Half Shell, Inc
This Diversey dive may not look like much, but it serves some of the best--and cheapest--crab legs in town.
(773) 360-5713
676 W Diversey Pkwy
(at Orchard Street)
Chicago,
IL
60614
41.9327
-87.646
Neighborhoods: North Side, Lincoln Park
What People Are Saying About Half Shell
The Owner
Half Shell, Inc
Owner
This seafood restaurant and pub is known for crab legs, fried shrimp and its wide variety of burgers and other beef entrees.
Also whether you come from around the corner or happen to be from Istanbul, Turkey, you will always enjoy our Luncheon Specials, served daily from 11:30am to 4:30pm.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Set back from the street and down a narrow flight of stairs, Half Shell hides in a dark, low-ceilinged room decorated with Christmas lights and nautical-theme bric-a-brac. Regulars drink steins of draft beer at the bar--Chicago accents abound--while straight-talking servers nonchalantly go about their business.
The Food
If you don't know about Half Shell, it's because Chicago seafood lovers know how to keep a good secret. And who wouldn't be protective of such huge, perfectly fried shrimp and succulent king crab legs? The menu also features scallops, catfish, red snapper and dungeness crab, but those legs are the stars. Full of tender meat and needing no more than a squirt of lemon, they're delicious in a combo with beef tenderloin: Get two big legs, a half-dozen tender chunks of beef, grilled veggies and shoestring potatoes all piled atop toast--with a sucker for good measure.
User Reviews
Anonymous
November 26, 2007
For the man who said they wash their oysters....Obviously you're not a big oyster eater. When oysters are farmed they actually have mud in them. Maybe you'd rather eat mud rather than eat the oyster. Great food great value. Recommend to anyone.
read full reviewabescott
November 10, 2007
As the other reviewers state- this place has great food. Fried oyster appetizers were clean and crisp. King crab legs were GREAT seemed like every table had an order. Huge pieces of succelent meat. The fried shrimp were A+ as well. Great portions with both being served on bed of french fries. Very small dining area and cramped tables- I wouldn't exactly call it romantic more of a dive bar that would be uninteresting if not for the food. Total bill was $75 for appetizer, 2 entrees and 4 beers.
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katherinedonald
October 21, 2007
My Pop used to sneak me in here when it was a biker dive bar in the 70s/80s when I was a youngster and The Turk was the Boss. So aside from many fond memories it is one of my favorite value-for-money places in Chicago AND the best seafood place I have been to and I have been everywhere, from up to downscale. When you enter the Half shell you think you are going into a cave--it is in a basement and has a few tables with Christmas lights left up year round. The service is no frills, and luckily the menu doesn't change much. The shrimp are large and excellent and when softshell crabs are in season (usually in June) they actually prepare them correctly which is saying something about their seafood know-how since most restaurants I have been in (even ridiculously overpriced Loop and river North places), do not prepare them properly. The women's restroom has a bathtub in it. May this place stay open forever. My favorites--softshell crabs in season (usually June), fire roasted clams, and the crab specials. If you don't like seafood don't go--aside from a few side dishes (decent house salad), it's seafood served with a lollipop and lettuce leaf, and there aint much else (there's tenderloin & shrimp too). It's a romantic place, but also they will accommodate kids (but they have to like seafood AND not run around since it is dark!).
read full reviewThe Details on Half Shell
Know Before You Go:
Hit the ATM before you hit Half Shell--checks and credit cards are not accepted.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Date Spot, Brunch, Hidden Find
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At Bar
Message from Half Shell
- Great Neighborhood
- Pub and Oyster Bar
- Take-Out
This seafood restaurant and pub is known for crab legs, fried shrimp and its wide variety of burgers and other beef entrees.
Also whether you come from around the corner or happen to be from Istanbul, Turkey, you will always enjoy our Luncheon Specials, served daily from 11:30am to 4:30pm.
