Shaw's Crab House

07/27/09

Best seafood in Chicago

by hexter at Citysearch

July 25, 2009 My wife and I dined at Shaw’s Crab House Sat night, and it was fantastic. We have eaten out at a lot of seafood restaurants, and we can honestly say that Shaw’s (either Chicago or Schaumburg) still has it going on, and is top of our list for consistent, quality seafood and shellfish. The food is always prepared right, with great service, and the dining room is comfortable, where you can relax and enjoy your meal. Here was our dinner/all worthy selections: Start with their hand-shucked dozen assortment of oysters (Chicago Magazine just voted “the best” oysters), then their famous jumbo lump crabmeat crabcake (North Shore magazine voted “best crabcake”), then their wonderful Lobster Bisque soup, then split an order of their steamed Alaskan King Crab legs with side of melted butter, then try the in-season special, three delicious soft shell crabs sautéed in lemon, garlic butter, all with great veggie sides, and end it all with Key Lime Pie and Homers Peppermint Ice Cream with Hot Fudge sauce. Hot Intelligentsia coffee drinks and specialty tea capped it all off, and we were very happy. Shaw’s has the seafood dining experience down to a perfect science.

• Pros: Shellfish, seafood, service

04/10/09

Great oysters and great bar

by fredsamford at Citysearch

The 4-6 1/2 oyster special is one of the best Ive ever been to in any city. Very good atmosphere and attentive, excellent service. Great raw bar with chalkboard specials for fish in season. Front dining room is very classy and very nice bar too. Def. worth your time.

• Pros: Oyster happy hour special, raw bar, nice bar in front
• Cons: Premium drink prices

04/08/09

Oyster Bar is Awesome

by rgalbos at Citysearch

This is one of my go-to late afternoon lunch spots downtown. Nothing better, in my opinion, on a cold winter late afternoon than a bottle of white wine, a dozen oysters and a bowl of lobster bisque. Love it.

Cannot wait to go back.

• Pros: Great food, casual scene, great service
• Cons: Mmmm ...

03/30/09

Two thumbs up for the Oyster Bar

by dinabostock at Citysearch

We went to Shaws twice during our 5 day stay in Chicago and loved it. The oyster menu has some of my favorite Northwest oysters, including the Kusshi from BC. The prices are average at $13/dozen. They had just received some bay scallops from Nantucket and we thought they were very good, albeit xpensive at $34 for the entree. We also tried the spicy crab/salmon roll covered with thinly sliced lemons. It was very tasty. Overall the atmosphere is relaxed and the bartenders are very friendly and know their stuff. I'd definitley go there again.

• Pros: fresh PNW oysters and other great sushi
• Cons: None that I could see

01/07/09

Excellent Old-Style Seafood House

by FuzzyLogic at Citysearch

Shaw's, which is just down the street from the Billy Goat Tavern, has a dual personality. The main restaurant brims with old-fashioned ambience: muted lighting, wood accents, etc., and is plenty respectable for a dinner with mom or grandma. A power meal with the boss would work here, too. But if mom, grandma, or your boss is a drinker or cusser, then you want the other half of Shaw's, which is the adjacent oyster bar. Most recently, I ate at the oyster bar, which I prefer for the relaxed atmosphere. (The patrons tend to be more relaxed and convivial as well.) I went late (9pm), so I can't attest to the crowds. The bartender was solicitous to a fault. In addition to all the conventional fresh seafood in this place (the daily catch -- both fish and shellfish -- is posted on the wall), they have sushi, which is like having a second menu of appetizers. I had a dozen oysters and some sushi, chased with a beer (OK two) and a shot. The bartender helped me select oysters that I like (sweet and plump, not too briny) which on this occasion were the PEIs from Canada. They were delicious, though I was a bit disappointed with their size -- I used to think this was a seasonal thing, but an oysterman in Seattle once explained to me that it has more to do with who the restaurant buys its oysters from. I also like an oyster bar that gives a baker's dozen; this one does not. The sushi was very good and fresh, and the rice had the right su mixture (the sweet vinegar mixture that is folded into the rice). Drinks are pricey, but nothing unexpected for an old-time downtown seafood house. Good place for a date. If you want a more down-to-earth seafood house, head for the Half Shell on Diversey.

• Pros: oyster bar, solicitous service
• Cons: a bit pricey

09/08/08

Average food, tables too close together

by raviolirinaldi at Citysearch

On our first night in Chicago, I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with a nice seafood dinner. We arrived at Shaws and sat at the bar to wait for our table (Make reservations - even with reservations, we had a 10 min. wait) We each ordered a Goose Island beer -- the ta came out at $22 -- are you serious?! For two local beers - we already were worried.

We were presented with a corner table with only one table about a foot away from us. The layout of the restaurant isn't the best - the tables are too close together for comfort. About 10 minutes into dinner the "pride" of Chicago walked in and were sat next to us. For the rest of our dinner we had to hear these three individuals swear, sing, yell and be very condescending to the waitress. Quite honestly, it ruined dinner and we knew we had no chance of being reseated.

On the positive side, our server Lindy was delight. She was very knowledgeable of the dishes and really took care of us. The food was average - I think a little too expensive for the prices. My boyfriend had Pike while I had the house specialty Alaskan King Crab Legs. We split a scalloped potato side which was horrible. The fish was ok.

I don't recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a romantic dinner. Quite honestly, we went to Hugo's Frog House the next evening and had an excellent dinner for about the same price. It was a shame that the food didn't trump the annoying company we had next door to us....

• Pros: great service all around
• Cons: tables too close together - feels stuffy, food average and overpriced

03/27/08

Incredible service with incredible food

by hmenn at Citysearch

I always eat and drink in the Oyster Bar. The service is professional, knowledgeable, and can always recommend something delicious to eat or drink. I've never had to wait longer than 20 min for a table or for food, so if you're in a rush, eat in the Oyster Bar. I love the crunchy BBQ eel rolls, I seriously recommend them!

• Pros: valet, great food, friendly service
• Cons: busy

01/08/08

excellent seafood at an excellent international price and with fantastic service

by jarthurw at Citysearch

We went to Shaw's Crab House to celebrate our anniversary after 20 years away from the US (fortunately, we live in Australia and my partner is an Australian). We got our reservation a few days before our Saturday night dinner, arrived on time, and were seated within 10 minutes. After great drinks service we ordered chowders to start and lobster for our main meal. We were both shocked and delighted to receive the bibs seen in all the movies. The food was great, the drinks were great (although better Australian wines could be chosen) and the service was fantastic. We decided on coffee, and the waitress brought out complementary key lime pie to celebrate our anniversary. It was fantastic.

For all of those who think Shaw's is expensive, try dining out in Paris, London, or Sydney. We found our bill was about $US 150 for two -- but two people having ALL of the best we could order. With good ambience and great service, what more could you want? We are definitely going back in June 2008 to meet with US friends to celebrate a significant birthday. Well done Shaw's!

• Pros: Food, drink, ambience, price, service
• Cons: Busy on a Saturday night -- but this good a restaurant will be!

12/19/07

don't waste your time and money here

by lub2eat at Citysearch

shaw's crab house in schaumburg, il. first off, the place was too dim and too loud.. i felt like i was in some club rather than a restaurant. secondly, they burnt all of our steaks. last, but certainly not least, service was okay throughout the night, until our server had to ruin it all. we finished our dinner, paid, and left tip on the table. right before we stepped out of the door, our server had the nerve to stop us and ask for his tip. i guess he didn't check the table. despite that, gratuity is certainly optional and no server should bombard customers for money. you best believe i will never step foot in that restaurant again

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: everything

12/11/07

Wonderful food , outstanding service .

by gasman1114 at Citysearch

Ate at Shaw's last Sat. night . Place was very busy but fun. We were a party of 8 and had to wait for a table and ended up eating in the Oyster Bar . Not at all unpleasant as it was busy and a fun place to be.

The food was outstanding but even better was the service. Armando , our waiter , was outstanding. He along with the great food made the trip from Michigan well worth it. Can't wait to come back .

• Pros: Great ambience , outstanding service .
• Cons: Parking !