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Half Shell
- Restaurants
- Chicago, IL
About this business
It does not look like much from the outside, and in fact, it is a little hard to find. But if you see the small sign and descend into the lackluster basement of this restaurant, you are in for a treat. The seafood is among the best in the city, and throughout the entire meal, you will be convinced you are in on a secret that nobody else has heard. Alaskan King Crab is what most of the locals stop in for, but the menu also has other seafood and meat options. Men must doff their caps.
Location details
676 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Get directions| Weekday | Schedule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | |
| Tue | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | |
| Wed | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | |
| Thu | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | |
| Fri | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | |
| Sat | Closed | |
| Sun | Closed |
Great food - great local ambiance – 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 bee... read more
I've been here more than 200 times. I WORSHIP this seafood dive bar, best value in town – 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 ... read more
They wash their oysters before serving! Absolutely horrible. – I went one day at lunch time and ordered a dozen raw oysters at the bar. The oysters were the worst I've ever had. The kitchen actually *washed* the oysters, removing all of the nectar! I've never ever seen this done at any restaurant before. The oysters were rendered plain, with hardly any taste. They were fairly fresh, but were so bland that I ate 3, paid up, and left. I will never ever go back to this place again. Absolutely horrible.
UNBELIEVABLE Neighborhood Seafood Joint! – I stopped into Half Shell tonight and can honestly say it's the second best seafood I've had in Chicago - slightly behind Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop on Clybourn. The difference? Price! Half Shell, as a RESTAURANT, was about ? more affordable than Dirk's - a retail seafood shop. AMAZING! I'll definitely be back to Half Shell, but, per the handwritten messages from the owner posted on the door I won't think about wearing a tank top, sporting a baseball cap, or paying with anything o... read more
Secrets are always best kept – I've been going to the Half Shell since 1972. When west of Halsted, was considered dangerous (or German). If you like dives, if you like seafood, you will like this. I am surprised that it's just since 1968, I would have pinned it earlier since my much older brotherinlaw introduced it to me in '72..... well before any of you reading this were born. Yes, "were". Subjunctive. Don't take any cutesy-wootsy people here, though. We want to keep it cool. For eg, John Cusak (ugh) think's this joint has... read more
Love the food hate service – My friends and I went out to Halfshell last Friday night we has excellent food! The portions were big and the taste was amazing. The only problem service is in the toilet
This Diversey dive may not look like much, but it serves some of the best--and cheapest--crab legs in town. – 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... read more
Best Deal in Chicago – Half Shell has delicious, hearty portions of seafood in a no frills environment. The snow crab legs are phenomenal as is the fried shrimp (served with coctail sauce and another sauce, perhaps apple-horseradish, that is sweet and spicy. It can get very crowded, but the wait is well worth it. The prices are really reasonable considering the portion size. They have daily lunch specials as well, for an even better deal.
Gotta be there – As a visitor from Texas, I was introduced to the Half Shell over 20 years ago and make a pilgrimage each time I'm in Chicago . It is the best of "The best kept secrets of Chicago". If you prefer great atmosphere, casual dress, cold beer and the most succulent King Crab in the history of ever. Search no further.
Frequently asked questions about Half Shell
How is Half Shell rated?
Half Shell has a 4.6 star rating with 1,106 reviews.
When is Half Shell open?
Half Shell is closed now. It will open on Monday at 9:00 a.m.
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