An oyster-craving clientele adores this casual South Loop seafood emporium.

by Jennifer Olvera

In Short
Sponged maritime blue walls and nautical knickknacks lend an underwater feel to splashy yet tasteful decor. Patrons sip cocktails at the large bar, while diners navigate the extensive menu inside cozy booths. Given the name, it's no surprise you can get oodles of oysters--fried, on the half shell, in stew, or in a poor-boy sandwich--but well-dressed regulars also gravitate toward blackened catfish, jambalaya and gumbo. Landlubbers can feast on a variety of pasta dishes.

05/17/06

worth ducking through the scafolding

by bobdavee

A friend and I went for lunch and both had the Jambalaya. He commented that the spicyness factor leaned a little too heavily on the salt but we both thought it was very flavorful. The chicken, shrimp and sausage were plentiful and in good proportion. The cornbread was nice too and useful for soaking up the sauce. It looked like a fun place for after work.

• Pros: convenient, flavorful, uncrowded

12/07/02

A Loop Favorite

by billz3303

This place is a "traders secret". Not the snazziest decor, but who eats the furniture. If you think Heaven on Seven or Red Fish serves great jambalaya, gumbo or catfish, the Oyster Bar will give your taste buds a reality check.

Yes, it really is an oyster bar too, and their fish dinners are fresh and flavorful. Eat in or take out.

The Dearborn Oyster Bar is open M-S, lunch dinner. I mention this because Citysearch doesnt provide this information.

• Pros: authentic cajun, authentic creole, great value
• Cons: so. of Jackson