probably the best I've had in the city. The cod fish sandwich is amazing. Overall a great place to dine!
(4)
Mary M.
I love this restaurant! As others have said, it does get busy so I suggest getting there early on weekends. I normally don't enjoy places where you share seating with other parties but I've never felt cramped. Service is usually really fast and all of the servers are really attentive. I've gone so much that I've tried almost everything on the menus (changes seasonally and with whatever fish they have that day) and never been disappointed - I love the lemon rings, crabby patty, scallop ceviche, tuna tartare, any tacos they feature, and key lime pie. Same goes for the drink menu. The only reason I am knocking off a star is because their bar access for those not seated/eating is small and in between where people are seated. On a Saturday afternoon it causes a lot of crowding at the bar and is obnoxious if you're seated and eating there. It also seems to slow the drink service.
(4)
Aaron P.
This place was delicious. The entire restaurant is one long bar that zig zags around in two rectangles. Our waitress/bartender was very friendly and patient. She also handed out free samples of the tuna ceviche, which was excellent. Their ceviche had a great balance of heat and spice without drowning out the falvor of the tuna. I ordered the crabby patty and a side of the smoked whitefish spread. The whitefish dip was loaded with capers, dill, and cream cheese. This would have made my grandmother proud. It was on the salty side, but that's pretty much what I expected for a smoked fish spread. The crabby patty was excellent also. Few crab cakes can stand up to this one. I appreciated the warm bun and Old Bay mayo. I can see why people are raving about this sandwich.
(4)
Sarah Y.
If you're a seafood lover, then you won't be disappointed with your visit here (but your wallet might be crying...it ain't cheap!). All of the seafood items that we had were fabulous, and the nonseafood items were forgettable in comparison. This might be seasonal, but the butternut squash lobster bisque was phenomenal. Ack I'm swooning. Don't think those two things go together, you would be very wrong. The creaminess of the butternut squash soup was infused with lobster stock or something equally seafoody, and there were CHUNKS of lobster in the mix. So hearty, and so indulgent to have during winter. The sandwiches are all I will ever eat when I come back. Lobster roll was fantastic. It was simple, the mayo didn't overpower the flavor of the lobster, and the roll was buttery, crispy yet yeasty. Why does it have to be so small?! 6" is not enough! The satchmo po-boy, a crispy mix of crawfish and shrimp in a tangy dressing was fabulous. It's meaty, savory and a little sweet, on a buttery roll. Yummm!
(5)
Shana A.
Wish I could give zero stars. We went on a Friday so we were expecting the wait. We were told it would be an hour so that was fine. After over an hour and a half with people arriving after us sitting I asked the host about our seating and she said they were waiting for 2 girls to leave. These 2 girls has been there the entire time and were friends with their waitress. We asked if there was anywhere else we could sit and she said no we needed to wait for these girls and they could not ask them to leave. Then the entire staff proceeded to take group shots with these 2 girls I mentioned that I thought that was extremely rude and no one including the manager seemed to care. We proceeded to walk out and will never go back
(1)
Luvyoga B.
Had lunch here today. The best lobster roll ever!! Bread fresh, buttery and crisp on the outside. Big chunks of lobster, Spicy coleslaw and chips to go with. Satchmo po boy was excellent. Calamari was good. Like the added hot peppers. Pineapple cider delicious. Key lime pie with vanilla bean whip cream the best! Staff super friendly. Food came fast. Nice casual ambience. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Emina l.
We went there for late lunch on a Saturday. Cute decor but much smaller than I imagined. Menu was on the small side as well but had great selections and literally made me want to try everything. We had several different fish and scallop tacos, an octopus dish and split a lobster roll, which came with a bag of chips. I absolutely love fish tacos and have them any time they are on a menu, and who doesn't love a good lobster roll? These were just all right. Maybe it was the size portion... Not a bad joint and a decent concept but nothing to write home about. I feel like they belong on a beach - perfect for a quick, low key bite before going back in water. Server was very casual too, which I usually don't mind but I had a few questions and he seemed like he was not into it. Food tasted good and was fresh but I wasn't blown away. I would go back if in the neighborhood but would not go out of my way.
(3)
Tricia B.
My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Saturday for a spur of the moment. This place is always packed and the night we went showed no difference either. Needless to say, we gave it a chance and got seated within 10 minutes, which is great. The weather outside was slowly getting chilly, so most of the business was indoors but there were a few that stayed outside to enjoy the last of the summer weather. Our server was very pleasant and although it was busy all around, she made sure to check up on us when she could. We placed our order and slowly awaited for our food to arrive. When it did, it turns out that my boyfriend's order was wrong. Our server was busy attending to other customers, so when another server was near our table area, we mentioned to her that one of the orders was wrong. Now, normally when an order is placed incorrectly, the server apologizes and reassures that the correct order will come out shortly. This was the response from the server who we informed of our incorrect order, "Well, I can't take that back anyway so why don't you just eat it and we'll get your food out soon." The response was rude, inconsiderate and we were both shocked at the response. This server then motioned the hostess to come towards us and scolded her in front of us, stating that the reason business is so crowded in the restaurant is because she keeps taking carry out orders for people who are waiting outside, and demanded her to stop taking orders. Our dining experience quickly turned from pleasant to thinking we should just walk out. When our regular server returned with my boyfriend's correct food, she apologized for the incorrect order and was still very pleasant. We both asked who the server was that we had spoken to earlier. She noted she was the restaurant manager, which shocked us both. So we found out the Manager was being short with customers, but being condescending to her staff in front of customers. Our server was very pleasant but the fact she had to apologize for her boss is ridiculous. I can't give the restaurant all of bad credit because the food we ordered(well, when my boyfriend finally got the correct food he ordered) was good. But the poor service coming from the Manager of all people brought our first experience here down. It'll take a long time for us to reconsider coming back here for a pleasant dining experience.
(2)
Angela B.
Yum. Just Yum. Most of everything on the menus here is delicious. I do have a preference for the summer menu rather than the winter one. I also never had the sandwiches, so I cannot comment on those, however the tacos are excellent as is anything raw or with a shell. The lemon, jalapenos fried thing is unique and pretty good as the the drinks. The only minus it that the seating is really uncomfortable/cramped if you're not in a booth.
(4)
Andy L.
I don't like fish. They let me modify my chicken sandwich enough to my liking. Drinks we're great and the manager, Alexa, was very accommodating. They literally let me roast my own marshmallow for dessert. I would recommend this place to people even if they don't like fish, or bars.
(5)
Matt T.
Went here last night with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. The seating is very limited on a Friday night so for a table of 4 we were quoted an hour wait. No big deal, we went down the road for a drink while we waited. Came back after an hour and were seated right away. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable, explained the menu very well (it was our first time). This restaurant serves small plates that are meant to share, so we stared with some hush puppies, calamari, and clam chowder. Federal hill style calamari is amazing! (Served with peppers and onion). She got the tartar and I got the lobster roll. At $22 it's the most expensive item on the menu but let me say that it is worth it! You get an entire lobster tail worth of meat and it's just fantastic. The tartar was great as well. Overall, VERY impressed with the food and the service here. At $80 for a dinner for 2 it's not the cheapest spot, but it's great if you want to treat yourself. We'll definitely be back. 5 stars.
(5)
Talia G.
Any place that specializes in seafood is automatically a place I want to go. For the most part, I really enjoyed my experience at the Fish Bar. I arrived SOAKING wet in the middle of a torrential downpour and the waitress was kind enough to seat me even though my friend hadn't arrived yet. I ended up having to wait a half an hour before my friend arrived and in the meantime, the awesome waitresses chatted with me, recommended food and drinks, and even served me a complementary small snack to tide me over. Honestly, I'll be back just because those girls were so nice. I ended up deciding to give Fish Bar three stars because, despite the wonderful waitresses, my food experience wasn't the best. We ordered a scallop ceviche, fried calamari, and blackened lobster tacos, and the tacos were the only really good item. The calamari was way over-salted and the ceviche just wasn't very exciting. The lobster tacos were great as was the "spicy margarita", although I would definitely not call it spicy. Overall, not the greatest food experience, but a memorable and pleasant evening despite the rain. And I can't forget - the ambiance is fantastic! It's all bar seating, but done in a really intimate way. Great for a date or a night out with one or two friends.
(3)
Tracey H.
Ate here with some friends after intending to try it for years. I would say that this is the kind of place that is better for a weekend lunch, rather than dinner. Still, we were happy going early on a Saturday. We tried: The lobster roll, mussels, clams, hush puppies, po boy, and the lobster bisque, the key lime pie, and the smores. The bisque was not good for some reason, so I would avoid. However, everything else was great! The server was also very good; she was able to pick up on the fact that one of the people dining with us had a dietary restriction (he does a low carb diet) without his specification, just from her observation. I thought this was a sign of great service--kuddos!
(4)
Zuhair A.
Great poboys, fresh seafood. Chill atmosphere. However one star off for an isolated incident of unwanted hair.
(4)
Annie M.
After a few more trips to fish bar (and upon discovering the new england seafood company), I don't think this is quite the amazing experience as I did originally. Most of the time, I leave pretty hungry still, spending just as much money as I do other places for more food. I've struck out with the clam chowder a couple of times now...most recently, it was very fishy. The servers are great about checking up to make sure everything tastes all right but the set up inside is so awkward that it doesn't feel personalized at all. I love this place when it's summer and their patio is open, and I still stand by my claim that the satchmo po'boy is super unique and delicious, but fish bar just strikes out for me in the colder months when too many people are crammed inside.
(3)
Kiara C.
This place is definitely the go to place if you're craving for a higher upscale hot dog in a bun..but instead of meat, it's fried seafood on a bun! I ordered the oysters po'boy. These oysters were cooked in perfection, the fried batter made it crunchy on the outside but the inside just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is pretty relaxing. Love the mason jars they use for drinks.
(4)
Bryan U.
My wife and I have visited Fish Bar several times over the last year. We keep going back for three reasons: The menu board is always changing. The staff is very warm and friendly. Most of all, the food we had is delicious. I have no complaints or critiques whatsoever, so Fish Bar deserves my 5 stars. We've had the lobster roll, fried clams, hush puppies, fish tacos, gumbo, chowder, ceviche, tartar, and lots more. It's hard to find a fun casual restaurant with great seafood. We'll keep going back.
(5)
Natalie C.
The food we had at Fish Bar was very good (we sampled the satchmo poboy, the soft shell sandwich, lobster roll, and fried codfish sandwich, along with an order of hush puppies and garlic bread). Solid food, fresh and tasty. The service we experienced was amazing. Our waitress was friendly, sincere, and completely on point: refilling waters, joking around with us and giving us suggestions on what to try, checking up on us, and even bringing us a bunch of snackies and appetizers to try, on the house. We got to try these little artichoke fritters, some white fish spread, and also the ceviche for free. All fresh and tasty. In today's trend of purposely sub-par service (ahem the hipster waiters at Parson's Chicken and Fish, I'm talking about you), it is SUCH a relief to find establishments that have good food AND great service. Will definitely be back to sample other items on their menu when I am in the mood for some seafood.
(5)
Fatima K.
The Satchmo po'boy as the other reviews said was really flavorful especially because of the sweet and tart pickle they used in it! The lobster roll though pricier than that was below average. Liked the lemon/jalapeño/onion rings as well. The ambience of this place is what makes it unique. They have a nice outside seating area as well. The staff was friendly and efficient! All in all it was a good experience.
(4)
Denzell W.
Fish Bar is owned by DMK Burger Bar (next door). Equally as "hip" and tasty. This franchise really nailed presentation and atmosphere, so much so that we've googled their other restaurants and look forward to going to all of them. After walking in we were greeted by the chef and a server, "Welcome to Fish Bar!"--- caught me off guard, but immediately set the tone that this place is approachable, professional, and not your ordinary seafood restaurant. Bex was my server -- she gave us a card and recommended we ask for her when we return (cool points for that). It tells me something--- this place invests in their servers, and I'm willing to invest back in you for that. It's literally built like a "Bar". The server walks around and serves your table as if your sitting at a Bar! I had the Lobster Roll and we split a Crabby Patty. Both were really tasty. The thing that stood out the most here was the speed of service. It's a small plates style of menu and they really fly the food out fast. You drink out of mason jars, there's a roll of paper towels on the table and it feels like you're at a nautical pier somewhere. I'd recommend this place for dates for sure. Couples night out expect to spend about $60-75 total to fill up. They're even open late! Swing in for a late night to-go Lobster Roll.
(5)
Sleepless-In S.
A great spot for a date or random dinner. Although small, Fish Bar has a unique atmosphere with superb food and drinks. The service may be a bit laid back and the portions are on the small plate side, but that seems to fit in with exactly the kind of establishment Fish Bar is- a boutique seafood restaurant.
(5)
Amy W.
Loved the decor! Loved the beachside/wartime vibes going on here. I'm such a sucker for exposed wood done appropriately. The service was pretty good; we ordered with the bartender/waitress from the bar, and our food came out within a pretty reasonable time. The monkfish sliders, which were a special of the day, were rather tasty. I also loved the fish fries, which were whole (headless) smelt that were deep-fried. However, the grilled octopus was rather underwhelming; I would have liked less of the citrus and more of the grilled/smokey flavor. Overall, not too bad, but I felt not the least bit sated on the amount of food that I got for the amount of money that I spent at this place.
(3)
Jennifer S.
I will echo the general sentiment of other reviewers here- the portions are small and some arent even 4 ounces of fish. To make a meal for two, you will need to order 5-6 plates. If you add beer, easily your tab will run $30-$35 per person. The flavors of the dishes are generally well developed and the gumbo i had was superb. But one theme through out all the dishes was the heavy hand of salt on each one! yes, fish must be šeasoned before cooking and i do so generously when i make fish at home too, but is the kitchen preparing food for smokers who have lost their tašte buds? I couldnt believe how over šalted and over šeasoned each dish was. This was my second time here and the first time I had the lobster roll,so i didnt sample the grilled dishes to which this applies. So, beware- if you are on a reduced sodium diet or have kidney issues, tell them to take it easy with the salt! The stand outs are the lobster roll and the gumbo. I'd Travel x town for those.
(3)
Radha K.
This place is awesome. We always go to DMK (their sister restaurant) which we love, and this is a new favorite as well. This is the kind of place where everything on the menu would be worth a try. The staff is friendly and due to the way seating is arranged (bar style), you're able to talk to someone next to you and ask for recommendations! I could eat their Satchmo Poboy every day. On a similar note, the shrimp appetizer is amazing as well. On THAT note, the serving size for everything allows you to get quite a few items on the menu without feeling like you've overeaten. The tartare was amazing, the calamari was great and for $3, you might as well get the garlic bread which was also satisfying. Their specialty drinks are reasonably priced where you can try different ones and not get too buzzed and they've all got different flavors. Check it out! ...I know we will be doing so soon!
(5)
Cat V.
I've left Chicago, but Fish Bar became my favorite summer restaurant. The $1 oyster happy hours, the delicious fried lemon (!!), and the crabby patty found their way into my heart. It's one of the restaurants I'll miss the most and now that I've left Chicago- use this 5 star rating and hit Fish Bar up! It's no longer my secret!!!
(5)
Sara L.
I've heard so many rave reviews about this place and finally got the chance to go this weekend. This place is small, I mean reeaalll small. The entire time they kept blaring loud music that made everybody raise their voice to speak....huge pet peeve of mine. We ended up waiting an hour and 10 for a seat at the bar for a group of three. This isn't the place to go if starving. The menu is all small "plates" to share. The prices are pretty steep for what you get. We had the oysters which were 16 bucks for 6...they were the smallest oysters I've ever seen and lacked flavor. Save your cash and head to GT's, Shaw's or even Hooters for oysters. I ordered the oyster po boy and the calamari. The calamari came in a small paper basket with rings the size of marbles. The calamari was cold, greasy and topped with giardiniera...really no marinara, horseradish or even lemon. The calamari was fishy, barely even filled the small paper basket all for 8 bucks. The oyster po boy was meh....the bread was just too buttery and all you could taste was the cole slaw. The oysters were way over breaded that all you tasted is the breading. After such a disappointing dinner and wait, I think the 8 bucks I paid for a giant breakfast at a late night dinner was waaaaayy better.
(2)
Sarah Beth B.
Fish Bar really is A-ok. I don't looooooooooooove it like i love DMK, which I consider one of my best friends in the neighborhood, but I certainly didn't dislike it. A friend and I went on St. Patrick's day around 630. Short wait, nothing too bad. We were seated at the long counter and had an awesome waiter, who was pretty honest when we asked a bunch of questions. We got cocktails, which i think is a reason I took a star off-- I just don't like cocktails, and I never like food as much when I'm drunk. I got the margarita-ish one, which was nice, a-ok, but ... not for me. My friend and I share tots and the fried lemon, onion and jalepenos, which was hands down the best part of the night. We asked the waiter about them, and he honestly said they were pretty weird. On that ringing endorsement, we gobbled them up. Weird! but also, Yum! I had the fried clams, which were nice fat clams, almost like oysters. I really liked them, but... it just didn't feel like a meal. I'm not sure how to order the right amount of things to get the right amount of food. So, in sum! the food is yummy! the counter is nice, especially endless oyster crackers to dip in hot sauce! The portions are weird and take some getting used to. I think I'll go back, but stick to a beer and order a few more things-- and then i'll be back with an update. I hope I like it more next time (but I won't be hungry for food on that corner no matter what).
(3)
Katie V.
Really love this place -- love the relaxed beach shack vibe, the way the tables are arranged, the menu. The seafood always tastes fresh and though they serve a lot of staples (lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried calamari), every dish is well-executed. The fried lemon and jalapeno slices are to-die-for and the daily soup is always delicious. And the small plate format makes it easy to try a little of everything!
(5)
Julie Z.
East Coast Vs West Coast = debate of the table. The East Coast oysters win hands down although a few fellow diners may object. This is a very casual place to grab seafood. I think the vibe screams fast and easy. It's fine but probably not the place to go and hang for too long. We sat at a picnic table outside. Don't get me wrong, I like casual but this may be too casual for me. Also the menu isn't that large but this what I had: - Oysters - LOTS of them. Not a bad one in the bunch - Cevichce - mmmmm....this is how it should be done - Chowda - average at best. GT Fish & Oyster smokes this place My co-diners had the shrimp and oyster po-boy's and they devoured them. They have a good beer selection too. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go here but I wouldn't put it on a list of recs either.
(3)
Keith B.
Just came back from an early dinner. Deeply disappointing and incredibly expensive for a casual fish place. $67 for two people; 2 glasses of blech wine, one beer, one tiny scallop appetizer and two sandwiches. No sides (all small plates). If you like wine you should know - they have 3 flavors "white, red and rose". Service people were nice but the food was absolutely mediocre (and I know seafood).
(1)
Borracho G.
You have to really like food and be willing to trying something new to appreciate this place. I assume they are trying to be authentic to NE fish shack because this place is really the size of a shack. There is only bar seating except for 3 tiny-tiny tables but I guess you could also stand and eat some of this stuff if you had to, kind of like a hot dog stand. The lobster roll averages about $18.00 (ouch) and most of the menu items are all fried. Despite those things, the food is really really good. The ceviche was great and it's interestingly served in a jam jar with a side of saltines. They also had this interesting side of lightly breaded and fried jalapenos, lemon slices, and onions. I would have never thought that fried lemon slices would be so good. I plan to go back and get the oyster poboy with the honking huge oysters and see if the chowder is worth it. Good stuff, give it a try and don't look at receipt. Just eat, pay, and walk away happy.
(4)
Amy C.
Yes, I'm a fan! I came here back in March and am just now getting around to writing the review - a friend was visiting from out of town and wanted seafood - I was looking for something casual and neither of us wanted to break the bank. I came across this place the last few times I was at the DMK Burger Bar (right next door). In the evening, the line to get in was out the door. But the day my friend and I went to the Fish Bar (a Sunday afternoon) we got right in and out. It as a small-ish place but with a good menu selection, cute decor, friendly service and good bang for the buck. The po'boys, fish sandwiches, and clams were tasty. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Mike N.
I came here with my wife and father-in-law who is from Michigan and never had an oyster in his life. He self-proclaims that he grew up eating steak and potatoes over 95% of the time and yet even he enjoyed his food. The best part of meal was the clams and soups. The chef's special was a crab chowder and I thought it was done very delightfully. You can honestly tell that the seafood is very fresh. The only thing that I thought was pretty bland and not worth ordering was the fish fries. The highlight of this place, though, was our waitress Mindy. She was delightful. She was very attentive and appeared to do many small favors for us; which I'm not sure whether it's genuine or part of the act to attempt to get me to come back again. Regardless, it worked. The best part was that she offered to take the desert we ordered off the check since it took slightly longer than expected. (maybe 10 minutes) Good food and great service for about $25 bucks a person. Can't ask for much more than that.
(5)
Angela C.
Fish Bar is a small joint with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere. I wouldn't recommend coming here with more than 4 people in your group, at least not if you want to all sit together. I was not a fan of drinking beer or water out of a Mason jar (a kind of canning/freezer jar), but I was happy with the oyster po'boy, the fried calamari, the fresh oysters, and the gumbo. Fair warning, the food comes in small portions (the server told us to consider them closer to small plates), so expect to have to buy at least an appetizer and a main dish to get full.
(4)
roxie s.
Best fried fish sandwich in town!!! I don't know what they do to the tartar sauce, but it is unbelievable! The service here is amazing too. If you are waiting, they will usually bring you a little something for free to try. Also, if you order something to go, they will give you a free beer while you wait (they do not take to go orders over the phone. They want to serve it extra fish, so you have to order it there.) They have great beer, a simple menu, and the freshest ingredients. I would like to try everything! Their daily soup is also something to rave about. Always homemade, and perfect portions. Since there are so many restaurants in Chicago, I try to avoid repeating visits. However, this is one that I will always come back to!
(5)
Eugene C.
Went to Fish Bar on a afternoon with a buddy of mine. Umm....ordered 2 lobster rolls for $22 each. So not the money. Totally overrated and small. Seafood Gazpacho, very blend. Fried scallops-turned out to be about 15 baby scallops for $11. Beers, thumbs up. Very cold beer. Probably about 37-38 degrees. Overall, too much money what what it is. $130 before tipping for 2. So not worth the money.
(2)
Mandi G.
This is a great weekday lunch spot. Try to go a little later (like 2ish) and there will be no wait. Dinner and weekends pack this place up. I have always had great, friendly service and pretty much the entire menu is perfection. I am especially in love with the crab cake sandwich. It can hold its own in a "best sandwich in Chicago" contest. Truth. Also delicious is the fried calamari which comes topped with giardinera. I now wish all restaurants would serve their fried calamari with a side of giardinera. My only complaint would be I was slightly disappointed with their lobster roll, which is what they seem to brag about the most. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But for $18, I would expect it to be a little bigger and/or truly blow me away in the taste department. Super casual atmosphere and best crabcake sandwich ever. That's all you need to know.
(4)
Beckee W.
I give this more like a 4.5 with room for growth only because they had only been open 48 hours when I went. The wait was shorter than what they said which is nice, the drinks are great, the oysters were to die for, and my clam po boy was great. Word to the wise, use this as a date place and go early, like 630, don't roll in with 6 people at 8pm, they won't seat you, the place is super dinky and the 3 booths are made for 3 small to average sized people or 4 Lilliputians with small shoulders. If you have boobs, sit at the counter. I like that this is in the Chi now, a really good fun alternative for early dinner options!
(4)
Sam M.
Honestly could be my favorite restaurant, and only gets better with every time I dine there. The interior is cool and fun, and usually packed with people (which I like). The wait stuff is unbelievably friendly and attentive. I have had the fresh catch, the fish sandwich, and soft shell crab sandwich that we got for free (there was an extra in the kitchen) as entrees. The garlic bread and tater tots are great appetizers. And the key lime pie is absolutely fantastic. If you live in Chicago and enjoy fish, this is a must. If you have a mediocre/good time at first, come back. I guarantee you will like it.
(5)
Jamie C.
I went to Fish Bar in order to try the Maine Lobster Roll. Went on a weekend afternoon. First of all, after reading other reviews I thought it would be a total hole in the wall. To my surprise, it was small but well organized. There were only 3 booths available, so I was apprehensive when I was sat at the bar, but the service was wonderful and it was easy to keep a conversation going. I think every seat in the place was taken, but it didn't feel crowded. Had a few doubts about the structural integrity of my chair, but it survived my lunch so I guess I can't complain! The Lobster Roll was very tasty. The rolls were buttery with complimented the seafood. It was delicious, but I mostly tasted the dill in the mayo, and less of the lobster (which they give you plenty of). When I was there, market value was $21. The Satchmo Po Boy was FANTASTIC. I love shrimp and crawfish and was pleasantly surprised when they came breaded. In my opinion, the Po Boy was even better than the Lobster Roll. Fresh raw oysters from the east and west coast: I got to try one of each on the house. Not a huge fan, but it was really cool of them to let me give them a try for free. I'll be back for another Po Boy real soon. A place like this made me feel like I was sitting in a little place in California.
(5)
Jenn K.
Everything from the clam chowder, to the calamari, to the crabby patty and to the Po' boy were absolutely incredible!
(5)
Rich R.
Good quality seafood snacks. Expensive, but worth the buck!
(4)
Linda D.
Pretty good! Came here for a late-ish night fix and was pleasantly surprised that they had oysters marked down to $1.50 after 10 p.m. Great deal, and the oysters tasted fresh and flavorful. We got a mix of the east and west coast flavors. The actual bar is super cute. It's small, so I can imagine that it must get crowded during peak hours. Our server was helpful and friendly, and didn't give us the "you're here late on a weekday and I want to close up NAO" vibe at all. He came to check on us and refilled our waters constantly. Ordered the lobster gazpacho, calamari, and an oyster po' boy. I loved the gazpacho, nice and spicy, with big chunks of lobster. The boyfriend got a little tired of it after a while though. That's alright, mo' fo' me. Calamari was just ok. The oyter po' boy was just too much fried breading for me to handle. And it tasted a little fishy. I know that sounds really, really, stupid talking about an oyster sandwich from a place called Fish Bar, but I just didn't enjoy the taste of it as much as the other stuff. It didn't taste bright and fresh; it tasted kind of old and greasy. Another complaint I would have would be on prices - the portions were small, and while I understand it's seafood, I think the quality could have been a little higher. Maybe we went in too late, so I probably would give it another try during the day.
(3)
CeeCee Y.
I never knew how much I loved raw oysters until i was taken to Fish Bar for the first time like last week. My God. The brine, the lemon juice, so good! The lobster roll is kinda pricey at $21 especially for how small it is, but it did have a ton of lobster chunks in it. I kinda wished the lobster meat itself was served warm instead of cold, but then I guess that would make the mayo taste weird. The bread roll itself is served warm. They have other items on the menu like tater tots and fried clams etc, your usual seafood place items. I liked how they had a huge variety of oysters from each coast too. My only true complaint is that it was super freezing in there, like they didn't bother to turn the heat on at all. And I felt like one of the (male) workers was checking out my (male and straight) date if you get my drift...haha. All in all would totally go back to Fish Bar!
(4)
Jordan M.
This place is great! It will probably be busy on the weekends and some weeknights, so go a little before the time you want to eat. You can get a drink and hang out. The place has a really cool atmosphere, they have a canoe hanging from the ceiling and it looks like it could be a old fish market with old wood planks, fishing pics, etc. The service and food was just as good. It was our first time there so the waitress explained the dishes and helped us decide when we asked. They also gave us some free food to try! We tried the Rock Shrimp, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Mahi Mahi Tacos, and finished with DIY S'mores. It all was very well present and delicious. The rock shrimp was my favorite, closely followed by the Mahi Mahi tacos. For the S'mores they give you a small flame where you roast your own marshmallows. I highly recommend to anyone likes fish in all states. They also have a selection of 6 or more good beers.
(4)
Mark B.
Great food and atmosphere. Noisy and fun environment. Recommend the tater tots, Satchmo sandwich and key line pie.
(5)
Steve S.
My girlfriend and I had lunch there and it was delicious. Then afterward we went and got some food because we were starving.
(4)
Braden W.
This place is awesome! Newly open I eat here every week. Best fish in Chicago hands down. Jessica and Jenn always treat me well. The staff is cool and sweet. The fish is fresh daily, the chef makes great combos. The oyster po boy is unreal! Calamari great, rock shrimp great, dried lemons w/ onions and more great, clam chowder..yup great, but then there are the soft belly clams which are juicy inside with an amazing batter cover (to die for) and the lobster and crab sandwiches are stellar. Now drinks, I always get the Abby ale which is superb but chef is making tea cocktails like pineapple and vodka fermented with chili that is going to bring the summer home! (I tried it and loved it) There is a ton of great food here but to add to it they are green! They donate profits to fisheries, use sustainable and environmentally friendly fish. A business model we should all support more of. And on top of it all, it's very well priced, not expensive at all! Amazing people, great service, awesome food, and green. If you have not been go...don't cheat yourself, treat yourself. Go see the J's (Jenn x2 and Jessica), eat and drink your heart out, and maybe even find a pearl in your po boy!
(5)
A H.
I'm so glad I found this place! One day, I was remebering the lobster roll that I had in NYC, and really wantied to find one in Chicago. Fish Bar was the first place that popped up. So, we hopped on the train and found ourselves outside a beautiful brick building painted blue. From the look on the outside to the food, I love everything about this place. I like that it's small and you sit at a bar. I like the decor, and how bright it is. The drinks are delicious, whether it's a fancy beer or a cocktail. The food delicious! While the lobster roll is expensive, it's worth the price. It's so delicious! We've also tried the gumbo, bisque, soft-shell crab, tator tots, po boy, and a few others. Everything was delicious! Make sure to note that the portions are not huge and the prices are a little high. However, considering how far we are from an ocean, the prices seem fair.
(4)
Coll P.
Fish Bar (and Kristen our server) were awesome! As I waited for friends she brought out two crackers with a salmon dill spread AND at dinner she brought out a side of complimentary potatoes with bacon. She was a great and personable server! My group had chowder, grilled calamari, ceviche, ahi tuna tartare, an oyster po boy, and the lobster roll. There was not one thing we weren't crazy about! I wish the seating arrangement was different, as it was a little tricky finding four spots together. Other than that, Fish Bar is highly recommended!
(4)
Marc D.
I wanted to like Fish Bar . . . . But it didn't live up. As a native New Englander, I'm admittedly biased but good food is good food, and there are better seafood options in the city. Two stars go to atmosphere (sat outside at a cool shared pick-nick table), service (attentive, friendly waitress) and drinks (well poured cocktails, solid beer list and decent seasonal wine selection). The food was bland and, because of that, overpriced. Started with the buffalo frog legs. They were small and didn't have much taste beyond the buffalo sauce (if you've had the buffalo frog legs at Longman and Eagle, you'll be disappointed). Followed that up with with two lobster rolls and the octopus. The octopus had little to no flavor and was chewy. The biggest disappointment was the lobster rolls - granted, the portion and the bun were strong but the flavor wasn't there. Putting my New England lobster-salad style preference aside, they still lacked. Not sure what the flavor was (vinegar?) but there was't lobster taste. And, I get the charm of it, but for $22 for a lobster roll (served alone), I'm not sure it should come on a paper fry boat. Doubt we'll be back.
(2)
Samantha L.
I am useless on most Sundays for some unknown reason, and I always feel groggy and lethargic. My boyfriend managed to drag me out of the apartment to try Fish Bar, but since I felt crummy, I only wanted to eat cold stuff. I ordered the ceviche and two of each of the oysters they had available that day. The ceviche is a very small portion, which is typical of their a la carte menu. It was decent, but I wouldn't write home to mom about it. The oysters were pretty great, and even better, they are only $1.50 each on Sundays. My boyfriend got the lobster roll for like $21, and it was decent, but I don't think it was worth $21. I personally would rather spend $20 more and have a nicely prepared lobster tail drizzled in butter. The beer menu is small, but at least the options pair well with seafood. I will definitely be back here for the oysters some other lazy Sunday.
(4)
Lauren B.
If you want to splurge on some seafood and don't mind paying a small premium on seafood that is quality and has been sustainable farmed/caught, go here. There are also ways to eat here without majorly breaking the bank such as, ordering the a few dishes and splitting the hearty and reasonably priced fish and chips, etc. Ordering tots or salad allows you to save a little and fills you up. That being said, my price issue is with the alcohol. I'd go here more often if the price of alcohol was either lower (since the beers and drinks are smaller) or if they upgraded to the normal size. To know in advance: reservations of only parties of 4 can be made and go early if you want to be sat at a reasonable time, otherwise be prepared to kill some time drinking/standing on the outer edge of the restaurant.
(4)
n l.
I've come here three times now and I'd have to say it's just okay. Nothing has really impressed me thaaaattt much here. Sorry. :(
(3)
Jamie B.
I think I was expecting a lot more from Fish Bar than what I got. I guess to sum it up, it was a little pricey for what you got. I didn't find anything I ate to either be exceptionally creative or so perfectly prepared to make me want to spend around $10 for what ends up being a 'taste' of something. I see the value in small portions when what you're eating has complex flavors and a lot of creativity going into it, but that was not the style of food they were creating here. We ordered the rock shrimp, ceviche, and steamed mussels. None of them were bad, but they all seemed fairly standard with nothing special about them. We also got the butternut squash and crab bisque (or something to that extent), and that would have to be my favorite thing I ate, although it still didn't knock my socks off. I really did like the look and feel of the place though. It's on the smaller side, so I would recommend getting there earlier rather than later (as lame as that sounds), or expect to have a wait 20-30 minutes. The service was good as well, so I don't have any complaints there. If the prices were half of what they were I don't think I would have been disappointed with my experience. I just know that in the past when I've paid what I did here I got a much more well rounded and satisfying meal.
(3)
Jennifer J.
It is what it is...a fish shack. I wouldn't go here expecting high end stuff but that doesn't mean it isn't tasty. Drinks are small, food is mostly fried but I would just say it's only ok. I probably won't go back but I'm glad I at least tried it out. I'm just not a fan of fried food and that's the main reason I don't find it outstanding.
(3)
David M.
Kinda disappointed pretty much sums it up...we had expected more...go there for a beer and the gumbo...maybe as an appetizer ... Then next door to DMK for better value and to fill you up...had to make popcorn after we got home later.......and the beer pour was maybe 1/2 glass and foam....boo!
(3)
Matt M.
Overall this was simply disappointing. We were originally told it was a 30-45 minute wait, which was okay because we came during the dinner rush on a Friday and didn't have much to do. Even when we were seated an hour and fifteen minutes later it still didn't matter too much except that we saw a couple who were clearly "regulars" walk up and get seated. Another couple was also seated before us (by only a couple mins) despite arriving after us, plus they were given a private table leaving us to sit at one of the communal tables. The hostess was terrible at multitasking. Consolation though: she brought us two saltines w/ mayo and an anchovy "complementary" for how long we were waiting. This item wasn't even listed on the menu (which is good bc it was meh) which made me feel special! What makes the above worse was that the meal was mediocre. Soup was lukewarm, salad was decent, prawns we solid but incredibly small portions, and the tacos weren't bad. Pretty much a big let down after waiting so long; you'd hope the awesome food and service make up for. Speaking of service... Our waitress spent a long time either with the regulars I mentioned earlier or not around at all. Because the iced tea maker was broken as of this morning, I asked for lemon for my water. The lemons came after I had finished the first glass and weren't refilled even when she left the lemons or for another 10 minutes. Pretty much the whole meal was a waiting game. Soup and salads took 10-15 mins to come. The next item, the prawns were at least 10 mins after the previous course. After that it was a really long time until our next course. So long in fact that our waitress came over and asked if there was anything else we'd like at which point we informed her we were still waiting for our last dish. While we were pretty annoyed we didn't say anything because we really had nowhere to be. Interestingly, and I have to give him credit because we didn't say anything and I have no idea how he found out, the manager brought out our tacos and informed us they'd be on the house because of how long we had waited and that the prawns that were to come out (mind you we had already received them, so we informed him of such) and anything else we'd like were on the house as well. He ended up bringing the extra set of prawns as well because they had already been made. The waitress took another 5-10 minutes to bring the check, another 10 minutes to return for it, and then brought it back after another 5 minutes. I honestly thought we were on Boiling Point or something; everything was set up to test us. The manager's gesture was actually really genuine and he was very nice about the whole thing. I actually appreciated it because we weren't going to say anything. Oh well, many other places to try.
(2)
Anne C.
This place is small, but kitschy and fun. If you're with a big group, just forget about coming here as I am pretty sure they can seat 25 people in the whole place. For groups of 2-4, this is perfect. Fish Bar is like New England clam shack meets sushi bar meets tapas. Everything is basically a small plate and they serve them as the kitchen turns them out. I'd give high marks to the chowder, the crabby patty (a crabcake sandwich), and the lobster roll, although its market price and can get awfully expensive. They also had a really delicious lobster and butternut squash soup the last time I was there-- an odd combo, but really tasty. The staff is friendly and helpful and the place is super cute. They also serve pies baked by the pastry chefs behind Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park. Amazing!
(4)
Matt C.
Imagine Sebastien from "The Little Mermaid" singing a merry tune about how delicious he is right before you devour him on a french bread roll. That what the Lobster Roll at Fish Bar is like. When my girlfriend and I first decided to try Fish Bar (before we ate the food) we were finding it hard to justify spending $20 for a sandwich, even if it is a fancy lobster roll. A sandwich is a sandwich right? NOPE! Find me a better lobster roll. Seriously. I would love to try it, and I might pay $25 for it if it's, well, better than Fish Bar's. But it won't be. So don't even try. Singing Sebastien Sandwiches aside, Fish Bar isn't just a good fish place -- I think this is one of the best restaurants in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. From the decadent lobster bisque, to the SpongeBob-inspired crabby patty, to the fried lemons and jalapenos they serve as a side dish (delicious), it's allll good. And the oysters, ohh the oysters. Fresh, tasty, grit free, served with two sauces. This place gets it. Also the menu changes constantly based on what ridiculously fresh fish they acquire; you are guaranteed something new and awesome every time you go. The service is great, every time I have been there the staff genuinely seem like they enjoy serving and are excited about the food. It can be a little hard to get a timely table on the weekend, but they have great seasonal beer on tap so you can get your drank on while you wait. Oh and try the Lobster Roll.
(5)
Gabe M.
Think this is a great place. I lived in Boston for three years and learned a lot about seafood. When I moved to Chicago one of the things on my list was to scout out some oyster and ideally lobster roll places. Thankfully I found Fish Bar. Wow, great place. This place is on par with anything in the Northeast, dare I say even Cape Cod. They don't mess around. Its expensive so not really something to do often, but it is a great place to get your seafood on once in a while.
(4)
Jeff S.
My search for the best lobster roll in the city continued on to Fish Bar. But I've been meaning to check out this Lakeview spot for quite a while, given that it's owned by the same fine folks next door at DMK Burger. FOOD Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno - Who knew fried lemon would be so good? I'm a fan of fried onions and fried jalapeno, but I've never tried a fried lemon. Fish Bar slices lemons super-thin, throws them through some batter, and fries 'em up, rind and all. And it's delicious. The fried onions were cut way too thin for my liking, though. Same for the jalapenos, although not as big of an issue since they have a pretty strong flavor. But they should really cut up those onions a bit thicker. Eastern Belly Clams - I didn't think that these were anything too special. They tasted like any other fried clams I've ever had. Not much else left to say for these. Scallops Special - The scallops were cooked perfectly on this dish and they were beautifully translucent on the inside. A good amount of seasoning too, but maybe a bit too generous; no need to completely mask the flavor of the scallops! Lobster Roll - This had the perfect bun. Buttered and toasted, light and fluffy but substantial enough to properly handle the morsels of lobster within. Fish Bar gives you a decent amount of lobster meat (not that I would call it generous), and the overall size of the roll is good. But the problems might negate the goods on this one; the lobster was cut up in chunks that were too small, some pieces of lobster seemed to be slightly overcooked, and I thought it was a bit overpriced at $21 that day which was market price. Compare this to the $17 lobster roll at NE Seafood Company which has more lobster and comes with homemade potato chips...well you get the idea. THE REST Service was great! If anything, the service bumps it up from a solid 3 to a 3.5 star. Nice decor, a bit of New England + Southern hospitality thrown in. I can't say for certain that I'll be back anytime soon, but for those in the area (and if DMK is too packed for your liking), check it out.
(3)
K P.
This place is a joke! It's over priced! You get 4 oz worth of ceviche for $10. Really? I wasn't expecting a whole bowl but come on. The ceviche came in a 4oz mason jar. My husband and I were shocked! 10.00 fora 4oz mason jar full of ceviche! For one their ceviche is not CEVICHE! it does not have plum tomatoes, nor red peppers. That's not a true ceviche. Plus the mason jar was to small to even get a cracker in it. Next, we had fish tacos. Again we were shocked to see how small of a portion you get. You get two tacos for $10.00. Really?!!!! They were good but very overpriced! If you are looking to get your money's worth don't go here! Portions of food v what you pay is not equal. We were very disappointed. I do not normally review a restaurant because it's all subjective but this place should really serve a bit more of portions if they're going to over charge you. Would of given this place one star but the environment and the mason jars of drinks was unique. Other than that don't bother.
(2)
Alec H.
Vegetarian options, beet salad, good atmosphere, good brew
(5)
Jim D.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand the five-star reviews of The Fish Bar. Even four stars might be pushing it. I went there recently with a friend, and we were both underwhelmed. I started out with one of their drinks, the Five and Dimers, a nondescript concoction topped by a sprig of mint. Then we both had the gumbo, which was tasty, but I've had better at several places. The artichoke fritters were probably the best things we had - sort of like artichoke tempura. The hush puppies were pretty good and full of flavor. But of course we didn't go there just for appetizers, we went went for the highly-praised lobster roll. That was the biggest disappointment. I've seen the pictures here on Yelp, and our lobster rolls looked nothing like those overflowing mouth-waterers. It consisted of, perhaps, a very small tail's worth of lobster meat and a dash of some mayo-ish spread stuck in a hunk of toasted bread. It was almost utterly flavorless. Considering that the lobster roll cost $22.00, I expected something better. I do have to mention the staff. We interacted with a few of the waitresses/bartenders during the evening, and every one of them was wonderful - very friendly, engaging and accommodating. Also, the beer selection, although small, was quite diverse.
(3)
Rod C.
Very good Lobster Rolls! They really pack on the lobster in the roll. It's kind of pricey as the market price for lobster these days is $19! The New England Clam Chowder was good, although I prefer a thicker base and more potatoes. Ally the bartender was very helpful and courteous. I strongly recommend trying Fish Bar!
(4)
Catticut P.
A decent seacreature bar in the middle of the Midwest? Yes, please. We were late to the party on this one, but today decided to indulge in fishy goodness. Thank you Yelpers for being 99% accurate when it comes to recommendations - we had a pretty awesome time eating and drinking the entire menu, but standouts for us were the rock shrimp (yummers), and the Satchmo po'boy (bless). Loved the mason jar bevvie receptacles, too. Place is casual and comfortable, but the real shining light of Fish Bar is the staff - super friendly, super knowledgeable, attentive but not overbearing (yet bearing free gifts). It cannot be understated how much of a difference the disposition of the staff has on a business - if they seem genuinely happy, you know the place is valid. It was a little pricey, but that's to be expected with what you're getting - go on Sundays for the $1.50 oysters!
(4)
Michelle A.
Tapas seafood? AWESOME. Loved pretty much every bit of it- from the old school, bar seating to the super strong drinks and to-die-for clam chowdah. The wait was a bit long (40 minutes to seat two), but they do take reservations and the greeter was extremely friendly. Our waitress was also equally kind, albeit a bit flighty. Mahi-Mahi was excellent. And the s'more desserts were too cute. Totally recommended for a fun, romantic night out. But make reservations if you have over 3 people coming.
(4)
Emily C.
Love, love the creative interior design. It feels like an authentic yet kitschy New England clam shack. We got there around 5:30 and got seated and served immediately, but I hear there's a wait if you go much later. The Good: Spectacular food. The fried full-bellied clams were very authentic. I'm from New England and I could have closed my eyes and imagined I was in Maine. I also tried the calamari which had a tangy lemon spice sauce. I also liked how they serve cans of PBR - again, very authentic clam shack! - and they also served cute mixed drinks in mason jars. The Bad: Portions. I thought they were far too small for the prices. I left slightly hungry. True, it's not easy to find fresh fish for cheap in Chicago (we're not actually in Maine, after all) but I didn't realize that the items on the menu are really, really small serving plates. Well noted for next time.
(4)
Claudia D.
Lemonade, tartare (salmon & tuna), shrimp a la plancha for birthday lunch with the husband & bride-to-be. The food was good. Pricey---too much to be a daily lunch spot. The portions were bite size. I left feeling not quite full, but that was OK, because I knew I would get more to eat later. The ambience is fish-filled and fun. The booths are small for 4. The bar is good for parties of one or two. The menu states no parties of more than 4 and it makes sense to go elsewhere if you have more than 4 people in your group. Everything on the menu sounds delicious and I want to come back.
(4)
Doug V.
I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and don't think I've been to any one restaurant more than 5 times, but now I've been to Fish bar 5 times in the last month. You won't find a friendlier group of people who are this excited about their restaurant. Whether you go in and spend $20 or $80, they treat you like you are their next door neighbor. The menu is constantly changing but always offers a wide variety of Fish, Scallops, Oysters, Ceviche, Tartare. Each plate is about half the size of an entree and ranges from $6 -11, with the exception of a few select items like the Lobster Roll which are more. If you go with a group of 2, I recommend the Garlic Bread ($3.50), sharing one of the many creative salad options that are constanty changing, then choosing 3 fish plates (or more if you are starving) . Then cap it off with a plate of key lime pie. If you like Craft Beer , there are always 6 Craft Beers on tap and usually at least 3-4 of them are beers that you have never seen or tried before. They are more than happy to give you a sample of any beer that you'd like to try before ordering. Currently, I recommend Lagunitas 'Little Sumpin Sumpin' and for the Bengali Tiger IPA. Each season they swap these out with a new group. Fish Bar is an incredible place and I cannot wait to continue going there with my wife on Fridays to celebrate the end of the work week. You can go there and spend $50-60 and get a meal that would cost you $140 in River North. If you get a chance to meet Sasha, Dan, Marina, or Alexa, they are amazing people. Thanks for making our week...again.
(5)
k E.
Won't be back. We love DMK Burger Bar. Fish Bar is the ugly stepsister. Started with gumbo which was lukewarm and bland. My husband had frog legs and calamari. Both were just ok. I had the Oyster Po Boy, which was tasty. The problem was, it came with about 5 oysters. The server dropped one on the counter and just said "oops" and left it there as if I would eat it anyway. Horrible wine selection. Uncomfortable seating.
(2)
Jay S.
Around Fall of last year, I went on an seafood binge fueled by my curiosity to try oysters. Never was a fan when I was kid... but I grew up now! Inevitably, Fish Bar became one of my prime targets to try for lunch. Fish Bar is literally attached next to DMK out in Lakeview. It's fairly distinguishable on the outside due to the aquatic blue exterior. Inside, it's pretty standard decor with communal bench seating and regular table seating. So if you are planning on going there with a party, you might want to reserve. The table seating isn't huge (fits probably 4). On to the food... Forewarning: This place can get expensive real quick. So the portions are small plates. There are some "bigger" items like the Lobster Roll but the majority of the stuff is shareable small plate items. Thus, could get expensive. For soups, the Lobster Bisque I had here is different than any other place I've had it. I liked it but I can certainly see others not liking it (g/f didn't like it). It seems to be a seasonal item but I might be mistaken. The Clam Chowder is more traditional of the two and is also very good. For sandwiches, I had the Oyster Po'boy. Gal pal got the Lobster Roll. Personally, I loved the Oyster Po'boy and was by far the better value of the two - that's saying a lot considering I absolutely love Lobster Rolls from anywhere. Really enjoyed the Po'boy. Their codfish sandwich is next on my list. For sides, shared tots the 1st time we went. They were ok. 2nd time we went here, we opted for calamari. That was ok too. Nothing special. The iced teas (non-alcoholic) were good and refreshing. My favorite part of the entire meal had to be the key lime pie. I'm a sucker for key lime pie to the point that you have to royally screw it up badly for me to dislike it (so that's a bias). It's served very simple here and that's just about the way I like it. And how about those oysters? Well, they were good. I'm no oyster connoisseur but they were fun to eat and tasted better than when I was a kid. No oyster epiphany or anything like that. Just some good, solid tasting oysters. But as good as they are here, there's another place on my list that beat Fish Bar slightly on oysters. So overall, a fresh and tasty spot for lunch that I enjoy going to. Yes, it is pricey for the portions. Luckily, my favorite items aren't that bad.
(4)
Matt M.
I went to fish bar on a first date last Saturday and we both had a great time! The food was good, but the service was better. Our cute bartender Sara took care of us, made some good recommendations. If it wasn't for Sara I'm not sure I would be getting a second date out of it! I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Gary K.
5 star rating. I was excited. I could not have been more disappointed. Dozen oysters lobster roll and soup and a beer 86$.
(1)
Arlene A.
It was a craving for Lobster Rolls that led us to Fish Bar. Well actually it was "another" Lobster Roll place closing at 8pm (??) that led me to use my Yelp app to find Fish Bar. That means this review was brought to you by the letter serendipitous. While we came here for the Lobster Roll, (pricey, but worth having) we're coming back for the Satchmo Po' Boy. What a pleasant surprise! Fried shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles, garlic mayo and extra crispy provided by the lettuce. So delish, and a steal for 10 bucks. We tried one of each of the sides, but the two that really stood out were the Garlic Bread and their Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapenos. Boy, oh boy (did I just type that?) both so very different, and so very delicious. The Garlic Bread is made with the same bread as used for the Satchmo Po' Boy, and loaded with butter, garlic and cheese. The outstanding Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapeno side was a rollicking roller-coaster of flavor and texture, right up my alley. Who knew that the tart of the lemon with the spicy of the jalapeno would do so well together? The interior of Fish Bar is simple, with clean lines that still manages to be cozy and warm. While not where I'd celebrate an anniversary or birthday, the seating layout lends itself to a lot of duo dining (due to the very cool coffee shop seating) with limited booth seating.
(4)
Karisma E.
I need fish bar! I need Fish Bar! I NEED Fish Bar's cod sandwich in my LIFE!!!
(5)
Caitlin G.
We ordered the salmon tartar, house salad, crabby patty sandwich, clam chowder and oysters. All were very good. My friend said the clam chowder though didn't have enough clams in it-so he was disappointed with that. I would say the service is lacking here. The waitress was very unfriendly and looked pissed off to be working. All of our plates we ordered came out at different times, which I am not a fan of if you are trying to eat an actual meal with someone.
(3)
Jeff S.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews for this place. It's a nice idea, but the seats are uncomfortable, and it's weird/sort of awkward to have to watch the wait staff behind the counter while you eat. The portions are very small, but the prices are high: $9 for a tiny smoked whitefish salad. It tasted fine but I expect a little better for the price. The drinks were tasty and creative; I know some people like drinking from a mason jar but I find it unpleasant.
(2)
Elyse D.
Made my first trip over to fish bar last night and LOVED it. I've been wanting to go since the summer, as it's super close to my apartment and looked so fun in the summer. I can't believe I waited until now to stop in! My boyfriend and I tried several things on the menu and were impressed with each and every one of them. First, we had the iceberg salad with fried calamari....YUM. The bleu cheese dressing was perfect with the calamari. Our waitress then brought us free fried artichokes to try, which were yummy as well. After that, I had the corn and crab chowder which was delish and my boyfriend had the skatewing. I only had a taste but he loved it. I ordered the salmon BLT for my meal and he ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy...needless to say, we were both more than impressed with the deliciousness in front of us. My only complaint was that the beers were overpriced, so we ended up only getting one each as to avoid the huge bill. I will DEFINITELY be walking over to Fish Bar again soon. :)
(5)
Charlie H.
Any disappointment that I feel regarding Fish Bar lies with the fact that the place is not a bar for fish. "Fish need to relax too," I told Ira (my pet goldfish) as I scooped him up into his small plastic traveling tank. "We're going to Fish Bar so you can enjoy some quality time with your own kind! Aren't you excited?" I'm sorry to write that the happy part of this story ends here. Poor Ira suffered what I believe was a stress-related goldfish panic attack as we waited at the Brown Line platform to ride to Wellington. Little guy went belly-up right there in his traveling bowl and died on the spot. My normally hardy little fish seized in the face of a train ride. Lesson learned: goldfish don't like to ride the CTA. After shedding some tears -- neverminding the weird looks from strangers on the train -- I vowed to soldier on and to make sure that Ira's death was not in vain. Yes, I would complete the journey to Fish Bar alone. I ducked into a White Castle to give Ira a proper send-off into the watery depths of the city sewer system -- see ya, little buddy -- and continued the journey. Though rather despondent over the loss of my goldfish, I wiped away the last of my tears on my sleeve and entered Fish Bar. "What else but the company of other fish will comfort me in this tender moment of grief?" I asked myself. Imagine my disappointment when Fish Bar was not a bar for fish, but in fact for humans. WTF? I mean, cop bar = bar for cops, singles bar = bar for singles, karaoke bar = bar for karaoke singers... I'm glad Ira didn't live to see this! Anyway, I had a seat and ordered a delicious cocktail -- a wonderful campari/orange juice concoction that superbly cleared the way for the delicious fish to come. I started with the carpacio of the day -- ueber-fresh North Atlantic Salmon matched with a tasty assortment of diced veggies. I went on to enjoy the crispy and hot fried clams and the steamed mussels served with a buttery piece of toast for sopping up the sausage/tomato sauce at its base. Heavenly! The highlight might have been the grilled octopus. Perfectly cooked and served with a buttery sauce. Amazing. Washed it all down with a 2 dollar can of PBR for dessert. NOT BAD. Short story: Fish Bar = Good. Rest in peace, Ira O goldfish of goldfish. PROTIP: There's a great pointillistic screen-printed mural on the wall at the West end of the bar. Touch the bumps on it for tactile bliss.
(5)
Diana P.
Great food but insanely small portions and high prices. $19 for a lobster roll sandwich. Sure, it was great but $19!!!?? My husband and I dropped $70 for lunch and we barely had anything to eat. Calamari good but once again, TINY portion. This isn't a gourmet restaurant by any means in terms of how this place looks (you sit on bar stools). If you have the cash to spare, sure, I'd recommend coming here. We tried the Po Boy and were not a fan but you're safe with the lobster roll sandwich-very good. Clam Chowder was okay, very salty but fresh tasting. Octopus was fantastic, however, sticking to the theme of this review, TINY PORTION. :)
(4)
Kelly K.
Date night. After a day on the boat or at beach. Absolute protein power up before night of drinking! Must LOVE seafood and be willing to try wicked brilliant flavor that are easily a product of mad scientist experimentation. Pickled onion garnish, hot sauce infused cole slaw, or straight lemon juice will surprise your mouth. Beer list is short & sweet, just as it should be. Garlic bread is gigantic portion for 3 bucks, and will be needed to soak up every last drop of magic in the bottom of the bowl of mussels. Music is loud or louder, and is turned down if requested. But who wants to hear such kickass tunes below louder?! Sasha is Tha Man. Colleen is Tha Bomb. One or both have been there during each of my visits. All the less than pleasant reviews can suck it. Go back to New England or leave your East Coast ego at the door. It will be there when you leave, and readily find plenty of local bar youth to look down your nose at as you head south on Sheffield. If you savor the seafood it's impossible to not enjoy. If it doesn't make your tongue dance with delight, then say something to the staff. If you think $11 for the best crabby patty sandwich on earth is too expensive, then don't order it. Doing this and then bitching about it in a review... well now more people know you're a whining moron. Questions and constructive criticism would not fall on deaf ears at Fish Bar, so speak up while your there warming a seat.
(5)
Dana B.
I drive past this restaurant every day going to work and every night coming home from work and have always wanted to go. Yesterday(saturday) a friend and I decided to roll out of bed from the night before to grab some food and catch up on a recent date and to b*tch about life. Upon arriving we were greeted right away from the host and were seated right at the counter. Inside was not what I expected but I really liked the seating arrangement, it even had hooks under the counter for purses. The menu is kinda hard to read I'd say but everything looked good. We decided on the app of stuffed calamari. Really good its just the filling isnt what I expected(spinach, some cheese.. idk) interesting. I got the po boy with shrimp and crawfish(?) which was really good. Very flavorful and the bread was nice and toasty yumo. My friend got the crabby patty which I grabbed a bite and it was also awesome. I will def go back to try more off the menu. The service was kinda.. well not all there I'd say. We waited 5-10 with no water and the server passed us a couple times before acknowledging us. Weird because there seemed to be a lot of employees on the floor for such a small place. Our entrees came before the app. which is fine with me. The server asked us if we wanted a little extra for the wait which was very generous of her. All n all I would 100% go back and am excited to go back. I like the small atmosphere because it reminds me of my restaurant that I work at. The food is great and the drink menu looks awesome. (would have took advantage but was still recovering from the night before). Def. a place to check out.
(5)
Mandy M.
4.5 stars really. C'mon Yelp, why ya gotta be so rigidly old fashioned with your rating system? Its been a while since a business has impressed me enough to Yelp, but tonight Fish Bar managed to just that. I had my sights set on a burger at DMK, but after stepping inside the obnoxiously loud and dark quarters to be faced with a 40 min wait, we immediately turned around and went to look elsewhere for eats. I must admit at this point I was pretty hangry, as I had not eaten lunch, we had just driven almost an hour from Forest Park and I had my heart set on a fancy burger. So I wasn't exactly thrilled when Fish Bar was suggested simply out of proximity. However that changed once we entered and were graciously greeted at the door by Sasha. The atmosphere in Fish Bar is totally different from DMK, and while smaller, much more inviting. We were once again faced with a 30-40 min wait, at which point Sasha took our names and we left briefly to scour the area for anything that looked potentially more appealing. After about 5 minutes though, we returned. I was already smitten with the service and I think we were all excited to enjoy some beverages served in mason jars while we waited. I started off with the Tinge of Ginge with Freckles, which was a strong sipper and eased my hanger fairly quickly. By the time we were seated there was another greeter, but she was equally as friendly. And our waitress was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Good service can overcome a lot in my book and Fish Bar has that area covered nicely. But I know what you're thinking - get to the food already! No one in our 3 party group left unsatisfied, although I can only truly report on how tasty my own meal was. After some discussion with the waitress (whose name escapes me), I settled on the rock shrimp (dry) and salt potatoes. Delish. My boyfriend had the salmon a la plancha and tater tots and my friend had the sashimi salad and tater tots. I also tried the Tea, which was twice as good as my first drink. Too drinkable almost. And then to top it all off, Sasha sent us some fried calamari on the house, which ended up being my favorite part of the night. Its served "Federal Style", which translates to perfectly fried with pickled banana and jalapeno peppers. I could've taken a bucket to go, or at least ordered another round. And then for dessert my boyfriend and I shared an order of s'mores, which consisted of 3 marshmallows, 3 plain graham crackers and 3 graham crackers smeared with chocolatey goodness. We were given our own miniature fire pit to roast our marshmallows over. It was the absolute perfect way to end a great dinner. Overall I'm looking forward to returning soon, just probably not on a Friday at 7 pm. That's the only drawback to the place - its just a little too small!
(4)
Bennie Q.
My girlfriend and I are new to Chicago and decided on seafood for dinner. On the way home from work we discovered Fish Bar. The place is great! Great location and a fun atmosphere! The employees were upbeat, having fun and courteous! To add to all that the food was excellent! I don't like to try many new things but my girlfriend insisted and I was not disappointed!! We started with a seasonal crab dip that's mixed with local fare, awesome! Next, was the gumbo, never had it before, loved it! Moving on the the salmon BLT, perfect! And our gracious server was nice enough to comp a starter just to try it out! I don't remember the name but it was artichoke and lemon blended together and deep fried. I know I murdered the description but it's close enough to figure it out when you order. Don't pass it up!! All in all this place was a great find!! It all seemed too perfect and our experience may have been a fluke but I doubt it; it was busy with happy locals and the team had it wired tight! Thanks for the friendly experience and GREAT food!! We'll be back, frequently!! BQ PS....had the fish tacos as well, I almost left out how great these were, also!! Fantastic!!!
(5)
Ozge S.
attention fish lovers, appetizers are great and fish burgers are killers! I tried cud burger and find out it was so delicious that wanted to order and share another one-however the waiter said that burger was the last cud burger they had but guess what? they brought another complimentary crab burger instead which was as good. personnel are super friendly here.
(4)
Libby T.
Let me start by saying that Fish Bar is a amazing. Not only is the food delicious, the drinks spectacular, but the service is truly unmatched. I come out quite a bit in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park area, but when I came into Fish Bar I felt like I was with a bunch of friends. The wait staff was so attentive and knew their stuff. Our waiter, Janna, was unbelievable. She knew exactly what we'd enjoy just by me mentioning what it is I usually eat. She suggested the perfect drinks, and again, she made me feel welcomed. It was tough to leave Fish Bar. Go here if you want great food, amazing drinks, and a wait staff that makes you feel at home. You won't regret it... Oh, and ask for Janna.
(5)
E H.
This place was mehhhh. Had been craving a lobster roll for like, three days. Went to this place to satisfy lobster roll craving. It did the job. Wasn't blown away or anything. Fish tacos were pretty awful. Looked like hospital food...tasted like farts. My poor GF had to suffer through two miserable fish tacos. Poor Schmackie!!! Clam chowder...again, mehhhhh. Not impressed. Watery. Two or three, tiny, little clams. Have had better canned soup. Bill was stupid. Would only go back on a dare and/or if idiot friend Peter S. paid for everything. This is something he would like.
(5)
Bong K.
I generally don't write average reviews, but with this place, I felt I had to given how over-rated its reviews currently are. The food is really only okay. Many of the dishes we tried like the Hush Puppies were crazy salty. Their drink selection is decent and I'm guessing they're trying to get you to drink more with the saltiness of their food. Also, the layout of the place is pretty inefficiently designed so there's a lot of empty space. I'm going to guess that they have a fairly savvy business manager who uses saltiness to drive up drink revenue and artificially induces waiting time to create lines that increase marketing appeal. I wouldn't willingly return to this place given there's always a wait.
(3)
Deb F.
Came here on a Friday around 6:00 with 2 girlfriends. The wait was around 40 minutes, which was a little long but well worth it. We were seated inside at a booth in the back after switching our minds from wanting to sit outside. I ordered the scallop ceviche, which was excellent. Fresh and light - just what's best on a summer day. My friends ordered the fish tacos, olives, Satchmo po' boy, and the soup of the day. Our AWESOME server Blaine also gave us some artichokes to try as well as some tuna, which was excellent. I would definitely recommend the fish tacos and scallop ceviche. The Satchmo po' boy was tasty as well, but entirely deep-fried, so a little heavier. The outdoor seating area is great for a summer night. Overall, the service is what really pushed our dinner from 4- to 5-stars. Blaine was attentive throughout our entire meal and had good suggestions on what to try. Free food tidbits, a great server, and a round of beers on Lagunitas? It was a great meal. Definitely recommend for a date night or low-key meal with friends.
(5)
D G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar for lunch this past Sunday. We've driven by Fish House for 2 years now and consider ourselves foodies who are open to spending $$$ for great food. We were also curious since there is always a crowd outside. Upon entering, we were shocked to see how little Fish Bar is. There are three small 4 tops inside. We commented that you'd have to be really close friends to sit with another couple at these tiny four tops. We should have taken this as a sign of things to come. The additional seating is around a bar, or larger picnic tables outside (which explains the crowd). We ordered two orders of tacos and the lobster roll. Tacos: Scallop - 3 tiny tiny scallops in the taco, and fried fish tacos. The breaded fish taco was outstanding - the scallop was good, not great, and way too short on scallops. The tacos were $4.50 each ($9 an order). We also ordered a lobster roll. The lobster roll ($22) was skimpy and served with a bag of chips. We know the cost of lobster but they fill the roll with tartar sauce so it appears that the lobster is overflowing, not the case. When ordering, we asked the waitress is this was enough for two hungry people and she confirmed these were more "hardy". I can only imagine the size of the less "hardy" dishes. While the food itself was delicious, the portion size was ridiculous. We are well aware of the cost of fresh fish/seafood but to spend $70 on lunch for three items, two reasonable priced beers ($6 each), and to leave hungry is outrageous. The atmosphere and service are also far too casual to meet this price point in Lakeview. We will not return.
(3)
Dana O.
Excellent seafood - I am from Maine and I grew up eating some of the best seafood (shrimp, lobster, haddock, etc...) in the world, so I totally mean it when I say that. A lot of the time I eat seafood ('Real Maine Lobster," "Canadian Rock Shrimp" ) and it's been frozen and is far from fresh - also it is ridiculously overpriced. Fish Bar's prices are reasonable and their fish is fresh and delicious!!! I ended up not eating fish this time around, and opted for the No Fish Sandwich. I have eaten fried chicken sandwiches from dozens of places in my lifetime, and none of them even come close to comparing to the No Fish. The batter they fry the chicken in comes out perfectly crispy, salty, and full of flavor. The chicken is not dry, but very, very juicy. The bun seals the deal though - it's fried to a crispy buttery perfection. The Rock Shrimp is also tasty. Our waitress told us that they recommend that their customers order the dish "wet." However, the jalapeño aioli they tossed it in wasn't really to my liking. So, I ordered a cup of cocktail sauce and it was amazing- just tangy and spicy enough. I wish I had gotten the shrimp dry and just used the cocktail sauce. But beware! The cups of cocktail sauce they provide are the same cups you pump ketchup into at places like Wendy's and McDonalds - AKA they are super small and they only give you one but the cocktail sauce is so good you'll obviously have to ask for another so wtf!? Anyway, my only gripe is that I wish they served french fries. Many sad faces - and also minus one star!!!
(4)
Mustache B.
Loved everything about this place. The food was fresh and very delicious. The service was outstanding and the drinks were also great. Overall great seafood restaurant.
(4)
Christine S.
Poppped in here on Saturday evening and got a seat at a community table right away. I wasn't really sure what I was in for until I looked at the menu. I think they need to change the name of the restaurant to ShellFish Bar because that's mostly what's on the menu. I think I counted 3 or 4 non-shell fish items that would be considered a main course, which is okay, if you're not allergic to shell fish, but I am so it's a problem for me. No worries, I'll find something on the menu that I can eat. I ended up with the Salmon Tacos and they were good. The calamari was also delicious, I enjoyed the peppers that are on top...it's a nice mix up from the typical cocktail sauce you normally get with calamari. We also had the fingerling potatoes, and I REALLY enjoyed those a lot. Great flavor! My friend had the musles and she seemed to enjoy them as well. We had John Daly's which are served in a not so big mason jar. The drinks are expensive for the size of them, so buyer beware. Our server was super duper nice...but service here is super duper slow (food and drinks). Meh.
(3)
E M B.
Tasty seafood, love the tacos. Cute atmosphere and good service. However, the place is overpriced. $9 for two tiny tacos is a bit much. $15 for four shrimp in a salad or $22 for a lobster roll is crazy. Amp up the seafood portions or lower the prices because they aren't justified! Really enjoy this spot but I've been twice and can't get behind the prices when you can get great seafood for a fraction of the price elsewhere (lobster roll at Da Loster for $12, fish tacos at Big Star for $3).
(2)
Magen R.
Tried out Fish Bar with my sisters - what a neat place! We decided to go all out and try a bunch of different stuff on the menu and everything was pretty great! To share we tried the calamari and garlic bread. The calamari was lightly breaded and banana peppers and jalapenos mixed in. I loved the flavor combination and could not stop eating it! The garlic bread was thin and crispy, it was also a huge portion for a great price. For our entrees one of my sisters ordered the gumbo and the lobster roll, the other ordered the surf and turf with the bacon and egg salad and I ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy with fingerling potatoes. We all loved our meals! All of the seafood was perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful. The standout for me had to be egg and bacon salad which was a crazy combo of tater tots topped with salad, crunchy bacon and an egg - so yummy! We also all drank and I was really impressed with the yummy tequila drink I had. The drinks were reasonably priced but the portions were not very large. However, I loved that the drinks came in little mason jars - very original and they added to the ambiance of the meal. Speaking of ambiance this place is so original and amazing! They only have a few tables that seat 3 or 4 and the rest of the seating is literally a bar! I love how the seating ties in with the name of the place. The service is very interesting and also ties in with the ambiance, the restaurant is set up so all of the servers remain behind the bar at all times, they are able to serve all of the patrons at the boothes and at the bar at the same time. The service was so so, the waiters were attentive at sometimes but not at others. My only real complaint is that where we were seated you could not see any of the specials that are listed on the board. The specials are a fairly major component of the menu and it would do well to either have them printed or posted in an additonal place.
(4)
Xida Z.
Incredible, beautiful, fresh fish in a local Chicago place I love the look of the place. The panelling. The bar. The local vibe. Lots of things look good on the menu. Little did I know, I was about to set sail on a tasting adventure. The Oysters were very fresh. I tried an East coast (5/5) and a West coast (3/5) . The west was too salty for me, and east was nice and sweet. The po'boy sandwich I got was two pieces of garlic bread with 7 pieces of shrimp/crawfish. It wasn't enough and I didn't really taste the fish ($11, 2/5). Most sandwiches probably aren't worth it, though the crabcake sandwich would have been better. Still hungry and looking to taste some fish the Citrus cured salmon carpaccio with capers and citrus vin was next. Citrus cut into the salinity of the capers. The fish was like good sashimi slightly cooked ($7, 5/5). The fried calamari was bland in the middle. There was too much pepper and oil, which made a gritty paste. I added the capers from the salmon and fixed that ($6, 3/5). Food presentation is a strength at the Fish Bar and for the most part, the food matches it's appearance. If you're here for fish, avoid the sandwiches. Don't be surprised if you end up dropping $30 for lunch. Ambiance and Service 5/5 Food 4/5 Value 3/5
(4)
Gary B.
We have always wanted to go here but our major deterrent was that we heard (and read reviews) that this place can get crowded and somewhat difficult to get in to. Well we made it and couldn't be happier that we did. Went on a Sunday evening around 5:00 and the place was empty. I think we can be thankful that the bears were playing which seemed to keep everyone in front of a tv which Fish Bar has none. Our server was extremely friendly and went over the menu from drink options, specials and answered all of our questions. Over the next hour we consumed beers, oysters, fish fries, a crabby sandwich and the Smoked Trout. All were very good and we certainly enjoyed our meal. We will be back and I would recommend to anyone that is looking for some fresh fish. In the summer they also off outdoor seating.
(4)
Karla B.
Food was great and the perfect "after game spot" after a Sunday Cub's game. It was our first time here and we loved the oysters, calamari, the white fish spread, and crab cake sandwich. However, our favorite was definitely the Satchmo po' boy - perfectly cooked, not overly greasy for something that was fried, and highlighted by housemade pickles. Our server even treated us to the fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions just because she wanted us to try them. The decor was cute but not over the top or cheesy. Can't wait to be back!
(4)
Kris G.
I liked Fish Bar! I happened to come in with a group larger than recommended (I didn't realize until after the fact, I was with 4 others making us a "large" group of 5), luckily during off hours--around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday. DMK is already my favorite restaurant, and knowing that these are owned and run by the same people, I had high expectations. The staff were very friendly and didn't make our large group feel like we had to leave or were inconveniencing them in any way. We each ordered a drink and loved the mason jars they came in--the ambiance is carried through the whole experience and that's a definite plus for me. Almost the entire party ended up ordering the lobster po'boys. My dad also got some soup to start (knowing he wouldn't be filled up on the sandwich alone) and I opted for the clam po'boy instead. On the side I also ordered the fried lemons. We all really enjoyed our food and felt that the price was where it should be for the quality. The only reason I dock a star is for the amount of food you get in comparison to the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the side dish, especially, and if you do decide to spend your money here, I don't think you'll be disappointed in taste, quality, or service. Just plan on coming in for a lighter lunch or be prepared to spend for a bigger dinner.
Everything about this place reminded me of the taste of Chicago and not in a good way. Everything is super expensive and you get a tiny portion. Which would be fine if there was some amazing flavor or quality but it wasn't there. I had the oyster po boy after seeing a pic of a oyster the size of the bun, mine appeared to have slivers of oysters, why? Besides the oysters being butchered they were flavorless under all the salt. I also received half the portion of rock fish that was promised from the pictures I saw. Walked out feeling robbed and extremely disappointed. Glad they decided to do a craw fish boil after living in New Orleans for 5 years. They advertise it as being $30 but when you try and buy your tickets it's $39 before fees. So besides not ring able to cook they can't really add either. There are other crawfish boils in the city that actually are $30 which leaves you with some cash for beer. Really disappointed here.
(1)
Kara B.
LOVE this place! The drinks were awesome! We got the Tea and the Jackhammer- both delish! Bartender Aly was awesome! Great atmosphere, the music was awesome! The food was Better than I could have imagined! The calamari was easily the best I've ever had, loved the addition of the peppers and parmesan cheese! The scallops were so perfectly grilled and a great portion size. The lobster roll was amazing. So light and fresh with plenty of lobster. I hadn't had frog legs in years but I saw them on the menu and had to try. They did not disappoint. They were served buffalo style- not at all fried which I liked- they were so tender and juicy I would absolutely order them again. And finally the key lime pie was easily the best I've ever had... You cannot leave without getting the klp! Cannot wait to come back to fish bar, new favorite spot!
(5)
Donn S.
Decent food; a little cramped. The mule variations drink really wasn't for me but the key lime pie for dessert made up for it. My friends go there pretty regularly and had gotten some drink vouchers from the staff, so that was nice.
(3)
Coka B.
it was good.. kinna wish the portions were a little larger. And maybe more items on the menu. But the food was great and our server was very well put together.
(4)
Ryan L.
Only 100 more visits and I can catch up to Nikki C. I enjoyed the odd setup of the bar inside. Don't know why this was case. The waitstaff are alotted an area all to themselves to provide service, which is nice. I think the only problem was that the drinks were made right in front of the station where the food was coming out. The staff seems to work efficiently around it, so I guess it's not an issue. Despite being told a very incorrect price on the Eastern Belly clams, I went ahead and ordered it anyway. They were great and definitely not the Gorton's style I grew up on. You can skip the fingerling potatoes, but the clam chowder is a definite must-order. I ordered the gumbo because I read Andre W.'s review about how delicious it was. The man doesn't often use hyperbole so I tried it and did work on it! Definitely killed that gumbo. The drinks are smaller than normal, but priced cheaper ($5-7 dollars I believe). I think I'm a fan of this system, and I did enjoy the drinks we ordered. I can sample much of the drink menu without getting totally blitzed. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Sorry about the random shout-outs in this review.
(4)
Emma T.
The fish bar has a nice atmosphere but the portions are tiny and not very well seasoned. I won't be returning
(2)
Neamen L.
Food was good. Calamari was delicious. Fish sliders were real good. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends but overall a good experience.
(4)
Phoebe W.
I have a confession. I, Phoebe W., am not a fan of lobster. PLEASEDONTJUDGEME. I love seafood. I love learning about and eating all forms of it. When I was a bitty one, my favorite food was shark fin soup (SERIOUSLYDONTJUDGEME). When I spent spring break in Boston, I am relatively sure I decimated a sizable percentage of the marine life on the East coast in 5 days. I once ate crab guts as a dare from my uncle. I'll eat anything if it came out of the ocean. Despite my tastes, I think I can still provide decent insight into a good quality lobster roll. For $20ish Fish Bar gives you a monstrous amount of lobster on a very fresh roll. The flavors were all there, just...lobster just doesn't wow me the way other sea creatures do. If you think you can convince me otherwise, please message me! I guess I'm more of a crab leg kinda gal. Anyway, there's a ton of other things to order besides the lobster roll. Oyster po'boys, fish tacos, salads, and raw oysters (Get the Naked Cowboy, they're "salty and girthy" as described by our server). But my favorite item at Fish Bar is the clam chowder. Somehow it's rich, but not heart clogging. Flavorful without being too fishy or salty. How do you do it, Fish Bar?? Get yourself a Bourbon on Belmont and enjoy, folks.
(4)
Andre W.
Nothing but deliciousness going on here! Salmon BLT blew me away as the salmon/bacon combo was perfect. The gumbo was phenomenal and what I would imaging true New Orleans gumbo would be like...I was told its great for hangovers...I know where I will be next time I need a cure...lol The fried Bay Scallops were delicious as well as they came with fresno chili, soy, ginger & sesame Key lime pie (one of my favorite desserts) was as good as any I have ever had. Drink wise I had a Jackhammer which is a tequila based drink. Fucking phenomenal as I had about 5 of them! The staff of beautiful women are really nice and attentive. The girls seemed to be able to break down the menu for anyone who had questions...very nice to chat with as well. One of my new favorite places!
(5)
Hollina U.
Love the spicy tequila drink here. Cocktail #3! I always get the double since the regular size is super tiny. The double is just a normal mason jar. The ceviche is good, but the serving is small for the price. Hmm sensing a pattern here? I like blackened fish sliders though!! Both times I've gone they give me coupons for free cocktails.... But then again each coupon is only worth $6 for the small size. Well, the gesture is nice. The set up of Fish Bar is fun though, because the majority of people sit around a bar... Hence the name! I'll come back for more of the #3 cocktail... And will prob order some fish tacos and sliders the tipsier I get!
(4)
Pierre W.
Well.. I went here last week. I had a lobster roll. It was OK..I had some NE Clam Chowdah!!(smile).. It was quite good. The waite staff was very nice, and helpful. My experience was OK.... OK....
(3)
Karen C.
Yet another one of my "WHY did I wait so long to go here!?" reviews. Definitely a great date place, not so much for a group... I now understand why they say if you have a party of 4 to go next door instead. Super cute set-up, it's literally a fish BAR... they do have a few tables but the main seating area is at the bar. We went on a Saturday night & we were expecting a crazy wait. I started out with a Half Acre beer which you can never go wrong with, and the boy had the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail... wow. It was delicious. I love that the drinks are served in jars... little stuff like that always makes me smile. Moving on... we got seated after about 20 minutes, so that wasn't as bad as I expected. We ordered the crabby patty (yum! stuffed full of crab), fish fries, shrimp, swordfish & the trout salad. Everything was seriously so delicious. Our waitress was very nice & helpful, too... you really get the feeling that everyone actually cares about you here. I can't wait to go back & try more... that lobster roll is calling my name!
(5)
Chris C.
I will make it simple. Good food and great staff! When you come here this place makes you feel like you're at home.
(5)
Daniel G.
First I gulped down a savory oyster shooter. I then had a delicious Rainbow trout special. It was grilled with a brown butter caper sauce with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Curtis, the generous server, offered me a tasty cobia ceviche. Great place! I've been here many times.
(5)
Traci B.
Went here on a Sunday evening since it was $1.50 oysters. We sat right down outside without a wait. However, it took about 10-15 minutes before a server took our drink order. She apologized so I was ok with that. We tried both kinds of oysters (east coast only that day) and both were delicious. The special that night was grilled cod sliders which were really good. I had been wanting to try this place not only for the $1.50 oysters, but also saw it on a Yahoo list for 10 best lobster rolls in the country. Maybe it was the hype of thinking it would be awesome, but it was a total let down. It was extremely small, didn't have much lobster meat, and the sauce was in one glob of little flavor. Nothing special and was overpriced at $22. I had a much better lobster roll at a fast food place for about $15. I'll be back for $1.50 oysters and to give other menu items a try but won't get the lobster roll ever again.
(3)
Kateryna G.
Underwhelming food at high prices. Won't be going back Food - 2/5. On their website they have a list of fish they have. We assumed they always offer all the fish listed, which is wrong. Only one special comes from that list. We had fish tacos, grilled white fish, seared ahi tuna, tator tots, smoked fish dip and cole slaw. Nothing was memorable, and cole slaw was by far my favorite part of the meal. Smoked fish dip was too salty and came with too little bread, seared ahi tuna was good, but nothing special, fish tacos were flavorless, grilled white fish had delicate texture, but the portion was small and had no sides. Drinks - 1/5 We had gin cocktails, which we couldn't finish because of how bad they were. Service - 1/5 The hostess seemed very stressed out running around, while completely ignoring new comers. Our waitress not once checked on our food or drinks, and never offered to check out desserts.
(1)
Yahaira T.
I enjoyed the food, although portions are small for the price! I know this is a small plates type of place so it's a bit pricey. The oysters are $15 for 6. So I only ordered 1, just to try it. When I got it, the waitress (Alix) said "here is your one oyster" I heard the person next yo me laugh! She made up for it though by being nice the rest of the time & gave us a little sample of artichokes, I think. My boyfriend loved the salmon blt. I liked the cod tacos & shrimp tacos! I would come back again! Ps, the three hour tour cocktail was good & strong.
(4)
Lauren F.
Wow is all I can say. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved Fish Bar. We stopped in for dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving around 6:30pm and only had to wait about 10 minutes before a couple of seats opened up at the counter, we grabbed a couple beers while we waited so it was no big deal. Our server let us know that the plates are smaller and meant to be shared, so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us. Lobster Bisque-delicious! Pretty decent sized chunks of lobster in a creamy yet not too rich broth with tons of flavor-very good. Gumbo-again, delicious! This bowl was just packed with flavor-blue crab and andouille sausage with a great spicy kick at the end. Scallops a la Plancha-3 large scallops cooked perfectly on the grill. Delicate seasoning really let the scallops themselves shine. Rock Shrimp-If you don't like fried shrimp there might be something wrong with you (unless you have a shellfish allergy which, in that case, I feel really bad for you). If you don't like Fish Bar's rock shrimp, you're crazy! Hot out of the fryer with a yummy sriracha dipping sauce-I could've eaten the whole basket myself! Maine Lobster Roll-With the market price of lobser making this sandwich a pricey $19 you may be wondering if its worth it. Well let me tell you, it is soooo worth it. Huge chunks of cold lobster, and lots of it, mixed with a light celery mayo on a warm, buttery piece of bread. Heaven on a bun. Satchmo Po' Boy-They hit another home run with this fried crawfish and shrimp sandwich with a tasty roasted garlic aioli on the same warm buttery bread as the lobster roll. It was awesome, I would have a hard time picking between this and the lobster...solution, just get both and share! Its no east coast seafood joint but when you're craving seafood in Chicago and want a cool, laid-back setting definitely hit up Fish Bar and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Molly M.
The best place to get great seafood without the price tag or the pretentious atmosphere. The staff is always super friendly and the music is always good. They have really unique takes on classic dishes & although I can neither promise or explain this, one time when i received my bill it was 50% off... I love this place!
(5)
Christine M.
Since moving to the neighborhood 3 months ago, I've been to Fish Bar 3 times! The menu changes often and I've never had a bad dish. Their fixed menu items are delicious, but I suggest ordering from the chalkboard, you will not be disappointed. The service is wonderful. I can't say a bad thing about this place. Hands down the best seafood I've had in the city. This isn't a large restaurant and it gets busy quickly. I've had to wait 20+ minutes every time I've come for a seat but it's worth it. Grab a drink and just chill, your food will be amazing!
(5)
Lucia Z.
Extremely overrated with laughably small portion sizes and mediocre taste factor. We did receive a complimentary side for waiting like 30 minutes for our order to arrive.
(3)
Alan T.
Being from the east coast I definitely have a high expectation for good seafood. My gf and I have not had good seafood since moving here. I admit we should lower our expectations since this is the midwest, but it's like going out with a bitch of a gf that u know will cheat on you but you always forgive her and think it will turn out well in the end lol. I really wanted to like this place. The staff are really friendly the ambiance is very chill. Unfortunately i give this two stars because theres always a wait and locals in the area recommended it for good seafood so my expectations were def high. We ordered: Gumbo - crab was good but when i think of gumbo I think of a thick n hearty soup, this was not it. It was mainly broth with barely any sausage or crab. The flavor was still good though. Octopus/scallop ceviche - it was VERY tart, to the point it masked any flavor from the octopus n scallop. Sea scallops - on the smaller size for scallops and a tad too salty, but cooked well (not overcooked and not undercooked). Manilla clams - this was the best dish but some clams still had some sand. They give u a toasted bread thats sitting in the broth/sauce so by the time u get it half the bread is soaked and soggy.
(2)
Jammir G.
I ordered the crabby patty and the scallops. It was not that great. All I have to say is that Spongebob would have never sent that patty out to the guest and me and him are like super close so I know. It was CRAZY overwhelmingly peppery and tasted super bready. It was that stereotypical crab cake with crab flavor and a few chards here and there. I thought with them being associated with DMK they would have had at least some lumps in there of crab meat but alas no... :( The only saving grace was the scallops. Totally uninspired but not overcooked. Meh...!
(2)
Lia V.
I lived a couple blocks away from this spot and every time my boyfriend and I drove by it I told him I wanted to go so when we finally went I was really excited. It wasn't as good as I was hoping for. :-( The patio looks so appealing and the inside has a nice atmosphere too. The servers are really nice and helpful and the beer selection is good. The food is just okay. Maybe it's what we ordered, but oh well. The calamari was served a weird way with peppers and stuff on it. My boyfriend got pork belly... at a fish place... silly man.
(3)
Stassi S.
Love the service. Kelly is the best! Love the atmosphere. Love the food. Best clam chowder ever. Awesome fish tacos and fish sliders. My husband loves the buffalo frog legs- I'm not as adventurous. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)
Alexis M.
This place is small, quaint and to the point about serving fresh and flavorful fish. I am severely allergic to shellfish and I never worry about them serving contaminated food to me (as they separate the shellfish from the rest of the fish). I always get various oysters and they have a number of amazing beer options to pair.
(5)
Elina S.
LOVED this place. Were we in Cape Cod, but seriously? I was in Cape Cod just last year and this place totally reminded me of it. I will start with the negative, and there is only one, they don't take reservations for parties of two or six or three or five, ONLY four, which is kinda annoying and it's a first come first serve seating arrangement and the place isn't huge. On the contrary, it's small, intimate, cozy, fishies on the wall and a huge boat hanging above the four-seater tables. The place has a very fun and unique ambiance and walking in, the first thing you smell, is fresh seafood. That smell alone makes me want to come back. Now onto the food, we tried everything from the talked about rock shrimp, we asked for wet, and they were a tad spicy, and absolutely delicious. The oysters were incredible and as fresh as ones I've had in Welfleet last year, now that says something. The lobster roll for $21 is a tad pricey, but so worth it. Full of chunks of fresh lobster meat, on a warm toasted roll, not drenched in mayo, wow, mouthwatering. I'm drooling just thinking about it. We also had the mussels in white wine with some bread which were very yummy as well. I mean everything we put in our mouth was delicious. When our server brought out complimentary garlic bread because our friends were waiting a while for their fresh fish of the day sandwiches, that was just icing on the cake. The garlic bread w/ melted cheese was one of the best I've had anywhere. The beers served in adorable mason jars, totally a cuteness factor which I appreciate and like. I cannot wait to come back here for more oysters, more lobster rolls and more rock shrimp as those were my absolute faves. We were too full for dessert, but definitely next time. They also have outdoor seating which is perfect in the summertime. I will definitely take advantage of that when it's warm! I'm very picky when it comes to seafood, but this place beats GT any day because the prices and quality are much better.
(5)
Jason R.
I went to Fish Bar last night with a friend before a concert at the Vic. I had a salmon BLT sandwich, a side of "lemon rings" and a beer. It was easily one of the best sandwiches I had in the past 6 months, and I now have to add lemons to my list of Things that Taste Surprisingly Good When Fried. I'd have changed one thing about the lemon rings. Slice the jalapenos, onions and lemons a bit thicker before frying, and serve the side with a nice garlic aioli (or a similar creamy dipping sauce, perhaps flavored with Old Bay or something in that vein.) I asked one of the servers whether Fish Bar made grilled cheese sandwiches. She said "sometimes, but usually only for kids when the kitchen isn't busy". Well, I want to pitch you guys on an adult grilled cheese sandwich: bacon, smoked oysters, and either smoked cheddar or mozzarella on sourdough bread. If you attempt this, I'd like to be the first to try it.
(5)
Troy H.
My cousin came in from out of town, and I've heard good things about this spot. I got the Satchmo po boy, the ginger-bourbon drink, a cup of clam chowder, and tater tots. My cousin got the cod sammich. The outdoor seating is pretty nice, and the weather was perfect. But then, the food came. My clam chowder was salted down clam juice, which scant potato or clam. My Satchmo had good flavor, but the tater tots suffered the same salty fate as my chowder. I'm not talking just oversalted. Whatever is beyond oversalted. I drank copious amounts of water to try to counter it. My cousin said that her sandwich was good, but she too couldn't deal too well with the tater tots.
(2)
Michael H.
The Food: Delicious and fresh. We started with the salmon tartare and ceviche. The tartare was rich, velvety, and full of flavor. The ceviche was made with a few types of seafood, including octopus. Tasty, but the portion was small and it needed more lime juice and salt. I also had the Satchmo po' boy, which comes with breaded and fried shrimp and oysters on a butter toasted bun. The po' boy hit the spot and is a cheaper alternative ($12) to the lobster roll ($22). Although if you have the money to spend, the lobster roll on the table next to me looked mouth-watering. My partner ordered the fish fries, and I was surprised how much I like them. These are whole, small fish that are breaded and fried. You eat them like a french fry. They ended up being a highlight of the meal for me. The Drinks: Fish Bar has a decent selection of beers on tap, with a couple of local options. I had a Daisy Cutter (I love Half Acre) and a rotating tap. Beer is served in mason jars and is $6. I will probably stick with beer when I return. My partner ordered a couple of cocktails and neither one was great. We watched an overworked bartender try to fill 15 cocktail orders all at once so she was just pouring shots and liquids as fast as she could. At least they don't charge craft cocktail prices - the drinks are $6. The drinks next door at DMK are much better, perhaps the bartenders could have a meet up? The Atmosphere: We sat outside on a beautiful summer evening. I love the outdoor patio. If it is nice outside, and you have the option, sit outside. The inside is small and probably not good for large parties. It gets very busy on the weekend, so expect a wait. You are allowed to grab a drink at the bar and hang out on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. I love seafood and can't wait to return for the fish tacos, calamari, and cod sandwich.
(4)
Kelly B.
Hi there, Southern gal here. As I searched for a seafood restaurant in Chicago that would satiate my desire for raw seafood from time to time, Fish Bar seemed to be the winner. I was terrified to try seafood in the Midwest being from South Florida and all, but Fish Bar provided me with some solid, fresh choices. Hallelujah! I hit this place once every two months or so. The oysters---oh no, I'm craving more just talking about them. They usually offer a choice of East or West coast oysters(right now the West coast oysters are spawning, so they're unavailable). Slimy and perfect. The Satchmo Po'boy is a highlight every time. Consistently delicious. So is the tartare. I always order the ceviche, but unfortunately, I am always disappointed. I ordered it last night, and just like times in the past, it needed a lot more acid and salt. Seasonal menu, so it changes frequently. The fish and shellfish are always fresh and never too fishy. I like the small square footage of the place, too. It makes for a cozier environment. Just go here with a friend or two, not a group kinda place.
(4)
Ashley G.
A hidden gem! Casual spot and right next to the 'L' Station for convenience. We ordered about 8 items for 2 of us and we were so stuffed but couldn't stop eating because everything was just so good. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Insun M.
Minus stars for limited seating and not so fantastic ceviche. Bonus stars for the BEST OYSTER POBOY IN THE WORLD.
(4)
Noy And Alan T.
Maybe I'm a little biased since I'm from New England and have been spoiled with great seafood...but I was disappointed by the food. The first time we came here, it was a one and a half hour wait. Thankfully we decided not to stay then or else I would've been livid. The bf and I tried again today. We were told the wait would be about 25-30 minutes, which was fine. We grabbed a pumpkin ale, served in a cute mason jar...that was probably the only decent item in the restaurant. 15 minutes later, we got seated. I'm happy we didn't have to wait too long. The first thing I like to ask people when it comes to lobster rolls is whether or it is hot or cold. Apparently not many Chicagoans know the difference between the two. The waitress said its hot and cold (meaning a cold lobster on top of hot toasted bun.). Just as an FYI, hot lobster roll has warm buttered lobster. And a cold lobster roll has mayo in it, like a salad. With this being said, I decided not to order the lobster roll since it was $22! I cringe even paying that much in Boston & Maine...so I definitely know it wouldn't be worth it here. Next, we didn't have faith in the restaurant to create a good New England clam chowder so we opted for the gumbo. It was so watery and barely had any substance to it. Maybe 3 pieces of crab meat and two piece of sausage. It was also cold when we got it. Our next dish - the ceviche. That was by far the worst dish there. It came in a small open mouth mason jar - half of it was lime juice. Way too much lime! It was so bad we had drain the octopus & scallops from all the lime juice. Total disappointment. I would rather go to the savoy for this dish. Sea scallops from Maine...I've been to Maine many many times and never has it ever been that small. It came with 3 pieces - lemme rephrase...3 small scallops. The first scallop I tasted was soooooo salty I had to drink a lot of water. Then the second piece wasn't as bad...but still undercooked. I just find it weird that all 3 pieces tasted differently. Manila clams - pretty darn bland. Soggy bread that came with it. Some of the clams still had a lot of sand in it. Our server was really friendly but I noticed that the other servers were arguing and having shit fits so I was a little annoyed and distracted by that. Overall, I don't get the hype of this place. The food wasn't good. And the prices makes it even worse. I don't mind paying a lot for seafood but the price has to match the quality.
(1)
Char Y.
We came for a week day lunch after our great massages, and we ordered lobster roll - where is the lobster??? for $21 it should be packed! fried shrimp po boy - YUM! really impressed fish taco - flavorless. come on! for the price, there should be more seafood!
(3)
Caitlin A.
Seafood, bourbon drinks, and local brews at it's best. Take bar to as a literal definition. It's a bar for fish and fried delicious beachside seafood! It's the best way to get seafood is in small plates. We went in as a group of 4 sharing each item together-- all amazing! Specifically crabby paddie! Stephan, I believe the manager, felt so bad because we had made 6:45 reservations and because a crowd came in and our reservations was lost. He gave us a round of drinks on the house to make up for it. We sat at the bar, ordered food, and they forgot to put in an extra order of tacos... But Again, tacos on the house! Although it would be frustrating to most, the staff were all so nice and did everything they could to make it an enjoyable, delicious experience! We will definitely go again! Yummmmmy!
(5)
Paul G.
Got the lobster roll. 21. Was not good. Too much celery mayo. I was excited to try it. It was also cold. Some reason I thought it would of been warm. The cactussalad was weakkkkkk. The waitress said it was the best bang for your buck but it was like one prawn and 3 pieces of spinach. Not worth it. We got the stuffed calamari with chorizo and it was not good. The chorizo tastes liked cheap. Like it was straight out of the package and unfortunately wasn't good. Now what was good.. The rock shrimp was average but the sauce it came with was delicious. So not bad. The fried fish was great. It has crunchy leaf veggies on top and the sauce it came with was yummy. Now i think or waitress was really awesome and helpful but the food was not that good. So would I go back? Probably not. Not worth the money. We each paid 25$ and had one drink and only half the food was good. So... I'm sorry but 2 stars is all I'm giving. If you love choriZo and stuffing it in places. I'd try AVEC they have the best chorizo stuffed dates. Wow. Anyway. wouldn't go back. not worth the wait or the price. :-(
(2)
Emily Z.
Sadly I have never been to the East Coast, though I know that everyone wears polo shirts and boat shoes and they only eat crab, oh and according to Wedding Crashers they love sailing too, I think. Well Fish Bar seems very East Coast to me... whatever it is I can rest assure there is nothing like it in Chicago. Pretty small little laid back joint with 4 tables and one really long bar that snakes around, the servers can reach everyone from behind the bar, though many things are communal and self serve such as paper towels and the silverware. I love the bar stools they use, each is unique as in none are the same, ha. I really wanted to try a drink, they have giant mason jars filled with what I am presuming is liquor and assorted fruits but it was moving day for us so we stuck with water served in low key mason jars as well. Me and my roomie split the lobster roll (market price ($18)). Delicious, light yet somehow rich, the bun was super crispy and yummy. She had the Tots ($2), can't mess those up, and Gumbo ($6) and I had the Little salad ($4) which was good but I was slightly caught off guard that it was served in a paper bowl thing. This place has been packed every night I have walked past it, its definitely an awesome change of pace but if you're like me and like avoiding crowds and lines as much as possible I would hit it up for lunch !
(4)
Mandy M.
Amazing!! So happy to have found this place. I got the oyster po boy and it did not dissapoint. I could come here once a week easily and not get sick of it. We also had the mussels which were also yummy. The service was great, cool little place. But I have to agree with one of the reviews down below that I was dissapointed when I got my beer that is wasnt filled all the way. The little mason jar was cute but atleast fill my glass up! I dont think mine was even to the rim :( But since the food was so yummy, especially the po boy it still gets 5 stars..yes its thats good get it. now!
(5)
Elli T.
I had heard so many amazing amazing things about Fish Bar, so I was thrilled to try it out on a perfect early summer evening. We were seated at a communal table, which was fine by us, and were giving our order to a wonderful waitress...when the owner's son and a friend sat down next to us. Let the nightmare begin... 1. Owner's son and friend got waters and placed an order before we were given water or our drinks. 2. Owner's son was obnoxious as hell, uttering "brah" after every freaking thing he said and talking ridiculously loudly so it was impossible not to listen to every annoying word. 3. Owner's son ordered and received MASS amounts of food before we even got our APPETIZER. 4. Owner's son paid bill "using [his] mom's company credit card because it's a business expense." Meanwhile, we still hadn't received our appetizer. 5. Owner's son finally leaves, and my boyfriend's entree arrives, along with appetizer. He ordered the Hobo Dinner, which was a mix of seafood grilled in a large foil package. He loved it and started eating because we were told my fish tacos would be coming soon. 15 minutes later, my meal still hadn't arrived. So, bf closed up his foil as we waited...and waited...and waited. When my meal finally came, the waitress was incredibly apologetic and offered to take our drinks off the tab and give us a free dessert. I really appreciated that and it helped ease the painful experience. The food was good, but really hard to appreciate given the horrendous experience. That said, I will give Fish Bar another try simply because I've heard too many good things not to. Hoping for a better experience next time. One that doesn't include an obnoxious teenager.
(2)
Liz C.
First off, love the crabby patty and the special salmon BLT. I also looove their drink the jackhammer. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is for the food. I think some dishes are just decent. That said, their service is awesome, as always with dmk restaurants. Seriously, they always nail it on the service part. Overall, it's definitely a great, small place to grab a bite if you're in a fish mood. Since it is small, be prepared to wait. Just sip on that jackhammer and the wait will fly.
(4)
Jasmin V.
Waited about 1 hour to sit on a Friday during lent arrived around 830 pm. Got some drinks while we waited... Punch taste like Mai tai. SO GOOD! Pineapple taste like Patron. Almost straight up on ice. I was a pretty happy camper before we even ordered food. Each drink pretty small and $6 each The service was very friendly and fast. -Lobster roll: yummy but i'm not sure if it's worth $18 (market price) -Crabby patty: i preferred this over the lobster roll $11 -Rock shrimp: mmm i could eat this every day! we got it wet. nice and saucy! -Tater tots: sad it was gone too fast I really LOVED this place BUT i thought it was a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The portions are waaay too small for what you are paying. The sandwiches come alone with no sides. Sides are $2. You can easily rack up a nice bill without even realizing it, especially after drinking their amazing drinks!
(4)
Brian F.
Yum! The lobster roll was just chuck full of big chunks of lobster wit a light mayo. Maybe a bit too much seasoning but disregarding the sodium overload it was a seriously tasty sandwich. I also tried their salmon tartar which was also really good. I will definitely come back here.
(4)
Joseph D.
As the name implies, this is a seafood-centric place with most dishes being served as "small plates" so you can sample a number of different things at a time. Seating as others have mentioned is at a bar (hence the name Fish Bar) so it makes for a nice communal dining experience. With that in mind, the place is a bit noisy so don't bring grandma here as she'll have to hoist herself up on a bar stool and dial up the hearing aid! Might be a good place for a first date though as there is lot to look at if it's not going well and good music and energy to support it if it is. We ordered quite a number of things and all of them were either very good or excellent. So the good news is, no matter what you get, you're going to enjoy your meal. Food is served as it's ready so you may find yourself with a plate being served to you here and there which is actually good as it extends the evening (bad if you're waiting for a space) and keeps everything fresh. No one wants to eat cold fish. Yuk! One other thing to keep in mind - there is a large chalkboard showing the various dishes of the day as much of the menu varies which makes this a nice place to return to again and again (clever marketing people I tell you!) So when I talk about our dish, it may not be available when you go (and you should go). Our selections and thoughts are as follows: 1. Ceviche - tangy and well balanced with nice chunks of seafood. Ours was scallops and shrimp I believe and served with saltines. Favorite of the bunch. 2. Fish tacos - 2 crispy mini tacos served with two sauces (one green that lacked a bit of taste so I'm not ever sure what it was) and a red sauce that reminded me of sriracha hot sauce which was smoky and quite tasty! 3. Crabby patty - like other mentioned more filler than seafood but tasty none the less. I'd rather they up the price and the seafood quotient. 4. Crab Salad - green salad big enough for sharing of iceberg lettuce, crab meat and asparagus. The dressing was supposed to be a balsamic vinaigrette but perhaps it was white balsamic as it was quite tangy! I'd probably skip this in the future but it was still good. 5. Seared scallops - 3 on a plate and served with a cream sauce which was nice (rich but not too rich). 6. Key Lime Pie - creamy and a nice cracker crust. Nice way to end the meal. The above was more than enough for my wife and I to be quite full. In addition to the above, they have an nice eclectic selection of beers on tap and some top shelf liquors to do cocktails. Not sure if they have wines by the bottle or glass though as I did not see any on the list. We each had two beers and with tax, tip and the food above, dinner cost $115 so it's NOT a cheap evening. But if you think of it like going out to see a show, you can pace yourself, order one thing at a time and make the evening last, with Fish Bar serving as your entertainment. One thing to mention is the staff. SUPER friendly (the manager Stefan sat with us and talked to us and Angela our server was so nice!) so even though this place could be perceived as trendy based on its decor and food style, the vibe is definitely casual and welcoming. Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Kevin C.
There is a boat hanging from the ceiling in this restaurant, and I spent maybe 95% of dinner thinking about how horrible and amazing it would be if it fell and just ruined somebody's birthday dinner, and how many terrible boat puns would show up in Yelp reviews as a direct result. Honestly, the food was fantastic. Mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy and whitefish sandwich gumbo. Everything was delicious, tasty and fresh, the way seafood and vaginas are supposed to be.
(4)
Anne M.
Oh so cute. This place has a little beach shack sort of vibe - and I mean that in the best way possible. From the exterior sky-blue walls to the outdoor picnic table eating area, to the indoor decor of fish, canoes + such, there's a down-to-earth ambiance that is the perfect setting for some fresh, small-plates of seafood. Warning: the place is tiny and maxes out quick. Get there early for dinner or anticipate a wait. I met my sister here for a Saturday dinner date, where we filled up our mini picnic table with all kinds of delectable morsels from the sea: - clam chowder (good + good size, with large pieces of clam) - shrimp cocktail (fresh + seasoned - can't go wrong) - crab salad (so light + pretty looking, with a heap of crab meat on top of the fresh greens) - house salad (also pretty - butter lettuce with a light balsamic dressing) - crab cake sandwich (awesome. decent size and nice spice / flavor) - cod fish sandwich (also awesome. a perfect little fish sammy) - tots (a tiny chalice of tots. odd presentation, okay, but my least favorite of the meal) - key lime pie (yummy. tart + served with a big dollop of whipped cream) They're small plates, okay...? [ "Lay off me I'm starving!" ]
(4)
Joe B.
It was very hard for me not to go next door to DMK burger for one of my all time favorite burgers coming from a self proclaimed connoisseur but we wanted to try something new. I was not disappointed. I really wanted the full belly clams but they were out so I opted for fish fries (smelt) and an oyster po boy. Everything was so fresh and so clean like Outkast. My wife's clam chowder was one of the best soups I have tasted and comes highly recommended if you like creamy soups or chowders. The beers looked so good and ice cold served in mason jars which I really enjoy. Everything I did not order looked amazing and made me want to go back to try other things like the ceviche, tartar and oysters. Service was very nice and gave us a free app for somehow not putting our order through, I ain't mad at him or the restaurant at all. Was
(4)
Hilary T.
Pretty good spot. The whitefish spread was really good as well as the oysters. There could be more added to the menu but I enjoyed it and will come back. Cute relaxing decor as well.
(4)
Roxanne R.
Came here on Saturday afternoon for lunch. No wait and our pick of the outdoor seating area. I had the Punch cocktail. It was a bit too strong for my taste and you'd think with all fruit like pineapple and oj described in the description it would be a bit sweeter but it wasn't.. On to the menu. So one portion of the menu is enough for a meal and the other is tapas style. They also have a wall of specials. So I ordered the crabby sandwich $11 and my husband ordered the sea scallops also for $11 and $3 tater tots. So luckily we were not in the mood to stuff ourselves and only wanted to have "enough" food because there were only 3 scallops! Poor husband, we split our meal down in half so it was just enough. Okay let me say that they were really fresh scallops that were cooked perfectly but c'mon $11? That is a bit steep. The sandwich was really good. Probably one of the better crabcake sandwiches I'll ever have. Maybe i'll comeback when the scallops are on special but don't expect to get full off of that $11 plate.
(3)
Leslie B.
Had a second experience here that trumped the first! Went in the daytime, which has a completely different vibe from at night. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar and having a Sunday Funday with my best friend. Went with Tinge of Ginge drink which was refreshing and strong! Made me remember that I had been walking in the sun for 2 hours no hydration...we had to order the rock shrimp, crispy, spicy goodness, and it was probs better than I remembered. We split the crab cake sandwich and the soft shell crab sandwich, which was on its last day at Fish Bar for the season. Both were faaaantastic. Yum. Our server, Emma, convinced us to get the key lime pie. Was I practically waddling out of Fish Bar after consuming it? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
(5)
Darin C.
The po'boy is my fav! I have been here twice and so far so good! The last time I came here, my friend and I spent $50 per person because everything tasted so great and we wanted to try everything! We had a lot of food and it was definitely worth it. The lobster roll is a must try but I do prefer the po'boy. The only thing that wasn't too great were the lemon rings. Yeah, don't order the lemon rings. We also had the smores and it was pretty great since you get to roast them yourself on a small flame.
(5)
Fish Y.
We had lobster sandwiches! they are good!
(5)
Karlos J.
I guess I am part of the small sample that had a bad eating experience here. Seafood in the Midwest can be pretty dicey but I thought I would give this place a shot due to all of the great reviews. The hostess was friendly and seated us in a short amount of time. The server was decent too for the most part. The food is atrocious here. I grew up in New England so I may be a bit jaded. We ordered the lobster roll, fish fries, and calamari. Everything was so over seasoned and salty. The jalapenos they put in the calamari is a really odd blend too. Actually, the lobster roll was pretty decent, until I started to feel a crunch in my mouth while I was chewing which turned out to be pieces of the lobster shell! I told our server and he did apologize but really just shrugged it off. Not exactly the best way to retain customers. Needless to say I am never going back here and will not recommend this place to my friends.
(1)
Stephanie M.
Eff it, this place gets 5 stars. Last night, the chef came out with a special plate for my gal pals and I. Whatever it was, it was excellent. I hate seafood, and yet love Fish Bar... Explain that one to me!!! We all got the Satchmo Po'boy last night, along with the Calamari, and pepper and lemons... all plates were like whoa! The chef brought us another plate of tater tot salad bacon greatness with a poached egg on top of it, which was to die for. I am craving everything I ate last night right this second. I will be back. Very soon. Goddamn this place rocks.
(5)
Andi W.
Meh.. Food is just so so.. But the atmosphere is good. I wouldn't come again though. Not good seafood..
(3)
Sarah R.
I love it so much I can't stand it. Such a fun atmosphere with canoes hanging from the ceiling, wooden benches, gigantic fish mural-ed walls, mason jar cocktails, and sociable bar seating. The staff is a rare mix of hip but accessible and always looking to elevate your dining experience. I love chatting with everyone working there and hearing their recommendations. The oyster shooters have a kick and are definitely unique to this spot. My top picks are the fish fries, scallops, cod sandwich, corn and crab chowder, and cioppino. All in all, one of the top dining experiences I've had in Chicago. They serve adorable/ delicious cocktails and my favorites are the cucumber cocktail and grapefruit paloma. They are seriously the cutest, only complaint I'd have is on the occasional wait time. But definitely worth the wait every. single. time. Constantly amazed with the service and quality of the meal with perfect price points to boot. They are owned by the same folks as Ada Street and DMK burger, but stand out as my clear choice for a week night dinner with friends.
(5)
Lisa O.
Great Food!
(4)
Allyce B.
I am just a lover of seafood in general and this place was my seafood heaven. As you can see in the photos posted, the lobster roll is popular. Get it! If you don't like lobster though, I doubt you'll be disappointed with whatever you order. Besides the lobster roll I ordered calamari and the soft shell crab. I'm pretty much drooling thinking about it right now. This place would be a 5 for me but the wait situation is very cramped. Since they don't really have a place to sit and wait and sometimes the weather isn't on your side (it started raining when I was), they should really just take reservations and manage the space.
(4)
Eugene C.
Ok I see people complain about the prices and it is somewhat pricey however the seafood is fresh and good with regular, human sized portions. If you want subpar seafood with large portions then go to Red Lobster. Anyhow the service is uber friendly and attentive. The interior is nice and did I mention the food is good? The server made very good recommendations. We started out with the Shrimp / tobiko and Octopus a la plancha complemented with cups of Clam Chowder and Gumbo which were all delicious. Then we tried the Lobster roll and the Satchmo Po' Boy which had a mix shrimp n crawfish. Amazing. As a side we had tater tots and a complimentary side of fried lemon, onion and jalapenos from our server which was really nice of her. Both good too and the right size. We left satiated and full. So yes it is somewhat pricey but you know where that extra money is going to. Go treat yourself. Good seafood is hard to come by in the midwest!
(4)
Faraaz U.
We Ordered : Buffalo Frog legs seafood Gazpacho Crab cake sandwich Lobster roll In order of what i liked #1) lobster rolls- super delish!! packed with meat on a toasty bun #2) buffalo frog legs - these came out early we ate two then more food came out when we went back to eat them after a while they were not as good cold so i recommend eating them as they come out hot! # 3) Crab cake sandwich - it was OK but to me it tasted like an Indian shami kabob which I don't like # 4) Seafood Gazpacho - I wish i didn't order this, there was a small amount of seafood on this cold soup. I guess it was an aquired taste .
(4)
Keith H.
I really do like it here. All of their seafood is seasonal and fresh and their specials rotate to give returning customers a better idea of what they might want to order. Their cocktail/beer menu is quite small, but effective. I enjoyed the decor and the music played is superb. And the service - it really can't be beat. Fine dining institutions needs to go and recruit these people because they know exactly how dining should be handled. But - all that said. This is NOT a place where you get a GOOD VALUE for your dollar. I understand that the seafood is fresh, but I left quite miffed about what I received for what I paid. My Po'Boy was the size of a hot dog roll with 5 breaded shrimp and cost $10. The oysters are incredibly small. Actually, everything as too small. There's no reason they couldn't serve some fries (and extra $5 or tots for $3) with their dishes, or a side of cole slaw with their fish, just to make it a little more worth your while. The music, while good as previously mentioned, is just too loud and everyone is shouting over everyone else. This is a small place, so someone should know better. But business is booming - and people will continue to flock. My recommendation is to make a reservation and ask for a booth if you have 3 or 4 people. If you can - sit outside.
(3)
Ehow C.
To start my birthweek celebration, I came here with a fellow Yelper for dinner. The 20 minute wait wasn't too bad, but it was long enough for us to sneak out for truffle fries at DMK Burger (which I also reviewed). I started the meal with the Pineapple cocktail, which was pretty good. This was followed by a sausage/crab gumbo and lobster bisque, which were both superb in their own ways. The gumbo, while not as "meaty" as I'd like it to be, had a lot of depth in flavor, so much that I forgot I wanted more meat. The bisque had a very unique and flavorful sweet corn base, enhanced with a spice that builds over time. The lobster was good, but maybe a little overcooked. We split the lobster roll, which was the highlight of the meal, despite the celery mayo (read: I hate celery). The bread was crispy and buttery, and the lobster was plump, juicy, and well cooked. I would have had another, but my wallet is a bit light. I guess we ordered the fried softshell crab for for "dessert," and it was also very good, just second to the lobster roll. The lemon/arugula flavor combination was absolutely splendid. I'd come back for the food, for sure, especially with such great service. What's stopping a 5-star rating here is the price point. If it's slightly cheaper, I'd be completely content with this restaurant.
(4)
Chelsea Laine H.
The food is overpriced (was there in 2012), the layout is bad (awkward, crowded even when you are eating). The drink selection was poor even though DMK next door (same owners, I believe) had an awesome selection. Food was okay, nothing special.
(2)
Anne L.
Went to the fish bar to celebrate hubby's birthday for lunch. First off if you are in a hurry do not go here, service is very slow. That being said even though service is slow the staff was very friendly and attentive. My husband had the scallops (on special) as well as the mussels. The scallops were a little undercooked but still had a good taste. The mussels were great. I had the surf and turf on a sandwich with skirt steak, crab meat, asparagus, and hollandaise sauce. It was delicious but the steak was a little undercooked for my liking. Overall it was a great experience. Would go back but just request everything be cooked how we asked the first time.
(4)
Anna M.
The Setting / General Area: Awesome! Right on the corner, the building has an awesome paint scheme and overall lovely atmosphere. We were a party of 5 people and opted to sit outside as the actual indoor area does not really accommodate for more than 4 people. Our Hostess: I did not get her name but she was excellent! She kept us entertained and struck up conversations with us while we waited for a table. Our Waitress: Was decent. She was polite and got our orders correct for the most part (more on this later) She did not have many tables to look over so did not appear busy but never came back to check on us after after taking our food/drink orders. She reappeared only to deliver the check. The Food and Drink: The drinks were very good. We enjoyed several of the #2 Teas and they were very delicious. My girlfriends ordered mostly everything on the sandwich side and had no complaints. However, my husband ordered the lobster roll, which as $22.00, and it was not very good at all. It was very over-seasoned , could only taste the cilantro and nothing of the lobster. for $22.00 we were also expecting a larger portion. It wasn't very big either. However, we do normally live in the suburbs where portion size is usually twice as large as city-standards. My other friend ordered the tacos which were not tacos at all but merely a piece of fish on quarter size corn-tortillas. I am torn because what I had eaten was very good while the other half of my party did not have the same experience. Recommendation: This is place is nice as an in-between lunch and dinner stop or if you are not in the mood for a large meal. Do not get the lobster roll if you are looking to save money.
(2)
Kimberly D.
Was hoping to bring my boyfriend who is visiting from out of town, walked in at 10:10, walked out at 10:11. As soon as we walked in the waitress behind the bar informed us that the kitchen was closed and it happened apparently 5 minutes ago. We decided to leave but there were a few other employees closing up the patio outside, we asked if they knew why the kitchen was closed and they said it wasn't and we still had until 11 and said the waitress I spoke to must have been confused because they don't wear watches! We went back inside thinking it was a mistake and went to another waitress who said they weren't serving food anymore, when asked why she said just because. - Seemed like your employees just didn't want to work and close early. That's unfortunate because the food is good. My boyfriend's would have been first time will be his last and most likely mine. He really wanted to go because the food looked really good and he's heard so many great things about this restaurant. 1 star for terrible service or should I say lack there of.
(1)
Tanisha M.
This was a cute little place...I was greeted as soon as I walked through the door. I've been on a lobster roll kick lately, so naturally I tried theirs. The sandwich was good and had big chunks of lobster, but I felt like there should have more to it for $22....no zhz zha zhu....it was just a basic sandwich and to add insult to injury, it came with a small bag of chips (not even fresh made kettle chips). The service was good, nonetheless and I'd be open to trying other things there. ...the lobster sandwich just won't be it. Cheers!
(3)
Keith A.
Oh hell yea. Lemme see, beer and fish all in one place, yup, me likey. It's really rather dumb that I've yet to be here considering my friends live right up sheffield. We got here and it was time to sample a whole bunch of different stuff........and drink beer. We started off with an order of ceviche. This was a real nice ceviche. It wasn't as acidic as I would've liked it, but I love acid in stuff like that (yea, exactly). We also got an order of lobster that was a special. It wasn't a whole lobster (I think), but it was lobster and that is always a good thing. We finished things off with an order of belly clams. These were damn delicious. I didn't get as many of them as I was also working on an order of tots. I haven't noted the beer yet. They don't have an extremely deep list, but everything they have is quality. There's a nice range in styles and the prices are decent for the quality.
(4)
Brandon N.
The food here was just OK for me. There are some things that they do REALLY well, such as the Clam Chowder (possibly the best in the city), Manila Clams, and the Salmon Tartare, The rest of it was just alright, nothing really special or standout. This includes the Crabby Patty (something like a crabcake, except no jumbo lumps and plenty of filler), the Fish Tacos (for whitefish, had a very strong "fishy" taste to it), and the Bay Scallops (if you've ever had a fried scallop before, there's nothing new going on here). The staff is SUPER friendly, attentive, and helpful... DEFINITE PLUS. THE VERDICT: It was OK. I'd go back for the clam chowder and then go next door to DMK for a burger. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in, but I certainly wouldn't make any special trip to come here.
(3)
Heidi S.
This place is cool. I don't think that I've ever said that about a restaurant before, but I really enjoyed the set up. We had a late reservation for 4 on Friday night and the two groups at the tables had long overstayed their welcome -- but 30-40 minutes. The chef came out to speak with us and apologize at one point and offered us a new drink that he's experimenting with and offered us some snacks while we waited. We all agreed that while we normally would have been really annoyed with waiting, it's amazing how very simple gestures can turn your experience around in a hurry. Our waitress did a great job of describing the dishes and their limited menu is very creative and fun. I got a mackerel ceviche with avocado that was creamy and delicious. Our oysters were fine, nothing to write home about, but very well shucked, and our soup was amazing flavorful. Overall we had a really fun time eating and sharing food, we felt full when we were done and it didn't break the bank as much as I'd expected. Would definitely go back and sit at the bar!
(4)
Alexander D.
I Love Fish Bar! Their food is delicious! I am a bit particular about fish and Fish Bar has always been on point! Janna is awesome! I will be returning!
(5)
Maria B.
Been here several times and it just keeps getting better. The food delivers and what's outstanding is the service. I have such an appreciation for sincere service and this place is second to none. You would never expect to receive such a great experience in a neighborhood place. The space itself is unpretentious, the menu is simple, yet everything I've had has been superb. Marina was my server the last couple of times I've been in and she is professional and sweet. I dine out frequently and forget to write reviews often times, but I had to let everyone know how much I love Fishbar and will continue to go back again and again. Must try: mussels in white wine with rosemary, escolar carpaccio, fried artichoke with chipolte aioli , and their raw oysters.
(5)
Elina K.
Finally got to try this place (and its infamous lobster roll): Decor & set-up: really cute nautical interior and picnic tables outside. Service: excellent, friendly and fast Drinks: small but tasty selection of wines, ales and liquors (all served in adorable Ball canning jars) Food: we had frog legs, tater tots, the watermelon feta salad with prawns aaaaaaaand...the ($22) lobster roll. Food was really, really good overall. But I must say I was a tad disappointed in the lobster roll. Maybe I really hyped it up in advance but it was nothing amazingly special. It was solid, though.
(4)
Danny W.
Marina, We came back for the key lime pie, and lord am I happy we did. Fish Bar continues to keep it real, and that's really all you can ask out of a seafood restaurant. Truth.
(4)
Clayton B.
Another great Dmk restaurant! This place is always packed as the dining room is very small. They have made efficient use of the small space inside with a horseshoe bar and a few booths. Outside there's a decent size patio along Wellington. My service has been great both times I've been here. Lindsey at the bar was great. She was busy but seemed attentive to every guest. The food here is tapas style so the portions are definitely not large but I think the price is reasonable for the quality. I ordered the shrimp and octopus ceviche to start. It was very acidic but that's right up my alley. It reminded me of Mediterranean tabbouleh with the onions, parsley, and celery. After that I had the sea scallops..... SO SO good. Only three scallops (I could have eaten 20) but cooked to perfection. I originally was going to give this place four stars because the menu isn't very big, but then I realized they have a seasonal menu on the board that changes due to market. Ill be back!
(5)
Ariel L.
****2.5 stars*** $19 for an average lobster roll? I don't think so. AVOID the lobster roll, it is so not worth the money. If you ever been to the east coast and had one, you will be very disappointed. I also ordered the mussels and the grilled calamari. Both of those were quite good, but the portions were quite small. Had I gone in with a full appetite, I could have easily run up the bill to $50 (without libations). The place itself is cute, but the chairs at the bar are awfully uncomfortable. Try and snag one with a back, or you will be walking funny on the way out. Servers were friendly and they brought us out a fried oyster with their special sauce. That may have been the best part off the meal. I have to say i'd probably prefer to go to the Half Shell on Diversy if it was one or the other, but i'm glad i tired the place. I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Joe S.
as always.. I could not do better but.. this place is over rated. Its expensive and the food is just good..it is not great , it is not innovative. If it were 25% less in cost I would be at 4 stars but when you spend $45 for a small beer or two and 3 small plates that have nothing special to offer it's a disappointment. The truth is I think the owners DMK could do better.. serve 20% bigger portions and keep your prices. the one thing that is made incorrectly is their version of sopa de mariscos.. tastes like dish water.. I love DMK but they can do better with this place..no hard feelings ... only because the oyster Po' Boy w/ remoulade and slaw is very good and the bun is excellent..
(3)
Stephanie M.
If you are looking for a restaurant with delicious food and a unique atmosphere, Fish Bar is a great choice. The decor is very north eastern fishing shack with wood panel walls, chalkboards and a canoe hanging from the ceiling. The majority of the seating inside is stools around bar tops behind which your waitress takes and serves your order. There is also a great outdoor area when the weather is nice enough. The food here is great! Very fresh and flavorful seafood from BBQ frog legs to salmon BLT, everything is tasty. The drinks are one of my favorite parts, fitting in the theme of the restaurant they are exactly what you would picture holding while sitting on the porch and staring at the sea. Everything is served as a "small plate", even the drinks are pretty small, and can be a little pricey for the amount you get, but always tastes great!
(4)
Holly R.
I wanted to like Fish Bar. I really, really did. The decor is seriously so adorable. It's like a little fishing shanty! And literally my mouth was watering at the menu. But when everything I ordered arrived (ceveche, crab salad), I needed a gallon of water to wash it all down. It was SO SALTY. I love seafood. It's my fave. I was so excited when Fish Bar came in to town, but I honestly don't know if I would go back.
(3)
Mike W.
I have to say I was not impressed. I lives on the east coast for a few years and was up in cape cod vacationing, nothing here came close to the seafood I had out there in diners. I also don't like the fact that almost everything they serve is just fried. That combined with huge wait times I won't be back. There are plenty of fish in the sea, this one's not for me :(
(3)
Matt B.
This is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Fresh, simple and creative small plates of seafood. The clam chowder and gumbo are outstanding. The staff is amazing. Friendly, intelligent, and well informed. Nice beer selection and creative cocktail selection. If you're looking to study a wine list, this is not the place. There are two wine choices, Spanish Red, and Chilean white. Both very good though. The ambiance is "diner/bar style". 2 very small booths. During nice weather, they have picnic tables set up outside. Highly recommended. Not really kid friendly, no high chairs available. Remember, it is a BAR. However, we brought our 2 year old and met friends with their 5 and 3 year olds. We called ahead and showed up early for dinner on a Sunday evening at 5 pm. The staff was friendly, patient and accommodating.
(5)
Ana W.
There is literally nothing wrong with this place - unless you hate waiting for a table at restaurants (which is pretty unavoidable on a Friday or Saturday night in this neighborhood). My boyfriend and I come here ALL THE TIME - we come for date night just us two, bring friends on occasion, and have even brought our parents here - you can't go wrong! Fish Bar is unique because rather than a bunch of small tables scattered throughout the restaurant, they made the most of the space and have three "bar seating" arrangements, all in U-shapes where the waitress is in the middle and can easily serve the people at that particular bar. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend bringing a large group unless you're going to sit outside (did I mention they have a great front patio?) The wait has never been unbearably long, and it's pretty painless when you order one of their specialty cocktails - always refreshing during the summer and pair nicely with the food (definitely order the #6 - bourbon something?!)! At restaurants I usually stick to my favorite dish, but Fish Bar constantly has new specials that I always just have to try! About a month ago I had the special fish tacos, which were super flavorful and even though there are only two were pretty satisfying! The last time I went (last Friday) we ordered the frogs legs which had buffalo sauce on them and were super different and delicious (don't be shy people, they literally taste like chicken)! For my main plate I got the salmon BLT which had some amazing celery mayo on it and was just what I wanted! The hostess is usually the same super cute, super friendly girl and the waitresses are no different - always real and make you feel right at home! And unlike some restaurants I have been to lately, they genuinely know about the food and the restaurant in general - it's nice to see people actually enjoy what they're doing (or doing a really good job pretending they do!). Fish Bar isn't the cheapest place in town, but there's a reason for it. I have yet to find another place that even comes close to matching the fantastic food, service and atmosphere here.
(5)
Sam R.
Best Po' boy I've had outside of Louisiana. Bun is perfect, slaw is perfect, oysters done just right, not too bready. I had to come back about two and a half hours later because it was just that good. Friendly, fast service, simple menu... I'll have to come back again and I should probably try something else, but it'll be hard to not order the Po boy. A little pricey, but not bad considering the quality of food, service and atmosphere.
(5)
Beata M.
I am pescatarian and this place always hits the spot with the unique and delicious seafood and fish dishes! The drinks are awesome too! The staff is always very friendly and helpful!
(5)
Allison S.
It sounds like lunch is the time to go here, which is when I went. Was able to get two seats at the comfy bar. I love the atmosphere, it's full of light but still cozy on this winter day. I had the crabcake sandwich, which was very good. I REALLY liked the tater tots, tasted like they had some light sea salt on them. The only thing I wish they'd do is use slightly larger plates -- the plate my sandwich came on was barely bigger than the bun, so it's hard to eat because it gets messy once you bite into it. But i'd go back, it reminded me of my time spent in New Haven, CT.
(4)
Melanie S.
The crowds have kept me away from Fish Bar since its opening, but that all changed this past weekend. We were planning on heading next door to DMK, but it was late afternoon and since Fish Bar was virtually empty, we headed there instead. A late lunch is the perfect time to go; save for one table of four, there was no one else there. We took a seat at one of the two bars. I love the casual vibe of this place --silverware in glasses, and condiments laid across the counter. We started with a round of drinks: A $2 PBR and an "Old School" cocktail. The cocktails ($5), are served in mini Mason jars, hence their cheap price tag. We ordered a half dozen oysters, and were asked if we wanted East Coast, West Coast, or a combination. We ordered all East Coast and six plump beauties arrived with all the adornments: mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon, and horseradish. I don't eat oysters, but the report was that they were very good and fresh. We moved on to fried calamari, "Federal Hill" style. Federal Hill is an Italian neighborhood in Providence, RI that I'm familiar with as I visit RI a couple times a year. As expected, the calamari has an Italian touch and is served with pepperoncini and grated parmesan. The peppers added a nice kick and the parmesan added a nice saltiness. I had my doubts when I saw the parmesan, but it really worked. The calamari itself was lightly breaded, perfectly crispy, and not at all chewy or rubbery. In fact, it was so good, we immediately ordered a second one. I'll admit, my raison d'etre for trying Fish Bar was to sample the lobster roll and I'm happy to report that it was stellar. Imagine a lightly toasted bun, dressed ever so gently with celery mayo, and positively overflowing with huge chunks of succulent lobster and that's what I ate. It was so luscious and decadent. If you're a seafood restaurant and you're only going to serve one dessert, by god, that dessert better be key lime pie. And that's all that Fish Bar has on its menu. But this isn't just any old key lime pie; this is key lime pie supplied by none other than Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate fame. It's probably my second favorite key lime pie. It's a generous slice served with barely whipped cream. It's the ideal finish. I'm not sure if the great and friendly service was a result of the lack of crowd, but our server, Marina, was so personable that we stayed and chatted long after our meal was over. She even gave us cards for two free drafts next door at DMK, where she also works. Yep, I'm on board with Fish Bar. Can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. It's a rousing 4.5 stars.
(4)
Debbie F.
First class service that deserves 5 stars. Everything else about the restaurant does not. -Very tiny portions (see pictures) for exorbitant prices -Fresh ingredients, but flavours are not memorable -Patrons are irritating enough to ruin the experience The quest for fresh, affordable seafood in America's Midwest continues.
(3)
julie q.
Yay! I'm a fan!! I really like this place and for one huge reason - I'm not committed to buying a $15 piece of fish that I may or may not like. I can pay $15 for two or three small portions of stuff and if I don't like it, it's not a huge deal. I like the idea of the seafood tapas. Everything we had was fantastic. The carpaccio, tartare, clam chowder, po boys, rock shrimp, scallops, and gumbo were great. The cocktails were tasty and potent. It's a very small place but we had reservations on a Thursday and we got seated right at our reservation time. I like this place very much and we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Belle L.
Gumbo -- I came for Gumbo. I dare you to search for the bits and pieces of andouille sausage with a spec of blue crab. Rice was a tad uncooked. Too soupy. You have to be in New Orleans to enjoy good gumbo. Eastern belly clam -- caution: it can get clammy even fried. Not all but some. Its how it's cook and how it is position or floating on fryer. Uniformly battered. Tater Tots -- perfect crunch. Well seasoned. Nothing special. Looks like one of the frozen selections at grocery store. Home made tartar sauce. The ketchup packets for the tots reminded me of the 2001 Kate and Leopold movie: "You shake and shake the ketchup bottle. None will come, and then a lot'll." using ketchup as a mask for bad food. Excellent service. The moment I put down my lemonade, Sonja immediately asked me for refill. Impressive. 6 types of hot sauce. Tested and enjoyed Trappy's. Excellent drinks list from beer to cocktail at a reasonable price with cosmopolitan sophistication. Warning: Seat Thyself. No sign. No one will tell you. Will go back again for p'o boy, Manila clams and fish/chips.
(3)
ProjectChitown I.
Meh. The ambiance of a small place on the beach. Staff is friendly but not super attentive. The portions are super small and really don't justify the cost. If you have had a good lobster roll - pass on it here. It's underwhelming and not worth $22. Your better off getting the Satchmo Po' Boy - pretty good. Hush Puppies are another pass. Biggest disappointment was the ceviche! It was probably the worst we have ever had. The marinated citrus juice tasted like it came out of a grocery bottle. It was really off, almost rancid. We still think GT is the place to go...never a disappointment.
(2)
Liz K.
I haven't been here since last spring -- but I really like this place. It's a bit pricey but the food is pretty damn tasty. My boyfriend and I both had the satchmo po boy, I believe, and shared some oysters. The oysters were fresh and they had a decent variety to choose from. The po boy, though, was amazing. 10 dollars for a sandwich is a little crazy, but this one was stuffed full and all of the seafood tasted fresh. You'll have a long wait here on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday -- but there are great cocktails that make the wait a bit easier.
(4)
Kate G.
This place is awesome! Loved the atmosphere, although it made me slightly sad I wasn't vacationing in a beach town somewhere. Even though I'm not a huge shrimp fan, I felt compelled to order the satchmo po' boy and was not disappointed. The shrimp and crawfish was cooked perfectly and didn't have the gummy texture I despise. The breading they use is also delicious. My boyfriend got the crabby patty which was also good. We also split the lemon, onion and jalapeno, which we enjoyed immensely. Definitely will be returning here in the future to try some of the other dishes!
(4)
Jackie C.
I've wanted to go here for a while! So when I finally got here, the taste of the food was slightly disappointing, the drinks were Fantastic.. The drinks were so cute being served in mason jars, and a good value for your money (6$/drink). I had one with tequila, and it was perfect- not too sweet! Our server was awesome! So cute and attentive! The other servers were great too! They all checked on us throughout the service to make sure we were doing ok- (just the right amount of times). Some highlights in the food: tartare, and the special salmon, and clams (in this delish bisque!). The lobster roll was fair; this is because it comes on an extra-large roll that overtakes the lobster that's inside... I would go back, (they do have outside seating!) with a little extra cash in my pocket or maybe after an appetizer or 2 from somewhere else...
(3)
Stephanie H.
It's ok. I put Fish Bar in the same category as DMK (see my review) in that it's a great concept, but just not executed well. The actual restaurant is very small. Most seats are around a bar, there are a few booths. Large groups will not work here. The menu is subject to change quite a bit depending what's available and is fresh off the market- which is nice. Thanks to my fellow yelpers I was cautious of the prices. So I opted to stay away from the crab cake and lobster roll although the latter was so tempting (but at $19?!). I got the Manila Clams which were very tasty. Having been around the seafood block several times, I know it's common to have a bit of a grit, but the last clam in the pot was full of grit, a bit of a delayed beach vacation. It happens, but again this wasn't a little, it was a lot. I also ordered the shrimp salad. I hesitate to call it a salad because it was so small. Think of the salads you get in economy class on an airplane, now picture it with 2 big prawns on top. What a bummer. My waitress offered to get me another piece of garlic bread that comes with the salad, but I said no as even the bread wasn't very good. The salad was tasty, but I was still hungry. The people on either side of me got the crab cake sandwich and it was so so small- think of a slightly larger slider. I decided to leave and get a slice of Chicago's on the way home when the manager came by. I mentioned the gritty clam and how the food was fine, but not great. He offered me a sample of the salmon carpacchio which was nice. I really appreciated how he professionally handled my feedback. One thing I forgot to mention was that at times the music is waaaaaay too loud in there. To sum it up- it's not bad, but it's not great. I will consider trying it again in the summer.
(3)
marco o.
Very tasty food, outdoor seating, great drinks, but balanced out with OK service and silly prices ($3 for 7 tater tots, really?). All the food we got was good, but too expensive for the portions received. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, but everything took way too long. Not sure if she was spacey or they were understaffed, but it got sort of silly.
(3)
Nikki A.
This place is the real deal; great quality on the seafood and superb service. The decor is cute (I love the mason jars) and it's a small place, but they just set up their outside patio service yesterday so hurrah, more seats. Everything is tasty. Booze/alcohol selection is seasonal and small but they know exactly what goes well with their food. Our server actually gave us a sample of the ginger-infused cocktail and it was delicious. Their tap beers rotate very frequently, so if you like yummy craft beers with your seafood, this is the place!
(4)
Kathleen C.
Upon entering Fish Bar, I had to check to see if I was still in Chicago...this is one of the cutest restaurants and you really feel that you're in another spot (even in the winter!). Seated at the bar, we were quickly greeted (though I can see why you can't bring groups here - the bar is really awesome, but you definitely can't seat a group larger than 4 unless you really dislike half of the group and don't want to speak/see them). The meal started with Ball jars of drinks (love the Ball jars!) and a super friendly server. We also received some fried artichokes to start (the group next to us received ceviche as a 'treat'). The lobster roll was delicious, though I'm a bit of a purist (I could go for just plain mayo...). It is pricey, but huge and delicious. The oyster po boy..also wonderful. All in all, it's a bit expensive, which is why I dropped a star, but it's a great spot and I can't wait to return. Oh - also, get some take out - it comes with a beer!
(4)
Matthew J.
Coming from Boston were you regularly eat Lobster Rolls I was nervous about having one in the Midwest.... Fish Bar was incredible... Our server Celeste was amazing, friendly, knowledgable and beautiful.. Food came out quick and every dish was perfection. Ill definitely be back again and again!!!
(5)
Patrick M.
Stumbled across this joint and walked in and ordered raw oysters and Hendrick's and gin. Beverages served in a mason jar (plus!). The raw oysters were fresh, and perfect consistency. Tater tots were crisp, NOT mushy and piping hot. Finally, the key lime pie is other worldly. Have no idea what they put in that crust. Damage was a little $$$ for lunch, but this was my best stop in 5 days of exploring Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Little Italy, and elsewhere.
(5)
TaipeiGal N.
it's a cute place with long lines. food is fresh but i hit a wall eating the same way of preparation. its fun to check out once. Dont keep ordering the fried ones. You will feel ewwww like me.
(3)
Mary T.
When my dining partner said he wanted seafood, we settled on Fish Bar solely based on the posted photos. I would urge Fish Bar to give their website a little love; when we looked at the site, every menu link errored out and today, the URL has expired. Fortunately, the place lived up to the Yelp pics we drooled over. When we arrived for an early dinner on Sunday, the inside was completely empty and the patio was only half-full. By the time we left, things had filled in considerably. Both of us were a little surprised by the interior, which is three smaller booths and one long counter that snakes around the place. That said, when the patio is closed, it's probably not ideal for parties of more than 4. I wish I recalled our server's name, but she was really nice. While we perused the menu, she gave us a sample of the salmon tartare served on saltines. She also wasn't afraid to share her opinion, so we got the most out of our meal. We started out with drinks, the frog legs and the rock shrimp. To drink, I ordered #3 Old School, which comes in a baby mason jar. Maybe I'm bad with innuendo, but I didn't get the description had to ask what type of booze was in it (tequila). Made with grapefruit juice and lime, it has a clean refreshing taste; I think grapefruit haters would even like this drink. Of our starters, we both agreed the rock shrimp served wet (at our server's recommendation) were our favorite, although I would've liked a little more sriracha to give it a bigger kick. The frog legs, served buffalo style, were...interesting and messy. I've always heard they taste like chicken, but they had a fish-like flavor to me; I was glad I tried them, but I don't think I'd order them again. For our main meal, we split the Satchmo Po' Boy and the Cod Sandwich. Of the two, I think I preferred the cod sandwich. This ain't no McFish; for starters the cod patty actually resembles the shape of a fish. Toss in some Old Bay seasoning and you've got a great sandwich. The po' boy was tasty too, but a bit heavy for my liking; I think the buttery bun sent me over the top. Overall it was very tasty, stuffed with shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles and really balanced out the flavors. It took us a while to decide what to order, which means we have plenty of reasons to come back! It doesn't hurt that we got cards for a free drink too.
(4)
Brett F.
Fish Heads Fish Heads Roly Poly Fish Heads Fish Heads Fish Heads Eat Them Up, Yum! And eat them up I did! This fish was nothing short of delish, yo. Whether you're looking for a healthier fish experience via raw tartare or carpaccio preparations of the fresh daily catch, or a full out, steamy, deep fryer extravaganza, it's all here for the catching at Fish Bar. Get in early and avoid the wait time at this (mostly) counter-only hot spot. Dinner rushes bring considerable lines with them and the only lines this lassie likes are the ones in the water with bait on the end! While it's items like the light and crispy fried Eastern Belly Clams and a true classic, the Maine Lobster Roll, that have solidified a place in my sea lovin' heart for Fish Bar, the unparalleled Codfish sandwich is truly where it's all at. All you need to do is just take one look at its glorious photo to see what I mean... golden brown, glistening cod on a superdupersoft bun nestled sky high in between crunchy lettuce, fresh tomato, tangy tartar sauce and melty American cheese... Wowzer! It's an undoubted thing of beauty and ten times effing tastier. love. Love. LOVE. A nice assemblage of cocktails (try the Negroni Baloney), beer (hellooo Goose Island Matilda) and - let me not forget! - the terrifically tasty tots that round out this fabulously fishy feast. Grab your sea legs, it's time to eat!
(4)
Carol K.
Was it crowded? Yep. But worth the wait? You betcha! Fish Bar is a casual take on an east coast type seafood eatery. No frills, that's for sure, for this down and dirty, sit at the counter or at a picnic table outside, restaurant, has a limited menu with specials changing daily. We put our names in, and then rather than stand in the melee, we decided to walk down the block and have a drink at Kirkwood before heading back to the Fish Bar where our timing was perfect! We were seated at the counter on a couple of the rickiest stools I have ever sat on, and after a few "jiggles" to make sure the darn thing wasn't going to collapse on me, I began to look over the menu. We wanted to taste a range of food so we ordered a little of this and that. The server will tell you that the serving sizes are smallish so that you may want to order a few things per person. We ordered the rock shrimp (fried but good), bluefish spread (a little salty), grilled octopus (wish I had gotten two) and the lobster roll (very fresh and tasty!). The perfect amount for a light dinner. And while they were out of domestic beer and could only offer craft beers on tap, we were fine with a mixed cocktail to go along with all of that. The noise level is high- so know before you go that this is not going to be a quiet date night out. And the food comes up quickly to get you in and out so lingering in really not encouraged. Our bill was about $60 for the two of us including cocktails. If I had a wish- it would be for a view of the ocean outside of the windows instead of the cars cruising up and down Sheffield. But since that's not going to happen- I'll settle for squinting my eyes, pretending to see waves crashing and just imagining the calls of seagulls in the air!
(4)
Claire C.
Despite the fact that I don't like seafood but my husband does, this place was so wonderful and accommodating. They were happy to modify their menu to make something that I would like and I loved it. The atmosphere is so cute and welcoming and the staff is equally so (Janna). I will definitely come back. Well done Fish Bar.
(5)
Marta K.
If you can eat outside, then yes.. inside is noisy and uncomfortable. We had the asparagus-good.. the rare tuna-meh, although the accompaniments are good.. fish sandwich-good. The sliders are great. The key lime pie is to die for! Lot of money considering the atmosphere.
(3)
Brittany L.
Came here with a girlfriend a couple months ago. Had a great cocktail called the Bourbon off Belmont. Thought some bourbon would keep me warm while we waited for our food. We had the calamari to start off with. Wished it was a bigger portion but still good. We also had clam chowder which was also tasty. I had the Oyster Po'boy and my friend had the Lobster Roll. Both delicious but enjoyed the Oyster Po'boy more. I'd love to try the other DMK establishments next time. Heard they're great!
(4)
MaryAnne M.
Simply adorable restaurant. Counter service only. On a cold February day during Lent had a taste for some Lobster Bisque: butternut squash & cayenne. I also grabbed some Gumbo: blue crab & andouille sausage. Both delicious. The shrimp/beet salad is light & refreshing. Bartender at counter serves and is very helpful.
(5)
David R.
The Fish Bar bandwagon (or band-dinghy?) slowed down long enough for this old fogey to jump on. Usually I assiduously avoid new and "hot" spots no matter how compelling, but this concept sang its siren song seductively enough to entice me for an off-peak, Saturday mid-afternoon visit. And now I'm hooked. First off, this place is fun and unique. The double u-shaped counter/seating area; the bright blue paint job on the exterior walls; the weathered planks on the walls (surely salvaged somewhere like Nantucket); the bright, engaging service; the awesome soundtrack (CCR and Tom Petty during our visit)--all good stuff. And the menu, there's another distinction. Seafood, glorious seafood. Nothing too gourmet, but a notch above your typical greasy shrimp shack. Here is an oh-so-rare place where I could see myself trying everything on the menu, visit after visit after visit. The calamari was my #1 focus based on other reviews, and I was not disappointed. It's fried, but comes out a little soggy due to the pickled vegetables--onions, peppers, and the like, a sort of giardiniera. Don't quibble about the moisture content--just gobble it up! Delicious. Perfect tater tots. Exquisite cocktail sauce (far better than anything that you have ever had from a bottle). Solid fried shrimp. Catch of the day prepared a la plancha with lemon, pepper, olive oil, and chili for a lovely lighter option. North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, a perfect beer to match all this aquatic bounty. I've only nibbled at the line which they're dangling, so between the promise of the rest of the menu and the warm atmosphere, I hope to make this a semi-regular stop.
(4)
Gary T.
The service from Kate was great!!! The lobster roll not so much. The lobster wasn't fresh so it didn't taste very good. The lobster roll was also very small. I can't recommend the lobster roll. My friend had the red snapper taco and enjoyed it.
(3)
Pamela P.
This place is explosive on Yelp. I've been dying to try it because of all the reviews and its proximity to mi casa. This Sunday afternoon we decided to peek in to see how long of a wait it would be. None. Great, I thought, now we can definitely see what all the fuss is about. We were seated on rickety steel stools around a decently nice bar area. The server immediately popped up behind the bar and I asked for an iced tea. Served in a mason jar, the tea was actually quite good. I looked around for some sweet and low packets but no such luck. I didn't feel cool enough to ask for them so I made it work. Having heard great things about the lobster roll and the crab sandwich, we had to try both. Before that, though, we were feeling adventurous and landed on the fried jalapenos, lemons and onions. Well, this started the downward spiral. I quickly began to hope this was a "grower not a show-er" place. Too bad, it wasn't. The fried trinity was so greasy I could see the grease just hanging out on the food before it was soaked up into the paper basket it came in. The lemon, jalapenos and onions were so greasy that they lost any crunch that may have been intended. The $18 lobster roll arrived and it was paltrily filled with a little bit of the lobster/mayo mix. It was good but not orgasmic and most certainly not worth the price tag. The lobster itself was just "meh." I've had better. If you're dying for some tasty lobster, head to Capital Grille. Trust me. There's no comparison. The crab cake sandwich was slathered with mayo and some tomatoes and some other cheap greenery and it was just such a measly portion that I was getting irritated. I hoped the crab cake itself was much tastier but alas, it too was killed with hot grease and all its crabby goodness must have bled into the hot oil, killing its flavor. I've had amazing crab cakes in Chicago and this isn't one of them. What a letdown! After a beer each and that iced tea with all the above food, it was $56 total (including tip)--very much over-priced and not worth it's weight especially since you'll leave with some mild hunger in your belly. We were about to inquire about the dessert but our waitress already made the judgment call that we couldn't possibly have any room for it and brought us the check. When we finally saw her and were going to ask about the pie, she just said--"oh sorry, didn't know you were interested." Well, we're not anymore. Save your money--go somewhere else. Really, all the hype is totally unjustified.
(2)
Coleman B.
Definitely a much better experience. You just have to try out what you like. I love the service here, I like certain raw fish, and certainly its a matter of taste. Definitely comes with experience, but I'm at a place where I know what I like, and when I order it, its superbly prepared. Always ask for recommendations.
(5)
Vince N.
Seafood in Chicago? Yes ladies and gent, it's possible! I've been wanting to eat at Fish Bar for the longest time now and got the opportunity to last week. Didn't have to wait too long, we sat in the cool patio area. The lobster roll is UNREAL. I've tried other lobster rolls around the city but Fish Bar def. has the best. The succulent juicyness of the lobster pieces melted by the buttered bread is to die for. We also had oysters, crab patty, tacos, tots, and calamari--all hit the spot. When I come back here, I am sure to order thousands of lobster rolls.
(5)
Elena M.
I am dedicating this 5-star review to the sweet, kind, lovely, waitress Janna at Fish Bar. What a gal! She went above and beyond to make mine and the boy's first experience here delightful. She started by recommending some dishes which I will pass on to my fellow yelpers: The Rock Shrimp: You have the option of getting the sauce on the side, or 'wet' meaning they're doused with this spicy yummy-ness. I ordered them wet via Janna's suggestion and it was killer... Lobstah Roll: a lovely piece of New England, right here in the heart of Lakeview. I'm quite a seafood snob when it comes to these babies. I like my lobster FRESH not slimy or rubbery and the mayo-celery concoction has to be just right. Idk what this place did, but the lobster tasted like it came straight from the harbor, and this place goes easy on the mayo which i prefer. Scallops: Personally, I HATE scallops, therefore, I cannot attest to this dish, but the boy ordered this, and according to him, he loved them. He was able to confirm this to me by devouring them in a blink-of-an-eye complimented by satisfying moans. Oysters (East and Special): Despite the fact that I'm all about an aphrodisiac, oysters are my favorite and the kind of dish I can eat and never get tired of. I like East Coast better than West so we ordered three servings of those. The way it works here is you can order six east/west oysters for $15. Not too shabby. They compliment the oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and this garlic/olive oil dip (I'm not quite sure what else is in it) that was delish. In addition to the east and west, they also have these other oysters on special. I cant remember the name for the life of me (I think it starts with a 'K') but we ordered those. The serving came with 3 huge, meaty oysters. They were my favorite by far. New England Clam Chowder: By the time we finished the above dishes (yes we are fat-asses and enjoy a lot of food) we opted out of ordering anything else. Janna was so sweet to bring us a clam chowder on-the-house because she overheard us talking about our interest in trying it earlier. She wanted us to really enjoy our first experience here, and experiment with our palettes as much as possible. From there, we proceeded to ramble about our names (we all have unique-uncommon names) and other light-hearted topics. I'm all about food, but what makes a place truly amazing is atmosphere and service. Janna- thank you for making our first experience at Fish Bar unforgettable! We'll be back :)
(5)
Gamaliel E.
Fresh seafood...great beer.....cool staff.....nice vibe.........worth a try. This really isn't my part of town I like to visit, probably because I was out there way too many times in my 20s....but I was happy I made the trip. First off the bloodies here are one of the best I've had. The food was solid, small portions, so your bill will get hefty in a flash. I would say try the fried lemon peels & onions. Everything was good, but I doubt I'll be craving anything enough to make a regular trip back to this place. I will definitely return, just not on a regular basis given the hood its in.
(3)
Laura H.
We ate outside, tried something from different parts of the menu (fried, fresh, etc) and were impressed by everything. It was all delicious, fresh, simply plated, and worth every penny. I'm really looking forward to going back.
(5)
Alaina F.
This place is pretty good, for a fish bar in a landlocked city. It's definitely cute and kind of unique, and I like the blue picnic tables. We sat outside which was loud, but we had a good time. The menu was predominantly seafood duh, and consisted of your standard fried shellfish items, raw bar picks, and a couple of random salads and sides. A few things we liked included the Federal Hill style calamari, a pork belly BLT, and the tater tots. Seeing as we had just come off of a vacation in Maine, we skipped the lobster roll because there is no way it could compare. Speaking of Maine, this place is good for Chicago, but really does not hold a candle to the seafood available in New England destinations. I'm sorry to those who said they felt like they were in Cape Cod, but due to geographic location alone, that is simply not possible.
(3)
Amy H.
Weeks ago, I jumped off the L to see a man painting on giant fish on the side of, what I thought was, a dentist's office (turns out, the dentist is next door). Fish Bar is exactly one million times better than the dentist, and I will definitely return. Expecting crowds, we came around 4:30 on Sunday and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is lively, and the decorations are casual and fun. I can recognize complaints regarding the lack of coat hooks and barstool seating, but personally found it charming and perfectly matched to the Bar's "World's Classiest Shack"-decor. We were greeted by David Morton, who took time to introduce himself and check up on us a few times during the meal. I'm guessing this guy won't be hanging around for too much long after opening weekend, but I have to say that he's an entirely charming and gracious host. We ordered two beers, both of which were delicious (especially the Trappist-Style Abbey Ale), and paired them with 1) fried calamari 2) tuna carpaccio 3) gumbo 4) Krabby Patty. The standouts were absolutely the crab cake and calamari. The calamari is perfectly cooked and battered, and the zing of the banana peppers is a nice surprise. The Krabby Patty is just an awesome sandwich. Fresh, perfectly seasoned and just spicy enough. The bun is lightly toasted and buttery, but somehow managed not to crumble under the hearty patty and zesty sauce. My gumbo was everything I'd hoped; deliciously fresh, powerful flavors with sweet crab and vegetables. I was all prepared to make use of the hot sauces available on the counter, and couldn't bear to add anything to the already-fantastic stew. The tuna carpaccio was also tasty, and came lightly seasoned with olive oil, onions, herbs, fried egg and capers. Staff is friendly and accommodating, and the bar setup makes it easy to strike up conversation and request more food/drinks. On the way out, we learned the giant bell jars on the far end of the counter are set to be tasty liquor infusions for summer, which is just one more reason to return to this neighborhood seafood delight.
(5)
Cody W.
I love this place. Been here a bunch of times and only had maybe one dish I wasn't a fan of. Always had fresh fish, good service, good beers on tap, chill crowd. Sometimes they run out of things, which can be a bummer. But for a seafood place, maybe not such a bad thing as it lets you know they have a good rotation going on.
(4)
Marii L.
The Lobster po'boy was what drew me here, but once I got there and saw the price difference between the lobster v. the satchmo, I went with the satchmo po'boy. Why? So that I could order all the other stuff on the menu, of course! We started off with the tater tots, lobster/butternut squash bisque and rock shrimp (wet, which just means it's tossed with the yummy sauce!). In the midst of my order, I rattled off that I wanted the clam chowder, when I really meant to say the rock shrimp. I realized it and corrected myself. However, when my lobster/squash bisque came out, she had a "extra" clam chowder for us as well! Super score! Hubs was happy with the clam chowder, it had a very buttery touch and an unexpected kick at the end. I was happy with my lobster chunks in the butternut bisque. I didn't think it would work together, but it really did! Also, the chef sent Robin out with a little salmon concoction atop a saltine, complimentary of course! Man, they really know how to put a huge smile on your face with freebies :) Tots were nice and crunchy, but geez, the rock shrimp was SOO good! I could easily had two more servings of that goodness. If you've never had rock shrimp, the best way I could describe it is that it's "meat-ier" and is more tender. I pegged this description after I had the satchmo po'boy that had fried shrimp and crawfish, and was able to compare the two. Definite winner! Next, we ordered the satchmo po' boy, which I initially felt like I was settling on, since I REALLY wanted to the Lobster po'boy, but couldn't justify the $21! Perhaps another day. However, the satchmo did not disappoint and the buttery bun, olives and the fixin's were divine! We asked Robin for another recommendation, and she recommended the grilled octopus. We then added one last order - the fried lemon/jalepenos/onions. VERY unique and delicious, but at that point, we were pretty "fried out". The octopus was good and I'm glad we ordered it, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Loved the place, the set up and how close the servers are to you to make sure you have everything you need. It'll be awhile before I come back, only because it is a small(er) menu than other places and I felt like I had a good sampling. It's definitely worth going to and I'm glad we did!!
(4)
Jamie B.
This place kicks ass. We walked over here during halftime from our NE bar down the street....what a lucky find! We had the lobster roll, east coast oysters on the half shell, and smoked trout salad, and fried clams. All the food was outstanding and very fresh. Our server, Suzanne, was super nice and very helpful. We had a couple cocktails too-- oyster shooters and the #7. Can't wait to return!!
(5)
J F.
This is one of my go-to places in my neighborhood. It's a great place for a few (dozen) drinks and lunch. The po-boys and appetizers are always delicious. The daily ceviche special is really good and refreshing especially given the lack of quality, relatively inexpensive sushi options in Chicago (something about the ubiquitous Lincoln Park Chinese-meets-Sushi-meets-sports bar doesn't appeal to me.) One key thing to note which is a huge selling point -- if fish isn't your thing, the fried shellfish should be ok for even the most redneck or pallates (and just relax rednecks...we can smell our own, I always get shellfish there.) The ambiance is a little Martha's Vinyard garrish but it's a great layout and the outside seating in the summer is some of the best around. I've also reviewed DMK next door. I think it's the same owners. Kinda the same vibe at both places. Definitely check it out.
(4)
Heather P.
To be fair, I'd truly give this 3.5 stars. My experience was so-so, but I would give it another shot and expect it might go a little better because I would have the knowledge I didn't going in the first time. I called ahead and asked for reservations for 4; which I was told they don't do. When we walked in, they asked if we had a reservation. Not exactly sure what happened there. So we waited for a table and I'm not complaining about that because I wasn't aware of the interior layout and the fact that they only had 3 tables to suit parties of more than 2 if you didn't want to all sit at the bar where only the people sitting next to each other would be able to interact. The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were all exceptionally helpful and polite. That's always a plus. As for the drinks, they came in mason jars. Looked delicious and the presentation was very playful. Personally, I thought the drinks looked a little on the small side but I did have my eye on the bloody mary shooter with an oyster that I was dying to try. Alas, I'm expecting so all of these drinks weren't in the cards for me on this visit. With that said, I was also slightly disappointed at all of the raw options that I was pining for and couldn't indulge in. Again, not their fault and had I known going in that half the menu was raw I might have chosen to go somewhere else so that I didn't experience an extreme case of the "I want, but I can't have" syndrome. It's a small menu, but is packed with lots of scrumptious options. We had no idea going in that it was small plates so we were a little surprised when we kept seeing plates and plates of food being delivered to tables while we were waiting. That's a good thing to know going in because if you have your heart set on an $18 lobster roll and have a big appetite, you better plan on shelling out for at least a second plate. I had the federal style calamari and I thought it was good. Didn't knock my socks off, but had a kick which I like and a very crisp texture. Then I had the oyster po boy. In the future, I would go with maybe the crab cake sandwich instead. I didn't find either of my plates memorable at all. On the other hand, my fiance had the fish sandwich and we both agree that was the star of the meal. He also had the tator tots, eh, nothing special and the trout; which was the catch of the day. That was good. My MIL had the lobster roll and granted I know we're not in Maine, but we have family who is and have eaten our share of Maine lobster rolls there so of course by comparison this didn't make the cut. Here's my plan for the future because I liked the atmosphere and think I just wasn't able to appreciate everything The Fish Bar has to offer: I'd come for a date night and sit at the bar with my honey because as he pointed out, it would be a really fun place to go on a date if that date could drink so hopefully he waits for me and doesn't just go find someone else to take in the meantime :) We would definitely get a few of the bloody mary shots and probably some of the ceviche and raw oyster options. I would skip the lobster roll and po boy and go straight for the fish sandwich. When this happens, I'll be sure to update this review!
(3)
Danielle C.
I am not truly sold on Fish Bar. I grew up on the west coast (HELLO! FRESH SEAFOOD) and have spent more than a few months working in Rode Island. I know and crave fresh fish like there is no tomorrow. I crave the flavor, the multiple textures, and the subtle differences in preparation like a true addict. The Fish Bar just did not provide my fix. We went in for a weekday lunch, no waiting and that was a score. With just 8 people total inside you might have thought that we would be able to have a conversation. Nope, sorry, you would be wrong. The music was BLARING! This is the place to go if you are not wanting to be overheard, but beware, you may not be heard by your table mates. Before you order- consider this. It is basically tapas seafood. Each individual is recommended to order 3 plates. Onward to the food- The clam chowder was buttery. I like rich soups but was not overly impressed. However, if you are hungry- order this. It will fill you up. It had a bit of a spicy after bite (peppery)- so if you are not a fan of this, heads up. The ceviche was excellent. Limey, tasty and wonderful. However, served with three crackers (you could get more off the table) it left something to be desired. The lobster roll was lacking. I am used to lobster rolls stuffed with HUNKS of fresh lobster. This was more like pieces of shredded lobster, or maybe I should say small 1/4 bites of lobster. This just left me hanging. For 19$ (not a large sandwich) I expected more. I also was not a fan of the citrus flavor that was somehow pervasive in the lobster roll mix. The grilled bread was good, but come on! The calamari (Ala planche) also had a lemon flavor. It was great calamari but at this point 3 of the dishes had extremely similar flavoring. It was getting pretty darn boring. I think they should rethink how this is prepared. I also had a bite of the whitefish. Not overwhelmed with this dish either. Citrus taste was prevalent here also. The server was friendly, kind and did her job well. I just am not gonna recommend this one. The fish flavors were not embraced or enhanced by the prep methods. Conversation was limited due to the extreme amount of noise from the stereo and all members of our party left unimpressed.
(2)
Caroline M.
Sometimes my brain hurts and I hate reading lots of words. Here is my official run-down of Fish Bar. 1) Go early. 2) Get the lobster roll 3) And tator tots! 4) There are, in fact, purse hooks along the underside of the bar. 5) (gasp) communal seating! But...you + dining companion are seated side by side, so if it's a date, get cozy. 6) It's very loud. Save intimate convos for later. 7) 2 people = $50+ bill 8) Public transit nearby. 9) Have dessert at home ;)
(4)
Tom K.
This is one of my favorite places to take out from. It is great for dining in also, as it is an intimate spot with no TV's which is a plus. The great part of taking out though is that all of food here cooks quickly so you don't have to call ahead and order, you can just walk in and walk up to the beer taps and put in your order with someone. I typically go for the Satchmo Po'Boy, but everything I have had here is good from the frog legs to crabby patty, calamari, fried lemon rings, oysters, lobster roll. Not only do you get your order quick but they also give you tiny mason jar of a beer of your choice while you wait which is very nice of the owners.
(4)
Michelle S.
Love that this place is in the neighborhood, wish it had been here when I was a resident. Although then my wallet would probably not love me as much! The staff and service here was very friendly and mostly on top of things. (My one gripe? Having to ask for water a few times, but other than that nothing.) There were three of us so I called ahead to make reservations and we got a table at 8:00. I was surprised at a) how little the restaurant is and b) how crowded it was. I was happy that you can call ahead with a part of 3 or 4. That was worth it, otherwise the wait was around 45 minutes. The menu looked awesome, I love that the chalkboard above the kitchen tells you what seafood is from where and what's fresh that day. The drinks were great, we had the #3 which was a tequila drink (and delicious, this coming from someone who doesn't care for tequila), the #2 which was the sweet tea drink and it was fairly tasty and the # 6 which was some sort of pineapple concoction which was tasty. Food wise everything that I tasted was pretty awesome. The tartare was the one thing that I didn't care for. It lacked flavor and just wasn't great. The calamari and fried clams rocked. You can't go wrong with the tater tots and garlic bread. The lobster roll was delicious! I loved that it wasn't mayonnaise heavy because that's gross. The lobster was great, nice big chunks of it and the bread was perfect. I didn't try the crabby patty but my friend said that it was meh. No real taste of old bay (which is what sold him in the first place) and it just wasn't special. The codfish sandwich I also didn't try but my other friend said it was great. Dessert was disappointing because they had run out of key lime pie by the time we were done. I was seriously bummed. My advice? When you sit down order the pie immediately and either start with it or just have it at your table or they might run out! Overall it was a fun time at dinner and I'd say it was a pretty nice way to end my eating in Chicago tour this time. Why 4 stars and not 5? It's fairly pricey and I just couldn't go with the 5 stars. Nothing bad about my experience, at all, it just seemed lackluster in the end. I'd probably head back on my next trip for some more calamari and a piece of pie !
(4)
Ashley S.
This place just doesn't do it for me. first off, the seating is awkward as you have to sit next to strangers if you dont score one of the few booths here. I ordered the rock shrimp, and the satchmo poboy. $8 for a few pieces of popcorn shrimp? The satchmo poboy was mostly bread with a very small amount of meat. Expensive prices for small mediocre food, that about sums up my experience here.
(2)
Vivian H.
This place gets packed on the weekend but we were able to snag seats with no problems on a weeknight. They're smaller portions, so the 2 of us shared mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy, and whitefish sandwich with a tiny gumbo. Favorites were definitely the mussels and poboy, but everything was pretty much fantastic. Simple and clean, just really prepared well.
(4)
Brennan C.
If I was a restaurant owner I would love to have a place like this. I could charge a lot of money while keeping the food costs waaaaay down. The staff is friendly, the service is good, the space is well decorated, the food is good, but not great. Basically it boils down to this: trendy and over priced. If you want a true small plate experience save your money for Girl and the Goat.
(2)
Ay D.
Fish Bar hit the spot on a dreary, rainy spring afternoon. The clean simplicity of the three small booths and two large wraparound counters and the surprisingly good stereo system piping warm indie tunes (Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes) makes you feel like you're vacationing on the northeastern seaboard. Great drink selection - various shades of Belgian ales on draft, PBR and cheap pilsner for the bottle crowd, modern takes on classic cocktails (J. C. Paloma, punch, Campari and soda, etc). The raw bar rivals anything you'd find downtown at Shaw's. The oyster po' boy, tator tots, and Matilda draft are a winning combination. The cute cook in the back proudly proclaimed that this was the largest po' boy he's ever made. My server told me it was made with love. I believe them both - I had to attack the juicy, flavorful oysters with a fork prior to lifting the bread. The remoulade was creamy and tangy, and the slaw provided a nice crunch against the luscious decadence. The tots were as good as childhood and the Matilda impressed me as always. Well done, Fish Bar.
(5)
Deirdre L.
I have been wanting to try this place since it opened so a friend and I went there last night for diiner. There was 20-25 minute wait to sit outside or we could sit inside, no wait. We sat insideat 1 of the 3 booths only to be told that these were for reservations only, could we be finished in an hour. We didn't plan on lingerin so we said yes. Our waiter ws helpful and friendy. The food on the other hand was bland and boring. Started out with the Gumbo that had no flavor other than salt. I had the red fish po-boy, I couldn't even taste the fish. The only good thing about it was the bun. My friend had the grilled yellowtail, it was OK but not a lot of flavor. We shared tator tots, which I love, and these tasted like they were cooked in the same oil as the fish - yuck. I am sadly disappointed.
(1)
Casey Z.
The food was spectacular. I was here for a New Years Party and I was able to try a few items from their menu (crabby patty, lobster roll, crab legs). Everything was extremely fresh and delicious. Great ambiance too!
(5)
Kyle D.
I'm pretty sure a few of these people ate at a different restaurant. Fish Bar is reasonable, friendly, and most importantly, delicious. Went there on the first 60+ degree day and waited for about 30 minutes while sipping on good beer. Yes, your party has to be less than 4 people. There are 30 seats total -- plan ahead, people. When you order, do yourself a favor and order two of the octopus right away. They're that good -- and the lemon sauce is crazy delicious. Trust your server for other suggestions -- they are really helpful and won't judge you when you keep ordering long after you should be full. Can't wait to go back -- it's a piece of seafood heaven in my hood.
(4)
Kate P.
My husband and I have been waiting for Chicago to get a good inexpensive fish place. We first went to DMK Burger Bar (around the corner and owned by same people I believe) and split a burger intending to stop by Fish Bar for another little tasting. I was very disappointed in this place. We ordered the ceviche and split something else (so unforgetable I don't even remember the 2nd item we ordered to split). The ceviche was pre packaged and small for how much it cost. We left immediately after we were done eating and do not intend to return. For the $ and atmosphere there are other establishments in Chicago that offer better seafood at an equivalent price.
(1)
Deena D.
Ah yes, Kornick has done it again and I'm glad I was finally able to see what the buzz was all about this past weekend. Yes, this restaurant is not only brand spankin new but new genre of restaurant completely so its likely you will be waiting for a while to be seated. Any more than 4 people and this prob won't work for you - for 2 of us it took about an hour & a half (Friday around 7PM) which allowed us to get well acquainted with their beverage menu - no complaints here! The ambiance is super casual & fun - while Kornick jams out to Marley and other beach tunes on their stereo while helping the wait staff & talking to customers - loves it. I gotta hand it to these guys too for a simple yet witty menu, it actually makes you look forward to reading the whole thing through. We tried the punch first and then moved onto the brew tap. I do like how they serve drinks in the mason jars but the cocktail sizes are somewhat smaller than my liking. As for the big shabang, we each ordered a lobster bisque and new england chowdah, shared the calamari, and split a crab cake and oyster po'boy sandwhich. "Lay off I'm starving" My friend was OK with the bisque, I thought the chowdah was a good consistency/taste but could have used some more potatoes/clams. Calamari was hands down fabulous, I love how the mixed peppers in with it! The oyster po'boy was quite aggressive to be honest, I could barely finish it but did enjoy it (and I'm not even a huge fan of oysters), I did like the crab cake a little better but overall both were tasty & fresh. This was MORE than enough food for 2 people, probably because what we ordered was all fried or wicked heavy. Next time I would love to try the tar-tar, ceviche or salad. From what I saw around me people seemed to like it. Also - try not to get too full so you can try the homemade pie, only $3 for a slice. Overall I'm sure it's no surprise, the restaurant makes a good mark in my book, BUT not sure if it's the best I've ever had. I would comeback on an off peak night with a friend. We heard they might add tables outside in the summer and I think that would be huge to accommodate more peeps. All in favor, I!
(4)
Jessica B.
The restaurant is the bar. It's that simple! The food is delicious, the service great. Definitely worth going- but get there early, the wait can be pretty long.
(5)
Daniel G.
Very cute little seafood joint, with great decor, friendly staff and delicious food. If you are feeling adventurous, try the octopus. Clam chowder is good too. It kind of has the feeling of a Cape Cod fish place. Same owners as DMK and since it is small, I would recommend going at a strange hour to avoid a big wait.
(3)
Alexandra S.
Stumbled upon Fish bar while looking for lunch. was very surprised by the laid back vibe and craveable menu. Hard to pick what to order since so many of the offerings (fried clams, clam chowder, calamari) seemed so tasty. Opted for the Satchmo po' boy and could not have been happier. Meaty shrimp with tasty aioli mayo. Gave into my craving for key lime pie and was not disappointed. Definitely worth the caloric splurge. Sat at the bar and service was very attentive and friendly. Cannot wait to go back and try more!!!!
(4)
Joel M.
Fish Bar has an extremely small dining room with probably less then 50 seats total. There is always a wait, so it can get a little claustrophobic with so many people hovering around in any open space waiting to be called. Expect 1-2+ hours easily on the weekend, but you can grab a beer while you wait which makes things a little easier. Even though its small, its a really cool looking place. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the beer situation here. They are pretty much ALL Belgian wheat beers. If you like that, you will be in heaven, but if you don't you're going to be stuck with an average German pilsner or a PBR (yuck). Also, you're paying $6-$9 for a 300 ML pour. 300ML is 10 ounces for those of us not on the metric system. I'm sorry, but $9 for a 10 oz beer is a rip off any way you cut it. Thats where the complaints end. The two most important things - food and service - were outstanding. We had the Calamari (best I've ever had), Gumbo (better then anything I tried in Louisiana), Codfish sandwich (delicious), and the Lobster roll ($18 but worth it). We ordered everything at once and had our food on the table within about 20 minutes. The calamari just completely blew me away, I could have eaten seven portions of it. It was fried perfectly and had a mix of banana peppers and spices that just made it irresistible. The fish was fresh, crisp, and was complimented well by the bun and dressings. The lobster roll was what I would expect from great restaurant on the east coast. After the long wait and mediocre beer experience, the food made up for everything. I will be back, hopefully when the hype dies down and I can get a seat a little quicker.
(4)
Sadat A.
A taste of New England/Cope Cod fried seafood right in my backyard. If your looking for a party in your mouth then this is the place to be. (Not to mention that I went during a serious tooth ache and still enjoyed my meal). I must start off with the service. Some of the friendliest waitresses in the area. Our waitress explain the cocktail menu perfectly. The mason jars for beer and cocktails were reasonably priced and very delicious. Our party tried a little of everything off the Fried menu and also had the Eastern Oysters. All were hands down amazingly tasty. (Check my photos) The only concern I would have would be how bad the dinner rush is after 6pm. We went for lunch and it was a packed house. If your with a party of 5 or more you can also order off the DMK Burger menu also. That's badass. 100% going back sometime soon to try the crab cake sandwich.
(5)
Chris S.
Awesome food. 3 of us shared sriracha rock shrimp, frog legs, and the fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side. We then each had a sandwich and topped the meal off with a shared slice of blueberry pie. The shrimp was very good, the frog legs too much like chicken, and the fried side was surprisingly awesome (our favorite!). I had the crabby patty sandwich which was basically a big crab cake on bread. It didn't need the bread. The blueberry pie, which we learned was provided by Hot Chocolate, was pretty super. Definitely want to go back.
(4)
Patrick J.
Small portions but great taste. Everything is made fresh to order. I had the delicious calamari,Tater Tots,& the Maine lobster roll with water. It set me back $29 bucks but it was worth it. The Lobster Roll was $19 by itself.
(5)
Roger M.
Nothing to scream or, even yelp about. Ha ha ha! Seriously and all kidding aside, it wasn't bad nor was it great. Ordered gumbo, clam chowder, rock shrimp, ceviche, satchmo po boy, grilled scallops, buffalo frog legs and a side of tater tots. Oh yeah, they comped us a soft shell crab sandwich that was out of this world salty. It was like they marinated the crab in the ocean water it came from, reduced the ocean water to a crystallized form and...ok being dramatic here but you get it. But hey, it was free (perhaps that's why it was free?) FOOD: It's important to remember, portions are small plates. Ceviche was good, not great and it came in a small cup that a place would use to serve tartar sauce on the side. Wasn't fishy, but not too flavorful; too tangy. Gumbo was spot on and it's really hard to find real gumbo in Chicago. This was the Cajun version, not red with rice, okra and celery but brown and heavy on shrimp, andouille and blue crab with a nice seafood flavor and that's what this was. Chowder was good, but too many chunks of celery. To me that says cheap as it's a way to stretch the stock on hand. Satchmo Po'Boys were outstanding packed with flavor; sweet shrimp and crawfish with a nice spice, garlic aioli and sweet butter pickles that balance the garlic and oiliness all rolled into a nice fresh, crusty roll. Rock shrimp was good, crunchy and sweet yet it felt a little salty for my tastes and the sriracha mayo was a nice touch. ?Buffalo frog legs? were ok. Here's my thought: keep buffalo style in chicken. Fried frog legs are best plain with lemon and shrimp cocktail sauce. Even just plain. Don't mess with the legs. Had tater tots and dang nelly, them were salty nuggets too. Someone in the kitchen had an affinity for the salt shaker that night. I think my blood pressure shot up to deadly levels in just an hour. SERVICE: Did well with a reservation; we had three (they only accept for three or four) and they happily accommodated us the same day on a Saturday night for 8pm for a booth seating (which are small; max of four medium folk). Service was spotty; had to keep asking for water which we initially didn't get. The waitress, while friendly and knowledgable, came too much at first and then not enough later when we wanted to order more dishes. So there you go. Not a bad place if they lay off the salt and keep a better eye on service, but there are other seafood places I would consider before coming again (e.g., the always great Davis Street Fishmarket in Evanston).
(3)
Jamie H.
My two friends and I decided to come for an early dinner (around 5:30) on Friday night thinking the place would be pretty dead....boy were we wrong! There was already a 15 minute wait and before we were seated it was already up to an hour wait for others! It was decorated very fun, the food was great and service was pretty quick. The portions are pretty small....except for the garlic bread- only $2 and it's very big and delicious! The fried calamari was pretty decently sized and delicious. The grilled calamari on the other had was a tiny portion, but the oil and spices with it were amazing. The lobster bisque was pretty good, but I have had better. It's much lighter, as others I've had have been pretty heavy. All in all, it was a very nice dinner, I would certainly recommended and would come back again and try some new items!
(4)
Dan G.
This place has been on our radar for a while. We finally had the chance to try it a few weeks ago. And it lived up to the hype on Yelp. When we walked in I expected the smell of fish but was greeted by a more tempting smell, roasted marshmallows. A couple was making s'mores for their dessert over a little grill. I was hungry and this made me salivate. We had a 30 minute wait and enjoyed some drinks while we waited. Once we got a seat we knew what we wanted and ordered right away. The portions are tapas style so me and my sweetie ordered a bunch of dishes to share. First out was the fried belly clams. They were okay, it was close to the end of the night so they had that heavily used frier taste. I was disappointed but the rest of the meal made up for it. Next was the Oysters, they were East coast and had that delicious sea water taste to them. Served with horseradish and cocktail sauce these were really good. Like I could live off of these for the rest of my life good. Next came the tater tots. I know, tater tots? Let me tell you these were great. A good crunch and a perfect side to the fishy stuff. After that was the King Prawns. Cooked on the grill, split in half, and served head on. These to had that ocean taste you want and was complemented with a soy ginger sauce that made these little guys amazing. On to the next dish, which was the fish tacos. They were cobia fish tacos I believe, grilled served with cilantro, onions, and a rojo and verde salsas. Very fresh and very tasty. And finally for dessert, the s'mores that smelled so good when we walked in. Simple ingredients but an amazing way to cap off the fishy madness we just had. It is a dessert that takes you back to your childhood and a perfect way to end the night. Overall I had a great meal here, service was friendly, the drinks good, and the seafood fresh. Like most fresh seafood it does come with a high price tag so it isn't a place I would go regularly but it is good for that special occasion or if you have a group that wants to try something a little different. I could see bringing a good group here and having a blast.
(4)
Danielle S.
This pescetarian has been dying to eat at Fish Bar since it opened, but made it out for the first time only just last month. It was a Sunday, so I had some of the $1.50 oysters, the daily special ceviche, and the satchmo po' boy. Yum. If I lived nearby, I wouldn't be able to resist coming here at least once a week. How dangerous.
(5)
Frances A.
They made my bday sooo special. Flounder ceviche was divine... Not to mention the gumbo, frog legs, po boy, tartare, calamari, fried octopus, white fish, key lime pie, aaaand 7 mason jar drinks... The decor is awesome. Perfect for a date, or another foodie, always a fun time.
(5)
steve b.
Loved it; a great place for a Sunday afternoon lunch out on the patio on a nice day. We had two of the specialty drinks - both were tasty & $5 each. Scallops, a Seafood Salad, Tater Tots, Fried Clams, and some Key Lime Pie made for a nice lunch for two. Portions are not huge but everything was tasty and the place had a nice vibe; I liked Fish Bar much more than GT Fish, and will definitely be back to try the Lobster Roll and a few other things.
(4)
Ngoc T.
I walk pass here everyday... Customer service is great and VERY friendly. Owned by the same people from DMK, I presume. I'm amazed by the simplicity yet effective architectural design of the small place. Food wise, it's delicious, and tastes very fresh, somehow...? I'm a little disappointed by how limited their menu appears to be, I believe there's only 3 types of sandwiches. All my roommates and I, being all burger girls, got burgers.. and they were delicious! (even though I wished they had bigger options) I know that the crabby pattie was a little spicy for my roommates' taste, the cod fish burger looked good. But I got the oyster po' boy and in my opinion, it was the best seafood burger I have ever tried in my life! Check out some of the pictures I uploaded :) Very cute place to bring a first date to, although when crowded it can get a little noisy... so come on a weekday. Good music, btw! Very hip-indie style stuff... One thing I have to add. Come here if you're not expecting to count calories, coz everything here is fried. In fact, when it's crowded, your food can feel pretty greasy. Keep in mind that it's also a bar, not a restaurant. So when you order things, it's to share. Portions are small so you take a bit of everything... it's not a separate portion Tips: I recommend you should only come there with a party of 4 or less. I also wished that each table had their own tall water glass to refill since their drinking cups are punny! The way they split the check for us was a little overly-complicated, so perhaps just let one person pay and you should pay your portion to your friend Dessert: I wouldn't recommend the apple pie. It wasn't anything exceptional, even though our hostess recommended it? Get the .... something mocha... it looks like a mocha cheesecake or something, but that was delicious!!
(3)
Geoff H.
I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, therefore this place makes me very happy. The oysters were amazing! They have a great drink selection and our server was awesome. Again, because of where I'm from, I tend to be a bit weary of seafood in the midwest, but I will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Tom R.
Really enjoyed my night at Fish Bar. Walked in at about 7:45 on a Wednesday night and was told that there would be about a thirty minute wait (which it was). Fortunately, there is a full bar with unique craft cocktails and they have a specific area for you to order at if you're waiting for a table - much more convenient than fighting for elbow room and trying to get the bartender's attention. I started with the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail and it was delicious enough that I decided to have another, and another. For food, we ordered a total of six items for two people - half a dozen oysters, a lobster roll, sriracha rock shrimp, shrimp ceviche, stuffed calamari, and then their fried lemons, onions, and jalapeño side. The lobster was astoundingly awesome. So good that I felt like I needed a cigarette afterwards and I don't even smoke. The fried side dish of lemons, jalapeños, and onions was incredibly unique and acted as a nice snack between courses. The oysters were good but I really prefer cocktail sauce and horseradish on them which wasn't available. The calamari, sriracha rock shrimp and ceviche were all very good as well. All in all, Fish Bar was pretty great albeit pricey. I was surprised that I dropped $80, but, I will likely be going back.
(4)
Amanda F.
Fish Bar beware of yelpers from Baltimore. We know good seafood and love bragging about it. That being said, Fish bar's menu is more about the sauces, spices, and use of a deep fryer than it is about a fresh daily catch. Forgetting my seafood snobbery and reminding myself that I live in the Midwest, I think that Fish Bar is tasty, fun, and worth a visit. To Fish Bar's credit, it doesn't attempt to call its "Crabby Patty" a "Maryland crab cake" (as is popular on Chicago menus), nor does it over-charge for its "Oyster Po'Boy." While these dishes may not exactly be authentic, they are inspired, yummy and fried, just like the Midwest likes them! And I liked them too! Other points from my latest dining experience: -The drinks are all fantastic, maybe a little small, but only $5 -Forget the salads, they are very skimpy on the seafood, although the Smoked Trout was much better than the Crab. -The Calamari "Federal Hill Style" is really jalapenos and banana peppers garnished with fried calamari. I've lived in Federal Hill, and I don't remember ever having that much heartburn. -The Steamed Mussels are tasty, but not particularly memorable. -The Gumbo is quite flavorful, without being over seasoned, but I'll defer to New Orleaners to decide. Overall, I do enjoy this restaurant because its unique in Chicago and reminds me of the Raw Bar markets back home in Baltimore. If you're from anywhere outside of the great state of Maryland and visiting Fish Bar, you'll be a happy diner and quite pleased with Fish Bar's kitchy charm. Marylanders will continue their seafood elitism and write yelp reviews.
(4)
Erin M.
Wow! What a cute place. We literally stumbled in here one day. We were drawn in by the cuteness of the outside patio and all the happy people enjoying there meal. As we stepped inside, we were taken aback by the ambience of the interior. Think Seattle waterfront bar or a Nantucket diner. Loved the ambiance!! We were greeted promptly and were told of the specials and the waitresses personal favs. I love when we get the inside scoop btw....We split the fish fry which consisted of a nice piece of deep fried fish (I believe it was cod) and hand cut French fries. The tarter sauce was hands down the best I've ever had. Ever. The coleslaw left a lot to be desired. Too bland. I will totally be back to this restaurant. In fact, this is the best fish fry I've found in the city. Great job Fish bar!!!
(5)
Kae O.
I ordered smoked trout salad and satchmo po' boy and manhattan clam chowder. Pros: smoked trout salad "bun": I'm usually hesitant in ordering smoked fish in sandwiches b/c many times, the fish is too dry. This was prepared just right. My friend said she could probably eat it straight with some rice. That may be a bit too dry for me but iwith greens, tomato, cucumber, radish and horseradish cream balanced it well. Could definitely taste the smokey flavor but wasn't overwhelming. Note: I eat pre-packed raw smoked salmon without anything. Plus the bread was soft but thick enough to absorb any escaping fluid. The manhattan clam chowder and oysters were average but I would order them again. The fried ingredients in the satchmo weren't oily which is what I like. Service was excellent. Cons: It's small so going in big groups would be a challenge.
(4)
Aaron N.
Son of a bee sting! Fish Bar is a great place to get some fish and have a great time. To start with the food, everything that touched my taste buds was freaking delicious. Since this place serves smaller portion dishes, I had a variety of treats from the sea which I will now tell you about. The Satchmo was my "main" meal, which was a shrimp and crawfish po'boy cooked to perfection with some bread and butter pickles that were also delicious. For my sides, I tried the rock shrimp (spicy fried shrimp), scallops (so fresh that you might need to wear a snorkel), and steamed mussels (the sauce they were served in literally knocked my socks off). Last, but not least, were the oysters. If your name is "fish bar" your oysters better be really good.....and we got a crap load of these because they were really really good (Tip: Make sure you try both the west coast and east coast oysters). Other than the food being slamming, the service and atmosphere was top notch. If you are looking for a great group spot or a date spot, this is the place to come. Seriously....get here. The only problem is that everyone knows how great this place is, so there is a long wait and the place gets packed. I would suggest coming early for dinner or putting your name in and getting drinks to pass the time. Fish Bar. Very good. BOOOM!
(5)
Rachel W.
My mom and I were dying to check out this new addition to lakeview, but are not the kind of people that think waiting over an hr for anything is worth it. So, we did the early bird special and arrived just after 5 on Saturday night. The place was full, w/maybe 3-4 spots open around the bar, we sat right down and marveled at how unique the layout and decor was, as this is definitely an untapped niche in chicago. Our server was very friendly, we decided to try a variety of things and shared them all. Great gumbo, grilled shrimp was yummy, the fried jalapeno/lemon/onions were awesome...but a heavy, we only ate about 1/3 of them. The star though was the grilled trout, deliciously light and tasty. The fried belly clams were my least favorite, they were a little tough in my humble opinion. Go early, and make SURE to order the homemade key lime pie to finish it off. Heaven.
(4)
Lee P.
This is a delightful place for lunch or dinner. The staff is "attitude-free" and welcoming. Start out with the clam chowder, served in a coffee mug. Add a craft beer from their ever-changing list, served in a Mason jar. All portions are "small plates," but not overpriced. Nowhere in the midwest have I tasted fried clams as authentic as these. My wife loves the tater tots. We always leave Fish Bar with smiles. You'll enjoy it.
(4)
Osi U.
A fish lover beer drinker's paradise. All pescetarians converge. Urban Daddy recommended this place after a short conversation about where I was and who I was with and what I wanted to do. What a guy, that Urban Daddy. The fish fries where interesting, they look like fat fries at first glance then you look closer and they actually gently battered decapitated fingerlings. The set up is really hip, and the music selection is eclectic. I enjoyed the service, prompt and courteous. I will certainly be returning.
(5)
David C.
All the food I have had here is good.... however, the bang for the buck is flat. The food is good but the price is a bit much. I have no problem paying for great food... but the food here is good... not great. It is a nice place to people watch.
(3)
Ronnie P.
For the last 6 months I have been getting off at the Wellington brown line stop and passing this place on my walk home. I have always been very intrigued to try it as I have eaten at the Burger Bar right next door. This Saturday I had the opportunity to grab a late lunch at the Fish Bar. My girlfriend loves seafood, I do not, but agreed because they had a few non-fishy items on the menu. We entered and it was a really cool vibe. The host was really nice and friendly and sat us immediately. He was chatted with us for a few minutes and let us know our server would be right with us. At this point everything was going well. Our waitress Sonya came and took our drink orders. A reasonable amount of time passed and another waiter brought us our drinks. It took her about 10 minutes to come back and take our order- this would not have bothered me had I not watched her text for at least 5 minutes of that wait. My girlfriend and I ordered- she ordered the Lobster Bisque and the Crabby Patty, I ordered the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Tater Tots. The tots came quickly and were hot, crunchy and good. My girlfriend said she was very pleased with her Bisque and devoured her Crab Cake sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good, I wasn't expecting much though as I was ordering chicken at a seafood place. We finished, paid and left. I am giving this restaurant only two stars because within two hours of finishing my meal I was throwing everything up. My meal at the Fish Bar was the only thing I had eaten so far that day and know that it could be nothing else. I had the WORST case of food poisoning that I have ever had. My girlfriend attempted the contact the restaurant just to let them know and has yet to hear back. I believe a restaurant should stand behind their food and should be very considerate when a customer becomes ill because of something they serve. I do not know if I will ever return or recommend this place to a friend. The food was fine going down but not coming up.
(2)
Ann S.
They were very nice to us-- we had a party of 8 and were high maintenance. Didn't do any raw, but the sammies were delish.
(4)
Lauren T.
I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. First off, all of the beer is served in mason jars and they have some good beers. Everything is better in a mason jar! I would say it was some of the best fish I have had in a really long time. Really really fresh. I got grilled octopus and fried shrimp. My friend got the cod sandwich which was outstanding. Really nice layout with the bar that goes around the restaurant. The decor is really rustic like and it felt really warm and inviting inside. Seriously I have told everyone about how good this place was! Everyone needs to go here.
(5)
Veronica M.
I guess I was expecting something else ???? The name of the restaurant is Fish Bar and looks pretty simple a place where you would go get some good normal seafood. It was a too gourmet I felt like I was in a tapas restaurant and portions are very small!! I'm not trying to look like a fat ass but I was expecting some sort of hearty seafood. Not this over cool tapas hipster place
(3)
Kelly K.
We came here for a dinner on an early Friday night and I was excited to try Fish Bar! The highlights were definitely the fish straws and the scallops. However, I think the prices were a bit high for the portions, so you don't get the best bang for your buck here.
(3)
C D.
Oh boy! The place is next to DMK and we couldn't pass it by without trying it! We went on a Saturday night and it was pretty cold. The wait was around 30 minutes, so we decided to sit outside. It was so cold. The lovely hostess gave me her own jacket! We ordered the clam chowder soup, lobster roll, and Po Boy sandwich. The soup was super salty. Okay no big deal. $6 for a little cup. The lobster roll came. It was decent, but I've tried better. Fine. $22 for market price. Finally, the shrimp and oyster sandwich came like 20 minutes later. Okay, we can live with it. The things we can't live with was there only 4 fried stuff on the sandwich. Fish Bar, I don't know what had happened, but I don't deserve 4 little shrimps on top on my sandwich and you're asking me to pay $13 dollars for it. The bill was around 50 something with taxes and tips. We walked away hungry and cold. We pay en expensive meal just to eat the buns and lettuce in the buns. Thanks Fish Bar. Do you expect me to go back to it? Of course not because my bf got so hungry after reaching home and he had to dig through the fridge for something to eat.
(2)
Stella W.
kinda glad that i came here on an expense account....LOL I know good seafood is expensive in chicago...all in all, their seafood was quite fresh, but i couldn't justify the price they charged for the ambiance of the place. Service wasn't bad except there was a bit of a hiccup at the seating assignment. One of us was on a cast and clutch and they couldn't even give the booth that were freed up at the time because we only had 3 people. Besides, i would probably need a few orders of the tiny grilled octopus alone to be full. Then for that price, I could probably go to a nicer restaurants/less bar-feel restaurant, esp when they don't take reservation and we had to wait at least an hour. And if i want to just eat good fried seafood, i could go to Lawerence fisheries for some juicy big fresh fried oysters in the bridgeport area. and it would been a lot more affordable.
(3)
Karl M.
Definitely a great spot to come and get some tasty fried seafood, and great beer. Cute, cute, cute servers.
(5)
Georgia K.
It was Saturday afternoon. We easily grabbed a table outside and started with some very refreshing spiked sweet teas. Then we proceeded to order half of the menu (but really, the menu isn't that big). Here's what the three of us had, in descending order of yumminess: --Skatewing... amazing --Scallops... almost as amazing --Seafood Cobb salad... topped with shrimp, crab, calamari & salmon and a yummy lemon vinaigrette- DELISH --Raw Oysters... tasty although I preferred the East Coast oysters over the West Coast oysters (West Coast were too salty) --Lobster Roll... decent, but I've definitely had better --Ceviche... alright, but served with crackers which was all I could taste --Raw Clams... okay, but I'm not really a clam fan. --Key Lime Pie for dessert... definitely solid. The only drawback is that the portions were small for the price. If you're hungry, be ready to drop quite a bit of cash-money. Especially for a restaurant where you dine at picnic tables and use paper towels as napkins. I waffled a bit between giving Fish Bar a 3 or 4 since 3.5 isn't an option, but I guess I'm feeling generous today. But all in all, pretty good seafood for Chitown.
(4)
Gary C.
I don't know what happened. I was standing on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington and I DIDN'T go to DMK Burger Bar. Don't the DMK, she might think I'm cheating on her...with her pescetarian sister. But truth be told. I did sneak off for a little action on the side at Fish Bar. The place is small. No more than like thirty people can enjoy FB [not to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg's creation] at a time. The bar setup is really cool. You've got your traditional bar seats around this U-shaped bar. Then there's the booths. My girlfriend and I were seated in a booth that was up against the bar area. They've got a few booths for groups that would otherwise take up most of the bar top. The staff is super friendly. Our server helped figure out what to order, and we ultimately got the codfish, crabby patty, and tots. No lie, I had no idea what to expect. I was just hoping I wasn't going to get a Fish Fillet from McDonald's or a rock-hard crab cake. What I got was one of the most simple, well-executed fish sandwiches I have ever eaten. A whole breaded fillet. Single slice of American cheese. Lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce. So gooooooooood. Don't even get me started on the crabby patty. Holy schmoley. Best crab cake I've ever eaten. There. I said it. And the tots? Oh yes. You know the tots were good, too. To round out the meal, I was sippin' on Sonja. Ya know, the #7. Sonja does Sicily. It's very appropriate for the summa summa summa-time. Light, citrusy, and vodka-y. Oh, and they rock mason jars. Be sure to check the big board for any specials. I missed out on soft-shell crab the first time I was there [insert sad face]. With that said, I can't wait to hit the bar fishin' again.
(4)
Kathy S.
My husband went here for lunch for the first time and loved it so much that we went back for dinner. This place has really top-notch seafood and exceptional service. The manager Sasha remembered my husband from lunch and even greeted him by name...how many other places can tell you that? He was very friendly and I was so impressed with his passion to make a great dining experience for all the customers. It's difficult to see that these days. The servers and hostess were very sweet as well. Now to the food. My husband LOVED the oysters, even with the $15 for half a dozen price tag. Good seafood isn't cheap and you can tell these oysters are quality. I'm not a big fan of fried oysters but the husband was in love with his oyster po boy. I very much enjoyed my lobster roll and can't wait to have it again...I got a lot of fresh sweet lobster meat and the celery mayo was divine. We also had the rock shrimp and the yellow tail snapper, yum. The perfect ending to the meal were the desserts. We ordered the key lime pie but Sasha also gave us a complimentary slice of the strawberry rhubarb as he told us he wanted us to try that too. They were both heaven but he knew what he was talking about because that strawberry rhubarb was insanely good (my default dessert from now on). They offer a points card which I know we'll be filing up pretty quickly. Yeah, the place isn't cheap but you really get what you pay for.
(5)
Abby Z.
We had a fun time coming here to check this place out. Nothing was out of this world, and nothing was bad by any means. We had a fish that was done in a browned butter sauce that was the highlight of the night, as well as a lobster roll that was good but not the best I've had. This might sound silly but my biggest complaint was the size of the drinks (and I'm not one to complain about skimpy portions, I prefer petite to large). Sure the beer and cocktails are cheap, but that's because they are served in tiny little mason jars therefor you are paying a cheap price for a small pour. I'd much rather pay twice the price for twice the size of the drink so I can sip it for a while especially when the wait for a table is an hour and there's hardly room to squeeze up to the bar to order another after the first drink magically disappears too quickly.
(3)
Kristin R.
Hearts all the way for Fish Bar! Came here with a couple of friends of mine during a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We were able to snag a table outside, and as per usual, they were running some nice deals that we caught on Facebook, and simply had to try. They have a nice assortment of fresh fish that you can order tapas style, and a number of beverages from which to choose from their fully stocked bar. Started out with a nice and hoppy beer, then onto the Bloody Mary's! The Bloody Mary's are fab, and well, beer is beer, but they have a nice selection for any kind of preference. The service was friendly, and they were very attentive to our table seeing as we were there for around 5 hours. Our sunday definitely turned into a "sunday funday", but Fish Bar is the perfect place for this, especially on a beautiful day. I know I'll be back because a) they care about their customers b) they advertise their fish of the day deals, drink deals, etc. on a daily basis c) their fish is excellent d) so are their bloody mary's and e) a nice short bike ride from my home is reason enough to enjoy Fish Bar at any time of the day. Highly recommend!
(5)
Toni M.
What can I say about this place and Romantique well-kept Sacret the food is unique service sometimes is great sometimes is mediocre martinis are great I love their music great hangout place try the crab legs and alive lobsters delicious
(3)
Kelly F.
My sister in-law brought us here last month after having run a Half Marathon earlier that day. Well played - pretty much, best decision EVER. Let's sum it up: -Get there early. (5pm on a Saturday to be precise, as it gets crowded fast, so much in fact that those waiting might stand and stare at you longingly while you eat) -What?! Order everything all at once? Thankfully drinks are an exception. (Yes, they actually make you do this - but, it's not as annoying as it sounds) -Okay, do yourself a favor and order the Oyster Po' Boy (maybe two). The Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno is also pretty amazing. -Impressive beer selection, even for uppity ones like my husband (who, with a gleam in his eye, ordered a De Leyerth Brouwerije "Urthel Hop-It" Belgian IPA). -For those that enjoy liquor like myself, I slurped down two or three "Negroni Baloney" beverages (hey, I hadn't indulged in alcohol for a week due to running that Half Marathon, so it tasted beyond delicious). -Fresh, urban atmosphere. Smart service. Old school music plays in the background, comforting your soul, just like the food. Loved it.
(4)
Richie D.
Well, it's a bar...that sells fish. The name simply says it all. Picture a quaint Glenn's Diner, without the cereal or amazing potato pancakes. They make up for the latter with a side of tator tots at $2 though. My friend's fairly good sized taster of the pineapple jalapeno cocktail concoction quickly took my mind away from comparing the two eateries. She ordered and shared the Calamari a la plancha (grilled) and Tuna Carpaccio, both which were super fresh and well marinated. While I came to Fish Bar with the Lobster Roll in mind, I couldn't find it in my heart to throw down a "market price" set at $18! I could buy an entire lobster for that in Chinatown or Little Saigon! Instead, I ordered the item listed below it: Crabby Patty sandwich with old mayo, lettuce, tomato, and (I want to say pickled) red onion. Best Crabcake sandwich I have every had! Slightly crispy, tons of flavor (without the seafood flavor which I'm not a fan of), and a soft bun. Really there was nothing special about the presentation (hamburger bun + white glass plate), but the flavor stuck out. I'll be back for it! Fish Bar is great as long as you don't mind the close quarters/seating a la Francais, or the huge whiff of strong seafood the minute you step foot in the door (don't worry, your senses get used to it before you become nauseous, while your clothes may reek a bit afterwards; Note to self: Have a bottle of cologne for afterwards if I'm going out). I arrived at 5:30 pm and was glad I did. By 6 pm, there's a wait. Plus, they can't seat groups bigger than 3-4 people. Guess that's why it's called a "bar" yet has a hostess?? Oh and they close between 3 pm and 4:30 pm (annoying!).
(4)
Tom S.
Great concept. Transports you to the east coast. Food seems fresh. Service is good. Enjoyed the lobster roll. My friends enjoyed the place too.
(4)
Mari Y.
I don't know why my friend always suggests to come here but I never fight her on it. Hence, yet another dinner at Fish Bar. The portions are quite small. They're sort of like tapa/pintxo size so you need to order a few items to get full. We went on Sunday night when they discount the oysters so I had two of those and the Oyster Po'Boy. We also shared the fish fries. The Po'Boy only had 4 oysters in it and was otherwise quite bready. At the end of the meal I wasn't full but more importantly, I wasn't hungry. If you're with someone who likes to eat a lot, I would not bring them to Fish Bar because you'll end up spending a fortune. Whether I like it or not, I'll be back.
(3)
Jackie G.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The food is always fresh and tasty. I have had two different types of fish tacos when I've gone, tilapia and rainbow trout, and both were amazing. My boyfriend who is from South Carolina loved the oysters. They serve small plates of food but they seem to get it right.
(5)
Laura W.
Fish Bar was a success. We got there right at 5pm because I was panicked that there would be a wait. After reading the Yelp reviews of people having to wait for seats I didn't want to take any chances. Fortunately there were PLENTY of seats when we arrived, but it did start to fill up by 6pm when we were leaving. I wanted to try the soft shell crab since it is seasonal but I figured for my first time there I would go with the most famous, the Lobster Roll. It was worth the $18 because it was huge and had nice big chunks of lobster. I went against my natural instincts to order the tater tots and go with the garlic bread. It was a smart choice as the bread was definitely meant to be shared and it was thin, garlicky, and soft. I could have eaten 3 more pieces. Finally we tried the clam chowder and it was spicy. I've never had it spicy before so that was a bit of a surprise. There we also nice chunks of potato in there. To drink I had 2 of the Negroni Baloney's because it is a gin drink and sometimes they are hard to find on drink menus. I could have easily had two more but I showed restraint. I cannot wait to go back and try more of the seasonal specials, the soft shell crab, oysters, salmon tartare.
(4)
Laura K.
This place was excellent! Delicious food, fun drinks, and a nice casual atmosphere. I will definitely be back. As a number of people have already mentioned, it is set up like a bar so I would suggest 2-3 people groups. I went with a group of 3 and we had a corned of the bar which was perfect. I ordered their punch which was delicious. Beware that it is a very small drink (and priced accordingly - $6) which was perfect for me because I just wanted a small cocktail since it was a Sunday night. My friend ordered the Bloody Mary shot which had an oyster at the bottom - she liked it a lot. As for the food. YUM! Fried deliciousness. We ordered the shrimp and the ceviche to start. The shrimp was out of this world! The ceviche was yummy too, but the shrimp in my opinion was a clear winner. I also got the Crabby Patty which was unreal as well. It was a huge crab cake on a bun and I enjoyed every last bite of it. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Timothy L.
The plates are as small as they say they are. Skip the crabby paddy. It tasted like something out of a Banquet frozen dinner. The lobster roll was delicious, but like everything else it was smaller and more expensive than what you can find elsewhere in Chicago.
(2)
Bob W.
Hard to write a review about Fish Bar as it is just frightfully underwhelming. Nothing we had was bad, but neither did it make us turn to each other and say "OMG you have to try this!" Why get an oyster po boy here when you can get an oyster slider at GT Fish and Oyster that is actually something special? It doesn't help that the prices are high for such small plates. It looks like a bar, but the food is not fitting the theme. It's hard to reconcile eating small scallops at 4 dollars a pop while sitting on mismatched stools at a counter. The only exception to the mediocrity was the key lime pie. Probably the best piece of key lime I have ever tasted.
(2)
Matthew S.
The fish bar is now on my list of restaurants to take out of towner's to. I would say it is really expensive for what you are getting and for that reason I only gave it 4 stars. However, the oyster po-boy might be the best one I have ever had! Also, their drinks are really awesome.
(4)
Kelly G.
Everytime I come here it just gets better. I haven't had a bad dish yet, and I've brought everyone from my parents to my best friends and all of them love it. From the delicious sweet ceviche to the buffalo frog legs to the slightly spicy calamari - it is all awesome. Plus the servers are always fast and very nice. It's now one of my regular spots. :)
(5)
Grace G.
I stopped in Fishbar recently and was very impressed with their cocktails as well as their variety of fresh fish. I had a great Bourbon cocktail, but I don't remember the name of it and their drink menu online doesn't have it listed. My friend and I split several items, including the rock shrimp, frog legs, oysters from the East and West coast, the fried lemons/onions/jalapeno dish, and the scallops with andouille sausage and we really enjoyed it all. The fried lemons/onions/jalapeno side dish was one of the best side dishes I've ever had, and it complemented the meal perfectly.
(4)
Renee S.
Everything was prepared very well, however portions are tiny. Party of 4 rang up $150 bill in no time--and we left still feeling hungry. That included one Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can for $2. Crabby Patty was good, but the bread was not impressive at all. Skate fish (sp?) was awesome, but again--very tiny serving. The menu will fool you because the prices seem lower. But your portions are significantly smaller than any other restaruant. Service was friendly. I would never go back though. The menu is small, and they were out of things at 6PM on a saturday. Seriously? There is _NOTHING_ on this menu for a non-fish eater. So if you have one in your group, they will be very disappointed.
(2)
Robin M.
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!!! Ok, there is no chicken pot pie at Fish Bar. But if you want some screamin' seafood, look no further. Got there early, because we could not handle crowds tonight. And we got a seat right away. Server was super friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Had #4 punch which was sweet and delicious. My friend got a beer. Prices good. She got a lobster roll and I got a soft shell crab po-boy. And tater tots. Holy Mother of God, they have tater tots! Whoo. Then I'm not sure what happened because when we both looked up, sandwiches were gone. And we both looked mighty happy despite the mayo smears across our faces. Server came back and asked if we wanted pie. Uh, yeah! So had a fantastic blueberry pie (clearly made with fresh blueberries) and my friend got key lime. Took all we had not to lick the plates. Total bill was less than 60 bucks. Only criticism is that the music is rather loud. However, I'll be back for the tail on shrimp, the fish sandwich, and the lobster roll. And I'll shake my groove thang if they don't turn down the music! Hey, wait a minute...why didn't anybody give me a loyalty card? I'm loyal!!
(4)
Ellie R.
I don't even like seafood and this food is so tasty. While I'm not really a fan of the "small plates to share" phenomenon, because I find that you end up paying way more than for a normal meal and still leave kinda hungry, I really like this place. Like I said, a bit over budget for me but worth it every once in a while. Their dishes are delicious and flavorful - I really loved the satchmo po'boy sandwich.
(4)
Kelly C.
This was my second trip to Fish Bar. I got the lobster roll both times. It is great. However, I'm fairly sure the clam chowder this weekend got me sick. The pieces of clam were not only rubbery, but not even edible. The tasted out of date, and I had to spit several out. Halfway through the meal I had a feeling like a rock was in my stomach. I can't be sure if it was the chowder, but every time I think of it, I feel nauseous. Despite the fantastic menu, I doubt I will be back.
(2)
Allison K.
Wanted to go here for my friend's birthday on a weeknight, and there are five of us celebrating. The website says reservations for only "3 or 4," so I was little confused. When I called to find out more, they told us we *might be able to get a table for 5 if we come in at "4:30 p.m. or late in the night at 11:00 p.m." Um, no restaurant is worth that ridiculous time frame, so before even trying this place, I'm giving it a preemptive 1 star.
(1)
Leda G.
I hadn't planned on coming here but was really surprised and so happy I went! The ambience is really cool as other reviewers wrote. It is almost all bar seating, really great for a date! The staff was really friendly. The servers were informative and really know the menu. The drinks were soo tasty!! Sweet Tea= amazing! And pretty reasonably priced. The stone IPA was also delicious!! The food was very good! We got the ceviche, frogs legs, clam chowder, prawns, and the crabby patty. Also smores for dessert. (for two people) Every thing was very flavorful and fresh. I really liked the mix between classy and casual (mason jars for drinks- cute touch).
(5)
Jacob J.
Hella busy on weekends and on nights which we all know are busiest you can expect up to a forty minute wait. I tried visiting on a few occasions with different sized groups and got different wait times. One Friday evening I was in a group of five and was told it would take approximately one hour and forty minutes! (We hit Pequod's instead) This is due to their seating. They expect that most would be in pairs of two, for those in a party they only have 2 - 3 booths which can accommodate (5 max) and those are hard to come by. The photos on Yelp and their website are deceiving, only that it's hard to tell the amount of true space. Before entering and without thinking about the physical address, I assumed they were as big as a Hooter's. Not!. As far as food, I was let down. Huge disappointment. Two things I looked forward to would be their cod sandwich and a rummy punch. I love the pricing, it's all affordable stuff. However a staple like a decent cod sandwich is ruined by trying too hard. Forget that silly dill sauce and give me a tartar sauce I'd want to dip my tots into, that's what I'm looking for. BTW, $2 for a handful of tots, give me a break. Cod sandwich had a good amount of meat though not filling and a nice fleshy slice of tomato, but that's where it ended. My friends that dined on a shared sandwich thought far less about it. Fish Bar's cocktail pricing seems like a dream but when you see the final product served in what's a small (jam) jar, eh, the shit loses my interest. Good pour, just too small. I can cross the street to Vaughn's and expect a heavy handed cocktail in a tall glass for another $2 bucks. I love the idea of the place. The cute counter staff and hostesses, especially that gal with the lip stud, hot. Freaking love the bar, it's either a Maple or Hickory. The bar is so smooth, I could wax on and wax off that thing all the day long. One of these days someone is going to Eff that up with leaving their hot sauce on there too long or scratch it. Great disappointment. For now I'll leave the excitement of it up to the Lakeview locals and tourists. Offer a option of a decent tartar and I'll enjoy my cod sammiches with youz guyz. Until then, it's the char houses for me.
(3)
Adam K.
Awesome little spot, def allow about 45 minute wait after 7pm. SUPER NOISY! Cool decor, seems like a hellish place to work, I got: Clam Chowder - A little too creamy and thin for me, tasted fresh however. Lobster Bisque - ON THE NUTS. Not too heavy and a bit of spice. Fried Clams - Eh, OK. The dipping sauce was bomb. My wifey thought it was Calimari but she is from Wisconsin so WTF does she know. Crabby Patty - Delish. The waitress described it as tangy and a bit spicy, I found it kind of sweet and not spicy at all, i was torn between this and the Lobster Roll, but after seeing the lobster roll was 18 bucks I was kind of glad i got this guy. Very delish and not heavy at all. Key Lime Pie - I actually drooled on myself putting the last bite in my mouth. Did not get to try the fried jalepenos, onions and lemon even though I ordered it, but I will give the waitress a break because it was SUPER noisy in there, I was like 5 inches from her face and I could barely hear her. Also, to all the people complaining about the sizes being small, guess what? Your fat. Order something else then, or better yet go to McDonalds and super size your fat ass. Cool little extra, as we were leaving I said to one of the dudes behind the bar, "Worth the hype!" He introduced himself as the manager, although it was barely audible he said "Let me give you one of my cards!" I was like ok thats kind of nice I guess, he gave me two cards. I was like whatever, dude likes that he is a manager & wants strangers to know it. I get home look at the back of the card and it says "One Free Oyster Shooter when you Present this card." SCORE!!! Will def be back to try the frog legs.
(4)
Kirsta W.
I LOVE Fish Bar! I love the size (allows reservations for 3 or 4), I love the food (ROCK SHRIMP!), the waitstaff is fantastic. It's just a great restaurant. Always fresh, always amazing. Be sure to order the bloody mary oyster shooters - they aren't on the menu but they have them! Have only gone on double dates there but it's fantastic!
(4)
Melissa R.
I was pretty intrigued about this new place for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that the corner of the building had been painted blue with a large fish on it for quite sometime before I realized what was going on. Then I realized that it was a seafood joint by the same owners of DMK Burger Bar (next door, and I'm a fan). We went here on a Friday night straight from work. When we arrived around 5:30 there was already a 30 minute wait. No biggie, we sat down and waited patiently while perusing the food options. We were seated at the bar and it was tight quarters. Keep in mind that when they say Fish Bar, they mean it. There are three booths that fit four each, so if you don't have one of those then you are sitting on a stool. Besides the fact that you are constantly bumping elbows with your fellow diners, the ambiance is very cute. You feel like you strolled up to a seafood shack off the beach...very casual and fun. The food was good, but pricey. Considering the price, I was expecting more food and/or it to be more delicious. Everything we ate was "good" nothing was "great". The best items we tried were the lobster roll and tater tots. The service however was fantastic and we got along swimmingly with our waitress. Also, my fiance is a beer snob and he was pleasantly surprised by the options they had on the menu. And it unfortunately seems they have carried over my least favorite thing about DMK...the crazy loud music. However, this music here is much more low-key and not so clubby...but it is still unnecessarily loud.
(3)
Abby H.
I almost didn't go inside due to it being so crowded (on a Tuesday night no less). I am so glad I went in though. This place did not disappoint. I think I noticed some Yelpers who had an issue with the bar/counter set up. I suggest going back to whatever podunk town you came from and stay there. I went there for oysters and theirs are some of the best I've had. I was talking to one of the wait staff and mentioned my love of oysters, but they are rather expensive so I opted for the smoke trout sandwich rather than another 6 oysters. As my trout sandwich arrived, the woman I spoke to about my love of oysters hands me a plate of 6 oysters I hadn't ordered. As I looked perplexed, she told me the kitchen made an error and asked her if she had someone to give them to. She said she knew just the person. Really? 6 free oysters?? She also handed me her card and said it's good for a free drink during my next visit. The entire wait staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Oh and the trout was unbelievably good with a smokey flavor I've not tasted before. The service here is top notch and the food is just as good as the service. Needless to say, I think I left a 40% tip.
(5)
Emily S.
I thought Fish Bar was pretty A-OK. I have to disagree with the (incredibly pretentious) reviewer who said that if you think Fish Bar is pricey, you need to get a "good job" so you can afford to eat there and a 20% tip. Let me just say that I have one of these "good jobs" that allows me the luxury of dining out fairly frequently. Just because I can afford to pay the amount shown on the check doesn't automatically make it a good value. That's moronic. All that said, I can see how people did not find Fish Bar to be a good value ($15 for 6 oysters?!). The cocktails are very small. I also found the size of the apps to be a bit on the small side (and not particularly well-prepared). We started with the ceviche and the calamari a la plancha. I LOVE ceviche and this was probably the worst I've ever had. Advertised as fluke with lime, pineapple, onion, serranos, avocado, I expected this to be tart and acidic and spicy and briny. It was none of those things. So, so bland - just begging for salt and acid. It was mushy and there was barely any fish in it. The calamari was overcooked, and despite the description of "olive oil, salt and pepper, red chili and preserved lemon," it was also pretty tasteless. No tartness, no salt. I must say, the sandwiches are where the value truly lies. I had a really awesome oyster po boy, and my husband really enjoyed his crabby patty. The tots are delicious and a steal at $2. I would go back, but I would stick with the sandwiches and the tots.
(3)
Katarina X.
I get it. If I were dating a Trixie- I would not want to hear her nasal voice squeaking three octaves higher than natural pitch either. The music here is overwhelming loud and it is obnoxious! Alas, I have a very sexy voice my date can't hear, there is no place to put my handbag (the wall, across the room? This is my phone! This is my wallet! This is my entire lipgloss collection! NO!!!!) I'm nice, I am not stupid looking to get robbed. Bad design with no females consulted there. And the final star kicked off is for the patronizing server: Yes honey, I could leave. I will. She's absolutely right! Food and drinks might be worthwhile- but after the ear-ringing noise, lack of space and sh!tty service just walking in? I am never, ever going to find out.
(2)
Katie P.
The newest seafood joint in Chicago, Fish Bar, definitely hit the mark with the design of the interior. Imagine an east coast lobster shack meets New Orleans. The layout features almost all counter seating (there are three booths, if you are lucky enough to grab one) which works out well for a quick lunch but would be a bit tricky for a nice dinner or busy saturday night. Although the design of Fish Bar was fairly authentic (for a merging of two coast, anyways), the visit went downhill from there. We had the fried clams which were pretty good but the portion size was fairly skimpy(3.5 pieces, literally) for the price. We also tried the Maine lobster roll and the 'catch of the day'; trout. The lobster roll came on the correct roll; split down the center with buttery-toasted sides but was completely over-seasoned with celery salt and old bay seasoning. The lobster and mayo mixture was watery, leaving me to believe the meat had been frozen, and definitely not worth the $18.00 market price. A true east coast lobster roll has to stand by the idea of simplicity and purity, no seasonings, toasted bun, and either cold meat with mayo or warm with drawn butter. Let the fabulous taste of the fresh meat shine, don't mask it. The trout was served well after the lobster roll came out and after the first bite I noticed it was completely raw still. I had to send it back and have them cook me a new piece which resulted in me eating quite a bit after everyone else was finished. I wish I could say the service was great and completely made up for these huge goof-up's but at the end we were left without an apology(!) and a full priced bill. see the full review on my blog: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…
(2)
Gwanda P.
Small portions calls for a lovely brunch, lunch and even a nice lite dinner! The Mahi Mahi starter slider, the salmon BLT (I ordered it without bacon) and the PUNCH drink is what I ordered! The Mahi Mahi sliders are $3 each....well worth ordering two or three....My friends ordered a lite trout and white fish grilled. Sides are ordered separately! ALL yum-me!
(5)
Lauren R.
Stopped in here on a snowy Sunday afternoon for some oysters & beers. The Stingray oysters (from VA) were on special for $1.50 a pop. Usually when oyster bars have deals on oysters, they give you the small ones that hardly have any meat. Here at Fish Bar, the oysters were terrific - so fresh & hands down the "meatiest" oysters I've ever had. The beers were delicious (The Crisp & Daisy Cutter) and the service was outstanding. The waitress & the manager, Mindy, couldn't have been friendlier! Definitely plan to make this a weekly outing to get my oyster fix!
(4)
Eric M.
I can see this become a regular haunt of mine. Know going in the place is pretty small and you probably won't want a party of more than four. The staff was awesome. Very knowledgeable on the menu and fish in general. Great beer and cocktail list also helps. The food is very good. I can't recall the name of the fish I ordered but they cooked it to perfection. Looking forward to going back for more.
(4)
Kristina C.
Do not come here. I just do not want any more people to know about this place. I want to be able to go and not wait 20 years to get in. So, just dont go. My boyfriend says to me, hey, I got a great place we should try out. Seafood. I, not being a stranger to shrimp and other treats of the sea agrees to try out this new place. I walk in and fall in love. I love the counter style seating, I spy Goose Island Matilda on draft and I know everything is going to be alright. On Sunday around 7, we only had a 15 minute wait, which we enjoyed a few cocktails. The place isnt that big, but I did note that getting drinks took a while (both while waiting and when we sat). We started with Lobster Bisque and oysters. The Lobster bisque has no cream in it, just the actual flavor of lobster. I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink it. It was that good. I'm not that much of an oyster fan, I tried one, thought it was okay and let my BF enjoy the rest. And enjoy he did. Then we had the rock shrimp (great-we had it wet), the calamari (the lemon was such a great flavor with the grilled calamari), lobster roll (amazo - served cold, which my BF didnt like). The beers were great - a bunch of Belgian styled brews that were great to compliment the food we enjoyed. I'm totally in love with this place and am salivating at the idea of eating there again. They take reservations for parties of 4. So me and 3 friends will be headed there really soon. Swoon. So please, just don't go.
(5)
Nicole L.
Okay $19 for a Lobster Roll? Really? All of the hype didn't match the food quality. The lobster roll was mediocre at best. Didn't think it was worth the $19 price tag. The fried calamari wasn't all that either. It was drenched in oil or lemon or something. It tasted better once it was dipped in the cocktail sauce. All in all, it was pretty meh. The whole drinking out of mason jars is a cute concept though. Not too sure if I would hit up this place again. I'm almost positive that there's better seafood out there.
(2)
Linda N.
Sunday dinner around 7pm - pretty hostess says it's a 45 minute wait for a table. No problem. We grab two beers at the bar and 15 minutes later, two seats open up. What we ordered: Ceviche, served with saltines. Cute setup, full of flavor. Gumbo with blue crab, Andouille sausage, and wild rice. This NOLA born and bred girl gives it a thumbs up. Bisque with lobster and sweet corn. Nice texture, date loved it. Hama Hama oysters from Washington. Orgasmic. Calamari, "Federal HIll" style. Deliciously prepared. Oyster Poboy. Probably our favorite thing on the menu thus far. My date is no longer a poboy virgin. Octopus (yummy) and Whitefish (subtle on the palate) Key Lime pie - oh my heaven! The portions were perfect, as we were able to try MANY dishes without stuffing our gills. We loved this place and will be recommending it to other seafood lovers.
(5)
jamie k.
DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!! $15 for 6 oysters!!!!! ridiculous price!!!! calamari and pulpo - use the same marinade, dressing and the serving size is way too small i am not sure what all fuss is here we spent $180 between two people, had a bunch of items, and some drinks, but nothing was super amazing! everything was average i have had much better, just like the 2 star rating says on here! they could definitely work on increasing the portion size, then this could be a great place!
(2)
M C.
The good thing about this review is I have experienced the Fish Bar and I know I'll never go back. The place is small, almost dumpy, it is more a cafe than restaurant. The service was somewhat slow and clumsy, we had to wait 15 minutes for one piece of Key Lime pie. I almost asked for the bill before it came because the whole experience was rather annoying. If your a fish or seafood foodie, don't be tempted by this place. The food is over salted(Oyster Po'Boy, chowder, fish in fish tacos) and everything is a la carte. This is the only restaurant you'll spend $30 at and never see a plate of food. The ceviche was $9 and came in something a little bigger than a shot glass. Even the sandwiches, which your waitress will tell you are the only "full size" items on the menu run on the small size for $9. And remember, that $9 gets you a small sandwich on a monkey plate with not so much as a stem of parsley or a pickle. The Manila Clams were good, but again a pitiful appetizer sized serving. The clam chowder is $6 a CUP. Our bill was $88 for 3 adults including two drinks and the tip. If your looking for good seafood in Chicago try Hugo's, Shaw's (same prices as Fish Bar and you won't leave hungry), Tanta, Ay Ay Picante or El Barco. The ceviche at Ay Ay Picante ($13) is almost as good as Tanta.
(2)
Joe P.
The service was attentive and nice. Our drinks were served promptly and only took a few minutes to order. The food also came out in speed. With knowing its a bar, wasn't expecting anything fancy. The smatcho poboy was decent with a ok amount of shrimps and or crawfish...? The baby octopus was the bomb. Should've got grilled salmon or red fish... The redfish tacos were killer good. Very nicely prepared rare style. The octopus was grill served with a lemon butter and caper sauce. It was quite good. Total was 40$ for the tacos, octopus, poboy n ice tea plus tip. I however spent 10$ later at portillos to get finally full... So Idk if it's worth the value at all. Let me go into the food- the redfish tacos were like a sushi kind of meat. If we had ordered two of everything, it'd have been the price of a pappadouex dinner... At 9$ a pair. The satchmo po boy was a ton of bun. Not nearly enough shrimp not crawfish. Too many scallions and onions ugh. Overpowered it all. The baby octopus was worth the 10$. Perhaps I would order the grilled salmon or red fish... Nothing else on the menu was worth half the cost. Overall I'd not come back due to having so many restaurants to choose... Dmk burger bar appears good but idk anywhere haha
(3)
Elise K.
I used to love this place and rave about it, but coming in tonight has changed it... 5 stars = 100%... 3 stars = 60%. Last time I checked, 60% is a F. The food is still at least slightly above average, but a few things were lacking -- the artichoke fritters literally had no identifiable artichoke in them, the variety was missing from the menu, the charred redfish tacos weren't great, and the soups were a bit thin for being bisque. The old cocktails have been replaced with less creative new cocktails and prices have increased $3+ for each. The crux of my problem is really the service. I have never seen so many staff standing around talking to each other rather than helping customers. This is a generous 3-stars.
(3)
Sandy N.
I went here a few days ago with another Yelper around 7:15 pm. There was a short wait, so we headed over to DMK to get some truffle fries. The ambiance was very nice, casual but also with an intimate, a personal touch (one server took care of our entire area, which was a sort of U-shaped bar seating so that she was always within 5-10 feet of us). We had the: sausage & crab gumbo - good, smoky and spicy (not my strong suit) lobster bisque - sweet, delicious, creamy, though lobster a tad overdone--it was made with sweet corn and didn't contain any cream, which was a pleasant change (not too heavy) lobster roll - OMG. the lobster was perfectly done, tender and moist, and the roll was buttery and delicious. my friend really noticed the celery salt, and while i also hate celery, it didn't bother me at all. this one was a definite win. softshell crab a la plancha - i didn't really know what a la plancha meant (after we ordered the dish, i looked at the menu to check) but i love softshell crab, so i figured it would be a safe choice. turns out, a la plancha meant fried and served in olive oil with preserved lemon and arugula. the flavor combination was wonderful and worked really well with the flavor of the crab. yum. the service was good, and the server was really nice and personable, making sure we were taken care of the whole time. added to the ambiance and the quality, Fish Bar gets 4 stars (minus one since the lobster roll was just a tad bit pricier than i would have liked).
(4)
Amy L.
I am a huge seafood lover and Fish Bar definitely met my expectations! We called ahed and they don't take reservations for parties of 2, so we went in at 545 to make sure we didn't have to wait a long time. We sat right down at a table outside. Our server was awesome! He brought us crackers with sardines for free since it was our first time. We got oysters, which were awesome, but pretty small. We split the fish of the day, salmon tartare, and garlic bread, which were all amazing. My only complaint is that it was pretty pricy and very small plates. If I went back, I think I would get a sandwich to make sure I didn't leave hungry again.
(4)
Chaz A.
Allow me to take this opportunity to bring up an issue that's been biting me in the back of the neck for the past couple of months. Just because I have hair like a certain über-famous pop star, and happen to dress nicely and also be 16, doesn't mean I am said über famous pop star. So.. stupid drunk man at 1 pm on a thursday I am not him, therefore do not persist to keep calling me by his name. And save for this man who looks like Billy Baldwin, (I told him, too) and his slightly less douchey this would've been the perfect lunch with my best friend on a spring break afternoon. We went all Lobster, or as they say in New England "Lobstah" with the Bisque with sweet corn and Lobstah. And maybe, and here I am nitpicking this most wonderful bisque, a bit less corn..... Just a bit. And then we split a Lobstah roll. And really, you don't need a full sandwich, but you will inhale the half. Mmmmmmmm, dreaming about it now. And props to Mindy Segal for a Kickass key lime pie. Add 2 cokes. Bill $51 with tip. Not TOO Shabby.
(5)
John H.
Let's preface this review with one simple fact: I have never given a Yelp review, nor will I ever give one again, unless my experience resembles that of "Fish Bar". My wife and I are super laid back - easily pleased, always pleasant, doesn't take much to satisfy our food needs... seriously. It takes almost no effort.... but Fish Bar managed to fall short.... I would give a better review for my worst McDonald's experience! We live in the vicinity of Fish Bar and we had been extremely excited for its grand opening around a month ago. We decided to give it a shot for her birthday!!! (an awful mistake) We are here to give a few theories on their business acumen, as well as a review on their service. First of all, my lady and I arrived at 6:30pm and were told we had an hour and ten minute wait. We left, had drinks, and came back around 7:30 (an hour later). At around 8:30, we were finally seated. That's right, a 2 hour wait, after we were told 1:10..... not a great start. The theory behind this: Fish Bar has no reservation system, so if you show up and decide to wait, you offer them business through drink purchases. They will remind you that you will be seated soon, so you purchase more drinks. If you get worn out with all the waiting, you will leave and they just earned money from you drink tab.... Luckily, we fought this tactic, because we were told "the food is served very quickly" so we waited patiently.... for about an hour longer than we were initially told. Starting to get a bit annoyed, but we are cool about it.... (Essentially, they avoid reservations because they can bring in more people and more money if reservations are NOT accepted.....) After being seated, we ordered drinks..... mine never arrived. It was a bottled beer! Twist off the lid, and hand it to me....... seriously. The couple next to us was seated 10 or 15 minutes after we were seated. They managed to get drinks, dinner, and pay their bill before our meal ever arrived. Yes, we still remained friendly and positive (not sure why) We ordered 3 items, and 2 of the same items were ordered by this neighboring couple...... meaning we ordered the same thing, but while theirs arrived in 5 minutes, ours arrived in 45 minutes.... ??? Now I am a little grumpy. To sum up the timing, we put our name in at 6:30 and our food was brought to us at around 9pm. We ordered the Maine Lobster Roll - i rode my bicycle up to Maine and caught my own lobster before this order was ready.... awful service is what i am emphasizing, if you don't get it. We also ordered fried clams between 2 of us.... there were 7 clam bites..... seriously? i would rather buy frozen fried clams from Jewel Osco and add my own seasoning. Again, for all the waiting we did, I could have purchased a flight to any coast on any continent, ordered the most complicated menu item, and eaten said item before i received my order at Fish Bar..... and again, no apologies for the delay, no drink suggestions or anything. Weak. We considered leaving at any given moment, but the thought of this Yelp review encouraged us to see it through the bitter end of this agonizing dining experience that could easily equal the enjoyment of a root canal. You know what our waitress Sonja said when we finally got our food? " Wow, you really snarfed that down...." No duh! We waited for 2.5 hours for a measly portion of clams and a lobster sandwich. I think a starving child from a third-world country would expect more expedient food preparation. Of course she didn't apologize for the nasty slow service, forgetting my drink, and did i mention the slow service? And forgetting that I ordered a drink? And the fact that we were there, alive, and breathing? This average meal took so long to make, it was comparable to the evolution of man. This is 3 hours of my life that my lovely lady and I will never get back and I wasted my wife's birthday, to boot. I honestly don't remember if the food was good.... we waited so long we felt like we were famished enough to receive government funding. There were no apologies at all, and don't expect a reservation system anytime soon. This is how they make their money. Fish Bar sucks. Don't waste your time or your money. We definitely did not, with our $1.10 tip... and that was generous!! I have no regrets about that. Our meal should have been free, in our opinion. From someone who would eat almost anything, I will never eat here again. This place is garbage - pick any place in Chicago and I would bet you that the service is better than Fish Bar.
(1)
Crista L.
The Fish Bar is nothing more than over-priced "casual" joint. If you have less than 4 people in your party, you are allowed to dine here. If there are 5+ people in your party, you are not welcome. For 50$, 2 of us ate a few miniscule-sized appetizers. I notice the lobster roll was 18$. I mean, I'd have a hard time spending 18$ on a tiny portion of food that may very well be served on a paper plate. (yeah, county fair style) Order the calamari, it's delicious. HOWEVER, don't expect more than 8-10 pieces of calamari to be served (in a county fair style paper bowl.) The ceviche was nothing to brag about... and it was served with saltine crackers. 4 saltine crackers, to be exact. Just 4. The Chocolate Mocha pie was DEFINITELY the highlight of our meal, provided by Mindy at Hot Chocolate. For more of that, I'll visit Hot Chocolate instead of going back to the Fish Bar. I really wanted to like this place, but I wasn't impressed. With all the amazing restaurants that Chicago has to choose from, chances are I will not return to the Fish Bar. I feel like I could get an equal amount of seafood at Shaw's Crab House for 50$ . And it'd be better quality, and it'd be served with bread, and it'd be deeeeeelicious...... I see a few people have waited 1 - 1.5 hours to be seated at this place!! There's not a fvcking chance I'd wait that long to eat at the Fish Bar. Just sayin'
(3)
Joe S.
Food is not bad by any means here but the thing I don't like about this place is that (a) you can't really have a party of more than 2 people without having some major issues being seated here, and (b) Fish Bar gives you the cozy "run down" hole-in-the-wall east-coast ocean shack restaurant theme, but only along with expensiveish nice-restaurant sized prices. I thought the whole charm of those small fish shacks is that they were cheap too!? Just an observation.... Anyways...
(3)
Little D.
This place has a LOT of work to do... My husband and I have been excited to try this place, we finally did last night. A nice, scaled down look on the inside, but almost too minimal and cheap. My husband and I had to play musical chairs up at "the bar"(or stools in this case) for about 5 mins because a majority of the stools in there were wobbly, shaky and falling apart! Suggestion to the owners: We like the idea of the mismatched, crude stools - BUT - get stools that aren't broken! Your customers should be comfortable! Also, warm up the environment just a touch. Maybe some rustic placemats at the bar seats, some tea lights around, actual place settings (instead of a bunch of random utensils in a big glass that difficult to reach because it's way on the side). Also, make sure your condiment bottles aren't empty and clean at the end of the night. We reached for 2 different bottles of hot sauce with our meal, one of which had nothing in it and the other was grimy! The "bar": There is NO bar in here. I asked for a vodka martini and was told that they do not have vermouth or olives. Really? Not even olives? The serve was nice enough and explained they only have a few things to drink and that the bar is limited. Suggestion to the owners: You can't call yourself a "bar" if you don't even have some basic items to make some basic drinks! The staff: They were very nice. Suggestion to the owners: There needs to be some type of uniformity in the dress of your servers. Though very nice, they would create a more professional environment if they had some type of piece (be it an apron with Fish Bar on it or whatever) showing that they are staff and not patrons. Apps: Calamari and Rock Shrimp - The Calamari was just ok. Very average for the portion and the price! We enjoyed the "Federal Hill" style of it, but it seems the Federal Hill took over the appetizer and there was not much calamari in it! Plus, it was almost over cooked/borderline chewy. It was very average and unimpressive. The Rock Shrimp wet was very fresh and tasty! The portion was too small for the money. Suggestion to the owners: Go to The Pony on Lincoln and try their fried Calamari and Rock Shrimp appetizer. Super fresh, super delicious, and a nice portion for an app to share. New England Clam Chowder: The absolute WORST we've ever had! It was watery, skimpy portion for the price; the potatoes in it were still hard, and SO SALTY!!! OMG! Really it was terrible. Suggestion to the owners: The fact that you have a small menu is really awesome! It leads people to believe that the few items you have on it must be out of this world and you have really mastered each of the items on it. Unfortunately, your soup showed this is not the case. You need a new recipe badly. WE WILL BE BACK FOR ONE REASON: The Soft-shell Crab Po'Boy!!! Despite the constructive criticism above, Fish Bar has nailed the Soft-shell Crab Sandwich!!! Our server told us that it comes on a hot dog type bun and after the soup, I wasn't expecting our sandwiches to be that great - BUT - they were awesome! 2 very BIG soft-shell crabs, perfectly seasoned and fried in a very nicely buttered and grilled bun (the bun was not cheap at all and super fresh), with a fantastic seasoned slaw. WOW - seriously, we were blown away by the quality of this sandwich, the portion of it was perfect, and the price was only $10! Suggestion to the owners: Keep this sandwich as it is! It trumps the soft-shell crab sandwich at Half Shell and at some other places in the area. Just delicious and the price is really fantastic. So, all in all, this place needs to improve if it's going have staying power - but - we are going to keep coming back for that soft-shell crab sandwich (we'll probably just take them to go though).
(3)
Ryan G. S.
You don't normally get calamari this good in this country. Forget everything you know about calamari being rubbery and tough; this calamari (whether grilled or fried) is tender and fresh. It's just as good as the calamari I used to eat every day after work in Spain, where they take their seafood more seriously than the national economy. The only downside is it costs four times what it did in Spain, but such is the price for living in a country where gasoline and drinking water are more than abundant. The oysters are also de puta madre, and if you feel like you're spending too much on fish, cans of PBR are only $2. No reservations (or seating) for parties bigger than 4, which is probably because the whole place is a bar. (There are no tables.)
(5)
Meredith P.
Yum! 3 was the perfect # for this spot. We went on a Sunday evening around 7 and only had to wait about 15 minutes for a nice corner spot to open up. We ordered the ceviche and the "wet" rock shrimp to share. The rock shrimp were SO good. Nice and spicy! Then we each ordered a sandwich and the crab cake sandwich had a nice balance of sauce to meat and bread. Really really good. About 6 or so beers on tap and then a few specialty drinks. Will definitely be back to try the calamari, lobster bisque and clam chowder! Overall the food and ambience was great. Our waitress was a bit slow/confused but everything else was great so we overlooked it.
(5)
Kevin C.
I got a craving for a lobster roll the other day and decided to give the Fish Bar a try with my girlfriend. We went in at about 8pm on a Friday so I was prepared to wait. The hostess was very sweet and said it was about a 60-90 minute way. A little bit long, but they had a bartender who was getting drinks out quickly. We were seated after about 55 minutes, so not too bad. The waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Always made sure we had a drink in front of us. We got the Lobster Bisque as an appetizer and it was delicious! It's made with a butternut squash and tasted great. My girlfriend got the Shrimp Po' Boy and I got the Lobster Roll with a side of tater tots. We were really impressed! The only complaints/improvements I have are that the beers were a little skimpy. For $6 draws, the bartender wasn't even filing the beers to the top of these 12 oz jelly jars. $6 for about 9 oz of beer seemed like a rip-off. I switched to mixed drinks after my first one. And with the lobster roll, either they should add more lobster or make the roll a little smaller. It felt like there was too much bread relative to the amount of lobster. This is something minor and the richness and the taste made up for it. Overall, I was impressed and satisfied. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Tom O.
I love this place! Great atmosphere, good drinks, friendly helpful service and 12 out of 13 things I have ordered over 2 times there were wonderful. Oysters are always great and whatever grilled fish they have is always a sure bet. Tacos were surprisingly good.
(5)
Kimberly D.
I had a craving for fried oysters so thought we'd give Fish Bar a try after hearing about last week's opening from what seemed like every media source and local guide that is printed and emailed. Fish Bar definitely met expections and lived up to the hype. I was expecting a crowded dining room and long wait considering it was still new. We arrived on Sunday around 6:30 pm and the wait for our party of 4 was about 20 minutes, but we were seated within 15 minutes at the counter. Seating is limited especially for groups larger than 4. There only a few booths and the rest is counter seating. For larger parties, there is a sign about being seated next door. Service was super friendly and attentive from the hostess, to the bartender, to the manager, to the server. While waiting, we were offered to order a drink from their bar area (could be a bit bigger). Our group tried the TEA, OLD SCHOOL, and PUNCH. All delicious and came in a cute little jar that was the perfect size. OLD SCHOOL was like a margarita but flavored with grapefruit instead of lime, while the PUNCH was very flavorful. Everything sounded good on the menu. Since orders come in small plates, we decided to try what seemed like everything. LOBSTER BISQUE was good but not what I expected. Not your typical bisque...but rather a corn chowder with chunks of lobster. GUMBO was pretty good with a nice kick to it. ROCK SHRIMP was breaded perfectly and sriracha dip made it tasty. I opted to order "dry" but think it would have tasted even better if I ordered "wet." FRIED CALAMARI was decent but breading was a bit soggy. Catch of the day was TASMANIAN SEA TROUT, which was cooked and seasoned just right. TAIL-ON SHRIMP was not overcooked and did not have too much breading. CEVICHE was served with crackers and seemed more like a seafood dip than ceviche that we expected. However, it was still good and came in a nice presentation. My friend said the CRAB PATTY was just ok. Crabcake was good but she didn't care too much for the sauce. OYSTER PO'BOY was delicious and definitely filled my craving. My only comment was two of us ordered the oyster po'boy. Mine was filled just right with not too much remoulade or slaw and 3 decent size oysters. However, my friend's po'boy was soggy and filled with too much slaw, so it was pretty messy for him to eat. TATER TOTS were just ok, nothing special just nice presentation. GARLIC BREAD was delish! Based on the above, I was ready to give Fish Bar just 4 stars. However, I bumped it up to 5 for making an effort for a special request. After we were done eating, we wanted only fried oysters, which is not on the menu, other than the po'boy. Server and manager checked with Chef and were able to make the accommodation for us. Oysters were really amazing and we highly suggest Fish Bar to add it to the regular menu or as a special. All in all, we had a great experience at Fish Bar. Spent more than we wanted but it was only because we wanted to try almost everything. However, the oyster, shrimp, and fish were all high quality and super fresh that were neither overly breaded or overly seasoned. Also was not dripping in grease. Service was terrific and in a nice casual setting. Even though space is small and people were waiting, the staff never once made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning....
(5)
John O.
Been here twice now and continue to love it.
(4)
Raph V.
This place can get rather crowded real fast, but the service is great. I highly recommend the Lobster Roll and the Satch'mo Po'boy.
(4)
Cara T.
The first time I attempted to go to the Fish Bar (Saturday at 5), the wait was like 2 hours. No thank you. I went back on a Saturday at 4:30, and walked right in, with plenty of seats open. Necessary to go off peak hours. But now, I know what people were waiting for. Some of the best seafood I've had in Chicago. The hubby and I sampled and sampled. We had the fried rock shrimp (dry), fried clams, we shared a lobster roll and codfish sandwich, he had the bisque, I had the peanut butter pie...We just ate and ate and ate. The atmosphere is very casual, chill, and friendly. I snacked on crackers that were on the counter and sipped on the punch I ordered (which came in a mason jar, yes please). The shrimp was perfect, served with a spicy dipping sauce. The clams were a little chewy, but still awesome. Served with tarter sauce, which I thought was weird, but I really liked. The lobster roll was my first ever. I'm positive if lobster rolls are your thing...this one is phenomenal. But I don't think lobster rolls are my thing... The codfish sandwich...HANDS DOWN one of the BEST fish sandwiches I've tasted. Piping hot, melted cheese, crisp lettuce...light batter, fresh fish...you just can't beat it. I don't understand why the Fish Bar just can't become that whole block...do the same bar thing...but expand it by a block (or two)...so everyone can get in...and maybe have a seat with a back (don't worry, you won't even know you can't feel your butt until you've already had all your yummy food and try to stand up...). I love the hostess, but I imagine that can be stressful to seat people in that small area...take the whole bar, expand it by a block. Le Fin.
(4)
Ashley A.
Went to Fish Bar a couple of weeks ago for lunch on a Sunday. Had a great time chatting with our server, who was very friendly and made great recommendations. He brought us a complementary okra dish (which was delicious), as well as a special beer on the menu he heard us talking about but that we didn't order. Hits: Service Satchmo Po Boy - Absolutely delicious shrimp and crawfish po boy with a tangy and garlicky aioli - definitely our favorite. Fish Tacos - Changes daily, we had the shrimp tacos. Generous portion of well-cooked shrimp with two accompanying sauces which complemented the slaw perfectly. Miss: Oysters - I was actually a little disappointed by the oysters. The selection changes regularly and I ordered 12 West Coast, but when they came they looked somewhat butchered. I was a little disappointed they weren't shucked better from a place like Fish Bar. Having said that, they are still oysters and therefore still divine. Overall - recommend coming here for a low key lunch or dinner - I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Jennifer R.
I'm giving them 3.5 stars and here's why. Arrived at 6:30 pm on Friday night and waited 1.5 hours until we were seated. I can tell you for a fact that they seated people ahead of us who came in after us. I was trying to be cool as a cucumber, but deep down I was a starving, ravenous biatch waiting to jump out of my skin. The bottom line is that we waited 1.5 hours for FAST FOOD (essentially). We were finally seated at the bar and ate our meal within 20 min. I can see this being very cool during a time when I can come in and grab a seat. I just don't like to wait. Drinks were $6 and the smallest thing I have ever seen. Seriously, a little larger than a shot glass. It was good though...just too expensive for something that size. Ordered: Crabby Patty sandwich - I liked the sandwich overall, but there was a hint of curry or cumin in the seasoning and I hate both so it ruined it for me. They really should mention this on the menu or before ordering as I read another reviewers comment below and apparently the lobster roll also has curry in it. Calamari Federal Hill Style - loved this - the banana peppers were delish. Fried Jalapenos, Onion and Lemon - probably one of the worst things I've ever tried in my life. I love all 3 of these and could not believe how bad this was. All in all, it was just ok for me. I'm open to going again though.
(3)
Jerry G.
Went to Fish Bar during Lent hoping to fill my desire to have some mouth watering fried seafood dishes. The place was able to fit the bill and then some. Normally I don't expect Fish bar to have a 2.5 hour wait but any friday during Lent would increase the line at a seafood place so we bided the time by devouring their mixed drinks. The "Punch" and "Sonja Does Sicily" in the mason jars were like nectar from the Gods and had a near perfect mix of juice and alcohol. Once we were seated our stomachs were yearning for food, luckily the Lobster Roll and Crabby Patty sobered us up. The prices we paid for the dishes did not correlate to a pleasing portion size, this was the main reason this place loses a star to me. Otherwise, as a good bar to eat some great seafood and have conversation with friends it works tremendously. Must Have: - Lobster Roll - Crabby Patty - Any mixed drink Tips: - Expect long lines during holidays that have people not eating meat
(4)
Stacie K.
Ok......so.......I'm sure as most of you know.......this place is awesome. The service has always been amazing, the food has been even better, and the drinks were even delicious... The first time I came here, I had a dozen oysters (yes, all by myself), a lobster roll and 2 bloody marys. The oysters were amazing. As I sit here thinking about them, I am LITERALLY salivating. The lobster roll.....I don't even remember it very much because I inhaled it. It was so yummy and there was so much lobster. The 2nd time I went I had an oyster poboy which was also amazing. I had the same server both times and she recognized me! I signed up for some rewards card to use with Fish Bar. Not to mention.....there was some really good eye candy here. For real.
(5)
Rapeepat C.
When the weather warms up, I won't be surprised if this place is packed all the time. It's conveniently located at an El stop (Wellington). Big bright happy blue building packed with awesome, fresh seafood inside. My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Thursday night. We probably waited for about 10-15 minutes (might be even less, I was admiring the pee-baby tap "Blanche de Bruxelles" which I do recommend since the light crisp taste go well with seafood in general). Once we get seated, we quickly asked for sample of the raw clam which is $1 to try, $12 for 6. After that we just take our time deciding what to eat. Note the name of the place is more of a bar than a proper restaurant. The layout of the place is about 80% counter/bar space with maybe 2 proper table with 4 people seating. So, I think service was adequate. We ordered 6 raw oysters, lobster roll, rock shrimp, fried lemon/onion/jalapeno and grilled octopus. Fried lemon/onion/jalapeno is probably an acquired taste...I don't really enjoy deep fried lemon but that's just me. Raw oysters (half and half with east/west coast) are super fresh and it's interesting to get a mix of it since you can taste the distinct difference between the coasts. Rock shrimp was awesome. We had it wet which mean it's premixed with the sauce (Dry - sauce on the side). Lobster roll is really really yummy but for $18...I guess I'll eat again on my bonus day. Grilled octopus was cooked very well. It was not tough at all which is what I was afraid of. I will definitely come here again to try to the seafood chopped salad and gumbo! along with some other fish.
(5)
Christopher K.
I didn't expect to find the best tater tots in the city at Fish Bar, but happy early St. Pat's to me! The satchmo po' boy and scallops were excellent as well. And who doesn't enjoy unleashing their inner Toby Keith and tipping back a few from a mason jar?? Love the vibe of this place. Friendly, prompt service doing what they can to help you enjoy great food. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Tom T.
This is a decent neighborhood eatery with very reasonable prices. We tried several things from the menu and I can't say anything in particular blew me away. The gumbo was good but not spectacular (they just had a lot of pepper in it). The ceviche and tuna tar tar were absolutely forgettable. Honestly though, it's just not that hot. It's like a nice version of Red Lobster. You'll find similar but better versions of this food at a place like Heaven on Seven. A side note, it gets extremely loud in here. They haven't put in any baffling anywhere so it's like being in a gymnasium.
(3)
Lindsey C.
How have I NOT reviewed Fish Bar yet!?! Very friendly staff. Great drinks (I always get the punch, YUM) and rotating beer menu. As far as must-eats on the menu, you HAVE to have the rock shrimp. I also always love whatever they have "a la plancha" - I usually get squid, scallops. The garlic bread is amazing! One thing I did try that I didn't like was the mussels... they tasted REALLY fishy. That was just once, so hopefully it was a fluke. The key lime pie is delish also.
(5)
Laura C.
So I'm fourth to review, not bad. I really wanted that "First" badge but didn't want to venture out in the rain for opening day. So day 2 of Fish Bar it was. At the corner of Sheffield and Wellington, Fish Bar is a no frills, fresh, sustainable seafood joint. The interior is mostly bar seating with a few booths. Decor is high end seafood shack. If you have five or more people, they encourage you to go next door to DMK Burger Bar (also owned by the same dynamic duo of David Morton and Michael Kornick). At 10PM Thursday night, we were warmly greeted by David. There was a 20ish minute wait, so we saddled up to the bar (or just the space near the tap) and chatted with the bartender for some interesting mixed drink recs. They have unique brews, one ultra hoppy Urthel IPA from a female brewmaster that I highly recommend. Their cocktails are small but unique. Served in mason jars, one could easily toss back a few before dinner. I tried the Tea with Weed Vodka which was the bartender's fave. I thought it was a little too sweet - Arnold Palmer-ish. Next was the Old School - a grapefruit/tequila concoction, which was basically a margarita with grapefruit instead of bitters. Not bad, something you would drink on vacation, or in March in Chicago wishing you were on vacation. Once we were seated, we got the rundown on the 86 list. For day 2, they were out of the bisque, lobster po' boy and shrimp. We started with oyster shooters (a little love from our server). Fresh, spicy and a good amuse. Next we tried the fresh catch of the day a la plancha - trout. Light, flaky, well seasoned and gone in about two seconds. Also tried the crabby cake - a 3 oz SPICY crab cake served on a hamburger bun. A little too much kick for my taste, but worth a try if you're into capsaicin. Then - the codfish sandwich - a high end filet-o-fish. The American cheese on top took away from the whole experience, I just can't get over the artificial taste/look/texture of congealing cheese product. The fish, on the other hand, was good, what you would expect from an MK filet, but I would try something else next time I went back. Also tried the tater tots - a good side to our dishes. MK - partner and executive chef - stopped by the table to say hello - always a big plus for me. Service was excellent, and they really try to make you feel welcome. Desserts (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate) could be purchased by the slice or whole. We tried the key lime pie - excellent flavor, good amount tang. Texture was smooth and airy. The only slight imperfection was the overbaked graham cracker crust. Also tasted the apple pie with a housemade whipped cream. Nice sugar coated crust, but I'm not a big apple pie fan. Nice job DM and MK - I'll be back.
(4)
Phil T.
Love=seafood only joint! Small place that offers a killer fresh seafood. No real hilarious moments except for the orgasmic expressions on my face after each bite I took of my dinner. So equivalent to about 7-8 O's no joke! A few friends wanted to try almost everything on menu so imagine a thanksgiving type of spread of seafodd. Lol literally we had lines of food just coming the whole time. Here are just a few of my favs the shrimp "wet" is a must, calamari, n the sotcha Sammy. I'm not a dessert guy UNLESS they have tres leches or bread pudding and well........they had bread pudding. After my 6th orgasm I finally hit my limit. :-) Servers exceptional cool, food came out super fast, n it was delish! They did give out a few freebies to keep ya coming back. It was a nice addition but no matter what Im a repeater from now on.
(5)
Jeff R.
The DMK Empire is expanding - next door is the latest called Fish Bar, and there's a new DMK going into the suburbs. Since I live so close and love DMK it was an easy decision to check out Fish Bar on it's opening weekend. There were crazy long wait times, which we passed mostly in our apartment, but still had a long wait to get seated even after we arrived. That's likely a small kink in the system that will get worked out as things get settled, and a risk when trying any new spot TOO soon after they arrive. I get what they are trying to accomplish and the vision - a fast paced, counter style spot dishing out seafood quickly and efficiently. What they likely did not expect was a gaggle of people just hanging out before and after eating - slowing down their entire process. Our overall experience was good, once we were seated. The service was friendly and quick, and our food arrived super fast. We really liked the grilled fluke and Erica's fried cod sandwich. Jed devoured his po' boy and we all loved the keylime pie for dessert. Additional things we tasted included shrimp (nothings special and a little small), garlic bread (awesomely garlic for only $2) and ceviche starter (kind of goofy texture and not a ton of flavor). We started with the shrimp and ceviche. They came out lightning fast. We thought the ceviche had an interesting texture, kind of squishy, and there wasn't a lot of flavor (especially compared to central american/mexican styles). The shrimp were fine, with a tasty cocktail sauce but a bit smaller than expected. Next up were the calamari and garlic bread. The bread smelled amazing and filled up the room. It's plenty large to share with people, though I'm not sure you will want to. Our fried calamari were also just ok, made a lot better with tartar and cocktail sauce. The plate came with a lot of the legs/spiny things as opposed to the round hoops. It also came with spicy peppers, a nice touch for those of us that like a little kick. The best news is that our favorite dishes were the largest, or "main course" size. I went with the fluke and Erica chose a fried cod sandwich. Jed went with the highly recommended po' boy that he enjoyed. My fluke was well cooked and served with a nice citrus sauce (with a few pepper flakes). Erica liked the sandwich but thought there was a lot of sauce. I had a bite or two and highly approve. Finally, we were talked into a keylime pie for dessert. They had two pie options (the other apple), and I'm sure they're both amazing. We did quick work on our slice. I'll be back since I live so close, but the product is not as delicious as their neighbor DMK Burger Bar. If they get the seating time down, or show up at an off hour, it'd be fun to sit at the counter and have a beer with some seafood. The food is good but not revolutionary and good value. Once they get the kinks out I'm sure it will succeed like DMK - and the empire will grow...
(3)
kj w.
Loved the ceviche and tater tots (yum!); the lobster rolls were solid - not Reds - but solid. There is something about those buns. The beer selection leans toward my style - Saison, Weisse - got to love them for summer!
(4)
Onur U.
They've got a casual atmosphere that works with the simple but well-prepared food. I like the bar style seating since you can get your water refilled and bus your plates easily just by putting them up on the counter where the waitress can see them. Though the portions are a little on the small side, I like that everything is under 10 dollars. Go with a couple friends, share a handful of seafood dishes and you've had a light, delicious seafood meal for a reasonable price. Just don't expect mounds of food, which is fine by me. The fried dishes have a nice, crunchy breading that doesn't come out too greasy or overpower the fish. I particularly enjoyed the oyster po boy that had plenty of juicy oysters to go with a buttery east-coast style roll. All the dishes featured fresh seafood with simple but well-executed preparations that highlight the ingredients. Also the grilled squid was juicy without being rubbery and the fried belly clams were silky and sweet. Great stuff! My only complaint was the menu lacked any vegetable side dishes. With all the protein they're pumping out, it'd be nice to have a side of fresh grilled veggies. And no, though they were great, tator tots do not count as vegetables.
(4)
C P.
Very solid neighborhood joint. Service is excellent, as is the atmosphere. Very well curated beer list and comprehensive seafood menu. I wish they had 1 or 2 non seafood dishes to round things out, but overall really good meal.
(3)
Michael H.
We went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30, it couldn't have been better. There was no wait, not only was the girl behind the counter very helpful, but the chef was great too. We ordered just about everything on the menu, and we loved every bite. The chef insisted that the octopus was far greater than any octopus we had ever had... so we tried it...he did not disappoint. I can understand why there is a 2 hour wait on Thursday-Saturday nights, remember that all good things come to those who wait. Oh yeah, patience is a virtue too. I have read many of the reviews and I have some input on them: What do you expect when you go during peak hours? You are going to have to wait, maybe try a different day that is not as busy. Pompeii is right across the street, and they seem to be looking for more business(not that they aren't a fine establishment.) So you think that you are special and your entire party doesn't have to be present to be seated? Almost every restaurant has this rule, abide by it! You are not a celebrity, you should, and don't deserve any special treatment over those who follows societal rules. If you didn't like the food, maybe mac 'n cheese, and pb&j is more suited for you. Sit at home with your terrible food and watch more reruns of the Gilmore Girls instead of complaining out of ignorance, and lack of knowledge. Yes, it is pricey, but worth every penny. Instead of complaining about it you should have worked harder to get a higher paying job to afford the meal and leave at minimum 20% tip. I rarely go on here unless I have been blown away by a place, and Fish Bar did just that. Just in case you are wondering, I have no affiliation with the place, it was just that incredible.
(5)
Ashley K.
I was really excited to try Fish Bar based on a recommendation from a friend but hesitant based on my lackluster experience at GT Fish. I'm happy to report that Fish Bar lived up to the hype. This is a fairly no frills place, which I feel like would be just as much at home, if not more so, on a beach in Florida than it is on the corner of Wellington and Sheffield. The food is also fairly no frills - but in a very good way. They don't try to gussy up the seafood with a bunch of different flavors and ingredients. The seafood is the star and Fish Bar does a great job of letting it shine through. We tried 3 different a la plancha options: the whitefish, calamari, and scallops. Scallops can go from perfectly cooked to rubber in about a millisecond. While it should be easy for professional chefs to nail scallops - I've experienced more than a few restaurant scallops that taste like garbage. The scallops were outstanding. They were served with a lemon, olive oil and chili flake sauce that made me want to pick up the plate and lick it. Delish. The whitefish was good but suffered from our own poor decision let it sit for a bit while we finished another dish. The calamari was the one letdown of the night. It was undercooked and gummy. However, our server immediately took it off our bill without our even needing to ask. Quality move on their part. The soft shell crab sandwich was huge - two crabs on a buttery grilled bun, with a yummy slaw. The half sandwich I had was more than plenty. It wasn't the slightest bit greasy...just really, really good. The fried clams were awesome as well. They were served with a tartar/remoulade type sauce that I'm fairly certain had curry in it and made me fairly certain that I never want to eat any other sauce on fried fish again. These fried clams were full belly clams, more akin to what you'd get on the east coast, not just the strips you usually find in Chi-town. We also got a steal of a deal on oysters. The oysters are $15 for an order, however, they offer a single oyster for a buck. We were able to get one east coast and one west coast oyster each for $4. Awesome. I didn't care much for the east coast oyster, but that's not Fish Bar's fault. The only thing I didn't really like was that the cocktails were all served in such small glasses. They were delicious and went down super easy...which can make for quite the expensive night. We only waited about 15 minutes at 6:30 on a Friday, which was a pleasant surprise. This place is a little cramped but that seems to be the trend lately. I fail to understand why restaurants think it's a good idea to open in a microscopic space but count that among one of life's great mysteries.
(4)
Sabra R.
The Fish Bar and DMK are my two favorite restaurants in Chicago. Sure, I've had more high-end foodie experiences. But as far as food goes, these two cannot be beat. As an east coaster, I'm very particular about my seafood and the Fish Bar does not disappoint. The Eastern Belly clams are tender and delicious and the fried smelt are melt in your mouth wonderful. The lobster poboy is delish as are ther oyster and Satchmo versions. Perfectly grilled rolls, super fresh seafood and just the right toppings. What my friend and I like most about Fish Bar is that they dont have unnecessary sides like chips and fries. Here, iIts ALL ABOUT THE SEAFOOD! The drinks are wonderful--from the spicy oyster shooters to the original cocktails like Sonja does Sicily and Sabra in the Rain. And then there are the people who work there----just an amazing bunch of really nice people who treat you like you're an old and dear friend from the very fist visit. I absolutely love this place!
(5)
Blake H.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. the lobster roll is absolutely fantastic & totally worth the price! i have had the ceviche twice with two different seafoods (scallops & a fish) amazing the raw oysters were fantastic as well as the OYSTER SHOOTERS! the soft-shelled crab was also AWEEEESOME. anyways all the food i had was really really good quality seafood and i loved it. and god bless a place with cheap beer ($2 PBR) it means i can be outrageous with ordering more fooooooooood!!
(5)
David D.
WOW! I am a seafood fiend, and this place more than lived up to its expectations (I love DMK and have been anticipating its arrival). I took my girlfriend here on opening night, and we can't stop talking about how unbelievable the food was. We had the calamari and lobster bisque for appetizers. Both were great, but if I had to pick one, I would go back every night this week just for the calamari appetizer. It is fried with banana peppers, giving it a tangy but not too spicy kick. For sandwiches, I had the oyster po'boy and she had the crab cake sandwich. I was expecting to be overwhelmed by fried Cajun spices, but the oyster pieces were quite large, and you could really appreciate the seafood flavor blended with the spices. Her crab cake was extremely tender with some fresh tomatoes (isn't there a tomato shortage?). My only complaint would be that the place is tiny, and this could lead to some long wait times. We stumbled upon opening night, and from my understanding, opening night was unannounced. We got there at 6:30 and had to wait 40 minutes for a 2 person spot. I can only imagine the wait time when word spreads about this place...
(5)
Sara D.
This is a great place - we came here last night (Wednesday) and waited comfortably for a half hour to be seated. It is likely that you won't mind waiting....with a fun, boistrous but comfortable environment, and a good drink menu, its a quick wait. The food was scrumptious - we tried the ceviche, fried Tiger shrimp, and grilled calamari. It was hard to decide, but I think my favorite were the shrimp...the ceviche was a close second. The ceviche comes in a little jar with crackers. For dessert we had the mocha brownie pie, and it didn't disappoint. I appreciate both the portion sizes as well as the prices. You can try a lot of dishes without going overboard. Also, all of the staff, from the hostess, bartender, and waitress, were awesome.
(4)
B C.
It's pretty impressive whenever a restaurant can serve seafood that I like. What's more, I really appreciate a business that has a well executed and distinctive style. Fish Bar did all of this and was so good I'm recommending it to friends as a new option for a light lunch. I went there for lunch last Wednesday and it was busy but didn't have a wait. It's within walking/throwing distance from the Wellington stop - convenient enough that it could be a lunch destination for loop workers. I split 2 sandwiches with my meal compadre: 1/2 codfish and 1/2 crabby paddy along with some tater tots and it was all excellent. Both were solid, but the crabby won with a little more flavor. They also had a handful of delicious soup options, and they let us take tasters of a chilled bisque - good for the summer. They had our food ready within just a few minutes. The sandwiches were satisfying but not sleep-inducing or heavy. In all, it's a great place for a quick and casual bite to eat.
(4)
Andi M.
Overwhelmingly great service from the moment I walked in. We were greeted by David Morton and Michael Kornick was in the kitchen. We even saw him doing dishes and delivering food. When I walked in, I said "i've been waiting for you" and Mr. Morton replied " we have been waiting for you!" So very nice. We had the Calamari a la plancha with this crazy lemon sauce that was so good, I had to eat the legs. I never do that. I then had the lobster roll and my husband had the cod fish sandwich. The lobster roll had a little bit of a curry undertone on the dressing that was placed in the bun. The lobster was cooked to perfection and you could taste the butteriness of the lobster. it was not overwhelmed by bun or dressing. I was in LOVE. The bun was soft and delicious. I tasted my husband's fried cod sandwich, which looks nothing like it tastes. it looked average but when you bite into it, whoa. The fish was perfectly cooked, the bun and accoutrement were perfect. We also got the apple pie (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate). the crust was sweeter than the filling. I liked it. The apples were subtle and it was a great capper. The decor is great. a canoe hangs over the seating on one side of the restaurant and there is a giant pop art mural of men and the fish they caught. Drinks are served in mason jars and it has a feeling of an upscale fish shack. They had great beers and a couple of wines that pair well with the food. Service was friendly.
(5)
Jonathan A.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a huge craving for a lobster roll, even though I'm not a huge lobster fan. But it was something I needed to get out of my system. I was looking to relive a little bit of a trip to New England a few years ago in Chicago. The day was perfect for it, cool and breezy summer day. I did get the lobster roll even though I have to say, it is probably not worth the $19 price. But then I say that about every lobster roll I've ever eaten. Even in and around Boston, most lobster rolls were average $12-17, and this one was better than most of those. But I also tried the calamari which awesome, and came resting in a bed of hot peppers. The gumbo and fish sandwich I tasted were also really good, and everything else was priced about right. The lobster roll was definitely the most overpriced item. But good nonetheless. I will definitely be back to eat sometime on the patio and start trying everything else on the menu.
(4)
Kristin S.
We came early, so we missed the legendary wait times, but as we were leaving, there were at least 10 people standing and waiting for a seat. It was nice out, so people could stand outside, but I'd imagine the place can get pretty claustrophobic in the winter. The best things we ordered was the fried calamari appetizer recommended by our server. It was perfectly fried and mixed with tomatoes, peppers and parmesan if I remember correctly. It sounded very weird, but it was delicious. We also tried the clam chowder and the oysters to start and both were okay, but not fantastic. We also shared a lobster roll and "today's catch" a la plancha as also reco'd by our server. We specifically asked if it was too much food, and were assured it was not. It definitely was, though the portions are not huge. I was still very full by the time the grilled fish came. Everything was "good", but I won't be making any special trips back, especially at those price points, which really sneak up on you when you're ordering multiple items and drinks, so be wary of that. It's a casual and kitschy kind of place, but it feels a little gimmicky and less about the quality of the food. I'll stick to Fish Bar's meatier neighbor for future visits, though.
(3)
Mike M.
DMK's new neighbour Fish Bar is small, so it shouldn't come as surprise you'll have to wait (40 min at 6:30pm on a Saturday), but it was huge on food memories. Having lived in Southern California, the menu reminded me of the roadside seafood shacks along the PCH in Malibu, except there was no view of the Pacific, and counter intuitively, the food tasted better on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington. The menu has an emphasis on sustainable seafood and is divided by preparation method which includes: raw, a la plancha, fried, sandwiches, and several others. We started with the raw oysters (6 for $15), a mix of East and West coast varieties that were served with lemon, mignonette and cocktail sauce. All were fresh, plump, and tasted of the briny sea. Fantastic. From there we moved onto the lightly battered calamari ($6) which was perfectly cooked, and accompanied by pickled peppers that added subtle heat and a pleasing sourness. Do I even need to recommend the nostalgic tater tots for $2? Make sure to finish with dessert, because the pies are from Hot Chocolate's Mindy Segal. If the seafood took me back to the West Coast, the tart and creamy key lime pie transported me to the East Coast. The tight seating along the bar provides an opportunity to survey the selections of fellow patrons. A common item coming out of the kitchen was the Maine lobster roll which was overflowing with meat and served on a buttered bun - a priority item next time we visit our new neigborhood gem. The wife and I sampled the tea, punch, and negroni baloney cocktails each served in miniature mason jars. All were great, if not a little ahead of the weather. I can imagine these going down easy once the temperature breaks 80 and the rumored sidewalk seating opens.
(5)
Kelcey K.
We tried DMK Burger Bar about a week back and decide to venture into their sister bar - Fish Bar. We had visited Boston last month and fell in love with the New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll at Quincy market that we tried to search for an equivalent here in Chicago. Since DMK Burger Bar was great, we thought Fish Bar would be as good. We were slightly disappointed though... We had clam chowder, lobster roll ($18) and a cod fish burger. The oyster crackers and clam chowder weren't as tasty as I thought they should be. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster meat and came with celery mayo. I hate celery! But amazingly, the celery wasn't overpowering such that it masked the taste of the lobster. I think the bun was smeared with garlic butter because it tasted really nice. Although the lobster roll wasn't all that bad, it just didn't have the oomph factor that the Boston one had... The Cod Fish burger wasn't too bad either but the bun could have been over baked because it was too crispy it caved under the sauce, making it difficult and messy to eat the burger. The bar concept of the place was really interesting though and service was excellent.
(3)
Chris H.
Be prepared to wait during normal dinner hours, but it's worth it. lobster roll, lobster bisque, octopus, carpaccio and oysters were fantastic... don't forget the oyster shooters!
(5)
Nicole S.
Awesome food!!! Loved this place. We wanted to go to dmk burger but they had a 45 min wait, so headed next door where they surprisingly didn't have a wait. Amazing food, tried a bit of everything. Wait staff was awesome, knowledge but not rude. Very fun night. Would love to come back.
(5)
Tom D.
A fitting name, considering the vibe and layout. First, I'll get my one major annoyance out of the way. The 300ml beer pours need to go. Your draft comes served in a mason jar filled EXACTLY up to a line on the glass. The rest is a fat layer of foam... or air. I'm sorry, but Chicago is a big beer town and this concept is for twinks. It looks bad. Imagine serving a 12 oz beer in a 16oz glass...it just feels like a ripoff, like an intentional skimpy underpour. Yes, I was instructed by the waitress to study the fine print - "300ml pours, sir" but I don't care. I don't want fine-print with my meal. It's a turnoff. Charge an extra 50-cents or whatever, but fill the damn glass all the way up, please..Sorry, offering up a $2 can of PBR doesn't make me feel any better. OK, one more gripe - the service. Not very attentive. A la-di-da pace, like "Ok, Skitch, we'll get to you when we get around to it." Next, the food. Pretty decent. Small portions abound, but the problem is that seafood isn't the most filling of fare. New England clam chowder was ok...not the best, not the worst. Crispy smelt appetizer was right on. And the codfish sandwich was teriffic. Overall the tastebuds say things are on par for a fish bar. But you know, there used to be a place in Lincoln Park called Minnie's. The theme there was everything "minnie"....small, Fisher-Price little people friendly, including the drinks and the midget bottles of coke. Undersized plates and portions, but you knew what you were getting into when you walked in. But without warning that's what you get with Fish Bar - the seafood version of Minnie's, which by the way went belly-up a few years back. They say bigger isn't always better; smaller ain't necessarily a party, either.
(3)
Samuel M.
At face value, Fish Bar had a lot to overcome to wrest a solid review from me. I'm never really a fan of kitschy decor, which Fish Bar has in abundance. Also, it serves small plates, a dining concept which I find has become a played out, uninspired way of getting diners to overpay. Despite these two strikes right off the bat, Fish Bar manages to deliver a solid single, or at least an RBI groundout. The menu is, in actuality much bigger than it appears on the internet; there were 3-4 options for grilled fish, a couple fried options, a soup of the day, and a number of draft beers available. So, if the seemingly limited options put you off, fear not. Blue crab and andouille sausage gumbo ($6) is delicious; the meats aren't cooked to death, the broth is appropriately thickened and very liberally spiced. This was unequivocably my personal highlight - I could probably eat this every day. Calamari "a la plancha" ($7) is good; the squid is not overcooked, which by itself puts this in at least the top quartile of grilled calamari offerings, but the flavor profile (lemon, garlic) is not earth-shattering by any means. White baitfish "fries" ($5) are alright I guess - not too greasy, and surprisingly thin (about as thin as neighbor/partner DMK's potato fries), but the fish was definitely too fishy (which ordinarily doesn't put me off, but in this case it did). Next time, I'm gonna skip these for sure. The service is attentive and knowledgable. As far as the pricing, I don't really see what everyone is complaining about; this is Chicago, about as far away from a major coastline as you can get. Any fish we eat has to be shipped over Herculean distances, which jacks up prices astronomically. Sadly, if you want fish that is both cheap and good, you're in the wrong city. All in all, Fish Bar did about as well as it could have considering it's a kitschy small plates restaurant. I did like that I could eat a non-gross seafood dinner for around $20, which means I will probably be back when I'm in the area. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)
Jeanus T.
Originally, I was going to give this place a 4-star. The seafood is really fresh and nice. However, I have to take out a star for noisiness and too pricey. It's a tiny place and they turn the music really loud like you are in a sport bar. You can't really talk to your friends in there! And I thought the place is slightly overpriced. A lobster roll costs $18! I do like the food. We had two dozens of raw oysters, 1/2 from the West coast and 1/2 from the East coast. Personally, I liked the East coast oysters better. But they are both delicious. We also ordered the clams and they were delicious!! Lobster bisque tasted unusual. Not saying it's bad, it's just different. We also had the clam chowder and that was really good. Go back to the lobster roll, which is what I was there for. I go to Boston a lot and always love the lobster bun in the Quincy market. This lobster roll, however, is a different version. At first, I wasn't sure if I like it because it's very different than what I was expecting. I had to finish it and then think back. I think I liked it. They didn't mix the lobster meat with mayonnaise like the Boston style. Instead, I think they mixed with lemon juice and herbs, that's it. It's good. I'd recommend it. I thought the a la plancha dishes were so-so. Too salty altogether.
(3)
Rina Y.
You will begin to see a confused looking asian girl standing at Wellington and Sheffield, trying to decide between DMK or Fish Bar - I am a huge fan of both! Arrived with a friend on a Sat night at 8:45 pm, hostess told us it would be a 1.5 hr wait, ended up being only an hr wait. Since we had an hr, we had a chance to taste some delicious cocktails (all drinks, including water, served in mason jars and are only $5 or $6 each- perfectly priced!) - the old school (a paloma-like drink) and the #7 (made with oj but def tastes like tropical fruits but not sweet) were our favorites. Love the flow of the place - the bartenders and wait staff are all able to move around on the inside - seems very efficient to me. Just so you know, they can only accommodate groups of 4 of less. Had the raw oysters (you get 6 for $15 so a pretty good price; we did a mix of the Washington and Virginia ones; served with cocktail sauce, horseradish, a slice of lemon, and mignonette; fresh and delicious however I did have a small piece of shell in 2 of them, but no complaints since its sooo hard to find good raw oysters here in chicago), grilled octopus (fork tender and ah-mazing; best I have ever had in my life!), gumbo (pretty good but nothing to write home to), new england clam chowder (perfectly flavored broth, not super creamy, but not enough clams) and finished with a slice of key lime pie ($5; looked like every group was ordering these and no one had any leftovers!). The sandwiches looked awesome at the other tables, especially the fried oyster po boy or the lobster roll, but sadly my belly was too small to allow me to try an order.
(5)
Ben K.
Fish Bar is pretty good, if overpriced. We had a bunch of items, most of which cost $7-9 but were barely appetizer sized. If you come in looking for tasty small plates and looking to spend $25 per person on food, you won't be disappointed. Notes: -The sriracha fried rock shrimp were fantastic, lightly breaded and tossed in a light aioli. The perfect light and crispy bite -The clam chowder was pretty tasty, although it was apparent from the first bite that there was an ungodly amount of butter in there. -The garlic bread was possibly the best thing I've ever eaten, was a great value at $3 for a massive trencher of the stuff, and went fantastically with our soup. -The beer selection is pretty limited if you aren't into belgian stuff. Also I am not a fan of serving draft beer in mason jars; it gains nothing and leads to an awful pour. Anyway I'm sure I'll be back here at some point. The food is good and fairly creative.
(4)
Jenn H.
We've been to Fish Bar numerous times since my first review, and every experience since has been great. The Crabby Patty is the best sandwich in the city! And the cocktails and service remain great. Plus, they love our dog and we always luck out and get an outside table off the street (dogs have to stay on the other side of the patio). We love going to fish bar for a late lunch and I hope the neighborhood continues to patronize this place.
(4)
Steve K.
Lobster roll (with a full pound of lobster) - check West coast oysters - check Great servers - check Decor - check A little on the pricey side, but the quality is high and the service is great. The side of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions is excellent.
(4)
Aimee F.
I have driven by but finally decided to try FIsh Bar this summer. I have now been 4 times and it keeps getting better.From the freshest fish to the diverse and tasty menu, there is always something new to try and it never disappoints.The beer and drinks lists are perfect and precise, offering the perfect pairings for the vibe and food.Fish Bar feels like an east coast fish place with a great Chicago vibe.Sasha the manager goes above and beyond to make the experience and quality superior, sometimes sampling for us his latest amazing and creative drink creations. Great date place or go with friends. Casual vibe but incredible food! I have declared Fish Bar my FAVORITE new place of the summer.Lucky I have more friends to take there!!! WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, unless you go Monday when they are closed! Enjoy!!!!
(5)
Bobby G.
Believe the hype. This is a great and probably the freshest fish bar in the city. Really relaxed and I love that everything's affordable and the waitress seemed to feel bad that the lobster roll was a lot more expensive than everything else ($19). Btw, lobster roll = extremely fresh light cole slaw with lots of chopped lobster served in a Texas Toast-like bun. Hooray for my taste buds. We went here in the summer and, while I guess there's always a minimum 20 minute wait, the bar itself is small and friendly and there's picnic tables to eat at outside too. Either way, you can wait and have drinks. They've got awesome, inprounouncable beers on tap. We also had some oyster shots. oyster, vodka, bloody mary mix, all in a shot glass. Not something I'd ever say no to. Also had Clam Chowder, LOBSTER GAZPACHO, and octopus. My advice, everything's great but steer clear of the octopus. I like when octopus is served with legs cut up on a plate, but this was more like they just found a baby octopus and didn't really know what to do with it so they just boiled it and left the thing whole on the plate and sauced it up real good. I've yet to see a restaurant in Chicago with a bad looking wait staff and here is no exception. On top of that everyone was nice and helpful. Friendly crowd in the place as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Michael Y.
I live right down the street from Fish Bar and it is a straight up 5/5. I have never had a bad dish there, great beer selection, friendly wait staff. If you love seafood this is a place you have to check out!
(5)
Rebecca H.
3.5 I need to give this place another try. It's too pricey but good atmosphere and outdoor seating.
(3)
Tommy O.
A little overrated, in my opinion, just like DMK next door. Fish Bar is unique in that it's kind of like seafood tapas, and the food was tasty, but it's overpriced. Quality beer selection. The place is worth a try but isn't earth shattering.
(3)
Daniel F.
This place is great because they are able to provide fresh seafood, which is often hard to find in our mid-continental city. However, they are not giving anything away here. You're going to walk away only slightly-full, and easily down $50. I don't mind the crowded seating arrangements. This lends to the shell bar-style atmosphere, and makes the experience exciting. You'll have to wait a little while on most nights, I believe, but once you get that seat you'll be quivering in seafood anticipation. The oyster Po'Boy is the only thing we ordered which was worth the money. It was very very tasty, and I was pleased with the mix of garnishes and the spicy mayo sauce. The rest of the seafood was also SO GOOD that it kills me to give this place only three stars. However, the portions are like 100-calorie packs. They are even smaller than tapas servings. The rock shrimp came with about 8 pieces (small pieces), and the grilled calamari was a total JOKE! There were literally three MICROSCOPIC pieces of calamari on a plate, for like $7-8.... Calamari is not a rarity. This calamari tasted just like any other calamari I've ever had, so why are we acting like it's edible diamonds??? Come on, fish bar! The lobster roll is INCREDIBLE. However, it is also $30+. Worth a try, but you're wallet won't be happy with you. This place should re-think their portions, or at least be more clear about what you are getting. Since it is so busy seemingly all of the time, it is hard to tie down a waitress and really get a lot of information out of her, and you end up being surprised at the small portions. I wouldn't mind paying $12 for fried clams, but the portion would need to be 2-3x bigger. This place is probably more about the excitement and experience than the food, so it definitely deserves a try from anyone. Eat a snack beforehand, though.
(3)
Rob J.
Wonderful! Reminds me of east and west coast dive seafood joints that I grew up with in CT and CA. Great fried clams and the soft-shell crab po-boy was fantastic. We also switched up the cod fish sandwich, substituting snapper for the cod- so replace the cod with any market catch fish and you'll get a grilled fish sandwich instead of the fried cod...much better.
(4)
Kristin L.
Thought we'd be in good shape, showing up at 6:30 for dinner, but this was opening weekend, after all, so with a party of three we had an hour wait. Not really a big deal, as service is quick once you're seated. Seeing as I'm a Belgian and whiskey fan, I was happy with the drink selection, though I thought the jam jar-size cocktails (tried the #6--very tasty) didn't quite have the volume to earn their $6 price. The food was sort of a mixed bag for me. The lobster bisque was satisfying, once I'd doctored it with some salt and hot sauce. The fluke ceviche was fresh and flavorful but would've been better served with tortilla chips rather than Saltines. Now for the good: The standouts for me were the tuna carpaccio--a generous serving with great accompaniments (fresh herbs, fennel seeds, capers, and hard-boiled egg)--and the key lime pie, well worth its $5 price tag. If I go back, it'll be to try a po' boy . . . for lunch . . . on a weekday.
(3)
Dayna R.
The Satchmo Po' Boy (shrimp and crawfish) is my absolute fav with a side of tater tots!!! Love the Blue Crab patty sandwich as well!! A wonderful place to come and get great-tasting fried seafood, and a great drinks!
(5)
Lindsay S.
I'd rather give Fish Bar 3.5 stars, but I'll settle with 3. I really enjoyed the *experience* there. Sitting at the bar casually, sipping from jars, and having some food brought out as it came was unique. The service was also quite good. We ordered multiple dishes to do some sampling. The clam chowder is fantstic, and the gumbo is okay. Carpaccio of the day was pretty good, and the ceviche could have been better. I had to order the lobster roll everyone raves about, and was disappointed. Maybe I had spent too much time on Yelp reading about how amazing it was and set my sights too high. Either way, I would have preferred the lobster be cooked and served warm, and would expect a slightly larger sandwich for $18. It was also a bit lacking in the flavor department - I requested extra sauce so I could jazz it up myself. Long story short, I have mixed feelings about the food as there were things I liked and things I didn't. Will I go back? Maybe. It was a cool place to go for a casual Saturday lunch.
(3)
betsy b.
It's probably a good thing that this place wasn't here when I lived around corner. This place makes you feel like you're on the east coast or something. I loved the tail on shrimp, scallops and the wet rock shrimp. I just wish they have more sandwich options....like a shrimp po-boy or something. Our server was awesome and super friendly I think her name was Ali. After reading reviews I expected to walk into a tiny place where you order at a counter but was happily surprised to walk in and get seated right away at a booth. I'd come back here over and over again when in the neighborhood.
(4)
Mad I.
Read a lot about this place, awaited the opening, had the oyster po boy as my yelpers suggested....good, not as huge as everyone says...would I go back, not sure. It was one of those fun-to-do-once.... I do love seafood and this menu was a bit to small for me. Although I'm very curious about the lobster roll...but I've had the one from the Milwaukee Public Market (traitor I know) and I just don't think anything can beat it...
(3)
Janis W.
We all enjoyed our dinner here. My friends said the Washington Oysters and garlic bread were the best they'd ever had. We all loved the key lime pie. I loved my Crabby Patty sandwich. I like that the portions border on small. That way you can order more! Also, prices border on cheap, so likewise, you can order more. My only disappointment was the lobster bisque. It did have chunks of lobster in it, but there wasn't much flavor involved. We waited about 25 minutes on a Tuesday night, but there were 3 of us, if you were a party of 2, you might get right in. All staff were nice, helpful and professional.
(4)
Reid G.
I keep updating my Fish Bar reviews because it keeps getting better. The new Satchmo Po Boy is on point and is highly recommended over the Oyster Po Boy. They upped the ante on the Belly Clams, increasing the serrving to 1/2#, which is spectacular because we always ended up ordering two servings.
(5)
Hamster P.
The fish was delicious but it's really hard to go wrong with fried...anything. Not much to say , I thought it was good but not mind blowing. Nothing to rave about but nothing to really complain bout either.
(3)
Sam M.
Let me start by sa ying how excited i was to come here. I had tried last monday to be clever and avoid a busy night, should have checked they were closed, understandable. Came back Last night on Sunday and to my great suprise, no wait and immediate patio seating. Awesome. Took a little bit to place our first order, but still reasonable time. Started with the ceviche, rock shirmp wet, and some oysters. I also had a cup of gumbo for myself. The Rock Shirmp were out of this world good, just phenomenal, and will be back for it. The oysters were good, but small and only got six for $15.00. Also not a whole lot of topping choices other than tabasco type sauces. Needed more horseradish and lea and perins in my opinion. Still good. Ceviche was good, but not exciting. The gumbo was quite honestly bland and unexciting. The beers are way too small, not looking to get drunk, but want a real mason jar of beer, think jar of pickles size, not gourmet jam size. For the "main course" I had the fried oyster po boy which was awsome, large and gone in 5 minutes. Girlfriend had the lobster roll and said it was worth the cost, though i've read on here it wasn't. Beers still small. tots were good, but some more side options would have been preferred. Rarely do I splurge on desert, but had to get some key lime pie. did not regret that one bit. All n' all a good place with a fun atmosphere. Little pricy for fried seafood to get full, but I could see going back especially when the seasonal menu changes. Writing this at work quickly so hopefully the amount of typos and mispellings won't make it useless.
(3)
Fix M.
Just went today with my mom, dad, and roommate and had a great experience. The bartender/server Kelly, was awesome. She explained everything about the menu to us and gave many great recommendations. She was very friendly which is great because we live 2 minutes from here, and will return hopefully when she is working again!
(5)
Michael H.
I don't get all the buzz? Went again Tuesday night/walked in--it REEKED of Fish? Don't think exhaust fans were working properly? I really can't stand getting "Nickel/Dimed" to death and here they have it down to a science!! Start--couple drinks... an 8 oz "Ball" Glass filled a little more than halfway?? The "Drink" glass is even smaller-JOKE! Ordered half dozen Oysters..$15/Tiny Plate with 6 of the TINIEST Oysters I've ever seen/No Ice under them/A HALF FILLED Cocktail Sauce with not even enough for the 6? JOKE! Tried Calamari- was good first time I was there.. They must be buying the SMALLEST Grade of Calamari now? Wasn't fried correctly and hardly any peppers? TINIEST PORTION Known to man!! FAIL! Got a couple of Fish Sandwiches and they had those bright red "Rotten" looking tomatoes? I lost my appetite at this point..got my 2nd beer/Literally HALF-FULL? Paid the WAY OVERPRICED BILL and walked out reeking of FISH!!! Not sure if they had some "Novice" cooks on because it was a Tuesday or what but it surely was a pathetic meal! We had shitty food/ got ripped off/ smelled like FISH!!! The Trifecta! GTFJD PS---Turn down the shitty music!!
(2)
Esther K.
I have a few friends who have been raving about Fish Bar continuously, so I was excited when I finally got the chance to check it out. A girlfriend and I stopped by around 7:30p on a Friday, and were greeted by a very friendly hostess and a 1.5hr wait. Oy. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded by the beer samples they pass out every so often, which is a nice gesture toward the waiting crowds that form in this tiny space. Our server Marina was extremely helpful and friendly, especially when we mixed up our order a bit. The food came out very quickly as well, which was much appreciated after the wait. My friend and I shared the clam chowder, which was creamy and thick with lots of clam chunks. Next was a side of fried rock shrimp- we found the portions to be rather small and too greasy for our tastes. The highlight was the tobiko sauce it came with, very yummy. Next we both had the oyster po' boy- YUM YUM YUM! As fellow yelpers have noted, the size of these fried oysters is hugeee, and contrary to the shrimp they weren't very greasy at all- very nicely breaded and light. I loved the spicy slaw in the sandwich as well. I also tried a raw clam for $1- what a great deal, and it was VERY fresh! We finished up the meal with a slice of key lime pie, which was very tart- a nice kick after maybe a little too much fried food (is there such a thing?) (+) The price is right, the staff are lovely, the decor and vibe of the crowd draw you in. (-) The portions are on the small side overall, the wait can be crazy, and they cannot accommodate big groups. I think I would return, but wouldn't think of it as a go-to place for seafood.
(4)
Carri C.
Ok food, very small portions. Odd decor.
(3)
John R.
The Captain (Capt Steve) of our sailing tour recommended that we come here for dinner, when we asked for a Fish place. We SO did! 1/2 dozen oysters (3 west-3 east. The West were better - very tasty, but both were smallish.) Fried clam belly. Super yum and cooked and seasoned perfectly. these were $$$$ Oyster PO-boy - Very tasty with a little cabbage-slaw, and fried perfectly and the Toast bun was right on! Crab sandwich - or Crabby patty. Nice, crunchy and big patty, well seasoned.. Ceviche - (for desert, sort of) Was a little heavy on the Cucumber, but still good. The manager ask how it was and was super friendly in accepting this feedback. Everyone we met from the staff were perfectly friendly and accommodating! + + + Raw Swordfish belly (Gratis from mgr.) This was so subtle, the texture was very light, and it was prepared and seasoned perfectly. I am not one for Raw fish much, but this was great. (not on the menu... shhh!) Thanks again to everyone at the Fish Bar. Well done! Over all, perfect dinner and priced right.
(5)
Agnes F.
Another great visit to Fish Bar, this time we tried the lobster gazpacho since its 100 degrees outside and that proved to be a fantastic choice it was spicy, full of flavor and with chunks of lobster we also tried the frog legs, 4 meaty legs prepared buffalo style, great bleu cheese sauce, i could use another dozen of those :) then i had the cod fish sandwich, it came out pipping hot and super delicious my fiance had the oyster po boy which was as good as ever 5 stars for Fish Bar!
(5)
L L.
I love fish, seafood, sea creatures, whatever the fuck you want to call it. Randomly walked in here after watching a coworker's rugby game - I have literally wanted to come here for over a year! (don't live nearby) The 5 of us were greeted by a smiley staff and our ROCKSTAR server Marina. Food: AMAZE BALLS - I love that I ate octopus, oysters, tartar, ceviche, etc. It was great to be able to order all of it in smaller portions so that I could eat everything, because homegirl loves to eat EVERYTHING! Service: MARINA! OH MY GOD MARINA! I LOVE MARINA, WE LOVE MARINA! She was great at taking all our orders, checking in, had a lovely disposition and is the number 1 reason why I will go back. I will go out of my effing way to go back man! BECAUSE OF HER! All the staff seemed pretty friendly and on top of things but not only did she sell us on Fish Bar, she sold us on Ada St and DMK the other two spots they have. GO TO FISH BAR It's SO GOOD Slightly drunk, but I am always right! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
(5)
Erin C.
Eh. To me, this was just ok. This is the prototypical east coast fish restaurant sandwiched in the middle of lakeview. It's definitely ok when you need a seafood fix, but compared to the originals out east, this is subpar. I would willingly pay $19 for a lobster roll if it tastes like it is right out of the sea, but here, it just doesn't. The tatertots are nice and the drinks are yummy and reasonably priced. The staff was nice, but the octopus was not cooked perfectly and the crust of the key lime pie was soggy. I probably wouldn't come back, not because it's overpriced or too crowded, but just because it wasn't mind-blowingly good. I'll wait until i'm back out east and can eat the real thing.
(3)
Deb B.
Best part of this restaurant is that it has outdoor seating on Sheffield,which most places do not. That's about all that is good. 1. Service is forgettable. 2. WAY overpriced,and the portions are very small...imagine like tapas, but being charged full price. 3. Previously frozen seafood and appetizers served in small portions on nice sidewalk is what Fish Bar is. 4. Don't waste your time or $$$..Go to a real bar, and at least get some real bar food,or go to a real seafood restaurant for a decent meal. You get neither at this place,just a feeling of being ripped off, and hungry. 5.Don't be "marketed in" to check this place out..read the reviews of other Yelpers.
(1)
Sheila H.
I heard about the long waits for dinner, so I went for lunch and was seated immediately. Cool decor inside and out. Fun menu. Great service. Now, let's talk about the food. I love seafood of all kinds, so this is my kind of place. Seafood salad - delish, chowder - delish, grilled fish of the day (trout) - delish, grilled octopus - very delish. Had a beer served in a mason jar which I though was a cute touch. Instead of another drink, I had my first ever oyster shooter. Loved it. And key lime pie for dessert. What's not to like.
(4)
Mary H.
Came here for an early dinner on a Friday and everything was delicious! And any place that has a $2 beers (even if they are PBR) gets an automatic gold star in my book. We ordered a variety of things including: the salmon tar tar, garlic bread, clam chowder, calamari (fried), oysters (West), oyster po'boy, the crabby patty sandwich and a soft shell crab sandwich. All of this and a couple rounds of beers amounted to $110 (including tip and fed one smallish girl and three large guys). Not too shabby considering we all left stuffed. My favorite was the soft shell crab sandwich - OMG it was good. Everything else was tasty too, but I did notice that the fried seafood (even though we had different types of it) did kind of blend together, as they all had a spicy, salty taste. Regardless, Fish Bar, you have made a fan out of me. Be sure to sign up for the awesome rewards card they have, which is also good at DMK Burger Bar next door.
(4)
Allison B.
I had a strong desire for a fish sandwich for lunch today - but I am originally from Florida and I am picky when it comes to fish sandwiches. I consulted Yelp and we picked the Fish Bar. I am so glad we went there. The atmosphere was clean and kind of cool - like a diner with many seats at the counter and a couple of booth seats. We were greeted by their very friendly staff and sat in a booth. It was 1:30 on a Thursday - still a lot of people enjoying their food, but not too crowded. Our server was amazing. Great friendly service. The fish sandwich was spot on. We had oysters on the half shell - also really yummy. Our server brought us some fried oysters as a bonus appetizer - the remoulade was really fresh. My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and enjoyed it so much I didn't get to taste it. And then our server brought us some tots on the house - we certainly felt special. I am looking forward to going back again - and trying some of their other fresh fish items. Thanks so much for making our first experience at your restaurant so warm and welcoming.
(5)
Ruairà B.
With the food being on the pricey side, I was surprised there wasn't more value in the beer selection, I'm all for good beers, but a simple Sierra Nevada or Green Line on tap for $4 would have pushed this up to 4 or 5 stars. The trout was excellent, oysters were good, lobster roll was also excellent. Overall I liked it and glad we checked it out, its a good addition to the neighborhood. Sort out the beer selection with some good pale ale or IPA options and this would be 4 or 5 stars.
(3)
Sean M.
Super friendly staff but very pricey for average seafood (and yes, I've been to Maryland so I DO KNOW good seafood). $21 for a 5" narrow bread sandwich w cold pieces of lobster. $7 for a beer which is served in a small mason jar. This place is known for small portions and they will even tell you that. Seating is awkward as you must sit next to strangers. I will not be going back. If they gave you "free" food on the house ascyou wait for your order don't feel special it's what they do there.
(2)
Kelly A.
I stopped by on a Wednesday night around 7 pm because I happened to be in the neighborhood. As soon as a spotted the restaurant I knew I needed a seafood fix! After moving to Chicago a year ago from Boston I've been missing fresh, well prepared seafood and was curious to see if this place could live up to some of my favorites on the coast. I'm happy to say, I was pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of an upscale take on some of the seafood/clam shacks that existed on the coast in Massachusetts. It had a very laid back clostal vibe (think wine served in a mason jar), but with a slightly refined twist. Because of the fact it was a weeknight and a somewhat early hour I was also able to get seated right away, which was a plus. (Though there was a 20-30 minute wait for an outside table.) They had a lot of compelling sounding specials, but I decided to go with 6 oysters (I did a mix of the East Coast and West Coast oysters that were available) and a lobster roll. I also had some white wine to go along with my meal. Although I pretty much knew this was going to be my choice when I read the menu, my server was still very knowledgable about the menu, which I appreciate at a seafood restaurant. I have to say, this place was perfect for a single diner. Because of the counter set up inside there were a lot of other solo diners so it didn't feel awkward at all. It also helped that my food came quickly and even when I requested an order of tatertots last minute they still came out very quickly so I could enjoy them with my lobster roll. However, the service wasn't flawless. My waiter had quite a few parties to attend to,so while my order went in quickly it was a challenge to flag him down for ketchup for my tots & a second glass of wine. Part of it is because customers seem to have so many questions about the menu I would guess he lingered with each guest longer than at a normal restaurant. And that of course brings me to the most important part - the food! My oysters were fantastic. They tasted unbelievably fresh and had great flavor to them. My only wish was that they had more oysters to choose from or at the very least, more variation in flavor between the two oysters. Though they were from two different coasts the flavors were pretty similar and I would have much prefered a milder smaller oyster and a more robust oyster for contrast. None the less, they were delicious. The lobster roll was also fantastic. The portion of lobster was very generous and I loved the celery mayo they used for the lobster salad. It was very lightly dressed but still packed a lot of creamy flavor. I love that it definitely tasted like a classic lobster roll, but with a slightly more refined flavor profile. The bun was also nicely done. It was well crisped and tasted very fresh. Overall, this place was great. I really enjoyed my meal and it was the best seafood I've had in Chicago (outside of some fantastic oysters at Girl & The Goat) I'd highly recommend it. I'm not sure it's worth the long waits that are reported on the weekends, but I'd definitely stop by for another weekday meal. My entire bill with tax & tip came to $63 for the oysters, lobster roll, tots, & two glasses of wine and it seemed like an appropriate price for the quality and amount of food.
(4)
Ellarey M.
Awesome. That's what I thought of Fish Bar. I loved the ambience, loved the staff, loved the drinks, and most of all - loved the food. I am a huge seafood fan, so I was very excited about coming here. We went on a Saturday night with 3 of us, and because we're not picky, we sat inside at a booth with no wait. Had the #4 Punch drink, tator tots, and the Maine Lobster Roll. Both were great. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster. Whether it was worth $19, meh. I would probably have liked to see it more around $15, but whatever. The experience was worth it. The tator tots were a great compliment to it, and the drink was tasty too. I'm now a proud member of the loyalty club and plan to come back very soon for some clam chowder and tartare!
(5)
Jennifer K.
(Note: I wrote this review in April, though I'm just publishing it now. So it's possible some of the things I've mentioned have changed in the last 3 months.) A friend & I had an early dinner at Fish Bar tonight. It was good, but not fabulous, though my reaction might be tempered somewhat by the fact that their AC apparently wasn't working and it was probably the same temperature inside as outside (mid-80s). Some quick thoughts: Wait - No wait for seats for two at 5 pm on a Sunday. Seating - Almost entirely mis-matched stools at two U-shaped counters. If you're larger and/or prone to back problems, you may not be comfortable. Both my friend & I have back problems and it's painful to sit too long at a backless-chair, particularly if the chair or counter lacks a footrail. Drinks - An interesting but small selection of Belgian-style beers plus a handful of cocktails. Everything is served in Mason jars, including water. Raw food - We had the carpaccio and and ceviche, both of which apparently change daily depending on what's in season. I preferred the carpaccio (tuna?) to the ceviche (scallops), which was served with four saltines. The saltines overpowered the ceviche, I thought, but even without the saltine, the ceviche didn't wow me. Carpacchio was dressed with olive oil, capers, onions, chopped egg and some kind of sprout...maybe a little salt and lemon, too. Fried stuff - We had the fried clams (I grew up eating the clam roll at Friendly's on the east coast, so I love all friend clams) and fried lemons, onions & jalapeno. Fried clams were fantastic. Fried lemons, etc., were so-so...they'd do better to user Meyer's lemons, because these were a bit bitter and the breading on the onions & jalapenos was so thin that the onions & peppers came out a bit limp. Lobster roll - This is one of those dishes that probably tough to serve because anyone who's eaten a lobster roll has a strong opinion about what makes a good one. Theirs is $18 for a good-sized (but not overly generous) serving on a buttered & grilled roll. The menu describes it as "Maine Lobster Roll * Celery Mayo" but it's more than that. There was an unidentifiable herb (I didn't spend too much time trying to figure it out) and something distinctively sour...maybe lemon juice, not relish. Now, if you eat a lot of lobster, you know that one of the joys of lobster is that sweet meat, and, IMHO, lemon juice (or anything sour) has no place near a lobster roll. These seem to be made to order, so you could possibly have them omit ingredients if you desire. Our bill, including a beer & cocktail was about $60 before tip.
(3)
Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try Fish Bar since it opened and finally stopped in a few weeks ago. It's really cute inside- like a beach restaurant. They have some interesting drinks in huge mason jars on the counter which is cool. The chairs at the bar aren't very comfortable, but that's part of the atmosphere. I was here at 4:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait, but by the time I left 45 minutes later there was. It's pretty small inside! Don't bring a group of more than 4 or they can't seat you. I had the oyster sandwich (HUGE oysters, so good) and a raw oyster for $1 to slurp down. First timers are allowed to just buy 1. Sonja our waitress was very nice! Would definitely go back and want to try their other options but am not into huge waits.
(4)
Patrick K.
FISH BAR. One of my go to restaurants in Lakeview. ALWAY a good meal. They are always changing up the menu. They are really good at posting pictures of their dishes on Facebook and it always looks delicious. Recomendations: one of their soups (Gumbo and Clam Chowder), an oyster of two, sandwich (poboy, Salmon BLT, Codfish) or a seasonal special. Negatives: super small restaurant with only twenty-five seats, most of the seats are bar stools. Other complaint, sometimes the potions are a little small... but sure are tasty. If your a seafood lover, then you have to stop on by.
(4)
Colleen R.
When I heard that the folks behind DMK were opening a New Orleans-inspired seafood bar next door, I was excited to try it. As a Southerner in Chicago, I should have learned my lesson by now, but I just can't resist the prospect of (relatively) fresh seafood. As some other Yelpers have noted, Fish Bar ain't cheap -- but then, I wasn't expecting it to be, what with the cost of airlifting oysters into the Midwest. But aside from the La Plancha squid, we just weren't wowed by the menu. The fried oyster po-boy was disappointing, as was the lobster bisque that tasted mostly of corn. To top it all off, the whole experience felt very rushed. The loud music, the cramped layout, the hurried service, the hordes of people waiting right behind us for our seats... on a Tuesday. I can't imagine what eating there on a weekend would be like, and after our first experience, I can't imagine I'll be hurrying back on any night to give it another try.
(3)
Michelle H.
We went for the lobster rolls, we'll be back for the lobster rolls! Oysters were v-e-r-y super delish as was the calamari! We enjoyed the Hendrick's and tonics and were rewarded at the end of the meal with a lovely little Bloody Oyster shot. 4 of us sat very comfortably in a booth - not sure where the complaints are coming from on the size of the seats? The atmosphere is lively and celebratory.
(5)
Jonathan C.
Was here last night, early so there was not crowd. Our bartender Mariana was most helpful in making suggestions not only for food but for a good beer to pair with. The calamari was so fresh it almost melts in your mouth. Clam chowder is the richest I've had in the Midwest. And the Oyster Po' Boy had plenty of oysters and the sauce was delicious. The only downfall to the experience was that the music is a bit too loud for regular conversation. Highly recommend this place for anyone who wants fresh and good seafood.
(4)
Andrea C.
one day, while walking home from the train, i noticed a building that had recently been painted a pretty periwinkle blue...a few weeks later, a giant fish appeared on that blue wall as well as the name of a new restaurant, "fish bar". i was definitely intrigued! i am a huge seafood fan, so i was excited to try a new place! on our third try, there was finally a reasonable wait time...(it can get hairy it seems...ex: the first time we went, the wait was 2.5 hours, which we just couldn't do). we were seated in a cute corner at the little wrap around bar and were promptly greeted! everyone in the restaurant was super helpful and friendly, just adding to the cute atmosphere and decor. we ordered drinks (he had beer...appropriately priced pbr $2 and i had a glass of white wine) and as some have mentioned, the drinks were served in adorable mason jars. we both started with a cup of the clam chowder, which was awesome. my pet peeve with chowder is when the potatoes are grainy and these were not, at all. it wasn't overly thick, either, which was nice- and left room for other food! bf was not too hungry, so he had the iceberg salad, which i stole a few bites of. delicious! the bleu cheese was creamy and the calamari was flavored so well! i had the oyster po' boy at the recommendation of our server, which was SO good. i love all things about oysters, but i have to say, i think someone who isn't a fan of raw oysters would even like this. the fried oysters weren't slimy at all and the slaw was perfect. finally, the sub the po' boy was served in- so good! you can tell so much thought and love has gone into all of these meals. ok enough, i've said alot, but the point is- i definitely intend to go back and try more. there was so much on the menu that i'd love to try! fish bar, welcome to the neighborhood!
(4)
Keith P.
First time I was able to get in this place...Lucky me! Top notch quality. Octopus Salad so tender, Kusshi Oysters, small but a lovely-seawater bite, Ceviche & Tartare melt in your mouth. Planca Shrimp-to suck head to die for and Skatewing-buerre blanc, savory heaven. Service was over the top! Robyn was wonderful and created value-added. Incredibly knowledgeable, extremely efficient, and beautiful. Will definitely be back to my neighborhood joint...I can only hope that I can get in to this tiny space.
(5)
Mark C.
finally checked out Fish Bar last night with lukewarm expectations. On a thursday evening around 7pm, the wait wasn't too bad, around 30-40 minutes, and the manager, Sasha, did bring around beer samples. The atmosphere is very intimate (as it is appropriately named Fish "Bar". Service was excellent - server was extremely knowledgable, manager and staff were all very friendly and helpful. Food was hit or miss. The good: the BC oyster was the biggest I have ever had, about the size of my hand - hopefully, the radiation isn't making it's way across the pacific....the east coast oyster from PEI was smaller, but just as good, if not more flavorful. The Fried belly clams were superb. The lake superior whitefish was good, well cooked, and fresh...well, executed. The OK: the lobster roll - the amount of meat was a bit skimpy, and the mix lacked flavor. The brioche was very good, nice and buttery, and cooked to a gentle crisp. For $19, I expected a bit more....beer selection - primarily Belgians, good, but a bit more variety might be nice. Overall, I think it fills a nice niche, but I'd hit up Big and Little's before I went back (for a fraction of the cost). Haven't checked out GT yet, but am looking forward to it. MCMC
(3)
Tammy L.
I came here for lunch this Saturday and really enjoyed it. There was no wait, which was great. The boys ordered beers and the girls ordered cocktails--I had the punch and our friend had the pineapple drink. My punch was tasty and definitely packed a punch. The pineapple drink, which I didn't try, was apparently pretty light. My husband and our two friends ordered a bunch of stuff to share: fluke tartare, which so refreshing with the addition of mint, a tasty ceviche, salmon carpaccio (I loved this one), oyster po'boy, lobster roll, fried belly clams, and tater tots. My favorite things were the carpaccio, oyster po'boy, tartare, and belly clams. The fried items were not too greasy and very crunchy. The rolls for the po'boy and lobster roll were perfectly toasted and fluffy. Drool. The carpaccio had a terrific balance of flavors and textures. Of course, all the seafood is immaculately fresh and I love that it's sustainably harvested. I liked the lobster roll, and the lobster portion was very generous, but I don't know--I just thought the oysters were tastier. Definitely for the much smaller price tag, I'll stick with the po'boys. For dessert, we split 2 pieces of Mindy Segal's yummy key lime pie. It was tart and creamy, exactly as a key lime pie should be. Michael Kornick himself was running food, which was pretty great. I also liked the music--a few Beatles tracks, my favorite band of all time. The service was friendly and prompt too. I would definitely come back. Yes, it's not cheap, but the quality is great and I am willing to pay a little more for sustainable seafood. The bill, with a generous tip, came out to about $30 each, which I don't think is bad at all since we were stuffed and tried an expensive menu item. I don't think I'd wait in line for more than 15 minutes, but that's just me--I hate waiting in line for any place. I'm perfectly happy coming here at lunch when it's less crazy, especially since it's more lunch-type food anyway. Yum! MK wins again!
(4)
Dana B.
Oh wow. Delicious seafood. Fantastic beers served in little mason jars. Super friendly and cool servers. What's not to love? I will be back again and again and again and...
(4)
B.D. K.
Went for late lunch last Sunday, and it wasn't busy at all. Great service, good food. Not sure it is worth the outstanding amount of buzz it's been getting, but it was a nice place to relax, grab a good Belgian ale, and eat some well made dishes. Pineapple ceviche is very good, the lake trout special was the real standout. In fact, their specials were $6 and $8! - that's awesome. Screw the heavy-handed, mayo infused lobster roll -- did you really go out for seafood to clog your artery? But damn, some of you on here complain to no end. The prices here really aren't that bad, I think most of you ordered poorly. You all are trying to eat the lobster roll, and complaining about the price! It's lobster! and we live in Chicago! Or you ordered crab cake?! Why? You aren't in Maryland - how good do you really think it's going to be? Try the specials, they have The Lost Abbey on tap.. that's all you need to know.
This is a great spot for folks looking for a reasonable, casual seafood option in the city. Go with no more than 4 people, since the seating is not conducive to larger groups. You may have to wait a bit, but our hostess got us in quickly on a Friday night and the staff was great! It''s a perfect place to share plates allowing you to sample several sections of the menu and get the most bang for your buck. The menu is divided into fried, ceviche, a la plancha, raw and "on a bun"- with the lobster roll and fresh fish specials being the highlights (IMO). Our group of three shared the lobster roll, soft shell crab, rock shrimp, octopus a la plancha, the special of hamachi a la plancha, and garlic bread. I really REALLY enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crabs (fried) and the hamachi, which was prepared with preserved lemon, olive oil and chils. The lobster roll was delicious, but would have been too much to eat alone (grilled brioche roll and may lobster salad are rich!). Our group of three found it perfect to share along with several other plates. Scrimshaw and Saisoon DuPont were on tap while we were there, which both paired well with the seafood. Looking forward to the next visit.
(4)
Reema S.
I've been planning on going here for a while and finally made it there with a friend. Service is very friendly, Robyn took care of us and let us know she was new so if we had any questions she couldn't answer she would find out for us. We had the rock shrimp, fried calamari, and oyster po boy and they were all good. It all tasted fresh. The only downside is the portions are smaller, which she warned us about, and the price doesn't exactly match the portions but the taste makes up for it. The food also came out very quick which is always a plus. I plan on going back for sure.
(4)
Rochelle R.
Heard alot of good things about this place so definitely had to try it for myself. We went here late at 8 pm on a Tuesday night and sat right down. The place is small and very casual. It has a "southern" New Orleans vibe to it. Although prices seem very reasonable, it is because the portion size is very small. Do not be fooled! Our cups were miniature. We felt like we were being served at a concession stand with all the appetizers served on a paper plate. We tried the rock shrimp and fried lemon, onion and jalapeno. Definitely try the rock shrimp (wet). It was pleasantly spicy and did not make the shrip soggy. The fried lemon was something new for us. Although this was very good, it was also very greasy. We then tried the scallops, trout (special for the day) and seafood cobb salad. Again, can't really go wrong with scallops. Not the best I've had but it was decent. The salad was a good portion size filled with a variety of fresh seafood. This was filling. DO NOT order the trout. Definitely not what I was expecting. It was dry, bland and had a very fishy taste.
(3)
Kim T.
We came. We ate: - ceviche - gumbo (delish) - oyster po boy (I am forever looking for a good po boy sandwich, and this one really hits all the right spots) - calamari (with peppers, nice touch) - octopus - strawberry rhubarb pie (cloyingly sweet) We conquered! And we shall definitely return. Can't wait to try the lobster roll!
(4)
Marta P.
Thanks to social media word about Fish Bar has spread like wild fire. I have been following this restaurant for months and HAD to get in opening week. There is nothing like it in Chicago and I am so happy it is finally open and has lived up to all of my expectations. Of course they were packed on their first Friday night and with out a reservation the chance of getting seated was slim, after some begging (I'm not proud) we were called and told there was a seat for us!!! The place has a Florida fish shack feel with a few booths and bar seats for parties of 3 or less. They do not take reservations unless you are a group of 4, so the wait was a bit long for smaller parties. The service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing and even though we were squeezed in we did not feel rushed. Drinks are served in mason jars which was kind of fun and the beer list, albeit not extensive, had a great selection... and no bud lights or miller whatevers which was a bonus! The food was perfect for sharing, served in paper baskets for a casual take on seafood. We shared fried calamari, tater tots, (I was with others that were not huge seafood eaters) and rock shrimp. Although the fried food was excellent, the tuna carpaccio was my favorite. Fresh and perfectly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and HUGE capers! The flavors were simple but really good. I can't wait to go back again, and if the summer ever comes, hopefully there will be outdoor seating that will allow for more people to eat here.
(5)
Krisp D.
Not a fan of this place. The staff was too cool for school and acted very condescending to our group. The portions were tiny and the prices were very high. I was just relieved the packets of saltine crackers did not show up on the bill. We won't be going back to FISH BAR for a palm full of so - so fish. Ha!
(2)
F C.
I want to start by saying that the people are very friendly but I have no idea how this place is still standing with the type of service and prices. Our server took a very long time to take our order and then never checked on us. We had a craving for Lobster Rolls and I must say the lobster was good. Not sure if I would pay 22.00 for it again. I have had Lobster rolls from New England Seafood and it blew me away for 16.00. This was ok. The major problem was the prices for the sides and snacks. We paid 8.00 for the salmon dip that came with a few slices of bread on the side. The ceviche came with a few saltins on the side for 9.00! That is just crazy. Did I mention that the salmon and cerviche were served in very small containers. It was way overpriced. When we recieved our rolls , it came with chips. Not homemade chips but chips in a bag. So at the end of the day. Our party of 4 spent 143.00 and we were left really hungry after our meal. I can understand going to a fancy place and expecting small portions but this was petite portions. I suggest they fix their prices or go bigger on their portions.
(1)
Lois A.
There was a restaurant that made clam chowder that I used to eat at all the time with my family when I was little. When that place closed I thought I would never have clam chowder as good as that again and I didn't until I went to Fish Bar. The chowder is amazing. I can't say enough good things about it. The crabby patty and fish sandwiches are both excellent. Perfect toppings and great taste. The place is small and the food comes out pretty quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable and liked the large selection of hot sauces on the tables. I'm looking forward to a long, long winter of clam chowder eating.
(4)
Fuffie G.
Fish Bar...hmmm...not quite sure what to rate it. I liked it on many levels but wouldn't go running back...how's that for an answer?? Got there and was told about a 20-25 minute wait by the sweetest host. Nice guy, cute personality. After right around 20 minutes we were seated and then another really sweet nice guy came and took our drink order. Being that we went for lunch, we did not order a whole lot of food. I had the soft shell crab po'boy and my friend hand the crabby patty...love the tribute to Sponge Bob there. I also tried for a buck, one east coast oyster and one west coast oyster. I don't remember exactly what type they were but whatever that east coast oyster was, I could have eaten a dozen of them. The soft shell po'boy was good as was the crabby patty. So why would I not go running back??? I'm not quite sure. Service was good, food was good...maybe because you eat at a counter and it feels like an eat and beat kind of joint?? I don't think this is my last time at Fish Bar but I also don't think it will be anytime soon.
(3)
Matt P.
I think these guys put forth a solid effort, but it's really expensive for what you get, especially with the actual fish dinners. We would have been much better off getting the cod sandwich and maybe a cup of chowder ... which still would have put us close to the $20 range. Anyways, I'd go back, sure ... because there's not a lot of actual seafood places around.
(3)
Michael B.
I loved DMK, but this place leaves me wanting more. From the start, we arrived right when they opened (to avoid the wait) and were told that the booths were reserved for tables of 4 only. Since there were two of us, we figured that made sense and sat at the only other seating option - at the bar. Kind of an awkward setup and not very comfortable. To our surprise, we see two guys come in who are seated in the booth. Wha? Guess we didn't have enough clout. So, this place is a bit pretentious, and is trying to be. I love a cool, hip restuarant, but this is a little much. It isn't THAT special. While the service was ok, they don't allow you to alter things (e.g., you serve fried rock shrimp and oyster po' boys, but we can't pay extra for a shrimp po'boy?) Now, for the food. The portions are rediculously small for what you are paying. And, sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the mini-lobster roll for 18 bucks. Yes, the MINI roll had a good amount of meat, but it just wasn't anything to write home about. This food suffers from over-hyping. And, I like spicy stuff, but EVERYTHING was spicy, and overly so. Did I mentions the portions are small? Calamari, meh, rock shrimp, meh... And, the lobster bisque was awful. Tasted more like a hot and sour soup from a bad chinese restaurant. Best thing on the menu was the pies at the end. But, I must say, this place would not be worth any amount of a wait. I'd save your money and head over to DMK next door (also owned by the same people). Better food, less pretentious (by just a little bit), but definitely worth the money.
(2)
Janet E.
I am not one to typically write a review, but this place was worth me typing one out! We had not read the reviews before going and did not know that it was one of the "new trendy hot spots" - we were just looking for a new place for a lunch date. First of all it was really cute inside and out and the counter top seating was a fun spin. My husband is all about the crab so he got the crab roll at MP (which was $18 today) and he said it was worth every penny. He has traveled to the East coast for business and he said that this one rivals any he has had there. There is almost a pound of lobster and they don't pile on the mayo like others he has had. He also ordered the #4 Punch ($6) which I ended up drinking for him - it was soooo yummy!!!! I had the Crabby Patty ($11) and it was AWESOME! I was going to get it without the bun, but I forgot to tell the waitress and boy am I glad I forgot! It was lightly toasted and so yummy! It was definitely something I would have again. So I then got home and was reading some of these reviews and can't understand why some people would rate this restaurant so low... Albeit that we were there for lunch so we didn't have a wait, but our server was great, the Manager/Owner? was there and very attentive, and the food was excellent. Done Deal - we will be back again!
(5)
Andrew H.
Oyster po-boy is really good and filling. The wet rock shrimp were also tasty. I'd go back just for those. That said, this place has some very underwhelming items. The cod sandwich really was reminiscent of Mcdonald's fish sandwich. It just sticks out their crappy bun. The lobster bisque was only ok, as were the octopus and tatertots. I mean, when I order tatertots, I'm not expecting much, but I'm at least expecting something that tastes better than what I used to get in my elementary school cafeteria. Also, it's tiny. We had reservations, which I strongly recommend, because otherwise you're left to stand around the few seats that there are thinking about why you didn't just make reservations.
(3)
Stephen F.
This is a "seafood bar" conveniently located in Lakeview. I came here for some drinks, more drinks, and a sampling of the raw and cooked specialties (menu rotates). I like this place, but there are a number of problems in execution that will hold it at 3 stars for now. First, the liquor selection is not appropriate to a po' boy hut. Gin and Belgian ales? I like them sure, but they clash with fried clams and ceviche. Also, I don't like the drinks-served-in-mason-jars conceit (even white wine!). I was bewildered by the lack of structure in the menu and order of service. I never figured out if the chalkboard and printed menu had any of the same items, nor if there was any attempt to structure a meal around our various snacks. Was I supposed to get my bisque last? Speaking of the bisque -- some of the items were sublimely good (tuna carpacchio, salmon ceviche and crackers), while others were merely okay (bisque and chowder). Given that a meal's worth of food and drinks runs $40-50 a head, I wasn't blown away. But I AM impressed with the concept, hundreds of miles away from any real coast. Fish Bar well deserves to draw a curious crowd willing to wait 90+ minutes for a seat. I might be back and hope they will up their game into 4-5 star territory.
(3)
Jason S.
After having a great experience at Fish Bar a month ago, I had been wanting to go back every time I was craving seafood. Finally made the trip again tonight and it was an extreme disappointment. From start to finish, it was mediocre at VERY best. My girlfriend was looking forward to getting the gumbo as it was so delicious last time, but they were out. She opted for the clam chowder and I got the lobster gazpacho which I loved on my last visit. Our server came back with 2 clam chowders by accident. She took mine back and came back with my gazpacho a few minutes later. While waiting, I tried my girlfriends clam chowder expecting a place with such a reputation to pump out something pretty special. It was not... Luke warm, watered down, and had no seasoning whatsoever. In the entire bowl, there were 5 cubes of potato and 3 little bits of clam. I don't want to be crude or obnoxious in saying this.. but in all honesty, this makes a can of Campbell's clam chowder seem worthy of a Michelin star. When my gazpacho arrived, I dug in. Setting aside the fact that there were only 2 small pieces of lobster in the whole bowl, I couldn't eat more than half of it even if I wanted to. It was like eating spoonfulls of jalapeno infused tomato water. The veggies were totally unidentifiable - overall, terrible. I was excited for my scallops which would have been tasty if they were cooked through, but it didn't really matter at that point because my palate was completely shot after being set on fire from the gazpacho that I had stopped eating around 10 minutes prior. Long story short - disappointed. I thought I had found my new seafood joint in the city, but the search continues.
(2)
elissa w.
Cool atmosphere and good food - overly hospitable hostess. She must have asked us how our meal was four times between finishing up dessert andour drinks. I get it, it is super crowded and lots of people are waiting since this place is tiny but we got it that you were killing us with kindness to get up out of our chairs. Oysters, wet fried shrimp, lobster roll and salmon carpaccio were all delish. The special pineapple cocktail - loved the spicy kick to it. Will come back but most likely on a lower key week night
(4)
Christine K.
I love Fish Bar. I've been here many times already and the service/food is always great. One item on the menu continues to blow me away: OYSTER PO BOY. It's delicious. It's succulent. It's juicy and briny and wonderful. Each po boy comes with three oysters, but each oyster is the size of my hand. (Admittedly, my hands are on the small side, but that doesn't take away from the fact that these bad boys are huge!) The fried clams are also moist and tender. These are the most tender and pure tasting bivalves I've ever had at any restaurant. They're not fried to oblivion. The flavor of the seafood really comes through with all the clam and oysters dishes. The softshell crab po boy was also very delicious. They don't have this menu item all the time so I would recommend getting it if you like soft shell crab and see this sandwich on the special menu. The only item I did not like as much was the Crabby Patty. There was too much breading, and the spices were a bit overwhelming so it was difficult to taste the actual crab. The fish sandwich is very good, as is the octopus. Marina is the biggest sweetheart, and Jessica is fabulous as well. :)
(5)
Jess V.
3.5 stars. After sitting in Fish Bar for about seven minutes, I realized why I liked it. The decor and bar setup reminds me of a crab shack I would frequent in Florida, except it's cleaner. Made to look rustic and beach wind-worn, but clean so you avoid splinters. It's the best of both worlds. My dining partner and I both started with the Sonja Does Sicily cocktail, served in a little Ball jar. While I didn't taste the Campari, the cocktail was good. It wasn't very strong, but tasted like nectar. I would have preferred to taste some of the alcohol, though. If you review the menu online, you will see the preparations for some of the foods, but not the fish. They have sustainably caught fish and the selection rotates based on what is in season. We started with the ceviche, which was prepared with bay scallops last night. The ceviche was good, but it didn't stand out as an amazing dish. I appreciated the toasted Saltine, as it was warm and the cracker concept works with the atmosphere of the bar, but I would have preferred a piece of toasted bread. My friend had the oyster po' boy, which was supposed to have three fried oysters on the bun. If there were only three, they were the largest oysters I have ever seen. I had the special po' boy with soft shell crab. This sandwich came with two full soft shell crabs. These sandwiches did not lack in "meat," bread, or size. I would have preferred the remoulade on top of the crab, though. It was difficult to eat and needed the flavor of the remoulade, but since it lined the bottom of the bun, I had to take several bites of crab and bun before I could reach the flavor. The staff was very kind and greatly enhanced my meal. When I left, I thought I would definitely go back. After thinking about it more, I realized that I would rather go back for the staff than for the food. They sent us a complementary side of the fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. For a fried side, it was good. Although the tater tots looked more substantial. In winter, when I'm missing warm weather and want a vacation to Florida, I'll go back to Fish Bar. But until then, I will be content summing up my visit as decent food, amazing staff.
(3)
Shaun S.
The vote is in.... I LOVE the fish bar. The rock shrimp are the best! The drinks are also very good...and STRONG. The portions are small and the price is high..but you will enjoy this place.
(4)
Magen M.
completely overpriced. $21 for a lobster roll that tasted like a stick of celery (and i had NO celery mayo) with no sides. the rock shrimp were good, but again, too expensive for a handful of small shrimp. the decor is nice and the staff is friendly, however.
(2)
Aaron L.
4.5* Clam Chowder 4* Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail 3.5* Maine Lobster Roll 4.5* Peanut Butter Pit
(4)
Becky T.
Everything is good! I especially love that you can get one oyster if you do not want a whole bunch! The outdoor seating is so cute and the service is great! Sean was our waiter and he was a pleasure! He really took care of us and we will definitely be back! If you are around the area and looking for good seafood, stop here!
(5)
Ricky S.
Upon first stepping into Fish Bar with my girlfriend, I have to admit I am unsure about the layout. I get the whole bar concept as a theme but the seating just looks a little too uncomfortable. As soon as we seat ourselves and get acquainted with our server, however, it all begins to make sense. The bar setting meshes beautifully with the menu and the service. The "bartenders" walking back and forth, taking plates and bringing more, discussing food with us and making jokes, oh and they call the check your tab. What really makes Fish Bar an unforgettable restaurant experience is in the details. Your evening starts off strong with the like-able servers, picks up steam with a fine array of gourmet yet familiar food, and ends amusingly with a check that always ends up being more expensive than expected. Don't be surprised if you venture in with a few interesting entrees and aren't able to stop ordering more and more. The mussels were exquisite, the oyster selection better than most, the po-boys never disappoint, and the seviche/carpaccio were both a delight. One item I almost overlooked was the clam chowder not being the biggest chowder fan, but I cannot stress this enough: order the clam chowder. Will I be back? If they gave me a blanket and a pillow I would camp out and enjoy their menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(5)
Chris A.
We've been here multiple times--the food, drinks, and service are always excellent. There can be a bit of a wait during peak times, but it's never been too crazy (and with one of their excellent beers in hand, completely tolerable). I don't get how someone can rate a restaurant one star without having set foot in the place. The website clearly states "more than 4, go next door." You give them one star because they won't give you a reservation for 5 during peak hours at a small and packed restaurant?
(5)
Eric M.
Let me start off by saying Im not a huge fish eater, but this place is AMAZING!!! The wait staff is amazing, very nice, very accomodating...gave us free apps and an entree for the long wait!! I had the Crabby Sandwich (forgot the actual name) but it was by far the most amazing sandwich I have had in Chicago. It is a MUST HAVE! Calamari was amazing, Salmon BLT was amazing, there really isn't a bad dish here. Its very small and perfect for date nights. You wont regret going.
(5)
Nathan R.
This place is awesome! The best option for sea food in Lakeview. I went here last night for the first time and now know why I've heard so many great things. The staff was friendly, the microbrews were tasty, and of course the food was amazing as well. I'll def. be making this a regular dinner destination. Love it!
(5)
Rebecca C.
This is one of the most unique and fabulous eating experiences in Chicago. I love the smaller, family style portions and the pop of flavor is fabulous. My favs are the rock shrimp (wow), fish fries (so unique), the lobster roll is so refreshing, the smoked trout salad is packed with flavor, and the crabby patty is moist and filling. Just try it you will see how GREAT the service is (hence I am a repeat customer) and the food is yummy.
(5)
Rachel H.
Ok. Having one of the worst days on record- locked out with no cell phone (ever notice how pay phones don't exist anymore and even if they did the only number you know is your mom's??). Anyway... rolled in there to wait for help. The place has this great casual vibe and music like I had just walked in off some east coast beach (I am speculating here as have never been east coast). The staff were all dolls - offering to help/use phone/etc. While waiting, I had a great witte, sampled two other draughts, munched on an excellent tuna tartare, and passed the time chatting with the super genuine folks working the bar. Seriously, if this place could turn my spirits on a day like today - well, it must be something, indeed. Def a must go.
(5)
Mark V.
Surprisingly GREAT New England style "seafood shack" in the heart of Chicago! Spending my weekends in Chicago from LA this summer, I'm trying to enjoy as much of the culinary scene as possible from Friday - Sunday. I stumbled upon this place on a run through Lakeview / Wrigleyville and was drawn in by the bags of "Cape Cod Potato Chips" in the window of the kitchen...running in the windy, cold rain of Chi-town vs. reigniting my childhood summers on Cape Cod and in Boston, I took the latter: 1. Sea Bass Ceviche - Reminded me of Hawaii...the dark days of late spring in Chicago, any reminder of Hawaii or the sun is greatly welcomed. 2. New England Clam Chowder - the only way to properly prepare clam chowder. Tasty, creamy, a cold day in Boston (or in this case Chicago)...problem solved. 3. Lobster Roll - Only an LA'er would request no mayo (even with my Boston roots, health has won out these days)...Fish Bar accommodated, another big winner. Fresh, chunky, succulent lobster, and ample amount...on the original hot dog bun. Well seasoned lobster on a toasted roll, simple and good. PS - I was with my fiance, explaining the no mayo! BUT if you're looking for a grease-pit lobster roll, this is not your place. Perhaps McD's will give that concept a shot again someday... 4. Fried Lemons, Onions, Jalapenos - yes, all fried, just those 3 items...dont know what else to say other than tasty, different, original...think lightly fried onion rings with hints of lemon and spice. I will certainly be back to try many other items at this new Chi-town gem, a modern salute to the throwback New England style seafood shack...I have been told lines for dinner get crazy, so give a little Saturday afternoon brunch a shot...and of course, don't forget the Bloody Mary.
(4)
Garrett G.
Small place with great food that doesn't try to be fancy. Everything I have tried in my multiple visits has been great. My server Janna friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is small which I am a huge fan of. I would rather have fewer choices that are all good than filler items. It is a very small place so I don't recommend going during the busy hours unless you are patient. Most of the restaurant is communal seating which I am normally not a fan of but the crowds are fun and not stuffy so it actually isn't bad.
(5)
shivi d.
Service ambience menu quality price all created a perfect pitch. This place is just awesome with their $1.50 oyster Sundays, salmon BLT, lobster roll and clam chowder. Fresh and delicious. Not the best we've ever had food-wise but an overall fantastic package!
(5)
David G.
I have tried to like this place. Have gone 4 times now. But this time was the final determination, the food was ho hum, small portions, the booths are small, counter awkward to sit at. Today, I had the salmon sandwich. It was a narrow piece of fish on a round hamburger bun, so 1/2 of the bun did not have fish. What I didn't realize the first time is that you need to order 2 to 3 items to leave full, which ends up being 15 to 30 bucks a person, that is quite expensive for this atmosphere and counter service. And for some reason both Fish Bar and DMK don't seem to like kids. Fish Bar does not have high chairs, claims it on fire code, but there is no reason in the code that would even offer that as a reason. Neither have changing tables in the toilets. You would think the owners would see their typical demographic of the neighborhood and respond , but apparently not. Don't think I'll be back.
(1)
Worlowitz W.
I ate here on Sunday afternoon and have nothing but positive things to say. I had the crab cake sandwich & tater tots and both were delicious! The menu was great, simple, written in a fun way, with lots of rotating options (ceviche, carpaccio, catch of day). Other diners were enjoying a whole range of items and lots looked great: the sriracha rock shrimp, lobster roll, oyster po' boy. Everyone was knowledgeable about the food and happy to make suggestions. The prices were fair, the service was great, and I look forward to returning and trying more! My only bone to pick was the hostess telling me to "pop a squat" on my bar stool when seating me--not exactly the most appetizing image to share before a meal.
(4)
John B.
Good but overpriced and small portions. You pay for being trendy and not for a filling meal. At $21 the lobster roll was a big letdown.
(3)
David R.
Great service, tasty seafood, and a bright, casual atmosphere. Nice selection of fresh, grilled and fried selections. The gumbo is perfectly balanced with plenty of spicy sausage and fresh crab. The flash fried shrimp are lightly breaded, crispy and delicious. Fish Bar also has a great section of Belgium Style brews on tap. Looking forward to many return visits.
(5)
Laura B.
We went to Fish Bar randomly and were very impressed. The server was great and the food was amazing. We went and shared 6 dishes and weren't disappointed with any. The po boy was by far the best thing we tried. All the fish is fresh and great! When they ran out of something we ordered they brought over a free dish. Definitely going back soon!
(4)
Vince F.
Delicious. Relaxed environment. Great service and even better food. Cod sandwich prepared perfectly, yummy tater tots that actually tasted like potatoes and small but interesting beer selection. We ate there for lunch and plan to return for dinner in the next day or two. Good value.
(5)
Kelly P.
Great staff, small plates are a nice change of pace and the price is right to me. The wet rock shrimp might be my favorite appetizer in Lakeview. I've never visited without being offered something complimentary from the kitchen usually a tartare, carpaccio or ceviche. A scallop special was really great too! Try the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno peppers- definitely a better side with some of the entrees.
(4)
Jason A.
You know the feeling. You meet a friend for dinner, knowing full well that you're going out for drinks later. You order a burger. The thing arrives. It's huge. Not only that, there's a heaping pile of fries next to it. Because echoes of your mother still ring in your ears, you clean your plate. Even the pickle spear. Your friend tells you it's time to meet everyone else. You stand up and realize you're uncomfortable. Five pounds heavier, you sway to the door. All you want to do is find your couch and channel-surf. But it's Saturday. Yeah, it's Saturday at 8 o'clock and you just fell into a food coma because you can't control portions. Know the feeling? Good. Because you'll never have that feeling at Fish Bar, where the menu is short and the portions are small -- an ideal place to meet up before going out for drinks or even for a light lunch. What's cool about Fish Bar, which has the most apropos name imaginable (a bar that serves fish), is that it serves fish from the Great Lakes. The catch of the day was Lake Superior Trout. Why don't more restaurants do this? When I'm on either coast, I always order seafood because it's hauled right out of the water and dumped on your plate. There's nothing fresher. And, believe me, the taste is palpable. In Chicago, we're at Ground Zero of the Great Lakes, one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet, yet everything seems to be flown in. I hope Fish Bar keeps this up -- even goes further and expands the menu with more Great Lakes fare. But I digress. The service was wonderful. It was Friday so the place filled up fast. I had the calamari and the gumbo -- both delicious. But just know that you're not going to fill up there. Which, let's face it, is actually a blessing. You know the feeling.
(4)
Erik J.
I'm glad Fish Bar exists; it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood options. I don't, however, know that I'll rush back. First, they have two options for wine - Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, available only by the glass. One glass of the Sauvignon Blanc had me switching to beer; it is dreadful stuff (Fish Bar doesn't provide the winery's name, but it's a couple of levels below Yellow Tail). We started with the ceviche, which tasted mostly of pineapple (couldn't taste the fish). Then we had the fried calamari, which was ok. I enjoyed the pickled peppers served on the side more than I did the calamari. The grilled octopus was the highlight of our dinner. If I return, I'm going to head straight for the "A la Plancha" section of the menu. Next, we split a Lobster Roll. It was good, but not great. I can think of two restaurants (you know where I'm talking about) with far better lobster rolls. You won't linger in Fish Bar. The service and menu are all about getting you in and getting you out. This isn't all bad (especially on a weeknight), but we went on a Saturday evening. We were in and out in 45 minutes.
(3)
Stephanie L.
Visited for the first time around 10pm on Friday night and really loved it! My date and I ordered the lobster roll, scallops and fish fry and ate everything in sight. :) I loved the scallops - they were perfectly cooked and very tasty (and didn't need the heavy sauce served with them). The ambiance was charming and cozy and our waitress was kind, attentive and helpful. I'll definitely return!!
(5)
Samantha H.
When I give a half rating I always try to think of one thing to push them one way or the other (since the average will go into their stars). This is 3.5 stars but giving them a 4 since the server gave me a half wine on the house when I just wanted a little more and not a full glass. I followed the Yelp! advice of not getting the $21 lobster roll because I felt that would only be disappointing. The fish special of the day were scallops, which were excellent! They were cooked in chorizo and had a hearty gravy on them. Yum! The rock shrimp were also very yummy and a decent size portion of those. I agree with a lot of the reviews that the portions really are tiny. Usually, even at a tapas place, I can get full eating several dishes. Here there were 2 of us and we got 6 plates and I could've had more. I'm not asking for huge plates, just a tad larger than they are. We each got 2 oysters (one east, one west), which I didn't care for at all. I like oysters but this was only the fourth time I'd had them so I'm not an expert. At GT and Everest, for example, they came in a preparation like with some sauce or cucumbers or something with them other than just the oyster. No, these were just the oyster in sea water (which was quite salty). If you're expected a prepared oyster, I would stay away from these. The baby octopus was very good and that was also a decent size. The calamari was average as was the ceviche. Over all food was average to above average with the scallops being my fave. Service was good other than forgetting the water I ordered. I actually really liked the set up. We got there at like 4:45 after furniture shopping so it was sort of a weird time but within an hour the place was full. I'd go back.
(4)
Abigail L.
It makes me sad to give Fish Bar only 3 stars. The atmosphere is a 5. The service 5. The taste 4. The beer served in mason jars 6 stars! The serving size 2. The price 2. We thought we would split a small plate, Salmon sliced thinly, which was tasty and a entree which was a $21 lobster roll, which should have been priced as a small plate. It was TINY! but flavorful. We had to order more. Shrimp and Crawfish po boy, again tasty, yet small. We spent $67 on a light lunch and a beer each. Too much! I would not mind spending that for a nice dinner, but for a crab shack type fish joint, I'll pass. And that's exactly what I'll do next time Fish Bar is suggested. PASS.. However, I would like to say that the place was busy, so I guess they are not doing too bad for themselves. I will just spend my money elsewhere.
(3)
Nicholas W.
I love this spot! So much so that I'm hesitant to write a review and give it any more attention. The interior design sets a great Maine-y vibe without being too kitschy. We had almost everything on the menu and it was all pretty awesome but the lobster roll was a standout. Although, next time I'll pass on the lobster bisque and oysters-they're good but there are better options. The wait-times can get lengthy so make a res way ahead of time.
(5)
Patrick I.
Our waitress made our experience that much better. I had a shrimp/crawfish po boy and an excellent tequila drink. Outside seating was relaxed and unpretentious. Breezy atmosphere, great service and food.
(4)
Meredith H.
I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I had kind of wanted to go when it opened, but have been avoiding it because their online menu doesn't do it justice. I love seafood, but most of what they have on their menu is fried which i try to avoid. But i randomly went there last weekend and it was fantastic! They have a few fish options that are written on the board along with other specials. First the drinks. The bartender/server was extremely helpful when we were asking questions about the drinks. I loved the beer i had and everyone we were with enjoyed their mixed drinks. Generous pours that you don't taste by the way. Beware of sudden drunkenness. They started off by giving us a complimentary shrimp dish in this aioli sauce. it was so good. Definitely not good for you, but delicious. We ordered the fish taco special, since it was cinco de mayo. Followed by garlic bread and grilled fish off the board. It was like a piccata set up and both fish were perfectly cooked and flavorful. Garlic bread was so good, perfectly toasted. Oysters were fresh. Finally had a cup of clam chowder which was not super thick while still being creamy and delicious. Lastly we split a derby pie for dessert, it was a crazy brownie type dessert that was totally necessary. My favorite part about the place was how casual and just laid back it was. Everyone was friendly and it was just a nice change of pace. Absolutely going back.
(4)
Emma C.
What a total hipster rip-off. When I ordered shrimp, I did not realize they were referring to the size of the portion. I saw on other reviews that the portions were small, but still found myself unprepared, as I have honestly seen more generous servings at a doll's tea party. And why other people have described it as delicious is beyond me...lob roll was meh, and trying to pass off that frozen, flavorless Jewel grocery store shrimp as Gulf shrimp was actually insulting. Cocktail sauce came in a little skimpy paper thing like what you put ketchup in in a fast-food joint. Fish Bar, do you know where you are? It's Chicago, one of the greatest food cities in the world. Do you really think we don't know what a proper shrimp cocktail looks like? Do you dream that we have never been to Fish Keg? The service was sensational, kind and friendly, but I guess that's the least they can do when they are planning to serve you a tablespoon's worth of sustenance for every ten bucks you spend...honestly, I think they should be embarrassed, I would not serve someone such a paltry amount out of my own kitchen or they would think I had something against them and wished to offend. Everything was twice what it should have cost and half as good. After $60 for lunch, I had to go get a bagel. Avoid, avoid, avoid, unless you're a millionaire on a diet. I am neither and I won't be back.
(1)
Patrick n.
Think Seafood Tapas. This place is really unique and charming. The food is good all around. Portions are small and you will want to order a couple things per person. We've had the ceviche, tartare, mussels, clams, scallops, and poboys, it was all very good and reasonably priced.
(4)
Jessica F.
Good beer choices, and good fish. The menu is small and the plates are even smaller. But it has a true Cape vibe that is appreciated.
(4)
Brian F.
I cannot get enough Fish Bar. As a preface, I am allergic to shellfish (there goes half the menu), and have not (previously) been the biggest fan of fish, but this place definitely makes me a big fan of the sea (and/or lake). Yes, they have small plates. Yes, your bill adds up. Yes, you will love it. I love coming here frequently with a small group of friends. In true small plate theory, it is so fun to order bit by bit and share the bite(s) provided. All of the raw options are delicious and full of fresh flavor. The Federal Hill style calamari is among the best I've ever tried. My shellfish allergy limits my "main dish" options, so I always opted for an awesome BLT (yes, BLT) for $6 featuring avocado and a fried egg... But they've changed this in recent months, using pork belly instead of bacon. Not a fan. Now, they've even got me hooked on their fried codfish sandwich. Like I said, becoming hooked on the fish. Also love the other garlic bread and tots sides. Great drinks offered: small, strong, tasty, around $5; plus cheap PBR cans. Now, onto the non-food points... It's a small spot. Small but quaint. They now take reservations (for a few); otherwise be prepared to wait. All tables inside surround a U-shaped bar. It's intimate but also public, and I like that. Nice simple, small-ish outdoor space too. I will say the biggest thing that is NOT intimate: the noise level. Guess they still haven't learned from the noise chamber that is DMK Burger next door... Service has always been stellar. This could be a big component of my frequent returns. The girls make their way through the U shape and deliver quick orders, replenishments, and delightful conversation. They add a lot to the fun of the experience. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Love going here with friends and taking out-of-towners here for a quality night. I always look forward to new/seasonal changes to the menu and returning for my favorite staples.
(5)
Amy X.
my main homie/squeeze is leaving chicago for the beacon of the west, san francisco! i admit, that city has its draws -- year round temperate climate, a wicker park vibe through the whole city, and...everyone is a CEO of some burgeoning start-up or another. to mourn my loss as well as celebrate this new beginning, we embark on the Jack M. "See-Food-Eat-Food Tour of Chicago 2012" -- a series of visits to restaurants where we sample all the treasures of the sea that you can imagine. we come to fish bar because of the $1.50 oyster special. started with a dozen of the east and the west (washington state and virginia, i believe). loved the virginia, like the west coast ones. i read somewhere that oysters are a "real" adult food. to enjoy them, you have to inhale and anticipate the flavor, taste and experience the tactile sensation, and then swallow and savor the lingering notes. these were so good that at the end of our meal, we opted out of the key lime pie and ordered 6 more oysters for dessert. next up, hot items. steamed clams, wet fried rock shrimp, oyster po' boy, lobster roll. my advice, skip the lobster roll. $19 bucks, and at the end of the day, it's a sandwich with bits and pieces of lobster. tasty, yes -- not worth two orders of clams or two orders of rock shrimp though. other items, yummo! favorite were the clams, which had chorizo and tomatoes and were light, yet savory. we fought for sips of the broth. lastly, i believe we ordered too much food. a sandwich should stand in as two orders of a fried/a la plancha dish. stay tuned for more reviews of the see-food tour!
(4)
Brett N.
All I can say is I loved it, as did my pescatarian girlfriend! There's a little wait if its a 1-2 person party, but we were there on a Friday night as well. As for parties of more than two, I would recommend making a reservation. The menu is kept seasonal and simple. I chose a little something from each part of the menu. The food is fresh, and the service is great. The Gumbo is full of Andouille sausage and blue crab (and flavor.) My girlfriend tried the Lobster Bisque, we both loved the generous sized chunks of lobster, and the taste was just the right amount of creamy/sweet. It was also the first time the both of us had tried raw oysters, that are so fresh they still taste like the ocean (your choice of East or West Coast oysters.) The Eastern Belly Clams are lightly fried and delicious. My first choice of an entree was the Satchmo Po' Boy, but they were unfortunately out of it (which only makes me want to return sooner to try it), but the Oyster Po' Boy was still a very tasty alternative. My girlfriend could not stop talking about how great her her Calamari A La Plancha was. As an intriguing side dish, we branched out to try the Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalpeno, we were told this was Chef's favorite thing on the menu, and was to remain on the menu regardless of how well it sold. Definitely made us want to try it even more. It certainly was worth a try, mixing bitter, spicy, and almost sweet flavors all at once. Lastly, for dessert, the Key Lime Pie seems to be the staple of the dessert menu (understandably so), we ordered that along with a revolving dessert (not listed). The Banana-Rum Bread pudding is like heaven in a dish! All in all, a great experience! Once again, can't wait to go back!!!!
(5)
Holly H.
It is obvious that this place is trying to be the seafood version of "Big Star." Well, I have to say it, but Big Star knows what they are doing, this place.. hmmmm. Not sure. I was so excited for this place to open... I finally went with my boyfriend and father. While the food was good, I was overall a little disappointed. The staff was very friendly and service was good and fast. Everything is a la carte and pretty expensive. For a fish bar, I would want to see more options for raw bar items- individual oysters, clams, and shrimp boil, etc. You can only get oysters by the half dozen. My dad had a piece of white fish about 3 oz. for $8. Pretty bad. Not sure if we will be back as often as we had originally planned.
(2)
D Mike K.
Loved Fish Bar, my kind of place! Quick list of highlights: Shrimp Ceviche: Perfecto! Best Crabcake Sandwich ever! Drinking alcoholic drinks out of mason jars. Amazing whitefish a la plancha Great Tater Tots! Fantastic chocolate Pie. Server: Jessica. Very accommodating and friendly. Only seats 1-4 people at a time, but that is just fine with me. Just hoping the lines don't get too ridiculous! Thanks Fish Bar!
(5)
John T.
Lobster roll, gumbo, soft shell crab, fish fry and stuffed calamari were all great as was golden monkey 9.5 abv ale. Great service, really worked hard to accommodate my wife, who is wheelchair bound. Congrats, fish bar, you get the big 5.0!
(5)
Tiff W.
Yup, despite being sick as a dog and not being able to breathe out of my nose, much less SMELL anything, I still came to Fish Bar. I am stubborn like that. Sinus infections, you suck. You know how they say if one of your senses is deprived, the remaining four senses are just BETTER? Even though I was not able to fully taste or smell everything that I ate (I left that portion of the review up to John G....you can read his review below), I'll give my two cents. First off, the inside of Fish Bar is super interesting. It's definitely different from your typical seafood joint...it actually reminds you of more divey restaurants you can find along a beach or something. Get a bunch of things to share between 2 or 3 people. Come with any more people and it becomes slightly harder to converse with each other, since the seating is situated in two "U" shapes in the room. I think if more than 4 people are in your group, they actually recommend going next door to DMK. The menu is diverse and there are so many yummy things to choose from. Some highlights were the West coast oysters from Washington (so fresh!), the fried calamari (very very lightly breaded and not heavy), the octopus a la plancha (perfectly charred), the rock shrimp (get it wet! I could taste the Sriracha through my sickness...and that's a GOOD thing), the oyster po' boy (they don't skimp on the oysters), and the codfish sandwich (oh so flaky. Like a super classed up Filet O' Fish sandwich from Mickey D's). Beers and water came in little mason jars, which was an awesome touch to the whole experience. Every dish was fresh and perfectly cooked...I don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the items on the menu. This is a great place for you to come straight from work and get some happy hour drinks and delicious seafood...don't sit there for too long and hog up valuable real estate though, because by the time 6 or 6:30PM rolls along, there will be groups lined up and waiting along the wall for your seats. Now that I'm no longer sick, I can't WAIT to go back to Fish Bar and try everything again. If I liked Fish Bar this much on dulled taste buds and a stuffed up nose, can you imagine what it will be like now that I can actually taste the food??
(4)
Michael S.
This place is like a small slice of the Northeast, right in our own backyard. However, I'm going to wait until the 1.5 hour wait dies down before I make a return (that was a bit much). Literally, think small (as in 3 tables small), with bar / stool seating for the remainder. If you have to wait for a seat (like we did), there's a limited amount of seating by the door, as well as some standing room. Drinks were hand poured, and were pretty good -- with the young woman behind the bar happy to accommodate a request for less sweet (which the punch was a bit). They are small, but the prices were commensurate. As for the food, it was really good.... Definitely, get the lobster roll. It has loads of lobster (as it should for $18), piled into a great roll. The Crabby Patty was good, and had a nice kick to it, but wasn't as good as the lobster roll. Otherwise, the lump crab, which is served on a bed of crunchy celery in a mild dressing, was excellent, as was the popcorn shrimp served with a spicy mayo on the side (dry). They were really nice to give us a sample of their gravlax (due to our having to wait for the sandwiches), and it was superbly fresh, melt in your mouth salmon, with excellent flavor. We finished off with a slice of key lime pie, which also took a really long time to get, but it was a nice finisher to the meal. Finally, kudos to the owner, Michael Kornick -- it's not every day you see the owner of a place serving the food and wiping down the tables and counters. It doesn't get more "hands on" than that. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Kara C.
Go for the atmosphere, not the food. It takes about 20 minutes on the phone with the hostess to understand the rules and regulations of this joint, so one would think that a restaurant so tough to get in to would be well worth the wait. Wrong. While the ambiance is cool, you can really only go with a party of four - they legitimately wont allow anything larger. So start cropping that friend invite email now. And while the staff is friendly and attentive, the food is minimal in portion and pizzazz. My friend ordered the shrimp entree and they served her 3 pieces of shrimp. Yes, you heard me correctly, three. She was so hungry she had to order the clam chowder after her entree because she was still starving. I had the famous "crabby patty" and was pretty underwhelmed - it was basically just fish on a cheap white bun with mayo. Honestly, if you're in the area and want a great bite to eat, go next door to DMK Burger and order the sweet potato tater tots - you wont be disappointed by these at least.
(3)
Peter C.
Good, not great. Not a great value for the money, but the service was very, very friendly and we liked most of what we ordered. I don't recall everything we had, but I remember the ceviche being only ok and the octopus being really good. The rest wasn't memorable enough for me to even recall it, so that's saying something. Decor is nice and charming, but you will smell like greasy food when you leave. (Nothing we ordered was greasy, but we still smelled like deep fryers when we were walking around afterwards.) 4 stars is generous, but they're better than three and I'm feeling generous since I liked the vibe of the place.
(4)
Cassie B.
Fish Bar-DO IT! Everytime I got off of the el at Wellington, I was perplexed why that dentist's office had a big fish painted on it suddenly. It wasn't until later that I was made aware that this building is not a dentist's office, and has become the sister restaurant of DMK Burger Bar (a favorite). I am a seafood fan, so of course, we were there asap. The concept is actually pretty cool. They played reggae all night, and the seating area is essentially a large bar with servers behind the counter. The drinks were delicious (try the Sonja Does Sicily) and the food was great too! We really liked the East Coast oysters, and the whitefish was probably the best I have ever had. We also had the lobster bisque and calamari, which were also good. The wait times can be crazy. We went to have a drink elsewhere, and came back after 45 minutes, but still waited for about 30 minutes after that. However, the service was very good and we had a very nice time. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Mark G.
Fish Bar is a great spot and the idea is unique for Chicago. I've never been to a counter seating fish restaurant. I felt like I was eating in Cape Cod or the Florida Keys. Food - Great stuff. Lots to choose from. We had mussels, escolar crudo, fried fish, oysters, lake trout, Coho salmon, buffalo style frogs legs, ceviche and octopus salad. Everything was above average. The standouts were the escolar crudo and the octopus salad. Overall the food came out quickly, it was fresh and nicely prepared. Service - Outstanding. Nice people, prompt, gracious. Atmosphere - Fun, unique, buzzing, informal. Drinks - Great selection, great drinks, great beer. Fun place, good food. I highly recommend.
(4)
Melissa F.
I had high hopes for this restaurant but left disappointed. Decor is cute, I guess; I like that the specials are written on the window. The chairs (outside) are probably meant to seem kitschy but are actually uncomfortable. Our waitress was pretty nice. My friend and I ordered drinks, and mine (Woodshed?) was weird tasting...but in a good way! My friend liked her drink, too (Coney Island Baby), and she also found her drink odd but intriguing and overall good. I liked the scallop ceviche I ordered - excellent flavor, from the cilantro to the jicama and its textural contrast. I also liked the gumbo I ordered. My friend ordered some type of fish (forgot which type) a la planxa - grilled with farro, the menu said. What arrived was maybe 3/4 the size of an iPhone, at most. Neither of us is the type of person to have a massive appetite or to be the first in line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Still, it was almost insulting how diminutive this was for $9. My friend was nowhere near full from this, and although we knew it was small plates, we didn't know how absurdly small they were. I might go back, but my friend definitely would not - I don't blame her.
I've only been here once and would like to try it again. My first experience last night was just OK. The food portions for the price are really small. Pretty much everything is deep fried and served in small cardboard boats. We had oysters, calamari, fish bites, frog legs and a fish salad. The oysters weren't the best quality, for $15 a half dozen they should have been better. The calamari was a total disappointment, three small squids sauteed in something and then tossed in what was probably just salt and pepper, not what we were expecting at all. the rest of the stuff was just battered and deep fried and was just OK.
(3)
Sheila C.
Food is delicious & Lauren, one the managers rocks. My husband and I strolled over there with the baby and placed a rather large order ... and then whoops...we forgot our wallets. Lauren the manager insisted that we take our food order and call in with a credit card number once we got home. I'm not sure many restaurants do business that way anymore. What a great experience!!
(5)
Severen H.
Kinda small, and the portions equate the same. The taste though was great. Great atmosphere, cool staff. I look forward to going back. Only problem is that it's bad for groups.
(4)
Gino W.
This boutique seafood restaurant has the look of a bar, but it's all about seafood and a good selection of wet bar offerings. The beauty of this restaurant is that the staff is upfront and personal -- not as in being in your personal space, but as in being like great friends. They don't just tell you their names as a courtesy, but they ask for your name and address you accordingly while you're there. One would have to be anti on a personal level to not fall in love with that kind of service. But you'll be blown away with the food regardless. I had a cup of clam chowder that if I had some bread with it, I would have sopped the remaining chowder without pause or complaint. The gumbo had a roux base that I favour because there was no skimping on the okra. The person responsible for the recipe had to have gone to some restaurant shacks in the eastern parts of New Orleans because they got it correct. Where I had to pause and smile my usual stupid smile when food is good was with the lobster roll. There were chunks of lobster in the lobster roll, although they will cut the lobster up more if requested. But you really know you're indulging a delicacy when the lobster bursts when your teeth pierce the chunks. And with them adding cumin to the homemade mayonnaise, I sat and pondered ordering another one for take-away. I waited for an hour and had a crabby patty -- crab cake slider with a dusting of bread crumbs covering a serious clump of meaty crab -- instead. However, I am still thinking about the lobster roll and how I felt some kind of way after it was all gone.
(5)
Gina V.
I think my wife saw Jennifer Lawrence here one time as we waited in line for the chowder. She was my favorite fly girl on that one hiphop show, but her movies kind of sucked, though I really enjoyed the one where she fought back after getting abused by her asshat of a husband, i think it was called Enough. It was cold outside when we decided we needed some really warm soup, though granted its Chicago and so it could've been July, but I think the last time I was here was early fall and there was a chill in the air. At least cold enough to have the lady folks still in those ugly boots and leggings that reveal odd colored underwear if they bend over. Anyways, we walk in and there's a line, but they let us know the bar in the middle is serving beers while we wait, so we were able to enjoy the moment with some really interesting beers. This girl that reminded me of Miley Cyrus was behind the bar where this other girl that could've been Lindsey Lohan?, but she was named after a car like Lexus or Volkswagen?(sorry) was a big help for my wife to pick out a good drink. I think it even got busier as we waited, but this really nice lady I think a manager Cindy came by with a small plate of crackers topped with some fish spread to taste. It was good, and got me every hungrier. Soon enough we sat and I remember our server was named Sara Lee though she didn't really look asian, but maybe was adopted by Chinese parents(kind of ironic). She got us through the menu quite quick and soon enough I was eating a really good fish sandwich and some smelt fries. Fish on fish! Anyways I remember Sarra because she then puts down this fire pit and marshmallows and we're like we didn't order this. But then she goes 'i love you' and you can have these for free. She was really friendly, and my wife must've been into her, because she wasn't jealous or angry. The smores were fun and smelled up the joint like really enjoyable farts.
(5)
Anthony L.
Went a while back and forgot to review. Such a great place. Not the best for big groups, its pretty small and mostly counter seating, but it was wonderful for a date. Scallop tacos were the special, and so good, along with the krabby patty, octopus, and everything we got. For dessert, they had make your own smores, bringing out a little burner for you. The drink selection was also pretty good and the service was great. The only thing that has kept me away is the potential wait(we were told 45 minutes for two, but actually got seated in about 15) and the price. But there is a price to great seafood and I just need to save up before I splurge on my favorite seafood place in Chicago.
(5)
Liz S.
seafood fam, I'm not sure why anyone would give this place less than five because this place is f'n awesome! The service was amazing....told us the specials right off the bat and the staff was extremely attentive though out the night. The food was perfect! And let me say one thing.... If I die, bury me in those lobster rolls bc it was that damn good. You can also throw in those scallops and Brussels I had in there too bc they were cooked to perfection. Pillowy soft not chewy at all. 5 stars well deserved plus many more!!
(5)
Julie P.
Love this place! Have been here twice in as many weeks for dinner and really enjoyed everything. The lobster roll, scallops and crabby patty were amazing and oysters excellent too. My only gripe is that too many specialty cocktails on the menu means the beer & wine selections are lacking. Definitely a go-to spot for fresh seafood, and they even serve food until 11PM during the week!
(5)
Laura B.
Being from the East Coast, Fish Bar makes me feel like I'm back at the shore. Great food, amazing service- I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Julieanne T.
First time trying oysters but the super friendly staff told me I had come to right place because theirs are so fresh. They were totally right. I am now an oyster lover and for a buck a shuck after 9, I am going to be going there more often. Would be an awesome date spot, but also just so much fun with a small group of friends. I need to try the lobster roll ASAP because I think the guy next to me was experiencing some type of euphoria whilst eating it.
(5)
Mark C.
After a Cubs game on a warm summer day, there is nothing better than coming here and sitting outside. I must admit that the lobster roll was disappointing, but then I find all lobster rolls disappointing after going to Red's Eats in Wiscasset, ME (seriously, if you are in the area, just go there). The Rock Shrimp (wet) appetizer was amazing though and the place just had a good vibe.
(3)
Nirav S.
love love love this place. Great seafood at affordable prices, fantastic atmosphere, great beer list, friendliest staff. My go to seafood place. Best fried cod sandwich, tater tots, grilled calamari!!
(5)
Andrea G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar last Saturday night. Our plan was to have a casual date night with a good but relatively inexpensive dinner followed by a movie. We arrived at Fish Bar at 5:30pm and, even though it was early in the evening, we still had to wait 15-20 minutes to be seated. We knew that would be the case based on other Yelp reviews so we sucked it up but it is definitely not our preference to wait for a table (especially when you are going at the Early Bird Special time of day). Other than that though, here is what we thought... The Good -Everything we ordered (calamari, wet rock shrimp, lobster roll, octopus a la plancha, key lime pie) tasted good. -Portions were not too large. -Service was friendly. The Bad -Food was good but not great. -Portions were a little too small and thus, we felt compelled to keep ordering more food. -Service was a little too fast. -Seating is very cramped and uncomfortable. -The bill (with tip) came to $70.00 which was way too high for the small amount of food we ate (plus two beers) and the casual dining experience. If the bill were $50.00 (or less) for the same items, we would have felt it was a good choice and definitely would return but there are a gazillion other, nicer, better "date night" restaurants to choose from if we are going to be spending that much money. The Ugly -When I went to use the restroom, it was occupied. As I was waiting outside in the hallway, I heard the toilet flush and then a female kitchen worker immediately walked out. Unless she washed her hands after going to the bathroom but before flushing the toilet (and I did not hear running water), she did not wash her hands!!!! Sorry, Fish Bar, but that is a total deal breaker. Gross.
(2)
kevin c.
All in all I like there concept. I loved the Chowder, Tator Tots, and Salmon Carpaccio It's just stupid expensive. I wont be coming back unless they have some sort of happy hour pricing. Oysters $15 for 6! They were fresh, but a serious rip-off. Loster Roll $18 3.5 stars 2 much mayo and 2 expensive Bloody Mary $8 or $9 1 star Seriously lacking in flavor, and expensive. Come on get a real mix, like Zing Zangs or Ditkas. Salmon Carpaccio $6 Fresh, seasoned great *4.5 stars* Clam Chowder $6 Amazing 4.5 stars Oyster Poor Boy $8 2 stars Just not good. Smelt (forgot how much) but they were good 4 stars! Tots $2 5 stars wow those were perfect Coctails: They only carry a few brands alcohol. If I'm going to spend $120 on lunch please let me order what I want. Im not talking about a rare type of absinte... but come on. They dont carry any of the vodkas I prefer. Absolut, Belvedere, and my Dad drinks Beefeater Gin and they dont have that either. Figure it out fishbar our 2 expensive! After the newness buzz wears off ur going to have to GROUPON for people to come back!
(2)
geri s.
I was so disappointed here. It may have been because I love DMK so much and I expected it to be on the same level. It wasn't though. The service is mediocre, the place smells like bad fish and the food was nothing that I would go out of my way for. I feel like I am being a baby about this... BUT they didn't have straws. I have extremely sensitive teeth and it is very difficult for me to drink anything cold without a straw. Not sure why they don't offer straws. The server didn't bother giving me a reason. Just kinda rolled her eyes and said "we don't have straws" We left after two appetizers. They kept our business though, we went right next door to DMK and got the service and food quality we were accustomed to.
(2)
Lauren P.
6:30pm on a friday during lent. 40 minute wait. sipped on an old school (which more or less tasted like a margarita) while my date partook in an abbey ale (samples were later passed out to the crowd - nice.) most yelp reviews tend to comment on the food or the waitstaff. rarely, does one find it necessary to comment on the host or hostess: one of the most undervalued jobs in the biz. it's not rocket science, but a bad hostess can put a serious cramp in your night. let it be known that fish bar has one of the WORST hostesses known to man. let me count the ways: 1. the hostess writes down a description of the person who puts their name in. read: do NOT take any articles of clothing off. she will not remember you (she would have skipped over our party had we not checked in, simply because my date took his coat off.) 2. instead of seating people, she paced back and forth, looking at her list like it was constantly changing or that it was going to reveal how the universe was created. 3. there were 6-8 seats that remained open the ENTIRE time we were there. someone explain that to me? fish bar doesn't take reservations. 4. the food comes out so fast from the kitchen, the turnover on tables is incredible. there's no reason anyone should be waiting an hour and a half. ever. we're lucky our wait was only 40 minutes. if i had been told an hour and a half & watched seats sit open for 30+ minutes, i would have been enraged. it was absolutely painful to watch her quote wait times while seats remained open. not just bad for customers, but bad for the waitstaff trying to make money. girlfriend needs to be FIRED. rant over. now onto the food. we ordered: calamari "federal hill" style: almost feels wrong without a dipping sauce, but it doesn't need it. as everyone else has mentioned, the jalapenos put a different spin on it, in a good way. east coast oysters: a little small. you'll find better elsewhere. (half shell, if you really wanna know.) crabby patty: pretty legit. crab tends to get lost in crab cakes with all of the breading & ingredients, but not the case here. a healthy sized sandwich too. oyster po' boy: fried oysters on steroids. my date really dug it but i liked my crabby patty better. has a little kick to it & is served with coleslaw on the sammy. tater tots: perfectly seasoned. i wanted more! key lime pie: yes. whoever makes these pies, god bless you. also drank a punch & a negroni baloney. both were status quo, albeit a little small for my liking. fish bar is a little more expensive than dmk, but to be fair, it is seafood. 0 stars for the hostess 4 stars for the food
(3)
Kryste N.
This place needs another good review like I need a kick to the pants, but here goes! Fresh-fish-fabulous!! Went with a friend on Friday night, it was packed, but we found a little corner to have a drink while we waited. It was so worth the wait. The Calamari is some of the best ever, the fried lemon are strange but good, I would get them again, rock shrimp are perfection, the lobster roll was delicious, and last but not least the scallops that were on special were to die for!! The service was stellar, this little joint is a gem. So glad I got to cross this off my to-do list, I will definitely be back!
(5)
James M.
Moved into Lincoln Park last summer. Has been my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Great selection, great help, nice ambience. They comp you food all the time, and have a really relaxed manner. Will continue to come back.
(5)
Monica G.
Cant say enough great things about Fish Bar - mainly because the staff is so great. They always hook us up with a free oyster shooter or app to try. The wait is never as long as they predict. The servers (especially Spenser) know the menu backwards and forwards and can recommend items with detail and expertise. Cheap(er) oysters if you go after 10 pm most week nights. The small menu is very flavorful, and constantly evolving. You HAVE to try the garlic bread - it will not disappoint. The communal seating seems intimidating, but turns out to be more intimate than initially thought. The only hesitation would be the price tag to plate size ratio - but you must expect to pay a little extra for great coastal seafood in the Midwest. Plus, you know the flavors are crafted with care. This is a go-to spot in Lakeview, highly highly recommend.
(5)
VeryWhiteGuy S.
Was excited to check out this place serving sustainable seafood, but was not so impressed by the food. A few raw/ceviche dishes tasted great. Some people complain about the portions, but we had no complaints in that regard. For the level this place is going for, we weren't turned off by the prices either. However, the food was not at the level we expected. Dipping sauces were great, but the cooked items were otherwise unimpressive. We also tried all 3 soups, but were to our taste the weakest dishes offered. We had oysters that were pretty rough (fishy) tasting, and which we believe were the reason all 3 of us were sick later that night. Seriously, we all were ill. I"ll let you use your imagination. So, with unimpressive dishes, and the final "blow" of food poisoning, we will not be recommending or returning to Fish Bar...
(2)
Courtney W.
This place is outstanding! I had been a fan of DMK for some time when Fish Bar moved in next door (from the same owners). My boyfriend loves the ceviche and tartare and I am a fan of the carpaccio. I have also had the oyster shooters but I'm not a big oyster fan but even I thought they were good. My favorite is the lobster roll (pricey at $19-22) but good. I also love the crabby patty. The lobster bisque is good but I didn't care for the lobster gazpacho (too spicy for me!). The absolute best though is the rock shrimp. I normally get them dry (sauce on the side) and they are to die for! The tater tots are also very good. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the drink options and beers are great. The key lime pie and banana bread pudding have no competition. The new rewards program that DMK/Fish Bar has started is great. I have already earned a t-shirt (that I always get compliments on) and I am five points away from getting an entire key lime pie! I am beyond excited! Don't come with a large group. There are only three booths. The rest of the small place is bar seating. They do have a nice outside section for warm days.
(5)
S P.
I had the shrimp and crawfish po boy and it was amazing! Buttery toasted bun filled with perfectly seasoned seafood. Totally worth trying! Can't wait to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Carolyn L.
I went here with my parents the other day for lunch. I can say, without exaggeration, that the meal we had was one of the top 3 best seafood meals we've ever had in Chicago. We started out with a dozen oysters, ceviche, and some beers. The oysters were super fresh, the cocktail sauce was perfect, and the ceviche had the surprisingly crunchy element of jicama. Plus I got to try some Hades Belgian Golden Ale. Next we moved onto lobster rolls. Being from New England, we judge our lobster rolls with a very critical palate. But these, with their hint of cumin, were fantastic. We've tried lobster rolls at other places but have always been disappointed and don't usually order them anymore. Thank God we went for it at Fish Bar. They were delectable! The guys at the restaurant also gave us some fresh-out-of-the-fryer tater tots. Awesome. Oh and one of the most original things I've ever eaten? Fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions. They were bittersweet and spicy, totally rounding out all of the flavors of our meal. I'm so glad I have a Frequent Fryer card now cuz I'll be going back many times!!
(5)
Karen L.
The food is decent here - fresh seafood that is nicely prepared and really reasonably priced. However, I don't know if it is worth all the hype. One thing is it is SO tiny and only basically has bar seating. It is very casual, and would be a great place to just catch a bite. Once it dies down from its "newness" hype, I will probably go back for some oysters or something. Note: one thing I didn't like was since they were all stools, there wasn't anywhere to put your purses or coats. (Well, they had a coat rack on one far wall.) So it is a little inconvenient having to sit on your coat and hold your purse, unless you have a purse hanger (which i did) or you stick it on the ground.
(3)
Dawnie L.
Fishbar has the freashest seafood you can find in Chicago. They are small portions tapas size and price reflects that. Everytime we have been there we have been treated like family and Lauren, Sasha, Spencer gives us something on the house to try. Walking in to fishbar is a breath of fresh air welcome to Lakeview. I always take my visitors here to get something you wouldn't expect. The freshest seafood with a smile and a friendly inviting dining area. I love it.
(5)
Shawn P.
The small plates concept is an excellent ideal for this place. The service was friendly the food was very good. Both the Rock and regular shrimp were lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Tried the crabby patty and unlike Mr. Krab's (sponge bob restaurateur) I don't see Plankton in any hurry to steal this recipe-it was nothing special. And what's fish without key lime pie? The pie was taste although I'd of liked the crust to have a different consistency but did appreciate the whip cream on the side. Overall, I'll be back as the atmosphere is perfect as its casual and pretty authentic to its east coast premiss. Oh yeah, the oysters were fresh and very good!
(4)
Matt Y.
I had high hopes for this place, because I like DMK a lot, but I was disappointed. Ordered the following: Clam Chowder, Calamari "Federal Hill" Style, Rock Shrimp (Wet), Tots, Key Lime Pie. The Chowder was good - my only criticism is that it's lacking in clams. Calamari - It was like a salt lick and fried to death - the calamari inside the salt crust was on the order of rubber band. Rock Shrimp - good, but something I'd expect on TGI Friday's menu, not a medium-to-up-scale fish bar Pie - Excellent The service was fine, and the atmosphere was OK - but it was the quality of food that put me off. Given the quality, the portions should have been bigger for the price. Or, alternatively, the food should have been much better. A small nitpick - getting stools with backs on them would be much more comfortable given that there are so few table options.
(2)
Courtland H.
Went for a private New Years Party, could not have had a better time! staff was very attentive, remade food for me that i missed, always there with the beer, champagne toast at midnight, best new years my wife and i have had in a long time!!
(5)
Nicole K.
Things did not start off on a good foot: we waited 90 MINUTES for our RESERVED TABLE. One member of our party was 3 minutes late once the table opened the first time - I get that. Then, the hostess asked if we wanted to wait for the next available booth or take some open counter seats. We pointed to the booth that was opened, said, "We'll wait for that," and she said, "Okay." Thirty minutes later she seats a different party at OUR booth, apologizing that they had a reservation THIRTY MINUTES AFTER OURS so she had to seat them first? (Does this logic make sense to anyone?) Anyways, we continued to wait...and wait...and wait... Until the group that had more or less changed their home address to Fish Bar, Booth #3, got up from their three-hour loungefest and left. Of course we were all starving at this point. So, onto the food.... Perhaps my expecations were too high after reading these reviews, or I was expecting nothing less than amazing after convicing myself I should wait 90 minutes to eat dinner at 9:30 PM. Either way, not all that impressive. They gave us a sample of salmon tartare and fish terrine to apologize for our wait (even though I'm pretty sure they gave this to everyone). Both were decent - the terrine is a texture to aquire, almost like a mushroom loaf, but very good with the basil sauce. We then started with the ceviche (made with fluke this evening), the rock shrimp, and the iceberg salad. Ceviche was very good - lightness of citrus with a nice serrano kick to finish. The rock shrimp was just okay - I honestly could not distinguish these from any other bar's fried shrimp. The salad was tasty, but nothing special - essentially no one can say they wouldn't enjoy fried calamari and large hunks of blue cheese. For the next round we ordered the lobster roll, the crabby patty, the tator tots, and the garlic bread. Lobster roll was fabulous - huge hunks of lobster; seemed pretty authentic. Crabby patty, on the other hand, was not - a stringy crab/lots-of-filler patty when I was expecting a crabcake made mostly of crab (crazy, I know) . Good flavor, but not a crabcake. The tator tots were awesome, but that just indicates that someone back there knows how to work a deep fryer. And the garlic bread was delightful, but really not what I came there for.... Again, perhaps my expectations were too high, but it really is exactly what it is parading as - a very casual, counter-service seafood joint transplanted from a beachside to Chicago, that serves its food in paper cones and trays and its drinks in mason jars. I think I was expecting all this to be a cute gimmick, with the food quality and creativity really shining through - especially for the prices and ala carte style. Alas, I was mistaken...
(2)
Amy S.
Completely overrated. Lobster quality great but parsley added to it just took away from the flavors of the meat. Tater tots worth it. Came out nice and hot. Pricey. Wasn't sure what all the hype was about this place. GT Fish & Oyster has a better lobster roll.
(2)
Sam S.
It's quaint. It's always busy, which is a mystery to me. The portions are ridiculously small, the prices are way too high, the service is marginal at best. OHH, and although they have a phone they don't do carry out orders nor do they take reservations, so they may as well just have it disconnected. Normally I get dragged to this place by ditzy trixie friends and I'm reminded each time why I swear I'll never come back. I guess you can't argue with success though. This place benefits from the lack of any viable options anywhere close by, otherwise the doors would be closed.
(1)
Amy L.
I've been super excited for this place to open. There really aren't many options for casual seafood in Chicago. We went in yesterday around five. The place was packed but we only had to wait about fifteen minutes for a table. The place is super small with only three actual tables for parties of four. Basically, they mean it when they say it's a bar. You probably don't want to go in with more than yourself and one other person. Now I know that the little stools at the bar add to the whole New England fish spot feel, but I absolutely hate being forced to sit at backless chairs. It's not comfortable and when I'm paying for a meal that after tax and tip was more than $50 each, I should feel comfortable eating it. We both got a specialty cocktail to start. They were tasty but tiny. Three sips and it was time to move onto a beer. We pretty much tried something from every section on the menu and I can honestly say I enjoyed all of it. None of it blew my mind but it was all solidly good. From the ceviche, carpaccio, lobster roll, oysters and more, we liked everything we tried. For better or worse, it was not "fish" but the key lime pie we had for dessert that I thought was the best. I probably could have sat there and had another drink but towards the end of our meal the place was packed with people waiting for a table. I could feel from the staff and the waiting diners that we were occupying valuable property and we should beat it. Overall, I really liked Fish Bar. I'm just not sure why they went with such a tiny space. It forces a turn and burn atmosphere that serves food and drink that deserve to be savored and enjoyed just a little bit longer. I think the atmosphere definitely lends itself more to lunch than dinner.
(3)
Brit T.
I love this place. The seafood is really good, the atmosphere is super casual, and it's a good time.
(5)
christina h.
I have been to the fish bar a couple times and I gotta say the food here is pretty good.everything is small plates so its easier to just order a few things and share.they have a fantastic green tea as well.the seating is a bit strange,its basically sitting at a bar,and there are only 2 tables inside that are usually occupied.overall,I enjoy coming here for a quick bite and do recommend this place if you don't mind sitting in a bar atmosphere close to others.
(4)
Cheryl S.
I"m a HUGE seafood fan and was really excited to finally try Fish Bar, but I must say I was a little disappointed. It didn't exactly live up to the hype for me. We tried pretty much everything on the "Summer" menu which included the lobster gazpacho and ceviche, along with the tuna salad and grilled calamari. I really enjoyed the latter two dishes but the gazpacho and ceviche were both very bland. I felt like I was spooning bitter, unsalted tomato juice into my mouth with the gazpacho. The ceviche would have been better had it been served with something other than saltine crackers. I was just eating it plain and it needed something else to accompany it. On the bright side, the grilled calamari was excellent and the tuna salad was really tasty, too. Maybe I made a huge mistake by not ordering the lobster roll??
(3)
Andrew T.
Being an East Coast boy to the core, when I saw this place finally open I practically ran in. I have been twice now, right when it opened and then about a month later, and I absolutely adore it. I know some people might not be crazy about the no-frills food, but for me it is perfect. The lobster roll is fantastic; not smothered in mayonnaise, but just a touch on the bun. The crabby patty too is great, with just a hint of heat and the wonder that is Old Bay. I will be in many, many more times.
(5)
Livery H.
I come here every time that I am in Chicago. I usually come on weekday nights and so I have never had to wait to be seated. Sometimes, there is a wait in between drinks and food but I would still give them 5 stars because the food is so good. I usually end up trying at least 5 items on the menu each time I come ( 4 x already) and I have only been slightly disappointed with one entree. Otherwise, this is my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Plus, they give free drink coupons for your next time - and that happens every time!
(5)
Wendy Y.
This place rocks. I want to come here every weekend and eat Lobster rolls and have the Carpiccio. I wish more of my friends liked seafood so I could come here all the time!
(5)
Frank R.
This has been on my shortlist of places to try since it opened, and last night I personally verified all of the extremely positive reviews by having not just a dinner, but a feast. I called ahead for reservations, but they let me know that this probably wouldn't be necessary and that they only accept them for the booths off to the side for parties of 3 or more. Even though I was going with two other friends, we had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar upon arrival. I am a big fan of DMK next door, and I was impressed with the layout the two owners used for this space, but the dining area to kitchen/bar area made me chuckle; the restaurant is clearly an experimental culinary lab for the owners and the layout and operation reflects this. The silverware, condiments, and appetizer plates are all self-serve. However, you come to appreciate the no-frills feel, and the decor and atmosphere more than made up for the somewhat cramped space. I'd just hate to see what the place looks like during peak hours. For starters, my friend and I ordered from an impressive beer list, which wasn't extensive but had something for everyone's preferences. I had the Blanche du Bruxelles, a witbier that recalled a richer Allagash White. The menu also had a nice selection of summery mixed drinks, so fear not if you're not the beer type. After ordering drinks, it became apparent that service would be ridiculously good, as our waiter was friendly but not intrusive, helpful but not condescending. Usually someone my age (21) isn't given the best service by wait staff, but not so with Fish Bar. We then proceeded to order fried calamari for a group appetizer. The waiter warned the servings were on the smaller side, which was about true for the calamari, but all three of us got a good sample, which was fried in a great breading and topped with extremely flavorful jalapeños and banana peppers. I also ordered a cup of the clam chowder, which was hearty, rich, and loved by all three of us; we'd decided at this point that we were pretty much splitting everything since it was all so delicious. After we finished the appetizers and ordered our main courses, we were greeted by one of the managers, who was again extremely welcoming without being overbearing or interrupting our experience. More to come on him later, but now back to the food. For the main course, we all tried to order relatively dissimilar items to appease our interests. My two friends ordered the Crabby Patty (just like SpongeBob) and the Fried Oyster Po'-boy, respectively, while I went with the special, whitefish a la plancha, which was pan fried in a light crust and topped with olive oil, chili flakes, and microgreens. The Crabby Patty was excellent, with so much flavor and color to it that I had to slow my chewing to really savor it. I didn't get to try the Po'-boy, but my friend's sounds of enjoyment really said it all, and she only made it through half. We were also given an order of the garlic bread gratis by the waiter, which to my surprise was a large, soft half loaf which was toasted to perfection and topped with shredded parmesan; it reminded me of french toast or even a cinnamon roll in how soft the bread was. My fish was excellent as well. The crust was bursting with a tangy flavor that really enhanced the already wonderful, light flavor and texture of the underlying whitefish. The chili flakes added a nice spice, and all I really needed to add was a pinch of sea salt (one of the self-serve condiments, which is still in the large canister that they're shipped in). After this veritable smorgasbord of delicious food, we were all stuffed, but had to inquire about dessert, which they let us know was key lime pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, both excellent, summery choices. Alas, we were too full. No pie this time, although there was one more delicious item coming our way when the manager I mentioned before brought out some of the new tartare they were preparing, which was juicy and packed with flavor without being too overbearing on my already exhausted palette, even on the saltines it came with. Then, as if this wasn't enough, the manager talked us through their summer menu and how it differs from what they've previously had and then gave us his business card for free oyster shooters the next time we came in. I work in retail and realize you should invite customers back in, but the demeanor and non-pretentious attitude both the waiter and manager had felt extremely sincere, and this is a rarity in the service industry for me. Fish Bar was a fantastic experience in every aspect for the three of us. I went in with extremely high expectations and even they were exceeded. I hate to be such an idealist about this (because really, it's just food, right?) but this type of experience is why I'm glad I moved to Chicago. I wish there was a "fuck yeah" button next to the five stars up top so I could click it. I couldn't recommend Fish Bar more.
(5)
Sam B.
Fresh, wild caught seafood. Great service. Will definitely be returning, I just wish there was more seating inside!
(5)
Dean K.
I shouldn't do this because I want the crowds to die down but fair is fair. This place is outstanding. Best, freshest seafood I've had in Chicago, ever. I had 3 orders of oysters, white tuna carpaccio, garlic bread, tater tots, gumbo, and a bunch of other stuff. I couldn't stop ordering (maybe that's why the manager gave me his card before we left). The bartender/server was super cool too. My non-fish-eating girlfriend had the BLT and it was great. I am so fortunate to be able to walk to this place and I'll be doing it as often as I can.
(5)
Alex F.
I'm kind of over the tapas trend in chicago, but although the portions are small at fishbar, but the food was fresh and tasty... and i like the setup.
(4)
Audrey S.
Go here if 1) it's before 6pm on the weekend, 2) you're up for a couple of snacks, 3) want a couple of beers/cocktails. No, it's not cheap, but that's because the fish is fresh. The place is small, so get there early (we went around 4m on a Saturday and had no problem getting a seat). All the servers are awesome and overall it's an excellent place. Just manage your expectations.
(4)
Kerry M.
Fish Bar is a really cool little place with wonderful food. I would not, however, recommend this place for a group larger than four. There just isn't room. This restaurant is teeny tiny, and most everyone (with the exception of a handful of booths) is seated at a winding bar/counter top. My friend and I hit this place on a Wednesday night. Turned out to be a great decision, as we got seated immediately. The food, is excellent. We had the ceviche, the seafood salad, and the gumbo. All, were delicious. Everything was really fresh and tasty. Bob Marley was blasting the entire time we were there, which made the mood inside very relaxed and cheerful. The service was good, and the ambience was better, but the food was the stand out, as it should be. Go now, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jonathan W.
Very very very good. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey. The portions are small, and they should be, but are still a little pricey for what they are, even given the quality. The lobster roll was expensive but worth every penny. Amazing. Also the drinks are microscopic.
(4)
Charlene S.
We've been hearing all the hype and were kinda turned off to come here. We didn't want to fight the crowds on a Friday night after the Cubs home opener. But we risked it and glad we did. The hubs and I were immediately seated at a communal bar served by 1 waitress. Cozy, but the loud guy next to us with the handlebar stache was a bit obnoxious and I didn't like hearing his conversation and him gawking at whatever we ordered. We ordered a lobster roll and it was DELICIOUS! Fresh, cool lobster with a little kick on a toasty roll with remoulade sauce that was refreshing and very complimentary. The hubs had the cod sandwich, which he thought was bland, but the tarter sauce added to its flavor. I defended... maybe they're trying to be purists and not overwhelm the cod with seasoning. The cod on its own was very fresh and tasty. That seems plausible because of the other dishes we got. Very simple, very true to flavor. We also got the octopus a la plancha. Two little octupusses or octopi (hmmmmm?) grilled and served with a little lemon sauce and microgreens. Very simple. Very delicious. The hubs got the lobster bisque. He didn't enjoy it too much. Not like the usual tomato type reduction salty and savory... This one was sweeter, gravy brown looking in color, with corn and fresh lobster... which was pretty generous. Just not what we were anticipating. I got the clam chowder and explained to the hubs that I thought this was the best clam chowder I ever had... scallions, creamy slightly spicy, didn't congeal on top, well cooked not mushy potatoes, and fresh clams... oh so good. It was a bit loud in there and when it filled up, the chatter and music got overwhelming. There was a crowd that soon developed (after 5:30p on a Fri) and were standing around waiting. But the turnover seems pretty quick, cuz the stools aren't comfortable and you feel weird sitting there enjoying a beer or 2 or 3. It doesn't have that inviting atmosphere cuz people are waiting. But someone came out and started handing out little samples of their specialty beer so that probably made the wait more bearable and my husband forgot about how much he didn't like the lobster bisque.
(4)
Christine J.
I enjoyed my first time dining experience at Fish Bar. The vibe is casual, where you sit on stools around a silver metal bar. But it feels trendy still. I scoffed a little at the prices when I saw the menu. $9 for 3 ounces of fried clams? Besides the price though, the food was quite good. High quality ingredients, fried items were hand battered and deep fried fresh. And their key lime pie was very tasty. I felt portions were on the small side, so getting something hearty like the gumbo or the po' boy is a must. Good service, I'll be back, but not too often.
(4)
Alex M.
Have to order an oyster shooter. Fried clam bellies and oyster po boy were amazing. Great beer too.
(4)
Crystal M.
Had an up and down experience, but a good restaurant can turn this into a 5 star experience, and that's just what Fish Bar did! We stopped by on a Friday night at about 7:30pm. The place was packed, with an hour wait for an outside table. We opted for the shorter wait for inside and it ended up taking less time than quoted. Bonus! Our server, Jordan, was awesome. He asked if we'd been to Fish Bar before and when he found out we were newbies, his eyes lit up and he took us thru the menu in great detail. We ordered: Gumbo, Clam Chowder, Lobster Roll, Crabby Patty and Tater Tots. Everything came out looking delish - except mine. I thought the Crabby Patty was a crab cake sandwich - which it is - but the food runner brought me the soft shell crab po' boy. I took one look at it and knew I couldn't eat it. I have a thing about eating things that look like they are still alive. I pointed the issue out to Jordan a few minutes later and he was super apologetic and went to get my order fixed. In the meantime, my boyfriend finished his food and was singing Fish Bar's praises. Of course I was jealous. After about 15 minutes, I still hadn't gotten my sandwich, and we had already paid the bill! I asked Jordan if when the sandwich came up could he just wrap it to go. He looked surprised that it hadn't been delivered and devoured by this point. He apologized profusely and said "that just shouldn't happen!" After another minute or two, the manager came over with my sandwich wrapped up and a $50 gift card to make up for it! She said she was so sad that I had to leave with my dinner in a to go bag and she hoped that we'd come back and let them make up for it. Needless to say, that was above and beyond. I wasn't even that upset about it! But they definitely showed that they care about their customers and their reputation. My boyfriend cannot wait to return. He's in love with this place now, and I can't wait to actually eat my dinner when it's made!
(5)
Alex C.
I thought food was amazing. Fresh and flavorful with nice presentation. But it's tapas portions for full meal price. We had to reorder more food once our plates came out.
(3)
Alex P.
Really very good food, which was the high standard set by the reviews I read as I happened upon this place yesterday while digging through yelp.com to waste time. Went immediately and loved the fried shrimp as a starter and my friend and I both had the cod fish sandwich as mains. Dessert was a chocolate + + cake that was yummy. My only gripe is the wait and it's pretty damn noisy in there.
(5)
Morgan L.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and both were great experiences. Most importantly the seafood is fresh. I have had the Scallops, Lobster Roll, Clam Chowder, grilled calamari, and salmon tartare. All are stellar and highly recommended. They also have a daily pie selection. I have experienced both the blueberry and the key lime. Again, stellar.
(4)
Melissa S.
Great service, fantastic lobster roll and gumbo that this Louisiana lady endorses! Will come bk
(5)
Kevin H.
Fish Bar is fun, has a unique menu / style, and is worth going to. My average rating is because the value is not good. At a place where you get your own silverware and rip your napkin off a paper-towel roll, you would expect much more aggressive prices. I paid $20 including tip for two small plates (octopus, shrimp) and walked out not really full. You may need three plates to be fully satisfied, and that's getting very expensive for such a casual place.
(3)
Mike S.
Don't go to Fish Bar. You'll love it and it will be hard for me to get a table. Seriously. Don't go. Stay away. Here's a story to confirm this. My girlfriend, me and another couple tried this place on a Friday night right after they opened. When we got there at 7:30 it was packed and the hostess said the wait could be 90 minutes. Ok, no problem. We got drinks and huddled in a corner to wait. We waited patiently, and after a while the manager (or maybe one of the owners, a skinny chap with short hair and a jacket- we didn't catch his name) came around with a tray of shot glasses filled with Scrimshaw, a tasty German Pilsener beer for everyone waiting. A nice touch, and well appreciated, I'm sure by everyone waiting. Look, the place is new, it's small, it doesn't take reservations, it doesn't seat parties greater than 4 and it's run by a couple of Chicago culinary rock stars. We all knew what we were getting in to showing up at 7:30 on a Friday. The hostess was apologetic for our wait (which was appreciated) a couple times. Our party of 4 must have looked particularly pathetic because some time into our nearly 2 hour wait, the manager (and again I think he was the manager: he could have been an owner) came over and apologized and offered to buy us a round of drinks. He may have done the same for other parties, but we didn't notice it. We were all floored by this generosity and were very grateful. At a hot place like Fish Bar, you'd think management wouldn't take a step like that - why do they need to? People are willing to wait 2 hours for food, and if you as a patron don't like it, tough, there are plenty of other people who will tolerate it. That's not the attitude we saw. And we appreciated it. I don't know if you'll get the same treatment or not. I hope so. What about the food? Try the Rock Shrimp wet. The gumbo has a great smoky flavor. The ceviche I could take or leave- it was served in a sealed mason jar. The oysters were great. Our friends had sandwiches and were very satisfied. The thing you'll notice about this place is that it doesn't really have any entrees per se. So don't expect to go and order one thing. You won't leave full with that ordering strategy. It's definitely a place where you share. I'll definitely go back. Just after all the hype and buzz has died down.
(4)
Lauren C.
Yummmmmmm. Amazing hospitality AND amazing service. There is a difference, and they nailed them both. The drinks were rocking - Sonja is great at her craft. The food was amaze-balls.... and for the price?! Done. Sasha was fantastic and truly made you feel like part of the Fish Bar family. Great atmosphere, we'll continue to go until it gets cold. Then I'm nervous that all the rest of you people will find out about this place and it will be so packed that we will have to wait a long time to sit inside. Get the rock shrimp. Just get it. Oh, and ask for a quickie....
(5)
Andrea R.
I've been wanting to try this place since I saw the beginning of it's construction months back. The bright blue outside is definitely an eye catcher... So it's Friday and I decided to stop in and treat myself to a relaxing lunch alone. I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess, who sat me down at the bar on one of the eclectic antique stools. Spencer, my waiter, broke down the menu for me and recommended a nice Belgium ale. It was served in a mason jar, as were all the other beverages. I ordered the lobster bisque. I was trying it for my husband. It's his favorite soup and sadly we have a hard time finding it around here. It is a lobster broth ( dairy free), thickened by potatoes. It was yummy! Huge pieces of fresh lobster... And guilt free:) I took a bowl to go for my hubby's dinner tonight I also ordered the lobster roll. A hotdog bun jam packed with lobster meat. The bun was dressed with a tarter like sauce and the lobster was perfectly poached. I plan on returning-- not on a Friday or Saturday night though. According to Spencer, the place is jammed then. I prefer an early lunch on a weekday, as the place is small and was beginning to fill up as I was Leaving at 1230pm.
(4)
Paul S.
It has great character. I liked the focused menu and beer selections. There's plenty of variety, but you're not overwhelmed with options, so you know when you order anything, it's going to be prepared well. We had the gazpacho, oysters, shrimp, and seafood cob salad. Everything was great. I had lower expectations on the seafood cob salad, and that actually turned out to be the winner.
(4)
John H.
A welcome addition to a city with relatively few good seafood options. It can be tough to get a seat since the place is so darn small, but if you can wait until 10pm you'll sit right down. The fish is very, very fresh and while nothing is overly creative, they execute classic seafood favorites from around the country reliably and with an upscale flair. The atmosphere is fun, and it does give a nice "fish house" kind of vibe. I enjoyed the cold appetizers, the grilled fish and the fried shrimp, which were amazingly light and tasty. My main complaint would be regarding the addition of heat to so many of the dishes. Some might like it, but in my opinion seafood generally has a pretty delicate flavor that should be allowed to stand on its own and not overwhelmed by spice. Overall, though, a good option for fresh seafood.
(4)
Elyse C.
The best thing to do at Fish bar is go with a couple friends, or a date, spend around $15 to $20 bucks a person on some fairly good finger food and good beer and share it all. Upsides Fried clams: the best dish we ordered Oyster Po Boy (even though frying oysters in general = bad) Fried Octopus Fried Calamari $2 12 ounce cans of PBR permanently on the menu. Who the heck wants to drink bad beer with good seafood though? Very small place and nice to go during obscure hours (late night dinner) Open till midnight! Everyone is very friendly Downsides Gespacho: plain and too spicy Soft shell crab (special): they were way too small and had too much salt Octopus, soft shell crab, and calamari were all served with the same light lemon dressing. You have to switch that up guys Portions are too small! Neutral Everything is served is mason jars, woopie! Bottom line My family and I left satisfied but the allure of the place itself may have had something to do with that rather than the food itself. I'd take a date there again or go late night for some grub.
(3)
Ron G.
If you do not like this place, you ordered wrong. I deduced that from reading the reviews of the people who gave 3 or fewer stars. If you want fried fish, soups and sandwiches, go somewhere chainy. If you go here, order the raw or grilled items. In my 5 or 6 visits, I have not been disappointed. The carpaccio is absolutely perfect. Capers, egg, fennel, and thinly pounded raw fish. Do not share, order your own. The ceviche and tartare each come in mason jars and are refreshing if not my favorites. I prefer to save room for the grilled octopus. They braise the octopus so it comes sweet and soft. The a la plancha style which is grilled with olive oil, black pepper and a bit of spice is perfect. They usually serve a fish of the day this way as well. I have had amazing Lake trout my last two visits. And right now they have sea scallops which are big, sweet, and delicious. As it should be at a fresh seafood restaurant, they switch their fish often. The belgian beer list is great, but lately I have been trying the mixed drinks. The #2 tea is my personal fave, but it is hard to come here and not get a great beer. The pie is terrific as well. Basically, this is a must stop place for seafood lovers and foodies. If you are a conservative eater/orderer, I can not help you. Order from the left side of the menu and you can not help but have a great meal. Two more things that I am reading here which I can slightly dispel. My food bill comes out to about $50 for 2 and it is plenty of food. I have never ordered the lobster roll which is the most expensive item on the menu. I order exclusively from the left side of the menu. It is far cheaper than publican or avec, my favorite spots before this place opened. Also, the waits have died down from the spring when the place was new. The outdoor section adds plenty of space, and the newness has died down. You can get a seat on a Saturday usually with minimal wait if any.
(5)
HR C.
I love that you actually can sit at a bar while eating all the seafood you want here. The staff was extremely friendly and the location was very easy to get to, hop off the Brown Line at Wellington and take a left. In this casual joint we had lobster bisque & clam chowder soup, oysters, fried clams, and fish sandwiches. Get there early, this place is tiny so you might have to wait but I would tell you it's a food snack spot and worth the wait.
(4)
Brad W.
LOVE Fish Bar. I took my Boyfriend there for our first date and found a pink pearl in the first oyster I had! Magical. The outdoor seating feels like you are sitting on the wharf, waiting for the catch of the day. Romantic night spot with candle light and delightfully fresh menu - changing everyday. Def Recommend this place!
(5)
Jamal P.
I was really excited to visit this place.To me it is nothing more than an extremely bad attempt at pick and fry or cook. To those who haven't seen a real pick it let me set the scene.You walk in and order your seafood by the pound at one counter and they prepare it at the next counter. It"s not already breaded or doctored up you pay for the seafood and they cook like you want it. It's simple as that. This town seems to missing out on these. Well anyway I arrived and was told it would be an hour wait , ok no problem I will wait for fair that's good. I had the oysters and others in my group ordered clams and the lobster roll. The food was just lower end mediocre. Not great, not upper end mediocre, but just hitting mediocre. My friend who had the lobster roll was really disappointed but he is from the east coast so I guess he has a different level of judgement. I don't think I would go back anytime soon, especially with the wait.
(2)
Lady D.
Really enjoyed this place. The seafood is fresh and creative. I like the ambience through it gets very crowded very quickly. My only gripe is that I am really not into eating on things made of paper. I know thats part of the "experience" but I just don't like it.
(4)
Amanda B.
The Oysters were great, but the staff was very interested in moving people out instead of letting myself and the people I was with ordering more food, beers and cocktails. Fresh Oysters, Great Gumbo, Crab Cake Sandwich and the Shrimp were great. Call ahead for a reservation, but if you do they will serve drinks while guests wait.
(3)
John R.
Same guy that owns DMK burger. I really dig the atmosphere here (as opposed to DMK burger). I had the Oyster po'boy and it was pretty decent. I definitely need to come back and try something else though.
(4)
Megan P.
I don't even like fish, but I decided to go here with a friend because I had a serious craving for shrimp. This was definitely the place to go! We ended up having to wait a little while longer than they told us to get a seat outside, but they definitely made up for it with free beer samples, two free oyster shooters, AND a free serving of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions (sounds weird but delicious!) I've never been to a place where they seemed so concerned about our wait time (which btw was only like 30 min...not that bad for Chicago). I was super impressed by the service. The manager was doing an "experiment" to see what waiting tables was like. He was very friendly and great to talk with. Plus the atmosphere on their outside patio was so relaxing on a nice breezy summer night But the best part of Fish Bar was by far the "wet" rock shrimp....omg AMAZING! Probably the most addicting food I've ever eaten. I don't know what's in that sauce but I wish they would bottle it so I could put it on everything.
(5)
Erin W.
Totally worth the wait!!! My friend and I made three attempts to eat at Fish Bar...thankfully the third time was the charm. I would absolutely go back. While we were waiting for our table the manager starting handing out samples of beer to everyone that was waiting for a table. My friend and I struck a conversation with him and he brought us over an additional beer to sample. Once we sat down at the counter we were taken care of. My friend and the clam chowder and I had the lobster bisque, both amazing soups and not in their traditional form. Neither were diary based which I loved. The manager also brought us over a sample of the gazpacho which was new to the menu. We got the Eastern Belly Clams, Tartare, Ceviche, Scallops and the manager brought us over the Capriccio. This was my first time eating clams and they were amazing. Ended your meal with a freshly baked pie is a must. The pie of the day when we were there was Key Lime and it was great. Instead of napkins Fish Bar has paper towels which I loved. The atmosphere is great and you truly feel like you are out east coast at a seafood style restaurant.
(5)
Maciej O.
Great atmosphere, amazing food and even better service.
(5)
Mike D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Worth the wait. Try a little of everything and you won't go wrong. Went last week, had great Belgian Ales, and tried a sampling of menu items. Our favorite was probably the clam chowder and the lobster roll. One of the best lobster rolls i've had (which is odd that it was in Chicago). Also excited that they had tater tots. Wish we had a place like this in Manhattan.
(5)
Steve J.
If I was to have a last meal before they pulled the switch and ran 1000 volts of electricity through my body, I would request a meal at the Fish Bar. I started with the Bisque which consists of a smooth bitternut squash bisque with chunks of lobster, a pinch of cayenne pepper and parsley, absolutely awesome than the mussel steamed with white wine, cream, and parsley with razor thin shavings of garlic like they sliced in Goodfellas, with a great slice of seasoned grilled bread to soak up all the delicious wine and buttery cream juice from the mussels. I washed it down with an iced cold Stone IPA. I think I died and went to heaven.
(5)
Kristin J.
Absolutely Amazing food and service! My husband and I have loved everything there, so we end up ordering a bunch of stuff to share. Delicious Lobster Roll with about 1lb of fresh lobster, Rock Shrimp wet style are the best things on earth, Crabby Patty has a kick and is one of the best things on the menu. Even the garlic bread is mouthwatering! Add that to their cocktails (the iced tea vodka with sweet tea is my fave!) and what a great place for a 2-4 people. We've been back at least 3 times and each time we find something new. Only down side is having to wait so we try to go at off times.
(5)
Maggie C.
A few friends and I just went last night. We were able to squish five girls into a booth (it was quite the feat and don't really recommend it). We had the rock shrimp which was great, just enough spice! The bay scallop ceviche was amazing, but there weren't that many scallops in there. I indulged in some east coast raw oysters and clams, I probably could have ate another dozen of each! Finally, I had the lobster roll, I wasn't a fan of it. The celery mayo was too intense for me and the flavor of the lobster got lost. My friends tried the crabby patty, the cod sandwich, and calamari a la planche. They all enjoyed their meals. We also indulged in some drinks...the tea was great but be careful it's potent! Overall, I think the food was good but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and service! I will definitely return!
(3)
Keith C.
High Prices for little amount of food. Fair service at best.
(1)
jeffrey m.
Scrumptious to say the MOST-est!!!!!
(5)
Sharon S.
I was excited to experience all the hype surrounding Fishbar. We got there early and am I glad we did because not 10 min later it was standing room only. Great concept and space. You can grab a drink while you wait and the manager even came around and offered up beer samplers for the people having to wait. The staff was great and the decor is well thought out. But the food was inconsistent. The oysters were good...clam chowder=white water...gross and sent it back...jumbalaya..ok....calamari good taste very greasy..but the guy next to us had great calamari...crab cake sandwich...great, as was the octopus. I would go back in warm weather and try it again for sure. Not great food but it hopefully will be! But the homemade key lime pie?.....to die for!!!!
(3)
Moira S.
I have been to Fish Bar a number of times and really love the food. They are a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood. I almost always order the rock shrimp dry and the gumbo...they do both of these really well. Their carpaccios and ceviche are always tasty. I have also tried the crabby patty sandwish and the oyster po-boy...also very good. They have a fun selection of signature drinks...my favorite is Sonya does Sicily. The service can be spotty but overall everyone there is very friendly. I really love the atmosphere there as well. The music, the lighting, the decor...it was all done perfectly and I cannot help but feel happy when I am there.
(4)
Liz G.
The food is great, but small portions for the price. The scallops are excellent, the salad with shrimp was tasty but not something to make a meal - more like two shrimp with a green garnish. Good beers and a nice atmosphere, and outdoor seating is always a plus.
(3)
Eazmg C.
mmm mmm lobster roll and oyster po boy. not as good as GT Fish but better prices and slightly larger portions though. good patio for when its warm out too, but warning it's small (outside and in).
(3)
Matthew C.
I want to give this place 4.5 stars because everything was awesome. Service was perfect, amazingly nice staff. Lobster roll...left a little to be desired. Fantastic ambiance. Amazing drinks. Reasonably priced. I'll be back.
(4)
Mark Z.
I've been walking by this place for the last few months wondering what the heck was on the other side of the doors. After opening up this past week, I finally found the answer. Friendly staff, upbeat, very busy restaurant with excellent choices on the menu. Let's get to the food first, because that's what we're here for right? I was here with my fiance so we decided to poke around at the menu a bit before ordering the garlic bread, clam chowder, seafood cobb salad, and finally the oyster po boy sandwich. Garlic Bread: delicious, crisp, garlicky, with a nice sprinkling of cheese to top it off. Worth it for a primer. Clam Chowder: My fiance's favorite, and probably mine too. Creamy, but not too chunky. Sometimes chunky is good, but the consistency was perfect. I'd call it a clam chowder bisque if I could choose something out of thin air. Not quite sure what the exact culinary definition is for bisque, but I'd liken it to that, with some nice clams in there. The garlic bread served perfectly for dipping into the clam chowder. They're both so good, why not combie! Seafood cobb salad: Not my favorite. It just didn't do it for me. Lettuce and seafood? Just not my bag, but probably plenty of others might like it. Oyter Po Boy sandwich: Incredible. I've never had an "official" po boy from New Orleans, but man this was deliciuos. ENORMOUS oysters piled on the sandwich on top of slaw with some sort of sauce. A real crowd pleaser even if you don't like oysters. Only downfall is that my mouth isn't large enough to bite the whole thing at once. I would if I could. Service: friendly and willing to please. We were offered free oyster shooters upon inquiring about them. Really nice people behind the counter who are just as thrilled to be working there as the customers are to have a seat. We met Dave, the GM of the restaurant who is a really really nice guy. It's nice to be able to talk to the man in charge while they get things in order the first few weeks of being open. I highly recommend going there, but probably early, like 5:30 on a weekday if possible. The place doesn't have many seats so it fills up quickly, but they have some good beers to pick from on the menu. After talking with the GM, they plan on doing something outside the restaurant when the weather gets warmer (like it has the past couple days). I believe he spoke of picnic tables, which would be a huge bonus. More seats, more customers, potentially less waiting! Like seafood? Eat here!
I would like to give this place 4 stars but will need try it one more time before I can change this rating! Overall the fish was fresh, the service was friendly and the cocktails were delicious! Biggest drawbacks - we had the mackerel ceviche and there were only a few pieces of mackerel in the actual dish. For a place that is all about fish we just expected more with this dish than it delivered. The tuna tartare was good but the portion was extremely small as well and it made the dish underwhelming. Recommendations - the 2 soups (Bisque and Gumbo) we had were really good but the gumbo also did lack a good amount of fish. The fried food is basically the best with the most accurate portion sizes. The rock shrimp (wet) is the reason we will be back! Overall the food was good but portions were a tad bit small and we were looking for more fish in each dish! We will go back and try other dishes and hopefully will be changing this rating in the future!
(3)
Holly T.
AWESOME experience! The service was phenomenal, friendly and fast. The food was really fresh and great, I had the lobster roll and was extremely happy with my choice. The atmosphere was perfect for a fish bar but VERY small, we went on a Sunday for lunch and didn't wait at all to be seated but on a Friday night we stopped in and were told the wait was over an hour. The prices are reasonable for fish however, beware the sandwiches don't come with any side at all so it could get expensive if you are really hungry. We left satisfied but not overly full after eating Ceviche and each having a sandwich and a bloody mary. I am definitely excited to go back and try the soup selection.
(4)
C C.
Meh... I paid $18 for a small drink and small salad. Yes, the salad Nicoise was tasty was well-done, but tiny, especially for $9. The cocktails are 150 mL as stated which I didn't know what that meant but as the bartender warned me (I asked!) it means SMALL. The place is also teeny. Tasty, and nice, but miniature. Too bad the prices weren't small to match.
(3)
andrew s.
They definitely hit a home run with this one. In my opinion there is nothing worse than sub-par seafood...that being said everyting I have had here is great...clam chowder...lobster roll...oysters...smelts.. all good. My only complaint is they are relativity small portions... it is what it is .. still good though.
(5)
happy c.
Love this place. Chicago needs more of these - excellent fish, welcoming and helpful service, great casual fish house vibe with booth and counter seating. We brought our kids and they fit right in. Looking forward to going back for cocktails and more great seafood. Thought prices were completely fair given how fresh everything was.
(5)
aldrich b.
I would definitely come back for the food, but not for the wait. Our party of 4 waited an hour to eat at the counter. The place is really small, and most of the seating is at the counter with like 4 booths only. We were cold, hungry, and desperate to try this place. I love seafood, and being in chicago away from the ocean, you don't get the best and freshest stuff. So I have to try every new place to see if it can rival the seafood I've had from the east and west coasts. We ordered the lobster roll, the rock shrimp, the tail-on shrimp, tater-tots, and the clam chowder....i know, don't judge me. I have to admit that the food was really good, and the lobster roll is legit. My friend friend that was with us, who is originally from Maryland, said the same thing...."their lobster roll is the real deal." It's awesome, just the right balance of citrus and mayo....not heavy at all, with great contrast in texture between the soft lobster meat and the crunch of the celery. The roll that they serve it on is nice and buttery....mouth just salivated, excuse me. I've never had an $18 sandwich before, but I'd pay for that sandwich again. Everything else was good also: the chowder was full of seafood and flavor, the shrimp was adequate...definitely prefered the rock shrimp vs the tail-on. Bottom line, I would go back to this place when it's less busy and i will have that lobster roll again. I would say it's worth a 10-15 min wait. Wish this place was a little bigger so the wait isn't so long.
(4)
Tom W.
Awesome food, great beer selection, friendly and nice staff, and a cool environment. This play has got it right. I love DMK, and have been a ton of times and never been disappointed, and now Fish Bar is equally as great! Keep it up!
(5)
Leslie H.
I love the layout and food at this place. The lobster roll is delicious, I also loved the calamari! Because it's a small space, I'd recommend going with only one other person to get in quickly.
(5)
Scott K.
I grew up out east on the water and was hoping this place would remind me of the places ate at growing up. The food hear is way overpriced for what you get and it is not very good. I read all the reviews and can not believe so many people love this place. If you are thinking of trying this place save your money and go get a good meal at Shaws or walk down the street to Half Shell. Both are way better than this place.
(1)
John D.
My girlfriend and I ate at Fish Bar on Friday night. It was packed when we got there at 9:30pm and, even though they don't take reservations, we were sat in 15 mins. We drank draft beers at the back beer ledge while we were waiting for seats to open up. It wasn't too crowded in the back even though that's where everyone waits for seats and we were able to hang our jackets under the drink shelf which was nice. For dinner, we ordered a ton of food and liked it all. The ceviche seemed like a small portion when it was served but ended up being more than we expected. It was served with saltine crackers which I thought was different but ended up being really good. Next we got the satchmo po' boy. I have a few friends from New Orleans so I've had some good po' boys but this one was awesome! It had tons of shrimp and crawfish and the seasoning was awesome. Then we got the lobster roll...which is more like a lobster po' boy and is a little expensive at $21 but was really good. The lobster meat was fresh and the seasoning wasn't overpowering so you could still taste the meat. Next we got the iceberg salad which has crispy calamari on it...might sound weird but it was really good. We ordered tater tots at the same time as the salad but could've held off given how much calamari was on the salad. Even with the calamari on the salad, the lettuce was still crispy and cold. I'm not a huge fan of key lime pie which is the only dessert on the menu, but they also have smores. We decided to get a third round of beers instead of a dessert and we stayed until around 11:30. Word to the wise..the monkey beer is good but very strong! Overall, we had an awesome time and hope to go back soon.
(5)
cindy s.
went to fish bar because Glenn's Diner was booked solid. big bucks for little proportions, and cheesy presentation. everything tastes OK, but not anything to remember or return for. we had the buffalo frog legs, which were decent, but tasted just like chicken buffalo wings in which I would've gotten about triple the amount for my money. the salmon tartare which was good, but they gave us a pack + 4 saltine crackers....come on. the fried calamari "federal hill style", tasted great...but over priced for the tiny proportions. everyone knows for $8 you should get a hearty serving of calamari. and if you don't, serving it up in a cheap paper container for kitch is not going to justify the wimpy amount they gave. all in all, I would not go back. Seems like a tourist trap.
(2)
Jenny D.
I love fish bar. The service is top notch - everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, attentive. They make you feel like family! And the food? Above top notch. Pick from the rock shrimp, po boy, crabby patty, oysters, chowder, and you'll be a happy camper. If you have more than four people, you might wait awhile. But perfect for a pair.
(5)
Amanda D.
Sorry Fish Bar lovers, I was not that impressed. I went here tonight with a couple of friends. We sat at one of the small tables which was a nice scene and more intimate than the bar. I'd been wanting to go here for a while since I live right down the street. A couple things to note...First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of the decor. It seemed inauthentic in its attempt to appear New England, or seaside, or Naw'leans. Secondly, their Lobster Bisque is not Lobster Bisque. It tastes more like a corn/lobster soup - it's not very creamy and the corn/spice overpowers the lobster flavor. For someone that loves lobster bisque, this was a disappointment. I also ordered the calamari. This was quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. The one thing that I would come back for was the Codfish sandwich. At $7, this is delicious. I don't think you can beat the price for this type of sandwich. It came out piping hot and was a good sized portion. My friends ordered the Clam Chowder (which they thought was good), Ceviche (not good) and Crabby Patty. I tried the Crabby Patty (=crab cake sandwich) and thought it was good, albeit a little heavy. For those of you going to Fish Bar, I would stick to the "On a Bun" menu section - I was most impressed with these items. Otherwise, I would prefer DMK from the Kornick/Morton duo.
(2)
Rob R.
Can't tell you about the food because we didn't stick around. We were told there was a 45 minute wait. The surly hostess didn't ask us if we wanted a drink while we waited. She seemed to hope we wouldn't wait. We found our way over to the bar where we were informed that the establishment features only white wine. I guess that's some ignorant 25 year-old's idea of a fish restaurant's wine list. Before we could decide what cocktail to order- my companion doesn't drink white wine- the hostess came over and scolded us, evidently because she felt we were standing too close to a couple of empty chairs that she was reserving for somebody or other. At this point my friend and I burst out laughing and walked out into the driving rain and dashed a block or two down Sheffield to Soprano's, where we enjoyed an excellent grilled calamari and baked whitefish with white beans and escarole. And a delicious malbec. For you ignorant 25-year olds, that's a nice Argentinian red wine. As for Fish Bar, I suppose those who like that sort of place will like it.
(1)
Arlene T.
Just had lunch there with my husband. The gumbo and the Crabby Patty sandwich were both delicious!!! The only reason I am not giving it more stars was the smell. I realize this is a fish place, but I am back at the office and I know everyone is wondering why I smell like fish. It was overwhelming. They did open the door when I asked about the ventilation. I will definitely go back though and give it another shot.
(3)
Heather F.
After reading a million reviews on both Fish Bar and GT Fish & Oyster, I tackled both places over the course of a few days. Ultimately, the differences are in the menu and ambiance. Fish Bar is a very casual feel, think getting your seafood in a cabana vs. GT Fish which is more yacht club, if that makes sense. Fish Bar left me wanting more...more to eat...and quite frankly more options (the menu offers garlic bread and tater tots, but other than that you're choices are basically naked/raw fish or fried fish; it lacks some balance; expect to overeat on the fried food out of necessity). The service was also very slow and not terribly responsive (which can be frustrating when your communal silverware jar is empty). Portions are good to share, but small. Our group of 3 was able to conveniently split some things, so we all got a taste, but not really much more. Here's the breakdown: -tartar (salmon)--ok; not enough crackers to go with, and quite frankly not enough flavor. I realize it's not ceviche, but still needed some lemon. -rock shrimp, wet--very good flavoring, but know they will get soggy quickly. -belly clams--good, but also on soggy side of things -calamari, a la plancha,--my favorite of the evening, good flavor; three major tube pieces -scallops, a la plancha,--same preparation as calamari, yet seemed slightly less seasoned (three scallops) -lobster roll--okay; brioche bun was a bit too sweet for my tastes, meat was a bit watery almost, making me wonder if it had been frozen, more mayonnaise base than I like (GT Fish wins) -key lime pie--okay, but a bit runny; wasn't the best I've had for sure -seasonal pie (blackberry)--good -beer--they have a great selection of craft beer, and some cocktails; it is worth noting that for the several rounds we had, every small mason jar was about 1/3 head. considering how little you're getting, not cool in my book.
(3)
R W.
Great seafood, but its a tiny space (especially in winter when the outdoor seating is gone). Last few times I have done takeout just to avoid the crowd and long wait.
(4)
JENNIFER K.
Lobster roll was really good. Cod sandwich was good too, but a little greasy. Lemon/onion/jalapeno appetizer was surprisingly good too. Reminded me of an east coast beach shack.
(4)
jacey h.
fish bar is quickly becoming our go-to spot. it is the trifecta of superb restaurants- fabulous food, exceptional staff (thank you Kelly & Spenser!!) & superior drinks. everyone gushes about the lobster roll for good reason, but the rest of the menu is just as tasty!
(5)
Teri G.
Had a great first meal here today at lunch. Upon sitting down, the very friendly and warm staff brought me two oysters on the house. I ordered ceviche, lobster roll and my husband had soft shell crab po'boy and tater tots. Everything was delicious and cooked as requested, including the tater tots which came as crispy as we wanted. The friendly staff brought us an order of fried lemons, onions, and jalapenos, which were delicious, savory, great texture, interesting. We ended up ordering dessert, which was the one thing I was lukewarm about. After our waitress Lily sold us on the strawberry rhubarb pie, we chose to try that instead of their standard key lime. While it was not bad or unpleasant, it had a totally different taste and texture than we expected of a fruit pie. Next time, we'll try the key lime. One note; music's a bit loud as there's nothing in the room to absorb any sound. They might dial the volume down a bit.
(4)
Lindsay C.
Went here last week on a Wednesday with the sister. Everyone wanted to sit outside and there was no wait for inside, so we sat at the counter. It is pretty loud, so you'll have to speak up. We kinda had to wait a while just to get menus (they ran out), which was kinda weird. You would think a restaurant would have enough menus for customers. They also didn't have the beer I wanted, which was no biggie, they recommended another one. We shared the crabby patty, lobster roll, fried calamari, fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. It was definitely enough food for us and probably too much fried food. The lobster roll is what would make me come back, it was amazing. Service was also a little slow, but it really comes down to the food, which was great.
(4)
Bob B.
What a delightful surprise. Had the oyster po'boy (wonderful) with a side of fried lemon rings, onions and jalapenos (yes, you read that correctly), also delicious. Limited alcohol selection, small but nice beer selection, very limited wine. A joint! But yummy. Not a destination place, but what a great neighborhood find, next door to DMK and owned by them.
(4)
tim g.
This place rocks! Its exactly what your looking for. I left both full and toasted, a good combination.
(4)
Lori G.
Had lunch yesterday for the first time. Kasey was our server and she was awesome! The food was insane delish! Such fresh oysters from both coasts. The Lobster roll was just like they are on the East Coast. Rock Shrimp that blew us away. The idea of fried lemons with japs and onions was strange but so incredibly right. Lastly the punch...it definitely gave a punch! I think I forgot to mention how marvelous the prices are...Thank you!
(5)
Robert M.
I love yelp, however when places like Fish Bar get glowing reviews I am sometimes left scratching my head. We stopped in on a Sunday toward the end of the night and the place was empty so we managed to avoid the main complaint of most reviewers, the wait. To start, we ordered two Tea cocktails which were very good, though a bit small and the bay scallop ceviche. The bay scallops were fresh and the Mason jar presentation I appreciate, but the overall flavor just left a bit to be desired. Ceviche can be a delicious, amazing dish, but the key is the balance of flavors which we did not experience. We followed this up with the lobster bisque which our waitress informed us was quite different from the usual lobster bisque and true to her word it was. The soup was more of a sweet corn broth with surprisingly large chunks of lobster within. Interesting take, not bad, but again just short of delicious. We finished the meal by splitting a rock shrimp and a lobster roll, which again came with significant chunks of lobster and a delicious torpedo bun, two main staples for a lobster roll. Unfortunately the lobster roll was very fitting for our entire experience, average at best.
(2)
John W.
It was good. But the portions are too small. Even if the menu was likened to small bites or tapas. Walking away with $24 dollars a person for a casual lunch and still being hungry afterwards isn't going to be appealing to a lot of people. I did like the flavors and everything was fresh. A great idea but delivered at too high a price point.
(3)
Mike K.
I really wish that restauranteurs would teach their servers to not ignore tables that have already ordered. Last night, our server Mindy was great at greeting us, explaining the specials, helping us pick some plates, and taking our order. After that, she disappeared. Our water glasses sat empty while we ate, and a beer I had ordered didn't get to our table until after we were done eating. Mindy made up a story about the bar being backed up but it was clear that she had never even put in the order. Wife and I were very likely going to have ordered another half-dozen oysters ($15), 2 more beers ($16), and s'mores for dessert ($8?). But by the time we'd finished eating and sat for a long time unvisited by our server, we got tired and had lost our appetites and desire to sit there any ignored any longer. That's almost $40 in lost opportunity for The Fish Bar and some unhappy diners that had a good start to their meal but it didn't last as it should have.
(2)
Pony J.
The oyster po' boy was outstanding! Delicious!
(4)
Tabitha B.
We had a delicious lunch here on Saturday. The service was great. She was chatty but not overly chatty. We had fried clam bellies, oyster po boy and lobster roll. All were delicious. I really wanted to order another order of the clam bellies. Next time I will be trying calamari and octopus.
(4)
Jon M.
Lobster Roll was amazing and affordable! I also enjoyed the beer served in a mason jar. The tuna/salmon tartar was pretty good.
(5)
Kevin L.
I went here on St. Patty's and still could taste the great flavor combinations. This is a very casual place and the the seating arrangement was indicative of the cleaver and simple approach to the menu and service. It is a 60 year fast forward from oyster bars and martinis to craft beer and variety . I look forward to my return, but will pick an odd time to avoid the rush.
(4)
Leah H.
Darling restaurant with staff who weren't just friendly and efficient but SUPER NICE! Spotless bathroom (I would have prefered handtowels as well as dryers to open the door). The cod sandwich was a dream. The bun on the lobster roll was outstanding. Fun menu. However, when we arrived the music was so loud I feared it would literally damage my children's ears. I asked them to turn it down which they did instantly so it was just WAY TOO LOUD. I could not speak to my friends and couldn't stay for dessert, which is really really unusual! Great addition to Chicago food scene with that one caveat.
(3)
Ryan S.
I wasn't too impressed. There was only a handful a items available on the menu and only one type of fish available. I won't be going back.
(2)
Jon H.
Contrary to my expectations, I was not very impressed. The first dish I tried was the tuna and salmon tartare. It was ok, but a bit dry and lacked any citrus flavor. Also the consistency was a bit off...decent, but I've had better. I split the lobster roll which I have to admit was good, but not overwhelming (especially for the price.) I also had a cup of clam chowder-no complaints, but again nothing extraordinary. Last I tried a bight of the fried lemons onions and peppers...greasy and unappetizing. The overall price is reasonable hence the 3 stars, if it were any more expensive, I'd drop it to 2 stars. I think they have a good niche in terms of concept with dmk and this place, but I think the dishes could use a bit of work...I'm in no hurry to dine here again.
(3)
Katie M.
Just ate lunch here. I got the oyster po' boy. It was awesome. Definitely going back!
(5)
michael b.
freshest fish in chicago with prices that can't be beat
(5)
R L.
Visited for lunch on a Saturday and was looking forward to my first visit based on the rave reviews... have to say I was sorely disappointed by the food. Atmosphere and service were good and exactly what I expected. I ordered the fried whole belly clams and tater tots... both were not very well seasoned and were greasy (frankly burnt oil greasy). The tater tots were crispy (although tasted like they may have been refried to warm them up) but the clams were soggy as well as grease laden. My dining companion had the fried shrimp and clam chowder (which I tasted). She enjoyed the shrimp which were frankly fried in the same burnt grease, but I must say were fresh, crsip, and tasty. The potatoes in the chowder were a little too "al dente" for my taste and while the soup was flavorful, not many clams to be seen. We left about a third of the chowder, half the clams, and nearly all of the tater tots. Good thing we weren't starving when we arrived!
(2)
Meagan C.
just went to fish bar today and it was great! i like the set-up inside and the staff was friendly. they have a nice outdoor seating area too. my mom had the lobster roll and even though i HATE lobster, i had to try it and i have to say, it was quite delicious! i had the fried tail-on shrimp which were so yummy. they werent your usual fried shrimp, the batter was nicely seasoned. we had a side of garlic bread and i am pretty sure they sprinkled magic on top of it because it was the best garlic bread i have ever eaten! i also had a crabby patty and that was the only thing i could definitely do without next time. i thought it was too peppery and the spices overpowered the crab- plus the giant bun, tomatoes and onions didnt help either. their key lime pie was not what i expected either, it was a little too sour and warm for my liking. i guess it just depends on personal preference... i will be back though! :) sidenote: drinks in mason jars? so cute!
(4)
Irene J.
oh YUM! i broke my vegan diet here and don't regret it! i checked this place out soon after they opened with a friend. the hostess and staff were extremely friendly. i went during lunch time and 'twas packed. however, i was lucky and was able to grab a seat soon after arriving. cerviche was yum! the salad was YUM! i think it's really hard to go wrong here. if you love seafood don't skip out on this place!
(4)
Kathleen B.
We're big fans of DMK and have been anxiously awaiting the opening of Fish Bar as there aren't many options for seafood in the Lakeview area. The two of us arrived shortly before 7 pm on Saturday evening. The host (who I'm pretty sure was David Morton that night) indicated the wait was about 45 minutes to an hour and since we were so excited we decided to wait. I had an "Old School" from the bar while we waited and it was a good drink. Small but to be expected since it was only $5. And sometimes I like a smaller drink if I don't feel like drinking much. The wait ended up being a little over an hour and though we were warned we did notice that a few people who arrived after us were seated before we were (as another reviewer mentions). Maybe this had something to do with it being opening weekend and that DM/MK were inviting friends to try out their new place. Once we were seated at the counter things really took a turn for the better as the food was fantastic. We tried the clam chowder, iceberg salad, lobster rolls, and tater tots. The iceberg salad was different than any that I've had elsewhere and there was a generous amount of fried calamari on top. The lobster rolls are to-die-for and you get a ton of lobster meat for market price (which was $16 that night). Service was excellent as well and our server was very attentive. DM and MK also checked in with us and they wanted to make sure we were enjoying the experience. All in all we'll definitely be back, although probably not as often as we'd like because the restaurant is very small and we don't want to spend every Saturday night waiting for over an hour for dinner. But once they have outside seating in the summer and the newness wears off we're hoping the wait will improve and it will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(4)
Karolyn S.
Worst seafood experience in Chicago ever...and I've lived here for 20 years. Overpriced, overrated is what I think. I'm from South Boston. Was assured the clams with bellies were the best in the city as proclaimed by other NEerners. Wrong. I'd like to meet those people and introduce them to real clams with bellies. Ordered the oysters. Had shells in them (not just one, not just two, not just three, but of six oysters there were four of them with shells still in them). Just unacceptable from a restaurant's point of view. Stopped there. Wasn't willing to take a chance on anything else except the wine (which they only have white...don't they know that there are red wines that go fantastic with fish??). Having said this, the manager, Lauren, was wonderful along with our server Ally. But, I'm not willing to pay 9 bucks for 6 "clams with bellies" ever again. I'll stick with Glen's Diner. Oh, and the lobster roll that they claim to be right out of Boston is totally wrong. I saw it. The bread says it all.
(1)
Bob C.
We decided to try this because I had read a few very positive reviews of the place. Wow, this is the most I've ever spent NOT to get a meal. This place reminds me of the Emperor without the clothes. Probably had we realized that portions are small tapas style, we would have never stayed. The $6 cup of bisque soup was watery, the fried clams (1/4 pound for $9!!!!) salty and greasy and the $11 oyster po boy sandwich, which was about two bites, mostly cole slaw. Our bill for 2 people was $50 for lunch and we left hungry. Of course the fish they serve is "sustainable" -- they're making sure you get very little of it. Overpriced, microscopic portions, greasy, and simply not very good and you have to eat at a counter on top of it. Would NOT return.
(1)
kay b.
This is a very weird concept. Being from the east coast myself, I was confused at the ala carte and small plate scenario. Soooo NOT East Coast. That being said...the counter seating is a good idea for the space except you are bumping elbows with poeple that you don't know and the music was so loud that I couldn't carry on a conversation with my husband right next to me. Literally, everyone in the place was shouting to be heard. Also, they have stools that don't have backs on them, so there is no place to hang your coat except for a 3 ft coat rack that they try to hang 45 coats on. OK, now the food. Some things were excellent, like the rock shrimp and lobster roll. Not so hot, the oysters. The taste was great, but they were the size of quarters! ANY seafood restaurant on the East Coast would be embarrassed to serve oysters that small...and 6 for 15 dollars is unheard of! The clam chowder needs work. The potatoes were raw and the clams were chewy. They should be diced up and not whole and it's chowder, not broth! Lastly, a fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side thingy, that the waitress told me was a huge thing on the coast, I've never heard of it...oh well, there must be another East Coast. But to Midwesterners this all they know, so it must be working, hence the great ratings. Again, this is conceptual not actual.
(2)
shell h.
I know better. I know better in terms of understanding that I may happen to be disappointed by eating seafood in Chicago. By seafood I mean "good" seafood. I mean the stuff I was spoiled on living in Boston for the past few years. It was often advertised (and perhaps was) local seafood. But somehow the origin of the seafood didn't matter so much as the fact that the region it was prepared in just knew the right way to prepare it. Thus lies my multiplicity of issues with Fishbar, a place that on it's face appears to serve extremely tasty seafood that was caught hundreds or thousands of miles away from the kitchen in which it is culinarily (of course that isn't a real word) destroyed. Instead of paying the tab at Fishbar, perhaps it might be a wiser decision to save up for a trip to New England. In New England, lobster rolls are served either cold (with mayo) or hot (with drawn butter). At Fishbar, they are served only cold, with tasteless lobster meat, tepid mayo, and a splattering of herbs to trick your tastebuds. This is what I'd expect from McDonalds (google: McLobster), I'm very sorry, but that's the truth of the matter. The essence of a lobster roll is the former rather than the latter, meaning that simplicity and freshness play the main role. That means you want just a few ingredients to support the delicious taste of the lobster. Of course, if you can't serve fresh lobster (that actually tastes like lobster should) you sprinkle herbs all over it, such as Fishbar appears to do. My advice is to stop being fancy, buy fresher lobster, and live and die by the sword of simplicity. Leave the seafood alone! The Mackerel ceviche was served in a sealed jar sort of device. It was cute and clever until I realized that the taste was much like I'd imagine ceviche would taste out of a jar! The saltines on the side couldn't have made this dish anymore bland. It was like eating Gerber's baby food all over again, with chunks. To be fair, the trout, oyster po boy, and oysters were delicious. But these are things I'm not sure I want to wait two hours for. The service was great and the beer was tasty, but the mixed drinks could use a little more elaboration (meaning actual descriptions of what you are about to imbibe). In all, the small portions are reasonable considering the price, but one who has truly enjoyed local East or West coast seafood will find that this restaurant comes nowhere close to it's seaboarding bretheren.
(2)
John G.
So.....this place is LEGIT! However, you need to get there early, because it gets crowded. Having known this my girlfriend and I met here after work on a Friday for a pseudo happy hour/early dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on Friday afternoon, and each found a seat at the bar immediately. The server was extremely friendly, and knowledge about the food and drink options. The beer selection there is pretty legit solid. Lots of Belgian and Belgian-style crafts beers from all over the US. Additionally, they have my beloved PBR if you feel like having a beer that tastes good, and one that you don't want to think about while you are eating. I got an Ommengang Abbey Ale, and my girlfriend got the Saison DuPont. They were served in mason jars, which is felt was a nice touch (more on that later). Now for the grub. Started off with 1/2 dozen raw oysters, 3 West Coast & 3 East Coast. These oysters were solid, and they had a nice variety of hot sauces that you can use to enhance the flavor. We then got some fried rock shrimp which had good kick, awesome! Octopus a la plancha, which had a very Greektown flavor, and fried calamari with some spicy pickles & peppers, they were all great! We then finished off with some of the sandwiches, which I felt were the highlight! Fried Oyster Po Boy & Fried Cod burger, and both were exquisite!!! The Fried Cod sandwich honestly looked like an actual good tasting fish fillet. I have all hate and despise for anything related to the golden arches, however I felt this was clever, and the sandwich at Fish Bar was AWESOME! I recommend getting both of those sandwiches, and splitting them. So if you couldn't tell yet, I really really like this place. The food, drink, service, and ambiance I thought were really cool. I want to harp on the ambiance here for a little bit, and I want to compare the ambiance at Fish Bar to the ambiance at Big Star. I know I know......I am crazy for saying this, but hear me out. Where Big Star takes the concept of a dive bar in Bakersfield, CA from the mid-50s, and makes into a fun, affordable, hot spot that serves amazing food; Fish Bar takes the concept of some "hole-in-the-wall" bar in Key West, or any various on the water resort town for that matter, where the locals who have owned the place for 40 years hang out, and where tourists go to have some drinks, and eat great seafood, while on vacation. Both places take their respective concepts, and make them places where people love going and grabbing something to eat. So all in all both places give us a unique concept, great drink options, and most importantly, they give us fresh and excellent food! I will definitely be going back to fish bar many times, and I recommend that everyone try it outs. Just be sure to go early, because it gets crowded.
(5)
Archer D.
Amazing concept!!! But where the heck is the follow through? I was so excited to see that someone was going to use this space and once I saw the big fish on the side I was ecstatic! Could not wait... Maybe I should have, cause they do not have their act together. Aside from not getting food poisoning I have Not One good thing to say about the food. Bland, chewy pointless squid, surprisingly small shrimp that taste previously frozen, and oysters thrown on a plate with no ice and their juices dumped all over the plastic plate instead in my mouth where they should be. Lame, pretentious bar selection ( you are not the drawing room so why go there). Tuna that is completely overwhelmed by fennel and lemon. I'm from SF so seafood is my passion and you can trust me they do NOT do it right, not even close. Sticking to Shaws, if you want a fast food version of seafood I recommend long John silvers( not that I would eat it) but it would be a hell of a lot cheaper
(1)
Jodi Y.
Love love this place. Everything about it was amazing. The service , atmosphere, wine, and of course the food! My friend and I shared a variety of things: hush puppies, oysters, crab cake, and Tina tartare. Yum, yum, yum, and yum. Thank you fish bar for such fresh food and excellent service.
(5)
Jason S.
Our party of 5 took advantage of a nice night and sat outside. Service was surprisingly fast even being outdoors. Hush Puppies were not too sweet and perfect crunch. Really enjoyed the food, in general, but the oysters and fish sliders were exceptional. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Ankit M.
Phenomenal idea and experience. Great date spot, ambiance, and service. Love the big blue exterior. Fish tacos, tuna tar tar, lemon fritters, and po-boy were the highlights. That said, there was just a little too much aioli on everything. They could probably take that down a notch. My favorite part is the deserts. The key lime was killer, but the smores was even better. For the smores, they bring out a small little burner that is perfect for two. It's like camping inside the restaurant.
(4)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great tasting fish and a great casual atmosphere. Just not cheap and not incredibly hearty. The good: The food is delicious and fresh. The service was very good, friendly and knowledgeable. They had a good selection of craft brews and even some wine. The bad: The music was too loud inside. The prices are kind of expensive, especially for the portion sizes that you get. There's limited seating, especially if the outdoor area is closed. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)
Brian J.
I just had the best Lobster Roll!!! Sooooo good!!!! The customer service was outstanding Kristi was our waitress, she was the best.
(5)
Artur O.
Lobster rolls are better than I had anywhere in U.S. Also the sachamo poboy forgetaboutit just the best Sunday $1.50 oyste what? And fresh really good ! One of my favorite places in the world .
(5)
Rosa J.
Rosa J.'s verdict on this trendy joint next to the gloomy hospital: 4.5 stars! Daddy wanted to try out different restaurants in town because he has been following me on Yelp. I will be using him as my "Yelp buddy" for the time being so that I can clear as many ever-accumulating bookmarks as possible. Once getting from the CTA Wellington Brown/Purple Line station, we walked one (1) block west to Sheffield. "Fish Bar" was the sky-blue building across the road from the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The special menu items were quickly explained by a sunny-smile young man. Daddy spotted the beer menu and immediately showed his interest in trying one (1) of the local and Midwestern-region specialties. The young man suggested the "Founder," brewed in Grand Rapid, MI. His recommendation was right on the money. The "Founder" had a very prominent barley aroma. It had a "bitter" initial kick, yet the "sweet" after-note was soon released to complete the experience. That probably was one my favorites I've ever tasted so far in my foodie life! We eventually made our decisions: gumbo, fluke sashimi, and six (6) east-coast (from Virginia) and west-coast (from Washington) kinds. The gumbo came in first. While it didn't skimp on seafood, the flavor wasn't as extraordinary as I anticipated. I felt that was missing a wow factor and it wasn't that memorable. However, the sashimi was delightful and refreshing. The touch of "yuzu" sauce with scallions was nice. The portion was on a smaller side, but it served as a "transitional" dish to the protagonist: the raw oysters. Their oysters were very fresh (perhaps off the boat)! I preferred the east-coast oysters, for they were larger in size and accompanied more harmoniously with the garlicky cocktail sauce that came with. Reiterating on the beer one (1) more time, the "Founder" was delicious! Dad and I shared two (2) mason jars worth of beer and were very satisfied. By the way, the total came to $64 and some change (pre-tip). Dad said he wanted to come back for lobster and other menu items next time, and I said I would certainly concur with him.
(4)
Mark N.
Original plan was to visit Taste of Chicago but to our dismay it ended at 6pm on the final day. A friend recommended we try out Fish Bar so we all met there. Small dining room, so we waited it out by ordering some drink cocktails made by the manager Sasha. The #2 Tea was delicous and I convinced all my arriving friends to try one or 3. We ordered NE Clam Chowder, soft shell crab, calamari and ordered (and re-ordered) many rounds of oysters, both the west coast and east coast variety. The atmosphere and service were outstanding, we all forgot all about the Taste of Chicago. Will visit again and again!
(5)
Jeanine h.
I didn't think it was worth the cost. Food is good, but not spectacular. Small portions and over priced.
(2)
Brad N.
Not pretentious, good food, good beer, good (and inventive) layout, nice and helpful staff, reasonable prices for the most part...overall, very nicely done.
Fish Bar is seriously awesome. DMK group has it going on. The best Cod Fish Sandwich in the city! Great Oyster special on Sundays, $1.50 an oyster. The rest of the menu is awesome and they usually have different specials each day. Space can get tight in the winter. The outdoor space is great during the summer. There is only 3 booths so make sure you get one if you bring kiddies. The rest of the restaurant is bar stools. Service is usually very good. The special drinks are great!
(5)
Arya R.
Great selection of good food
(5)
Jeng F.
Great service, good food!
(4)
Mia T.
Cute atmosphere, a bit overpriced for the quality... We had gumbo (delicious), tuna tartar (eh okay), crabby patty sand(delicious), grilled oct (not recommended & im a seafoodie), sashimi on slaw (recommended), s'mores (cute presentation but not a fan), keylime pie (just okay).. It's a neighborhood Restraunt, very yuppy, it's convenient & it's open late (12am)... I'm more picky then most seafoodies, this place wasn't my cup of tea... Bon Appetite
(3)
Shelley Z.
We had the blackened red fish tacos, satchmo po'boy, a (free) cup of clam chowder, and specials for the day: fried scallop tacos and a monkfish platter. With a beer, the bill ended up being just under $60. Everything tasted great, no complaints there! Both the red fish and fried scallops were crispy, the monkfish was cooked well, and we basically inhaled the po'boy (beware low fish to everything else ratio) Highly recommend Moody Tongue. However the portions! Understandably, seafood can be pricey and fish bar certainly isn't the priciest..but we were surprised at the quantity of every dish, esp because of the more casual atmosphere. We originally settled on just one order of tacos and the monkfish, and quickly realized we would have to order more to call it dinner. I am sad but I will probably be shelling out $ again to try some of their other sandwiches (ugh lobster roll i'm coming for you) Just don't expect large portions! Service was good. Our waitress accidentally brought us a cup of chowder, then apologized and gave it to us for free, really appreciate that! Ambience is nice, seating is limited, but we didn't wait. Last tip, we've been here twice on Sundays hoping to catch their one dollar oysters but they've run out on both occasions. Get there early!
(3)
Chris H.
This was our last restaurant visit during our trip to Chicago and it was such an awesome end to an awesome trip. We ordered fish tacos, lobster roll, hush puppies, artichoke fritters, and a couple of beers. Everything was delicious, but I think the fish tacos were THE BEST FISH TACOS I HAVE EVER HAD. If we hadn't ordered so much food, I would have eaten at least another order, if not 8 more.
(5)
Jen R.
Atmosphere- Really good atmosphere and decor. Always hoping inside and the communal bar seating is fun. The patio is also on a nice street for taking in the neighborhood vibes. Food- High quality and tasty. The portions aren't very substantial but enough. Lemon rings and hush puppies were interesting but I wouldn't get either again. The fish sliders, oysters and tacos were all spot on. Drinks- Creative and tasty. $9 is typical for a Chicago drink but it's still a lot. Good beers on rotation ($6). All in all a solid spot.
(4)
Adam A.
haven't been here for several months. New menu is amazing. Love the experience, great fresh food. Amazing staff - super friendly and always there to help you decide on that extra key lime pie ;) I recommend anything here - The fish special, taco special and of course the tuna tartare
(4)
Jennifer R.
The food was good. It was more fillers than fish. The tacos had nore rice than fish. The calamari had more jalapeños than calamari.
(2)
Alex I.
This place is. The. Tits. Amazing selection of oysters and a lobster role that would give a burly Maine sailor full chub. Not pretentious but a little pricy. Kinda like a good bottle of scotch. WHITCH!! brings me to my second point. The booze in on point. Buckets I could drink. However they discouraged that. Which brings to my last point, service is fantastic. Those lovely girls balance speed, charm, and knowledge magically, like those sisters from that awesome 90's show Charmed. Cheers all around. Also ask for the secret canoe cocktail, you will not regret it.
(5)
Jenny N.
I've only been here a couple of times, however both times were fantastic. The seafood and dishes were delicious however, with all honesty, I've had better. The service was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance and atmosphere is very comfortable and fun - reminds me a lot of SoCal. I would recommend trying this place if you have never been if you're looking for some good seafood in LP.
(4)
Joe O.
ive only been there on thurday night for the $1 oyters and so far is has been a good experiance. oyters are great and the beer is great too. service is good but sometimes slow. keep doing a great job fish bar.
(4)
Kenny C.
Went last night after 10 pm to avoid the huge dinner crowds. Went with a buddy from culinary school. Hostess greeted us and we got sat quickly. Decent crowd and patio was packed. Food- I ordered the salmon spread, tater tots and the satchmo po boy. The salmon spread was good, smoked salmon, mayo,celery,onions, it was really good, my friend got the smoked mackarel spread and I thought it was very good. The tater tots were okay, nothing special, would of loved old bay or spice seasoning, even a dipping sauce would of worked. My friend got the crabby patty, he said it was good. The Satchmo po boy (crawfish and shrimp) was good but hate how it was plated, literally served in a little hot dog paper container. *** Service-It was okay, there was a few times I tried to get her attention because I wanted more water and needed another beer. My friend ordered a cocktail, it had hibiscus in it and he liked it. Overall,great for a dinner with friends/first dates, prices were reasonable. I want to go back and try the rest of the menu. Just don't go during prime dinner hours, long waits.
(3)
Cristina C.
We ordered a lot of things because it was our first time. For starters we tried the clam chowder which was on the lighter broth side which was very refreshing, oysters (very fresh just shucked), and the fritter artichokes vey good. We had the lobster and satchmo sandwiches that were both amazingggg!!! If I had to choose which one was better it would be pretty hard but I'd go with the lobster ! Our server, Maria was awesome, great service !!
(5)
Julie Y.
Really wanted to like this place since I work so close to here and whenever I walk by it seems so legit.. Ehh def not.. I'm no fatty but the satchmo po boy left me hungry still so i ordered the codfish sandwich after. They were both pretty plain. Nothing special at all..Not horrible or overly salty but had to drench it in hot sauce cause I was so bored with both of them... No other way to explain my experience here but disappointment and would not recommend this place to anymore.. Sry!
(2)
Heather D.
Oh Fish Bar. How I am going to miss you terribly now that I'm living in LA. My bf and I use to stop in here a few Sunday's a month for their half price Oysters, ginger mules, crabby patties, and calamari among other things. This place is awesome and truly tasty! My favorite thing ever is coming on a warm Sunday with our puppy and sitting outside at their wooden picnic style tables. A great experience indeed! Final Verdict: Great food, friendly service, cool atmosphere, and a price that's pretty darn decent for seafood - any time I find myself back in good ol' Chi-Town I will be stopping in for a bite!
(5)
Kristine C.
How have I not written a review about Fish Bar? This is my boyfriends favorite restaurant in Chicago (that's saying a lot). But that is my boyfriend, I'm writing my review. We have dined here many times, Winter, Summer, Fall, Valentines Day (that isn't a season?). There have been good and bad. Why I am giving them three stars? Well, their reservations, or lack therefore, for anything during the summer. Small patio and closing the patio at a moments notice, and not seating the party until all have arrived. This is a small restaurant, I get i, but if one or more people are there, do not leave them hanging, seat them, make them happy. Do not punish them for an always-tardy friend. (the end of my rant). We LOVE the patio and changing seafood options. Their rotating seasonal beer options are usually spot on and a little off the cuff, though small, there is usually something we can enjoy. These points are what bring us back time and time again. Also, the main stays on the menu, such as my boyfriend's favorites, the Crabby Patty or, on a splurge day, the Lobster Roll. I always get the Clam Chowder (no matter how hot it is.) We have tried almost everything on the menu, I will not bore you with all that. But, my favorites: Clam Chowder. Recently learned to love it, a few years back. Now do not trust it anywhere but a seafood joint. Enjoy it at Fish Bar. I then usually go with either one of their special tartar options or tacos, or both. I think I am moving away from the tacos, I find myself disappointed with the the dry taco shells and slaw. I need a sauce with my tacos.The tartar portion is small, I am usually excited by it. If they have Scallops, I'll go for it. I also enjoy the Ala Plancha. And next time I am set on getting the Satchmo Po Boy to fill me up. For sides, if you like spice, go for the Spicy Slaw. The Tater Tots with the garlic aioli are amazing. (Tip, ask for the garlic aioli). Also, you cannot go wrong with the Brussels Sprouts, they are halfed and backed, but do not let that fool you out of the flavor. With the added onions, pretty tasty.
(3)
Allie P.
I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. We had fish tacos, a shrimp po boy, crabby patty and corn fritters. All were very good, but portions are pretty small for the price. Its also pretty small and loud in there. Overall...good but people were waiting in line when we left. Definitely not a "wait in line" worthy place,
(3)
Lindsay K.
Food was decent! Portion sizes are a bit small for the prices. But let's get to the real 3 star reason- the service was honestly horrible. Our waitress I think was on something. Constantly singing and using weird voices to communicate. Forgot our drinks multiple times, brought out appetizers and didn't bring plates or silverwear, and some main entrees came out after people were already done with theirs. I also noticed that multiple waitresses were giving tables problems. Forgetting more drinks, sauces, appetizers. They need some help on the service end.
(3)
Rima M.
It was my first time here since I love DMK I figured I try the Fish Bar next door. Amazing food!!!!! I love their oysters !!! And the staff is amazing especially Christen is such a sweet heart. We will be back again.
(5)
Blind Service Association ..
Fish Bar went above and beyond for our large group. The food and service was exceptional. We highly recommend Fish Bar!
(5)
Mallory L.
I've been to a fair share of seafood restaurants and this one is by far one of my favorites. I started off with the artichoke fritters which tasted exactly like hush puppies with a tad of artichoke. Then we switched over to the calamari and it literally melted in our mouths. The calamari was super fresh and not too crunchy. I proceeded to order the crispy cod tacos and the blackened bluefish sliders which were both special items on the board. Both dishes completely blew our minds and tasted so fresh. We thought four dishes wouldn't be enough to hold us over, but we were pretty full when we left. Alex was our waitress and she was super attentive and even gave us free raw oysters and complimentary drinks for our next visit! We will definitely be back in the Lakeview neighborhood for this dining experience!
(5)
Hilary S.
The food was fantastic! We got the smoked mackerel spread, fish po' boy, and fried scallop tacos. Our server was so friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was great. Our food arrived promptly and was out of this world. We will definitely come back soon!
(5)
Jay K.
2 stars because the beer good. Overpriced even my chicago standards. Medium quality. A good idea, not executed well.
(2)
Caroline A.
I am a midwest girl so nothing I say can compare to the seafood of the coasts but for the midwest this seafood is damn delicious. It is definitely a good date spot for the more adventurous palate. Also, it is expensive for a smaller plate (you are paying for the high quality of the fish). Our server was very sweet and knowledgeable, she even had me trying the oysters of which I am not normally a fan. The Crabby Patty, White Fish Spread, Ceviche were my favorites along with the Calamari. This is a great spot for a date or to catchup with a companion. In my opinion, not a good spot for larger groups.
(5)
Brittany H.
Being a dmk addict, I have to admit I expected more from this place. The atmosphere is cute, but the place is tiny, so even on a Monday there was a wait. The staff seemed friendly enough, but was a little aloof. While a lot of their food took a unique spin on seafood, the portions were pretty small and were definitely on the expansive side. The fried lemons were delish, and the fish tacos and soft shell crab po boy were good, but nothing I'd have to have again. I liked this place, but it doesn't hold a candle to burger bar.
(3)
Ray C.
If you want to eat real seafood, prepared correctly, then skip Fish Bar and walk a few blocks west to the New England Seafood Company on Lincoln and Roscoe. There is no comparison. Fish Bar has a great atmosphere and the service was good, but that's about it. The food was awful. The chowder was high on salt and low on clam. The lobster in the lobster roll was rubbery. I had to take it out of the bun and manually shred it t make it edible. The shrimp tacos were disgusting, with overcooked shrimp and some type of green goo that did not mix well with seafood. We had other dishes, none worth trying. Skip this place.
(2)
Jessica B.
This place has amazing fresh food, attentive/kind servers and laid back atmosphere. We had east and west coast oysters, the lobster roll, and calamari... All were super delicious! Went on a Monday around 230ish so it was open seating. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Richard M.
Great Service... Very tasty food - just WAY to expensive for what you get. to spend $50 on 2 fried shrimp tacos ( total of 7 shrimp between the 2 ) , Small Salad, , 3 Oz portion of Skate and a Fried fish sandwich....with no alcohol is a little spendy - even given the address. Yes, I realize this is not Cheesecake Factory -- but seriously overpriced. Again, could not be better service and quality is good..
(3)
April L.
Good food, good atmosphere. Small portion. A little pricey. But excellent bloodymary Go with friends when you are not starving Also, recommend the patio for summer months Not good for huge groups.
(5)
Amy K.
The main reason this is a five star review is for the service. I am all about praising a place that has excellent food but it seems that the recent trend of the ultra trendy food spot with terrible (flat out shitty) service needs to end. Our service was great; She listened and even brought us three free apps to try! They were attentive and it was nice to have service such as that. The food was good; our group got the soft shell crab (very good), the lobster roll, cod sandwich, and satchmo poyboy. The food was fresh and had good flavors. A little on the salty side but still good. We would definitely go back to the fish bar for the service and to try a few more things on the menu.
(5)
Adrienne T.
I usually try a restaurant out twice before reviewing, but I know I probably won't be back to Fish Bar anytime soon. There was nothing wrong with the service or the atmosphere. Those aspects of my dining experience were really well done. However, coming from Boston I thought the food was a bit on the expensive side for such a small amount received. The gumbo and calamari were flavorful, but I thought I would receive a bit more. My friend ordered the Po Boy and hush puppies but he was still hungry afterwards. Nevertheless, he did say they were fairly tasty. With these prices, I would rather go to Shaw's downtown. Overall, an underwhelming, small plate seafood restaurant with a large price tag in the heart of Lakeview.
(3)
Hilary D.
One of my absolute favorite places in the area. Fish Bar always has nice and attentive waitresses, great food & drinks (sliders, calamari, shrimp tacos, moscows & s'mores). One time, the waitress even gave my boyfriend and I 2 free drink coupons for if we came back! Such a calm atmosphere and perfect for a casual date night or a night out with friends.
(5)
Al K.
I had a disappointing meal there, nothing great just another overpriced Chicago establishment. We ordered the gumbo which was supposed to have sausage, shrimp and crab, but there was no shrimp or crab in it at all. Flavor was good but for $6.00 I've have better out of a can. The special was scallop tacos. They were good but with only three bay scallops and the smallest tortilla I have ever been served they were not worth the $11.00 for two. Drinks were limited and their specialty drinks were not good at all. I surely will not be going back there.
(2)
Lauren S.
I was so excited to go to this place because I live a block away. I looked up yelp reviews beforehand and saw that the plates were small. Since I was going with a larger group I thought if we each ordered one-two plates and shared we would be fine. We all got one the cocktails which were delicious, but when our food came out we were disappointed. Every bite was so extremely flavorful. But the dishes were in fact TOO small for their price. $12 for 4 shrimp? We were led to believe that our shrimp dish would be our biggest dish. While I understand these are probably the prices they have to charge for good seafood in the midwest, my group left hungry and we went to another place around the corner for more food. Overall, it is delicious food but be prepared to order a lot of dishes in order to have a satisfying meal.
(3)
MacKenzie F.
My boyfriend had a craving for clam chowder (weird craving, right?!) so I looked up reviews for clam chowder and found this place. I called to make an order for pick-up and they asked me to come in and then order. When I got there, the woman recognized my voice from the phone call and when I ordered, she offered me a half-pint on the house while I waited which I graciously accepted. The order was up in 5-minutes and they told me not to rush and to finish my beer before I went. GREAT SERVICE. As for the clam chowder, my boyfriend said that the soup was awesome. We will definitely be returning to eat in!
(5)
Eric B.
Good bloody Marys and nice to have a good selection of fresh oysters. The Gumbo was awful though.
(3)
Lisa H.
Fish Bar is a small and beach-like restaurant that specializes in "fresh" seafood. They bring some coast-like vibes to the Midwest with their wooden panels, bar stools, hanging canoe, mason jars, and daily specials handwritten on an oversized chalkboard. I was really intrigued when there was so many raved reviews about how fresh and good the seafood Fish Bar offers. So I stopped here one night with a friend and shared a couple of items: Clam Chowder: this is served New England style; cream based chowder with a thinner consistency than other regional styles. I liked the creaminess, but it was overly salted. No amount of water helped to tone it down. Lobster Roll: claimed to have one whole Maine lobster in a roll. For $22/roll, I didn't expect anything less but miraculous. This roll definitely didn't disappoint. The lobster was fresh and perfectly seasoned. There were also so many pieces of lobster stuffed inside the roll that it kept falling out. Calamari: breaded, deep fried, tossed with banana pepper, jalapeno, and garlic, and topped off with some parmesan cheese and parsley. I enjoyed the unique pickled component with a tad of spiciness, but the actual calamari was too chewy for my liking. Also the ratio of calamari to other ingredients in this dish was a joke. There was five pieces of actual calamari, so not an ideal dish to share. Surf and Turf Burger: crab with a grass-fed beef patty. I thought the beef would overwhelm the light taste of the crab, but to my surprise it didn't. They balanced each ingredient perfectly. Overall, the food was pretty good but does not meet up to the standards of seafood from the coastline. Also the ratio of price to size is ridiculous; almost $50 for our meal and we weren't full. The waitress there was nice in the beginning, but later on became a little pushy about ordering more food. One of my biggest pet peeves is pushy employees. Ugh...she made my experience there really uncomfortable.
(2)
Abigail D.
Big fan of this place. It would be a great spot for a date, but I came with a small group and they sat us in a decent amount of time. Small plates, tapas style which is great because everything on the menu looks amazing. Started with calamari which was amazing. Jalapeños cut up throughout for a nice little surprise. We also shared the crouched and lobster rolls which again, unreal. Then we all got a different array of oysters which were fresh and juicy! Nice little treat for the mouth. Good beer selection and cocktails as well. Big fan! I will be back for sure!
(5)
Helen H.
BE CAREFUL- both my friend and i got charged twice for this meal on different days. watch out for your credit cards! ambiance- cute and casual prices- average for chicago although the portions are pretty small. drinks- good! food- hit or miss. the clam chowder was very good! the smoked fish dip was wayy too salty so i didnt care for it very much. the satchmo po' boy was delicioussss.
(3)
Chan S.
The satch'mo po boy was outstandingly good. Fish tacos were amazing as well. Lobster roll was good, wasn't great. I had high hopes for it but was a lil disappointed. Great atmosphere! Waitress was very friendly. The prices are higher than what I expected & the food was smaller in portion. The portions are actually ridiculously SMALL! I think it could of at least came with a side of fries or something (you get what I'm saying). Def wud go back for the satch'mo po boy!
(4)
Allan C.
There are a lot of things about Fish Bar that I don't like. It's stupid expensive. 6 bucks for a cup of mediocre soup is not my thing. You serve various sandwiches / tacos with fried shrimp or oysters but you don't simply sell a basket of fried shrimp or oysters like you do with your calamari. You are crowded even on a late night weekday. This means that the market justifies your freaking decisions. This makes me question the town that I just moved to. Severely. All I want in this town is a decent basket of fried oysters. But you know what, your $1 shucked oysters after 9pm on weekdays have been decently consistent with the occasional shell shrapnel and maybe one not so awesome oyster. For that, I salute you.
(3)
Mihir P.
Hostess: socially awkward, OCD and was very specific of where we could sit at the bar. Waitress: very nice but to the point. Food: the best was not the seafood but the artichoke fritters. New England clam chowder was super salty and buttery, lacked the carrots, and the clams were rubbery. The waitress did take it off the bill though. Cod fish sandwich was fresh and crisp but also super-salty (and I like salt). Good variations of the Moscow Mule in that you can get it with gin or bourbon.
(3)
Mollyann R.
A DMK Restaurant. Love the concept! So fishy. We ordered cocktails and a bunch of small plates. The cocktails were genius and served in adorable mason jars. If a restaurant offers anything in a mason jar, I'm sold. Everything tastes better out of a mason jar. Once we had enjoyed a few cocktails, we were feeling brave and adventurous so we ordered the frog legs. They were served buffalo style with ranch. They were very chewy and quite the experience. Knocked that one off of my bucket list! Shout out to our server, Alexa. She was phenomenal.
(5)
Glo K.
With the terrible snowpocalypse looming over Chicago, I got a chance to sail away for a bit and forget the chilly weather at the Fish Bar. The tiny beach shack-style restaurant offers a very straight forward seafood menu with the the finest fishes from the sea. When you step into the shack, you will notice the always-changing menu board at the center. The board showcases the "catch of the day" which changes for the ceviche, tartare, sandwiches, tacos and the soup. However, they do offer a menu for the same-thing kind of guy to be satisfied with. My dining companion and I started with the mahi mahi ceviche ($9) which was a bit underwhelming. The underwhelming feeling was probably the presentation of the ceviche. The ceviche came in a plankton-size mason jar (womp womp) and I felt like I was fishing for fish bits in the jar... maybe the problem is that I have an appetite the size of a beluga whale. Next we shared the gulf shrimp a la plancha which was a little bigger than our first plate and better. The dish was very simple, but had a small kicks of flavor to it. Also the dish varied in textures as well. The grilled shrimp had a nice crunchy texture and the black lentils gave it a soft balance. It was delicious. Another great treat was the Blackened Blufish Sliders ($9). The buns were so soft and the remoulade was wonderful. I wouldn't mind coming back again to eat the Today's Catch Sliders. I wasn't really kidding about my beluga whale-size appetite. Our last order was the fish plate which was the Char ($12). I've never had Char before, but the fish taste like a mix of trout and salmon with balance of mild sweetness and robustness. Oh! I can't forget the wonderful drinks at the Fish Bar. i would say the Old Man and the Sea ($6) and the GImlet ($6) were my two favorite. I mainly got the Old Man and the Sea because I appreciate the Hemingway reference. (Way to represent an Illinois-native, Kornick... gold star. lol) :) Also, I would like to note that the shack is pretty tiny and the diner-style seating is limited. I would not suggest going with a big group. My dining companion and I went on a snowy Thursday night, so it wasn't packed at all. However, I can imagine Fish Bar reeling in some serious business in the summertime for sure. Anways, thanks FIsh Bar. You were a little pricey for the amount food but you somehow got me hooked. I will be paddling back to try the rest of your menu next time with my whale-size appetite.
(4)
Jennifer K.
Stopped by here for lunch one of the days my bf and I visited Chicago. Was recommended here by a coworker. Everything was delicious here. We ordered clam chowders, ceviches, ahi tartare, and the famous lobster roll. Everything was a bit pricey for the portions that they served. But it all tasted so good, left us wanting more!! Def worth it to try this place out! I will go back if I visit Chicago again!
(4)
Jody B.
Well, I was in the neighborhood, so I went again. So this is now when I say, I ain't going again! We sat outside which was a plus. Our waiter was nice (another plus). But I am not impressed with the food. Everything is fried. :-P We shared a surf/turf sandwich and a shrimp po boy. Everything I have tasted here tastes the same....like fried breading. We ended up ordering out a burger from next door at DMK. NOW THAT WAS GREAT! Too bad they don't set up a few tables outside their place so you can hear yourself think... meh.
(2)
Bill B.
Getting into the Lakeview neighborhood late on a Friday puts a serious crimp in your dining choices. Luckily, I happened upon Fish Bar.... once again! (I'd come here three weeks earlier with a friend who'd taken me) They serve until midnight (at least on weekends), so you can score some seriously good eats, and I did! The style is small plate but both times I've been here the taste has been big. I love a good a clam chowder and theirs is very good. I had it each visit and it's not just veggies and broth. There's a nice mix of potatoes and good sized meaty clams. I will say that ordering it that late at night does concentrate the celery but those chunks of clam more than compensated. The menu varies regularly, depending on what's freshly delivered but, if it's on the menu, the fluke was amazing! Both the fish and the scallop tacos are definitely worth ordering but if you have to choose, go for the scallops. The calamari is great, even at the top end of my spicy heat scale, and the baby octopus dish was dee-lish! The only dish that I would say that was a bit lackluster was the ceviche. A little more citrus flavor or mango or cilantro, but not more jalapeño, might give it a little more character. It's good, but compared to all the other dishes I've had, it just seems a little plain. The staff is knowledgeable.... and honest! They'll tell you what they like or what is 'popular' on the menu. If you're as lucky as I was both times, you'll get Jolanda, "Jo", as your host and you will be well taken care of. Whatever you decide to order, you'll appreciate the elevated casual atmosphere, the cocktails whimsically served in mason jars, and the throwback diner seating style, of Fish Bar. Enjoy!!
(5)
Heidi P.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and always enjoy myself. The food is small portions, but always good. They have a small but solid beer selection and their cocktails are great. Low key, trendy atmosphere with some outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)
Ed F.
Very good food.. Small portions. Very pricey if you order enough to feed two people, and a couple drinks. But good tasting and unique presentation. Would give 4 if price was about 20% less..
(3)
Jesse T.
Good seafood with outstanding atmosphere. This place isn't the cheapest place to get seafood in Chicago, but it's definitely one of the best. Every item is at least good, and the po boys are great. The drink list is fine, and goes very well with the rest of the menu. When I want something light and flavorful, Fish Bar is my go-to.
(4)
Ritu R.
Crispy bay scallops. Many small sized scallops. Delicious. Very Indian flavor but not overwhelming. King prawns - in half shell. Spicy and flavorful. Tater tots. Crispy & light! Very nice side. Sea scallops special. Omg! . Citrus & creamy remoulade and arugula. Three medium scallops. Mussels - bland. Bread was nice flavored which we ate in the sauce. Mussels are fresh and nice sized. Good amount to share. Taco of the day was salmon. Hubs liked it. A bit fishy tasting for him. 3 2-seater booths. Rest is bar (communal on bar stools) seating. Hence. "Fishbar". We'll be back :)
I had ERRRYYYYthang on the menu today. Yes. Everything! I got really lucky and was invited to eat at Fish Bar by my friend who was receiving the outdoor seafood feast for four from DMK's loyalty program. I"ve been to Fish Bar before, and tried several different things. But this time, we tried everything! The feast includes one of every menu item. So we set out and ordered it all. I've posted pictures of most of the items that we ate. It got dark towards the end so I stopped taking pics. I love the freshness of the seafood at Fish Bar. I loved it before, and I love it even more now. Once you dive into the food, for a moment in time you forget that you're in Chicago and you honestly feel like you're on the East Coast somewhere. Especially on a beautiful night out on the patio (that's how I felt). I would list everything we ordered, but there's not point since it was everything on the menu. So, I will list the items that stood out as amazing and those that stood out as just ok. Nothing was bad. Drinks: #1 and #5 were great. #3 not so much (froma girly standpoint). Great: clams, ceviche, cobb salad, surf n' turf, po' boy, dessert Just OK: mussels (too much beer taste), all the fried stuff (not hot and crispy), lobster roll (just missing something...), octopus a la plancha (too soft and chewy) My dinner mates may not agree with me, but this is my review. I will admit that I'm a little bit of an octopus snob (it's my favorite sea creature to eat). And also a lobster roll addict. They were really busy and perhaps that's the reason for some of the lackluster dishes. But it was still a feast to remember. The service was great. We had a main server but also others who helped run out the food and took our orders when ours wasn't around. The only person who was just so-so was the hostess. She was a blonde one. Didn't catch her name. Not terrible, but I would have appreciated more hospitality since after all, she is the hostess. I will definitely return to Fish Bar. They have a seasonal menu, so it won't be long until there are new dishes (and fish) to try.
(4)
Angela Z.
Hadn't been back here since way back when it opened. Back then I remember feeling pretty neutral about the food and drink choices. But I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I stopped in Friday in the late afternoon after a meeting for a quick bite. I saw on Instagram that they were having a lovely salmon wrapped spring roll so I quickly ordered that and loved it. Then I proceeded to one of the large mason jar sized cocktails, the bourbon featured Tool and Die I believe? Fan! Had just the right amount of booze to flavor ratio and the size makes it worth the price. For my main I had the scallop and brussel sprout special, really good. Scallops were just the right texture and the flavors along with the sprouts were delish. I see there's some comments about poor service here but I must have come on the right day because my server Curtis was very hospitable. Explained everything and asked if I had questions and made conversation in between asking if i was doing ok so I really appreciated that--great service. Enjoyed the music and atmosphere for sure. It seems like this place has balanced its menu and drinks a little better than what I remember from when it first opened and I liked it!
(4)
Shahrooz E.
So here's what's good: Taste (my Po'Boy had the perfect flavors & texture!) Service Complimentary Beer Samples with your order Here's the not so good: Portions aren't filling A little over priced My order was to go and no napkins or silverware left in the bag :( Overall I will comeback but wish the portions were a little larger for what I paid. Figure the friendly neighborhood, freshness and good service are worth the extra coin but value is the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)
Ryan C.
Very small so I don't recommend it unless you are with a party of two. They have two tables that would fit 4 but thats it. I live in the neighborhood and one of the few seafood small plate restaurants I've been to but I'm a fan so I can try many dishes. They constantly rotate what they serve to keep the menu and the seafood fresh.
(4)
Yvonne B.
I don't know WHY I haven't gone to this place sooner. After all, my Yelpy friends have been haunting this place for ages. They're like, "I'm at Fish Bar. You should come!" And I always take a pass. It took two of those Yelp friends and a birthday to get me there and it was pretty pimpin'! It seems shiny and new. You know - kinda like a Chipotle: big windows, clean, and modern. There's just a smidge of kitsch thrown in. I mean, what else would you call an upside down row boat hanging above the table? It was cool and definitely reminded me that I was in a seafood place. I don't even remember what all we had. Definitely some sort of tartar, s'mores, and key lime pie, but we had other things too. We all had drinks and we all loved them. Everything was fabulous. The server was personable and on top of her job. We were all absolutely flying in and around cloud nine.
(5)
Mary B.
I discovered recently that a friend of mine also has a food blog and writes under the pen name, the Chowder Chaser. Needless to say, a joint expedition was in order. I gotta be honest, being from the Midwest, I don't actively go out and seek great seafood. I got to taste some quality lobster and fish while I was in Manhattan this summer but I've lived the past 19 years in a land-locked state. In Indiana, the beach is Lake Michigan. I know, it's pathetic. The Chowder Chaser is from Vermont and is experienced with the fresh seafood flavors that my Hoosier upbringing deprived me of tasting. His beloved clam chowder was subsequently my coveted corn chowder. My friends had given rave reviews about Fish Bar, a DMK restaurant in Lakeview conveniently off the brown line. Their sister restaurant, DMK Burger Bar, had stolen my heart many months ago but this Saturday night would be a new adventure. I was replacing my typical burger with fish, furthering my attempts to consume more seafood and less meat in typical Scandinavian fashion. The snowy weather made the promise of delicious clam chowder more savory and appetizing. The interior of the restaurant is unique and welcoming. The bar set-up evoked a romantic and intimate vibe which allowed my friends and I to bond over the scrumptious seafood that we would quickly consume. We ordered a bowl each of their famous clam chowder and opted to split both the oyster po'boy and the Mexican shrimp cocktail. The chowder arrived and we went silent. After a quick photo and discussion over speciality oyster crackers straight from the hometown of the Chowder Chaser himself (he was extremely pleased), we dug in. One word: phenomenal. The chowder was slightly spicy, adding a kick to the typical flavors of fresh clam chowder. The ingredients were fresh and combined well with one another. The chowder was neither too hot nor too cold. (Goldilocks & the three bears would've loved it) Overall, a solid option and may have changed my opinion on soup altogether. Previously have never been a big fan of soup but if I were to come here again, I would order the clam chowder in a heartbeat. The Mexican shrimp cocktail consisted of mini shrimp in a vegetable salsa served with tortilla chips. Interesting combination of seafood and spice. The Mexican element presented a completely different approach to shrimp that I would have never come up with. Overall, it was decent but I am hesitant whether I would order again. The oyster po'boy was my second favorite. The toasted bun combined with the meaty oyster was fantastic. Topped with a slightly zesty coleslaw, the oyster po'boy was a perfect complement to a bowl of clam chowder. For dessert, my friends and I split a slice of their key lime pie which was recommended by our polite and friendly waitress. The lime flavor was crisp and tart, contrasting perfectly with the crispy, sweet taste of the graham cracker crust. A perfect ending to a delicious meal of seafood. Fish Bar is definitely another treasure owned and managed by DMK. If you can't decide what to eat, I'd advise a visit to Lakeview and once there you can decide whether you want a hearty and artisanal burger or fresh and flavorful seafood. Either way you can't go wrong!
(4)
Asif K.
Any place that has shrimp sandwiches and smores for dessert has my attention! The lobster sandwich is cold and doesn't carry much flavor so it's not worth the price tag. Their shrimp sandwich is the star, so get a few of them. DEFINITELY get the s'mores for dessert. You get to melt your marshmallows over a burner which just adds to the experience.
(4)
Vicki L.
We're lucky to live close enough to Fish Bar that we can choose when we want to go and not have to deal with lines or waiting to be seated. Since moving to the hood in April we have been going here about once every two to three weeks and we really enjoy it overall. Yes, there are some times we think some of the food is a bit pricey but the quality overall is very good and there has been multiple times they gave us new dishes for free to try out so that for me evens it out. Only the second time we were in it was my bf's birthday they heard us talking about it and brought two free oyster shooters. We love oysters and will go on Sunday when they are half off ($1.50) or just a buck after 9pm, totally worth it. Otherwise during the week we will usually stay away from paying the $15 for a half dozen, just not worth it when you know you can them half off on Sundays. They have also been really cool about letting us put the order in for them on Sunday before 9 (but close to it) and charging the $1 price for them. Really enjoy the fish sliders and have had them with different fishes a few different times, the tartare and ceviche are always super fresh and yummy and the key lime pie is a really traditional one that we love. I have to admit I am not sure we would go so much if it wasn't in our hood and we could just walk over and see how the lines/crowds look but since it is I will definitely continue to keep visiting!
(4)
Dan K.
I went here for lunch noonish on a Friday. I split the Shrimp Tacos which were extremely good not to fancy but overall good. We also split the special, trout sliders which were quite awesome as well. We also enjoyed the jalapeño Hush puppies and drink selection. The service was fast and they were helpful. I am a Nanny and I brought a 1.5 year old with us. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BRINGING KIDS....they were all very nice but not really set up for it.
(4)
Barry A.
It's dismaying how waiting in line to eat is now an integral part of dining out. A line obviously creates excitement, but restaurants like Fish Bar also turn the line, and the people in it, into part of the ambience - which is humiliating. There were 2 empty tables and 7 empty spaces at the bar after we'd waited 35 minutes, but the maitre d' was not seating people - I suppose to make the line longer. The decor is what you'd expect if IKEA decorated a fish shack. We sat at the bar, next to where people line up to get drinks. We were regularly jostled by these patrons and even slammed-into by the over-stuffed backpack on a drunk and disappointed Cub fan. This must be a trend, as it's similar to the mindlessness of people who stand, blocking vestibules on el cars at rush hour. The raw oysters and my soft shell po'boy were adequate, but not good enough to justify the $40/person price. The crabs were not completely fried. The bread was well toasted and the other filling was tasty. Something especially obnoxious was that our waiter asked for our names and referred to us by name all night. This creates the same warm intimacy one feels at the Gap or Wal-Mart when greeted by the "Hello, Welcome to..." drone. Fake friendliness seems like a suburban thing. Indeed, most of the patrons look like people who grew up in the suburbs and are living in Chicago for a few years to sow their wild oats and vomit on the sidewalk.
(2)
Derkins R.
every summer my girlfriends and i take a trip to various towns in new england (rhode island, maine, etc.) to soak up the sun and gorge on seafood (raw/fried oysters and clams, lobster, etc.). fish bar very nearly makes this trip unnecessary. everything we ordered (oyster po'boy, codfish sandwich, fried lemon thing) was so delicious. they even threw in a free order of tater tots (don't know why but we were not complaining). fish bar makes me really eager for the summer to arrive. and, please, try the fried lemon, onion, jalapeno thing. it is... amazing.
(5)
Layne S.
I had to go back to Fish Bar. My gf works in the area and we're sick of all the usual places. I had the lobster bisque which is new and the lobster roll; we shared the fried calamari. The lobster bisque and the calamari were very good yet this time the lobster roll wasn't great - I don't know - the bread/roll flavor won out when it should have been the lobster in the roll that dominated my palate. The manager on staff that evening was great and the service was spot on. I guess I'll keep checking back every few months. I want to like this place as I've been a fan of MK since it opened.
(3)
Nikki C.
It's like half the staff is on holiday and got Robyn to cover all the shifts despite her no longer working here. I like chowdah.
(5)
Ashley F.
Great place for seafood, New England Style! As a native New Englander I was impressed. We will definitely be back. Can't go wrong with $1.50 Oysters and delicious cocktails!
(5)
Johnny G.
I know it's the same owners of dmk and the offerings are unique, but this place is a rip off for food and drinks. It is an experience, but I won't be back. There is way too much hype.
(3)
Michael A.
Came in for a late dinner on a Sunday. Very hard to find a great spot on Sundays. Alex took great care of us. Tried a plethora of options. Each small plate was great. Great flavours and a variety of options. Had a beer and shot to go with it all. I will definitely be heading back. With all the options in Chicago, that is saying a lot. Looking forward to the next trip.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alec H.
Vegetarian options, beet salad, good atmosphere, good brew
(5)Jodi Y.
Love love this place. Everything about it was amazing. The service , atmosphere, wine, and of course the food! My friend and I shared a variety of things: hush puppies, oysters, crab cake, and Tina tartare. Yum, yum, yum, and yum. Thank you fish bar for such fresh food and excellent service.
(5)Jason S.
Our party of 5 took advantage of a nice night and sat outside. Service was surprisingly fast even being outdoors. Hush Puppies were not too sweet and perfect crunch. Really enjoyed the food, in general, but the oysters and fish sliders were exceptional. Will definitely come back.
(5)Ankit M.
Phenomenal idea and experience. Great date spot, ambiance, and service. Love the big blue exterior. Fish tacos, tuna tar tar, lemon fritters, and po-boy were the highlights. That said, there was just a little too much aioli on everything. They could probably take that down a notch. My favorite part is the deserts. The key lime was killer, but the smores was even better. For the smores, they bring out a small little burner that is perfect for two. It's like camping inside the restaurant.
(4)Allie P.
I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. We had fish tacos, a shrimp po boy, crabby patty and corn fritters. All were very good, but portions are pretty small for the price. Its also pretty small and loud in there. Overall...good but people were waiting in line when we left. Definitely not a "wait in line" worthy place,
(3)Lindsay K.
Food was decent! Portion sizes are a bit small for the prices. But let's get to the real 3 star reason- the service was honestly horrible. Our waitress I think was on something. Constantly singing and using weird voices to communicate. Forgot our drinks multiple times, brought out appetizers and didn't bring plates or silverwear, and some main entrees came out after people were already done with theirs. I also noticed that multiple waitresses were giving tables problems. Forgetting more drinks, sauces, appetizers. They need some help on the service end.
(3)Rosa J.
Rosa J.'s verdict on this trendy joint next to the gloomy hospital: 4.5 stars! Daddy wanted to try out different restaurants in town because he has been following me on Yelp. I will be using him as my "Yelp buddy" for the time being so that I can clear as many ever-accumulating bookmarks as possible. Once getting from the CTA Wellington Brown/Purple Line station, we walked one (1) block west to Sheffield. "Fish Bar" was the sky-blue building across the road from the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The special menu items were quickly explained by a sunny-smile young man. Daddy spotted the beer menu and immediately showed his interest in trying one (1) of the local and Midwestern-region specialties. The young man suggested the "Founder," brewed in Grand Rapid, MI. His recommendation was right on the money. The "Founder" had a very prominent barley aroma. It had a "bitter" initial kick, yet the "sweet" after-note was soon released to complete the experience. That probably was one my favorites I've ever tasted so far in my foodie life! We eventually made our decisions: gumbo, fluke sashimi, and six (6) east-coast (from Virginia) and west-coast (from Washington) kinds. The gumbo came in first. While it didn't skimp on seafood, the flavor wasn't as extraordinary as I anticipated. I felt that was missing a wow factor and it wasn't that memorable. However, the sashimi was delightful and refreshing. The touch of "yuzu" sauce with scallions was nice. The portion was on a smaller side, but it served as a "transitional" dish to the protagonist: the raw oysters. Their oysters were very fresh (perhaps off the boat)! I preferred the east-coast oysters, for they were larger in size and accompanied more harmoniously with the garlicky cocktail sauce that came with. Reiterating on the beer one (1) more time, the "Founder" was delicious! Dad and I shared two (2) mason jars worth of beer and were very satisfied. By the way, the total came to $64 and some change (pre-tip). Dad said he wanted to come back for lobster and other menu items next time, and I said I would certainly concur with him.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Great tasting fish and a great casual atmosphere. Just not cheap and not incredibly hearty. The good: The food is delicious and fresh. The service was very good, friendly and knowledgeable. They had a good selection of craft brews and even some wine. The bad: The music was too loud inside. The prices are kind of expensive, especially for the portion sizes that you get. There's limited seating, especially if the outdoor area is closed. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)Brian J.
I just had the best Lobster Roll!!! Sooooo good!!!! The customer service was outstanding Kristi was our waitress, she was the best.
(5)Artur O.
Lobster rolls are better than I had anywhere in U.S. Also the sachamo poboy forgetaboutit just the best Sunday $1.50 oyste what? And fresh really good ! One of my favorite places in the world .
(5)Lesia C.
This place is pretty good, we came here on Saturday night for dinner and had a good meal at a reasonable price, and the service was great. Walked in at about 6 pm on Saturday and we were seated immediately. The crowds have definitely died down since when they first opened, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Last time my family and I came here two years ago, we were squished inside at the bar on tiny bar stools. This time we sat outside at a spacious wooden picnic table. I'll take more space and outside dining any day. Ordered the hush puppies, tuna tartare, chicken sandwich, a beer and one of the "sea sipper drinks" (what they call their cocktails) called the "capture the flag". 1. Tuna tartare- amazing. Definitely the highlight of the meal. Crispy chili dusted tortilla chips to scoop up ginger and Serrano chili infused ahi tuna, with a mango purée on the side. The mango was the perfect balance of sweetness to the salty and spicy tortilla chips and tuna. 2. Chicken sandwich- no clue why my boyfriend decided to order meat at a place called fish bar, but he did. The crispy chicken sandwich does not disappoint however, with a delicious red pepper aioli. The batter they used to fry the chicken was excellent, I'm sure it's great on their other sandwiches too. 3. Hush puppies- so so, not bad but not good, kind of bland. The menu said it came with a side of roasted garlic aioli but it just tasted like tartar sauce. Nothing in the hush puppies besides cornmeal, I was expecting maybe herbs or some kind of meat or even corn. 4. The "capture the flag" sea sipper- It was good but at first I almost returned it because it was THAT spicy! Jalapeño infused Lunazul tequila, passion fruit and lime- the jalapeño infused tequila at first sip tasted like straight jalapeño juice, my boyfriend couldn't stomach it. The more I drank it, the more passion fruit I got, but I don't think I could handle this drink again! All in all great food, great service, and no lines, I'll be back but steering clear of the spicy tequila!
(4)Andrew M.
Fish Bar is seriously awesome. DMK group has it going on. The best Cod Fish Sandwich in the city! Great Oyster special on Sundays, $1.50 an oyster. The rest of the menu is awesome and they usually have different specials each day. Space can get tight in the winter. The outdoor space is great during the summer. There is only 3 booths so make sure you get one if you bring kiddies. The rest of the restaurant is bar stools. Service is usually very good. The special drinks are great!
(5)Arya R.
Great selection of good food
(5)Jeng F.
Great service, good food!
(4)Mia T.
Cute atmosphere, a bit overpriced for the quality... We had gumbo (delicious), tuna tartar (eh okay), crabby patty sand(delicious), grilled oct (not recommended & im a seafoodie), sashimi on slaw (recommended), s'mores (cute presentation but not a fan), keylime pie (just okay).. It's a neighborhood Restraunt, very yuppy, it's convenient & it's open late (12am)... I'm more picky then most seafoodies, this place wasn't my cup of tea... Bon Appetite
(3)Joe P.
The service was attentive and nice. Our drinks were served promptly and only took a few minutes to order. The food also came out in speed. With knowing its a bar, wasn't expecting anything fancy. The smatcho poboy was decent with a ok amount of shrimps and or crawfish...? The baby octopus was the bomb. Should've got grilled salmon or red fish... The redfish tacos were killer good. Very nicely prepared rare style. The octopus was grill served with a lemon butter and caper sauce. It was quite good. Total was 40$ for the tacos, octopus, poboy n ice tea plus tip. I however spent 10$ later at portillos to get finally full... So Idk if it's worth the value at all. Let me go into the food- the redfish tacos were like a sushi kind of meat. If we had ordered two of everything, it'd have been the price of a pappadouex dinner... At 9$ a pair. The satchmo po boy was a ton of bun. Not nearly enough shrimp not crawfish. Too many scallions and onions ugh. Overpowered it all. The baby octopus was worth the 10$. Perhaps I would order the grilled salmon or red fish... Nothing else on the menu was worth half the cost. Overall I'd not come back due to having so many restaurants to choose... Dmk burger bar appears good but idk anywhere haha
(3)Elise K.
I used to love this place and rave about it, but coming in tonight has changed it... 5 stars = 100%... 3 stars = 60%. Last time I checked, 60% is a F. The food is still at least slightly above average, but a few things were lacking -- the artichoke fritters literally had no identifiable artichoke in them, the variety was missing from the menu, the charred redfish tacos weren't great, and the soups were a bit thin for being bisque. The old cocktails have been replaced with less creative new cocktails and prices have increased $3+ for each. The crux of my problem is really the service. I have never seen so many staff standing around talking to each other rather than helping customers. This is a generous 3-stars.
(3)Nikki C.
It's like half the staff is on holiday and got Robyn to cover all the shifts despite her no longer working here. I like chowdah.
(5)Ashley F.
Great place for seafood, New England Style! As a native New Englander I was impressed. We will definitely be back. Can't go wrong with $1.50 Oysters and delicious cocktails!
(5)Jenny N.
I've only been here a couple of times, however both times were fantastic. The seafood and dishes were delicious however, with all honesty, I've had better. The service was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance and atmosphere is very comfortable and fun - reminds me a lot of SoCal. I would recommend trying this place if you have never been if you're looking for some good seafood in LP.
(4)Joe O.
ive only been there on thurday night for the $1 oyters and so far is has been a good experiance. oyters are great and the beer is great too. service is good but sometimes slow. keep doing a great job fish bar.
(4)Shelley Z.
We had the blackened red fish tacos, satchmo po'boy, a (free) cup of clam chowder, and specials for the day: fried scallop tacos and a monkfish platter. With a beer, the bill ended up being just under $60. Everything tasted great, no complaints there! Both the red fish and fried scallops were crispy, the monkfish was cooked well, and we basically inhaled the po'boy (beware low fish to everything else ratio) Highly recommend Moody Tongue. However the portions! Understandably, seafood can be pricey and fish bar certainly isn't the priciest..but we were surprised at the quantity of every dish, esp because of the more casual atmosphere. We originally settled on just one order of tacos and the monkfish, and quickly realized we would have to order more to call it dinner. I am sad but I will probably be shelling out $ again to try some of their other sandwiches (ugh lobster roll i'm coming for you) Just don't expect large portions! Service was good. Our waitress accidentally brought us a cup of chowder, then apologized and gave it to us for free, really appreciate that! Ambience is nice, seating is limited, but we didn't wait. Last tip, we've been here twice on Sundays hoping to catch their one dollar oysters but they've run out on both occasions. Get there early!
(3)Chris H.
This was our last restaurant visit during our trip to Chicago and it was such an awesome end to an awesome trip. We ordered fish tacos, lobster roll, hush puppies, artichoke fritters, and a couple of beers. Everything was delicious, but I think the fish tacos were THE BEST FISH TACOS I HAVE EVER HAD. If we hadn't ordered so much food, I would have eaten at least another order, if not 8 more.
(5)Jen R.
Atmosphere- Really good atmosphere and decor. Always hoping inside and the communal bar seating is fun. The patio is also on a nice street for taking in the neighborhood vibes. Food- High quality and tasty. The portions aren't very substantial but enough. Lemon rings and hush puppies were interesting but I wouldn't get either again. The fish sliders, oysters and tacos were all spot on. Drinks- Creative and tasty. $9 is typical for a Chicago drink but it's still a lot. Good beers on rotation ($6). All in all a solid spot.
(4)Adam A.
haven't been here for several months. New menu is amazing. Love the experience, great fresh food. Amazing staff - super friendly and always there to help you decide on that extra key lime pie ;) I recommend anything here - The fish special, taco special and of course the tuna tartare
(4)Jennifer R.
The food was good. It was more fillers than fish. The tacos had nore rice than fish. The calamari had more jalapeños than calamari.
(2)Alex I.
This place is. The. Tits. Amazing selection of oysters and a lobster role that would give a burly Maine sailor full chub. Not pretentious but a little pricy. Kinda like a good bottle of scotch. WHITCH!! brings me to my second point. The booze in on point. Buckets I could drink. However they discouraged that. Which brings to my last point, service is fantastic. Those lovely girls balance speed, charm, and knowledge magically, like those sisters from that awesome 90's show Charmed. Cheers all around. Also ask for the secret canoe cocktail, you will not regret it.
(5)Kenny C.
Went last night after 10 pm to avoid the huge dinner crowds. Went with a buddy from culinary school. Hostess greeted us and we got sat quickly. Decent crowd and patio was packed. Food- I ordered the salmon spread, tater tots and the satchmo po boy. The salmon spread was good, smoked salmon, mayo,celery,onions, it was really good, my friend got the smoked mackarel spread and I thought it was very good. The tater tots were okay, nothing special, would of loved old bay or spice seasoning, even a dipping sauce would of worked. My friend got the crabby patty, he said it was good. The Satchmo po boy (crawfish and shrimp) was good but hate how it was plated, literally served in a little hot dog paper container. *** Service-It was okay, there was a few times I tried to get her attention because I wanted more water and needed another beer. My friend ordered a cocktail, it had hibiscus in it and he liked it. Overall,great for a dinner with friends/first dates, prices were reasonable. I want to go back and try the rest of the menu. Just don't go during prime dinner hours, long waits.
(3)Cristina C.
We ordered a lot of things because it was our first time. For starters we tried the clam chowder which was on the lighter broth side which was very refreshing, oysters (very fresh just shucked), and the fritter artichokes vey good. We had the lobster and satchmo sandwiches that were both amazingggg!!! If I had to choose which one was better it would be pretty hard but I'd go with the lobster ! Our server, Maria was awesome, great service !!
(5)Kristine C.
How have I not written a review about Fish Bar? This is my boyfriends favorite restaurant in Chicago (that's saying a lot). But that is my boyfriend, I'm writing my review. We have dined here many times, Winter, Summer, Fall, Valentines Day (that isn't a season?). There have been good and bad. Why I am giving them three stars? Well, their reservations, or lack therefore, for anything during the summer. Small patio and closing the patio at a moments notice, and not seating the party until all have arrived. This is a small restaurant, I get i, but if one or more people are there, do not leave them hanging, seat them, make them happy. Do not punish them for an always-tardy friend. (the end of my rant). We LOVE the patio and changing seafood options. Their rotating seasonal beer options are usually spot on and a little off the cuff, though small, there is usually something we can enjoy. These points are what bring us back time and time again. Also, the main stays on the menu, such as my boyfriend's favorites, the Crabby Patty or, on a splurge day, the Lobster Roll. I always get the Clam Chowder (no matter how hot it is.) We have tried almost everything on the menu, I will not bore you with all that. But, my favorites: Clam Chowder. Recently learned to love it, a few years back. Now do not trust it anywhere but a seafood joint. Enjoy it at Fish Bar. I then usually go with either one of their special tartar options or tacos, or both. I think I am moving away from the tacos, I find myself disappointed with the the dry taco shells and slaw. I need a sauce with my tacos.The tartar portion is small, I am usually excited by it. If they have Scallops, I'll go for it. I also enjoy the Ala Plancha. And next time I am set on getting the Satchmo Po Boy to fill me up. For sides, if you like spice, go for the Spicy Slaw. The Tater Tots with the garlic aioli are amazing. (Tip, ask for the garlic aioli). Also, you cannot go wrong with the Brussels Sprouts, they are halfed and backed, but do not let that fool you out of the flavor. With the added onions, pretty tasty.
(3)Rima M.
It was my first time here since I love DMK I figured I try the Fish Bar next door. Amazing food!!!!! I love their oysters !!! And the staff is amazing especially Christen is such a sweet heart. We will be back again.
(5)Julie Y.
Really wanted to like this place since I work so close to here and whenever I walk by it seems so legit.. Ehh def not.. I'm no fatty but the satchmo po boy left me hungry still so i ordered the codfish sandwich after. They were both pretty plain. Nothing special at all..Not horrible or overly salty but had to drench it in hot sauce cause I was so bored with both of them... No other way to explain my experience here but disappointment and would not recommend this place to anymore.. Sry!
(2)Heather D.
Oh Fish Bar. How I am going to miss you terribly now that I'm living in LA. My bf and I use to stop in here a few Sunday's a month for their half price Oysters, ginger mules, crabby patties, and calamari among other things. This place is awesome and truly tasty! My favorite thing ever is coming on a warm Sunday with our puppy and sitting outside at their wooden picnic style tables. A great experience indeed! Final Verdict: Great food, friendly service, cool atmosphere, and a price that's pretty darn decent for seafood - any time I find myself back in good ol' Chi-Town I will be stopping in for a bite!
(5)Blind Service Association ..
Fish Bar went above and beyond for our large group. The food and service was exceptional. We highly recommend Fish Bar!
(5)Mallory L.
I've been to a fair share of seafood restaurants and this one is by far one of my favorites. I started off with the artichoke fritters which tasted exactly like hush puppies with a tad of artichoke. Then we switched over to the calamari and it literally melted in our mouths. The calamari was super fresh and not too crunchy. I proceeded to order the crispy cod tacos and the blackened bluefish sliders which were both special items on the board. Both dishes completely blew our minds and tasted so fresh. We thought four dishes wouldn't be enough to hold us over, but we were pretty full when we left. Alex was our waitress and she was super attentive and even gave us free raw oysters and complimentary drinks for our next visit! We will definitely be back in the Lakeview neighborhood for this dining experience!
(5)Hilary S.
The food was fantastic! We got the smoked mackerel spread, fish po' boy, and fried scallop tacos. Our server was so friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was great. Our food arrived promptly and was out of this world. We will definitely come back soon!
(5)Jay K.
2 stars because the beer good. Overpriced even my chicago standards. Medium quality. A good idea, not executed well.
(2)Caroline A.
I am a midwest girl so nothing I say can compare to the seafood of the coasts but for the midwest this seafood is damn delicious. It is definitely a good date spot for the more adventurous palate. Also, it is expensive for a smaller plate (you are paying for the high quality of the fish). Our server was very sweet and knowledgeable, she even had me trying the oysters of which I am not normally a fan. The Crabby Patty, White Fish Spread, Ceviche were my favorites along with the Calamari. This is a great spot for a date or to catchup with a companion. In my opinion, not a good spot for larger groups.
(5)Brittany H.
Being a dmk addict, I have to admit I expected more from this place. The atmosphere is cute, but the place is tiny, so even on a Monday there was a wait. The staff seemed friendly enough, but was a little aloof. While a lot of their food took a unique spin on seafood, the portions were pretty small and were definitely on the expansive side. The fried lemons were delish, and the fish tacos and soft shell crab po boy were good, but nothing I'd have to have again. I liked this place, but it doesn't hold a candle to burger bar.
(3)Ray C.
If you want to eat real seafood, prepared correctly, then skip Fish Bar and walk a few blocks west to the New England Seafood Company on Lincoln and Roscoe. There is no comparison. Fish Bar has a great atmosphere and the service was good, but that's about it. The food was awful. The chowder was high on salt and low on clam. The lobster in the lobster roll was rubbery. I had to take it out of the bun and manually shred it t make it edible. The shrimp tacos were disgusting, with overcooked shrimp and some type of green goo that did not mix well with seafood. We had other dishes, none worth trying. Skip this place.
(2)Jessica B.
This place has amazing fresh food, attentive/kind servers and laid back atmosphere. We had east and west coast oysters, the lobster roll, and calamari... All were super delicious! Went on a Monday around 230ish so it was open seating. Will definitely be back!
(5)Richard M.
Great Service... Very tasty food - just WAY to expensive for what you get. to spend $50 on 2 fried shrimp tacos ( total of 7 shrimp between the 2 ) , Small Salad, , 3 Oz portion of Skate and a Fried fish sandwich....with no alcohol is a little spendy - even given the address. Yes, I realize this is not Cheesecake Factory -- but seriously overpriced. Again, could not be better service and quality is good..
(3)April L.
Good food, good atmosphere. Small portion. A little pricey. But excellent bloodymary Go with friends when you are not starving Also, recommend the patio for summer months Not good for huge groups.
(5)Amy K.
The main reason this is a five star review is for the service. I am all about praising a place that has excellent food but it seems that the recent trend of the ultra trendy food spot with terrible (flat out shitty) service needs to end. Our service was great; She listened and even brought us three free apps to try! They were attentive and it was nice to have service such as that. The food was good; our group got the soft shell crab (very good), the lobster roll, cod sandwich, and satchmo poyboy. The food was fresh and had good flavors. A little on the salty side but still good. We would definitely go back to the fish bar for the service and to try a few more things on the menu.
(5)Adrienne T.
I usually try a restaurant out twice before reviewing, but I know I probably won't be back to Fish Bar anytime soon. There was nothing wrong with the service or the atmosphere. Those aspects of my dining experience were really well done. However, coming from Boston I thought the food was a bit on the expensive side for such a small amount received. The gumbo and calamari were flavorful, but I thought I would receive a bit more. My friend ordered the Po Boy and hush puppies but he was still hungry afterwards. Nevertheless, he did say they were fairly tasty. With these prices, I would rather go to Shaw's downtown. Overall, an underwhelming, small plate seafood restaurant with a large price tag in the heart of Lakeview.
(3)Hilary D.
One of my absolute favorite places in the area. Fish Bar always has nice and attentive waitresses, great food & drinks (sliders, calamari, shrimp tacos, moscows & s'mores). One time, the waitress even gave my boyfriend and I 2 free drink coupons for if we came back! Such a calm atmosphere and perfect for a casual date night or a night out with friends.
(5)Al K.
I had a disappointing meal there, nothing great just another overpriced Chicago establishment. We ordered the gumbo which was supposed to have sausage, shrimp and crab, but there was no shrimp or crab in it at all. Flavor was good but for $6.00 I've have better out of a can. The special was scallop tacos. They were good but with only three bay scallops and the smallest tortilla I have ever been served they were not worth the $11.00 for two. Drinks were limited and their specialty drinks were not good at all. I surely will not be going back there.
(2)Lauren S.
I was so excited to go to this place because I live a block away. I looked up yelp reviews beforehand and saw that the plates were small. Since I was going with a larger group I thought if we each ordered one-two plates and shared we would be fine. We all got one the cocktails which were delicious, but when our food came out we were disappointed. Every bite was so extremely flavorful. But the dishes were in fact TOO small for their price. $12 for 4 shrimp? We were led to believe that our shrimp dish would be our biggest dish. While I understand these are probably the prices they have to charge for good seafood in the midwest, my group left hungry and we went to another place around the corner for more food. Overall, it is delicious food but be prepared to order a lot of dishes in order to have a satisfying meal.
(3)MacKenzie F.
My boyfriend had a craving for clam chowder (weird craving, right?!) so I looked up reviews for clam chowder and found this place. I called to make an order for pick-up and they asked me to come in and then order. When I got there, the woman recognized my voice from the phone call and when I ordered, she offered me a half-pint on the house while I waited which I graciously accepted. The order was up in 5-minutes and they told me not to rush and to finish my beer before I went. GREAT SERVICE. As for the clam chowder, my boyfriend said that the soup was awesome. We will definitely be returning to eat in!
(5)Michael A.
Came in for a late dinner on a Sunday. Very hard to find a great spot on Sundays. Alex took great care of us. Tried a plethora of options. Each small plate was great. Great flavours and a variety of options. Had a beer and shot to go with it all. I will definitely be heading back. With all the options in Chicago, that is saying a lot. Looking forward to the next trip.
(4)Melissa F.
I had high hopes for this restaurant but left disappointed. Decor is cute, I guess; I like that the specials are written on the window. The chairs (outside) are probably meant to seem kitschy but are actually uncomfortable. Our waitress was pretty nice. My friend and I ordered drinks, and mine (Woodshed?) was weird tasting...but in a good way! My friend liked her drink, too (Coney Island Baby), and she also found her drink odd but intriguing and overall good. I liked the scallop ceviche I ordered - excellent flavor, from the cilantro to the jicama and its textural contrast. I also liked the gumbo I ordered. My friend ordered some type of fish (forgot which type) a la planxa - grilled with farro, the menu said. What arrived was maybe 3/4 the size of an iPhone, at most. Neither of us is the type of person to have a massive appetite or to be the first in line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Still, it was almost insulting how diminutive this was for $9. My friend was nowhere near full from this, and although we knew it was small plates, we didn't know how absurdly small they were. I might go back, but my friend definitely would not - I don't blame her.
(3)Rachael K.
This place has a great atmosphere and I can't wait to go back to sit outside when it's warmer out. The service was great and I really liked our waitress. They do sort of like a small plates/tapas menu with mostly fish. We first got the scallops a la plancha which were the best one found in Chicago. They came with a purée and brussel sprouts with bacon. Next we got the calamari which is served with giardiniera peppers. Yumnmmmm! Just some lemon squeezed on top and no marinara necessary. To split we had the lobster roll which was more than enough with the other dishes we had. They came with salt and vinegar chips which was awesome. On Thursdays after 9, they do $1 oysters so we had those last. I'd definitely do that deal again. Lastly but definitely not least, get the s'mores for dessert. They bring you a little fire to roast your own marshmallow with! So fun and the graham cracker came with chocolate already on it so it wasn't too messy. Definitely coming back. A lot. Ps. The Broken Fence is my new favorite winter drink. It's like a hot toddy with cider involved.
(5)Gino W.
This boutique seafood restaurant has the look of a bar, but it's all about seafood and a good selection of wet bar offerings. The beauty of this restaurant is that the staff is upfront and personal -- not as in being in your personal space, but as in being like great friends. They don't just tell you their names as a courtesy, but they ask for your name and address you accordingly while you're there. One would have to be anti on a personal level to not fall in love with that kind of service. But you'll be blown away with the food regardless. I had a cup of clam chowder that if I had some bread with it, I would have sopped the remaining chowder without pause or complaint. The gumbo had a roux base that I favour because there was no skimping on the okra. The person responsible for the recipe had to have gone to some restaurant shacks in the eastern parts of New Orleans because they got it correct. Where I had to pause and smile my usual stupid smile when food is good was with the lobster roll. There were chunks of lobster in the lobster roll, although they will cut the lobster up more if requested. But you really know you're indulging a delicacy when the lobster bursts when your teeth pierce the chunks. And with them adding cumin to the homemade mayonnaise, I sat and pondered ordering another one for take-away. I waited for an hour and had a crabby patty -- crab cake slider with a dusting of bread crumbs covering a serious clump of meaty crab -- instead. However, I am still thinking about the lobster roll and how I felt some kind of way after it was all gone.
(5)Gina V.
I think my wife saw Jennifer Lawrence here one time as we waited in line for the chowder. She was my favorite fly girl on that one hiphop show, but her movies kind of sucked, though I really enjoyed the one where she fought back after getting abused by her asshat of a husband, i think it was called Enough. It was cold outside when we decided we needed some really warm soup, though granted its Chicago and so it could've been July, but I think the last time I was here was early fall and there was a chill in the air. At least cold enough to have the lady folks still in those ugly boots and leggings that reveal odd colored underwear if they bend over. Anyways, we walk in and there's a line, but they let us know the bar in the middle is serving beers while we wait, so we were able to enjoy the moment with some really interesting beers. This girl that reminded me of Miley Cyrus was behind the bar where this other girl that could've been Lindsey Lohan?, but she was named after a car like Lexus or Volkswagen?(sorry) was a big help for my wife to pick out a good drink. I think it even got busier as we waited, but this really nice lady I think a manager Cindy came by with a small plate of crackers topped with some fish spread to taste. It was good, and got me every hungrier. Soon enough we sat and I remember our server was named Sara Lee though she didn't really look asian, but maybe was adopted by Chinese parents(kind of ironic). She got us through the menu quite quick and soon enough I was eating a really good fish sandwich and some smelt fries. Fish on fish! Anyways I remember Sarra because she then puts down this fire pit and marshmallows and we're like we didn't order this. But then she goes 'i love you' and you can have these for free. She was really friendly, and my wife must've been into her, because she wasn't jealous or angry. The smores were fun and smelled up the joint like really enjoyable farts.
(5)Anthony L.
Went a while back and forgot to review. Such a great place. Not the best for big groups, its pretty small and mostly counter seating, but it was wonderful for a date. Scallop tacos were the special, and so good, along with the krabby patty, octopus, and everything we got. For dessert, they had make your own smores, bringing out a little burner for you. The drink selection was also pretty good and the service was great. The only thing that has kept me away is the potential wait(we were told 45 minutes for two, but actually got seated in about 15) and the price. But there is a price to great seafood and I just need to save up before I splurge on my favorite seafood place in Chicago.
(5)Liz S.
seafood fam, I'm not sure why anyone would give this place less than five because this place is f'n awesome! The service was amazing....told us the specials right off the bat and the staff was extremely attentive though out the night. The food was perfect! And let me say one thing.... If I die, bury me in those lobster rolls bc it was that damn good. You can also throw in those scallops and Brussels I had in there too bc they were cooked to perfection. Pillowy soft not chewy at all. 5 stars well deserved plus many more!!
(5)Julie P.
Love this place! Have been here twice in as many weeks for dinner and really enjoyed everything. The lobster roll, scallops and crabby patty were amazing and oysters excellent too. My only gripe is that too many specialty cocktails on the menu means the beer & wine selections are lacking. Definitely a go-to spot for fresh seafood, and they even serve food until 11PM during the week!
(5)Laura B.
Being from the East Coast, Fish Bar makes me feel like I'm back at the shore. Great food, amazing service- I'll definitely be back!
(5)Julieanne T.
First time trying oysters but the super friendly staff told me I had come to right place because theirs are so fresh. They were totally right. I am now an oyster lover and for a buck a shuck after 9, I am going to be going there more often. Would be an awesome date spot, but also just so much fun with a small group of friends. I need to try the lobster roll ASAP because I think the guy next to me was experiencing some type of euphoria whilst eating it.
(5)Eric B.
Good bloody Marys and nice to have a good selection of fresh oysters. The Gumbo was awful though.
(3)Ashley G.
A hidden gem! Casual spot and right next to the 'L' Station for convenience. We ordered about 8 items for 2 of us and we were so stuffed but couldn't stop eating because everything was just so good. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Insun M.
Minus stars for limited seating and not so fantastic ceviche. Bonus stars for the BEST OYSTER POBOY IN THE WORLD.
(4)Lisa H.
Fish Bar is a small and beach-like restaurant that specializes in "fresh" seafood. They bring some coast-like vibes to the Midwest with their wooden panels, bar stools, hanging canoe, mason jars, and daily specials handwritten on an oversized chalkboard. I was really intrigued when there was so many raved reviews about how fresh and good the seafood Fish Bar offers. So I stopped here one night with a friend and shared a couple of items: Clam Chowder: this is served New England style; cream based chowder with a thinner consistency than other regional styles. I liked the creaminess, but it was overly salted. No amount of water helped to tone it down. Lobster Roll: claimed to have one whole Maine lobster in a roll. For $22/roll, I didn't expect anything less but miraculous. This roll definitely didn't disappoint. The lobster was fresh and perfectly seasoned. There were also so many pieces of lobster stuffed inside the roll that it kept falling out. Calamari: breaded, deep fried, tossed with banana pepper, jalapeno, and garlic, and topped off with some parmesan cheese and parsley. I enjoyed the unique pickled component with a tad of spiciness, but the actual calamari was too chewy for my liking. Also the ratio of calamari to other ingredients in this dish was a joke. There was five pieces of actual calamari, so not an ideal dish to share. Surf and Turf Burger: crab with a grass-fed beef patty. I thought the beef would overwhelm the light taste of the crab, but to my surprise it didn't. They balanced each ingredient perfectly. Overall, the food was pretty good but does not meet up to the standards of seafood from the coastline. Also the ratio of price to size is ridiculous; almost $50 for our meal and we weren't full. The waitress there was nice in the beginning, but later on became a little pushy about ordering more food. One of my biggest pet peeves is pushy employees. Ugh...she made my experience there really uncomfortable.
(2)Abigail D.
Big fan of this place. It would be a great spot for a date, but I came with a small group and they sat us in a decent amount of time. Small plates, tapas style which is great because everything on the menu looks amazing. Started with calamari which was amazing. Jalapeños cut up throughout for a nice little surprise. We also shared the crouched and lobster rolls which again, unreal. Then we all got a different array of oysters which were fresh and juicy! Nice little treat for the mouth. Good beer selection and cocktails as well. Big fan! I will be back for sure!
(5)Helen H.
BE CAREFUL- both my friend and i got charged twice for this meal on different days. watch out for your credit cards! ambiance- cute and casual prices- average for chicago although the portions are pretty small. drinks- good! food- hit or miss. the clam chowder was very good! the smoked fish dip was wayy too salty so i didnt care for it very much. the satchmo po' boy was delicioussss.
(3)Chan S.
The satch'mo po boy was outstandingly good. Fish tacos were amazing as well. Lobster roll was good, wasn't great. I had high hopes for it but was a lil disappointed. Great atmosphere! Waitress was very friendly. The prices are higher than what I expected & the food was smaller in portion. The portions are actually ridiculously SMALL! I think it could of at least came with a side of fries or something (you get what I'm saying). Def wud go back for the satch'mo po boy!
(4)Allan C.
There are a lot of things about Fish Bar that I don't like. It's stupid expensive. 6 bucks for a cup of mediocre soup is not my thing. You serve various sandwiches / tacos with fried shrimp or oysters but you don't simply sell a basket of fried shrimp or oysters like you do with your calamari. You are crowded even on a late night weekday. This means that the market justifies your freaking decisions. This makes me question the town that I just moved to. Severely. All I want in this town is a decent basket of fried oysters. But you know what, your $1 shucked oysters after 9pm on weekdays have been decently consistent with the occasional shell shrapnel and maybe one not so awesome oyster. For that, I salute you.
(3)Mihir P.
Hostess: socially awkward, OCD and was very specific of where we could sit at the bar. Waitress: very nice but to the point. Food: the best was not the seafood but the artichoke fritters. New England clam chowder was super salty and buttery, lacked the carrots, and the clams were rubbery. The waitress did take it off the bill though. Cod fish sandwich was fresh and crisp but also super-salty (and I like salt). Good variations of the Moscow Mule in that you can get it with gin or bourbon.
(3)Mollyann R.
A DMK Restaurant. Love the concept! So fishy. We ordered cocktails and a bunch of small plates. The cocktails were genius and served in adorable mason jars. If a restaurant offers anything in a mason jar, I'm sold. Everything tastes better out of a mason jar. Once we had enjoyed a few cocktails, we were feeling brave and adventurous so we ordered the frog legs. They were served buffalo style with ranch. They were very chewy and quite the experience. Knocked that one off of my bucket list! Shout out to our server, Alexa. She was phenomenal.
(5)Sam R.
Best Po' boy I've had outside of Louisiana. Bun is perfect, slaw is perfect, oysters done just right, not too bready. I had to come back about two and a half hours later because it was just that good. Friendly, fast service, simple menu... I'll have to come back again and I should probably try something else, but it'll be hard to not order the Po boy. A little pricey, but not bad considering the quality of food, service and atmosphere.
(5)Caroline M.
Sometimes my brain hurts and I hate reading lots of words. Here is my official run-down of Fish Bar. 1) Go early. 2) Get the lobster roll 3) And tator tots! 4) There are, in fact, purse hooks along the underside of the bar. 5) (gasp) communal seating! But...you + dining companion are seated side by side, so if it's a date, get cozy. 6) It's very loud. Save intimate convos for later. 7) 2 people = $50+ bill 8) Public transit nearby. 9) Have dessert at home ;)
(4)Tom K.
This is one of my favorite places to take out from. It is great for dining in also, as it is an intimate spot with no TV's which is a plus. The great part of taking out though is that all of food here cooks quickly so you don't have to call ahead and order, you can just walk in and walk up to the beer taps and put in your order with someone. I typically go for the Satchmo Po'Boy, but everything I have had here is good from the frog legs to crabby patty, calamari, fried lemon rings, oysters, lobster roll. Not only do you get your order quick but they also give you tiny mason jar of a beer of your choice while you wait which is very nice of the owners.
(4)Glo K.
With the terrible snowpocalypse looming over Chicago, I got a chance to sail away for a bit and forget the chilly weather at the Fish Bar. The tiny beach shack-style restaurant offers a very straight forward seafood menu with the the finest fishes from the sea. When you step into the shack, you will notice the always-changing menu board at the center. The board showcases the "catch of the day" which changes for the ceviche, tartare, sandwiches, tacos and the soup. However, they do offer a menu for the same-thing kind of guy to be satisfied with. My dining companion and I started with the mahi mahi ceviche ($9) which was a bit underwhelming. The underwhelming feeling was probably the presentation of the ceviche. The ceviche came in a plankton-size mason jar (womp womp) and I felt like I was fishing for fish bits in the jar... maybe the problem is that I have an appetite the size of a beluga whale. Next we shared the gulf shrimp a la plancha which was a little bigger than our first plate and better. The dish was very simple, but had a small kicks of flavor to it. Also the dish varied in textures as well. The grilled shrimp had a nice crunchy texture and the black lentils gave it a soft balance. It was delicious. Another great treat was the Blackened Blufish Sliders ($9). The buns were so soft and the remoulade was wonderful. I wouldn't mind coming back again to eat the Today's Catch Sliders. I wasn't really kidding about my beluga whale-size appetite. Our last order was the fish plate which was the Char ($12). I've never had Char before, but the fish taste like a mix of trout and salmon with balance of mild sweetness and robustness. Oh! I can't forget the wonderful drinks at the Fish Bar. i would say the Old Man and the Sea ($6) and the GImlet ($6) were my two favorite. I mainly got the Old Man and the Sea because I appreciate the Hemingway reference. (Way to represent an Illinois-native, Kornick... gold star. lol) :) Also, I would like to note that the shack is pretty tiny and the diner-style seating is limited. I would not suggest going with a big group. My dining companion and I went on a snowy Thursday night, so it wasn't packed at all. However, I can imagine Fish Bar reeling in some serious business in the summertime for sure. Anways, thanks FIsh Bar. You were a little pricey for the amount food but you somehow got me hooked. I will be paddling back to try the rest of your menu next time with my whale-size appetite.
(4)Livery H.
I come here every time that I am in Chicago. I usually come on weekday nights and so I have never had to wait to be seated. Sometimes, there is a wait in between drinks and food but I would still give them 5 stars because the food is so good. I usually end up trying at least 5 items on the menu each time I come ( 4 x already) and I have only been slightly disappointed with one entree. Otherwise, this is my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Plus, they give free drink coupons for your next time - and that happens every time!
(5)Wendy Y.
This place rocks. I want to come here every weekend and eat Lobster rolls and have the Carpiccio. I wish more of my friends liked seafood so I could come here all the time!
(5)Bill B.
Getting into the Lakeview neighborhood late on a Friday puts a serious crimp in your dining choices. Luckily, I happened upon Fish Bar.... once again! (I'd come here three weeks earlier with a friend who'd taken me) They serve until midnight (at least on weekends), so you can score some seriously good eats, and I did! The style is small plate but both times I've been here the taste has been big. I love a good a clam chowder and theirs is very good. I had it each visit and it's not just veggies and broth. There's a nice mix of potatoes and good sized meaty clams. I will say that ordering it that late at night does concentrate the celery but those chunks of clam more than compensated. The menu varies regularly, depending on what's freshly delivered but, if it's on the menu, the fluke was amazing! Both the fish and the scallop tacos are definitely worth ordering but if you have to choose, go for the scallops. The calamari is great, even at the top end of my spicy heat scale, and the baby octopus dish was dee-lish! The only dish that I would say that was a bit lackluster was the ceviche. A little more citrus flavor or mango or cilantro, but not more jalapeño, might give it a little more character. It's good, but compared to all the other dishes I've had, it just seems a little plain. The staff is knowledgeable.... and honest! They'll tell you what they like or what is 'popular' on the menu. If you're as lucky as I was both times, you'll get Jolanda, "Jo", as your host and you will be well taken care of. Whatever you decide to order, you'll appreciate the elevated casual atmosphere, the cocktails whimsically served in mason jars, and the throwback diner seating style, of Fish Bar. Enjoy!!
(5)Heidi P.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and always enjoy myself. The food is small portions, but always good. They have a small but solid beer selection and their cocktails are great. Low key, trendy atmosphere with some outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)Ed F.
Very good food.. Small portions. Very pricey if you order enough to feed two people, and a couple drinks. But good tasting and unique presentation. Would give 4 if price was about 20% less..
(3)Casey Z.
The food was spectacular. I was here for a New Years Party and I was able to try a few items from their menu (crabby patty, lobster roll, crab legs). Everything was extremely fresh and delicious. Great ambiance too!
(5)Andrew T.
Being an East Coast boy to the core, when I saw this place finally open I practically ran in. I have been twice now, right when it opened and then about a month later, and I absolutely adore it. I know some people might not be crazy about the no-frills food, but for me it is perfect. The lobster roll is fantastic; not smothered in mayonnaise, but just a touch on the bun. The crabby patty too is great, with just a hint of heat and the wonder that is Old Bay. I will be in many, many more times.
(5)Kelly E.
My boyfriend and I tried out Fish Bar for the first time on Saturday and had a WONDERFUL first experience. From the moment we walked in they had someone at the door greeting you and ready to get you a seat at the bar. There are no individual tables at Fish Bar just communal seating around a large bar. We did not know the seating of the restaurant but ended up enjoying the social shared style of seating and how much more attention you get from the servers as a result. The menu is set up in an easy format with specials listed on the chalk board in the front. Most dishes at Fish Bar good for sharing for 2 to 3 people. We started off by sharing the gumbo and the hush puppies. I absolutely loved the gumbo and my boyfriend said the hush puppies, which were served with a garlic aioli, were the best he's ever had. We then shared the Buffalo Shrimp Salad which was phenomenal and our main course was the special Blue Fish Sliders, which were equally amazing. Our food came out at a reasonable pace although our server, Abby who was incredibly nice and fun, felt bad that our drinks took a while to arrive from the bar and ended up giving us a free plate of sashimi tuna with tortilla chips. The cool part about this place is they have some super fun cocktails and the décor inside makes it feel like you're actually eating at a restaurant on the beach. The one complaint we had was that the water was served in small mason jars which we had to keep asking for refills for. Other than that, everything from the friendly service to the food, drinks and uniqueness of the restaurant made it a perfect night. We will be back, many times!
(5)Ada H.
I had ERRRYYYYthang on the menu today. Yes. Everything! I got really lucky and was invited to eat at Fish Bar by my friend who was receiving the outdoor seafood feast for four from DMK's loyalty program. I"ve been to Fish Bar before, and tried several different things. But this time, we tried everything! The feast includes one of every menu item. So we set out and ordered it all. I've posted pictures of most of the items that we ate. It got dark towards the end so I stopped taking pics. I love the freshness of the seafood at Fish Bar. I loved it before, and I love it even more now. Once you dive into the food, for a moment in time you forget that you're in Chicago and you honestly feel like you're on the East Coast somewhere. Especially on a beautiful night out on the patio (that's how I felt). I would list everything we ordered, but there's not point since it was everything on the menu. So, I will list the items that stood out as amazing and those that stood out as just ok. Nothing was bad. Drinks: #1 and #5 were great. #3 not so much (froma girly standpoint). Great: clams, ceviche, cobb salad, surf n' turf, po' boy, dessert Just OK: mussels (too much beer taste), all the fried stuff (not hot and crispy), lobster roll (just missing something...), octopus a la plancha (too soft and chewy) My dinner mates may not agree with me, but this is my review. I will admit that I'm a little bit of an octopus snob (it's my favorite sea creature to eat). And also a lobster roll addict. They were really busy and perhaps that's the reason for some of the lackluster dishes. But it was still a feast to remember. The service was great. We had a main server but also others who helped run out the food and took our orders when ours wasn't around. The only person who was just so-so was the hostess. She was a blonde one. Didn't catch her name. Not terrible, but I would have appreciated more hospitality since after all, she is the hostess. I will definitely return to Fish Bar. They have a seasonal menu, so it won't be long until there are new dishes (and fish) to try.
(4)Keith A.
Oh hell yea. Lemme see, beer and fish all in one place, yup, me likey. It's really rather dumb that I've yet to be here considering my friends live right up sheffield. We got here and it was time to sample a whole bunch of different stuff........and drink beer. We started off with an order of ceviche. This was a real nice ceviche. It wasn't as acidic as I would've liked it, but I love acid in stuff like that (yea, exactly). We also got an order of lobster that was a special. It wasn't a whole lobster (I think), but it was lobster and that is always a good thing. We finished things off with an order of belly clams. These were damn delicious. I didn't get as many of them as I was also working on an order of tots. I haven't noted the beer yet. They don't have an extremely deep list, but everything they have is quality. There's a nice range in styles and the prices are decent for the quality.
(4)Brandon N.
The food here was just OK for me. There are some things that they do REALLY well, such as the Clam Chowder (possibly the best in the city), Manila Clams, and the Salmon Tartare, The rest of it was just alright, nothing really special or standout. This includes the Crabby Patty (something like a crabcake, except no jumbo lumps and plenty of filler), the Fish Tacos (for whitefish, had a very strong "fishy" taste to it), and the Bay Scallops (if you've ever had a fried scallop before, there's nothing new going on here). The staff is SUPER friendly, attentive, and helpful... DEFINITE PLUS. THE VERDICT: It was OK. I'd go back for the clam chowder and then go next door to DMK for a burger. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in, but I certainly wouldn't make any special trip to come here.
(3)Heidi S.
This place is cool. I don't think that I've ever said that about a restaurant before, but I really enjoyed the set up. We had a late reservation for 4 on Friday night and the two groups at the tables had long overstayed their welcome -- but 30-40 minutes. The chef came out to speak with us and apologize at one point and offered us a new drink that he's experimenting with and offered us some snacks while we waited. We all agreed that while we normally would have been really annoyed with waiting, it's amazing how very simple gestures can turn your experience around in a hurry. Our waitress did a great job of describing the dishes and their limited menu is very creative and fun. I got a mackerel ceviche with avocado that was creamy and delicious. Our oysters were fine, nothing to write home about, but very well shucked, and our soup was amazing flavorful. Overall we had a really fun time eating and sharing food, we felt full when we were done and it didn't break the bank as much as I'd expected. Would definitely go back and sit at the bar!
(4)Alexander D.
I Love Fish Bar! Their food is delicious! I am a bit particular about fish and Fish Bar has always been on point! Janna is awesome! I will be returning!
(5)Maria B.
Been here several times and it just keeps getting better. The food delivers and what's outstanding is the service. I have such an appreciation for sincere service and this place is second to none. You would never expect to receive such a great experience in a neighborhood place. The space itself is unpretentious, the menu is simple, yet everything I've had has been superb. Marina was my server the last couple of times I've been in and she is professional and sweet. I dine out frequently and forget to write reviews often times, but I had to let everyone know how much I love Fishbar and will continue to go back again and again. Must try: mussels in white wine with rosemary, escolar carpaccio, fried artichoke with chipolte aioli , and their raw oysters.
(5)Elina K.
Finally got to try this place (and its infamous lobster roll): Decor & set-up: really cute nautical interior and picnic tables outside. Service: excellent, friendly and fast Drinks: small but tasty selection of wines, ales and liquors (all served in adorable Ball canning jars) Food: we had frog legs, tater tots, the watermelon feta salad with prawns aaaaaaaand...the ($22) lobster roll. Food was really, really good overall. But I must say I was a tad disappointed in the lobster roll. Maybe I really hyped it up in advance but it was nothing amazingly special. It was solid, though.
(4)Danny W.
Marina, We came back for the key lime pie, and lord am I happy we did. Fish Bar continues to keep it real, and that's really all you can ask out of a seafood restaurant. Truth.
(4)Angela Z.
Hadn't been back here since way back when it opened. Back then I remember feeling pretty neutral about the food and drink choices. But I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I stopped in Friday in the late afternoon after a meeting for a quick bite. I saw on Instagram that they were having a lovely salmon wrapped spring roll so I quickly ordered that and loved it. Then I proceeded to one of the large mason jar sized cocktails, the bourbon featured Tool and Die I believe? Fan! Had just the right amount of booze to flavor ratio and the size makes it worth the price. For my main I had the scallop and brussel sprout special, really good. Scallops were just the right texture and the flavors along with the sprouts were delish. I see there's some comments about poor service here but I must have come on the right day because my server Curtis was very hospitable. Explained everything and asked if I had questions and made conversation in between asking if i was doing ok so I really appreciated that--great service. Enjoyed the music and atmosphere for sure. It seems like this place has balanced its menu and drinks a little better than what I remember from when it first opened and I liked it!
(4)Shahrooz E.
So here's what's good: Taste (my Po'Boy had the perfect flavors & texture!) Service Complimentary Beer Samples with your order Here's the not so good: Portions aren't filling A little over priced My order was to go and no napkins or silverware left in the bag :( Overall I will comeback but wish the portions were a little larger for what I paid. Figure the friendly neighborhood, freshness and good service are worth the extra coin but value is the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)Ryan C.
Very small so I don't recommend it unless you are with a party of two. They have two tables that would fit 4 but thats it. I live in the neighborhood and one of the few seafood small plate restaurants I've been to but I'm a fan so I can try many dishes. They constantly rotate what they serve to keep the menu and the seafood fresh.
(4)Yvonne B.
I don't know WHY I haven't gone to this place sooner. After all, my Yelpy friends have been haunting this place for ages. They're like, "I'm at Fish Bar. You should come!" And I always take a pass. It took two of those Yelp friends and a birthday to get me there and it was pretty pimpin'! It seems shiny and new. You know - kinda like a Chipotle: big windows, clean, and modern. There's just a smidge of kitsch thrown in. I mean, what else would you call an upside down row boat hanging above the table? It was cool and definitely reminded me that I was in a seafood place. I don't even remember what all we had. Definitely some sort of tartar, s'mores, and key lime pie, but we had other things too. We all had drinks and we all loved them. Everything was fabulous. The server was personable and on top of her job. We were all absolutely flying in and around cloud nine.
(5)Mary B.
I discovered recently that a friend of mine also has a food blog and writes under the pen name, the Chowder Chaser. Needless to say, a joint expedition was in order. I gotta be honest, being from the Midwest, I don't actively go out and seek great seafood. I got to taste some quality lobster and fish while I was in Manhattan this summer but I've lived the past 19 years in a land-locked state. In Indiana, the beach is Lake Michigan. I know, it's pathetic. The Chowder Chaser is from Vermont and is experienced with the fresh seafood flavors that my Hoosier upbringing deprived me of tasting. His beloved clam chowder was subsequently my coveted corn chowder. My friends had given rave reviews about Fish Bar, a DMK restaurant in Lakeview conveniently off the brown line. Their sister restaurant, DMK Burger Bar, had stolen my heart many months ago but this Saturday night would be a new adventure. I was replacing my typical burger with fish, furthering my attempts to consume more seafood and less meat in typical Scandinavian fashion. The snowy weather made the promise of delicious clam chowder more savory and appetizing. The interior of the restaurant is unique and welcoming. The bar set-up evoked a romantic and intimate vibe which allowed my friends and I to bond over the scrumptious seafood that we would quickly consume. We ordered a bowl each of their famous clam chowder and opted to split both the oyster po'boy and the Mexican shrimp cocktail. The chowder arrived and we went silent. After a quick photo and discussion over speciality oyster crackers straight from the hometown of the Chowder Chaser himself (he was extremely pleased), we dug in. One word: phenomenal. The chowder was slightly spicy, adding a kick to the typical flavors of fresh clam chowder. The ingredients were fresh and combined well with one another. The chowder was neither too hot nor too cold. (Goldilocks & the three bears would've loved it) Overall, a solid option and may have changed my opinion on soup altogether. Previously have never been a big fan of soup but if I were to come here again, I would order the clam chowder in a heartbeat. The Mexican shrimp cocktail consisted of mini shrimp in a vegetable salsa served with tortilla chips. Interesting combination of seafood and spice. The Mexican element presented a completely different approach to shrimp that I would have never come up with. Overall, it was decent but I am hesitant whether I would order again. The oyster po'boy was my second favorite. The toasted bun combined with the meaty oyster was fantastic. Topped with a slightly zesty coleslaw, the oyster po'boy was a perfect complement to a bowl of clam chowder. For dessert, my friends and I split a slice of their key lime pie which was recommended by our polite and friendly waitress. The lime flavor was crisp and tart, contrasting perfectly with the crispy, sweet taste of the graham cracker crust. A perfect ending to a delicious meal of seafood. Fish Bar is definitely another treasure owned and managed by DMK. If you can't decide what to eat, I'd advise a visit to Lakeview and once there you can decide whether you want a hearty and artisanal burger or fresh and flavorful seafood. Either way you can't go wrong!
(4)Asif K.
Any place that has shrimp sandwiches and smores for dessert has my attention! The lobster sandwich is cold and doesn't carry much flavor so it's not worth the price tag. Their shrimp sandwich is the star, so get a few of them. DEFINITELY get the s'mores for dessert. You get to melt your marshmallows over a burner which just adds to the experience.
(4)Vicki L.
We're lucky to live close enough to Fish Bar that we can choose when we want to go and not have to deal with lines or waiting to be seated. Since moving to the hood in April we have been going here about once every two to three weeks and we really enjoy it overall. Yes, there are some times we think some of the food is a bit pricey but the quality overall is very good and there has been multiple times they gave us new dishes for free to try out so that for me evens it out. Only the second time we were in it was my bf's birthday they heard us talking about it and brought two free oyster shooters. We love oysters and will go on Sunday when they are half off ($1.50) or just a buck after 9pm, totally worth it. Otherwise during the week we will usually stay away from paying the $15 for a half dozen, just not worth it when you know you can them half off on Sundays. They have also been really cool about letting us put the order in for them on Sunday before 9 (but close to it) and charging the $1 price for them. Really enjoy the fish sliders and have had them with different fishes a few different times, the tartare and ceviche are always super fresh and yummy and the key lime pie is a really traditional one that we love. I have to admit I am not sure we would go so much if it wasn't in our hood and we could just walk over and see how the lines/crowds look but since it is I will definitely continue to keep visiting!
(4)Dan K.
I went here for lunch noonish on a Friday. I split the Shrimp Tacos which were extremely good not to fancy but overall good. We also split the special, trout sliders which were quite awesome as well. We also enjoyed the jalapeño Hush puppies and drink selection. The service was fast and they were helpful. I am a Nanny and I brought a 1.5 year old with us. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BRINGING KIDS....they were all very nice but not really set up for it.
(4)Jason R.
I went to Fish Bar last night with a friend before a concert at the Vic. I had a salmon BLT sandwich, a side of "lemon rings" and a beer. It was easily one of the best sandwiches I had in the past 6 months, and I now have to add lemons to my list of Things that Taste Surprisingly Good When Fried. I'd have changed one thing about the lemon rings. Slice the jalapenos, onions and lemons a bit thicker before frying, and serve the side with a nice garlic aioli (or a similar creamy dipping sauce, perhaps flavored with Old Bay or something in that vein.) I asked one of the servers whether Fish Bar made grilled cheese sandwiches. She said "sometimes, but usually only for kids when the kitchen isn't busy". Well, I want to pitch you guys on an adult grilled cheese sandwich: bacon, smoked oysters, and either smoked cheddar or mozzarella on sourdough bread. If you attempt this, I'd like to be the first to try it.
(5)Troy H.
My cousin came in from out of town, and I've heard good things about this spot. I got the Satchmo po boy, the ginger-bourbon drink, a cup of clam chowder, and tater tots. My cousin got the cod sammich. The outdoor seating is pretty nice, and the weather was perfect. But then, the food came. My clam chowder was salted down clam juice, which scant potato or clam. My Satchmo had good flavor, but the tater tots suffered the same salty fate as my chowder. I'm not talking just oversalted. Whatever is beyond oversalted. I drank copious amounts of water to try to counter it. My cousin said that her sandwich was good, but she too couldn't deal too well with the tater tots.
(2)Michael H.
The Food: Delicious and fresh. We started with the salmon tartare and ceviche. The tartare was rich, velvety, and full of flavor. The ceviche was made with a few types of seafood, including octopus. Tasty, but the portion was small and it needed more lime juice and salt. I also had the Satchmo po' boy, which comes with breaded and fried shrimp and oysters on a butter toasted bun. The po' boy hit the spot and is a cheaper alternative ($12) to the lobster roll ($22). Although if you have the money to spend, the lobster roll on the table next to me looked mouth-watering. My partner ordered the fish fries, and I was surprised how much I like them. These are whole, small fish that are breaded and fried. You eat them like a french fry. They ended up being a highlight of the meal for me. The Drinks: Fish Bar has a decent selection of beers on tap, with a couple of local options. I had a Daisy Cutter (I love Half Acre) and a rotating tap. Beer is served in mason jars and is $6. I will probably stick with beer when I return. My partner ordered a couple of cocktails and neither one was great. We watched an overworked bartender try to fill 15 cocktail orders all at once so she was just pouring shots and liquids as fast as she could. At least they don't charge craft cocktail prices - the drinks are $6. The drinks next door at DMK are much better, perhaps the bartenders could have a meet up? The Atmosphere: We sat outside on a beautiful summer evening. I love the outdoor patio. If it is nice outside, and you have the option, sit outside. The inside is small and probably not good for large parties. It gets very busy on the weekend, so expect a wait. You are allowed to grab a drink at the bar and hang out on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. I love seafood and can't wait to return for the fish tacos, calamari, and cod sandwich.
(4)Kelly B.
Hi there, Southern gal here. As I searched for a seafood restaurant in Chicago that would satiate my desire for raw seafood from time to time, Fish Bar seemed to be the winner. I was terrified to try seafood in the Midwest being from South Florida and all, but Fish Bar provided me with some solid, fresh choices. Hallelujah! I hit this place once every two months or so. The oysters---oh no, I'm craving more just talking about them. They usually offer a choice of East or West coast oysters(right now the West coast oysters are spawning, so they're unavailable). Slimy and perfect. The Satchmo Po'boy is a highlight every time. Consistently delicious. So is the tartare. I always order the ceviche, but unfortunately, I am always disappointed. I ordered it last night, and just like times in the past, it needed a lot more acid and salt. Seasonal menu, so it changes frequently. The fish and shellfish are always fresh and never too fishy. I like the small square footage of the place, too. It makes for a cozier environment. Just go here with a friend or two, not a group kinda place.
(4)Faraaz U.
We Ordered : Buffalo Frog legs seafood Gazpacho Crab cake sandwich Lobster roll In order of what i liked #1) lobster rolls- super delish!! packed with meat on a toasty bun #2) buffalo frog legs - these came out early we ate two then more food came out when we went back to eat them after a while they were not as good cold so i recommend eating them as they come out hot! # 3) Crab cake sandwich - it was OK but to me it tasted like an Indian shami kabob which I don't like # 4) Seafood Gazpacho - I wish i didn't order this, there was a small amount of seafood on this cold soup. I guess it was an aquired taste .
(4)Noy And Alan T.
Maybe I'm a little biased since I'm from New England and have been spoiled with great seafood...but I was disappointed by the food. The first time we came here, it was a one and a half hour wait. Thankfully we decided not to stay then or else I would've been livid. The bf and I tried again today. We were told the wait would be about 25-30 minutes, which was fine. We grabbed a pumpkin ale, served in a cute mason jar...that was probably the only decent item in the restaurant. 15 minutes later, we got seated. I'm happy we didn't have to wait too long. The first thing I like to ask people when it comes to lobster rolls is whether or it is hot or cold. Apparently not many Chicagoans know the difference between the two. The waitress said its hot and cold (meaning a cold lobster on top of hot toasted bun.). Just as an FYI, hot lobster roll has warm buttered lobster. And a cold lobster roll has mayo in it, like a salad. With this being said, I decided not to order the lobster roll since it was $22! I cringe even paying that much in Boston & Maine...so I definitely know it wouldn't be worth it here. Next, we didn't have faith in the restaurant to create a good New England clam chowder so we opted for the gumbo. It was so watery and barely had any substance to it. Maybe 3 pieces of crab meat and two piece of sausage. It was also cold when we got it. Our next dish - the ceviche. That was by far the worst dish there. It came in a small open mouth mason jar - half of it was lime juice. Way too much lime! It was so bad we had drain the octopus & scallops from all the lime juice. Total disappointment. I would rather go to the savoy for this dish. Sea scallops from Maine...I've been to Maine many many times and never has it ever been that small. It came with 3 pieces - lemme rephrase...3 small scallops. The first scallop I tasted was soooooo salty I had to drink a lot of water. Then the second piece wasn't as bad...but still undercooked. I just find it weird that all 3 pieces tasted differently. Manila clams - pretty darn bland. Soggy bread that came with it. Some of the clams still had a lot of sand in it. Our server was really friendly but I noticed that the other servers were arguing and having shit fits so I was a little annoyed and distracted by that. Overall, I don't get the hype of this place. The food wasn't good. And the prices makes it even worse. I don't mind paying a lot for seafood but the price has to match the quality.
(1)Char Y.
We came for a week day lunch after our great massages, and we ordered lobster roll - where is the lobster??? for $21 it should be packed! fried shrimp po boy - YUM! really impressed fish taco - flavorless. come on! for the price, there should be more seafood!
(3)Caitlin A.
Seafood, bourbon drinks, and local brews at it's best. Take bar to as a literal definition. It's a bar for fish and fried delicious beachside seafood! It's the best way to get seafood is in small plates. We went in as a group of 4 sharing each item together-- all amazing! Specifically crabby paddie! Stephan, I believe the manager, felt so bad because we had made 6:45 reservations and because a crowd came in and our reservations was lost. He gave us a round of drinks on the house to make up for it. We sat at the bar, ordered food, and they forgot to put in an extra order of tacos... But Again, tacos on the house! Although it would be frustrating to most, the staff were all so nice and did everything they could to make it an enjoyable, delicious experience! We will definitely go again! Yummmmmy!
(5)Paul G.
Got the lobster roll. 21. Was not good. Too much celery mayo. I was excited to try it. It was also cold. Some reason I thought it would of been warm. The cactussalad was weakkkkkk. The waitress said it was the best bang for your buck but it was like one prawn and 3 pieces of spinach. Not worth it. We got the stuffed calamari with chorizo and it was not good. The chorizo tastes liked cheap. Like it was straight out of the package and unfortunately wasn't good. Now what was good.. The rock shrimp was average but the sauce it came with was delicious. So not bad. The fried fish was great. It has crunchy leaf veggies on top and the sauce it came with was yummy. Now i think or waitress was really awesome and helpful but the food was not that good. So would I go back? Probably not. Not worth the money. We each paid 25$ and had one drink and only half the food was good. So... I'm sorry but 2 stars is all I'm giving. If you love choriZo and stuffing it in places. I'd try AVEC they have the best chorizo stuffed dates. Wow. Anyway. wouldn't go back. not worth the wait or the price. :-(
(2)Emily Z.
Sadly I have never been to the East Coast, though I know that everyone wears polo shirts and boat shoes and they only eat crab, oh and according to Wedding Crashers they love sailing too, I think. Well Fish Bar seems very East Coast to me... whatever it is I can rest assure there is nothing like it in Chicago. Pretty small little laid back joint with 4 tables and one really long bar that snakes around, the servers can reach everyone from behind the bar, though many things are communal and self serve such as paper towels and the silverware. I love the bar stools they use, each is unique as in none are the same, ha. I really wanted to try a drink, they have giant mason jars filled with what I am presuming is liquor and assorted fruits but it was moving day for us so we stuck with water served in low key mason jars as well. Me and my roomie split the lobster roll (market price ($18)). Delicious, light yet somehow rich, the bun was super crispy and yummy. She had the Tots ($2), can't mess those up, and Gumbo ($6) and I had the Little salad ($4) which was good but I was slightly caught off guard that it was served in a paper bowl thing. This place has been packed every night I have walked past it, its definitely an awesome change of pace but if you're like me and like avoiding crowds and lines as much as possible I would hit it up for lunch !
(4)Joe S.
as always.. I could not do better but.. this place is over rated. Its expensive and the food is just good..it is not great , it is not innovative. If it were 25% less in cost I would be at 4 stars but when you spend $45 for a small beer or two and 3 small plates that have nothing special to offer it's a disappointment. The truth is I think the owners DMK could do better.. serve 20% bigger portions and keep your prices. the one thing that is made incorrectly is their version of sopa de mariscos.. tastes like dish water.. I love DMK but they can do better with this place..no hard feelings ... only because the oyster Po' Boy w/ remoulade and slaw is very good and the bun is excellent..
(3)Elli T.
I had heard so many amazing amazing things about Fish Bar, so I was thrilled to try it out on a perfect early summer evening. We were seated at a communal table, which was fine by us, and were giving our order to a wonderful waitress...when the owner's son and a friend sat down next to us. Let the nightmare begin... 1. Owner's son and friend got waters and placed an order before we were given water or our drinks. 2. Owner's son was obnoxious as hell, uttering "brah" after every freaking thing he said and talking ridiculously loudly so it was impossible not to listen to every annoying word. 3. Owner's son ordered and received MASS amounts of food before we even got our APPETIZER. 4. Owner's son paid bill "using [his] mom's company credit card because it's a business expense." Meanwhile, we still hadn't received our appetizer. 5. Owner's son finally leaves, and my boyfriend's entree arrives, along with appetizer. He ordered the Hobo Dinner, which was a mix of seafood grilled in a large foil package. He loved it and started eating because we were told my fish tacos would be coming soon. 15 minutes later, my meal still hadn't arrived. So, bf closed up his foil as we waited...and waited...and waited. When my meal finally came, the waitress was incredibly apologetic and offered to take our drinks off the tab and give us a free dessert. I really appreciated that and it helped ease the painful experience. The food was good, but really hard to appreciate given the horrendous experience. That said, I will give Fish Bar another try simply because I've heard too many good things not to. Hoping for a better experience next time. One that doesn't include an obnoxious teenager.
(2)Liz C.
First off, love the crabby patty and the special salmon BLT. I also looove their drink the jackhammer. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is for the food. I think some dishes are just decent. That said, their service is awesome, as always with dmk restaurants. Seriously, they always nail it on the service part. Overall, it's definitely a great, small place to grab a bite if you're in a fish mood. Since it is small, be prepared to wait. Just sip on that jackhammer and the wait will fly.
(4)Jasmin V.
Waited about 1 hour to sit on a Friday during lent arrived around 830 pm. Got some drinks while we waited... Punch taste like Mai tai. SO GOOD! Pineapple taste like Patron. Almost straight up on ice. I was a pretty happy camper before we even ordered food. Each drink pretty small and $6 each The service was very friendly and fast. -Lobster roll: yummy but i'm not sure if it's worth $18 (market price) -Crabby patty: i preferred this over the lobster roll $11 -Rock shrimp: mmm i could eat this every day! we got it wet. nice and saucy! -Tater tots: sad it was gone too fast I really LOVED this place BUT i thought it was a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The portions are waaay too small for what you are paying. The sandwiches come alone with no sides. Sides are $2. You can easily rack up a nice bill without even realizing it, especially after drinking their amazing drinks!
(4)Brian F.
Yum! The lobster roll was just chuck full of big chunks of lobster wit a light mayo. Maybe a bit too much seasoning but disregarding the sodium overload it was a seriously tasty sandwich. I also tried their salmon tartar which was also really good. I will definitely come back here.
(4)Joseph D.
As the name implies, this is a seafood-centric place with most dishes being served as "small plates" so you can sample a number of different things at a time. Seating as others have mentioned is at a bar (hence the name Fish Bar) so it makes for a nice communal dining experience. With that in mind, the place is a bit noisy so don't bring grandma here as she'll have to hoist herself up on a bar stool and dial up the hearing aid! Might be a good place for a first date though as there is lot to look at if it's not going well and good music and energy to support it if it is. We ordered quite a number of things and all of them were either very good or excellent. So the good news is, no matter what you get, you're going to enjoy your meal. Food is served as it's ready so you may find yourself with a plate being served to you here and there which is actually good as it extends the evening (bad if you're waiting for a space) and keeps everything fresh. No one wants to eat cold fish. Yuk! One other thing to keep in mind - there is a large chalkboard showing the various dishes of the day as much of the menu varies which makes this a nice place to return to again and again (clever marketing people I tell you!) So when I talk about our dish, it may not be available when you go (and you should go). Our selections and thoughts are as follows: 1. Ceviche - tangy and well balanced with nice chunks of seafood. Ours was scallops and shrimp I believe and served with saltines. Favorite of the bunch. 2. Fish tacos - 2 crispy mini tacos served with two sauces (one green that lacked a bit of taste so I'm not ever sure what it was) and a red sauce that reminded me of sriracha hot sauce which was smoky and quite tasty! 3. Crabby patty - like other mentioned more filler than seafood but tasty none the less. I'd rather they up the price and the seafood quotient. 4. Crab Salad - green salad big enough for sharing of iceberg lettuce, crab meat and asparagus. The dressing was supposed to be a balsamic vinaigrette but perhaps it was white balsamic as it was quite tangy! I'd probably skip this in the future but it was still good. 5. Seared scallops - 3 on a plate and served with a cream sauce which was nice (rich but not too rich). 6. Key Lime Pie - creamy and a nice cracker crust. Nice way to end the meal. The above was more than enough for my wife and I to be quite full. In addition to the above, they have an nice eclectic selection of beers on tap and some top shelf liquors to do cocktails. Not sure if they have wines by the bottle or glass though as I did not see any on the list. We each had two beers and with tax, tip and the food above, dinner cost $115 so it's NOT a cheap evening. But if you think of it like going out to see a show, you can pace yourself, order one thing at a time and make the evening last, with Fish Bar serving as your entertainment. One thing to mention is the staff. SUPER friendly (the manager Stefan sat with us and talked to us and Angela our server was so nice!) so even though this place could be perceived as trendy based on its decor and food style, the vibe is definitely casual and welcoming. Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
(4)Kevin C.
There is a boat hanging from the ceiling in this restaurant, and I spent maybe 95% of dinner thinking about how horrible and amazing it would be if it fell and just ruined somebody's birthday dinner, and how many terrible boat puns would show up in Yelp reviews as a direct result. Honestly, the food was fantastic. Mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy and whitefish sandwich gumbo. Everything was delicious, tasty and fresh, the way seafood and vaginas are supposed to be.
(4)Anne M.
Oh so cute. This place has a little beach shack sort of vibe - and I mean that in the best way possible. From the exterior sky-blue walls to the outdoor picnic table eating area, to the indoor decor of fish, canoes + such, there's a down-to-earth ambiance that is the perfect setting for some fresh, small-plates of seafood. Warning: the place is tiny and maxes out quick. Get there early for dinner or anticipate a wait. I met my sister here for a Saturday dinner date, where we filled up our mini picnic table with all kinds of delectable morsels from the sea: - clam chowder (good + good size, with large pieces of clam) - shrimp cocktail (fresh + seasoned - can't go wrong) - crab salad (so light + pretty looking, with a heap of crab meat on top of the fresh greens) - house salad (also pretty - butter lettuce with a light balsamic dressing) - crab cake sandwich (awesome. decent size and nice spice / flavor) - cod fish sandwich (also awesome. a perfect little fish sammy) - tots (a tiny chalice of tots. odd presentation, okay, but my least favorite of the meal) - key lime pie (yummy. tart + served with a big dollop of whipped cream) They're small plates, okay...? [ "Lay off me I'm starving!" ]
(4)Joe B.
It was very hard for me not to go next door to DMK burger for one of my all time favorite burgers coming from a self proclaimed connoisseur but we wanted to try something new. I was not disappointed. I really wanted the full belly clams but they were out so I opted for fish fries (smelt) and an oyster po boy. Everything was so fresh and so clean like Outkast. My wife's clam chowder was one of the best soups I have tasted and comes highly recommended if you like creamy soups or chowders. The beers looked so good and ice cold served in mason jars which I really enjoy. Everything I did not order looked amazing and made me want to go back to try other things like the ceviche, tartar and oysters. Service was very nice and gave us a free app for somehow not putting our order through, I ain't mad at him or the restaurant at all. Was
(4)Hilary T.
Pretty good spot. The whitefish spread was really good as well as the oysters. There could be more added to the menu but I enjoyed it and will come back. Cute relaxing decor as well.
(4)Roxanne R.
Came here on Saturday afternoon for lunch. No wait and our pick of the outdoor seating area. I had the Punch cocktail. It was a bit too strong for my taste and you'd think with all fruit like pineapple and oj described in the description it would be a bit sweeter but it wasn't.. On to the menu. So one portion of the menu is enough for a meal and the other is tapas style. They also have a wall of specials. So I ordered the crabby sandwich $11 and my husband ordered the sea scallops also for $11 and $3 tater tots. So luckily we were not in the mood to stuff ourselves and only wanted to have "enough" food because there were only 3 scallops! Poor husband, we split our meal down in half so it was just enough. Okay let me say that they were really fresh scallops that were cooked perfectly but c'mon $11? That is a bit steep. The sandwich was really good. Probably one of the better crabcake sandwiches I'll ever have. Maybe i'll comeback when the scallops are on special but don't expect to get full off of that $11 plate.
(3)Leslie B.
Had a second experience here that trumped the first! Went in the daytime, which has a completely different vibe from at night. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar and having a Sunday Funday with my best friend. Went with Tinge of Ginge drink which was refreshing and strong! Made me remember that I had been walking in the sun for 2 hours no hydration...we had to order the rock shrimp, crispy, spicy goodness, and it was probs better than I remembered. We split the crab cake sandwich and the soft shell crab sandwich, which was on its last day at Fish Bar for the season. Both were faaaantastic. Yum. Our server, Emma, convinced us to get the key lime pie. Was I practically waddling out of Fish Bar after consuming it? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
(5)Darin C.
The po'boy is my fav! I have been here twice and so far so good! The last time I came here, my friend and I spent $50 per person because everything tasted so great and we wanted to try everything! We had a lot of food and it was definitely worth it. The lobster roll is a must try but I do prefer the po'boy. The only thing that wasn't too great were the lemon rings. Yeah, don't order the lemon rings. We also had the smores and it was pretty great since you get to roast them yourself on a small flame.
(5)Fish Y.
We had lobster sandwiches! they are good!
(5)Karlos J.
I guess I am part of the small sample that had a bad eating experience here. Seafood in the Midwest can be pretty dicey but I thought I would give this place a shot due to all of the great reviews. The hostess was friendly and seated us in a short amount of time. The server was decent too for the most part. The food is atrocious here. I grew up in New England so I may be a bit jaded. We ordered the lobster roll, fish fries, and calamari. Everything was so over seasoned and salty. The jalapenos they put in the calamari is a really odd blend too. Actually, the lobster roll was pretty decent, until I started to feel a crunch in my mouth while I was chewing which turned out to be pieces of the lobster shell! I told our server and he did apologize but really just shrugged it off. Not exactly the best way to retain customers. Needless to say I am never going back here and will not recommend this place to my friends.
(1)Hannah H.
This was a very cute place with a nautical theme. The service was great, and we tried out their famous Eastern Belly Clams (which is based on market price). It was nicely battered and seasoned well, and it was great dipping into the sauce that comes with. Tap water comes in those Ball canning jars, which was cute. Limited parking can be found around the residential area. +Eastern Belly Clams +limited street parking
(4)Barry A.
It's dismaying how waiting in line to eat is now an integral part of dining out. A line obviously creates excitement, but restaurants like Fish Bar also turn the line, and the people in it, into part of the ambience - which is humiliating. There were 2 empty tables and 7 empty spaces at the bar after we'd waited 35 minutes, but the maitre d' was not seating people - I suppose to make the line longer. The decor is what you'd expect if IKEA decorated a fish shack. We sat at the bar, next to where people line up to get drinks. We were regularly jostled by these patrons and even slammed-into by the over-stuffed backpack on a drunk and disappointed Cub fan. This must be a trend, as it's similar to the mindlessness of people who stand, blocking vestibules on el cars at rush hour. The raw oysters and my soft shell po'boy were adequate, but not good enough to justify the $40/person price. The crabs were not completely fried. The bread was well toasted and the other filling was tasty. Something especially obnoxious was that our waiter asked for our names and referred to us by name all night. This creates the same warm intimacy one feels at the Gap or Wal-Mart when greeted by the "Hello, Welcome to..." drone. Fake friendliness seems like a suburban thing. Indeed, most of the patrons look like people who grew up in the suburbs and are living in Chicago for a few years to sow their wild oats and vomit on the sidewalk.
(2)Katie G.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is because the service was good. Maybe if the chef was actually working, instead of drinking by the small bar, the food would have been better. My boyfriend and I Started with clam chowder which was good. Next, we had the tuna tartar.. Tuna was dark which is normal for fresh/real tuna but it was bland and mushy, and the unnecessary mango purée was gross and did not pair well with the tuna. For entrees we had the salmon a la plancha and the seared scallops a la plancha. I really wanted to like the scallop dish, but seriously the cooks need to learn how to cook a scallop, they were overcooked on one side and were never seared on the other side.. Excuse me Chef where are you? How could you send something like this out. As far as the salmon dish went, the salmon was ok, but the salad accompanied with it was so over salted it wasn't edible. I wanted to like this place, but unfortunately I will not be coming back here.
(2)Esther A.
Love this little place. Great seafood and drinks. I don't think I've had one dish I didn't like. It's one of those small plate places so you can order a bunch of things to share. Highly recommend the gumbo, the tuna tartare and you must get the key lime pie. Great service too. Sometimes there can be a long wait as it's super tiny, but you can grab a drink at the bar. Nice big outdoor area for when it's nice out. Dog-friendly though technically you're supposed to tie your dog to stay on the sidewalk, but they don't really mind if he ends up under your table as long as he's not in the way.
(5)John Z.
Went there on a Sunday with my wife, had a good seafood meal. We had clam chowder (good), oysters (very good), calamari (surprisingly good) and scallop tacos (disappointing). I would say we will definitely go back for the oysters and calamari. The "federal style" calamari has parmesan and banana peppers. It was surprisingly good. The drinks are definitely overpriced, but we knew that going in. I would definitely not get the tacos again, they were disappointing. We will probably be back.
(3)Yvonne H.
Micro portions, macro prices. On the menu, the prices look reasonable until you discover the dishes are tapas-style and not a meal. It's hard to review the quality of the food because there was so little of it. I ordered the redfish tacos, got two scant soft shells with a few scraps of fish. No side. Just a lime wedge and two tiny paper cups of salsa. More like an appetizer. How cute. I downed it all in about three whole bites. It seemed fresh and tasty...I think. My dining companion got the $11 crabby patty. It looked good and she liked it, but again, it was smallish and came with no fries, coleslaw, or chips. The idea is obviously to force you to get several plates in order to feel full. Also, my dish was served long before my friend's. Since it took me about 45 seconds to finish it, I was done eating by the time she got hers. Poor service. As far as the dining experience, they're trying to go for the seafood shack thing. Other reviews mention booths; either I missed them or they got rid of them, because all I saw was a U-shaped wooden counter with stools and standing counter along the wall. Cramped and uncomfortable. Unless you like communal dining where you are up close and personal with other diners and their conversations, and enjoy having the wait staff banter with them right in your ear and your face, and having to tear off a roll of paper towels in lieu of napkins, you probably shouldn't eat here. The music stopped just short of being obtrusive. Other reviewers recommended it as a date place, which is baffling. There is no sense of intimacy or privacy with your dining companion at all. Not my idea of romantic but maybe I'm different. And fair warning: If you are over 30 you will definitely be the oldest ones in the place. But I would expect that in the DePaul area. What I object to was how much I paid only to leave still hungry. The only thing I would recommend Fish Bar for is maybe to grab a beer and oysters or something before moving on to another place for your main meal. Or, as a good place to dine if you're on a diet.
(2)Jim K.
I couldn't decide between a couple of the fresh sections, so instead decided to go at it tapas style, asking the server to bring these three dishes out as came up: smoked whitefish, beet and feta salad, Satchmo PoBoy. So glad I went that rout - all were exceptional , and modest enough in both price and size to make a perfect meal. Fabulous!
(5)Adriana K.
Really love the vibe here,,but the food is mostly fried frozen seafood..Soups have been really good, and enjoy the outdoor seating once the weather gets better. Calamari is very good, but a small portion. Think they are connected to DMK, which is next door and has some great burgers as well.
(3)Bert T.
BE WARNED! The Redeye's review said they served brunch until 3 -- but they really pull that menu at 2 pm. Since I've been having a lot of trouble walking recently, I stayed anyway. I ordered the "Satchmo poor boy" -- for $12 they served me six shrimp on a hot dog bun. Nothing came with it -- just a tiny appetizer size sandwich all by itself. No fries, no slaw, not anywhere near a main dish portion.
(1)Steve V.
After eating at DMK out in the burbs I wanted to try this place. The vibe was super chill as expected and the seating was pretty interesting. The waiters were prompt and extremely flexible with multitasking. Whether it was communicating with the customers while cleaning, or remembering the order without writing it down. Ordered a Satchmo Po'boy and a Crabby Patty (because of sponge bob of course) and was not disappointed. The sandwiches were both perfectly balanced. The spectrum of all the flavors were just so... So great guys. You gotta go, you just got to go. Keep up the good work guys. I can't wait to go to the other DMK restaurants.
(5)Caroline J.
This is the second time I've been to Fish Bar - however, first time I just enjoyed a few drinks sitting outside in the summer. My boyfriend and I dropped in on a Tuesday night so it was definitely not crowded. We could sit wherever we wanted so we grabbed a booth. Our waitress was very friendly and greeted us immediately. However, when we were each torn between a few menu items she didn't really seem to have an opinion about any of them, except to say they were all good. Not a problem or anything, but I would have loved a suggestion! After we ordered food we decided to get a few beers, so my boyfriend ordered his. Right after he was done, she walked away. I had to flag her down to then order my beer. Again, not a huge problem, but it seems odd to not ask the other person if they'd like anything. The only other service aspect that bothered me (and this is just me being me) was that she kept pronouncing "pollack" like the derogatory name for Polish people. You're in Chicago - maybe you don't want to go around announcing you're frying up Polish people. I got the spicy mahi mahi sandwich and my boyfriend got the satchmo po' boy. Both were SO tasty. Mine was the perfect amount for me and easily one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. His was equally delicious, but definitely left him needing more food. For the price, I wish we would have gotten some kind of side with the sandwich so he didn't feel the need to run over to DMK after. Overall, the food and beer was great. I love the atmosphere of this place. The service could be improved a bit, as could the amount of food you get for the prices. Our waitress did give us coupons for a free drink each when we came back, which was very nice of her. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but might have a little pre-meal snack at home!
(3)Jessica R.
Too expensive for the small portions. The Calamari was really good though! Excellent service!
(3)Cuitlahuac F.
If you like seafood this place will not disappoint. Anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong. The fish tacos are amazing and the dollar oysters at night are dope. I could put down two dozen.
(5)Jennifer K.
Stopped by here for lunch one of the days my bf and I visited Chicago. Was recommended here by a coworker. Everything was delicious here. We ordered clam chowders, ceviches, ahi tartare, and the famous lobster roll. Everything was a bit pricey for the portions that they served. But it all tasted so good, left us wanting more!! Def worth it to try this place out! I will go back if I visit Chicago again!
(4)Molly D.
My husband and I have had this place on our list to try for months. Because they don't take reservations for 2 people we waited until it was nice enough to wait outside with a drink. We arrived at about 7:00pm and, as expected, were told there was about a 30 minute wait. We decided to order some cocktails to pass the time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a cute bar setting. It makes you feel like you have left the city and are in a restaurant in a lake or ocean vacation town. I ordered a "Three Hour Tour" which was served in style in a mason jar. It was a bit on the expensive side but it was tasty. After waiting the 30 minutes we were seated at the bar and began ordering food. The food is served as small plates so you are able share and to try a lot of different things. While we were waiting for our first small plates to come out, one of the hostesses came over and asked if we would be ok moving to a different area (I guess another group that had reserved for 4 people actually ended up having 5 so the table they reserved for them was too small). We agreed to move to the table. I'm glad we moved since it didn't really matter where we were sitting because about 5 minutes later they sent out two complimentary oyster shooters for us as a "thank you" for being flexible. You have to appreciate when restaurants go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy. The oyster shooters were good, the oyster was a decent size at the bottom of the shot glass and the shooter liquid had the right amount of spice and good flavor. Anyways, back to the food, the small plates started arriving: calamari, fish tacos, fried shrimp, garlic bread, and steamed mussels. Everything was delicious. We would definitely go back again when craving small plates of seafood in a fun atmosphere and I would recommend this restaurant to family/friends. The only reason I gave Fish Bar 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt for the amount of food you got the prices were a little too high. Other places in the area that serve small plates like Girl and the Goat, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, or Quartino also serve seafood, and in my experience you get more food or the prices are lower if the portions are on the smaller side.
(4)Shannon K.
Don't mistake the 3 stars, this place is more like 3.5 pushing 4 stars. I am still working my way through the menu and as I do I imagine my "update" will include an extra star. It's becoming one of my favorite lunch spots, I'm just a tough judge of seafood because I have lived in San Fran and Boston. They pull that shit right out of the sea on the coasts! The food is solid. I have had the tartare, fish tacos (on special), one of the sandwiches, and the oysters. And the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno is delish. I need to check out the ceviche (one of my favorite foods) and carpaccio next! The staff is super friendly and incredibly good looking. I always ask their favorites and they tell me and they tell me why they like what they like. I like. Each time I have been there they always throw in an extra oyster or give me a card for an oyster shooter on my next visit. Nice touch. The place is small, but super cute. Love the hanging wooden canoe. Love the two seafood bars with stools, love being able to see the chefs, love all the windows, love the sidewalk seating (in warmer months). It's less than a block from the Wellington EL stop. And I always feel comfortable if I pop in and dine alone. Definitely yummy and worth checking out!
(3)Clayton B.
Another great Dmk restaurant! This place is always packed as the dining room is very small. They have made efficient use of the small space inside with a horseshoe bar and a few booths. Outside there's a decent size patio along Wellington. My service has been great both times I've been here. Lindsey at the bar was great. She was busy but seemed attentive to every guest. The food here is tapas style so the portions are definitely not large but I think the price is reasonable for the quality. I ordered the shrimp and octopus ceviche to start. It was very acidic but that's right up my alley. It reminded me of Mediterranean tabbouleh with the onions, parsley, and celery. After that I had the sea scallops..... SO SO good. Only three scallops (I could have eaten 20) but cooked to perfection. I originally was going to give this place four stars because the menu isn't very big, but then I realized they have a seasonal menu on the board that changes due to market. Ill be back!
(5)Ariel L.
****2.5 stars*** $19 for an average lobster roll? I don't think so. AVOID the lobster roll, it is so not worth the money. If you ever been to the east coast and had one, you will be very disappointed. I also ordered the mussels and the grilled calamari. Both of those were quite good, but the portions were quite small. Had I gone in with a full appetite, I could have easily run up the bill to $50 (without libations). The place itself is cute, but the chairs at the bar are awfully uncomfortable. Try and snag one with a back, or you will be walking funny on the way out. Servers were friendly and they brought us out a fried oyster with their special sauce. That may have been the best part off the meal. I have to say i'd probably prefer to go to the Half Shell on Diversy if it was one or the other, but i'm glad i tired the place. I won't be rushing back.
(3)Stephanie M.
If you are looking for a restaurant with delicious food and a unique atmosphere, Fish Bar is a great choice. The decor is very north eastern fishing shack with wood panel walls, chalkboards and a canoe hanging from the ceiling. The majority of the seating inside is stools around bar tops behind which your waitress takes and serves your order. There is also a great outdoor area when the weather is nice enough. The food here is great! Very fresh and flavorful seafood from BBQ frog legs to salmon BLT, everything is tasty. The drinks are one of my favorite parts, fitting in the theme of the restaurant they are exactly what you would picture holding while sitting on the porch and staring at the sea. Everything is served as a "small plate", even the drinks are pretty small, and can be a little pricey for the amount you get, but always tastes great!
(4)Holly R.
I wanted to like Fish Bar. I really, really did. The decor is seriously so adorable. It's like a little fishing shanty! And literally my mouth was watering at the menu. But when everything I ordered arrived (ceveche, crab salad), I needed a gallon of water to wash it all down. It was SO SALTY. I love seafood. It's my fave. I was so excited when Fish Bar came in to town, but I honestly don't know if I would go back.
(3)Ana W.
There is literally nothing wrong with this place - unless you hate waiting for a table at restaurants (which is pretty unavoidable on a Friday or Saturday night in this neighborhood). My boyfriend and I come here ALL THE TIME - we come for date night just us two, bring friends on occasion, and have even brought our parents here - you can't go wrong! Fish Bar is unique because rather than a bunch of small tables scattered throughout the restaurant, they made the most of the space and have three "bar seating" arrangements, all in U-shapes where the waitress is in the middle and can easily serve the people at that particular bar. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend bringing a large group unless you're going to sit outside (did I mention they have a great front patio?) The wait has never been unbearably long, and it's pretty painless when you order one of their specialty cocktails - always refreshing during the summer and pair nicely with the food (definitely order the #6 - bourbon something?!)! At restaurants I usually stick to my favorite dish, but Fish Bar constantly has new specials that I always just have to try! About a month ago I had the special fish tacos, which were super flavorful and even though there are only two were pretty satisfying! The last time I went (last Friday) we ordered the frogs legs which had buffalo sauce on them and were super different and delicious (don't be shy people, they literally taste like chicken)! For my main plate I got the salmon BLT which had some amazing celery mayo on it and was just what I wanted! The hostess is usually the same super cute, super friendly girl and the waitresses are no different - always real and make you feel right at home! And unlike some restaurants I have been to lately, they genuinely know about the food and the restaurant in general - it's nice to see people actually enjoy what they're doing (or doing a really good job pretending they do!). Fish Bar isn't the cheapest place in town, but there's a reason for it. I have yet to find another place that even comes close to matching the fantastic food, service and atmosphere here.
(5)Melanie S.
The crowds have kept me away from Fish Bar since its opening, but that all changed this past weekend. We were planning on heading next door to DMK, but it was late afternoon and since Fish Bar was virtually empty, we headed there instead. A late lunch is the perfect time to go; save for one table of four, there was no one else there. We took a seat at one of the two bars. I love the casual vibe of this place --silverware in glasses, and condiments laid across the counter. We started with a round of drinks: A $2 PBR and an "Old School" cocktail. The cocktails ($5), are served in mini Mason jars, hence their cheap price tag. We ordered a half dozen oysters, and were asked if we wanted East Coast, West Coast, or a combination. We ordered all East Coast and six plump beauties arrived with all the adornments: mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon, and horseradish. I don't eat oysters, but the report was that they were very good and fresh. We moved on to fried calamari, "Federal Hill" style. Federal Hill is an Italian neighborhood in Providence, RI that I'm familiar with as I visit RI a couple times a year. As expected, the calamari has an Italian touch and is served with pepperoncini and grated parmesan. The peppers added a nice kick and the parmesan added a nice saltiness. I had my doubts when I saw the parmesan, but it really worked. The calamari itself was lightly breaded, perfectly crispy, and not at all chewy or rubbery. In fact, it was so good, we immediately ordered a second one. I'll admit, my raison d'etre for trying Fish Bar was to sample the lobster roll and I'm happy to report that it was stellar. Imagine a lightly toasted bun, dressed ever so gently with celery mayo, and positively overflowing with huge chunks of succulent lobster and that's what I ate. It was so luscious and decadent. If you're a seafood restaurant and you're only going to serve one dessert, by god, that dessert better be key lime pie. And that's all that Fish Bar has on its menu. But this isn't just any old key lime pie; this is key lime pie supplied by none other than Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate fame. It's probably my second favorite key lime pie. It's a generous slice served with barely whipped cream. It's the ideal finish. I'm not sure if the great and friendly service was a result of the lack of crowd, but our server, Marina, was so personable that we stayed and chatted long after our meal was over. She even gave us cards for two free drafts next door at DMK, where she also works. Yep, I'm on board with Fish Bar. Can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. It's a rousing 4.5 stars.
(4)Debbie F.
First class service that deserves 5 stars. Everything else about the restaurant does not. -Very tiny portions (see pictures) for exorbitant prices -Fresh ingredients, but flavours are not memorable -Patrons are irritating enough to ruin the experience The quest for fresh, affordable seafood in America's Midwest continues.
(3)Mike W.
I have to say I was not impressed. I lives on the east coast for a few years and was up in cape cod vacationing, nothing here came close to the seafood I had out there in diners. I also don't like the fact that almost everything they serve is just fried. That combined with huge wait times I won't be back. There are plenty of fish in the sea, this one's not for me :(
(3)Belle L.
Gumbo -- I came for Gumbo. I dare you to search for the bits and pieces of andouille sausage with a spec of blue crab. Rice was a tad uncooked. Too soupy. You have to be in New Orleans to enjoy good gumbo. Eastern belly clam -- caution: it can get clammy even fried. Not all but some. Its how it's cook and how it is position or floating on fryer. Uniformly battered. Tater Tots -- perfect crunch. Well seasoned. Nothing special. Looks like one of the frozen selections at grocery store. Home made tartar sauce. The ketchup packets for the tots reminded me of the 2001 Kate and Leopold movie: "You shake and shake the ketchup bottle. None will come, and then a lot'll." using ketchup as a mask for bad food. Excellent service. The moment I put down my lemonade, Sonja immediately asked me for refill. Impressive. 6 types of hot sauce. Tested and enjoyed Trappy's. Excellent drinks list from beer to cocktail at a reasonable price with cosmopolitan sophistication. Warning: Seat Thyself. No sign. No one will tell you. Will go back again for p'o boy, Manila clams and fish/chips.
(3)ProjectChitown I.
Meh. The ambiance of a small place on the beach. Staff is friendly but not super attentive. The portions are super small and really don't justify the cost. If you have had a good lobster roll - pass on it here. It's underwhelming and not worth $22. Your better off getting the Satchmo Po' Boy - pretty good. Hush Puppies are another pass. Biggest disappointment was the ceviche! It was probably the worst we have ever had. The marinated citrus juice tasted like it came out of a grocery bottle. It was really off, almost rancid. We still think GT is the place to go...never a disappointment.
(2)Liz K.
I haven't been here since last spring -- but I really like this place. It's a bit pricey but the food is pretty damn tasty. My boyfriend and I both had the satchmo po boy, I believe, and shared some oysters. The oysters were fresh and they had a decent variety to choose from. The po boy, though, was amazing. 10 dollars for a sandwich is a little crazy, but this one was stuffed full and all of the seafood tasted fresh. You'll have a long wait here on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday -- but there are great cocktails that make the wait a bit easier.
(4)Kate G.
This place is awesome! Loved the atmosphere, although it made me slightly sad I wasn't vacationing in a beach town somewhere. Even though I'm not a huge shrimp fan, I felt compelled to order the satchmo po' boy and was not disappointed. The shrimp and crawfish was cooked perfectly and didn't have the gummy texture I despise. The breading they use is also delicious. My boyfriend got the crabby patty which was also good. We also split the lemon, onion and jalapeno, which we enjoyed immensely. Definitely will be returning here in the future to try some of the other dishes!
(4)Jackie C.
I've wanted to go here for a while! So when I finally got here, the taste of the food was slightly disappointing, the drinks were Fantastic.. The drinks were so cute being served in mason jars, and a good value for your money (6$/drink). I had one with tequila, and it was perfect- not too sweet! Our server was awesome! So cute and attentive! The other servers were great too! They all checked on us throughout the service to make sure we were doing ok- (just the right amount of times). Some highlights in the food: tartare, and the special salmon, and clams (in this delish bisque!). The lobster roll was fair; this is because it comes on an extra-large roll that overtakes the lobster that's inside... I would go back, (they do have outside seating!) with a little extra cash in my pocket or maybe after an appetizer or 2 from somewhere else...
(3)Stephanie H.
It's ok. I put Fish Bar in the same category as DMK (see my review) in that it's a great concept, but just not executed well. The actual restaurant is very small. Most seats are around a bar, there are a few booths. Large groups will not work here. The menu is subject to change quite a bit depending what's available and is fresh off the market- which is nice. Thanks to my fellow yelpers I was cautious of the prices. So I opted to stay away from the crab cake and lobster roll although the latter was so tempting (but at $19?!). I got the Manila Clams which were very tasty. Having been around the seafood block several times, I know it's common to have a bit of a grit, but the last clam in the pot was full of grit, a bit of a delayed beach vacation. It happens, but again this wasn't a little, it was a lot. I also ordered the shrimp salad. I hesitate to call it a salad because it was so small. Think of the salads you get in economy class on an airplane, now picture it with 2 big prawns on top. What a bummer. My waitress offered to get me another piece of garlic bread that comes with the salad, but I said no as even the bread wasn't very good. The salad was tasty, but I was still hungry. The people on either side of me got the crab cake sandwich and it was so so small- think of a slightly larger slider. I decided to leave and get a slice of Chicago's on the way home when the manager came by. I mentioned the gritty clam and how the food was fine, but not great. He offered me a sample of the salmon carpacchio which was nice. I really appreciated how he professionally handled my feedback. One thing I forgot to mention was that at times the music is waaaaaay too loud in there. To sum it up- it's not bad, but it's not great. I will consider trying it again in the summer.
(3)marco o.
Very tasty food, outdoor seating, great drinks, but balanced out with OK service and silly prices ($3 for 7 tater tots, really?). All the food we got was good, but too expensive for the portions received. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, but everything took way too long. Not sure if she was spacey or they were understaffed, but it got sort of silly.
(3)Nikki A.
This place is the real deal; great quality on the seafood and superb service. The decor is cute (I love the mason jars) and it's a small place, but they just set up their outside patio service yesterday so hurrah, more seats. Everything is tasty. Booze/alcohol selection is seasonal and small but they know exactly what goes well with their food. Our server actually gave us a sample of the ginger-infused cocktail and it was delicious. Their tap beers rotate very frequently, so if you like yummy craft beers with your seafood, this is the place!
(4)Matt B.
This is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Fresh, simple and creative small plates of seafood. The clam chowder and gumbo are outstanding. The staff is amazing. Friendly, intelligent, and well informed. Nice beer selection and creative cocktail selection. If you're looking to study a wine list, this is not the place. There are two wine choices, Spanish Red, and Chilean white. Both very good though. The ambiance is "diner/bar style". 2 very small booths. During nice weather, they have picnic tables set up outside. Highly recommended. Not really kid friendly, no high chairs available. Remember, it is a BAR. However, we brought our 2 year old and met friends with their 5 and 3 year olds. We called ahead and showed up early for dinner on a Sunday evening at 5 pm. The staff was friendly, patient and accommodating.
(5)julie q.
Yay! I'm a fan!! I really like this place and for one huge reason - I'm not committed to buying a $15 piece of fish that I may or may not like. I can pay $15 for two or three small portions of stuff and if I don't like it, it's not a huge deal. I like the idea of the seafood tapas. Everything we had was fantastic. The carpaccio, tartare, clam chowder, po boys, rock shrimp, scallops, and gumbo were great. The cocktails were tasty and potent. It's a very small place but we had reservations on a Thursday and we got seated right at our reservation time. I like this place very much and we'll definitely be back.
(4)Beata M.
I am pescatarian and this place always hits the spot with the unique and delicious seafood and fish dishes! The drinks are awesome too! The staff is always very friendly and helpful!
(5)Kathleen C.
Upon entering Fish Bar, I had to check to see if I was still in Chicago...this is one of the cutest restaurants and you really feel that you're in another spot (even in the winter!). Seated at the bar, we were quickly greeted (though I can see why you can't bring groups here - the bar is really awesome, but you definitely can't seat a group larger than 4 unless you really dislike half of the group and don't want to speak/see them). The meal started with Ball jars of drinks (love the Ball jars!) and a super friendly server. We also received some fried artichokes to start (the group next to us received ceviche as a 'treat'). The lobster roll was delicious, though I'm a bit of a purist (I could go for just plain mayo...). It is pricey, but huge and delicious. The oyster po boy..also wonderful. All in all, it's a bit expensive, which is why I dropped a star, but it's a great spot and I can't wait to return. Oh - also, get some take out - it comes with a beer!
(4)Matthew J.
Coming from Boston were you regularly eat Lobster Rolls I was nervous about having one in the Midwest.... Fish Bar was incredible... Our server Celeste was amazing, friendly, knowledgable and beautiful.. Food came out quick and every dish was perfection. Ill definitely be back again and again!!!
(5)Mary T.
When my dining partner said he wanted seafood, we settled on Fish Bar solely based on the posted photos. I would urge Fish Bar to give their website a little love; when we looked at the site, every menu link errored out and today, the URL has expired. Fortunately, the place lived up to the Yelp pics we drooled over. When we arrived for an early dinner on Sunday, the inside was completely empty and the patio was only half-full. By the time we left, things had filled in considerably. Both of us were a little surprised by the interior, which is three smaller booths and one long counter that snakes around the place. That said, when the patio is closed, it's probably not ideal for parties of more than 4. I wish I recalled our server's name, but she was really nice. While we perused the menu, she gave us a sample of the salmon tartare served on saltines. She also wasn't afraid to share her opinion, so we got the most out of our meal. We started out with drinks, the frog legs and the rock shrimp. To drink, I ordered #3 Old School, which comes in a baby mason jar. Maybe I'm bad with innuendo, but I didn't get the description had to ask what type of booze was in it (tequila). Made with grapefruit juice and lime, it has a clean refreshing taste; I think grapefruit haters would even like this drink. Of our starters, we both agreed the rock shrimp served wet (at our server's recommendation) were our favorite, although I would've liked a little more sriracha to give it a bigger kick. The frog legs, served buffalo style, were...interesting and messy. I've always heard they taste like chicken, but they had a fish-like flavor to me; I was glad I tried them, but I don't think I'd order them again. For our main meal, we split the Satchmo Po' Boy and the Cod Sandwich. Of the two, I think I preferred the cod sandwich. This ain't no McFish; for starters the cod patty actually resembles the shape of a fish. Toss in some Old Bay seasoning and you've got a great sandwich. The po' boy was tasty too, but a bit heavy for my liking; I think the buttery bun sent me over the top. Overall it was very tasty, stuffed with shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles and really balanced out the flavors. It took us a while to decide what to order, which means we have plenty of reasons to come back! It doesn't hurt that we got cards for a free drink too.
(4)Brett F.
Fish Heads Fish Heads Roly Poly Fish Heads Fish Heads Fish Heads Eat Them Up, Yum! And eat them up I did! This fish was nothing short of delish, yo. Whether you're looking for a healthier fish experience via raw tartare or carpaccio preparations of the fresh daily catch, or a full out, steamy, deep fryer extravaganza, it's all here for the catching at Fish Bar. Get in early and avoid the wait time at this (mostly) counter-only hot spot. Dinner rushes bring considerable lines with them and the only lines this lassie likes are the ones in the water with bait on the end! While it's items like the light and crispy fried Eastern Belly Clams and a true classic, the Maine Lobster Roll, that have solidified a place in my sea lovin' heart for Fish Bar, the unparalleled Codfish sandwich is truly where it's all at. All you need to do is just take one look at its glorious photo to see what I mean... golden brown, glistening cod on a superdupersoft bun nestled sky high in between crunchy lettuce, fresh tomato, tangy tartar sauce and melty American cheese... Wowzer! It's an undoubted thing of beauty and ten times effing tastier. love. Love. LOVE. A nice assemblage of cocktails (try the Negroni Baloney), beer (hellooo Goose Island Matilda) and - let me not forget! - the terrifically tasty tots that round out this fabulously fishy feast. Grab your sea legs, it's time to eat!
(4)Carol K.
Was it crowded? Yep. But worth the wait? You betcha! Fish Bar is a casual take on an east coast type seafood eatery. No frills, that's for sure, for this down and dirty, sit at the counter or at a picnic table outside, restaurant, has a limited menu with specials changing daily. We put our names in, and then rather than stand in the melee, we decided to walk down the block and have a drink at Kirkwood before heading back to the Fish Bar where our timing was perfect! We were seated at the counter on a couple of the rickiest stools I have ever sat on, and after a few "jiggles" to make sure the darn thing wasn't going to collapse on me, I began to look over the menu. We wanted to taste a range of food so we ordered a little of this and that. The server will tell you that the serving sizes are smallish so that you may want to order a few things per person. We ordered the rock shrimp (fried but good), bluefish spread (a little salty), grilled octopus (wish I had gotten two) and the lobster roll (very fresh and tasty!). The perfect amount for a light dinner. And while they were out of domestic beer and could only offer craft beers on tap, we were fine with a mixed cocktail to go along with all of that. The noise level is high- so know before you go that this is not going to be a quiet date night out. And the food comes up quickly to get you in and out so lingering in really not encouraged. Our bill was about $60 for the two of us including cocktails. If I had a wish- it would be for a view of the ocean outside of the windows instead of the cars cruising up and down Sheffield. But since that's not going to happen- I'll settle for squinting my eyes, pretending to see waves crashing and just imagining the calls of seagulls in the air!
(4)aldrich b.
I would definitely come back for the food, but not for the wait. Our party of 4 waited an hour to eat at the counter. The place is really small, and most of the seating is at the counter with like 4 booths only. We were cold, hungry, and desperate to try this place. I love seafood, and being in chicago away from the ocean, you don't get the best and freshest stuff. So I have to try every new place to see if it can rival the seafood I've had from the east and west coasts. We ordered the lobster roll, the rock shrimp, the tail-on shrimp, tater-tots, and the clam chowder....i know, don't judge me. I have to admit that the food was really good, and the lobster roll is legit. My friend friend that was with us, who is originally from Maryland, said the same thing...."their lobster roll is the real deal." It's awesome, just the right balance of citrus and mayo....not heavy at all, with great contrast in texture between the soft lobster meat and the crunch of the celery. The roll that they serve it on is nice and buttery....mouth just salivated, excuse me. I've never had an $18 sandwich before, but I'd pay for that sandwich again. Everything else was good also: the chowder was full of seafood and flavor, the shrimp was adequate...definitely prefered the rock shrimp vs the tail-on. Bottom line, I would go back to this place when it's less busy and i will have that lobster roll again. I would say it's worth a 10-15 min wait. Wish this place was a little bigger so the wait isn't so long.
(4)Frank R.
This has been on my shortlist of places to try since it opened, and last night I personally verified all of the extremely positive reviews by having not just a dinner, but a feast. I called ahead for reservations, but they let me know that this probably wouldn't be necessary and that they only accept them for the booths off to the side for parties of 3 or more. Even though I was going with two other friends, we had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar upon arrival. I am a big fan of DMK next door, and I was impressed with the layout the two owners used for this space, but the dining area to kitchen/bar area made me chuckle; the restaurant is clearly an experimental culinary lab for the owners and the layout and operation reflects this. The silverware, condiments, and appetizer plates are all self-serve. However, you come to appreciate the no-frills feel, and the decor and atmosphere more than made up for the somewhat cramped space. I'd just hate to see what the place looks like during peak hours. For starters, my friend and I ordered from an impressive beer list, which wasn't extensive but had something for everyone's preferences. I had the Blanche du Bruxelles, a witbier that recalled a richer Allagash White. The menu also had a nice selection of summery mixed drinks, so fear not if you're not the beer type. After ordering drinks, it became apparent that service would be ridiculously good, as our waiter was friendly but not intrusive, helpful but not condescending. Usually someone my age (21) isn't given the best service by wait staff, but not so with Fish Bar. We then proceeded to order fried calamari for a group appetizer. The waiter warned the servings were on the smaller side, which was about true for the calamari, but all three of us got a good sample, which was fried in a great breading and topped with extremely flavorful jalapeños and banana peppers. I also ordered a cup of the clam chowder, which was hearty, rich, and loved by all three of us; we'd decided at this point that we were pretty much splitting everything since it was all so delicious. After we finished the appetizers and ordered our main courses, we were greeted by one of the managers, who was again extremely welcoming without being overbearing or interrupting our experience. More to come on him later, but now back to the food. For the main course, we all tried to order relatively dissimilar items to appease our interests. My two friends ordered the Crabby Patty (just like SpongeBob) and the Fried Oyster Po'-boy, respectively, while I went with the special, whitefish a la plancha, which was pan fried in a light crust and topped with olive oil, chili flakes, and microgreens. The Crabby Patty was excellent, with so much flavor and color to it that I had to slow my chewing to really savor it. I didn't get to try the Po'-boy, but my friend's sounds of enjoyment really said it all, and she only made it through half. We were also given an order of the garlic bread gratis by the waiter, which to my surprise was a large, soft half loaf which was toasted to perfection and topped with shredded parmesan; it reminded me of french toast or even a cinnamon roll in how soft the bread was. My fish was excellent as well. The crust was bursting with a tangy flavor that really enhanced the already wonderful, light flavor and texture of the underlying whitefish. The chili flakes added a nice spice, and all I really needed to add was a pinch of sea salt (one of the self-serve condiments, which is still in the large canister that they're shipped in). After this veritable smorgasbord of delicious food, we were all stuffed, but had to inquire about dessert, which they let us know was key lime pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, both excellent, summery choices. Alas, we were too full. No pie this time, although there was one more delicious item coming our way when the manager I mentioned before brought out some of the new tartare they were preparing, which was juicy and packed with flavor without being too overbearing on my already exhausted palette, even on the saltines it came with. Then, as if this wasn't enough, the manager talked us through their summer menu and how it differs from what they've previously had and then gave us his business card for free oyster shooters the next time we came in. I work in retail and realize you should invite customers back in, but the demeanor and non-pretentious attitude both the waiter and manager had felt extremely sincere, and this is a rarity in the service industry for me. Fish Bar was a fantastic experience in every aspect for the three of us. I went in with extremely high expectations and even they were exceeded. I hate to be such an idealist about this (because really, it's just food, right?) but this type of experience is why I'm glad I moved to Chicago. I wish there was a "fuck yeah" button next to the five stars up top so I could click it. I couldn't recommend Fish Bar more.
(5)Sam B.
Fresh, wild caught seafood. Great service. Will definitely be returning, I just wish there was more seating inside!
(5)Dean K.
I shouldn't do this because I want the crowds to die down but fair is fair. This place is outstanding. Best, freshest seafood I've had in Chicago, ever. I had 3 orders of oysters, white tuna carpaccio, garlic bread, tater tots, gumbo, and a bunch of other stuff. I couldn't stop ordering (maybe that's why the manager gave me his card before we left). The bartender/server was super cool too. My non-fish-eating girlfriend had the BLT and it was great. I am so fortunate to be able to walk to this place and I'll be doing it as often as I can.
(5)Alex F.
I'm kind of over the tapas trend in chicago, but although the portions are small at fishbar, but the food was fresh and tasty... and i like the setup.
(4)Audrey S.
Go here if 1) it's before 6pm on the weekend, 2) you're up for a couple of snacks, 3) want a couple of beers/cocktails. No, it's not cheap, but that's because the fish is fresh. The place is small, so get there early (we went around 4m on a Saturday and had no problem getting a seat). All the servers are awesome and overall it's an excellent place. Just manage your expectations.
(4)Kerry M.
Fish Bar is a really cool little place with wonderful food. I would not, however, recommend this place for a group larger than four. There just isn't room. This restaurant is teeny tiny, and most everyone (with the exception of a handful of booths) is seated at a winding bar/counter top. My friend and I hit this place on a Wednesday night. Turned out to be a great decision, as we got seated immediately. The food, is excellent. We had the ceviche, the seafood salad, and the gumbo. All, were delicious. Everything was really fresh and tasty. Bob Marley was blasting the entire time we were there, which made the mood inside very relaxed and cheerful. The service was good, and the ambience was better, but the food was the stand out, as it should be. Go now, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Jonathan W.
Very very very good. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey. The portions are small, and they should be, but are still a little pricey for what they are, even given the quality. The lobster roll was expensive but worth every penny. Amazing. Also the drinks are microscopic.
(4)Charlene S.
We've been hearing all the hype and were kinda turned off to come here. We didn't want to fight the crowds on a Friday night after the Cubs home opener. But we risked it and glad we did. The hubs and I were immediately seated at a communal bar served by 1 waitress. Cozy, but the loud guy next to us with the handlebar stache was a bit obnoxious and I didn't like hearing his conversation and him gawking at whatever we ordered. We ordered a lobster roll and it was DELICIOUS! Fresh, cool lobster with a little kick on a toasty roll with remoulade sauce that was refreshing and very complimentary. The hubs had the cod sandwich, which he thought was bland, but the tarter sauce added to its flavor. I defended... maybe they're trying to be purists and not overwhelm the cod with seasoning. The cod on its own was very fresh and tasty. That seems plausible because of the other dishes we got. Very simple, very true to flavor. We also got the octopus a la plancha. Two little octupusses or octopi (hmmmmm?) grilled and served with a little lemon sauce and microgreens. Very simple. Very delicious. The hubs got the lobster bisque. He didn't enjoy it too much. Not like the usual tomato type reduction salty and savory... This one was sweeter, gravy brown looking in color, with corn and fresh lobster... which was pretty generous. Just not what we were anticipating. I got the clam chowder and explained to the hubs that I thought this was the best clam chowder I ever had... scallions, creamy slightly spicy, didn't congeal on top, well cooked not mushy potatoes, and fresh clams... oh so good. It was a bit loud in there and when it filled up, the chatter and music got overwhelming. There was a crowd that soon developed (after 5:30p on a Fri) and were standing around waiting. But the turnover seems pretty quick, cuz the stools aren't comfortable and you feel weird sitting there enjoying a beer or 2 or 3. It doesn't have that inviting atmosphere cuz people are waiting. But someone came out and started handing out little samples of their specialty beer so that probably made the wait more bearable and my husband forgot about how much he didn't like the lobster bisque.
(4)Patrick M.
Stumbled across this joint and walked in and ordered raw oysters and Hendrick's and gin. Beverages served in a mason jar (plus!). The raw oysters were fresh, and perfect consistency. Tater tots were crisp, NOT mushy and piping hot. Finally, the key lime pie is other worldly. Have no idea what they put in that crust. Damage was a little $$$ for lunch, but this was my best stop in 5 days of exploring Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Little Italy, and elsewhere.
(5)TaipeiGal N.
it's a cute place with long lines. food is fresh but i hit a wall eating the same way of preparation. its fun to check out once. Dont keep ordering the fried ones. You will feel ewwww like me.
(3)Mark N.
Original plan was to visit Taste of Chicago but to our dismay it ended at 6pm on the final day. A friend recommended we try out Fish Bar so we all met there. Small dining room, so we waited it out by ordering some drink cocktails made by the manager Sasha. The #2 Tea was delicous and I convinced all my arriving friends to try one or 3. We ordered NE Clam Chowder, soft shell crab, calamari and ordered (and re-ordered) many rounds of oysters, both the west coast and east coast variety. The atmosphere and service were outstanding, we all forgot all about the Taste of Chicago. Will visit again and again!
(5)Jeanine h.
I didn't think it was worth the cost. Food is good, but not spectacular. Small portions and over priced.
(2)Brad N.
Not pretentious, good food, good beer, good (and inventive) layout, nice and helpful staff, reasonable prices for the most part...overall, very nicely done.
(5)Christine J.
I enjoyed my first time dining experience at Fish Bar. The vibe is casual, where you sit on stools around a silver metal bar. But it feels trendy still. I scoffed a little at the prices when I saw the menu. $9 for 3 ounces of fried clams? Besides the price though, the food was quite good. High quality ingredients, fried items were hand battered and deep fried fresh. And their key lime pie was very tasty. I felt portions were on the small side, so getting something hearty like the gumbo or the po' boy is a must. Good service, I'll be back, but not too often.
(4)Alex M.
Have to order an oyster shooter. Fried clam bellies and oyster po boy were amazing. Great beer too.
(4)Katie P.
The newest seafood joint in Chicago, Fish Bar, definitely hit the mark with the design of the interior. Imagine an east coast lobster shack meets New Orleans. The layout features almost all counter seating (there are three booths, if you are lucky enough to grab one) which works out well for a quick lunch but would be a bit tricky for a nice dinner or busy saturday night. Although the design of Fish Bar was fairly authentic (for a merging of two coast, anyways), the visit went downhill from there. We had the fried clams which were pretty good but the portion size was fairly skimpy(3.5 pieces, literally) for the price. We also tried the Maine lobster roll and the 'catch of the day'; trout. The lobster roll came on the correct roll; split down the center with buttery-toasted sides but was completely over-seasoned with celery salt and old bay seasoning. The lobster and mayo mixture was watery, leaving me to believe the meat had been frozen, and definitely not worth the $18.00 market price. A true east coast lobster roll has to stand by the idea of simplicity and purity, no seasonings, toasted bun, and either cold meat with mayo or warm with drawn butter. Let the fabulous taste of the fresh meat shine, don't mask it. The trout was served well after the lobster roll came out and after the first bite I noticed it was completely raw still. I had to send it back and have them cook me a new piece which resulted in me eating quite a bit after everyone else was finished. I wish I could say the service was great and completely made up for these huge goof-up's but at the end we were left without an apology(!) and a full priced bill. see the full review on my blog: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…
(2)Gwanda P.
Small portions calls for a lovely brunch, lunch and even a nice lite dinner! The Mahi Mahi starter slider, the salmon BLT (I ordered it without bacon) and the PUNCH drink is what I ordered! The Mahi Mahi sliders are $3 each....well worth ordering two or three....My friends ordered a lite trout and white fish grilled. Sides are ordered separately! ALL yum-me!
(5)Lauren R.
Stopped in here on a snowy Sunday afternoon for some oysters & beers. The Stingray oysters (from VA) were on special for $1.50 a pop. Usually when oyster bars have deals on oysters, they give you the small ones that hardly have any meat. Here at Fish Bar, the oysters were terrific - so fresh & hands down the "meatiest" oysters I've ever had. The beers were delicious (The Crisp & Daisy Cutter) and the service was outstanding. The waitress & the manager, Mindy, couldn't have been friendlier! Definitely plan to make this a weekly outing to get my oyster fix!
(4)Eric M.
I can see this become a regular haunt of mine. Know going in the place is pretty small and you probably won't want a party of more than four. The staff was awesome. Very knowledgeable on the menu and fish in general. Great beer and cocktail list also helps. The food is very good. I can't recall the name of the fish I ordered but they cooked it to perfection. Looking forward to going back for more.
(4)Kristina C.
Do not come here. I just do not want any more people to know about this place. I want to be able to go and not wait 20 years to get in. So, just dont go. My boyfriend says to me, hey, I got a great place we should try out. Seafood. I, not being a stranger to shrimp and other treats of the sea agrees to try out this new place. I walk in and fall in love. I love the counter style seating, I spy Goose Island Matilda on draft and I know everything is going to be alright. On Sunday around 7, we only had a 15 minute wait, which we enjoyed a few cocktails. The place isnt that big, but I did note that getting drinks took a while (both while waiting and when we sat). We started with Lobster Bisque and oysters. The Lobster bisque has no cream in it, just the actual flavor of lobster. I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink it. It was that good. I'm not that much of an oyster fan, I tried one, thought it was okay and let my BF enjoy the rest. And enjoy he did. Then we had the rock shrimp (great-we had it wet), the calamari (the lemon was such a great flavor with the grilled calamari), lobster roll (amazo - served cold, which my BF didnt like). The beers were great - a bunch of Belgian styled brews that were great to compliment the food we enjoyed. I'm totally in love with this place and am salivating at the idea of eating there again. They take reservations for parties of 4. So me and 3 friends will be headed there really soon. Swoon. So please, just don't go.
(5)Nicole L.
Okay $19 for a Lobster Roll? Really? All of the hype didn't match the food quality. The lobster roll was mediocre at best. Didn't think it was worth the $19 price tag. The fried calamari wasn't all that either. It was drenched in oil or lemon or something. It tasted better once it was dipped in the cocktail sauce. All in all, it was pretty meh. The whole drinking out of mason jars is a cute concept though. Not too sure if I would hit up this place again. I'm almost positive that there's better seafood out there.
(2)Linda N.
Sunday dinner around 7pm - pretty hostess says it's a 45 minute wait for a table. No problem. We grab two beers at the bar and 15 minutes later, two seats open up. What we ordered: Ceviche, served with saltines. Cute setup, full of flavor. Gumbo with blue crab, Andouille sausage, and wild rice. This NOLA born and bred girl gives it a thumbs up. Bisque with lobster and sweet corn. Nice texture, date loved it. Hama Hama oysters from Washington. Orgasmic. Calamari, "Federal HIll" style. Deliciously prepared. Oyster Poboy. Probably our favorite thing on the menu thus far. My date is no longer a poboy virgin. Octopus (yummy) and Whitefish (subtle on the palate) Key Lime pie - oh my heaven! The portions were perfect, as we were able to try MANY dishes without stuffing our gills. We loved this place and will be recommending it to other seafood lovers.
(5)jamie k.
DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!! $15 for 6 oysters!!!!! ridiculous price!!!! calamari and pulpo - use the same marinade, dressing and the serving size is way too small i am not sure what all fuss is here we spent $180 between two people, had a bunch of items, and some drinks, but nothing was super amazing! everything was average i have had much better, just like the 2 star rating says on here! they could definitely work on increasing the portion size, then this could be a great place!
(2)M C.
The good thing about this review is I have experienced the Fish Bar and I know I'll never go back. The place is small, almost dumpy, it is more a cafe than restaurant. The service was somewhat slow and clumsy, we had to wait 15 minutes for one piece of Key Lime pie. I almost asked for the bill before it came because the whole experience was rather annoying. If your a fish or seafood foodie, don't be tempted by this place. The food is over salted(Oyster Po'Boy, chowder, fish in fish tacos) and everything is a la carte. This is the only restaurant you'll spend $30 at and never see a plate of food. The ceviche was $9 and came in something a little bigger than a shot glass. Even the sandwiches, which your waitress will tell you are the only "full size" items on the menu run on the small size for $9. And remember, that $9 gets you a small sandwich on a monkey plate with not so much as a stem of parsley or a pickle. The Manila Clams were good, but again a pitiful appetizer sized serving. The clam chowder is $6 a CUP. Our bill was $88 for 3 adults including two drinks and the tip. If your looking for good seafood in Chicago try Hugo's, Shaw's (same prices as Fish Bar and you won't leave hungry), Tanta, Ay Ay Picante or El Barco. The ceviche at Ay Ay Picante ($13) is almost as good as Tanta.
(2)Sandy N.
I went here a few days ago with another Yelper around 7:15 pm. There was a short wait, so we headed over to DMK to get some truffle fries. The ambiance was very nice, casual but also with an intimate, a personal touch (one server took care of our entire area, which was a sort of U-shaped bar seating so that she was always within 5-10 feet of us). We had the: sausage & crab gumbo - good, smoky and spicy (not my strong suit) lobster bisque - sweet, delicious, creamy, though lobster a tad overdone--it was made with sweet corn and didn't contain any cream, which was a pleasant change (not too heavy) lobster roll - OMG. the lobster was perfectly done, tender and moist, and the roll was buttery and delicious. my friend really noticed the celery salt, and while i also hate celery, it didn't bother me at all. this one was a definite win. softshell crab a la plancha - i didn't really know what a la plancha meant (after we ordered the dish, i looked at the menu to check) but i love softshell crab, so i figured it would be a safe choice. turns out, a la plancha meant fried and served in olive oil with preserved lemon and arugula. the flavor combination was wonderful and worked really well with the flavor of the crab. yum. the service was good, and the server was really nice and personable, making sure we were taken care of the whole time. added to the ambiance and the quality, Fish Bar gets 4 stars (minus one since the lobster roll was just a tad bit pricier than i would have liked).
(4)Amy L.
I am a huge seafood lover and Fish Bar definitely met my expectations! We called ahed and they don't take reservations for parties of 2, so we went in at 545 to make sure we didn't have to wait a long time. We sat right down at a table outside. Our server was awesome! He brought us crackers with sardines for free since it was our first time. We got oysters, which were awesome, but pretty small. We split the fish of the day, salmon tartare, and garlic bread, which were all amazing. My only complaint is that it was pretty pricy and very small plates. If I went back, I think I would get a sandwich to make sure I didn't leave hungry again.
(4)Chaz A.
Allow me to take this opportunity to bring up an issue that's been biting me in the back of the neck for the past couple of months. Just because I have hair like a certain über-famous pop star, and happen to dress nicely and also be 16, doesn't mean I am said über famous pop star. So.. stupid drunk man at 1 pm on a thursday I am not him, therefore do not persist to keep calling me by his name. And save for this man who looks like Billy Baldwin, (I told him, too) and his slightly less douchey this would've been the perfect lunch with my best friend on a spring break afternoon. We went all Lobster, or as they say in New England "Lobstah" with the Bisque with sweet corn and Lobstah. And maybe, and here I am nitpicking this most wonderful bisque, a bit less corn..... Just a bit. And then we split a Lobstah roll. And really, you don't need a full sandwich, but you will inhale the half. Mmmmmmmm, dreaming about it now. And props to Mindy Segal for a Kickass key lime pie. Add 2 cokes. Bill $51 with tip. Not TOO Shabby.
(5)John H.
Let's preface this review with one simple fact: I have never given a Yelp review, nor will I ever give one again, unless my experience resembles that of "Fish Bar". My wife and I are super laid back - easily pleased, always pleasant, doesn't take much to satisfy our food needs... seriously. It takes almost no effort.... but Fish Bar managed to fall short.... I would give a better review for my worst McDonald's experience! We live in the vicinity of Fish Bar and we had been extremely excited for its grand opening around a month ago. We decided to give it a shot for her birthday!!! (an awful mistake) We are here to give a few theories on their business acumen, as well as a review on their service. First of all, my lady and I arrived at 6:30pm and were told we had an hour and ten minute wait. We left, had drinks, and came back around 7:30 (an hour later). At around 8:30, we were finally seated. That's right, a 2 hour wait, after we were told 1:10..... not a great start. The theory behind this: Fish Bar has no reservation system, so if you show up and decide to wait, you offer them business through drink purchases. They will remind you that you will be seated soon, so you purchase more drinks. If you get worn out with all the waiting, you will leave and they just earned money from you drink tab.... Luckily, we fought this tactic, because we were told "the food is served very quickly" so we waited patiently.... for about an hour longer than we were initially told. Starting to get a bit annoyed, but we are cool about it.... (Essentially, they avoid reservations because they can bring in more people and more money if reservations are NOT accepted.....) After being seated, we ordered drinks..... mine never arrived. It was a bottled beer! Twist off the lid, and hand it to me....... seriously. The couple next to us was seated 10 or 15 minutes after we were seated. They managed to get drinks, dinner, and pay their bill before our meal ever arrived. Yes, we still remained friendly and positive (not sure why) We ordered 3 items, and 2 of the same items were ordered by this neighboring couple...... meaning we ordered the same thing, but while theirs arrived in 5 minutes, ours arrived in 45 minutes.... ??? Now I am a little grumpy. To sum up the timing, we put our name in at 6:30 and our food was brought to us at around 9pm. We ordered the Maine Lobster Roll - i rode my bicycle up to Maine and caught my own lobster before this order was ready.... awful service is what i am emphasizing, if you don't get it. We also ordered fried clams between 2 of us.... there were 7 clam bites..... seriously? i would rather buy frozen fried clams from Jewel Osco and add my own seasoning. Again, for all the waiting we did, I could have purchased a flight to any coast on any continent, ordered the most complicated menu item, and eaten said item before i received my order at Fish Bar..... and again, no apologies for the delay, no drink suggestions or anything. Weak. We considered leaving at any given moment, but the thought of this Yelp review encouraged us to see it through the bitter end of this agonizing dining experience that could easily equal the enjoyment of a root canal. You know what our waitress Sonja said when we finally got our food? " Wow, you really snarfed that down...." No duh! We waited for 2.5 hours for a measly portion of clams and a lobster sandwich. I think a starving child from a third-world country would expect more expedient food preparation. Of course she didn't apologize for the nasty slow service, forgetting my drink, and did i mention the slow service? And forgetting that I ordered a drink? And the fact that we were there, alive, and breathing? This average meal took so long to make, it was comparable to the evolution of man. This is 3 hours of my life that my lovely lady and I will never get back and I wasted my wife's birthday, to boot. I honestly don't remember if the food was good.... we waited so long we felt like we were famished enough to receive government funding. There were no apologies at all, and don't expect a reservation system anytime soon. This is how they make their money. Fish Bar sucks. Don't waste your time or your money. We definitely did not, with our $1.10 tip... and that was generous!! I have no regrets about that. Our meal should have been free, in our opinion. From someone who would eat almost anything, I will never eat here again. This place is garbage - pick any place in Chicago and I would bet you that the service is better than Fish Bar.
(1)Crista L.
The Fish Bar is nothing more than over-priced "casual" joint. If you have less than 4 people in your party, you are allowed to dine here. If there are 5+ people in your party, you are not welcome. For 50$, 2 of us ate a few miniscule-sized appetizers. I notice the lobster roll was 18$. I mean, I'd have a hard time spending 18$ on a tiny portion of food that may very well be served on a paper plate. (yeah, county fair style) Order the calamari, it's delicious. HOWEVER, don't expect more than 8-10 pieces of calamari to be served (in a county fair style paper bowl.) The ceviche was nothing to brag about... and it was served with saltine crackers. 4 saltine crackers, to be exact. Just 4. The Chocolate Mocha pie was DEFINITELY the highlight of our meal, provided by Mindy at Hot Chocolate. For more of that, I'll visit Hot Chocolate instead of going back to the Fish Bar. I really wanted to like this place, but I wasn't impressed. With all the amazing restaurants that Chicago has to choose from, chances are I will not return to the Fish Bar. I feel like I could get an equal amount of seafood at Shaw's Crab House for 50$ . And it'd be better quality, and it'd be served with bread, and it'd be deeeeeelicious...... I see a few people have waited 1 - 1.5 hours to be seated at this place!! There's not a fvcking chance I'd wait that long to eat at the Fish Bar. Just sayin'
(3)Rebecca H.
3.5 I need to give this place another try. It's too pricey but good atmosphere and outdoor seating.
(3)Joe S.
Food is not bad by any means here but the thing I don't like about this place is that (a) you can't really have a party of more than 2 people without having some major issues being seated here, and (b) Fish Bar gives you the cozy "run down" hole-in-the-wall east-coast ocean shack restaurant theme, but only along with expensiveish nice-restaurant sized prices. I thought the whole charm of those small fish shacks is that they were cheap too!? Just an observation.... Anyways...
(3)Little D.
This place has a LOT of work to do... My husband and I have been excited to try this place, we finally did last night. A nice, scaled down look on the inside, but almost too minimal and cheap. My husband and I had to play musical chairs up at "the bar"(or stools in this case) for about 5 mins because a majority of the stools in there were wobbly, shaky and falling apart! Suggestion to the owners: We like the idea of the mismatched, crude stools - BUT - get stools that aren't broken! Your customers should be comfortable! Also, warm up the environment just a touch. Maybe some rustic placemats at the bar seats, some tea lights around, actual place settings (instead of a bunch of random utensils in a big glass that difficult to reach because it's way on the side). Also, make sure your condiment bottles aren't empty and clean at the end of the night. We reached for 2 different bottles of hot sauce with our meal, one of which had nothing in it and the other was grimy! The "bar": There is NO bar in here. I asked for a vodka martini and was told that they do not have vermouth or olives. Really? Not even olives? The serve was nice enough and explained they only have a few things to drink and that the bar is limited. Suggestion to the owners: You can't call yourself a "bar" if you don't even have some basic items to make some basic drinks! The staff: They were very nice. Suggestion to the owners: There needs to be some type of uniformity in the dress of your servers. Though very nice, they would create a more professional environment if they had some type of piece (be it an apron with Fish Bar on it or whatever) showing that they are staff and not patrons. Apps: Calamari and Rock Shrimp - The Calamari was just ok. Very average for the portion and the price! We enjoyed the "Federal Hill" style of it, but it seems the Federal Hill took over the appetizer and there was not much calamari in it! Plus, it was almost over cooked/borderline chewy. It was very average and unimpressive. The Rock Shrimp wet was very fresh and tasty! The portion was too small for the money. Suggestion to the owners: Go to The Pony on Lincoln and try their fried Calamari and Rock Shrimp appetizer. Super fresh, super delicious, and a nice portion for an app to share. New England Clam Chowder: The absolute WORST we've ever had! It was watery, skimpy portion for the price; the potatoes in it were still hard, and SO SALTY!!! OMG! Really it was terrible. Suggestion to the owners: The fact that you have a small menu is really awesome! It leads people to believe that the few items you have on it must be out of this world and you have really mastered each of the items on it. Unfortunately, your soup showed this is not the case. You need a new recipe badly. WE WILL BE BACK FOR ONE REASON: The Soft-shell Crab Po'Boy!!! Despite the constructive criticism above, Fish Bar has nailed the Soft-shell Crab Sandwich!!! Our server told us that it comes on a hot dog type bun and after the soup, I wasn't expecting our sandwiches to be that great - BUT - they were awesome! 2 very BIG soft-shell crabs, perfectly seasoned and fried in a very nicely buttered and grilled bun (the bun was not cheap at all and super fresh), with a fantastic seasoned slaw. WOW - seriously, we were blown away by the quality of this sandwich, the portion of it was perfect, and the price was only $10! Suggestion to the owners: Keep this sandwich as it is! It trumps the soft-shell crab sandwich at Half Shell and at some other places in the area. Just delicious and the price is really fantastic. So, all in all, this place needs to improve if it's going have staying power - but - we are going to keep coming back for that soft-shell crab sandwich (we'll probably just take them to go though).
(3)Ryan G. S.
You don't normally get calamari this good in this country. Forget everything you know about calamari being rubbery and tough; this calamari (whether grilled or fried) is tender and fresh. It's just as good as the calamari I used to eat every day after work in Spain, where they take their seafood more seriously than the national economy. The only downside is it costs four times what it did in Spain, but such is the price for living in a country where gasoline and drinking water are more than abundant. The oysters are also de puta madre, and if you feel like you're spending too much on fish, cans of PBR are only $2. No reservations (or seating) for parties bigger than 4, which is probably because the whole place is a bar. (There are no tables.)
(5)Meredith P.
Yum! 3 was the perfect # for this spot. We went on a Sunday evening around 7 and only had to wait about 15 minutes for a nice corner spot to open up. We ordered the ceviche and the "wet" rock shrimp to share. The rock shrimp were SO good. Nice and spicy! Then we each ordered a sandwich and the crab cake sandwich had a nice balance of sauce to meat and bread. Really really good. About 6 or so beers on tap and then a few specialty drinks. Will definitely be back to try the calamari, lobster bisque and clam chowder! Overall the food and ambience was great. Our waitress was a bit slow/confused but everything else was great so we overlooked it.
(5)Kevin C.
I got a craving for a lobster roll the other day and decided to give the Fish Bar a try with my girlfriend. We went in at about 8pm on a Friday so I was prepared to wait. The hostess was very sweet and said it was about a 60-90 minute way. A little bit long, but they had a bartender who was getting drinks out quickly. We were seated after about 55 minutes, so not too bad. The waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Always made sure we had a drink in front of us. We got the Lobster Bisque as an appetizer and it was delicious! It's made with a butternut squash and tasted great. My girlfriend got the Shrimp Po' Boy and I got the Lobster Roll with a side of tater tots. We were really impressed! The only complaints/improvements I have are that the beers were a little skimpy. For $6 draws, the bartender wasn't even filing the beers to the top of these 12 oz jelly jars. $6 for about 9 oz of beer seemed like a rip-off. I switched to mixed drinks after my first one. And with the lobster roll, either they should add more lobster or make the roll a little smaller. It felt like there was too much bread relative to the amount of lobster. This is something minor and the richness and the taste made up for it. Overall, I was impressed and satisfied. I will definitely go back.
(4)Tom O.
I love this place! Great atmosphere, good drinks, friendly helpful service and 12 out of 13 things I have ordered over 2 times there were wonderful. Oysters are always great and whatever grilled fish they have is always a sure bet. Tacos were surprisingly good.
(5)Kimberly D.
I had a craving for fried oysters so thought we'd give Fish Bar a try after hearing about last week's opening from what seemed like every media source and local guide that is printed and emailed. Fish Bar definitely met expections and lived up to the hype. I was expecting a crowded dining room and long wait considering it was still new. We arrived on Sunday around 6:30 pm and the wait for our party of 4 was about 20 minutes, but we were seated within 15 minutes at the counter. Seating is limited especially for groups larger than 4. There only a few booths and the rest is counter seating. For larger parties, there is a sign about being seated next door. Service was super friendly and attentive from the hostess, to the bartender, to the manager, to the server. While waiting, we were offered to order a drink from their bar area (could be a bit bigger). Our group tried the TEA, OLD SCHOOL, and PUNCH. All delicious and came in a cute little jar that was the perfect size. OLD SCHOOL was like a margarita but flavored with grapefruit instead of lime, while the PUNCH was very flavorful. Everything sounded good on the menu. Since orders come in small plates, we decided to try what seemed like everything. LOBSTER BISQUE was good but not what I expected. Not your typical bisque...but rather a corn chowder with chunks of lobster. GUMBO was pretty good with a nice kick to it. ROCK SHRIMP was breaded perfectly and sriracha dip made it tasty. I opted to order "dry" but think it would have tasted even better if I ordered "wet." FRIED CALAMARI was decent but breading was a bit soggy. Catch of the day was TASMANIAN SEA TROUT, which was cooked and seasoned just right. TAIL-ON SHRIMP was not overcooked and did not have too much breading. CEVICHE was served with crackers and seemed more like a seafood dip than ceviche that we expected. However, it was still good and came in a nice presentation. My friend said the CRAB PATTY was just ok. Crabcake was good but she didn't care too much for the sauce. OYSTER PO'BOY was delicious and definitely filled my craving. My only comment was two of us ordered the oyster po'boy. Mine was filled just right with not too much remoulade or slaw and 3 decent size oysters. However, my friend's po'boy was soggy and filled with too much slaw, so it was pretty messy for him to eat. TATER TOTS were just ok, nothing special just nice presentation. GARLIC BREAD was delish! Based on the above, I was ready to give Fish Bar just 4 stars. However, I bumped it up to 5 for making an effort for a special request. After we were done eating, we wanted only fried oysters, which is not on the menu, other than the po'boy. Server and manager checked with Chef and were able to make the accommodation for us. Oysters were really amazing and we highly suggest Fish Bar to add it to the regular menu or as a special. All in all, we had a great experience at Fish Bar. Spent more than we wanted but it was only because we wanted to try almost everything. However, the oyster, shrimp, and fish were all high quality and super fresh that were neither overly breaded or overly seasoned. Also was not dripping in grease. Service was terrific and in a nice casual setting. Even though space is small and people were waiting, the staff never once made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning....
(5)John O.
Been here twice now and continue to love it.
(4)Raph V.
This place can get rather crowded real fast, but the service is great. I highly recommend the Lobster Roll and the Satch'mo Po'boy.
(4)Cara T.
The first time I attempted to go to the Fish Bar (Saturday at 5), the wait was like 2 hours. No thank you. I went back on a Saturday at 4:30, and walked right in, with plenty of seats open. Necessary to go off peak hours. But now, I know what people were waiting for. Some of the best seafood I've had in Chicago. The hubby and I sampled and sampled. We had the fried rock shrimp (dry), fried clams, we shared a lobster roll and codfish sandwich, he had the bisque, I had the peanut butter pie...We just ate and ate and ate. The atmosphere is very casual, chill, and friendly. I snacked on crackers that were on the counter and sipped on the punch I ordered (which came in a mason jar, yes please). The shrimp was perfect, served with a spicy dipping sauce. The clams were a little chewy, but still awesome. Served with tarter sauce, which I thought was weird, but I really liked. The lobster roll was my first ever. I'm positive if lobster rolls are your thing...this one is phenomenal. But I don't think lobster rolls are my thing... The codfish sandwich...HANDS DOWN one of the BEST fish sandwiches I've tasted. Piping hot, melted cheese, crisp lettuce...light batter, fresh fish...you just can't beat it. I don't understand why the Fish Bar just can't become that whole block...do the same bar thing...but expand it by a block (or two)...so everyone can get in...and maybe have a seat with a back (don't worry, you won't even know you can't feel your butt until you've already had all your yummy food and try to stand up...). I love the hostess, but I imagine that can be stressful to seat people in that small area...take the whole bar, expand it by a block. Le Fin.
(4)Ashley A.
Went to Fish Bar a couple of weeks ago for lunch on a Sunday. Had a great time chatting with our server, who was very friendly and made great recommendations. He brought us a complementary okra dish (which was delicious), as well as a special beer on the menu he heard us talking about but that we didn't order. Hits: Service Satchmo Po Boy - Absolutely delicious shrimp and crawfish po boy with a tangy and garlicky aioli - definitely our favorite. Fish Tacos - Changes daily, we had the shrimp tacos. Generous portion of well-cooked shrimp with two accompanying sauces which complemented the slaw perfectly. Miss: Oysters - I was actually a little disappointed by the oysters. The selection changes regularly and I ordered 12 West Coast, but when they came they looked somewhat butchered. I was a little disappointed they weren't shucked better from a place like Fish Bar. Having said that, they are still oysters and therefore still divine. Overall - recommend coming here for a low key lunch or dinner - I will definitely be going back.
(4)Scott T.
I've only been here once and would like to try it again. My first experience last night was just OK. The food portions for the price are really small. Pretty much everything is deep fried and served in small cardboard boats. We had oysters, calamari, fish bites, frog legs and a fish salad. The oysters weren't the best quality, for $15 a half dozen they should have been better. The calamari was a total disappointment, three small squids sauteed in something and then tossed in what was probably just salt and pepper, not what we were expecting at all. the rest of the stuff was just battered and deep fried and was just OK.
(3)Jennifer R.
I'm giving them 3.5 stars and here's why. Arrived at 6:30 pm on Friday night and waited 1.5 hours until we were seated. I can tell you for a fact that they seated people ahead of us who came in after us. I was trying to be cool as a cucumber, but deep down I was a starving, ravenous biatch waiting to jump out of my skin. The bottom line is that we waited 1.5 hours for FAST FOOD (essentially). We were finally seated at the bar and ate our meal within 20 min. I can see this being very cool during a time when I can come in and grab a seat. I just don't like to wait. Drinks were $6 and the smallest thing I have ever seen. Seriously, a little larger than a shot glass. It was good though...just too expensive for something that size. Ordered: Crabby Patty sandwich - I liked the sandwich overall, but there was a hint of curry or cumin in the seasoning and I hate both so it ruined it for me. They really should mention this on the menu or before ordering as I read another reviewers comment below and apparently the lobster roll also has curry in it. Calamari Federal Hill Style - loved this - the banana peppers were delish. Fried Jalapenos, Onion and Lemon - probably one of the worst things I've ever tried in my life. I love all 3 of these and could not believe how bad this was. All in all, it was just ok for me. I'm open to going again though.
(3)Jerry G.
Went to Fish Bar during Lent hoping to fill my desire to have some mouth watering fried seafood dishes. The place was able to fit the bill and then some. Normally I don't expect Fish bar to have a 2.5 hour wait but any friday during Lent would increase the line at a seafood place so we bided the time by devouring their mixed drinks. The "Punch" and "Sonja Does Sicily" in the mason jars were like nectar from the Gods and had a near perfect mix of juice and alcohol. Once we were seated our stomachs were yearning for food, luckily the Lobster Roll and Crabby Patty sobered us up. The prices we paid for the dishes did not correlate to a pleasing portion size, this was the main reason this place loses a star to me. Otherwise, as a good bar to eat some great seafood and have conversation with friends it works tremendously. Must Have: - Lobster Roll - Crabby Patty - Any mixed drink Tips: - Expect long lines during holidays that have people not eating meat
(4)Stacie K.
Ok......so.......I'm sure as most of you know.......this place is awesome. The service has always been amazing, the food has been even better, and the drinks were even delicious... The first time I came here, I had a dozen oysters (yes, all by myself), a lobster roll and 2 bloody marys. The oysters were amazing. As I sit here thinking about them, I am LITERALLY salivating. The lobster roll.....I don't even remember it very much because I inhaled it. It was so yummy and there was so much lobster. The 2nd time I went I had an oyster poboy which was also amazing. I had the same server both times and she recognized me! I signed up for some rewards card to use with Fish Bar. Not to mention.....there was some really good eye candy here. For real.
(5)Rapeepat C.
When the weather warms up, I won't be surprised if this place is packed all the time. It's conveniently located at an El stop (Wellington). Big bright happy blue building packed with awesome, fresh seafood inside. My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Thursday night. We probably waited for about 10-15 minutes (might be even less, I was admiring the pee-baby tap "Blanche de Bruxelles" which I do recommend since the light crisp taste go well with seafood in general). Once we get seated, we quickly asked for sample of the raw clam which is $1 to try, $12 for 6. After that we just take our time deciding what to eat. Note the name of the place is more of a bar than a proper restaurant. The layout of the place is about 80% counter/bar space with maybe 2 proper table with 4 people seating. So, I think service was adequate. We ordered 6 raw oysters, lobster roll, rock shrimp, fried lemon/onion/jalapeno and grilled octopus. Fried lemon/onion/jalapeno is probably an acquired taste...I don't really enjoy deep fried lemon but that's just me. Raw oysters (half and half with east/west coast) are super fresh and it's interesting to get a mix of it since you can taste the distinct difference between the coasts. Rock shrimp was awesome. We had it wet which mean it's premixed with the sauce (Dry - sauce on the side). Lobster roll is really really yummy but for $18...I guess I'll eat again on my bonus day. Grilled octopus was cooked very well. It was not tough at all which is what I was afraid of. I will definitely come here again to try to the seafood chopped salad and gumbo! along with some other fish.
(5)Christopher K.
I didn't expect to find the best tater tots in the city at Fish Bar, but happy early St. Pat's to me! The satchmo po' boy and scallops were excellent as well. And who doesn't enjoy unleashing their inner Toby Keith and tipping back a few from a mason jar?? Love the vibe of this place. Friendly, prompt service doing what they can to help you enjoy great food. Will definitely be back!
(4)Laura C.
So I'm fourth to review, not bad. I really wanted that "First" badge but didn't want to venture out in the rain for opening day. So day 2 of Fish Bar it was. At the corner of Sheffield and Wellington, Fish Bar is a no frills, fresh, sustainable seafood joint. The interior is mostly bar seating with a few booths. Decor is high end seafood shack. If you have five or more people, they encourage you to go next door to DMK Burger Bar (also owned by the same dynamic duo of David Morton and Michael Kornick). At 10PM Thursday night, we were warmly greeted by David. There was a 20ish minute wait, so we saddled up to the bar (or just the space near the tap) and chatted with the bartender for some interesting mixed drink recs. They have unique brews, one ultra hoppy Urthel IPA from a female brewmaster that I highly recommend. Their cocktails are small but unique. Served in mason jars, one could easily toss back a few before dinner. I tried the Tea with Weed Vodka which was the bartender's fave. I thought it was a little too sweet - Arnold Palmer-ish. Next was the Old School - a grapefruit/tequila concoction, which was basically a margarita with grapefruit instead of bitters. Not bad, something you would drink on vacation, or in March in Chicago wishing you were on vacation. Once we were seated, we got the rundown on the 86 list. For day 2, they were out of the bisque, lobster po' boy and shrimp. We started with oyster shooters (a little love from our server). Fresh, spicy and a good amuse. Next we tried the fresh catch of the day a la plancha - trout. Light, flaky, well seasoned and gone in about two seconds. Also tried the crabby cake - a 3 oz SPICY crab cake served on a hamburger bun. A little too much kick for my taste, but worth a try if you're into capsaicin. Then - the codfish sandwich - a high end filet-o-fish. The American cheese on top took away from the whole experience, I just can't get over the artificial taste/look/texture of congealing cheese product. The fish, on the other hand, was good, what you would expect from an MK filet, but I would try something else next time I went back. Also tried the tater tots - a good side to our dishes. MK - partner and executive chef - stopped by the table to say hello - always a big plus for me. Service was excellent, and they really try to make you feel welcome. Desserts (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate) could be purchased by the slice or whole. We tried the key lime pie - excellent flavor, good amount tang. Texture was smooth and airy. The only slight imperfection was the overbaked graham cracker crust. Also tasted the apple pie with a housemade whipped cream. Nice sugar coated crust, but I'm not a big apple pie fan. Nice job DM and MK - I'll be back.
(4)Phil T.
Love=seafood only joint! Small place that offers a killer fresh seafood. No real hilarious moments except for the orgasmic expressions on my face after each bite I took of my dinner. So equivalent to about 7-8 O's no joke! A few friends wanted to try almost everything on menu so imagine a thanksgiving type of spread of seafodd. Lol literally we had lines of food just coming the whole time. Here are just a few of my favs the shrimp "wet" is a must, calamari, n the sotcha Sammy. I'm not a dessert guy UNLESS they have tres leches or bread pudding and well........they had bread pudding. After my 6th orgasm I finally hit my limit. :-) Servers exceptional cool, food came out super fast, n it was delish! They did give out a few freebies to keep ya coming back. It was a nice addition but no matter what Im a repeater from now on.
(5)Jeff R.
The DMK Empire is expanding - next door is the latest called Fish Bar, and there's a new DMK going into the suburbs. Since I live so close and love DMK it was an easy decision to check out Fish Bar on it's opening weekend. There were crazy long wait times, which we passed mostly in our apartment, but still had a long wait to get seated even after we arrived. That's likely a small kink in the system that will get worked out as things get settled, and a risk when trying any new spot TOO soon after they arrive. I get what they are trying to accomplish and the vision - a fast paced, counter style spot dishing out seafood quickly and efficiently. What they likely did not expect was a gaggle of people just hanging out before and after eating - slowing down their entire process. Our overall experience was good, once we were seated. The service was friendly and quick, and our food arrived super fast. We really liked the grilled fluke and Erica's fried cod sandwich. Jed devoured his po' boy and we all loved the keylime pie for dessert. Additional things we tasted included shrimp (nothings special and a little small), garlic bread (awesomely garlic for only $2) and ceviche starter (kind of goofy texture and not a ton of flavor). We started with the shrimp and ceviche. They came out lightning fast. We thought the ceviche had an interesting texture, kind of squishy, and there wasn't a lot of flavor (especially compared to central american/mexican styles). The shrimp were fine, with a tasty cocktail sauce but a bit smaller than expected. Next up were the calamari and garlic bread. The bread smelled amazing and filled up the room. It's plenty large to share with people, though I'm not sure you will want to. Our fried calamari were also just ok, made a lot better with tartar and cocktail sauce. The plate came with a lot of the legs/spiny things as opposed to the round hoops. It also came with spicy peppers, a nice touch for those of us that like a little kick. The best news is that our favorite dishes were the largest, or "main course" size. I went with the fluke and Erica chose a fried cod sandwich. Jed went with the highly recommended po' boy that he enjoyed. My fluke was well cooked and served with a nice citrus sauce (with a few pepper flakes). Erica liked the sandwich but thought there was a lot of sauce. I had a bite or two and highly approve. Finally, we were talked into a keylime pie for dessert. They had two pie options (the other apple), and I'm sure they're both amazing. We did quick work on our slice. I'll be back since I live so close, but the product is not as delicious as their neighbor DMK Burger Bar. If they get the seating time down, or show up at an off hour, it'd be fun to sit at the counter and have a beer with some seafood. The food is good but not revolutionary and good value. Once they get the kinks out I'm sure it will succeed like DMK - and the empire will grow...
(3)Onur U.
They've got a casual atmosphere that works with the simple but well-prepared food. I like the bar style seating since you can get your water refilled and bus your plates easily just by putting them up on the counter where the waitress can see them. Though the portions are a little on the small side, I like that everything is under 10 dollars. Go with a couple friends, share a handful of seafood dishes and you've had a light, delicious seafood meal for a reasonable price. Just don't expect mounds of food, which is fine by me. The fried dishes have a nice, crunchy breading that doesn't come out too greasy or overpower the fish. I particularly enjoyed the oyster po boy that had plenty of juicy oysters to go with a buttery east-coast style roll. All the dishes featured fresh seafood with simple but well-executed preparations that highlight the ingredients. Also the grilled squid was juicy without being rubbery and the fried belly clams were silky and sweet. Great stuff! My only complaint was the menu lacked any vegetable side dishes. With all the protein they're pumping out, it'd be nice to have a side of fresh grilled veggies. And no, though they were great, tator tots do not count as vegetables.
(4)C P.
Very solid neighborhood joint. Service is excellent, as is the atmosphere. Very well curated beer list and comprehensive seafood menu. I wish they had 1 or 2 non seafood dishes to round things out, but overall really good meal.
(3)Michael H.
We went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30, it couldn't have been better. There was no wait, not only was the girl behind the counter very helpful, but the chef was great too. We ordered just about everything on the menu, and we loved every bite. The chef insisted that the octopus was far greater than any octopus we had ever had... so we tried it...he did not disappoint. I can understand why there is a 2 hour wait on Thursday-Saturday nights, remember that all good things come to those who wait. Oh yeah, patience is a virtue too. I have read many of the reviews and I have some input on them: What do you expect when you go during peak hours? You are going to have to wait, maybe try a different day that is not as busy. Pompeii is right across the street, and they seem to be looking for more business(not that they aren't a fine establishment.) So you think that you are special and your entire party doesn't have to be present to be seated? Almost every restaurant has this rule, abide by it! You are not a celebrity, you should, and don't deserve any special treatment over those who follows societal rules. If you didn't like the food, maybe mac 'n cheese, and pb&j is more suited for you. Sit at home with your terrible food and watch more reruns of the Gilmore Girls instead of complaining out of ignorance, and lack of knowledge. Yes, it is pricey, but worth every penny. Instead of complaining about it you should have worked harder to get a higher paying job to afford the meal and leave at minimum 20% tip. I rarely go on here unless I have been blown away by a place, and Fish Bar did just that. Just in case you are wondering, I have no affiliation with the place, it was just that incredible.
(5)Ashley K.
I was really excited to try Fish Bar based on a recommendation from a friend but hesitant based on my lackluster experience at GT Fish. I'm happy to report that Fish Bar lived up to the hype. This is a fairly no frills place, which I feel like would be just as much at home, if not more so, on a beach in Florida than it is on the corner of Wellington and Sheffield. The food is also fairly no frills - but in a very good way. They don't try to gussy up the seafood with a bunch of different flavors and ingredients. The seafood is the star and Fish Bar does a great job of letting it shine through. We tried 3 different a la plancha options: the whitefish, calamari, and scallops. Scallops can go from perfectly cooked to rubber in about a millisecond. While it should be easy for professional chefs to nail scallops - I've experienced more than a few restaurant scallops that taste like garbage. The scallops were outstanding. They were served with a lemon, olive oil and chili flake sauce that made me want to pick up the plate and lick it. Delish. The whitefish was good but suffered from our own poor decision let it sit for a bit while we finished another dish. The calamari was the one letdown of the night. It was undercooked and gummy. However, our server immediately took it off our bill without our even needing to ask. Quality move on their part. The soft shell crab sandwich was huge - two crabs on a buttery grilled bun, with a yummy slaw. The half sandwich I had was more than plenty. It wasn't the slightest bit greasy...just really, really good. The fried clams were awesome as well. They were served with a tartar/remoulade type sauce that I'm fairly certain had curry in it and made me fairly certain that I never want to eat any other sauce on fried fish again. These fried clams were full belly clams, more akin to what you'd get on the east coast, not just the strips you usually find in Chi-town. We also got a steal of a deal on oysters. The oysters are $15 for an order, however, they offer a single oyster for a buck. We were able to get one east coast and one west coast oyster each for $4. Awesome. I didn't care much for the east coast oyster, but that's not Fish Bar's fault. The only thing I didn't really like was that the cocktails were all served in such small glasses. They were delicious and went down super easy...which can make for quite the expensive night. We only waited about 15 minutes at 6:30 on a Friday, which was a pleasant surprise. This place is a little cramped but that seems to be the trend lately. I fail to understand why restaurants think it's a good idea to open in a microscopic space but count that among one of life's great mysteries.
(4)Sabra R.
The Fish Bar and DMK are my two favorite restaurants in Chicago. Sure, I've had more high-end foodie experiences. But as far as food goes, these two cannot be beat. As an east coaster, I'm very particular about my seafood and the Fish Bar does not disappoint. The Eastern Belly clams are tender and delicious and the fried smelt are melt in your mouth wonderful. The lobster poboy is delish as are ther oyster and Satchmo versions. Perfectly grilled rolls, super fresh seafood and just the right toppings. What my friend and I like most about Fish Bar is that they dont have unnecessary sides like chips and fries. Here, iIts ALL ABOUT THE SEAFOOD! The drinks are wonderful--from the spicy oyster shooters to the original cocktails like Sonja does Sicily and Sabra in the Rain. And then there are the people who work there----just an amazing bunch of really nice people who treat you like you're an old and dear friend from the very fist visit. I absolutely love this place!
(5)Blake H.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. the lobster roll is absolutely fantastic & totally worth the price! i have had the ceviche twice with two different seafoods (scallops & a fish) amazing the raw oysters were fantastic as well as the OYSTER SHOOTERS! the soft-shelled crab was also AWEEEESOME. anyways all the food i had was really really good quality seafood and i loved it. and god bless a place with cheap beer ($2 PBR) it means i can be outrageous with ordering more fooooooooood!!
(5)David D.
WOW! I am a seafood fiend, and this place more than lived up to its expectations (I love DMK and have been anticipating its arrival). I took my girlfriend here on opening night, and we can't stop talking about how unbelievable the food was. We had the calamari and lobster bisque for appetizers. Both were great, but if I had to pick one, I would go back every night this week just for the calamari appetizer. It is fried with banana peppers, giving it a tangy but not too spicy kick. For sandwiches, I had the oyster po'boy and she had the crab cake sandwich. I was expecting to be overwhelmed by fried Cajun spices, but the oyster pieces were quite large, and you could really appreciate the seafood flavor blended with the spices. Her crab cake was extremely tender with some fresh tomatoes (isn't there a tomato shortage?). My only complaint would be that the place is tiny, and this could lead to some long wait times. We stumbled upon opening night, and from my understanding, opening night was unannounced. We got there at 6:30 and had to wait 40 minutes for a 2 person spot. I can only imagine the wait time when word spreads about this place...
(5)Sara D.
This is a great place - we came here last night (Wednesday) and waited comfortably for a half hour to be seated. It is likely that you won't mind waiting....with a fun, boistrous but comfortable environment, and a good drink menu, its a quick wait. The food was scrumptious - we tried the ceviche, fried Tiger shrimp, and grilled calamari. It was hard to decide, but I think my favorite were the shrimp...the ceviche was a close second. The ceviche comes in a little jar with crackers. For dessert we had the mocha brownie pie, and it didn't disappoint. I appreciate both the portion sizes as well as the prices. You can try a lot of dishes without going overboard. Also, all of the staff, from the hostess, bartender, and waitress, were awesome.
(4)B C.
It's pretty impressive whenever a restaurant can serve seafood that I like. What's more, I really appreciate a business that has a well executed and distinctive style. Fish Bar did all of this and was so good I'm recommending it to friends as a new option for a light lunch. I went there for lunch last Wednesday and it was busy but didn't have a wait. It's within walking/throwing distance from the Wellington stop - convenient enough that it could be a lunch destination for loop workers. I split 2 sandwiches with my meal compadre: 1/2 codfish and 1/2 crabby paddy along with some tater tots and it was all excellent. Both were solid, but the crabby won with a little more flavor. They also had a handful of delicious soup options, and they let us take tasters of a chilled bisque - good for the summer. They had our food ready within just a few minutes. The sandwiches were satisfying but not sleep-inducing or heavy. In all, it's a great place for a quick and casual bite to eat.
(4)Andi M.
Overwhelmingly great service from the moment I walked in. We were greeted by David Morton and Michael Kornick was in the kitchen. We even saw him doing dishes and delivering food. When I walked in, I said "i've been waiting for you" and Mr. Morton replied " we have been waiting for you!" So very nice. We had the Calamari a la plancha with this crazy lemon sauce that was so good, I had to eat the legs. I never do that. I then had the lobster roll and my husband had the cod fish sandwich. The lobster roll had a little bit of a curry undertone on the dressing that was placed in the bun. The lobster was cooked to perfection and you could taste the butteriness of the lobster. it was not overwhelmed by bun or dressing. I was in LOVE. The bun was soft and delicious. I tasted my husband's fried cod sandwich, which looks nothing like it tastes. it looked average but when you bite into it, whoa. The fish was perfectly cooked, the bun and accoutrement were perfect. We also got the apple pie (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate). the crust was sweeter than the filling. I liked it. The apples were subtle and it was a great capper. The decor is great. a canoe hangs over the seating on one side of the restaurant and there is a giant pop art mural of men and the fish they caught. Drinks are served in mason jars and it has a feeling of an upscale fish shack. They had great beers and a couple of wines that pair well with the food. Service was friendly.
(5)Jonathan A.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a huge craving for a lobster roll, even though I'm not a huge lobster fan. But it was something I needed to get out of my system. I was looking to relive a little bit of a trip to New England a few years ago in Chicago. The day was perfect for it, cool and breezy summer day. I did get the lobster roll even though I have to say, it is probably not worth the $19 price. But then I say that about every lobster roll I've ever eaten. Even in and around Boston, most lobster rolls were average $12-17, and this one was better than most of those. But I also tried the calamari which awesome, and came resting in a bed of hot peppers. The gumbo and fish sandwich I tasted were also really good, and everything else was priced about right. The lobster roll was definitely the most overpriced item. But good nonetheless. I will definitely be back to eat sometime on the patio and start trying everything else on the menu.
(4)Kristin S.
We came early, so we missed the legendary wait times, but as we were leaving, there were at least 10 people standing and waiting for a seat. It was nice out, so people could stand outside, but I'd imagine the place can get pretty claustrophobic in the winter. The best things we ordered was the fried calamari appetizer recommended by our server. It was perfectly fried and mixed with tomatoes, peppers and parmesan if I remember correctly. It sounded very weird, but it was delicious. We also tried the clam chowder and the oysters to start and both were okay, but not fantastic. We also shared a lobster roll and "today's catch" a la plancha as also reco'd by our server. We specifically asked if it was too much food, and were assured it was not. It definitely was, though the portions are not huge. I was still very full by the time the grilled fish came. Everything was "good", but I won't be making any special trips back, especially at those price points, which really sneak up on you when you're ordering multiple items and drinks, so be wary of that. It's a casual and kitschy kind of place, but it feels a little gimmicky and less about the quality of the food. I'll stick to Fish Bar's meatier neighbor for future visits, though.
(3)Mike M.
DMK's new neighbour Fish Bar is small, so it shouldn't come as surprise you'll have to wait (40 min at 6:30pm on a Saturday), but it was huge on food memories. Having lived in Southern California, the menu reminded me of the roadside seafood shacks along the PCH in Malibu, except there was no view of the Pacific, and counter intuitively, the food tasted better on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington. The menu has an emphasis on sustainable seafood and is divided by preparation method which includes: raw, a la plancha, fried, sandwiches, and several others. We started with the raw oysters (6 for $15), a mix of East and West coast varieties that were served with lemon, mignonette and cocktail sauce. All were fresh, plump, and tasted of the briny sea. Fantastic. From there we moved onto the lightly battered calamari ($6) which was perfectly cooked, and accompanied by pickled peppers that added subtle heat and a pleasing sourness. Do I even need to recommend the nostalgic tater tots for $2? Make sure to finish with dessert, because the pies are from Hot Chocolate's Mindy Segal. If the seafood took me back to the West Coast, the tart and creamy key lime pie transported me to the East Coast. The tight seating along the bar provides an opportunity to survey the selections of fellow patrons. A common item coming out of the kitchen was the Maine lobster roll which was overflowing with meat and served on a buttered bun - a priority item next time we visit our new neigborhood gem. The wife and I sampled the tea, punch, and negroni baloney cocktails each served in miniature mason jars. All were great, if not a little ahead of the weather. I can imagine these going down easy once the temperature breaks 80 and the rumored sidewalk seating opens.
(5)Kelcey K.
We tried DMK Burger Bar about a week back and decide to venture into their sister bar - Fish Bar. We had visited Boston last month and fell in love with the New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll at Quincy market that we tried to search for an equivalent here in Chicago. Since DMK Burger Bar was great, we thought Fish Bar would be as good. We were slightly disappointed though... We had clam chowder, lobster roll ($18) and a cod fish burger. The oyster crackers and clam chowder weren't as tasty as I thought they should be. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster meat and came with celery mayo. I hate celery! But amazingly, the celery wasn't overpowering such that it masked the taste of the lobster. I think the bun was smeared with garlic butter because it tasted really nice. Although the lobster roll wasn't all that bad, it just didn't have the oomph factor that the Boston one had... The Cod Fish burger wasn't too bad either but the bun could have been over baked because it was too crispy it caved under the sauce, making it difficult and messy to eat the burger. The bar concept of the place was really interesting though and service was excellent.
(3)Chris H.
Be prepared to wait during normal dinner hours, but it's worth it. lobster roll, lobster bisque, octopus, carpaccio and oysters were fantastic... don't forget the oyster shooters!
(5)Nicole S.
Awesome food!!! Loved this place. We wanted to go to dmk burger but they had a 45 min wait, so headed next door where they surprisingly didn't have a wait. Amazing food, tried a bit of everything. Wait staff was awesome, knowledge but not rude. Very fun night. Would love to come back.
(5)Samuel M.
At face value, Fish Bar had a lot to overcome to wrest a solid review from me. I'm never really a fan of kitschy decor, which Fish Bar has in abundance. Also, it serves small plates, a dining concept which I find has become a played out, uninspired way of getting diners to overpay. Despite these two strikes right off the bat, Fish Bar manages to deliver a solid single, or at least an RBI groundout. The menu is, in actuality much bigger than it appears on the internet; there were 3-4 options for grilled fish, a couple fried options, a soup of the day, and a number of draft beers available. So, if the seemingly limited options put you off, fear not. Blue crab and andouille sausage gumbo ($6) is delicious; the meats aren't cooked to death, the broth is appropriately thickened and very liberally spiced. This was unequivocably my personal highlight - I could probably eat this every day. Calamari "a la plancha" ($7) is good; the squid is not overcooked, which by itself puts this in at least the top quartile of grilled calamari offerings, but the flavor profile (lemon, garlic) is not earth-shattering by any means. White baitfish "fries" ($5) are alright I guess - not too greasy, and surprisingly thin (about as thin as neighbor/partner DMK's potato fries), but the fish was definitely too fishy (which ordinarily doesn't put me off, but in this case it did). Next time, I'm gonna skip these for sure. The service is attentive and knowledgable. As far as the pricing, I don't really see what everyone is complaining about; this is Chicago, about as far away from a major coastline as you can get. Any fish we eat has to be shipped over Herculean distances, which jacks up prices astronomically. Sadly, if you want fish that is both cheap and good, you're in the wrong city. All in all, Fish Bar did about as well as it could have considering it's a kitschy small plates restaurant. I did like that I could eat a non-gross seafood dinner for around $20, which means I will probably be back when I'm in the area. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)Jeanus T.
Originally, I was going to give this place a 4-star. The seafood is really fresh and nice. However, I have to take out a star for noisiness and too pricey. It's a tiny place and they turn the music really loud like you are in a sport bar. You can't really talk to your friends in there! And I thought the place is slightly overpriced. A lobster roll costs $18! I do like the food. We had two dozens of raw oysters, 1/2 from the West coast and 1/2 from the East coast. Personally, I liked the East coast oysters better. But they are both delicious. We also ordered the clams and they were delicious!! Lobster bisque tasted unusual. Not saying it's bad, it's just different. We also had the clam chowder and that was really good. Go back to the lobster roll, which is what I was there for. I go to Boston a lot and always love the lobster bun in the Quincy market. This lobster roll, however, is a different version. At first, I wasn't sure if I like it because it's very different than what I was expecting. I had to finish it and then think back. I think I liked it. They didn't mix the lobster meat with mayonnaise like the Boston style. Instead, I think they mixed with lemon juice and herbs, that's it. It's good. I'd recommend it. I thought the a la plancha dishes were so-so. Too salty altogether.
(3)Stephanie M.
Eff it, this place gets 5 stars. Last night, the chef came out with a special plate for my gal pals and I. Whatever it was, it was excellent. I hate seafood, and yet love Fish Bar... Explain that one to me!!! We all got the Satchmo Po'boy last night, along with the Calamari, and pepper and lemons... all plates were like whoa! The chef brought us another plate of tater tot salad bacon greatness with a poached egg on top of it, which was to die for. I am craving everything I ate last night right this second. I will be back. Very soon. Goddamn this place rocks.
(5)Andi W.
Meh.. Food is just so so.. But the atmosphere is good. I wouldn't come again though. Not good seafood..
(3)MaryAnne M.
Simply adorable restaurant. Counter service only. On a cold February day during Lent had a taste for some Lobster Bisque: butternut squash & cayenne. I also grabbed some Gumbo: blue crab & andouille sausage. Both delicious. The shrimp/beet salad is light & refreshing. Bartender at counter serves and is very helpful.
(5)Sarah R.
I love it so much I can't stand it. Such a fun atmosphere with canoes hanging from the ceiling, wooden benches, gigantic fish mural-ed walls, mason jar cocktails, and sociable bar seating. The staff is a rare mix of hip but accessible and always looking to elevate your dining experience. I love chatting with everyone working there and hearing their recommendations. The oyster shooters have a kick and are definitely unique to this spot. My top picks are the fish fries, scallops, cod sandwich, corn and crab chowder, and cioppino. All in all, one of the top dining experiences I've had in Chicago. They serve adorable/ delicious cocktails and my favorites are the cucumber cocktail and grapefruit paloma. They are seriously the cutest, only complaint I'd have is on the occasional wait time. But definitely worth the wait every. single. time. Constantly amazed with the service and quality of the meal with perfect price points to boot. They are owned by the same folks as Ada Street and DMK burger, but stand out as my clear choice for a week night dinner with friends.
(5)Lisa O.
Great Food!
(4)Allyce B.
I am just a lover of seafood in general and this place was my seafood heaven. As you can see in the photos posted, the lobster roll is popular. Get it! If you don't like lobster though, I doubt you'll be disappointed with whatever you order. Besides the lobster roll I ordered calamari and the soft shell crab. I'm pretty much drooling thinking about it right now. This place would be a 5 for me but the wait situation is very cramped. Since they don't really have a place to sit and wait and sometimes the weather isn't on your side (it started raining when I was), they should really just take reservations and manage the space.
(4)Eugene C.
Ok I see people complain about the prices and it is somewhat pricey however the seafood is fresh and good with regular, human sized portions. If you want subpar seafood with large portions then go to Red Lobster. Anyhow the service is uber friendly and attentive. The interior is nice and did I mention the food is good? The server made very good recommendations. We started out with the Shrimp / tobiko and Octopus a la plancha complemented with cups of Clam Chowder and Gumbo which were all delicious. Then we tried the Lobster roll and the Satchmo Po' Boy which had a mix shrimp n crawfish. Amazing. As a side we had tater tots and a complimentary side of fried lemon, onion and jalapenos from our server which was really nice of her. Both good too and the right size. We left satiated and full. So yes it is somewhat pricey but you know where that extra money is going to. Go treat yourself. Good seafood is hard to come by in the midwest!
(4)Mandy M.
Amazing!! So happy to have found this place. I got the oyster po boy and it did not dissapoint. I could come here once a week easily and not get sick of it. We also had the mussels which were also yummy. The service was great, cool little place. But I have to agree with one of the reviews down below that I was dissapointed when I got my beer that is wasnt filled all the way. The little mason jar was cute but atleast fill my glass up! I dont think mine was even to the rim :( But since the food was so yummy, especially the po boy it still gets 5 stars..yes its thats good get it. now!
(5)Keith H.
I really do like it here. All of their seafood is seasonal and fresh and their specials rotate to give returning customers a better idea of what they might want to order. Their cocktail/beer menu is quite small, but effective. I enjoyed the decor and the music played is superb. And the service - it really can't be beat. Fine dining institutions needs to go and recruit these people because they know exactly how dining should be handled. But - all that said. This is NOT a place where you get a GOOD VALUE for your dollar. I understand that the seafood is fresh, but I left quite miffed about what I received for what I paid. My Po'Boy was the size of a hot dog roll with 5 breaded shrimp and cost $10. The oysters are incredibly small. Actually, everything as too small. There's no reason they couldn't serve some fries (and extra $5 or tots for $3) with their dishes, or a side of cole slaw with their fish, just to make it a little more worth your while. The music, while good as previously mentioned, is just too loud and everyone is shouting over everyone else. This is a small place, so someone should know better. But business is booming - and people will continue to flock. My recommendation is to make a reservation and ask for a booth if you have 3 or 4 people. If you can - sit outside.
(3)Ehow C.
To start my birthweek celebration, I came here with a fellow Yelper for dinner. The 20 minute wait wasn't too bad, but it was long enough for us to sneak out for truffle fries at DMK Burger (which I also reviewed). I started the meal with the Pineapple cocktail, which was pretty good. This was followed by a sausage/crab gumbo and lobster bisque, which were both superb in their own ways. The gumbo, while not as "meaty" as I'd like it to be, had a lot of depth in flavor, so much that I forgot I wanted more meat. The bisque had a very unique and flavorful sweet corn base, enhanced with a spice that builds over time. The lobster was good, but maybe a little overcooked. We split the lobster roll, which was the highlight of the meal, despite the celery mayo (read: I hate celery). The bread was crispy and buttery, and the lobster was plump, juicy, and well cooked. I would have had another, but my wallet is a bit light. I guess we ordered the fried softshell crab for for "dessert," and it was also very good, just second to the lobster roll. The lemon/arugula flavor combination was absolutely splendid. I'd come back for the food, for sure, especially with such great service. What's stopping a 5-star rating here is the price point. If it's slightly cheaper, I'd be completely content with this restaurant.
(4)Chelsea Laine H.
The food is overpriced (was there in 2012), the layout is bad (awkward, crowded even when you are eating). The drink selection was poor even though DMK next door (same owners, I believe) had an awesome selection. Food was okay, nothing special.
(2)Anne L.
Went to the fish bar to celebrate hubby's birthday for lunch. First off if you are in a hurry do not go here, service is very slow. That being said even though service is slow the staff was very friendly and attentive. My husband had the scallops (on special) as well as the mussels. The scallops were a little undercooked but still had a good taste. The mussels were great. I had the surf and turf on a sandwich with skirt steak, crab meat, asparagus, and hollandaise sauce. It was delicious but the steak was a little undercooked for my liking. Overall it was a great experience. Would go back but just request everything be cooked how we asked the first time.
(4)Anna M.
The Setting / General Area: Awesome! Right on the corner, the building has an awesome paint scheme and overall lovely atmosphere. We were a party of 5 people and opted to sit outside as the actual indoor area does not really accommodate for more than 4 people. Our Hostess: I did not get her name but she was excellent! She kept us entertained and struck up conversations with us while we waited for a table. Our Waitress: Was decent. She was polite and got our orders correct for the most part (more on this later) She did not have many tables to look over so did not appear busy but never came back to check on us after after taking our food/drink orders. She reappeared only to deliver the check. The Food and Drink: The drinks were very good. We enjoyed several of the #2 Teas and they were very delicious. My girlfriends ordered mostly everything on the sandwich side and had no complaints. However, my husband ordered the lobster roll, which as $22.00, and it was not very good at all. It was very over-seasoned , could only taste the cilantro and nothing of the lobster. for $22.00 we were also expecting a larger portion. It wasn't very big either. However, we do normally live in the suburbs where portion size is usually twice as large as city-standards. My other friend ordered the tacos which were not tacos at all but merely a piece of fish on quarter size corn-tortillas. I am torn because what I had eaten was very good while the other half of my party did not have the same experience. Recommendation: This is place is nice as an in-between lunch and dinner stop or if you are not in the mood for a large meal. Do not get the lobster roll if you are looking to save money.
(2)Kimberly D.
Was hoping to bring my boyfriend who is visiting from out of town, walked in at 10:10, walked out at 10:11. As soon as we walked in the waitress behind the bar informed us that the kitchen was closed and it happened apparently 5 minutes ago. We decided to leave but there were a few other employees closing up the patio outside, we asked if they knew why the kitchen was closed and they said it wasn't and we still had until 11 and said the waitress I spoke to must have been confused because they don't wear watches! We went back inside thinking it was a mistake and went to another waitress who said they weren't serving food anymore, when asked why she said just because. - Seemed like your employees just didn't want to work and close early. That's unfortunate because the food is good. My boyfriend's would have been first time will be his last and most likely mine. He really wanted to go because the food looked really good and he's heard so many great things about this restaurant. 1 star for terrible service or should I say lack there of.
(1)Tanisha M.
This was a cute little place...I was greeted as soon as I walked through the door. I've been on a lobster roll kick lately, so naturally I tried theirs. The sandwich was good and had big chunks of lobster, but I felt like there should have more to it for $22....no zhz zha zhu....it was just a basic sandwich and to add insult to injury, it came with a small bag of chips (not even fresh made kettle chips). The service was good, nonetheless and I'd be open to trying other things there. ...the lobster sandwich just won't be it. Cheers!
(3)Mira S.
I'm sure they get a lot of business from people not willing to make the long wait at DMK -- that's how we ended up there. It was a bit below capacity the whole time we were there. The food was okay, but I don't think I'd go back. My friend wasn't happy with her po' boy--nothing special, and pretty skimpy on the food, just a lot of bread. I ordered the salmon special, which was overcooked, and also not much food. The hush puppies were fine, but the sauce wasn't great, and I'd have preferred a non-mayo choice (even just honey). The scallop tacos were also fine, the scallops were cooked properly and weren't rubbery or fishy. They had a decent selection of drinks, both beers and mixed drinks, and it looked like they rotated them. The mixed drinks weren't generously poured. The service was fine, fairly attentive, but there were little annoying things, like the fact that we had to ask for water more than halfway through our meal. Anyway, I might go again in a bind if in the area and wanting to avoid a wait, but it wasn't my favorite.
(3)Anna D.
Everything here is so fresh and delicious. The staff is so friendly and attentive. I was waiting with my date and they brought us some samples of the crab cake. Another time I had a to go order and they brought be a sample of the gumbo. The customer service is awesome. Now the food is no short of amazing. The fish sandwich is crispy but airy and light. The potatoes and po boy are on point too. Try anything on the menu and you will be more than pleased.
(5)Sal B.
The service is great. The team they have is very hospitable. The shrimp tacos are probably the best I've had in the city. The cod fish sandwich is amazing. Overall a great place to dine!
(4)Mary M.
I love this restaurant! As others have said, it does get busy so I suggest getting there early on weekends. I normally don't enjoy places where you share seating with other parties but I've never felt cramped. Service is usually really fast and all of the servers are really attentive. I've gone so much that I've tried almost everything on the menus (changes seasonally and with whatever fish they have that day) and never been disappointed - I love the lemon rings, crabby patty, scallop ceviche, tuna tartare, any tacos they feature, and key lime pie. Same goes for the drink menu. The only reason I am knocking off a star is because their bar access for those not seated/eating is small and in between where people are seated. On a Saturday afternoon it causes a lot of crowding at the bar and is obnoxious if you're seated and eating there. It also seems to slow the drink service.
(4)Aaron P.
This place was delicious. The entire restaurant is one long bar that zig zags around in two rectangles. Our waitress/bartender was very friendly and patient. She also handed out free samples of the tuna ceviche, which was excellent. Their ceviche had a great balance of heat and spice without drowning out the falvor of the tuna. I ordered the crabby patty and a side of the smoked whitefish spread. The whitefish dip was loaded with capers, dill, and cream cheese. This would have made my grandmother proud. It was on the salty side, but that's pretty much what I expected for a smoked fish spread. The crabby patty was excellent also. Few crab cakes can stand up to this one. I appreciated the warm bun and Old Bay mayo. I can see why people are raving about this sandwich.
(4)Sarah Y.
If you're a seafood lover, then you won't be disappointed with your visit here (but your wallet might be crying...it ain't cheap!). All of the seafood items that we had were fabulous, and the nonseafood items were forgettable in comparison. This might be seasonal, but the butternut squash lobster bisque was phenomenal. Ack I'm swooning. Don't think those two things go together, you would be very wrong. The creaminess of the butternut squash soup was infused with lobster stock or something equally seafoody, and there were CHUNKS of lobster in the mix. So hearty, and so indulgent to have during winter. The sandwiches are all I will ever eat when I come back. Lobster roll was fantastic. It was simple, the mayo didn't overpower the flavor of the lobster, and the roll was buttery, crispy yet yeasty. Why does it have to be so small?! 6" is not enough! The satchmo po-boy, a crispy mix of crawfish and shrimp in a tangy dressing was fabulous. It's meaty, savory and a little sweet, on a buttery roll. Yummm!
(5)Shana A.
Wish I could give zero stars. We went on a Friday so we were expecting the wait. We were told it would be an hour so that was fine. After over an hour and a half with people arriving after us sitting I asked the host about our seating and she said they were waiting for 2 girls to leave. These 2 girls has been there the entire time and were friends with their waitress. We asked if there was anywhere else we could sit and she said no we needed to wait for these girls and they could not ask them to leave. Then the entire staff proceeded to take group shots with these 2 girls I mentioned that I thought that was extremely rude and no one including the manager seemed to care. We proceeded to walk out and will never go back
(1)Luvyoga B.
Had lunch here today. The best lobster roll ever!! Bread fresh, buttery and crisp on the outside. Big chunks of lobster, Spicy coleslaw and chips to go with. Satchmo po boy was excellent. Calamari was good. Like the added hot peppers. Pineapple cider delicious. Key lime pie with vanilla bean whip cream the best! Staff super friendly. Food came fast. Nice casual ambience. Will definitely be back.
(5)Emina l.
We went there for late lunch on a Saturday. Cute decor but much smaller than I imagined. Menu was on the small side as well but had great selections and literally made me want to try everything. We had several different fish and scallop tacos, an octopus dish and split a lobster roll, which came with a bag of chips. I absolutely love fish tacos and have them any time they are on a menu, and who doesn't love a good lobster roll? These were just all right. Maybe it was the size portion... Not a bad joint and a decent concept but nothing to write home about. I feel like they belong on a beach - perfect for a quick, low key bite before going back in water. Server was very casual too, which I usually don't mind but I had a few questions and he seemed like he was not into it. Food tasted good and was fresh but I wasn't blown away. I would go back if in the neighborhood but would not go out of my way.
(3)Tricia B.
My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Saturday for a spur of the moment. This place is always packed and the night we went showed no difference either. Needless to say, we gave it a chance and got seated within 10 minutes, which is great. The weather outside was slowly getting chilly, so most of the business was indoors but there were a few that stayed outside to enjoy the last of the summer weather. Our server was very pleasant and although it was busy all around, she made sure to check up on us when she could. We placed our order and slowly awaited for our food to arrive. When it did, it turns out that my boyfriend's order was wrong. Our server was busy attending to other customers, so when another server was near our table area, we mentioned to her that one of the orders was wrong. Now, normally when an order is placed incorrectly, the server apologizes and reassures that the correct order will come out shortly. This was the response from the server who we informed of our incorrect order, "Well, I can't take that back anyway so why don't you just eat it and we'll get your food out soon." The response was rude, inconsiderate and we were both shocked at the response. This server then motioned the hostess to come towards us and scolded her in front of us, stating that the reason business is so crowded in the restaurant is because she keeps taking carry out orders for people who are waiting outside, and demanded her to stop taking orders. Our dining experience quickly turned from pleasant to thinking we should just walk out. When our regular server returned with my boyfriend's correct food, she apologized for the incorrect order and was still very pleasant. We both asked who the server was that we had spoken to earlier. She noted she was the restaurant manager, which shocked us both. So we found out the Manager was being short with customers, but being condescending to her staff in front of customers. Our server was very pleasant but the fact she had to apologize for her boss is ridiculous. I can't give the restaurant all of bad credit because the food we ordered(well, when my boyfriend finally got the correct food he ordered) was good. But the poor service coming from the Manager of all people brought our first experience here down. It'll take a long time for us to reconsider coming back here for a pleasant dining experience.
(2)Angela B.
Yum. Just Yum. Most of everything on the menus here is delicious. I do have a preference for the summer menu rather than the winter one. I also never had the sandwiches, so I cannot comment on those, however the tacos are excellent as is anything raw or with a shell. The lemon, jalapenos fried thing is unique and pretty good as the the drinks. The only minus it that the seating is really uncomfortable/cramped if you're not in a booth.
(4)Andy L.
I don't like fish. They let me modify my chicken sandwich enough to my liking. Drinks we're great and the manager, Alexa, was very accommodating. They literally let me roast my own marshmallow for dessert. I would recommend this place to people even if they don't like fish, or bars.
(5)Ryan L.
Only 100 more visits and I can catch up to Nikki C. I enjoyed the odd setup of the bar inside. Don't know why this was case. The waitstaff are alotted an area all to themselves to provide service, which is nice. I think the only problem was that the drinks were made right in front of the station where the food was coming out. The staff seems to work efficiently around it, so I guess it's not an issue. Despite being told a very incorrect price on the Eastern Belly clams, I went ahead and ordered it anyway. They were great and definitely not the Gorton's style I grew up on. You can skip the fingerling potatoes, but the clam chowder is a definite must-order. I ordered the gumbo because I read Andre W.'s review about how delicious it was. The man doesn't often use hyperbole so I tried it and did work on it! Definitely killed that gumbo. The drinks are smaller than normal, but priced cheaper ($5-7 dollars I believe). I think I'm a fan of this system, and I did enjoy the drinks we ordered. I can sample much of the drink menu without getting totally blitzed. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Sorry about the random shout-outs in this review.
(4)Emma T.
The fish bar has a nice atmosphere but the portions are tiny and not very well seasoned. I won't be returning
(2)Neamen L.
Food was good. Calamari was delicious. Fish sliders were real good. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends but overall a good experience.
(4)Phoebe W.
I have a confession. I, Phoebe W., am not a fan of lobster. PLEASEDONTJUDGEME. I love seafood. I love learning about and eating all forms of it. When I was a bitty one, my favorite food was shark fin soup (SERIOUSLYDONTJUDGEME). When I spent spring break in Boston, I am relatively sure I decimated a sizable percentage of the marine life on the East coast in 5 days. I once ate crab guts as a dare from my uncle. I'll eat anything if it came out of the ocean. Despite my tastes, I think I can still provide decent insight into a good quality lobster roll. For $20ish Fish Bar gives you a monstrous amount of lobster on a very fresh roll. The flavors were all there, just...lobster just doesn't wow me the way other sea creatures do. If you think you can convince me otherwise, please message me! I guess I'm more of a crab leg kinda gal. Anyway, there's a ton of other things to order besides the lobster roll. Oyster po'boys, fish tacos, salads, and raw oysters (Get the Naked Cowboy, they're "salty and girthy" as described by our server). But my favorite item at Fish Bar is the clam chowder. Somehow it's rich, but not heart clogging. Flavorful without being too fishy or salty. How do you do it, Fish Bar?? Get yourself a Bourbon on Belmont and enjoy, folks.
(4)Jody B.
Well, I was in the neighborhood, so I went again. So this is now when I say, I ain't going again! We sat outside which was a plus. Our waiter was nice (another plus). But I am not impressed with the food. Everything is fried. :-P We shared a surf/turf sandwich and a shrimp po boy. Everything I have tasted here tastes the same....like fried breading. We ended up ordering out a burger from next door at DMK. NOW THAT WAS GREAT! Too bad they don't set up a few tables outside their place so you can hear yourself think... meh.
(2)Andre W.
Nothing but deliciousness going on here! Salmon BLT blew me away as the salmon/bacon combo was perfect. The gumbo was phenomenal and what I would imaging true New Orleans gumbo would be like...I was told its great for hangovers...I know where I will be next time I need a cure...lol The fried Bay Scallops were delicious as well as they came with fresno chili, soy, ginger & sesame Key lime pie (one of my favorite desserts) was as good as any I have ever had. Drink wise I had a Jackhammer which is a tequila based drink. Fucking phenomenal as I had about 5 of them! The staff of beautiful women are really nice and attentive. The girls seemed to be able to break down the menu for anyone who had questions...very nice to chat with as well. One of my new favorite places!
(5)Hollina U.
Love the spicy tequila drink here. Cocktail #3! I always get the double since the regular size is super tiny. The double is just a normal mason jar. The ceviche is good, but the serving is small for the price. Hmm sensing a pattern here? I like blackened fish sliders though!! Both times I've gone they give me coupons for free cocktails.... But then again each coupon is only worth $6 for the small size. Well, the gesture is nice. The set up of Fish Bar is fun though, because the majority of people sit around a bar... Hence the name! I'll come back for more of the #3 cocktail... And will prob order some fish tacos and sliders the tipsier I get!
(4)Pierre W.
Well.. I went here last week. I had a lobster roll. It was OK..I had some NE Clam Chowdah!!(smile).. It was quite good. The waite staff was very nice, and helpful. My experience was OK.... OK....
(3)Karen C.
Yet another one of my "WHY did I wait so long to go here!?" reviews. Definitely a great date place, not so much for a group... I now understand why they say if you have a party of 4 to go next door instead. Super cute set-up, it's literally a fish BAR... they do have a few tables but the main seating area is at the bar. We went on a Saturday night & we were expecting a crazy wait. I started out with a Half Acre beer which you can never go wrong with, and the boy had the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail... wow. It was delicious. I love that the drinks are served in jars... little stuff like that always makes me smile. Moving on... we got seated after about 20 minutes, so that wasn't as bad as I expected. We ordered the crabby patty (yum! stuffed full of crab), fish fries, shrimp, swordfish & the trout salad. Everything was seriously so delicious. Our waitress was very nice & helpful, too... you really get the feeling that everyone actually cares about you here. I can't wait to go back & try more... that lobster roll is calling my name!
(5)Chris C.
I will make it simple. Good food and great staff! When you come here this place makes you feel like you're at home.
(5)Daniel G.
First I gulped down a savory oyster shooter. I then had a delicious Rainbow trout special. It was grilled with a brown butter caper sauce with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Curtis, the generous server, offered me a tasty cobia ceviche. Great place! I've been here many times.
(5)Jesse T.
Good seafood with outstanding atmosphere. This place isn't the cheapest place to get seafood in Chicago, but it's definitely one of the best. Every item is at least good, and the po boys are great. The drink list is fine, and goes very well with the rest of the menu. When I want something light and flavorful, Fish Bar is my go-to.
(4)Ritu R.
Crispy bay scallops. Many small sized scallops. Delicious. Very Indian flavor but not overwhelming. King prawns - in half shell. Spicy and flavorful. Tater tots. Crispy & light! Very nice side. Sea scallops special. Omg! . Citrus & creamy remoulade and arugula. Three medium scallops. Mussels - bland. Bread was nice flavored which we ate in the sauce. Mussels are fresh and nice sized. Good amount to share. Taco of the day was salmon. Hubs liked it. A bit fishy tasting for him. 3 2-seater booths. Rest is bar (communal on bar stools) seating. Hence. "Fishbar". We'll be back :)
(4)Matt T.
Went here last night with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. The seating is very limited on a Friday night so for a table of 4 we were quoted an hour wait. No big deal, we went down the road for a drink while we waited. Came back after an hour and were seated right away. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable, explained the menu very well (it was our first time). This restaurant serves small plates that are meant to share, so we stared with some hush puppies, calamari, and clam chowder. Federal hill style calamari is amazing! (Served with peppers and onion). She got the tartar and I got the lobster roll. At $22 it's the most expensive item on the menu but let me say that it is worth it! You get an entire lobster tail worth of meat and it's just fantastic. The tartar was great as well. Overall, VERY impressed with the food and the service here. At $80 for a dinner for 2 it's not the cheapest spot, but it's great if you want to treat yourself. We'll definitely be back. 5 stars.
(5)Talia G.
Any place that specializes in seafood is automatically a place I want to go. For the most part, I really enjoyed my experience at the Fish Bar. I arrived SOAKING wet in the middle of a torrential downpour and the waitress was kind enough to seat me even though my friend hadn't arrived yet. I ended up having to wait a half an hour before my friend arrived and in the meantime, the awesome waitresses chatted with me, recommended food and drinks, and even served me a complementary small snack to tide me over. Honestly, I'll be back just because those girls were so nice. I ended up deciding to give Fish Bar three stars because, despite the wonderful waitresses, my food experience wasn't the best. We ordered a scallop ceviche, fried calamari, and blackened lobster tacos, and the tacos were the only really good item. The calamari was way over-salted and the ceviche just wasn't very exciting. The lobster tacos were great as was the "spicy margarita", although I would definitely not call it spicy. Overall, not the greatest food experience, but a memorable and pleasant evening despite the rain. And I can't forget - the ambiance is fantastic! It's all bar seating, but done in a really intimate way. Great for a date or a night out with one or two friends.
(3)Tracey H.
Ate here with some friends after intending to try it for years. I would say that this is the kind of place that is better for a weekend lunch, rather than dinner. Still, we were happy going early on a Saturday. We tried: The lobster roll, mussels, clams, hush puppies, po boy, and the lobster bisque, the key lime pie, and the smores. The bisque was not good for some reason, so I would avoid. However, everything else was great! The server was also very good; she was able to pick up on the fact that one of the people dining with us had a dietary restriction (he does a low carb diet) without his specification, just from her observation. I thought this was a sign of great service--kuddos!
(4)Zuhair A.
Great poboys, fresh seafood. Chill atmosphere. However one star off for an isolated incident of unwanted hair.
(4)Annie M.
After a few more trips to fish bar (and upon discovering the new england seafood company), I don't think this is quite the amazing experience as I did originally. Most of the time, I leave pretty hungry still, spending just as much money as I do other places for more food. I've struck out with the clam chowder a couple of times now...most recently, it was very fishy. The servers are great about checking up to make sure everything tastes all right but the set up inside is so awkward that it doesn't feel personalized at all. I love this place when it's summer and their patio is open, and I still stand by my claim that the satchmo po'boy is super unique and delicious, but fish bar just strikes out for me in the colder months when too many people are crammed inside.
(3)Kiara C.
This place is definitely the go to place if you're craving for a higher upscale hot dog in a bun..but instead of meat, it's fried seafood on a bun! I ordered the oysters po'boy. These oysters were cooked in perfection, the fried batter made it crunchy on the outside but the inside just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is pretty relaxing. Love the mason jars they use for drinks.
(4)Bryan U.
My wife and I have visited Fish Bar several times over the last year. We keep going back for three reasons: The menu board is always changing. The staff is very warm and friendly. Most of all, the food we had is delicious. I have no complaints or critiques whatsoever, so Fish Bar deserves my 5 stars. We've had the lobster roll, fried clams, hush puppies, fish tacos, gumbo, chowder, ceviche, tartar, and lots more. It's hard to find a fun casual restaurant with great seafood. We'll keep going back.
(5)Natalie C.
The food we had at Fish Bar was very good (we sampled the satchmo poboy, the soft shell sandwich, lobster roll, and fried codfish sandwich, along with an order of hush puppies and garlic bread). Solid food, fresh and tasty. The service we experienced was amazing. Our waitress was friendly, sincere, and completely on point: refilling waters, joking around with us and giving us suggestions on what to try, checking up on us, and even bringing us a bunch of snackies and appetizers to try, on the house. We got to try these little artichoke fritters, some white fish spread, and also the ceviche for free. All fresh and tasty. In today's trend of purposely sub-par service (ahem the hipster waiters at Parson's Chicken and Fish, I'm talking about you), it is SUCH a relief to find establishments that have good food AND great service. Will definitely be back to sample other items on their menu when I am in the mood for some seafood.
(5)Denzell W.
Fish Bar is owned by DMK Burger Bar (next door). Equally as "hip" and tasty. This franchise really nailed presentation and atmosphere, so much so that we've googled their other restaurants and look forward to going to all of them. After walking in we were greeted by the chef and a server, "Welcome to Fish Bar!"--- caught me off guard, but immediately set the tone that this place is approachable, professional, and not your ordinary seafood restaurant. Bex was my server -- she gave us a card and recommended we ask for her when we return (cool points for that). It tells me something--- this place invests in their servers, and I'm willing to invest back in you for that. It's literally built like a "Bar". The server walks around and serves your table as if your sitting at a Bar! I had the Lobster Roll and we split a Crabby Patty. Both were really tasty. The thing that stood out the most here was the speed of service. It's a small plates style of menu and they really fly the food out fast. You drink out of mason jars, there's a roll of paper towels on the table and it feels like you're at a nautical pier somewhere. I'd recommend this place for dates for sure. Couples night out expect to spend about $60-75 total to fill up. They're even open late! Swing in for a late night to-go Lobster Roll.
(5)Sleepless-In S.
A great spot for a date or random dinner. Although small, Fish Bar has a unique atmosphere with superb food and drinks. The service may be a bit laid back and the portions are on the small plate side, but that seems to fit in with exactly the kind of establishment Fish Bar is- a boutique seafood restaurant.
(5)Amy W.
Loved the decor! Loved the beachside/wartime vibes going on here. I'm such a sucker for exposed wood done appropriately. The service was pretty good; we ordered with the bartender/waitress from the bar, and our food came out within a pretty reasonable time. The monkfish sliders, which were a special of the day, were rather tasty. I also loved the fish fries, which were whole (headless) smelt that were deep-fried. However, the grilled octopus was rather underwhelming; I would have liked less of the citrus and more of the grilled/smokey flavor. Overall, not too bad, but I felt not the least bit sated on the amount of food that I got for the amount of money that I spent at this place.
(3)Jennifer S.
I will echo the general sentiment of other reviewers here- the portions are small and some arent even 4 ounces of fish. To make a meal for two, you will need to order 5-6 plates. If you add beer, easily your tab will run $30-$35 per person. The flavors of the dishes are generally well developed and the gumbo i had was superb. But one theme through out all the dishes was the heavy hand of salt on each one! yes, fish must be šeasoned before cooking and i do so generously when i make fish at home too, but is the kitchen preparing food for smokers who have lost their tašte buds? I couldnt believe how over šalted and over šeasoned each dish was. This was my second time here and the first time I had the lobster roll,so i didnt sample the grilled dishes to which this applies. So, beware- if you are on a reduced sodium diet or have kidney issues, tell them to take it easy with the salt! The stand outs are the lobster roll and the gumbo. I'd Travel x town for those.
(3)Claire C.
Despite the fact that I don't like seafood but my husband does, this place was so wonderful and accommodating. They were happy to modify their menu to make something that I would like and I loved it. The atmosphere is so cute and welcoming and the staff is equally so (Janna). I will definitely come back. Well done Fish Bar.
(5)Allison S.
It sounds like lunch is the time to go here, which is when I went. Was able to get two seats at the comfy bar. I love the atmosphere, it's full of light but still cozy on this winter day. I had the crabcake sandwich, which was very good. I REALLY liked the tater tots, tasted like they had some light sea salt on them. The only thing I wish they'd do is use slightly larger plates -- the plate my sandwich came on was barely bigger than the bun, so it's hard to eat because it gets messy once you bite into it. But i'd go back, it reminded me of my time spent in New Haven, CT.
(4)Marta K.
If you can eat outside, then yes.. inside is noisy and uncomfortable. We had the asparagus-good.. the rare tuna-meh, although the accompaniments are good.. fish sandwich-good. The sliders are great. The key lime pie is to die for! Lot of money considering the atmosphere.
(3)Brittany L.
Came here with a girlfriend a couple months ago. Had a great cocktail called the Bourbon off Belmont. Thought some bourbon would keep me warm while we waited for our food. We had the calamari to start off with. Wished it was a bigger portion but still good. We also had clam chowder which was also tasty. I had the Oyster Po'boy and my friend had the Lobster Roll. Both delicious but enjoyed the Oyster Po'boy more. I'd love to try the other DMK establishments next time. Heard they're great!
(4)Gary C.
I don't know what happened. I was standing on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington and I DIDN'T go to DMK Burger Bar. Don't the DMK, she might think I'm cheating on her...with her pescetarian sister. But truth be told. I did sneak off for a little action on the side at Fish Bar. The place is small. No more than like thirty people can enjoy FB [not to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg's creation] at a time. The bar setup is really cool. You've got your traditional bar seats around this U-shaped bar. Then there's the booths. My girlfriend and I were seated in a booth that was up against the bar area. They've got a few booths for groups that would otherwise take up most of the bar top. The staff is super friendly. Our server helped figure out what to order, and we ultimately got the codfish, crabby patty, and tots. No lie, I had no idea what to expect. I was just hoping I wasn't going to get a Fish Fillet from McDonald's or a rock-hard crab cake. What I got was one of the most simple, well-executed fish sandwiches I have ever eaten. A whole breaded fillet. Single slice of American cheese. Lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce. So gooooooooood. Don't even get me started on the crabby patty. Holy schmoley. Best crab cake I've ever eaten. There. I said it. And the tots? Oh yes. You know the tots were good, too. To round out the meal, I was sippin' on Sonja. Ya know, the #7. Sonja does Sicily. It's very appropriate for the summa summa summa-time. Light, citrusy, and vodka-y. Oh, and they rock mason jars. Be sure to check the big board for any specials. I missed out on soft-shell crab the first time I was there [insert sad face]. With that said, I can't wait to hit the bar fishin' again.
(4)Kathy S.
My husband went here for lunch for the first time and loved it so much that we went back for dinner. This place has really top-notch seafood and exceptional service. The manager Sasha remembered my husband from lunch and even greeted him by name...how many other places can tell you that? He was very friendly and I was so impressed with his passion to make a great dining experience for all the customers. It's difficult to see that these days. The servers and hostess were very sweet as well. Now to the food. My husband LOVED the oysters, even with the $15 for half a dozen price tag. Good seafood isn't cheap and you can tell these oysters are quality. I'm not a big fan of fried oysters but the husband was in love with his oyster po boy. I very much enjoyed my lobster roll and can't wait to have it again...I got a lot of fresh sweet lobster meat and the celery mayo was divine. We also had the rock shrimp and the yellow tail snapper, yum. The perfect ending to the meal were the desserts. We ordered the key lime pie but Sasha also gave us a complimentary slice of the strawberry rhubarb as he told us he wanted us to try that too. They were both heaven but he knew what he was talking about because that strawberry rhubarb was insanely good (my default dessert from now on). They offer a points card which I know we'll be filing up pretty quickly. Yeah, the place isn't cheap but you really get what you pay for.
(5)Abby Z.
We had a fun time coming here to check this place out. Nothing was out of this world, and nothing was bad by any means. We had a fish that was done in a browned butter sauce that was the highlight of the night, as well as a lobster roll that was good but not the best I've had. This might sound silly but my biggest complaint was the size of the drinks (and I'm not one to complain about skimpy portions, I prefer petite to large). Sure the beer and cocktails are cheap, but that's because they are served in tiny little mason jars therefor you are paying a cheap price for a small pour. I'd much rather pay twice the price for twice the size of the drink so I can sip it for a while especially when the wait for a table is an hour and there's hardly room to squeeze up to the bar to order another after the first drink magically disappears too quickly.
(3)Kristin R.
Hearts all the way for Fish Bar! Came here with a couple of friends of mine during a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We were able to snag a table outside, and as per usual, they were running some nice deals that we caught on Facebook, and simply had to try. They have a nice assortment of fresh fish that you can order tapas style, and a number of beverages from which to choose from their fully stocked bar. Started out with a nice and hoppy beer, then onto the Bloody Mary's! The Bloody Mary's are fab, and well, beer is beer, but they have a nice selection for any kind of preference. The service was friendly, and they were very attentive to our table seeing as we were there for around 5 hours. Our sunday definitely turned into a "sunday funday", but Fish Bar is the perfect place for this, especially on a beautiful day. I know I'll be back because a) they care about their customers b) they advertise their fish of the day deals, drink deals, etc. on a daily basis c) their fish is excellent d) so are their bloody mary's and e) a nice short bike ride from my home is reason enough to enjoy Fish Bar at any time of the day. Highly recommend!
(5)Toni M.
What can I say about this place and Romantique well-kept Sacret the food is unique service sometimes is great sometimes is mediocre martinis are great I love their music great hangout place try the crab legs and alive lobsters delicious
(3)Kelly F.
My sister in-law brought us here last month after having run a Half Marathon earlier that day. Well played - pretty much, best decision EVER. Let's sum it up: -Get there early. (5pm on a Saturday to be precise, as it gets crowded fast, so much in fact that those waiting might stand and stare at you longingly while you eat) -What?! Order everything all at once? Thankfully drinks are an exception. (Yes, they actually make you do this - but, it's not as annoying as it sounds) -Okay, do yourself a favor and order the Oyster Po' Boy (maybe two). The Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno is also pretty amazing. -Impressive beer selection, even for uppity ones like my husband (who, with a gleam in his eye, ordered a De Leyerth Brouwerije "Urthel Hop-It" Belgian IPA). -For those that enjoy liquor like myself, I slurped down two or three "Negroni Baloney" beverages (hey, I hadn't indulged in alcohol for a week due to running that Half Marathon, so it tasted beyond delicious). -Fresh, urban atmosphere. Smart service. Old school music plays in the background, comforting your soul, just like the food. Loved it.
(4)Richie D.
Well, it's a bar...that sells fish. The name simply says it all. Picture a quaint Glenn's Diner, without the cereal or amazing potato pancakes. They make up for the latter with a side of tator tots at $2 though. My friend's fairly good sized taster of the pineapple jalapeno cocktail concoction quickly took my mind away from comparing the two eateries. She ordered and shared the Calamari a la plancha (grilled) and Tuna Carpaccio, both which were super fresh and well marinated. While I came to Fish Bar with the Lobster Roll in mind, I couldn't find it in my heart to throw down a "market price" set at $18! I could buy an entire lobster for that in Chinatown or Little Saigon! Instead, I ordered the item listed below it: Crabby Patty sandwich with old mayo, lettuce, tomato, and (I want to say pickled) red onion. Best Crabcake sandwich I have every had! Slightly crispy, tons of flavor (without the seafood flavor which I'm not a fan of), and a soft bun. Really there was nothing special about the presentation (hamburger bun + white glass plate), but the flavor stuck out. I'll be back for it! Fish Bar is great as long as you don't mind the close quarters/seating a la Francais, or the huge whiff of strong seafood the minute you step foot in the door (don't worry, your senses get used to it before you become nauseous, while your clothes may reek a bit afterwards; Note to self: Have a bottle of cologne for afterwards if I'm going out). I arrived at 5:30 pm and was glad I did. By 6 pm, there's a wait. Plus, they can't seat groups bigger than 3-4 people. Guess that's why it's called a "bar" yet has a hostess?? Oh and they close between 3 pm and 4:30 pm (annoying!).
(4)David R.
The Fish Bar bandwagon (or band-dinghy?) slowed down long enough for this old fogey to jump on. Usually I assiduously avoid new and "hot" spots no matter how compelling, but this concept sang its siren song seductively enough to entice me for an off-peak, Saturday mid-afternoon visit. And now I'm hooked. First off, this place is fun and unique. The double u-shaped counter/seating area; the bright blue paint job on the exterior walls; the weathered planks on the walls (surely salvaged somewhere like Nantucket); the bright, engaging service; the awesome soundtrack (CCR and Tom Petty during our visit)--all good stuff. And the menu, there's another distinction. Seafood, glorious seafood. Nothing too gourmet, but a notch above your typical greasy shrimp shack. Here is an oh-so-rare place where I could see myself trying everything on the menu, visit after visit after visit. The calamari was my #1 focus based on other reviews, and I was not disappointed. It's fried, but comes out a little soggy due to the pickled vegetables--onions, peppers, and the like, a sort of giardiniera. Don't quibble about the moisture content--just gobble it up! Delicious. Perfect tater tots. Exquisite cocktail sauce (far better than anything that you have ever had from a bottle). Solid fried shrimp. Catch of the day prepared a la plancha with lemon, pepper, olive oil, and chili for a lovely lighter option. North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, a perfect beer to match all this aquatic bounty. I've only nibbled at the line which they're dangling, so between the promise of the rest of the menu and the warm atmosphere, I hope to make this a semi-regular stop.
(4)Gary T.
The service from Kate was great!!! The lobster roll not so much. The lobster wasn't fresh so it didn't taste very good. The lobster roll was also very small. I can't recommend the lobster roll. My friend had the red snapper taco and enjoyed it.
(3)Pamela P.
This place is explosive on Yelp. I've been dying to try it because of all the reviews and its proximity to mi casa. This Sunday afternoon we decided to peek in to see how long of a wait it would be. None. Great, I thought, now we can definitely see what all the fuss is about. We were seated on rickety steel stools around a decently nice bar area. The server immediately popped up behind the bar and I asked for an iced tea. Served in a mason jar, the tea was actually quite good. I looked around for some sweet and low packets but no such luck. I didn't feel cool enough to ask for them so I made it work. Having heard great things about the lobster roll and the crab sandwich, we had to try both. Before that, though, we were feeling adventurous and landed on the fried jalapenos, lemons and onions. Well, this started the downward spiral. I quickly began to hope this was a "grower not a show-er" place. Too bad, it wasn't. The fried trinity was so greasy I could see the grease just hanging out on the food before it was soaked up into the paper basket it came in. The lemon, jalapenos and onions were so greasy that they lost any crunch that may have been intended. The $18 lobster roll arrived and it was paltrily filled with a little bit of the lobster/mayo mix. It was good but not orgasmic and most certainly not worth the price tag. The lobster itself was just "meh." I've had better. If you're dying for some tasty lobster, head to Capital Grille. Trust me. There's no comparison. The crab cake sandwich was slathered with mayo and some tomatoes and some other cheap greenery and it was just such a measly portion that I was getting irritated. I hoped the crab cake itself was much tastier but alas, it too was killed with hot grease and all its crabby goodness must have bled into the hot oil, killing its flavor. I've had amazing crab cakes in Chicago and this isn't one of them. What a letdown! After a beer each and that iced tea with all the above food, it was $56 total (including tip)--very much over-priced and not worth it's weight especially since you'll leave with some mild hunger in your belly. We were about to inquire about the dessert but our waitress already made the judgment call that we couldn't possibly have any room for it and brought us the check. When we finally saw her and were going to ask about the pie, she just said--"oh sorry, didn't know you were interested." Well, we're not anymore. Save your money--go somewhere else. Really, all the hype is totally unjustified.
(2)Coleman B.
Definitely a much better experience. You just have to try out what you like. I love the service here, I like certain raw fish, and certainly its a matter of taste. Definitely comes with experience, but I'm at a place where I know what I like, and when I order it, its superbly prepared. Always ask for recommendations.
(5)Vince N.
Seafood in Chicago? Yes ladies and gent, it's possible! I've been wanting to eat at Fish Bar for the longest time now and got the opportunity to last week. Didn't have to wait too long, we sat in the cool patio area. The lobster roll is UNREAL. I've tried other lobster rolls around the city but Fish Bar def. has the best. The succulent juicyness of the lobster pieces melted by the buttered bread is to die for. We also had oysters, crab patty, tacos, tots, and calamari--all hit the spot. When I come back here, I am sure to order thousands of lobster rolls.
(5)Elena M.
I am dedicating this 5-star review to the sweet, kind, lovely, waitress Janna at Fish Bar. What a gal! She went above and beyond to make mine and the boy's first experience here delightful. She started by recommending some dishes which I will pass on to my fellow yelpers: The Rock Shrimp: You have the option of getting the sauce on the side, or 'wet' meaning they're doused with this spicy yummy-ness. I ordered them wet via Janna's suggestion and it was killer... Lobstah Roll: a lovely piece of New England, right here in the heart of Lakeview. I'm quite a seafood snob when it comes to these babies. I like my lobster FRESH not slimy or rubbery and the mayo-celery concoction has to be just right. Idk what this place did, but the lobster tasted like it came straight from the harbor, and this place goes easy on the mayo which i prefer. Scallops: Personally, I HATE scallops, therefore, I cannot attest to this dish, but the boy ordered this, and according to him, he loved them. He was able to confirm this to me by devouring them in a blink-of-an-eye complimented by satisfying moans. Oysters (East and Special): Despite the fact that I'm all about an aphrodisiac, oysters are my favorite and the kind of dish I can eat and never get tired of. I like East Coast better than West so we ordered three servings of those. The way it works here is you can order six east/west oysters for $15. Not too shabby. They compliment the oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and this garlic/olive oil dip (I'm not quite sure what else is in it) that was delish. In addition to the east and west, they also have these other oysters on special. I cant remember the name for the life of me (I think it starts with a 'K') but we ordered those. The serving came with 3 huge, meaty oysters. They were my favorite by far. New England Clam Chowder: By the time we finished the above dishes (yes we are fat-asses and enjoy a lot of food) we opted out of ordering anything else. Janna was so sweet to bring us a clam chowder on-the-house because she overheard us talking about our interest in trying it earlier. She wanted us to really enjoy our first experience here, and experiment with our palettes as much as possible. From there, we proceeded to ramble about our names (we all have unique-uncommon names) and other light-hearted topics. I'm all about food, but what makes a place truly amazing is atmosphere and service. Janna- thank you for making our first experience at Fish Bar unforgettable! We'll be back :)
(5)Gamaliel E.
Fresh seafood...great beer.....cool staff.....nice vibe.........worth a try. This really isn't my part of town I like to visit, probably because I was out there way too many times in my 20s....but I was happy I made the trip. First off the bloodies here are one of the best I've had. The food was solid, small portions, so your bill will get hefty in a flash. I would say try the fried lemon peels & onions. Everything was good, but I doubt I'll be craving anything enough to make a regular trip back to this place. I will definitely return, just not on a regular basis given the hood its in.
(3)Laura H.
We ate outside, tried something from different parts of the menu (fried, fresh, etc) and were impressed by everything. It was all delicious, fresh, simply plated, and worth every penny. I'm really looking forward to going back.
(5)Alaina F.
This place is pretty good, for a fish bar in a landlocked city. It's definitely cute and kind of unique, and I like the blue picnic tables. We sat outside which was loud, but we had a good time. The menu was predominantly seafood duh, and consisted of your standard fried shellfish items, raw bar picks, and a couple of random salads and sides. A few things we liked included the Federal Hill style calamari, a pork belly BLT, and the tater tots. Seeing as we had just come off of a vacation in Maine, we skipped the lobster roll because there is no way it could compare. Speaking of Maine, this place is good for Chicago, but really does not hold a candle to the seafood available in New England destinations. I'm sorry to those who said they felt like they were in Cape Cod, but due to geographic location alone, that is simply not possible.
(3)Amy H.
Weeks ago, I jumped off the L to see a man painting on giant fish on the side of, what I thought was, a dentist's office (turns out, the dentist is next door). Fish Bar is exactly one million times better than the dentist, and I will definitely return. Expecting crowds, we came around 4:30 on Sunday and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is lively, and the decorations are casual and fun. I can recognize complaints regarding the lack of coat hooks and barstool seating, but personally found it charming and perfectly matched to the Bar's "World's Classiest Shack"-decor. We were greeted by David Morton, who took time to introduce himself and check up on us a few times during the meal. I'm guessing this guy won't be hanging around for too much long after opening weekend, but I have to say that he's an entirely charming and gracious host. We ordered two beers, both of which were delicious (especially the Trappist-Style Abbey Ale), and paired them with 1) fried calamari 2) tuna carpaccio 3) gumbo 4) Krabby Patty. The standouts were absolutely the crab cake and calamari. The calamari is perfectly cooked and battered, and the zing of the banana peppers is a nice surprise. The Krabby Patty is just an awesome sandwich. Fresh, perfectly seasoned and just spicy enough. The bun is lightly toasted and buttery, but somehow managed not to crumble under the hearty patty and zesty sauce. My gumbo was everything I'd hoped; deliciously fresh, powerful flavors with sweet crab and vegetables. I was all prepared to make use of the hot sauces available on the counter, and couldn't bear to add anything to the already-fantastic stew. The tuna carpaccio was also tasty, and came lightly seasoned with olive oil, onions, herbs, fried egg and capers. Staff is friendly and accommodating, and the bar setup makes it easy to strike up conversation and request more food/drinks. On the way out, we learned the giant bell jars on the far end of the counter are set to be tasty liquor infusions for summer, which is just one more reason to return to this neighborhood seafood delight.
(5)Cody W.
I love this place. Been here a bunch of times and only had maybe one dish I wasn't a fan of. Always had fresh fish, good service, good beers on tap, chill crowd. Sometimes they run out of things, which can be a bummer. But for a seafood place, maybe not such a bad thing as it lets you know they have a good rotation going on.
(4)Marii L.
The Lobster po'boy was what drew me here, but once I got there and saw the price difference between the lobster v. the satchmo, I went with the satchmo po'boy. Why? So that I could order all the other stuff on the menu, of course! We started off with the tater tots, lobster/butternut squash bisque and rock shrimp (wet, which just means it's tossed with the yummy sauce!). In the midst of my order, I rattled off that I wanted the clam chowder, when I really meant to say the rock shrimp. I realized it and corrected myself. However, when my lobster/squash bisque came out, she had a "extra" clam chowder for us as well! Super score! Hubs was happy with the clam chowder, it had a very buttery touch and an unexpected kick at the end. I was happy with my lobster chunks in the butternut bisque. I didn't think it would work together, but it really did! Also, the chef sent Robin out with a little salmon concoction atop a saltine, complimentary of course! Man, they really know how to put a huge smile on your face with freebies :) Tots were nice and crunchy, but geez, the rock shrimp was SOO good! I could easily had two more servings of that goodness. If you've never had rock shrimp, the best way I could describe it is that it's "meat-ier" and is more tender. I pegged this description after I had the satchmo po'boy that had fried shrimp and crawfish, and was able to compare the two. Definite winner! Next, we ordered the satchmo po' boy, which I initially felt like I was settling on, since I REALLY wanted to the Lobster po'boy, but couldn't justify the $21! Perhaps another day. However, the satchmo did not disappoint and the buttery bun, olives and the fixin's were divine! We asked Robin for another recommendation, and she recommended the grilled octopus. We then added one last order - the fried lemon/jalepenos/onions. VERY unique and delicious, but at that point, we were pretty "fried out". The octopus was good and I'm glad we ordered it, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Loved the place, the set up and how close the servers are to you to make sure you have everything you need. It'll be awhile before I come back, only because it is a small(er) menu than other places and I felt like I had a good sampling. It's definitely worth going to and I'm glad we did!!
(4)Jamie B.
This place kicks ass. We walked over here during halftime from our NE bar down the street....what a lucky find! We had the lobster roll, east coast oysters on the half shell, and smoked trout salad, and fried clams. All the food was outstanding and very fresh. Our server, Suzanne, was super nice and very helpful. We had a couple cocktails too-- oyster shooters and the #7. Can't wait to return!!
(5)J F.
This is one of my go-to places in my neighborhood. It's a great place for a few (dozen) drinks and lunch. The po-boys and appetizers are always delicious. The daily ceviche special is really good and refreshing especially given the lack of quality, relatively inexpensive sushi options in Chicago (something about the ubiquitous Lincoln Park Chinese-meets-Sushi-meets-sports bar doesn't appeal to me.) One key thing to note which is a huge selling point -- if fish isn't your thing, the fried shellfish should be ok for even the most redneck or pallates (and just relax rednecks...we can smell our own, I always get shellfish there.) The ambiance is a little Martha's Vinyard garrish but it's a great layout and the outside seating in the summer is some of the best around. I've also reviewed DMK next door. I think it's the same owners. Kinda the same vibe at both places. Definitely check it out.
(4)Heather P.
To be fair, I'd truly give this 3.5 stars. My experience was so-so, but I would give it another shot and expect it might go a little better because I would have the knowledge I didn't going in the first time. I called ahead and asked for reservations for 4; which I was told they don't do. When we walked in, they asked if we had a reservation. Not exactly sure what happened there. So we waited for a table and I'm not complaining about that because I wasn't aware of the interior layout and the fact that they only had 3 tables to suit parties of more than 2 if you didn't want to all sit at the bar where only the people sitting next to each other would be able to interact. The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were all exceptionally helpful and polite. That's always a plus. As for the drinks, they came in mason jars. Looked delicious and the presentation was very playful. Personally, I thought the drinks looked a little on the small side but I did have my eye on the bloody mary shooter with an oyster that I was dying to try. Alas, I'm expecting so all of these drinks weren't in the cards for me on this visit. With that said, I was also slightly disappointed at all of the raw options that I was pining for and couldn't indulge in. Again, not their fault and had I known going in that half the menu was raw I might have chosen to go somewhere else so that I didn't experience an extreme case of the "I want, but I can't have" syndrome. It's a small menu, but is packed with lots of scrumptious options. We had no idea going in that it was small plates so we were a little surprised when we kept seeing plates and plates of food being delivered to tables while we were waiting. That's a good thing to know going in because if you have your heart set on an $18 lobster roll and have a big appetite, you better plan on shelling out for at least a second plate. I had the federal style calamari and I thought it was good. Didn't knock my socks off, but had a kick which I like and a very crisp texture. Then I had the oyster po boy. In the future, I would go with maybe the crab cake sandwich instead. I didn't find either of my plates memorable at all. On the other hand, my fiance had the fish sandwich and we both agree that was the star of the meal. He also had the tator tots, eh, nothing special and the trout; which was the catch of the day. That was good. My MIL had the lobster roll and granted I know we're not in Maine, but we have family who is and have eaten our share of Maine lobster rolls there so of course by comparison this didn't make the cut. Here's my plan for the future because I liked the atmosphere and think I just wasn't able to appreciate everything The Fish Bar has to offer: I'd come for a date night and sit at the bar with my honey because as he pointed out, it would be a really fun place to go on a date if that date could drink so hopefully he waits for me and doesn't just go find someone else to take in the meantime :) We would definitely get a few of the bloody mary shots and probably some of the ceviche and raw oyster options. I would skip the lobster roll and po boy and go straight for the fish sandwich. When this happens, I'll be sure to update this review!
(3)Danielle C.
I am not truly sold on Fish Bar. I grew up on the west coast (HELLO! FRESH SEAFOOD) and have spent more than a few months working in Rode Island. I know and crave fresh fish like there is no tomorrow. I crave the flavor, the multiple textures, and the subtle differences in preparation like a true addict. The Fish Bar just did not provide my fix. We went in for a weekday lunch, no waiting and that was a score. With just 8 people total inside you might have thought that we would be able to have a conversation. Nope, sorry, you would be wrong. The music was BLARING! This is the place to go if you are not wanting to be overheard, but beware, you may not be heard by your table mates. Before you order- consider this. It is basically tapas seafood. Each individual is recommended to order 3 plates. Onward to the food- The clam chowder was buttery. I like rich soups but was not overly impressed. However, if you are hungry- order this. It will fill you up. It had a bit of a spicy after bite (peppery)- so if you are not a fan of this, heads up. The ceviche was excellent. Limey, tasty and wonderful. However, served with three crackers (you could get more off the table) it left something to be desired. The lobster roll was lacking. I am used to lobster rolls stuffed with HUNKS of fresh lobster. This was more like pieces of shredded lobster, or maybe I should say small 1/4 bites of lobster. This just left me hanging. For 19$ (not a large sandwich) I expected more. I also was not a fan of the citrus flavor that was somehow pervasive in the lobster roll mix. The grilled bread was good, but come on! The calamari (Ala planche) also had a lemon flavor. It was great calamari but at this point 3 of the dishes had extremely similar flavoring. It was getting pretty darn boring. I think they should rethink how this is prepared. I also had a bite of the whitefish. Not overwhelmed with this dish either. Citrus taste was prevalent here also. The server was friendly, kind and did her job well. I just am not gonna recommend this one. The fish flavors were not embraced or enhanced by the prep methods. Conversation was limited due to the extreme amount of noise from the stereo and all members of our party left unimpressed.
(2)Magen M.
completely overpriced. $21 for a lobster roll that tasted like a stick of celery (and i had NO celery mayo) with no sides. the rock shrimp were good, but again, too expensive for a handful of small shrimp. the decor is nice and the staff is friendly, however.
(2)Aaron L.
4.5* Clam Chowder 4* Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail 3.5* Maine Lobster Roll 4.5* Peanut Butter Pit
(4)Becky T.
Everything is good! I especially love that you can get one oyster if you do not want a whole bunch! The outdoor seating is so cute and the service is great! Sean was our waiter and he was a pleasure! He really took care of us and we will definitely be back! If you are around the area and looking for good seafood, stop here!
(5)Michelle S.
Love that this place is in the neighborhood, wish it had been here when I was a resident. Although then my wallet would probably not love me as much! The staff and service here was very friendly and mostly on top of things. (My one gripe? Having to ask for water a few times, but other than that nothing.) There were three of us so I called ahead to make reservations and we got a table at 8:00. I was surprised at a) how little the restaurant is and b) how crowded it was. I was happy that you can call ahead with a part of 3 or 4. That was worth it, otherwise the wait was around 45 minutes. The menu looked awesome, I love that the chalkboard above the kitchen tells you what seafood is from where and what's fresh that day. The drinks were great, we had the #3 which was a tequila drink (and delicious, this coming from someone who doesn't care for tequila), the #2 which was the sweet tea drink and it was fairly tasty and the # 6 which was some sort of pineapple concoction which was tasty. Food wise everything that I tasted was pretty awesome. The tartare was the one thing that I didn't care for. It lacked flavor and just wasn't great. The calamari and fried clams rocked. You can't go wrong with the tater tots and garlic bread. The lobster roll was delicious! I loved that it wasn't mayonnaise heavy because that's gross. The lobster was great, nice big chunks of it and the bread was perfect. I didn't try the crabby patty but my friend said that it was meh. No real taste of old bay (which is what sold him in the first place) and it just wasn't special. The codfish sandwich I also didn't try but my other friend said it was great. Dessert was disappointing because they had run out of key lime pie by the time we were done. I was seriously bummed. My advice? When you sit down order the pie immediately and either start with it or just have it at your table or they might run out! Overall it was a fun time at dinner and I'd say it was a pretty nice way to end my eating in Chicago tour this time. Why 4 stars and not 5? It's fairly pricey and I just couldn't go with the 5 stars. Nothing bad about my experience, at all, it just seemed lackluster in the end. I'd probably head back on my next trip for some more calamari and a piece of pie !
(4)Ashley S.
This place just doesn't do it for me. first off, the seating is awkward as you have to sit next to strangers if you dont score one of the few booths here. I ordered the rock shrimp, and the satchmo poboy. $8 for a few pieces of popcorn shrimp? The satchmo poboy was mostly bread with a very small amount of meat. Expensive prices for small mediocre food, that about sums up my experience here.
(2)Vivian H.
This place gets packed on the weekend but we were able to snag seats with no problems on a weeknight. They're smaller portions, so the 2 of us shared mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy, and whitefish sandwich with a tiny gumbo. Favorites were definitely the mussels and poboy, but everything was pretty much fantastic. Simple and clean, just really prepared well.
(4)Brennan C.
If I was a restaurant owner I would love to have a place like this. I could charge a lot of money while keeping the food costs waaaaay down. The staff is friendly, the service is good, the space is well decorated, the food is good, but not great. Basically it boils down to this: trendy and over priced. If you want a true small plate experience save your money for Girl and the Goat.
(2)Ay D.
Fish Bar hit the spot on a dreary, rainy spring afternoon. The clean simplicity of the three small booths and two large wraparound counters and the surprisingly good stereo system piping warm indie tunes (Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes) makes you feel like you're vacationing on the northeastern seaboard. Great drink selection - various shades of Belgian ales on draft, PBR and cheap pilsner for the bottle crowd, modern takes on classic cocktails (J. C. Paloma, punch, Campari and soda, etc). The raw bar rivals anything you'd find downtown at Shaw's. The oyster po' boy, tator tots, and Matilda draft are a winning combination. The cute cook in the back proudly proclaimed that this was the largest po' boy he's ever made. My server told me it was made with love. I believe them both - I had to attack the juicy, flavorful oysters with a fork prior to lifting the bread. The remoulade was creamy and tangy, and the slaw provided a nice crunch against the luscious decadence. The tots were as good as childhood and the Matilda impressed me as always. Well done, Fish Bar.
(5)Deirdre L.
I have been wanting to try this place since it opened so a friend and I went there last night for diiner. There was 20-25 minute wait to sit outside or we could sit inside, no wait. We sat insideat 1 of the 3 booths only to be told that these were for reservations only, could we be finished in an hour. We didn't plan on lingerin so we said yes. Our waiter ws helpful and friendy. The food on the other hand was bland and boring. Started out with the Gumbo that had no flavor other than salt. I had the red fish po-boy, I couldn't even taste the fish. The only good thing about it was the bun. My friend had the grilled yellowtail, it was OK but not a lot of flavor. We shared tator tots, which I love, and these tasted like they were cooked in the same oil as the fish - yuck. I am sadly disappointed.
(1)Kelly G.
Everytime I come here it just gets better. I haven't had a bad dish yet, and I've brought everyone from my parents to my best friends and all of them love it. From the delicious sweet ceviche to the buffalo frog legs to the slightly spicy calamari - it is all awesome. Plus the servers are always fast and very nice. It's now one of my regular spots. :)
(5)Grace G.
I stopped in Fishbar recently and was very impressed with their cocktails as well as their variety of fresh fish. I had a great Bourbon cocktail, but I don't remember the name of it and their drink menu online doesn't have it listed. My friend and I split several items, including the rock shrimp, frog legs, oysters from the East and West coast, the fried lemons/onions/jalapeno dish, and the scallops with andouille sausage and we really enjoyed it all. The fried lemons/onions/jalapeno side dish was one of the best side dishes I've ever had, and it complemented the meal perfectly.
(4)Derkins R.
every summer my girlfriends and i take a trip to various towns in new england (rhode island, maine, etc.) to soak up the sun and gorge on seafood (raw/fried oysters and clams, lobster, etc.). fish bar very nearly makes this trip unnecessary. everything we ordered (oyster po'boy, codfish sandwich, fried lemon thing) was so delicious. they even threw in a free order of tater tots (don't know why but we were not complaining). fish bar makes me really eager for the summer to arrive. and, please, try the fried lemon, onion, jalapeno thing. it is... amazing.
(5)Deena D.
Ah yes, Kornick has done it again and I'm glad I was finally able to see what the buzz was all about this past weekend. Yes, this restaurant is not only brand spankin new but new genre of restaurant completely so its likely you will be waiting for a while to be seated. Any more than 4 people and this prob won't work for you - for 2 of us it took about an hour & a half (Friday around 7PM) which allowed us to get well acquainted with their beverage menu - no complaints here! The ambiance is super casual & fun - while Kornick jams out to Marley and other beach tunes on their stereo while helping the wait staff & talking to customers - loves it. I gotta hand it to these guys too for a simple yet witty menu, it actually makes you look forward to reading the whole thing through. We tried the punch first and then moved onto the brew tap. I do like how they serve drinks in the mason jars but the cocktail sizes are somewhat smaller than my liking. As for the big shabang, we each ordered a lobster bisque and new england chowdah, shared the calamari, and split a crab cake and oyster po'boy sandwhich. "Lay off I'm starving" My friend was OK with the bisque, I thought the chowdah was a good consistency/taste but could have used some more potatoes/clams. Calamari was hands down fabulous, I love how the mixed peppers in with it! The oyster po'boy was quite aggressive to be honest, I could barely finish it but did enjoy it (and I'm not even a huge fan of oysters), I did like the crab cake a little better but overall both were tasty & fresh. This was MORE than enough food for 2 people, probably because what we ordered was all fried or wicked heavy. Next time I would love to try the tar-tar, ceviche or salad. From what I saw around me people seemed to like it. Also - try not to get too full so you can try the homemade pie, only $3 for a slice. Overall I'm sure it's no surprise, the restaurant makes a good mark in my book, BUT not sure if it's the best I've ever had. I would comeback on an off peak night with a friend. We heard they might add tables outside in the summer and I think that would be huge to accommodate more peeps. All in favor, I!
(4)Jessica B.
The restaurant is the bar. It's that simple! The food is delicious, the service great. Definitely worth going- but get there early, the wait can be pretty long.
(5)Chris S.
Awesome food. 3 of us shared sriracha rock shrimp, frog legs, and the fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side. We then each had a sandwich and topped the meal off with a shared slice of blueberry pie. The shrimp was very good, the frog legs too much like chicken, and the fried side was surprisingly awesome (our favorite!). I had the crabby patty sandwich which was basically a big crab cake on bread. It didn't need the bread. The blueberry pie, which we learned was provided by Hot Chocolate, was pretty super. Definitely want to go back.
(4)Patrick J.
Small portions but great taste. Everything is made fresh to order. I had the delicious calamari,Tater Tots,& the Maine lobster roll with water. It set me back $29 bucks but it was worth it. The Lobster Roll was $19 by itself.
(5)Joel M.
Fish Bar has an extremely small dining room with probably less then 50 seats total. There is always a wait, so it can get a little claustrophobic with so many people hovering around in any open space waiting to be called. Expect 1-2+ hours easily on the weekend, but you can grab a beer while you wait which makes things a little easier. Even though its small, its a really cool looking place. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the beer situation here. They are pretty much ALL Belgian wheat beers. If you like that, you will be in heaven, but if you don't you're going to be stuck with an average German pilsner or a PBR (yuck). Also, you're paying $6-$9 for a 300 ML pour. 300ML is 10 ounces for those of us not on the metric system. I'm sorry, but $9 for a 10 oz beer is a rip off any way you cut it. Thats where the complaints end. The two most important things - food and service - were outstanding. We had the Calamari (best I've ever had), Gumbo (better then anything I tried in Louisiana), Codfish sandwich (delicious), and the Lobster roll ($18 but worth it). We ordered everything at once and had our food on the table within about 20 minutes. The calamari just completely blew me away, I could have eaten seven portions of it. It was fried perfectly and had a mix of banana peppers and spices that just made it irresistible. The fish was fresh, crisp, and was complimented well by the bun and dressings. The lobster roll was what I would expect from great restaurant on the east coast. After the long wait and mediocre beer experience, the food made up for everything. I will be back, hopefully when the hype dies down and I can get a seat a little quicker.
(4)Sadat A.
A taste of New England/Cope Cod fried seafood right in my backyard. If your looking for a party in your mouth then this is the place to be. (Not to mention that I went during a serious tooth ache and still enjoyed my meal). I must start off with the service. Some of the friendliest waitresses in the area. Our waitress explain the cocktail menu perfectly. The mason jars for beer and cocktails were reasonably priced and very delicious. Our party tried a little of everything off the Fried menu and also had the Eastern Oysters. All were hands down amazingly tasty. (Check my photos) The only concern I would have would be how bad the dinner rush is after 6pm. We went for lunch and it was a packed house. If your with a party of 5 or more you can also order off the DMK Burger menu also. That's badass. 100% going back sometime soon to try the crab cake sandwich.
(5)Angela C.
Fish Bar is a small joint with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere. I wouldn't recommend coming here with more than 4 people in your group, at least not if you want to all sit together. I was not a fan of drinking beer or water out of a Mason jar (a kind of canning/freezer jar), but I was happy with the oyster po'boy, the fried calamari, the fresh oysters, and the gumbo. Fair warning, the food comes in small portions (the server told us to consider them closer to small plates), so expect to have to buy at least an appetizer and a main dish to get full.
(4)Roger M.
Nothing to scream or, even yelp about. Ha ha ha! Seriously and all kidding aside, it wasn't bad nor was it great. Ordered gumbo, clam chowder, rock shrimp, ceviche, satchmo po boy, grilled scallops, buffalo frog legs and a side of tater tots. Oh yeah, they comped us a soft shell crab sandwich that was out of this world salty. It was like they marinated the crab in the ocean water it came from, reduced the ocean water to a crystallized form and...ok being dramatic here but you get it. But hey, it was free (perhaps that's why it was free?) FOOD: It's important to remember, portions are small plates. Ceviche was good, not great and it came in a small cup that a place would use to serve tartar sauce on the side. Wasn't fishy, but not too flavorful; too tangy. Gumbo was spot on and it's really hard to find real gumbo in Chicago. This was the Cajun version, not red with rice, okra and celery but brown and heavy on shrimp, andouille and blue crab with a nice seafood flavor and that's what this was. Chowder was good, but too many chunks of celery. To me that says cheap as it's a way to stretch the stock on hand. Satchmo Po'Boys were outstanding packed with flavor; sweet shrimp and crawfish with a nice spice, garlic aioli and sweet butter pickles that balance the garlic and oiliness all rolled into a nice fresh, crusty roll. Rock shrimp was good, crunchy and sweet yet it felt a little salty for my tastes and the sriracha mayo was a nice touch. ?Buffalo frog legs? were ok. Here's my thought: keep buffalo style in chicken. Fried frog legs are best plain with lemon and shrimp cocktail sauce. Even just plain. Don't mess with the legs. Had tater tots and dang nelly, them were salty nuggets too. Someone in the kitchen had an affinity for the salt shaker that night. I think my blood pressure shot up to deadly levels in just an hour. SERVICE: Did well with a reservation; we had three (they only accept for three or four) and they happily accommodated us the same day on a Saturday night for 8pm for a booth seating (which are small; max of four medium folk). Service was spotty; had to keep asking for water which we initially didn't get. The waitress, while friendly and knowledgable, came too much at first and then not enough later when we wanted to order more dishes. So there you go. Not a bad place if they lay off the salt and keep a better eye on service, but there are other seafood places I would consider before coming again (e.g., the always great Davis Street Fishmarket in Evanston).
(3)Jamie H.
My two friends and I decided to come for an early dinner (around 5:30) on Friday night thinking the place would be pretty dead....boy were we wrong! There was already a 15 minute wait and before we were seated it was already up to an hour wait for others! It was decorated very fun, the food was great and service was pretty quick. The portions are pretty small....except for the garlic bread- only $2 and it's very big and delicious! The fried calamari was pretty decently sized and delicious. The grilled calamari on the other had was a tiny portion, but the oil and spices with it were amazing. The lobster bisque was pretty good, but I have had better. It's much lighter, as others I've had have been pretty heavy. All in all, it was a very nice dinner, I would certainly recommended and would come back again and try some new items!
(4)Dan G.
This place has been on our radar for a while. We finally had the chance to try it a few weeks ago. And it lived up to the hype on Yelp. When we walked in I expected the smell of fish but was greeted by a more tempting smell, roasted marshmallows. A couple was making s'mores for their dessert over a little grill. I was hungry and this made me salivate. We had a 30 minute wait and enjoyed some drinks while we waited. Once we got a seat we knew what we wanted and ordered right away. The portions are tapas style so me and my sweetie ordered a bunch of dishes to share. First out was the fried belly clams. They were okay, it was close to the end of the night so they had that heavily used frier taste. I was disappointed but the rest of the meal made up for it. Next was the Oysters, they were East coast and had that delicious sea water taste to them. Served with horseradish and cocktail sauce these were really good. Like I could live off of these for the rest of my life good. Next came the tater tots. I know, tater tots? Let me tell you these were great. A good crunch and a perfect side to the fishy stuff. After that was the King Prawns. Cooked on the grill, split in half, and served head on. These to had that ocean taste you want and was complemented with a soy ginger sauce that made these little guys amazing. On to the next dish, which was the fish tacos. They were cobia fish tacos I believe, grilled served with cilantro, onions, and a rojo and verde salsas. Very fresh and very tasty. And finally for dessert, the s'mores that smelled so good when we walked in. Simple ingredients but an amazing way to cap off the fishy madness we just had. It is a dessert that takes you back to your childhood and a perfect way to end the night. Overall I had a great meal here, service was friendly, the drinks good, and the seafood fresh. Like most fresh seafood it does come with a high price tag so it isn't a place I would go regularly but it is good for that special occasion or if you have a group that wants to try something a little different. I could see bringing a good group here and having a blast.
(4)Danielle S.
This pescetarian has been dying to eat at Fish Bar since it opened, but made it out for the first time only just last month. It was a Sunday, so I had some of the $1.50 oysters, the daily special ceviche, and the satchmo po' boy. Yum. If I lived nearby, I wouldn't be able to resist coming here at least once a week. How dangerous.
(5)elissa w.
Cool atmosphere and good food - overly hospitable hostess. She must have asked us how our meal was four times between finishing up dessert andour drinks. I get it, it is super crowded and lots of people are waiting since this place is tiny but we got it that you were killing us with kindness to get up out of our chairs. Oysters, wet fried shrimp, lobster roll and salmon carpaccio were all delish. The special pineapple cocktail - loved the spicy kick to it. Will come back but most likely on a lower key week night
(4)Ngoc T.
I walk pass here everyday... Customer service is great and VERY friendly. Owned by the same people from DMK, I presume. I'm amazed by the simplicity yet effective architectural design of the small place. Food wise, it's delicious, and tastes very fresh, somehow...? I'm a little disappointed by how limited their menu appears to be, I believe there's only 3 types of sandwiches. All my roommates and I, being all burger girls, got burgers.. and they were delicious! (even though I wished they had bigger options) I know that the crabby pattie was a little spicy for my roommates' taste, the cod fish burger looked good. But I got the oyster po' boy and in my opinion, it was the best seafood burger I have ever tried in my life! Check out some of the pictures I uploaded :) Very cute place to bring a first date to, although when crowded it can get a little noisy... so come on a weekday. Good music, btw! Very hip-indie style stuff... One thing I have to add. Come here if you're not expecting to count calories, coz everything here is fried. In fact, when it's crowded, your food can feel pretty greasy. Keep in mind that it's also a bar, not a restaurant. So when you order things, it's to share. Portions are small so you take a bit of everything... it's not a separate portion Tips: I recommend you should only come there with a party of 4 or less. I also wished that each table had their own tall water glass to refill since their drinking cups are punny! The way they split the check for us was a little overly-complicated, so perhaps just let one person pay and you should pay your portion to your friend Dessert: I wouldn't recommend the apple pie. It wasn't anything exceptional, even though our hostess recommended it? Get the .... something mocha... it looks like a mocha cheesecake or something, but that was delicious!!
(3)Geoff H.
I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, therefore this place makes me very happy. The oysters were amazing! They have a great drink selection and our server was awesome. Again, because of where I'm from, I tend to be a bit weary of seafood in the midwest, but I will definitely be coming back.
(4)Tom R.
Really enjoyed my night at Fish Bar. Walked in at about 7:45 on a Wednesday night and was told that there would be about a thirty minute wait (which it was). Fortunately, there is a full bar with unique craft cocktails and they have a specific area for you to order at if you're waiting for a table - much more convenient than fighting for elbow room and trying to get the bartender's attention. I started with the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail and it was delicious enough that I decided to have another, and another. For food, we ordered a total of six items for two people - half a dozen oysters, a lobster roll, sriracha rock shrimp, shrimp ceviche, stuffed calamari, and then their fried lemons, onions, and jalapeño side. The lobster was astoundingly awesome. So good that I felt like I needed a cigarette afterwards and I don't even smoke. The fried side dish of lemons, jalapeños, and onions was incredibly unique and acted as a nice snack between courses. The oysters were good but I really prefer cocktail sauce and horseradish on them which wasn't available. The calamari, sriracha rock shrimp and ceviche were all very good as well. All in all, Fish Bar was pretty great albeit pricey. I was surprised that I dropped $80, but, I will likely be going back.
(4)Amanda F.
Fish Bar beware of yelpers from Baltimore. We know good seafood and love bragging about it. That being said, Fish bar's menu is more about the sauces, spices, and use of a deep fryer than it is about a fresh daily catch. Forgetting my seafood snobbery and reminding myself that I live in the Midwest, I think that Fish Bar is tasty, fun, and worth a visit. To Fish Bar's credit, it doesn't attempt to call its "Crabby Patty" a "Maryland crab cake" (as is popular on Chicago menus), nor does it over-charge for its "Oyster Po'Boy." While these dishes may not exactly be authentic, they are inspired, yummy and fried, just like the Midwest likes them! And I liked them too! Other points from my latest dining experience: -The drinks are all fantastic, maybe a little small, but only $5 -Forget the salads, they are very skimpy on the seafood, although the Smoked Trout was much better than the Crab. -The Calamari "Federal Hill Style" is really jalapenos and banana peppers garnished with fried calamari. I've lived in Federal Hill, and I don't remember ever having that much heartburn. -The Steamed Mussels are tasty, but not particularly memorable. -The Gumbo is quite flavorful, without being over seasoned, but I'll defer to New Orleaners to decide. Overall, I do enjoy this restaurant because its unique in Chicago and reminds me of the Raw Bar markets back home in Baltimore. If you're from anywhere outside of the great state of Maryland and visiting Fish Bar, you'll be a happy diner and quite pleased with Fish Bar's kitchy charm. Marylanders will continue their seafood elitism and write yelp reviews.
(4)Erin M.
Wow! What a cute place. We literally stumbled in here one day. We were drawn in by the cuteness of the outside patio and all the happy people enjoying there meal. As we stepped inside, we were taken aback by the ambience of the interior. Think Seattle waterfront bar or a Nantucket diner. Loved the ambiance!! We were greeted promptly and were told of the specials and the waitresses personal favs. I love when we get the inside scoop btw....We split the fish fry which consisted of a nice piece of deep fried fish (I believe it was cod) and hand cut French fries. The tarter sauce was hands down the best I've ever had. Ever. The coleslaw left a lot to be desired. Too bland. I will totally be back to this restaurant. In fact, this is the best fish fry I've found in the city. Great job Fish bar!!!
(5)Kae O.
I ordered smoked trout salad and satchmo po' boy and manhattan clam chowder. Pros: smoked trout salad "bun": I'm usually hesitant in ordering smoked fish in sandwiches b/c many times, the fish is too dry. This was prepared just right. My friend said she could probably eat it straight with some rice. That may be a bit too dry for me but iwith greens, tomato, cucumber, radish and horseradish cream balanced it well. Could definitely taste the smokey flavor but wasn't overwhelming. Note: I eat pre-packed raw smoked salmon without anything. Plus the bread was soft but thick enough to absorb any escaping fluid. The manhattan clam chowder and oysters were average but I would order them again. The fried ingredients in the satchmo weren't oily which is what I like. Service was excellent. Cons: It's small so going in big groups would be a challenge.
(4)Aaron N.
Son of a bee sting! Fish Bar is a great place to get some fish and have a great time. To start with the food, everything that touched my taste buds was freaking delicious. Since this place serves smaller portion dishes, I had a variety of treats from the sea which I will now tell you about. The Satchmo was my "main" meal, which was a shrimp and crawfish po'boy cooked to perfection with some bread and butter pickles that were also delicious. For my sides, I tried the rock shrimp (spicy fried shrimp), scallops (so fresh that you might need to wear a snorkel), and steamed mussels (the sauce they were served in literally knocked my socks off). Last, but not least, were the oysters. If your name is "fish bar" your oysters better be really good.....and we got a crap load of these because they were really really good (Tip: Make sure you try both the west coast and east coast oysters). Other than the food being slamming, the service and atmosphere was top notch. If you are looking for a great group spot or a date spot, this is the place to come. Seriously....get here. The only problem is that everyone knows how great this place is, so there is a long wait and the place gets packed. I would suggest coming early for dinner or putting your name in and getting drinks to pass the time. Fish Bar. Very good. BOOOM!
(5)Rachel W.
My mom and I were dying to check out this new addition to lakeview, but are not the kind of people that think waiting over an hr for anything is worth it. So, we did the early bird special and arrived just after 5 on Saturday night. The place was full, w/maybe 3-4 spots open around the bar, we sat right down and marveled at how unique the layout and decor was, as this is definitely an untapped niche in chicago. Our server was very friendly, we decided to try a variety of things and shared them all. Great gumbo, grilled shrimp was yummy, the fried jalapeno/lemon/onions were awesome...but a heavy, we only ate about 1/3 of them. The star though was the grilled trout, deliciously light and tasty. The fried belly clams were my least favorite, they were a little tough in my humble opinion. Go early, and make SURE to order the homemade key lime pie to finish it off. Heaven.
(4)Lee P.
This is a delightful place for lunch or dinner. The staff is "attitude-free" and welcoming. Start out with the clam chowder, served in a coffee mug. Add a craft beer from their ever-changing list, served in a Mason jar. All portions are "small plates," but not overpriced. Nowhere in the midwest have I tasted fried clams as authentic as these. My wife loves the tater tots. We always leave Fish Bar with smiles. You'll enjoy it.
(4)Osi U.
A fish lover beer drinker's paradise. All pescetarians converge. Urban Daddy recommended this place after a short conversation about where I was and who I was with and what I wanted to do. What a guy, that Urban Daddy. The fish fries where interesting, they look like fat fries at first glance then you look closer and they actually gently battered decapitated fingerlings. The set up is really hip, and the music selection is eclectic. I enjoyed the service, prompt and courteous. I will certainly be returning.
(5)David C.
All the food I have had here is good.... however, the bang for the buck is flat. The food is good but the price is a bit much. I have no problem paying for great food... but the food here is good... not great. It is a nice place to people watch.
(3)Ronnie P.
For the last 6 months I have been getting off at the Wellington brown line stop and passing this place on my walk home. I have always been very intrigued to try it as I have eaten at the Burger Bar right next door. This Saturday I had the opportunity to grab a late lunch at the Fish Bar. My girlfriend loves seafood, I do not, but agreed because they had a few non-fishy items on the menu. We entered and it was a really cool vibe. The host was really nice and friendly and sat us immediately. He was chatted with us for a few minutes and let us know our server would be right with us. At this point everything was going well. Our waitress Sonya came and took our drink orders. A reasonable amount of time passed and another waiter brought us our drinks. It took her about 10 minutes to come back and take our order- this would not have bothered me had I not watched her text for at least 5 minutes of that wait. My girlfriend and I ordered- she ordered the Lobster Bisque and the Crabby Patty, I ordered the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Tater Tots. The tots came quickly and were hot, crunchy and good. My girlfriend said she was very pleased with her Bisque and devoured her Crab Cake sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good, I wasn't expecting much though as I was ordering chicken at a seafood place. We finished, paid and left. I am giving this restaurant only two stars because within two hours of finishing my meal I was throwing everything up. My meal at the Fish Bar was the only thing I had eaten so far that day and know that it could be nothing else. I had the WORST case of food poisoning that I have ever had. My girlfriend attempted the contact the restaurant just to let them know and has yet to hear back. I believe a restaurant should stand behind their food and should be very considerate when a customer becomes ill because of something they serve. I do not know if I will ever return or recommend this place to a friend. The food was fine going down but not coming up.
(2)Ann S.
They were very nice to us-- we had a party of 8 and were high maintenance. Didn't do any raw, but the sammies were delish.
(4)Lauren T.
I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. First off, all of the beer is served in mason jars and they have some good beers. Everything is better in a mason jar! I would say it was some of the best fish I have had in a really long time. Really really fresh. I got grilled octopus and fried shrimp. My friend got the cod sandwich which was outstanding. Really nice layout with the bar that goes around the restaurant. The decor is really rustic like and it felt really warm and inviting inside. Seriously I have told everyone about how good this place was! Everyone needs to go here.
(5)Veronica M.
I guess I was expecting something else ???? The name of the restaurant is Fish Bar and looks pretty simple a place where you would go get some good normal seafood. It was a too gourmet I felt like I was in a tapas restaurant and portions are very small!! I'm not trying to look like a fat ass but I was expecting some sort of hearty seafood. Not this over cool tapas hipster place
(3)Kelly K.
We came here for a dinner on an early Friday night and I was excited to try Fish Bar! The highlights were definitely the fish straws and the scallops. However, I think the prices were a bit high for the portions, so you don't get the best bang for your buck here.
(3)C D.
Oh boy! The place is next to DMK and we couldn't pass it by without trying it! We went on a Saturday night and it was pretty cold. The wait was around 30 minutes, so we decided to sit outside. It was so cold. The lovely hostess gave me her own jacket! We ordered the clam chowder soup, lobster roll, and Po Boy sandwich. The soup was super salty. Okay no big deal. $6 for a little cup. The lobster roll came. It was decent, but I've tried better. Fine. $22 for market price. Finally, the shrimp and oyster sandwich came like 20 minutes later. Okay, we can live with it. The things we can't live with was there only 4 fried stuff on the sandwich. Fish Bar, I don't know what had happened, but I don't deserve 4 little shrimps on top on my sandwich and you're asking me to pay $13 dollars for it. The bill was around 50 something with taxes and tips. We walked away hungry and cold. We pay en expensive meal just to eat the buns and lettuce in the buns. Thanks Fish Bar. Do you expect me to go back to it? Of course not because my bf got so hungry after reaching home and he had to dig through the fridge for something to eat.
(2)Stella W.
kinda glad that i came here on an expense account....LOL I know good seafood is expensive in chicago...all in all, their seafood was quite fresh, but i couldn't justify the price they charged for the ambiance of the place. Service wasn't bad except there was a bit of a hiccup at the seating assignment. One of us was on a cast and clutch and they couldn't even give the booth that were freed up at the time because we only had 3 people. Besides, i would probably need a few orders of the tiny grilled octopus alone to be full. Then for that price, I could probably go to a nicer restaurants/less bar-feel restaurant, esp when they don't take reservation and we had to wait at least an hour. And if i want to just eat good fried seafood, i could go to Lawerence fisheries for some juicy big fresh fried oysters in the bridgeport area. and it would been a lot more affordable.
(3)Karl M.
Definitely a great spot to come and get some tasty fried seafood, and great beer. Cute, cute, cute servers.
(5)Georgia K.
It was Saturday afternoon. We easily grabbed a table outside and started with some very refreshing spiked sweet teas. Then we proceeded to order half of the menu (but really, the menu isn't that big). Here's what the three of us had, in descending order of yumminess: --Skatewing... amazing --Scallops... almost as amazing --Seafood Cobb salad... topped with shrimp, crab, calamari & salmon and a yummy lemon vinaigrette- DELISH --Raw Oysters... tasty although I preferred the East Coast oysters over the West Coast oysters (West Coast were too salty) --Lobster Roll... decent, but I've definitely had better --Ceviche... alright, but served with crackers which was all I could taste --Raw Clams... okay, but I'm not really a clam fan. --Key Lime Pie for dessert... definitely solid. The only drawback is that the portions were small for the price. If you're hungry, be ready to drop quite a bit of cash-money. Especially for a restaurant where you dine at picnic tables and use paper towels as napkins. I waffled a bit between giving Fish Bar a 3 or 4 since 3.5 isn't an option, but I guess I'm feeling generous today. But all in all, pretty good seafood for Chitown.
(4)Jim D.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand the five-star reviews of The Fish Bar. Even four stars might be pushing it. I went there recently with a friend, and we were both underwhelmed. I started out with one of their drinks, the Five and Dimers, a nondescript concoction topped by a sprig of mint. Then we both had the gumbo, which was tasty, but I've had better at several places. The artichoke fritters were probably the best things we had - sort of like artichoke tempura. The hush puppies were pretty good and full of flavor. But of course we didn't go there just for appetizers, we went went for the highly-praised lobster roll. That was the biggest disappointment. I've seen the pictures here on Yelp, and our lobster rolls looked nothing like those overflowing mouth-waterers. It consisted of, perhaps, a very small tail's worth of lobster meat and a dash of some mayo-ish spread stuck in a hunk of toasted bread. It was almost utterly flavorless. Considering that the lobster roll cost $22.00, I expected something better. I do have to mention the staff. We interacted with a few of the waitresses/bartenders during the evening, and every one of them was wonderful - very friendly, engaging and accommodating. Also, the beer selection, although small, was quite diverse.
(3)Rod C.
Very good Lobster Rolls! They really pack on the lobster in the roll. It's kind of pricey as the market price for lobster these days is $19! The New England Clam Chowder was good, although I prefer a thicker base and more potatoes. Ally the bartender was very helpful and courteous. I strongly recommend trying Fish Bar!
(4)Catticut P.
A decent seacreature bar in the middle of the Midwest? Yes, please. We were late to the party on this one, but today decided to indulge in fishy goodness. Thank you Yelpers for being 99% accurate when it comes to recommendations - we had a pretty awesome time eating and drinking the entire menu, but standouts for us were the rock shrimp (yummers), and the Satchmo po'boy (bless). Loved the mason jar bevvie receptacles, too. Place is casual and comfortable, but the real shining light of Fish Bar is the staff - super friendly, super knowledgeable, attentive but not overbearing (yet bearing free gifts). It cannot be understated how much of a difference the disposition of the staff has on a business - if they seem genuinely happy, you know the place is valid. It was a little pricey, but that's to be expected with what you're getting - go on Sundays for the $1.50 oysters!
(4)Michelle A.
Tapas seafood? AWESOME. Loved pretty much every bit of it- from the old school, bar seating to the super strong drinks and to-die-for clam chowdah. The wait was a bit long (40 minutes to seat two), but they do take reservations and the greeter was extremely friendly. Our waitress was also equally kind, albeit a bit flighty. Mahi-Mahi was excellent. And the s'more desserts were too cute. Totally recommended for a fun, romantic night out. But make reservations if you have over 3 people coming.
(4)Emily C.
Love, love the creative interior design. It feels like an authentic yet kitschy New England clam shack. We got there around 5:30 and got seated and served immediately, but I hear there's a wait if you go much later. The Good: Spectacular food. The fried full-bellied clams were very authentic. I'm from New England and I could have closed my eyes and imagined I was in Maine. I also tried the calamari which had a tangy lemon spice sauce. I also liked how they serve cans of PBR - again, very authentic clam shack! - and they also served cute mixed drinks in mason jars. The Bad: Portions. I thought they were far too small for the prices. I left slightly hungry. True, it's not easy to find fresh fish for cheap in Chicago (we're not actually in Maine, after all) but I didn't realize that the items on the menu are really, really small serving plates. Well noted for next time.
(4)Claudia D.
Lemonade, tartare (salmon & tuna), shrimp a la plancha for birthday lunch with the husband & bride-to-be. The food was good. Pricey---too much to be a daily lunch spot. The portions were bite size. I left feeling not quite full, but that was OK, because I knew I would get more to eat later. The ambience is fish-filled and fun. The booths are small for 4. The bar is good for parties of one or two. The menu states no parties of more than 4 and it makes sense to go elsewhere if you have more than 4 people in your group. Everything on the menu sounds delicious and I want to come back.
(4)Jackie G.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The food is always fresh and tasty. I have had two different types of fish tacos when I've gone, tilapia and rainbow trout, and both were amazing. My boyfriend who is from South Carolina loved the oysters. They serve small plates of food but they seem to get it right.
(5)Laura W.
Fish Bar was a success. We got there right at 5pm because I was panicked that there would be a wait. After reading the Yelp reviews of people having to wait for seats I didn't want to take any chances. Fortunately there were PLENTY of seats when we arrived, but it did start to fill up by 6pm when we were leaving. I wanted to try the soft shell crab since it is seasonal but I figured for my first time there I would go with the most famous, the Lobster Roll. It was worth the $18 because it was huge and had nice big chunks of lobster. I went against my natural instincts to order the tater tots and go with the garlic bread. It was a smart choice as the bread was definitely meant to be shared and it was thin, garlicky, and soft. I could have eaten 3 more pieces. Finally we tried the clam chowder and it was spicy. I've never had it spicy before so that was a bit of a surprise. There we also nice chunks of potato in there. To drink I had 2 of the Negroni Baloney's because it is a gin drink and sometimes they are hard to find on drink menus. I could have easily had two more but I showed restraint. I cannot wait to go back and try more of the seasonal specials, the soft shell crab, oysters, salmon tartare.
(4)Jay S.
Around Fall of last year, I went on an seafood binge fueled by my curiosity to try oysters. Never was a fan when I was kid... but I grew up now! Inevitably, Fish Bar became one of my prime targets to try for lunch. Fish Bar is literally attached next to DMK out in Lakeview. It's fairly distinguishable on the outside due to the aquatic blue exterior. Inside, it's pretty standard decor with communal bench seating and regular table seating. So if you are planning on going there with a party, you might want to reserve. The table seating isn't huge (fits probably 4). On to the food... Forewarning: This place can get expensive real quick. So the portions are small plates. There are some "bigger" items like the Lobster Roll but the majority of the stuff is shareable small plate items. Thus, could get expensive. For soups, the Lobster Bisque I had here is different than any other place I've had it. I liked it but I can certainly see others not liking it (g/f didn't like it). It seems to be a seasonal item but I might be mistaken. The Clam Chowder is more traditional of the two and is also very good. For sandwiches, I had the Oyster Po'boy. Gal pal got the Lobster Roll. Personally, I loved the Oyster Po'boy and was by far the better value of the two - that's saying a lot considering I absolutely love Lobster Rolls from anywhere. Really enjoyed the Po'boy. Their codfish sandwich is next on my list. For sides, shared tots the 1st time we went. They were ok. 2nd time we went here, we opted for calamari. That was ok too. Nothing special. The iced teas (non-alcoholic) were good and refreshing. My favorite part of the entire meal had to be the key lime pie. I'm a sucker for key lime pie to the point that you have to royally screw it up badly for me to dislike it (so that's a bias). It's served very simple here and that's just about the way I like it. And how about those oysters? Well, they were good. I'm no oyster connoisseur but they were fun to eat and tasted better than when I was a kid. No oyster epiphany or anything like that. Just some good, solid tasting oysters. But as good as they are here, there's another place on my list that beat Fish Bar slightly on oysters. So overall, a fresh and tasty spot for lunch that I enjoy going to. Yes, it is pricey for the portions. Luckily, my favorite items aren't that bad.
(4)Matt M.
I went to fish bar on a first date last Saturday and we both had a great time! The food was good, but the service was better. Our cute bartender Sara took care of us, made some good recommendations. If it wasn't for Sara I'm not sure I would be getting a second date out of it! I would definitely come back here.
(5)Tom S.
Great concept. Transports you to the east coast. Food seems fresh. Service is good. Enjoyed the lobster roll. My friends enjoyed the place too.
(4)Mari Y.
I don't know why my friend always suggests to come here but I never fight her on it. Hence, yet another dinner at Fish Bar. The portions are quite small. They're sort of like tapa/pintxo size so you need to order a few items to get full. We went on Sunday night when they discount the oysters so I had two of those and the Oyster Po'Boy. We also shared the fish fries. The Po'Boy only had 4 oysters in it and was otherwise quite bready. At the end of the meal I wasn't full but more importantly, I wasn't hungry. If you're with someone who likes to eat a lot, I would not bring them to Fish Bar because you'll end up spending a fortune. Whether I like it or not, I'll be back.
(3)Laura K.
This place was excellent! Delicious food, fun drinks, and a nice casual atmosphere. I will definitely be back. As a number of people have already mentioned, it is set up like a bar so I would suggest 2-3 people groups. I went with a group of 3 and we had a corned of the bar which was perfect. I ordered their punch which was delicious. Beware that it is a very small drink (and priced accordingly - $6) which was perfect for me because I just wanted a small cocktail since it was a Sunday night. My friend ordered the Bloody Mary shot which had an oyster at the bottom - she liked it a lot. As for the food. YUM! Fried deliciousness. We ordered the shrimp and the ceviche to start. The shrimp was out of this world! The ceviche was yummy too, but the shrimp in my opinion was a clear winner. I also got the Crabby Patty which was unreal as well. It was a huge crab cake on a bun and I enjoyed every last bite of it. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Timothy L.
The plates are as small as they say they are. Skip the crabby paddy. It tasted like something out of a Banquet frozen dinner. The lobster roll was delicious, but like everything else it was smaller and more expensive than what you can find elsewhere in Chicago.
(2)Sarah Beth B.
Fish Bar really is A-ok. I don't looooooooooooove it like i love DMK, which I consider one of my best friends in the neighborhood, but I certainly didn't dislike it. A friend and I went on St. Patrick's day around 630. Short wait, nothing too bad. We were seated at the long counter and had an awesome waiter, who was pretty honest when we asked a bunch of questions. We got cocktails, which i think is a reason I took a star off-- I just don't like cocktails, and I never like food as much when I'm drunk. I got the margarita-ish one, which was nice, a-ok, but ... not for me. My friend and I share tots and the fried lemon, onion and jalepenos, which was hands down the best part of the night. We asked the waiter about them, and he honestly said they were pretty weird. On that ringing endorsement, we gobbled them up. Weird! but also, Yum! I had the fried clams, which were nice fat clams, almost like oysters. I really liked them, but... it just didn't feel like a meal. I'm not sure how to order the right amount of things to get the right amount of food. So, in sum! the food is yummy! the counter is nice, especially endless oyster crackers to dip in hot sauce! The portions are weird and take some getting used to. I think I'll go back, but stick to a beer and order a few more things-- and then i'll be back with an update. I hope I like it more next time (but I won't be hungry for food on that corner no matter what).
(3)Katie V.
Really love this place -- love the relaxed beach shack vibe, the way the tables are arranged, the menu. The seafood always tastes fresh and though they serve a lot of staples (lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried calamari), every dish is well-executed. The fried lemon and jalapeno slices are to-die-for and the daily soup is always delicious. And the small plate format makes it easy to try a little of everything!
(5)Julie Z.
East Coast Vs West Coast = debate of the table. The East Coast oysters win hands down although a few fellow diners may object. This is a very casual place to grab seafood. I think the vibe screams fast and easy. It's fine but probably not the place to go and hang for too long. We sat at a picnic table outside. Don't get me wrong, I like casual but this may be too casual for me. Also the menu isn't that large but this what I had: - Oysters - LOTS of them. Not a bad one in the bunch - Cevichce - mmmmm....this is how it should be done - Chowda - average at best. GT Fish & Oyster smokes this place My co-diners had the shrimp and oyster po-boy's and they devoured them. They have a good beer selection too. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go here but I wouldn't put it on a list of recs either.
(3)Borracho G.
You have to really like food and be willing to trying something new to appreciate this place. I assume they are trying to be authentic to NE fish shack because this place is really the size of a shack. There is only bar seating except for 3 tiny-tiny tables but I guess you could also stand and eat some of this stuff if you had to, kind of like a hot dog stand. The lobster roll averages about $18.00 (ouch) and most of the menu items are all fried. Despite those things, the food is really really good. The ceviche was great and it's interestingly served in a jam jar with a side of saltines. They also had this interesting side of lightly breaded and fried jalapenos, lemon slices, and onions. I would have never thought that fried lemon slices would be so good. I plan to go back and get the oyster poboy with the honking huge oysters and see if the chowder is worth it. Good stuff, give it a try and don't look at receipt. Just eat, pay, and walk away happy.
(4)Amy C.
Yes, I'm a fan! I came here back in March and am just now getting around to writing the review - a friend was visiting from out of town and wanted seafood - I was looking for something casual and neither of us wanted to break the bank. I came across this place the last few times I was at the DMK Burger Bar (right next door). In the evening, the line to get in was out the door. But the day my friend and I went to the Fish Bar (a Sunday afternoon) we got right in and out. It as a small-ish place but with a good menu selection, cute decor, friendly service and good bang for the buck. The po'boys, fish sandwiches, and clams were tasty. I'd definitely return.
(4)Mike N.
I came here with my wife and father-in-law who is from Michigan and never had an oyster in his life. He self-proclaims that he grew up eating steak and potatoes over 95% of the time and yet even he enjoyed his food. The best part of meal was the clams and soups. The chef's special was a crab chowder and I thought it was done very delightfully. You can honestly tell that the seafood is very fresh. The only thing that I thought was pretty bland and not worth ordering was the fish fries. The highlight of this place, though, was our waitress Mindy. She was delightful. She was very attentive and appeared to do many small favors for us; which I'm not sure whether it's genuine or part of the act to attempt to get me to come back again. Regardless, it worked. The best part was that she offered to take the desert we ordered off the check since it took slightly longer than expected. (maybe 10 minutes) Good food and great service for about $25 bucks a person. Can't ask for much more than that.
(5)roxie s.
Best fried fish sandwich in town!!! I don't know what they do to the tartar sauce, but it is unbelievable! The service here is amazing too. If you are waiting, they will usually bring you a little something for free to try. Also, if you order something to go, they will give you a free beer while you wait (they do not take to go orders over the phone. They want to serve it extra fish, so you have to order it there.) They have great beer, a simple menu, and the freshest ingredients. I would like to try everything! Their daily soup is also something to rave about. Always homemade, and perfect portions. Since there are so many restaurants in Chicago, I try to avoid repeating visits. However, this is one that I will always come back to!
(5)Eugene C.
Went to Fish Bar on a afternoon with a buddy of mine. Umm....ordered 2 lobster rolls for $22 each. So not the money. Totally overrated and small. Seafood Gazpacho, very blend. Fried scallops-turned out to be about 15 baby scallops for $11. Beers, thumbs up. Very cold beer. Probably about 37-38 degrees. Overall, too much money what what it is. $130 before tipping for 2. So not worth the money.
(2)Mandi G.
This is a great weekday lunch spot. Try to go a little later (like 2ish) and there will be no wait. Dinner and weekends pack this place up. I have always had great, friendly service and pretty much the entire menu is perfection. I am especially in love with the crab cake sandwich. It can hold its own in a "best sandwich in Chicago" contest. Truth. Also delicious is the fried calamari which comes topped with giardinera. I now wish all restaurants would serve their fried calamari with a side of giardinera. My only complaint would be I was slightly disappointed with their lobster roll, which is what they seem to brag about the most. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But for $18, I would expect it to be a little bigger and/or truly blow me away in the taste department. Super casual atmosphere and best crabcake sandwich ever. That's all you need to know.
(4)Beckee W.
I give this more like a 4.5 with room for growth only because they had only been open 48 hours when I went. The wait was shorter than what they said which is nice, the drinks are great, the oysters were to die for, and my clam po boy was great. Word to the wise, use this as a date place and go early, like 630, don't roll in with 6 people at 8pm, they won't seat you, the place is super dinky and the 3 booths are made for 3 small to average sized people or 4 Lilliputians with small shoulders. If you have boobs, sit at the counter. I like that this is in the Chi now, a really good fun alternative for early dinner options!
(4)Keith B.
Just came back from an early dinner. Deeply disappointing and incredibly expensive for a casual fish place. $67 for two people; 2 glasses of blech wine, one beer, one tiny scallop appetizer and two sandwiches. No sides (all small plates). If you like wine you should know - they have 3 flavors "white, red and rose". Service people were nice but the food was absolutely mediocre (and I know seafood).
(1)Jamie C.
I went to Fish Bar in order to try the Maine Lobster Roll. Went on a weekend afternoon. First of all, after reading other reviews I thought it would be a total hole in the wall. To my surprise, it was small but well organized. There were only 3 booths available, so I was apprehensive when I was sat at the bar, but the service was wonderful and it was easy to keep a conversation going. I think every seat in the place was taken, but it didn't feel crowded. Had a few doubts about the structural integrity of my chair, but it survived my lunch so I guess I can't complain! The Lobster Roll was very tasty. The rolls were buttery with complimented the seafood. It was delicious, but I mostly tasted the dill in the mayo, and less of the lobster (which they give you plenty of). When I was there, market value was $21. The Satchmo Po Boy was FANTASTIC. I love shrimp and crawfish and was pleasantly surprised when they came breaded. In my opinion, the Po Boy was even better than the Lobster Roll. Fresh raw oysters from the east and west coast: I got to try one of each on the house. Not a huge fan, but it was really cool of them to let me give them a try for free. I'll be back for another Po Boy real soon. A place like this made me feel like I was sitting in a little place in California.
(5)Jenn K.
Everything from the clam chowder, to the calamari, to the crabby patty and to the Po' boy were absolutely incredible!
(5)Rich R.
Good quality seafood snacks. Expensive, but worth the buck!
(4)Linda D.
Pretty good! Came here for a late-ish night fix and was pleasantly surprised that they had oysters marked down to $1.50 after 10 p.m. Great deal, and the oysters tasted fresh and flavorful. We got a mix of the east and west coast flavors. The actual bar is super cute. It's small, so I can imagine that it must get crowded during peak hours. Our server was helpful and friendly, and didn't give us the "you're here late on a weekday and I want to close up NAO" vibe at all. He came to check on us and refilled our waters constantly. Ordered the lobster gazpacho, calamari, and an oyster po' boy. I loved the gazpacho, nice and spicy, with big chunks of lobster. The boyfriend got a little tired of it after a while though. That's alright, mo' fo' me. Calamari was just ok. The oyter po' boy was just too much fried breading for me to handle. And it tasted a little fishy. I know that sounds really, really, stupid talking about an oyster sandwich from a place called Fish Bar, but I just didn't enjoy the taste of it as much as the other stuff. It didn't taste bright and fresh; it tasted kind of old and greasy. Another complaint I would have would be on prices - the portions were small, and while I understand it's seafood, I think the quality could have been a little higher. Maybe we went in too late, so I probably would give it another try during the day.
(3)CeeCee Y.
I never knew how much I loved raw oysters until i was taken to Fish Bar for the first time like last week. My God. The brine, the lemon juice, so good! The lobster roll is kinda pricey at $21 especially for how small it is, but it did have a ton of lobster chunks in it. I kinda wished the lobster meat itself was served warm instead of cold, but then I guess that would make the mayo taste weird. The bread roll itself is served warm. They have other items on the menu like tater tots and fried clams etc, your usual seafood place items. I liked how they had a huge variety of oysters from each coast too. My only true complaint is that it was super freezing in there, like they didn't bother to turn the heat on at all. And I felt like one of the (male) workers was checking out my (male and straight) date if you get my drift...haha. All in all would totally go back to Fish Bar!
(4)Jordan M.
This place is great! It will probably be busy on the weekends and some weeknights, so go a little before the time you want to eat. You can get a drink and hang out. The place has a really cool atmosphere, they have a canoe hanging from the ceiling and it looks like it could be a old fish market with old wood planks, fishing pics, etc. The service and food was just as good. It was our first time there so the waitress explained the dishes and helped us decide when we asked. They also gave us some free food to try! We tried the Rock Shrimp, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Mahi Mahi Tacos, and finished with DIY S'mores. It all was very well present and delicious. The rock shrimp was my favorite, closely followed by the Mahi Mahi tacos. For the S'mores they give you a small flame where you roast your own marshmallows. I highly recommend to anyone likes fish in all states. They also have a selection of 6 or more good beers.
(4)Mark B.
Great food and atmosphere. Noisy and fun environment. Recommend the tater tots, Satchmo sandwich and key line pie.
(5)Steve S.
My girlfriend and I had lunch there and it was delicious. Then afterward we went and got some food because we were starving.
(4)Braden W.
This place is awesome! Newly open I eat here every week. Best fish in Chicago hands down. Jessica and Jenn always treat me well. The staff is cool and sweet. The fish is fresh daily, the chef makes great combos. The oyster po boy is unreal! Calamari great, rock shrimp great, dried lemons w/ onions and more great, clam chowder..yup great, but then there are the soft belly clams which are juicy inside with an amazing batter cover (to die for) and the lobster and crab sandwiches are stellar. Now drinks, I always get the Abby ale which is superb but chef is making tea cocktails like pineapple and vodka fermented with chili that is going to bring the summer home! (I tried it and loved it) There is a ton of great food here but to add to it they are green! They donate profits to fisheries, use sustainable and environmentally friendly fish. A business model we should all support more of. And on top of it all, it's very well priced, not expensive at all! Amazing people, great service, awesome food, and green. If you have not been go...don't cheat yourself, treat yourself. Go see the J's (Jenn x2 and Jessica), eat and drink your heart out, and maybe even find a pearl in your po boy!
(5)A H.
I'm so glad I found this place! One day, I was remebering the lobster roll that I had in NYC, and really wantied to find one in Chicago. Fish Bar was the first place that popped up. So, we hopped on the train and found ourselves outside a beautiful brick building painted blue. From the look on the outside to the food, I love everything about this place. I like that it's small and you sit at a bar. I like the decor, and how bright it is. The drinks are delicious, whether it's a fancy beer or a cocktail. The food delicious! While the lobster roll is expensive, it's worth the price. It's so delicious! We've also tried the gumbo, bisque, soft-shell crab, tator tots, po boy, and a few others. Everything was delicious! Make sure to note that the portions are not huge and the prices are a little high. However, considering how far we are from an ocean, the prices seem fair.
(4)Coll P.
Fish Bar (and Kristen our server) were awesome! As I waited for friends she brought out two crackers with a salmon dill spread AND at dinner she brought out a side of complimentary potatoes with bacon. She was a great and personable server! My group had chowder, grilled calamari, ceviche, ahi tuna tartare, an oyster po boy, and the lobster roll. There was not one thing we weren't crazy about! I wish the seating arrangement was different, as it was a little tricky finding four spots together. Other than that, Fish Bar is highly recommended!
(4)Marc D.
I wanted to like Fish Bar . . . . But it didn't live up. As a native New Englander, I'm admittedly biased but good food is good food, and there are better seafood options in the city. Two stars go to atmosphere (sat outside at a cool shared pick-nick table), service (attentive, friendly waitress) and drinks (well poured cocktails, solid beer list and decent seasonal wine selection). The food was bland and, because of that, overpriced. Started with the buffalo frog legs. They were small and didn't have much taste beyond the buffalo sauce (if you've had the buffalo frog legs at Longman and Eagle, you'll be disappointed). Followed that up with with two lobster rolls and the octopus. The octopus had little to no flavor and was chewy. The biggest disappointment was the lobster rolls - granted, the portion and the bun were strong but the flavor wasn't there. Putting my New England lobster-salad style preference aside, they still lacked. Not sure what the flavor was (vinegar?) but there was't lobster taste. And, I get the charm of it, but for $22 for a lobster roll (served alone), I'm not sure it should come on a paper fry boat. Doubt we'll be back.
(2)Samantha L.
I am useless on most Sundays for some unknown reason, and I always feel groggy and lethargic. My boyfriend managed to drag me out of the apartment to try Fish Bar, but since I felt crummy, I only wanted to eat cold stuff. I ordered the ceviche and two of each of the oysters they had available that day. The ceviche is a very small portion, which is typical of their a la carte menu. It was decent, but I wouldn't write home to mom about it. The oysters were pretty great, and even better, they are only $1.50 each on Sundays. My boyfriend got the lobster roll for like $21, and it was decent, but I don't think it was worth $21. I personally would rather spend $20 more and have a nicely prepared lobster tail drizzled in butter. The beer menu is small, but at least the options pair well with seafood. I will definitely be back here for the oysters some other lazy Sunday.
(4)Lauren B.
If you want to splurge on some seafood and don't mind paying a small premium on seafood that is quality and has been sustainable farmed/caught, go here. There are also ways to eat here without majorly breaking the bank such as, ordering the a few dishes and splitting the hearty and reasonably priced fish and chips, etc. Ordering tots or salad allows you to save a little and fills you up. That being said, my price issue is with the alcohol. I'd go here more often if the price of alcohol was either lower (since the beers and drinks are smaller) or if they upgraded to the normal size. To know in advance: reservations of only parties of 4 can be made and go early if you want to be sat at a reasonable time, otherwise be prepared to kill some time drinking/standing on the outer edge of the restaurant.
(4)n l.
I've come here three times now and I'd have to say it's just okay. Nothing has really impressed me thaaaattt much here. Sorry. :(
(3)Jamie B.
I think I was expecting a lot more from Fish Bar than what I got. I guess to sum it up, it was a little pricey for what you got. I didn't find anything I ate to either be exceptionally creative or so perfectly prepared to make me want to spend around $10 for what ends up being a 'taste' of something. I see the value in small portions when what you're eating has complex flavors and a lot of creativity going into it, but that was not the style of food they were creating here. We ordered the rock shrimp, ceviche, and steamed mussels. None of them were bad, but they all seemed fairly standard with nothing special about them. We also got the butternut squash and crab bisque (or something to that extent), and that would have to be my favorite thing I ate, although it still didn't knock my socks off. I really did like the look and feel of the place though. It's on the smaller side, so I would recommend getting there earlier rather than later (as lame as that sounds), or expect to have a wait 20-30 minutes. The service was good as well, so I don't have any complaints there. If the prices were half of what they were I don't think I would have been disappointed with my experience. I just know that in the past when I've paid what I did here I got a much more well rounded and satisfying meal.
(3)Matt M.
Overall this was simply disappointing. We were originally told it was a 30-45 minute wait, which was okay because we came during the dinner rush on a Friday and didn't have much to do. Even when we were seated an hour and fifteen minutes later it still didn't matter too much except that we saw a couple who were clearly "regulars" walk up and get seated. Another couple was also seated before us (by only a couple mins) despite arriving after us, plus they were given a private table leaving us to sit at one of the communal tables. The hostess was terrible at multitasking. Consolation though: she brought us two saltines w/ mayo and an anchovy "complementary" for how long we were waiting. This item wasn't even listed on the menu (which is good bc it was meh) which made me feel special! What makes the above worse was that the meal was mediocre. Soup was lukewarm, salad was decent, prawns we solid but incredibly small portions, and the tacos weren't bad. Pretty much a big let down after waiting so long; you'd hope the awesome food and service make up for. Speaking of service... Our waitress spent a long time either with the regulars I mentioned earlier or not around at all. Because the iced tea maker was broken as of this morning, I asked for lemon for my water. The lemons came after I had finished the first glass and weren't refilled even when she left the lemons or for another 10 minutes. Pretty much the whole meal was a waiting game. Soup and salads took 10-15 mins to come. The next item, the prawns were at least 10 mins after the previous course. After that it was a really long time until our next course. So long in fact that our waitress came over and asked if there was anything else we'd like at which point we informed her we were still waiting for our last dish. While we were pretty annoyed we didn't say anything because we really had nowhere to be. Interestingly, and I have to give him credit because we didn't say anything and I have no idea how he found out, the manager brought out our tacos and informed us they'd be on the house because of how long we had waited and that the prawns that were to come out (mind you we had already received them, so we informed him of such) and anything else we'd like were on the house as well. He ended up bringing the extra set of prawns as well because they had already been made. The waitress took another 5-10 minutes to bring the check, another 10 minutes to return for it, and then brought it back after another 5 minutes. I honestly thought we were on Boiling Point or something; everything was set up to test us. The manager's gesture was actually really genuine and he was very nice about the whole thing. I actually appreciated it because we weren't going to say anything. Oh well, many other places to try.
(2)Anne C.
This place is small, but kitschy and fun. If you're with a big group, just forget about coming here as I am pretty sure they can seat 25 people in the whole place. For groups of 2-4, this is perfect. Fish Bar is like New England clam shack meets sushi bar meets tapas. Everything is basically a small plate and they serve them as the kitchen turns them out. I'd give high marks to the chowder, the crabby patty (a crabcake sandwich), and the lobster roll, although its market price and can get awfully expensive. They also had a really delicious lobster and butternut squash soup the last time I was there-- an odd combo, but really tasty. The staff is friendly and helpful and the place is super cute. They also serve pies baked by the pastry chefs behind Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park. Amazing!
(4)Matt C.
Imagine Sebastien from "The Little Mermaid" singing a merry tune about how delicious he is right before you devour him on a french bread roll. That what the Lobster Roll at Fish Bar is like. When my girlfriend and I first decided to try Fish Bar (before we ate the food) we were finding it hard to justify spending $20 for a sandwich, even if it is a fancy lobster roll. A sandwich is a sandwich right? NOPE! Find me a better lobster roll. Seriously. I would love to try it, and I might pay $25 for it if it's, well, better than Fish Bar's. But it won't be. So don't even try. Singing Sebastien Sandwiches aside, Fish Bar isn't just a good fish place -- I think this is one of the best restaurants in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. From the decadent lobster bisque, to the SpongeBob-inspired crabby patty, to the fried lemons and jalapenos they serve as a side dish (delicious), it's allll good. And the oysters, ohh the oysters. Fresh, tasty, grit free, served with two sauces. This place gets it. Also the menu changes constantly based on what ridiculously fresh fish they acquire; you are guaranteed something new and awesome every time you go. The service is great, every time I have been there the staff genuinely seem like they enjoy serving and are excited about the food. It can be a little hard to get a timely table on the weekend, but they have great seasonal beer on tap so you can get your drank on while you wait. Oh and try the Lobster Roll.
(5)Gabe M.
Think this is a great place. I lived in Boston for three years and learned a lot about seafood. When I moved to Chicago one of the things on my list was to scout out some oyster and ideally lobster roll places. Thankfully I found Fish Bar. Wow, great place. This place is on par with anything in the Northeast, dare I say even Cape Cod. They don't mess around. Its expensive so not really something to do often, but it is a great place to get your seafood on once in a while.
(4)Jason S.
After having a great experience at Fish Bar a month ago, I had been wanting to go back every time I was craving seafood. Finally made the trip again tonight and it was an extreme disappointment. From start to finish, it was mediocre at VERY best. My girlfriend was looking forward to getting the gumbo as it was so delicious last time, but they were out. She opted for the clam chowder and I got the lobster gazpacho which I loved on my last visit. Our server came back with 2 clam chowders by accident. She took mine back and came back with my gazpacho a few minutes later. While waiting, I tried my girlfriends clam chowder expecting a place with such a reputation to pump out something pretty special. It was not... Luke warm, watered down, and had no seasoning whatsoever. In the entire bowl, there were 5 cubes of potato and 3 little bits of clam. I don't want to be crude or obnoxious in saying this.. but in all honesty, this makes a can of Campbell's clam chowder seem worthy of a Michelin star. When my gazpacho arrived, I dug in. Setting aside the fact that there were only 2 small pieces of lobster in the whole bowl, I couldn't eat more than half of it even if I wanted to. It was like eating spoonfulls of jalapeno infused tomato water. The veggies were totally unidentifiable - overall, terrible. I was excited for my scallops which would have been tasty if they were cooked through, but it didn't really matter at that point because my palate was completely shot after being set on fire from the gazpacho that I had stopped eating around 10 minutes prior. Long story short - disappointed. I thought I had found my new seafood joint in the city, but the search continues.
(2)Christine K.
I love Fish Bar. I've been here many times already and the service/food is always great. One item on the menu continues to blow me away: OYSTER PO BOY. It's delicious. It's succulent. It's juicy and briny and wonderful. Each po boy comes with three oysters, but each oyster is the size of my hand. (Admittedly, my hands are on the small side, but that doesn't take away from the fact that these bad boys are huge!) The fried clams are also moist and tender. These are the most tender and pure tasting bivalves I've ever had at any restaurant. They're not fried to oblivion. The flavor of the seafood really comes through with all the clam and oysters dishes. The softshell crab po boy was also very delicious. They don't have this menu item all the time so I would recommend getting it if you like soft shell crab and see this sandwich on the special menu. The only item I did not like as much was the Crabby Patty. There was too much breading, and the spices were a bit overwhelming so it was difficult to taste the actual crab. The fish sandwich is very good, as is the octopus. Marina is the biggest sweetheart, and Jessica is fabulous as well. :)
(5)Jess V.
3.5 stars. After sitting in Fish Bar for about seven minutes, I realized why I liked it. The decor and bar setup reminds me of a crab shack I would frequent in Florida, except it's cleaner. Made to look rustic and beach wind-worn, but clean so you avoid splinters. It's the best of both worlds. My dining partner and I both started with the Sonja Does Sicily cocktail, served in a little Ball jar. While I didn't taste the Campari, the cocktail was good. It wasn't very strong, but tasted like nectar. I would have preferred to taste some of the alcohol, though. If you review the menu online, you will see the preparations for some of the foods, but not the fish. They have sustainably caught fish and the selection rotates based on what is in season. We started with the ceviche, which was prepared with bay scallops last night. The ceviche was good, but it didn't stand out as an amazing dish. I appreciated the toasted Saltine, as it was warm and the cracker concept works with the atmosphere of the bar, but I would have preferred a piece of toasted bread. My friend had the oyster po' boy, which was supposed to have three fried oysters on the bun. If there were only three, they were the largest oysters I have ever seen. I had the special po' boy with soft shell crab. This sandwich came with two full soft shell crabs. These sandwiches did not lack in "meat," bread, or size. I would have preferred the remoulade on top of the crab, though. It was difficult to eat and needed the flavor of the remoulade, but since it lined the bottom of the bun, I had to take several bites of crab and bun before I could reach the flavor. The staff was very kind and greatly enhanced my meal. When I left, I thought I would definitely go back. After thinking about it more, I realized that I would rather go back for the staff than for the food. They sent us a complementary side of the fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. For a fried side, it was good. Although the tater tots looked more substantial. In winter, when I'm missing warm weather and want a vacation to Florida, I'll go back to Fish Bar. But until then, I will be content summing up my visit as decent food, amazing staff.
(3)Shaun S.
The vote is in.... I LOVE the fish bar. The rock shrimp are the best! The drinks are also very good...and STRONG. The portions are small and the price is high..but you will enjoy this place.
(4)Ricky S.
Upon first stepping into Fish Bar with my girlfriend, I have to admit I am unsure about the layout. I get the whole bar concept as a theme but the seating just looks a little too uncomfortable. As soon as we seat ourselves and get acquainted with our server, however, it all begins to make sense. The bar setting meshes beautifully with the menu and the service. The "bartenders" walking back and forth, taking plates and bringing more, discussing food with us and making jokes, oh and they call the check your tab. What really makes Fish Bar an unforgettable restaurant experience is in the details. Your evening starts off strong with the like-able servers, picks up steam with a fine array of gourmet yet familiar food, and ends amusingly with a check that always ends up being more expensive than expected. Don't be surprised if you venture in with a few interesting entrees and aren't able to stop ordering more and more. The mussels were exquisite, the oyster selection better than most, the po-boys never disappoint, and the seviche/carpaccio were both a delight. One item I almost overlooked was the clam chowder not being the biggest chowder fan, but I cannot stress this enough: order the clam chowder. Will I be back? If they gave me a blanket and a pillow I would camp out and enjoy their menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(5)Chris A.
We've been here multiple times--the food, drinks, and service are always excellent. There can be a bit of a wait during peak times, but it's never been too crazy (and with one of their excellent beers in hand, completely tolerable). I don't get how someone can rate a restaurant one star without having set foot in the place. The website clearly states "more than 4, go next door." You give them one star because they won't give you a reservation for 5 during peak hours at a small and packed restaurant?
(5)Eric M.
Let me start off by saying Im not a huge fish eater, but this place is AMAZING!!! The wait staff is amazing, very nice, very accomodating...gave us free apps and an entree for the long wait!! I had the Crabby Sandwich (forgot the actual name) but it was by far the most amazing sandwich I have had in Chicago. It is a MUST HAVE! Calamari was amazing, Salmon BLT was amazing, there really isn't a bad dish here. Its very small and perfect for date nights. You wont regret going.
(5)Nathan R.
This place is awesome! The best option for sea food in Lakeview. I went here last night for the first time and now know why I've heard so many great things. The staff was friendly, the microbrews were tasty, and of course the food was amazing as well. I'll def. be making this a regular dinner destination. Love it!
(5)Rebecca C.
This is one of the most unique and fabulous eating experiences in Chicago. I love the smaller, family style portions and the pop of flavor is fabulous. My favs are the rock shrimp (wow), fish fries (so unique), the lobster roll is so refreshing, the smoked trout salad is packed with flavor, and the crabby patty is moist and filling. Just try it you will see how GREAT the service is (hence I am a repeat customer) and the food is yummy.
(5)Rachel H.
Ok. Having one of the worst days on record- locked out with no cell phone (ever notice how pay phones don't exist anymore and even if they did the only number you know is your mom's??). Anyway... rolled in there to wait for help. The place has this great casual vibe and music like I had just walked in off some east coast beach (I am speculating here as have never been east coast). The staff were all dolls - offering to help/use phone/etc. While waiting, I had a great witte, sampled two other draughts, munched on an excellent tuna tartare, and passed the time chatting with the super genuine folks working the bar. Seriously, if this place could turn my spirits on a day like today - well, it must be something, indeed. Def a must go.
(5)Mark V.
Surprisingly GREAT New England style "seafood shack" in the heart of Chicago! Spending my weekends in Chicago from LA this summer, I'm trying to enjoy as much of the culinary scene as possible from Friday - Sunday. I stumbled upon this place on a run through Lakeview / Wrigleyville and was drawn in by the bags of "Cape Cod Potato Chips" in the window of the kitchen...running in the windy, cold rain of Chi-town vs. reigniting my childhood summers on Cape Cod and in Boston, I took the latter: 1. Sea Bass Ceviche - Reminded me of Hawaii...the dark days of late spring in Chicago, any reminder of Hawaii or the sun is greatly welcomed. 2. New England Clam Chowder - the only way to properly prepare clam chowder. Tasty, creamy, a cold day in Boston (or in this case Chicago)...problem solved. 3. Lobster Roll - Only an LA'er would request no mayo (even with my Boston roots, health has won out these days)...Fish Bar accommodated, another big winner. Fresh, chunky, succulent lobster, and ample amount...on the original hot dog bun. Well seasoned lobster on a toasted roll, simple and good. PS - I was with my fiance, explaining the no mayo! BUT if you're looking for a grease-pit lobster roll, this is not your place. Perhaps McD's will give that concept a shot again someday... 4. Fried Lemons, Onions, Jalapenos - yes, all fried, just those 3 items...dont know what else to say other than tasty, different, original...think lightly fried onion rings with hints of lemon and spice. I will certainly be back to try many other items at this new Chi-town gem, a modern salute to the throwback New England style seafood shack...I have been told lines for dinner get crazy, so give a little Saturday afternoon brunch a shot...and of course, don't forget the Bloody Mary.
(4)Garrett G.
Small place with great food that doesn't try to be fancy. Everything I have tried in my multiple visits has been great. My server Janna friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is small which I am a huge fan of. I would rather have fewer choices that are all good than filler items. It is a very small place so I don't recommend going during the busy hours unless you are patient. Most of the restaurant is communal seating which I am normally not a fan of but the crowds are fun and not stuffy so it actually isn't bad.
(5)shivi d.
Service ambience menu quality price all created a perfect pitch. This place is just awesome with their $1.50 oyster Sundays, salmon BLT, lobster roll and clam chowder. Fresh and delicious. Not the best we've ever had food-wise but an overall fantastic package!
(5)David G.
I have tried to like this place. Have gone 4 times now. But this time was the final determination, the food was ho hum, small portions, the booths are small, counter awkward to sit at. Today, I had the salmon sandwich. It was a narrow piece of fish on a round hamburger bun, so 1/2 of the bun did not have fish. What I didn't realize the first time is that you need to order 2 to 3 items to leave full, which ends up being 15 to 30 bucks a person, that is quite expensive for this atmosphere and counter service. And for some reason both Fish Bar and DMK don't seem to like kids. Fish Bar does not have high chairs, claims it on fire code, but there is no reason in the code that would even offer that as a reason. Neither have changing tables in the toilets. You would think the owners would see their typical demographic of the neighborhood and respond , but apparently not. Don't think I'll be back.
(1)Worlowitz W.
I ate here on Sunday afternoon and have nothing but positive things to say. I had the crab cake sandwich & tater tots and both were delicious! The menu was great, simple, written in a fun way, with lots of rotating options (ceviche, carpaccio, catch of day). Other diners were enjoying a whole range of items and lots looked great: the sriracha rock shrimp, lobster roll, oyster po' boy. Everyone was knowledgeable about the food and happy to make suggestions. The prices were fair, the service was great, and I look forward to returning and trying more! My only bone to pick was the hostess telling me to "pop a squat" on my bar stool when seating me--not exactly the most appetizing image to share before a meal.
(4)John B.
Good but overpriced and small portions. You pay for being trendy and not for a filling meal. At $21 the lobster roll was a big letdown.
(3)David R.
Great service, tasty seafood, and a bright, casual atmosphere. Nice selection of fresh, grilled and fried selections. The gumbo is perfectly balanced with plenty of spicy sausage and fresh crab. The flash fried shrimp are lightly breaded, crispy and delicious. Fish Bar also has a great section of Belgium Style brews on tap. Looking forward to many return visits.
(5)Kelly P.
Great staff, small plates are a nice change of pace and the price is right to me. The wet rock shrimp might be my favorite appetizer in Lakeview. I've never visited without being offered something complimentary from the kitchen usually a tartare, carpaccio or ceviche. A scallop special was really great too! Try the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno peppers- definitely a better side with some of the entrees.
(4)Stephanie L.
Visited for the first time around 10pm on Friday night and really loved it! My date and I ordered the lobster roll, scallops and fish fry and ate everything in sight. :) I loved the scallops - they were perfectly cooked and very tasty (and didn't need the heavy sauce served with them). The ambiance was charming and cozy and our waitress was kind, attentive and helpful. I'll definitely return!!
(5)David M.
Kinda disappointed pretty much sums it up...we had expected more...go there for a beer and the gumbo...maybe as an appetizer ... Then next door to DMK for better value and to fill you up...had to make popcorn after we got home later.......and the beer pour was maybe 1/2 glass and foam....boo!
(3)Jason A.
You know the feeling. You meet a friend for dinner, knowing full well that you're going out for drinks later. You order a burger. The thing arrives. It's huge. Not only that, there's a heaping pile of fries next to it. Because echoes of your mother still ring in your ears, you clean your plate. Even the pickle spear. Your friend tells you it's time to meet everyone else. You stand up and realize you're uncomfortable. Five pounds heavier, you sway to the door. All you want to do is find your couch and channel-surf. But it's Saturday. Yeah, it's Saturday at 8 o'clock and you just fell into a food coma because you can't control portions. Know the feeling? Good. Because you'll never have that feeling at Fish Bar, where the menu is short and the portions are small -- an ideal place to meet up before going out for drinks or even for a light lunch. What's cool about Fish Bar, which has the most apropos name imaginable (a bar that serves fish), is that it serves fish from the Great Lakes. The catch of the day was Lake Superior Trout. Why don't more restaurants do this? When I'm on either coast, I always order seafood because it's hauled right out of the water and dumped on your plate. There's nothing fresher. And, believe me, the taste is palpable. In Chicago, we're at Ground Zero of the Great Lakes, one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet, yet everything seems to be flown in. I hope Fish Bar keeps this up -- even goes further and expands the menu with more Great Lakes fare. But I digress. The service was wonderful. It was Friday so the place filled up fast. I had the calamari and the gumbo -- both delicious. But just know that you're not going to fill up there. Which, let's face it, is actually a blessing. You know the feeling.
(4)Erik J.
I'm glad Fish Bar exists; it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood options. I don't, however, know that I'll rush back. First, they have two options for wine - Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, available only by the glass. One glass of the Sauvignon Blanc had me switching to beer; it is dreadful stuff (Fish Bar doesn't provide the winery's name, but it's a couple of levels below Yellow Tail). We started with the ceviche, which tasted mostly of pineapple (couldn't taste the fish). Then we had the fried calamari, which was ok. I enjoyed the pickled peppers served on the side more than I did the calamari. The grilled octopus was the highlight of our dinner. If I return, I'm going to head straight for the "A la Plancha" section of the menu. Next, we split a Lobster Roll. It was good, but not great. I can think of two restaurants (you know where I'm talking about) with far better lobster rolls. You won't linger in Fish Bar. The service and menu are all about getting you in and getting you out. This isn't all bad (especially on a weeknight), but we went on a Saturday evening. We were in and out in 45 minutes.
(3)Laura B.
We went to Fish Bar randomly and were very impressed. The server was great and the food was amazing. We went and shared 6 dishes and weren't disappointed with any. The po boy was by far the best thing we tried. All the fish is fresh and great! When they ran out of something we ordered they brought over a free dish. Definitely going back soon!
(4)Vince F.
Delicious. Relaxed environment. Great service and even better food. Cod sandwich prepared perfectly, yummy tater tots that actually tasted like potatoes and small but interesting beer selection. We ate there for lunch and plan to return for dinner in the next day or two. Good value.
(5)Samantha H.
When I give a half rating I always try to think of one thing to push them one way or the other (since the average will go into their stars). This is 3.5 stars but giving them a 4 since the server gave me a half wine on the house when I just wanted a little more and not a full glass. I followed the Yelp! advice of not getting the $21 lobster roll because I felt that would only be disappointing. The fish special of the day were scallops, which were excellent! They were cooked in chorizo and had a hearty gravy on them. Yum! The rock shrimp were also very yummy and a decent size portion of those. I agree with a lot of the reviews that the portions really are tiny. Usually, even at a tapas place, I can get full eating several dishes. Here there were 2 of us and we got 6 plates and I could've had more. I'm not asking for huge plates, just a tad larger than they are. We each got 2 oysters (one east, one west), which I didn't care for at all. I like oysters but this was only the fourth time I'd had them so I'm not an expert. At GT and Everest, for example, they came in a preparation like with some sauce or cucumbers or something with them other than just the oyster. No, these were just the oyster in sea water (which was quite salty). If you're expected a prepared oyster, I would stay away from these. The baby octopus was very good and that was also a decent size. The calamari was average as was the ceviche. Over all food was average to above average with the scallops being my fave. Service was good other than forgetting the water I ordered. I actually really liked the set up. We got there at like 4:45 after furniture shopping so it was sort of a weird time but within an hour the place was full. I'd go back.
(4)Abigail L.
It makes me sad to give Fish Bar only 3 stars. The atmosphere is a 5. The service 5. The taste 4. The beer served in mason jars 6 stars! The serving size 2. The price 2. We thought we would split a small plate, Salmon sliced thinly, which was tasty and a entree which was a $21 lobster roll, which should have been priced as a small plate. It was TINY! but flavorful. We had to order more. Shrimp and Crawfish po boy, again tasty, yet small. We spent $67 on a light lunch and a beer each. Too much! I would not mind spending that for a nice dinner, but for a crab shack type fish joint, I'll pass. And that's exactly what I'll do next time Fish Bar is suggested. PASS.. However, I would like to say that the place was busy, so I guess they are not doing too bad for themselves. I will just spend my money elsewhere.
(3)Nicholas W.
I love this spot! So much so that I'm hesitant to write a review and give it any more attention. The interior design sets a great Maine-y vibe without being too kitschy. We had almost everything on the menu and it was all pretty awesome but the lobster roll was a standout. Although, next time I'll pass on the lobster bisque and oysters-they're good but there are better options. The wait-times can get lengthy so make a res way ahead of time.
(5)Patrick I.
Our waitress made our experience that much better. I had a shrimp/crawfish po boy and an excellent tequila drink. Outside seating was relaxed and unpretentious. Breezy atmosphere, great service and food.
(4)Meredith H.
I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I had kind of wanted to go when it opened, but have been avoiding it because their online menu doesn't do it justice. I love seafood, but most of what they have on their menu is fried which i try to avoid. But i randomly went there last weekend and it was fantastic! They have a few fish options that are written on the board along with other specials. First the drinks. The bartender/server was extremely helpful when we were asking questions about the drinks. I loved the beer i had and everyone we were with enjoyed their mixed drinks. Generous pours that you don't taste by the way. Beware of sudden drunkenness. They started off by giving us a complimentary shrimp dish in this aioli sauce. it was so good. Definitely not good for you, but delicious. We ordered the fish taco special, since it was cinco de mayo. Followed by garlic bread and grilled fish off the board. It was like a piccata set up and both fish were perfectly cooked and flavorful. Garlic bread was so good, perfectly toasted. Oysters were fresh. Finally had a cup of clam chowder which was not super thick while still being creamy and delicious. Lastly we split a derby pie for dessert, it was a crazy brownie type dessert that was totally necessary. My favorite part about the place was how casual and just laid back it was. Everyone was friendly and it was just a nice change of pace. Absolutely going back.
(4)Emma C.
What a total hipster rip-off. When I ordered shrimp, I did not realize they were referring to the size of the portion. I saw on other reviews that the portions were small, but still found myself unprepared, as I have honestly seen more generous servings at a doll's tea party. And why other people have described it as delicious is beyond me...lob roll was meh, and trying to pass off that frozen, flavorless Jewel grocery store shrimp as Gulf shrimp was actually insulting. Cocktail sauce came in a little skimpy paper thing like what you put ketchup in in a fast-food joint. Fish Bar, do you know where you are? It's Chicago, one of the greatest food cities in the world. Do you really think we don't know what a proper shrimp cocktail looks like? Do you dream that we have never been to Fish Keg? The service was sensational, kind and friendly, but I guess that's the least they can do when they are planning to serve you a tablespoon's worth of sustenance for every ten bucks you spend...honestly, I think they should be embarrassed, I would not serve someone such a paltry amount out of my own kitchen or they would think I had something against them and wished to offend. Everything was twice what it should have cost and half as good. After $60 for lunch, I had to go get a bagel. Avoid, avoid, avoid, unless you're a millionaire on a diet. I am neither and I won't be back.
(1)Patrick n.
Think Seafood Tapas. This place is really unique and charming. The food is good all around. Portions are small and you will want to order a couple things per person. We've had the ceviche, tartare, mussels, clams, scallops, and poboys, it was all very good and reasonably priced.
(4)Jessica F.
Good beer choices, and good fish. The menu is small and the plates are even smaller. But it has a true Cape vibe that is appreciated.
(4)Brian F.
I cannot get enough Fish Bar. As a preface, I am allergic to shellfish (there goes half the menu), and have not (previously) been the biggest fan of fish, but this place definitely makes me a big fan of the sea (and/or lake). Yes, they have small plates. Yes, your bill adds up. Yes, you will love it. I love coming here frequently with a small group of friends. In true small plate theory, it is so fun to order bit by bit and share the bite(s) provided. All of the raw options are delicious and full of fresh flavor. The Federal Hill style calamari is among the best I've ever tried. My shellfish allergy limits my "main dish" options, so I always opted for an awesome BLT (yes, BLT) for $6 featuring avocado and a fried egg... But they've changed this in recent months, using pork belly instead of bacon. Not a fan. Now, they've even got me hooked on their fried codfish sandwich. Like I said, becoming hooked on the fish. Also love the other garlic bread and tots sides. Great drinks offered: small, strong, tasty, around $5; plus cheap PBR cans. Now, onto the non-food points... It's a small spot. Small but quaint. They now take reservations (for a few); otherwise be prepared to wait. All tables inside surround a U-shaped bar. It's intimate but also public, and I like that. Nice simple, small-ish outdoor space too. I will say the biggest thing that is NOT intimate: the noise level. Guess they still haven't learned from the noise chamber that is DMK Burger next door... Service has always been stellar. This could be a big component of my frequent returns. The girls make their way through the U shape and deliver quick orders, replenishments, and delightful conversation. They add a lot to the fun of the experience. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Love going here with friends and taking out-of-towners here for a quality night. I always look forward to new/seasonal changes to the menu and returning for my favorite staples.
(5)Amy X.
my main homie/squeeze is leaving chicago for the beacon of the west, san francisco! i admit, that city has its draws -- year round temperate climate, a wicker park vibe through the whole city, and...everyone is a CEO of some burgeoning start-up or another. to mourn my loss as well as celebrate this new beginning, we embark on the Jack M. "See-Food-Eat-Food Tour of Chicago 2012" -- a series of visits to restaurants where we sample all the treasures of the sea that you can imagine. we come to fish bar because of the $1.50 oyster special. started with a dozen of the east and the west (washington state and virginia, i believe). loved the virginia, like the west coast ones. i read somewhere that oysters are a "real" adult food. to enjoy them, you have to inhale and anticipate the flavor, taste and experience the tactile sensation, and then swallow and savor the lingering notes. these were so good that at the end of our meal, we opted out of the key lime pie and ordered 6 more oysters for dessert. next up, hot items. steamed clams, wet fried rock shrimp, oyster po' boy, lobster roll. my advice, skip the lobster roll. $19 bucks, and at the end of the day, it's a sandwich with bits and pieces of lobster. tasty, yes -- not worth two orders of clams or two orders of rock shrimp though. other items, yummo! favorite were the clams, which had chorizo and tomatoes and were light, yet savory. we fought for sips of the broth. lastly, i believe we ordered too much food. a sandwich should stand in as two orders of a fried/a la plancha dish. stay tuned for more reviews of the see-food tour!
(4)Brett N.
All I can say is I loved it, as did my pescatarian girlfriend! There's a little wait if its a 1-2 person party, but we were there on a Friday night as well. As for parties of more than two, I would recommend making a reservation. The menu is kept seasonal and simple. I chose a little something from each part of the menu. The food is fresh, and the service is great. The Gumbo is full of Andouille sausage and blue crab (and flavor.) My girlfriend tried the Lobster Bisque, we both loved the generous sized chunks of lobster, and the taste was just the right amount of creamy/sweet. It was also the first time the both of us had tried raw oysters, that are so fresh they still taste like the ocean (your choice of East or West Coast oysters.) The Eastern Belly Clams are lightly fried and delicious. My first choice of an entree was the Satchmo Po' Boy, but they were unfortunately out of it (which only makes me want to return sooner to try it), but the Oyster Po' Boy was still a very tasty alternative. My girlfriend could not stop talking about how great her her Calamari A La Plancha was. As an intriguing side dish, we branched out to try the Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalpeno, we were told this was Chef's favorite thing on the menu, and was to remain on the menu regardless of how well it sold. Definitely made us want to try it even more. It certainly was worth a try, mixing bitter, spicy, and almost sweet flavors all at once. Lastly, for dessert, the Key Lime Pie seems to be the staple of the dessert menu (understandably so), we ordered that along with a revolving dessert (not listed). The Banana-Rum Bread pudding is like heaven in a dish! All in all, a great experience! Once again, can't wait to go back!!!!
(5)Holly H.
It is obvious that this place is trying to be the seafood version of "Big Star." Well, I have to say it, but Big Star knows what they are doing, this place.. hmmmm. Not sure. I was so excited for this place to open... I finally went with my boyfriend and father. While the food was good, I was overall a little disappointed. The staff was very friendly and service was good and fast. Everything is a la carte and pretty expensive. For a fish bar, I would want to see more options for raw bar items- individual oysters, clams, and shrimp boil, etc. You can only get oysters by the half dozen. My dad had a piece of white fish about 3 oz. for $8. Pretty bad. Not sure if we will be back as often as we had originally planned.
(2)Sheila C.
Food is delicious & Lauren, one the managers rocks. My husband and I strolled over there with the baby and placed a rather large order ... and then whoops...we forgot our wallets. Lauren the manager insisted that we take our food order and call in with a credit card number once we got home. I'm not sure many restaurants do business that way anymore. What a great experience!!
(5)Severen H.
Kinda small, and the portions equate the same. The taste though was great. Great atmosphere, cool staff. I look forward to going back. Only problem is that it's bad for groups.
(4)Matthew S.
The fish bar is now on my list of restaurants to take out of towner's to. I would say it is really expensive for what you are getting and for that reason I only gave it 4 stars. However, the oyster po-boy might be the best one I have ever had! Also, their drinks are really awesome.
(4)Andrea G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar last Saturday night. Our plan was to have a casual date night with a good but relatively inexpensive dinner followed by a movie. We arrived at Fish Bar at 5:30pm and, even though it was early in the evening, we still had to wait 15-20 minutes to be seated. We knew that would be the case based on other Yelp reviews so we sucked it up but it is definitely not our preference to wait for a table (especially when you are going at the Early Bird Special time of day). Other than that though, here is what we thought... The Good -Everything we ordered (calamari, wet rock shrimp, lobster roll, octopus a la plancha, key lime pie) tasted good. -Portions were not too large. -Service was friendly. The Bad -Food was good but not great. -Portions were a little too small and thus, we felt compelled to keep ordering more food. -Service was a little too fast. -Seating is very cramped and uncomfortable. -The bill (with tip) came to $70.00 which was way too high for the small amount of food we ate (plus two beers) and the casual dining experience. If the bill were $50.00 (or less) for the same items, we would have felt it was a good choice and definitely would return but there are a gazillion other, nicer, better "date night" restaurants to choose from if we are going to be spending that much money. The Ugly -When I went to use the restroom, it was occupied. As I was waiting outside in the hallway, I heard the toilet flush and then a female kitchen worker immediately walked out. Unless she washed her hands after going to the bathroom but before flushing the toilet (and I did not hear running water), she did not wash her hands!!!! Sorry, Fish Bar, but that is a total deal breaker. Gross.
(2)kevin c.
All in all I like there concept. I loved the Chowder, Tator Tots, and Salmon Carpaccio It's just stupid expensive. I wont be coming back unless they have some sort of happy hour pricing. Oysters $15 for 6! They were fresh, but a serious rip-off. Loster Roll $18 3.5 stars 2 much mayo and 2 expensive Bloody Mary $8 or $9 1 star Seriously lacking in flavor, and expensive. Come on get a real mix, like Zing Zangs or Ditkas. Salmon Carpaccio $6 Fresh, seasoned great *4.5 stars* Clam Chowder $6 Amazing 4.5 stars Oyster Poor Boy $8 2 stars Just not good. Smelt (forgot how much) but they were good 4 stars! Tots $2 5 stars wow those were perfect Coctails: They only carry a few brands alcohol. If I'm going to spend $120 on lunch please let me order what I want. Im not talking about a rare type of absinte... but come on. They dont carry any of the vodkas I prefer. Absolut, Belvedere, and my Dad drinks Beefeater Gin and they dont have that either. Figure it out fishbar our 2 expensive! After the newness buzz wears off ur going to have to GROUPON for people to come back!
(2)geri s.
I was so disappointed here. It may have been because I love DMK so much and I expected it to be on the same level. It wasn't though. The service is mediocre, the place smells like bad fish and the food was nothing that I would go out of my way for. I feel like I am being a baby about this... BUT they didn't have straws. I have extremely sensitive teeth and it is very difficult for me to drink anything cold without a straw. Not sure why they don't offer straws. The server didn't bother giving me a reason. Just kinda rolled her eyes and said "we don't have straws" We left after two appetizers. They kept our business though, we went right next door to DMK and got the service and food quality we were accustomed to.
(2)Lauren P.
6:30pm on a friday during lent. 40 minute wait. sipped on an old school (which more or less tasted like a margarita) while my date partook in an abbey ale (samples were later passed out to the crowd - nice.) most yelp reviews tend to comment on the food or the waitstaff. rarely, does one find it necessary to comment on the host or hostess: one of the most undervalued jobs in the biz. it's not rocket science, but a bad hostess can put a serious cramp in your night. let it be known that fish bar has one of the WORST hostesses known to man. let me count the ways: 1. the hostess writes down a description of the person who puts their name in. read: do NOT take any articles of clothing off. she will not remember you (she would have skipped over our party had we not checked in, simply because my date took his coat off.) 2. instead of seating people, she paced back and forth, looking at her list like it was constantly changing or that it was going to reveal how the universe was created. 3. there were 6-8 seats that remained open the ENTIRE time we were there. someone explain that to me? fish bar doesn't take reservations. 4. the food comes out so fast from the kitchen, the turnover on tables is incredible. there's no reason anyone should be waiting an hour and a half. ever. we're lucky our wait was only 40 minutes. if i had been told an hour and a half & watched seats sit open for 30+ minutes, i would have been enraged. it was absolutely painful to watch her quote wait times while seats remained open. not just bad for customers, but bad for the waitstaff trying to make money. girlfriend needs to be FIRED. rant over. now onto the food. we ordered: calamari "federal hill" style: almost feels wrong without a dipping sauce, but it doesn't need it. as everyone else has mentioned, the jalapenos put a different spin on it, in a good way. east coast oysters: a little small. you'll find better elsewhere. (half shell, if you really wanna know.) crabby patty: pretty legit. crab tends to get lost in crab cakes with all of the breading & ingredients, but not the case here. a healthy sized sandwich too. oyster po' boy: fried oysters on steroids. my date really dug it but i liked my crabby patty better. has a little kick to it & is served with coleslaw on the sammy. tater tots: perfectly seasoned. i wanted more! key lime pie: yes. whoever makes these pies, god bless you. also drank a punch & a negroni baloney. both were status quo, albeit a little small for my liking. fish bar is a little more expensive than dmk, but to be fair, it is seafood. 0 stars for the hostess 4 stars for the food
(3)Kryste N.
This place needs another good review like I need a kick to the pants, but here goes! Fresh-fish-fabulous!! Went with a friend on Friday night, it was packed, but we found a little corner to have a drink while we waited. It was so worth the wait. The Calamari is some of the best ever, the fried lemon are strange but good, I would get them again, rock shrimp are perfection, the lobster roll was delicious, and last but not least the scallops that were on special were to die for!! The service was stellar, this little joint is a gem. So glad I got to cross this off my to-do list, I will definitely be back!
(5)James M.
Moved into Lincoln Park last summer. Has been my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Great selection, great help, nice ambience. They comp you food all the time, and have a really relaxed manner. Will continue to come back.
(5)Monica G.
Cant say enough great things about Fish Bar - mainly because the staff is so great. They always hook us up with a free oyster shooter or app to try. The wait is never as long as they predict. The servers (especially Spenser) know the menu backwards and forwards and can recommend items with detail and expertise. Cheap(er) oysters if you go after 10 pm most week nights. The small menu is very flavorful, and constantly evolving. You HAVE to try the garlic bread - it will not disappoint. The communal seating seems intimidating, but turns out to be more intimate than initially thought. The only hesitation would be the price tag to plate size ratio - but you must expect to pay a little extra for great coastal seafood in the Midwest. Plus, you know the flavors are crafted with care. This is a go-to spot in Lakeview, highly highly recommend.
(5)VeryWhiteGuy S.
Was excited to check out this place serving sustainable seafood, but was not so impressed by the food. A few raw/ceviche dishes tasted great. Some people complain about the portions, but we had no complaints in that regard. For the level this place is going for, we weren't turned off by the prices either. However, the food was not at the level we expected. Dipping sauces were great, but the cooked items were otherwise unimpressive. We also tried all 3 soups, but were to our taste the weakest dishes offered. We had oysters that were pretty rough (fishy) tasting, and which we believe were the reason all 3 of us were sick later that night. Seriously, we all were ill. I"ll let you use your imagination. So, with unimpressive dishes, and the final "blow" of food poisoning, we will not be recommending or returning to Fish Bar...
(2)Courtney W.
This place is outstanding! I had been a fan of DMK for some time when Fish Bar moved in next door (from the same owners). My boyfriend loves the ceviche and tartare and I am a fan of the carpaccio. I have also had the oyster shooters but I'm not a big oyster fan but even I thought they were good. My favorite is the lobster roll (pricey at $19-22) but good. I also love the crabby patty. The lobster bisque is good but I didn't care for the lobster gazpacho (too spicy for me!). The absolute best though is the rock shrimp. I normally get them dry (sauce on the side) and they are to die for! The tater tots are also very good. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the drink options and beers are great. The key lime pie and banana bread pudding have no competition. The new rewards program that DMK/Fish Bar has started is great. I have already earned a t-shirt (that I always get compliments on) and I am five points away from getting an entire key lime pie! I am beyond excited! Don't come with a large group. There are only three booths. The rest of the small place is bar seating. They do have a nice outside section for warm days.
(5)S P.
I had the shrimp and crawfish po boy and it was amazing! Buttery toasted bun filled with perfectly seasoned seafood. Totally worth trying! Can't wait to try everything on the menu.
(5)Carolyn L.
I went here with my parents the other day for lunch. I can say, without exaggeration, that the meal we had was one of the top 3 best seafood meals we've ever had in Chicago. We started out with a dozen oysters, ceviche, and some beers. The oysters were super fresh, the cocktail sauce was perfect, and the ceviche had the surprisingly crunchy element of jicama. Plus I got to try some Hades Belgian Golden Ale. Next we moved onto lobster rolls. Being from New England, we judge our lobster rolls with a very critical palate. But these, with their hint of cumin, were fantastic. We've tried lobster rolls at other places but have always been disappointed and don't usually order them anymore. Thank God we went for it at Fish Bar. They were delectable! The guys at the restaurant also gave us some fresh-out-of-the-fryer tater tots. Awesome. Oh and one of the most original things I've ever eaten? Fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions. They were bittersweet and spicy, totally rounding out all of the flavors of our meal. I'm so glad I have a Frequent Fryer card now cuz I'll be going back many times!!
(5)Karen L.
The food is decent here - fresh seafood that is nicely prepared and really reasonably priced. However, I don't know if it is worth all the hype. One thing is it is SO tiny and only basically has bar seating. It is very casual, and would be a great place to just catch a bite. Once it dies down from its "newness" hype, I will probably go back for some oysters or something. Note: one thing I didn't like was since they were all stools, there wasn't anywhere to put your purses or coats. (Well, they had a coat rack on one far wall.) So it is a little inconvenient having to sit on your coat and hold your purse, unless you have a purse hanger (which i did) or you stick it on the ground.
(3)Dawnie L.
Fishbar has the freashest seafood you can find in Chicago. They are small portions tapas size and price reflects that. Everytime we have been there we have been treated like family and Lauren, Sasha, Spencer gives us something on the house to try. Walking in to fishbar is a breath of fresh air welcome to Lakeview. I always take my visitors here to get something you wouldn't expect. The freshest seafood with a smile and a friendly inviting dining area. I love it.
(5)Shawn P.
The small plates concept is an excellent ideal for this place. The service was friendly the food was very good. Both the Rock and regular shrimp were lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Tried the crabby patty and unlike Mr. Krab's (sponge bob restaurateur) I don't see Plankton in any hurry to steal this recipe-it was nothing special. And what's fish without key lime pie? The pie was taste although I'd of liked the crust to have a different consistency but did appreciate the whip cream on the side. Overall, I'll be back as the atmosphere is perfect as its casual and pretty authentic to its east coast premiss. Oh yeah, the oysters were fresh and very good!
(4)Matt Y.
I had high hopes for this place, because I like DMK a lot, but I was disappointed. Ordered the following: Clam Chowder, Calamari "Federal Hill" Style, Rock Shrimp (Wet), Tots, Key Lime Pie. The Chowder was good - my only criticism is that it's lacking in clams. Calamari - It was like a salt lick and fried to death - the calamari inside the salt crust was on the order of rubber band. Rock Shrimp - good, but something I'd expect on TGI Friday's menu, not a medium-to-up-scale fish bar Pie - Excellent The service was fine, and the atmosphere was OK - but it was the quality of food that put me off. Given the quality, the portions should have been bigger for the price. Or, alternatively, the food should have been much better. A small nitpick - getting stools with backs on them would be much more comfortable given that there are so few table options.
(2)Courtland H.
Went for a private New Years Party, could not have had a better time! staff was very attentive, remade food for me that i missed, always there with the beer, champagne toast at midnight, best new years my wife and i have had in a long time!!
(5)Mark C.
After a Cubs game on a warm summer day, there is nothing better than coming here and sitting outside. I must admit that the lobster roll was disappointing, but then I find all lobster rolls disappointing after going to Red's Eats in Wiscasset, ME (seriously, if you are in the area, just go there). The Rock Shrimp (wet) appetizer was amazing though and the place just had a good vibe.
(3)Nirav S.
love love love this place. Great seafood at affordable prices, fantastic atmosphere, great beer list, friendliest staff. My go to seafood place. Best fried cod sandwich, tater tots, grilled calamari!!
(5)Layne S.
I had to go back to Fish Bar. My gf works in the area and we're sick of all the usual places. I had the lobster bisque which is new and the lobster roll; we shared the fried calamari. The lobster bisque and the calamari were very good yet this time the lobster roll wasn't great - I don't know - the bread/roll flavor won out when it should have been the lobster in the roll that dominated my palate. The manager on staff that evening was great and the service was spot on. I guess I'll keep checking back every few months. I want to like this place as I've been a fan of MK since it opened.
(3)Daniel G.
Very cute little seafood joint, with great decor, friendly staff and delicious food. If you are feeling adventurous, try the octopus. Clam chowder is good too. It kind of has the feeling of a Cape Cod fish place. Same owners as DMK and since it is small, I would recommend going at a strange hour to avoid a big wait.
(3)Alexandra S.
Stumbled upon Fish bar while looking for lunch. was very surprised by the laid back vibe and craveable menu. Hard to pick what to order since so many of the offerings (fried clams, clam chowder, calamari) seemed so tasty. Opted for the Satchmo po' boy and could not have been happier. Meaty shrimp with tasty aioli mayo. Gave into my craving for key lime pie and was not disappointed. Definitely worth the caloric splurge. Sat at the bar and service was very attentive and friendly. Cannot wait to go back and try more!!!!
(4)Nicole K.
Things did not start off on a good foot: we waited 90 MINUTES for our RESERVED TABLE. One member of our party was 3 minutes late once the table opened the first time - I get that. Then, the hostess asked if we wanted to wait for the next available booth or take some open counter seats. We pointed to the booth that was opened, said, "We'll wait for that," and she said, "Okay." Thirty minutes later she seats a different party at OUR booth, apologizing that they had a reservation THIRTY MINUTES AFTER OURS so she had to seat them first? (Does this logic make sense to anyone?) Anyways, we continued to wait...and wait...and wait... Until the group that had more or less changed their home address to Fish Bar, Booth #3, got up from their three-hour loungefest and left. Of course we were all starving at this point. So, onto the food.... Perhaps my expecations were too high after reading these reviews, or I was expecting nothing less than amazing after convicing myself I should wait 90 minutes to eat dinner at 9:30 PM. Either way, not all that impressive. They gave us a sample of salmon tartare and fish terrine to apologize for our wait (even though I'm pretty sure they gave this to everyone). Both were decent - the terrine is a texture to aquire, almost like a mushroom loaf, but very good with the basil sauce. We then started with the ceviche (made with fluke this evening), the rock shrimp, and the iceberg salad. Ceviche was very good - lightness of citrus with a nice serrano kick to finish. The rock shrimp was just okay - I honestly could not distinguish these from any other bar's fried shrimp. The salad was tasty, but nothing special - essentially no one can say they wouldn't enjoy fried calamari and large hunks of blue cheese. For the next round we ordered the lobster roll, the crabby patty, the tator tots, and the garlic bread. Lobster roll was fabulous - huge hunks of lobster; seemed pretty authentic. Crabby patty, on the other hand, was not - a stringy crab/lots-of-filler patty when I was expecting a crabcake made mostly of crab (crazy, I know) . Good flavor, but not a crabcake. The tator tots were awesome, but that just indicates that someone back there knows how to work a deep fryer. And the garlic bread was delightful, but really not what I came there for.... Again, perhaps my expectations were too high, but it really is exactly what it is parading as - a very casual, counter-service seafood joint transplanted from a beachside to Chicago, that serves its food in paper cones and trays and its drinks in mason jars. I think I was expecting all this to be a cute gimmick, with the food quality and creativity really shining through - especially for the prices and ala carte style. Alas, I was mistaken...
(2)Amy S.
Completely overrated. Lobster quality great but parsley added to it just took away from the flavors of the meat. Tater tots worth it. Came out nice and hot. Pricey. Wasn't sure what all the hype was about this place. GT Fish & Oyster has a better lobster roll.
(2)Sam S.
It's quaint. It's always busy, which is a mystery to me. The portions are ridiculously small, the prices are way too high, the service is marginal at best. OHH, and although they have a phone they don't do carry out orders nor do they take reservations, so they may as well just have it disconnected. Normally I get dragged to this place by ditzy trixie friends and I'm reminded each time why I swear I'll never come back. I guess you can't argue with success though. This place benefits from the lack of any viable options anywhere close by, otherwise the doors would be closed.
(1)Amy L.
I've been super excited for this place to open. There really aren't many options for casual seafood in Chicago. We went in yesterday around five. The place was packed but we only had to wait about fifteen minutes for a table. The place is super small with only three actual tables for parties of four. Basically, they mean it when they say it's a bar. You probably don't want to go in with more than yourself and one other person. Now I know that the little stools at the bar add to the whole New England fish spot feel, but I absolutely hate being forced to sit at backless chairs. It's not comfortable and when I'm paying for a meal that after tax and tip was more than $50 each, I should feel comfortable eating it. We both got a specialty cocktail to start. They were tasty but tiny. Three sips and it was time to move onto a beer. We pretty much tried something from every section on the menu and I can honestly say I enjoyed all of it. None of it blew my mind but it was all solidly good. From the ceviche, carpaccio, lobster roll, oysters and more, we liked everything we tried. For better or worse, it was not "fish" but the key lime pie we had for dessert that I thought was the best. I probably could have sat there and had another drink but towards the end of our meal the place was packed with people waiting for a table. I could feel from the staff and the waiting diners that we were occupying valuable property and we should beat it. Overall, I really liked Fish Bar. I'm just not sure why they went with such a tiny space. It forces a turn and burn atmosphere that serves food and drink that deserve to be savored and enjoyed just a little bit longer. I think the atmosphere definitely lends itself more to lunch than dinner.
(3)Brit T.
I love this place. The seafood is really good, the atmosphere is super casual, and it's a good time.
(5)christina h.
I have been to the fish bar a couple times and I gotta say the food here is pretty good.everything is small plates so its easier to just order a few things and share.they have a fantastic green tea as well.the seating is a bit strange,its basically sitting at a bar,and there are only 2 tables inside that are usually occupied.overall,I enjoy coming here for a quick bite and do recommend this place if you don't mind sitting in a bar atmosphere close to others.
(4)Cheryl S.
I"m a HUGE seafood fan and was really excited to finally try Fish Bar, but I must say I was a little disappointed. It didn't exactly live up to the hype for me. We tried pretty much everything on the "Summer" menu which included the lobster gazpacho and ceviche, along with the tuna salad and grilled calamari. I really enjoyed the latter two dishes but the gazpacho and ceviche were both very bland. I felt like I was spooning bitter, unsalted tomato juice into my mouth with the gazpacho. The ceviche would have been better had it been served with something other than saltine crackers. I was just eating it plain and it needed something else to accompany it. On the bright side, the grilled calamari was excellent and the tuna salad was really tasty, too. Maybe I made a huge mistake by not ordering the lobster roll??
(3)Janis W.
We all enjoyed our dinner here. My friends said the Washington Oysters and garlic bread were the best they'd ever had. We all loved the key lime pie. I loved my Crabby Patty sandwich. I like that the portions border on small. That way you can order more! Also, prices border on cheap, so likewise, you can order more. My only disappointment was the lobster bisque. It did have chunks of lobster in it, but there wasn't much flavor involved. We waited about 25 minutes on a Tuesday night, but there were 3 of us, if you were a party of 2, you might get right in. All staff were nice, helpful and professional.
(4)Tom D.
A fitting name, considering the vibe and layout. First, I'll get my one major annoyance out of the way. The 300ml beer pours need to go. Your draft comes served in a mason jar filled EXACTLY up to a line on the glass. The rest is a fat layer of foam... or air. I'm sorry, but Chicago is a big beer town and this concept is for twinks. It looks bad. Imagine serving a 12 oz beer in a 16oz glass...it just feels like a ripoff, like an intentional skimpy underpour. Yes, I was instructed by the waitress to study the fine print - "300ml pours, sir" but I don't care. I don't want fine-print with my meal. It's a turnoff. Charge an extra 50-cents or whatever, but fill the damn glass all the way up, please..Sorry, offering up a $2 can of PBR doesn't make me feel any better. OK, one more gripe - the service. Not very attentive. A la-di-da pace, like "Ok, Skitch, we'll get to you when we get around to it." Next, the food. Pretty decent. Small portions abound, but the problem is that seafood isn't the most filling of fare. New England clam chowder was ok...not the best, not the worst. Crispy smelt appetizer was right on. And the codfish sandwich was teriffic. Overall the tastebuds say things are on par for a fish bar. But you know, there used to be a place in Lincoln Park called Minnie's. The theme there was everything "minnie"....small, Fisher-Price little people friendly, including the drinks and the midget bottles of coke. Undersized plates and portions, but you knew what you were getting into when you walked in. But without warning that's what you get with Fish Bar - the seafood version of Minnie's, which by the way went belly-up a few years back. They say bigger isn't always better; smaller ain't necessarily a party, either.
(3)kj w.
Loved the ceviche and tater tots (yum!); the lobster rolls were solid - not Reds - but solid. There is something about those buns. The beer selection leans toward my style - Saison, Weisse - got to love them for summer!
(4)Rina Y.
You will begin to see a confused looking asian girl standing at Wellington and Sheffield, trying to decide between DMK or Fish Bar - I am a huge fan of both! Arrived with a friend on a Sat night at 8:45 pm, hostess told us it would be a 1.5 hr wait, ended up being only an hr wait. Since we had an hr, we had a chance to taste some delicious cocktails (all drinks, including water, served in mason jars and are only $5 or $6 each- perfectly priced!) - the old school (a paloma-like drink) and the #7 (made with oj but def tastes like tropical fruits but not sweet) were our favorites. Love the flow of the place - the bartenders and wait staff are all able to move around on the inside - seems very efficient to me. Just so you know, they can only accommodate groups of 4 of less. Had the raw oysters (you get 6 for $15 so a pretty good price; we did a mix of the Washington and Virginia ones; served with cocktail sauce, horseradish, a slice of lemon, and mignonette; fresh and delicious however I did have a small piece of shell in 2 of them, but no complaints since its sooo hard to find good raw oysters here in chicago), grilled octopus (fork tender and ah-mazing; best I have ever had in my life!), gumbo (pretty good but nothing to write home to), new england clam chowder (perfectly flavored broth, not super creamy, but not enough clams) and finished with a slice of key lime pie ($5; looked like every group was ordering these and no one had any leftovers!). The sandwiches looked awesome at the other tables, especially the fried oyster po boy or the lobster roll, but sadly my belly was too small to allow me to try an order.
(5)Ben K.
Fish Bar is pretty good, if overpriced. We had a bunch of items, most of which cost $7-9 but were barely appetizer sized. If you come in looking for tasty small plates and looking to spend $25 per person on food, you won't be disappointed. Notes: -The sriracha fried rock shrimp were fantastic, lightly breaded and tossed in a light aioli. The perfect light and crispy bite -The clam chowder was pretty tasty, although it was apparent from the first bite that there was an ungodly amount of butter in there. -The garlic bread was possibly the best thing I've ever eaten, was a great value at $3 for a massive trencher of the stuff, and went fantastically with our soup. -The beer selection is pretty limited if you aren't into belgian stuff. Also I am not a fan of serving draft beer in mason jars; it gains nothing and leads to an awful pour. Anyway I'm sure I'll be back here at some point. The food is good and fairly creative.
(4)Jenn H.
We've been to Fish Bar numerous times since my first review, and every experience since has been great. The Crabby Patty is the best sandwich in the city! And the cocktails and service remain great. Plus, they love our dog and we always luck out and get an outside table off the street (dogs have to stay on the other side of the patio). We love going to fish bar for a late lunch and I hope the neighborhood continues to patronize this place.
(4)Steve K.
Lobster roll (with a full pound of lobster) - check West coast oysters - check Great servers - check Decor - check A little on the pricey side, but the quality is high and the service is great. The side of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions is excellent.
(4)Tom T.
This is a decent neighborhood eatery with very reasonable prices. We tried several things from the menu and I can't say anything in particular blew me away. The gumbo was good but not spectacular (they just had a lot of pepper in it). The ceviche and tuna tar tar were absolutely forgettable. Honestly though, it's just not that hot. It's like a nice version of Red Lobster. You'll find similar but better versions of this food at a place like Heaven on Seven. A side note, it gets extremely loud in here. They haven't put in any baffling anywhere so it's like being in a gymnasium.
(3)Lindsey C.
How have I NOT reviewed Fish Bar yet!?! Very friendly staff. Great drinks (I always get the punch, YUM) and rotating beer menu. As far as must-eats on the menu, you HAVE to have the rock shrimp. I also always love whatever they have "a la plancha" - I usually get squid, scallops. The garlic bread is amazing! One thing I did try that I didn't like was the mussels... they tasted REALLY fishy. That was just once, so hopefully it was a fluke. The key lime pie is delish also.
(5)Aimee F.
I have driven by but finally decided to try FIsh Bar this summer. I have now been 4 times and it keeps getting better.From the freshest fish to the diverse and tasty menu, there is always something new to try and it never disappoints.The beer and drinks lists are perfect and precise, offering the perfect pairings for the vibe and food.Fish Bar feels like an east coast fish place with a great Chicago vibe.Sasha the manager goes above and beyond to make the experience and quality superior, sometimes sampling for us his latest amazing and creative drink creations. Great date place or go with friends. Casual vibe but incredible food! I have declared Fish Bar my FAVORITE new place of the summer.Lucky I have more friends to take there!!! WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, unless you go Monday when they are closed! Enjoy!!!!
(5)Bobby G.
Believe the hype. This is a great and probably the freshest fish bar in the city. Really relaxed and I love that everything's affordable and the waitress seemed to feel bad that the lobster roll was a lot more expensive than everything else ($19). Btw, lobster roll = extremely fresh light cole slaw with lots of chopped lobster served in a Texas Toast-like bun. Hooray for my taste buds. We went here in the summer and, while I guess there's always a minimum 20 minute wait, the bar itself is small and friendly and there's picnic tables to eat at outside too. Either way, you can wait and have drinks. They've got awesome, inprounouncable beers on tap. We also had some oyster shots. oyster, vodka, bloody mary mix, all in a shot glass. Not something I'd ever say no to. Also had Clam Chowder, LOBSTER GAZPACHO, and octopus. My advice, everything's great but steer clear of the octopus. I like when octopus is served with legs cut up on a plate, but this was more like they just found a baby octopus and didn't really know what to do with it so they just boiled it and left the thing whole on the plate and sauced it up real good. I've yet to see a restaurant in Chicago with a bad looking wait staff and here is no exception. On top of that everyone was nice and helpful. Friendly crowd in the place as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Michael Y.
I live right down the street from Fish Bar and it is a straight up 5/5. I have never had a bad dish there, great beer selection, friendly wait staff. If you love seafood this is a place you have to check out!
(5)Krisp D.
Not a fan of this place. The staff was too cool for school and acted very condescending to our group. The portions were tiny and the prices were very high. I was just relieved the packets of saltine crackers did not show up on the bill. We won't be going back to FISH BAR for a palm full of so - so fish. Ha!
(2)Matt P.
I think these guys put forth a solid effort, but it's really expensive for what you get, especially with the actual fish dinners. We would have been much better off getting the cod sandwich and maybe a cup of chowder ... which still would have put us close to the $20 range. Anyways, I'd go back, sure ... because there's not a lot of actual seafood places around.
(3)F C.
I want to start by saying that the people are very friendly but I have no idea how this place is still standing with the type of service and prices. Our server took a very long time to take our order and then never checked on us. We had a craving for Lobster Rolls and I must say the lobster was good. Not sure if I would pay 22.00 for it again. I have had Lobster rolls from New England Seafood and it blew me away for 16.00. This was ok. The major problem was the prices for the sides and snacks. We paid 8.00 for the salmon dip that came with a few slices of bread on the side. The ceviche came with a few saltins on the side for 9.00! That is just crazy. Did I mention that the salmon and cerviche were served in very small containers. It was way overpriced. When we recieved our rolls , it came with chips. Not homemade chips but chips in a bag. So at the end of the day. Our party of 4 spent 143.00 and we were left really hungry after our meal. I can understand going to a fancy place and expecting small portions but this was petite portions. I suggest they fix their prices or go bigger on their portions.
(1)Lois A.
There was a restaurant that made clam chowder that I used to eat at all the time with my family when I was little. When that place closed I thought I would never have clam chowder as good as that again and I didn't until I went to Fish Bar. The chowder is amazing. I can't say enough good things about it. The crabby patty and fish sandwiches are both excellent. Perfect toppings and great taste. The place is small and the food comes out pretty quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable and liked the large selection of hot sauces on the tables. I'm looking forward to a long, long winter of clam chowder eating.
(4)Jennifer J.
It is what it is...a fish shack. I wouldn't go here expecting high end stuff but that doesn't mean it isn't tasty. Drinks are small, food is mostly fried but I would just say it's only ok. I probably won't go back but I'm glad I at least tried it out. I'm just not a fan of fried food and that's the main reason I don't find it outstanding.
(3)Fuffie G.
Fish Bar...hmmm...not quite sure what to rate it. I liked it on many levels but wouldn't go running back...how's that for an answer?? Got there and was told about a 20-25 minute wait by the sweetest host. Nice guy, cute personality. After right around 20 minutes we were seated and then another really sweet nice guy came and took our drink order. Being that we went for lunch, we did not order a whole lot of food. I had the soft shell crab po'boy and my friend hand the crabby patty...love the tribute to Sponge Bob there. I also tried for a buck, one east coast oyster and one west coast oyster. I don't remember exactly what type they were but whatever that east coast oyster was, I could have eaten a dozen of them. The soft shell po'boy was good as was the crabby patty. So why would I not go running back??? I'm not quite sure. Service was good, food was good...maybe because you eat at a counter and it feels like an eat and beat kind of joint?? I don't think this is my last time at Fish Bar but I also don't think it will be anytime soon.
(3)Michael B.
I loved DMK, but this place leaves me wanting more. From the start, we arrived right when they opened (to avoid the wait) and were told that the booths were reserved for tables of 4 only. Since there were two of us, we figured that made sense and sat at the only other seating option - at the bar. Kind of an awkward setup and not very comfortable. To our surprise, we see two guys come in who are seated in the booth. Wha? Guess we didn't have enough clout. So, this place is a bit pretentious, and is trying to be. I love a cool, hip restuarant, but this is a little much. It isn't THAT special. While the service was ok, they don't allow you to alter things (e.g., you serve fried rock shrimp and oyster po' boys, but we can't pay extra for a shrimp po'boy?) Now, for the food. The portions are rediculously small for what you are paying. And, sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the mini-lobster roll for 18 bucks. Yes, the MINI roll had a good amount of meat, but it just wasn't anything to write home about. This food suffers from over-hyping. And, I like spicy stuff, but EVERYTHING was spicy, and overly so. Did I mentions the portions are small? Calamari, meh, rock shrimp, meh... And, the lobster bisque was awful. Tasted more like a hot and sour soup from a bad chinese restaurant. Best thing on the menu was the pies at the end. But, I must say, this place would not be worth any amount of a wait. I'd save your money and head over to DMK next door (also owned by the same people). Better food, less pretentious (by just a little bit), but definitely worth the money.
(2)Janet E.
I am not one to typically write a review, but this place was worth me typing one out! We had not read the reviews before going and did not know that it was one of the "new trendy hot spots" - we were just looking for a new place for a lunch date. First of all it was really cute inside and out and the counter top seating was a fun spin. My husband is all about the crab so he got the crab roll at MP (which was $18 today) and he said it was worth every penny. He has traveled to the East coast for business and he said that this one rivals any he has had there. There is almost a pound of lobster and they don't pile on the mayo like others he has had. He also ordered the #4 Punch ($6) which I ended up drinking for him - it was soooo yummy!!!! I had the Crabby Patty ($11) and it was AWESOME! I was going to get it without the bun, but I forgot to tell the waitress and boy am I glad I forgot! It was lightly toasted and so yummy! It was definitely something I would have again. So I then got home and was reading some of these reviews and can't understand why some people would rate this restaurant so low... Albeit that we were there for lunch so we didn't have a wait, but our server was great, the Manager/Owner? was there and very attentive, and the food was excellent. Done Deal - we will be back again!
(5)Andrew H.
Oyster po-boy is really good and filling. The wet rock shrimp were also tasty. I'd go back just for those. That said, this place has some very underwhelming items. The cod sandwich really was reminiscent of Mcdonald's fish sandwich. It just sticks out their crappy bun. The lobster bisque was only ok, as were the octopus and tatertots. I mean, when I order tatertots, I'm not expecting much, but I'm at least expecting something that tastes better than what I used to get in my elementary school cafeteria. Also, it's tiny. We had reservations, which I strongly recommend, because otherwise you're left to stand around the few seats that there are thinking about why you didn't just make reservations.
(3)Stephen F.
This is a "seafood bar" conveniently located in Lakeview. I came here for some drinks, more drinks, and a sampling of the raw and cooked specialties (menu rotates). I like this place, but there are a number of problems in execution that will hold it at 3 stars for now. First, the liquor selection is not appropriate to a po' boy hut. Gin and Belgian ales? I like them sure, but they clash with fried clams and ceviche. Also, I don't like the drinks-served-in-mason-jars conceit (even white wine!). I was bewildered by the lack of structure in the menu and order of service. I never figured out if the chalkboard and printed menu had any of the same items, nor if there was any attempt to structure a meal around our various snacks. Was I supposed to get my bisque last? Speaking of the bisque -- some of the items were sublimely good (tuna carpacchio, salmon ceviche and crackers), while others were merely okay (bisque and chowder). Given that a meal's worth of food and drinks runs $40-50 a head, I wasn't blown away. But I AM impressed with the concept, hundreds of miles away from any real coast. Fish Bar well deserves to draw a curious crowd willing to wait 90+ minutes for a seat. I might be back and hope they will up their game into 4-5 star territory.
(3)Tommy O.
A little overrated, in my opinion, just like DMK next door. Fish Bar is unique in that it's kind of like seafood tapas, and the food was tasty, but it's overpriced. Quality beer selection. The place is worth a try but isn't earth shattering.
(3)Kyle D.
I'm pretty sure a few of these people ate at a different restaurant. Fish Bar is reasonable, friendly, and most importantly, delicious. Went there on the first 60+ degree day and waited for about 30 minutes while sipping on good beer. Yes, your party has to be less than 4 people. There are 30 seats total -- plan ahead, people. When you order, do yourself a favor and order two of the octopus right away. They're that good -- and the lemon sauce is crazy delicious. Trust your server for other suggestions -- they are really helpful and won't judge you when you keep ordering long after you should be full. Can't wait to go back -- it's a piece of seafood heaven in my hood.
(4)Agnes F.
Another great visit to Fish Bar, this time we tried the lobster gazpacho since its 100 degrees outside and that proved to be a fantastic choice it was spicy, full of flavor and with chunks of lobster we also tried the frog legs, 4 meaty legs prepared buffalo style, great bleu cheese sauce, i could use another dozen of those :) then i had the cod fish sandwich, it came out pipping hot and super delicious my fiance had the oyster po boy which was as good as ever 5 stars for Fish Bar!
(5)Ellarey M.
Awesome. That's what I thought of Fish Bar. I loved the ambience, loved the staff, loved the drinks, and most of all - loved the food. I am a huge seafood fan, so I was very excited about coming here. We went on a Saturday night with 3 of us, and because we're not picky, we sat inside at a booth with no wait. Had the #4 Punch drink, tator tots, and the Maine Lobster Roll. Both were great. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster. Whether it was worth $19, meh. I would probably have liked to see it more around $15, but whatever. The experience was worth it. The tator tots were a great compliment to it, and the drink was tasty too. I'm now a proud member of the loyalty club and plan to come back very soon for some clam chowder and tartare!
(5)Daniel F.
This place is great because they are able to provide fresh seafood, which is often hard to find in our mid-continental city. However, they are not giving anything away here. You're going to walk away only slightly-full, and easily down $50. I don't mind the crowded seating arrangements. This lends to the shell bar-style atmosphere, and makes the experience exciting. You'll have to wait a little while on most nights, I believe, but once you get that seat you'll be quivering in seafood anticipation. The oyster Po'Boy is the only thing we ordered which was worth the money. It was very very tasty, and I was pleased with the mix of garnishes and the spicy mayo sauce. The rest of the seafood was also SO GOOD that it kills me to give this place only three stars. However, the portions are like 100-calorie packs. They are even smaller than tapas servings. The rock shrimp came with about 8 pieces (small pieces), and the grilled calamari was a total JOKE! There were literally three MICROSCOPIC pieces of calamari on a plate, for like $7-8.... Calamari is not a rarity. This calamari tasted just like any other calamari I've ever had, so why are we acting like it's edible diamonds??? Come on, fish bar! The lobster roll is INCREDIBLE. However, it is also $30+. Worth a try, but you're wallet won't be happy with you. This place should re-think their portions, or at least be more clear about what you are getting. Since it is so busy seemingly all of the time, it is hard to tie down a waitress and really get a lot of information out of her, and you end up being surprised at the small portions. I wouldn't mind paying $12 for fried clams, but the portion would need to be 2-3x bigger. This place is probably more about the excitement and experience than the food, so it definitely deserves a try from anyone. Eat a snack beforehand, though.
(3)Rob J.
Wonderful! Reminds me of east and west coast dive seafood joints that I grew up with in CT and CA. Great fried clams and the soft-shell crab po-boy was fantastic. We also switched up the cod fish sandwich, substituting snapper for the cod- so replace the cod with any market catch fish and you'll get a grilled fish sandwich instead of the fried cod...much better.
(4)Kristin L.
Thought we'd be in good shape, showing up at 6:30 for dinner, but this was opening weekend, after all, so with a party of three we had an hour wait. Not really a big deal, as service is quick once you're seated. Seeing as I'm a Belgian and whiskey fan, I was happy with the drink selection, though I thought the jam jar-size cocktails (tried the #6--very tasty) didn't quite have the volume to earn their $6 price. The food was sort of a mixed bag for me. The lobster bisque was satisfying, once I'd doctored it with some salt and hot sauce. The fluke ceviche was fresh and flavorful but would've been better served with tortilla chips rather than Saltines. Now for the good: The standouts for me were the tuna carpaccio--a generous serving with great accompaniments (fresh herbs, fennel seeds, capers, and hard-boiled egg)--and the key lime pie, well worth its $5 price tag. If I go back, it'll be to try a po' boy . . . for lunch . . . on a weekday.
(3)Dayna R.
The Satchmo Po' Boy (shrimp and crawfish) is my absolute fav with a side of tater tots!!! Love the Blue Crab patty sandwich as well!! A wonderful place to come and get great-tasting fried seafood, and a great drinks!
(5)Lindsay S.
I'd rather give Fish Bar 3.5 stars, but I'll settle with 3. I really enjoyed the *experience* there. Sitting at the bar casually, sipping from jars, and having some food brought out as it came was unique. The service was also quite good. We ordered multiple dishes to do some sampling. The clam chowder is fantstic, and the gumbo is okay. Carpaccio of the day was pretty good, and the ceviche could have been better. I had to order the lobster roll everyone raves about, and was disappointed. Maybe I had spent too much time on Yelp reading about how amazing it was and set my sights too high. Either way, I would have preferred the lobster be cooked and served warm, and would expect a slightly larger sandwich for $18. It was also a bit lacking in the flavor department - I requested extra sauce so I could jazz it up myself. Long story short, I have mixed feelings about the food as there were things I liked and things I didn't. Will I go back? Maybe. It was a cool place to go for a casual Saturday lunch.
(3)betsy b.
It's probably a good thing that this place wasn't here when I lived around corner. This place makes you feel like you're on the east coast or something. I loved the tail on shrimp, scallops and the wet rock shrimp. I just wish they have more sandwich options....like a shrimp po-boy or something. Our server was awesome and super friendly I think her name was Ali. After reading reviews I expected to walk into a tiny place where you order at a counter but was happily surprised to walk in and get seated right away at a booth. I'd come back here over and over again when in the neighborhood.
(4)Mad I.
Read a lot about this place, awaited the opening, had the oyster po boy as my yelpers suggested....good, not as huge as everyone says...would I go back, not sure. It was one of those fun-to-do-once.... I do love seafood and this menu was a bit to small for me. Although I'm very curious about the lobster roll...but I've had the one from the Milwaukee Public Market (traitor I know) and I just don't think anything can beat it...
(3)steve b.
Loved it; a great place for a Sunday afternoon lunch out on the patio on a nice day. We had two of the specialty drinks - both were tasty & $5 each. Scallops, a Seafood Salad, Tater Tots, Fried Clams, and some Key Lime Pie made for a nice lunch for two. Portions are not huge but everything was tasty and the place had a nice vibe; I liked Fish Bar much more than GT Fish, and will definitely be back to try the Lobster Roll and a few other things.
(4)Peter C.
Good, not great. Not a great value for the money, but the service was very, very friendly and we liked most of what we ordered. I don't recall everything we had, but I remember the ceviche being only ok and the octopus being really good. The rest wasn't memorable enough for me to even recall it, so that's saying something. Decor is nice and charming, but you will smell like greasy food when you leave. (Nothing we ordered was greasy, but we still smelled like deep fryers when we were walking around afterwards.) 4 stars is generous, but they're better than three and I'm feeling generous since I liked the vibe of the place.
(4)Sam M.
Let me start by sa ying how excited i was to come here. I had tried last monday to be clever and avoid a busy night, should have checked they were closed, understandable. Came back Last night on Sunday and to my great suprise, no wait and immediate patio seating. Awesome. Took a little bit to place our first order, but still reasonable time. Started with the ceviche, rock shirmp wet, and some oysters. I also had a cup of gumbo for myself. The Rock Shirmp were out of this world good, just phenomenal, and will be back for it. The oysters were good, but small and only got six for $15.00. Also not a whole lot of topping choices other than tabasco type sauces. Needed more horseradish and lea and perins in my opinion. Still good. Ceviche was good, but not exciting. The gumbo was quite honestly bland and unexciting. The beers are way too small, not looking to get drunk, but want a real mason jar of beer, think jar of pickles size, not gourmet jam size. For the "main course" I had the fried oyster po boy which was awsome, large and gone in 5 minutes. Girlfriend had the lobster roll and said it was worth the cost, though i've read on here it wasn't. Beers still small. tots were good, but some more side options would have been preferred. Rarely do I splurge on desert, but had to get some key lime pie. did not regret that one bit. All n' all a good place with a fun atmosphere. Little pricy for fried seafood to get full, but I could see going back especially when the seasonal menu changes. Writing this at work quickly so hopefully the amount of typos and mispellings won't make it useless.
(3)Fix M.
Just went today with my mom, dad, and roommate and had a great experience. The bartender/server Kelly, was awesome. She explained everything about the menu to us and gave many great recommendations. She was very friendly which is great because we live 2 minutes from here, and will return hopefully when she is working again!
(5)Michael H.
I don't get all the buzz? Went again Tuesday night/walked in--it REEKED of Fish? Don't think exhaust fans were working properly? I really can't stand getting "Nickel/Dimed" to death and here they have it down to a science!! Start--couple drinks... an 8 oz "Ball" Glass filled a little more than halfway?? The "Drink" glass is even smaller-JOKE! Ordered half dozen Oysters..$15/Tiny Plate with 6 of the TINIEST Oysters I've ever seen/No Ice under them/A HALF FILLED Cocktail Sauce with not even enough for the 6? JOKE! Tried Calamari- was good first time I was there.. They must be buying the SMALLEST Grade of Calamari now? Wasn't fried correctly and hardly any peppers? TINIEST PORTION Known to man!! FAIL! Got a couple of Fish Sandwiches and they had those bright red "Rotten" looking tomatoes? I lost my appetite at this point..got my 2nd beer/Literally HALF-FULL? Paid the WAY OVERPRICED BILL and walked out reeking of FISH!!! Not sure if they had some "Novice" cooks on because it was a Tuesday or what but it surely was a pathetic meal! We had shitty food/ got ripped off/ smelled like FISH!!! The Trifecta! GTFJD PS---Turn down the shitty music!!
(2)Esther K.
I have a few friends who have been raving about Fish Bar continuously, so I was excited when I finally got the chance to check it out. A girlfriend and I stopped by around 7:30p on a Friday, and were greeted by a very friendly hostess and a 1.5hr wait. Oy. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded by the beer samples they pass out every so often, which is a nice gesture toward the waiting crowds that form in this tiny space. Our server Marina was extremely helpful and friendly, especially when we mixed up our order a bit. The food came out very quickly as well, which was much appreciated after the wait. My friend and I shared the clam chowder, which was creamy and thick with lots of clam chunks. Next was a side of fried rock shrimp- we found the portions to be rather small and too greasy for our tastes. The highlight was the tobiko sauce it came with, very yummy. Next we both had the oyster po' boy- YUM YUM YUM! As fellow yelpers have noted, the size of these fried oysters is hugeee, and contrary to the shrimp they weren't very greasy at all- very nicely breaded and light. I loved the spicy slaw in the sandwich as well. I also tried a raw clam for $1- what a great deal, and it was VERY fresh! We finished up the meal with a slice of key lime pie, which was very tart- a nice kick after maybe a little too much fried food (is there such a thing?) (+) The price is right, the staff are lovely, the decor and vibe of the crowd draw you in. (-) The portions are on the small side overall, the wait can be crazy, and they cannot accommodate big groups. I think I would return, but wouldn't think of it as a go-to place for seafood.
(4)Carri C.
Ok food, very small portions. Odd decor.
(3)John R.
The Captain (Capt Steve) of our sailing tour recommended that we come here for dinner, when we asked for a Fish place. We SO did! 1/2 dozen oysters (3 west-3 east. The West were better - very tasty, but both were smallish.) Fried clam belly. Super yum and cooked and seasoned perfectly. these were $$$$ Oyster PO-boy - Very tasty with a little cabbage-slaw, and fried perfectly and the Toast bun was right on! Crab sandwich - or Crabby patty. Nice, crunchy and big patty, well seasoned.. Ceviche - (for desert, sort of) Was a little heavy on the Cucumber, but still good. The manager ask how it was and was super friendly in accepting this feedback. Everyone we met from the staff were perfectly friendly and accommodating! + + + Raw Swordfish belly (Gratis from mgr.) This was so subtle, the texture was very light, and it was prepared and seasoned perfectly. I am not one for Raw fish much, but this was great. (not on the menu... shhh!) Thanks again to everyone at the Fish Bar. Well done! Over all, perfect dinner and priced right.
(5)Patrick K.
FISH BAR. One of my go to restaurants in Lakeview. ALWAY a good meal. They are always changing up the menu. They are really good at posting pictures of their dishes on Facebook and it always looks delicious. Recomendations: one of their soups (Gumbo and Clam Chowder), an oyster of two, sandwich (poboy, Salmon BLT, Codfish) or a seasonal special. Negatives: super small restaurant with only twenty-five seats, most of the seats are bar stools. Other complaint, sometimes the potions are a little small... but sure are tasty. If your a seafood lover, then you have to stop on by.
(4)L L.
I love fish, seafood, sea creatures, whatever the fuck you want to call it. Randomly walked in here after watching a coworker's rugby game - I have literally wanted to come here for over a year! (don't live nearby) The 5 of us were greeted by a smiley staff and our ROCKSTAR server Marina. Food: AMAZE BALLS - I love that I ate octopus, oysters, tartar, ceviche, etc. It was great to be able to order all of it in smaller portions so that I could eat everything, because homegirl loves to eat EVERYTHING! Service: MARINA! OH MY GOD MARINA! I LOVE MARINA, WE LOVE MARINA! She was great at taking all our orders, checking in, had a lovely disposition and is the number 1 reason why I will go back. I will go out of my effing way to go back man! BECAUSE OF HER! All the staff seemed pretty friendly and on top of things but not only did she sell us on Fish Bar, she sold us on Ada St and DMK the other two spots they have. GO TO FISH BAR It's SO GOOD Slightly drunk, but I am always right! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
(5)Erin C.
Eh. To me, this was just ok. This is the prototypical east coast fish restaurant sandwiched in the middle of lakeview. It's definitely ok when you need a seafood fix, but compared to the originals out east, this is subpar. I would willingly pay $19 for a lobster roll if it tastes like it is right out of the sea, but here, it just doesn't. The tatertots are nice and the drinks are yummy and reasonably priced. The staff was nice, but the octopus was not cooked perfectly and the crust of the key lime pie was soggy. I probably wouldn't come back, not because it's overpriced or too crowded, but just because it wasn't mind-blowingly good. I'll wait until i'm back out east and can eat the real thing.
(3)Deb B.
Best part of this restaurant is that it has outdoor seating on Sheffield,which most places do not. That's about all that is good. 1. Service is forgettable. 2. WAY overpriced,and the portions are very small...imagine like tapas, but being charged full price. 3. Previously frozen seafood and appetizers served in small portions on nice sidewalk is what Fish Bar is. 4. Don't waste your time or $$$..Go to a real bar, and at least get some real bar food,or go to a real seafood restaurant for a decent meal. You get neither at this place,just a feeling of being ripped off, and hungry. 5.Don't be "marketed in" to check this place out..read the reviews of other Yelpers.
(1)Sheila H.
I heard about the long waits for dinner, so I went for lunch and was seated immediately. Cool decor inside and out. Fun menu. Great service. Now, let's talk about the food. I love seafood of all kinds, so this is my kind of place. Seafood salad - delish, chowder - delish, grilled fish of the day (trout) - delish, grilled octopus - very delish. Had a beer served in a mason jar which I though was a cute touch. Instead of another drink, I had my first ever oyster shooter. Loved it. And key lime pie for dessert. What's not to like.
(4)Mary H.
Came here for an early dinner on a Friday and everything was delicious! And any place that has a $2 beers (even if they are PBR) gets an automatic gold star in my book. We ordered a variety of things including: the salmon tar tar, garlic bread, clam chowder, calamari (fried), oysters (West), oyster po'boy, the crabby patty sandwich and a soft shell crab sandwich. All of this and a couple rounds of beers amounted to $110 (including tip and fed one smallish girl and three large guys). Not too shabby considering we all left stuffed. My favorite was the soft shell crab sandwich - OMG it was good. Everything else was tasty too, but I did notice that the fried seafood (even though we had different types of it) did kind of blend together, as they all had a spicy, salty taste. Regardless, Fish Bar, you have made a fan out of me. Be sure to sign up for the awesome rewards card they have, which is also good at DMK Burger Bar next door.
(4)Allison B.
I had a strong desire for a fish sandwich for lunch today - but I am originally from Florida and I am picky when it comes to fish sandwiches. I consulted Yelp and we picked the Fish Bar. I am so glad we went there. The atmosphere was clean and kind of cool - like a diner with many seats at the counter and a couple of booth seats. We were greeted by their very friendly staff and sat in a booth. It was 1:30 on a Thursday - still a lot of people enjoying their food, but not too crowded. Our server was amazing. Great friendly service. The fish sandwich was spot on. We had oysters on the half shell - also really yummy. Our server brought us some fried oysters as a bonus appetizer - the remoulade was really fresh. My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and enjoyed it so much I didn't get to taste it. And then our server brought us some tots on the house - we certainly felt special. I am looking forward to going back again - and trying some of their other fresh fish items. Thanks so much for making our first experience at your restaurant so warm and welcoming.
(5)Ruairà B.
With the food being on the pricey side, I was surprised there wasn't more value in the beer selection, I'm all for good beers, but a simple Sierra Nevada or Green Line on tap for $4 would have pushed this up to 4 or 5 stars. The trout was excellent, oysters were good, lobster roll was also excellent. Overall I liked it and glad we checked it out, its a good addition to the neighborhood. Sort out the beer selection with some good pale ale or IPA options and this would be 4 or 5 stars.
(3)Reid G.
I keep updating my Fish Bar reviews because it keeps getting better. The new Satchmo Po Boy is on point and is highly recommended over the Oyster Po Boy. They upped the ante on the Belly Clams, increasing the serrving to 1/2#, which is spectacular because we always ended up ordering two servings.
(5)Hamster P.
The fish was delicious but it's really hard to go wrong with fried...anything. Not much to say , I thought it was good but not mind blowing. Nothing to rave about but nothing to really complain bout either.
(3)Kelly A.
I stopped by on a Wednesday night around 7 pm because I happened to be in the neighborhood. As soon as a spotted the restaurant I knew I needed a seafood fix! After moving to Chicago a year ago from Boston I've been missing fresh, well prepared seafood and was curious to see if this place could live up to some of my favorites on the coast. I'm happy to say, I was pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of an upscale take on some of the seafood/clam shacks that existed on the coast in Massachusetts. It had a very laid back clostal vibe (think wine served in a mason jar), but with a slightly refined twist. Because of the fact it was a weeknight and a somewhat early hour I was also able to get seated right away, which was a plus. (Though there was a 20-30 minute wait for an outside table.) They had a lot of compelling sounding specials, but I decided to go with 6 oysters (I did a mix of the East Coast and West Coast oysters that were available) and a lobster roll. I also had some white wine to go along with my meal. Although I pretty much knew this was going to be my choice when I read the menu, my server was still very knowledgable about the menu, which I appreciate at a seafood restaurant. I have to say, this place was perfect for a single diner. Because of the counter set up inside there were a lot of other solo diners so it didn't feel awkward at all. It also helped that my food came quickly and even when I requested an order of tatertots last minute they still came out very quickly so I could enjoy them with my lobster roll. However, the service wasn't flawless. My waiter had quite a few parties to attend to,so while my order went in quickly it was a challenge to flag him down for ketchup for my tots & a second glass of wine. Part of it is because customers seem to have so many questions about the menu I would guess he lingered with each guest longer than at a normal restaurant. And that of course brings me to the most important part - the food! My oysters were fantastic. They tasted unbelievably fresh and had great flavor to them. My only wish was that they had more oysters to choose from or at the very least, more variation in flavor between the two oysters. Though they were from two different coasts the flavors were pretty similar and I would have much prefered a milder smaller oyster and a more robust oyster for contrast. None the less, they were delicious. The lobster roll was also fantastic. The portion of lobster was very generous and I loved the celery mayo they used for the lobster salad. It was very lightly dressed but still packed a lot of creamy flavor. I love that it definitely tasted like a classic lobster roll, but with a slightly more refined flavor profile. The bun was also nicely done. It was well crisped and tasted very fresh. Overall, this place was great. I really enjoyed my meal and it was the best seafood I've had in Chicago (outside of some fantastic oysters at Girl & The Goat) I'd highly recommend it. I'm not sure it's worth the long waits that are reported on the weekends, but I'd definitely stop by for another weekday meal. My entire bill with tax & tip came to $63 for the oysters, lobster roll, tots, & two glasses of wine and it seemed like an appropriate price for the quality and amount of food.
(4)Jennifer K.
(Note: I wrote this review in April, though I'm just publishing it now. So it's possible some of the things I've mentioned have changed in the last 3 months.) A friend & I had an early dinner at Fish Bar tonight. It was good, but not fabulous, though my reaction might be tempered somewhat by the fact that their AC apparently wasn't working and it was probably the same temperature inside as outside (mid-80s). Some quick thoughts: Wait - No wait for seats for two at 5 pm on a Sunday. Seating - Almost entirely mis-matched stools at two U-shaped counters. If you're larger and/or prone to back problems, you may not be comfortable. Both my friend & I have back problems and it's painful to sit too long at a backless-chair, particularly if the chair or counter lacks a footrail. Drinks - An interesting but small selection of Belgian-style beers plus a handful of cocktails. Everything is served in Mason jars, including water. Raw food - We had the carpaccio and and ceviche, both of which apparently change daily depending on what's in season. I preferred the carpaccio (tuna?) to the ceviche (scallops), which was served with four saltines. The saltines overpowered the ceviche, I thought, but even without the saltine, the ceviche didn't wow me. Carpacchio was dressed with olive oil, capers, onions, chopped egg and some kind of sprout...maybe a little salt and lemon, too. Fried stuff - We had the fried clams (I grew up eating the clam roll at Friendly's on the east coast, so I love all friend clams) and fried lemons, onions & jalapeno. Fried clams were fantastic. Fried lemons, etc., were so-so...they'd do better to user Meyer's lemons, because these were a bit bitter and the breading on the onions & jalapenos was so thin that the onions & peppers came out a bit limp. Lobster roll - This is one of those dishes that probably tough to serve because anyone who's eaten a lobster roll has a strong opinion about what makes a good one. Theirs is $18 for a good-sized (but not overly generous) serving on a buttered & grilled roll. The menu describes it as "Maine Lobster Roll * Celery Mayo" but it's more than that. There was an unidentifiable herb (I didn't spend too much time trying to figure it out) and something distinctively sour...maybe lemon juice, not relish. Now, if you eat a lot of lobster, you know that one of the joys of lobster is that sweet meat, and, IMHO, lemon juice (or anything sour) has no place near a lobster roll. These seem to be made to order, so you could possibly have them omit ingredients if you desire. Our bill, including a beer & cocktail was about $60 before tip.
(3)Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try Fish Bar since it opened and finally stopped in a few weeks ago. It's really cute inside- like a beach restaurant. They have some interesting drinks in huge mason jars on the counter which is cool. The chairs at the bar aren't very comfortable, but that's part of the atmosphere. I was here at 4:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait, but by the time I left 45 minutes later there was. It's pretty small inside! Don't bring a group of more than 4 or they can't seat you. I had the oyster sandwich (HUGE oysters, so good) and a raw oyster for $1 to slurp down. First timers are allowed to just buy 1. Sonja our waitress was very nice! Would definitely go back and want to try their other options but am not into huge waits.
(4)Colleen R.
When I heard that the folks behind DMK were opening a New Orleans-inspired seafood bar next door, I was excited to try it. As a Southerner in Chicago, I should have learned my lesson by now, but I just can't resist the prospect of (relatively) fresh seafood. As some other Yelpers have noted, Fish Bar ain't cheap -- but then, I wasn't expecting it to be, what with the cost of airlifting oysters into the Midwest. But aside from the La Plancha squid, we just weren't wowed by the menu. The fried oyster po-boy was disappointing, as was the lobster bisque that tasted mostly of corn. To top it all off, the whole experience felt very rushed. The loud music, the cramped layout, the hurried service, the hordes of people waiting right behind us for our seats... on a Tuesday. I can't imagine what eating there on a weekend would be like, and after our first experience, I can't imagine I'll be hurrying back on any night to give it another try.
(3)Michelle H.
We went for the lobster rolls, we'll be back for the lobster rolls! Oysters were v-e-r-y super delish as was the calamari! We enjoyed the Hendrick's and tonics and were rewarded at the end of the meal with a lovely little Bloody Oyster shot. 4 of us sat very comfortably in a booth - not sure where the complaints are coming from on the size of the seats? The atmosphere is lively and celebratory.
(5)Jonathan C.
Was here last night, early so there was not crowd. Our bartender Mariana was most helpful in making suggestions not only for food but for a good beer to pair with. The calamari was so fresh it almost melts in your mouth. Clam chowder is the richest I've had in the Midwest. And the Oyster Po' Boy had plenty of oysters and the sauce was delicious. The only downfall to the experience was that the music is a bit too loud for regular conversation. Highly recommend this place for anyone who wants fresh and good seafood.
(4)Sean M.
Super friendly staff but very pricey for average seafood (and yes, I've been to Maryland so I DO KNOW good seafood). $21 for a 5" narrow bread sandwich w cold pieces of lobster. $7 for a beer which is served in a small mason jar. This place is known for small portions and they will even tell you that. Seating is awkward as you must sit next to strangers. I will not be going back. If they gave you "free" food on the house ascyou wait for your order don't feel special it's what they do there.
(2)Kate P.
My husband and I have been waiting for Chicago to get a good inexpensive fish place. We first went to DMK Burger Bar (around the corner and owned by same people I believe) and split a burger intending to stop by Fish Bar for another little tasting. I was very disappointed in this place. We ordered the ceviche and split something else (so unforgetable I don't even remember the 2nd item we ordered to split). The ceviche was pre packaged and small for how much it cost. We left immediately after we were done eating and do not intend to return. For the $ and atmosphere there are other establishments in Chicago that offer better seafood at an equivalent price.
(1)Frances A.
They made my bday sooo special. Flounder ceviche was divine... Not to mention the gumbo, frog legs, po boy, tartare, calamari, fried octopus, white fish, key lime pie, aaaand 7 mason jar drinks... The decor is awesome. Perfect for a date, or another foodie, always a fun time.
(5)Andrea C.
one day, while walking home from the train, i noticed a building that had recently been painted a pretty periwinkle blue...a few weeks later, a giant fish appeared on that blue wall as well as the name of a new restaurant, "fish bar". i was definitely intrigued! i am a huge seafood fan, so i was excited to try a new place! on our third try, there was finally a reasonable wait time...(it can get hairy it seems...ex: the first time we went, the wait was 2.5 hours, which we just couldn't do). we were seated in a cute corner at the little wrap around bar and were promptly greeted! everyone in the restaurant was super helpful and friendly, just adding to the cute atmosphere and decor. we ordered drinks (he had beer...appropriately priced pbr $2 and i had a glass of white wine) and as some have mentioned, the drinks were served in adorable mason jars. we both started with a cup of the clam chowder, which was awesome. my pet peeve with chowder is when the potatoes are grainy and these were not, at all. it wasn't overly thick, either, which was nice- and left room for other food! bf was not too hungry, so he had the iceberg salad, which i stole a few bites of. delicious! the bleu cheese was creamy and the calamari was flavored so well! i had the oyster po' boy at the recommendation of our server, which was SO good. i love all things about oysters, but i have to say, i think someone who isn't a fan of raw oysters would even like this. the fried oysters weren't slimy at all and the slaw was perfect. finally, the sub the po' boy was served in- so good! you can tell so much thought and love has gone into all of these meals. ok enough, i've said alot, but the point is- i definitely intend to go back and try more. there was so much on the menu that i'd love to try! fish bar, welcome to the neighborhood!
(4)Keith P.
First time I was able to get in this place...Lucky me! Top notch quality. Octopus Salad so tender, Kusshi Oysters, small but a lovely-seawater bite, Ceviche & Tartare melt in your mouth. Planca Shrimp-to suck head to die for and Skatewing-buerre blanc, savory heaven. Service was over the top! Robyn was wonderful and created value-added. Incredibly knowledgeable, extremely efficient, and beautiful. Will definitely be back to my neighborhood joint...I can only hope that I can get in to this tiny space.
(5)Mark C.
finally checked out Fish Bar last night with lukewarm expectations. On a thursday evening around 7pm, the wait wasn't too bad, around 30-40 minutes, and the manager, Sasha, did bring around beer samples. The atmosphere is very intimate (as it is appropriately named Fish "Bar". Service was excellent - server was extremely knowledgable, manager and staff were all very friendly and helpful. Food was hit or miss. The good: the BC oyster was the biggest I have ever had, about the size of my hand - hopefully, the radiation isn't making it's way across the pacific....the east coast oyster from PEI was smaller, but just as good, if not more flavorful. The Fried belly clams were superb. The lake superior whitefish was good, well cooked, and fresh...well, executed. The OK: the lobster roll - the amount of meat was a bit skimpy, and the mix lacked flavor. The brioche was very good, nice and buttery, and cooked to a gentle crisp. For $19, I expected a bit more....beer selection - primarily Belgians, good, but a bit more variety might be nice. Overall, I think it fills a nice niche, but I'd hit up Big and Little's before I went back (for a fraction of the cost). Haven't checked out GT yet, but am looking forward to it. MCMC
(3)Tammy L.
I came here for lunch this Saturday and really enjoyed it. There was no wait, which was great. The boys ordered beers and the girls ordered cocktails--I had the punch and our friend had the pineapple drink. My punch was tasty and definitely packed a punch. The pineapple drink, which I didn't try, was apparently pretty light. My husband and our two friends ordered a bunch of stuff to share: fluke tartare, which so refreshing with the addition of mint, a tasty ceviche, salmon carpaccio (I loved this one), oyster po'boy, lobster roll, fried belly clams, and tater tots. My favorite things were the carpaccio, oyster po'boy, tartare, and belly clams. The fried items were not too greasy and very crunchy. The rolls for the po'boy and lobster roll were perfectly toasted and fluffy. Drool. The carpaccio had a terrific balance of flavors and textures. Of course, all the seafood is immaculately fresh and I love that it's sustainably harvested. I liked the lobster roll, and the lobster portion was very generous, but I don't know--I just thought the oysters were tastier. Definitely for the much smaller price tag, I'll stick with the po'boys. For dessert, we split 2 pieces of Mindy Segal's yummy key lime pie. It was tart and creamy, exactly as a key lime pie should be. Michael Kornick himself was running food, which was pretty great. I also liked the music--a few Beatles tracks, my favorite band of all time. The service was friendly and prompt too. I would definitely come back. Yes, it's not cheap, but the quality is great and I am willing to pay a little more for sustainable seafood. The bill, with a generous tip, came out to about $30 each, which I don't think is bad at all since we were stuffed and tried an expensive menu item. I don't think I'd wait in line for more than 15 minutes, but that's just me--I hate waiting in line for any place. I'm perfectly happy coming here at lunch when it's less crazy, especially since it's more lunch-type food anyway. Yum! MK wins again!
(4)Dana B.
Oh wow. Delicious seafood. Fantastic beers served in little mason jars. Super friendly and cool servers. What's not to love? I will be back again and again and again and...
(4)B.D. K.
Went for late lunch last Sunday, and it wasn't busy at all. Great service, good food. Not sure it is worth the outstanding amount of buzz it's been getting, but it was a nice place to relax, grab a good Belgian ale, and eat some well made dishes. Pineapple ceviche is very good, the lake trout special was the real standout. In fact, their specials were $6 and $8! - that's awesome. Screw the heavy-handed, mayo infused lobster roll -- did you really go out for seafood to clog your artery? But damn, some of you on here complain to no end. The prices here really aren't that bad, I think most of you ordered poorly. You all are trying to eat the lobster roll, and complaining about the price! It's lobster! and we live in Chicago! Or you ordered crab cake?! Why? You aren't in Maryland - how good do you really think it's going to be? Try the specials, they have The Lost Abbey on tap.. that's all you need to know.
(4)Bob F.
Saw this place when eating at DMK Burgers next door. Had to go back to give it a try and was glad I did. Started with the clam chowder which was very tasty. My choice was the Satchmo po boy, which did not disappoint, and my wife had the salmon BLT also a winner. I was just in Key West so I had to try the Key Lime pie. Don't miss it! Would like to go back to try some other fish entrées.
(4)Ellen M.
This is a great spot for folks looking for a reasonable, casual seafood option in the city. Go with no more than 4 people, since the seating is not conducive to larger groups. You may have to wait a bit, but our hostess got us in quickly on a Friday night and the staff was great! It''s a perfect place to share plates allowing you to sample several sections of the menu and get the most bang for your buck. The menu is divided into fried, ceviche, a la plancha, raw and "on a bun"- with the lobster roll and fresh fish specials being the highlights (IMO). Our group of three shared the lobster roll, soft shell crab, rock shrimp, octopus a la plancha, the special of hamachi a la plancha, and garlic bread. I really REALLY enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crabs (fried) and the hamachi, which was prepared with preserved lemon, olive oil and chils. The lobster roll was delicious, but would have been too much to eat alone (grilled brioche roll and may lobster salad are rich!). Our group of three found it perfect to share along with several other plates. Scrimshaw and Saisoon DuPont were on tap while we were there, which both paired well with the seafood. Looking forward to the next visit.
(4)Reema S.
I've been planning on going here for a while and finally made it there with a friend. Service is very friendly, Robyn took care of us and let us know she was new so if we had any questions she couldn't answer she would find out for us. We had the rock shrimp, fried calamari, and oyster po boy and they were all good. It all tasted fresh. The only downside is the portions are smaller, which she warned us about, and the price doesn't exactly match the portions but the taste makes up for it. The food also came out very quick which is always a plus. I plan on going back for sure.
(4)Rochelle R.
Heard alot of good things about this place so definitely had to try it for myself. We went here late at 8 pm on a Tuesday night and sat right down. The place is small and very casual. It has a "southern" New Orleans vibe to it. Although prices seem very reasonable, it is because the portion size is very small. Do not be fooled! Our cups were miniature. We felt like we were being served at a concession stand with all the appetizers served on a paper plate. We tried the rock shrimp and fried lemon, onion and jalapeno. Definitely try the rock shrimp (wet). It was pleasantly spicy and did not make the shrip soggy. The fried lemon was something new for us. Although this was very good, it was also very greasy. We then tried the scallops, trout (special for the day) and seafood cobb salad. Again, can't really go wrong with scallops. Not the best I've had but it was decent. The salad was a good portion size filled with a variety of fresh seafood. This was filling. DO NOT order the trout. Definitely not what I was expecting. It was dry, bland and had a very fishy taste.
(3)Kim T.
We came. We ate: - ceviche - gumbo (delish) - oyster po boy (I am forever looking for a good po boy sandwich, and this one really hits all the right spots) - calamari (with peppers, nice touch) - octopus - strawberry rhubarb pie (cloyingly sweet) We conquered! And we shall definitely return. Can't wait to try the lobster roll!
(4)Marta P.
Thanks to social media word about Fish Bar has spread like wild fire. I have been following this restaurant for months and HAD to get in opening week. There is nothing like it in Chicago and I am so happy it is finally open and has lived up to all of my expectations. Of course they were packed on their first Friday night and with out a reservation the chance of getting seated was slim, after some begging (I'm not proud) we were called and told there was a seat for us!!! The place has a Florida fish shack feel with a few booths and bar seats for parties of 3 or less. They do not take reservations unless you are a group of 4, so the wait was a bit long for smaller parties. The service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing and even though we were squeezed in we did not feel rushed. Drinks are served in mason jars which was kind of fun and the beer list, albeit not extensive, had a great selection... and no bud lights or miller whatevers which was a bonus! The food was perfect for sharing, served in paper baskets for a casual take on seafood. We shared fried calamari, tater tots, (I was with others that were not huge seafood eaters) and rock shrimp. Although the fried food was excellent, the tuna carpaccio was my favorite. Fresh and perfectly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and HUGE capers! The flavors were simple but really good. I can't wait to go back again, and if the summer ever comes, hopefully there will be outdoor seating that will allow for more people to eat here.
(5)D Mike K.
Loved Fish Bar, my kind of place! Quick list of highlights: Shrimp Ceviche: Perfecto! Best Crabcake Sandwich ever! Drinking alcoholic drinks out of mason jars. Amazing whitefish a la plancha Great Tater Tots! Fantastic chocolate Pie. Server: Jessica. Very accommodating and friendly. Only seats 1-4 people at a time, but that is just fine with me. Just hoping the lines don't get too ridiculous! Thanks Fish Bar!
(5)John T.
Lobster roll, gumbo, soft shell crab, fish fry and stuffed calamari were all great as was golden monkey 9.5 abv ale. Great service, really worked hard to accommodate my wife, who is wheelchair bound. Congrats, fish bar, you get the big 5.0!
(5)Kara C.
Go for the atmosphere, not the food. It takes about 20 minutes on the phone with the hostess to understand the rules and regulations of this joint, so one would think that a restaurant so tough to get in to would be well worth the wait. Wrong. While the ambiance is cool, you can really only go with a party of four - they legitimately wont allow anything larger. So start cropping that friend invite email now. And while the staff is friendly and attentive, the food is minimal in portion and pizzazz. My friend ordered the shrimp entree and they served her 3 pieces of shrimp. Yes, you heard me correctly, three. She was so hungry she had to order the clam chowder after her entree because she was still starving. I had the famous "crabby patty" and was pretty underwhelmed - it was basically just fish on a cheap white bun with mayo. Honestly, if you're in the area and want a great bite to eat, go next door to DMK Burger and order the sweet potato tater tots - you wont be disappointed by these at least.
(3)Tiff W.
Yup, despite being sick as a dog and not being able to breathe out of my nose, much less SMELL anything, I still came to Fish Bar. I am stubborn like that. Sinus infections, you suck. You know how they say if one of your senses is deprived, the remaining four senses are just BETTER? Even though I was not able to fully taste or smell everything that I ate (I left that portion of the review up to John G....you can read his review below), I'll give my two cents. First off, the inside of Fish Bar is super interesting. It's definitely different from your typical seafood joint...it actually reminds you of more divey restaurants you can find along a beach or something. Get a bunch of things to share between 2 or 3 people. Come with any more people and it becomes slightly harder to converse with each other, since the seating is situated in two "U" shapes in the room. I think if more than 4 people are in your group, they actually recommend going next door to DMK. The menu is diverse and there are so many yummy things to choose from. Some highlights were the West coast oysters from Washington (so fresh!), the fried calamari (very very lightly breaded and not heavy), the octopus a la plancha (perfectly charred), the rock shrimp (get it wet! I could taste the Sriracha through my sickness...and that's a GOOD thing), the oyster po' boy (they don't skimp on the oysters), and the codfish sandwich (oh so flaky. Like a super classed up Filet O' Fish sandwich from Mickey D's). Beers and water came in little mason jars, which was an awesome touch to the whole experience. Every dish was fresh and perfectly cooked...I don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the items on the menu. This is a great place for you to come straight from work and get some happy hour drinks and delicious seafood...don't sit there for too long and hog up valuable real estate though, because by the time 6 or 6:30PM rolls along, there will be groups lined up and waiting along the wall for your seats. Now that I'm no longer sick, I can't WAIT to go back to Fish Bar and try everything again. If I liked Fish Bar this much on dulled taste buds and a stuffed up nose, can you imagine what it will be like now that I can actually taste the food??
(4)Michael S.
This place is like a small slice of the Northeast, right in our own backyard. However, I'm going to wait until the 1.5 hour wait dies down before I make a return (that was a bit much). Literally, think small (as in 3 tables small), with bar / stool seating for the remainder. If you have to wait for a seat (like we did), there's a limited amount of seating by the door, as well as some standing room. Drinks were hand poured, and were pretty good -- with the young woman behind the bar happy to accommodate a request for less sweet (which the punch was a bit). They are small, but the prices were commensurate. As for the food, it was really good.... Definitely, get the lobster roll. It has loads of lobster (as it should for $18), piled into a great roll. The Crabby Patty was good, and had a nice kick to it, but wasn't as good as the lobster roll. Otherwise, the lump crab, which is served on a bed of crunchy celery in a mild dressing, was excellent, as was the popcorn shrimp served with a spicy mayo on the side (dry). They were really nice to give us a sample of their gravlax (due to our having to wait for the sandwiches), and it was superbly fresh, melt in your mouth salmon, with excellent flavor. We finished off with a slice of key lime pie, which also took a really long time to get, but it was a nice finisher to the meal. Finally, kudos to the owner, Michael Kornick -- it's not every day you see the owner of a place serving the food and wiping down the tables and counters. It doesn't get more "hands on" than that. We will definitely be back.
(4)Cassie B.
Fish Bar-DO IT! Everytime I got off of the el at Wellington, I was perplexed why that dentist's office had a big fish painted on it suddenly. It wasn't until later that I was made aware that this building is not a dentist's office, and has become the sister restaurant of DMK Burger Bar (a favorite). I am a seafood fan, so of course, we were there asap. The concept is actually pretty cool. They played reggae all night, and the seating area is essentially a large bar with servers behind the counter. The drinks were delicious (try the Sonja Does Sicily) and the food was great too! We really liked the East Coast oysters, and the whitefish was probably the best I have ever had. We also had the lobster bisque and calamari, which were also good. The wait times can be crazy. We went to have a drink elsewhere, and came back after 45 minutes, but still waited for about 30 minutes after that. However, the service was very good and we had a very nice time. We will definitely be back.
(4)Mark G.
Fish Bar is a great spot and the idea is unique for Chicago. I've never been to a counter seating fish restaurant. I felt like I was eating in Cape Cod or the Florida Keys. Food - Great stuff. Lots to choose from. We had mussels, escolar crudo, fried fish, oysters, lake trout, Coho salmon, buffalo style frogs legs, ceviche and octopus salad. Everything was above average. The standouts were the escolar crudo and the octopus salad. Overall the food came out quickly, it was fresh and nicely prepared. Service - Outstanding. Nice people, prompt, gracious. Atmosphere - Fun, unique, buzzing, informal. Drinks - Great selection, great drinks, great beer. Fun place, good food. I highly recommend.
(4)Johnny G.
I know it's the same owners of dmk and the offerings are unique, but this place is a rip off for food and drinks. It is an experience, but I won't be back. There is way too much hype.
(3)Kevin H.
Fish Bar is fun, has a unique menu / style, and is worth going to. My average rating is because the value is not good. At a place where you get your own silverware and rip your napkin off a paper-towel roll, you would expect much more aggressive prices. I paid $20 including tip for two small plates (octopus, shrimp) and walked out not really full. You may need three plates to be fully satisfied, and that's getting very expensive for such a casual place.
(3)Crystal M.
Had an up and down experience, but a good restaurant can turn this into a 5 star experience, and that's just what Fish Bar did! We stopped by on a Friday night at about 7:30pm. The place was packed, with an hour wait for an outside table. We opted for the shorter wait for inside and it ended up taking less time than quoted. Bonus! Our server, Jordan, was awesome. He asked if we'd been to Fish Bar before and when he found out we were newbies, his eyes lit up and he took us thru the menu in great detail. We ordered: Gumbo, Clam Chowder, Lobster Roll, Crabby Patty and Tater Tots. Everything came out looking delish - except mine. I thought the Crabby Patty was a crab cake sandwich - which it is - but the food runner brought me the soft shell crab po' boy. I took one look at it and knew I couldn't eat it. I have a thing about eating things that look like they are still alive. I pointed the issue out to Jordan a few minutes later and he was super apologetic and went to get my order fixed. In the meantime, my boyfriend finished his food and was singing Fish Bar's praises. Of course I was jealous. After about 15 minutes, I still hadn't gotten my sandwich, and we had already paid the bill! I asked Jordan if when the sandwich came up could he just wrap it to go. He looked surprised that it hadn't been delivered and devoured by this point. He apologized profusely and said "that just shouldn't happen!" After another minute or two, the manager came over with my sandwich wrapped up and a $50 gift card to make up for it! She said she was so sad that I had to leave with my dinner in a to go bag and she hoped that we'd come back and let them make up for it. Needless to say, that was above and beyond. I wasn't even that upset about it! But they definitely showed that they care about their customers and their reputation. My boyfriend cannot wait to return. He's in love with this place now, and I can't wait to actually eat my dinner when it's made!
(5)Alex C.
I thought food was amazing. Fresh and flavorful with nice presentation. But it's tapas portions for full meal price. We had to reorder more food once our plates came out.
(3)Alex P.
Really very good food, which was the high standard set by the reviews I read as I happened upon this place yesterday while digging through yelp.com to waste time. Went immediately and loved the fried shrimp as a starter and my friend and I both had the cod fish sandwich as mains. Dessert was a chocolate + + cake that was yummy. My only gripe is the wait and it's pretty damn noisy in there.
(5)Morgan L.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and both were great experiences. Most importantly the seafood is fresh. I have had the Scallops, Lobster Roll, Clam Chowder, grilled calamari, and salmon tartare. All are stellar and highly recommended. They also have a daily pie selection. I have experienced both the blueberry and the key lime. Again, stellar.
(4)Melissa S.
Great service, fantastic lobster roll and gumbo that this Louisiana lady endorses! Will come bk
(5)Mike S.
Don't go to Fish Bar. You'll love it and it will be hard for me to get a table. Seriously. Don't go. Stay away. Here's a story to confirm this. My girlfriend, me and another couple tried this place on a Friday night right after they opened. When we got there at 7:30 it was packed and the hostess said the wait could be 90 minutes. Ok, no problem. We got drinks and huddled in a corner to wait. We waited patiently, and after a while the manager (or maybe one of the owners, a skinny chap with short hair and a jacket- we didn't catch his name) came around with a tray of shot glasses filled with Scrimshaw, a tasty German Pilsener beer for everyone waiting. A nice touch, and well appreciated, I'm sure by everyone waiting. Look, the place is new, it's small, it doesn't take reservations, it doesn't seat parties greater than 4 and it's run by a couple of Chicago culinary rock stars. We all knew what we were getting in to showing up at 7:30 on a Friday. The hostess was apologetic for our wait (which was appreciated) a couple times. Our party of 4 must have looked particularly pathetic because some time into our nearly 2 hour wait, the manager (and again I think he was the manager: he could have been an owner) came over and apologized and offered to buy us a round of drinks. He may have done the same for other parties, but we didn't notice it. We were all floored by this generosity and were very grateful. At a hot place like Fish Bar, you'd think management wouldn't take a step like that - why do they need to? People are willing to wait 2 hours for food, and if you as a patron don't like it, tough, there are plenty of other people who will tolerate it. That's not the attitude we saw. And we appreciated it. I don't know if you'll get the same treatment or not. I hope so. What about the food? Try the Rock Shrimp wet. The gumbo has a great smoky flavor. The ceviche I could take or leave- it was served in a sealed mason jar. The oysters were great. Our friends had sandwiches and were very satisfied. The thing you'll notice about this place is that it doesn't really have any entrees per se. So don't expect to go and order one thing. You won't leave full with that ordering strategy. It's definitely a place where you share. I'll definitely go back. Just after all the hype and buzz has died down.
(4)Lauren C.
Yummmmmmm. Amazing hospitality AND amazing service. There is a difference, and they nailed them both. The drinks were rocking - Sonja is great at her craft. The food was amaze-balls.... and for the price?! Done. Sasha was fantastic and truly made you feel like part of the Fish Bar family. Great atmosphere, we'll continue to go until it gets cold. Then I'm nervous that all the rest of you people will find out about this place and it will be so packed that we will have to wait a long time to sit inside. Get the rock shrimp. Just get it. Oh, and ask for a quickie....
(5)Andrea R.
I've been wanting to try this place since I saw the beginning of it's construction months back. The bright blue outside is definitely an eye catcher... So it's Friday and I decided to stop in and treat myself to a relaxing lunch alone. I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess, who sat me down at the bar on one of the eclectic antique stools. Spencer, my waiter, broke down the menu for me and recommended a nice Belgium ale. It was served in a mason jar, as were all the other beverages. I ordered the lobster bisque. I was trying it for my husband. It's his favorite soup and sadly we have a hard time finding it around here. It is a lobster broth ( dairy free), thickened by potatoes. It was yummy! Huge pieces of fresh lobster... And guilt free:) I took a bowl to go for my hubby's dinner tonight I also ordered the lobster roll. A hotdog bun jam packed with lobster meat. The bun was dressed with a tarter like sauce and the lobster was perfectly poached. I plan on returning-- not on a Friday or Saturday night though. According to Spencer, the place is jammed then. I prefer an early lunch on a weekday, as the place is small and was beginning to fill up as I was Leaving at 1230pm.
(4)Paul S.
It has great character. I liked the focused menu and beer selections. There's plenty of variety, but you're not overwhelmed with options, so you know when you order anything, it's going to be prepared well. We had the gazpacho, oysters, shrimp, and seafood cob salad. Everything was great. I had lower expectations on the seafood cob salad, and that actually turned out to be the winner.
(4)John H.
A welcome addition to a city with relatively few good seafood options. It can be tough to get a seat since the place is so darn small, but if you can wait until 10pm you'll sit right down. The fish is very, very fresh and while nothing is overly creative, they execute classic seafood favorites from around the country reliably and with an upscale flair. The atmosphere is fun, and it does give a nice "fish house" kind of vibe. I enjoyed the cold appetizers, the grilled fish and the fried shrimp, which were amazingly light and tasty. My main complaint would be regarding the addition of heat to so many of the dishes. Some might like it, but in my opinion seafood generally has a pretty delicate flavor that should be allowed to stand on its own and not overwhelmed by spice. Overall, though, a good option for fresh seafood.
(4)Elyse C.
The best thing to do at Fish bar is go with a couple friends, or a date, spend around $15 to $20 bucks a person on some fairly good finger food and good beer and share it all. Upsides Fried clams: the best dish we ordered Oyster Po Boy (even though frying oysters in general = bad) Fried Octopus Fried Calamari $2 12 ounce cans of PBR permanently on the menu. Who the heck wants to drink bad beer with good seafood though? Very small place and nice to go during obscure hours (late night dinner) Open till midnight! Everyone is very friendly Downsides Gespacho: plain and too spicy Soft shell crab (special): they were way too small and had too much salt Octopus, soft shell crab, and calamari were all served with the same light lemon dressing. You have to switch that up guys Portions are too small! Neutral Everything is served is mason jars, woopie! Bottom line My family and I left satisfied but the allure of the place itself may have had something to do with that rather than the food itself. I'd take a date there again or go late night for some grub.
(3)Ron G.
If you do not like this place, you ordered wrong. I deduced that from reading the reviews of the people who gave 3 or fewer stars. If you want fried fish, soups and sandwiches, go somewhere chainy. If you go here, order the raw or grilled items. In my 5 or 6 visits, I have not been disappointed. The carpaccio is absolutely perfect. Capers, egg, fennel, and thinly pounded raw fish. Do not share, order your own. The ceviche and tartare each come in mason jars and are refreshing if not my favorites. I prefer to save room for the grilled octopus. They braise the octopus so it comes sweet and soft. The a la plancha style which is grilled with olive oil, black pepper and a bit of spice is perfect. They usually serve a fish of the day this way as well. I have had amazing Lake trout my last two visits. And right now they have sea scallops which are big, sweet, and delicious. As it should be at a fresh seafood restaurant, they switch their fish often. The belgian beer list is great, but lately I have been trying the mixed drinks. The #2 tea is my personal fave, but it is hard to come here and not get a great beer. The pie is terrific as well. Basically, this is a must stop place for seafood lovers and foodies. If you are a conservative eater/orderer, I can not help you. Order from the left side of the menu and you can not help but have a great meal. Two more things that I am reading here which I can slightly dispel. My food bill comes out to about $50 for 2 and it is plenty of food. I have never ordered the lobster roll which is the most expensive item on the menu. I order exclusively from the left side of the menu. It is far cheaper than publican or avec, my favorite spots before this place opened. Also, the waits have died down from the spring when the place was new. The outdoor section adds plenty of space, and the newness has died down. You can get a seat on a Saturday usually with minimal wait if any.
(5)HR C.
I love that you actually can sit at a bar while eating all the seafood you want here. The staff was extremely friendly and the location was very easy to get to, hop off the Brown Line at Wellington and take a left. In this casual joint we had lobster bisque & clam chowder soup, oysters, fried clams, and fish sandwiches. Get there early, this place is tiny so you might have to wait but I would tell you it's a food snack spot and worth the wait.
(4)Brad W.
LOVE Fish Bar. I took my Boyfriend there for our first date and found a pink pearl in the first oyster I had! Magical. The outdoor seating feels like you are sitting on the wharf, waiting for the catch of the day. Romantic night spot with candle light and delightfully fresh menu - changing everyday. Def Recommend this place!
(5)Jamal P.
I was really excited to visit this place.To me it is nothing more than an extremely bad attempt at pick and fry or cook. To those who haven't seen a real pick it let me set the scene.You walk in and order your seafood by the pound at one counter and they prepare it at the next counter. It"s not already breaded or doctored up you pay for the seafood and they cook like you want it. It's simple as that. This town seems to missing out on these. Well anyway I arrived and was told it would be an hour wait , ok no problem I will wait for fair that's good. I had the oysters and others in my group ordered clams and the lobster roll. The food was just lower end mediocre. Not great, not upper end mediocre, but just hitting mediocre. My friend who had the lobster roll was really disappointed but he is from the east coast so I guess he has a different level of judgement. I don't think I would go back anytime soon, especially with the wait.
(2)Lady D.
Really enjoyed this place. The seafood is fresh and creative. I like the ambience through it gets very crowded very quickly. My only gripe is that I am really not into eating on things made of paper. I know thats part of the "experience" but I just don't like it.
(4)Amanda B.
The Oysters were great, but the staff was very interested in moving people out instead of letting myself and the people I was with ordering more food, beers and cocktails. Fresh Oysters, Great Gumbo, Crab Cake Sandwich and the Shrimp were great. Call ahead for a reservation, but if you do they will serve drinks while guests wait.
(3)John R.
Same guy that owns DMK burger. I really dig the atmosphere here (as opposed to DMK burger). I had the Oyster po'boy and it was pretty decent. I definitely need to come back and try something else though.
(4)Megan P.
I don't even like fish, but I decided to go here with a friend because I had a serious craving for shrimp. This was definitely the place to go! We ended up having to wait a little while longer than they told us to get a seat outside, but they definitely made up for it with free beer samples, two free oyster shooters, AND a free serving of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions (sounds weird but delicious!) I've never been to a place where they seemed so concerned about our wait time (which btw was only like 30 min...not that bad for Chicago). I was super impressed by the service. The manager was doing an "experiment" to see what waiting tables was like. He was very friendly and great to talk with. Plus the atmosphere on their outside patio was so relaxing on a nice breezy summer night But the best part of Fish Bar was by far the "wet" rock shrimp....omg AMAZING! Probably the most addicting food I've ever eaten. I don't know what's in that sauce but I wish they would bottle it so I could put it on everything.
(5)Erin W.
Totally worth the wait!!! My friend and I made three attempts to eat at Fish Bar...thankfully the third time was the charm. I would absolutely go back. While we were waiting for our table the manager starting handing out samples of beer to everyone that was waiting for a table. My friend and I struck a conversation with him and he brought us over an additional beer to sample. Once we sat down at the counter we were taken care of. My friend and the clam chowder and I had the lobster bisque, both amazing soups and not in their traditional form. Neither were diary based which I loved. The manager also brought us over a sample of the gazpacho which was new to the menu. We got the Eastern Belly Clams, Tartare, Ceviche, Scallops and the manager brought us over the Capriccio. This was my first time eating clams and they were amazing. Ended your meal with a freshly baked pie is a must. The pie of the day when we were there was Key Lime and it was great. Instead of napkins Fish Bar has paper towels which I loved. The atmosphere is great and you truly feel like you are out east coast at a seafood style restaurant.
(5)Maciej O.
Great atmosphere, amazing food and even better service.
(5)Mike D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Worth the wait. Try a little of everything and you won't go wrong. Went last week, had great Belgian Ales, and tried a sampling of menu items. Our favorite was probably the clam chowder and the lobster roll. One of the best lobster rolls i've had (which is odd that it was in Chicago). Also excited that they had tater tots. Wish we had a place like this in Manhattan.
(5)Steve J.
If I was to have a last meal before they pulled the switch and ran 1000 volts of electricity through my body, I would request a meal at the Fish Bar. I started with the Bisque which consists of a smooth bitternut squash bisque with chunks of lobster, a pinch of cayenne pepper and parsley, absolutely awesome than the mussel steamed with white wine, cream, and parsley with razor thin shavings of garlic like they sliced in Goodfellas, with a great slice of seasoned grilled bread to soak up all the delicious wine and buttery cream juice from the mussels. I washed it down with an iced cold Stone IPA. I think I died and went to heaven.
(5)Kristin J.
Absolutely Amazing food and service! My husband and I have loved everything there, so we end up ordering a bunch of stuff to share. Delicious Lobster Roll with about 1lb of fresh lobster, Rock Shrimp wet style are the best things on earth, Crabby Patty has a kick and is one of the best things on the menu. Even the garlic bread is mouthwatering! Add that to their cocktails (the iced tea vodka with sweet tea is my fave!) and what a great place for a 2-4 people. We've been back at least 3 times and each time we find something new. Only down side is having to wait so we try to go at off times.
(5)Maggie C.
A few friends and I just went last night. We were able to squish five girls into a booth (it was quite the feat and don't really recommend it). We had the rock shrimp which was great, just enough spice! The bay scallop ceviche was amazing, but there weren't that many scallops in there. I indulged in some east coast raw oysters and clams, I probably could have ate another dozen of each! Finally, I had the lobster roll, I wasn't a fan of it. The celery mayo was too intense for me and the flavor of the lobster got lost. My friends tried the crabby patty, the cod sandwich, and calamari a la planche. They all enjoyed their meals. We also indulged in some drinks...the tea was great but be careful it's potent! Overall, I think the food was good but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and service! I will definitely return!
(3)Keith C.
High Prices for little amount of food. Fair service at best.
(1)jeffrey m.
Scrumptious to say the MOST-est!!!!!
(5)Sharon S.
I was excited to experience all the hype surrounding Fishbar. We got there early and am I glad we did because not 10 min later it was standing room only. Great concept and space. You can grab a drink while you wait and the manager even came around and offered up beer samplers for the people having to wait. The staff was great and the decor is well thought out. But the food was inconsistent. The oysters were good...clam chowder=white water...gross and sent it back...jumbalaya..ok....calamari good taste very greasy..but the guy next to us had great calamari...crab cake sandwich...great, as was the octopus. I would go back in warm weather and try it again for sure. Not great food but it hopefully will be! But the homemade key lime pie?.....to die for!!!!
(3)Tom W.
Awesome food, great beer selection, friendly and nice staff, and a cool environment. This play has got it right. I love DMK, and have been a ton of times and never been disappointed, and now Fish Bar is equally as great! Keep it up!
(5)Leslie H.
I love the layout and food at this place. The lobster roll is delicious, I also loved the calamari! Because it's a small space, I'd recommend going with only one other person to get in quickly.
(5)Scott K.
I grew up out east on the water and was hoping this place would remind me of the places ate at growing up. The food hear is way overpriced for what you get and it is not very good. I read all the reviews and can not believe so many people love this place. If you are thinking of trying this place save your money and go get a good meal at Shaws or walk down the street to Half Shell. Both are way better than this place.
(1)Mark Z.
I've been walking by this place for the last few months wondering what the heck was on the other side of the doors. After opening up this past week, I finally found the answer. Friendly staff, upbeat, very busy restaurant with excellent choices on the menu. Let's get to the food first, because that's what we're here for right? I was here with my fiance so we decided to poke around at the menu a bit before ordering the garlic bread, clam chowder, seafood cobb salad, and finally the oyster po boy sandwich. Garlic Bread: delicious, crisp, garlicky, with a nice sprinkling of cheese to top it off. Worth it for a primer. Clam Chowder: My fiance's favorite, and probably mine too. Creamy, but not too chunky. Sometimes chunky is good, but the consistency was perfect. I'd call it a clam chowder bisque if I could choose something out of thin air. Not quite sure what the exact culinary definition is for bisque, but I'd liken it to that, with some nice clams in there. The garlic bread served perfectly for dipping into the clam chowder. They're both so good, why not combie! Seafood cobb salad: Not my favorite. It just didn't do it for me. Lettuce and seafood? Just not my bag, but probably plenty of others might like it. Oyter Po Boy sandwich: Incredible. I've never had an "official" po boy from New Orleans, but man this was deliciuos. ENORMOUS oysters piled on the sandwich on top of slaw with some sort of sauce. A real crowd pleaser even if you don't like oysters. Only downfall is that my mouth isn't large enough to bite the whole thing at once. I would if I could. Service: friendly and willing to please. We were offered free oyster shooters upon inquiring about them. Really nice people behind the counter who are just as thrilled to be working there as the customers are to have a seat. We met Dave, the GM of the restaurant who is a really really nice guy. It's nice to be able to talk to the man in charge while they get things in order the first few weeks of being open. I highly recommend going there, but probably early, like 5:30 on a weekday if possible. The place doesn't have many seats so it fills up quickly, but they have some good beers to pick from on the menu. After talking with the GM, they plan on doing something outside the restaurant when the weather gets warmer (like it has the past couple days). I believe he spoke of picnic tables, which would be a huge bonus. More seats, more customers, potentially less waiting! Like seafood? Eat here!
(5)J D.
Great food, and I don't see why people are calling this place "pricey", cheapskates. Me and my boyfriend had 2 drinks each, oysters, lobster bisque, the lobster roll and the crabby patty and the check was $80.00. I'm from Maryland and I know my seafood, sooo to those people complaining about the taste of the lobster and crab...you are clueless. Keep eating all that fresh Asian Carp and seagull shit from Lake Michigan. The staff was very friendly, played great music and the loved the décor .Only complaint is the lobster bisque aka stock with a few kernels of corn with chunks of lobster, hearing the word bisque I assumed cream based. Eh, where's the Bisque? Oh, and it would be cool if they had Old Bay out with the rest of the condiments.
(5)Cassie O.
I would like to give this place 4 stars but will need try it one more time before I can change this rating! Overall the fish was fresh, the service was friendly and the cocktails were delicious! Biggest drawbacks - we had the mackerel ceviche and there were only a few pieces of mackerel in the actual dish. For a place that is all about fish we just expected more with this dish than it delivered. The tuna tartare was good but the portion was extremely small as well and it made the dish underwhelming. Recommendations - the 2 soups (Bisque and Gumbo) we had were really good but the gumbo also did lack a good amount of fish. The fried food is basically the best with the most accurate portion sizes. The rock shrimp (wet) is the reason we will be back! Overall the food was good but portions were a tad bit small and we were looking for more fish in each dish! We will go back and try other dishes and hopefully will be changing this rating in the future!
(3)Holly T.
AWESOME experience! The service was phenomenal, friendly and fast. The food was really fresh and great, I had the lobster roll and was extremely happy with my choice. The atmosphere was perfect for a fish bar but VERY small, we went on a Sunday for lunch and didn't wait at all to be seated but on a Friday night we stopped in and were told the wait was over an hour. The prices are reasonable for fish however, beware the sandwiches don't come with any side at all so it could get expensive if you are really hungry. We left satisfied but not overly full after eating Ceviche and each having a sandwich and a bloody mary. I am definitely excited to go back and try the soup selection.
(4)C C.
Meh... I paid $18 for a small drink and small salad. Yes, the salad Nicoise was tasty was well-done, but tiny, especially for $9. The cocktails are 150 mL as stated which I didn't know what that meant but as the bartender warned me (I asked!) it means SMALL. The place is also teeny. Tasty, and nice, but miniature. Too bad the prices weren't small to match.
(3)andrew s.
They definitely hit a home run with this one. In my opinion there is nothing worse than sub-par seafood...that being said everyting I have had here is great...clam chowder...lobster roll...oysters...smelts.. all good. My only complaint is they are relativity small portions... it is what it is .. still good though.
(5)Karolyn S.
Worst seafood experience in Chicago ever...and I've lived here for 20 years. Overpriced, overrated is what I think. I'm from South Boston. Was assured the clams with bellies were the best in the city as proclaimed by other NEerners. Wrong. I'd like to meet those people and introduce them to real clams with bellies. Ordered the oysters. Had shells in them (not just one, not just two, not just three, but of six oysters there were four of them with shells still in them). Just unacceptable from a restaurant's point of view. Stopped there. Wasn't willing to take a chance on anything else except the wine (which they only have white...don't they know that there are red wines that go fantastic with fish??). Having said this, the manager, Lauren, was wonderful along with our server Ally. But, I'm not willing to pay 9 bucks for 6 "clams with bellies" ever again. I'll stick with Glen's Diner. Oh, and the lobster roll that they claim to be right out of Boston is totally wrong. I saw it. The bread says it all.
(1)Bob C.
We decided to try this because I had read a few very positive reviews of the place. Wow, this is the most I've ever spent NOT to get a meal. This place reminds me of the Emperor without the clothes. Probably had we realized that portions are small tapas style, we would have never stayed. The $6 cup of bisque soup was watery, the fried clams (1/4 pound for $9!!!!) salty and greasy and the $11 oyster po boy sandwich, which was about two bites, mostly cole slaw. Our bill for 2 people was $50 for lunch and we left hungry. Of course the fish they serve is "sustainable" -- they're making sure you get very little of it. Overpriced, microscopic portions, greasy, and simply not very good and you have to eat at a counter on top of it. Would NOT return.
(1)Moira S.
I have been to Fish Bar a number of times and really love the food. They are a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood. I almost always order the rock shrimp dry and the gumbo...they do both of these really well. Their carpaccios and ceviche are always tasty. I have also tried the crabby patty sandwish and the oyster po-boy...also very good. They have a fun selection of signature drinks...my favorite is Sonya does Sicily. The service can be spotty but overall everyone there is very friendly. I really love the atmosphere there as well. The music, the lighting, the decor...it was all done perfectly and I cannot help but feel happy when I am there.
(4)Liz G.
The food is great, but small portions for the price. The scallops are excellent, the salad with shrimp was tasty but not something to make a meal - more like two shrimp with a green garnish. Good beers and a nice atmosphere, and outdoor seating is always a plus.
(3)Eazmg C.
mmm mmm lobster roll and oyster po boy. not as good as GT Fish but better prices and slightly larger portions though. good patio for when its warm out too, but warning it's small (outside and in).
(3)Matthew C.
I want to give this place 4.5 stars because everything was awesome. Service was perfect, amazingly nice staff. Lobster roll...left a little to be desired. Fantastic ambiance. Amazing drinks. Reasonably priced. I'll be back.
(4)kay b.
This is a very weird concept. Being from the east coast myself, I was confused at the ala carte and small plate scenario. Soooo NOT East Coast. That being said...the counter seating is a good idea for the space except you are bumping elbows with poeple that you don't know and the music was so loud that I couldn't carry on a conversation with my husband right next to me. Literally, everyone in the place was shouting to be heard. Also, they have stools that don't have backs on them, so there is no place to hang your coat except for a 3 ft coat rack that they try to hang 45 coats on. OK, now the food. Some things were excellent, like the rock shrimp and lobster roll. Not so hot, the oysters. The taste was great, but they were the size of quarters! ANY seafood restaurant on the East Coast would be embarrassed to serve oysters that small...and 6 for 15 dollars is unheard of! The clam chowder needs work. The potatoes were raw and the clams were chewy. They should be diced up and not whole and it's chowder, not broth! Lastly, a fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side thingy, that the waitress told me was a huge thing on the coast, I've never heard of it...oh well, there must be another East Coast. But to Midwesterners this all they know, so it must be working, hence the great ratings. Again, this is conceptual not actual.
(2)shell h.
I know better. I know better in terms of understanding that I may happen to be disappointed by eating seafood in Chicago. By seafood I mean "good" seafood. I mean the stuff I was spoiled on living in Boston for the past few years. It was often advertised (and perhaps was) local seafood. But somehow the origin of the seafood didn't matter so much as the fact that the region it was prepared in just knew the right way to prepare it. Thus lies my multiplicity of issues with Fishbar, a place that on it's face appears to serve extremely tasty seafood that was caught hundreds or thousands of miles away from the kitchen in which it is culinarily (of course that isn't a real word) destroyed. Instead of paying the tab at Fishbar, perhaps it might be a wiser decision to save up for a trip to New England. In New England, lobster rolls are served either cold (with mayo) or hot (with drawn butter). At Fishbar, they are served only cold, with tasteless lobster meat, tepid mayo, and a splattering of herbs to trick your tastebuds. This is what I'd expect from McDonalds (google: McLobster), I'm very sorry, but that's the truth of the matter. The essence of a lobster roll is the former rather than the latter, meaning that simplicity and freshness play the main role. That means you want just a few ingredients to support the delicious taste of the lobster. Of course, if you can't serve fresh lobster (that actually tastes like lobster should) you sprinkle herbs all over it, such as Fishbar appears to do. My advice is to stop being fancy, buy fresher lobster, and live and die by the sword of simplicity. Leave the seafood alone! The Mackerel ceviche was served in a sealed jar sort of device. It was cute and clever until I realized that the taste was much like I'd imagine ceviche would taste out of a jar! The saltines on the side couldn't have made this dish anymore bland. It was like eating Gerber's baby food all over again, with chunks. To be fair, the trout, oyster po boy, and oysters were delicious. But these are things I'm not sure I want to wait two hours for. The service was great and the beer was tasty, but the mixed drinks could use a little more elaboration (meaning actual descriptions of what you are about to imbibe). In all, the small portions are reasonable considering the price, but one who has truly enjoyed local East or West coast seafood will find that this restaurant comes nowhere close to it's seaboarding bretheren.
(2)John G.
So.....this place is LEGIT! However, you need to get there early, because it gets crowded. Having known this my girlfriend and I met here after work on a Friday for a pseudo happy hour/early dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on Friday afternoon, and each found a seat at the bar immediately. The server was extremely friendly, and knowledge about the food and drink options. The beer selection there is pretty legit solid. Lots of Belgian and Belgian-style crafts beers from all over the US. Additionally, they have my beloved PBR if you feel like having a beer that tastes good, and one that you don't want to think about while you are eating. I got an Ommengang Abbey Ale, and my girlfriend got the Saison DuPont. They were served in mason jars, which is felt was a nice touch (more on that later). Now for the grub. Started off with 1/2 dozen raw oysters, 3 West Coast & 3 East Coast. These oysters were solid, and they had a nice variety of hot sauces that you can use to enhance the flavor. We then got some fried rock shrimp which had good kick, awesome! Octopus a la plancha, which had a very Greektown flavor, and fried calamari with some spicy pickles & peppers, they were all great! We then finished off with some of the sandwiches, which I felt were the highlight! Fried Oyster Po Boy & Fried Cod burger, and both were exquisite!!! The Fried Cod sandwich honestly looked like an actual good tasting fish fillet. I have all hate and despise for anything related to the golden arches, however I felt this was clever, and the sandwich at Fish Bar was AWESOME! I recommend getting both of those sandwiches, and splitting them. So if you couldn't tell yet, I really really like this place. The food, drink, service, and ambiance I thought were really cool. I want to harp on the ambiance here for a little bit, and I want to compare the ambiance at Fish Bar to the ambiance at Big Star. I know I know......I am crazy for saying this, but hear me out. Where Big Star takes the concept of a dive bar in Bakersfield, CA from the mid-50s, and makes into a fun, affordable, hot spot that serves amazing food; Fish Bar takes the concept of some "hole-in-the-wall" bar in Key West, or any various on the water resort town for that matter, where the locals who have owned the place for 40 years hang out, and where tourists go to have some drinks, and eat great seafood, while on vacation. Both places take their respective concepts, and make them places where people love going and grabbing something to eat. So all in all both places give us a unique concept, great drink options, and most importantly, they give us fresh and excellent food! I will definitely be going back to fish bar many times, and I recommend that everyone try it outs. Just be sure to go early, because it gets crowded.
(5)Archer D.
Amazing concept!!! But where the heck is the follow through? I was so excited to see that someone was going to use this space and once I saw the big fish on the side I was ecstatic! Could not wait... Maybe I should have, cause they do not have their act together. Aside from not getting food poisoning I have Not One good thing to say about the food. Bland, chewy pointless squid, surprisingly small shrimp that taste previously frozen, and oysters thrown on a plate with no ice and their juices dumped all over the plastic plate instead in my mouth where they should be. Lame, pretentious bar selection ( you are not the drawing room so why go there). Tuna that is completely overwhelmed by fennel and lemon. I'm from SF so seafood is my passion and you can trust me they do NOT do it right, not even close. Sticking to Shaws, if you want a fast food version of seafood I recommend long John silvers( not that I would eat it) but it would be a hell of a lot cheaper
(1)John D.
My girlfriend and I ate at Fish Bar on Friday night. It was packed when we got there at 9:30pm and, even though they don't take reservations, we were sat in 15 mins. We drank draft beers at the back beer ledge while we were waiting for seats to open up. It wasn't too crowded in the back even though that's where everyone waits for seats and we were able to hang our jackets under the drink shelf which was nice. For dinner, we ordered a ton of food and liked it all. The ceviche seemed like a small portion when it was served but ended up being more than we expected. It was served with saltine crackers which I thought was different but ended up being really good. Next we got the satchmo po' boy. I have a few friends from New Orleans so I've had some good po' boys but this one was awesome! It had tons of shrimp and crawfish and the seasoning was awesome. Then we got the lobster roll...which is more like a lobster po' boy and is a little expensive at $21 but was really good. The lobster meat was fresh and the seasoning wasn't overpowering so you could still taste the meat. Next we got the iceberg salad which has crispy calamari on it...might sound weird but it was really good. We ordered tater tots at the same time as the salad but could've held off given how much calamari was on the salad. Even with the calamari on the salad, the lettuce was still crispy and cold. I'm not a huge fan of key lime pie which is the only dessert on the menu, but they also have smores. We decided to get a third round of beers instead of a dessert and we stayed until around 11:30. Word to the wise..the monkey beer is good but very strong! Overall, we had an awesome time and hope to go back soon.
(5)cindy s.
went to fish bar because Glenn's Diner was booked solid. big bucks for little proportions, and cheesy presentation. everything tastes OK, but not anything to remember or return for. we had the buffalo frog legs, which were decent, but tasted just like chicken buffalo wings in which I would've gotten about triple the amount for my money. the salmon tartare which was good, but they gave us a pack + 4 saltine crackers....come on. the fried calamari "federal hill style", tasted great...but over priced for the tiny proportions. everyone knows for $8 you should get a hearty serving of calamari. and if you don't, serving it up in a cheap paper container for kitch is not going to justify the wimpy amount they gave. all in all, I would not go back. Seems like a tourist trap.
(2)Jenny D.
I love fish bar. The service is top notch - everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, attentive. They make you feel like family! And the food? Above top notch. Pick from the rock shrimp, po boy, crabby patty, oysters, chowder, and you'll be a happy camper. If you have more than four people, you might wait awhile. But perfect for a pair.
(5)Amanda D.
Sorry Fish Bar lovers, I was not that impressed. I went here tonight with a couple of friends. We sat at one of the small tables which was a nice scene and more intimate than the bar. I'd been wanting to go here for a while since I live right down the street. A couple things to note...First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of the decor. It seemed inauthentic in its attempt to appear New England, or seaside, or Naw'leans. Secondly, their Lobster Bisque is not Lobster Bisque. It tastes more like a corn/lobster soup - it's not very creamy and the corn/spice overpowers the lobster flavor. For someone that loves lobster bisque, this was a disappointment. I also ordered the calamari. This was quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. The one thing that I would come back for was the Codfish sandwich. At $7, this is delicious. I don't think you can beat the price for this type of sandwich. It came out piping hot and was a good sized portion. My friends ordered the Clam Chowder (which they thought was good), Ceviche (not good) and Crabby Patty. I tried the Crabby Patty (=crab cake sandwich) and thought it was good, albeit a little heavy. For those of you going to Fish Bar, I would stick to the "On a Bun" menu section - I was most impressed with these items. Otherwise, I would prefer DMK from the Kornick/Morton duo.
(2)Rob R.
Can't tell you about the food because we didn't stick around. We were told there was a 45 minute wait. The surly hostess didn't ask us if we wanted a drink while we waited. She seemed to hope we wouldn't wait. We found our way over to the bar where we were informed that the establishment features only white wine. I guess that's some ignorant 25 year-old's idea of a fish restaurant's wine list. Before we could decide what cocktail to order- my companion doesn't drink white wine- the hostess came over and scolded us, evidently because she felt we were standing too close to a couple of empty chairs that she was reserving for somebody or other. At this point my friend and I burst out laughing and walked out into the driving rain and dashed a block or two down Sheffield to Soprano's, where we enjoyed an excellent grilled calamari and baked whitefish with white beans and escarole. And a delicious malbec. For you ignorant 25-year olds, that's a nice Argentinian red wine. As for Fish Bar, I suppose those who like that sort of place will like it.
(1)Arlene T.
Just had lunch there with my husband. The gumbo and the Crabby Patty sandwich were both delicious!!! The only reason I am not giving it more stars was the smell. I realize this is a fish place, but I am back at the office and I know everyone is wondering why I smell like fish. It was overwhelming. They did open the door when I asked about the ventilation. I will definitely go back though and give it another shot.
(3)happy c.
Love this place. Chicago needs more of these - excellent fish, welcoming and helpful service, great casual fish house vibe with booth and counter seating. We brought our kids and they fit right in. Looking forward to going back for cocktails and more great seafood. Thought prices were completely fair given how fresh everything was.
(5)Heather F.
After reading a million reviews on both Fish Bar and GT Fish & Oyster, I tackled both places over the course of a few days. Ultimately, the differences are in the menu and ambiance. Fish Bar is a very casual feel, think getting your seafood in a cabana vs. GT Fish which is more yacht club, if that makes sense. Fish Bar left me wanting more...more to eat...and quite frankly more options (the menu offers garlic bread and tater tots, but other than that you're choices are basically naked/raw fish or fried fish; it lacks some balance; expect to overeat on the fried food out of necessity). The service was also very slow and not terribly responsive (which can be frustrating when your communal silverware jar is empty). Portions are good to share, but small. Our group of 3 was able to conveniently split some things, so we all got a taste, but not really much more. Here's the breakdown: -tartar (salmon)--ok; not enough crackers to go with, and quite frankly not enough flavor. I realize it's not ceviche, but still needed some lemon. -rock shrimp, wet--very good flavoring, but know they will get soggy quickly. -belly clams--good, but also on soggy side of things -calamari, a la plancha,--my favorite of the evening, good flavor; three major tube pieces -scallops, a la plancha,--same preparation as calamari, yet seemed slightly less seasoned (three scallops) -lobster roll--okay; brioche bun was a bit too sweet for my tastes, meat was a bit watery almost, making me wonder if it had been frozen, more mayonnaise base than I like (GT Fish wins) -key lime pie--okay, but a bit runny; wasn't the best I've had for sure -seasonal pie (blackberry)--good -beer--they have a great selection of craft beer, and some cocktails; it is worth noting that for the several rounds we had, every small mason jar was about 1/3 head. considering how little you're getting, not cool in my book.
(3)R W.
Great seafood, but its a tiny space (especially in winter when the outdoor seating is gone). Last few times I have done takeout just to avoid the crowd and long wait.
(4)Christine M.
Since moving to the neighborhood 3 months ago, I've been to Fish Bar 3 times! The menu changes often and I've never had a bad dish. Their fixed menu items are delicious, but I suggest ordering from the chalkboard, you will not be disappointed. The service is wonderful. I can't say a bad thing about this place. Hands down the best seafood I've had in the city. This isn't a large restaurant and it gets busy quickly. I've had to wait 20+ minutes every time I've come for a seat but it's worth it. Grab a drink and just chill, your food will be amazing!
(5)Lucia Z.
Extremely overrated with laughably small portion sizes and mediocre taste factor. We did receive a complimentary side for waiting like 30 minutes for our order to arrive.
(3)Nick M.
The only way to roll into Fish Bar is to roll with Nikki C. The staff is cute and crazy, they are so much fun that I would come in even if the food was bad. That being said, the food is cute and crazy, desserts are so much fun that I would come in even if the staff was bad. The decor and seating gives it that casual vibe, so it's hanging out at a friend's place. You can chill at the wrap around bar or grab a booth with friends. I've been in a few times before and had a blast but I got unbelievable treatment on my birthday (THANKS!!). Drinks are cool but I only wished they had rum.
(5)L. Danovia ..
My husband loves seafood so we stopped in one day to check out the menu. Everything sounded great. I got the poboy and he got lobster tacos. Everything was great, including the service. However, the portions were soooo small, we ended up hitting a drive through on the way home. Disappointing since we had just spent fifty bucks for lunch.
(3)JENNIFER K.
Lobster roll was really good. Cod sandwich was good too, but a little greasy. Lemon/onion/jalapeno appetizer was surprisingly good too. Reminded me of an east coast beach shack.
(4)jacey h.
fish bar is quickly becoming our go-to spot. it is the trifecta of superb restaurants- fabulous food, exceptional staff (thank you Kelly & Spenser!!) & superior drinks. everyone gushes about the lobster roll for good reason, but the rest of the menu is just as tasty!
(5)Teri G.
Had a great first meal here today at lunch. Upon sitting down, the very friendly and warm staff brought me two oysters on the house. I ordered ceviche, lobster roll and my husband had soft shell crab po'boy and tater tots. Everything was delicious and cooked as requested, including the tater tots which came as crispy as we wanted. The friendly staff brought us an order of fried lemons, onions, and jalapenos, which were delicious, savory, great texture, interesting. We ended up ordering dessert, which was the one thing I was lukewarm about. After our waitress Lily sold us on the strawberry rhubarb pie, we chose to try that instead of their standard key lime. While it was not bad or unpleasant, it had a totally different taste and texture than we expected of a fruit pie. Next time, we'll try the key lime. One note; music's a bit loud as there's nothing in the room to absorb any sound. They might dial the volume down a bit.
(4)Lindsay C.
Went here last week on a Wednesday with the sister. Everyone wanted to sit outside and there was no wait for inside, so we sat at the counter. It is pretty loud, so you'll have to speak up. We kinda had to wait a while just to get menus (they ran out), which was kinda weird. You would think a restaurant would have enough menus for customers. They also didn't have the beer I wanted, which was no biggie, they recommended another one. We shared the crabby patty, lobster roll, fried calamari, fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. It was definitely enough food for us and probably too much fried food. The lobster roll is what would make me come back, it was amazing. Service was also a little slow, but it really comes down to the food, which was great.
(4)Bob B.
What a delightful surprise. Had the oyster po'boy (wonderful) with a side of fried lemon rings, onions and jalapenos (yes, you read that correctly), also delicious. Limited alcohol selection, small but nice beer selection, very limited wine. A joint! But yummy. Not a destination place, but what a great neighborhood find, next door to DMK and owned by them.
(4)tim g.
This place rocks! Its exactly what your looking for. I left both full and toasted, a good combination.
(4)Lori G.
Had lunch yesterday for the first time. Kasey was our server and she was awesome! The food was insane delish! Such fresh oysters from both coasts. The Lobster roll was just like they are on the East Coast. Rock Shrimp that blew us away. The idea of fried lemons with japs and onions was strange but so incredibly right. Lastly the punch...it definitely gave a punch! I think I forgot to mention how marvelous the prices are...Thank you!
(5)Robert M.
I love yelp, however when places like Fish Bar get glowing reviews I am sometimes left scratching my head. We stopped in on a Sunday toward the end of the night and the place was empty so we managed to avoid the main complaint of most reviewers, the wait. To start, we ordered two Tea cocktails which were very good, though a bit small and the bay scallop ceviche. The bay scallops were fresh and the Mason jar presentation I appreciate, but the overall flavor just left a bit to be desired. Ceviche can be a delicious, amazing dish, but the key is the balance of flavors which we did not experience. We followed this up with the lobster bisque which our waitress informed us was quite different from the usual lobster bisque and true to her word it was. The soup was more of a sweet corn broth with surprisingly large chunks of lobster within. Interesting take, not bad, but again just short of delicious. We finished the meal by splitting a rock shrimp and a lobster roll, which again came with significant chunks of lobster and a delicious torpedo bun, two main staples for a lobster roll. Unfortunately the lobster roll was very fitting for our entire experience, average at best.
(2)John W.
It was good. But the portions are too small. Even if the menu was likened to small bites or tapas. Walking away with $24 dollars a person for a casual lunch and still being hungry afterwards isn't going to be appealing to a lot of people. I did like the flavors and everything was fresh. A great idea but delivered at too high a price point.
(3)Mike K.
I really wish that restauranteurs would teach their servers to not ignore tables that have already ordered. Last night, our server Mindy was great at greeting us, explaining the specials, helping us pick some plates, and taking our order. After that, she disappeared. Our water glasses sat empty while we ate, and a beer I had ordered didn't get to our table until after we were done eating. Mindy made up a story about the bar being backed up but it was clear that she had never even put in the order. Wife and I were very likely going to have ordered another half-dozen oysters ($15), 2 more beers ($16), and s'mores for dessert ($8?). But by the time we'd finished eating and sat for a long time unvisited by our server, we got tired and had lost our appetites and desire to sit there any ignored any longer. That's almost $40 in lost opportunity for The Fish Bar and some unhappy diners that had a good start to their meal but it didn't last as it should have.
(2)Pony J.
The oyster po' boy was outstanding! Delicious!
(4)Tabitha B.
We had a delicious lunch here on Saturday. The service was great. She was chatty but not overly chatty. We had fried clam bellies, oyster po boy and lobster roll. All were delicious. I really wanted to order another order of the clam bellies. Next time I will be trying calamari and octopus.
(4)Jon M.
Lobster Roll was amazing and affordable! I also enjoyed the beer served in a mason jar. The tuna/salmon tartar was pretty good.
(5)Kevin L.
I went here on St. Patty's and still could taste the great flavor combinations. This is a very casual place and the the seating arrangement was indicative of the cleaver and simple approach to the menu and service. It is a 60 year fast forward from oyster bars and martinis to craft beer and variety . I look forward to my return, but will pick an odd time to avoid the rush.
(4)Leah H.
Darling restaurant with staff who weren't just friendly and efficient but SUPER NICE! Spotless bathroom (I would have prefered handtowels as well as dryers to open the door). The cod sandwich was a dream. The bun on the lobster roll was outstanding. Fun menu. However, when we arrived the music was so loud I feared it would literally damage my children's ears. I asked them to turn it down which they did instantly so it was just WAY TOO LOUD. I could not speak to my friends and couldn't stay for dessert, which is really really unusual! Great addition to Chicago food scene with that one caveat.
(3)Ryan S.
I wasn't too impressed. There was only a handful a items available on the menu and only one type of fish available. I won't be going back.
(2)Jon H.
Contrary to my expectations, I was not very impressed. The first dish I tried was the tuna and salmon tartare. It was ok, but a bit dry and lacked any citrus flavor. Also the consistency was a bit off...decent, but I've had better. I split the lobster roll which I have to admit was good, but not overwhelming (especially for the price.) I also had a cup of clam chowder-no complaints, but again nothing extraordinary. Last I tried a bight of the fried lemons onions and peppers...greasy and unappetizing. The overall price is reasonable hence the 3 stars, if it were any more expensive, I'd drop it to 2 stars. I think they have a good niche in terms of concept with dmk and this place, but I think the dishes could use a bit of work...I'm in no hurry to dine here again.
(3)Katie M.
Just ate lunch here. I got the oyster po' boy. It was awesome. Definitely going back!
(5)michael b.
freshest fish in chicago with prices that can't be beat
(5)R L.
Visited for lunch on a Saturday and was looking forward to my first visit based on the rave reviews... have to say I was sorely disappointed by the food. Atmosphere and service were good and exactly what I expected. I ordered the fried whole belly clams and tater tots... both were not very well seasoned and were greasy (frankly burnt oil greasy). The tater tots were crispy (although tasted like they may have been refried to warm them up) but the clams were soggy as well as grease laden. My dining companion had the fried shrimp and clam chowder (which I tasted). She enjoyed the shrimp which were frankly fried in the same burnt grease, but I must say were fresh, crsip, and tasty. The potatoes in the chowder were a little too "al dente" for my taste and while the soup was flavorful, not many clams to be seen. We left about a third of the chowder, half the clams, and nearly all of the tater tots. Good thing we weren't starving when we arrived!
(2)Meagan C.
just went to fish bar today and it was great! i like the set-up inside and the staff was friendly. they have a nice outdoor seating area too. my mom had the lobster roll and even though i HATE lobster, i had to try it and i have to say, it was quite delicious! i had the fried tail-on shrimp which were so yummy. they werent your usual fried shrimp, the batter was nicely seasoned. we had a side of garlic bread and i am pretty sure they sprinkled magic on top of it because it was the best garlic bread i have ever eaten! i also had a crabby patty and that was the only thing i could definitely do without next time. i thought it was too peppery and the spices overpowered the crab- plus the giant bun, tomatoes and onions didnt help either. their key lime pie was not what i expected either, it was a little too sour and warm for my liking. i guess it just depends on personal preference... i will be back though! :) sidenote: drinks in mason jars? so cute!
(4)Irene J.
oh YUM! i broke my vegan diet here and don't regret it! i checked this place out soon after they opened with a friend. the hostess and staff were extremely friendly. i went during lunch time and 'twas packed. however, i was lucky and was able to grab a seat soon after arriving. cerviche was yum! the salad was YUM! i think it's really hard to go wrong here. if you love seafood don't skip out on this place!
(4)Kathleen B.
We're big fans of DMK and have been anxiously awaiting the opening of Fish Bar as there aren't many options for seafood in the Lakeview area. The two of us arrived shortly before 7 pm on Saturday evening. The host (who I'm pretty sure was David Morton that night) indicated the wait was about 45 minutes to an hour and since we were so excited we decided to wait. I had an "Old School" from the bar while we waited and it was a good drink. Small but to be expected since it was only $5. And sometimes I like a smaller drink if I don't feel like drinking much. The wait ended up being a little over an hour and though we were warned we did notice that a few people who arrived after us were seated before we were (as another reviewer mentions). Maybe this had something to do with it being opening weekend and that DM/MK were inviting friends to try out their new place. Once we were seated at the counter things really took a turn for the better as the food was fantastic. We tried the clam chowder, iceberg salad, lobster rolls, and tater tots. The iceberg salad was different than any that I've had elsewhere and there was a generous amount of fried calamari on top. The lobster rolls are to-die-for and you get a ton of lobster meat for market price (which was $16 that night). Service was excellent as well and our server was very attentive. DM and MK also checked in with us and they wanted to make sure we were enjoying the experience. All in all we'll definitely be back, although probably not as often as we'd like because the restaurant is very small and we don't want to spend every Saturday night waiting for over an hour for dinner. But once they have outside seating in the summer and the newness wears off we're hoping the wait will improve and it will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(4)Molly M.
The best place to get great seafood without the price tag or the pretentious atmosphere. The staff is always super friendly and the music is always good. They have really unique takes on classic dishes & although I can neither promise or explain this, one time when i received my bill it was 50% off... I love this place!
(5)Fatima K.
The Satchmo po'boy as the other reviews said was really flavorful especially because of the sweet and tart pickle they used in it! The lobster roll though pricier than that was below average. Liked the lemon/jalapeño/onion rings as well. The ambience of this place is what makes it unique. They have a nice outside seating area as well. The staff was friendly and efficient! All in all it was a good experience.
(4)Radha K.
This place is awesome. We always go to DMK (their sister restaurant) which we love, and this is a new favorite as well. This is the kind of place where everything on the menu would be worth a try. The staff is friendly and due to the way seating is arranged (bar style), you're able to talk to someone next to you and ask for recommendations! I could eat their Satchmo Poboy every day. On a similar note, the shrimp appetizer is amazing as well. On THAT note, the serving size for everything allows you to get quite a few items on the menu without feeling like you've overeaten. The tartare was amazing, the calamari was great and for $3, you might as well get the garlic bread which was also satisfying. Their specialty drinks are reasonably priced where you can try different ones and not get too buzzed and they've all got different flavors. Check it out! ...I know we will be doing so soon!
(5)Cat V.
I've left Chicago, but Fish Bar became my favorite summer restaurant. The $1 oyster happy hours, the delicious fried lemon (!!), and the crabby patty found their way into my heart. It's one of the restaurants I'll miss the most and now that I've left Chicago- use this 5 star rating and hit Fish Bar up! It's no longer my secret!!!
(5)E H.
This place was mehhhh. Had been craving a lobster roll for like, three days. Went to this place to satisfy lobster roll craving. It did the job. Wasn't blown away or anything. Fish tacos were pretty awful. Looked like hospital food...tasted like farts. My poor GF had to suffer through two miserable fish tacos. Poor Schmackie!!! Clam chowder...again, mehhhhh. Not impressed. Watery. Two or three, tiny, little clams. Have had better canned soup. Bill was stupid. Would only go back on a dare and/or if idiot friend Peter S. paid for everything. This is something he would like.
(5)Sara L.
I've heard so many rave reviews about this place and finally got the chance to go this weekend. This place is small, I mean reeaalll small. The entire time they kept blaring loud music that made everybody raise their voice to speak....huge pet peeve of mine. We ended up waiting an hour and 10 for a seat at the bar for a group of three. This isn't the place to go if starving. The menu is all small "plates" to share. The prices are pretty steep for what you get. We had the oysters which were 16 bucks for 6...they were the smallest oysters I've ever seen and lacked flavor. Save your cash and head to GT's, Shaw's or even Hooters for oysters. I ordered the oyster po boy and the calamari. The calamari came in a small paper basket with rings the size of marbles. The calamari was cold, greasy and topped with giardiniera...really no marinara, horseradish or even lemon. The calamari was fishy, barely even filled the small paper basket all for 8 bucks. The oyster po boy was meh....the bread was just too buttery and all you could taste was the cole slaw. The oysters were way over breaded that all you tasted is the breading. After such a disappointing dinner and wait, I think the 8 bucks I paid for a giant breakfast at a late night dinner was waaaaayy better.
(2)Bennie Q.
My girlfriend and I are new to Chicago and decided on seafood for dinner. On the way home from work we discovered Fish Bar. The place is great! Great location and a fun atmosphere! The employees were upbeat, having fun and courteous! To add to all that the food was excellent! I don't like to try many new things but my girlfriend insisted and I was not disappointed!! We started with a seasonal crab dip that's mixed with local fare, awesome! Next, was the gumbo, never had it before, loved it! Moving on the the salmon BLT, perfect! And our gracious server was nice enough to comp a starter just to try it out! I don't remember the name but it was artichoke and lemon blended together and deep fried. I know I murdered the description but it's close enough to figure it out when you order. Don't pass it up!! All in all this place was a great find!! It all seemed too perfect and our experience may have been a fluke but I doubt it; it was busy with happy locals and the team had it wired tight! Thanks for the friendly experience and GREAT food!! We'll be back, frequently!! BQ PS....had the fish tacos as well, I almost left out how great these were, also!! Fantastic!!!
(5)Ozge S.
attention fish lovers, appetizers are great and fish burgers are killers! I tried cud burger and find out it was so delicious that wanted to order and share another one-however the waiter said that burger was the last cud burger they had but guess what? they brought another complimentary crab burger instead which was as good. personnel are super friendly here.
(4)Libby T.
Let me start by saying that Fish Bar is a amazing. Not only is the food delicious, the drinks spectacular, but the service is truly unmatched. I come out quite a bit in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park area, but when I came into Fish Bar I felt like I was with a bunch of friends. The wait staff was so attentive and knew their stuff. Our waiter, Janna, was unbelievable. She knew exactly what we'd enjoy just by me mentioning what it is I usually eat. She suggested the perfect drinks, and again, she made me feel welcomed. It was tough to leave Fish Bar. Go here if you want great food, amazing drinks, and a wait staff that makes you feel at home. You won't regret it... Oh, and ask for Janna.
(5)Bong K.
I generally don't write average reviews, but with this place, I felt I had to given how over-rated its reviews currently are. The food is really only okay. Many of the dishes we tried like the Hush Puppies were crazy salty. Their drink selection is decent and I'm guessing they're trying to get you to drink more with the saltiness of their food. Also, the layout of the place is pretty inefficiently designed so there's a lot of empty space. I'm going to guess that they have a fairly savvy business manager who uses saltiness to drive up drink revenue and artificially induces waiting time to create lines that increase marketing appeal. I wouldn't willingly return to this place given there's always a wait.
(3)Deb F.
Came here on a Friday around 6:00 with 2 girlfriends. The wait was around 40 minutes, which was a little long but well worth it. We were seated inside at a booth in the back after switching our minds from wanting to sit outside. I ordered the scallop ceviche, which was excellent. Fresh and light - just what's best on a summer day. My friends ordered the fish tacos, olives, Satchmo po' boy, and the soup of the day. Our AWESOME server Blaine also gave us some artichokes to try as well as some tuna, which was excellent. I would definitely recommend the fish tacos and scallop ceviche. The Satchmo po' boy was tasty as well, but entirely deep-fried, so a little heavier. The outdoor seating area is great for a summer night. Overall, the service is what really pushed our dinner from 4- to 5-stars. Blaine was attentive throughout our entire meal and had good suggestions on what to try. Free food tidbits, a great server, and a round of beers on Lagunitas? It was a great meal. Definitely recommend for a date night or low-key meal with friends.
(5)D G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar for lunch this past Sunday. We've driven by Fish House for 2 years now and consider ourselves foodies who are open to spending $$$ for great food. We were also curious since there is always a crowd outside. Upon entering, we were shocked to see how little Fish Bar is. There are three small 4 tops inside. We commented that you'd have to be really close friends to sit with another couple at these tiny four tops. We should have taken this as a sign of things to come. The additional seating is around a bar, or larger picnic tables outside (which explains the crowd). We ordered two orders of tacos and the lobster roll. Tacos: Scallop - 3 tiny tiny scallops in the taco, and fried fish tacos. The breaded fish taco was outstanding - the scallop was good, not great, and way too short on scallops. The tacos were $4.50 each ($9 an order). We also ordered a lobster roll. The lobster roll ($22) was skimpy and served with a bag of chips. We know the cost of lobster but they fill the roll with tartar sauce so it appears that the lobster is overflowing, not the case. When ordering, we asked the waitress is this was enough for two hungry people and she confirmed these were more "hardy". I can only imagine the size of the less "hardy" dishes. While the food itself was delicious, the portion size was ridiculous. We are well aware of the cost of fresh fish/seafood but to spend $70 on lunch for three items, two reasonable priced beers ($6 each), and to leave hungry is outrageous. The atmosphere and service are also far too casual to meet this price point in Lakeview. We will not return.
(3)Dana O.
Excellent seafood - I am from Maine and I grew up eating some of the best seafood (shrimp, lobster, haddock, etc...) in the world, so I totally mean it when I say that. A lot of the time I eat seafood ('Real Maine Lobster," "Canadian Rock Shrimp" ) and it's been frozen and is far from fresh - also it is ridiculously overpriced. Fish Bar's prices are reasonable and their fish is fresh and delicious!!! I ended up not eating fish this time around, and opted for the No Fish Sandwich. I have eaten fried chicken sandwiches from dozens of places in my lifetime, and none of them even come close to comparing to the No Fish. The batter they fry the chicken in comes out perfectly crispy, salty, and full of flavor. The chicken is not dry, but very, very juicy. The bun seals the deal though - it's fried to a crispy buttery perfection. The Rock Shrimp is also tasty. Our waitress told us that they recommend that their customers order the dish "wet." However, the jalapeño aioli they tossed it in wasn't really to my liking. So, I ordered a cup of cocktail sauce and it was amazing- just tangy and spicy enough. I wish I had gotten the shrimp dry and just used the cocktail sauce. But beware! The cups of cocktail sauce they provide are the same cups you pump ketchup into at places like Wendy's and McDonalds - AKA they are super small and they only give you one but the cocktail sauce is so good you'll obviously have to ask for another so wtf!? Anyway, my only gripe is that I wish they served french fries. Many sad faces - and also minus one star!!!
(4)Mustache B.
Loved everything about this place. The food was fresh and very delicious. The service was outstanding and the drinks were also great. Overall great seafood restaurant.
(4)Christine S.
Poppped in here on Saturday evening and got a seat at a community table right away. I wasn't really sure what I was in for until I looked at the menu. I think they need to change the name of the restaurant to ShellFish Bar because that's mostly what's on the menu. I think I counted 3 or 4 non-shell fish items that would be considered a main course, which is okay, if you're not allergic to shell fish, but I am so it's a problem for me. No worries, I'll find something on the menu that I can eat. I ended up with the Salmon Tacos and they were good. The calamari was also delicious, I enjoyed the peppers that are on top...it's a nice mix up from the typical cocktail sauce you normally get with calamari. We also had the fingerling potatoes, and I REALLY enjoyed those a lot. Great flavor! My friend had the musles and she seemed to enjoy them as well. We had John Daly's which are served in a not so big mason jar. The drinks are expensive for the size of them, so buyer beware. Our server was super duper nice...but service here is super duper slow (food and drinks). Meh.
(3)E M B.
Tasty seafood, love the tacos. Cute atmosphere and good service. However, the place is overpriced. $9 for two tiny tacos is a bit much. $15 for four shrimp in a salad or $22 for a lobster roll is crazy. Amp up the seafood portions or lower the prices because they aren't justified! Really enjoy this spot but I've been twice and can't get behind the prices when you can get great seafood for a fraction of the price elsewhere (lobster roll at Da Loster for $12, fish tacos at Big Star for $3).
(2)Magen R.
Tried out Fish Bar with my sisters - what a neat place! We decided to go all out and try a bunch of different stuff on the menu and everything was pretty great! To share we tried the calamari and garlic bread. The calamari was lightly breaded and banana peppers and jalapenos mixed in. I loved the flavor combination and could not stop eating it! The garlic bread was thin and crispy, it was also a huge portion for a great price. For our entrees one of my sisters ordered the gumbo and the lobster roll, the other ordered the surf and turf with the bacon and egg salad and I ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy with fingerling potatoes. We all loved our meals! All of the seafood was perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful. The standout for me had to be egg and bacon salad which was a crazy combo of tater tots topped with salad, crunchy bacon and an egg - so yummy! We also all drank and I was really impressed with the yummy tequila drink I had. The drinks were reasonably priced but the portions were not very large. However, I loved that the drinks came in little mason jars - very original and they added to the ambiance of the meal. Speaking of ambiance this place is so original and amazing! They only have a few tables that seat 3 or 4 and the rest of the seating is literally a bar! I love how the seating ties in with the name of the place. The service is very interesting and also ties in with the ambiance, the restaurant is set up so all of the servers remain behind the bar at all times, they are able to serve all of the patrons at the boothes and at the bar at the same time. The service was so so, the waiters were attentive at sometimes but not at others. My only real complaint is that where we were seated you could not see any of the specials that are listed on the board. The specials are a fairly major component of the menu and it would do well to either have them printed or posted in an additonal place.
(4)Xida Z.
Incredible, beautiful, fresh fish in a local Chicago place I love the look of the place. The panelling. The bar. The local vibe. Lots of things look good on the menu. Little did I know, I was about to set sail on a tasting adventure. The Oysters were very fresh. I tried an East coast (5/5) and a West coast (3/5) . The west was too salty for me, and east was nice and sweet. The po'boy sandwich I got was two pieces of garlic bread with 7 pieces of shrimp/crawfish. It wasn't enough and I didn't really taste the fish ($11, 2/5). Most sandwiches probably aren't worth it, though the crabcake sandwich would have been better. Still hungry and looking to taste some fish the Citrus cured salmon carpaccio with capers and citrus vin was next. Citrus cut into the salinity of the capers. The fish was like good sashimi slightly cooked ($7, 5/5). The fried calamari was bland in the middle. There was too much pepper and oil, which made a gritty paste. I added the capers from the salmon and fixed that ($6, 3/5). Food presentation is a strength at the Fish Bar and for the most part, the food matches it's appearance. If you're here for fish, avoid the sandwiches. Don't be surprised if you end up dropping $30 for lunch. Ambiance and Service 5/5 Food 4/5 Value 3/5
(4)Gary B.
We have always wanted to go here but our major deterrent was that we heard (and read reviews) that this place can get crowded and somewhat difficult to get in to. Well we made it and couldn't be happier that we did. Went on a Sunday evening around 5:00 and the place was empty. I think we can be thankful that the bears were playing which seemed to keep everyone in front of a tv which Fish Bar has none. Our server was extremely friendly and went over the menu from drink options, specials and answered all of our questions. Over the next hour we consumed beers, oysters, fish fries, a crabby sandwich and the Smoked Trout. All were very good and we certainly enjoyed our meal. We will be back and I would recommend to anyone that is looking for some fresh fish. In the summer they also off outdoor seating.
(4)Karla B.
Food was great and the perfect "after game spot" after a Sunday Cub's game. It was our first time here and we loved the oysters, calamari, the white fish spread, and crab cake sandwich. However, our favorite was definitely the Satchmo po' boy - perfectly cooked, not overly greasy for something that was fried, and highlighted by housemade pickles. Our server even treated us to the fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions just because she wanted us to try them. The decor was cute but not over the top or cheesy. Can't wait to be back!
(4)Kris G.
I liked Fish Bar! I happened to come in with a group larger than recommended (I didn't realize until after the fact, I was with 4 others making us a "large" group of 5), luckily during off hours--around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday. DMK is already my favorite restaurant, and knowing that these are owned and run by the same people, I had high expectations. The staff were very friendly and didn't make our large group feel like we had to leave or were inconveniencing them in any way. We each ordered a drink and loved the mason jars they came in--the ambiance is carried through the whole experience and that's a definite plus for me. Almost the entire party ended up ordering the lobster po'boys. My dad also got some soup to start (knowing he wouldn't be filled up on the sandwich alone) and I opted for the clam po'boy instead. On the side I also ordered the fried lemons. We all really enjoyed our food and felt that the price was where it should be for the quality. The only reason I dock a star is for the amount of food you get in comparison to the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the side dish, especially, and if you do decide to spend your money here, I don't think you'll be disappointed in taste, quality, or service. Just plan on coming in for a lighter lunch or be prepared to spend for a bigger dinner.
(4)Mary A.
The staff is so nice. Very friendly and upbeat. The beachy décor is so cute. Terrific outdoor seating and plenty of counter space inside. Had the grilled scallop taco (a wee bit spicy) and seared ahi tuna with avocado and pineapple salsa - both delish but when they say small plates they mean it. I saw the beet salad and it looked tiny, too. My bill was $25 without tip or a drink and I was still starving such small portions it was sad. And I was there at 430P and no happy hour specials ... only $1.50 oysters on Sunday not happy hour. Fish Bar, be more generous with the portions! especially for $10+ a plate!
(2)Lunch E.
Everything about this place reminded me of the taste of Chicago and not in a good way. Everything is super expensive and you get a tiny portion. Which would be fine if there was some amazing flavor or quality but it wasn't there. I had the oyster po boy after seeing a pic of a oyster the size of the bun, mine appeared to have slivers of oysters, why? Besides the oysters being butchered they were flavorless under all the salt. I also received half the portion of rock fish that was promised from the pictures I saw. Walked out feeling robbed and extremely disappointed. Glad they decided to do a craw fish boil after living in New Orleans for 5 years. They advertise it as being $30 but when you try and buy your tickets it's $39 before fees. So besides not ring able to cook they can't really add either. There are other crawfish boils in the city that actually are $30 which leaves you with some cash for beer. Really disappointed here.
(1)Kara B.
LOVE this place! The drinks were awesome! We got the Tea and the Jackhammer- both delish! Bartender Aly was awesome! Great atmosphere, the music was awesome! The food was Better than I could have imagined! The calamari was easily the best I've ever had, loved the addition of the peppers and parmesan cheese! The scallops were so perfectly grilled and a great portion size. The lobster roll was amazing. So light and fresh with plenty of lobster. I hadn't had frog legs in years but I saw them on the menu and had to try. They did not disappoint. They were served buffalo style- not at all fried which I liked- they were so tender and juicy I would absolutely order them again. And finally the key lime pie was easily the best I've ever had... You cannot leave without getting the klp! Cannot wait to come back to fish bar, new favorite spot!
(5)Donn S.
Decent food; a little cramped. The mule variations drink really wasn't for me but the key lime pie for dessert made up for it. My friends go there pretty regularly and had gotten some drink vouchers from the staff, so that was nice.
(3)Coka B.
it was good.. kinna wish the portions were a little larger. And maybe more items on the menu. But the food was great and our server was very well put together.
(4)Traci B.
Went here on a Sunday evening since it was $1.50 oysters. We sat right down outside without a wait. However, it took about 10-15 minutes before a server took our drink order. She apologized so I was ok with that. We tried both kinds of oysters (east coast only that day) and both were delicious. The special that night was grilled cod sliders which were really good. I had been wanting to try this place not only for the $1.50 oysters, but also saw it on a Yahoo list for 10 best lobster rolls in the country. Maybe it was the hype of thinking it would be awesome, but it was a total let down. It was extremely small, didn't have much lobster meat, and the sauce was in one glob of little flavor. Nothing special and was overpriced at $22. I had a much better lobster roll at a fast food place for about $15. I'll be back for $1.50 oysters and to give other menu items a try but won't get the lobster roll ever again.
(3)Kateryna G.
Underwhelming food at high prices. Won't be going back Food - 2/5. On their website they have a list of fish they have. We assumed they always offer all the fish listed, which is wrong. Only one special comes from that list. We had fish tacos, grilled white fish, seared ahi tuna, tator tots, smoked fish dip and cole slaw. Nothing was memorable, and cole slaw was by far my favorite part of the meal. Smoked fish dip was too salty and came with too little bread, seared ahi tuna was good, but nothing special, fish tacos were flavorless, grilled white fish had delicate texture, but the portion was small and had no sides. Drinks - 1/5 We had gin cocktails, which we couldn't finish because of how bad they were. Service - 1/5 The hostess seemed very stressed out running around, while completely ignoring new comers. Our waitress not once checked on our food or drinks, and never offered to check out desserts.
(1)Yahaira T.
I enjoyed the food, although portions are small for the price! I know this is a small plates type of place so it's a bit pricey. The oysters are $15 for 6. So I only ordered 1, just to try it. When I got it, the waitress (Alix) said "here is your one oyster" I heard the person next yo me laugh! She made up for it though by being nice the rest of the time & gave us a little sample of artichokes, I think. My boyfriend loved the salmon blt. I liked the cod tacos & shrimp tacos! I would come back again! Ps, the three hour tour cocktail was good & strong.
(4)Lauren F.
Wow is all I can say. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved Fish Bar. We stopped in for dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving around 6:30pm and only had to wait about 10 minutes before a couple of seats opened up at the counter, we grabbed a couple beers while we waited so it was no big deal. Our server let us know that the plates are smaller and meant to be shared, so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us. Lobster Bisque-delicious! Pretty decent sized chunks of lobster in a creamy yet not too rich broth with tons of flavor-very good. Gumbo-again, delicious! This bowl was just packed with flavor-blue crab and andouille sausage with a great spicy kick at the end. Scallops a la Plancha-3 large scallops cooked perfectly on the grill. Delicate seasoning really let the scallops themselves shine. Rock Shrimp-If you don't like fried shrimp there might be something wrong with you (unless you have a shellfish allergy which, in that case, I feel really bad for you). If you don't like Fish Bar's rock shrimp, you're crazy! Hot out of the fryer with a yummy sriracha dipping sauce-I could've eaten the whole basket myself! Maine Lobster Roll-With the market price of lobser making this sandwich a pricey $19 you may be wondering if its worth it. Well let me tell you, it is soooo worth it. Huge chunks of cold lobster, and lots of it, mixed with a light celery mayo on a warm, buttery piece of bread. Heaven on a bun. Satchmo Po' Boy-They hit another home run with this fried crawfish and shrimp sandwich with a tasty roasted garlic aioli on the same warm buttery bread as the lobster roll. It was awesome, I would have a hard time picking between this and the lobster...solution, just get both and share! Its no east coast seafood joint but when you're craving seafood in Chicago and want a cool, laid-back setting definitely hit up Fish Bar and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Alan T.
Being from the east coast I definitely have a high expectation for good seafood. My gf and I have not had good seafood since moving here. I admit we should lower our expectations since this is the midwest, but it's like going out with a bitch of a gf that u know will cheat on you but you always forgive her and think it will turn out well in the end lol. I really wanted to like this place. The staff are really friendly the ambiance is very chill. Unfortunately i give this two stars because theres always a wait and locals in the area recommended it for good seafood so my expectations were def high. We ordered: Gumbo - crab was good but when i think of gumbo I think of a thick n hearty soup, this was not it. It was mainly broth with barely any sausage or crab. The flavor was still good though. Octopus/scallop ceviche - it was VERY tart, to the point it masked any flavor from the octopus n scallop. Sea scallops - on the smaller size for scallops and a tad too salty, but cooked well (not overcooked and not undercooked). Manilla clams - this was the best dish but some clams still had some sand. They give u a toasted bread thats sitting in the broth/sauce so by the time u get it half the bread is soaked and soggy.
(2)Jammir G.
I ordered the crabby patty and the scallops. It was not that great. All I have to say is that Spongebob would have never sent that patty out to the guest and me and him are like super close so I know. It was CRAZY overwhelmingly peppery and tasted super bready. It was that stereotypical crab cake with crab flavor and a few chards here and there. I thought with them being associated with DMK they would have had at least some lumps in there of crab meat but alas no... :( The only saving grace was the scallops. Totally uninspired but not overcooked. Meh...!
(2)Lia V.
I lived a couple blocks away from this spot and every time my boyfriend and I drove by it I told him I wanted to go so when we finally went I was really excited. It wasn't as good as I was hoping for. :-( The patio looks so appealing and the inside has a nice atmosphere too. The servers are really nice and helpful and the beer selection is good. The food is just okay. Maybe it's what we ordered, but oh well. The calamari was served a weird way with peppers and stuff on it. My boyfriend got pork belly... at a fish place... silly man.
(3)Stassi S.
Love the service. Kelly is the best! Love the atmosphere. Love the food. Best clam chowder ever. Awesome fish tacos and fish sliders. My husband loves the buffalo frog legs- I'm not as adventurous. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)Alexis M.
This place is small, quaint and to the point about serving fresh and flavorful fish. I am severely allergic to shellfish and I never worry about them serving contaminated food to me (as they separate the shellfish from the rest of the fish). I always get various oysters and they have a number of amazing beer options to pair.
(5)Elina S.
LOVED this place. Were we in Cape Cod, but seriously? I was in Cape Cod just last year and this place totally reminded me of it. I will start with the negative, and there is only one, they don't take reservations for parties of two or six or three or five, ONLY four, which is kinda annoying and it's a first come first serve seating arrangement and the place isn't huge. On the contrary, it's small, intimate, cozy, fishies on the wall and a huge boat hanging above the four-seater tables. The place has a very fun and unique ambiance and walking in, the first thing you smell, is fresh seafood. That smell alone makes me want to come back. Now onto the food, we tried everything from the talked about rock shrimp, we asked for wet, and they were a tad spicy, and absolutely delicious. The oysters were incredible and as fresh as ones I've had in Welfleet last year, now that says something. The lobster roll for $21 is a tad pricey, but so worth it. Full of chunks of fresh lobster meat, on a warm toasted roll, not drenched in mayo, wow, mouthwatering. I'm drooling just thinking about it. We also had the mussels in white wine with some bread which were very yummy as well. I mean everything we put in our mouth was delicious. When our server brought out complimentary garlic bread because our friends were waiting a while for their fresh fish of the day sandwiches, that was just icing on the cake. The garlic bread w/ melted cheese was one of the best I've had anywhere. The beers served in adorable mason jars, totally a cuteness factor which I appreciate and like. I cannot wait to come back here for more oysters, more lobster rolls and more rock shrimp as those were my absolute faves. We were too full for dessert, but definitely next time. They also have outdoor seating which is perfect in the summertime. I will definitely take advantage of that when it's warm! I'm very picky when it comes to seafood, but this place beats GT any day because the prices and quality are much better.
(5)Jeff S.
My search for the best lobster roll in the city continued on to Fish Bar. But I've been meaning to check out this Lakeview spot for quite a while, given that it's owned by the same fine folks next door at DMK Burger. FOOD Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno - Who knew fried lemon would be so good? I'm a fan of fried onions and fried jalapeno, but I've never tried a fried lemon. Fish Bar slices lemons super-thin, throws them through some batter, and fries 'em up, rind and all. And it's delicious. The fried onions were cut way too thin for my liking, though. Same for the jalapenos, although not as big of an issue since they have a pretty strong flavor. But they should really cut up those onions a bit thicker. Eastern Belly Clams - I didn't think that these were anything too special. They tasted like any other fried clams I've ever had. Not much else left to say for these. Scallops Special - The scallops were cooked perfectly on this dish and they were beautifully translucent on the inside. A good amount of seasoning too, but maybe a bit too generous; no need to completely mask the flavor of the scallops! Lobster Roll - This had the perfect bun. Buttered and toasted, light and fluffy but substantial enough to properly handle the morsels of lobster within. Fish Bar gives you a decent amount of lobster meat (not that I would call it generous), and the overall size of the roll is good. But the problems might negate the goods on this one; the lobster was cut up in chunks that were too small, some pieces of lobster seemed to be slightly overcooked, and I thought it was a bit overpriced at $21 that day which was market price. Compare this to the $17 lobster roll at NE Seafood Company which has more lobster and comes with homemade potato chips...well you get the idea. THE REST Service was great! If anything, the service bumps it up from a solid 3 to a 3.5 star. Nice decor, a bit of New England + Southern hospitality thrown in. I can't say for certain that I'll be back anytime soon, but for those in the area (and if DMK is too packed for your liking), check it out.
(3)K P.
This place is a joke! It's over priced! You get 4 oz worth of ceviche for $10. Really? I wasn't expecting a whole bowl but come on. The ceviche came in a 4oz mason jar. My husband and I were shocked! 10.00 fora 4oz mason jar full of ceviche! For one their ceviche is not CEVICHE! it does not have plum tomatoes, nor red peppers. That's not a true ceviche. Plus the mason jar was to small to even get a cracker in it. Next, we had fish tacos. Again we were shocked to see how small of a portion you get. You get two tacos for $10.00. Really?!!!! They were good but very overpriced! If you are looking to get your money's worth don't go here! Portions of food v what you pay is not equal. We were very disappointed. I do not normally review a restaurant because it's all subjective but this place should really serve a bit more of portions if they're going to over charge you. Would of given this place one star but the environment and the mason jars of drinks was unique. Other than that don't bother.
(2)Gary K.
5 star rating. I was excited. I could not have been more disappointed. Dozen oysters lobster roll and soup and a beer 86$.
(1)Doug V.
I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and don't think I've been to any one restaurant more than 5 times, but now I've been to Fish bar 5 times in the last month. You won't find a friendlier group of people who are this excited about their restaurant. Whether you go in and spend $20 or $80, they treat you like you are their next door neighbor. The menu is constantly changing but always offers a wide variety of Fish, Scallops, Oysters, Ceviche, Tartare. Each plate is about half the size of an entree and ranges from $6 -11, with the exception of a few select items like the Lobster Roll which are more. If you go with a group of 2, I recommend the Garlic Bread ($3.50), sharing one of the many creative salad options that are constanty changing, then choosing 3 fish plates (or more if you are starving) . Then cap it off with a plate of key lime pie. If you like Craft Beer , there are always 6 Craft Beers on tap and usually at least 3-4 of them are beers that you have never seen or tried before. They are more than happy to give you a sample of any beer that you'd like to try before ordering. Currently, I recommend Lagunitas 'Little Sumpin Sumpin' and for the Bengali Tiger IPA. Each season they swap these out with a new group. Fish Bar is an incredible place and I cannot wait to continue going there with my wife on Fridays to celebrate the end of the work week. You can go there and spend $50-60 and get a meal that would cost you $140 in River North. If you get a chance to meet Sasha, Dan, Marina, or Alexa, they are amazing people. Thanks for making our week...again.
(5)k E.
Won't be back. We love DMK Burger Bar. Fish Bar is the ugly stepsister. Started with gumbo which was lukewarm and bland. My husband had frog legs and calamari. Both were just ok. I had the Oyster Po Boy, which was tasty. The problem was, it came with about 5 oysters. The server dropped one on the counter and just said "oops" and left it there as if I would eat it anyway. Horrible wine selection. Uncomfortable seating.
(2)Sam M.
Honestly could be my favorite restaurant, and only gets better with every time I dine there. The interior is cool and fun, and usually packed with people (which I like). The wait stuff is unbelievably friendly and attentive. I have had the fresh catch, the fish sandwich, and soft shell crab sandwich that we got for free (there was an extra in the kitchen) as entrees. The garlic bread and tater tots are great appetizers. And the key lime pie is absolutely fantastic. If you live in Chicago and enjoy fish, this is a must. If you have a mediocre/good time at first, come back. I guarantee you will like it.
(5)Bob W.
Hard to write a review about Fish Bar as it is just frightfully underwhelming. Nothing we had was bad, but neither did it make us turn to each other and say "OMG you have to try this!" Why get an oyster po boy here when you can get an oyster slider at GT Fish and Oyster that is actually something special? It doesn't help that the prices are high for such small plates. It looks like a bar, but the food is not fitting the theme. It's hard to reconcile eating small scallops at 4 dollars a pop while sitting on mismatched stools at a counter. The only exception to the mediocrity was the key lime pie. Probably the best piece of key lime I have ever tasted.
(2)Arlene A.
It was a craving for Lobster Rolls that led us to Fish Bar. Well actually it was "another" Lobster Roll place closing at 8pm (??) that led me to use my Yelp app to find Fish Bar. That means this review was brought to you by the letter serendipitous. While we came here for the Lobster Roll, (pricey, but worth having) we're coming back for the Satchmo Po' Boy. What a pleasant surprise! Fried shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles, garlic mayo and extra crispy provided by the lettuce. So delish, and a steal for 10 bucks. We tried one of each of the sides, but the two that really stood out were the Garlic Bread and their Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapenos. Boy, oh boy (did I just type that?) both so very different, and so very delicious. The Garlic Bread is made with the same bread as used for the Satchmo Po' Boy, and loaded with butter, garlic and cheese. The outstanding Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapeno side was a rollicking roller-coaster of flavor and texture, right up my alley. Who knew that the tart of the lemon with the spicy of the jalapeno would do so well together? The interior of Fish Bar is simple, with clean lines that still manages to be cozy and warm. While not where I'd celebrate an anniversary or birthday, the seating layout lends itself to a lot of duo dining (due to the very cool coffee shop seating) with limited booth seating.
(4)Karisma E.
I need fish bar! I need Fish Bar! I NEED Fish Bar's cod sandwich in my LIFE!!!
(5)Caitlin G.
We ordered the salmon tartar, house salad, crabby patty sandwich, clam chowder and oysters. All were very good. My friend said the clam chowder though didn't have enough clams in it-so he was disappointed with that. I would say the service is lacking here. The waitress was very unfriendly and looked pissed off to be working. All of our plates we ordered came out at different times, which I am not a fan of if you are trying to eat an actual meal with someone.
(3)Charlie H.
Any disappointment that I feel regarding Fish Bar lies with the fact that the place is not a bar for fish. "Fish need to relax too," I told Ira (my pet goldfish) as I scooped him up into his small plastic traveling tank. "We're going to Fish Bar so you can enjoy some quality time with your own kind! Aren't you excited?" I'm sorry to write that the happy part of this story ends here. Poor Ira suffered what I believe was a stress-related goldfish panic attack as we waited at the Brown Line platform to ride to Wellington. Little guy went belly-up right there in his traveling bowl and died on the spot. My normally hardy little fish seized in the face of a train ride. Lesson learned: goldfish don't like to ride the CTA. After shedding some tears -- neverminding the weird looks from strangers on the train -- I vowed to soldier on and to make sure that Ira's death was not in vain. Yes, I would complete the journey to Fish Bar alone. I ducked into a White Castle to give Ira a proper send-off into the watery depths of the city sewer system -- see ya, little buddy -- and continued the journey. Though rather despondent over the loss of my goldfish, I wiped away the last of my tears on my sleeve and entered Fish Bar. "What else but the company of other fish will comfort me in this tender moment of grief?" I asked myself. Imagine my disappointment when Fish Bar was not a bar for fish, but in fact for humans. WTF? I mean, cop bar = bar for cops, singles bar = bar for singles, karaoke bar = bar for karaoke singers... I'm glad Ira didn't live to see this! Anyway, I had a seat and ordered a delicious cocktail -- a wonderful campari/orange juice concoction that superbly cleared the way for the delicious fish to come. I started with the carpacio of the day -- ueber-fresh North Atlantic Salmon matched with a tasty assortment of diced veggies. I went on to enjoy the crispy and hot fried clams and the steamed mussels served with a buttery piece of toast for sopping up the sausage/tomato sauce at its base. Heavenly! The highlight might have been the grilled octopus. Perfectly cooked and served with a buttery sauce. Amazing. Washed it all down with a 2 dollar can of PBR for dessert. NOT BAD. Short story: Fish Bar = Good. Rest in peace, Ira O goldfish of goldfish. PROTIP: There's a great pointillistic screen-printed mural on the wall at the West end of the bar. Touch the bumps on it for tactile bliss.
(5)Ellie R.
I don't even like seafood and this food is so tasty. While I'm not really a fan of the "small plates to share" phenomenon, because I find that you end up paying way more than for a normal meal and still leave kinda hungry, I really like this place. Like I said, a bit over budget for me but worth it every once in a while. Their dishes are delicious and flavorful - I really loved the satchmo po'boy sandwich.
(4)Kelly C.
This was my second trip to Fish Bar. I got the lobster roll both times. It is great. However, I'm fairly sure the clam chowder this weekend got me sick. The pieces of clam were not only rubbery, but not even edible. The tasted out of date, and I had to spit several out. Halfway through the meal I had a feeling like a rock was in my stomach. I can't be sure if it was the chowder, but every time I think of it, I feel nauseous. Despite the fantastic menu, I doubt I will be back.
(2)Kelly K.
Date night. After a day on the boat or at beach. Absolute protein power up before night of drinking! Must LOVE seafood and be willing to try wicked brilliant flavor that are easily a product of mad scientist experimentation. Pickled onion garnish, hot sauce infused cole slaw, or straight lemon juice will surprise your mouth. Beer list is short & sweet, just as it should be. Garlic bread is gigantic portion for 3 bucks, and will be needed to soak up every last drop of magic in the bottom of the bowl of mussels. Music is loud or louder, and is turned down if requested. But who wants to hear such kickass tunes below louder?! Sasha is Tha Man. Colleen is Tha Bomb. One or both have been there during each of my visits. All the less than pleasant reviews can suck it. Go back to New England or leave your East Coast ego at the door. It will be there when you leave, and readily find plenty of local bar youth to look down your nose at as you head south on Sheffield. If you savor the seafood it's impossible to not enjoy. If it doesn't make your tongue dance with delight, then say something to the staff. If you think $11 for the best crabby patty sandwich on earth is too expensive, then don't order it. Doing this and then bitching about it in a review... well now more people know you're a whining moron. Questions and constructive criticism would not fall on deaf ears at Fish Bar, so speak up while your there warming a seat.
(5)Jeff S.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews for this place. It's a nice idea, but the seats are uncomfortable, and it's weird/sort of awkward to have to watch the wait staff behind the counter while you eat. The portions are very small, but the prices are high: $9 for a tiny smoked whitefish salad. It tasted fine but I expect a little better for the price. The drinks were tasty and creative; I know some people like drinking from a mason jar but I find it unpleasant.
(2)Elyse D.
Made my first trip over to fish bar last night and LOVED it. I've been wanting to go since the summer, as it's super close to my apartment and looked so fun in the summer. I can't believe I waited until now to stop in! My boyfriend and I tried several things on the menu and were impressed with each and every one of them. First, we had the iceberg salad with fried calamari....YUM. The bleu cheese dressing was perfect with the calamari. Our waitress then brought us free fried artichokes to try, which were yummy as well. After that, I had the corn and crab chowder which was delish and my boyfriend had the skatewing. I only had a taste but he loved it. I ordered the salmon BLT for my meal and he ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy...needless to say, we were both more than impressed with the deliciousness in front of us. My only complaint was that the beers were overpriced, so we ended up only getting one each as to avoid the huge bill. I will DEFINITELY be walking over to Fish Bar again soon. :)
(5)Mandy M.
4.5 stars really. C'mon Yelp, why ya gotta be so rigidly old fashioned with your rating system? Its been a while since a business has impressed me enough to Yelp, but tonight Fish Bar managed to just that. I had my sights set on a burger at DMK, but after stepping inside the obnoxiously loud and dark quarters to be faced with a 40 min wait, we immediately turned around and went to look elsewhere for eats. I must admit at this point I was pretty hangry, as I had not eaten lunch, we had just driven almost an hour from Forest Park and I had my heart set on a fancy burger. So I wasn't exactly thrilled when Fish Bar was suggested simply out of proximity. However that changed once we entered and were graciously greeted at the door by Sasha. The atmosphere in Fish Bar is totally different from DMK, and while smaller, much more inviting. We were once again faced with a 30-40 min wait, at which point Sasha took our names and we left briefly to scour the area for anything that looked potentially more appealing. After about 5 minutes though, we returned. I was already smitten with the service and I think we were all excited to enjoy some beverages served in mason jars while we waited. I started off with the Tinge of Ginge with Freckles, which was a strong sipper and eased my hanger fairly quickly. By the time we were seated there was another greeter, but she was equally as friendly. And our waitress was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Good service can overcome a lot in my book and Fish Bar has that area covered nicely. But I know what you're thinking - get to the food already! No one in our 3 party group left unsatisfied, although I can only truly report on how tasty my own meal was. After some discussion with the waitress (whose name escapes me), I settled on the rock shrimp (dry) and salt potatoes. Delish. My boyfriend had the salmon a la plancha and tater tots and my friend had the sashimi salad and tater tots. I also tried the Tea, which was twice as good as my first drink. Too drinkable almost. And then to top it all off, Sasha sent us some fried calamari on the house, which ended up being my favorite part of the night. Its served "Federal Style", which translates to perfectly fried with pickled banana and jalapeno peppers. I could've taken a bucket to go, or at least ordered another round. And then for dessert my boyfriend and I shared an order of s'mores, which consisted of 3 marshmallows, 3 plain graham crackers and 3 graham crackers smeared with chocolatey goodness. We were given our own miniature fire pit to roast our marshmallows over. It was the absolute perfect way to end a great dinner. Overall I'm looking forward to returning soon, just probably not on a Friday at 7 pm. That's the only drawback to the place - its just a little too small!
(4)Renee S.
Everything was prepared very well, however portions are tiny. Party of 4 rang up $150 bill in no time--and we left still feeling hungry. That included one Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can for $2. Crabby Patty was good, but the bread was not impressive at all. Skate fish (sp?) was awesome, but again--very tiny serving. The menu will fool you because the prices seem lower. But your portions are significantly smaller than any other restaruant. Service was friendly. I would never go back though. The menu is small, and they were out of things at 6PM on a saturday. Seriously? There is _NOTHING_ on this menu for a non-fish eater. So if you have one in your group, they will be very disappointed.
(2)Dana B.
I drive past this restaurant every day going to work and every night coming home from work and have always wanted to go. Yesterday(saturday) a friend and I decided to roll out of bed from the night before to grab some food and catch up on a recent date and to b*tch about life. Upon arriving we were greeted right away from the host and were seated right at the counter. Inside was not what I expected but I really liked the seating arrangement, it even had hooks under the counter for purses. The menu is kinda hard to read I'd say but everything looked good. We decided on the app of stuffed calamari. Really good its just the filling isnt what I expected(spinach, some cheese.. idk) interesting. I got the po boy with shrimp and crawfish(?) which was really good. Very flavorful and the bread was nice and toasty yumo. My friend got the crabby patty which I grabbed a bite and it was also awesome. I will def go back to try more off the menu. The service was kinda.. well not all there I'd say. We waited 5-10 with no water and the server passed us a couple times before acknowledging us. Weird because there seemed to be a lot of employees on the floor for such a small place. Our entrees came before the app. which is fine with me. The server asked us if we wanted a little extra for the wait which was very generous of her. All n all I would 100% go back and am excited to go back. I like the small atmosphere because it reminds me of my restaurant that I work at. The food is great and the drink menu looks awesome. (would have took advantage but was still recovering from the night before). Def. a place to check out.
(5)Diana P.
Great food but insanely small portions and high prices. $19 for a lobster roll sandwich. Sure, it was great but $19!!!?? My husband and I dropped $70 for lunch and we barely had anything to eat. Calamari good but once again, TINY portion. This isn't a gourmet restaurant by any means in terms of how this place looks (you sit on bar stools). If you have the cash to spare, sure, I'd recommend coming here. We tried the Po Boy and were not a fan but you're safe with the lobster roll sandwich-very good. Clam Chowder was okay, very salty but fresh tasting. Octopus was fantastic, however, sticking to the theme of this review, TINY PORTION. :)
(4)Robin M.
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!!! Ok, there is no chicken pot pie at Fish Bar. But if you want some screamin' seafood, look no further. Got there early, because we could not handle crowds tonight. And we got a seat right away. Server was super friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Had #4 punch which was sweet and delicious. My friend got a beer. Prices good. She got a lobster roll and I got a soft shell crab po-boy. And tater tots. Holy Mother of God, they have tater tots! Whoo. Then I'm not sure what happened because when we both looked up, sandwiches were gone. And we both looked mighty happy despite the mayo smears across our faces. Server came back and asked if we wanted pie. Uh, yeah! So had a fantastic blueberry pie (clearly made with fresh blueberries) and my friend got key lime. Took all we had not to lick the plates. Total bill was less than 60 bucks. Only criticism is that the music is rather loud. However, I'll be back for the tail on shrimp, the fish sandwich, and the lobster roll. And I'll shake my groove thang if they don't turn down the music! Hey, wait a minute...why didn't anybody give me a loyalty card? I'm loyal!!
(4)Jacob J.
Hella busy on weekends and on nights which we all know are busiest you can expect up to a forty minute wait. I tried visiting on a few occasions with different sized groups and got different wait times. One Friday evening I was in a group of five and was told it would take approximately one hour and forty minutes! (We hit Pequod's instead) This is due to their seating. They expect that most would be in pairs of two, for those in a party they only have 2 - 3 booths which can accommodate (5 max) and those are hard to come by. The photos on Yelp and their website are deceiving, only that it's hard to tell the amount of true space. Before entering and without thinking about the physical address, I assumed they were as big as a Hooter's. Not!. As far as food, I was let down. Huge disappointment. Two things I looked forward to would be their cod sandwich and a rummy punch. I love the pricing, it's all affordable stuff. However a staple like a decent cod sandwich is ruined by trying too hard. Forget that silly dill sauce and give me a tartar sauce I'd want to dip my tots into, that's what I'm looking for. BTW, $2 for a handful of tots, give me a break. Cod sandwich had a good amount of meat though not filling and a nice fleshy slice of tomato, but that's where it ended. My friends that dined on a shared sandwich thought far less about it. Fish Bar's cocktail pricing seems like a dream but when you see the final product served in what's a small (jam) jar, eh, the shit loses my interest. Good pour, just too small. I can cross the street to Vaughn's and expect a heavy handed cocktail in a tall glass for another $2 bucks. I love the idea of the place. The cute counter staff and hostesses, especially that gal with the lip stud, hot. Freaking love the bar, it's either a Maple or Hickory. The bar is so smooth, I could wax on and wax off that thing all the day long. One of these days someone is going to Eff that up with leaving their hot sauce on there too long or scratch it. Great disappointment. For now I'll leave the excitement of it up to the Lakeview locals and tourists. Offer a option of a decent tartar and I'll enjoy my cod sammiches with youz guyz. Until then, it's the char houses for me.
(3)Allison K.
Wanted to go here for my friend's birthday on a weeknight, and there are five of us celebrating. The website says reservations for only "3 or 4," so I was little confused. When I called to find out more, they told us we *might be able to get a table for 5 if we come in at "4:30 p.m. or late in the night at 11:00 p.m." Um, no restaurant is worth that ridiculous time frame, so before even trying this place, I'm giving it a preemptive 1 star.
(1)Leda G.
I hadn't planned on coming here but was really surprised and so happy I went! The ambience is really cool as other reviewers wrote. It is almost all bar seating, really great for a date! The staff was really friendly. The servers were informative and really know the menu. The drinks were soo tasty!! Sweet Tea= amazing! And pretty reasonably priced. The stone IPA was also delicious!! The food was very good! We got the ceviche, frogs legs, clam chowder, prawns, and the crabby patty. Also smores for dessert. (for two people) Every thing was very flavorful and fresh. I really liked the mix between classy and casual (mason jars for drinks- cute touch).
(5)Adam K.
Awesome little spot, def allow about 45 minute wait after 7pm. SUPER NOISY! Cool decor, seems like a hellish place to work, I got: Clam Chowder - A little too creamy and thin for me, tasted fresh however. Lobster Bisque - ON THE NUTS. Not too heavy and a bit of spice. Fried Clams - Eh, OK. The dipping sauce was bomb. My wifey thought it was Calimari but she is from Wisconsin so WTF does she know. Crabby Patty - Delish. The waitress described it as tangy and a bit spicy, I found it kind of sweet and not spicy at all, i was torn between this and the Lobster Roll, but after seeing the lobster roll was 18 bucks I was kind of glad i got this guy. Very delish and not heavy at all. Key Lime Pie - I actually drooled on myself putting the last bite in my mouth. Did not get to try the fried jalepenos, onions and lemon even though I ordered it, but I will give the waitress a break because it was SUPER noisy in there, I was like 5 inches from her face and I could barely hear her. Also, to all the people complaining about the sizes being small, guess what? Your fat. Order something else then, or better yet go to McDonalds and super size your fat ass. Cool little extra, as we were leaving I said to one of the dudes behind the bar, "Worth the hype!" He introduced himself as the manager, although it was barely audible he said "Let me give you one of my cards!" I was like ok thats kind of nice I guess, he gave me two cards. I was like whatever, dude likes that he is a manager & wants strangers to know it. I get home look at the back of the card and it says "One Free Oyster Shooter when you Present this card." SCORE!!! Will def be back to try the frog legs.
(4)Kirsta W.
I LOVE Fish Bar! I love the size (allows reservations for 3 or 4), I love the food (ROCK SHRIMP!), the waitstaff is fantastic. It's just a great restaurant. Always fresh, always amazing. Be sure to order the bloody mary oyster shooters - they aren't on the menu but they have them! Have only gone on double dates there but it's fantastic!
(4)Melissa R.
I was pretty intrigued about this new place for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that the corner of the building had been painted blue with a large fish on it for quite sometime before I realized what was going on. Then I realized that it was a seafood joint by the same owners of DMK Burger Bar (next door, and I'm a fan). We went here on a Friday night straight from work. When we arrived around 5:30 there was already a 30 minute wait. No biggie, we sat down and waited patiently while perusing the food options. We were seated at the bar and it was tight quarters. Keep in mind that when they say Fish Bar, they mean it. There are three booths that fit four each, so if you don't have one of those then you are sitting on a stool. Besides the fact that you are constantly bumping elbows with your fellow diners, the ambiance is very cute. You feel like you strolled up to a seafood shack off the beach...very casual and fun. The food was good, but pricey. Considering the price, I was expecting more food and/or it to be more delicious. Everything we ate was "good" nothing was "great". The best items we tried were the lobster roll and tater tots. The service however was fantastic and we got along swimmingly with our waitress. Also, my fiance is a beer snob and he was pleasantly surprised by the options they had on the menu. And it unfortunately seems they have carried over my least favorite thing about DMK...the crazy loud music. However, this music here is much more low-key and not so clubby...but it is still unnecessarily loud.
(3)Abby H.
I almost didn't go inside due to it being so crowded (on a Tuesday night no less). I am so glad I went in though. This place did not disappoint. I think I noticed some Yelpers who had an issue with the bar/counter set up. I suggest going back to whatever podunk town you came from and stay there. I went there for oysters and theirs are some of the best I've had. I was talking to one of the wait staff and mentioned my love of oysters, but they are rather expensive so I opted for the smoke trout sandwich rather than another 6 oysters. As my trout sandwich arrived, the woman I spoke to about my love of oysters hands me a plate of 6 oysters I hadn't ordered. As I looked perplexed, she told me the kitchen made an error and asked her if she had someone to give them to. She said she knew just the person. Really? 6 free oysters?? She also handed me her card and said it's good for a free drink during my next visit. The entire wait staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Oh and the trout was unbelievably good with a smokey flavor I've not tasted before. The service here is top notch and the food is just as good as the service. Needless to say, I think I left a 40% tip.
(5)Emily S.
I thought Fish Bar was pretty A-OK. I have to disagree with the (incredibly pretentious) reviewer who said that if you think Fish Bar is pricey, you need to get a "good job" so you can afford to eat there and a 20% tip. Let me just say that I have one of these "good jobs" that allows me the luxury of dining out fairly frequently. Just because I can afford to pay the amount shown on the check doesn't automatically make it a good value. That's moronic. All that said, I can see how people did not find Fish Bar to be a good value ($15 for 6 oysters?!). The cocktails are very small. I also found the size of the apps to be a bit on the small side (and not particularly well-prepared). We started with the ceviche and the calamari a la plancha. I LOVE ceviche and this was probably the worst I've ever had. Advertised as fluke with lime, pineapple, onion, serranos, avocado, I expected this to be tart and acidic and spicy and briny. It was none of those things. So, so bland - just begging for salt and acid. It was mushy and there was barely any fish in it. The calamari was overcooked, and despite the description of "olive oil, salt and pepper, red chili and preserved lemon," it was also pretty tasteless. No tartness, no salt. I must say, the sandwiches are where the value truly lies. I had a really awesome oyster po boy, and my husband really enjoyed his crabby patty. The tots are delicious and a steal at $2. I would go back, but I would stick with the sandwiches and the tots.
(3)Katarina X.
I get it. If I were dating a Trixie- I would not want to hear her nasal voice squeaking three octaves higher than natural pitch either. The music here is overwhelming loud and it is obnoxious! Alas, I have a very sexy voice my date can't hear, there is no place to put my handbag (the wall, across the room? This is my phone! This is my wallet! This is my entire lipgloss collection! NO!!!!) I'm nice, I am not stupid looking to get robbed. Bad design with no females consulted there. And the final star kicked off is for the patronizing server: Yes honey, I could leave. I will. She's absolutely right! Food and drinks might be worthwhile- but after the ear-ringing noise, lack of space and sh!tty service just walking in? I am never, ever going to find out.
(2)Katie G.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is because the service was good. Maybe if the chef was actually working, instead of drinking by the small bar, the food would have been better. My boyfriend and I Started with clam chowder which was good. Next, we had the tuna tartar.. Tuna was dark which is normal for fresh/real tuna but it was bland and mushy, and the unnecessary mango purée was gross and did not pair well with the tuna. For entrees we had the salmon a la plancha and the seared scallops a la plancha. I really wanted to like the scallop dish, but seriously the cooks need to learn how to cook a scallop, they were overcooked on one side and were never seared on the other side.. Excuse me Chef where are you? How could you send something like this out. As far as the salmon dish went, the salmon was ok, but the salad accompanied with it was so over salted it wasn't edible. I wanted to like this place, but unfortunately I will not be coming back here.
(2)Esther A.
Love this little place. Great seafood and drinks. I don't think I've had one dish I didn't like. It's one of those small plate places so you can order a bunch of things to share. Highly recommend the gumbo, the tuna tartare and you must get the key lime pie. Great service too. Sometimes there can be a long wait as it's super tiny, but you can grab a drink at the bar. Nice big outdoor area for when it's nice out. Dog-friendly though technically you're supposed to tie your dog to stay on the sidewalk, but they don't really mind if he ends up under your table as long as he's not in the way.
(5)John Z.
Went there on a Sunday with my wife, had a good seafood meal. We had clam chowder (good), oysters (very good), calamari (surprisingly good) and scallop tacos (disappointing). I would say we will definitely go back for the oysters and calamari. The "federal style" calamari has parmesan and banana peppers. It was surprisingly good. The drinks are definitely overpriced, but we knew that going in. I would definitely not get the tacos again, they were disappointing. We will probably be back.
(3)Hannah H.
This was a very cute place with a nautical theme. The service was great, and we tried out their famous Eastern Belly Clams (which is based on market price). It was nicely battered and seasoned well, and it was great dipping into the sauce that comes with. Tap water comes in those Ball canning jars, which was cute. Limited parking can be found around the residential area. +Eastern Belly Clams +limited street parking
(4)Steve V.
After eating at DMK out in the burbs I wanted to try this place. The vibe was super chill as expected and the seating was pretty interesting. The waiters were prompt and extremely flexible with multitasking. Whether it was communicating with the customers while cleaning, or remembering the order without writing it down. Ordered a Satchmo Po'boy and a Crabby Patty (because of sponge bob of course) and was not disappointed. The sandwiches were both perfectly balanced. The spectrum of all the flavors were just so... So great guys. You gotta go, you just got to go. Keep up the good work guys. I can't wait to go to the other DMK restaurants.
(5)Yvonne H.
Micro portions, macro prices. On the menu, the prices look reasonable until you discover the dishes are tapas-style and not a meal. It's hard to review the quality of the food because there was so little of it. I ordered the redfish tacos, got two scant soft shells with a few scraps of fish. No side. Just a lime wedge and two tiny paper cups of salsa. More like an appetizer. How cute. I downed it all in about three whole bites. It seemed fresh and tasty...I think. My dining companion got the $11 crabby patty. It looked good and she liked it, but again, it was smallish and came with no fries, coleslaw, or chips. The idea is obviously to force you to get several plates in order to feel full. Also, my dish was served long before my friend's. Since it took me about 45 seconds to finish it, I was done eating by the time she got hers. Poor service. As far as the dining experience, they're trying to go for the seafood shack thing. Other reviews mention booths; either I missed them or they got rid of them, because all I saw was a U-shaped wooden counter with stools and standing counter along the wall. Cramped and uncomfortable. Unless you like communal dining where you are up close and personal with other diners and their conversations, and enjoy having the wait staff banter with them right in your ear and your face, and having to tear off a roll of paper towels in lieu of napkins, you probably shouldn't eat here. The music stopped just short of being obtrusive. Other reviewers recommended it as a date place, which is baffling. There is no sense of intimacy or privacy with your dining companion at all. Not my idea of romantic but maybe I'm different. And fair warning: If you are over 30 you will definitely be the oldest ones in the place. But I would expect that in the DePaul area. What I object to was how much I paid only to leave still hungry. The only thing I would recommend Fish Bar for is maybe to grab a beer and oysters or something before moving on to another place for your main meal. Or, as a good place to dine if you're on a diet.
(2)Jim K.
I couldn't decide between a couple of the fresh sections, so instead decided to go at it tapas style, asking the server to bring these three dishes out as came up: smoked whitefish, beet and feta salad, Satchmo PoBoy. So glad I went that rout - all were exceptional , and modest enough in both price and size to make a perfect meal. Fabulous!
(5)Adriana K.
Really love the vibe here,,but the food is mostly fried frozen seafood..Soups have been really good, and enjoy the outdoor seating once the weather gets better. Calamari is very good, but a small portion. Think they are connected to DMK, which is next door and has some great burgers as well.
(3)Bert T.
BE WARNED! The Redeye's review said they served brunch until 3 -- but they really pull that menu at 2 pm. Since I've been having a lot of trouble walking recently, I stayed anyway. I ordered the "Satchmo poor boy" -- for $12 they served me six shrimp on a hot dog bun. Nothing came with it -- just a tiny appetizer size sandwich all by itself. No fries, no slaw, not anywhere near a main dish portion.
(1)Caroline J.
This is the second time I've been to Fish Bar - however, first time I just enjoyed a few drinks sitting outside in the summer. My boyfriend and I dropped in on a Tuesday night so it was definitely not crowded. We could sit wherever we wanted so we grabbed a booth. Our waitress was very friendly and greeted us immediately. However, when we were each torn between a few menu items she didn't really seem to have an opinion about any of them, except to say they were all good. Not a problem or anything, but I would have loved a suggestion! After we ordered food we decided to get a few beers, so my boyfriend ordered his. Right after he was done, she walked away. I had to flag her down to then order my beer. Again, not a huge problem, but it seems odd to not ask the other person if they'd like anything. The only other service aspect that bothered me (and this is just me being me) was that she kept pronouncing "pollack" like the derogatory name for Polish people. You're in Chicago - maybe you don't want to go around announcing you're frying up Polish people. I got the spicy mahi mahi sandwich and my boyfriend got the satchmo po' boy. Both were SO tasty. Mine was the perfect amount for me and easily one of the best fish sandwiches I've ever had. His was equally delicious, but definitely left him needing more food. For the price, I wish we would have gotten some kind of side with the sandwich so he didn't feel the need to run over to DMK after. Overall, the food and beer was great. I love the atmosphere of this place. The service could be improved a bit, as could the amount of food you get for the prices. Our waitress did give us coupons for a free drink each when we came back, which was very nice of her. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but might have a little pre-meal snack at home!
(3)Jessica R.
Too expensive for the small portions. The Calamari was really good though! Excellent service!
(3)Cuitlahuac F.
If you like seafood this place will not disappoint. Anyone who says otherwise is simply wrong. The fish tacos are amazing and the dollar oysters at night are dope. I could put down two dozen.
(5)Nick M.
The only way to roll into Fish Bar is to roll with Nikki C. The staff is cute and crazy, they are so much fun that I would come in even if the food was bad. That being said, the food is cute and crazy, desserts are so much fun that I would come in even if the staff was bad. The decor and seating gives it that casual vibe, so it's hanging out at a friend's place. You can chill at the wrap around bar or grab a booth with friends. I've been in a few times before and had a blast but I got unbelievable treatment on my birthday (THANKS!!). Drinks are cool but I only wished they had rum.
(5)L. Danovia ..
My husband loves seafood so we stopped in one day to check out the menu. Everything sounded great. I got the poboy and he got lobster tacos. Everything was great, including the service. However, the portions were soooo small, we ended up hitting a drive through on the way home. Disappointing since we had just spent fifty bucks for lunch.
(3)Molly D.
My husband and I have had this place on our list to try for months. Because they don't take reservations for 2 people we waited until it was nice enough to wait outside with a drink. We arrived at about 7:00pm and, as expected, were told there was about a 30 minute wait. We decided to order some cocktails to pass the time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is a cute bar setting. It makes you feel like you have left the city and are in a restaurant in a lake or ocean vacation town. I ordered a "Three Hour Tour" which was served in style in a mason jar. It was a bit on the expensive side but it was tasty. After waiting the 30 minutes we were seated at the bar and began ordering food. The food is served as small plates so you are able share and to try a lot of different things. While we were waiting for our first small plates to come out, one of the hostesses came over and asked if we would be ok moving to a different area (I guess another group that had reserved for 4 people actually ended up having 5 so the table they reserved for them was too small). We agreed to move to the table. I'm glad we moved since it didn't really matter where we were sitting because about 5 minutes later they sent out two complimentary oyster shooters for us as a "thank you" for being flexible. You have to appreciate when restaurants go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy. The oyster shooters were good, the oyster was a decent size at the bottom of the shot glass and the shooter liquid had the right amount of spice and good flavor. Anyways, back to the food, the small plates started arriving: calamari, fish tacos, fried shrimp, garlic bread, and steamed mussels. Everything was delicious. We would definitely go back again when craving small plates of seafood in a fun atmosphere and I would recommend this restaurant to family/friends. The only reason I gave Fish Bar 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt for the amount of food you got the prices were a little too high. Other places in the area that serve small plates like Girl and the Goat, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, or Quartino also serve seafood, and in my experience you get more food or the prices are lower if the portions are on the smaller side.
(4)Shannon K.
Don't mistake the 3 stars, this place is more like 3.5 pushing 4 stars. I am still working my way through the menu and as I do I imagine my "update" will include an extra star. It's becoming one of my favorite lunch spots, I'm just a tough judge of seafood because I have lived in San Fran and Boston. They pull that shit right out of the sea on the coasts! The food is solid. I have had the tartare, fish tacos (on special), one of the sandwiches, and the oysters. And the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno is delish. I need to check out the ceviche (one of my favorite foods) and carpaccio next! The staff is super friendly and incredibly good looking. I always ask their favorites and they tell me and they tell me why they like what they like. I like. Each time I have been there they always throw in an extra oyster or give me a card for an oyster shooter on my next visit. Nice touch. The place is small, but super cute. Love the hanging wooden canoe. Love the two seafood bars with stools, love being able to see the chefs, love all the windows, love the sidewalk seating (in warmer months). It's less than a block from the Wellington EL stop. And I always feel comfortable if I pop in and dine alone. Definitely yummy and worth checking out!
(3)Mira S.
I'm sure they get a lot of business from people not willing to make the long wait at DMK -- that's how we ended up there. It was a bit below capacity the whole time we were there. The food was okay, but I don't think I'd go back. My friend wasn't happy with her po' boy--nothing special, and pretty skimpy on the food, just a lot of bread. I ordered the salmon special, which was overcooked, and also not much food. The hush puppies were fine, but the sauce wasn't great, and I'd have preferred a non-mayo choice (even just honey). The scallop tacos were also fine, the scallops were cooked properly and weren't rubbery or fishy. They had a decent selection of drinks, both beers and mixed drinks, and it looked like they rotated them. The mixed drinks weren't generously poured. The service was fine, fairly attentive, but there were little annoying things, like the fact that we had to ask for water more than halfway through our meal. Anyway, I might go again in a bind if in the area and wanting to avoid a wait, but it wasn't my favorite.
(3)Anna D.
Everything here is so fresh and delicious. The staff is so friendly and attentive. I was waiting with my date and they brought us some samples of the crab cake. Another time I had a to go order and they brought be a sample of the gumbo. The customer service is awesome. Now the food is no short of amazing. The fish sandwich is crispy but airy and light. The potatoes and po boy are on point too. Try anything on the menu and you will be more than pleased.
(5)Sal B.
The service is great. The team they have is very hospitable. The shrimp tacos are probably the best I've had in the city. The cod fish sandwich is amazing. Overall a great place to dine!
(4)Mary M.
I love this restaurant! As others have said, it does get busy so I suggest getting there early on weekends. I normally don't enjoy places where you share seating with other parties but I've never felt cramped. Service is usually really fast and all of the servers are really attentive. I've gone so much that I've tried almost everything on the menus (changes seasonally and with whatever fish they have that day) and never been disappointed - I love the lemon rings, crabby patty, scallop ceviche, tuna tartare, any tacos they feature, and key lime pie. Same goes for the drink menu. The only reason I am knocking off a star is because their bar access for those not seated/eating is small and in between where people are seated. On a Saturday afternoon it causes a lot of crowding at the bar and is obnoxious if you're seated and eating there. It also seems to slow the drink service.
(4)Aaron P.
This place was delicious. The entire restaurant is one long bar that zig zags around in two rectangles. Our waitress/bartender was very friendly and patient. She also handed out free samples of the tuna ceviche, which was excellent. Their ceviche had a great balance of heat and spice without drowning out the falvor of the tuna. I ordered the crabby patty and a side of the smoked whitefish spread. The whitefish dip was loaded with capers, dill, and cream cheese. This would have made my grandmother proud. It was on the salty side, but that's pretty much what I expected for a smoked fish spread. The crabby patty was excellent also. Few crab cakes can stand up to this one. I appreciated the warm bun and Old Bay mayo. I can see why people are raving about this sandwich.
(4)Sarah Y.
If you're a seafood lover, then you won't be disappointed with your visit here (but your wallet might be crying...it ain't cheap!). All of the seafood items that we had were fabulous, and the nonseafood items were forgettable in comparison. This might be seasonal, but the butternut squash lobster bisque was phenomenal. Ack I'm swooning. Don't think those two things go together, you would be very wrong. The creaminess of the butternut squash soup was infused with lobster stock or something equally seafoody, and there were CHUNKS of lobster in the mix. So hearty, and so indulgent to have during winter. The sandwiches are all I will ever eat when I come back. Lobster roll was fantastic. It was simple, the mayo didn't overpower the flavor of the lobster, and the roll was buttery, crispy yet yeasty. Why does it have to be so small?! 6" is not enough! The satchmo po-boy, a crispy mix of crawfish and shrimp in a tangy dressing was fabulous. It's meaty, savory and a little sweet, on a buttery roll. Yummm!
(5)Shana A.
Wish I could give zero stars. We went on a Friday so we were expecting the wait. We were told it would be an hour so that was fine. After over an hour and a half with people arriving after us sitting I asked the host about our seating and she said they were waiting for 2 girls to leave. These 2 girls has been there the entire time and were friends with their waitress. We asked if there was anywhere else we could sit and she said no we needed to wait for these girls and they could not ask them to leave. Then the entire staff proceeded to take group shots with these 2 girls I mentioned that I thought that was extremely rude and no one including the manager seemed to care. We proceeded to walk out and will never go back
(1)Luvyoga B.
Had lunch here today. The best lobster roll ever!! Bread fresh, buttery and crisp on the outside. Big chunks of lobster, Spicy coleslaw and chips to go with. Satchmo po boy was excellent. Calamari was good. Like the added hot peppers. Pineapple cider delicious. Key lime pie with vanilla bean whip cream the best! Staff super friendly. Food came fast. Nice casual ambience. Will definitely be back.
(5)Emina l.
We went there for late lunch on a Saturday. Cute decor but much smaller than I imagined. Menu was on the small side as well but had great selections and literally made me want to try everything. We had several different fish and scallop tacos, an octopus dish and split a lobster roll, which came with a bag of chips. I absolutely love fish tacos and have them any time they are on a menu, and who doesn't love a good lobster roll? These were just all right. Maybe it was the size portion... Not a bad joint and a decent concept but nothing to write home about. I feel like they belong on a beach - perfect for a quick, low key bite before going back in water. Server was very casual too, which I usually don't mind but I had a few questions and he seemed like he was not into it. Food tasted good and was fresh but I wasn't blown away. I would go back if in the neighborhood but would not go out of my way.
(3)Tricia B.
My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Saturday for a spur of the moment. This place is always packed and the night we went showed no difference either. Needless to say, we gave it a chance and got seated within 10 minutes, which is great. The weather outside was slowly getting chilly, so most of the business was indoors but there were a few that stayed outside to enjoy the last of the summer weather. Our server was very pleasant and although it was busy all around, she made sure to check up on us when she could. We placed our order and slowly awaited for our food to arrive. When it did, it turns out that my boyfriend's order was wrong. Our server was busy attending to other customers, so when another server was near our table area, we mentioned to her that one of the orders was wrong. Now, normally when an order is placed incorrectly, the server apologizes and reassures that the correct order will come out shortly. This was the response from the server who we informed of our incorrect order, "Well, I can't take that back anyway so why don't you just eat it and we'll get your food out soon." The response was rude, inconsiderate and we were both shocked at the response. This server then motioned the hostess to come towards us and scolded her in front of us, stating that the reason business is so crowded in the restaurant is because she keeps taking carry out orders for people who are waiting outside, and demanded her to stop taking orders. Our dining experience quickly turned from pleasant to thinking we should just walk out. When our regular server returned with my boyfriend's correct food, she apologized for the incorrect order and was still very pleasant. We both asked who the server was that we had spoken to earlier. She noted she was the restaurant manager, which shocked us both. So we found out the Manager was being short with customers, but being condescending to her staff in front of customers. Our server was very pleasant but the fact she had to apologize for her boss is ridiculous. I can't give the restaurant all of bad credit because the food we ordered(well, when my boyfriend finally got the correct food he ordered) was good. But the poor service coming from the Manager of all people brought our first experience here down. It'll take a long time for us to reconsider coming back here for a pleasant dining experience.
(2)Angela B.
Yum. Just Yum. Most of everything on the menus here is delicious. I do have a preference for the summer menu rather than the winter one. I also never had the sandwiches, so I cannot comment on those, however the tacos are excellent as is anything raw or with a shell. The lemon, jalapenos fried thing is unique and pretty good as the the drinks. The only minus it that the seating is really uncomfortable/cramped if you're not in a booth.
(4)Andy L.
I don't like fish. They let me modify my chicken sandwich enough to my liking. Drinks we're great and the manager, Alexa, was very accommodating. They literally let me roast my own marshmallow for dessert. I would recommend this place to people even if they don't like fish, or bars.
(5)Matt T.
Went here last night with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. The seating is very limited on a Friday night so for a table of 4 we were quoted an hour wait. No big deal, we went down the road for a drink while we waited. Came back after an hour and were seated right away. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable, explained the menu very well (it was our first time). This restaurant serves small plates that are meant to share, so we stared with some hush puppies, calamari, and clam chowder. Federal hill style calamari is amazing! (Served with peppers and onion). She got the tartar and I got the lobster roll. At $22 it's the most expensive item on the menu but let me say that it is worth it! You get an entire lobster tail worth of meat and it's just fantastic. The tartar was great as well. Overall, VERY impressed with the food and the service here. At $80 for a dinner for 2 it's not the cheapest spot, but it's great if you want to treat yourself. We'll definitely be back. 5 stars.
(5)Talia G.
Any place that specializes in seafood is automatically a place I want to go. For the most part, I really enjoyed my experience at the Fish Bar. I arrived SOAKING wet in the middle of a torrential downpour and the waitress was kind enough to seat me even though my friend hadn't arrived yet. I ended up having to wait a half an hour before my friend arrived and in the meantime, the awesome waitresses chatted with me, recommended food and drinks, and even served me a complementary small snack to tide me over. Honestly, I'll be back just because those girls were so nice. I ended up deciding to give Fish Bar three stars because, despite the wonderful waitresses, my food experience wasn't the best. We ordered a scallop ceviche, fried calamari, and blackened lobster tacos, and the tacos were the only really good item. The calamari was way over-salted and the ceviche just wasn't very exciting. The lobster tacos were great as was the "spicy margarita", although I would definitely not call it spicy. Overall, not the greatest food experience, but a memorable and pleasant evening despite the rain. And I can't forget - the ambiance is fantastic! It's all bar seating, but done in a really intimate way. Great for a date or a night out with one or two friends.
(3)Tracey H.
Ate here with some friends after intending to try it for years. I would say that this is the kind of place that is better for a weekend lunch, rather than dinner. Still, we were happy going early on a Saturday. We tried: The lobster roll, mussels, clams, hush puppies, po boy, and the lobster bisque, the key lime pie, and the smores. The bisque was not good for some reason, so I would avoid. However, everything else was great! The server was also very good; she was able to pick up on the fact that one of the people dining with us had a dietary restriction (he does a low carb diet) without his specification, just from her observation. I thought this was a sign of great service--kuddos!
(4)Zuhair A.
Great poboys, fresh seafood. Chill atmosphere. However one star off for an isolated incident of unwanted hair.
(4)Annie M.
After a few more trips to fish bar (and upon discovering the new england seafood company), I don't think this is quite the amazing experience as I did originally. Most of the time, I leave pretty hungry still, spending just as much money as I do other places for more food. I've struck out with the clam chowder a couple of times now...most recently, it was very fishy. The servers are great about checking up to make sure everything tastes all right but the set up inside is so awkward that it doesn't feel personalized at all. I love this place when it's summer and their patio is open, and I still stand by my claim that the satchmo po'boy is super unique and delicious, but fish bar just strikes out for me in the colder months when too many people are crammed inside.
(3)Kiara C.
This place is definitely the go to place if you're craving for a higher upscale hot dog in a bun..but instead of meat, it's fried seafood on a bun! I ordered the oysters po'boy. These oysters were cooked in perfection, the fried batter made it crunchy on the outside but the inside just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is pretty relaxing. Love the mason jars they use for drinks.
(4)Bryan U.
My wife and I have visited Fish Bar several times over the last year. We keep going back for three reasons: The menu board is always changing. The staff is very warm and friendly. Most of all, the food we had is delicious. I have no complaints or critiques whatsoever, so Fish Bar deserves my 5 stars. We've had the lobster roll, fried clams, hush puppies, fish tacos, gumbo, chowder, ceviche, tartar, and lots more. It's hard to find a fun casual restaurant with great seafood. We'll keep going back.
(5)Natalie C.
The food we had at Fish Bar was very good (we sampled the satchmo poboy, the soft shell sandwich, lobster roll, and fried codfish sandwich, along with an order of hush puppies and garlic bread). Solid food, fresh and tasty. The service we experienced was amazing. Our waitress was friendly, sincere, and completely on point: refilling waters, joking around with us and giving us suggestions on what to try, checking up on us, and even bringing us a bunch of snackies and appetizers to try, on the house. We got to try these little artichoke fritters, some white fish spread, and also the ceviche for free. All fresh and tasty. In today's trend of purposely sub-par service (ahem the hipster waiters at Parson's Chicken and Fish, I'm talking about you), it is SUCH a relief to find establishments that have good food AND great service. Will definitely be back to sample other items on their menu when I am in the mood for some seafood.
(5)Fatima K.
The Satchmo po'boy as the other reviews said was really flavorful especially because of the sweet and tart pickle they used in it! The lobster roll though pricier than that was below average. Liked the lemon/jalapeño/onion rings as well. The ambience of this place is what makes it unique. They have a nice outside seating area as well. The staff was friendly and efficient! All in all it was a good experience.
(4)Denzell W.
Fish Bar is owned by DMK Burger Bar (next door). Equally as "hip" and tasty. This franchise really nailed presentation and atmosphere, so much so that we've googled their other restaurants and look forward to going to all of them. After walking in we were greeted by the chef and a server, "Welcome to Fish Bar!"--- caught me off guard, but immediately set the tone that this place is approachable, professional, and not your ordinary seafood restaurant. Bex was my server -- she gave us a card and recommended we ask for her when we return (cool points for that). It tells me something--- this place invests in their servers, and I'm willing to invest back in you for that. It's literally built like a "Bar". The server walks around and serves your table as if your sitting at a Bar! I had the Lobster Roll and we split a Crabby Patty. Both were really tasty. The thing that stood out the most here was the speed of service. It's a small plates style of menu and they really fly the food out fast. You drink out of mason jars, there's a roll of paper towels on the table and it feels like you're at a nautical pier somewhere. I'd recommend this place for dates for sure. Couples night out expect to spend about $60-75 total to fill up. They're even open late! Swing in for a late night to-go Lobster Roll.
(5)Sleepless-In S.
A great spot for a date or random dinner. Although small, Fish Bar has a unique atmosphere with superb food and drinks. The service may be a bit laid back and the portions are on the small plate side, but that seems to fit in with exactly the kind of establishment Fish Bar is- a boutique seafood restaurant.
(5)Amy W.
Loved the decor! Loved the beachside/wartime vibes going on here. I'm such a sucker for exposed wood done appropriately. The service was pretty good; we ordered with the bartender/waitress from the bar, and our food came out within a pretty reasonable time. The monkfish sliders, which were a special of the day, were rather tasty. I also loved the fish fries, which were whole (headless) smelt that were deep-fried. However, the grilled octopus was rather underwhelming; I would have liked less of the citrus and more of the grilled/smokey flavor. Overall, not too bad, but I felt not the least bit sated on the amount of food that I got for the amount of money that I spent at this place.
(3)Jennifer S.
I will echo the general sentiment of other reviewers here- the portions are small and some arent even 4 ounces of fish. To make a meal for two, you will need to order 5-6 plates. If you add beer, easily your tab will run $30-$35 per person. The flavors of the dishes are generally well developed and the gumbo i had was superb. But one theme through out all the dishes was the heavy hand of salt on each one! yes, fish must be šeasoned before cooking and i do so generously when i make fish at home too, but is the kitchen preparing food for smokers who have lost their tašte buds? I couldnt believe how over šalted and over šeasoned each dish was. This was my second time here and the first time I had the lobster roll,so i didnt sample the grilled dishes to which this applies. So, beware- if you are on a reduced sodium diet or have kidney issues, tell them to take it easy with the salt! The stand outs are the lobster roll and the gumbo. I'd Travel x town for those.
(3)Radha K.
This place is awesome. We always go to DMK (their sister restaurant) which we love, and this is a new favorite as well. This is the kind of place where everything on the menu would be worth a try. The staff is friendly and due to the way seating is arranged (bar style), you're able to talk to someone next to you and ask for recommendations! I could eat their Satchmo Poboy every day. On a similar note, the shrimp appetizer is amazing as well. On THAT note, the serving size for everything allows you to get quite a few items on the menu without feeling like you've overeaten. The tartare was amazing, the calamari was great and for $3, you might as well get the garlic bread which was also satisfying. Their specialty drinks are reasonably priced where you can try different ones and not get too buzzed and they've all got different flavors. Check it out! ...I know we will be doing so soon!
(5)Cat V.
I've left Chicago, but Fish Bar became my favorite summer restaurant. The $1 oyster happy hours, the delicious fried lemon (!!), and the crabby patty found their way into my heart. It's one of the restaurants I'll miss the most and now that I've left Chicago- use this 5 star rating and hit Fish Bar up! It's no longer my secret!!!
(5)Sara L.
I've heard so many rave reviews about this place and finally got the chance to go this weekend. This place is small, I mean reeaalll small. The entire time they kept blaring loud music that made everybody raise their voice to speak....huge pet peeve of mine. We ended up waiting an hour and 10 for a seat at the bar for a group of three. This isn't the place to go if starving. The menu is all small "plates" to share. The prices are pretty steep for what you get. We had the oysters which were 16 bucks for 6...they were the smallest oysters I've ever seen and lacked flavor. Save your cash and head to GT's, Shaw's or even Hooters for oysters. I ordered the oyster po boy and the calamari. The calamari came in a small paper basket with rings the size of marbles. The calamari was cold, greasy and topped with giardiniera...really no marinara, horseradish or even lemon. The calamari was fishy, barely even filled the small paper basket all for 8 bucks. The oyster po boy was meh....the bread was just too buttery and all you could taste was the cole slaw. The oysters were way over breaded that all you tasted is the breading. After such a disappointing dinner and wait, I think the 8 bucks I paid for a giant breakfast at a late night dinner was waaaaayy better.
(2)Sarah Beth B.
Fish Bar really is A-ok. I don't looooooooooooove it like i love DMK, which I consider one of my best friends in the neighborhood, but I certainly didn't dislike it. A friend and I went on St. Patrick's day around 630. Short wait, nothing too bad. We were seated at the long counter and had an awesome waiter, who was pretty honest when we asked a bunch of questions. We got cocktails, which i think is a reason I took a star off-- I just don't like cocktails, and I never like food as much when I'm drunk. I got the margarita-ish one, which was nice, a-ok, but ... not for me. My friend and I share tots and the fried lemon, onion and jalepenos, which was hands down the best part of the night. We asked the waiter about them, and he honestly said they were pretty weird. On that ringing endorsement, we gobbled them up. Weird! but also, Yum! I had the fried clams, which were nice fat clams, almost like oysters. I really liked them, but... it just didn't feel like a meal. I'm not sure how to order the right amount of things to get the right amount of food. So, in sum! the food is yummy! the counter is nice, especially endless oyster crackers to dip in hot sauce! The portions are weird and take some getting used to. I think I'll go back, but stick to a beer and order a few more things-- and then i'll be back with an update. I hope I like it more next time (but I won't be hungry for food on that corner no matter what).
(3)Katie V.
Really love this place -- love the relaxed beach shack vibe, the way the tables are arranged, the menu. The seafood always tastes fresh and though they serve a lot of staples (lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried calamari), every dish is well-executed. The fried lemon and jalapeno slices are to-die-for and the daily soup is always delicious. And the small plate format makes it easy to try a little of everything!
(5)Julie Z.
East Coast Vs West Coast = debate of the table. The East Coast oysters win hands down although a few fellow diners may object. This is a very casual place to grab seafood. I think the vibe screams fast and easy. It's fine but probably not the place to go and hang for too long. We sat at a picnic table outside. Don't get me wrong, I like casual but this may be too casual for me. Also the menu isn't that large but this what I had: - Oysters - LOTS of them. Not a bad one in the bunch - Cevichce - mmmmm....this is how it should be done - Chowda - average at best. GT Fish & Oyster smokes this place My co-diners had the shrimp and oyster po-boy's and they devoured them. They have a good beer selection too. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go here but I wouldn't put it on a list of recs either.
(3)Keith B.
Just came back from an early dinner. Deeply disappointing and incredibly expensive for a casual fish place. $67 for two people; 2 glasses of blech wine, one beer, one tiny scallop appetizer and two sandwiches. No sides (all small plates). If you like wine you should know - they have 3 flavors "white, red and rose". Service people were nice but the food was absolutely mediocre (and I know seafood).
(1)Borracho G.
You have to really like food and be willing to trying something new to appreciate this place. I assume they are trying to be authentic to NE fish shack because this place is really the size of a shack. There is only bar seating except for 3 tiny-tiny tables but I guess you could also stand and eat some of this stuff if you had to, kind of like a hot dog stand. The lobster roll averages about $18.00 (ouch) and most of the menu items are all fried. Despite those things, the food is really really good. The ceviche was great and it's interestingly served in a jam jar with a side of saltines. They also had this interesting side of lightly breaded and fried jalapenos, lemon slices, and onions. I would have never thought that fried lemon slices would be so good. I plan to go back and get the oyster poboy with the honking huge oysters and see if the chowder is worth it. Good stuff, give it a try and don't look at receipt. Just eat, pay, and walk away happy.
(4)Amy C.
Yes, I'm a fan! I came here back in March and am just now getting around to writing the review - a friend was visiting from out of town and wanted seafood - I was looking for something casual and neither of us wanted to break the bank. I came across this place the last few times I was at the DMK Burger Bar (right next door). In the evening, the line to get in was out the door. But the day my friend and I went to the Fish Bar (a Sunday afternoon) we got right in and out. It as a small-ish place but with a good menu selection, cute decor, friendly service and good bang for the buck. The po'boys, fish sandwiches, and clams were tasty. I'd definitely return.
(4)Mike N.
I came here with my wife and father-in-law who is from Michigan and never had an oyster in his life. He self-proclaims that he grew up eating steak and potatoes over 95% of the time and yet even he enjoyed his food. The best part of meal was the clams and soups. The chef's special was a crab chowder and I thought it was done very delightfully. You can honestly tell that the seafood is very fresh. The only thing that I thought was pretty bland and not worth ordering was the fish fries. The highlight of this place, though, was our waitress Mindy. She was delightful. She was very attentive and appeared to do many small favors for us; which I'm not sure whether it's genuine or part of the act to attempt to get me to come back again. Regardless, it worked. The best part was that she offered to take the desert we ordered off the check since it took slightly longer than expected. (maybe 10 minutes) Good food and great service for about $25 bucks a person. Can't ask for much more than that.
(5)Angela C.
Fish Bar is a small joint with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere. I wouldn't recommend coming here with more than 4 people in your group, at least not if you want to all sit together. I was not a fan of drinking beer or water out of a Mason jar (a kind of canning/freezer jar), but I was happy with the oyster po'boy, the fried calamari, the fresh oysters, and the gumbo. Fair warning, the food comes in small portions (the server told us to consider them closer to small plates), so expect to have to buy at least an appetizer and a main dish to get full.
(4)roxie s.
Best fried fish sandwich in town!!! I don't know what they do to the tartar sauce, but it is unbelievable! The service here is amazing too. If you are waiting, they will usually bring you a little something for free to try. Also, if you order something to go, they will give you a free beer while you wait (they do not take to go orders over the phone. They want to serve it extra fish, so you have to order it there.) They have great beer, a simple menu, and the freshest ingredients. I would like to try everything! Their daily soup is also something to rave about. Always homemade, and perfect portions. Since there are so many restaurants in Chicago, I try to avoid repeating visits. However, this is one that I will always come back to!
(5)Eugene C.
Went to Fish Bar on a afternoon with a buddy of mine. Umm....ordered 2 lobster rolls for $22 each. So not the money. Totally overrated and small. Seafood Gazpacho, very blend. Fried scallops-turned out to be about 15 baby scallops for $11. Beers, thumbs up. Very cold beer. Probably about 37-38 degrees. Overall, too much money what what it is. $130 before tipping for 2. So not worth the money.
(2)Mandi G.
This is a great weekday lunch spot. Try to go a little later (like 2ish) and there will be no wait. Dinner and weekends pack this place up. I have always had great, friendly service and pretty much the entire menu is perfection. I am especially in love with the crab cake sandwich. It can hold its own in a "best sandwich in Chicago" contest. Truth. Also delicious is the fried calamari which comes topped with giardinera. I now wish all restaurants would serve their fried calamari with a side of giardinera. My only complaint would be I was slightly disappointed with their lobster roll, which is what they seem to brag about the most. Don't get me wrong, it's good. But for $18, I would expect it to be a little bigger and/or truly blow me away in the taste department. Super casual atmosphere and best crabcake sandwich ever. That's all you need to know.
(4)Beckee W.
I give this more like a 4.5 with room for growth only because they had only been open 48 hours when I went. The wait was shorter than what they said which is nice, the drinks are great, the oysters were to die for, and my clam po boy was great. Word to the wise, use this as a date place and go early, like 630, don't roll in with 6 people at 8pm, they won't seat you, the place is super dinky and the 3 booths are made for 3 small to average sized people or 4 Lilliputians with small shoulders. If you have boobs, sit at the counter. I like that this is in the Chi now, a really good fun alternative for early dinner options!
(4)Sam M.
Honestly could be my favorite restaurant, and only gets better with every time I dine there. The interior is cool and fun, and usually packed with people (which I like). The wait stuff is unbelievably friendly and attentive. I have had the fresh catch, the fish sandwich, and soft shell crab sandwich that we got for free (there was an extra in the kitchen) as entrees. The garlic bread and tater tots are great appetizers. And the key lime pie is absolutely fantastic. If you live in Chicago and enjoy fish, this is a must. If you have a mediocre/good time at first, come back. I guarantee you will like it.
(5)Jamie C.
I went to Fish Bar in order to try the Maine Lobster Roll. Went on a weekend afternoon. First of all, after reading other reviews I thought it would be a total hole in the wall. To my surprise, it was small but well organized. There were only 3 booths available, so I was apprehensive when I was sat at the bar, but the service was wonderful and it was easy to keep a conversation going. I think every seat in the place was taken, but it didn't feel crowded. Had a few doubts about the structural integrity of my chair, but it survived my lunch so I guess I can't complain! The Lobster Roll was very tasty. The rolls were buttery with complimented the seafood. It was delicious, but I mostly tasted the dill in the mayo, and less of the lobster (which they give you plenty of). When I was there, market value was $21. The Satchmo Po Boy was FANTASTIC. I love shrimp and crawfish and was pleasantly surprised when they came breaded. In my opinion, the Po Boy was even better than the Lobster Roll. Fresh raw oysters from the east and west coast: I got to try one of each on the house. Not a huge fan, but it was really cool of them to let me give them a try for free. I'll be back for another Po Boy real soon. A place like this made me feel like I was sitting in a little place in California.
(5)Jenn K.
Everything from the clam chowder, to the calamari, to the crabby patty and to the Po' boy were absolutely incredible!
(5)Rich R.
Good quality seafood snacks. Expensive, but worth the buck!
(4)Linda D.
Pretty good! Came here for a late-ish night fix and was pleasantly surprised that they had oysters marked down to $1.50 after 10 p.m. Great deal, and the oysters tasted fresh and flavorful. We got a mix of the east and west coast flavors. The actual bar is super cute. It's small, so I can imagine that it must get crowded during peak hours. Our server was helpful and friendly, and didn't give us the "you're here late on a weekday and I want to close up NAO" vibe at all. He came to check on us and refilled our waters constantly. Ordered the lobster gazpacho, calamari, and an oyster po' boy. I loved the gazpacho, nice and spicy, with big chunks of lobster. The boyfriend got a little tired of it after a while though. That's alright, mo' fo' me. Calamari was just ok. The oyter po' boy was just too much fried breading for me to handle. And it tasted a little fishy. I know that sounds really, really, stupid talking about an oyster sandwich from a place called Fish Bar, but I just didn't enjoy the taste of it as much as the other stuff. It didn't taste bright and fresh; it tasted kind of old and greasy. Another complaint I would have would be on prices - the portions were small, and while I understand it's seafood, I think the quality could have been a little higher. Maybe we went in too late, so I probably would give it another try during the day.
(3)CeeCee Y.
I never knew how much I loved raw oysters until i was taken to Fish Bar for the first time like last week. My God. The brine, the lemon juice, so good! The lobster roll is kinda pricey at $21 especially for how small it is, but it did have a ton of lobster chunks in it. I kinda wished the lobster meat itself was served warm instead of cold, but then I guess that would make the mayo taste weird. The bread roll itself is served warm. They have other items on the menu like tater tots and fried clams etc, your usual seafood place items. I liked how they had a huge variety of oysters from each coast too. My only true complaint is that it was super freezing in there, like they didn't bother to turn the heat on at all. And I felt like one of the (male) workers was checking out my (male and straight) date if you get my drift...haha. All in all would totally go back to Fish Bar!
(4)Jordan M.
This place is great! It will probably be busy on the weekends and some weeknights, so go a little before the time you want to eat. You can get a drink and hang out. The place has a really cool atmosphere, they have a canoe hanging from the ceiling and it looks like it could be a old fish market with old wood planks, fishing pics, etc. The service and food was just as good. It was our first time there so the waitress explained the dishes and helped us decide when we asked. They also gave us some free food to try! We tried the Rock Shrimp, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Mahi Mahi Tacos, and finished with DIY S'mores. It all was very well present and delicious. The rock shrimp was my favorite, closely followed by the Mahi Mahi tacos. For the S'mores they give you a small flame where you roast your own marshmallows. I highly recommend to anyone likes fish in all states. They also have a selection of 6 or more good beers.
(4)Mark B.
Great food and atmosphere. Noisy and fun environment. Recommend the tater tots, Satchmo sandwich and key line pie.
(5)Steve S.
My girlfriend and I had lunch there and it was delicious. Then afterward we went and got some food because we were starving.
(4)Braden W.
This place is awesome! Newly open I eat here every week. Best fish in Chicago hands down. Jessica and Jenn always treat me well. The staff is cool and sweet. The fish is fresh daily, the chef makes great combos. The oyster po boy is unreal! Calamari great, rock shrimp great, dried lemons w/ onions and more great, clam chowder..yup great, but then there are the soft belly clams which are juicy inside with an amazing batter cover (to die for) and the lobster and crab sandwiches are stellar. Now drinks, I always get the Abby ale which is superb but chef is making tea cocktails like pineapple and vodka fermented with chili that is going to bring the summer home! (I tried it and loved it) There is a ton of great food here but to add to it they are green! They donate profits to fisheries, use sustainable and environmentally friendly fish. A business model we should all support more of. And on top of it all, it's very well priced, not expensive at all! Amazing people, great service, awesome food, and green. If you have not been go...don't cheat yourself, treat yourself. Go see the J's (Jenn x2 and Jessica), eat and drink your heart out, and maybe even find a pearl in your po boy!
(5)A H.
I'm so glad I found this place! One day, I was remebering the lobster roll that I had in NYC, and really wantied to find one in Chicago. Fish Bar was the first place that popped up. So, we hopped on the train and found ourselves outside a beautiful brick building painted blue. From the look on the outside to the food, I love everything about this place. I like that it's small and you sit at a bar. I like the decor, and how bright it is. The drinks are delicious, whether it's a fancy beer or a cocktail. The food delicious! While the lobster roll is expensive, it's worth the price. It's so delicious! We've also tried the gumbo, bisque, soft-shell crab, tator tots, po boy, and a few others. Everything was delicious! Make sure to note that the portions are not huge and the prices are a little high. However, considering how far we are from an ocean, the prices seem fair.
(4)Coll P.
Fish Bar (and Kristen our server) were awesome! As I waited for friends she brought out two crackers with a salmon dill spread AND at dinner she brought out a side of complimentary potatoes with bacon. She was a great and personable server! My group had chowder, grilled calamari, ceviche, ahi tuna tartare, an oyster po boy, and the lobster roll. There was not one thing we weren't crazy about! I wish the seating arrangement was different, as it was a little tricky finding four spots together. Other than that, Fish Bar is highly recommended!
(4)Marc D.
I wanted to like Fish Bar . . . . But it didn't live up. As a native New Englander, I'm admittedly biased but good food is good food, and there are better seafood options in the city. Two stars go to atmosphere (sat outside at a cool shared pick-nick table), service (attentive, friendly waitress) and drinks (well poured cocktails, solid beer list and decent seasonal wine selection). The food was bland and, because of that, overpriced. Started with the buffalo frog legs. They were small and didn't have much taste beyond the buffalo sauce (if you've had the buffalo frog legs at Longman and Eagle, you'll be disappointed). Followed that up with with two lobster rolls and the octopus. The octopus had little to no flavor and was chewy. The biggest disappointment was the lobster rolls - granted, the portion and the bun were strong but the flavor wasn't there. Putting my New England lobster-salad style preference aside, they still lacked. Not sure what the flavor was (vinegar?) but there was't lobster taste. And, I get the charm of it, but for $22 for a lobster roll (served alone), I'm not sure it should come on a paper fry boat. Doubt we'll be back.
(2)Samantha L.
I am useless on most Sundays for some unknown reason, and I always feel groggy and lethargic. My boyfriend managed to drag me out of the apartment to try Fish Bar, but since I felt crummy, I only wanted to eat cold stuff. I ordered the ceviche and two of each of the oysters they had available that day. The ceviche is a very small portion, which is typical of their a la carte menu. It was decent, but I wouldn't write home to mom about it. The oysters were pretty great, and even better, they are only $1.50 each on Sundays. My boyfriend got the lobster roll for like $21, and it was decent, but I don't think it was worth $21. I personally would rather spend $20 more and have a nicely prepared lobster tail drizzled in butter. The beer menu is small, but at least the options pair well with seafood. I will definitely be back here for the oysters some other lazy Sunday.
(4)Lauren B.
If you want to splurge on some seafood and don't mind paying a small premium on seafood that is quality and has been sustainable farmed/caught, go here. There are also ways to eat here without majorly breaking the bank such as, ordering the a few dishes and splitting the hearty and reasonably priced fish and chips, etc. Ordering tots or salad allows you to save a little and fills you up. That being said, my price issue is with the alcohol. I'd go here more often if the price of alcohol was either lower (since the beers and drinks are smaller) or if they upgraded to the normal size. To know in advance: reservations of only parties of 4 can be made and go early if you want to be sat at a reasonable time, otherwise be prepared to kill some time drinking/standing on the outer edge of the restaurant.
(4)n l.
I've come here three times now and I'd have to say it's just okay. Nothing has really impressed me thaaaattt much here. Sorry. :(
(3)Jamie B.
I think I was expecting a lot more from Fish Bar than what I got. I guess to sum it up, it was a little pricey for what you got. I didn't find anything I ate to either be exceptionally creative or so perfectly prepared to make me want to spend around $10 for what ends up being a 'taste' of something. I see the value in small portions when what you're eating has complex flavors and a lot of creativity going into it, but that was not the style of food they were creating here. We ordered the rock shrimp, ceviche, and steamed mussels. None of them were bad, but they all seemed fairly standard with nothing special about them. We also got the butternut squash and crab bisque (or something to that extent), and that would have to be my favorite thing I ate, although it still didn't knock my socks off. I really did like the look and feel of the place though. It's on the smaller side, so I would recommend getting there earlier rather than later (as lame as that sounds), or expect to have a wait 20-30 minutes. The service was good as well, so I don't have any complaints there. If the prices were half of what they were I don't think I would have been disappointed with my experience. I just know that in the past when I've paid what I did here I got a much more well rounded and satisfying meal.
(3)Jennifer J.
It is what it is...a fish shack. I wouldn't go here expecting high end stuff but that doesn't mean it isn't tasty. Drinks are small, food is mostly fried but I would just say it's only ok. I probably won't go back but I'm glad I at least tried it out. I'm just not a fan of fried food and that's the main reason I don't find it outstanding.
(3)David M.
Kinda disappointed pretty much sums it up...we had expected more...go there for a beer and the gumbo...maybe as an appetizer ... Then next door to DMK for better value and to fill you up...had to make popcorn after we got home later.......and the beer pour was maybe 1/2 glass and foam....boo!
(3)Matt M.
Overall this was simply disappointing. We were originally told it was a 30-45 minute wait, which was okay because we came during the dinner rush on a Friday and didn't have much to do. Even when we were seated an hour and fifteen minutes later it still didn't matter too much except that we saw a couple who were clearly "regulars" walk up and get seated. Another couple was also seated before us (by only a couple mins) despite arriving after us, plus they were given a private table leaving us to sit at one of the communal tables. The hostess was terrible at multitasking. Consolation though: she brought us two saltines w/ mayo and an anchovy "complementary" for how long we were waiting. This item wasn't even listed on the menu (which is good bc it was meh) which made me feel special! What makes the above worse was that the meal was mediocre. Soup was lukewarm, salad was decent, prawns we solid but incredibly small portions, and the tacos weren't bad. Pretty much a big let down after waiting so long; you'd hope the awesome food and service make up for. Speaking of service... Our waitress spent a long time either with the regulars I mentioned earlier or not around at all. Because the iced tea maker was broken as of this morning, I asked for lemon for my water. The lemons came after I had finished the first glass and weren't refilled even when she left the lemons or for another 10 minutes. Pretty much the whole meal was a waiting game. Soup and salads took 10-15 mins to come. The next item, the prawns were at least 10 mins after the previous course. After that it was a really long time until our next course. So long in fact that our waitress came over and asked if there was anything else we'd like at which point we informed her we were still waiting for our last dish. While we were pretty annoyed we didn't say anything because we really had nowhere to be. Interestingly, and I have to give him credit because we didn't say anything and I have no idea how he found out, the manager brought out our tacos and informed us they'd be on the house because of how long we had waited and that the prawns that were to come out (mind you we had already received them, so we informed him of such) and anything else we'd like were on the house as well. He ended up bringing the extra set of prawns as well because they had already been made. The waitress took another 5-10 minutes to bring the check, another 10 minutes to return for it, and then brought it back after another 5 minutes. I honestly thought we were on Boiling Point or something; everything was set up to test us. The manager's gesture was actually really genuine and he was very nice about the whole thing. I actually appreciated it because we weren't going to say anything. Oh well, many other places to try.
(2)Anne C.
This place is small, but kitschy and fun. If you're with a big group, just forget about coming here as I am pretty sure they can seat 25 people in the whole place. For groups of 2-4, this is perfect. Fish Bar is like New England clam shack meets sushi bar meets tapas. Everything is basically a small plate and they serve them as the kitchen turns them out. I'd give high marks to the chowder, the crabby patty (a crabcake sandwich), and the lobster roll, although its market price and can get awfully expensive. They also had a really delicious lobster and butternut squash soup the last time I was there-- an odd combo, but really tasty. The staff is friendly and helpful and the place is super cute. They also serve pies baked by the pastry chefs behind Hot Chocolate in Wicker Park. Amazing!
(4)Matt C.
Imagine Sebastien from "The Little Mermaid" singing a merry tune about how delicious he is right before you devour him on a french bread roll. That what the Lobster Roll at Fish Bar is like. When my girlfriend and I first decided to try Fish Bar (before we ate the food) we were finding it hard to justify spending $20 for a sandwich, even if it is a fancy lobster roll. A sandwich is a sandwich right? NOPE! Find me a better lobster roll. Seriously. I would love to try it, and I might pay $25 for it if it's, well, better than Fish Bar's. But it won't be. So don't even try. Singing Sebastien Sandwiches aside, Fish Bar isn't just a good fish place -- I think this is one of the best restaurants in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. From the decadent lobster bisque, to the SpongeBob-inspired crabby patty, to the fried lemons and jalapenos they serve as a side dish (delicious), it's allll good. And the oysters, ohh the oysters. Fresh, tasty, grit free, served with two sauces. This place gets it. Also the menu changes constantly based on what ridiculously fresh fish they acquire; you are guaranteed something new and awesome every time you go. The service is great, every time I have been there the staff genuinely seem like they enjoy serving and are excited about the food. It can be a little hard to get a timely table on the weekend, but they have great seasonal beer on tap so you can get your drank on while you wait. Oh and try the Lobster Roll.
(5)Gabe M.
Think this is a great place. I lived in Boston for three years and learned a lot about seafood. When I moved to Chicago one of the things on my list was to scout out some oyster and ideally lobster roll places. Thankfully I found Fish Bar. Wow, great place. This place is on par with anything in the Northeast, dare I say even Cape Cod. They don't mess around. Its expensive so not really something to do often, but it is a great place to get your seafood on once in a while.
(4)Jeff S.
My search for the best lobster roll in the city continued on to Fish Bar. But I've been meaning to check out this Lakeview spot for quite a while, given that it's owned by the same fine folks next door at DMK Burger. FOOD Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno - Who knew fried lemon would be so good? I'm a fan of fried onions and fried jalapeno, but I've never tried a fried lemon. Fish Bar slices lemons super-thin, throws them through some batter, and fries 'em up, rind and all. And it's delicious. The fried onions were cut way too thin for my liking, though. Same for the jalapenos, although not as big of an issue since they have a pretty strong flavor. But they should really cut up those onions a bit thicker. Eastern Belly Clams - I didn't think that these were anything too special. They tasted like any other fried clams I've ever had. Not much else left to say for these. Scallops Special - The scallops were cooked perfectly on this dish and they were beautifully translucent on the inside. A good amount of seasoning too, but maybe a bit too generous; no need to completely mask the flavor of the scallops! Lobster Roll - This had the perfect bun. Buttered and toasted, light and fluffy but substantial enough to properly handle the morsels of lobster within. Fish Bar gives you a decent amount of lobster meat (not that I would call it generous), and the overall size of the roll is good. But the problems might negate the goods on this one; the lobster was cut up in chunks that were too small, some pieces of lobster seemed to be slightly overcooked, and I thought it was a bit overpriced at $21 that day which was market price. Compare this to the $17 lobster roll at NE Seafood Company which has more lobster and comes with homemade potato chips...well you get the idea. THE REST Service was great! If anything, the service bumps it up from a solid 3 to a 3.5 star. Nice decor, a bit of New England + Southern hospitality thrown in. I can't say for certain that I'll be back anytime soon, but for those in the area (and if DMK is too packed for your liking), check it out.
(3)K P.
This place is a joke! It's over priced! You get 4 oz worth of ceviche for $10. Really? I wasn't expecting a whole bowl but come on. The ceviche came in a 4oz mason jar. My husband and I were shocked! 10.00 fora 4oz mason jar full of ceviche! For one their ceviche is not CEVICHE! it does not have plum tomatoes, nor red peppers. That's not a true ceviche. Plus the mason jar was to small to even get a cracker in it. Next, we had fish tacos. Again we were shocked to see how small of a portion you get. You get two tacos for $10.00. Really?!!!! They were good but very overpriced! If you are looking to get your money's worth don't go here! Portions of food v what you pay is not equal. We were very disappointed. I do not normally review a restaurant because it's all subjective but this place should really serve a bit more of portions if they're going to over charge you. Would of given this place one star but the environment and the mason jars of drinks was unique. Other than that don't bother.
(2)Alec H.
Vegetarian options, beet salad, good atmosphere, good brew
(5)Jim D.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand the five-star reviews of The Fish Bar. Even four stars might be pushing it. I went there recently with a friend, and we were both underwhelmed. I started out with one of their drinks, the Five and Dimers, a nondescript concoction topped by a sprig of mint. Then we both had the gumbo, which was tasty, but I've had better at several places. The artichoke fritters were probably the best things we had - sort of like artichoke tempura. The hush puppies were pretty good and full of flavor. But of course we didn't go there just for appetizers, we went went for the highly-praised lobster roll. That was the biggest disappointment. I've seen the pictures here on Yelp, and our lobster rolls looked nothing like those overflowing mouth-waterers. It consisted of, perhaps, a very small tail's worth of lobster meat and a dash of some mayo-ish spread stuck in a hunk of toasted bread. It was almost utterly flavorless. Considering that the lobster roll cost $22.00, I expected something better. I do have to mention the staff. We interacted with a few of the waitresses/bartenders during the evening, and every one of them was wonderful - very friendly, engaging and accommodating. Also, the beer selection, although small, was quite diverse.
(3)Rod C.
Very good Lobster Rolls! They really pack on the lobster in the roll. It's kind of pricey as the market price for lobster these days is $19! The New England Clam Chowder was good, although I prefer a thicker base and more potatoes. Ally the bartender was very helpful and courteous. I strongly recommend trying Fish Bar!
(4)Catticut P.
A decent seacreature bar in the middle of the Midwest? Yes, please. We were late to the party on this one, but today decided to indulge in fishy goodness. Thank you Yelpers for being 99% accurate when it comes to recommendations - we had a pretty awesome time eating and drinking the entire menu, but standouts for us were the rock shrimp (yummers), and the Satchmo po'boy (bless). Loved the mason jar bevvie receptacles, too. Place is casual and comfortable, but the real shining light of Fish Bar is the staff - super friendly, super knowledgeable, attentive but not overbearing (yet bearing free gifts). It cannot be understated how much of a difference the disposition of the staff has on a business - if they seem genuinely happy, you know the place is valid. It was a little pricey, but that's to be expected with what you're getting - go on Sundays for the $1.50 oysters!
(4)Michelle A.
Tapas seafood? AWESOME. Loved pretty much every bit of it- from the old school, bar seating to the super strong drinks and to-die-for clam chowdah. The wait was a bit long (40 minutes to seat two), but they do take reservations and the greeter was extremely friendly. Our waitress was also equally kind, albeit a bit flighty. Mahi-Mahi was excellent. And the s'more desserts were too cute. Totally recommended for a fun, romantic night out. But make reservations if you have over 3 people coming.
(4)Emily C.
Love, love the creative interior design. It feels like an authentic yet kitschy New England clam shack. We got there around 5:30 and got seated and served immediately, but I hear there's a wait if you go much later. The Good: Spectacular food. The fried full-bellied clams were very authentic. I'm from New England and I could have closed my eyes and imagined I was in Maine. I also tried the calamari which had a tangy lemon spice sauce. I also liked how they serve cans of PBR - again, very authentic clam shack! - and they also served cute mixed drinks in mason jars. The Bad: Portions. I thought they were far too small for the prices. I left slightly hungry. True, it's not easy to find fresh fish for cheap in Chicago (we're not actually in Maine, after all) but I didn't realize that the items on the menu are really, really small serving plates. Well noted for next time.
(4)Claudia D.
Lemonade, tartare (salmon & tuna), shrimp a la plancha for birthday lunch with the husband & bride-to-be. The food was good. Pricey---too much to be a daily lunch spot. The portions were bite size. I left feeling not quite full, but that was OK, because I knew I would get more to eat later. The ambience is fish-filled and fun. The booths are small for 4. The bar is good for parties of one or two. The menu states no parties of more than 4 and it makes sense to go elsewhere if you have more than 4 people in your group. Everything on the menu sounds delicious and I want to come back.
(4)Doug V.
I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and don't think I've been to any one restaurant more than 5 times, but now I've been to Fish bar 5 times in the last month. You won't find a friendlier group of people who are this excited about their restaurant. Whether you go in and spend $20 or $80, they treat you like you are their next door neighbor. The menu is constantly changing but always offers a wide variety of Fish, Scallops, Oysters, Ceviche, Tartare. Each plate is about half the size of an entree and ranges from $6 -11, with the exception of a few select items like the Lobster Roll which are more. If you go with a group of 2, I recommend the Garlic Bread ($3.50), sharing one of the many creative salad options that are constanty changing, then choosing 3 fish plates (or more if you are starving) . Then cap it off with a plate of key lime pie. If you like Craft Beer , there are always 6 Craft Beers on tap and usually at least 3-4 of them are beers that you have never seen or tried before. They are more than happy to give you a sample of any beer that you'd like to try before ordering. Currently, I recommend Lagunitas 'Little Sumpin Sumpin' and for the Bengali Tiger IPA. Each season they swap these out with a new group. Fish Bar is an incredible place and I cannot wait to continue going there with my wife on Fridays to celebrate the end of the work week. You can go there and spend $50-60 and get a meal that would cost you $140 in River North. If you get a chance to meet Sasha, Dan, Marina, or Alexa, they are amazing people. Thanks for making our week...again.
(5)k E.
Won't be back. We love DMK Burger Bar. Fish Bar is the ugly stepsister. Started with gumbo which was lukewarm and bland. My husband had frog legs and calamari. Both were just ok. I had the Oyster Po Boy, which was tasty. The problem was, it came with about 5 oysters. The server dropped one on the counter and just said "oops" and left it there as if I would eat it anyway. Horrible wine selection. Uncomfortable seating.
(2)Jay S.
Around Fall of last year, I went on an seafood binge fueled by my curiosity to try oysters. Never was a fan when I was kid... but I grew up now! Inevitably, Fish Bar became one of my prime targets to try for lunch. Fish Bar is literally attached next to DMK out in Lakeview. It's fairly distinguishable on the outside due to the aquatic blue exterior. Inside, it's pretty standard decor with communal bench seating and regular table seating. So if you are planning on going there with a party, you might want to reserve. The table seating isn't huge (fits probably 4). On to the food... Forewarning: This place can get expensive real quick. So the portions are small plates. There are some "bigger" items like the Lobster Roll but the majority of the stuff is shareable small plate items. Thus, could get expensive. For soups, the Lobster Bisque I had here is different than any other place I've had it. I liked it but I can certainly see others not liking it (g/f didn't like it). It seems to be a seasonal item but I might be mistaken. The Clam Chowder is more traditional of the two and is also very good. For sandwiches, I had the Oyster Po'boy. Gal pal got the Lobster Roll. Personally, I loved the Oyster Po'boy and was by far the better value of the two - that's saying a lot considering I absolutely love Lobster Rolls from anywhere. Really enjoyed the Po'boy. Their codfish sandwich is next on my list. For sides, shared tots the 1st time we went. They were ok. 2nd time we went here, we opted for calamari. That was ok too. Nothing special. The iced teas (non-alcoholic) were good and refreshing. My favorite part of the entire meal had to be the key lime pie. I'm a sucker for key lime pie to the point that you have to royally screw it up badly for me to dislike it (so that's a bias). It's served very simple here and that's just about the way I like it. And how about those oysters? Well, they were good. I'm no oyster connoisseur but they were fun to eat and tasted better than when I was a kid. No oyster epiphany or anything like that. Just some good, solid tasting oysters. But as good as they are here, there's another place on my list that beat Fish Bar slightly on oysters. So overall, a fresh and tasty spot for lunch that I enjoy going to. Yes, it is pricey for the portions. Luckily, my favorite items aren't that bad.
(4)Matt M.
I went to fish bar on a first date last Saturday and we both had a great time! The food was good, but the service was better. Our cute bartender Sara took care of us, made some good recommendations. If it wasn't for Sara I'm not sure I would be getting a second date out of it! I would definitely come back here.
(5)Gary K.
5 star rating. I was excited. I could not have been more disappointed. Dozen oysters lobster roll and soup and a beer 86$.
(1)Arlene A.
It was a craving for Lobster Rolls that led us to Fish Bar. Well actually it was "another" Lobster Roll place closing at 8pm (??) that led me to use my Yelp app to find Fish Bar. That means this review was brought to you by the letter serendipitous. While we came here for the Lobster Roll, (pricey, but worth having) we're coming back for the Satchmo Po' Boy. What a pleasant surprise! Fried shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles, garlic mayo and extra crispy provided by the lettuce. So delish, and a steal for 10 bucks. We tried one of each of the sides, but the two that really stood out were the Garlic Bread and their Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapenos. Boy, oh boy (did I just type that?) both so very different, and so very delicious. The Garlic Bread is made with the same bread as used for the Satchmo Po' Boy, and loaded with butter, garlic and cheese. The outstanding Fried Lemon, Onion & Jalapeno side was a rollicking roller-coaster of flavor and texture, right up my alley. Who knew that the tart of the lemon with the spicy of the jalapeno would do so well together? The interior of Fish Bar is simple, with clean lines that still manages to be cozy and warm. While not where I'd celebrate an anniversary or birthday, the seating layout lends itself to a lot of duo dining (due to the very cool coffee shop seating) with limited booth seating.
(4)Karisma E.
I need fish bar! I need Fish Bar! I NEED Fish Bar's cod sandwich in my LIFE!!!
(5)Caitlin G.
We ordered the salmon tartar, house salad, crabby patty sandwich, clam chowder and oysters. All were very good. My friend said the clam chowder though didn't have enough clams in it-so he was disappointed with that. I would say the service is lacking here. The waitress was very unfriendly and looked pissed off to be working. All of our plates we ordered came out at different times, which I am not a fan of if you are trying to eat an actual meal with someone.
(3)Jeff S.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews for this place. It's a nice idea, but the seats are uncomfortable, and it's weird/sort of awkward to have to watch the wait staff behind the counter while you eat. The portions are very small, but the prices are high: $9 for a tiny smoked whitefish salad. It tasted fine but I expect a little better for the price. The drinks were tasty and creative; I know some people like drinking from a mason jar but I find it unpleasant.
(2)Elyse D.
Made my first trip over to fish bar last night and LOVED it. I've been wanting to go since the summer, as it's super close to my apartment and looked so fun in the summer. I can't believe I waited until now to stop in! My boyfriend and I tried several things on the menu and were impressed with each and every one of them. First, we had the iceberg salad with fried calamari....YUM. The bleu cheese dressing was perfect with the calamari. Our waitress then brought us free fried artichokes to try, which were yummy as well. After that, I had the corn and crab chowder which was delish and my boyfriend had the skatewing. I only had a taste but he loved it. I ordered the salmon BLT for my meal and he ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy...needless to say, we were both more than impressed with the deliciousness in front of us. My only complaint was that the beers were overpriced, so we ended up only getting one each as to avoid the huge bill. I will DEFINITELY be walking over to Fish Bar again soon. :)
(5)Charlie H.
Any disappointment that I feel regarding Fish Bar lies with the fact that the place is not a bar for fish. "Fish need to relax too," I told Ira (my pet goldfish) as I scooped him up into his small plastic traveling tank. "We're going to Fish Bar so you can enjoy some quality time with your own kind! Aren't you excited?" I'm sorry to write that the happy part of this story ends here. Poor Ira suffered what I believe was a stress-related goldfish panic attack as we waited at the Brown Line platform to ride to Wellington. Little guy went belly-up right there in his traveling bowl and died on the spot. My normally hardy little fish seized in the face of a train ride. Lesson learned: goldfish don't like to ride the CTA. After shedding some tears -- neverminding the weird looks from strangers on the train -- I vowed to soldier on and to make sure that Ira's death was not in vain. Yes, I would complete the journey to Fish Bar alone. I ducked into a White Castle to give Ira a proper send-off into the watery depths of the city sewer system -- see ya, little buddy -- and continued the journey. Though rather despondent over the loss of my goldfish, I wiped away the last of my tears on my sleeve and entered Fish Bar. "What else but the company of other fish will comfort me in this tender moment of grief?" I asked myself. Imagine my disappointment when Fish Bar was not a bar for fish, but in fact for humans. WTF? I mean, cop bar = bar for cops, singles bar = bar for singles, karaoke bar = bar for karaoke singers... I'm glad Ira didn't live to see this! Anyway, I had a seat and ordered a delicious cocktail -- a wonderful campari/orange juice concoction that superbly cleared the way for the delicious fish to come. I started with the carpacio of the day -- ueber-fresh North Atlantic Salmon matched with a tasty assortment of diced veggies. I went on to enjoy the crispy and hot fried clams and the steamed mussels served with a buttery piece of toast for sopping up the sausage/tomato sauce at its base. Heavenly! The highlight might have been the grilled octopus. Perfectly cooked and served with a buttery sauce. Amazing. Washed it all down with a 2 dollar can of PBR for dessert. NOT BAD. Short story: Fish Bar = Good. Rest in peace, Ira O goldfish of goldfish. PROTIP: There's a great pointillistic screen-printed mural on the wall at the West end of the bar. Touch the bumps on it for tactile bliss.
(5)Diana P.
Great food but insanely small portions and high prices. $19 for a lobster roll sandwich. Sure, it was great but $19!!!?? My husband and I dropped $70 for lunch and we barely had anything to eat. Calamari good but once again, TINY portion. This isn't a gourmet restaurant by any means in terms of how this place looks (you sit on bar stools). If you have the cash to spare, sure, I'd recommend coming here. We tried the Po Boy and were not a fan but you're safe with the lobster roll sandwich-very good. Clam Chowder was okay, very salty but fresh tasting. Octopus was fantastic, however, sticking to the theme of this review, TINY PORTION. :)
(4)Kelly K.
Date night. After a day on the boat or at beach. Absolute protein power up before night of drinking! Must LOVE seafood and be willing to try wicked brilliant flavor that are easily a product of mad scientist experimentation. Pickled onion garnish, hot sauce infused cole slaw, or straight lemon juice will surprise your mouth. Beer list is short & sweet, just as it should be. Garlic bread is gigantic portion for 3 bucks, and will be needed to soak up every last drop of magic in the bottom of the bowl of mussels. Music is loud or louder, and is turned down if requested. But who wants to hear such kickass tunes below louder?! Sasha is Tha Man. Colleen is Tha Bomb. One or both have been there during each of my visits. All the less than pleasant reviews can suck it. Go back to New England or leave your East Coast ego at the door. It will be there when you leave, and readily find plenty of local bar youth to look down your nose at as you head south on Sheffield. If you savor the seafood it's impossible to not enjoy. If it doesn't make your tongue dance with delight, then say something to the staff. If you think $11 for the best crabby patty sandwich on earth is too expensive, then don't order it. Doing this and then bitching about it in a review... well now more people know you're a whining moron. Questions and constructive criticism would not fall on deaf ears at Fish Bar, so speak up while your there warming a seat.
(5)Dana B.
I drive past this restaurant every day going to work and every night coming home from work and have always wanted to go. Yesterday(saturday) a friend and I decided to roll out of bed from the night before to grab some food and catch up on a recent date and to b*tch about life. Upon arriving we were greeted right away from the host and were seated right at the counter. Inside was not what I expected but I really liked the seating arrangement, it even had hooks under the counter for purses. The menu is kinda hard to read I'd say but everything looked good. We decided on the app of stuffed calamari. Really good its just the filling isnt what I expected(spinach, some cheese.. idk) interesting. I got the po boy with shrimp and crawfish(?) which was really good. Very flavorful and the bread was nice and toasty yumo. My friend got the crabby patty which I grabbed a bite and it was also awesome. I will def go back to try more off the menu. The service was kinda.. well not all there I'd say. We waited 5-10 with no water and the server passed us a couple times before acknowledging us. Weird because there seemed to be a lot of employees on the floor for such a small place. Our entrees came before the app. which is fine with me. The server asked us if we wanted a little extra for the wait which was very generous of her. All n all I would 100% go back and am excited to go back. I like the small atmosphere because it reminds me of my restaurant that I work at. The food is great and the drink menu looks awesome. (would have took advantage but was still recovering from the night before). Def. a place to check out.
(5)Mandy M.
4.5 stars really. C'mon Yelp, why ya gotta be so rigidly old fashioned with your rating system? Its been a while since a business has impressed me enough to Yelp, but tonight Fish Bar managed to just that. I had my sights set on a burger at DMK, but after stepping inside the obnoxiously loud and dark quarters to be faced with a 40 min wait, we immediately turned around and went to look elsewhere for eats. I must admit at this point I was pretty hangry, as I had not eaten lunch, we had just driven almost an hour from Forest Park and I had my heart set on a fancy burger. So I wasn't exactly thrilled when Fish Bar was suggested simply out of proximity. However that changed once we entered and were graciously greeted at the door by Sasha. The atmosphere in Fish Bar is totally different from DMK, and while smaller, much more inviting. We were once again faced with a 30-40 min wait, at which point Sasha took our names and we left briefly to scour the area for anything that looked potentially more appealing. After about 5 minutes though, we returned. I was already smitten with the service and I think we were all excited to enjoy some beverages served in mason jars while we waited. I started off with the Tinge of Ginge with Freckles, which was a strong sipper and eased my hanger fairly quickly. By the time we were seated there was another greeter, but she was equally as friendly. And our waitress was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Good service can overcome a lot in my book and Fish Bar has that area covered nicely. But I know what you're thinking - get to the food already! No one in our 3 party group left unsatisfied, although I can only truly report on how tasty my own meal was. After some discussion with the waitress (whose name escapes me), I settled on the rock shrimp (dry) and salt potatoes. Delish. My boyfriend had the salmon a la plancha and tater tots and my friend had the sashimi salad and tater tots. I also tried the Tea, which was twice as good as my first drink. Too drinkable almost. And then to top it all off, Sasha sent us some fried calamari on the house, which ended up being my favorite part of the night. Its served "Federal Style", which translates to perfectly fried with pickled banana and jalapeno peppers. I could've taken a bucket to go, or at least ordered another round. And then for dessert my boyfriend and I shared an order of s'mores, which consisted of 3 marshmallows, 3 plain graham crackers and 3 graham crackers smeared with chocolatey goodness. We were given our own miniature fire pit to roast our marshmallows over. It was the absolute perfect way to end a great dinner. Overall I'm looking forward to returning soon, just probably not on a Friday at 7 pm. That's the only drawback to the place - its just a little too small!
(4)Bennie Q.
My girlfriend and I are new to Chicago and decided on seafood for dinner. On the way home from work we discovered Fish Bar. The place is great! Great location and a fun atmosphere! The employees were upbeat, having fun and courteous! To add to all that the food was excellent! I don't like to try many new things but my girlfriend insisted and I was not disappointed!! We started with a seasonal crab dip that's mixed with local fare, awesome! Next, was the gumbo, never had it before, loved it! Moving on the the salmon BLT, perfect! And our gracious server was nice enough to comp a starter just to try it out! I don't remember the name but it was artichoke and lemon blended together and deep fried. I know I murdered the description but it's close enough to figure it out when you order. Don't pass it up!! All in all this place was a great find!! It all seemed too perfect and our experience may have been a fluke but I doubt it; it was busy with happy locals and the team had it wired tight! Thanks for the friendly experience and GREAT food!! We'll be back, frequently!! BQ PS....had the fish tacos as well, I almost left out how great these were, also!! Fantastic!!!
(5)Ozge S.
attention fish lovers, appetizers are great and fish burgers are killers! I tried cud burger and find out it was so delicious that wanted to order and share another one-however the waiter said that burger was the last cud burger they had but guess what? they brought another complimentary crab burger instead which was as good. personnel are super friendly here.
(4)Libby T.
Let me start by saying that Fish Bar is a amazing. Not only is the food delicious, the drinks spectacular, but the service is truly unmatched. I come out quite a bit in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park area, but when I came into Fish Bar I felt like I was with a bunch of friends. The wait staff was so attentive and knew their stuff. Our waiter, Janna, was unbelievable. She knew exactly what we'd enjoy just by me mentioning what it is I usually eat. She suggested the perfect drinks, and again, she made me feel welcomed. It was tough to leave Fish Bar. Go here if you want great food, amazing drinks, and a wait staff that makes you feel at home. You won't regret it... Oh, and ask for Janna.
(5)E H.
This place was mehhhh. Had been craving a lobster roll for like, three days. Went to this place to satisfy lobster roll craving. It did the job. Wasn't blown away or anything. Fish tacos were pretty awful. Looked like hospital food...tasted like farts. My poor GF had to suffer through two miserable fish tacos. Poor Schmackie!!! Clam chowder...again, mehhhhh. Not impressed. Watery. Two or three, tiny, little clams. Have had better canned soup. Bill was stupid. Would only go back on a dare and/or if idiot friend Peter S. paid for everything. This is something he would like.
(5)Bong K.
I generally don't write average reviews, but with this place, I felt I had to given how over-rated its reviews currently are. The food is really only okay. Many of the dishes we tried like the Hush Puppies were crazy salty. Their drink selection is decent and I'm guessing they're trying to get you to drink more with the saltiness of their food. Also, the layout of the place is pretty inefficiently designed so there's a lot of empty space. I'm going to guess that they have a fairly savvy business manager who uses saltiness to drive up drink revenue and artificially induces waiting time to create lines that increase marketing appeal. I wouldn't willingly return to this place given there's always a wait.
(3)Deb F.
Came here on a Friday around 6:00 with 2 girlfriends. The wait was around 40 minutes, which was a little long but well worth it. We were seated inside at a booth in the back after switching our minds from wanting to sit outside. I ordered the scallop ceviche, which was excellent. Fresh and light - just what's best on a summer day. My friends ordered the fish tacos, olives, Satchmo po' boy, and the soup of the day. Our AWESOME server Blaine also gave us some artichokes to try as well as some tuna, which was excellent. I would definitely recommend the fish tacos and scallop ceviche. The Satchmo po' boy was tasty as well, but entirely deep-fried, so a little heavier. The outdoor seating area is great for a summer night. Overall, the service is what really pushed our dinner from 4- to 5-stars. Blaine was attentive throughout our entire meal and had good suggestions on what to try. Free food tidbits, a great server, and a round of beers on Lagunitas? It was a great meal. Definitely recommend for a date night or low-key meal with friends.
(5)D G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar for lunch this past Sunday. We've driven by Fish House for 2 years now and consider ourselves foodies who are open to spending $$$ for great food. We were also curious since there is always a crowd outside. Upon entering, we were shocked to see how little Fish Bar is. There are three small 4 tops inside. We commented that you'd have to be really close friends to sit with another couple at these tiny four tops. We should have taken this as a sign of things to come. The additional seating is around a bar, or larger picnic tables outside (which explains the crowd). We ordered two orders of tacos and the lobster roll. Tacos: Scallop - 3 tiny tiny scallops in the taco, and fried fish tacos. The breaded fish taco was outstanding - the scallop was good, not great, and way too short on scallops. The tacos were $4.50 each ($9 an order). We also ordered a lobster roll. The lobster roll ($22) was skimpy and served with a bag of chips. We know the cost of lobster but they fill the roll with tartar sauce so it appears that the lobster is overflowing, not the case. When ordering, we asked the waitress is this was enough for two hungry people and she confirmed these were more "hardy". I can only imagine the size of the less "hardy" dishes. While the food itself was delicious, the portion size was ridiculous. We are well aware of the cost of fresh fish/seafood but to spend $70 on lunch for three items, two reasonable priced beers ($6 each), and to leave hungry is outrageous. The atmosphere and service are also far too casual to meet this price point in Lakeview. We will not return.
(3)Dana O.
Excellent seafood - I am from Maine and I grew up eating some of the best seafood (shrimp, lobster, haddock, etc...) in the world, so I totally mean it when I say that. A lot of the time I eat seafood ('Real Maine Lobster," "Canadian Rock Shrimp" ) and it's been frozen and is far from fresh - also it is ridiculously overpriced. Fish Bar's prices are reasonable and their fish is fresh and delicious!!! I ended up not eating fish this time around, and opted for the No Fish Sandwich. I have eaten fried chicken sandwiches from dozens of places in my lifetime, and none of them even come close to comparing to the No Fish. The batter they fry the chicken in comes out perfectly crispy, salty, and full of flavor. The chicken is not dry, but very, very juicy. The bun seals the deal though - it's fried to a crispy buttery perfection. The Rock Shrimp is also tasty. Our waitress told us that they recommend that their customers order the dish "wet." However, the jalapeño aioli they tossed it in wasn't really to my liking. So, I ordered a cup of cocktail sauce and it was amazing- just tangy and spicy enough. I wish I had gotten the shrimp dry and just used the cocktail sauce. But beware! The cups of cocktail sauce they provide are the same cups you pump ketchup into at places like Wendy's and McDonalds - AKA they are super small and they only give you one but the cocktail sauce is so good you'll obviously have to ask for another so wtf!? Anyway, my only gripe is that I wish they served french fries. Many sad faces - and also minus one star!!!
(4)Mustache B.
Loved everything about this place. The food was fresh and very delicious. The service was outstanding and the drinks were also great. Overall great seafood restaurant.
(4)Christine S.
Poppped in here on Saturday evening and got a seat at a community table right away. I wasn't really sure what I was in for until I looked at the menu. I think they need to change the name of the restaurant to ShellFish Bar because that's mostly what's on the menu. I think I counted 3 or 4 non-shell fish items that would be considered a main course, which is okay, if you're not allergic to shell fish, but I am so it's a problem for me. No worries, I'll find something on the menu that I can eat. I ended up with the Salmon Tacos and they were good. The calamari was also delicious, I enjoyed the peppers that are on top...it's a nice mix up from the typical cocktail sauce you normally get with calamari. We also had the fingerling potatoes, and I REALLY enjoyed those a lot. Great flavor! My friend had the musles and she seemed to enjoy them as well. We had John Daly's which are served in a not so big mason jar. The drinks are expensive for the size of them, so buyer beware. Our server was super duper nice...but service here is super duper slow (food and drinks). Meh.
(3)E M B.
Tasty seafood, love the tacos. Cute atmosphere and good service. However, the place is overpriced. $9 for two tiny tacos is a bit much. $15 for four shrimp in a salad or $22 for a lobster roll is crazy. Amp up the seafood portions or lower the prices because they aren't justified! Really enjoy this spot but I've been twice and can't get behind the prices when you can get great seafood for a fraction of the price elsewhere (lobster roll at Da Loster for $12, fish tacos at Big Star for $3).
(2)Magen R.
Tried out Fish Bar with my sisters - what a neat place! We decided to go all out and try a bunch of different stuff on the menu and everything was pretty great! To share we tried the calamari and garlic bread. The calamari was lightly breaded and banana peppers and jalapenos mixed in. I loved the flavor combination and could not stop eating it! The garlic bread was thin and crispy, it was also a huge portion for a great price. For our entrees one of my sisters ordered the gumbo and the lobster roll, the other ordered the surf and turf with the bacon and egg salad and I ordered the shrimp and crawfish po'boy with fingerling potatoes. We all loved our meals! All of the seafood was perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful. The standout for me had to be egg and bacon salad which was a crazy combo of tater tots topped with salad, crunchy bacon and an egg - so yummy! We also all drank and I was really impressed with the yummy tequila drink I had. The drinks were reasonably priced but the portions were not very large. However, I loved that the drinks came in little mason jars - very original and they added to the ambiance of the meal. Speaking of ambiance this place is so original and amazing! They only have a few tables that seat 3 or 4 and the rest of the seating is literally a bar! I love how the seating ties in with the name of the place. The service is very interesting and also ties in with the ambiance, the restaurant is set up so all of the servers remain behind the bar at all times, they are able to serve all of the patrons at the boothes and at the bar at the same time. The service was so so, the waiters were attentive at sometimes but not at others. My only real complaint is that where we were seated you could not see any of the specials that are listed on the board. The specials are a fairly major component of the menu and it would do well to either have them printed or posted in an additonal place.
(4)Xida Z.
Incredible, beautiful, fresh fish in a local Chicago place I love the look of the place. The panelling. The bar. The local vibe. Lots of things look good on the menu. Little did I know, I was about to set sail on a tasting adventure. The Oysters were very fresh. I tried an East coast (5/5) and a West coast (3/5) . The west was too salty for me, and east was nice and sweet. The po'boy sandwich I got was two pieces of garlic bread with 7 pieces of shrimp/crawfish. It wasn't enough and I didn't really taste the fish ($11, 2/5). Most sandwiches probably aren't worth it, though the crabcake sandwich would have been better. Still hungry and looking to taste some fish the Citrus cured salmon carpaccio with capers and citrus vin was next. Citrus cut into the salinity of the capers. The fish was like good sashimi slightly cooked ($7, 5/5). The fried calamari was bland in the middle. There was too much pepper and oil, which made a gritty paste. I added the capers from the salmon and fixed that ($6, 3/5). Food presentation is a strength at the Fish Bar and for the most part, the food matches it's appearance. If you're here for fish, avoid the sandwiches. Don't be surprised if you end up dropping $30 for lunch. Ambiance and Service 5/5 Food 4/5 Value 3/5
(4)Gary B.
We have always wanted to go here but our major deterrent was that we heard (and read reviews) that this place can get crowded and somewhat difficult to get in to. Well we made it and couldn't be happier that we did. Went on a Sunday evening around 5:00 and the place was empty. I think we can be thankful that the bears were playing which seemed to keep everyone in front of a tv which Fish Bar has none. Our server was extremely friendly and went over the menu from drink options, specials and answered all of our questions. Over the next hour we consumed beers, oysters, fish fries, a crabby sandwich and the Smoked Trout. All were very good and we certainly enjoyed our meal. We will be back and I would recommend to anyone that is looking for some fresh fish. In the summer they also off outdoor seating.
(4)Karla B.
Food was great and the perfect "after game spot" after a Sunday Cub's game. It was our first time here and we loved the oysters, calamari, the white fish spread, and crab cake sandwich. However, our favorite was definitely the Satchmo po' boy - perfectly cooked, not overly greasy for something that was fried, and highlighted by housemade pickles. Our server even treated us to the fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions just because she wanted us to try them. The decor was cute but not over the top or cheesy. Can't wait to be back!
(4)Kris G.
I liked Fish Bar! I happened to come in with a group larger than recommended (I didn't realize until after the fact, I was with 4 others making us a "large" group of 5), luckily during off hours--around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday. DMK is already my favorite restaurant, and knowing that these are owned and run by the same people, I had high expectations. The staff were very friendly and didn't make our large group feel like we had to leave or were inconveniencing them in any way. We each ordered a drink and loved the mason jars they came in--the ambiance is carried through the whole experience and that's a definite plus for me. Almost the entire party ended up ordering the lobster po'boys. My dad also got some soup to start (knowing he wouldn't be filled up on the sandwich alone) and I opted for the clam po'boy instead. On the side I also ordered the fried lemons. We all really enjoyed our food and felt that the price was where it should be for the quality. The only reason I dock a star is for the amount of food you get in comparison to the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the side dish, especially, and if you do decide to spend your money here, I don't think you'll be disappointed in taste, quality, or service. Just plan on coming in for a lighter lunch or be prepared to spend for a bigger dinner.
(4)Mary A.
The staff is so nice. Very friendly and upbeat. The beachy décor is so cute. Terrific outdoor seating and plenty of counter space inside. Had the grilled scallop taco (a wee bit spicy) and seared ahi tuna with avocado and pineapple salsa - both delish but when they say small plates they mean it. I saw the beet salad and it looked tiny, too. My bill was $25 without tip or a drink and I was still starving such small portions it was sad. And I was there at 430P and no happy hour specials ... only $1.50 oysters on Sunday not happy hour. Fish Bar, be more generous with the portions! especially for $10+ a plate!
(2)Lunch E.
Everything about this place reminded me of the taste of Chicago and not in a good way. Everything is super expensive and you get a tiny portion. Which would be fine if there was some amazing flavor or quality but it wasn't there. I had the oyster po boy after seeing a pic of a oyster the size of the bun, mine appeared to have slivers of oysters, why? Besides the oysters being butchered they were flavorless under all the salt. I also received half the portion of rock fish that was promised from the pictures I saw. Walked out feeling robbed and extremely disappointed. Glad they decided to do a craw fish boil after living in New Orleans for 5 years. They advertise it as being $30 but when you try and buy your tickets it's $39 before fees. So besides not ring able to cook they can't really add either. There are other crawfish boils in the city that actually are $30 which leaves you with some cash for beer. Really disappointed here.
(1)Kara B.
LOVE this place! The drinks were awesome! We got the Tea and the Jackhammer- both delish! Bartender Aly was awesome! Great atmosphere, the music was awesome! The food was Better than I could have imagined! The calamari was easily the best I've ever had, loved the addition of the peppers and parmesan cheese! The scallops were so perfectly grilled and a great portion size. The lobster roll was amazing. So light and fresh with plenty of lobster. I hadn't had frog legs in years but I saw them on the menu and had to try. They did not disappoint. They were served buffalo style- not at all fried which I liked- they were so tender and juicy I would absolutely order them again. And finally the key lime pie was easily the best I've ever had... You cannot leave without getting the klp! Cannot wait to come back to fish bar, new favorite spot!
(5)Donn S.
Decent food; a little cramped. The mule variations drink really wasn't for me but the key lime pie for dessert made up for it. My friends go there pretty regularly and had gotten some drink vouchers from the staff, so that was nice.
(3)Coka B.
it was good.. kinna wish the portions were a little larger. And maybe more items on the menu. But the food was great and our server was very well put together.
(4)Ryan L.
Only 100 more visits and I can catch up to Nikki C. I enjoyed the odd setup of the bar inside. Don't know why this was case. The waitstaff are alotted an area all to themselves to provide service, which is nice. I think the only problem was that the drinks were made right in front of the station where the food was coming out. The staff seems to work efficiently around it, so I guess it's not an issue. Despite being told a very incorrect price on the Eastern Belly clams, I went ahead and ordered it anyway. They were great and definitely not the Gorton's style I grew up on. You can skip the fingerling potatoes, but the clam chowder is a definite must-order. I ordered the gumbo because I read Andre W.'s review about how delicious it was. The man doesn't often use hyperbole so I tried it and did work on it! Definitely killed that gumbo. The drinks are smaller than normal, but priced cheaper ($5-7 dollars I believe). I think I'm a fan of this system, and I did enjoy the drinks we ordered. I can sample much of the drink menu without getting totally blitzed. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Sorry about the random shout-outs in this review.
(4)Emma T.
The fish bar has a nice atmosphere but the portions are tiny and not very well seasoned. I won't be returning
(2)Neamen L.
Food was good. Calamari was delicious. Fish sliders were real good. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends but overall a good experience.
(4)Phoebe W.
I have a confession. I, Phoebe W., am not a fan of lobster. PLEASEDONTJUDGEME. I love seafood. I love learning about and eating all forms of it. When I was a bitty one, my favorite food was shark fin soup (SERIOUSLYDONTJUDGEME). When I spent spring break in Boston, I am relatively sure I decimated a sizable percentage of the marine life on the East coast in 5 days. I once ate crab guts as a dare from my uncle. I'll eat anything if it came out of the ocean. Despite my tastes, I think I can still provide decent insight into a good quality lobster roll. For $20ish Fish Bar gives you a monstrous amount of lobster on a very fresh roll. The flavors were all there, just...lobster just doesn't wow me the way other sea creatures do. If you think you can convince me otherwise, please message me! I guess I'm more of a crab leg kinda gal. Anyway, there's a ton of other things to order besides the lobster roll. Oyster po'boys, fish tacos, salads, and raw oysters (Get the Naked Cowboy, they're "salty and girthy" as described by our server). But my favorite item at Fish Bar is the clam chowder. Somehow it's rich, but not heart clogging. Flavorful without being too fishy or salty. How do you do it, Fish Bar?? Get yourself a Bourbon on Belmont and enjoy, folks.
(4)Andre W.
Nothing but deliciousness going on here! Salmon BLT blew me away as the salmon/bacon combo was perfect. The gumbo was phenomenal and what I would imaging true New Orleans gumbo would be like...I was told its great for hangovers...I know where I will be next time I need a cure...lol The fried Bay Scallops were delicious as well as they came with fresno chili, soy, ginger & sesame Key lime pie (one of my favorite desserts) was as good as any I have ever had. Drink wise I had a Jackhammer which is a tequila based drink. Fucking phenomenal as I had about 5 of them! The staff of beautiful women are really nice and attentive. The girls seemed to be able to break down the menu for anyone who had questions...very nice to chat with as well. One of my new favorite places!
(5)Hollina U.
Love the spicy tequila drink here. Cocktail #3! I always get the double since the regular size is super tiny. The double is just a normal mason jar. The ceviche is good, but the serving is small for the price. Hmm sensing a pattern here? I like blackened fish sliders though!! Both times I've gone they give me coupons for free cocktails.... But then again each coupon is only worth $6 for the small size. Well, the gesture is nice. The set up of Fish Bar is fun though, because the majority of people sit around a bar... Hence the name! I'll come back for more of the #3 cocktail... And will prob order some fish tacos and sliders the tipsier I get!
(4)Pierre W.
Well.. I went here last week. I had a lobster roll. It was OK..I had some NE Clam Chowdah!!(smile).. It was quite good. The waite staff was very nice, and helpful. My experience was OK.... OK....
(3)Karen C.
Yet another one of my "WHY did I wait so long to go here!?" reviews. Definitely a great date place, not so much for a group... I now understand why they say if you have a party of 4 to go next door instead. Super cute set-up, it's literally a fish BAR... they do have a few tables but the main seating area is at the bar. We went on a Saturday night & we were expecting a crazy wait. I started out with a Half Acre beer which you can never go wrong with, and the boy had the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail... wow. It was delicious. I love that the drinks are served in jars... little stuff like that always makes me smile. Moving on... we got seated after about 20 minutes, so that wasn't as bad as I expected. We ordered the crabby patty (yum! stuffed full of crab), fish fries, shrimp, swordfish & the trout salad. Everything was seriously so delicious. Our waitress was very nice & helpful, too... you really get the feeling that everyone actually cares about you here. I can't wait to go back & try more... that lobster roll is calling my name!
(5)Chris C.
I will make it simple. Good food and great staff! When you come here this place makes you feel like you're at home.
(5)Daniel G.
First I gulped down a savory oyster shooter. I then had a delicious Rainbow trout special. It was grilled with a brown butter caper sauce with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Curtis, the generous server, offered me a tasty cobia ceviche. Great place! I've been here many times.
(5)Traci B.
Went here on a Sunday evening since it was $1.50 oysters. We sat right down outside without a wait. However, it took about 10-15 minutes before a server took our drink order. She apologized so I was ok with that. We tried both kinds of oysters (east coast only that day) and both were delicious. The special that night was grilled cod sliders which were really good. I had been wanting to try this place not only for the $1.50 oysters, but also saw it on a Yahoo list for 10 best lobster rolls in the country. Maybe it was the hype of thinking it would be awesome, but it was a total let down. It was extremely small, didn't have much lobster meat, and the sauce was in one glob of little flavor. Nothing special and was overpriced at $22. I had a much better lobster roll at a fast food place for about $15. I'll be back for $1.50 oysters and to give other menu items a try but won't get the lobster roll ever again.
(3)Kateryna G.
Underwhelming food at high prices. Won't be going back Food - 2/5. On their website they have a list of fish they have. We assumed they always offer all the fish listed, which is wrong. Only one special comes from that list. We had fish tacos, grilled white fish, seared ahi tuna, tator tots, smoked fish dip and cole slaw. Nothing was memorable, and cole slaw was by far my favorite part of the meal. Smoked fish dip was too salty and came with too little bread, seared ahi tuna was good, but nothing special, fish tacos were flavorless, grilled white fish had delicate texture, but the portion was small and had no sides. Drinks - 1/5 We had gin cocktails, which we couldn't finish because of how bad they were. Service - 1/5 The hostess seemed very stressed out running around, while completely ignoring new comers. Our waitress not once checked on our food or drinks, and never offered to check out desserts.
(1)Yahaira T.
I enjoyed the food, although portions are small for the price! I know this is a small plates type of place so it's a bit pricey. The oysters are $15 for 6. So I only ordered 1, just to try it. When I got it, the waitress (Alix) said "here is your one oyster" I heard the person next yo me laugh! She made up for it though by being nice the rest of the time & gave us a little sample of artichokes, I think. My boyfriend loved the salmon blt. I liked the cod tacos & shrimp tacos! I would come back again! Ps, the three hour tour cocktail was good & strong.
(4)Lauren F.
Wow is all I can say. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved Fish Bar. We stopped in for dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving around 6:30pm and only had to wait about 10 minutes before a couple of seats opened up at the counter, we grabbed a couple beers while we waited so it was no big deal. Our server let us know that the plates are smaller and meant to be shared, so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us. Lobster Bisque-delicious! Pretty decent sized chunks of lobster in a creamy yet not too rich broth with tons of flavor-very good. Gumbo-again, delicious! This bowl was just packed with flavor-blue crab and andouille sausage with a great spicy kick at the end. Scallops a la Plancha-3 large scallops cooked perfectly on the grill. Delicate seasoning really let the scallops themselves shine. Rock Shrimp-If you don't like fried shrimp there might be something wrong with you (unless you have a shellfish allergy which, in that case, I feel really bad for you). If you don't like Fish Bar's rock shrimp, you're crazy! Hot out of the fryer with a yummy sriracha dipping sauce-I could've eaten the whole basket myself! Maine Lobster Roll-With the market price of lobser making this sandwich a pricey $19 you may be wondering if its worth it. Well let me tell you, it is soooo worth it. Huge chunks of cold lobster, and lots of it, mixed with a light celery mayo on a warm, buttery piece of bread. Heaven on a bun. Satchmo Po' Boy-They hit another home run with this fried crawfish and shrimp sandwich with a tasty roasted garlic aioli on the same warm buttery bread as the lobster roll. It was awesome, I would have a hard time picking between this and the lobster...solution, just get both and share! Its no east coast seafood joint but when you're craving seafood in Chicago and want a cool, laid-back setting definitely hit up Fish Bar and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Molly M.
The best place to get great seafood without the price tag or the pretentious atmosphere. The staff is always super friendly and the music is always good. They have really unique takes on classic dishes & although I can neither promise or explain this, one time when i received my bill it was 50% off... I love this place!
(5)Christine M.
Since moving to the neighborhood 3 months ago, I've been to Fish Bar 3 times! The menu changes often and I've never had a bad dish. Their fixed menu items are delicious, but I suggest ordering from the chalkboard, you will not be disappointed. The service is wonderful. I can't say a bad thing about this place. Hands down the best seafood I've had in the city. This isn't a large restaurant and it gets busy quickly. I've had to wait 20+ minutes every time I've come for a seat but it's worth it. Grab a drink and just chill, your food will be amazing!
(5)Lucia Z.
Extremely overrated with laughably small portion sizes and mediocre taste factor. We did receive a complimentary side for waiting like 30 minutes for our order to arrive.
(3)Alan T.
Being from the east coast I definitely have a high expectation for good seafood. My gf and I have not had good seafood since moving here. I admit we should lower our expectations since this is the midwest, but it's like going out with a bitch of a gf that u know will cheat on you but you always forgive her and think it will turn out well in the end lol. I really wanted to like this place. The staff are really friendly the ambiance is very chill. Unfortunately i give this two stars because theres always a wait and locals in the area recommended it for good seafood so my expectations were def high. We ordered: Gumbo - crab was good but when i think of gumbo I think of a thick n hearty soup, this was not it. It was mainly broth with barely any sausage or crab. The flavor was still good though. Octopus/scallop ceviche - it was VERY tart, to the point it masked any flavor from the octopus n scallop. Sea scallops - on the smaller size for scallops and a tad too salty, but cooked well (not overcooked and not undercooked). Manilla clams - this was the best dish but some clams still had some sand. They give u a toasted bread thats sitting in the broth/sauce so by the time u get it half the bread is soaked and soggy.
(2)Jammir G.
I ordered the crabby patty and the scallops. It was not that great. All I have to say is that Spongebob would have never sent that patty out to the guest and me and him are like super close so I know. It was CRAZY overwhelmingly peppery and tasted super bready. It was that stereotypical crab cake with crab flavor and a few chards here and there. I thought with them being associated with DMK they would have had at least some lumps in there of crab meat but alas no... :( The only saving grace was the scallops. Totally uninspired but not overcooked. Meh...!
(2)Lia V.
I lived a couple blocks away from this spot and every time my boyfriend and I drove by it I told him I wanted to go so when we finally went I was really excited. It wasn't as good as I was hoping for. :-( The patio looks so appealing and the inside has a nice atmosphere too. The servers are really nice and helpful and the beer selection is good. The food is just okay. Maybe it's what we ordered, but oh well. The calamari was served a weird way with peppers and stuff on it. My boyfriend got pork belly... at a fish place... silly man.
(3)Stassi S.
Love the service. Kelly is the best! Love the atmosphere. Love the food. Best clam chowder ever. Awesome fish tacos and fish sliders. My husband loves the buffalo frog legs- I'm not as adventurous. Will continue to go back again and again.
(5)Alexis M.
This place is small, quaint and to the point about serving fresh and flavorful fish. I am severely allergic to shellfish and I never worry about them serving contaminated food to me (as they separate the shellfish from the rest of the fish). I always get various oysters and they have a number of amazing beer options to pair.
(5)Elina S.
LOVED this place. Were we in Cape Cod, but seriously? I was in Cape Cod just last year and this place totally reminded me of it. I will start with the negative, and there is only one, they don't take reservations for parties of two or six or three or five, ONLY four, which is kinda annoying and it's a first come first serve seating arrangement and the place isn't huge. On the contrary, it's small, intimate, cozy, fishies on the wall and a huge boat hanging above the four-seater tables. The place has a very fun and unique ambiance and walking in, the first thing you smell, is fresh seafood. That smell alone makes me want to come back. Now onto the food, we tried everything from the talked about rock shrimp, we asked for wet, and they were a tad spicy, and absolutely delicious. The oysters were incredible and as fresh as ones I've had in Welfleet last year, now that says something. The lobster roll for $21 is a tad pricey, but so worth it. Full of chunks of fresh lobster meat, on a warm toasted roll, not drenched in mayo, wow, mouthwatering. I'm drooling just thinking about it. We also had the mussels in white wine with some bread which were very yummy as well. I mean everything we put in our mouth was delicious. When our server brought out complimentary garlic bread because our friends were waiting a while for their fresh fish of the day sandwiches, that was just icing on the cake. The garlic bread w/ melted cheese was one of the best I've had anywhere. The beers served in adorable mason jars, totally a cuteness factor which I appreciate and like. I cannot wait to come back here for more oysters, more lobster rolls and more rock shrimp as those were my absolute faves. We were too full for dessert, but definitely next time. They also have outdoor seating which is perfect in the summertime. I will definitely take advantage of that when it's warm! I'm very picky when it comes to seafood, but this place beats GT any day because the prices and quality are much better.
(5)Jason R.
I went to Fish Bar last night with a friend before a concert at the Vic. I had a salmon BLT sandwich, a side of "lemon rings" and a beer. It was easily one of the best sandwiches I had in the past 6 months, and I now have to add lemons to my list of Things that Taste Surprisingly Good When Fried. I'd have changed one thing about the lemon rings. Slice the jalapenos, onions and lemons a bit thicker before frying, and serve the side with a nice garlic aioli (or a similar creamy dipping sauce, perhaps flavored with Old Bay or something in that vein.) I asked one of the servers whether Fish Bar made grilled cheese sandwiches. She said "sometimes, but usually only for kids when the kitchen isn't busy". Well, I want to pitch you guys on an adult grilled cheese sandwich: bacon, smoked oysters, and either smoked cheddar or mozzarella on sourdough bread. If you attempt this, I'd like to be the first to try it.
(5)Troy H.
My cousin came in from out of town, and I've heard good things about this spot. I got the Satchmo po boy, the ginger-bourbon drink, a cup of clam chowder, and tater tots. My cousin got the cod sammich. The outdoor seating is pretty nice, and the weather was perfect. But then, the food came. My clam chowder was salted down clam juice, which scant potato or clam. My Satchmo had good flavor, but the tater tots suffered the same salty fate as my chowder. I'm not talking just oversalted. Whatever is beyond oversalted. I drank copious amounts of water to try to counter it. My cousin said that her sandwich was good, but she too couldn't deal too well with the tater tots.
(2)Michael H.
The Food: Delicious and fresh. We started with the salmon tartare and ceviche. The tartare was rich, velvety, and full of flavor. The ceviche was made with a few types of seafood, including octopus. Tasty, but the portion was small and it needed more lime juice and salt. I also had the Satchmo po' boy, which comes with breaded and fried shrimp and oysters on a butter toasted bun. The po' boy hit the spot and is a cheaper alternative ($12) to the lobster roll ($22). Although if you have the money to spend, the lobster roll on the table next to me looked mouth-watering. My partner ordered the fish fries, and I was surprised how much I like them. These are whole, small fish that are breaded and fried. You eat them like a french fry. They ended up being a highlight of the meal for me. The Drinks: Fish Bar has a decent selection of beers on tap, with a couple of local options. I had a Daisy Cutter (I love Half Acre) and a rotating tap. Beer is served in mason jars and is $6. I will probably stick with beer when I return. My partner ordered a couple of cocktails and neither one was great. We watched an overworked bartender try to fill 15 cocktail orders all at once so she was just pouring shots and liquids as fast as she could. At least they don't charge craft cocktail prices - the drinks are $6. The drinks next door at DMK are much better, perhaps the bartenders could have a meet up? The Atmosphere: We sat outside on a beautiful summer evening. I love the outdoor patio. If it is nice outside, and you have the option, sit outside. The inside is small and probably not good for large parties. It gets very busy on the weekend, so expect a wait. You are allowed to grab a drink at the bar and hang out on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. I love seafood and can't wait to return for the fish tacos, calamari, and cod sandwich.
(4)Kelly B.
Hi there, Southern gal here. As I searched for a seafood restaurant in Chicago that would satiate my desire for raw seafood from time to time, Fish Bar seemed to be the winner. I was terrified to try seafood in the Midwest being from South Florida and all, but Fish Bar provided me with some solid, fresh choices. Hallelujah! I hit this place once every two months or so. The oysters---oh no, I'm craving more just talking about them. They usually offer a choice of East or West coast oysters(right now the West coast oysters are spawning, so they're unavailable). Slimy and perfect. The Satchmo Po'boy is a highlight every time. Consistently delicious. So is the tartare. I always order the ceviche, but unfortunately, I am always disappointed. I ordered it last night, and just like times in the past, it needed a lot more acid and salt. Seasonal menu, so it changes frequently. The fish and shellfish are always fresh and never too fishy. I like the small square footage of the place, too. It makes for a cozier environment. Just go here with a friend or two, not a group kinda place.
(4)Ashley G.
A hidden gem! Casual spot and right next to the 'L' Station for convenience. We ordered about 8 items for 2 of us and we were so stuffed but couldn't stop eating because everything was just so good. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Insun M.
Minus stars for limited seating and not so fantastic ceviche. Bonus stars for the BEST OYSTER POBOY IN THE WORLD.
(4)Noy And Alan T.
Maybe I'm a little biased since I'm from New England and have been spoiled with great seafood...but I was disappointed by the food. The first time we came here, it was a one and a half hour wait. Thankfully we decided not to stay then or else I would've been livid. The bf and I tried again today. We were told the wait would be about 25-30 minutes, which was fine. We grabbed a pumpkin ale, served in a cute mason jar...that was probably the only decent item in the restaurant. 15 minutes later, we got seated. I'm happy we didn't have to wait too long. The first thing I like to ask people when it comes to lobster rolls is whether or it is hot or cold. Apparently not many Chicagoans know the difference between the two. The waitress said its hot and cold (meaning a cold lobster on top of hot toasted bun.). Just as an FYI, hot lobster roll has warm buttered lobster. And a cold lobster roll has mayo in it, like a salad. With this being said, I decided not to order the lobster roll since it was $22! I cringe even paying that much in Boston & Maine...so I definitely know it wouldn't be worth it here. Next, we didn't have faith in the restaurant to create a good New England clam chowder so we opted for the gumbo. It was so watery and barely had any substance to it. Maybe 3 pieces of crab meat and two piece of sausage. It was also cold when we got it. Our next dish - the ceviche. That was by far the worst dish there. It came in a small open mouth mason jar - half of it was lime juice. Way too much lime! It was so bad we had drain the octopus & scallops from all the lime juice. Total disappointment. I would rather go to the savoy for this dish. Sea scallops from Maine...I've been to Maine many many times and never has it ever been that small. It came with 3 pieces - lemme rephrase...3 small scallops. The first scallop I tasted was soooooo salty I had to drink a lot of water. Then the second piece wasn't as bad...but still undercooked. I just find it weird that all 3 pieces tasted differently. Manila clams - pretty darn bland. Soggy bread that came with it. Some of the clams still had a lot of sand in it. Our server was really friendly but I noticed that the other servers were arguing and having shit fits so I was a little annoyed and distracted by that. Overall, I don't get the hype of this place. The food wasn't good. And the prices makes it even worse. I don't mind paying a lot for seafood but the price has to match the quality.
(1)Char Y.
We came for a week day lunch after our great massages, and we ordered lobster roll - where is the lobster??? for $21 it should be packed! fried shrimp po boy - YUM! really impressed fish taco - flavorless. come on! for the price, there should be more seafood!
(3)Caitlin A.
Seafood, bourbon drinks, and local brews at it's best. Take bar to as a literal definition. It's a bar for fish and fried delicious beachside seafood! It's the best way to get seafood is in small plates. We went in as a group of 4 sharing each item together-- all amazing! Specifically crabby paddie! Stephan, I believe the manager, felt so bad because we had made 6:45 reservations and because a crowd came in and our reservations was lost. He gave us a round of drinks on the house to make up for it. We sat at the bar, ordered food, and they forgot to put in an extra order of tacos... But Again, tacos on the house! Although it would be frustrating to most, the staff were all so nice and did everything they could to make it an enjoyable, delicious experience! We will definitely go again! Yummmmmy!
(5)Paul G.
Got the lobster roll. 21. Was not good. Too much celery mayo. I was excited to try it. It was also cold. Some reason I thought it would of been warm. The cactussalad was weakkkkkk. The waitress said it was the best bang for your buck but it was like one prawn and 3 pieces of spinach. Not worth it. We got the stuffed calamari with chorizo and it was not good. The chorizo tastes liked cheap. Like it was straight out of the package and unfortunately wasn't good. Now what was good.. The rock shrimp was average but the sauce it came with was delicious. So not bad. The fried fish was great. It has crunchy leaf veggies on top and the sauce it came with was yummy. Now i think or waitress was really awesome and helpful but the food was not that good. So would I go back? Probably not. Not worth the money. We each paid 25$ and had one drink and only half the food was good. So... I'm sorry but 2 stars is all I'm giving. If you love choriZo and stuffing it in places. I'd try AVEC they have the best chorizo stuffed dates. Wow. Anyway. wouldn't go back. not worth the wait or the price. :-(
(2)Emily Z.
Sadly I have never been to the East Coast, though I know that everyone wears polo shirts and boat shoes and they only eat crab, oh and according to Wedding Crashers they love sailing too, I think. Well Fish Bar seems very East Coast to me... whatever it is I can rest assure there is nothing like it in Chicago. Pretty small little laid back joint with 4 tables and one really long bar that snakes around, the servers can reach everyone from behind the bar, though many things are communal and self serve such as paper towels and the silverware. I love the bar stools they use, each is unique as in none are the same, ha. I really wanted to try a drink, they have giant mason jars filled with what I am presuming is liquor and assorted fruits but it was moving day for us so we stuck with water served in low key mason jars as well. Me and my roomie split the lobster roll (market price ($18)). Delicious, light yet somehow rich, the bun was super crispy and yummy. She had the Tots ($2), can't mess those up, and Gumbo ($6) and I had the Little salad ($4) which was good but I was slightly caught off guard that it was served in a paper bowl thing. This place has been packed every night I have walked past it, its definitely an awesome change of pace but if you're like me and like avoiding crowds and lines as much as possible I would hit it up for lunch !
(4)Mandy M.
Amazing!! So happy to have found this place. I got the oyster po boy and it did not dissapoint. I could come here once a week easily and not get sick of it. We also had the mussels which were also yummy. The service was great, cool little place. But I have to agree with one of the reviews down below that I was dissapointed when I got my beer that is wasnt filled all the way. The little mason jar was cute but atleast fill my glass up! I dont think mine was even to the rim :( But since the food was so yummy, especially the po boy it still gets 5 stars..yes its thats good get it. now!
(5)Elli T.
I had heard so many amazing amazing things about Fish Bar, so I was thrilled to try it out on a perfect early summer evening. We were seated at a communal table, which was fine by us, and were giving our order to a wonderful waitress...when the owner's son and a friend sat down next to us. Let the nightmare begin... 1. Owner's son and friend got waters and placed an order before we were given water or our drinks. 2. Owner's son was obnoxious as hell, uttering "brah" after every freaking thing he said and talking ridiculously loudly so it was impossible not to listen to every annoying word. 3. Owner's son ordered and received MASS amounts of food before we even got our APPETIZER. 4. Owner's son paid bill "using [his] mom's company credit card because it's a business expense." Meanwhile, we still hadn't received our appetizer. 5. Owner's son finally leaves, and my boyfriend's entree arrives, along with appetizer. He ordered the Hobo Dinner, which was a mix of seafood grilled in a large foil package. He loved it and started eating because we were told my fish tacos would be coming soon. 15 minutes later, my meal still hadn't arrived. So, bf closed up his foil as we waited...and waited...and waited. When my meal finally came, the waitress was incredibly apologetic and offered to take our drinks off the tab and give us a free dessert. I really appreciated that and it helped ease the painful experience. The food was good, but really hard to appreciate given the horrendous experience. That said, I will give Fish Bar another try simply because I've heard too many good things not to. Hoping for a better experience next time. One that doesn't include an obnoxious teenager.
(2)Liz C.
First off, love the crabby patty and the special salmon BLT. I also looove their drink the jackhammer. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is for the food. I think some dishes are just decent. That said, their service is awesome, as always with dmk restaurants. Seriously, they always nail it on the service part. Overall, it's definitely a great, small place to grab a bite if you're in a fish mood. Since it is small, be prepared to wait. Just sip on that jackhammer and the wait will fly.
(4)Jasmin V.
Waited about 1 hour to sit on a Friday during lent arrived around 830 pm. Got some drinks while we waited... Punch taste like Mai tai. SO GOOD! Pineapple taste like Patron. Almost straight up on ice. I was a pretty happy camper before we even ordered food. Each drink pretty small and $6 each The service was very friendly and fast. -Lobster roll: yummy but i'm not sure if it's worth $18 (market price) -Crabby patty: i preferred this over the lobster roll $11 -Rock shrimp: mmm i could eat this every day! we got it wet. nice and saucy! -Tater tots: sad it was gone too fast I really LOVED this place BUT i thought it was a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The portions are waaay too small for what you are paying. The sandwiches come alone with no sides. Sides are $2. You can easily rack up a nice bill without even realizing it, especially after drinking their amazing drinks!
(4)Brian F.
Yum! The lobster roll was just chuck full of big chunks of lobster wit a light mayo. Maybe a bit too much seasoning but disregarding the sodium overload it was a seriously tasty sandwich. I also tried their salmon tartar which was also really good. I will definitely come back here.
(4)Joseph D.
As the name implies, this is a seafood-centric place with most dishes being served as "small plates" so you can sample a number of different things at a time. Seating as others have mentioned is at a bar (hence the name Fish Bar) so it makes for a nice communal dining experience. With that in mind, the place is a bit noisy so don't bring grandma here as she'll have to hoist herself up on a bar stool and dial up the hearing aid! Might be a good place for a first date though as there is lot to look at if it's not going well and good music and energy to support it if it is. We ordered quite a number of things and all of them were either very good or excellent. So the good news is, no matter what you get, you're going to enjoy your meal. Food is served as it's ready so you may find yourself with a plate being served to you here and there which is actually good as it extends the evening (bad if you're waiting for a space) and keeps everything fresh. No one wants to eat cold fish. Yuk! One other thing to keep in mind - there is a large chalkboard showing the various dishes of the day as much of the menu varies which makes this a nice place to return to again and again (clever marketing people I tell you!) So when I talk about our dish, it may not be available when you go (and you should go). Our selections and thoughts are as follows: 1. Ceviche - tangy and well balanced with nice chunks of seafood. Ours was scallops and shrimp I believe and served with saltines. Favorite of the bunch. 2. Fish tacos - 2 crispy mini tacos served with two sauces (one green that lacked a bit of taste so I'm not ever sure what it was) and a red sauce that reminded me of sriracha hot sauce which was smoky and quite tasty! 3. Crabby patty - like other mentioned more filler than seafood but tasty none the less. I'd rather they up the price and the seafood quotient. 4. Crab Salad - green salad big enough for sharing of iceberg lettuce, crab meat and asparagus. The dressing was supposed to be a balsamic vinaigrette but perhaps it was white balsamic as it was quite tangy! I'd probably skip this in the future but it was still good. 5. Seared scallops - 3 on a plate and served with a cream sauce which was nice (rich but not too rich). 6. Key Lime Pie - creamy and a nice cracker crust. Nice way to end the meal. The above was more than enough for my wife and I to be quite full. In addition to the above, they have an nice eclectic selection of beers on tap and some top shelf liquors to do cocktails. Not sure if they have wines by the bottle or glass though as I did not see any on the list. We each had two beers and with tax, tip and the food above, dinner cost $115 so it's NOT a cheap evening. But if you think of it like going out to see a show, you can pace yourself, order one thing at a time and make the evening last, with Fish Bar serving as your entertainment. One thing to mention is the staff. SUPER friendly (the manager Stefan sat with us and talked to us and Angela our server was so nice!) so even though this place could be perceived as trendy based on its decor and food style, the vibe is definitely casual and welcoming. Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
(4)Kevin C.
There is a boat hanging from the ceiling in this restaurant, and I spent maybe 95% of dinner thinking about how horrible and amazing it would be if it fell and just ruined somebody's birthday dinner, and how many terrible boat puns would show up in Yelp reviews as a direct result. Honestly, the food was fantastic. Mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy and whitefish sandwich gumbo. Everything was delicious, tasty and fresh, the way seafood and vaginas are supposed to be.
(4)Anne M.
Oh so cute. This place has a little beach shack sort of vibe - and I mean that in the best way possible. From the exterior sky-blue walls to the outdoor picnic table eating area, to the indoor decor of fish, canoes + such, there's a down-to-earth ambiance that is the perfect setting for some fresh, small-plates of seafood. Warning: the place is tiny and maxes out quick. Get there early for dinner or anticipate a wait. I met my sister here for a Saturday dinner date, where we filled up our mini picnic table with all kinds of delectable morsels from the sea: - clam chowder (good + good size, with large pieces of clam) - shrimp cocktail (fresh + seasoned - can't go wrong) - crab salad (so light + pretty looking, with a heap of crab meat on top of the fresh greens) - house salad (also pretty - butter lettuce with a light balsamic dressing) - crab cake sandwich (awesome. decent size and nice spice / flavor) - cod fish sandwich (also awesome. a perfect little fish sammy) - tots (a tiny chalice of tots. odd presentation, okay, but my least favorite of the meal) - key lime pie (yummy. tart + served with a big dollop of whipped cream) They're small plates, okay...? [ "Lay off me I'm starving!" ]
(4)Joe B.
It was very hard for me not to go next door to DMK burger for one of my all time favorite burgers coming from a self proclaimed connoisseur but we wanted to try something new. I was not disappointed. I really wanted the full belly clams but they were out so I opted for fish fries (smelt) and an oyster po boy. Everything was so fresh and so clean like Outkast. My wife's clam chowder was one of the best soups I have tasted and comes highly recommended if you like creamy soups or chowders. The beers looked so good and ice cold served in mason jars which I really enjoy. Everything I did not order looked amazing and made me want to go back to try other things like the ceviche, tartar and oysters. Service was very nice and gave us a free app for somehow not putting our order through, I ain't mad at him or the restaurant at all. Was
(4)Hilary T.
Pretty good spot. The whitefish spread was really good as well as the oysters. There could be more added to the menu but I enjoyed it and will come back. Cute relaxing decor as well.
(4)Roxanne R.
Came here on Saturday afternoon for lunch. No wait and our pick of the outdoor seating area. I had the Punch cocktail. It was a bit too strong for my taste and you'd think with all fruit like pineapple and oj described in the description it would be a bit sweeter but it wasn't.. On to the menu. So one portion of the menu is enough for a meal and the other is tapas style. They also have a wall of specials. So I ordered the crabby sandwich $11 and my husband ordered the sea scallops also for $11 and $3 tater tots. So luckily we were not in the mood to stuff ourselves and only wanted to have "enough" food because there were only 3 scallops! Poor husband, we split our meal down in half so it was just enough. Okay let me say that they were really fresh scallops that were cooked perfectly but c'mon $11? That is a bit steep. The sandwich was really good. Probably one of the better crabcake sandwiches I'll ever have. Maybe i'll comeback when the scallops are on special but don't expect to get full off of that $11 plate.
(3)Leslie B.
Had a second experience here that trumped the first! Went in the daytime, which has a completely different vibe from at night. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar and having a Sunday Funday with my best friend. Went with Tinge of Ginge drink which was refreshing and strong! Made me remember that I had been walking in the sun for 2 hours no hydration...we had to order the rock shrimp, crispy, spicy goodness, and it was probs better than I remembered. We split the crab cake sandwich and the soft shell crab sandwich, which was on its last day at Fish Bar for the season. Both were faaaantastic. Yum. Our server, Emma, convinced us to get the key lime pie. Was I practically waddling out of Fish Bar after consuming it? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
(5)Darin C.
The po'boy is my fav! I have been here twice and so far so good! The last time I came here, my friend and I spent $50 per person because everything tasted so great and we wanted to try everything! We had a lot of food and it was definitely worth it. The lobster roll is a must try but I do prefer the po'boy. The only thing that wasn't too great were the lemon rings. Yeah, don't order the lemon rings. We also had the smores and it was pretty great since you get to roast them yourself on a small flame.
(5)Fish Y.
We had lobster sandwiches! they are good!
(5)Karlos J.
I guess I am part of the small sample that had a bad eating experience here. Seafood in the Midwest can be pretty dicey but I thought I would give this place a shot due to all of the great reviews. The hostess was friendly and seated us in a short amount of time. The server was decent too for the most part. The food is atrocious here. I grew up in New England so I may be a bit jaded. We ordered the lobster roll, fish fries, and calamari. Everything was so over seasoned and salty. The jalapenos they put in the calamari is a really odd blend too. Actually, the lobster roll was pretty decent, until I started to feel a crunch in my mouth while I was chewing which turned out to be pieces of the lobster shell! I told our server and he did apologize but really just shrugged it off. Not exactly the best way to retain customers. Needless to say I am never going back here and will not recommend this place to my friends.
(1)Stephanie M.
Eff it, this place gets 5 stars. Last night, the chef came out with a special plate for my gal pals and I. Whatever it was, it was excellent. I hate seafood, and yet love Fish Bar... Explain that one to me!!! We all got the Satchmo Po'boy last night, along with the Calamari, and pepper and lemons... all plates were like whoa! The chef brought us another plate of tater tot salad bacon greatness with a poached egg on top of it, which was to die for. I am craving everything I ate last night right this second. I will be back. Very soon. Goddamn this place rocks.
(5)Andi W.
Meh.. Food is just so so.. But the atmosphere is good. I wouldn't come again though. Not good seafood..
(3)Sarah R.
I love it so much I can't stand it. Such a fun atmosphere with canoes hanging from the ceiling, wooden benches, gigantic fish mural-ed walls, mason jar cocktails, and sociable bar seating. The staff is a rare mix of hip but accessible and always looking to elevate your dining experience. I love chatting with everyone working there and hearing their recommendations. The oyster shooters have a kick and are definitely unique to this spot. My top picks are the fish fries, scallops, cod sandwich, corn and crab chowder, and cioppino. All in all, one of the top dining experiences I've had in Chicago. They serve adorable/ delicious cocktails and my favorites are the cucumber cocktail and grapefruit paloma. They are seriously the cutest, only complaint I'd have is on the occasional wait time. But definitely worth the wait every. single. time. Constantly amazed with the service and quality of the meal with perfect price points to boot. They are owned by the same folks as Ada Street and DMK burger, but stand out as my clear choice for a week night dinner with friends.
(5)Lisa O.
Great Food!
(4)Allyce B.
I am just a lover of seafood in general and this place was my seafood heaven. As you can see in the photos posted, the lobster roll is popular. Get it! If you don't like lobster though, I doubt you'll be disappointed with whatever you order. Besides the lobster roll I ordered calamari and the soft shell crab. I'm pretty much drooling thinking about it right now. This place would be a 5 for me but the wait situation is very cramped. Since they don't really have a place to sit and wait and sometimes the weather isn't on your side (it started raining when I was), they should really just take reservations and manage the space.
(4)Eugene C.
Ok I see people complain about the prices and it is somewhat pricey however the seafood is fresh and good with regular, human sized portions. If you want subpar seafood with large portions then go to Red Lobster. Anyhow the service is uber friendly and attentive. The interior is nice and did I mention the food is good? The server made very good recommendations. We started out with the Shrimp / tobiko and Octopus a la plancha complemented with cups of Clam Chowder and Gumbo which were all delicious. Then we tried the Lobster roll and the Satchmo Po' Boy which had a mix shrimp n crawfish. Amazing. As a side we had tater tots and a complimentary side of fried lemon, onion and jalapenos from our server which was really nice of her. Both good too and the right size. We left satiated and full. So yes it is somewhat pricey but you know where that extra money is going to. Go treat yourself. Good seafood is hard to come by in the midwest!
(4)Faraaz U.
We Ordered : Buffalo Frog legs seafood Gazpacho Crab cake sandwich Lobster roll In order of what i liked #1) lobster rolls- super delish!! packed with meat on a toasty bun #2) buffalo frog legs - these came out early we ate two then more food came out when we went back to eat them after a while they were not as good cold so i recommend eating them as they come out hot! # 3) Crab cake sandwich - it was OK but to me it tasted like an Indian shami kabob which I don't like # 4) Seafood Gazpacho - I wish i didn't order this, there was a small amount of seafood on this cold soup. I guess it was an aquired taste .
(4)Keith H.
I really do like it here. All of their seafood is seasonal and fresh and their specials rotate to give returning customers a better idea of what they might want to order. Their cocktail/beer menu is quite small, but effective. I enjoyed the decor and the music played is superb. And the service - it really can't be beat. Fine dining institutions needs to go and recruit these people because they know exactly how dining should be handled. But - all that said. This is NOT a place where you get a GOOD VALUE for your dollar. I understand that the seafood is fresh, but I left quite miffed about what I received for what I paid. My Po'Boy was the size of a hot dog roll with 5 breaded shrimp and cost $10. The oysters are incredibly small. Actually, everything as too small. There's no reason they couldn't serve some fries (and extra $5 or tots for $3) with their dishes, or a side of cole slaw with their fish, just to make it a little more worth your while. The music, while good as previously mentioned, is just too loud and everyone is shouting over everyone else. This is a small place, so someone should know better. But business is booming - and people will continue to flock. My recommendation is to make a reservation and ask for a booth if you have 3 or 4 people. If you can - sit outside.
(3)Ehow C.
To start my birthweek celebration, I came here with a fellow Yelper for dinner. The 20 minute wait wasn't too bad, but it was long enough for us to sneak out for truffle fries at DMK Burger (which I also reviewed). I started the meal with the Pineapple cocktail, which was pretty good. This was followed by a sausage/crab gumbo and lobster bisque, which were both superb in their own ways. The gumbo, while not as "meaty" as I'd like it to be, had a lot of depth in flavor, so much that I forgot I wanted more meat. The bisque had a very unique and flavorful sweet corn base, enhanced with a spice that builds over time. The lobster was good, but maybe a little overcooked. We split the lobster roll, which was the highlight of the meal, despite the celery mayo (read: I hate celery). The bread was crispy and buttery, and the lobster was plump, juicy, and well cooked. I would have had another, but my wallet is a bit light. I guess we ordered the fried softshell crab for for "dessert," and it was also very good, just second to the lobster roll. The lemon/arugula flavor combination was absolutely splendid. I'd come back for the food, for sure, especially with such great service. What's stopping a 5-star rating here is the price point. If it's slightly cheaper, I'd be completely content with this restaurant.
(4)Chelsea Laine H.
The food is overpriced (was there in 2012), the layout is bad (awkward, crowded even when you are eating). The drink selection was poor even though DMK next door (same owners, I believe) had an awesome selection. Food was okay, nothing special.
(2)Anne L.
Went to the fish bar to celebrate hubby's birthday for lunch. First off if you are in a hurry do not go here, service is very slow. That being said even though service is slow the staff was very friendly and attentive. My husband had the scallops (on special) as well as the mussels. The scallops were a little undercooked but still had a good taste. The mussels were great. I had the surf and turf on a sandwich with skirt steak, crab meat, asparagus, and hollandaise sauce. It was delicious but the steak was a little undercooked for my liking. Overall it was a great experience. Would go back but just request everything be cooked how we asked the first time.
(4)Anna M.
The Setting / General Area: Awesome! Right on the corner, the building has an awesome paint scheme and overall lovely atmosphere. We were a party of 5 people and opted to sit outside as the actual indoor area does not really accommodate for more than 4 people. Our Hostess: I did not get her name but she was excellent! She kept us entertained and struck up conversations with us while we waited for a table. Our Waitress: Was decent. She was polite and got our orders correct for the most part (more on this later) She did not have many tables to look over so did not appear busy but never came back to check on us after after taking our food/drink orders. She reappeared only to deliver the check. The Food and Drink: The drinks were very good. We enjoyed several of the #2 Teas and they were very delicious. My girlfriends ordered mostly everything on the sandwich side and had no complaints. However, my husband ordered the lobster roll, which as $22.00, and it was not very good at all. It was very over-seasoned , could only taste the cilantro and nothing of the lobster. for $22.00 we were also expecting a larger portion. It wasn't very big either. However, we do normally live in the suburbs where portion size is usually twice as large as city-standards. My other friend ordered the tacos which were not tacos at all but merely a piece of fish on quarter size corn-tortillas. I am torn because what I had eaten was very good while the other half of my party did not have the same experience. Recommendation: This is place is nice as an in-between lunch and dinner stop or if you are not in the mood for a large meal. Do not get the lobster roll if you are looking to save money.
(2)Kimberly D.
Was hoping to bring my boyfriend who is visiting from out of town, walked in at 10:10, walked out at 10:11. As soon as we walked in the waitress behind the bar informed us that the kitchen was closed and it happened apparently 5 minutes ago. We decided to leave but there were a few other employees closing up the patio outside, we asked if they knew why the kitchen was closed and they said it wasn't and we still had until 11 and said the waitress I spoke to must have been confused because they don't wear watches! We went back inside thinking it was a mistake and went to another waitress who said they weren't serving food anymore, when asked why she said just because. - Seemed like your employees just didn't want to work and close early. That's unfortunate because the food is good. My boyfriend's would have been first time will be his last and most likely mine. He really wanted to go because the food looked really good and he's heard so many great things about this restaurant. 1 star for terrible service or should I say lack there of.
(1)Tanisha M.
This was a cute little place...I was greeted as soon as I walked through the door. I've been on a lobster roll kick lately, so naturally I tried theirs. The sandwich was good and had big chunks of lobster, but I felt like there should have more to it for $22....no zhz zha zhu....it was just a basic sandwich and to add insult to injury, it came with a small bag of chips (not even fresh made kettle chips). The service was good, nonetheless and I'd be open to trying other things there. ...the lobster sandwich just won't be it. Cheers!
(3)Keith A.
Oh hell yea. Lemme see, beer and fish all in one place, yup, me likey. It's really rather dumb that I've yet to be here considering my friends live right up sheffield. We got here and it was time to sample a whole bunch of different stuff........and drink beer. We started off with an order of ceviche. This was a real nice ceviche. It wasn't as acidic as I would've liked it, but I love acid in stuff like that (yea, exactly). We also got an order of lobster that was a special. It wasn't a whole lobster (I think), but it was lobster and that is always a good thing. We finished things off with an order of belly clams. These were damn delicious. I didn't get as many of them as I was also working on an order of tots. I haven't noted the beer yet. They don't have an extremely deep list, but everything they have is quality. There's a nice range in styles and the prices are decent for the quality.
(4)Brandon N.
The food here was just OK for me. There are some things that they do REALLY well, such as the Clam Chowder (possibly the best in the city), Manila Clams, and the Salmon Tartare, The rest of it was just alright, nothing really special or standout. This includes the Crabby Patty (something like a crabcake, except no jumbo lumps and plenty of filler), the Fish Tacos (for whitefish, had a very strong "fishy" taste to it), and the Bay Scallops (if you've ever had a fried scallop before, there's nothing new going on here). The staff is SUPER friendly, attentive, and helpful... DEFINITE PLUS. THE VERDICT: It was OK. I'd go back for the clam chowder and then go next door to DMK for a burger. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in, but I certainly wouldn't make any special trip to come here.
(3)Heidi S.
This place is cool. I don't think that I've ever said that about a restaurant before, but I really enjoyed the set up. We had a late reservation for 4 on Friday night and the two groups at the tables had long overstayed their welcome -- but 30-40 minutes. The chef came out to speak with us and apologize at one point and offered us a new drink that he's experimenting with and offered us some snacks while we waited. We all agreed that while we normally would have been really annoyed with waiting, it's amazing how very simple gestures can turn your experience around in a hurry. Our waitress did a great job of describing the dishes and their limited menu is very creative and fun. I got a mackerel ceviche with avocado that was creamy and delicious. Our oysters were fine, nothing to write home about, but very well shucked, and our soup was amazing flavorful. Overall we had a really fun time eating and sharing food, we felt full when we were done and it didn't break the bank as much as I'd expected. Would definitely go back and sit at the bar!
(4)Alexander D.
I Love Fish Bar! Their food is delicious! I am a bit particular about fish and Fish Bar has always been on point! Janna is awesome! I will be returning!
(5)Maria B.
Been here several times and it just keeps getting better. The food delivers and what's outstanding is the service. I have such an appreciation for sincere service and this place is second to none. You would never expect to receive such a great experience in a neighborhood place. The space itself is unpretentious, the menu is simple, yet everything I've had has been superb. Marina was my server the last couple of times I've been in and she is professional and sweet. I dine out frequently and forget to write reviews often times, but I had to let everyone know how much I love Fishbar and will continue to go back again and again. Must try: mussels in white wine with rosemary, escolar carpaccio, fried artichoke with chipolte aioli , and their raw oysters.
(5)Elina K.
Finally got to try this place (and its infamous lobster roll): Decor & set-up: really cute nautical interior and picnic tables outside. Service: excellent, friendly and fast Drinks: small but tasty selection of wines, ales and liquors (all served in adorable Ball canning jars) Food: we had frog legs, tater tots, the watermelon feta salad with prawns aaaaaaaand...the ($22) lobster roll. Food was really, really good overall. But I must say I was a tad disappointed in the lobster roll. Maybe I really hyped it up in advance but it was nothing amazingly special. It was solid, though.
(4)Danny W.
Marina, We came back for the key lime pie, and lord am I happy we did. Fish Bar continues to keep it real, and that's really all you can ask out of a seafood restaurant. Truth.
(4)Clayton B.
Another great Dmk restaurant! This place is always packed as the dining room is very small. They have made efficient use of the small space inside with a horseshoe bar and a few booths. Outside there's a decent size patio along Wellington. My service has been great both times I've been here. Lindsey at the bar was great. She was busy but seemed attentive to every guest. The food here is tapas style so the portions are definitely not large but I think the price is reasonable for the quality. I ordered the shrimp and octopus ceviche to start. It was very acidic but that's right up my alley. It reminded me of Mediterranean tabbouleh with the onions, parsley, and celery. After that I had the sea scallops..... SO SO good. Only three scallops (I could have eaten 20) but cooked to perfection. I originally was going to give this place four stars because the menu isn't very big, but then I realized they have a seasonal menu on the board that changes due to market. Ill be back!
(5)Ariel L.
****2.5 stars*** $19 for an average lobster roll? I don't think so. AVOID the lobster roll, it is so not worth the money. If you ever been to the east coast and had one, you will be very disappointed. I also ordered the mussels and the grilled calamari. Both of those were quite good, but the portions were quite small. Had I gone in with a full appetite, I could have easily run up the bill to $50 (without libations). The place itself is cute, but the chairs at the bar are awfully uncomfortable. Try and snag one with a back, or you will be walking funny on the way out. Servers were friendly and they brought us out a fried oyster with their special sauce. That may have been the best part off the meal. I have to say i'd probably prefer to go to the Half Shell on Diversy if it was one or the other, but i'm glad i tired the place. I won't be rushing back.
(3)Joe S.
as always.. I could not do better but.. this place is over rated. Its expensive and the food is just good..it is not great , it is not innovative. If it were 25% less in cost I would be at 4 stars but when you spend $45 for a small beer or two and 3 small plates that have nothing special to offer it's a disappointment. The truth is I think the owners DMK could do better.. serve 20% bigger portions and keep your prices. the one thing that is made incorrectly is their version of sopa de mariscos.. tastes like dish water.. I love DMK but they can do better with this place..no hard feelings ... only because the oyster Po' Boy w/ remoulade and slaw is very good and the bun is excellent..
(3)Stephanie M.
If you are looking for a restaurant with delicious food and a unique atmosphere, Fish Bar is a great choice. The decor is very north eastern fishing shack with wood panel walls, chalkboards and a canoe hanging from the ceiling. The majority of the seating inside is stools around bar tops behind which your waitress takes and serves your order. There is also a great outdoor area when the weather is nice enough. The food here is great! Very fresh and flavorful seafood from BBQ frog legs to salmon BLT, everything is tasty. The drinks are one of my favorite parts, fitting in the theme of the restaurant they are exactly what you would picture holding while sitting on the porch and staring at the sea. Everything is served as a "small plate", even the drinks are pretty small, and can be a little pricey for the amount you get, but always tastes great!
(4)Holly R.
I wanted to like Fish Bar. I really, really did. The decor is seriously so adorable. It's like a little fishing shanty! And literally my mouth was watering at the menu. But when everything I ordered arrived (ceveche, crab salad), I needed a gallon of water to wash it all down. It was SO SALTY. I love seafood. It's my fave. I was so excited when Fish Bar came in to town, but I honestly don't know if I would go back.
(3)Mike W.
I have to say I was not impressed. I lives on the east coast for a few years and was up in cape cod vacationing, nothing here came close to the seafood I had out there in diners. I also don't like the fact that almost everything they serve is just fried. That combined with huge wait times I won't be back. There are plenty of fish in the sea, this one's not for me :(
(3)Matt B.
This is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Fresh, simple and creative small plates of seafood. The clam chowder and gumbo are outstanding. The staff is amazing. Friendly, intelligent, and well informed. Nice beer selection and creative cocktail selection. If you're looking to study a wine list, this is not the place. There are two wine choices, Spanish Red, and Chilean white. Both very good though. The ambiance is "diner/bar style". 2 very small booths. During nice weather, they have picnic tables set up outside. Highly recommended. Not really kid friendly, no high chairs available. Remember, it is a BAR. However, we brought our 2 year old and met friends with their 5 and 3 year olds. We called ahead and showed up early for dinner on a Sunday evening at 5 pm. The staff was friendly, patient and accommodating.
(5)Ana W.
There is literally nothing wrong with this place - unless you hate waiting for a table at restaurants (which is pretty unavoidable on a Friday or Saturday night in this neighborhood). My boyfriend and I come here ALL THE TIME - we come for date night just us two, bring friends on occasion, and have even brought our parents here - you can't go wrong! Fish Bar is unique because rather than a bunch of small tables scattered throughout the restaurant, they made the most of the space and have three "bar seating" arrangements, all in U-shapes where the waitress is in the middle and can easily serve the people at that particular bar. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend bringing a large group unless you're going to sit outside (did I mention they have a great front patio?) The wait has never been unbearably long, and it's pretty painless when you order one of their specialty cocktails - always refreshing during the summer and pair nicely with the food (definitely order the #6 - bourbon something?!)! At restaurants I usually stick to my favorite dish, but Fish Bar constantly has new specials that I always just have to try! About a month ago I had the special fish tacos, which were super flavorful and even though there are only two were pretty satisfying! The last time I went (last Friday) we ordered the frogs legs which had buffalo sauce on them and were super different and delicious (don't be shy people, they literally taste like chicken)! For my main plate I got the salmon BLT which had some amazing celery mayo on it and was just what I wanted! The hostess is usually the same super cute, super friendly girl and the waitresses are no different - always real and make you feel right at home! And unlike some restaurants I have been to lately, they genuinely know about the food and the restaurant in general - it's nice to see people actually enjoy what they're doing (or doing a really good job pretending they do!). Fish Bar isn't the cheapest place in town, but there's a reason for it. I have yet to find another place that even comes close to matching the fantastic food, service and atmosphere here.
(5)Sam R.
Best Po' boy I've had outside of Louisiana. Bun is perfect, slaw is perfect, oysters done just right, not too bready. I had to come back about two and a half hours later because it was just that good. Friendly, fast service, simple menu... I'll have to come back again and I should probably try something else, but it'll be hard to not order the Po boy. A little pricey, but not bad considering the quality of food, service and atmosphere.
(5)Beata M.
I am pescatarian and this place always hits the spot with the unique and delicious seafood and fish dishes! The drinks are awesome too! The staff is always very friendly and helpful!
(5)Allison S.
It sounds like lunch is the time to go here, which is when I went. Was able to get two seats at the comfy bar. I love the atmosphere, it's full of light but still cozy on this winter day. I had the crabcake sandwich, which was very good. I REALLY liked the tater tots, tasted like they had some light sea salt on them. The only thing I wish they'd do is use slightly larger plates -- the plate my sandwich came on was barely bigger than the bun, so it's hard to eat because it gets messy once you bite into it. But i'd go back, it reminded me of my time spent in New Haven, CT.
(4)Melanie S.
The crowds have kept me away from Fish Bar since its opening, but that all changed this past weekend. We were planning on heading next door to DMK, but it was late afternoon and since Fish Bar was virtually empty, we headed there instead. A late lunch is the perfect time to go; save for one table of four, there was no one else there. We took a seat at one of the two bars. I love the casual vibe of this place --silverware in glasses, and condiments laid across the counter. We started with a round of drinks: A $2 PBR and an "Old School" cocktail. The cocktails ($5), are served in mini Mason jars, hence their cheap price tag. We ordered a half dozen oysters, and were asked if we wanted East Coast, West Coast, or a combination. We ordered all East Coast and six plump beauties arrived with all the adornments: mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon, and horseradish. I don't eat oysters, but the report was that they were very good and fresh. We moved on to fried calamari, "Federal Hill" style. Federal Hill is an Italian neighborhood in Providence, RI that I'm familiar with as I visit RI a couple times a year. As expected, the calamari has an Italian touch and is served with pepperoncini and grated parmesan. The peppers added a nice kick and the parmesan added a nice saltiness. I had my doubts when I saw the parmesan, but it really worked. The calamari itself was lightly breaded, perfectly crispy, and not at all chewy or rubbery. In fact, it was so good, we immediately ordered a second one. I'll admit, my raison d'etre for trying Fish Bar was to sample the lobster roll and I'm happy to report that it was stellar. Imagine a lightly toasted bun, dressed ever so gently with celery mayo, and positively overflowing with huge chunks of succulent lobster and that's what I ate. It was so luscious and decadent. If you're a seafood restaurant and you're only going to serve one dessert, by god, that dessert better be key lime pie. And that's all that Fish Bar has on its menu. But this isn't just any old key lime pie; this is key lime pie supplied by none other than Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate fame. It's probably my second favorite key lime pie. It's a generous slice served with barely whipped cream. It's the ideal finish. I'm not sure if the great and friendly service was a result of the lack of crowd, but our server, Marina, was so personable that we stayed and chatted long after our meal was over. She even gave us cards for two free drafts next door at DMK, where she also works. Yep, I'm on board with Fish Bar. Can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. It's a rousing 4.5 stars.
(4)Debbie F.
First class service that deserves 5 stars. Everything else about the restaurant does not. -Very tiny portions (see pictures) for exorbitant prices -Fresh ingredients, but flavours are not memorable -Patrons are irritating enough to ruin the experience The quest for fresh, affordable seafood in America's Midwest continues.
(3)julie q.
Yay! I'm a fan!! I really like this place and for one huge reason - I'm not committed to buying a $15 piece of fish that I may or may not like. I can pay $15 for two or three small portions of stuff and if I don't like it, it's not a huge deal. I like the idea of the seafood tapas. Everything we had was fantastic. The carpaccio, tartare, clam chowder, po boys, rock shrimp, scallops, and gumbo were great. The cocktails were tasty and potent. It's a very small place but we had reservations on a Thursday and we got seated right at our reservation time. I like this place very much and we'll definitely be back.
(4)Belle L.
Gumbo -- I came for Gumbo. I dare you to search for the bits and pieces of andouille sausage with a spec of blue crab. Rice was a tad uncooked. Too soupy. You have to be in New Orleans to enjoy good gumbo. Eastern belly clam -- caution: it can get clammy even fried. Not all but some. Its how it's cook and how it is position or floating on fryer. Uniformly battered. Tater Tots -- perfect crunch. Well seasoned. Nothing special. Looks like one of the frozen selections at grocery store. Home made tartar sauce. The ketchup packets for the tots reminded me of the 2001 Kate and Leopold movie: "You shake and shake the ketchup bottle. None will come, and then a lot'll." using ketchup as a mask for bad food. Excellent service. The moment I put down my lemonade, Sonja immediately asked me for refill. Impressive. 6 types of hot sauce. Tested and enjoyed Trappy's. Excellent drinks list from beer to cocktail at a reasonable price with cosmopolitan sophistication. Warning: Seat Thyself. No sign. No one will tell you. Will go back again for p'o boy, Manila clams and fish/chips.
(3)ProjectChitown I.
Meh. The ambiance of a small place on the beach. Staff is friendly but not super attentive. The portions are super small and really don't justify the cost. If you have had a good lobster roll - pass on it here. It's underwhelming and not worth $22. Your better off getting the Satchmo Po' Boy - pretty good. Hush Puppies are another pass. Biggest disappointment was the ceviche! It was probably the worst we have ever had. The marinated citrus juice tasted like it came out of a grocery bottle. It was really off, almost rancid. We still think GT is the place to go...never a disappointment.
(2)Liz K.
I haven't been here since last spring -- but I really like this place. It's a bit pricey but the food is pretty damn tasty. My boyfriend and I both had the satchmo po boy, I believe, and shared some oysters. The oysters were fresh and they had a decent variety to choose from. The po boy, though, was amazing. 10 dollars for a sandwich is a little crazy, but this one was stuffed full and all of the seafood tasted fresh. You'll have a long wait here on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday -- but there are great cocktails that make the wait a bit easier.
(4)Kate G.
This place is awesome! Loved the atmosphere, although it made me slightly sad I wasn't vacationing in a beach town somewhere. Even though I'm not a huge shrimp fan, I felt compelled to order the satchmo po' boy and was not disappointed. The shrimp and crawfish was cooked perfectly and didn't have the gummy texture I despise. The breading they use is also delicious. My boyfriend got the crabby patty which was also good. We also split the lemon, onion and jalapeno, which we enjoyed immensely. Definitely will be returning here in the future to try some of the other dishes!
(4)Jackie C.
I've wanted to go here for a while! So when I finally got here, the taste of the food was slightly disappointing, the drinks were Fantastic.. The drinks were so cute being served in mason jars, and a good value for your money (6$/drink). I had one with tequila, and it was perfect- not too sweet! Our server was awesome! So cute and attentive! The other servers were great too! They all checked on us throughout the service to make sure we were doing ok- (just the right amount of times). Some highlights in the food: tartare, and the special salmon, and clams (in this delish bisque!). The lobster roll was fair; this is because it comes on an extra-large roll that overtakes the lobster that's inside... I would go back, (they do have outside seating!) with a little extra cash in my pocket or maybe after an appetizer or 2 from somewhere else...
(3)Stephanie H.
It's ok. I put Fish Bar in the same category as DMK (see my review) in that it's a great concept, but just not executed well. The actual restaurant is very small. Most seats are around a bar, there are a few booths. Large groups will not work here. The menu is subject to change quite a bit depending what's available and is fresh off the market- which is nice. Thanks to my fellow yelpers I was cautious of the prices. So I opted to stay away from the crab cake and lobster roll although the latter was so tempting (but at $19?!). I got the Manila Clams which were very tasty. Having been around the seafood block several times, I know it's common to have a bit of a grit, but the last clam in the pot was full of grit, a bit of a delayed beach vacation. It happens, but again this wasn't a little, it was a lot. I also ordered the shrimp salad. I hesitate to call it a salad because it was so small. Think of the salads you get in economy class on an airplane, now picture it with 2 big prawns on top. What a bummer. My waitress offered to get me another piece of garlic bread that comes with the salad, but I said no as even the bread wasn't very good. The salad was tasty, but I was still hungry. The people on either side of me got the crab cake sandwich and it was so so small- think of a slightly larger slider. I decided to leave and get a slice of Chicago's on the way home when the manager came by. I mentioned the gritty clam and how the food was fine, but not great. He offered me a sample of the salmon carpacchio which was nice. I really appreciated how he professionally handled my feedback. One thing I forgot to mention was that at times the music is waaaaaay too loud in there. To sum it up- it's not bad, but it's not great. I will consider trying it again in the summer.
(3)marco o.
Very tasty food, outdoor seating, great drinks, but balanced out with OK service and silly prices ($3 for 7 tater tots, really?). All the food we got was good, but too expensive for the portions received. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, but everything took way too long. Not sure if she was spacey or they were understaffed, but it got sort of silly.
(3)Nikki A.
This place is the real deal; great quality on the seafood and superb service. The decor is cute (I love the mason jars) and it's a small place, but they just set up their outside patio service yesterday so hurrah, more seats. Everything is tasty. Booze/alcohol selection is seasonal and small but they know exactly what goes well with their food. Our server actually gave us a sample of the ginger-infused cocktail and it was delicious. Their tap beers rotate very frequently, so if you like yummy craft beers with your seafood, this is the place!
(4)Kathleen C.
Upon entering Fish Bar, I had to check to see if I was still in Chicago...this is one of the cutest restaurants and you really feel that you're in another spot (even in the winter!). Seated at the bar, we were quickly greeted (though I can see why you can't bring groups here - the bar is really awesome, but you definitely can't seat a group larger than 4 unless you really dislike half of the group and don't want to speak/see them). The meal started with Ball jars of drinks (love the Ball jars!) and a super friendly server. We also received some fried artichokes to start (the group next to us received ceviche as a 'treat'). The lobster roll was delicious, though I'm a bit of a purist (I could go for just plain mayo...). It is pricey, but huge and delicious. The oyster po boy..also wonderful. All in all, it's a bit expensive, which is why I dropped a star, but it's a great spot and I can't wait to return. Oh - also, get some take out - it comes with a beer!
(4)Matthew J.
Coming from Boston were you regularly eat Lobster Rolls I was nervous about having one in the Midwest.... Fish Bar was incredible... Our server Celeste was amazing, friendly, knowledgable and beautiful.. Food came out quick and every dish was perfection. Ill definitely be back again and again!!!
(5)Patrick M.
Stumbled across this joint and walked in and ordered raw oysters and Hendrick's and gin. Beverages served in a mason jar (plus!). The raw oysters were fresh, and perfect consistency. Tater tots were crisp, NOT mushy and piping hot. Finally, the key lime pie is other worldly. Have no idea what they put in that crust. Damage was a little $$$ for lunch, but this was my best stop in 5 days of exploring Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Little Italy, and elsewhere.
(5)TaipeiGal N.
it's a cute place with long lines. food is fresh but i hit a wall eating the same way of preparation. its fun to check out once. Dont keep ordering the fried ones. You will feel ewwww like me.
(3)Mary T.
When my dining partner said he wanted seafood, we settled on Fish Bar solely based on the posted photos. I would urge Fish Bar to give their website a little love; when we looked at the site, every menu link errored out and today, the URL has expired. Fortunately, the place lived up to the Yelp pics we drooled over. When we arrived for an early dinner on Sunday, the inside was completely empty and the patio was only half-full. By the time we left, things had filled in considerably. Both of us were a little surprised by the interior, which is three smaller booths and one long counter that snakes around the place. That said, when the patio is closed, it's probably not ideal for parties of more than 4. I wish I recalled our server's name, but she was really nice. While we perused the menu, she gave us a sample of the salmon tartare served on saltines. She also wasn't afraid to share her opinion, so we got the most out of our meal. We started out with drinks, the frog legs and the rock shrimp. To drink, I ordered #3 Old School, which comes in a baby mason jar. Maybe I'm bad with innuendo, but I didn't get the description had to ask what type of booze was in it (tequila). Made with grapefruit juice and lime, it has a clean refreshing taste; I think grapefruit haters would even like this drink. Of our starters, we both agreed the rock shrimp served wet (at our server's recommendation) were our favorite, although I would've liked a little more sriracha to give it a bigger kick. The frog legs, served buffalo style, were...interesting and messy. I've always heard they taste like chicken, but they had a fish-like flavor to me; I was glad I tried them, but I don't think I'd order them again. For our main meal, we split the Satchmo Po' Boy and the Cod Sandwich. Of the two, I think I preferred the cod sandwich. This ain't no McFish; for starters the cod patty actually resembles the shape of a fish. Toss in some Old Bay seasoning and you've got a great sandwich. The po' boy was tasty too, but a bit heavy for my liking; I think the buttery bun sent me over the top. Overall it was very tasty, stuffed with shrimp and crawfish with bread and butter pickles and really balanced out the flavors. It took us a while to decide what to order, which means we have plenty of reasons to come back! It doesn't hurt that we got cards for a free drink too.
(4)Brett F.
Fish Heads Fish Heads Roly Poly Fish Heads Fish Heads Fish Heads Eat Them Up, Yum! And eat them up I did! This fish was nothing short of delish, yo. Whether you're looking for a healthier fish experience via raw tartare or carpaccio preparations of the fresh daily catch, or a full out, steamy, deep fryer extravaganza, it's all here for the catching at Fish Bar. Get in early and avoid the wait time at this (mostly) counter-only hot spot. Dinner rushes bring considerable lines with them and the only lines this lassie likes are the ones in the water with bait on the end! While it's items like the light and crispy fried Eastern Belly Clams and a true classic, the Maine Lobster Roll, that have solidified a place in my sea lovin' heart for Fish Bar, the unparalleled Codfish sandwich is truly where it's all at. All you need to do is just take one look at its glorious photo to see what I mean... golden brown, glistening cod on a superdupersoft bun nestled sky high in between crunchy lettuce, fresh tomato, tangy tartar sauce and melty American cheese... Wowzer! It's an undoubted thing of beauty and ten times effing tastier. love. Love. LOVE. A nice assemblage of cocktails (try the Negroni Baloney), beer (hellooo Goose Island Matilda) and - let me not forget! - the terrifically tasty tots that round out this fabulously fishy feast. Grab your sea legs, it's time to eat!
(4)Carol K.
Was it crowded? Yep. But worth the wait? You betcha! Fish Bar is a casual take on an east coast type seafood eatery. No frills, that's for sure, for this down and dirty, sit at the counter or at a picnic table outside, restaurant, has a limited menu with specials changing daily. We put our names in, and then rather than stand in the melee, we decided to walk down the block and have a drink at Kirkwood before heading back to the Fish Bar where our timing was perfect! We were seated at the counter on a couple of the rickiest stools I have ever sat on, and after a few "jiggles" to make sure the darn thing wasn't going to collapse on me, I began to look over the menu. We wanted to taste a range of food so we ordered a little of this and that. The server will tell you that the serving sizes are smallish so that you may want to order a few things per person. We ordered the rock shrimp (fried but good), bluefish spread (a little salty), grilled octopus (wish I had gotten two) and the lobster roll (very fresh and tasty!). The perfect amount for a light dinner. And while they were out of domestic beer and could only offer craft beers on tap, we were fine with a mixed cocktail to go along with all of that. The noise level is high- so know before you go that this is not going to be a quiet date night out. And the food comes up quickly to get you in and out so lingering in really not encouraged. Our bill was about $60 for the two of us including cocktails. If I had a wish- it would be for a view of the ocean outside of the windows instead of the cars cruising up and down Sheffield. But since that's not going to happen- I'll settle for squinting my eyes, pretending to see waves crashing and just imagining the calls of seagulls in the air!
(4)Claire C.
Despite the fact that I don't like seafood but my husband does, this place was so wonderful and accommodating. They were happy to modify their menu to make something that I would like and I loved it. The atmosphere is so cute and welcoming and the staff is equally so (Janna). I will definitely come back. Well done Fish Bar.
(5)Marta K.
If you can eat outside, then yes.. inside is noisy and uncomfortable. We had the asparagus-good.. the rare tuna-meh, although the accompaniments are good.. fish sandwich-good. The sliders are great. The key lime pie is to die for! Lot of money considering the atmosphere.
(3)Brittany L.
Came here with a girlfriend a couple months ago. Had a great cocktail called the Bourbon off Belmont. Thought some bourbon would keep me warm while we waited for our food. We had the calamari to start off with. Wished it was a bigger portion but still good. We also had clam chowder which was also tasty. I had the Oyster Po'boy and my friend had the Lobster Roll. Both delicious but enjoyed the Oyster Po'boy more. I'd love to try the other DMK establishments next time. Heard they're great!
(4)MaryAnne M.
Simply adorable restaurant. Counter service only. On a cold February day during Lent had a taste for some Lobster Bisque: butternut squash & cayenne. I also grabbed some Gumbo: blue crab & andouille sausage. Both delicious. The shrimp/beet salad is light & refreshing. Bartender at counter serves and is very helpful.
(5)David R.
The Fish Bar bandwagon (or band-dinghy?) slowed down long enough for this old fogey to jump on. Usually I assiduously avoid new and "hot" spots no matter how compelling, but this concept sang its siren song seductively enough to entice me for an off-peak, Saturday mid-afternoon visit. And now I'm hooked. First off, this place is fun and unique. The double u-shaped counter/seating area; the bright blue paint job on the exterior walls; the weathered planks on the walls (surely salvaged somewhere like Nantucket); the bright, engaging service; the awesome soundtrack (CCR and Tom Petty during our visit)--all good stuff. And the menu, there's another distinction. Seafood, glorious seafood. Nothing too gourmet, but a notch above your typical greasy shrimp shack. Here is an oh-so-rare place where I could see myself trying everything on the menu, visit after visit after visit. The calamari was my #1 focus based on other reviews, and I was not disappointed. It's fried, but comes out a little soggy due to the pickled vegetables--onions, peppers, and the like, a sort of giardiniera. Don't quibble about the moisture content--just gobble it up! Delicious. Perfect tater tots. Exquisite cocktail sauce (far better than anything that you have ever had from a bottle). Solid fried shrimp. Catch of the day prepared a la plancha with lemon, pepper, olive oil, and chili for a lovely lighter option. North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, a perfect beer to match all this aquatic bounty. I've only nibbled at the line which they're dangling, so between the promise of the rest of the menu and the warm atmosphere, I hope to make this a semi-regular stop.
(4)Gary T.
The service from Kate was great!!! The lobster roll not so much. The lobster wasn't fresh so it didn't taste very good. The lobster roll was also very small. I can't recommend the lobster roll. My friend had the red snapper taco and enjoyed it.
(3)Pamela P.
This place is explosive on Yelp. I've been dying to try it because of all the reviews and its proximity to mi casa. This Sunday afternoon we decided to peek in to see how long of a wait it would be. None. Great, I thought, now we can definitely see what all the fuss is about. We were seated on rickety steel stools around a decently nice bar area. The server immediately popped up behind the bar and I asked for an iced tea. Served in a mason jar, the tea was actually quite good. I looked around for some sweet and low packets but no such luck. I didn't feel cool enough to ask for them so I made it work. Having heard great things about the lobster roll and the crab sandwich, we had to try both. Before that, though, we were feeling adventurous and landed on the fried jalapenos, lemons and onions. Well, this started the downward spiral. I quickly began to hope this was a "grower not a show-er" place. Too bad, it wasn't. The fried trinity was so greasy I could see the grease just hanging out on the food before it was soaked up into the paper basket it came in. The lemon, jalapenos and onions were so greasy that they lost any crunch that may have been intended. The $18 lobster roll arrived and it was paltrily filled with a little bit of the lobster/mayo mix. It was good but not orgasmic and most certainly not worth the price tag. The lobster itself was just "meh." I've had better. If you're dying for some tasty lobster, head to Capital Grille. Trust me. There's no comparison. The crab cake sandwich was slathered with mayo and some tomatoes and some other cheap greenery and it was just such a measly portion that I was getting irritated. I hoped the crab cake itself was much tastier but alas, it too was killed with hot grease and all its crabby goodness must have bled into the hot oil, killing its flavor. I've had amazing crab cakes in Chicago and this isn't one of them. What a letdown! After a beer each and that iced tea with all the above food, it was $56 total (including tip)--very much over-priced and not worth it's weight especially since you'll leave with some mild hunger in your belly. We were about to inquire about the dessert but our waitress already made the judgment call that we couldn't possibly have any room for it and brought us the check. When we finally saw her and were going to ask about the pie, she just said--"oh sorry, didn't know you were interested." Well, we're not anymore. Save your money--go somewhere else. Really, all the hype is totally unjustified.
(2)Coleman B.
Definitely a much better experience. You just have to try out what you like. I love the service here, I like certain raw fish, and certainly its a matter of taste. Definitely comes with experience, but I'm at a place where I know what I like, and when I order it, its superbly prepared. Always ask for recommendations.
(5)Vince N.
Seafood in Chicago? Yes ladies and gent, it's possible! I've been wanting to eat at Fish Bar for the longest time now and got the opportunity to last week. Didn't have to wait too long, we sat in the cool patio area. The lobster roll is UNREAL. I've tried other lobster rolls around the city but Fish Bar def. has the best. The succulent juicyness of the lobster pieces melted by the buttered bread is to die for. We also had oysters, crab patty, tacos, tots, and calamari--all hit the spot. When I come back here, I am sure to order thousands of lobster rolls.
(5)Elena M.
I am dedicating this 5-star review to the sweet, kind, lovely, waitress Janna at Fish Bar. What a gal! She went above and beyond to make mine and the boy's first experience here delightful. She started by recommending some dishes which I will pass on to my fellow yelpers: The Rock Shrimp: You have the option of getting the sauce on the side, or 'wet' meaning they're doused with this spicy yummy-ness. I ordered them wet via Janna's suggestion and it was killer... Lobstah Roll: a lovely piece of New England, right here in the heart of Lakeview. I'm quite a seafood snob when it comes to these babies. I like my lobster FRESH not slimy or rubbery and the mayo-celery concoction has to be just right. Idk what this place did, but the lobster tasted like it came straight from the harbor, and this place goes easy on the mayo which i prefer. Scallops: Personally, I HATE scallops, therefore, I cannot attest to this dish, but the boy ordered this, and according to him, he loved them. He was able to confirm this to me by devouring them in a blink-of-an-eye complimented by satisfying moans. Oysters (East and Special): Despite the fact that I'm all about an aphrodisiac, oysters are my favorite and the kind of dish I can eat and never get tired of. I like East Coast better than West so we ordered three servings of those. The way it works here is you can order six east/west oysters for $15. Not too shabby. They compliment the oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and this garlic/olive oil dip (I'm not quite sure what else is in it) that was delish. In addition to the east and west, they also have these other oysters on special. I cant remember the name for the life of me (I think it starts with a 'K') but we ordered those. The serving came with 3 huge, meaty oysters. They were my favorite by far. New England Clam Chowder: By the time we finished the above dishes (yes we are fat-asses and enjoy a lot of food) we opted out of ordering anything else. Janna was so sweet to bring us a clam chowder on-the-house because she overheard us talking about our interest in trying it earlier. She wanted us to really enjoy our first experience here, and experiment with our palettes as much as possible. From there, we proceeded to ramble about our names (we all have unique-uncommon names) and other light-hearted topics. I'm all about food, but what makes a place truly amazing is atmosphere and service. Janna- thank you for making our first experience at Fish Bar unforgettable! We'll be back :)
(5)Gamaliel E.
Fresh seafood...great beer.....cool staff.....nice vibe.........worth a try. This really isn't my part of town I like to visit, probably because I was out there way too many times in my 20s....but I was happy I made the trip. First off the bloodies here are one of the best I've had. The food was solid, small portions, so your bill will get hefty in a flash. I would say try the fried lemon peels & onions. Everything was good, but I doubt I'll be craving anything enough to make a regular trip back to this place. I will definitely return, just not on a regular basis given the hood its in.
(3)Laura H.
We ate outside, tried something from different parts of the menu (fried, fresh, etc) and were impressed by everything. It was all delicious, fresh, simply plated, and worth every penny. I'm really looking forward to going back.
(5)Alaina F.
This place is pretty good, for a fish bar in a landlocked city. It's definitely cute and kind of unique, and I like the blue picnic tables. We sat outside which was loud, but we had a good time. The menu was predominantly seafood duh, and consisted of your standard fried shellfish items, raw bar picks, and a couple of random salads and sides. A few things we liked included the Federal Hill style calamari, a pork belly BLT, and the tater tots. Seeing as we had just come off of a vacation in Maine, we skipped the lobster roll because there is no way it could compare. Speaking of Maine, this place is good for Chicago, but really does not hold a candle to the seafood available in New England destinations. I'm sorry to those who said they felt like they were in Cape Cod, but due to geographic location alone, that is simply not possible.
(3)Amy H.
Weeks ago, I jumped off the L to see a man painting on giant fish on the side of, what I thought was, a dentist's office (turns out, the dentist is next door). Fish Bar is exactly one million times better than the dentist, and I will definitely return. Expecting crowds, we came around 4:30 on Sunday and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is lively, and the decorations are casual and fun. I can recognize complaints regarding the lack of coat hooks and barstool seating, but personally found it charming and perfectly matched to the Bar's "World's Classiest Shack"-decor. We were greeted by David Morton, who took time to introduce himself and check up on us a few times during the meal. I'm guessing this guy won't be hanging around for too much long after opening weekend, but I have to say that he's an entirely charming and gracious host. We ordered two beers, both of which were delicious (especially the Trappist-Style Abbey Ale), and paired them with 1) fried calamari 2) tuna carpaccio 3) gumbo 4) Krabby Patty. The standouts were absolutely the crab cake and calamari. The calamari is perfectly cooked and battered, and the zing of the banana peppers is a nice surprise. The Krabby Patty is just an awesome sandwich. Fresh, perfectly seasoned and just spicy enough. The bun is lightly toasted and buttery, but somehow managed not to crumble under the hearty patty and zesty sauce. My gumbo was everything I'd hoped; deliciously fresh, powerful flavors with sweet crab and vegetables. I was all prepared to make use of the hot sauces available on the counter, and couldn't bear to add anything to the already-fantastic stew. The tuna carpaccio was also tasty, and came lightly seasoned with olive oil, onions, herbs, fried egg and capers. Staff is friendly and accommodating, and the bar setup makes it easy to strike up conversation and request more food/drinks. On the way out, we learned the giant bell jars on the far end of the counter are set to be tasty liquor infusions for summer, which is just one more reason to return to this neighborhood seafood delight.
(5)Cody W.
I love this place. Been here a bunch of times and only had maybe one dish I wasn't a fan of. Always had fresh fish, good service, good beers on tap, chill crowd. Sometimes they run out of things, which can be a bummer. But for a seafood place, maybe not such a bad thing as it lets you know they have a good rotation going on.
(4)Marii L.
The Lobster po'boy was what drew me here, but once I got there and saw the price difference between the lobster v. the satchmo, I went with the satchmo po'boy. Why? So that I could order all the other stuff on the menu, of course! We started off with the tater tots, lobster/butternut squash bisque and rock shrimp (wet, which just means it's tossed with the yummy sauce!). In the midst of my order, I rattled off that I wanted the clam chowder, when I really meant to say the rock shrimp. I realized it and corrected myself. However, when my lobster/squash bisque came out, she had a "extra" clam chowder for us as well! Super score! Hubs was happy with the clam chowder, it had a very buttery touch and an unexpected kick at the end. I was happy with my lobster chunks in the butternut bisque. I didn't think it would work together, but it really did! Also, the chef sent Robin out with a little salmon concoction atop a saltine, complimentary of course! Man, they really know how to put a huge smile on your face with freebies :) Tots were nice and crunchy, but geez, the rock shrimp was SOO good! I could easily had two more servings of that goodness. If you've never had rock shrimp, the best way I could describe it is that it's "meat-ier" and is more tender. I pegged this description after I had the satchmo po'boy that had fried shrimp and crawfish, and was able to compare the two. Definite winner! Next, we ordered the satchmo po' boy, which I initially felt like I was settling on, since I REALLY wanted to the Lobster po'boy, but couldn't justify the $21! Perhaps another day. However, the satchmo did not disappoint and the buttery bun, olives and the fixin's were divine! We asked Robin for another recommendation, and she recommended the grilled octopus. We then added one last order - the fried lemon/jalepenos/onions. VERY unique and delicious, but at that point, we were pretty "fried out". The octopus was good and I'm glad we ordered it, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Loved the place, the set up and how close the servers are to you to make sure you have everything you need. It'll be awhile before I come back, only because it is a small(er) menu than other places and I felt like I had a good sampling. It's definitely worth going to and I'm glad we did!!
(4)Jamie B.
This place kicks ass. We walked over here during halftime from our NE bar down the street....what a lucky find! We had the lobster roll, east coast oysters on the half shell, and smoked trout salad, and fried clams. All the food was outstanding and very fresh. Our server, Suzanne, was super nice and very helpful. We had a couple cocktails too-- oyster shooters and the #7. Can't wait to return!!
(5)J F.
This is one of my go-to places in my neighborhood. It's a great place for a few (dozen) drinks and lunch. The po-boys and appetizers are always delicious. The daily ceviche special is really good and refreshing especially given the lack of quality, relatively inexpensive sushi options in Chicago (something about the ubiquitous Lincoln Park Chinese-meets-Sushi-meets-sports bar doesn't appeal to me.) One key thing to note which is a huge selling point -- if fish isn't your thing, the fried shellfish should be ok for even the most redneck or pallates (and just relax rednecks...we can smell our own, I always get shellfish there.) The ambiance is a little Martha's Vinyard garrish but it's a great layout and the outside seating in the summer is some of the best around. I've also reviewed DMK next door. I think it's the same owners. Kinda the same vibe at both places. Definitely check it out.
(4)Heather P.
To be fair, I'd truly give this 3.5 stars. My experience was so-so, but I would give it another shot and expect it might go a little better because I would have the knowledge I didn't going in the first time. I called ahead and asked for reservations for 4; which I was told they don't do. When we walked in, they asked if we had a reservation. Not exactly sure what happened there. So we waited for a table and I'm not complaining about that because I wasn't aware of the interior layout and the fact that they only had 3 tables to suit parties of more than 2 if you didn't want to all sit at the bar where only the people sitting next to each other would be able to interact. The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were all exceptionally helpful and polite. That's always a plus. As for the drinks, they came in mason jars. Looked delicious and the presentation was very playful. Personally, I thought the drinks looked a little on the small side but I did have my eye on the bloody mary shooter with an oyster that I was dying to try. Alas, I'm expecting so all of these drinks weren't in the cards for me on this visit. With that said, I was also slightly disappointed at all of the raw options that I was pining for and couldn't indulge in. Again, not their fault and had I known going in that half the menu was raw I might have chosen to go somewhere else so that I didn't experience an extreme case of the "I want, but I can't have" syndrome. It's a small menu, but is packed with lots of scrumptious options. We had no idea going in that it was small plates so we were a little surprised when we kept seeing plates and plates of food being delivered to tables while we were waiting. That's a good thing to know going in because if you have your heart set on an $18 lobster roll and have a big appetite, you better plan on shelling out for at least a second plate. I had the federal style calamari and I thought it was good. Didn't knock my socks off, but had a kick which I like and a very crisp texture. Then I had the oyster po boy. In the future, I would go with maybe the crab cake sandwich instead. I didn't find either of my plates memorable at all. On the other hand, my fiance had the fish sandwich and we both agree that was the star of the meal. He also had the tator tots, eh, nothing special and the trout; which was the catch of the day. That was good. My MIL had the lobster roll and granted I know we're not in Maine, but we have family who is and have eaten our share of Maine lobster rolls there so of course by comparison this didn't make the cut. Here's my plan for the future because I liked the atmosphere and think I just wasn't able to appreciate everything The Fish Bar has to offer: I'd come for a date night and sit at the bar with my honey because as he pointed out, it would be a really fun place to go on a date if that date could drink so hopefully he waits for me and doesn't just go find someone else to take in the meantime :) We would definitely get a few of the bloody mary shots and probably some of the ceviche and raw oyster options. I would skip the lobster roll and po boy and go straight for the fish sandwich. When this happens, I'll be sure to update this review!
(3)Danielle C.
I am not truly sold on Fish Bar. I grew up on the west coast (HELLO! FRESH SEAFOOD) and have spent more than a few months working in Rode Island. I know and crave fresh fish like there is no tomorrow. I crave the flavor, the multiple textures, and the subtle differences in preparation like a true addict. The Fish Bar just did not provide my fix. We went in for a weekday lunch, no waiting and that was a score. With just 8 people total inside you might have thought that we would be able to have a conversation. Nope, sorry, you would be wrong. The music was BLARING! This is the place to go if you are not wanting to be overheard, but beware, you may not be heard by your table mates. Before you order- consider this. It is basically tapas seafood. Each individual is recommended to order 3 plates. Onward to the food- The clam chowder was buttery. I like rich soups but was not overly impressed. However, if you are hungry- order this. It will fill you up. It had a bit of a spicy after bite (peppery)- so if you are not a fan of this, heads up. The ceviche was excellent. Limey, tasty and wonderful. However, served with three crackers (you could get more off the table) it left something to be desired. The lobster roll was lacking. I am used to lobster rolls stuffed with HUNKS of fresh lobster. This was more like pieces of shredded lobster, or maybe I should say small 1/4 bites of lobster. This just left me hanging. For 19$ (not a large sandwich) I expected more. I also was not a fan of the citrus flavor that was somehow pervasive in the lobster roll mix. The grilled bread was good, but come on! The calamari (Ala planche) also had a lemon flavor. It was great calamari but at this point 3 of the dishes had extremely similar flavoring. It was getting pretty darn boring. I think they should rethink how this is prepared. I also had a bite of the whitefish. Not overwhelmed with this dish either. Citrus taste was prevalent here also. The server was friendly, kind and did her job well. I just am not gonna recommend this one. The fish flavors were not embraced or enhanced by the prep methods. Conversation was limited due to the extreme amount of noise from the stereo and all members of our party left unimpressed.
(2)Caroline M.
Sometimes my brain hurts and I hate reading lots of words. Here is my official run-down of Fish Bar. 1) Go early. 2) Get the lobster roll 3) And tator tots! 4) There are, in fact, purse hooks along the underside of the bar. 5) (gasp) communal seating! But...you + dining companion are seated side by side, so if it's a date, get cozy. 6) It's very loud. Save intimate convos for later. 7) 2 people = $50+ bill 8) Public transit nearby. 9) Have dessert at home ;)
(4)Tom K.
This is one of my favorite places to take out from. It is great for dining in also, as it is an intimate spot with no TV's which is a plus. The great part of taking out though is that all of food here cooks quickly so you don't have to call ahead and order, you can just walk in and walk up to the beer taps and put in your order with someone. I typically go for the Satchmo Po'Boy, but everything I have had here is good from the frog legs to crabby patty, calamari, fried lemon rings, oysters, lobster roll. Not only do you get your order quick but they also give you tiny mason jar of a beer of your choice while you wait which is very nice of the owners.
(4)Michelle S.
Love that this place is in the neighborhood, wish it had been here when I was a resident. Although then my wallet would probably not love me as much! The staff and service here was very friendly and mostly on top of things. (My one gripe? Having to ask for water a few times, but other than that nothing.) There were three of us so I called ahead to make reservations and we got a table at 8:00. I was surprised at a) how little the restaurant is and b) how crowded it was. I was happy that you can call ahead with a part of 3 or 4. That was worth it, otherwise the wait was around 45 minutes. The menu looked awesome, I love that the chalkboard above the kitchen tells you what seafood is from where and what's fresh that day. The drinks were great, we had the #3 which was a tequila drink (and delicious, this coming from someone who doesn't care for tequila), the #2 which was the sweet tea drink and it was fairly tasty and the # 6 which was some sort of pineapple concoction which was tasty. Food wise everything that I tasted was pretty awesome. The tartare was the one thing that I didn't care for. It lacked flavor and just wasn't great. The calamari and fried clams rocked. You can't go wrong with the tater tots and garlic bread. The lobster roll was delicious! I loved that it wasn't mayonnaise heavy because that's gross. The lobster was great, nice big chunks of it and the bread was perfect. I didn't try the crabby patty but my friend said that it was meh. No real taste of old bay (which is what sold him in the first place) and it just wasn't special. The codfish sandwich I also didn't try but my other friend said it was great. Dessert was disappointing because they had run out of key lime pie by the time we were done. I was seriously bummed. My advice? When you sit down order the pie immediately and either start with it or just have it at your table or they might run out! Overall it was a fun time at dinner and I'd say it was a pretty nice way to end my eating in Chicago tour this time. Why 4 stars and not 5? It's fairly pricey and I just couldn't go with the 5 stars. Nothing bad about my experience, at all, it just seemed lackluster in the end. I'd probably head back on my next trip for some more calamari and a piece of pie !
(4)Ashley S.
This place just doesn't do it for me. first off, the seating is awkward as you have to sit next to strangers if you dont score one of the few booths here. I ordered the rock shrimp, and the satchmo poboy. $8 for a few pieces of popcorn shrimp? The satchmo poboy was mostly bread with a very small amount of meat. Expensive prices for small mediocre food, that about sums up my experience here.
(2)Vivian H.
This place gets packed on the weekend but we were able to snag seats with no problems on a weeknight. They're smaller portions, so the 2 of us shared mussels, frogs' legs, oyster poboy, and whitefish sandwich with a tiny gumbo. Favorites were definitely the mussels and poboy, but everything was pretty much fantastic. Simple and clean, just really prepared well.
(4)Brennan C.
If I was a restaurant owner I would love to have a place like this. I could charge a lot of money while keeping the food costs waaaaay down. The staff is friendly, the service is good, the space is well decorated, the food is good, but not great. Basically it boils down to this: trendy and over priced. If you want a true small plate experience save your money for Girl and the Goat.
(2)Ay D.
Fish Bar hit the spot on a dreary, rainy spring afternoon. The clean simplicity of the three small booths and two large wraparound counters and the surprisingly good stereo system piping warm indie tunes (Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes) makes you feel like you're vacationing on the northeastern seaboard. Great drink selection - various shades of Belgian ales on draft, PBR and cheap pilsner for the bottle crowd, modern takes on classic cocktails (J. C. Paloma, punch, Campari and soda, etc). The raw bar rivals anything you'd find downtown at Shaw's. The oyster po' boy, tator tots, and Matilda draft are a winning combination. The cute cook in the back proudly proclaimed that this was the largest po' boy he's ever made. My server told me it was made with love. I believe them both - I had to attack the juicy, flavorful oysters with a fork prior to lifting the bread. The remoulade was creamy and tangy, and the slaw provided a nice crunch against the luscious decadence. The tots were as good as childhood and the Matilda impressed me as always. Well done, Fish Bar.
(5)Deirdre L.
I have been wanting to try this place since it opened so a friend and I went there last night for diiner. There was 20-25 minute wait to sit outside or we could sit inside, no wait. We sat insideat 1 of the 3 booths only to be told that these were for reservations only, could we be finished in an hour. We didn't plan on lingerin so we said yes. Our waiter ws helpful and friendy. The food on the other hand was bland and boring. Started out with the Gumbo that had no flavor other than salt. I had the red fish po-boy, I couldn't even taste the fish. The only good thing about it was the bun. My friend had the grilled yellowtail, it was OK but not a lot of flavor. We shared tator tots, which I love, and these tasted like they were cooked in the same oil as the fish - yuck. I am sadly disappointed.
(1)Casey Z.
The food was spectacular. I was here for a New Years Party and I was able to try a few items from their menu (crabby patty, lobster roll, crab legs). Everything was extremely fresh and delicious. Great ambiance too!
(5)Kyle D.
I'm pretty sure a few of these people ate at a different restaurant. Fish Bar is reasonable, friendly, and most importantly, delicious. Went there on the first 60+ degree day and waited for about 30 minutes while sipping on good beer. Yes, your party has to be less than 4 people. There are 30 seats total -- plan ahead, people. When you order, do yourself a favor and order two of the octopus right away. They're that good -- and the lemon sauce is crazy delicious. Trust your server for other suggestions -- they are really helpful and won't judge you when you keep ordering long after you should be full. Can't wait to go back -- it's a piece of seafood heaven in my hood.
(4)Kate P.
My husband and I have been waiting for Chicago to get a good inexpensive fish place. We first went to DMK Burger Bar (around the corner and owned by same people I believe) and split a burger intending to stop by Fish Bar for another little tasting. I was very disappointed in this place. We ordered the ceviche and split something else (so unforgetable I don't even remember the 2nd item we ordered to split). The ceviche was pre packaged and small for how much it cost. We left immediately after we were done eating and do not intend to return. For the $ and atmosphere there are other establishments in Chicago that offer better seafood at an equivalent price.
(1)Deena D.
Ah yes, Kornick has done it again and I'm glad I was finally able to see what the buzz was all about this past weekend. Yes, this restaurant is not only brand spankin new but new genre of restaurant completely so its likely you will be waiting for a while to be seated. Any more than 4 people and this prob won't work for you - for 2 of us it took about an hour & a half (Friday around 7PM) which allowed us to get well acquainted with their beverage menu - no complaints here! The ambiance is super casual & fun - while Kornick jams out to Marley and other beach tunes on their stereo while helping the wait staff & talking to customers - loves it. I gotta hand it to these guys too for a simple yet witty menu, it actually makes you look forward to reading the whole thing through. We tried the punch first and then moved onto the brew tap. I do like how they serve drinks in the mason jars but the cocktail sizes are somewhat smaller than my liking. As for the big shabang, we each ordered a lobster bisque and new england chowdah, shared the calamari, and split a crab cake and oyster po'boy sandwhich. "Lay off I'm starving" My friend was OK with the bisque, I thought the chowdah was a good consistency/taste but could have used some more potatoes/clams. Calamari was hands down fabulous, I love how the mixed peppers in with it! The oyster po'boy was quite aggressive to be honest, I could barely finish it but did enjoy it (and I'm not even a huge fan of oysters), I did like the crab cake a little better but overall both were tasty & fresh. This was MORE than enough food for 2 people, probably because what we ordered was all fried or wicked heavy. Next time I would love to try the tar-tar, ceviche or salad. From what I saw around me people seemed to like it. Also - try not to get too full so you can try the homemade pie, only $3 for a slice. Overall I'm sure it's no surprise, the restaurant makes a good mark in my book, BUT not sure if it's the best I've ever had. I would comeback on an off peak night with a friend. We heard they might add tables outside in the summer and I think that would be huge to accommodate more peeps. All in favor, I!
(4)Jessica B.
The restaurant is the bar. It's that simple! The food is delicious, the service great. Definitely worth going- but get there early, the wait can be pretty long.
(5)Daniel G.
Very cute little seafood joint, with great decor, friendly staff and delicious food. If you are feeling adventurous, try the octopus. Clam chowder is good too. It kind of has the feeling of a Cape Cod fish place. Same owners as DMK and since it is small, I would recommend going at a strange hour to avoid a big wait.
(3)Alexandra S.
Stumbled upon Fish bar while looking for lunch. was very surprised by the laid back vibe and craveable menu. Hard to pick what to order since so many of the offerings (fried clams, clam chowder, calamari) seemed so tasty. Opted for the Satchmo po' boy and could not have been happier. Meaty shrimp with tasty aioli mayo. Gave into my craving for key lime pie and was not disappointed. Definitely worth the caloric splurge. Sat at the bar and service was very attentive and friendly. Cannot wait to go back and try more!!!!
(4)Joel M.
Fish Bar has an extremely small dining room with probably less then 50 seats total. There is always a wait, so it can get a little claustrophobic with so many people hovering around in any open space waiting to be called. Expect 1-2+ hours easily on the weekend, but you can grab a beer while you wait which makes things a little easier. Even though its small, its a really cool looking place. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the beer situation here. They are pretty much ALL Belgian wheat beers. If you like that, you will be in heaven, but if you don't you're going to be stuck with an average German pilsner or a PBR (yuck). Also, you're paying $6-$9 for a 300 ML pour. 300ML is 10 ounces for those of us not on the metric system. I'm sorry, but $9 for a 10 oz beer is a rip off any way you cut it. Thats where the complaints end. The two most important things - food and service - were outstanding. We had the Calamari (best I've ever had), Gumbo (better then anything I tried in Louisiana), Codfish sandwich (delicious), and the Lobster roll ($18 but worth it). We ordered everything at once and had our food on the table within about 20 minutes. The calamari just completely blew me away, I could have eaten seven portions of it. It was fried perfectly and had a mix of banana peppers and spices that just made it irresistible. The fish was fresh, crisp, and was complimented well by the bun and dressings. The lobster roll was what I would expect from great restaurant on the east coast. After the long wait and mediocre beer experience, the food made up for everything. I will be back, hopefully when the hype dies down and I can get a seat a little quicker.
(4)Sadat A.
A taste of New England/Cope Cod fried seafood right in my backyard. If your looking for a party in your mouth then this is the place to be. (Not to mention that I went during a serious tooth ache and still enjoyed my meal). I must start off with the service. Some of the friendliest waitresses in the area. Our waitress explain the cocktail menu perfectly. The mason jars for beer and cocktails were reasonably priced and very delicious. Our party tried a little of everything off the Fried menu and also had the Eastern Oysters. All were hands down amazingly tasty. (Check my photos) The only concern I would have would be how bad the dinner rush is after 6pm. We went for lunch and it was a packed house. If your with a party of 5 or more you can also order off the DMK Burger menu also. That's badass. 100% going back sometime soon to try the crab cake sandwich.
(5)Chris S.
Awesome food. 3 of us shared sriracha rock shrimp, frog legs, and the fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side. We then each had a sandwich and topped the meal off with a shared slice of blueberry pie. The shrimp was very good, the frog legs too much like chicken, and the fried side was surprisingly awesome (our favorite!). I had the crabby patty sandwich which was basically a big crab cake on bread. It didn't need the bread. The blueberry pie, which we learned was provided by Hot Chocolate, was pretty super. Definitely want to go back.
(4)Patrick J.
Small portions but great taste. Everything is made fresh to order. I had the delicious calamari,Tater Tots,& the Maine lobster roll with water. It set me back $29 bucks but it was worth it. The Lobster Roll was $19 by itself.
(5)Roger M.
Nothing to scream or, even yelp about. Ha ha ha! Seriously and all kidding aside, it wasn't bad nor was it great. Ordered gumbo, clam chowder, rock shrimp, ceviche, satchmo po boy, grilled scallops, buffalo frog legs and a side of tater tots. Oh yeah, they comped us a soft shell crab sandwich that was out of this world salty. It was like they marinated the crab in the ocean water it came from, reduced the ocean water to a crystallized form and...ok being dramatic here but you get it. But hey, it was free (perhaps that's why it was free?) FOOD: It's important to remember, portions are small plates. Ceviche was good, not great and it came in a small cup that a place would use to serve tartar sauce on the side. Wasn't fishy, but not too flavorful; too tangy. Gumbo was spot on and it's really hard to find real gumbo in Chicago. This was the Cajun version, not red with rice, okra and celery but brown and heavy on shrimp, andouille and blue crab with a nice seafood flavor and that's what this was. Chowder was good, but too many chunks of celery. To me that says cheap as it's a way to stretch the stock on hand. Satchmo Po'Boys were outstanding packed with flavor; sweet shrimp and crawfish with a nice spice, garlic aioli and sweet butter pickles that balance the garlic and oiliness all rolled into a nice fresh, crusty roll. Rock shrimp was good, crunchy and sweet yet it felt a little salty for my tastes and the sriracha mayo was a nice touch. ?Buffalo frog legs? were ok. Here's my thought: keep buffalo style in chicken. Fried frog legs are best plain with lemon and shrimp cocktail sauce. Even just plain. Don't mess with the legs. Had tater tots and dang nelly, them were salty nuggets too. Someone in the kitchen had an affinity for the salt shaker that night. I think my blood pressure shot up to deadly levels in just an hour. SERVICE: Did well with a reservation; we had three (they only accept for three or four) and they happily accommodated us the same day on a Saturday night for 8pm for a booth seating (which are small; max of four medium folk). Service was spotty; had to keep asking for water which we initially didn't get. The waitress, while friendly and knowledgable, came too much at first and then not enough later when we wanted to order more dishes. So there you go. Not a bad place if they lay off the salt and keep a better eye on service, but there are other seafood places I would consider before coming again (e.g., the always great Davis Street Fishmarket in Evanston).
(3)Jamie H.
My two friends and I decided to come for an early dinner (around 5:30) on Friday night thinking the place would be pretty dead....boy were we wrong! There was already a 15 minute wait and before we were seated it was already up to an hour wait for others! It was decorated very fun, the food was great and service was pretty quick. The portions are pretty small....except for the garlic bread- only $2 and it's very big and delicious! The fried calamari was pretty decently sized and delicious. The grilled calamari on the other had was a tiny portion, but the oil and spices with it were amazing. The lobster bisque was pretty good, but I have had better. It's much lighter, as others I've had have been pretty heavy. All in all, it was a very nice dinner, I would certainly recommended and would come back again and try some new items!
(4)Dan G.
This place has been on our radar for a while. We finally had the chance to try it a few weeks ago. And it lived up to the hype on Yelp. When we walked in I expected the smell of fish but was greeted by a more tempting smell, roasted marshmallows. A couple was making s'mores for their dessert over a little grill. I was hungry and this made me salivate. We had a 30 minute wait and enjoyed some drinks while we waited. Once we got a seat we knew what we wanted and ordered right away. The portions are tapas style so me and my sweetie ordered a bunch of dishes to share. First out was the fried belly clams. They were okay, it was close to the end of the night so they had that heavily used frier taste. I was disappointed but the rest of the meal made up for it. Next was the Oysters, they were East coast and had that delicious sea water taste to them. Served with horseradish and cocktail sauce these were really good. Like I could live off of these for the rest of my life good. Next came the tater tots. I know, tater tots? Let me tell you these were great. A good crunch and a perfect side to the fishy stuff. After that was the King Prawns. Cooked on the grill, split in half, and served head on. These to had that ocean taste you want and was complemented with a soy ginger sauce that made these little guys amazing. On to the next dish, which was the fish tacos. They were cobia fish tacos I believe, grilled served with cilantro, onions, and a rojo and verde salsas. Very fresh and very tasty. And finally for dessert, the s'mores that smelled so good when we walked in. Simple ingredients but an amazing way to cap off the fishy madness we just had. It is a dessert that takes you back to your childhood and a perfect way to end the night. Overall I had a great meal here, service was friendly, the drinks good, and the seafood fresh. Like most fresh seafood it does come with a high price tag so it isn't a place I would go regularly but it is good for that special occasion or if you have a group that wants to try something a little different. I could see bringing a good group here and having a blast.
(4)Danielle S.
This pescetarian has been dying to eat at Fish Bar since it opened, but made it out for the first time only just last month. It was a Sunday, so I had some of the $1.50 oysters, the daily special ceviche, and the satchmo po' boy. Yum. If I lived nearby, I wouldn't be able to resist coming here at least once a week. How dangerous.
(5)Frances A.
They made my bday sooo special. Flounder ceviche was divine... Not to mention the gumbo, frog legs, po boy, tartare, calamari, fried octopus, white fish, key lime pie, aaaand 7 mason jar drinks... The decor is awesome. Perfect for a date, or another foodie, always a fun time.
(5)steve b.
Loved it; a great place for a Sunday afternoon lunch out on the patio on a nice day. We had two of the specialty drinks - both were tasty & $5 each. Scallops, a Seafood Salad, Tater Tots, Fried Clams, and some Key Lime Pie made for a nice lunch for two. Portions are not huge but everything was tasty and the place had a nice vibe; I liked Fish Bar much more than GT Fish, and will definitely be back to try the Lobster Roll and a few other things.
(4)Ngoc T.
I walk pass here everyday... Customer service is great and VERY friendly. Owned by the same people from DMK, I presume. I'm amazed by the simplicity yet effective architectural design of the small place. Food wise, it's delicious, and tastes very fresh, somehow...? I'm a little disappointed by how limited their menu appears to be, I believe there's only 3 types of sandwiches. All my roommates and I, being all burger girls, got burgers.. and they were delicious! (even though I wished they had bigger options) I know that the crabby pattie was a little spicy for my roommates' taste, the cod fish burger looked good. But I got the oyster po' boy and in my opinion, it was the best seafood burger I have ever tried in my life! Check out some of the pictures I uploaded :) Very cute place to bring a first date to, although when crowded it can get a little noisy... so come on a weekday. Good music, btw! Very hip-indie style stuff... One thing I have to add. Come here if you're not expecting to count calories, coz everything here is fried. In fact, when it's crowded, your food can feel pretty greasy. Keep in mind that it's also a bar, not a restaurant. So when you order things, it's to share. Portions are small so you take a bit of everything... it's not a separate portion Tips: I recommend you should only come there with a party of 4 or less. I also wished that each table had their own tall water glass to refill since their drinking cups are punny! The way they split the check for us was a little overly-complicated, so perhaps just let one person pay and you should pay your portion to your friend Dessert: I wouldn't recommend the apple pie. It wasn't anything exceptional, even though our hostess recommended it? Get the .... something mocha... it looks like a mocha cheesecake or something, but that was delicious!!
(3)Geoff H.
I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, therefore this place makes me very happy. The oysters were amazing! They have a great drink selection and our server was awesome. Again, because of where I'm from, I tend to be a bit weary of seafood in the midwest, but I will definitely be coming back.
(4)Tom R.
Really enjoyed my night at Fish Bar. Walked in at about 7:45 on a Wednesday night and was told that there would be about a thirty minute wait (which it was). Fortunately, there is a full bar with unique craft cocktails and they have a specific area for you to order at if you're waiting for a table - much more convenient than fighting for elbow room and trying to get the bartender's attention. I started with the Bourbon Off Belmont cocktail and it was delicious enough that I decided to have another, and another. For food, we ordered a total of six items for two people - half a dozen oysters, a lobster roll, sriracha rock shrimp, shrimp ceviche, stuffed calamari, and then their fried lemons, onions, and jalapeño side. The lobster was astoundingly awesome. So good that I felt like I needed a cigarette afterwards and I don't even smoke. The fried side dish of lemons, jalapeños, and onions was incredibly unique and acted as a nice snack between courses. The oysters were good but I really prefer cocktail sauce and horseradish on them which wasn't available. The calamari, sriracha rock shrimp and ceviche were all very good as well. All in all, Fish Bar was pretty great albeit pricey. I was surprised that I dropped $80, but, I will likely be going back.
(4)Amanda F.
Fish Bar beware of yelpers from Baltimore. We know good seafood and love bragging about it. That being said, Fish bar's menu is more about the sauces, spices, and use of a deep fryer than it is about a fresh daily catch. Forgetting my seafood snobbery and reminding myself that I live in the Midwest, I think that Fish Bar is tasty, fun, and worth a visit. To Fish Bar's credit, it doesn't attempt to call its "Crabby Patty" a "Maryland crab cake" (as is popular on Chicago menus), nor does it over-charge for its "Oyster Po'Boy." While these dishes may not exactly be authentic, they are inspired, yummy and fried, just like the Midwest likes them! And I liked them too! Other points from my latest dining experience: -The drinks are all fantastic, maybe a little small, but only $5 -Forget the salads, they are very skimpy on the seafood, although the Smoked Trout was much better than the Crab. -The Calamari "Federal Hill Style" is really jalapenos and banana peppers garnished with fried calamari. I've lived in Federal Hill, and I don't remember ever having that much heartburn. -The Steamed Mussels are tasty, but not particularly memorable. -The Gumbo is quite flavorful, without being over seasoned, but I'll defer to New Orleaners to decide. Overall, I do enjoy this restaurant because its unique in Chicago and reminds me of the Raw Bar markets back home in Baltimore. If you're from anywhere outside of the great state of Maryland and visiting Fish Bar, you'll be a happy diner and quite pleased with Fish Bar's kitchy charm. Marylanders will continue their seafood elitism and write yelp reviews.
(4)Erin M.
Wow! What a cute place. We literally stumbled in here one day. We were drawn in by the cuteness of the outside patio and all the happy people enjoying there meal. As we stepped inside, we were taken aback by the ambience of the interior. Think Seattle waterfront bar or a Nantucket diner. Loved the ambiance!! We were greeted promptly and were told of the specials and the waitresses personal favs. I love when we get the inside scoop btw....We split the fish fry which consisted of a nice piece of deep fried fish (I believe it was cod) and hand cut French fries. The tarter sauce was hands down the best I've ever had. Ever. The coleslaw left a lot to be desired. Too bland. I will totally be back to this restaurant. In fact, this is the best fish fry I've found in the city. Great job Fish bar!!!
(5)Kae O.
I ordered smoked trout salad and satchmo po' boy and manhattan clam chowder. Pros: smoked trout salad "bun": I'm usually hesitant in ordering smoked fish in sandwiches b/c many times, the fish is too dry. This was prepared just right. My friend said she could probably eat it straight with some rice. That may be a bit too dry for me but iwith greens, tomato, cucumber, radish and horseradish cream balanced it well. Could definitely taste the smokey flavor but wasn't overwhelming. Note: I eat pre-packed raw smoked salmon without anything. Plus the bread was soft but thick enough to absorb any escaping fluid. The manhattan clam chowder and oysters were average but I would order them again. The fried ingredients in the satchmo weren't oily which is what I like. Service was excellent. Cons: It's small so going in big groups would be a challenge.
(4)Aaron N.
Son of a bee sting! Fish Bar is a great place to get some fish and have a great time. To start with the food, everything that touched my taste buds was freaking delicious. Since this place serves smaller portion dishes, I had a variety of treats from the sea which I will now tell you about. The Satchmo was my "main" meal, which was a shrimp and crawfish po'boy cooked to perfection with some bread and butter pickles that were also delicious. For my sides, I tried the rock shrimp (spicy fried shrimp), scallops (so fresh that you might need to wear a snorkel), and steamed mussels (the sauce they were served in literally knocked my socks off). Last, but not least, were the oysters. If your name is "fish bar" your oysters better be really good.....and we got a crap load of these because they were really really good (Tip: Make sure you try both the west coast and east coast oysters). Other than the food being slamming, the service and atmosphere was top notch. If you are looking for a great group spot or a date spot, this is the place to come. Seriously....get here. The only problem is that everyone knows how great this place is, so there is a long wait and the place gets packed. I would suggest coming early for dinner or putting your name in and getting drinks to pass the time. Fish Bar. Very good. BOOOM!
(5)Rachel W.
My mom and I were dying to check out this new addition to lakeview, but are not the kind of people that think waiting over an hr for anything is worth it. So, we did the early bird special and arrived just after 5 on Saturday night. The place was full, w/maybe 3-4 spots open around the bar, we sat right down and marveled at how unique the layout and decor was, as this is definitely an untapped niche in chicago. Our server was very friendly, we decided to try a variety of things and shared them all. Great gumbo, grilled shrimp was yummy, the fried jalapeno/lemon/onions were awesome...but a heavy, we only ate about 1/3 of them. The star though was the grilled trout, deliciously light and tasty. The fried belly clams were my least favorite, they were a little tough in my humble opinion. Go early, and make SURE to order the homemade key lime pie to finish it off. Heaven.
(4)Lee P.
This is a delightful place for lunch or dinner. The staff is "attitude-free" and welcoming. Start out with the clam chowder, served in a coffee mug. Add a craft beer from their ever-changing list, served in a Mason jar. All portions are "small plates," but not overpriced. Nowhere in the midwest have I tasted fried clams as authentic as these. My wife loves the tater tots. We always leave Fish Bar with smiles. You'll enjoy it.
(4)Osi U.
A fish lover beer drinker's paradise. All pescetarians converge. Urban Daddy recommended this place after a short conversation about where I was and who I was with and what I wanted to do. What a guy, that Urban Daddy. The fish fries where interesting, they look like fat fries at first glance then you look closer and they actually gently battered decapitated fingerlings. The set up is really hip, and the music selection is eclectic. I enjoyed the service, prompt and courteous. I will certainly be returning.
(5)David C.
All the food I have had here is good.... however, the bang for the buck is flat. The food is good but the price is a bit much. I have no problem paying for great food... but the food here is good... not great. It is a nice place to people watch.
(3)Ronnie P.
For the last 6 months I have been getting off at the Wellington brown line stop and passing this place on my walk home. I have always been very intrigued to try it as I have eaten at the Burger Bar right next door. This Saturday I had the opportunity to grab a late lunch at the Fish Bar. My girlfriend loves seafood, I do not, but agreed because they had a few non-fishy items on the menu. We entered and it was a really cool vibe. The host was really nice and friendly and sat us immediately. He was chatted with us for a few minutes and let us know our server would be right with us. At this point everything was going well. Our waitress Sonya came and took our drink orders. A reasonable amount of time passed and another waiter brought us our drinks. It took her about 10 minutes to come back and take our order- this would not have bothered me had I not watched her text for at least 5 minutes of that wait. My girlfriend and I ordered- she ordered the Lobster Bisque and the Crabby Patty, I ordered the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Tater Tots. The tots came quickly and were hot, crunchy and good. My girlfriend said she was very pleased with her Bisque and devoured her Crab Cake sandwich. The chicken sandwich was good, I wasn't expecting much though as I was ordering chicken at a seafood place. We finished, paid and left. I am giving this restaurant only two stars because within two hours of finishing my meal I was throwing everything up. My meal at the Fish Bar was the only thing I had eaten so far that day and know that it could be nothing else. I had the WORST case of food poisoning that I have ever had. My girlfriend attempted the contact the restaurant just to let them know and has yet to hear back. I believe a restaurant should stand behind their food and should be very considerate when a customer becomes ill because of something they serve. I do not know if I will ever return or recommend this place to a friend. The food was fine going down but not coming up.
(2)Ann S.
They were very nice to us-- we had a party of 8 and were high maintenance. Didn't do any raw, but the sammies were delish.
(4)Lauren T.
I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. First off, all of the beer is served in mason jars and they have some good beers. Everything is better in a mason jar! I would say it was some of the best fish I have had in a really long time. Really really fresh. I got grilled octopus and fried shrimp. My friend got the cod sandwich which was outstanding. Really nice layout with the bar that goes around the restaurant. The decor is really rustic like and it felt really warm and inviting inside. Seriously I have told everyone about how good this place was! Everyone needs to go here.
(5)Veronica M.
I guess I was expecting something else ???? The name of the restaurant is Fish Bar and looks pretty simple a place where you would go get some good normal seafood. It was a too gourmet I felt like I was in a tapas restaurant and portions are very small!! I'm not trying to look like a fat ass but I was expecting some sort of hearty seafood. Not this over cool tapas hipster place
(3)Kelly K.
We came here for a dinner on an early Friday night and I was excited to try Fish Bar! The highlights were definitely the fish straws and the scallops. However, I think the prices were a bit high for the portions, so you don't get the best bang for your buck here.
(3)C D.
Oh boy! The place is next to DMK and we couldn't pass it by without trying it! We went on a Saturday night and it was pretty cold. The wait was around 30 minutes, so we decided to sit outside. It was so cold. The lovely hostess gave me her own jacket! We ordered the clam chowder soup, lobster roll, and Po Boy sandwich. The soup was super salty. Okay no big deal. $6 for a little cup. The lobster roll came. It was decent, but I've tried better. Fine. $22 for market price. Finally, the shrimp and oyster sandwich came like 20 minutes later. Okay, we can live with it. The things we can't live with was there only 4 fried stuff on the sandwich. Fish Bar, I don't know what had happened, but I don't deserve 4 little shrimps on top on my sandwich and you're asking me to pay $13 dollars for it. The bill was around 50 something with taxes and tips. We walked away hungry and cold. We pay en expensive meal just to eat the buns and lettuce in the buns. Thanks Fish Bar. Do you expect me to go back to it? Of course not because my bf got so hungry after reaching home and he had to dig through the fridge for something to eat.
(2)Stella W.
kinda glad that i came here on an expense account....LOL I know good seafood is expensive in chicago...all in all, their seafood was quite fresh, but i couldn't justify the price they charged for the ambiance of the place. Service wasn't bad except there was a bit of a hiccup at the seating assignment. One of us was on a cast and clutch and they couldn't even give the booth that were freed up at the time because we only had 3 people. Besides, i would probably need a few orders of the tiny grilled octopus alone to be full. Then for that price, I could probably go to a nicer restaurants/less bar-feel restaurant, esp when they don't take reservation and we had to wait at least an hour. And if i want to just eat good fried seafood, i could go to Lawerence fisheries for some juicy big fresh fried oysters in the bridgeport area. and it would been a lot more affordable.
(3)Karl M.
Definitely a great spot to come and get some tasty fried seafood, and great beer. Cute, cute, cute servers.
(5)Georgia K.
It was Saturday afternoon. We easily grabbed a table outside and started with some very refreshing spiked sweet teas. Then we proceeded to order half of the menu (but really, the menu isn't that big). Here's what the three of us had, in descending order of yumminess: --Skatewing... amazing --Scallops... almost as amazing --Seafood Cobb salad... topped with shrimp, crab, calamari & salmon and a yummy lemon vinaigrette- DELISH --Raw Oysters... tasty although I preferred the East Coast oysters over the West Coast oysters (West Coast were too salty) --Lobster Roll... decent, but I've definitely had better --Ceviche... alright, but served with crackers which was all I could taste --Raw Clams... okay, but I'm not really a clam fan. --Key Lime Pie for dessert... definitely solid. The only drawback is that the portions were small for the price. If you're hungry, be ready to drop quite a bit of cash-money. Especially for a restaurant where you dine at picnic tables and use paper towels as napkins. I waffled a bit between giving Fish Bar a 3 or 4 since 3.5 isn't an option, but I guess I'm feeling generous today. But all in all, pretty good seafood for Chitown.
(4)Gary C.
I don't know what happened. I was standing on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington and I DIDN'T go to DMK Burger Bar. Don't the DMK, she might think I'm cheating on her...with her pescetarian sister. But truth be told. I did sneak off for a little action on the side at Fish Bar. The place is small. No more than like thirty people can enjoy FB [not to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg's creation] at a time. The bar setup is really cool. You've got your traditional bar seats around this U-shaped bar. Then there's the booths. My girlfriend and I were seated in a booth that was up against the bar area. They've got a few booths for groups that would otherwise take up most of the bar top. The staff is super friendly. Our server helped figure out what to order, and we ultimately got the codfish, crabby patty, and tots. No lie, I had no idea what to expect. I was just hoping I wasn't going to get a Fish Fillet from McDonald's or a rock-hard crab cake. What I got was one of the most simple, well-executed fish sandwiches I have ever eaten. A whole breaded fillet. Single slice of American cheese. Lettuce, tomato, tartar sauce. So gooooooooood. Don't even get me started on the crabby patty. Holy schmoley. Best crab cake I've ever eaten. There. I said it. And the tots? Oh yes. You know the tots were good, too. To round out the meal, I was sippin' on Sonja. Ya know, the #7. Sonja does Sicily. It's very appropriate for the summa summa summa-time. Light, citrusy, and vodka-y. Oh, and they rock mason jars. Be sure to check the big board for any specials. I missed out on soft-shell crab the first time I was there [insert sad face]. With that said, I can't wait to hit the bar fishin' again.
(4)Kathy S.
My husband went here for lunch for the first time and loved it so much that we went back for dinner. This place has really top-notch seafood and exceptional service. The manager Sasha remembered my husband from lunch and even greeted him by name...how many other places can tell you that? He was very friendly and I was so impressed with his passion to make a great dining experience for all the customers. It's difficult to see that these days. The servers and hostess were very sweet as well. Now to the food. My husband LOVED the oysters, even with the $15 for half a dozen price tag. Good seafood isn't cheap and you can tell these oysters are quality. I'm not a big fan of fried oysters but the husband was in love with his oyster po boy. I very much enjoyed my lobster roll and can't wait to have it again...I got a lot of fresh sweet lobster meat and the celery mayo was divine. We also had the rock shrimp and the yellow tail snapper, yum. The perfect ending to the meal were the desserts. We ordered the key lime pie but Sasha also gave us a complimentary slice of the strawberry rhubarb as he told us he wanted us to try that too. They were both heaven but he knew what he was talking about because that strawberry rhubarb was insanely good (my default dessert from now on). They offer a points card which I know we'll be filing up pretty quickly. Yeah, the place isn't cheap but you really get what you pay for.
(5)Abby Z.
We had a fun time coming here to check this place out. Nothing was out of this world, and nothing was bad by any means. We had a fish that was done in a browned butter sauce that was the highlight of the night, as well as a lobster roll that was good but not the best I've had. This might sound silly but my biggest complaint was the size of the drinks (and I'm not one to complain about skimpy portions, I prefer petite to large). Sure the beer and cocktails are cheap, but that's because they are served in tiny little mason jars therefor you are paying a cheap price for a small pour. I'd much rather pay twice the price for twice the size of the drink so I can sip it for a while especially when the wait for a table is an hour and there's hardly room to squeeze up to the bar to order another after the first drink magically disappears too quickly.
(3)Kristin R.
Hearts all the way for Fish Bar! Came here with a couple of friends of mine during a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We were able to snag a table outside, and as per usual, they were running some nice deals that we caught on Facebook, and simply had to try. They have a nice assortment of fresh fish that you can order tapas style, and a number of beverages from which to choose from their fully stocked bar. Started out with a nice and hoppy beer, then onto the Bloody Mary's! The Bloody Mary's are fab, and well, beer is beer, but they have a nice selection for any kind of preference. The service was friendly, and they were very attentive to our table seeing as we were there for around 5 hours. Our sunday definitely turned into a "sunday funday", but Fish Bar is the perfect place for this, especially on a beautiful day. I know I'll be back because a) they care about their customers b) they advertise their fish of the day deals, drink deals, etc. on a daily basis c) their fish is excellent d) so are their bloody mary's and e) a nice short bike ride from my home is reason enough to enjoy Fish Bar at any time of the day. Highly recommend!
(5)Toni M.
What can I say about this place and Romantique well-kept Sacret the food is unique service sometimes is great sometimes is mediocre martinis are great I love their music great hangout place try the crab legs and alive lobsters delicious
(3)Kelly F.
My sister in-law brought us here last month after having run a Half Marathon earlier that day. Well played - pretty much, best decision EVER. Let's sum it up: -Get there early. (5pm on a Saturday to be precise, as it gets crowded fast, so much in fact that those waiting might stand and stare at you longingly while you eat) -What?! Order everything all at once? Thankfully drinks are an exception. (Yes, they actually make you do this - but, it's not as annoying as it sounds) -Okay, do yourself a favor and order the Oyster Po' Boy (maybe two). The Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalapeno is also pretty amazing. -Impressive beer selection, even for uppity ones like my husband (who, with a gleam in his eye, ordered a De Leyerth Brouwerije "Urthel Hop-It" Belgian IPA). -For those that enjoy liquor like myself, I slurped down two or three "Negroni Baloney" beverages (hey, I hadn't indulged in alcohol for a week due to running that Half Marathon, so it tasted beyond delicious). -Fresh, urban atmosphere. Smart service. Old school music plays in the background, comforting your soul, just like the food. Loved it.
(4)Richie D.
Well, it's a bar...that sells fish. The name simply says it all. Picture a quaint Glenn's Diner, without the cereal or amazing potato pancakes. They make up for the latter with a side of tator tots at $2 though. My friend's fairly good sized taster of the pineapple jalapeno cocktail concoction quickly took my mind away from comparing the two eateries. She ordered and shared the Calamari a la plancha (grilled) and Tuna Carpaccio, both which were super fresh and well marinated. While I came to Fish Bar with the Lobster Roll in mind, I couldn't find it in my heart to throw down a "market price" set at $18! I could buy an entire lobster for that in Chinatown or Little Saigon! Instead, I ordered the item listed below it: Crabby Patty sandwich with old mayo, lettuce, tomato, and (I want to say pickled) red onion. Best Crabcake sandwich I have every had! Slightly crispy, tons of flavor (without the seafood flavor which I'm not a fan of), and a soft bun. Really there was nothing special about the presentation (hamburger bun + white glass plate), but the flavor stuck out. I'll be back for it! Fish Bar is great as long as you don't mind the close quarters/seating a la Francais, or the huge whiff of strong seafood the minute you step foot in the door (don't worry, your senses get used to it before you become nauseous, while your clothes may reek a bit afterwards; Note to self: Have a bottle of cologne for afterwards if I'm going out). I arrived at 5:30 pm and was glad I did. By 6 pm, there's a wait. Plus, they can't seat groups bigger than 3-4 people. Guess that's why it's called a "bar" yet has a hostess?? Oh and they close between 3 pm and 4:30 pm (annoying!).
(4)Tom S.
Great concept. Transports you to the east coast. Food seems fresh. Service is good. Enjoyed the lobster roll. My friends enjoyed the place too.
(4)Mari Y.
I don't know why my friend always suggests to come here but I never fight her on it. Hence, yet another dinner at Fish Bar. The portions are quite small. They're sort of like tapa/pintxo size so you need to order a few items to get full. We went on Sunday night when they discount the oysters so I had two of those and the Oyster Po'Boy. We also shared the fish fries. The Po'Boy only had 4 oysters in it and was otherwise quite bready. At the end of the meal I wasn't full but more importantly, I wasn't hungry. If you're with someone who likes to eat a lot, I would not bring them to Fish Bar because you'll end up spending a fortune. Whether I like it or not, I'll be back.
(3)Jackie G.
LOVE THIS PLACE! The food is always fresh and tasty. I have had two different types of fish tacos when I've gone, tilapia and rainbow trout, and both were amazing. My boyfriend who is from South Carolina loved the oysters. They serve small plates of food but they seem to get it right.
(5)Laura W.
Fish Bar was a success. We got there right at 5pm because I was panicked that there would be a wait. After reading the Yelp reviews of people having to wait for seats I didn't want to take any chances. Fortunately there were PLENTY of seats when we arrived, but it did start to fill up by 6pm when we were leaving. I wanted to try the soft shell crab since it is seasonal but I figured for my first time there I would go with the most famous, the Lobster Roll. It was worth the $18 because it was huge and had nice big chunks of lobster. I went against my natural instincts to order the tater tots and go with the garlic bread. It was a smart choice as the bread was definitely meant to be shared and it was thin, garlicky, and soft. I could have eaten 3 more pieces. Finally we tried the clam chowder and it was spicy. I've never had it spicy before so that was a bit of a surprise. There we also nice chunks of potato in there. To drink I had 2 of the Negroni Baloney's because it is a gin drink and sometimes they are hard to find on drink menus. I could have easily had two more but I showed restraint. I cannot wait to go back and try more of the seasonal specials, the soft shell crab, oysters, salmon tartare.
(4)Laura K.
This place was excellent! Delicious food, fun drinks, and a nice casual atmosphere. I will definitely be back. As a number of people have already mentioned, it is set up like a bar so I would suggest 2-3 people groups. I went with a group of 3 and we had a corned of the bar which was perfect. I ordered their punch which was delicious. Beware that it is a very small drink (and priced accordingly - $6) which was perfect for me because I just wanted a small cocktail since it was a Sunday night. My friend ordered the Bloody Mary shot which had an oyster at the bottom - she liked it a lot. As for the food. YUM! Fried deliciousness. We ordered the shrimp and the ceviche to start. The shrimp was out of this world! The ceviche was yummy too, but the shrimp in my opinion was a clear winner. I also got the Crabby Patty which was unreal as well. It was a huge crab cake on a bun and I enjoyed every last bite of it. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Timothy L.
The plates are as small as they say they are. Skip the crabby paddy. It tasted like something out of a Banquet frozen dinner. The lobster roll was delicious, but like everything else it was smaller and more expensive than what you can find elsewhere in Chicago.
(2)Bob W.
Hard to write a review about Fish Bar as it is just frightfully underwhelming. Nothing we had was bad, but neither did it make us turn to each other and say "OMG you have to try this!" Why get an oyster po boy here when you can get an oyster slider at GT Fish and Oyster that is actually something special? It doesn't help that the prices are high for such small plates. It looks like a bar, but the food is not fitting the theme. It's hard to reconcile eating small scallops at 4 dollars a pop while sitting on mismatched stools at a counter. The only exception to the mediocrity was the key lime pie. Probably the best piece of key lime I have ever tasted.
(2)Matthew S.
The fish bar is now on my list of restaurants to take out of towner's to. I would say it is really expensive for what you are getting and for that reason I only gave it 4 stars. However, the oyster po-boy might be the best one I have ever had! Also, their drinks are really awesome.
(4)Kelly G.
Everytime I come here it just gets better. I haven't had a bad dish yet, and I've brought everyone from my parents to my best friends and all of them love it. From the delicious sweet ceviche to the buffalo frog legs to the slightly spicy calamari - it is all awesome. Plus the servers are always fast and very nice. It's now one of my regular spots. :)
(5)Grace G.
I stopped in Fishbar recently and was very impressed with their cocktails as well as their variety of fresh fish. I had a great Bourbon cocktail, but I don't remember the name of it and their drink menu online doesn't have it listed. My friend and I split several items, including the rock shrimp, frog legs, oysters from the East and West coast, the fried lemons/onions/jalapeno dish, and the scallops with andouille sausage and we really enjoyed it all. The fried lemons/onions/jalapeno side dish was one of the best side dishes I've ever had, and it complemented the meal perfectly.
(4)Renee S.
Everything was prepared very well, however portions are tiny. Party of 4 rang up $150 bill in no time--and we left still feeling hungry. That included one Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can for $2. Crabby Patty was good, but the bread was not impressive at all. Skate fish (sp?) was awesome, but again--very tiny serving. The menu will fool you because the prices seem lower. But your portions are significantly smaller than any other restaruant. Service was friendly. I would never go back though. The menu is small, and they were out of things at 6PM on a saturday. Seriously? There is _NOTHING_ on this menu for a non-fish eater. So if you have one in your group, they will be very disappointed.
(2)Robin M.
Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie!!! Ok, there is no chicken pot pie at Fish Bar. But if you want some screamin' seafood, look no further. Got there early, because we could not handle crowds tonight. And we got a seat right away. Server was super friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Had #4 punch which was sweet and delicious. My friend got a beer. Prices good. She got a lobster roll and I got a soft shell crab po-boy. And tater tots. Holy Mother of God, they have tater tots! Whoo. Then I'm not sure what happened because when we both looked up, sandwiches were gone. And we both looked mighty happy despite the mayo smears across our faces. Server came back and asked if we wanted pie. Uh, yeah! So had a fantastic blueberry pie (clearly made with fresh blueberries) and my friend got key lime. Took all we had not to lick the plates. Total bill was less than 60 bucks. Only criticism is that the music is rather loud. However, I'll be back for the tail on shrimp, the fish sandwich, and the lobster roll. And I'll shake my groove thang if they don't turn down the music! Hey, wait a minute...why didn't anybody give me a loyalty card? I'm loyal!!
(4)Ellie R.
I don't even like seafood and this food is so tasty. While I'm not really a fan of the "small plates to share" phenomenon, because I find that you end up paying way more than for a normal meal and still leave kinda hungry, I really like this place. Like I said, a bit over budget for me but worth it every once in a while. Their dishes are delicious and flavorful - I really loved the satchmo po'boy sandwich.
(4)Kelly C.
This was my second trip to Fish Bar. I got the lobster roll both times. It is great. However, I'm fairly sure the clam chowder this weekend got me sick. The pieces of clam were not only rubbery, but not even edible. The tasted out of date, and I had to spit several out. Halfway through the meal I had a feeling like a rock was in my stomach. I can't be sure if it was the chowder, but every time I think of it, I feel nauseous. Despite the fantastic menu, I doubt I will be back.
(2)Allison K.
Wanted to go here for my friend's birthday on a weeknight, and there are five of us celebrating. The website says reservations for only "3 or 4," so I was little confused. When I called to find out more, they told us we *might be able to get a table for 5 if we come in at "4:30 p.m. or late in the night at 11:00 p.m." Um, no restaurant is worth that ridiculous time frame, so before even trying this place, I'm giving it a preemptive 1 star.
(1)Leda G.
I hadn't planned on coming here but was really surprised and so happy I went! The ambience is really cool as other reviewers wrote. It is almost all bar seating, really great for a date! The staff was really friendly. The servers were informative and really know the menu. The drinks were soo tasty!! Sweet Tea= amazing! And pretty reasonably priced. The stone IPA was also delicious!! The food was very good! We got the ceviche, frogs legs, clam chowder, prawns, and the crabby patty. Also smores for dessert. (for two people) Every thing was very flavorful and fresh. I really liked the mix between classy and casual (mason jars for drinks- cute touch).
(5)Jacob J.
Hella busy on weekends and on nights which we all know are busiest you can expect up to a forty minute wait. I tried visiting on a few occasions with different sized groups and got different wait times. One Friday evening I was in a group of five and was told it would take approximately one hour and forty minutes! (We hit Pequod's instead) This is due to their seating. They expect that most would be in pairs of two, for those in a party they only have 2 - 3 booths which can accommodate (5 max) and those are hard to come by. The photos on Yelp and their website are deceiving, only that it's hard to tell the amount of true space. Before entering and without thinking about the physical address, I assumed they were as big as a Hooter's. Not!. As far as food, I was let down. Huge disappointment. Two things I looked forward to would be their cod sandwich and a rummy punch. I love the pricing, it's all affordable stuff. However a staple like a decent cod sandwich is ruined by trying too hard. Forget that silly dill sauce and give me a tartar sauce I'd want to dip my tots into, that's what I'm looking for. BTW, $2 for a handful of tots, give me a break. Cod sandwich had a good amount of meat though not filling and a nice fleshy slice of tomato, but that's where it ended. My friends that dined on a shared sandwich thought far less about it. Fish Bar's cocktail pricing seems like a dream but when you see the final product served in what's a small (jam) jar, eh, the shit loses my interest. Good pour, just too small. I can cross the street to Vaughn's and expect a heavy handed cocktail in a tall glass for another $2 bucks. I love the idea of the place. The cute counter staff and hostesses, especially that gal with the lip stud, hot. Freaking love the bar, it's either a Maple or Hickory. The bar is so smooth, I could wax on and wax off that thing all the day long. One of these days someone is going to Eff that up with leaving their hot sauce on there too long or scratch it. Great disappointment. For now I'll leave the excitement of it up to the Lakeview locals and tourists. Offer a option of a decent tartar and I'll enjoy my cod sammiches with youz guyz. Until then, it's the char houses for me.
(3)Adam K.
Awesome little spot, def allow about 45 minute wait after 7pm. SUPER NOISY! Cool decor, seems like a hellish place to work, I got: Clam Chowder - A little too creamy and thin for me, tasted fresh however. Lobster Bisque - ON THE NUTS. Not too heavy and a bit of spice. Fried Clams - Eh, OK. The dipping sauce was bomb. My wifey thought it was Calimari but she is from Wisconsin so WTF does she know. Crabby Patty - Delish. The waitress described it as tangy and a bit spicy, I found it kind of sweet and not spicy at all, i was torn between this and the Lobster Roll, but after seeing the lobster roll was 18 bucks I was kind of glad i got this guy. Very delish and not heavy at all. Key Lime Pie - I actually drooled on myself putting the last bite in my mouth. Did not get to try the fried jalepenos, onions and lemon even though I ordered it, but I will give the waitress a break because it was SUPER noisy in there, I was like 5 inches from her face and I could barely hear her. Also, to all the people complaining about the sizes being small, guess what? Your fat. Order something else then, or better yet go to McDonalds and super size your fat ass. Cool little extra, as we were leaving I said to one of the dudes behind the bar, "Worth the hype!" He introduced himself as the manager, although it was barely audible he said "Let me give you one of my cards!" I was like ok thats kind of nice I guess, he gave me two cards. I was like whatever, dude likes that he is a manager & wants strangers to know it. I get home look at the back of the card and it says "One Free Oyster Shooter when you Present this card." SCORE!!! Will def be back to try the frog legs.
(4)Kirsta W.
I LOVE Fish Bar! I love the size (allows reservations for 3 or 4), I love the food (ROCK SHRIMP!), the waitstaff is fantastic. It's just a great restaurant. Always fresh, always amazing. Be sure to order the bloody mary oyster shooters - they aren't on the menu but they have them! Have only gone on double dates there but it's fantastic!
(4)Melissa R.
I was pretty intrigued about this new place for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that the corner of the building had been painted blue with a large fish on it for quite sometime before I realized what was going on. Then I realized that it was a seafood joint by the same owners of DMK Burger Bar (next door, and I'm a fan). We went here on a Friday night straight from work. When we arrived around 5:30 there was already a 30 minute wait. No biggie, we sat down and waited patiently while perusing the food options. We were seated at the bar and it was tight quarters. Keep in mind that when they say Fish Bar, they mean it. There are three booths that fit four each, so if you don't have one of those then you are sitting on a stool. Besides the fact that you are constantly bumping elbows with your fellow diners, the ambiance is very cute. You feel like you strolled up to a seafood shack off the beach...very casual and fun. The food was good, but pricey. Considering the price, I was expecting more food and/or it to be more delicious. Everything we ate was "good" nothing was "great". The best items we tried were the lobster roll and tater tots. The service however was fantastic and we got along swimmingly with our waitress. Also, my fiance is a beer snob and he was pleasantly surprised by the options they had on the menu. And it unfortunately seems they have carried over my least favorite thing about DMK...the crazy loud music. However, this music here is much more low-key and not so clubby...but it is still unnecessarily loud.
(3)Abby H.
I almost didn't go inside due to it being so crowded (on a Tuesday night no less). I am so glad I went in though. This place did not disappoint. I think I noticed some Yelpers who had an issue with the bar/counter set up. I suggest going back to whatever podunk town you came from and stay there. I went there for oysters and theirs are some of the best I've had. I was talking to one of the wait staff and mentioned my love of oysters, but they are rather expensive so I opted for the smoke trout sandwich rather than another 6 oysters. As my trout sandwich arrived, the woman I spoke to about my love of oysters hands me a plate of 6 oysters I hadn't ordered. As I looked perplexed, she told me the kitchen made an error and asked her if she had someone to give them to. She said she knew just the person. Really? 6 free oysters?? She also handed me her card and said it's good for a free drink during my next visit. The entire wait staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Oh and the trout was unbelievably good with a smokey flavor I've not tasted before. The service here is top notch and the food is just as good as the service. Needless to say, I think I left a 40% tip.
(5)Emily S.
I thought Fish Bar was pretty A-OK. I have to disagree with the (incredibly pretentious) reviewer who said that if you think Fish Bar is pricey, you need to get a "good job" so you can afford to eat there and a 20% tip. Let me just say that I have one of these "good jobs" that allows me the luxury of dining out fairly frequently. Just because I can afford to pay the amount shown on the check doesn't automatically make it a good value. That's moronic. All that said, I can see how people did not find Fish Bar to be a good value ($15 for 6 oysters?!). The cocktails are very small. I also found the size of the apps to be a bit on the small side (and not particularly well-prepared). We started with the ceviche and the calamari a la plancha. I LOVE ceviche and this was probably the worst I've ever had. Advertised as fluke with lime, pineapple, onion, serranos, avocado, I expected this to be tart and acidic and spicy and briny. It was none of those things. So, so bland - just begging for salt and acid. It was mushy and there was barely any fish in it. The calamari was overcooked, and despite the description of "olive oil, salt and pepper, red chili and preserved lemon," it was also pretty tasteless. No tartness, no salt. I must say, the sandwiches are where the value truly lies. I had a really awesome oyster po boy, and my husband really enjoyed his crabby patty. The tots are delicious and a steal at $2. I would go back, but I would stick with the sandwiches and the tots.
(3)Katarina X.
I get it. If I were dating a Trixie- I would not want to hear her nasal voice squeaking three octaves higher than natural pitch either. The music here is overwhelming loud and it is obnoxious! Alas, I have a very sexy voice my date can't hear, there is no place to put my handbag (the wall, across the room? This is my phone! This is my wallet! This is my entire lipgloss collection! NO!!!!) I'm nice, I am not stupid looking to get robbed. Bad design with no females consulted there. And the final star kicked off is for the patronizing server: Yes honey, I could leave. I will. She's absolutely right! Food and drinks might be worthwhile- but after the ear-ringing noise, lack of space and sh!tty service just walking in? I am never, ever going to find out.
(2)Katie P.
The newest seafood joint in Chicago, Fish Bar, definitely hit the mark with the design of the interior. Imagine an east coast lobster shack meets New Orleans. The layout features almost all counter seating (there are three booths, if you are lucky enough to grab one) which works out well for a quick lunch but would be a bit tricky for a nice dinner or busy saturday night. Although the design of Fish Bar was fairly authentic (for a merging of two coast, anyways), the visit went downhill from there. We had the fried clams which were pretty good but the portion size was fairly skimpy(3.5 pieces, literally) for the price. We also tried the Maine lobster roll and the 'catch of the day'; trout. The lobster roll came on the correct roll; split down the center with buttery-toasted sides but was completely over-seasoned with celery salt and old bay seasoning. The lobster and mayo mixture was watery, leaving me to believe the meat had been frozen, and definitely not worth the $18.00 market price. A true east coast lobster roll has to stand by the idea of simplicity and purity, no seasonings, toasted bun, and either cold meat with mayo or warm with drawn butter. Let the fabulous taste of the fresh meat shine, don't mask it. The trout was served well after the lobster roll came out and after the first bite I noticed it was completely raw still. I had to send it back and have them cook me a new piece which resulted in me eating quite a bit after everyone else was finished. I wish I could say the service was great and completely made up for these huge goof-up's but at the end we were left without an apology(!) and a full priced bill. see the full review on my blog: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…
(2)Gwanda P.
Small portions calls for a lovely brunch, lunch and even a nice lite dinner! The Mahi Mahi starter slider, the salmon BLT (I ordered it without bacon) and the PUNCH drink is what I ordered! The Mahi Mahi sliders are $3 each....well worth ordering two or three....My friends ordered a lite trout and white fish grilled. Sides are ordered separately! ALL yum-me!
(5)Lauren R.
Stopped in here on a snowy Sunday afternoon for some oysters & beers. The Stingray oysters (from VA) were on special for $1.50 a pop. Usually when oyster bars have deals on oysters, they give you the small ones that hardly have any meat. Here at Fish Bar, the oysters were terrific - so fresh & hands down the "meatiest" oysters I've ever had. The beers were delicious (The Crisp & Daisy Cutter) and the service was outstanding. The waitress & the manager, Mindy, couldn't have been friendlier! Definitely plan to make this a weekly outing to get my oyster fix!
(4)Eric M.
I can see this become a regular haunt of mine. Know going in the place is pretty small and you probably won't want a party of more than four. The staff was awesome. Very knowledgeable on the menu and fish in general. Great beer and cocktail list also helps. The food is very good. I can't recall the name of the fish I ordered but they cooked it to perfection. Looking forward to going back for more.
(4)Kristina C.
Do not come here. I just do not want any more people to know about this place. I want to be able to go and not wait 20 years to get in. So, just dont go. My boyfriend says to me, hey, I got a great place we should try out. Seafood. I, not being a stranger to shrimp and other treats of the sea agrees to try out this new place. I walk in and fall in love. I love the counter style seating, I spy Goose Island Matilda on draft and I know everything is going to be alright. On Sunday around 7, we only had a 15 minute wait, which we enjoyed a few cocktails. The place isnt that big, but I did note that getting drinks took a while (both while waiting and when we sat). We started with Lobster Bisque and oysters. The Lobster bisque has no cream in it, just the actual flavor of lobster. I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink it. It was that good. I'm not that much of an oyster fan, I tried one, thought it was okay and let my BF enjoy the rest. And enjoy he did. Then we had the rock shrimp (great-we had it wet), the calamari (the lemon was such a great flavor with the grilled calamari), lobster roll (amazo - served cold, which my BF didnt like). The beers were great - a bunch of Belgian styled brews that were great to compliment the food we enjoyed. I'm totally in love with this place and am salivating at the idea of eating there again. They take reservations for parties of 4. So me and 3 friends will be headed there really soon. Swoon. So please, just don't go.
(5)Nicole L.
Okay $19 for a Lobster Roll? Really? All of the hype didn't match the food quality. The lobster roll was mediocre at best. Didn't think it was worth the $19 price tag. The fried calamari wasn't all that either. It was drenched in oil or lemon or something. It tasted better once it was dipped in the cocktail sauce. All in all, it was pretty meh. The whole drinking out of mason jars is a cute concept though. Not too sure if I would hit up this place again. I'm almost positive that there's better seafood out there.
(2)Linda N.
Sunday dinner around 7pm - pretty hostess says it's a 45 minute wait for a table. No problem. We grab two beers at the bar and 15 minutes later, two seats open up. What we ordered: Ceviche, served with saltines. Cute setup, full of flavor. Gumbo with blue crab, Andouille sausage, and wild rice. This NOLA born and bred girl gives it a thumbs up. Bisque with lobster and sweet corn. Nice texture, date loved it. Hama Hama oysters from Washington. Orgasmic. Calamari, "Federal HIll" style. Deliciously prepared. Oyster Poboy. Probably our favorite thing on the menu thus far. My date is no longer a poboy virgin. Octopus (yummy) and Whitefish (subtle on the palate) Key Lime pie - oh my heaven! The portions were perfect, as we were able to try MANY dishes without stuffing our gills. We loved this place and will be recommending it to other seafood lovers.
(5)jamie k.
DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!! $15 for 6 oysters!!!!! ridiculous price!!!! calamari and pulpo - use the same marinade, dressing and the serving size is way too small i am not sure what all fuss is here we spent $180 between two people, had a bunch of items, and some drinks, but nothing was super amazing! everything was average i have had much better, just like the 2 star rating says on here! they could definitely work on increasing the portion size, then this could be a great place!
(2)M C.
The good thing about this review is I have experienced the Fish Bar and I know I'll never go back. The place is small, almost dumpy, it is more a cafe than restaurant. The service was somewhat slow and clumsy, we had to wait 15 minutes for one piece of Key Lime pie. I almost asked for the bill before it came because the whole experience was rather annoying. If your a fish or seafood foodie, don't be tempted by this place. The food is over salted(Oyster Po'Boy, chowder, fish in fish tacos) and everything is a la carte. This is the only restaurant you'll spend $30 at and never see a plate of food. The ceviche was $9 and came in something a little bigger than a shot glass. Even the sandwiches, which your waitress will tell you are the only "full size" items on the menu run on the small size for $9. And remember, that $9 gets you a small sandwich on a monkey plate with not so much as a stem of parsley or a pickle. The Manila Clams were good, but again a pitiful appetizer sized serving. The clam chowder is $6 a CUP. Our bill was $88 for 3 adults including two drinks and the tip. If your looking for good seafood in Chicago try Hugo's, Shaw's (same prices as Fish Bar and you won't leave hungry), Tanta, Ay Ay Picante or El Barco. The ceviche at Ay Ay Picante ($13) is almost as good as Tanta.
(2)Joe P.
The service was attentive and nice. Our drinks were served promptly and only took a few minutes to order. The food also came out in speed. With knowing its a bar, wasn't expecting anything fancy. The smatcho poboy was decent with a ok amount of shrimps and or crawfish...? The baby octopus was the bomb. Should've got grilled salmon or red fish... The redfish tacos were killer good. Very nicely prepared rare style. The octopus was grill served with a lemon butter and caper sauce. It was quite good. Total was 40$ for the tacos, octopus, poboy n ice tea plus tip. I however spent 10$ later at portillos to get finally full... So Idk if it's worth the value at all. Let me go into the food- the redfish tacos were like a sushi kind of meat. If we had ordered two of everything, it'd have been the price of a pappadouex dinner... At 9$ a pair. The satchmo po boy was a ton of bun. Not nearly enough shrimp not crawfish. Too many scallions and onions ugh. Overpowered it all. The baby octopus was worth the 10$. Perhaps I would order the grilled salmon or red fish... Nothing else on the menu was worth half the cost. Overall I'd not come back due to having so many restaurants to choose... Dmk burger bar appears good but idk anywhere haha
(3)Elise K.
I used to love this place and rave about it, but coming in tonight has changed it... 5 stars = 100%... 3 stars = 60%. Last time I checked, 60% is a F. The food is still at least slightly above average, but a few things were lacking -- the artichoke fritters literally had no identifiable artichoke in them, the variety was missing from the menu, the charred redfish tacos weren't great, and the soups were a bit thin for being bisque. The old cocktails have been replaced with less creative new cocktails and prices have increased $3+ for each. The crux of my problem is really the service. I have never seen so many staff standing around talking to each other rather than helping customers. This is a generous 3-stars.
(3)Sandy N.
I went here a few days ago with another Yelper around 7:15 pm. There was a short wait, so we headed over to DMK to get some truffle fries. The ambiance was very nice, casual but also with an intimate, a personal touch (one server took care of our entire area, which was a sort of U-shaped bar seating so that she was always within 5-10 feet of us). We had the: sausage & crab gumbo - good, smoky and spicy (not my strong suit) lobster bisque - sweet, delicious, creamy, though lobster a tad overdone--it was made with sweet corn and didn't contain any cream, which was a pleasant change (not too heavy) lobster roll - OMG. the lobster was perfectly done, tender and moist, and the roll was buttery and delicious. my friend really noticed the celery salt, and while i also hate celery, it didn't bother me at all. this one was a definite win. softshell crab a la plancha - i didn't really know what a la plancha meant (after we ordered the dish, i looked at the menu to check) but i love softshell crab, so i figured it would be a safe choice. turns out, a la plancha meant fried and served in olive oil with preserved lemon and arugula. the flavor combination was wonderful and worked really well with the flavor of the crab. yum. the service was good, and the server was really nice and personable, making sure we were taken care of the whole time. added to the ambiance and the quality, Fish Bar gets 4 stars (minus one since the lobster roll was just a tad bit pricier than i would have liked).
(4)Amy L.
I am a huge seafood lover and Fish Bar definitely met my expectations! We called ahed and they don't take reservations for parties of 2, so we went in at 545 to make sure we didn't have to wait a long time. We sat right down at a table outside. Our server was awesome! He brought us crackers with sardines for free since it was our first time. We got oysters, which were awesome, but pretty small. We split the fish of the day, salmon tartare, and garlic bread, which were all amazing. My only complaint is that it was pretty pricy and very small plates. If I went back, I think I would get a sandwich to make sure I didn't leave hungry again.
(4)Chaz A.
Allow me to take this opportunity to bring up an issue that's been biting me in the back of the neck for the past couple of months. Just because I have hair like a certain über-famous pop star, and happen to dress nicely and also be 16, doesn't mean I am said über famous pop star. So.. stupid drunk man at 1 pm on a thursday I am not him, therefore do not persist to keep calling me by his name. And save for this man who looks like Billy Baldwin, (I told him, too) and his slightly less douchey this would've been the perfect lunch with my best friend on a spring break afternoon. We went all Lobster, or as they say in New England "Lobstah" with the Bisque with sweet corn and Lobstah. And maybe, and here I am nitpicking this most wonderful bisque, a bit less corn..... Just a bit. And then we split a Lobstah roll. And really, you don't need a full sandwich, but you will inhale the half. Mmmmmmmm, dreaming about it now. And props to Mindy Segal for a Kickass key lime pie. Add 2 cokes. Bill $51 with tip. Not TOO Shabby.
(5)John H.
Let's preface this review with one simple fact: I have never given a Yelp review, nor will I ever give one again, unless my experience resembles that of "Fish Bar". My wife and I are super laid back - easily pleased, always pleasant, doesn't take much to satisfy our food needs... seriously. It takes almost no effort.... but Fish Bar managed to fall short.... I would give a better review for my worst McDonald's experience! We live in the vicinity of Fish Bar and we had been extremely excited for its grand opening around a month ago. We decided to give it a shot for her birthday!!! (an awful mistake) We are here to give a few theories on their business acumen, as well as a review on their service. First of all, my lady and I arrived at 6:30pm and were told we had an hour and ten minute wait. We left, had drinks, and came back around 7:30 (an hour later). At around 8:30, we were finally seated. That's right, a 2 hour wait, after we were told 1:10..... not a great start. The theory behind this: Fish Bar has no reservation system, so if you show up and decide to wait, you offer them business through drink purchases. They will remind you that you will be seated soon, so you purchase more drinks. If you get worn out with all the waiting, you will leave and they just earned money from you drink tab.... Luckily, we fought this tactic, because we were told "the food is served very quickly" so we waited patiently.... for about an hour longer than we were initially told. Starting to get a bit annoyed, but we are cool about it.... (Essentially, they avoid reservations because they can bring in more people and more money if reservations are NOT accepted.....) After being seated, we ordered drinks..... mine never arrived. It was a bottled beer! Twist off the lid, and hand it to me....... seriously. The couple next to us was seated 10 or 15 minutes after we were seated. They managed to get drinks, dinner, and pay their bill before our meal ever arrived. Yes, we still remained friendly and positive (not sure why) We ordered 3 items, and 2 of the same items were ordered by this neighboring couple...... meaning we ordered the same thing, but while theirs arrived in 5 minutes, ours arrived in 45 minutes.... ??? Now I am a little grumpy. To sum up the timing, we put our name in at 6:30 and our food was brought to us at around 9pm. We ordered the Maine Lobster Roll - i rode my bicycle up to Maine and caught my own lobster before this order was ready.... awful service is what i am emphasizing, if you don't get it. We also ordered fried clams between 2 of us.... there were 7 clam bites..... seriously? i would rather buy frozen fried clams from Jewel Osco and add my own seasoning. Again, for all the waiting we did, I could have purchased a flight to any coast on any continent, ordered the most complicated menu item, and eaten said item before i received my order at Fish Bar..... and again, no apologies for the delay, no drink suggestions or anything. Weak. We considered leaving at any given moment, but the thought of this Yelp review encouraged us to see it through the bitter end of this agonizing dining experience that could easily equal the enjoyment of a root canal. You know what our waitress Sonja said when we finally got our food? " Wow, you really snarfed that down...." No duh! We waited for 2.5 hours for a measly portion of clams and a lobster sandwich. I think a starving child from a third-world country would expect more expedient food preparation. Of course she didn't apologize for the nasty slow service, forgetting my drink, and did i mention the slow service? And forgetting that I ordered a drink? And the fact that we were there, alive, and breathing? This average meal took so long to make, it was comparable to the evolution of man. This is 3 hours of my life that my lovely lady and I will never get back and I wasted my wife's birthday, to boot. I honestly don't remember if the food was good.... we waited so long we felt like we were famished enough to receive government funding. There were no apologies at all, and don't expect a reservation system anytime soon. This is how they make their money. Fish Bar sucks. Don't waste your time or your money. We definitely did not, with our $1.10 tip... and that was generous!! I have no regrets about that. Our meal should have been free, in our opinion. From someone who would eat almost anything, I will never eat here again. This place is garbage - pick any place in Chicago and I would bet you that the service is better than Fish Bar.
(1)Crista L.
The Fish Bar is nothing more than over-priced "casual" joint. If you have less than 4 people in your party, you are allowed to dine here. If there are 5+ people in your party, you are not welcome. For 50$, 2 of us ate a few miniscule-sized appetizers. I notice the lobster roll was 18$. I mean, I'd have a hard time spending 18$ on a tiny portion of food that may very well be served on a paper plate. (yeah, county fair style) Order the calamari, it's delicious. HOWEVER, don't expect more than 8-10 pieces of calamari to be served (in a county fair style paper bowl.) The ceviche was nothing to brag about... and it was served with saltine crackers. 4 saltine crackers, to be exact. Just 4. The Chocolate Mocha pie was DEFINITELY the highlight of our meal, provided by Mindy at Hot Chocolate. For more of that, I'll visit Hot Chocolate instead of going back to the Fish Bar. I really wanted to like this place, but I wasn't impressed. With all the amazing restaurants that Chicago has to choose from, chances are I will not return to the Fish Bar. I feel like I could get an equal amount of seafood at Shaw's Crab House for 50$ . And it'd be better quality, and it'd be served with bread, and it'd be deeeeeelicious...... I see a few people have waited 1 - 1.5 hours to be seated at this place!! There's not a fvcking chance I'd wait that long to eat at the Fish Bar. Just sayin'
(3)Joe S.
Food is not bad by any means here but the thing I don't like about this place is that (a) you can't really have a party of more than 2 people without having some major issues being seated here, and (b) Fish Bar gives you the cozy "run down" hole-in-the-wall east-coast ocean shack restaurant theme, but only along with expensiveish nice-restaurant sized prices. I thought the whole charm of those small fish shacks is that they were cheap too!? Just an observation.... Anyways...
(3)Little D.
This place has a LOT of work to do... My husband and I have been excited to try this place, we finally did last night. A nice, scaled down look on the inside, but almost too minimal and cheap. My husband and I had to play musical chairs up at "the bar"(or stools in this case) for about 5 mins because a majority of the stools in there were wobbly, shaky and falling apart! Suggestion to the owners: We like the idea of the mismatched, crude stools - BUT - get stools that aren't broken! Your customers should be comfortable! Also, warm up the environment just a touch. Maybe some rustic placemats at the bar seats, some tea lights around, actual place settings (instead of a bunch of random utensils in a big glass that difficult to reach because it's way on the side). Also, make sure your condiment bottles aren't empty and clean at the end of the night. We reached for 2 different bottles of hot sauce with our meal, one of which had nothing in it and the other was grimy! The "bar": There is NO bar in here. I asked for a vodka martini and was told that they do not have vermouth or olives. Really? Not even olives? The serve was nice enough and explained they only have a few things to drink and that the bar is limited. Suggestion to the owners: You can't call yourself a "bar" if you don't even have some basic items to make some basic drinks! The staff: They were very nice. Suggestion to the owners: There needs to be some type of uniformity in the dress of your servers. Though very nice, they would create a more professional environment if they had some type of piece (be it an apron with Fish Bar on it or whatever) showing that they are staff and not patrons. Apps: Calamari and Rock Shrimp - The Calamari was just ok. Very average for the portion and the price! We enjoyed the "Federal Hill" style of it, but it seems the Federal Hill took over the appetizer and there was not much calamari in it! Plus, it was almost over cooked/borderline chewy. It was very average and unimpressive. The Rock Shrimp wet was very fresh and tasty! The portion was too small for the money. Suggestion to the owners: Go to The Pony on Lincoln and try their fried Calamari and Rock Shrimp appetizer. Super fresh, super delicious, and a nice portion for an app to share. New England Clam Chowder: The absolute WORST we've ever had! It was watery, skimpy portion for the price; the potatoes in it were still hard, and SO SALTY!!! OMG! Really it was terrible. Suggestion to the owners: The fact that you have a small menu is really awesome! It leads people to believe that the few items you have on it must be out of this world and you have really mastered each of the items on it. Unfortunately, your soup showed this is not the case. You need a new recipe badly. WE WILL BE BACK FOR ONE REASON: The Soft-shell Crab Po'Boy!!! Despite the constructive criticism above, Fish Bar has nailed the Soft-shell Crab Sandwich!!! Our server told us that it comes on a hot dog type bun and after the soup, I wasn't expecting our sandwiches to be that great - BUT - they were awesome! 2 very BIG soft-shell crabs, perfectly seasoned and fried in a very nicely buttered and grilled bun (the bun was not cheap at all and super fresh), with a fantastic seasoned slaw. WOW - seriously, we were blown away by the quality of this sandwich, the portion of it was perfect, and the price was only $10! Suggestion to the owners: Keep this sandwich as it is! It trumps the soft-shell crab sandwich at Half Shell and at some other places in the area. Just delicious and the price is really fantastic. So, all in all, this place needs to improve if it's going have staying power - but - we are going to keep coming back for that soft-shell crab sandwich (we'll probably just take them to go though).
(3)Ryan G. S.
You don't normally get calamari this good in this country. Forget everything you know about calamari being rubbery and tough; this calamari (whether grilled or fried) is tender and fresh. It's just as good as the calamari I used to eat every day after work in Spain, where they take their seafood more seriously than the national economy. The only downside is it costs four times what it did in Spain, but such is the price for living in a country where gasoline and drinking water are more than abundant. The oysters are also de puta madre, and if you feel like you're spending too much on fish, cans of PBR are only $2. No reservations (or seating) for parties bigger than 4, which is probably because the whole place is a bar. (There are no tables.)
(5)Meredith P.
Yum! 3 was the perfect # for this spot. We went on a Sunday evening around 7 and only had to wait about 15 minutes for a nice corner spot to open up. We ordered the ceviche and the "wet" rock shrimp to share. The rock shrimp were SO good. Nice and spicy! Then we each ordered a sandwich and the crab cake sandwich had a nice balance of sauce to meat and bread. Really really good. About 6 or so beers on tap and then a few specialty drinks. Will definitely be back to try the calamari, lobster bisque and clam chowder! Overall the food and ambience was great. Our waitress was a bit slow/confused but everything else was great so we overlooked it.
(5)Kevin C.
I got a craving for a lobster roll the other day and decided to give the Fish Bar a try with my girlfriend. We went in at about 8pm on a Friday so I was prepared to wait. The hostess was very sweet and said it was about a 60-90 minute way. A little bit long, but they had a bartender who was getting drinks out quickly. We were seated after about 55 minutes, so not too bad. The waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Always made sure we had a drink in front of us. We got the Lobster Bisque as an appetizer and it was delicious! It's made with a butternut squash and tasted great. My girlfriend got the Shrimp Po' Boy and I got the Lobster Roll with a side of tater tots. We were really impressed! The only complaints/improvements I have are that the beers were a little skimpy. For $6 draws, the bartender wasn't even filing the beers to the top of these 12 oz jelly jars. $6 for about 9 oz of beer seemed like a rip-off. I switched to mixed drinks after my first one. And with the lobster roll, either they should add more lobster or make the roll a little smaller. It felt like there was too much bread relative to the amount of lobster. This is something minor and the richness and the taste made up for it. Overall, I was impressed and satisfied. I will definitely go back.
(4)Tom O.
I love this place! Great atmosphere, good drinks, friendly helpful service and 12 out of 13 things I have ordered over 2 times there were wonderful. Oysters are always great and whatever grilled fish they have is always a sure bet. Tacos were surprisingly good.
(5)Kimberly D.
I had a craving for fried oysters so thought we'd give Fish Bar a try after hearing about last week's opening from what seemed like every media source and local guide that is printed and emailed. Fish Bar definitely met expections and lived up to the hype. I was expecting a crowded dining room and long wait considering it was still new. We arrived on Sunday around 6:30 pm and the wait for our party of 4 was about 20 minutes, but we were seated within 15 minutes at the counter. Seating is limited especially for groups larger than 4. There only a few booths and the rest is counter seating. For larger parties, there is a sign about being seated next door. Service was super friendly and attentive from the hostess, to the bartender, to the manager, to the server. While waiting, we were offered to order a drink from their bar area (could be a bit bigger). Our group tried the TEA, OLD SCHOOL, and PUNCH. All delicious and came in a cute little jar that was the perfect size. OLD SCHOOL was like a margarita but flavored with grapefruit instead of lime, while the PUNCH was very flavorful. Everything sounded good on the menu. Since orders come in small plates, we decided to try what seemed like everything. LOBSTER BISQUE was good but not what I expected. Not your typical bisque...but rather a corn chowder with chunks of lobster. GUMBO was pretty good with a nice kick to it. ROCK SHRIMP was breaded perfectly and sriracha dip made it tasty. I opted to order "dry" but think it would have tasted even better if I ordered "wet." FRIED CALAMARI was decent but breading was a bit soggy. Catch of the day was TASMANIAN SEA TROUT, which was cooked and seasoned just right. TAIL-ON SHRIMP was not overcooked and did not have too much breading. CEVICHE was served with crackers and seemed more like a seafood dip than ceviche that we expected. However, it was still good and came in a nice presentation. My friend said the CRAB PATTY was just ok. Crabcake was good but she didn't care too much for the sauce. OYSTER PO'BOY was delicious and definitely filled my craving. My only comment was two of us ordered the oyster po'boy. Mine was filled just right with not too much remoulade or slaw and 3 decent size oysters. However, my friend's po'boy was soggy and filled with too much slaw, so it was pretty messy for him to eat. TATER TOTS were just ok, nothing special just nice presentation. GARLIC BREAD was delish! Based on the above, I was ready to give Fish Bar just 4 stars. However, I bumped it up to 5 for making an effort for a special request. After we were done eating, we wanted only fried oysters, which is not on the menu, other than the po'boy. Server and manager checked with Chef and were able to make the accommodation for us. Oysters were really amazing and we highly suggest Fish Bar to add it to the regular menu or as a special. All in all, we had a great experience at Fish Bar. Spent more than we wanted but it was only because we wanted to try almost everything. However, the oyster, shrimp, and fish were all high quality and super fresh that were neither overly breaded or overly seasoned. Also was not dripping in grease. Service was terrific and in a nice casual setting. Even though space is small and people were waiting, the staff never once made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning....
(5)John O.
Been here twice now and continue to love it.
(4)Raph V.
This place can get rather crowded real fast, but the service is great. I highly recommend the Lobster Roll and the Satch'mo Po'boy.
(4)Cara T.
The first time I attempted to go to the Fish Bar (Saturday at 5), the wait was like 2 hours. No thank you. I went back on a Saturday at 4:30, and walked right in, with plenty of seats open. Necessary to go off peak hours. But now, I know what people were waiting for. Some of the best seafood I've had in Chicago. The hubby and I sampled and sampled. We had the fried rock shrimp (dry), fried clams, we shared a lobster roll and codfish sandwich, he had the bisque, I had the peanut butter pie...We just ate and ate and ate. The atmosphere is very casual, chill, and friendly. I snacked on crackers that were on the counter and sipped on the punch I ordered (which came in a mason jar, yes please). The shrimp was perfect, served with a spicy dipping sauce. The clams were a little chewy, but still awesome. Served with tarter sauce, which I thought was weird, but I really liked. The lobster roll was my first ever. I'm positive if lobster rolls are your thing...this one is phenomenal. But I don't think lobster rolls are my thing... The codfish sandwich...HANDS DOWN one of the BEST fish sandwiches I've tasted. Piping hot, melted cheese, crisp lettuce...light batter, fresh fish...you just can't beat it. I don't understand why the Fish Bar just can't become that whole block...do the same bar thing...but expand it by a block (or two)...so everyone can get in...and maybe have a seat with a back (don't worry, you won't even know you can't feel your butt until you've already had all your yummy food and try to stand up...). I love the hostess, but I imagine that can be stressful to seat people in that small area...take the whole bar, expand it by a block. Le Fin.
(4)Ashley A.
Went to Fish Bar a couple of weeks ago for lunch on a Sunday. Had a great time chatting with our server, who was very friendly and made great recommendations. He brought us a complementary okra dish (which was delicious), as well as a special beer on the menu he heard us talking about but that we didn't order. Hits: Service Satchmo Po Boy - Absolutely delicious shrimp and crawfish po boy with a tangy and garlicky aioli - definitely our favorite. Fish Tacos - Changes daily, we had the shrimp tacos. Generous portion of well-cooked shrimp with two accompanying sauces which complemented the slaw perfectly. Miss: Oysters - I was actually a little disappointed by the oysters. The selection changes regularly and I ordered 12 West Coast, but when they came they looked somewhat butchered. I was a little disappointed they weren't shucked better from a place like Fish Bar. Having said that, they are still oysters and therefore still divine. Overall - recommend coming here for a low key lunch or dinner - I will definitely be going back.
(4)Jennifer R.
I'm giving them 3.5 stars and here's why. Arrived at 6:30 pm on Friday night and waited 1.5 hours until we were seated. I can tell you for a fact that they seated people ahead of us who came in after us. I was trying to be cool as a cucumber, but deep down I was a starving, ravenous biatch waiting to jump out of my skin. The bottom line is that we waited 1.5 hours for FAST FOOD (essentially). We were finally seated at the bar and ate our meal within 20 min. I can see this being very cool during a time when I can come in and grab a seat. I just don't like to wait. Drinks were $6 and the smallest thing I have ever seen. Seriously, a little larger than a shot glass. It was good though...just too expensive for something that size. Ordered: Crabby Patty sandwich - I liked the sandwich overall, but there was a hint of curry or cumin in the seasoning and I hate both so it ruined it for me. They really should mention this on the menu or before ordering as I read another reviewers comment below and apparently the lobster roll also has curry in it. Calamari Federal Hill Style - loved this - the banana peppers were delish. Fried Jalapenos, Onion and Lemon - probably one of the worst things I've ever tried in my life. I love all 3 of these and could not believe how bad this was. All in all, it was just ok for me. I'm open to going again though.
(3)Jerry G.
Went to Fish Bar during Lent hoping to fill my desire to have some mouth watering fried seafood dishes. The place was able to fit the bill and then some. Normally I don't expect Fish bar to have a 2.5 hour wait but any friday during Lent would increase the line at a seafood place so we bided the time by devouring their mixed drinks. The "Punch" and "Sonja Does Sicily" in the mason jars were like nectar from the Gods and had a near perfect mix of juice and alcohol. Once we were seated our stomachs were yearning for food, luckily the Lobster Roll and Crabby Patty sobered us up. The prices we paid for the dishes did not correlate to a pleasing portion size, this was the main reason this place loses a star to me. Otherwise, as a good bar to eat some great seafood and have conversation with friends it works tremendously. Must Have: - Lobster Roll - Crabby Patty - Any mixed drink Tips: - Expect long lines during holidays that have people not eating meat
(4)Stacie K.
Ok......so.......I'm sure as most of you know.......this place is awesome. The service has always been amazing, the food has been even better, and the drinks were even delicious... The first time I came here, I had a dozen oysters (yes, all by myself), a lobster roll and 2 bloody marys. The oysters were amazing. As I sit here thinking about them, I am LITERALLY salivating. The lobster roll.....I don't even remember it very much because I inhaled it. It was so yummy and there was so much lobster. The 2nd time I went I had an oyster poboy which was also amazing. I had the same server both times and she recognized me! I signed up for some rewards card to use with Fish Bar. Not to mention.....there was some really good eye candy here. For real.
(5)Rapeepat C.
When the weather warms up, I won't be surprised if this place is packed all the time. It's conveniently located at an El stop (Wellington). Big bright happy blue building packed with awesome, fresh seafood inside. My boyfriend and I went to Fish Bar on a Thursday night. We probably waited for about 10-15 minutes (might be even less, I was admiring the pee-baby tap "Blanche de Bruxelles" which I do recommend since the light crisp taste go well with seafood in general). Once we get seated, we quickly asked for sample of the raw clam which is $1 to try, $12 for 6. After that we just take our time deciding what to eat. Note the name of the place is more of a bar than a proper restaurant. The layout of the place is about 80% counter/bar space with maybe 2 proper table with 4 people seating. So, I think service was adequate. We ordered 6 raw oysters, lobster roll, rock shrimp, fried lemon/onion/jalapeno and grilled octopus. Fried lemon/onion/jalapeno is probably an acquired taste...I don't really enjoy deep fried lemon but that's just me. Raw oysters (half and half with east/west coast) are super fresh and it's interesting to get a mix of it since you can taste the distinct difference between the coasts. Rock shrimp was awesome. We had it wet which mean it's premixed with the sauce (Dry - sauce on the side). Lobster roll is really really yummy but for $18...I guess I'll eat again on my bonus day. Grilled octopus was cooked very well. It was not tough at all which is what I was afraid of. I will definitely come here again to try to the seafood chopped salad and gumbo! along with some other fish.
(5)Christopher K.
I didn't expect to find the best tater tots in the city at Fish Bar, but happy early St. Pat's to me! The satchmo po' boy and scallops were excellent as well. And who doesn't enjoy unleashing their inner Toby Keith and tipping back a few from a mason jar?? Love the vibe of this place. Friendly, prompt service doing what they can to help you enjoy great food. Will definitely be back!
(4)Tom T.
This is a decent neighborhood eatery with very reasonable prices. We tried several things from the menu and I can't say anything in particular blew me away. The gumbo was good but not spectacular (they just had a lot of pepper in it). The ceviche and tuna tar tar were absolutely forgettable. Honestly though, it's just not that hot. It's like a nice version of Red Lobster. You'll find similar but better versions of this food at a place like Heaven on Seven. A side note, it gets extremely loud in here. They haven't put in any baffling anywhere so it's like being in a gymnasium.
(3)Lindsey C.
How have I NOT reviewed Fish Bar yet!?! Very friendly staff. Great drinks (I always get the punch, YUM) and rotating beer menu. As far as must-eats on the menu, you HAVE to have the rock shrimp. I also always love whatever they have "a la plancha" - I usually get squid, scallops. The garlic bread is amazing! One thing I did try that I didn't like was the mussels... they tasted REALLY fishy. That was just once, so hopefully it was a fluke. The key lime pie is delish also.
(5)Laura C.
So I'm fourth to review, not bad. I really wanted that "First" badge but didn't want to venture out in the rain for opening day. So day 2 of Fish Bar it was. At the corner of Sheffield and Wellington, Fish Bar is a no frills, fresh, sustainable seafood joint. The interior is mostly bar seating with a few booths. Decor is high end seafood shack. If you have five or more people, they encourage you to go next door to DMK Burger Bar (also owned by the same dynamic duo of David Morton and Michael Kornick). At 10PM Thursday night, we were warmly greeted by David. There was a 20ish minute wait, so we saddled up to the bar (or just the space near the tap) and chatted with the bartender for some interesting mixed drink recs. They have unique brews, one ultra hoppy Urthel IPA from a female brewmaster that I highly recommend. Their cocktails are small but unique. Served in mason jars, one could easily toss back a few before dinner. I tried the Tea with Weed Vodka which was the bartender's fave. I thought it was a little too sweet - Arnold Palmer-ish. Next was the Old School - a grapefruit/tequila concoction, which was basically a margarita with grapefruit instead of bitters. Not bad, something you would drink on vacation, or in March in Chicago wishing you were on vacation. Once we were seated, we got the rundown on the 86 list. For day 2, they were out of the bisque, lobster po' boy and shrimp. We started with oyster shooters (a little love from our server). Fresh, spicy and a good amuse. Next we tried the fresh catch of the day a la plancha - trout. Light, flaky, well seasoned and gone in about two seconds. Also tried the crabby cake - a 3 oz SPICY crab cake served on a hamburger bun. A little too much kick for my taste, but worth a try if you're into capsaicin. Then - the codfish sandwich - a high end filet-o-fish. The American cheese on top took away from the whole experience, I just can't get over the artificial taste/look/texture of congealing cheese product. The fish, on the other hand, was good, what you would expect from an MK filet, but I would try something else next time I went back. Also tried the tater tots - a good side to our dishes. MK - partner and executive chef - stopped by the table to say hello - always a big plus for me. Service was excellent, and they really try to make you feel welcome. Desserts (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate) could be purchased by the slice or whole. We tried the key lime pie - excellent flavor, good amount tang. Texture was smooth and airy. The only slight imperfection was the overbaked graham cracker crust. Also tasted the apple pie with a housemade whipped cream. Nice sugar coated crust, but I'm not a big apple pie fan. Nice job DM and MK - I'll be back.
(4)Phil T.
Love=seafood only joint! Small place that offers a killer fresh seafood. No real hilarious moments except for the orgasmic expressions on my face after each bite I took of my dinner. So equivalent to about 7-8 O's no joke! A few friends wanted to try almost everything on menu so imagine a thanksgiving type of spread of seafodd. Lol literally we had lines of food just coming the whole time. Here are just a few of my favs the shrimp "wet" is a must, calamari, n the sotcha Sammy. I'm not a dessert guy UNLESS they have tres leches or bread pudding and well........they had bread pudding. After my 6th orgasm I finally hit my limit. :-) Servers exceptional cool, food came out super fast, n it was delish! They did give out a few freebies to keep ya coming back. It was a nice addition but no matter what Im a repeater from now on.
(5)Jeff R.
The DMK Empire is expanding - next door is the latest called Fish Bar, and there's a new DMK going into the suburbs. Since I live so close and love DMK it was an easy decision to check out Fish Bar on it's opening weekend. There were crazy long wait times, which we passed mostly in our apartment, but still had a long wait to get seated even after we arrived. That's likely a small kink in the system that will get worked out as things get settled, and a risk when trying any new spot TOO soon after they arrive. I get what they are trying to accomplish and the vision - a fast paced, counter style spot dishing out seafood quickly and efficiently. What they likely did not expect was a gaggle of people just hanging out before and after eating - slowing down their entire process. Our overall experience was good, once we were seated. The service was friendly and quick, and our food arrived super fast. We really liked the grilled fluke and Erica's fried cod sandwich. Jed devoured his po' boy and we all loved the keylime pie for dessert. Additional things we tasted included shrimp (nothings special and a little small), garlic bread (awesomely garlic for only $2) and ceviche starter (kind of goofy texture and not a ton of flavor). We started with the shrimp and ceviche. They came out lightning fast. We thought the ceviche had an interesting texture, kind of squishy, and there wasn't a lot of flavor (especially compared to central american/mexican styles). The shrimp were fine, with a tasty cocktail sauce but a bit smaller than expected. Next up were the calamari and garlic bread. The bread smelled amazing and filled up the room. It's plenty large to share with people, though I'm not sure you will want to. Our fried calamari were also just ok, made a lot better with tartar and cocktail sauce. The plate came with a lot of the legs/spiny things as opposed to the round hoops. It also came with spicy peppers, a nice touch for those of us that like a little kick. The best news is that our favorite dishes were the largest, or "main course" size. I went with the fluke and Erica chose a fried cod sandwich. Jed went with the highly recommended po' boy that he enjoyed. My fluke was well cooked and served with a nice citrus sauce (with a few pepper flakes). Erica liked the sandwich but thought there was a lot of sauce. I had a bite or two and highly approve. Finally, we were talked into a keylime pie for dessert. They had two pie options (the other apple), and I'm sure they're both amazing. We did quick work on our slice. I'll be back since I live so close, but the product is not as delicious as their neighbor DMK Burger Bar. If they get the seating time down, or show up at an off hour, it'd be fun to sit at the counter and have a beer with some seafood. The food is good but not revolutionary and good value. Once they get the kinks out I'm sure it will succeed like DMK - and the empire will grow...
(3)kj w.
Loved the ceviche and tater tots (yum!); the lobster rolls were solid - not Reds - but solid. There is something about those buns. The beer selection leans toward my style - Saison, Weisse - got to love them for summer!
(4)Onur U.
They've got a casual atmosphere that works with the simple but well-prepared food. I like the bar style seating since you can get your water refilled and bus your plates easily just by putting them up on the counter where the waitress can see them. Though the portions are a little on the small side, I like that everything is under 10 dollars. Go with a couple friends, share a handful of seafood dishes and you've had a light, delicious seafood meal for a reasonable price. Just don't expect mounds of food, which is fine by me. The fried dishes have a nice, crunchy breading that doesn't come out too greasy or overpower the fish. I particularly enjoyed the oyster po boy that had plenty of juicy oysters to go with a buttery east-coast style roll. All the dishes featured fresh seafood with simple but well-executed preparations that highlight the ingredients. Also the grilled squid was juicy without being rubbery and the fried belly clams were silky and sweet. Great stuff! My only complaint was the menu lacked any vegetable side dishes. With all the protein they're pumping out, it'd be nice to have a side of fresh grilled veggies. And no, though they were great, tator tots do not count as vegetables.
(4)C P.
Very solid neighborhood joint. Service is excellent, as is the atmosphere. Very well curated beer list and comprehensive seafood menu. I wish they had 1 or 2 non seafood dishes to round things out, but overall really good meal.
(3)Michael H.
We went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30, it couldn't have been better. There was no wait, not only was the girl behind the counter very helpful, but the chef was great too. We ordered just about everything on the menu, and we loved every bite. The chef insisted that the octopus was far greater than any octopus we had ever had... so we tried it...he did not disappoint. I can understand why there is a 2 hour wait on Thursday-Saturday nights, remember that all good things come to those who wait. Oh yeah, patience is a virtue too. I have read many of the reviews and I have some input on them: What do you expect when you go during peak hours? You are going to have to wait, maybe try a different day that is not as busy. Pompeii is right across the street, and they seem to be looking for more business(not that they aren't a fine establishment.) So you think that you are special and your entire party doesn't have to be present to be seated? Almost every restaurant has this rule, abide by it! You are not a celebrity, you should, and don't deserve any special treatment over those who follows societal rules. If you didn't like the food, maybe mac 'n cheese, and pb&j is more suited for you. Sit at home with your terrible food and watch more reruns of the Gilmore Girls instead of complaining out of ignorance, and lack of knowledge. Yes, it is pricey, but worth every penny. Instead of complaining about it you should have worked harder to get a higher paying job to afford the meal and leave at minimum 20% tip. I rarely go on here unless I have been blown away by a place, and Fish Bar did just that. Just in case you are wondering, I have no affiliation with the place, it was just that incredible.
(5)Ashley K.
I was really excited to try Fish Bar based on a recommendation from a friend but hesitant based on my lackluster experience at GT Fish. I'm happy to report that Fish Bar lived up to the hype. This is a fairly no frills place, which I feel like would be just as much at home, if not more so, on a beach in Florida than it is on the corner of Wellington and Sheffield. The food is also fairly no frills - but in a very good way. They don't try to gussy up the seafood with a bunch of different flavors and ingredients. The seafood is the star and Fish Bar does a great job of letting it shine through. We tried 3 different a la plancha options: the whitefish, calamari, and scallops. Scallops can go from perfectly cooked to rubber in about a millisecond. While it should be easy for professional chefs to nail scallops - I've experienced more than a few restaurant scallops that taste like garbage. The scallops were outstanding. They were served with a lemon, olive oil and chili flake sauce that made me want to pick up the plate and lick it. Delish. The whitefish was good but suffered from our own poor decision let it sit for a bit while we finished another dish. The calamari was the one letdown of the night. It was undercooked and gummy. However, our server immediately took it off our bill without our even needing to ask. Quality move on their part. The soft shell crab sandwich was huge - two crabs on a buttery grilled bun, with a yummy slaw. The half sandwich I had was more than plenty. It wasn't the slightest bit greasy...just really, really good. The fried clams were awesome as well. They were served with a tartar/remoulade type sauce that I'm fairly certain had curry in it and made me fairly certain that I never want to eat any other sauce on fried fish again. These fried clams were full belly clams, more akin to what you'd get on the east coast, not just the strips you usually find in Chi-town. We also got a steal of a deal on oysters. The oysters are $15 for an order, however, they offer a single oyster for a buck. We were able to get one east coast and one west coast oyster each for $4. Awesome. I didn't care much for the east coast oyster, but that's not Fish Bar's fault. The only thing I didn't really like was that the cocktails were all served in such small glasses. They were delicious and went down super easy...which can make for quite the expensive night. We only waited about 15 minutes at 6:30 on a Friday, which was a pleasant surprise. This place is a little cramped but that seems to be the trend lately. I fail to understand why restaurants think it's a good idea to open in a microscopic space but count that among one of life's great mysteries.
(4)Sabra R.
The Fish Bar and DMK are my two favorite restaurants in Chicago. Sure, I've had more high-end foodie experiences. But as far as food goes, these two cannot be beat. As an east coaster, I'm very particular about my seafood and the Fish Bar does not disappoint. The Eastern Belly clams are tender and delicious and the fried smelt are melt in your mouth wonderful. The lobster poboy is delish as are ther oyster and Satchmo versions. Perfectly grilled rolls, super fresh seafood and just the right toppings. What my friend and I like most about Fish Bar is that they dont have unnecessary sides like chips and fries. Here, iIts ALL ABOUT THE SEAFOOD! The drinks are wonderful--from the spicy oyster shooters to the original cocktails like Sonja does Sicily and Sabra in the Rain. And then there are the people who work there----just an amazing bunch of really nice people who treat you like you're an old and dear friend from the very fist visit. I absolutely love this place!
(5)Blake H.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. the lobster roll is absolutely fantastic & totally worth the price! i have had the ceviche twice with two different seafoods (scallops & a fish) amazing the raw oysters were fantastic as well as the OYSTER SHOOTERS! the soft-shelled crab was also AWEEEESOME. anyways all the food i had was really really good quality seafood and i loved it. and god bless a place with cheap beer ($2 PBR) it means i can be outrageous with ordering more fooooooooood!!
(5)David D.
WOW! I am a seafood fiend, and this place more than lived up to its expectations (I love DMK and have been anticipating its arrival). I took my girlfriend here on opening night, and we can't stop talking about how unbelievable the food was. We had the calamari and lobster bisque for appetizers. Both were great, but if I had to pick one, I would go back every night this week just for the calamari appetizer. It is fried with banana peppers, giving it a tangy but not too spicy kick. For sandwiches, I had the oyster po'boy and she had the crab cake sandwich. I was expecting to be overwhelmed by fried Cajun spices, but the oyster pieces were quite large, and you could really appreciate the seafood flavor blended with the spices. Her crab cake was extremely tender with some fresh tomatoes (isn't there a tomato shortage?). My only complaint would be that the place is tiny, and this could lead to some long wait times. We stumbled upon opening night, and from my understanding, opening night was unannounced. We got there at 6:30 and had to wait 40 minutes for a 2 person spot. I can only imagine the wait time when word spreads about this place...
(5)Sara D.
This is a great place - we came here last night (Wednesday) and waited comfortably for a half hour to be seated. It is likely that you won't mind waiting....with a fun, boistrous but comfortable environment, and a good drink menu, its a quick wait. The food was scrumptious - we tried the ceviche, fried Tiger shrimp, and grilled calamari. It was hard to decide, but I think my favorite were the shrimp...the ceviche was a close second. The ceviche comes in a little jar with crackers. For dessert we had the mocha brownie pie, and it didn't disappoint. I appreciate both the portion sizes as well as the prices. You can try a lot of dishes without going overboard. Also, all of the staff, from the hostess, bartender, and waitress, were awesome.
(4)B C.
It's pretty impressive whenever a restaurant can serve seafood that I like. What's more, I really appreciate a business that has a well executed and distinctive style. Fish Bar did all of this and was so good I'm recommending it to friends as a new option for a light lunch. I went there for lunch last Wednesday and it was busy but didn't have a wait. It's within walking/throwing distance from the Wellington stop - convenient enough that it could be a lunch destination for loop workers. I split 2 sandwiches with my meal compadre: 1/2 codfish and 1/2 crabby paddy along with some tater tots and it was all excellent. Both were solid, but the crabby won with a little more flavor. They also had a handful of delicious soup options, and they let us take tasters of a chilled bisque - good for the summer. They had our food ready within just a few minutes. The sandwiches were satisfying but not sleep-inducing or heavy. In all, it's a great place for a quick and casual bite to eat.
(4)Andi M.
Overwhelmingly great service from the moment I walked in. We were greeted by David Morton and Michael Kornick was in the kitchen. We even saw him doing dishes and delivering food. When I walked in, I said "i've been waiting for you" and Mr. Morton replied " we have been waiting for you!" So very nice. We had the Calamari a la plancha with this crazy lemon sauce that was so good, I had to eat the legs. I never do that. I then had the lobster roll and my husband had the cod fish sandwich. The lobster roll had a little bit of a curry undertone on the dressing that was placed in the bun. The lobster was cooked to perfection and you could taste the butteriness of the lobster. it was not overwhelmed by bun or dressing. I was in LOVE. The bun was soft and delicious. I tasted my husband's fried cod sandwich, which looks nothing like it tastes. it looked average but when you bite into it, whoa. The fish was perfectly cooked, the bun and accoutrement were perfect. We also got the apple pie (pies from Mindy Segal - owner of Hot Chocolate). the crust was sweeter than the filling. I liked it. The apples were subtle and it was a great capper. The decor is great. a canoe hangs over the seating on one side of the restaurant and there is a giant pop art mural of men and the fish they caught. Drinks are served in mason jars and it has a feeling of an upscale fish shack. They had great beers and a couple of wines that pair well with the food. Service was friendly.
(5)Jonathan A.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a huge craving for a lobster roll, even though I'm not a huge lobster fan. But it was something I needed to get out of my system. I was looking to relive a little bit of a trip to New England a few years ago in Chicago. The day was perfect for it, cool and breezy summer day. I did get the lobster roll even though I have to say, it is probably not worth the $19 price. But then I say that about every lobster roll I've ever eaten. Even in and around Boston, most lobster rolls were average $12-17, and this one was better than most of those. But I also tried the calamari which awesome, and came resting in a bed of hot peppers. The gumbo and fish sandwich I tasted were also really good, and everything else was priced about right. The lobster roll was definitely the most overpriced item. But good nonetheless. I will definitely be back to eat sometime on the patio and start trying everything else on the menu.
(4)Kristin S.
We came early, so we missed the legendary wait times, but as we were leaving, there were at least 10 people standing and waiting for a seat. It was nice out, so people could stand outside, but I'd imagine the place can get pretty claustrophobic in the winter. The best things we ordered was the fried calamari appetizer recommended by our server. It was perfectly fried and mixed with tomatoes, peppers and parmesan if I remember correctly. It sounded very weird, but it was delicious. We also tried the clam chowder and the oysters to start and both were okay, but not fantastic. We also shared a lobster roll and "today's catch" a la plancha as also reco'd by our server. We specifically asked if it was too much food, and were assured it was not. It definitely was, though the portions are not huge. I was still very full by the time the grilled fish came. Everything was "good", but I won't be making any special trips back, especially at those price points, which really sneak up on you when you're ordering multiple items and drinks, so be wary of that. It's a casual and kitschy kind of place, but it feels a little gimmicky and less about the quality of the food. I'll stick to Fish Bar's meatier neighbor for future visits, though.
(3)Mike M.
DMK's new neighbour Fish Bar is small, so it shouldn't come as surprise you'll have to wait (40 min at 6:30pm on a Saturday), but it was huge on food memories. Having lived in Southern California, the menu reminded me of the roadside seafood shacks along the PCH in Malibu, except there was no view of the Pacific, and counter intuitively, the food tasted better on the corner of Sheffield and Wellington. The menu has an emphasis on sustainable seafood and is divided by preparation method which includes: raw, a la plancha, fried, sandwiches, and several others. We started with the raw oysters (6 for $15), a mix of East and West coast varieties that were served with lemon, mignonette and cocktail sauce. All were fresh, plump, and tasted of the briny sea. Fantastic. From there we moved onto the lightly battered calamari ($6) which was perfectly cooked, and accompanied by pickled peppers that added subtle heat and a pleasing sourness. Do I even need to recommend the nostalgic tater tots for $2? Make sure to finish with dessert, because the pies are from Hot Chocolate's Mindy Segal. If the seafood took me back to the West Coast, the tart and creamy key lime pie transported me to the East Coast. The tight seating along the bar provides an opportunity to survey the selections of fellow patrons. A common item coming out of the kitchen was the Maine lobster roll which was overflowing with meat and served on a buttered bun - a priority item next time we visit our new neigborhood gem. The wife and I sampled the tea, punch, and negroni baloney cocktails each served in miniature mason jars. All were great, if not a little ahead of the weather. I can imagine these going down easy once the temperature breaks 80 and the rumored sidewalk seating opens.
(5)Kelcey K.
We tried DMK Burger Bar about a week back and decide to venture into their sister bar - Fish Bar. We had visited Boston last month and fell in love with the New England Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll at Quincy market that we tried to search for an equivalent here in Chicago. Since DMK Burger Bar was great, we thought Fish Bar would be as good. We were slightly disappointed though... We had clam chowder, lobster roll ($18) and a cod fish burger. The oyster crackers and clam chowder weren't as tasty as I thought they should be. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster meat and came with celery mayo. I hate celery! But amazingly, the celery wasn't overpowering such that it masked the taste of the lobster. I think the bun was smeared with garlic butter because it tasted really nice. Although the lobster roll wasn't all that bad, it just didn't have the oomph factor that the Boston one had... The Cod Fish burger wasn't too bad either but the bun could have been over baked because it was too crispy it caved under the sauce, making it difficult and messy to eat the burger. The bar concept of the place was really interesting though and service was excellent.
(3)Chris H.
Be prepared to wait during normal dinner hours, but it's worth it. lobster roll, lobster bisque, octopus, carpaccio and oysters were fantastic... don't forget the oyster shooters!
(5)Nicole S.
Awesome food!!! Loved this place. We wanted to go to dmk burger but they had a 45 min wait, so headed next door where they surprisingly didn't have a wait. Amazing food, tried a bit of everything. Wait staff was awesome, knowledge but not rude. Very fun night. Would love to come back.
(5)Tom D.
A fitting name, considering the vibe and layout. First, I'll get my one major annoyance out of the way. The 300ml beer pours need to go. Your draft comes served in a mason jar filled EXACTLY up to a line on the glass. The rest is a fat layer of foam... or air. I'm sorry, but Chicago is a big beer town and this concept is for twinks. It looks bad. Imagine serving a 12 oz beer in a 16oz glass...it just feels like a ripoff, like an intentional skimpy underpour. Yes, I was instructed by the waitress to study the fine print - "300ml pours, sir" but I don't care. I don't want fine-print with my meal. It's a turnoff. Charge an extra 50-cents or whatever, but fill the damn glass all the way up, please..Sorry, offering up a $2 can of PBR doesn't make me feel any better. OK, one more gripe - the service. Not very attentive. A la-di-da pace, like "Ok, Skitch, we'll get to you when we get around to it." Next, the food. Pretty decent. Small portions abound, but the problem is that seafood isn't the most filling of fare. New England clam chowder was ok...not the best, not the worst. Crispy smelt appetizer was right on. And the codfish sandwich was teriffic. Overall the tastebuds say things are on par for a fish bar. But you know, there used to be a place in Lincoln Park called Minnie's. The theme there was everything "minnie"....small, Fisher-Price little people friendly, including the drinks and the midget bottles of coke. Undersized plates and portions, but you knew what you were getting into when you walked in. But without warning that's what you get with Fish Bar - the seafood version of Minnie's, which by the way went belly-up a few years back. They say bigger isn't always better; smaller ain't necessarily a party, either.
(3)Samuel M.
At face value, Fish Bar had a lot to overcome to wrest a solid review from me. I'm never really a fan of kitschy decor, which Fish Bar has in abundance. Also, it serves small plates, a dining concept which I find has become a played out, uninspired way of getting diners to overpay. Despite these two strikes right off the bat, Fish Bar manages to deliver a solid single, or at least an RBI groundout. The menu is, in actuality much bigger than it appears on the internet; there were 3-4 options for grilled fish, a couple fried options, a soup of the day, and a number of draft beers available. So, if the seemingly limited options put you off, fear not. Blue crab and andouille sausage gumbo ($6) is delicious; the meats aren't cooked to death, the broth is appropriately thickened and very liberally spiced. This was unequivocably my personal highlight - I could probably eat this every day. Calamari "a la plancha" ($7) is good; the squid is not overcooked, which by itself puts this in at least the top quartile of grilled calamari offerings, but the flavor profile (lemon, garlic) is not earth-shattering by any means. White baitfish "fries" ($5) are alright I guess - not too greasy, and surprisingly thin (about as thin as neighbor/partner DMK's potato fries), but the fish was definitely too fishy (which ordinarily doesn't put me off, but in this case it did). Next time, I'm gonna skip these for sure. The service is attentive and knowledgable. As far as the pricing, I don't really see what everyone is complaining about; this is Chicago, about as far away from a major coastline as you can get. Any fish we eat has to be shipped over Herculean distances, which jacks up prices astronomically. Sadly, if you want fish that is both cheap and good, you're in the wrong city. All in all, Fish Bar did about as well as it could have considering it's a kitschy small plates restaurant. I did like that I could eat a non-gross seafood dinner for around $20, which means I will probably be back when I'm in the area. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)Jeanus T.
Originally, I was going to give this place a 4-star. The seafood is really fresh and nice. However, I have to take out a star for noisiness and too pricey. It's a tiny place and they turn the music really loud like you are in a sport bar. You can't really talk to your friends in there! And I thought the place is slightly overpriced. A lobster roll costs $18! I do like the food. We had two dozens of raw oysters, 1/2 from the West coast and 1/2 from the East coast. Personally, I liked the East coast oysters better. But they are both delicious. We also ordered the clams and they were delicious!! Lobster bisque tasted unusual. Not saying it's bad, it's just different. We also had the clam chowder and that was really good. Go back to the lobster roll, which is what I was there for. I go to Boston a lot and always love the lobster bun in the Quincy market. This lobster roll, however, is a different version. At first, I wasn't sure if I like it because it's very different than what I was expecting. I had to finish it and then think back. I think I liked it. They didn't mix the lobster meat with mayonnaise like the Boston style. Instead, I think they mixed with lemon juice and herbs, that's it. It's good. I'd recommend it. I thought the a la plancha dishes were so-so. Too salty altogether.
(3)Rina Y.
You will begin to see a confused looking asian girl standing at Wellington and Sheffield, trying to decide between DMK or Fish Bar - I am a huge fan of both! Arrived with a friend on a Sat night at 8:45 pm, hostess told us it would be a 1.5 hr wait, ended up being only an hr wait. Since we had an hr, we had a chance to taste some delicious cocktails (all drinks, including water, served in mason jars and are only $5 or $6 each- perfectly priced!) - the old school (a paloma-like drink) and the #7 (made with oj but def tastes like tropical fruits but not sweet) were our favorites. Love the flow of the place - the bartenders and wait staff are all able to move around on the inside - seems very efficient to me. Just so you know, they can only accommodate groups of 4 of less. Had the raw oysters (you get 6 for $15 so a pretty good price; we did a mix of the Washington and Virginia ones; served with cocktail sauce, horseradish, a slice of lemon, and mignonette; fresh and delicious however I did have a small piece of shell in 2 of them, but no complaints since its sooo hard to find good raw oysters here in chicago), grilled octopus (fork tender and ah-mazing; best I have ever had in my life!), gumbo (pretty good but nothing to write home to), new england clam chowder (perfectly flavored broth, not super creamy, but not enough clams) and finished with a slice of key lime pie ($5; looked like every group was ordering these and no one had any leftovers!). The sandwiches looked awesome at the other tables, especially the fried oyster po boy or the lobster roll, but sadly my belly was too small to allow me to try an order.
(5)Ben K.
Fish Bar is pretty good, if overpriced. We had a bunch of items, most of which cost $7-9 but were barely appetizer sized. If you come in looking for tasty small plates and looking to spend $25 per person on food, you won't be disappointed. Notes: -The sriracha fried rock shrimp were fantastic, lightly breaded and tossed in a light aioli. The perfect light and crispy bite -The clam chowder was pretty tasty, although it was apparent from the first bite that there was an ungodly amount of butter in there. -The garlic bread was possibly the best thing I've ever eaten, was a great value at $3 for a massive trencher of the stuff, and went fantastically with our soup. -The beer selection is pretty limited if you aren't into belgian stuff. Also I am not a fan of serving draft beer in mason jars; it gains nothing and leads to an awful pour. Anyway I'm sure I'll be back here at some point. The food is good and fairly creative.
(4)Jenn H.
We've been to Fish Bar numerous times since my first review, and every experience since has been great. The Crabby Patty is the best sandwich in the city! And the cocktails and service remain great. Plus, they love our dog and we always luck out and get an outside table off the street (dogs have to stay on the other side of the patio). We love going to fish bar for a late lunch and I hope the neighborhood continues to patronize this place.
(4)Steve K.
Lobster roll (with a full pound of lobster) - check West coast oysters - check Great servers - check Decor - check A little on the pricey side, but the quality is high and the service is great. The side of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions is excellent.
(4)Aimee F.
I have driven by but finally decided to try FIsh Bar this summer. I have now been 4 times and it keeps getting better.From the freshest fish to the diverse and tasty menu, there is always something new to try and it never disappoints.The beer and drinks lists are perfect and precise, offering the perfect pairings for the vibe and food.Fish Bar feels like an east coast fish place with a great Chicago vibe.Sasha the manager goes above and beyond to make the experience and quality superior, sometimes sampling for us his latest amazing and creative drink creations. Great date place or go with friends. Casual vibe but incredible food! I have declared Fish Bar my FAVORITE new place of the summer.Lucky I have more friends to take there!!! WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, unless you go Monday when they are closed! Enjoy!!!!
(5)Bobby G.
Believe the hype. This is a great and probably the freshest fish bar in the city. Really relaxed and I love that everything's affordable and the waitress seemed to feel bad that the lobster roll was a lot more expensive than everything else ($19). Btw, lobster roll = extremely fresh light cole slaw with lots of chopped lobster served in a Texas Toast-like bun. Hooray for my taste buds. We went here in the summer and, while I guess there's always a minimum 20 minute wait, the bar itself is small and friendly and there's picnic tables to eat at outside too. Either way, you can wait and have drinks. They've got awesome, inprounouncable beers on tap. We also had some oyster shots. oyster, vodka, bloody mary mix, all in a shot glass. Not something I'd ever say no to. Also had Clam Chowder, LOBSTER GAZPACHO, and octopus. My advice, everything's great but steer clear of the octopus. I like when octopus is served with legs cut up on a plate, but this was more like they just found a baby octopus and didn't really know what to do with it so they just boiled it and left the thing whole on the plate and sauced it up real good. I've yet to see a restaurant in Chicago with a bad looking wait staff and here is no exception. On top of that everyone was nice and helpful. Friendly crowd in the place as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Michael Y.
I live right down the street from Fish Bar and it is a straight up 5/5. I have never had a bad dish there, great beer selection, friendly wait staff. If you love seafood this is a place you have to check out!
(5)Rebecca H.
3.5 I need to give this place another try. It's too pricey but good atmosphere and outdoor seating.
(3)Tommy O.
A little overrated, in my opinion, just like DMK next door. Fish Bar is unique in that it's kind of like seafood tapas, and the food was tasty, but it's overpriced. Quality beer selection. The place is worth a try but isn't earth shattering.
(3)Daniel F.
This place is great because they are able to provide fresh seafood, which is often hard to find in our mid-continental city. However, they are not giving anything away here. You're going to walk away only slightly-full, and easily down $50. I don't mind the crowded seating arrangements. This lends to the shell bar-style atmosphere, and makes the experience exciting. You'll have to wait a little while on most nights, I believe, but once you get that seat you'll be quivering in seafood anticipation. The oyster Po'Boy is the only thing we ordered which was worth the money. It was very very tasty, and I was pleased with the mix of garnishes and the spicy mayo sauce. The rest of the seafood was also SO GOOD that it kills me to give this place only three stars. However, the portions are like 100-calorie packs. They are even smaller than tapas servings. The rock shrimp came with about 8 pieces (small pieces), and the grilled calamari was a total JOKE! There were literally three MICROSCOPIC pieces of calamari on a plate, for like $7-8.... Calamari is not a rarity. This calamari tasted just like any other calamari I've ever had, so why are we acting like it's edible diamonds??? Come on, fish bar! The lobster roll is INCREDIBLE. However, it is also $30+. Worth a try, but you're wallet won't be happy with you. This place should re-think their portions, or at least be more clear about what you are getting. Since it is so busy seemingly all of the time, it is hard to tie down a waitress and really get a lot of information out of her, and you end up being surprised at the small portions. I wouldn't mind paying $12 for fried clams, but the portion would need to be 2-3x bigger. This place is probably more about the excitement and experience than the food, so it definitely deserves a try from anyone. Eat a snack beforehand, though.
(3)Rob J.
Wonderful! Reminds me of east and west coast dive seafood joints that I grew up with in CT and CA. Great fried clams and the soft-shell crab po-boy was fantastic. We also switched up the cod fish sandwich, substituting snapper for the cod- so replace the cod with any market catch fish and you'll get a grilled fish sandwich instead of the fried cod...much better.
(4)Kristin L.
Thought we'd be in good shape, showing up at 6:30 for dinner, but this was opening weekend, after all, so with a party of three we had an hour wait. Not really a big deal, as service is quick once you're seated. Seeing as I'm a Belgian and whiskey fan, I was happy with the drink selection, though I thought the jam jar-size cocktails (tried the #6--very tasty) didn't quite have the volume to earn their $6 price. The food was sort of a mixed bag for me. The lobster bisque was satisfying, once I'd doctored it with some salt and hot sauce. The fluke ceviche was fresh and flavorful but would've been better served with tortilla chips rather than Saltines. Now for the good: The standouts for me were the tuna carpaccio--a generous serving with great accompaniments (fresh herbs, fennel seeds, capers, and hard-boiled egg)--and the key lime pie, well worth its $5 price tag. If I go back, it'll be to try a po' boy . . . for lunch . . . on a weekday.
(3)Dayna R.
The Satchmo Po' Boy (shrimp and crawfish) is my absolute fav with a side of tater tots!!! Love the Blue Crab patty sandwich as well!! A wonderful place to come and get great-tasting fried seafood, and a great drinks!
(5)Lindsay S.
I'd rather give Fish Bar 3.5 stars, but I'll settle with 3. I really enjoyed the *experience* there. Sitting at the bar casually, sipping from jars, and having some food brought out as it came was unique. The service was also quite good. We ordered multiple dishes to do some sampling. The clam chowder is fantstic, and the gumbo is okay. Carpaccio of the day was pretty good, and the ceviche could have been better. I had to order the lobster roll everyone raves about, and was disappointed. Maybe I had spent too much time on Yelp reading about how amazing it was and set my sights too high. Either way, I would have preferred the lobster be cooked and served warm, and would expect a slightly larger sandwich for $18. It was also a bit lacking in the flavor department - I requested extra sauce so I could jazz it up myself. Long story short, I have mixed feelings about the food as there were things I liked and things I didn't. Will I go back? Maybe. It was a cool place to go for a casual Saturday lunch.
(3)betsy b.
It's probably a good thing that this place wasn't here when I lived around corner. This place makes you feel like you're on the east coast or something. I loved the tail on shrimp, scallops and the wet rock shrimp. I just wish they have more sandwich options....like a shrimp po-boy or something. Our server was awesome and super friendly I think her name was Ali. After reading reviews I expected to walk into a tiny place where you order at a counter but was happily surprised to walk in and get seated right away at a booth. I'd come back here over and over again when in the neighborhood.
(4)Mad I.
Read a lot about this place, awaited the opening, had the oyster po boy as my yelpers suggested....good, not as huge as everyone says...would I go back, not sure. It was one of those fun-to-do-once.... I do love seafood and this menu was a bit to small for me. Although I'm very curious about the lobster roll...but I've had the one from the Milwaukee Public Market (traitor I know) and I just don't think anything can beat it...
(3)Janis W.
We all enjoyed our dinner here. My friends said the Washington Oysters and garlic bread were the best they'd ever had. We all loved the key lime pie. I loved my Crabby Patty sandwich. I like that the portions border on small. That way you can order more! Also, prices border on cheap, so likewise, you can order more. My only disappointment was the lobster bisque. It did have chunks of lobster in it, but there wasn't much flavor involved. We waited about 25 minutes on a Tuesday night, but there were 3 of us, if you were a party of 2, you might get right in. All staff were nice, helpful and professional.
(4)Reid G.
I keep updating my Fish Bar reviews because it keeps getting better. The new Satchmo Po Boy is on point and is highly recommended over the Oyster Po Boy. They upped the ante on the Belly Clams, increasing the serrving to 1/2#, which is spectacular because we always ended up ordering two servings.
(5)Hamster P.
The fish was delicious but it's really hard to go wrong with fried...anything. Not much to say , I thought it was good but not mind blowing. Nothing to rave about but nothing to really complain bout either.
(3)Sam M.
Let me start by sa ying how excited i was to come here. I had tried last monday to be clever and avoid a busy night, should have checked they were closed, understandable. Came back Last night on Sunday and to my great suprise, no wait and immediate patio seating. Awesome. Took a little bit to place our first order, but still reasonable time. Started with the ceviche, rock shirmp wet, and some oysters. I also had a cup of gumbo for myself. The Rock Shirmp were out of this world good, just phenomenal, and will be back for it. The oysters were good, but small and only got six for $15.00. Also not a whole lot of topping choices other than tabasco type sauces. Needed more horseradish and lea and perins in my opinion. Still good. Ceviche was good, but not exciting. The gumbo was quite honestly bland and unexciting. The beers are way too small, not looking to get drunk, but want a real mason jar of beer, think jar of pickles size, not gourmet jam size. For the "main course" I had the fried oyster po boy which was awsome, large and gone in 5 minutes. Girlfriend had the lobster roll and said it was worth the cost, though i've read on here it wasn't. Beers still small. tots were good, but some more side options would have been preferred. Rarely do I splurge on desert, but had to get some key lime pie. did not regret that one bit. All n' all a good place with a fun atmosphere. Little pricy for fried seafood to get full, but I could see going back especially when the seasonal menu changes. Writing this at work quickly so hopefully the amount of typos and mispellings won't make it useless.
(3)Fix M.
Just went today with my mom, dad, and roommate and had a great experience. The bartender/server Kelly, was awesome. She explained everything about the menu to us and gave many great recommendations. She was very friendly which is great because we live 2 minutes from here, and will return hopefully when she is working again!
(5)Michael H.
I don't get all the buzz? Went again Tuesday night/walked in--it REEKED of Fish? Don't think exhaust fans were working properly? I really can't stand getting "Nickel/Dimed" to death and here they have it down to a science!! Start--couple drinks... an 8 oz "Ball" Glass filled a little more than halfway?? The "Drink" glass is even smaller-JOKE! Ordered half dozen Oysters..$15/Tiny Plate with 6 of the TINIEST Oysters I've ever seen/No Ice under them/A HALF FILLED Cocktail Sauce with not even enough for the 6? JOKE! Tried Calamari- was good first time I was there.. They must be buying the SMALLEST Grade of Calamari now? Wasn't fried correctly and hardly any peppers? TINIEST PORTION Known to man!! FAIL! Got a couple of Fish Sandwiches and they had those bright red "Rotten" looking tomatoes? I lost my appetite at this point..got my 2nd beer/Literally HALF-FULL? Paid the WAY OVERPRICED BILL and walked out reeking of FISH!!! Not sure if they had some "Novice" cooks on because it was a Tuesday or what but it surely was a pathetic meal! We had shitty food/ got ripped off/ smelled like FISH!!! The Trifecta! GTFJD PS---Turn down the shitty music!!
(2)Esther K.
I have a few friends who have been raving about Fish Bar continuously, so I was excited when I finally got the chance to check it out. A girlfriend and I stopped by around 7:30p on a Friday, and were greeted by a very friendly hostess and a 1.5hr wait. Oy. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded by the beer samples they pass out every so often, which is a nice gesture toward the waiting crowds that form in this tiny space. Our server Marina was extremely helpful and friendly, especially when we mixed up our order a bit. The food came out very quickly as well, which was much appreciated after the wait. My friend and I shared the clam chowder, which was creamy and thick with lots of clam chunks. Next was a side of fried rock shrimp- we found the portions to be rather small and too greasy for our tastes. The highlight was the tobiko sauce it came with, very yummy. Next we both had the oyster po' boy- YUM YUM YUM! As fellow yelpers have noted, the size of these fried oysters is hugeee, and contrary to the shrimp they weren't very greasy at all- very nicely breaded and light. I loved the spicy slaw in the sandwich as well. I also tried a raw clam for $1- what a great deal, and it was VERY fresh! We finished up the meal with a slice of key lime pie, which was very tart- a nice kick after maybe a little too much fried food (is there such a thing?) (+) The price is right, the staff are lovely, the decor and vibe of the crowd draw you in. (-) The portions are on the small side overall, the wait can be crazy, and they cannot accommodate big groups. I think I would return, but wouldn't think of it as a go-to place for seafood.
(4)Carri C.
Ok food, very small portions. Odd decor.
(3)John R.
The Captain (Capt Steve) of our sailing tour recommended that we come here for dinner, when we asked for a Fish place. We SO did! 1/2 dozen oysters (3 west-3 east. The West were better - very tasty, but both were smallish.) Fried clam belly. Super yum and cooked and seasoned perfectly. these were $$$$ Oyster PO-boy - Very tasty with a little cabbage-slaw, and fried perfectly and the Toast bun was right on! Crab sandwich - or Crabby patty. Nice, crunchy and big patty, well seasoned.. Ceviche - (for desert, sort of) Was a little heavy on the Cucumber, but still good. The manager ask how it was and was super friendly in accepting this feedback. Everyone we met from the staff were perfectly friendly and accommodating! + + + Raw Swordfish belly (Gratis from mgr.) This was so subtle, the texture was very light, and it was prepared and seasoned perfectly. I am not one for Raw fish much, but this was great. (not on the menu... shhh!) Thanks again to everyone at the Fish Bar. Well done! Over all, perfect dinner and priced right.
(5)Agnes F.
Another great visit to Fish Bar, this time we tried the lobster gazpacho since its 100 degrees outside and that proved to be a fantastic choice it was spicy, full of flavor and with chunks of lobster we also tried the frog legs, 4 meaty legs prepared buffalo style, great bleu cheese sauce, i could use another dozen of those :) then i had the cod fish sandwich, it came out pipping hot and super delicious my fiance had the oyster po boy which was as good as ever 5 stars for Fish Bar!
(5)L L.
I love fish, seafood, sea creatures, whatever the fuck you want to call it. Randomly walked in here after watching a coworker's rugby game - I have literally wanted to come here for over a year! (don't live nearby) The 5 of us were greeted by a smiley staff and our ROCKSTAR server Marina. Food: AMAZE BALLS - I love that I ate octopus, oysters, tartar, ceviche, etc. It was great to be able to order all of it in smaller portions so that I could eat everything, because homegirl loves to eat EVERYTHING! Service: MARINA! OH MY GOD MARINA! I LOVE MARINA, WE LOVE MARINA! She was great at taking all our orders, checking in, had a lovely disposition and is the number 1 reason why I will go back. I will go out of my effing way to go back man! BECAUSE OF HER! All the staff seemed pretty friendly and on top of things but not only did she sell us on Fish Bar, she sold us on Ada St and DMK the other two spots they have. GO TO FISH BAR It's SO GOOD Slightly drunk, but I am always right! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
(5)Erin C.
Eh. To me, this was just ok. This is the prototypical east coast fish restaurant sandwiched in the middle of lakeview. It's definitely ok when you need a seafood fix, but compared to the originals out east, this is subpar. I would willingly pay $19 for a lobster roll if it tastes like it is right out of the sea, but here, it just doesn't. The tatertots are nice and the drinks are yummy and reasonably priced. The staff was nice, but the octopus was not cooked perfectly and the crust of the key lime pie was soggy. I probably wouldn't come back, not because it's overpriced or too crowded, but just because it wasn't mind-blowingly good. I'll wait until i'm back out east and can eat the real thing.
(3)Deb B.
Best part of this restaurant is that it has outdoor seating on Sheffield,which most places do not. That's about all that is good. 1. Service is forgettable. 2. WAY overpriced,and the portions are very small...imagine like tapas, but being charged full price. 3. Previously frozen seafood and appetizers served in small portions on nice sidewalk is what Fish Bar is. 4. Don't waste your time or $$$..Go to a real bar, and at least get some real bar food,or go to a real seafood restaurant for a decent meal. You get neither at this place,just a feeling of being ripped off, and hungry. 5.Don't be "marketed in" to check this place out..read the reviews of other Yelpers.
(1)Sheila H.
I heard about the long waits for dinner, so I went for lunch and was seated immediately. Cool decor inside and out. Fun menu. Great service. Now, let's talk about the food. I love seafood of all kinds, so this is my kind of place. Seafood salad - delish, chowder - delish, grilled fish of the day (trout) - delish, grilled octopus - very delish. Had a beer served in a mason jar which I though was a cute touch. Instead of another drink, I had my first ever oyster shooter. Loved it. And key lime pie for dessert. What's not to like.
(4)Mary H.
Came here for an early dinner on a Friday and everything was delicious! And any place that has a $2 beers (even if they are PBR) gets an automatic gold star in my book. We ordered a variety of things including: the salmon tar tar, garlic bread, clam chowder, calamari (fried), oysters (West), oyster po'boy, the crabby patty sandwich and a soft shell crab sandwich. All of this and a couple rounds of beers amounted to $110 (including tip and fed one smallish girl and three large guys). Not too shabby considering we all left stuffed. My favorite was the soft shell crab sandwich - OMG it was good. Everything else was tasty too, but I did notice that the fried seafood (even though we had different types of it) did kind of blend together, as they all had a spicy, salty taste. Regardless, Fish Bar, you have made a fan out of me. Be sure to sign up for the awesome rewards card they have, which is also good at DMK Burger Bar next door.
(4)Allison B.
I had a strong desire for a fish sandwich for lunch today - but I am originally from Florida and I am picky when it comes to fish sandwiches. I consulted Yelp and we picked the Fish Bar. I am so glad we went there. The atmosphere was clean and kind of cool - like a diner with many seats at the counter and a couple of booth seats. We were greeted by their very friendly staff and sat in a booth. It was 1:30 on a Thursday - still a lot of people enjoying their food, but not too crowded. Our server was amazing. Great friendly service. The fish sandwich was spot on. We had oysters on the half shell - also really yummy. Our server brought us some fried oysters as a bonus appetizer - the remoulade was really fresh. My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and enjoyed it so much I didn't get to taste it. And then our server brought us some tots on the house - we certainly felt special. I am looking forward to going back again - and trying some of their other fresh fish items. Thanks so much for making our first experience at your restaurant so warm and welcoming.
(5)Ruairà B.
With the food being on the pricey side, I was surprised there wasn't more value in the beer selection, I'm all for good beers, but a simple Sierra Nevada or Green Line on tap for $4 would have pushed this up to 4 or 5 stars. The trout was excellent, oysters were good, lobster roll was also excellent. Overall I liked it and glad we checked it out, its a good addition to the neighborhood. Sort out the beer selection with some good pale ale or IPA options and this would be 4 or 5 stars.
(3)Sean M.
Super friendly staff but very pricey for average seafood (and yes, I've been to Maryland so I DO KNOW good seafood). $21 for a 5" narrow bread sandwich w cold pieces of lobster. $7 for a beer which is served in a small mason jar. This place is known for small portions and they will even tell you that. Seating is awkward as you must sit next to strangers. I will not be going back. If they gave you "free" food on the house ascyou wait for your order don't feel special it's what they do there.
(2)Kelly A.
I stopped by on a Wednesday night around 7 pm because I happened to be in the neighborhood. As soon as a spotted the restaurant I knew I needed a seafood fix! After moving to Chicago a year ago from Boston I've been missing fresh, well prepared seafood and was curious to see if this place could live up to some of my favorites on the coast. I'm happy to say, I was pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of an upscale take on some of the seafood/clam shacks that existed on the coast in Massachusetts. It had a very laid back clostal vibe (think wine served in a mason jar), but with a slightly refined twist. Because of the fact it was a weeknight and a somewhat early hour I was also able to get seated right away, which was a plus. (Though there was a 20-30 minute wait for an outside table.) They had a lot of compelling sounding specials, but I decided to go with 6 oysters (I did a mix of the East Coast and West Coast oysters that were available) and a lobster roll. I also had some white wine to go along with my meal. Although I pretty much knew this was going to be my choice when I read the menu, my server was still very knowledgable about the menu, which I appreciate at a seafood restaurant. I have to say, this place was perfect for a single diner. Because of the counter set up inside there were a lot of other solo diners so it didn't feel awkward at all. It also helped that my food came quickly and even when I requested an order of tatertots last minute they still came out very quickly so I could enjoy them with my lobster roll. However, the service wasn't flawless. My waiter had quite a few parties to attend to,so while my order went in quickly it was a challenge to flag him down for ketchup for my tots & a second glass of wine. Part of it is because customers seem to have so many questions about the menu I would guess he lingered with each guest longer than at a normal restaurant. And that of course brings me to the most important part - the food! My oysters were fantastic. They tasted unbelievably fresh and had great flavor to them. My only wish was that they had more oysters to choose from or at the very least, more variation in flavor between the two oysters. Though they were from two different coasts the flavors were pretty similar and I would have much prefered a milder smaller oyster and a more robust oyster for contrast. None the less, they were delicious. The lobster roll was also fantastic. The portion of lobster was very generous and I loved the celery mayo they used for the lobster salad. It was very lightly dressed but still packed a lot of creamy flavor. I love that it definitely tasted like a classic lobster roll, but with a slightly more refined flavor profile. The bun was also nicely done. It was well crisped and tasted very fresh. Overall, this place was great. I really enjoyed my meal and it was the best seafood I've had in Chicago (outside of some fantastic oysters at Girl & The Goat) I'd highly recommend it. I'm not sure it's worth the long waits that are reported on the weekends, but I'd definitely stop by for another weekday meal. My entire bill with tax & tip came to $63 for the oysters, lobster roll, tots, & two glasses of wine and it seemed like an appropriate price for the quality and amount of food.
(4)Ellarey M.
Awesome. That's what I thought of Fish Bar. I loved the ambience, loved the staff, loved the drinks, and most of all - loved the food. I am a huge seafood fan, so I was very excited about coming here. We went on a Saturday night with 3 of us, and because we're not picky, we sat inside at a booth with no wait. Had the #4 Punch drink, tator tots, and the Maine Lobster Roll. Both were great. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster. Whether it was worth $19, meh. I would probably have liked to see it more around $15, but whatever. The experience was worth it. The tator tots were a great compliment to it, and the drink was tasty too. I'm now a proud member of the loyalty club and plan to come back very soon for some clam chowder and tartare!
(5)Jennifer K.
(Note: I wrote this review in April, though I'm just publishing it now. So it's possible some of the things I've mentioned have changed in the last 3 months.) A friend & I had an early dinner at Fish Bar tonight. It was good, but not fabulous, though my reaction might be tempered somewhat by the fact that their AC apparently wasn't working and it was probably the same temperature inside as outside (mid-80s). Some quick thoughts: Wait - No wait for seats for two at 5 pm on a Sunday. Seating - Almost entirely mis-matched stools at two U-shaped counters. If you're larger and/or prone to back problems, you may not be comfortable. Both my friend & I have back problems and it's painful to sit too long at a backless-chair, particularly if the chair or counter lacks a footrail. Drinks - An interesting but small selection of Belgian-style beers plus a handful of cocktails. Everything is served in Mason jars, including water. Raw food - We had the carpaccio and and ceviche, both of which apparently change daily depending on what's in season. I preferred the carpaccio (tuna?) to the ceviche (scallops), which was served with four saltines. The saltines overpowered the ceviche, I thought, but even without the saltine, the ceviche didn't wow me. Carpacchio was dressed with olive oil, capers, onions, chopped egg and some kind of sprout...maybe a little salt and lemon, too. Fried stuff - We had the fried clams (I grew up eating the clam roll at Friendly's on the east coast, so I love all friend clams) and fried lemons, onions & jalapeno. Fried clams were fantastic. Fried lemons, etc., were so-so...they'd do better to user Meyer's lemons, because these were a bit bitter and the breading on the onions & jalapenos was so thin that the onions & peppers came out a bit limp. Lobster roll - This is one of those dishes that probably tough to serve because anyone who's eaten a lobster roll has a strong opinion about what makes a good one. Theirs is $18 for a good-sized (but not overly generous) serving on a buttered & grilled roll. The menu describes it as "Maine Lobster Roll * Celery Mayo" but it's more than that. There was an unidentifiable herb (I didn't spend too much time trying to figure it out) and something distinctively sour...maybe lemon juice, not relish. Now, if you eat a lot of lobster, you know that one of the joys of lobster is that sweet meat, and, IMHO, lemon juice (or anything sour) has no place near a lobster roll. These seem to be made to order, so you could possibly have them omit ingredients if you desire. Our bill, including a beer & cocktail was about $60 before tip.
(3)Amanda C.
I have been wanting to try Fish Bar since it opened and finally stopped in a few weeks ago. It's really cute inside- like a beach restaurant. They have some interesting drinks in huge mason jars on the counter which is cool. The chairs at the bar aren't very comfortable, but that's part of the atmosphere. I was here at 4:30 on a Saturday and there was no wait, but by the time I left 45 minutes later there was. It's pretty small inside! Don't bring a group of more than 4 or they can't seat you. I had the oyster sandwich (HUGE oysters, so good) and a raw oyster for $1 to slurp down. First timers are allowed to just buy 1. Sonja our waitress was very nice! Would definitely go back and want to try their other options but am not into huge waits.
(4)Patrick K.
FISH BAR. One of my go to restaurants in Lakeview. ALWAY a good meal. They are always changing up the menu. They are really good at posting pictures of their dishes on Facebook and it always looks delicious. Recomendations: one of their soups (Gumbo and Clam Chowder), an oyster of two, sandwich (poboy, Salmon BLT, Codfish) or a seasonal special. Negatives: super small restaurant with only twenty-five seats, most of the seats are bar stools. Other complaint, sometimes the potions are a little small... but sure are tasty. If your a seafood lover, then you have to stop on by.
(4)Colleen R.
When I heard that the folks behind DMK were opening a New Orleans-inspired seafood bar next door, I was excited to try it. As a Southerner in Chicago, I should have learned my lesson by now, but I just can't resist the prospect of (relatively) fresh seafood. As some other Yelpers have noted, Fish Bar ain't cheap -- but then, I wasn't expecting it to be, what with the cost of airlifting oysters into the Midwest. But aside from the La Plancha squid, we just weren't wowed by the menu. The fried oyster po-boy was disappointing, as was the lobster bisque that tasted mostly of corn. To top it all off, the whole experience felt very rushed. The loud music, the cramped layout, the hurried service, the hordes of people waiting right behind us for our seats... on a Tuesday. I can't imagine what eating there on a weekend would be like, and after our first experience, I can't imagine I'll be hurrying back on any night to give it another try.
(3)Michelle H.
We went for the lobster rolls, we'll be back for the lobster rolls! Oysters were v-e-r-y super delish as was the calamari! We enjoyed the Hendrick's and tonics and were rewarded at the end of the meal with a lovely little Bloody Oyster shot. 4 of us sat very comfortably in a booth - not sure where the complaints are coming from on the size of the seats? The atmosphere is lively and celebratory.
(5)Jonathan C.
Was here last night, early so there was not crowd. Our bartender Mariana was most helpful in making suggestions not only for food but for a good beer to pair with. The calamari was so fresh it almost melts in your mouth. Clam chowder is the richest I've had in the Midwest. And the Oyster Po' Boy had plenty of oysters and the sauce was delicious. The only downfall to the experience was that the music is a bit too loud for regular conversation. Highly recommend this place for anyone who wants fresh and good seafood.
(4)Andrea C.
one day, while walking home from the train, i noticed a building that had recently been painted a pretty periwinkle blue...a few weeks later, a giant fish appeared on that blue wall as well as the name of a new restaurant, "fish bar". i was definitely intrigued! i am a huge seafood fan, so i was excited to try a new place! on our third try, there was finally a reasonable wait time...(it can get hairy it seems...ex: the first time we went, the wait was 2.5 hours, which we just couldn't do). we were seated in a cute corner at the little wrap around bar and were promptly greeted! everyone in the restaurant was super helpful and friendly, just adding to the cute atmosphere and decor. we ordered drinks (he had beer...appropriately priced pbr $2 and i had a glass of white wine) and as some have mentioned, the drinks were served in adorable mason jars. we both started with a cup of the clam chowder, which was awesome. my pet peeve with chowder is when the potatoes are grainy and these were not, at all. it wasn't overly thick, either, which was nice- and left room for other food! bf was not too hungry, so he had the iceberg salad, which i stole a few bites of. delicious! the bleu cheese was creamy and the calamari was flavored so well! i had the oyster po' boy at the recommendation of our server, which was SO good. i love all things about oysters, but i have to say, i think someone who isn't a fan of raw oysters would even like this. the fried oysters weren't slimy at all and the slaw was perfect. finally, the sub the po' boy was served in- so good! you can tell so much thought and love has gone into all of these meals. ok enough, i've said alot, but the point is- i definitely intend to go back and try more. there was so much on the menu that i'd love to try! fish bar, welcome to the neighborhood!
(4)Keith P.
First time I was able to get in this place...Lucky me! Top notch quality. Octopus Salad so tender, Kusshi Oysters, small but a lovely-seawater bite, Ceviche & Tartare melt in your mouth. Planca Shrimp-to suck head to die for and Skatewing-buerre blanc, savory heaven. Service was over the top! Robyn was wonderful and created value-added. Incredibly knowledgeable, extremely efficient, and beautiful. Will definitely be back to my neighborhood joint...I can only hope that I can get in to this tiny space.
(5)Mark C.
finally checked out Fish Bar last night with lukewarm expectations. On a thursday evening around 7pm, the wait wasn't too bad, around 30-40 minutes, and the manager, Sasha, did bring around beer samples. The atmosphere is very intimate (as it is appropriately named Fish "Bar". Service was excellent - server was extremely knowledgable, manager and staff were all very friendly and helpful. Food was hit or miss. The good: the BC oyster was the biggest I have ever had, about the size of my hand - hopefully, the radiation isn't making it's way across the pacific....the east coast oyster from PEI was smaller, but just as good, if not more flavorful. The Fried belly clams were superb. The lake superior whitefish was good, well cooked, and fresh...well, executed. The OK: the lobster roll - the amount of meat was a bit skimpy, and the mix lacked flavor. The brioche was very good, nice and buttery, and cooked to a gentle crisp. For $19, I expected a bit more....beer selection - primarily Belgians, good, but a bit more variety might be nice. Overall, I think it fills a nice niche, but I'd hit up Big and Little's before I went back (for a fraction of the cost). Haven't checked out GT yet, but am looking forward to it. MCMC
(3)Tammy L.
I came here for lunch this Saturday and really enjoyed it. There was no wait, which was great. The boys ordered beers and the girls ordered cocktails--I had the punch and our friend had the pineapple drink. My punch was tasty and definitely packed a punch. The pineapple drink, which I didn't try, was apparently pretty light. My husband and our two friends ordered a bunch of stuff to share: fluke tartare, which so refreshing with the addition of mint, a tasty ceviche, salmon carpaccio (I loved this one), oyster po'boy, lobster roll, fried belly clams, and tater tots. My favorite things were the carpaccio, oyster po'boy, tartare, and belly clams. The fried items were not too greasy and very crunchy. The rolls for the po'boy and lobster roll were perfectly toasted and fluffy. Drool. The carpaccio had a terrific balance of flavors and textures. Of course, all the seafood is immaculately fresh and I love that it's sustainably harvested. I liked the lobster roll, and the lobster portion was very generous, but I don't know--I just thought the oysters were tastier. Definitely for the much smaller price tag, I'll stick with the po'boys. For dessert, we split 2 pieces of Mindy Segal's yummy key lime pie. It was tart and creamy, exactly as a key lime pie should be. Michael Kornick himself was running food, which was pretty great. I also liked the music--a few Beatles tracks, my favorite band of all time. The service was friendly and prompt too. I would definitely come back. Yes, it's not cheap, but the quality is great and I am willing to pay a little more for sustainable seafood. The bill, with a generous tip, came out to about $30 each, which I don't think is bad at all since we were stuffed and tried an expensive menu item. I don't think I'd wait in line for more than 15 minutes, but that's just me--I hate waiting in line for any place. I'm perfectly happy coming here at lunch when it's less crazy, especially since it's more lunch-type food anyway. Yum! MK wins again!
(4)Dana B.
Oh wow. Delicious seafood. Fantastic beers served in little mason jars. Super friendly and cool servers. What's not to love? I will be back again and again and again and...
(4)B.D. K.
Went for late lunch last Sunday, and it wasn't busy at all. Great service, good food. Not sure it is worth the outstanding amount of buzz it's been getting, but it was a nice place to relax, grab a good Belgian ale, and eat some well made dishes. Pineapple ceviche is very good, the lake trout special was the real standout. In fact, their specials were $6 and $8! - that's awesome. Screw the heavy-handed, mayo infused lobster roll -- did you really go out for seafood to clog your artery? But damn, some of you on here complain to no end. The prices here really aren't that bad, I think most of you ordered poorly. You all are trying to eat the lobster roll, and complaining about the price! It's lobster! and we live in Chicago! Or you ordered crab cake?! Why? You aren't in Maryland - how good do you really think it's going to be? Try the specials, they have The Lost Abbey on tap.. that's all you need to know.
(4)Bob F.
Saw this place when eating at DMK Burgers next door. Had to go back to give it a try and was glad I did. Started with the clam chowder which was very tasty. My choice was the Satchmo po boy, which did not disappoint, and my wife had the salmon BLT also a winner. I was just in Key West so I had to try the Key Lime pie. Don't miss it! Would like to go back to try some other fish entrées.
(4)Ellen M.
This is a great spot for folks looking for a reasonable, casual seafood option in the city. Go with no more than 4 people, since the seating is not conducive to larger groups. You may have to wait a bit, but our hostess got us in quickly on a Friday night and the staff was great! It''s a perfect place to share plates allowing you to sample several sections of the menu and get the most bang for your buck. The menu is divided into fried, ceviche, a la plancha, raw and "on a bun"- with the lobster roll and fresh fish specials being the highlights (IMO). Our group of three shared the lobster roll, soft shell crab, rock shrimp, octopus a la plancha, the special of hamachi a la plancha, and garlic bread. I really REALLY enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crabs (fried) and the hamachi, which was prepared with preserved lemon, olive oil and chils. The lobster roll was delicious, but would have been too much to eat alone (grilled brioche roll and may lobster salad are rich!). Our group of three found it perfect to share along with several other plates. Scrimshaw and Saisoon DuPont were on tap while we were there, which both paired well with the seafood. Looking forward to the next visit.
(4)Reema S.
I've been planning on going here for a while and finally made it there with a friend. Service is very friendly, Robyn took care of us and let us know she was new so if we had any questions she couldn't answer she would find out for us. We had the rock shrimp, fried calamari, and oyster po boy and they were all good. It all tasted fresh. The only downside is the portions are smaller, which she warned us about, and the price doesn't exactly match the portions but the taste makes up for it. The food also came out very quick which is always a plus. I plan on going back for sure.
(4)Rochelle R.
Heard alot of good things about this place so definitely had to try it for myself. We went here late at 8 pm on a Tuesday night and sat right down. The place is small and very casual. It has a "southern" New Orleans vibe to it. Although prices seem very reasonable, it is because the portion size is very small. Do not be fooled! Our cups were miniature. We felt like we were being served at a concession stand with all the appetizers served on a paper plate. We tried the rock shrimp and fried lemon, onion and jalapeno. Definitely try the rock shrimp (wet). It was pleasantly spicy and did not make the shrip soggy. The fried lemon was something new for us. Although this was very good, it was also very greasy. We then tried the scallops, trout (special for the day) and seafood cobb salad. Again, can't really go wrong with scallops. Not the best I've had but it was decent. The salad was a good portion size filled with a variety of fresh seafood. This was filling. DO NOT order the trout. Definitely not what I was expecting. It was dry, bland and had a very fishy taste.
(3)Kim T.
We came. We ate: - ceviche - gumbo (delish) - oyster po boy (I am forever looking for a good po boy sandwich, and this one really hits all the right spots) - calamari (with peppers, nice touch) - octopus - strawberry rhubarb pie (cloyingly sweet) We conquered! And we shall definitely return. Can't wait to try the lobster roll!
(4)Marta P.
Thanks to social media word about Fish Bar has spread like wild fire. I have been following this restaurant for months and HAD to get in opening week. There is nothing like it in Chicago and I am so happy it is finally open and has lived up to all of my expectations. Of course they were packed on their first Friday night and with out a reservation the chance of getting seated was slim, after some begging (I'm not proud) we were called and told there was a seat for us!!! The place has a Florida fish shack feel with a few booths and bar seats for parties of 3 or less. They do not take reservations unless you are a group of 4, so the wait was a bit long for smaller parties. The service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing and even though we were squeezed in we did not feel rushed. Drinks are served in mason jars which was kind of fun and the beer list, albeit not extensive, had a great selection... and no bud lights or miller whatevers which was a bonus! The food was perfect for sharing, served in paper baskets for a casual take on seafood. We shared fried calamari, tater tots, (I was with others that were not huge seafood eaters) and rock shrimp. Although the fried food was excellent, the tuna carpaccio was my favorite. Fresh and perfectly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and HUGE capers! The flavors were simple but really good. I can't wait to go back again, and if the summer ever comes, hopefully there will be outdoor seating that will allow for more people to eat here.
(5)Krisp D.
Not a fan of this place. The staff was too cool for school and acted very condescending to our group. The portions were tiny and the prices were very high. I was just relieved the packets of saltine crackers did not show up on the bill. We won't be going back to FISH BAR for a palm full of so - so fish. Ha!
(2)F C.
I want to start by saying that the people are very friendly but I have no idea how this place is still standing with the type of service and prices. Our server took a very long time to take our order and then never checked on us. We had a craving for Lobster Rolls and I must say the lobster was good. Not sure if I would pay 22.00 for it again. I have had Lobster rolls from New England Seafood and it blew me away for 16.00. This was ok. The major problem was the prices for the sides and snacks. We paid 8.00 for the salmon dip that came with a few slices of bread on the side. The ceviche came with a few saltins on the side for 9.00! That is just crazy. Did I mention that the salmon and cerviche were served in very small containers. It was way overpriced. When we recieved our rolls , it came with chips. Not homemade chips but chips in a bag. So at the end of the day. Our party of 4 spent 143.00 and we were left really hungry after our meal. I can understand going to a fancy place and expecting small portions but this was petite portions. I suggest they fix their prices or go bigger on their portions.
(1)Lois A.
There was a restaurant that made clam chowder that I used to eat at all the time with my family when I was little. When that place closed I thought I would never have clam chowder as good as that again and I didn't until I went to Fish Bar. The chowder is amazing. I can't say enough good things about it. The crabby patty and fish sandwiches are both excellent. Perfect toppings and great taste. The place is small and the food comes out pretty quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable and liked the large selection of hot sauces on the tables. I'm looking forward to a long, long winter of clam chowder eating.
(4)Fuffie G.
Fish Bar...hmmm...not quite sure what to rate it. I liked it on many levels but wouldn't go running back...how's that for an answer?? Got there and was told about a 20-25 minute wait by the sweetest host. Nice guy, cute personality. After right around 20 minutes we were seated and then another really sweet nice guy came and took our drink order. Being that we went for lunch, we did not order a whole lot of food. I had the soft shell crab po'boy and my friend hand the crabby patty...love the tribute to Sponge Bob there. I also tried for a buck, one east coast oyster and one west coast oyster. I don't remember exactly what type they were but whatever that east coast oyster was, I could have eaten a dozen of them. The soft shell po'boy was good as was the crabby patty. So why would I not go running back??? I'm not quite sure. Service was good, food was good...maybe because you eat at a counter and it feels like an eat and beat kind of joint?? I don't think this is my last time at Fish Bar but I also don't think it will be anytime soon.
(3)Matt P.
I think these guys put forth a solid effort, but it's really expensive for what you get, especially with the actual fish dinners. We would have been much better off getting the cod sandwich and maybe a cup of chowder ... which still would have put us close to the $20 range. Anyways, I'd go back, sure ... because there's not a lot of actual seafood places around.
(3)Michael B.
I loved DMK, but this place leaves me wanting more. From the start, we arrived right when they opened (to avoid the wait) and were told that the booths were reserved for tables of 4 only. Since there were two of us, we figured that made sense and sat at the only other seating option - at the bar. Kind of an awkward setup and not very comfortable. To our surprise, we see two guys come in who are seated in the booth. Wha? Guess we didn't have enough clout. So, this place is a bit pretentious, and is trying to be. I love a cool, hip restuarant, but this is a little much. It isn't THAT special. While the service was ok, they don't allow you to alter things (e.g., you serve fried rock shrimp and oyster po' boys, but we can't pay extra for a shrimp po'boy?) Now, for the food. The portions are rediculously small for what you are paying. And, sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the mini-lobster roll for 18 bucks. Yes, the MINI roll had a good amount of meat, but it just wasn't anything to write home about. This food suffers from over-hyping. And, I like spicy stuff, but EVERYTHING was spicy, and overly so. Did I mentions the portions are small? Calamari, meh, rock shrimp, meh... And, the lobster bisque was awful. Tasted more like a hot and sour soup from a bad chinese restaurant. Best thing on the menu was the pies at the end. But, I must say, this place would not be worth any amount of a wait. I'd save your money and head over to DMK next door (also owned by the same people). Better food, less pretentious (by just a little bit), but definitely worth the money.
(2)Janet E.
I am not one to typically write a review, but this place was worth me typing one out! We had not read the reviews before going and did not know that it was one of the "new trendy hot spots" - we were just looking for a new place for a lunch date. First of all it was really cute inside and out and the counter top seating was a fun spin. My husband is all about the crab so he got the crab roll at MP (which was $18 today) and he said it was worth every penny. He has traveled to the East coast for business and he said that this one rivals any he has had there. There is almost a pound of lobster and they don't pile on the mayo like others he has had. He also ordered the #4 Punch ($6) which I ended up drinking for him - it was soooo yummy!!!! I had the Crabby Patty ($11) and it was AWESOME! I was going to get it without the bun, but I forgot to tell the waitress and boy am I glad I forgot! It was lightly toasted and so yummy! It was definitely something I would have again. So I then got home and was reading some of these reviews and can't understand why some people would rate this restaurant so low... Albeit that we were there for lunch so we didn't have a wait, but our server was great, the Manager/Owner? was there and very attentive, and the food was excellent. Done Deal - we will be back again!
(5)Andrew H.
Oyster po-boy is really good and filling. The wet rock shrimp were also tasty. I'd go back just for those. That said, this place has some very underwhelming items. The cod sandwich really was reminiscent of Mcdonald's fish sandwich. It just sticks out their crappy bun. The lobster bisque was only ok, as were the octopus and tatertots. I mean, when I order tatertots, I'm not expecting much, but I'm at least expecting something that tastes better than what I used to get in my elementary school cafeteria. Also, it's tiny. We had reservations, which I strongly recommend, because otherwise you're left to stand around the few seats that there are thinking about why you didn't just make reservations.
(3)Stephen F.
This is a "seafood bar" conveniently located in Lakeview. I came here for some drinks, more drinks, and a sampling of the raw and cooked specialties (menu rotates). I like this place, but there are a number of problems in execution that will hold it at 3 stars for now. First, the liquor selection is not appropriate to a po' boy hut. Gin and Belgian ales? I like them sure, but they clash with fried clams and ceviche. Also, I don't like the drinks-served-in-mason-jars conceit (even white wine!). I was bewildered by the lack of structure in the menu and order of service. I never figured out if the chalkboard and printed menu had any of the same items, nor if there was any attempt to structure a meal around our various snacks. Was I supposed to get my bisque last? Speaking of the bisque -- some of the items were sublimely good (tuna carpacchio, salmon ceviche and crackers), while others were merely okay (bisque and chowder). Given that a meal's worth of food and drinks runs $40-50 a head, I wasn't blown away. But I AM impressed with the concept, hundreds of miles away from any real coast. Fish Bar well deserves to draw a curious crowd willing to wait 90+ minutes for a seat. I might be back and hope they will up their game into 4-5 star territory.
(3)Jason S.
After having a great experience at Fish Bar a month ago, I had been wanting to go back every time I was craving seafood. Finally made the trip again tonight and it was an extreme disappointment. From start to finish, it was mediocre at VERY best. My girlfriend was looking forward to getting the gumbo as it was so delicious last time, but they were out. She opted for the clam chowder and I got the lobster gazpacho which I loved on my last visit. Our server came back with 2 clam chowders by accident. She took mine back and came back with my gazpacho a few minutes later. While waiting, I tried my girlfriends clam chowder expecting a place with such a reputation to pump out something pretty special. It was not... Luke warm, watered down, and had no seasoning whatsoever. In the entire bowl, there were 5 cubes of potato and 3 little bits of clam. I don't want to be crude or obnoxious in saying this.. but in all honesty, this makes a can of Campbell's clam chowder seem worthy of a Michelin star. When my gazpacho arrived, I dug in. Setting aside the fact that there were only 2 small pieces of lobster in the whole bowl, I couldn't eat more than half of it even if I wanted to. It was like eating spoonfulls of jalapeno infused tomato water. The veggies were totally unidentifiable - overall, terrible. I was excited for my scallops which would have been tasty if they were cooked through, but it didn't really matter at that point because my palate was completely shot after being set on fire from the gazpacho that I had stopped eating around 10 minutes prior. Long story short - disappointed. I thought I had found my new seafood joint in the city, but the search continues.
(2)elissa w.
Cool atmosphere and good food - overly hospitable hostess. She must have asked us how our meal was four times between finishing up dessert andour drinks. I get it, it is super crowded and lots of people are waiting since this place is tiny but we got it that you were killing us with kindness to get up out of our chairs. Oysters, wet fried shrimp, lobster roll and salmon carpaccio were all delish. The special pineapple cocktail - loved the spicy kick to it. Will come back but most likely on a lower key week night
(4)Christine K.
I love Fish Bar. I've been here many times already and the service/food is always great. One item on the menu continues to blow me away: OYSTER PO BOY. It's delicious. It's succulent. It's juicy and briny and wonderful. Each po boy comes with three oysters, but each oyster is the size of my hand. (Admittedly, my hands are on the small side, but that doesn't take away from the fact that these bad boys are huge!) The fried clams are also moist and tender. These are the most tender and pure tasting bivalves I've ever had at any restaurant. They're not fried to oblivion. The flavor of the seafood really comes through with all the clam and oysters dishes. The softshell crab po boy was also very delicious. They don't have this menu item all the time so I would recommend getting it if you like soft shell crab and see this sandwich on the special menu. The only item I did not like as much was the Crabby Patty. There was too much breading, and the spices were a bit overwhelming so it was difficult to taste the actual crab. The fish sandwich is very good, as is the octopus. Marina is the biggest sweetheart, and Jessica is fabulous as well. :)
(5)Jess V.
3.5 stars. After sitting in Fish Bar for about seven minutes, I realized why I liked it. The decor and bar setup reminds me of a crab shack I would frequent in Florida, except it's cleaner. Made to look rustic and beach wind-worn, but clean so you avoid splinters. It's the best of both worlds. My dining partner and I both started with the Sonja Does Sicily cocktail, served in a little Ball jar. While I didn't taste the Campari, the cocktail was good. It wasn't very strong, but tasted like nectar. I would have preferred to taste some of the alcohol, though. If you review the menu online, you will see the preparations for some of the foods, but not the fish. They have sustainably caught fish and the selection rotates based on what is in season. We started with the ceviche, which was prepared with bay scallops last night. The ceviche was good, but it didn't stand out as an amazing dish. I appreciated the toasted Saltine, as it was warm and the cracker concept works with the atmosphere of the bar, but I would have preferred a piece of toasted bread. My friend had the oyster po' boy, which was supposed to have three fried oysters on the bun. If there were only three, they were the largest oysters I have ever seen. I had the special po' boy with soft shell crab. This sandwich came with two full soft shell crabs. These sandwiches did not lack in "meat," bread, or size. I would have preferred the remoulade on top of the crab, though. It was difficult to eat and needed the flavor of the remoulade, but since it lined the bottom of the bun, I had to take several bites of crab and bun before I could reach the flavor. The staff was very kind and greatly enhanced my meal. When I left, I thought I would definitely go back. After thinking about it more, I realized that I would rather go back for the staff than for the food. They sent us a complementary side of the fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. For a fried side, it was good. Although the tater tots looked more substantial. In winter, when I'm missing warm weather and want a vacation to Florida, I'll go back to Fish Bar. But until then, I will be content summing up my visit as decent food, amazing staff.
(3)Shaun S.
The vote is in.... I LOVE the fish bar. The rock shrimp are the best! The drinks are also very good...and STRONG. The portions are small and the price is high..but you will enjoy this place.
(4)Magen M.
completely overpriced. $21 for a lobster roll that tasted like a stick of celery (and i had NO celery mayo) with no sides. the rock shrimp were good, but again, too expensive for a handful of small shrimp. the decor is nice and the staff is friendly, however.
(2)Aaron L.
4.5* Clam Chowder 4* Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail 3.5* Maine Lobster Roll 4.5* Peanut Butter Pit
(4)Becky T.
Everything is good! I especially love that you can get one oyster if you do not want a whole bunch! The outdoor seating is so cute and the service is great! Sean was our waiter and he was a pleasure! He really took care of us and we will definitely be back! If you are around the area and looking for good seafood, stop here!
(5)Ricky S.
Upon first stepping into Fish Bar with my girlfriend, I have to admit I am unsure about the layout. I get the whole bar concept as a theme but the seating just looks a little too uncomfortable. As soon as we seat ourselves and get acquainted with our server, however, it all begins to make sense. The bar setting meshes beautifully with the menu and the service. The "bartenders" walking back and forth, taking plates and bringing more, discussing food with us and making jokes, oh and they call the check your tab. What really makes Fish Bar an unforgettable restaurant experience is in the details. Your evening starts off strong with the like-able servers, picks up steam with a fine array of gourmet yet familiar food, and ends amusingly with a check that always ends up being more expensive than expected. Don't be surprised if you venture in with a few interesting entrees and aren't able to stop ordering more and more. The mussels were exquisite, the oyster selection better than most, the po-boys never disappoint, and the seviche/carpaccio were both a delight. One item I almost overlooked was the clam chowder not being the biggest chowder fan, but I cannot stress this enough: order the clam chowder. Will I be back? If they gave me a blanket and a pillow I would camp out and enjoy their menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(5)Chris A.
We've been here multiple times--the food, drinks, and service are always excellent. There can be a bit of a wait during peak times, but it's never been too crazy (and with one of their excellent beers in hand, completely tolerable). I don't get how someone can rate a restaurant one star without having set foot in the place. The website clearly states "more than 4, go next door." You give them one star because they won't give you a reservation for 5 during peak hours at a small and packed restaurant?
(5)Eric M.
Let me start off by saying Im not a huge fish eater, but this place is AMAZING!!! The wait staff is amazing, very nice, very accomodating...gave us free apps and an entree for the long wait!! I had the Crabby Sandwich (forgot the actual name) but it was by far the most amazing sandwich I have had in Chicago. It is a MUST HAVE! Calamari was amazing, Salmon BLT was amazing, there really isn't a bad dish here. Its very small and perfect for date nights. You wont regret going.
(5)Nathan R.
This place is awesome! The best option for sea food in Lakeview. I went here last night for the first time and now know why I've heard so many great things. The staff was friendly, the microbrews were tasty, and of course the food was amazing as well. I'll def. be making this a regular dinner destination. Love it!
(5)Rebecca C.
This is one of the most unique and fabulous eating experiences in Chicago. I love the smaller, family style portions and the pop of flavor is fabulous. My favs are the rock shrimp (wow), fish fries (so unique), the lobster roll is so refreshing, the smoked trout salad is packed with flavor, and the crabby patty is moist and filling. Just try it you will see how GREAT the service is (hence I am a repeat customer) and the food is yummy.
(5)Rachel H.
Ok. Having one of the worst days on record- locked out with no cell phone (ever notice how pay phones don't exist anymore and even if they did the only number you know is your mom's??). Anyway... rolled in there to wait for help. The place has this great casual vibe and music like I had just walked in off some east coast beach (I am speculating here as have never been east coast). The staff were all dolls - offering to help/use phone/etc. While waiting, I had a great witte, sampled two other draughts, munched on an excellent tuna tartare, and passed the time chatting with the super genuine folks working the bar. Seriously, if this place could turn my spirits on a day like today - well, it must be something, indeed. Def a must go.
(5)Mark V.
Surprisingly GREAT New England style "seafood shack" in the heart of Chicago! Spending my weekends in Chicago from LA this summer, I'm trying to enjoy as much of the culinary scene as possible from Friday - Sunday. I stumbled upon this place on a run through Lakeview / Wrigleyville and was drawn in by the bags of "Cape Cod Potato Chips" in the window of the kitchen...running in the windy, cold rain of Chi-town vs. reigniting my childhood summers on Cape Cod and in Boston, I took the latter: 1. Sea Bass Ceviche - Reminded me of Hawaii...the dark days of late spring in Chicago, any reminder of Hawaii or the sun is greatly welcomed. 2. New England Clam Chowder - the only way to properly prepare clam chowder. Tasty, creamy, a cold day in Boston (or in this case Chicago)...problem solved. 3. Lobster Roll - Only an LA'er would request no mayo (even with my Boston roots, health has won out these days)...Fish Bar accommodated, another big winner. Fresh, chunky, succulent lobster, and ample amount...on the original hot dog bun. Well seasoned lobster on a toasted roll, simple and good. PS - I was with my fiance, explaining the no mayo! BUT if you're looking for a grease-pit lobster roll, this is not your place. Perhaps McD's will give that concept a shot again someday... 4. Fried Lemons, Onions, Jalapenos - yes, all fried, just those 3 items...dont know what else to say other than tasty, different, original...think lightly fried onion rings with hints of lemon and spice. I will certainly be back to try many other items at this new Chi-town gem, a modern salute to the throwback New England style seafood shack...I have been told lines for dinner get crazy, so give a little Saturday afternoon brunch a shot...and of course, don't forget the Bloody Mary.
(4)Garrett G.
Small place with great food that doesn't try to be fancy. Everything I have tried in my multiple visits has been great. My server Janna friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is small which I am a huge fan of. I would rather have fewer choices that are all good than filler items. It is a very small place so I don't recommend going during the busy hours unless you are patient. Most of the restaurant is communal seating which I am normally not a fan of but the crowds are fun and not stuffy so it actually isn't bad.
(5)shivi d.
Service ambience menu quality price all created a perfect pitch. This place is just awesome with their $1.50 oyster Sundays, salmon BLT, lobster roll and clam chowder. Fresh and delicious. Not the best we've ever had food-wise but an overall fantastic package!
(5)David G.
I have tried to like this place. Have gone 4 times now. But this time was the final determination, the food was ho hum, small portions, the booths are small, counter awkward to sit at. Today, I had the salmon sandwich. It was a narrow piece of fish on a round hamburger bun, so 1/2 of the bun did not have fish. What I didn't realize the first time is that you need to order 2 to 3 items to leave full, which ends up being 15 to 30 bucks a person, that is quite expensive for this atmosphere and counter service. And for some reason both Fish Bar and DMK don't seem to like kids. Fish Bar does not have high chairs, claims it on fire code, but there is no reason in the code that would even offer that as a reason. Neither have changing tables in the toilets. You would think the owners would see their typical demographic of the neighborhood and respond , but apparently not. Don't think I'll be back.
(1)Worlowitz W.
I ate here on Sunday afternoon and have nothing but positive things to say. I had the crab cake sandwich & tater tots and both were delicious! The menu was great, simple, written in a fun way, with lots of rotating options (ceviche, carpaccio, catch of day). Other diners were enjoying a whole range of items and lots looked great: the sriracha rock shrimp, lobster roll, oyster po' boy. Everyone was knowledgeable about the food and happy to make suggestions. The prices were fair, the service was great, and I look forward to returning and trying more! My only bone to pick was the hostess telling me to "pop a squat" on my bar stool when seating me--not exactly the most appetizing image to share before a meal.
(4)John B.
Good but overpriced and small portions. You pay for being trendy and not for a filling meal. At $21 the lobster roll was a big letdown.
(3)David R.
Great service, tasty seafood, and a bright, casual atmosphere. Nice selection of fresh, grilled and fried selections. The gumbo is perfectly balanced with plenty of spicy sausage and fresh crab. The flash fried shrimp are lightly breaded, crispy and delicious. Fish Bar also has a great section of Belgium Style brews on tap. Looking forward to many return visits.
(5)Laura B.
We went to Fish Bar randomly and were very impressed. The server was great and the food was amazing. We went and shared 6 dishes and weren't disappointed with any. The po boy was by far the best thing we tried. All the fish is fresh and great! When they ran out of something we ordered they brought over a free dish. Definitely going back soon!
(4)Vince F.
Delicious. Relaxed environment. Great service and even better food. Cod sandwich prepared perfectly, yummy tater tots that actually tasted like potatoes and small but interesting beer selection. We ate there for lunch and plan to return for dinner in the next day or two. Good value.
(5)Kelly P.
Great staff, small plates are a nice change of pace and the price is right to me. The wet rock shrimp might be my favorite appetizer in Lakeview. I've never visited without being offered something complimentary from the kitchen usually a tartare, carpaccio or ceviche. A scallop special was really great too! Try the fried lemon, onion and jalapeno peppers- definitely a better side with some of the entrees.
(4)Jason A.
You know the feeling. You meet a friend for dinner, knowing full well that you're going out for drinks later. You order a burger. The thing arrives. It's huge. Not only that, there's a heaping pile of fries next to it. Because echoes of your mother still ring in your ears, you clean your plate. Even the pickle spear. Your friend tells you it's time to meet everyone else. You stand up and realize you're uncomfortable. Five pounds heavier, you sway to the door. All you want to do is find your couch and channel-surf. But it's Saturday. Yeah, it's Saturday at 8 o'clock and you just fell into a food coma because you can't control portions. Know the feeling? Good. Because you'll never have that feeling at Fish Bar, where the menu is short and the portions are small -- an ideal place to meet up before going out for drinks or even for a light lunch. What's cool about Fish Bar, which has the most apropos name imaginable (a bar that serves fish), is that it serves fish from the Great Lakes. The catch of the day was Lake Superior Trout. Why don't more restaurants do this? When I'm on either coast, I always order seafood because it's hauled right out of the water and dumped on your plate. There's nothing fresher. And, believe me, the taste is palpable. In Chicago, we're at Ground Zero of the Great Lakes, one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet, yet everything seems to be flown in. I hope Fish Bar keeps this up -- even goes further and expands the menu with more Great Lakes fare. But I digress. The service was wonderful. It was Friday so the place filled up fast. I had the calamari and the gumbo -- both delicious. But just know that you're not going to fill up there. Which, let's face it, is actually a blessing. You know the feeling.
(4)Erik J.
I'm glad Fish Bar exists; it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood options. I don't, however, know that I'll rush back. First, they have two options for wine - Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, available only by the glass. One glass of the Sauvignon Blanc had me switching to beer; it is dreadful stuff (Fish Bar doesn't provide the winery's name, but it's a couple of levels below Yellow Tail). We started with the ceviche, which tasted mostly of pineapple (couldn't taste the fish). Then we had the fried calamari, which was ok. I enjoyed the pickled peppers served on the side more than I did the calamari. The grilled octopus was the highlight of our dinner. If I return, I'm going to head straight for the "A la Plancha" section of the menu. Next, we split a Lobster Roll. It was good, but not great. I can think of two restaurants (you know where I'm talking about) with far better lobster rolls. You won't linger in Fish Bar. The service and menu are all about getting you in and getting you out. This isn't all bad (especially on a weeknight), but we went on a Saturday evening. We were in and out in 45 minutes.
(3)Stephanie L.
Visited for the first time around 10pm on Friday night and really loved it! My date and I ordered the lobster roll, scallops and fish fry and ate everything in sight. :) I loved the scallops - they were perfectly cooked and very tasty (and didn't need the heavy sauce served with them). The ambiance was charming and cozy and our waitress was kind, attentive and helpful. I'll definitely return!!
(5)Samantha H.
When I give a half rating I always try to think of one thing to push them one way or the other (since the average will go into their stars). This is 3.5 stars but giving them a 4 since the server gave me a half wine on the house when I just wanted a little more and not a full glass. I followed the Yelp! advice of not getting the $21 lobster roll because I felt that would only be disappointing. The fish special of the day were scallops, which were excellent! They were cooked in chorizo and had a hearty gravy on them. Yum! The rock shrimp were also very yummy and a decent size portion of those. I agree with a lot of the reviews that the portions really are tiny. Usually, even at a tapas place, I can get full eating several dishes. Here there were 2 of us and we got 6 plates and I could've had more. I'm not asking for huge plates, just a tad larger than they are. We each got 2 oysters (one east, one west), which I didn't care for at all. I like oysters but this was only the fourth time I'd had them so I'm not an expert. At GT and Everest, for example, they came in a preparation like with some sauce or cucumbers or something with them other than just the oyster. No, these were just the oyster in sea water (which was quite salty). If you're expected a prepared oyster, I would stay away from these. The baby octopus was very good and that was also a decent size. The calamari was average as was the ceviche. Over all food was average to above average with the scallops being my fave. Service was good other than forgetting the water I ordered. I actually really liked the set up. We got there at like 4:45 after furniture shopping so it was sort of a weird time but within an hour the place was full. I'd go back.
(4)Abigail L.
It makes me sad to give Fish Bar only 3 stars. The atmosphere is a 5. The service 5. The taste 4. The beer served in mason jars 6 stars! The serving size 2. The price 2. We thought we would split a small plate, Salmon sliced thinly, which was tasty and a entree which was a $21 lobster roll, which should have been priced as a small plate. It was TINY! but flavorful. We had to order more. Shrimp and Crawfish po boy, again tasty, yet small. We spent $67 on a light lunch and a beer each. Too much! I would not mind spending that for a nice dinner, but for a crab shack type fish joint, I'll pass. And that's exactly what I'll do next time Fish Bar is suggested. PASS.. However, I would like to say that the place was busy, so I guess they are not doing too bad for themselves. I will just spend my money elsewhere.
(3)Nicholas W.
I love this spot! So much so that I'm hesitant to write a review and give it any more attention. The interior design sets a great Maine-y vibe without being too kitschy. We had almost everything on the menu and it was all pretty awesome but the lobster roll was a standout. Although, next time I'll pass on the lobster bisque and oysters-they're good but there are better options. The wait-times can get lengthy so make a res way ahead of time.
(5)Patrick I.
Our waitress made our experience that much better. I had a shrimp/crawfish po boy and an excellent tequila drink. Outside seating was relaxed and unpretentious. Breezy atmosphere, great service and food.
(4)Meredith H.
I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I had kind of wanted to go when it opened, but have been avoiding it because their online menu doesn't do it justice. I love seafood, but most of what they have on their menu is fried which i try to avoid. But i randomly went there last weekend and it was fantastic! They have a few fish options that are written on the board along with other specials. First the drinks. The bartender/server was extremely helpful when we were asking questions about the drinks. I loved the beer i had and everyone we were with enjoyed their mixed drinks. Generous pours that you don't taste by the way. Beware of sudden drunkenness. They started off by giving us a complimentary shrimp dish in this aioli sauce. it was so good. Definitely not good for you, but delicious. We ordered the fish taco special, since it was cinco de mayo. Followed by garlic bread and grilled fish off the board. It was like a piccata set up and both fish were perfectly cooked and flavorful. Garlic bread was so good, perfectly toasted. Oysters were fresh. Finally had a cup of clam chowder which was not super thick while still being creamy and delicious. Lastly we split a derby pie for dessert, it was a crazy brownie type dessert that was totally necessary. My favorite part about the place was how casual and just laid back it was. Everyone was friendly and it was just a nice change of pace. Absolutely going back.
(4)Emma C.
What a total hipster rip-off. When I ordered shrimp, I did not realize they were referring to the size of the portion. I saw on other reviews that the portions were small, but still found myself unprepared, as I have honestly seen more generous servings at a doll's tea party. And why other people have described it as delicious is beyond me...lob roll was meh, and trying to pass off that frozen, flavorless Jewel grocery store shrimp as Gulf shrimp was actually insulting. Cocktail sauce came in a little skimpy paper thing like what you put ketchup in in a fast-food joint. Fish Bar, do you know where you are? It's Chicago, one of the greatest food cities in the world. Do you really think we don't know what a proper shrimp cocktail looks like? Do you dream that we have never been to Fish Keg? The service was sensational, kind and friendly, but I guess that's the least they can do when they are planning to serve you a tablespoon's worth of sustenance for every ten bucks you spend...honestly, I think they should be embarrassed, I would not serve someone such a paltry amount out of my own kitchen or they would think I had something against them and wished to offend. Everything was twice what it should have cost and half as good. After $60 for lunch, I had to go get a bagel. Avoid, avoid, avoid, unless you're a millionaire on a diet. I am neither and I won't be back.
(1)Patrick n.
Think Seafood Tapas. This place is really unique and charming. The food is good all around. Portions are small and you will want to order a couple things per person. We've had the ceviche, tartare, mussels, clams, scallops, and poboys, it was all very good and reasonably priced.
(4)Jessica F.
Good beer choices, and good fish. The menu is small and the plates are even smaller. But it has a true Cape vibe that is appreciated.
(4)Brian F.
I cannot get enough Fish Bar. As a preface, I am allergic to shellfish (there goes half the menu), and have not (previously) been the biggest fan of fish, but this place definitely makes me a big fan of the sea (and/or lake). Yes, they have small plates. Yes, your bill adds up. Yes, you will love it. I love coming here frequently with a small group of friends. In true small plate theory, it is so fun to order bit by bit and share the bite(s) provided. All of the raw options are delicious and full of fresh flavor. The Federal Hill style calamari is among the best I've ever tried. My shellfish allergy limits my "main dish" options, so I always opted for an awesome BLT (yes, BLT) for $6 featuring avocado and a fried egg... But they've changed this in recent months, using pork belly instead of bacon. Not a fan. Now, they've even got me hooked on their fried codfish sandwich. Like I said, becoming hooked on the fish. Also love the other garlic bread and tots sides. Great drinks offered: small, strong, tasty, around $5; plus cheap PBR cans. Now, onto the non-food points... It's a small spot. Small but quaint. They now take reservations (for a few); otherwise be prepared to wait. All tables inside surround a U-shaped bar. It's intimate but also public, and I like that. Nice simple, small-ish outdoor space too. I will say the biggest thing that is NOT intimate: the noise level. Guess they still haven't learned from the noise chamber that is DMK Burger next door... Service has always been stellar. This could be a big component of my frequent returns. The girls make their way through the U shape and deliver quick orders, replenishments, and delightful conversation. They add a lot to the fun of the experience. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. Love going here with friends and taking out-of-towners here for a quality night. I always look forward to new/seasonal changes to the menu and returning for my favorite staples.
(5)Amy X.
my main homie/squeeze is leaving chicago for the beacon of the west, san francisco! i admit, that city has its draws -- year round temperate climate, a wicker park vibe through the whole city, and...everyone is a CEO of some burgeoning start-up or another. to mourn my loss as well as celebrate this new beginning, we embark on the Jack M. "See-Food-Eat-Food Tour of Chicago 2012" -- a series of visits to restaurants where we sample all the treasures of the sea that you can imagine. we come to fish bar because of the $1.50 oyster special. started with a dozen of the east and the west (washington state and virginia, i believe). loved the virginia, like the west coast ones. i read somewhere that oysters are a "real" adult food. to enjoy them, you have to inhale and anticipate the flavor, taste and experience the tactile sensation, and then swallow and savor the lingering notes. these were so good that at the end of our meal, we opted out of the key lime pie and ordered 6 more oysters for dessert. next up, hot items. steamed clams, wet fried rock shrimp, oyster po' boy, lobster roll. my advice, skip the lobster roll. $19 bucks, and at the end of the day, it's a sandwich with bits and pieces of lobster. tasty, yes -- not worth two orders of clams or two orders of rock shrimp though. other items, yummo! favorite were the clams, which had chorizo and tomatoes and were light, yet savory. we fought for sips of the broth. lastly, i believe we ordered too much food. a sandwich should stand in as two orders of a fried/a la plancha dish. stay tuned for more reviews of the see-food tour!
(4)Brett N.
All I can say is I loved it, as did my pescatarian girlfriend! There's a little wait if its a 1-2 person party, but we were there on a Friday night as well. As for parties of more than two, I would recommend making a reservation. The menu is kept seasonal and simple. I chose a little something from each part of the menu. The food is fresh, and the service is great. The Gumbo is full of Andouille sausage and blue crab (and flavor.) My girlfriend tried the Lobster Bisque, we both loved the generous sized chunks of lobster, and the taste was just the right amount of creamy/sweet. It was also the first time the both of us had tried raw oysters, that are so fresh they still taste like the ocean (your choice of East or West Coast oysters.) The Eastern Belly Clams are lightly fried and delicious. My first choice of an entree was the Satchmo Po' Boy, but they were unfortunately out of it (which only makes me want to return sooner to try it), but the Oyster Po' Boy was still a very tasty alternative. My girlfriend could not stop talking about how great her her Calamari A La Plancha was. As an intriguing side dish, we branched out to try the Fried Lemon, Onion, and Jalpeno, we were told this was Chef's favorite thing on the menu, and was to remain on the menu regardless of how well it sold. Definitely made us want to try it even more. It certainly was worth a try, mixing bitter, spicy, and almost sweet flavors all at once. Lastly, for dessert, the Key Lime Pie seems to be the staple of the dessert menu (understandably so), we ordered that along with a revolving dessert (not listed). The Banana-Rum Bread pudding is like heaven in a dish! All in all, a great experience! Once again, can't wait to go back!!!!
(5)Holly H.
It is obvious that this place is trying to be the seafood version of "Big Star." Well, I have to say it, but Big Star knows what they are doing, this place.. hmmmm. Not sure. I was so excited for this place to open... I finally went with my boyfriend and father. While the food was good, I was overall a little disappointed. The staff was very friendly and service was good and fast. Everything is a la carte and pretty expensive. For a fish bar, I would want to see more options for raw bar items- individual oysters, clams, and shrimp boil, etc. You can only get oysters by the half dozen. My dad had a piece of white fish about 3 oz. for $8. Pretty bad. Not sure if we will be back as often as we had originally planned.
(2)D Mike K.
Loved Fish Bar, my kind of place! Quick list of highlights: Shrimp Ceviche: Perfecto! Best Crabcake Sandwich ever! Drinking alcoholic drinks out of mason jars. Amazing whitefish a la plancha Great Tater Tots! Fantastic chocolate Pie. Server: Jessica. Very accommodating and friendly. Only seats 1-4 people at a time, but that is just fine with me. Just hoping the lines don't get too ridiculous! Thanks Fish Bar!
(5)John T.
Lobster roll, gumbo, soft shell crab, fish fry and stuffed calamari were all great as was golden monkey 9.5 abv ale. Great service, really worked hard to accommodate my wife, who is wheelchair bound. Congrats, fish bar, you get the big 5.0!
(5)Tiff W.
Yup, despite being sick as a dog and not being able to breathe out of my nose, much less SMELL anything, I still came to Fish Bar. I am stubborn like that. Sinus infections, you suck. You know how they say if one of your senses is deprived, the remaining four senses are just BETTER? Even though I was not able to fully taste or smell everything that I ate (I left that portion of the review up to John G....you can read his review below), I'll give my two cents. First off, the inside of Fish Bar is super interesting. It's definitely different from your typical seafood joint...it actually reminds you of more divey restaurants you can find along a beach or something. Get a bunch of things to share between 2 or 3 people. Come with any more people and it becomes slightly harder to converse with each other, since the seating is situated in two "U" shapes in the room. I think if more than 4 people are in your group, they actually recommend going next door to DMK. The menu is diverse and there are so many yummy things to choose from. Some highlights were the West coast oysters from Washington (so fresh!), the fried calamari (very very lightly breaded and not heavy), the octopus a la plancha (perfectly charred), the rock shrimp (get it wet! I could taste the Sriracha through my sickness...and that's a GOOD thing), the oyster po' boy (they don't skimp on the oysters), and the codfish sandwich (oh so flaky. Like a super classed up Filet O' Fish sandwich from Mickey D's). Beers and water came in little mason jars, which was an awesome touch to the whole experience. Every dish was fresh and perfectly cooked...I don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the items on the menu. This is a great place for you to come straight from work and get some happy hour drinks and delicious seafood...don't sit there for too long and hog up valuable real estate though, because by the time 6 or 6:30PM rolls along, there will be groups lined up and waiting along the wall for your seats. Now that I'm no longer sick, I can't WAIT to go back to Fish Bar and try everything again. If I liked Fish Bar this much on dulled taste buds and a stuffed up nose, can you imagine what it will be like now that I can actually taste the food??
(4)Michael S.
This place is like a small slice of the Northeast, right in our own backyard. However, I'm going to wait until the 1.5 hour wait dies down before I make a return (that was a bit much). Literally, think small (as in 3 tables small), with bar / stool seating for the remainder. If you have to wait for a seat (like we did), there's a limited amount of seating by the door, as well as some standing room. Drinks were hand poured, and were pretty good -- with the young woman behind the bar happy to accommodate a request for less sweet (which the punch was a bit). They are small, but the prices were commensurate. As for the food, it was really good.... Definitely, get the lobster roll. It has loads of lobster (as it should for $18), piled into a great roll. The Crabby Patty was good, and had a nice kick to it, but wasn't as good as the lobster roll. Otherwise, the lump crab, which is served on a bed of crunchy celery in a mild dressing, was excellent, as was the popcorn shrimp served with a spicy mayo on the side (dry). They were really nice to give us a sample of their gravlax (due to our having to wait for the sandwiches), and it was superbly fresh, melt in your mouth salmon, with excellent flavor. We finished off with a slice of key lime pie, which also took a really long time to get, but it was a nice finisher to the meal. Finally, kudos to the owner, Michael Kornick -- it's not every day you see the owner of a place serving the food and wiping down the tables and counters. It doesn't get more "hands on" than that. We will definitely be back.
(4)Kara C.
Go for the atmosphere, not the food. It takes about 20 minutes on the phone with the hostess to understand the rules and regulations of this joint, so one would think that a restaurant so tough to get in to would be well worth the wait. Wrong. While the ambiance is cool, you can really only go with a party of four - they legitimately wont allow anything larger. So start cropping that friend invite email now. And while the staff is friendly and attentive, the food is minimal in portion and pizzazz. My friend ordered the shrimp entree and they served her 3 pieces of shrimp. Yes, you heard me correctly, three. She was so hungry she had to order the clam chowder after her entree because she was still starving. I had the famous "crabby patty" and was pretty underwhelmed - it was basically just fish on a cheap white bun with mayo. Honestly, if you're in the area and want a great bite to eat, go next door to DMK Burger and order the sweet potato tater tots - you wont be disappointed by these at least.
(3)Peter C.
Good, not great. Not a great value for the money, but the service was very, very friendly and we liked most of what we ordered. I don't recall everything we had, but I remember the ceviche being only ok and the octopus being really good. The rest wasn't memorable enough for me to even recall it, so that's saying something. Decor is nice and charming, but you will smell like greasy food when you leave. (Nothing we ordered was greasy, but we still smelled like deep fryers when we were walking around afterwards.) 4 stars is generous, but they're better than three and I'm feeling generous since I liked the vibe of the place.
(4)Cassie B.
Fish Bar-DO IT! Everytime I got off of the el at Wellington, I was perplexed why that dentist's office had a big fish painted on it suddenly. It wasn't until later that I was made aware that this building is not a dentist's office, and has become the sister restaurant of DMK Burger Bar (a favorite). I am a seafood fan, so of course, we were there asap. The concept is actually pretty cool. They played reggae all night, and the seating area is essentially a large bar with servers behind the counter. The drinks were delicious (try the Sonja Does Sicily) and the food was great too! We really liked the East Coast oysters, and the whitefish was probably the best I have ever had. We also had the lobster bisque and calamari, which were also good. The wait times can be crazy. We went to have a drink elsewhere, and came back after 45 minutes, but still waited for about 30 minutes after that. However, the service was very good and we had a very nice time. We will definitely be back.
(4)Mark G.
Fish Bar is a great spot and the idea is unique for Chicago. I've never been to a counter seating fish restaurant. I felt like I was eating in Cape Cod or the Florida Keys. Food - Great stuff. Lots to choose from. We had mussels, escolar crudo, fried fish, oysters, lake trout, Coho salmon, buffalo style frogs legs, ceviche and octopus salad. Everything was above average. The standouts were the escolar crudo and the octopus salad. Overall the food came out quickly, it was fresh and nicely prepared. Service - Outstanding. Nice people, prompt, gracious. Atmosphere - Fun, unique, buzzing, informal. Drinks - Great selection, great drinks, great beer. Fun place, good food. I highly recommend.
(4)Melissa F.
I had high hopes for this restaurant but left disappointed. Decor is cute, I guess; I like that the specials are written on the window. The chairs (outside) are probably meant to seem kitschy but are actually uncomfortable. Our waitress was pretty nice. My friend and I ordered drinks, and mine (Woodshed?) was weird tasting...but in a good way! My friend liked her drink, too (Coney Island Baby), and she also found her drink odd but intriguing and overall good. I liked the scallop ceviche I ordered - excellent flavor, from the cilantro to the jicama and its textural contrast. I also liked the gumbo I ordered. My friend ordered some type of fish (forgot which type) a la planxa - grilled with farro, the menu said. What arrived was maybe 3/4 the size of an iPhone, at most. Neither of us is the type of person to have a massive appetite or to be the first in line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Still, it was almost insulting how diminutive this was for $9. My friend was nowhere near full from this, and although we knew it was small plates, we didn't know how absurdly small they were. I might go back, but my friend definitely would not - I don't blame her.
(3)Rachael K.
This place has a great atmosphere and I can't wait to go back to sit outside when it's warmer out. The service was great and I really liked our waitress. They do sort of like a small plates/tapas menu with mostly fish. We first got the scallops a la plancha which were the best one found in Chicago. They came with a purée and brussel sprouts with bacon. Next we got the calamari which is served with giardiniera peppers. Yumnmmmm! Just some lemon squeezed on top and no marinara necessary. To split we had the lobster roll which was more than enough with the other dishes we had. They came with salt and vinegar chips which was awesome. On Thursdays after 9, they do $1 oysters so we had those last. I'd definitely do that deal again. Lastly but definitely not least, get the s'mores for dessert. They bring you a little fire to roast your own marshmallow with! So fun and the graham cracker came with chocolate already on it so it wasn't too messy. Definitely coming back. A lot. Ps. The Broken Fence is my new favorite winter drink. It's like a hot toddy with cider involved.
(5)Scott T.
I've only been here once and would like to try it again. My first experience last night was just OK. The food portions for the price are really small. Pretty much everything is deep fried and served in small cardboard boats. We had oysters, calamari, fish bites, frog legs and a fish salad. The oysters weren't the best quality, for $15 a half dozen they should have been better. The calamari was a total disappointment, three small squids sauteed in something and then tossed in what was probably just salt and pepper, not what we were expecting at all. the rest of the stuff was just battered and deep fried and was just OK.
(3)Sheila C.
Food is delicious & Lauren, one the managers rocks. My husband and I strolled over there with the baby and placed a rather large order ... and then whoops...we forgot our wallets. Lauren the manager insisted that we take our food order and call in with a credit card number once we got home. I'm not sure many restaurants do business that way anymore. What a great experience!!
(5)Severen H.
Kinda small, and the portions equate the same. The taste though was great. Great atmosphere, cool staff. I look forward to going back. Only problem is that it's bad for groups.
(4)Gino W.
This boutique seafood restaurant has the look of a bar, but it's all about seafood and a good selection of wet bar offerings. The beauty of this restaurant is that the staff is upfront and personal -- not as in being in your personal space, but as in being like great friends. They don't just tell you their names as a courtesy, but they ask for your name and address you accordingly while you're there. One would have to be anti on a personal level to not fall in love with that kind of service. But you'll be blown away with the food regardless. I had a cup of clam chowder that if I had some bread with it, I would have sopped the remaining chowder without pause or complaint. The gumbo had a roux base that I favour because there was no skimping on the okra. The person responsible for the recipe had to have gone to some restaurant shacks in the eastern parts of New Orleans because they got it correct. Where I had to pause and smile my usual stupid smile when food is good was with the lobster roll. There were chunks of lobster in the lobster roll, although they will cut the lobster up more if requested. But you really know you're indulging a delicacy when the lobster bursts when your teeth pierce the chunks. And with them adding cumin to the homemade mayonnaise, I sat and pondered ordering another one for take-away. I waited for an hour and had a crabby patty -- crab cake slider with a dusting of bread crumbs covering a serious clump of meaty crab -- instead. However, I am still thinking about the lobster roll and how I felt some kind of way after it was all gone.
(5)Gina V.
I think my wife saw Jennifer Lawrence here one time as we waited in line for the chowder. She was my favorite fly girl on that one hiphop show, but her movies kind of sucked, though I really enjoyed the one where she fought back after getting abused by her asshat of a husband, i think it was called Enough. It was cold outside when we decided we needed some really warm soup, though granted its Chicago and so it could've been July, but I think the last time I was here was early fall and there was a chill in the air. At least cold enough to have the lady folks still in those ugly boots and leggings that reveal odd colored underwear if they bend over. Anyways, we walk in and there's a line, but they let us know the bar in the middle is serving beers while we wait, so we were able to enjoy the moment with some really interesting beers. This girl that reminded me of Miley Cyrus was behind the bar where this other girl that could've been Lindsey Lohan?, but she was named after a car like Lexus or Volkswagen?(sorry) was a big help for my wife to pick out a good drink. I think it even got busier as we waited, but this really nice lady I think a manager Cindy came by with a small plate of crackers topped with some fish spread to taste. It was good, and got me every hungrier. Soon enough we sat and I remember our server was named Sara Lee though she didn't really look asian, but maybe was adopted by Chinese parents(kind of ironic). She got us through the menu quite quick and soon enough I was eating a really good fish sandwich and some smelt fries. Fish on fish! Anyways I remember Sarra because she then puts down this fire pit and marshmallows and we're like we didn't order this. But then she goes 'i love you' and you can have these for free. She was really friendly, and my wife must've been into her, because she wasn't jealous or angry. The smores were fun and smelled up the joint like really enjoyable farts.
(5)Anthony L.
Went a while back and forgot to review. Such a great place. Not the best for big groups, its pretty small and mostly counter seating, but it was wonderful for a date. Scallop tacos were the special, and so good, along with the krabby patty, octopus, and everything we got. For dessert, they had make your own smores, bringing out a little burner for you. The drink selection was also pretty good and the service was great. The only thing that has kept me away is the potential wait(we were told 45 minutes for two, but actually got seated in about 15) and the price. But there is a price to great seafood and I just need to save up before I splurge on my favorite seafood place in Chicago.
(5)Liz S.
seafood fam, I'm not sure why anyone would give this place less than five because this place is f'n awesome! The service was amazing....told us the specials right off the bat and the staff was extremely attentive though out the night. The food was perfect! And let me say one thing.... If I die, bury me in those lobster rolls bc it was that damn good. You can also throw in those scallops and Brussels I had in there too bc they were cooked to perfection. Pillowy soft not chewy at all. 5 stars well deserved plus many more!!
(5)Julie P.
Love this place! Have been here twice in as many weeks for dinner and really enjoyed everything. The lobster roll, scallops and crabby patty were amazing and oysters excellent too. My only gripe is that too many specialty cocktails on the menu means the beer & wine selections are lacking. Definitely a go-to spot for fresh seafood, and they even serve food until 11PM during the week!
(5)Laura B.
Being from the East Coast, Fish Bar makes me feel like I'm back at the shore. Great food, amazing service- I'll definitely be back!
(5)Julieanne T.
First time trying oysters but the super friendly staff told me I had come to right place because theirs are so fresh. They were totally right. I am now an oyster lover and for a buck a shuck after 9, I am going to be going there more often. Would be an awesome date spot, but also just so much fun with a small group of friends. I need to try the lobster roll ASAP because I think the guy next to me was experiencing some type of euphoria whilst eating it.
(5)Mark C.
After a Cubs game on a warm summer day, there is nothing better than coming here and sitting outside. I must admit that the lobster roll was disappointing, but then I find all lobster rolls disappointing after going to Red's Eats in Wiscasset, ME (seriously, if you are in the area, just go there). The Rock Shrimp (wet) appetizer was amazing though and the place just had a good vibe.
(3)Nirav S.
love love love this place. Great seafood at affordable prices, fantastic atmosphere, great beer list, friendliest staff. My go to seafood place. Best fried cod sandwich, tater tots, grilled calamari!!
(5)Andrea G.
My husband and I went to Fish Bar last Saturday night. Our plan was to have a casual date night with a good but relatively inexpensive dinner followed by a movie. We arrived at Fish Bar at 5:30pm and, even though it was early in the evening, we still had to wait 15-20 minutes to be seated. We knew that would be the case based on other Yelp reviews so we sucked it up but it is definitely not our preference to wait for a table (especially when you are going at the Early Bird Special time of day). Other than that though, here is what we thought... The Good -Everything we ordered (calamari, wet rock shrimp, lobster roll, octopus a la plancha, key lime pie) tasted good. -Portions were not too large. -Service was friendly. The Bad -Food was good but not great. -Portions were a little too small and thus, we felt compelled to keep ordering more food. -Service was a little too fast. -Seating is very cramped and uncomfortable. -The bill (with tip) came to $70.00 which was way too high for the small amount of food we ate (plus two beers) and the casual dining experience. If the bill were $50.00 (or less) for the same items, we would have felt it was a good choice and definitely would return but there are a gazillion other, nicer, better "date night" restaurants to choose from if we are going to be spending that much money. The Ugly -When I went to use the restroom, it was occupied. As I was waiting outside in the hallway, I heard the toilet flush and then a female kitchen worker immediately walked out. Unless she washed her hands after going to the bathroom but before flushing the toilet (and I did not hear running water), she did not wash her hands!!!! Sorry, Fish Bar, but that is a total deal breaker. Gross.
(2)kevin c.
All in all I like there concept. I loved the Chowder, Tator Tots, and Salmon Carpaccio It's just stupid expensive. I wont be coming back unless they have some sort of happy hour pricing. Oysters $15 for 6! They were fresh, but a serious rip-off. Loster Roll $18 3.5 stars 2 much mayo and 2 expensive Bloody Mary $8 or $9 1 star Seriously lacking in flavor, and expensive. Come on get a real mix, like Zing Zangs or Ditkas. Salmon Carpaccio $6 Fresh, seasoned great *4.5 stars* Clam Chowder $6 Amazing 4.5 stars Oyster Poor Boy $8 2 stars Just not good. Smelt (forgot how much) but they were good 4 stars! Tots $2 5 stars wow those were perfect Coctails: They only carry a few brands alcohol. If I'm going to spend $120 on lunch please let me order what I want. Im not talking about a rare type of absinte... but come on. They dont carry any of the vodkas I prefer. Absolut, Belvedere, and my Dad drinks Beefeater Gin and they dont have that either. Figure it out fishbar our 2 expensive! After the newness buzz wears off ur going to have to GROUPON for people to come back!
(2)geri s.
I was so disappointed here. It may have been because I love DMK so much and I expected it to be on the same level. It wasn't though. The service is mediocre, the place smells like bad fish and the food was nothing that I would go out of my way for. I feel like I am being a baby about this... BUT they didn't have straws. I have extremely sensitive teeth and it is very difficult for me to drink anything cold without a straw. Not sure why they don't offer straws. The server didn't bother giving me a reason. Just kinda rolled her eyes and said "we don't have straws" We left after two appetizers. They kept our business though, we went right next door to DMK and got the service and food quality we were accustomed to.
(2)Lauren P.
6:30pm on a friday during lent. 40 minute wait. sipped on an old school (which more or less tasted like a margarita) while my date partook in an abbey ale (samples were later passed out to the crowd - nice.) most yelp reviews tend to comment on the food or the waitstaff. rarely, does one find it necessary to comment on the host or hostess: one of the most undervalued jobs in the biz. it's not rocket science, but a bad hostess can put a serious cramp in your night. let it be known that fish bar has one of the WORST hostesses known to man. let me count the ways: 1. the hostess writes down a description of the person who puts their name in. read: do NOT take any articles of clothing off. she will not remember you (she would have skipped over our party had we not checked in, simply because my date took his coat off.) 2. instead of seating people, she paced back and forth, looking at her list like it was constantly changing or that it was going to reveal how the universe was created. 3. there were 6-8 seats that remained open the ENTIRE time we were there. someone explain that to me? fish bar doesn't take reservations. 4. the food comes out so fast from the kitchen, the turnover on tables is incredible. there's no reason anyone should be waiting an hour and a half. ever. we're lucky our wait was only 40 minutes. if i had been told an hour and a half & watched seats sit open for 30+ minutes, i would have been enraged. it was absolutely painful to watch her quote wait times while seats remained open. not just bad for customers, but bad for the waitstaff trying to make money. girlfriend needs to be FIRED. rant over. now onto the food. we ordered: calamari "federal hill" style: almost feels wrong without a dipping sauce, but it doesn't need it. as everyone else has mentioned, the jalapenos put a different spin on it, in a good way. east coast oysters: a little small. you'll find better elsewhere. (half shell, if you really wanna know.) crabby patty: pretty legit. crab tends to get lost in crab cakes with all of the breading & ingredients, but not the case here. a healthy sized sandwich too. oyster po' boy: fried oysters on steroids. my date really dug it but i liked my crabby patty better. has a little kick to it & is served with coleslaw on the sammy. tater tots: perfectly seasoned. i wanted more! key lime pie: yes. whoever makes these pies, god bless you. also drank a punch & a negroni baloney. both were status quo, albeit a little small for my liking. fish bar is a little more expensive than dmk, but to be fair, it is seafood. 0 stars for the hostess 4 stars for the food
(3)Kryste N.
This place needs another good review like I need a kick to the pants, but here goes! Fresh-fish-fabulous!! Went with a friend on Friday night, it was packed, but we found a little corner to have a drink while we waited. It was so worth the wait. The Calamari is some of the best ever, the fried lemon are strange but good, I would get them again, rock shrimp are perfection, the lobster roll was delicious, and last but not least the scallops that were on special were to die for!! The service was stellar, this little joint is a gem. So glad I got to cross this off my to-do list, I will definitely be back!
(5)James M.
Moved into Lincoln Park last summer. Has been my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Great selection, great help, nice ambience. They comp you food all the time, and have a really relaxed manner. Will continue to come back.
(5)Monica G.
Cant say enough great things about Fish Bar - mainly because the staff is so great. They always hook us up with a free oyster shooter or app to try. The wait is never as long as they predict. The servers (especially Spenser) know the menu backwards and forwards and can recommend items with detail and expertise. Cheap(er) oysters if you go after 10 pm most week nights. The small menu is very flavorful, and constantly evolving. You HAVE to try the garlic bread - it will not disappoint. The communal seating seems intimidating, but turns out to be more intimate than initially thought. The only hesitation would be the price tag to plate size ratio - but you must expect to pay a little extra for great coastal seafood in the Midwest. Plus, you know the flavors are crafted with care. This is a go-to spot in Lakeview, highly highly recommend.
(5)VeryWhiteGuy S.
Was excited to check out this place serving sustainable seafood, but was not so impressed by the food. A few raw/ceviche dishes tasted great. Some people complain about the portions, but we had no complaints in that regard. For the level this place is going for, we weren't turned off by the prices either. However, the food was not at the level we expected. Dipping sauces were great, but the cooked items were otherwise unimpressive. We also tried all 3 soups, but were to our taste the weakest dishes offered. We had oysters that were pretty rough (fishy) tasting, and which we believe were the reason all 3 of us were sick later that night. Seriously, we all were ill. I"ll let you use your imagination. So, with unimpressive dishes, and the final "blow" of food poisoning, we will not be recommending or returning to Fish Bar...
(2)Courtney W.
This place is outstanding! I had been a fan of DMK for some time when Fish Bar moved in next door (from the same owners). My boyfriend loves the ceviche and tartare and I am a fan of the carpaccio. I have also had the oyster shooters but I'm not a big oyster fan but even I thought they were good. My favorite is the lobster roll (pricey at $19-22) but good. I also love the crabby patty. The lobster bisque is good but I didn't care for the lobster gazpacho (too spicy for me!). The absolute best though is the rock shrimp. I normally get them dry (sauce on the side) and they are to die for! The tater tots are also very good. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the drink options and beers are great. The key lime pie and banana bread pudding have no competition. The new rewards program that DMK/Fish Bar has started is great. I have already earned a t-shirt (that I always get compliments on) and I am five points away from getting an entire key lime pie! I am beyond excited! Don't come with a large group. There are only three booths. The rest of the small place is bar seating. They do have a nice outside section for warm days.
(5)S P.
I had the shrimp and crawfish po boy and it was amazing! Buttery toasted bun filled with perfectly seasoned seafood. Totally worth trying! Can't wait to try everything on the menu.
(5)Carolyn L.
I went here with my parents the other day for lunch. I can say, without exaggeration, that the meal we had was one of the top 3 best seafood meals we've ever had in Chicago. We started out with a dozen oysters, ceviche, and some beers. The oysters were super fresh, the cocktail sauce was perfect, and the ceviche had the surprisingly crunchy element of jicama. Plus I got to try some Hades Belgian Golden Ale. Next we moved onto lobster rolls. Being from New England, we judge our lobster rolls with a very critical palate. But these, with their hint of cumin, were fantastic. We've tried lobster rolls at other places but have always been disappointed and don't usually order them anymore. Thank God we went for it at Fish Bar. They were delectable! The guys at the restaurant also gave us some fresh-out-of-the-fryer tater tots. Awesome. Oh and one of the most original things I've ever eaten? Fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions. They were bittersweet and spicy, totally rounding out all of the flavors of our meal. I'm so glad I have a Frequent Fryer card now cuz I'll be going back many times!!
(5)Karen L.
The food is decent here - fresh seafood that is nicely prepared and really reasonably priced. However, I don't know if it is worth all the hype. One thing is it is SO tiny and only basically has bar seating. It is very casual, and would be a great place to just catch a bite. Once it dies down from its "newness" hype, I will probably go back for some oysters or something. Note: one thing I didn't like was since they were all stools, there wasn't anywhere to put your purses or coats. (Well, they had a coat rack on one far wall.) So it is a little inconvenient having to sit on your coat and hold your purse, unless you have a purse hanger (which i did) or you stick it on the ground.
(3)Dawnie L.
Fishbar has the freashest seafood you can find in Chicago. They are small portions tapas size and price reflects that. Everytime we have been there we have been treated like family and Lauren, Sasha, Spencer gives us something on the house to try. Walking in to fishbar is a breath of fresh air welcome to Lakeview. I always take my visitors here to get something you wouldn't expect. The freshest seafood with a smile and a friendly inviting dining area. I love it.
(5)Shawn P.
The small plates concept is an excellent ideal for this place. The service was friendly the food was very good. Both the Rock and regular shrimp were lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Tried the crabby patty and unlike Mr. Krab's (sponge bob restaurateur) I don't see Plankton in any hurry to steal this recipe-it was nothing special. And what's fish without key lime pie? The pie was taste although I'd of liked the crust to have a different consistency but did appreciate the whip cream on the side. Overall, I'll be back as the atmosphere is perfect as its casual and pretty authentic to its east coast premiss. Oh yeah, the oysters were fresh and very good!
(4)Matt Y.
I had high hopes for this place, because I like DMK a lot, but I was disappointed. Ordered the following: Clam Chowder, Calamari "Federal Hill" Style, Rock Shrimp (Wet), Tots, Key Lime Pie. The Chowder was good - my only criticism is that it's lacking in clams. Calamari - It was like a salt lick and fried to death - the calamari inside the salt crust was on the order of rubber band. Rock Shrimp - good, but something I'd expect on TGI Friday's menu, not a medium-to-up-scale fish bar Pie - Excellent The service was fine, and the atmosphere was OK - but it was the quality of food that put me off. Given the quality, the portions should have been bigger for the price. Or, alternatively, the food should have been much better. A small nitpick - getting stools with backs on them would be much more comfortable given that there are so few table options.
(2)Courtland H.
Went for a private New Years Party, could not have had a better time! staff was very attentive, remade food for me that i missed, always there with the beer, champagne toast at midnight, best new years my wife and i have had in a long time!!
(5)Nicole K.
Things did not start off on a good foot: we waited 90 MINUTES for our RESERVED TABLE. One member of our party was 3 minutes late once the table opened the first time - I get that. Then, the hostess asked if we wanted to wait for the next available booth or take some open counter seats. We pointed to the booth that was opened, said, "We'll wait for that," and she said, "Okay." Thirty minutes later she seats a different party at OUR booth, apologizing that they had a reservation THIRTY MINUTES AFTER OURS so she had to seat them first? (Does this logic make sense to anyone?) Anyways, we continued to wait...and wait...and wait... Until the group that had more or less changed their home address to Fish Bar, Booth #3, got up from their three-hour loungefest and left. Of course we were all starving at this point. So, onto the food.... Perhaps my expecations were too high after reading these reviews, or I was expecting nothing less than amazing after convicing myself I should wait 90 minutes to eat dinner at 9:30 PM. Either way, not all that impressive. They gave us a sample of salmon tartare and fish terrine to apologize for our wait (even though I'm pretty sure they gave this to everyone). Both were decent - the terrine is a texture to aquire, almost like a mushroom loaf, but very good with the basil sauce. We then started with the ceviche (made with fluke this evening), the rock shrimp, and the iceberg salad. Ceviche was very good - lightness of citrus with a nice serrano kick to finish. The rock shrimp was just okay - I honestly could not distinguish these from any other bar's fried shrimp. The salad was tasty, but nothing special - essentially no one can say they wouldn't enjoy fried calamari and large hunks of blue cheese. For the next round we ordered the lobster roll, the crabby patty, the tator tots, and the garlic bread. Lobster roll was fabulous - huge hunks of lobster; seemed pretty authentic. Crabby patty, on the other hand, was not - a stringy crab/lots-of-filler patty when I was expecting a crabcake made mostly of crab (crazy, I know) . Good flavor, but not a crabcake. The tator tots were awesome, but that just indicates that someone back there knows how to work a deep fryer. And the garlic bread was delightful, but really not what I came there for.... Again, perhaps my expectations were too high, but it really is exactly what it is parading as - a very casual, counter-service seafood joint transplanted from a beachside to Chicago, that serves its food in paper cones and trays and its drinks in mason jars. I think I was expecting all this to be a cute gimmick, with the food quality and creativity really shining through - especially for the prices and ala carte style. Alas, I was mistaken...
(2)Amy S.
Completely overrated. Lobster quality great but parsley added to it just took away from the flavors of the meat. Tater tots worth it. Came out nice and hot. Pricey. Wasn't sure what all the hype was about this place. GT Fish & Oyster has a better lobster roll.
(2)Sam S.
It's quaint. It's always busy, which is a mystery to me. The portions are ridiculously small, the prices are way too high, the service is marginal at best. OHH, and although they have a phone they don't do carry out orders nor do they take reservations, so they may as well just have it disconnected. Normally I get dragged to this place by ditzy trixie friends and I'm reminded each time why I swear I'll never come back. I guess you can't argue with success though. This place benefits from the lack of any viable options anywhere close by, otherwise the doors would be closed.
(1)Amy L.
I've been super excited for this place to open. There really aren't many options for casual seafood in Chicago. We went in yesterday around five. The place was packed but we only had to wait about fifteen minutes for a table. The place is super small with only three actual tables for parties of four. Basically, they mean it when they say it's a bar. You probably don't want to go in with more than yourself and one other person. Now I know that the little stools at the bar add to the whole New England fish spot feel, but I absolutely hate being forced to sit at backless chairs. It's not comfortable and when I'm paying for a meal that after tax and tip was more than $50 each, I should feel comfortable eating it. We both got a specialty cocktail to start. They were tasty but tiny. Three sips and it was time to move onto a beer. We pretty much tried something from every section on the menu and I can honestly say I enjoyed all of it. None of it blew my mind but it was all solidly good. From the ceviche, carpaccio, lobster roll, oysters and more, we liked everything we tried. For better or worse, it was not "fish" but the key lime pie we had for dessert that I thought was the best. I probably could have sat there and had another drink but towards the end of our meal the place was packed with people waiting for a table. I could feel from the staff and the waiting diners that we were occupying valuable property and we should beat it. Overall, I really liked Fish Bar. I'm just not sure why they went with such a tiny space. It forces a turn and burn atmosphere that serves food and drink that deserve to be savored and enjoyed just a little bit longer. I think the atmosphere definitely lends itself more to lunch than dinner.
(3)Brit T.
I love this place. The seafood is really good, the atmosphere is super casual, and it's a good time.
(5)christina h.
I have been to the fish bar a couple times and I gotta say the food here is pretty good.everything is small plates so its easier to just order a few things and share.they have a fantastic green tea as well.the seating is a bit strange,its basically sitting at a bar,and there are only 2 tables inside that are usually occupied.overall,I enjoy coming here for a quick bite and do recommend this place if you don't mind sitting in a bar atmosphere close to others.
(4)Cheryl S.
I"m a HUGE seafood fan and was really excited to finally try Fish Bar, but I must say I was a little disappointed. It didn't exactly live up to the hype for me. We tried pretty much everything on the "Summer" menu which included the lobster gazpacho and ceviche, along with the tuna salad and grilled calamari. I really enjoyed the latter two dishes but the gazpacho and ceviche were both very bland. I felt like I was spooning bitter, unsalted tomato juice into my mouth with the gazpacho. The ceviche would have been better had it been served with something other than saltine crackers. I was just eating it plain and it needed something else to accompany it. On the bright side, the grilled calamari was excellent and the tuna salad was really tasty, too. Maybe I made a huge mistake by not ordering the lobster roll??
(3)Andrew T.
Being an East Coast boy to the core, when I saw this place finally open I practically ran in. I have been twice now, right when it opened and then about a month later, and I absolutely adore it. I know some people might not be crazy about the no-frills food, but for me it is perfect. The lobster roll is fantastic; not smothered in mayonnaise, but just a touch on the bun. The crabby patty too is great, with just a hint of heat and the wonder that is Old Bay. I will be in many, many more times.
(5)Livery H.
I come here every time that I am in Chicago. I usually come on weekday nights and so I have never had to wait to be seated. Sometimes, there is a wait in between drinks and food but I would still give them 5 stars because the food is so good. I usually end up trying at least 5 items on the menu each time I come ( 4 x already) and I have only been slightly disappointed with one entree. Otherwise, this is my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Plus, they give free drink coupons for your next time - and that happens every time!
(5)Wendy Y.
This place rocks. I want to come here every weekend and eat Lobster rolls and have the Carpiccio. I wish more of my friends liked seafood so I could come here all the time!
(5)Frank R.
This has been on my shortlist of places to try since it opened, and last night I personally verified all of the extremely positive reviews by having not just a dinner, but a feast. I called ahead for reservations, but they let me know that this probably wouldn't be necessary and that they only accept them for the booths off to the side for parties of 3 or more. Even though I was going with two other friends, we had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar upon arrival. I am a big fan of DMK next door, and I was impressed with the layout the two owners used for this space, but the dining area to kitchen/bar area made me chuckle; the restaurant is clearly an experimental culinary lab for the owners and the layout and operation reflects this. The silverware, condiments, and appetizer plates are all self-serve. However, you come to appreciate the no-frills feel, and the decor and atmosphere more than made up for the somewhat cramped space. I'd just hate to see what the place looks like during peak hours. For starters, my friend and I ordered from an impressive beer list, which wasn't extensive but had something for everyone's preferences. I had the Blanche du Bruxelles, a witbier that recalled a richer Allagash White. The menu also had a nice selection of summery mixed drinks, so fear not if you're not the beer type. After ordering drinks, it became apparent that service would be ridiculously good, as our waiter was friendly but not intrusive, helpful but not condescending. Usually someone my age (21) isn't given the best service by wait staff, but not so with Fish Bar. We then proceeded to order fried calamari for a group appetizer. The waiter warned the servings were on the smaller side, which was about true for the calamari, but all three of us got a good sample, which was fried in a great breading and topped with extremely flavorful jalapeños and banana peppers. I also ordered a cup of the clam chowder, which was hearty, rich, and loved by all three of us; we'd decided at this point that we were pretty much splitting everything since it was all so delicious. After we finished the appetizers and ordered our main courses, we were greeted by one of the managers, who was again extremely welcoming without being overbearing or interrupting our experience. More to come on him later, but now back to the food. For the main course, we all tried to order relatively dissimilar items to appease our interests. My two friends ordered the Crabby Patty (just like SpongeBob) and the Fried Oyster Po'-boy, respectively, while I went with the special, whitefish a la plancha, which was pan fried in a light crust and topped with olive oil, chili flakes, and microgreens. The Crabby Patty was excellent, with so much flavor and color to it that I had to slow my chewing to really savor it. I didn't get to try the Po'-boy, but my friend's sounds of enjoyment really said it all, and she only made it through half. We were also given an order of the garlic bread gratis by the waiter, which to my surprise was a large, soft half loaf which was toasted to perfection and topped with shredded parmesan; it reminded me of french toast or even a cinnamon roll in how soft the bread was. My fish was excellent as well. The crust was bursting with a tangy flavor that really enhanced the already wonderful, light flavor and texture of the underlying whitefish. The chili flakes added a nice spice, and all I really needed to add was a pinch of sea salt (one of the self-serve condiments, which is still in the large canister that they're shipped in). After this veritable smorgasbord of delicious food, we were all stuffed, but had to inquire about dessert, which they let us know was key lime pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, both excellent, summery choices. Alas, we were too full. No pie this time, although there was one more delicious item coming our way when the manager I mentioned before brought out some of the new tartare they were preparing, which was juicy and packed with flavor without being too overbearing on my already exhausted palette, even on the saltines it came with. Then, as if this wasn't enough, the manager talked us through their summer menu and how it differs from what they've previously had and then gave us his business card for free oyster shooters the next time we came in. I work in retail and realize you should invite customers back in, but the demeanor and non-pretentious attitude both the waiter and manager had felt extremely sincere, and this is a rarity in the service industry for me. Fish Bar was a fantastic experience in every aspect for the three of us. I went in with extremely high expectations and even they were exceeded. I hate to be such an idealist about this (because really, it's just food, right?) but this type of experience is why I'm glad I moved to Chicago. I wish there was a "fuck yeah" button next to the five stars up top so I could click it. I couldn't recommend Fish Bar more.
(5)Sam B.
Fresh, wild caught seafood. Great service. Will definitely be returning, I just wish there was more seating inside!
(5)Dean K.
I shouldn't do this because I want the crowds to die down but fair is fair. This place is outstanding. Best, freshest seafood I've had in Chicago, ever. I had 3 orders of oysters, white tuna carpaccio, garlic bread, tater tots, gumbo, and a bunch of other stuff. I couldn't stop ordering (maybe that's why the manager gave me his card before we left). The bartender/server was super cool too. My non-fish-eating girlfriend had the BLT and it was great. I am so fortunate to be able to walk to this place and I'll be doing it as often as I can.
(5)Alex F.
I'm kind of over the tapas trend in chicago, but although the portions are small at fishbar, but the food was fresh and tasty... and i like the setup.
(4)Audrey S.
Go here if 1) it's before 6pm on the weekend, 2) you're up for a couple of snacks, 3) want a couple of beers/cocktails. No, it's not cheap, but that's because the fish is fresh. The place is small, so get there early (we went around 4m on a Saturday and had no problem getting a seat). All the servers are awesome and overall it's an excellent place. Just manage your expectations.
(4)Kerry M.
Fish Bar is a really cool little place with wonderful food. I would not, however, recommend this place for a group larger than four. There just isn't room. This restaurant is teeny tiny, and most everyone (with the exception of a handful of booths) is seated at a winding bar/counter top. My friend and I hit this place on a Wednesday night. Turned out to be a great decision, as we got seated immediately. The food, is excellent. We had the ceviche, the seafood salad, and the gumbo. All, were delicious. Everything was really fresh and tasty. Bob Marley was blasting the entire time we were there, which made the mood inside very relaxed and cheerful. The service was good, and the ambience was better, but the food was the stand out, as it should be. Go now, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Jonathan W.
Very very very good. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey. The portions are small, and they should be, but are still a little pricey for what they are, even given the quality. The lobster roll was expensive but worth every penny. Amazing. Also the drinks are microscopic.
(4)Charlene S.
We've been hearing all the hype and were kinda turned off to come here. We didn't want to fight the crowds on a Friday night after the Cubs home opener. But we risked it and glad we did. The hubs and I were immediately seated at a communal bar served by 1 waitress. Cozy, but the loud guy next to us with the handlebar stache was a bit obnoxious and I didn't like hearing his conversation and him gawking at whatever we ordered. We ordered a lobster roll and it was DELICIOUS! Fresh, cool lobster with a little kick on a toasty roll with remoulade sauce that was refreshing and very complimentary. The hubs had the cod sandwich, which he thought was bland, but the tarter sauce added to its flavor. I defended... maybe they're trying to be purists and not overwhelm the cod with seasoning. The cod on its own was very fresh and tasty. That seems plausible because of the other dishes we got. Very simple, very true to flavor. We also got the octopus a la plancha. Two little octupusses or octopi (hmmmmm?) grilled and served with a little lemon sauce and microgreens. Very simple. Very delicious. The hubs got the lobster bisque. He didn't enjoy it too much. Not like the usual tomato type reduction salty and savory... This one was sweeter, gravy brown looking in color, with corn and fresh lobster... which was pretty generous. Just not what we were anticipating. I got the clam chowder and explained to the hubs that I thought this was the best clam chowder I ever had... scallions, creamy slightly spicy, didn't congeal on top, well cooked not mushy potatoes, and fresh clams... oh so good. It was a bit loud in there and when it filled up, the chatter and music got overwhelming. There was a crowd that soon developed (after 5:30p on a Fri) and were standing around waiting. But the turnover seems pretty quick, cuz the stools aren't comfortable and you feel weird sitting there enjoying a beer or 2 or 3. It doesn't have that inviting atmosphere cuz people are waiting. But someone came out and started handing out little samples of their specialty beer so that probably made the wait more bearable and my husband forgot about how much he didn't like the lobster bisque.
(4)Christine J.
I enjoyed my first time dining experience at Fish Bar. The vibe is casual, where you sit on stools around a silver metal bar. But it feels trendy still. I scoffed a little at the prices when I saw the menu. $9 for 3 ounces of fried clams? Besides the price though, the food was quite good. High quality ingredients, fried items were hand battered and deep fried fresh. And their key lime pie was very tasty. I felt portions were on the small side, so getting something hearty like the gumbo or the po' boy is a must. Good service, I'll be back, but not too often.
(4)Alex M.
Have to order an oyster shooter. Fried clam bellies and oyster po boy were amazing. Great beer too.
(4)Crystal M.
Had an up and down experience, but a good restaurant can turn this into a 5 star experience, and that's just what Fish Bar did! We stopped by on a Friday night at about 7:30pm. The place was packed, with an hour wait for an outside table. We opted for the shorter wait for inside and it ended up taking less time than quoted. Bonus! Our server, Jordan, was awesome. He asked if we'd been to Fish Bar before and when he found out we were newbies, his eyes lit up and he took us thru the menu in great detail. We ordered: Gumbo, Clam Chowder, Lobster Roll, Crabby Patty and Tater Tots. Everything came out looking delish - except mine. I thought the Crabby Patty was a crab cake sandwich - which it is - but the food runner brought me the soft shell crab po' boy. I took one look at it and knew I couldn't eat it. I have a thing about eating things that look like they are still alive. I pointed the issue out to Jordan a few minutes later and he was super apologetic and went to get my order fixed. In the meantime, my boyfriend finished his food and was singing Fish Bar's praises. Of course I was jealous. After about 15 minutes, I still hadn't gotten my sandwich, and we had already paid the bill! I asked Jordan if when the sandwich came up could he just wrap it to go. He looked surprised that it hadn't been delivered and devoured by this point. He apologized profusely and said "that just shouldn't happen!" After another minute or two, the manager came over with my sandwich wrapped up and a $50 gift card to make up for it! She said she was so sad that I had to leave with my dinner in a to go bag and she hoped that we'd come back and let them make up for it. Needless to say, that was above and beyond. I wasn't even that upset about it! But they definitely showed that they care about their customers and their reputation. My boyfriend cannot wait to return. He's in love with this place now, and I can't wait to actually eat my dinner when it's made!
(5)Alex C.
I thought food was amazing. Fresh and flavorful with nice presentation. But it's tapas portions for full meal price. We had to reorder more food once our plates came out.
(3)Alex P.
Really very good food, which was the high standard set by the reviews I read as I happened upon this place yesterday while digging through yelp.com to waste time. Went immediately and loved the fried shrimp as a starter and my friend and I both had the cod fish sandwich as mains. Dessert was a chocolate + + cake that was yummy. My only gripe is the wait and it's pretty damn noisy in there.
(5)Morgan L.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and both were great experiences. Most importantly the seafood is fresh. I have had the Scallops, Lobster Roll, Clam Chowder, grilled calamari, and salmon tartare. All are stellar and highly recommended. They also have a daily pie selection. I have experienced both the blueberry and the key lime. Again, stellar.
(4)Melissa S.
Great service, fantastic lobster roll and gumbo that this Louisiana lady endorses! Will come bk
(5)Kevin H.
Fish Bar is fun, has a unique menu / style, and is worth going to. My average rating is because the value is not good. At a place where you get your own silverware and rip your napkin off a paper-towel roll, you would expect much more aggressive prices. I paid $20 including tip for two small plates (octopus, shrimp) and walked out not really full. You may need three plates to be fully satisfied, and that's getting very expensive for such a casual place.
(3)Mike S.
Don't go to Fish Bar. You'll love it and it will be hard for me to get a table. Seriously. Don't go. Stay away. Here's a story to confirm this. My girlfriend, me and another couple tried this place on a Friday night right after they opened. When we got there at 7:30 it was packed and the hostess said the wait could be 90 minutes. Ok, no problem. We got drinks and huddled in a corner to wait. We waited patiently, and after a while the manager (or maybe one of the owners, a skinny chap with short hair and a jacket- we didn't catch his name) came around with a tray of shot glasses filled with Scrimshaw, a tasty German Pilsener beer for everyone waiting. A nice touch, and well appreciated, I'm sure by everyone waiting. Look, the place is new, it's small, it doesn't take reservations, it doesn't seat parties greater than 4 and it's run by a couple of Chicago culinary rock stars. We all knew what we were getting in to showing up at 7:30 on a Friday. The hostess was apologetic for our wait (which was appreciated) a couple times. Our party of 4 must have looked particularly pathetic because some time into our nearly 2 hour wait, the manager (and again I think he was the manager: he could have been an owner) came over and apologized and offered to buy us a round of drinks. He may have done the same for other parties, but we didn't notice it. We were all floored by this generosity and were very grateful. At a hot place like Fish Bar, you'd think management wouldn't take a step like that - why do they need to? People are willing to wait 2 hours for food, and if you as a patron don't like it, tough, there are plenty of other people who will tolerate it. That's not the attitude we saw. And we appreciated it. I don't know if you'll get the same treatment or not. I hope so. What about the food? Try the Rock Shrimp wet. The gumbo has a great smoky flavor. The ceviche I could take or leave- it was served in a sealed mason jar. The oysters were great. Our friends had sandwiches and were very satisfied. The thing you'll notice about this place is that it doesn't really have any entrees per se. So don't expect to go and order one thing. You won't leave full with that ordering strategy. It's definitely a place where you share. I'll definitely go back. Just after all the hype and buzz has died down.
(4)Lauren C.
Yummmmmmm. Amazing hospitality AND amazing service. There is a difference, and they nailed them both. The drinks were rocking - Sonja is great at her craft. The food was amaze-balls.... and for the price?! Done. Sasha was fantastic and truly made you feel like part of the Fish Bar family. Great atmosphere, we'll continue to go until it gets cold. Then I'm nervous that all the rest of you people will find out about this place and it will be so packed that we will have to wait a long time to sit inside. Get the rock shrimp. Just get it. Oh, and ask for a quickie....
(5)Andrea R.
I've been wanting to try this place since I saw the beginning of it's construction months back. The bright blue outside is definitely an eye catcher... So it's Friday and I decided to stop in and treat myself to a relaxing lunch alone. I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess, who sat me down at the bar on one of the eclectic antique stools. Spencer, my waiter, broke down the menu for me and recommended a nice Belgium ale. It was served in a mason jar, as were all the other beverages. I ordered the lobster bisque. I was trying it for my husband. It's his favorite soup and sadly we have a hard time finding it around here. It is a lobster broth ( dairy free), thickened by potatoes. It was yummy! Huge pieces of fresh lobster... And guilt free:) I took a bowl to go for my hubby's dinner tonight I also ordered the lobster roll. A hotdog bun jam packed with lobster meat. The bun was dressed with a tarter like sauce and the lobster was perfectly poached. I plan on returning-- not on a Friday or Saturday night though. According to Spencer, the place is jammed then. I prefer an early lunch on a weekday, as the place is small and was beginning to fill up as I was Leaving at 1230pm.
(4)Paul S.
It has great character. I liked the focused menu and beer selections. There's plenty of variety, but you're not overwhelmed with options, so you know when you order anything, it's going to be prepared well. We had the gazpacho, oysters, shrimp, and seafood cob salad. Everything was great. I had lower expectations on the seafood cob salad, and that actually turned out to be the winner.
(4)John H.
A welcome addition to a city with relatively few good seafood options. It can be tough to get a seat since the place is so darn small, but if you can wait until 10pm you'll sit right down. The fish is very, very fresh and while nothing is overly creative, they execute classic seafood favorites from around the country reliably and with an upscale flair. The atmosphere is fun, and it does give a nice "fish house" kind of vibe. I enjoyed the cold appetizers, the grilled fish and the fried shrimp, which were amazingly light and tasty. My main complaint would be regarding the addition of heat to so many of the dishes. Some might like it, but in my opinion seafood generally has a pretty delicate flavor that should be allowed to stand on its own and not overwhelmed by spice. Overall, though, a good option for fresh seafood.
(4)Elyse C.
The best thing to do at Fish bar is go with a couple friends, or a date, spend around $15 to $20 bucks a person on some fairly good finger food and good beer and share it all. Upsides Fried clams: the best dish we ordered Oyster Po Boy (even though frying oysters in general = bad) Fried Octopus Fried Calamari $2 12 ounce cans of PBR permanently on the menu. Who the heck wants to drink bad beer with good seafood though? Very small place and nice to go during obscure hours (late night dinner) Open till midnight! Everyone is very friendly Downsides Gespacho: plain and too spicy Soft shell crab (special): they were way too small and had too much salt Octopus, soft shell crab, and calamari were all served with the same light lemon dressing. You have to switch that up guys Portions are too small! Neutral Everything is served is mason jars, woopie! Bottom line My family and I left satisfied but the allure of the place itself may have had something to do with that rather than the food itself. I'd take a date there again or go late night for some grub.
(3)Ron G.
If you do not like this place, you ordered wrong. I deduced that from reading the reviews of the people who gave 3 or fewer stars. If you want fried fish, soups and sandwiches, go somewhere chainy. If you go here, order the raw or grilled items. In my 5 or 6 visits, I have not been disappointed. The carpaccio is absolutely perfect. Capers, egg, fennel, and thinly pounded raw fish. Do not share, order your own. The ceviche and tartare each come in mason jars and are refreshing if not my favorites. I prefer to save room for the grilled octopus. They braise the octopus so it comes sweet and soft. The a la plancha style which is grilled with olive oil, black pepper and a bit of spice is perfect. They usually serve a fish of the day this way as well. I have had amazing Lake trout my last two visits. And right now they have sea scallops which are big, sweet, and delicious. As it should be at a fresh seafood restaurant, they switch their fish often. The belgian beer list is great, but lately I have been trying the mixed drinks. The #2 tea is my personal fave, but it is hard to come here and not get a great beer. The pie is terrific as well. Basically, this is a must stop place for seafood lovers and foodies. If you are a conservative eater/orderer, I can not help you. Order from the left side of the menu and you can not help but have a great meal. Two more things that I am reading here which I can slightly dispel. My food bill comes out to about $50 for 2 and it is plenty of food. I have never ordered the lobster roll which is the most expensive item on the menu. I order exclusively from the left side of the menu. It is far cheaper than publican or avec, my favorite spots before this place opened. Also, the waits have died down from the spring when the place was new. The outdoor section adds plenty of space, and the newness has died down. You can get a seat on a Saturday usually with minimal wait if any.
(5)HR C.
I love that you actually can sit at a bar while eating all the seafood you want here. The staff was extremely friendly and the location was very easy to get to, hop off the Brown Line at Wellington and take a left. In this casual joint we had lobster bisque & clam chowder soup, oysters, fried clams, and fish sandwiches. Get there early, this place is tiny so you might have to wait but I would tell you it's a food snack spot and worth the wait.
(4)Brad W.
LOVE Fish Bar. I took my Boyfriend there for our first date and found a pink pearl in the first oyster I had! Magical. The outdoor seating feels like you are sitting on the wharf, waiting for the catch of the day. Romantic night spot with candle light and delightfully fresh menu - changing everyday. Def Recommend this place!
(5)Jamal P.
I was really excited to visit this place.To me it is nothing more than an extremely bad attempt at pick and fry or cook. To those who haven't seen a real pick it let me set the scene.You walk in and order your seafood by the pound at one counter and they prepare it at the next counter. It"s not already breaded or doctored up you pay for the seafood and they cook like you want it. It's simple as that. This town seems to missing out on these. Well anyway I arrived and was told it would be an hour wait , ok no problem I will wait for fair that's good. I had the oysters and others in my group ordered clams and the lobster roll. The food was just lower end mediocre. Not great, not upper end mediocre, but just hitting mediocre. My friend who had the lobster roll was really disappointed but he is from the east coast so I guess he has a different level of judgement. I don't think I would go back anytime soon, especially with the wait.
(2)Lady D.
Really enjoyed this place. The seafood is fresh and creative. I like the ambience through it gets very crowded very quickly. My only gripe is that I am really not into eating on things made of paper. I know thats part of the "experience" but I just don't like it.
(4)Amanda B.
The Oysters were great, but the staff was very interested in moving people out instead of letting myself and the people I was with ordering more food, beers and cocktails. Fresh Oysters, Great Gumbo, Crab Cake Sandwich and the Shrimp were great. Call ahead for a reservation, but if you do they will serve drinks while guests wait.
(3)John R.
Same guy that owns DMK burger. I really dig the atmosphere here (as opposed to DMK burger). I had the Oyster po'boy and it was pretty decent. I definitely need to come back and try something else though.
(4)Megan P.
I don't even like fish, but I decided to go here with a friend because I had a serious craving for shrimp. This was definitely the place to go! We ended up having to wait a little while longer than they told us to get a seat outside, but they definitely made up for it with free beer samples, two free oyster shooters, AND a free serving of fried lemons, jalapenos, and onions (sounds weird but delicious!) I've never been to a place where they seemed so concerned about our wait time (which btw was only like 30 min...not that bad for Chicago). I was super impressed by the service. The manager was doing an "experiment" to see what waiting tables was like. He was very friendly and great to talk with. Plus the atmosphere on their outside patio was so relaxing on a nice breezy summer night But the best part of Fish Bar was by far the "wet" rock shrimp....omg AMAZING! Probably the most addicting food I've ever eaten. I don't know what's in that sauce but I wish they would bottle it so I could put it on everything.
(5)Erin W.
Totally worth the wait!!! My friend and I made three attempts to eat at Fish Bar...thankfully the third time was the charm. I would absolutely go back. While we were waiting for our table the manager starting handing out samples of beer to everyone that was waiting for a table. My friend and I struck a conversation with him and he brought us over an additional beer to sample. Once we sat down at the counter we were taken care of. My friend and the clam chowder and I had the lobster bisque, both amazing soups and not in their traditional form. Neither were diary based which I loved. The manager also brought us over a sample of the gazpacho which was new to the menu. We got the Eastern Belly Clams, Tartare, Ceviche, Scallops and the manager brought us over the Capriccio. This was my first time eating clams and they were amazing. Ended your meal with a freshly baked pie is a must. The pie of the day when we were there was Key Lime and it was great. Instead of napkins Fish Bar has paper towels which I loved. The atmosphere is great and you truly feel like you are out east coast at a seafood style restaurant.
(5)Maciej O.
Great atmosphere, amazing food and even better service.
(5)Mike D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Worth the wait. Try a little of everything and you won't go wrong. Went last week, had great Belgian Ales, and tried a sampling of menu items. Our favorite was probably the clam chowder and the lobster roll. One of the best lobster rolls i've had (which is odd that it was in Chicago). Also excited that they had tater tots. Wish we had a place like this in Manhattan.
(5)Steve J.
If I was to have a last meal before they pulled the switch and ran 1000 volts of electricity through my body, I would request a meal at the Fish Bar. I started with the Bisque which consists of a smooth bitternut squash bisque with chunks of lobster, a pinch of cayenne pepper and parsley, absolutely awesome than the mussel steamed with white wine, cream, and parsley with razor thin shavings of garlic like they sliced in Goodfellas, with a great slice of seasoned grilled bread to soak up all the delicious wine and buttery cream juice from the mussels. I washed it down with an iced cold Stone IPA. I think I died and went to heaven.
(5)Kristin J.
Absolutely Amazing food and service! My husband and I have loved everything there, so we end up ordering a bunch of stuff to share. Delicious Lobster Roll with about 1lb of fresh lobster, Rock Shrimp wet style are the best things on earth, Crabby Patty has a kick and is one of the best things on the menu. Even the garlic bread is mouthwatering! Add that to their cocktails (the iced tea vodka with sweet tea is my fave!) and what a great place for a 2-4 people. We've been back at least 3 times and each time we find something new. Only down side is having to wait so we try to go at off times.
(5)Maggie C.
A few friends and I just went last night. We were able to squish five girls into a booth (it was quite the feat and don't really recommend it). We had the rock shrimp which was great, just enough spice! The bay scallop ceviche was amazing, but there weren't that many scallops in there. I indulged in some east coast raw oysters and clams, I probably could have ate another dozen of each! Finally, I had the lobster roll, I wasn't a fan of it. The celery mayo was too intense for me and the flavor of the lobster got lost. My friends tried the crabby patty, the cod sandwich, and calamari a la planche. They all enjoyed their meals. We also indulged in some drinks...the tea was great but be careful it's potent! Overall, I think the food was good but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and service! I will definitely return!
(3)Keith C.
High Prices for little amount of food. Fair service at best.
(1)jeffrey m.
Scrumptious to say the MOST-est!!!!!
(5)Sharon S.
I was excited to experience all the hype surrounding Fishbar. We got there early and am I glad we did because not 10 min later it was standing room only. Great concept and space. You can grab a drink while you wait and the manager even came around and offered up beer samplers for the people having to wait. The staff was great and the decor is well thought out. But the food was inconsistent. The oysters were good...clam chowder=white water...gross and sent it back...jumbalaya..ok....calamari good taste very greasy..but the guy next to us had great calamari...crab cake sandwich...great, as was the octopus. I would go back in warm weather and try it again for sure. Not great food but it hopefully will be! But the homemade key lime pie?.....to die for!!!!
(3)Moira S.
I have been to Fish Bar a number of times and really love the food. They are a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood. I almost always order the rock shrimp dry and the gumbo...they do both of these really well. Their carpaccios and ceviche are always tasty. I have also tried the crabby patty sandwish and the oyster po-boy...also very good. They have a fun selection of signature drinks...my favorite is Sonya does Sicily. The service can be spotty but overall everyone there is very friendly. I really love the atmosphere there as well. The music, the lighting, the decor...it was all done perfectly and I cannot help but feel happy when I am there.
(4)Liz G.
The food is great, but small portions for the price. The scallops are excellent, the salad with shrimp was tasty but not something to make a meal - more like two shrimp with a green garnish. Good beers and a nice atmosphere, and outdoor seating is always a plus.
(3)Eazmg C.
mmm mmm lobster roll and oyster po boy. not as good as GT Fish but better prices and slightly larger portions though. good patio for when its warm out too, but warning it's small (outside and in).
(3)Matthew C.
I want to give this place 4.5 stars because everything was awesome. Service was perfect, amazingly nice staff. Lobster roll...left a little to be desired. Fantastic ambiance. Amazing drinks. Reasonably priced. I'll be back.
(4)Mark Z.
I've been walking by this place for the last few months wondering what the heck was on the other side of the doors. After opening up this past week, I finally found the answer. Friendly staff, upbeat, very busy restaurant with excellent choices on the menu. Let's get to the food first, because that's what we're here for right? I was here with my fiance so we decided to poke around at the menu a bit before ordering the garlic bread, clam chowder, seafood cobb salad, and finally the oyster po boy sandwich. Garlic Bread: delicious, crisp, garlicky, with a nice sprinkling of cheese to top it off. Worth it for a primer. Clam Chowder: My fiance's favorite, and probably mine too. Creamy, but not too chunky. Sometimes chunky is good, but the consistency was perfect. I'd call it a clam chowder bisque if I could choose something out of thin air. Not quite sure what the exact culinary definition is for bisque, but I'd liken it to that, with some nice clams in there. The garlic bread served perfectly for dipping into the clam chowder. They're both so good, why not combie! Seafood cobb salad: Not my favorite. It just didn't do it for me. Lettuce and seafood? Just not my bag, but probably plenty of others might like it. Oyter Po Boy sandwich: Incredible. I've never had an "official" po boy from New Orleans, but man this was deliciuos. ENORMOUS oysters piled on the sandwich on top of slaw with some sort of sauce. A real crowd pleaser even if you don't like oysters. Only downfall is that my mouth isn't large enough to bite the whole thing at once. I would if I could. Service: friendly and willing to please. We were offered free oyster shooters upon inquiring about them. Really nice people behind the counter who are just as thrilled to be working there as the customers are to have a seat. We met Dave, the GM of the restaurant who is a really really nice guy. It's nice to be able to talk to the man in charge while they get things in order the first few weeks of being open. I highly recommend going there, but probably early, like 5:30 on a weekday if possible. The place doesn't have many seats so it fills up quickly, but they have some good beers to pick from on the menu. After talking with the GM, they plan on doing something outside the restaurant when the weather gets warmer (like it has the past couple days). I believe he spoke of picnic tables, which would be a huge bonus. More seats, more customers, potentially less waiting! Like seafood? Eat here!
(5)J D.
Great food, and I don't see why people are calling this place "pricey", cheapskates. Me and my boyfriend had 2 drinks each, oysters, lobster bisque, the lobster roll and the crabby patty and the check was $80.00. I'm from Maryland and I know my seafood, sooo to those people complaining about the taste of the lobster and crab...you are clueless. Keep eating all that fresh Asian Carp and seagull shit from Lake Michigan. The staff was very friendly, played great music and the loved the décor .Only complaint is the lobster bisque aka stock with a few kernels of corn with chunks of lobster, hearing the word bisque I assumed cream based. Eh, where's the Bisque? Oh, and it would be cool if they had Old Bay out with the rest of the condiments.
(5)Cassie O.
I would like to give this place 4 stars but will need try it one more time before I can change this rating! Overall the fish was fresh, the service was friendly and the cocktails were delicious! Biggest drawbacks - we had the mackerel ceviche and there were only a few pieces of mackerel in the actual dish. For a place that is all about fish we just expected more with this dish than it delivered. The tuna tartare was good but the portion was extremely small as well and it made the dish underwhelming. Recommendations - the 2 soups (Bisque and Gumbo) we had were really good but the gumbo also did lack a good amount of fish. The fried food is basically the best with the most accurate portion sizes. The rock shrimp (wet) is the reason we will be back! Overall the food was good but portions were a tad bit small and we were looking for more fish in each dish! We will go back and try other dishes and hopefully will be changing this rating in the future!
(3)Holly T.
AWESOME experience! The service was phenomenal, friendly and fast. The food was really fresh and great, I had the lobster roll and was extremely happy with my choice. The atmosphere was perfect for a fish bar but VERY small, we went on a Sunday for lunch and didn't wait at all to be seated but on a Friday night we stopped in and were told the wait was over an hour. The prices are reasonable for fish however, beware the sandwiches don't come with any side at all so it could get expensive if you are really hungry. We left satisfied but not overly full after eating Ceviche and each having a sandwich and a bloody mary. I am definitely excited to go back and try the soup selection.
(4)C C.
Meh... I paid $18 for a small drink and small salad. Yes, the salad Nicoise was tasty was well-done, but tiny, especially for $9. The cocktails are 150 mL as stated which I didn't know what that meant but as the bartender warned me (I asked!) it means SMALL. The place is also teeny. Tasty, and nice, but miniature. Too bad the prices weren't small to match.
(3)andrew s.
They definitely hit a home run with this one. In my opinion there is nothing worse than sub-par seafood...that being said everyting I have had here is great...clam chowder...lobster roll...oysters...smelts.. all good. My only complaint is they are relativity small portions... it is what it is .. still good though.
(5)happy c.
Love this place. Chicago needs more of these - excellent fish, welcoming and helpful service, great casual fish house vibe with booth and counter seating. We brought our kids and they fit right in. Looking forward to going back for cocktails and more great seafood. Thought prices were completely fair given how fresh everything was.
(5)aldrich b.
I would definitely come back for the food, but not for the wait. Our party of 4 waited an hour to eat at the counter. The place is really small, and most of the seating is at the counter with like 4 booths only. We were cold, hungry, and desperate to try this place. I love seafood, and being in chicago away from the ocean, you don't get the best and freshest stuff. So I have to try every new place to see if it can rival the seafood I've had from the east and west coasts. We ordered the lobster roll, the rock shrimp, the tail-on shrimp, tater-tots, and the clam chowder....i know, don't judge me. I have to admit that the food was really good, and the lobster roll is legit. My friend friend that was with us, who is originally from Maryland, said the same thing...."their lobster roll is the real deal." It's awesome, just the right balance of citrus and mayo....not heavy at all, with great contrast in texture between the soft lobster meat and the crunch of the celery. The roll that they serve it on is nice and buttery....mouth just salivated, excuse me. I've never had an $18 sandwich before, but I'd pay for that sandwich again. Everything else was good also: the chowder was full of seafood and flavor, the shrimp was adequate...definitely prefered the rock shrimp vs the tail-on. Bottom line, I would go back to this place when it's less busy and i will have that lobster roll again. I would say it's worth a 10-15 min wait. Wish this place was a little bigger so the wait isn't so long.
(4)Tom W.
Awesome food, great beer selection, friendly and nice staff, and a cool environment. This play has got it right. I love DMK, and have been a ton of times and never been disappointed, and now Fish Bar is equally as great! Keep it up!
(5)Leslie H.
I love the layout and food at this place. The lobster roll is delicious, I also loved the calamari! Because it's a small space, I'd recommend going with only one other person to get in quickly.
(5)Scott K.
I grew up out east on the water and was hoping this place would remind me of the places ate at growing up. The food hear is way overpriced for what you get and it is not very good. I read all the reviews and can not believe so many people love this place. If you are thinking of trying this place save your money and go get a good meal at Shaws or walk down the street to Half Shell. Both are way better than this place.
(1)John D.
My girlfriend and I ate at Fish Bar on Friday night. It was packed when we got there at 9:30pm and, even though they don't take reservations, we were sat in 15 mins. We drank draft beers at the back beer ledge while we were waiting for seats to open up. It wasn't too crowded in the back even though that's where everyone waits for seats and we were able to hang our jackets under the drink shelf which was nice. For dinner, we ordered a ton of food and liked it all. The ceviche seemed like a small portion when it was served but ended up being more than we expected. It was served with saltine crackers which I thought was different but ended up being really good. Next we got the satchmo po' boy. I have a few friends from New Orleans so I've had some good po' boys but this one was awesome! It had tons of shrimp and crawfish and the seasoning was awesome. Then we got the lobster roll...which is more like a lobster po' boy and is a little expensive at $21 but was really good. The lobster meat was fresh and the seasoning wasn't overpowering so you could still taste the meat. Next we got the iceberg salad which has crispy calamari on it...might sound weird but it was really good. We ordered tater tots at the same time as the salad but could've held off given how much calamari was on the salad. Even with the calamari on the salad, the lettuce was still crispy and cold. I'm not a huge fan of key lime pie which is the only dessert on the menu, but they also have smores. We decided to get a third round of beers instead of a dessert and we stayed until around 11:30. Word to the wise..the monkey beer is good but very strong! Overall, we had an awesome time and hope to go back soon.
(5)cindy s.
went to fish bar because Glenn's Diner was booked solid. big bucks for little proportions, and cheesy presentation. everything tastes OK, but not anything to remember or return for. we had the buffalo frog legs, which were decent, but tasted just like chicken buffalo wings in which I would've gotten about triple the amount for my money. the salmon tartare which was good, but they gave us a pack + 4 saltine crackers....come on. the fried calamari "federal hill style", tasted great...but over priced for the tiny proportions. everyone knows for $8 you should get a hearty serving of calamari. and if you don't, serving it up in a cheap paper container for kitch is not going to justify the wimpy amount they gave. all in all, I would not go back. Seems like a tourist trap.
(2)Jenny D.
I love fish bar. The service is top notch - everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, attentive. They make you feel like family! And the food? Above top notch. Pick from the rock shrimp, po boy, crabby patty, oysters, chowder, and you'll be a happy camper. If you have more than four people, you might wait awhile. But perfect for a pair.
(5)Amanda D.
Sorry Fish Bar lovers, I was not that impressed. I went here tonight with a couple of friends. We sat at one of the small tables which was a nice scene and more intimate than the bar. I'd been wanting to go here for a while since I live right down the street. A couple things to note...First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of the decor. It seemed inauthentic in its attempt to appear New England, or seaside, or Naw'leans. Secondly, their Lobster Bisque is not Lobster Bisque. It tastes more like a corn/lobster soup - it's not very creamy and the corn/spice overpowers the lobster flavor. For someone that loves lobster bisque, this was a disappointment. I also ordered the calamari. This was quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. The one thing that I would come back for was the Codfish sandwich. At $7, this is delicious. I don't think you can beat the price for this type of sandwich. It came out piping hot and was a good sized portion. My friends ordered the Clam Chowder (which they thought was good), Ceviche (not good) and Crabby Patty. I tried the Crabby Patty (=crab cake sandwich) and thought it was good, albeit a little heavy. For those of you going to Fish Bar, I would stick to the "On a Bun" menu section - I was most impressed with these items. Otherwise, I would prefer DMK from the Kornick/Morton duo.
(2)Rob R.
Can't tell you about the food because we didn't stick around. We were told there was a 45 minute wait. The surly hostess didn't ask us if we wanted a drink while we waited. She seemed to hope we wouldn't wait. We found our way over to the bar where we were informed that the establishment features only white wine. I guess that's some ignorant 25 year-old's idea of a fish restaurant's wine list. Before we could decide what cocktail to order- my companion doesn't drink white wine- the hostess came over and scolded us, evidently because she felt we were standing too close to a couple of empty chairs that she was reserving for somebody or other. At this point my friend and I burst out laughing and walked out into the driving rain and dashed a block or two down Sheffield to Soprano's, where we enjoyed an excellent grilled calamari and baked whitefish with white beans and escarole. And a delicious malbec. For you ignorant 25-year olds, that's a nice Argentinian red wine. As for Fish Bar, I suppose those who like that sort of place will like it.
(1)Arlene T.
Just had lunch there with my husband. The gumbo and the Crabby Patty sandwich were both delicious!!! The only reason I am not giving it more stars was the smell. I realize this is a fish place, but I am back at the office and I know everyone is wondering why I smell like fish. It was overwhelming. They did open the door when I asked about the ventilation. I will definitely go back though and give it another shot.
(3)Heather F.
After reading a million reviews on both Fish Bar and GT Fish & Oyster, I tackled both places over the course of a few days. Ultimately, the differences are in the menu and ambiance. Fish Bar is a very casual feel, think getting your seafood in a cabana vs. GT Fish which is more yacht club, if that makes sense. Fish Bar left me wanting more...more to eat...and quite frankly more options (the menu offers garlic bread and tater tots, but other than that you're choices are basically naked/raw fish or fried fish; it lacks some balance; expect to overeat on the fried food out of necessity). The service was also very slow and not terribly responsive (which can be frustrating when your communal silverware jar is empty). Portions are good to share, but small. Our group of 3 was able to conveniently split some things, so we all got a taste, but not really much more. Here's the breakdown: -tartar (salmon)--ok; not enough crackers to go with, and quite frankly not enough flavor. I realize it's not ceviche, but still needed some lemon. -rock shrimp, wet--very good flavoring, but know they will get soggy quickly. -belly clams--good, but also on soggy side of things -calamari, a la plancha,--my favorite of the evening, good flavor; three major tube pieces -scallops, a la plancha,--same preparation as calamari, yet seemed slightly less seasoned (three scallops) -lobster roll--okay; brioche bun was a bit too sweet for my tastes, meat was a bit watery almost, making me wonder if it had been frozen, more mayonnaise base than I like (GT Fish wins) -key lime pie--okay, but a bit runny; wasn't the best I've had for sure -seasonal pie (blackberry)--good -beer--they have a great selection of craft beer, and some cocktails; it is worth noting that for the several rounds we had, every small mason jar was about 1/3 head. considering how little you're getting, not cool in my book.
(3)R W.
Great seafood, but its a tiny space (especially in winter when the outdoor seating is gone). Last few times I have done takeout just to avoid the crowd and long wait.
(4)JENNIFER K.
Lobster roll was really good. Cod sandwich was good too, but a little greasy. Lemon/onion/jalapeno appetizer was surprisingly good too. Reminded me of an east coast beach shack.
(4)jacey h.
fish bar is quickly becoming our go-to spot. it is the trifecta of superb restaurants- fabulous food, exceptional staff (thank you Kelly & Spenser!!) & superior drinks. everyone gushes about the lobster roll for good reason, but the rest of the menu is just as tasty!
(5)Teri G.
Had a great first meal here today at lunch. Upon sitting down, the very friendly and warm staff brought me two oysters on the house. I ordered ceviche, lobster roll and my husband had soft shell crab po'boy and tater tots. Everything was delicious and cooked as requested, including the tater tots which came as crispy as we wanted. The friendly staff brought us an order of fried lemons, onions, and jalapenos, which were delicious, savory, great texture, interesting. We ended up ordering dessert, which was the one thing I was lukewarm about. After our waitress Lily sold us on the strawberry rhubarb pie, we chose to try that instead of their standard key lime. While it was not bad or unpleasant, it had a totally different taste and texture than we expected of a fruit pie. Next time, we'll try the key lime. One note; music's a bit loud as there's nothing in the room to absorb any sound. They might dial the volume down a bit.
(4)Lindsay C.
Went here last week on a Wednesday with the sister. Everyone wanted to sit outside and there was no wait for inside, so we sat at the counter. It is pretty loud, so you'll have to speak up. We kinda had to wait a while just to get menus (they ran out), which was kinda weird. You would think a restaurant would have enough menus for customers. They also didn't have the beer I wanted, which was no biggie, they recommended another one. We shared the crabby patty, lobster roll, fried calamari, fried lemon, onion, and jalapeno. It was definitely enough food for us and probably too much fried food. The lobster roll is what would make me come back, it was amazing. Service was also a little slow, but it really comes down to the food, which was great.
(4)Bob B.
What a delightful surprise. Had the oyster po'boy (wonderful) with a side of fried lemon rings, onions and jalapenos (yes, you read that correctly), also delicious. Limited alcohol selection, small but nice beer selection, very limited wine. A joint! But yummy. Not a destination place, but what a great neighborhood find, next door to DMK and owned by them.
(4)tim g.
This place rocks! Its exactly what your looking for. I left both full and toasted, a good combination.
(4)Lori G.
Had lunch yesterday for the first time. Kasey was our server and she was awesome! The food was insane delish! Such fresh oysters from both coasts. The Lobster roll was just like they are on the East Coast. Rock Shrimp that blew us away. The idea of fried lemons with japs and onions was strange but so incredibly right. Lastly the punch...it definitely gave a punch! I think I forgot to mention how marvelous the prices are...Thank you!
(5)Robert M.
I love yelp, however when places like Fish Bar get glowing reviews I am sometimes left scratching my head. We stopped in on a Sunday toward the end of the night and the place was empty so we managed to avoid the main complaint of most reviewers, the wait. To start, we ordered two Tea cocktails which were very good, though a bit small and the bay scallop ceviche. The bay scallops were fresh and the Mason jar presentation I appreciate, but the overall flavor just left a bit to be desired. Ceviche can be a delicious, amazing dish, but the key is the balance of flavors which we did not experience. We followed this up with the lobster bisque which our waitress informed us was quite different from the usual lobster bisque and true to her word it was. The soup was more of a sweet corn broth with surprisingly large chunks of lobster within. Interesting take, not bad, but again just short of delicious. We finished the meal by splitting a rock shrimp and a lobster roll, which again came with significant chunks of lobster and a delicious torpedo bun, two main staples for a lobster roll. Unfortunately the lobster roll was very fitting for our entire experience, average at best.
(2)John W.
It was good. But the portions are too small. Even if the menu was likened to small bites or tapas. Walking away with $24 dollars a person for a casual lunch and still being hungry afterwards isn't going to be appealing to a lot of people. I did like the flavors and everything was fresh. A great idea but delivered at too high a price point.
(3)Mike K.
I really wish that restauranteurs would teach their servers to not ignore tables that have already ordered. Last night, our server Mindy was great at greeting us, explaining the specials, helping us pick some plates, and taking our order. After that, she disappeared. Our water glasses sat empty while we ate, and a beer I had ordered didn't get to our table until after we were done eating. Mindy made up a story about the bar being backed up but it was clear that she had never even put in the order. Wife and I were very likely going to have ordered another half-dozen oysters ($15), 2 more beers ($16), and s'mores for dessert ($8?). But by the time we'd finished eating and sat for a long time unvisited by our server, we got tired and had lost our appetites and desire to sit there any ignored any longer. That's almost $40 in lost opportunity for The Fish Bar and some unhappy diners that had a good start to their meal but it didn't last as it should have.
(2)Pony J.
The oyster po' boy was outstanding! Delicious!
(4)Tabitha B.
We had a delicious lunch here on Saturday. The service was great. She was chatty but not overly chatty. We had fried clam bellies, oyster po boy and lobster roll. All were delicious. I really wanted to order another order of the clam bellies. Next time I will be trying calamari and octopus.
(4)Jon M.
Lobster Roll was amazing and affordable! I also enjoyed the beer served in a mason jar. The tuna/salmon tartar was pretty good.
(5)Kevin L.
I went here on St. Patty's and still could taste the great flavor combinations. This is a very casual place and the the seating arrangement was indicative of the cleaver and simple approach to the menu and service. It is a 60 year fast forward from oyster bars and martinis to craft beer and variety . I look forward to my return, but will pick an odd time to avoid the rush.
(4)Leah H.
Darling restaurant with staff who weren't just friendly and efficient but SUPER NICE! Spotless bathroom (I would have prefered handtowels as well as dryers to open the door). The cod sandwich was a dream. The bun on the lobster roll was outstanding. Fun menu. However, when we arrived the music was so loud I feared it would literally damage my children's ears. I asked them to turn it down which they did instantly so it was just WAY TOO LOUD. I could not speak to my friends and couldn't stay for dessert, which is really really unusual! Great addition to Chicago food scene with that one caveat.
(3)Ryan S.
I wasn't too impressed. There was only a handful a items available on the menu and only one type of fish available. I won't be going back.
(2)Jon H.
Contrary to my expectations, I was not very impressed. The first dish I tried was the tuna and salmon tartare. It was ok, but a bit dry and lacked any citrus flavor. Also the consistency was a bit off...decent, but I've had better. I split the lobster roll which I have to admit was good, but not overwhelming (especially for the price.) I also had a cup of clam chowder-no complaints, but again nothing extraordinary. Last I tried a bight of the fried lemons onions and peppers...greasy and unappetizing. The overall price is reasonable hence the 3 stars, if it were any more expensive, I'd drop it to 2 stars. I think they have a good niche in terms of concept with dmk and this place, but I think the dishes could use a bit of work...I'm in no hurry to dine here again.
(3)Katie M.
Just ate lunch here. I got the oyster po' boy. It was awesome. Definitely going back!
(5)michael b.
freshest fish in chicago with prices that can't be beat
(5)R L.
Visited for lunch on a Saturday and was looking forward to my first visit based on the rave reviews... have to say I was sorely disappointed by the food. Atmosphere and service were good and exactly what I expected. I ordered the fried whole belly clams and tater tots... both were not very well seasoned and were greasy (frankly burnt oil greasy). The tater tots were crispy (although tasted like they may have been refried to warm them up) but the clams were soggy as well as grease laden. My dining companion had the fried shrimp and clam chowder (which I tasted). She enjoyed the shrimp which were frankly fried in the same burnt grease, but I must say were fresh, crsip, and tasty. The potatoes in the chowder were a little too "al dente" for my taste and while the soup was flavorful, not many clams to be seen. We left about a third of the chowder, half the clams, and nearly all of the tater tots. Good thing we weren't starving when we arrived!
(2)Meagan C.
just went to fish bar today and it was great! i like the set-up inside and the staff was friendly. they have a nice outdoor seating area too. my mom had the lobster roll and even though i HATE lobster, i had to try it and i have to say, it was quite delicious! i had the fried tail-on shrimp which were so yummy. they werent your usual fried shrimp, the batter was nicely seasoned. we had a side of garlic bread and i am pretty sure they sprinkled magic on top of it because it was the best garlic bread i have ever eaten! i also had a crabby patty and that was the only thing i could definitely do without next time. i thought it was too peppery and the spices overpowered the crab- plus the giant bun, tomatoes and onions didnt help either. their key lime pie was not what i expected either, it was a little too sour and warm for my liking. i guess it just depends on personal preference... i will be back though! :) sidenote: drinks in mason jars? so cute!
(4)Irene J.
oh YUM! i broke my vegan diet here and don't regret it! i checked this place out soon after they opened with a friend. the hostess and staff were extremely friendly. i went during lunch time and 'twas packed. however, i was lucky and was able to grab a seat soon after arriving. cerviche was yum! the salad was YUM! i think it's really hard to go wrong here. if you love seafood don't skip out on this place!
(4)Kathleen B.
We're big fans of DMK and have been anxiously awaiting the opening of Fish Bar as there aren't many options for seafood in the Lakeview area. The two of us arrived shortly before 7 pm on Saturday evening. The host (who I'm pretty sure was David Morton that night) indicated the wait was about 45 minutes to an hour and since we were so excited we decided to wait. I had an "Old School" from the bar while we waited and it was a good drink. Small but to be expected since it was only $5. And sometimes I like a smaller drink if I don't feel like drinking much. The wait ended up being a little over an hour and though we were warned we did notice that a few people who arrived after us were seated before we were (as another reviewer mentions). Maybe this had something to do with it being opening weekend and that DM/MK were inviting friends to try out their new place. Once we were seated at the counter things really took a turn for the better as the food was fantastic. We tried the clam chowder, iceberg salad, lobster rolls, and tater tots. The iceberg salad was different than any that I've had elsewhere and there was a generous amount of fried calamari on top. The lobster rolls are to-die-for and you get a ton of lobster meat for market price (which was $16 that night). Service was excellent as well and our server was very attentive. DM and MK also checked in with us and they wanted to make sure we were enjoying the experience. All in all we'll definitely be back, although probably not as often as we'd like because the restaurant is very small and we don't want to spend every Saturday night waiting for over an hour for dinner. But once they have outside seating in the summer and the newness wears off we're hoping the wait will improve and it will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(4)Karolyn S.
Worst seafood experience in Chicago ever...and I've lived here for 20 years. Overpriced, overrated is what I think. I'm from South Boston. Was assured the clams with bellies were the best in the city as proclaimed by other NEerners. Wrong. I'd like to meet those people and introduce them to real clams with bellies. Ordered the oysters. Had shells in them (not just one, not just two, not just three, but of six oysters there were four of them with shells still in them). Just unacceptable from a restaurant's point of view. Stopped there. Wasn't willing to take a chance on anything else except the wine (which they only have white...don't they know that there are red wines that go fantastic with fish??). Having said this, the manager, Lauren, was wonderful along with our server Ally. But, I'm not willing to pay 9 bucks for 6 "clams with bellies" ever again. I'll stick with Glen's Diner. Oh, and the lobster roll that they claim to be right out of Boston is totally wrong. I saw it. The bread says it all.
(1)Bob C.
We decided to try this because I had read a few very positive reviews of the place. Wow, this is the most I've ever spent NOT to get a meal. This place reminds me of the Emperor without the clothes. Probably had we realized that portions are small tapas style, we would have never stayed. The $6 cup of bisque soup was watery, the fried clams (1/4 pound for $9!!!!) salty and greasy and the $11 oyster po boy sandwich, which was about two bites, mostly cole slaw. Our bill for 2 people was $50 for lunch and we left hungry. Of course the fish they serve is "sustainable" -- they're making sure you get very little of it. Overpriced, microscopic portions, greasy, and simply not very good and you have to eat at a counter on top of it. Would NOT return.
(1)kay b.
This is a very weird concept. Being from the east coast myself, I was confused at the ala carte and small plate scenario. Soooo NOT East Coast. That being said...the counter seating is a good idea for the space except you are bumping elbows with poeple that you don't know and the music was so loud that I couldn't carry on a conversation with my husband right next to me. Literally, everyone in the place was shouting to be heard. Also, they have stools that don't have backs on them, so there is no place to hang your coat except for a 3 ft coat rack that they try to hang 45 coats on. OK, now the food. Some things were excellent, like the rock shrimp and lobster roll. Not so hot, the oysters. The taste was great, but they were the size of quarters! ANY seafood restaurant on the East Coast would be embarrassed to serve oysters that small...and 6 for 15 dollars is unheard of! The clam chowder needs work. The potatoes were raw and the clams were chewy. They should be diced up and not whole and it's chowder, not broth! Lastly, a fried lemon, jalapeno, and onion side thingy, that the waitress told me was a huge thing on the coast, I've never heard of it...oh well, there must be another East Coast. But to Midwesterners this all they know, so it must be working, hence the great ratings. Again, this is conceptual not actual.
(2)shell h.
I know better. I know better in terms of understanding that I may happen to be disappointed by eating seafood in Chicago. By seafood I mean "good" seafood. I mean the stuff I was spoiled on living in Boston for the past few years. It was often advertised (and perhaps was) local seafood. But somehow the origin of the seafood didn't matter so much as the fact that the region it was prepared in just knew the right way to prepare it. Thus lies my multiplicity of issues with Fishbar, a place that on it's face appears to serve extremely tasty seafood that was caught hundreds or thousands of miles away from the kitchen in which it is culinarily (of course that isn't a real word) destroyed. Instead of paying the tab at Fishbar, perhaps it might be a wiser decision to save up for a trip to New England. In New England, lobster rolls are served either cold (with mayo) or hot (with drawn butter). At Fishbar, they are served only cold, with tasteless lobster meat, tepid mayo, and a splattering of herbs to trick your tastebuds. This is what I'd expect from McDonalds (google: McLobster), I'm very sorry, but that's the truth of the matter. The essence of a lobster roll is the former rather than the latter, meaning that simplicity and freshness play the main role. That means you want just a few ingredients to support the delicious taste of the lobster. Of course, if you can't serve fresh lobster (that actually tastes like lobster should) you sprinkle herbs all over it, such as Fishbar appears to do. My advice is to stop being fancy, buy fresher lobster, and live and die by the sword of simplicity. Leave the seafood alone! The Mackerel ceviche was served in a sealed jar sort of device. It was cute and clever until I realized that the taste was much like I'd imagine ceviche would taste out of a jar! The saltines on the side couldn't have made this dish anymore bland. It was like eating Gerber's baby food all over again, with chunks. To be fair, the trout, oyster po boy, and oysters were delicious. But these are things I'm not sure I want to wait two hours for. The service was great and the beer was tasty, but the mixed drinks could use a little more elaboration (meaning actual descriptions of what you are about to imbibe). In all, the small portions are reasonable considering the price, but one who has truly enjoyed local East or West coast seafood will find that this restaurant comes nowhere close to it's seaboarding bretheren.
(2)John G.
So.....this place is LEGIT! However, you need to get there early, because it gets crowded. Having known this my girlfriend and I met here after work on a Friday for a pseudo happy hour/early dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on Friday afternoon, and each found a seat at the bar immediately. The server was extremely friendly, and knowledge about the food and drink options. The beer selection there is pretty legit solid. Lots of Belgian and Belgian-style crafts beers from all over the US. Additionally, they have my beloved PBR if you feel like having a beer that tastes good, and one that you don't want to think about while you are eating. I got an Ommengang Abbey Ale, and my girlfriend got the Saison DuPont. They were served in mason jars, which is felt was a nice touch (more on that later). Now for the grub. Started off with 1/2 dozen raw oysters, 3 West Coast & 3 East Coast. These oysters were solid, and they had a nice variety of hot sauces that you can use to enhance the flavor. We then got some fried rock shrimp which had good kick, awesome! Octopus a la plancha, which had a very Greektown flavor, and fried calamari with some spicy pickles & peppers, they were all great! We then finished off with some of the sandwiches, which I felt were the highlight! Fried Oyster Po Boy & Fried Cod burger, and both were exquisite!!! The Fried Cod sandwich honestly looked like an actual good tasting fish fillet. I have all hate and despise for anything related to the golden arches, however I felt this was clever, and the sandwich at Fish Bar was AWESOME! I recommend getting both of those sandwiches, and splitting them. So if you couldn't tell yet, I really really like this place. The food, drink, service, and ambiance I thought were really cool. I want to harp on the ambiance here for a little bit, and I want to compare the ambiance at Fish Bar to the ambiance at Big Star. I know I know......I am crazy for saying this, but hear me out. Where Big Star takes the concept of a dive bar in Bakersfield, CA from the mid-50s, and makes into a fun, affordable, hot spot that serves amazing food; Fish Bar takes the concept of some "hole-in-the-wall" bar in Key West, or any various on the water resort town for that matter, where the locals who have owned the place for 40 years hang out, and where tourists go to have some drinks, and eat great seafood, while on vacation. Both places take their respective concepts, and make them places where people love going and grabbing something to eat. So all in all both places give us a unique concept, great drink options, and most importantly, they give us fresh and excellent food! I will definitely be going back to fish bar many times, and I recommend that everyone try it outs. Just be sure to go early, because it gets crowded.
(5)Archer D.
Amazing concept!!! But where the heck is the follow through? I was so excited to see that someone was going to use this space and once I saw the big fish on the side I was ecstatic! Could not wait... Maybe I should have, cause they do not have their act together. Aside from not getting food poisoning I have Not One good thing to say about the food. Bland, chewy pointless squid, surprisingly small shrimp that taste previously frozen, and oysters thrown on a plate with no ice and their juices dumped all over the plastic plate instead in my mouth where they should be. Lame, pretentious bar selection ( you are not the drawing room so why go there). Tuna that is completely overwhelmed by fennel and lemon. I'm from SF so seafood is my passion and you can trust me they do NOT do it right, not even close. Sticking to Shaws, if you want a fast food version of seafood I recommend long John silvers( not that I would eat it) but it would be a hell of a lot cheaper
(1)Jodi Y.
Love love this place. Everything about it was amazing. The service , atmosphere, wine, and of course the food! My friend and I shared a variety of things: hush puppies, oysters, crab cake, and Tina tartare. Yum, yum, yum, and yum. Thank you fish bar for such fresh food and excellent service.
(5)Jason S.
Our party of 5 took advantage of a nice night and sat outside. Service was surprisingly fast even being outdoors. Hush Puppies were not too sweet and perfect crunch. Really enjoyed the food, in general, but the oysters and fish sliders were exceptional. Will definitely come back.
(5)Ankit M.
Phenomenal idea and experience. Great date spot, ambiance, and service. Love the big blue exterior. Fish tacos, tuna tar tar, lemon fritters, and po-boy were the highlights. That said, there was just a little too much aioli on everything. They could probably take that down a notch. My favorite part is the deserts. The key lime was killer, but the smores was even better. For the smores, they bring out a small little burner that is perfect for two. It's like camping inside the restaurant.
(4)Kyle D.
Overall: Great tasting fish and a great casual atmosphere. Just not cheap and not incredibly hearty. The good: The food is delicious and fresh. The service was very good, friendly and knowledgeable. They had a good selection of craft brews and even some wine. The bad: The music was too loud inside. The prices are kind of expensive, especially for the portion sizes that you get. There's limited seating, especially if the outdoor area is closed. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8.5/10
(4)Brian J.
I just had the best Lobster Roll!!! Sooooo good!!!! The customer service was outstanding Kristi was our waitress, she was the best.
(5)Artur O.
Lobster rolls are better than I had anywhere in U.S. Also the sachamo poboy forgetaboutit just the best Sunday $1.50 oyste what? And fresh really good ! One of my favorite places in the world .
(5)Rosa J.
Rosa J.'s verdict on this trendy joint next to the gloomy hospital: 4.5 stars! Daddy wanted to try out different restaurants in town because he has been following me on Yelp. I will be using him as my "Yelp buddy" for the time being so that I can clear as many ever-accumulating bookmarks as possible. Once getting from the CTA Wellington Brown/Purple Line station, we walked one (1) block west to Sheffield. "Fish Bar" was the sky-blue building across the road from the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The special menu items were quickly explained by a sunny-smile young man. Daddy spotted the beer menu and immediately showed his interest in trying one (1) of the local and Midwestern-region specialties. The young man suggested the "Founder," brewed in Grand Rapid, MI. His recommendation was right on the money. The "Founder" had a very prominent barley aroma. It had a "bitter" initial kick, yet the "sweet" after-note was soon released to complete the experience. That probably was one my favorites I've ever tasted so far in my foodie life! We eventually made our decisions: gumbo, fluke sashimi, and six (6) east-coast (from Virginia) and west-coast (from Washington) kinds. The gumbo came in first. While it didn't skimp on seafood, the flavor wasn't as extraordinary as I anticipated. I felt that was missing a wow factor and it wasn't that memorable. However, the sashimi was delightful and refreshing. The touch of "yuzu" sauce with scallions was nice. The portion was on a smaller side, but it served as a "transitional" dish to the protagonist: the raw oysters. Their oysters were very fresh (perhaps off the boat)! I preferred the east-coast oysters, for they were larger in size and accompanied more harmoniously with the garlicky cocktail sauce that came with. Reiterating on the beer one (1) more time, the "Founder" was delicious! Dad and I shared two (2) mason jars worth of beer and were very satisfied. By the way, the total came to $64 and some change (pre-tip). Dad said he wanted to come back for lobster and other menu items next time, and I said I would certainly concur with him.
(4)Mark N.
Original plan was to visit Taste of Chicago but to our dismay it ended at 6pm on the final day. A friend recommended we try out Fish Bar so we all met there. Small dining room, so we waited it out by ordering some drink cocktails made by the manager Sasha. The #2 Tea was delicous and I convinced all my arriving friends to try one or 3. We ordered NE Clam Chowder, soft shell crab, calamari and ordered (and re-ordered) many rounds of oysters, both the west coast and east coast variety. The atmosphere and service were outstanding, we all forgot all about the Taste of Chicago. Will visit again and again!
(5)Jeanine h.
I didn't think it was worth the cost. Food is good, but not spectacular. Small portions and over priced.
(2)Brad N.
Not pretentious, good food, good beer, good (and inventive) layout, nice and helpful staff, reasonable prices for the most part...overall, very nicely done.
(5)Lesia C.
This place is pretty good, we came here on Saturday night for dinner and had a good meal at a reasonable price, and the service was great. Walked in at about 6 pm on Saturday and we were seated immediately. The crowds have definitely died down since when they first opened, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Last time my family and I came here two years ago, we were squished inside at the bar on tiny bar stools. This time we sat outside at a spacious wooden picnic table. I'll take more space and outside dining any day. Ordered the hush puppies, tuna tartare, chicken sandwich, a beer and one of the "sea sipper drinks" (what they call their cocktails) called the "capture the flag". 1. Tuna tartare- amazing. Definitely the highlight of the meal. Crispy chili dusted tortilla chips to scoop up ginger and Serrano chili infused ahi tuna, with a mango purée on the side. The mango was the perfect balance of sweetness to the salty and spicy tortilla chips and tuna. 2. Chicken sandwich- no clue why my boyfriend decided to order meat at a place called fish bar, but he did. The crispy chicken sandwich does not disappoint however, with a delicious red pepper aioli. The batter they used to fry the chicken was excellent, I'm sure it's great on their other sandwiches too. 3. Hush puppies- so so, not bad but not good, kind of bland. The menu said it came with a side of roasted garlic aioli but it just tasted like tartar sauce. Nothing in the hush puppies besides cornmeal, I was expecting maybe herbs or some kind of meat or even corn. 4. The "capture the flag" sea sipper- It was good but at first I almost returned it because it was THAT spicy! Jalapeño infused Lunazul tequila, passion fruit and lime- the jalapeño infused tequila at first sip tasted like straight jalapeño juice, my boyfriend couldn't stomach it. The more I drank it, the more passion fruit I got, but I don't think I could handle this drink again! All in all great food, great service, and no lines, I'll be back but steering clear of the spicy tequila!
(4)Andrew M.
Fish Bar is seriously awesome. DMK group has it going on. The best Cod Fish Sandwich in the city! Great Oyster special on Sundays, $1.50 an oyster. The rest of the menu is awesome and they usually have different specials each day. Space can get tight in the winter. The outdoor space is great during the summer. There is only 3 booths so make sure you get one if you bring kiddies. The rest of the restaurant is bar stools. Service is usually very good. The special drinks are great!
(5)Arya R.
Great selection of good food
(5)Jeng F.
Great service, good food!
(4)Mia T.
Cute atmosphere, a bit overpriced for the quality... We had gumbo (delicious), tuna tartar (eh okay), crabby patty sand(delicious), grilled oct (not recommended & im a seafoodie), sashimi on slaw (recommended), s'mores (cute presentation but not a fan), keylime pie (just okay).. It's a neighborhood Restraunt, very yuppy, it's convenient & it's open late (12am)... I'm more picky then most seafoodies, this place wasn't my cup of tea... Bon Appetite
(3)Shelley Z.
We had the blackened red fish tacos, satchmo po'boy, a (free) cup of clam chowder, and specials for the day: fried scallop tacos and a monkfish platter. With a beer, the bill ended up being just under $60. Everything tasted great, no complaints there! Both the red fish and fried scallops were crispy, the monkfish was cooked well, and we basically inhaled the po'boy (beware low fish to everything else ratio) Highly recommend Moody Tongue. However the portions! Understandably, seafood can be pricey and fish bar certainly isn't the priciest..but we were surprised at the quantity of every dish, esp because of the more casual atmosphere. We originally settled on just one order of tacos and the monkfish, and quickly realized we would have to order more to call it dinner. I am sad but I will probably be shelling out $ again to try some of their other sandwiches (ugh lobster roll i'm coming for you) Just don't expect large portions! Service was good. Our waitress accidentally brought us a cup of chowder, then apologized and gave it to us for free, really appreciate that! Ambience is nice, seating is limited, but we didn't wait. Last tip, we've been here twice on Sundays hoping to catch their one dollar oysters but they've run out on both occasions. Get there early!
(3)Chris H.
This was our last restaurant visit during our trip to Chicago and it was such an awesome end to an awesome trip. We ordered fish tacos, lobster roll, hush puppies, artichoke fritters, and a couple of beers. Everything was delicious, but I think the fish tacos were THE BEST FISH TACOS I HAVE EVER HAD. If we hadn't ordered so much food, I would have eaten at least another order, if not 8 more.
(5)Jen R.
Atmosphere- Really good atmosphere and decor. Always hoping inside and the communal bar seating is fun. The patio is also on a nice street for taking in the neighborhood vibes. Food- High quality and tasty. The portions aren't very substantial but enough. Lemon rings and hush puppies were interesting but I wouldn't get either again. The fish sliders, oysters and tacos were all spot on. Drinks- Creative and tasty. $9 is typical for a Chicago drink but it's still a lot. Good beers on rotation ($6). All in all a solid spot.
(4)Adam A.
haven't been here for several months. New menu is amazing. Love the experience, great fresh food. Amazing staff - super friendly and always there to help you decide on that extra key lime pie ;) I recommend anything here - The fish special, taco special and of course the tuna tartare
(4)Jennifer R.
The food was good. It was more fillers than fish. The tacos had nore rice than fish. The calamari had more jalapeños than calamari.
(2)Alex I.
This place is. The. Tits. Amazing selection of oysters and a lobster role that would give a burly Maine sailor full chub. Not pretentious but a little pricy. Kinda like a good bottle of scotch. WHITCH!! brings me to my second point. The booze in on point. Buckets I could drink. However they discouraged that. Which brings to my last point, service is fantastic. Those lovely girls balance speed, charm, and knowledge magically, like those sisters from that awesome 90's show Charmed. Cheers all around. Also ask for the secret canoe cocktail, you will not regret it.
(5)Jenny N.
I've only been here a couple of times, however both times were fantastic. The seafood and dishes were delicious however, with all honesty, I've had better. The service was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance and atmosphere is very comfortable and fun - reminds me a lot of SoCal. I would recommend trying this place if you have never been if you're looking for some good seafood in LP.
(4)Joe O.
ive only been there on thurday night for the $1 oyters and so far is has been a good experiance. oyters are great and the beer is great too. service is good but sometimes slow. keep doing a great job fish bar.
(4)Kenny C.
Went last night after 10 pm to avoid the huge dinner crowds. Went with a buddy from culinary school. Hostess greeted us and we got sat quickly. Decent crowd and patio was packed. Food- I ordered the salmon spread, tater tots and the satchmo po boy. The salmon spread was good, smoked salmon, mayo,celery,onions, it was really good, my friend got the smoked mackarel spread and I thought it was very good. The tater tots were okay, nothing special, would of loved old bay or spice seasoning, even a dipping sauce would of worked. My friend got the crabby patty, he said it was good. The Satchmo po boy (crawfish and shrimp) was good but hate how it was plated, literally served in a little hot dog paper container. *** Service-It was okay, there was a few times I tried to get her attention because I wanted more water and needed another beer. My friend ordered a cocktail, it had hibiscus in it and he liked it. Overall,great for a dinner with friends/first dates, prices were reasonable. I want to go back and try the rest of the menu. Just don't go during prime dinner hours, long waits.
(3)Cristina C.
We ordered a lot of things because it was our first time. For starters we tried the clam chowder which was on the lighter broth side which was very refreshing, oysters (very fresh just shucked), and the fritter artichokes vey good. We had the lobster and satchmo sandwiches that were both amazingggg!!! If I had to choose which one was better it would be pretty hard but I'd go with the lobster ! Our server, Maria was awesome, great service !!
(5)Julie Y.
Really wanted to like this place since I work so close to here and whenever I walk by it seems so legit.. Ehh def not.. I'm no fatty but the satchmo po boy left me hungry still so i ordered the codfish sandwich after. They were both pretty plain. Nothing special at all..Not horrible or overly salty but had to drench it in hot sauce cause I was so bored with both of them... No other way to explain my experience here but disappointment and would not recommend this place to anymore.. Sry!
(2)Heather D.
Oh Fish Bar. How I am going to miss you terribly now that I'm living in LA. My bf and I use to stop in here a few Sunday's a month for their half price Oysters, ginger mules, crabby patties, and calamari among other things. This place is awesome and truly tasty! My favorite thing ever is coming on a warm Sunday with our puppy and sitting outside at their wooden picnic style tables. A great experience indeed! Final Verdict: Great food, friendly service, cool atmosphere, and a price that's pretty darn decent for seafood - any time I find myself back in good ol' Chi-Town I will be stopping in for a bite!
(5)Kristine C.
How have I not written a review about Fish Bar? This is my boyfriends favorite restaurant in Chicago (that's saying a lot). But that is my boyfriend, I'm writing my review. We have dined here many times, Winter, Summer, Fall, Valentines Day (that isn't a season?). There have been good and bad. Why I am giving them three stars? Well, their reservations, or lack therefore, for anything during the summer. Small patio and closing the patio at a moments notice, and not seating the party until all have arrived. This is a small restaurant, I get i, but if one or more people are there, do not leave them hanging, seat them, make them happy. Do not punish them for an always-tardy friend. (the end of my rant). We LOVE the patio and changing seafood options. Their rotating seasonal beer options are usually spot on and a little off the cuff, though small, there is usually something we can enjoy. These points are what bring us back time and time again. Also, the main stays on the menu, such as my boyfriend's favorites, the Crabby Patty or, on a splurge day, the Lobster Roll. I always get the Clam Chowder (no matter how hot it is.) We have tried almost everything on the menu, I will not bore you with all that. But, my favorites: Clam Chowder. Recently learned to love it, a few years back. Now do not trust it anywhere but a seafood joint. Enjoy it at Fish Bar. I then usually go with either one of their special tartar options or tacos, or both. I think I am moving away from the tacos, I find myself disappointed with the the dry taco shells and slaw. I need a sauce with my tacos.The tartar portion is small, I am usually excited by it. If they have Scallops, I'll go for it. I also enjoy the Ala Plancha. And next time I am set on getting the Satchmo Po Boy to fill me up. For sides, if you like spice, go for the Spicy Slaw. The Tater Tots with the garlic aioli are amazing. (Tip, ask for the garlic aioli). Also, you cannot go wrong with the Brussels Sprouts, they are halfed and backed, but do not let that fool you out of the flavor. With the added onions, pretty tasty.
(3)Allie P.
I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. We had fish tacos, a shrimp po boy, crabby patty and corn fritters. All were very good, but portions are pretty small for the price. Its also pretty small and loud in there. Overall...good but people were waiting in line when we left. Definitely not a "wait in line" worthy place,
(3)Lindsay K.
Food was decent! Portion sizes are a bit small for the prices. But let's get to the real 3 star reason- the service was honestly horrible. Our waitress I think was on something. Constantly singing and using weird voices to communicate. Forgot our drinks multiple times, brought out appetizers and didn't bring plates or silverwear, and some main entrees came out after people were already done with theirs. I also noticed that multiple waitresses were giving tables problems. Forgetting more drinks, sauces, appetizers. They need some help on the service end.
(3)Rima M.
It was my first time here since I love DMK I figured I try the Fish Bar next door. Amazing food!!!!! I love their oysters !!! And the staff is amazing especially Christen is such a sweet heart. We will be back again.
(5)Blind Service Association ..
Fish Bar went above and beyond for our large group. The food and service was exceptional. We highly recommend Fish Bar!
(5)Mallory L.
I've been to a fair share of seafood restaurants and this one is by far one of my favorites. I started off with the artichoke fritters which tasted exactly like hush puppies with a tad of artichoke. Then we switched over to the calamari and it literally melted in our mouths. The calamari was super fresh and not too crunchy. I proceeded to order the crispy cod tacos and the blackened bluefish sliders which were both special items on the board. Both dishes completely blew our minds and tasted so fresh. We thought four dishes wouldn't be enough to hold us over, but we were pretty full when we left. Alex was our waitress and she was super attentive and even gave us free raw oysters and complimentary drinks for our next visit! We will definitely be back in the Lakeview neighborhood for this dining experience!
(5)Hilary S.
The food was fantastic! We got the smoked mackerel spread, fish po' boy, and fried scallop tacos. Our server was so friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was great. Our food arrived promptly and was out of this world. We will definitely come back soon!
(5)Jay K.
2 stars because the beer good. Overpriced even my chicago standards. Medium quality. A good idea, not executed well.
(2)Caroline A.
I am a midwest girl so nothing I say can compare to the seafood of the coasts but for the midwest this seafood is damn delicious. It is definitely a good date spot for the more adventurous palate. Also, it is expensive for a smaller plate (you are paying for the high quality of the fish). Our server was very sweet and knowledgeable, she even had me trying the oysters of which I am not normally a fan. The Crabby Patty, White Fish Spread, Ceviche were my favorites along with the Calamari. This is a great spot for a date or to catchup with a companion. In my opinion, not a good spot for larger groups.
(5)Brittany H.
Being a dmk addict, I have to admit I expected more from this place. The atmosphere is cute, but the place is tiny, so even on a Monday there was a wait. The staff seemed friendly enough, but was a little aloof. While a lot of their food took a unique spin on seafood, the portions were pretty small and were definitely on the expansive side. The fried lemons were delish, and the fish tacos and soft shell crab po boy were good, but nothing I'd have to have again. I liked this place, but it doesn't hold a candle to burger bar.
(3)Ray C.
If you want to eat real seafood, prepared correctly, then skip Fish Bar and walk a few blocks west to the New England Seafood Company on Lincoln and Roscoe. There is no comparison. Fish Bar has a great atmosphere and the service was good, but that's about it. The food was awful. The chowder was high on salt and low on clam. The lobster in the lobster roll was rubbery. I had to take it out of the bun and manually shred it t make it edible. The shrimp tacos were disgusting, with overcooked shrimp and some type of green goo that did not mix well with seafood. We had other dishes, none worth trying. Skip this place.
(2)Jessica B.
This place has amazing fresh food, attentive/kind servers and laid back atmosphere. We had east and west coast oysters, the lobster roll, and calamari... All were super delicious! Went on a Monday around 230ish so it was open seating. Will definitely be back!
(5)Richard M.
Great Service... Very tasty food - just WAY to expensive for what you get. to spend $50 on 2 fried shrimp tacos ( total of 7 shrimp between the 2 ) , Small Salad, , 3 Oz portion of Skate and a Fried fish sandwich....with no alcohol is a little spendy - even given the address. Yes, I realize this is not Cheesecake Factory -- but seriously overpriced. Again, could not be better service and quality is good..
(3)April L.
Good food, good atmosphere. Small portion. A little pricey. But excellent bloodymary Go with friends when you are not starving Also, recommend the patio for summer months Not good for huge groups.
(5)Amy K.
The main reason this is a five star review is for the service. I am all about praising a place that has excellent food but it seems that the recent trend of the ultra trendy food spot with terrible (flat out shitty) service needs to end. Our service was great; She listened and even brought us three free apps to try! They were attentive and it was nice to have service such as that. The food was good; our group got the soft shell crab (very good), the lobster roll, cod sandwich, and satchmo poyboy. The food was fresh and had good flavors. A little on the salty side but still good. We would definitely go back to the fish bar for the service and to try a few more things on the menu.
(5)Adrienne T.
I usually try a restaurant out twice before reviewing, but I know I probably won't be back to Fish Bar anytime soon. There was nothing wrong with the service or the atmosphere. Those aspects of my dining experience were really well done. However, coming from Boston I thought the food was a bit on the expensive side for such a small amount received. The gumbo and calamari were flavorful, but I thought I would receive a bit more. My friend ordered the Po Boy and hush puppies but he was still hungry afterwards. Nevertheless, he did say they were fairly tasty. With these prices, I would rather go to Shaw's downtown. Overall, an underwhelming, small plate seafood restaurant with a large price tag in the heart of Lakeview.
(3)Hilary D.
One of my absolute favorite places in the area. Fish Bar always has nice and attentive waitresses, great food & drinks (sliders, calamari, shrimp tacos, moscows & s'mores). One time, the waitress even gave my boyfriend and I 2 free drink coupons for if we came back! Such a calm atmosphere and perfect for a casual date night or a night out with friends.
(5)Al K.
I had a disappointing meal there, nothing great just another overpriced Chicago establishment. We ordered the gumbo which was supposed to have sausage, shrimp and crab, but there was no shrimp or crab in it at all. Flavor was good but for $6.00 I've have better out of a can. The special was scallop tacos. They were good but with only three bay scallops and the smallest tortilla I have ever been served they were not worth the $11.00 for two. Drinks were limited and their specialty drinks were not good at all. I surely will not be going back there.
(2)Lauren S.
I was so excited to go to this place because I live a block away. I looked up yelp reviews beforehand and saw that the plates were small. Since I was going with a larger group I thought if we each ordered one-two plates and shared we would be fine. We all got one the cocktails which were delicious, but when our food came out we were disappointed. Every bite was so extremely flavorful. But the dishes were in fact TOO small for their price. $12 for 4 shrimp? We were led to believe that our shrimp dish would be our biggest dish. While I understand these are probably the prices they have to charge for good seafood in the midwest, my group left hungry and we went to another place around the corner for more food. Overall, it is delicious food but be prepared to order a lot of dishes in order to have a satisfying meal.
(3)MacKenzie F.
My boyfriend had a craving for clam chowder (weird craving, right?!) so I looked up reviews for clam chowder and found this place. I called to make an order for pick-up and they asked me to come in and then order. When I got there, the woman recognized my voice from the phone call and when I ordered, she offered me a half-pint on the house while I waited which I graciously accepted. The order was up in 5-minutes and they told me not to rush and to finish my beer before I went. GREAT SERVICE. As for the clam chowder, my boyfriend said that the soup was awesome. We will definitely be returning to eat in!
(5)Eric B.
Good bloody Marys and nice to have a good selection of fresh oysters. The Gumbo was awful though.
(3)Lisa H.
Fish Bar is a small and beach-like restaurant that specializes in "fresh" seafood. They bring some coast-like vibes to the Midwest with their wooden panels, bar stools, hanging canoe, mason jars, and daily specials handwritten on an oversized chalkboard. I was really intrigued when there was so many raved reviews about how fresh and good the seafood Fish Bar offers. So I stopped here one night with a friend and shared a couple of items: Clam Chowder: this is served New England style; cream based chowder with a thinner consistency than other regional styles. I liked the creaminess, but it was overly salted. No amount of water helped to tone it down. Lobster Roll: claimed to have one whole Maine lobster in a roll. For $22/roll, I didn't expect anything less but miraculous. This roll definitely didn't disappoint. The lobster was fresh and perfectly seasoned. There were also so many pieces of lobster stuffed inside the roll that it kept falling out. Calamari: breaded, deep fried, tossed with banana pepper, jalapeno, and garlic, and topped off with some parmesan cheese and parsley. I enjoyed the unique pickled component with a tad of spiciness, but the actual calamari was too chewy for my liking. Also the ratio of calamari to other ingredients in this dish was a joke. There was five pieces of actual calamari, so not an ideal dish to share. Surf and Turf Burger: crab with a grass-fed beef patty. I thought the beef would overwhelm the light taste of the crab, but to my surprise it didn't. They balanced each ingredient perfectly. Overall, the food was pretty good but does not meet up to the standards of seafood from the coastline. Also the ratio of price to size is ridiculous; almost $50 for our meal and we weren't full. The waitress there was nice in the beginning, but later on became a little pushy about ordering more food. One of my biggest pet peeves is pushy employees. Ugh...she made my experience there really uncomfortable.
(2)Abigail D.
Big fan of this place. It would be a great spot for a date, but I came with a small group and they sat us in a decent amount of time. Small plates, tapas style which is great because everything on the menu looks amazing. Started with calamari which was amazing. Jalapeños cut up throughout for a nice little surprise. We also shared the crouched and lobster rolls which again, unreal. Then we all got a different array of oysters which were fresh and juicy! Nice little treat for the mouth. Good beer selection and cocktails as well. Big fan! I will be back for sure!
(5)Helen H.
BE CAREFUL- both my friend and i got charged twice for this meal on different days. watch out for your credit cards! ambiance- cute and casual prices- average for chicago although the portions are pretty small. drinks- good! food- hit or miss. the clam chowder was very good! the smoked fish dip was wayy too salty so i didnt care for it very much. the satchmo po' boy was delicioussss.
(3)Chan S.
The satch'mo po boy was outstandingly good. Fish tacos were amazing as well. Lobster roll was good, wasn't great. I had high hopes for it but was a lil disappointed. Great atmosphere! Waitress was very friendly. The prices are higher than what I expected & the food was smaller in portion. The portions are actually ridiculously SMALL! I think it could of at least came with a side of fries or something (you get what I'm saying). Def wud go back for the satch'mo po boy!
(4)Allan C.
There are a lot of things about Fish Bar that I don't like. It's stupid expensive. 6 bucks for a cup of mediocre soup is not my thing. You serve various sandwiches / tacos with fried shrimp or oysters but you don't simply sell a basket of fried shrimp or oysters like you do with your calamari. You are crowded even on a late night weekday. This means that the market justifies your freaking decisions. This makes me question the town that I just moved to. Severely. All I want in this town is a decent basket of fried oysters. But you know what, your $1 shucked oysters after 9pm on weekdays have been decently consistent with the occasional shell shrapnel and maybe one not so awesome oyster. For that, I salute you.
(3)Mihir P.
Hostess: socially awkward, OCD and was very specific of where we could sit at the bar. Waitress: very nice but to the point. Food: the best was not the seafood but the artichoke fritters. New England clam chowder was super salty and buttery, lacked the carrots, and the clams were rubbery. The waitress did take it off the bill though. Cod fish sandwich was fresh and crisp but also super-salty (and I like salt). Good variations of the Moscow Mule in that you can get it with gin or bourbon.
(3)Mollyann R.
A DMK Restaurant. Love the concept! So fishy. We ordered cocktails and a bunch of small plates. The cocktails were genius and served in adorable mason jars. If a restaurant offers anything in a mason jar, I'm sold. Everything tastes better out of a mason jar. Once we had enjoyed a few cocktails, we were feeling brave and adventurous so we ordered the frog legs. They were served buffalo style with ranch. They were very chewy and quite the experience. Knocked that one off of my bucket list! Shout out to our server, Alexa. She was phenomenal.
(5)Glo K.
With the terrible snowpocalypse looming over Chicago, I got a chance to sail away for a bit and forget the chilly weather at the Fish Bar. The tiny beach shack-style restaurant offers a very straight forward seafood menu with the the finest fishes from the sea. When you step into the shack, you will notice the always-changing menu board at the center. The board showcases the "catch of the day" which changes for the ceviche, tartare, sandwiches, tacos and the soup. However, they do offer a menu for the same-thing kind of guy to be satisfied with. My dining companion and I started with the mahi mahi ceviche ($9) which was a bit underwhelming. The underwhelming feeling was probably the presentation of the ceviche. The ceviche came in a plankton-size mason jar (womp womp) and I felt like I was fishing for fish bits in the jar... maybe the problem is that I have an appetite the size of a beluga whale. Next we shared the gulf shrimp a la plancha which was a little bigger than our first plate and better. The dish was very simple, but had a small kicks of flavor to it. Also the dish varied in textures as well. The grilled shrimp had a nice crunchy texture and the black lentils gave it a soft balance. It was delicious. Another great treat was the Blackened Blufish Sliders ($9). The buns were so soft and the remoulade was wonderful. I wouldn't mind coming back again to eat the Today's Catch Sliders. I wasn't really kidding about my beluga whale-size appetite. Our last order was the fish plate which was the Char ($12). I've never had Char before, but the fish taste like a mix of trout and salmon with balance of mild sweetness and robustness. Oh! I can't forget the wonderful drinks at the Fish Bar. i would say the Old Man and the Sea ($6) and the GImlet ($6) were my two favorite. I mainly got the Old Man and the Sea because I appreciate the Hemingway reference. (Way to represent an Illinois-native, Kornick... gold star. lol) :) Also, I would like to note that the shack is pretty tiny and the diner-style seating is limited. I would not suggest going with a big group. My dining companion and I went on a snowy Thursday night, so it wasn't packed at all. However, I can imagine Fish Bar reeling in some serious business in the summertime for sure. Anways, thanks FIsh Bar. You were a little pricey for the amount food but you somehow got me hooked. I will be paddling back to try the rest of your menu next time with my whale-size appetite.
(4)Jennifer K.
Stopped by here for lunch one of the days my bf and I visited Chicago. Was recommended here by a coworker. Everything was delicious here. We ordered clam chowders, ceviches, ahi tartare, and the famous lobster roll. Everything was a bit pricey for the portions that they served. But it all tasted so good, left us wanting more!! Def worth it to try this place out! I will go back if I visit Chicago again!
(4)Jody B.
Well, I was in the neighborhood, so I went again. So this is now when I say, I ain't going again! We sat outside which was a plus. Our waiter was nice (another plus). But I am not impressed with the food. Everything is fried. :-P We shared a surf/turf sandwich and a shrimp po boy. Everything I have tasted here tastes the same....like fried breading. We ended up ordering out a burger from next door at DMK. NOW THAT WAS GREAT! Too bad they don't set up a few tables outside their place so you can hear yourself think... meh.
(2)Bill B.
Getting into the Lakeview neighborhood late on a Friday puts a serious crimp in your dining choices. Luckily, I happened upon Fish Bar.... once again! (I'd come here three weeks earlier with a friend who'd taken me) They serve until midnight (at least on weekends), so you can score some seriously good eats, and I did! The style is small plate but both times I've been here the taste has been big. I love a good a clam chowder and theirs is very good. I had it each visit and it's not just veggies and broth. There's a nice mix of potatoes and good sized meaty clams. I will say that ordering it that late at night does concentrate the celery but those chunks of clam more than compensated. The menu varies regularly, depending on what's freshly delivered but, if it's on the menu, the fluke was amazing! Both the fish and the scallop tacos are definitely worth ordering but if you have to choose, go for the scallops. The calamari is great, even at the top end of my spicy heat scale, and the baby octopus dish was dee-lish! The only dish that I would say that was a bit lackluster was the ceviche. A little more citrus flavor or mango or cilantro, but not more jalapeño, might give it a little more character. It's good, but compared to all the other dishes I've had, it just seems a little plain. The staff is knowledgeable.... and honest! They'll tell you what they like or what is 'popular' on the menu. If you're as lucky as I was both times, you'll get Jolanda, "Jo", as your host and you will be well taken care of. Whatever you decide to order, you'll appreciate the elevated casual atmosphere, the cocktails whimsically served in mason jars, and the throwback diner seating style, of Fish Bar. Enjoy!!
(5)Heidi P.
I have been to Fish Bar twice and always enjoy myself. The food is small portions, but always good. They have a small but solid beer selection and their cocktails are great. Low key, trendy atmosphere with some outdoor seating in the summer.
(4)Ed F.
Very good food.. Small portions. Very pricey if you order enough to feed two people, and a couple drinks. But good tasting and unique presentation. Would give 4 if price was about 20% less..
(3)Jesse T.
Good seafood with outstanding atmosphere. This place isn't the cheapest place to get seafood in Chicago, but it's definitely one of the best. Every item is at least good, and the po boys are great. The drink list is fine, and goes very well with the rest of the menu. When I want something light and flavorful, Fish Bar is my go-to.
(4)Ritu R.
Crispy bay scallops. Many small sized scallops. Delicious. Very Indian flavor but not overwhelming. King prawns - in half shell. Spicy and flavorful. Tater tots. Crispy & light! Very nice side. Sea scallops special. Omg! . Citrus & creamy remoulade and arugula. Three medium scallops. Mussels - bland. Bread was nice flavored which we ate in the sauce. Mussels are fresh and nice sized. Good amount to share. Taco of the day was salmon. Hubs liked it. A bit fishy tasting for him. 3 2-seater booths. Rest is bar (communal on bar stools) seating. Hence. "Fishbar". We'll be back :)
(4)Kelly E.
My boyfriend and I tried out Fish Bar for the first time on Saturday and had a WONDERFUL first experience. From the moment we walked in they had someone at the door greeting you and ready to get you a seat at the bar. There are no individual tables at Fish Bar just communal seating around a large bar. We did not know the seating of the restaurant but ended up enjoying the social shared style of seating and how much more attention you get from the servers as a result. The menu is set up in an easy format with specials listed on the chalk board in the front. Most dishes at Fish Bar good for sharing for 2 to 3 people. We started off by sharing the gumbo and the hush puppies. I absolutely loved the gumbo and my boyfriend said the hush puppies, which were served with a garlic aioli, were the best he's ever had. We then shared the Buffalo Shrimp Salad which was phenomenal and our main course was the special Blue Fish Sliders, which were equally amazing. Our food came out at a reasonable pace although our server, Abby who was incredibly nice and fun, felt bad that our drinks took a while to arrive from the bar and ended up giving us a free plate of sashimi tuna with tortilla chips. The cool part about this place is they have some super fun cocktails and the décor inside makes it feel like you're actually eating at a restaurant on the beach. The one complaint we had was that the water was served in small mason jars which we had to keep asking for refills for. Other than that, everything from the friendly service to the food, drinks and uniqueness of the restaurant made it a perfect night. We will be back, many times!
(5)Ada H.
I had ERRRYYYYthang on the menu today. Yes. Everything! I got really lucky and was invited to eat at Fish Bar by my friend who was receiving the outdoor seafood feast for four from DMK's loyalty program. I"ve been to Fish Bar before, and tried several different things. But this time, we tried everything! The feast includes one of every menu item. So we set out and ordered it all. I've posted pictures of most of the items that we ate. It got dark towards the end so I stopped taking pics. I love the freshness of the seafood at Fish Bar. I loved it before, and I love it even more now. Once you dive into the food, for a moment in time you forget that you're in Chicago and you honestly feel like you're on the East Coast somewhere. Especially on a beautiful night out on the patio (that's how I felt). I would list everything we ordered, but there's not point since it was everything on the menu. So, I will list the items that stood out as amazing and those that stood out as just ok. Nothing was bad. Drinks: #1 and #5 were great. #3 not so much (froma girly standpoint). Great: clams, ceviche, cobb salad, surf n' turf, po' boy, dessert Just OK: mussels (too much beer taste), all the fried stuff (not hot and crispy), lobster roll (just missing something...), octopus a la plancha (too soft and chewy) My dinner mates may not agree with me, but this is my review. I will admit that I'm a little bit of an octopus snob (it's my favorite sea creature to eat). And also a lobster roll addict. They were really busy and perhaps that's the reason for some of the lackluster dishes. But it was still a feast to remember. The service was great. We had a main server but also others who helped run out the food and took our orders when ours wasn't around. The only person who was just so-so was the hostess. She was a blonde one. Didn't catch her name. Not terrible, but I would have appreciated more hospitality since after all, she is the hostess. I will definitely return to Fish Bar. They have a seasonal menu, so it won't be long until there are new dishes (and fish) to try.
(4)Angela Z.
Hadn't been back here since way back when it opened. Back then I remember feeling pretty neutral about the food and drink choices. But I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I stopped in Friday in the late afternoon after a meeting for a quick bite. I saw on Instagram that they were having a lovely salmon wrapped spring roll so I quickly ordered that and loved it. Then I proceeded to one of the large mason jar sized cocktails, the bourbon featured Tool and Die I believe? Fan! Had just the right amount of booze to flavor ratio and the size makes it worth the price. For my main I had the scallop and brussel sprout special, really good. Scallops were just the right texture and the flavors along with the sprouts were delish. I see there's some comments about poor service here but I must have come on the right day because my server Curtis was very hospitable. Explained everything and asked if I had questions and made conversation in between asking if i was doing ok so I really appreciated that--great service. Enjoyed the music and atmosphere for sure. It seems like this place has balanced its menu and drinks a little better than what I remember from when it first opened and I liked it!
(4)Shahrooz E.
So here's what's good: Taste (my Po'Boy had the perfect flavors & texture!) Service Complimentary Beer Samples with your order Here's the not so good: Portions aren't filling A little over priced My order was to go and no napkins or silverware left in the bag :( Overall I will comeback but wish the portions were a little larger for what I paid. Figure the friendly neighborhood, freshness and good service are worth the extra coin but value is the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)Ryan C.
Very small so I don't recommend it unless you are with a party of two. They have two tables that would fit 4 but thats it. I live in the neighborhood and one of the few seafood small plate restaurants I've been to but I'm a fan so I can try many dishes. They constantly rotate what they serve to keep the menu and the seafood fresh.
(4)Yvonne B.
I don't know WHY I haven't gone to this place sooner. After all, my Yelpy friends have been haunting this place for ages. They're like, "I'm at Fish Bar. You should come!" And I always take a pass. It took two of those Yelp friends and a birthday to get me there and it was pretty pimpin'! It seems shiny and new. You know - kinda like a Chipotle: big windows, clean, and modern. There's just a smidge of kitsch thrown in. I mean, what else would you call an upside down row boat hanging above the table? It was cool and definitely reminded me that I was in a seafood place. I don't even remember what all we had. Definitely some sort of tartar, s'mores, and key lime pie, but we had other things too. We all had drinks and we all loved them. Everything was fabulous. The server was personable and on top of her job. We were all absolutely flying in and around cloud nine.
(5)Mary B.
I discovered recently that a friend of mine also has a food blog and writes under the pen name, the Chowder Chaser. Needless to say, a joint expedition was in order. I gotta be honest, being from the Midwest, I don't actively go out and seek great seafood. I got to taste some quality lobster and fish while I was in Manhattan this summer but I've lived the past 19 years in a land-locked state. In Indiana, the beach is Lake Michigan. I know, it's pathetic. The Chowder Chaser is from Vermont and is experienced with the fresh seafood flavors that my Hoosier upbringing deprived me of tasting. His beloved clam chowder was subsequently my coveted corn chowder. My friends had given rave reviews about Fish Bar, a DMK restaurant in Lakeview conveniently off the brown line. Their sister restaurant, DMK Burger Bar, had stolen my heart many months ago but this Saturday night would be a new adventure. I was replacing my typical burger with fish, furthering my attempts to consume more seafood and less meat in typical Scandinavian fashion. The snowy weather made the promise of delicious clam chowder more savory and appetizing. The interior of the restaurant is unique and welcoming. The bar set-up evoked a romantic and intimate vibe which allowed my friends and I to bond over the scrumptious seafood that we would quickly consume. We ordered a bowl each of their famous clam chowder and opted to split both the oyster po'boy and the Mexican shrimp cocktail. The chowder arrived and we went silent. After a quick photo and discussion over speciality oyster crackers straight from the hometown of the Chowder Chaser himself (he was extremely pleased), we dug in. One word: phenomenal. The chowder was slightly spicy, adding a kick to the typical flavors of fresh clam chowder. The ingredients were fresh and combined well with one another. The chowder was neither too hot nor too cold. (Goldilocks & the three bears would've loved it) Overall, a solid option and may have changed my opinion on soup altogether. Previously have never been a big fan of soup but if I were to come here again, I would order the clam chowder in a heartbeat. The Mexican shrimp cocktail consisted of mini shrimp in a vegetable salsa served with tortilla chips. Interesting combination of seafood and spice. The Mexican element presented a completely different approach to shrimp that I would have never come up with. Overall, it was decent but I am hesitant whether I would order again. The oyster po'boy was my second favorite. The toasted bun combined with the meaty oyster was fantastic. Topped with a slightly zesty coleslaw, the oyster po'boy was a perfect complement to a bowl of clam chowder. For dessert, my friends and I split a slice of their key lime pie which was recommended by our polite and friendly waitress. The lime flavor was crisp and tart, contrasting perfectly with the crispy, sweet taste of the graham cracker crust. A perfect ending to a delicious meal of seafood. Fish Bar is definitely another treasure owned and managed by DMK. If you can't decide what to eat, I'd advise a visit to Lakeview and once there you can decide whether you want a hearty and artisanal burger or fresh and flavorful seafood. Either way you can't go wrong!
(4)Asif K.
Any place that has shrimp sandwiches and smores for dessert has my attention! The lobster sandwich is cold and doesn't carry much flavor so it's not worth the price tag. Their shrimp sandwich is the star, so get a few of them. DEFINITELY get the s'mores for dessert. You get to melt your marshmallows over a burner which just adds to the experience.
(4)Vicki L.
We're lucky to live close enough to Fish Bar that we can choose when we want to go and not have to deal with lines or waiting to be seated. Since moving to the hood in April we have been going here about once every two to three weeks and we really enjoy it overall. Yes, there are some times we think some of the food is a bit pricey but the quality overall is very good and there has been multiple times they gave us new dishes for free to try out so that for me evens it out. Only the second time we were in it was my bf's birthday they heard us talking about it and brought two free oyster shooters. We love oysters and will go on Sunday when they are half off ($1.50) or just a buck after 9pm, totally worth it. Otherwise during the week we will usually stay away from paying the $15 for a half dozen, just not worth it when you know you can them half off on Sundays. They have also been really cool about letting us put the order in for them on Sunday before 9 (but close to it) and charging the $1 price for them. Really enjoy the fish sliders and have had them with different fishes a few different times, the tartare and ceviche are always super fresh and yummy and the key lime pie is a really traditional one that we love. I have to admit I am not sure we would go so much if it wasn't in our hood and we could just walk over and see how the lines/crowds look but since it is I will definitely continue to keep visiting!
(4)Dan K.
I went here for lunch noonish on a Friday. I split the Shrimp Tacos which were extremely good not to fancy but overall good. We also split the special, trout sliders which were quite awesome as well. We also enjoyed the jalapeño Hush puppies and drink selection. The service was fast and they were helpful. I am a Nanny and I brought a 1.5 year old with us. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BRINGING KIDS....they were all very nice but not really set up for it.
(4)Barry A.
It's dismaying how waiting in line to eat is now an integral part of dining out. A line obviously creates excitement, but restaurants like Fish Bar also turn the line, and the people in it, into part of the ambience - which is humiliating. There were 2 empty tables and 7 empty spaces at the bar after we'd waited 35 minutes, but the maitre d' was not seating people - I suppose to make the line longer. The decor is what you'd expect if IKEA decorated a fish shack. We sat at the bar, next to where people line up to get drinks. We were regularly jostled by these patrons and even slammed-into by the over-stuffed backpack on a drunk and disappointed Cub fan. This must be a trend, as it's similar to the mindlessness of people who stand, blocking vestibules on el cars at rush hour. The raw oysters and my soft shell po'boy were adequate, but not good enough to justify the $40/person price. The crabs were not completely fried. The bread was well toasted and the other filling was tasty. Something especially obnoxious was that our waiter asked for our names and referred to us by name all night. This creates the same warm intimacy one feels at the Gap or Wal-Mart when greeted by the "Hello, Welcome to..." drone. Fake friendliness seems like a suburban thing. Indeed, most of the patrons look like people who grew up in the suburbs and are living in Chicago for a few years to sow their wild oats and vomit on the sidewalk.
(2)Derkins R.
every summer my girlfriends and i take a trip to various towns in new england (rhode island, maine, etc.) to soak up the sun and gorge on seafood (raw/fried oysters and clams, lobster, etc.). fish bar very nearly makes this trip unnecessary. everything we ordered (oyster po'boy, codfish sandwich, fried lemon thing) was so delicious. they even threw in a free order of tater tots (don't know why but we were not complaining). fish bar makes me really eager for the summer to arrive. and, please, try the fried lemon, onion, jalapeno thing. it is... amazing.
(5)Layne S.
I had to go back to Fish Bar. My gf works in the area and we're sick of all the usual places. I had the lobster bisque which is new and the lobster roll; we shared the fried calamari. The lobster bisque and the calamari were very good yet this time the lobster roll wasn't great - I don't know - the bread/roll flavor won out when it should have been the lobster in the roll that dominated my palate. The manager on staff that evening was great and the service was spot on. I guess I'll keep checking back every few months. I want to like this place as I've been a fan of MK since it opened.
(3)Nikki C.
It's like half the staff is on holiday and got Robyn to cover all the shifts despite her no longer working here. I like chowdah.
(5)Ashley F.
Great place for seafood, New England Style! As a native New Englander I was impressed. We will definitely be back. Can't go wrong with $1.50 Oysters and delicious cocktails!
(5)Johnny G.
I know it's the same owners of dmk and the offerings are unique, but this place is a rip off for food and drinks. It is an experience, but I won't be back. There is way too much hype.
(3)Michael A.
Came in for a late dinner on a Sunday. Very hard to find a great spot on Sundays. Alex took great care of us. Tried a plethora of options. Each small plate was great. Great flavours and a variety of options. Had a beer and shot to go with it all. I will definitely be heading back. With all the options in Chicago, that is saying a lot. Looking forward to the next trip.
(4)