Calumet Fisheries Reviews

This place is awesome. Not really all that expensive. Enjoy smoked or fried fish. Seating was 2 picnic tables outside by the road. We really enjoyed the view others may not. Get to take over to Calumet Park for a picnic if you want.

Calumet Fisheries was established in 1948 and has been operated skillfully and successfully by the Kotlick and Toll families ever since. It's a bare-bones seafood shack with no seating and no bathrooms serving house-smoked fish, fried seafood platters and sides. Most patrons eat their orders in parked cars or take it home. Located at 3259 East 95th Street in Chicago's South Deering neighborhood, next to the 95th Street bridge, Calumet Fisheries is noted for its smoked shrimp and smoked pepper and garlic salmon and trout. You know this is a serious business from the minute you walk in the door and see the James Beard Award displayed on the wall. Open at 10 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it draws long-time customers from all over the Chicago area, including southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana. It was much more convenient when we lived in south suburban Blue Island. But now that we live on Chicago's Gold Coast, we order smoked shrimp and smoked whitefish and smoked salmon and smoked Rainbow trout by the pound (two days worth of meals) to take home, then order a fish dinner with fries, slaw, crackers and sauce to munch on while driving home. Like cold pizza, the fish reheats very well. Or at least to our satisfaction. It's a good thing. We'd had to miss a trip to Calumet Fisheries.

The smoked fish is the best quality here because it's made on site. The chubs have finally started coming in again but you need to call ahead because they don't always have them. When I visited yesterday they said it would be another 2 weeks before they had more. Their fried shrimp is still my overall favorite so the trip was not wasted. Even though the address might worry you, this location is very safe; there is a huge yacht yard right across the bridge. Remember CASH ONLY!

This place is amazing. I thought they closed years ago because I took a other route home.. bbooyyy, when I tell you how happy I was to go in there. Got 5 of my friends going. They love it. There's na for always treating my good. Fish is always fresh.

Smoked fish on premise, fried oysters, shrimp, salmon, and pretty much any sea creature you can think of . Cash only, great place serving the public for 6 decades. Do not drive buy without stopping, check out the smoker right next door.

My work crew and I ordered take-out from here on a Sunday and we were very disappointed. First, let me preface that none of us had any of the smoked fish which, if you look at their menu, appears to be what they are known for. That fare might be excellent; however, as a catfish and saltwater fan, I elected to try the crab cakes and catfish. I didn't have high expectations and am knowledgeable of how pelagic seafood and other saltwater fish is shipped, stored, prepared, and also misrepresented, in many area restaurants. Long story short, the crab cakes were either out of a box or bag, shaped in perfect circles and remarkably evenly breaded (you can get better ones at Strack's and cook them yourself). The catfish might not have been; however, the entire lot of fish was very oily and soggy and the dinner was about the size of a Lunchable. We work not far from the restaurant, the food was still plenty hot, so the quality wasn't attributed to it getting cold. As a result, I give the catfish and crab cakes a poor review.

Three different kinds of smoked salmon, garlic and black pepper is my favorite. Other smoked fish too and smoke shrimp are a winner. Fried shrimp, oysters and other fired delights are worth the trip to the shack by the calumet river bridge the blues brothers jumped over in the movie.

I grew up and live close to this place, so I've known about it for years....but its only been the last 10 years or so that I've patronized this little shack on the river. On any given day or evening, you see several cars parked near the bridge in an older part of Chicago, not far from Indiana. You step out from the car, go in, and smell the smoked fish....wow. If smoked fish isn't your thing, they have several other options to choose from. Their smelt and shrimp is good, and so are their fish pieces. You can get all kinds of sides too from macaroni salad, to cole slaw, fried mushrooms, calamari, french fries, and yes even sweet potato tots. As others have said bring cash.....no credit/debit cards accepted here. And for those who lament the fact there is no seating (except for outside)...why change things...they have been around for many years being successful at what they do....and its only been in recent years that its become famous outside of Chicago. Long before Anthony Boudrain and the James Beard award, this was a place where locals would come to get their fish. For the non-locals, you can either eat it outside when the weather is warm., in your car, or take a short drive not even a mile further east on the shores of Lake Michigan and enjoy your meal at Calumet Park. All in all a place not to be missed by Chicagoans and travelers alike.

Zero looks and ambiance, This has got to be the most unpretentious looking cook shack around. No indoor seating, just two tables with benches outside. It's all about the food. Simply top class smoked seafood. We went on Sunday and then we went back on Thursday, it is that good. We had smoked salmon, sturgeon, trout, snubs and shrimp. It was all good. Very, very expensive but good.

My family and I live in Chicago and we heard about this little shack having amazing fried shrimp. We took the adventure out to Hammond to check it out and we were not disappointed. Ordered a smorgasbord of fried shrimp, fries, and onion rings and at first thought we were overzealous in our ordering. But we kept making room for one more bite because the shrimp is just that good. Check it out. A dive not to be missed!

As one patron so aptly described: "It's literally a shack on the side of the road." But Calumet Fisheries on East 95th Street reminds me so much of Ted Peters' Smoked Fish on St. Petersburg Beach in Florida. Both of them have been around for about the same length of time and, because they continue to satisfy their customers, they'll be around for a lot longer. Calumet Fisheries got a big publicity boost when it received national exposure on Anthony Bourdain's television show. But people in Chicago, especially on the South Side, have known about it for years. Old-timers who came with their fathers now bring their children and grandchildren. Nothing fancy, only two picnic tables outside, just wonderful food...fried and smoked shrimp, smoked salmon with garlic and pepper, fried oysters, scallops, frog legs, catfish, smoked trout, smoked whitefish. In 1948, brothers-in-law Sid Kotlick and Len Toll opened Calumet Fisheries on East 95th Street. Their dream was to serve the freshest, tastiest fish on Chicago's South Side. Sixty-six years later, it is still run by the Kotlick/Toll family. It remains a take-out business, no indoor seating, no bathrooms. Many customers enjoy their smoked and fried seafood while parked in their cars in front of the restaurant. In fact, Calumet Fisheries is only one of a few smokehouses in Illinois. Like Ted Peters, who opened in St. Petersburg a few years before Kotlick and Toll, the onsite smoking is done with natural wood in the smokehouse, not liquid smoke or other industrial substitutes. The fish is marinated in brine overnight, then smoked over a fire of special oak logs. Ted Peters started with mullet, then added salmon and mahi mahi. But Calumet Fisheries smokes over a dozen varieties of fish, including catfish, salmon, rainbow trout, white fish, sable, trout, shrimp and sturgeon. A side of cole slaw or French fries always is a treat. Scallops and oysters and frog legs and crab cakes also get rave reviews. Nothing fancy, just good food with a view.

For those who haven't gone, this is a must-visit. I'd suggest trying their smoked fish (salmon or shrimp). The catfish dinner is another one of my favorites. Add this to your list... go on a Saturday afternoon, pick-up your meal, and head to a local beach to enjoy it!

Stopped here for the first time after passing by the place for more than 30 years. My new wife and I saw the recommendations on TV, and we like smoked foods, so we made the decision to give the place a try. The visit was on a Friday evening during Lent at 5:15 PM. Probably not the best time to get friendly service. They weren't rude or surly. It was indifferent and a bit unorganized. The food was average in taste. The fried items, we had shrimp and scallops, were plain. We found the shrimp to be more breading than meat, and they were fried dark and hard. The breading did have some good pepper flavors. The scallops had better texture and color, but they offered nothing that would make them outstanding. We got small pieces of smoked sturgeon, trout, and shrimp. I didn't care for the texture of the sturgeon. The trout was better. The shrimp was really good...large, juicy, and flavorful. So, was it worth trying? Yes. Will I be going back anytime soon. No.

Haven't been here in over ten years. Last visit was okay, but this visit was not so good. Scallops were skimpy, had to knead through the fried batter (with no flavor) to find meat. Don't understand why catfish is cut down from fillets to nuggets. Cheese sticks texture was different on both ends and could not identify the substance that the chicken nuggets were made of. It did not resemble or feel like real chicken. Although I didn't purchase the crab cakes, they are made from imitation crab meat. It's hard to take a place seriously who prepare food with imitation crab. Portions are not proportional to pricing. I can't agree with those who say it's the best fast seafood place around, but because of it's history it is iconic. For a comparison, try Bob's Shrimp in Hammond, or Shrimp Express in Calumet City.

As I mentioned in another review, I decided to for go the Ho-Chunk Casino and Buffet this year for some Closer-to-home fair. Calumet Fisheries and Horseshoe Casino was on the radar. Calumet Fisheries is located on 95th street on the far east side of town(on the way towards Hammond Indiana and the Horsehoe Casino. Since I missed my Friday Buffet at Ho-Chunk, I thought I'd visit Calumet Fisheries instead. Absolutely delicious!!! I ordered a Shrimp Dinner which came with Fries, Cole Slaw and some of the best damm Shrimps around!!! I asked for them to be cooked hard and they were perfect! Calumet Fisheries has every kind of fish you want. They even have "Smoked" fish, Eel, Mushrooms and Fried Macaroni? Another thing about Calumet Fisheries, it's a take-out place AND YOU BETTER BRING CASH! No Credit Card purchases allowed(Although they DO have an ATM inside). Head East on 95th to Calumet Fisheries(You can't miss the place) it's right before the Bridge/Place Where they filmed the Blues Brothers (Jake and Elroy) jumping the bridge to avoid the Police. Love Seafood? Visit Calumet Fisheries they are open late!!!

This place is epic. It's located in an area that's look like one of those zombie apocalypse movies desolate and industrial. It is a minimalist dream just a counter some display cases and great smoked seafood and shrimp. Every road trip up to Chicago should include this place as a stop.

If Anthony Bourdain, James Beard and The Blues Brothers aren't enough to entice you, I'm not sure what I can add, other than the smoked fish is outstanding and the fried shrimp ain't too shabby either. Bring cash and don't expect to dine indoors. A lot of folks just eat in their cars. It's too tasty to miss.

All of the smoked fish is amazing. The garlic pepper salmon is our favorite. This is carry out only, no seats inside. Cash only.

So on a roadtrip to indiana I drove past this amazing gem shown on Anthony Bourdain's show and I had to turn around..it was packed and u have to eat outside..no chairs. We ate in the back of my Subaru. We had fried smelts, fried shrimp, and smoked salmon and lemon pepper smoked trout. Get the lemon pepper..so good

My grandfather drove from our Chicago home at least twice a month with me in tow to get the shrimp and the smoked chubs. Well I’m 70 years old and I take my grandson to Calumet Fisheries to get bags of golden shrimp and smoked fish. The chubs are gone but the smoked White Fish is fantastic. Try it. Take the drive. Park on the bridge and eat your fill

Off the beaten path but worth the drive, Calumet Fisheries won't disappoint! If you like fried fish, fried veggies and fresh smoked fish, this is your place. Nothing fancy and there is no place to eat inside (your car will have to do!) and they take CASH ONLY, so come prepared. Their smoked shrimp is $23. per pound but you will not find any larger or better than these. Very friendly people running the place too!

We live in Michigan and make the drive down every few months to pick up a couple of pounds of the smoked shrimp. While we are there we each get a shrimp dinner to eat on the way home. Yummy, Good times.

Been waiting for a trip here, did not disappoint had smoked salmon ate with my fingers was excellent also smoked shrimp. Staff was very good and prompt.

Don't be put off by the small building and street parking. This place is a real find for good smoked fish. We tasted the trout, salmon and shrimp and all were outstanding! Fries were tasty too. My son loved the fried smelt and we all loved the sauces. Service was great. Worth the trip.

I went today after passing this place for years going to the lake front. The shrimp (smoked) are the best I have ever had in my entire life.

IF you like fish and seafood AND IF you like smoked fish, you have to find this place. Nothing to look at, but very good food...all carry out...and cash only. We enjoyed fried smelts...perfectly prepared. Took them across the street and watch the boats and the draw-bridge while we ate. I could say more but it would only repeat some of review that I saw by "Taylor B" that was titled "Ted Peters comes to Chicago". I have been traveling to Chicago for over 40 years and never knew about this place....I will return and when I do, I will have an ice chest in my car to transport my purchased home!!!

If you want smoked seafood, this is your place. It is a little die from Chicago, but well worth the trip. There are no tables so plan to sit in your car or take it somewhere. We found a park close by and stopped there to eat. Smoked items:The shrimp was the best , salmon was delicious Fried: Fish pieces- tender & tasty; sweet potato tots nice addition Cole slaw- really added to the tastiness of the meal

Always looking for a new place to ride. This was an unexpected find. Very generous half portion of fried clams. They were great. A nice ride from Lakeview down Lake Shore Drive. Cool spot.

The staff were awesome. We talked to the owner? Guy smoking the fish and he was very nice. We tried the BBQ style and hot sauce to dip the shrimp in and found it took too much away from the smoke flavor. I would highly recommend this location. There are some picnic tables outside to sit at but otherwise expect it as a take out location. ONLY CASH!.

I had forgotten how great this place is. I started coming here as a teenager and recently brought a new friend. The scallops are great, the fries were oh so crispy and the cole slaw was the best. I've always ordered the shrimp or scallops but hear that the frog legs and catfish are the best. The best way to eat anything from this establishment is to drive a little further east to Calumet Beach, sit near the water with a nice breeze and enjoy!

If you like smoked fish and/or fried seafood, you've got to try this place (and bring cash) - a nice selection of smoked choices, the trout and salmon have both regular and pepper/garlic options. There are a couple picnic tables out front, but the best is to go eat on the bridge. The prices are reasonable and the portions are very generous. We had the fried scallops, though I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Also, it is a great excuse to skip the skyway bridge toll....

Calumet Fisheries has been in business for nearly 100 years, one of only two remaining smokehouses allowed to burn wood and smoke fish in Chicago, a bare-bones, no frills, red-roofed seafood shack that has had me engaging in the artful tradition of grabbing a bag of fried fish and eating in the car since I could tell shrimp from oysters. Located at 3259 East 95th Street, at the 95th Street Drawbridge that spans the Calumet River, in the South Deering neighborhood, owner Mark Kotlick's pride and joy is open from 10 to 9:45 Sunday through Wednesday, 9 to 9:30 on Thursday and 9 to 9:45 on Friday and Saturday. Founded in 1928, it offers house-smoked fish, fried seafood platters and a smattering of side. The menu includes salmon, shrimp, trout, whitefish, sablefish, sturgeon, smelt, lake perch, oysters, scallops, catfish, herring, crab cakes, frogs legs, clam strips, calamari, French fries, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, even eel. Once threatened with closure, Calumet Fisheries has thrived in recent years. Credit a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the 1980 movie "The Blues Brothers" starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, a featured segment in the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" TV show in 2009 and the James Beard Foundation's American Classics award in 2010. Calumet Fisheries reminds me of Ted Peters' Famous Smoked Fish restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. I order one pound each of smoked shrimp, salmon, rainbow trout and whitefish with a side of French fries, hop in my car and munch all the way home. Once there, I freeze what's left for a future snack or meal. You don't know how good fish can taste until it has been smoked.

We heard about this place years ago and when we want smoked salmon or any other smoked seafood this is where we get it. It is all carry out and cash, no credit cards. You either have to like smoked or fried items. People are friendly and service is great. You park on the side of the street right before the bridge. In the warmer moths they have a picnic table to sit at and watch the car and boat traffic.

We LOVE the Smoked Sable (not there all the time) as well as the Peppered and Garlic Smoked Salmon and the Smoked Trout. SInce we hadn't had the fried shrimp in a long time, we decided to get a full order. We didn't love them! Too much batter on them that the shrimp taste is lost -- and very stingy on the cocktail sauce. We got a full order of shrimp and got one tiny little container of sauce which wasn't nearly enough for all the shrimp. Had we known you only get one, we would have asked for another sauce and even paid extra for it. Seems ridiculous when you are paying $17.95 for the container of shrimp. In the future we will stick to buying just the smoked fish here since no one does it better. You can get better fried shrimp elsewhere however.

We bought a piece of smoked trout and few pieces of smoked shrimps, and then ate them in the warmth of our car. And we were not the only car out front, as there's no sitting space within the little white shed. It's very old school. I can imagine the same scene played out 50 years ago. There was not much surprise. Everything tastes more or less what I expected. Nevertheless, the quality of the food was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the smoked shrimps, which I never had.

The menu was fantastic. the people;e were warm. all and all we had great experince. The perch was out of the world

Hard for me to believe that this FISHY JOINT has been part of my dining for 6 decades ; yet it has been. Still standing still filled with nothing but great sea food. The menu is pretty constant, any changes no matter how small are for the MUCH better. Calumet Fisheries is only carry out. In nice weather there is a pic-nic bench out side. The very interesting thing about waiting for your sea food prepared is the very diverse cliental ; just from listening you learn they come from near and far. The walls are lined with so many awards and positive news stories about Calumet Fisheries. Along with the many fried choices are a VERY LARGE selection of smoked sea food choices the sea food is Smoked right here. When you show up please take the time to read the menu. There are no, bad choices.

oh god the smoked salmon was heaven. the shrimp wasnt so bad but its definitely extremely hyped up. the fried oysters on the other hand was amazing!!! took off one star because there is no seating. imagine how much money they would be making if they offered seating! nonetheless, highly recommended.

To call this amazing place unassuming would be a gross understatement after having had the best smoked salmon I've ever had. There's reason why the James Beard Foundation recognized this family-owned place as an American classic. I used visiting this place as an excuse to ride my motorcycle 116 miles down from Milwaukee to eat here. It was worth it. They also have fried seafood as well and I had the scallops dinner that came with French fries and coleslaw. The scallops were excellent, portion size was large. They were breaded, but I would have preferred battered. Still good. I ordered regular smoked salmon & a garlic and herb smoked salmon as well as smoked shrimp to go. I brought along ice packs for this purpose. I had never had smoked shrimp before and I happily took them up on their offer for a sample, which closed the deal. There is no indoor seating. I ate at one of two picnic tables outside. Many people eat in their cars or on the walkway of the adjacent bridge, where a famous scene from the Blues Brothers movie was filmed. Btw, cash only, but they have an ATM inside.

You don't get these so easily. The trip far south of Chicago is worth if you like smoked fish. Is this the best? No. But it's pretty good and fish is fresh.

Smoked shrimp as well as salmon and others fish, all fresh and delish. If you're in the area stop by and grab a couple pounds, you won't be sorry. CASH ONLY

I saw Anthony Bourdain visit this place a few years ago and I just so happen to like smoked products and seafood, It was a good choice. It is a small building on a bridge, no indoor seating and a smokehouse out back. They have alot of choices for smoked seafood and fried baskets and sides. I ordered the garlic and black pepper smoked salmon steak, it was big, thick and full of flavor and smoked shrimp which was also great. It's a hole in the wall, no frills, but definitely worth the stop, big portions, good price and great taste!

It is really hard to impress me with fried food, I mean really difficult. The fried shrimp were good, but the fried scallops were even better! I also took home smoked shrimp (to die for) and smoked salmon (breakfast, anyone?). The employees gave us such wonderful customer service and helped me make a great decision on food. Calumet Fisheries does not get any more local than this. The prices were reasonable for the amount and quality of food we received. Bring your cash (cash only place) and enjoy a great local place for fried and smoked fish.

It had been years since we had been here and really looked forward to some great fish. The smoked items are great, but the fried catfish, fried ocean perch and fried shrimp on our recent visit were barely average. They do make a great tartar sauce though. It may be a while before we return.

My boyfriend and I got 1/2 of garlic salmon, 1/2 shrimp and catfish dinner. It was way too much food. We couldn't finish it so we will eat left over food later when we get hungry again. Good smoked fishes and good amount of food with the good price.

Thanks to Anthony Bourdain, we made a pact to try out the smoked fish at Calumet the next time we were in Chicago. It was worth the drive to South Chicago, even on a Friday night. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was idyllic...a little red and white shed like building at the end of a bridge on Lake Michigan. There was more smoked fish than I had ever seen, as well as a takeout counter with many varieties of fried fish...smelt, shrimp, cod, scallops, and oysters, just to name a few. We grabbed our fish, happy as little clams ( no pun intended), and found a great space at Calumet Park to gaze out on the water to eat our delicious treats. We'll make the drive again on our next trip, and we think you should, too. Bon appetit! Oh yes, the fish mongers were super helpful and patient as we took in all in and made our somewhat slow decision on what to get.

I saw Calumet Fisheries on Anthony Bourdain's show and really wanted to try it. It's one of those places that will make you feel like the ultimate foodie. It's literally a shack on the side of the road. There are 2 picnic tables outside and that's it. The smoked fish is prepared in steaks, not filets so be prepared to remove bones. We tried the Smoked Salmon with garlic and pepper, the Smoked Trout and the Smoked Whitefish. They were all very good. We also had the sweet potato tots which was the least impressive of our choices. If you're on your way to Indiana, don't take the skyway to get there (you'll pay the toll and get off 90 before you cross the bridge) but there signs will lead you back there to reach your destination. It's a fun detour.

If you like smoked fish and are in Chicago, this is a great spot. We bought smoked white fish and shrimp as agift for friends. The White fish was very good, although I could take it smokier and can't comment on the shrimp, because our friends took them to a cocktail party and ate them all. They did say that they were excellent.

My wife's family made this a weekly "must go to" place for decades. When my wife and I started dating, this was a place she had me take her to. The little shack perched on the side of the Calumet River is literally 50 feet from the 95th Street draw bridge. Nothing has changed at the shack...it looks the same..the menu is the same...the great food is the same. The only thing that has changed are the prices! This past week my wife and I were visiting her family in Chicago, and her sister said we have to go to the fish place on the 95th Street Bridge, So, off we went! It was a spectacular day, so we ordered and took our food to Calumet Park for a picnic! We got smoked salmon, smoked trout, breaded lake perch, and breaded shrimp! Oh, what a feast! Great memories can live on and it did this past week!

Thanks to my friends who reject ANTHONY BOURDAIN's recommendations. Food here is phenomenal! Delicious, juicy, fresh, perfectly cooked seafood. It will not be exaggeration to say that this is the best frogs legs I have ever eaten.

Their smoked salmon is AMAZING and for an unbelievably low price--probably the best smoked salmon I've ever had. This place is an INSTITUTION and you can tell that their clientele are devotees that converted way back--a great sign for a restaurant. This isn't for those eaters who want a "pristine" eating environment. But the experience of ordering great smoked fish with a couple sides, and eating it on the bridge watching the Calumet River, is...great. Highly recommended! TIP: The sides are great--order a couple to enjoy with your meal (I liked the sweet potato tater tots the best).

We visited Calumet Fisheries for the second time last Saturday. This place is a gem and well worth the trip. (We live in Wisconsin and stay in the River North when in Chicago) On our first visit we were given the opportunity to see the smoke house and talk with one of the friendly employees about how they do what they do. Both times we've gotten some excellent smoked fish and shrimp and had a very good lunch. Yes, you do have to eat in your car. Or outside if the weather is nice. Or at home if you live in the area. So be prepared for that. Yes, it is cash only. There is an ATM there though.

Some colleagues and I were on the south side for work and decided to swing by after a recommendation. As you travel through barren streets past empty warehouses, the little fish shack on the water comes into view. This tiny, take-out only, joint is exactly what you'd want in a fish smokehouse. The smells and originality of the place transcend you to a different place. The large fillets of smoked fish in front of me assured I made the right choice. I went with the fried shrimp dinner and some smoked pepper and garlic salmon. WOW! The smokey taste in each bite of salmon was unreal. Best I've ever had. The fried shrimp was excellent as well! It's cash only, as it should be, and well worth the trip.

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere but still in the city limits of Chicago, Calumet Fisheries is an iconic place. It didn't need the Blues Brothers or Anthony Bourdain to make it famous (although it was a great tribute to them to have their restaurant featured) because it has been running for years. Unique menu and one of the last true smokehouses in Illinois. High quality and great service. Remember that the smoked fish i the speciality. They have fried fish too which is also good but it's really about the smoked fish. Look at the small smokehouse before going in and you know you are in a special place. Cash only. No inside seating but it's fun to sit in the line of cars outside and just enjoy the meal. Excellent

We love going to 95th at the Bridge also known as Calumet Fisheries. My wife loves eating the shrimp out the box. The staff is very courteous and friendly. The food is excellent. We love the shrimp and the frog legs. We drive from Gary, IN to Chicago just to get this food to eat. I highly recommend this place if you like fried seafood. There is no place to sit inside to eat, just sit in your car and enjoy the food. We DO!

We had wanted to try this place for a number of years and finding ourselves on the far south side of Chicago, this was a definite stop. Everything is either fried or smoked and the fried fish is cooked to order. We had the smoked shrimp and it was wonderful. If the weather had been a little warmer it would have been nice to have a picnic on the bridge. We settled for a picnic in the car and wished for some hand-wipes when we done although the scent of the smoked shrimp was very enjoyable. Will stop again when we are in the area.

Of course this is not a sit-down restaurant. We bought 2 fish dinners, smoked shrimp, smoked salmon and smelts. Fish was cooked just right. We all enjoyed our lunches. It was easy ordering and the service was fast. If it had not been raining, the experience would have been so much better. The menu was not extensive so make sure you read the on-line menu before going there. Also, they only accept cash.

Owner seems burned out locals don't eat there only tourists from Mi & WI on the way to lake houses Our visit two years ago the smoked shrimp truly was the poor man's lobster. This time the fish was flat and dry, husband choked on a bone, that was nice, my smoked shrimp was gamey. Best thing was the fried mushrooms. Would I traverse the rotten hood to get there again? No.

I lived in New Orleans for 10 years so I have had my share of fried oysters. The ones I had today @ Calumet are as good as any that I have ever had succulent and perfectly fried to a deep golden brown. I also got a piece of the smoked trout which was also excellent. Tony Bourdain keeps on giving from beyond. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. This is Chicago at its beautiful grittest. A must stop just across the Indiana boarder.

Had to drop a relative in loop. Took the 20 minute detour south to this place. Got smoked trout, smoked shrimp, and a sample of the chubs to take home for dinner. Also a half order of fries oysters for sustenance for ride back home. First time for the trout and it was really good. The shrimp are so good, there are no words to describe them. Loved the oysters; had them before.

This is a great casual spot for seafood. The service is excellent and food is fresh and hot. My favorite dish was the stuffed shrimp.

Never had a unpleasant experience here. The selection is excellent and the service wonderful. Do not judge the appearance of the building because you will miss out. Fish lovers dream.

Hard to get to worth the effort. So so good. Smoked fish and prawns the go. Friendly staff. Beautiful food at this hard to get to shack. Ace.

Calumet Fisheries at 3259 East 95th Street on Chicago's South Side reminds me of Ted Peters' Famous Smoked Fish restaurant on St. Petersburg Beach in Florida. Both are rarities, one of few smokehouses known for smoking their own seafood onsite. Ted Peters opened his business in 1951. But Calumet Fisheries is even older. Brothers-in-law Sid Kotlick and Len Toll launched their family business in 1948. The successful recipe hasn't changed. Calumet Fisheries uses natural wood in the smokehouse, not liquid smoke or other industrial substitutes. Smoking fish the old-fashioned way is a vanishing art. At Calumet, the fish is marinated in brine overnight, then smoked over oak logs and tended for hours to produce the naturally delicious flavors. Ted Peters made his reputation by smoking mullet--and still does. But he also smokes salmon, mahi-mahi and mackerel. Calumet Fisheries smokes catfish, rainbow trout, salmon, black cod, shrimp, sturgeon and white fish. The shrimp dinners with potato salad and cole slaw are wonderful. But so are trout and salmon with pepper and garlic. Calumet Fisheries was named one of the five honorees for the 2010 James Beard Foundation's America's Classic Awards category, which is given to restaurants with timeless appeal, beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community, from small, regional restaurants to shacks to lunch counters to down-home eateries that have carved out a special niche on the American culinary landscape. That description fits Calumet Fisheries to a hot oak log.

I made the trek to Calumet Fisheries to see what the buzz was! A James Beard Award! Anthony Bourdain loved it! Well, I did too-- BUT: cash only, counter service and not a table in sight! It's too bad, because I hate eating in my car, and the food was the finest smoked salmon I've ever had and unbelievable perch. Wow.

My father would bring me here when I was a little boy. Fried and smoked shrimp, smoked salmon and chubs, fried oysters. Wow what great food and always a walk over the bridge. That's why I've continued to come here for years with my children and grandchildren. Simply great food and fun, with a trip to Calumet Park afterwards to cap off the trip from Indiana.

I used to live on the East Side so I have been comming here since I was a kid.This place really has the best fried shrimp you are going to find.They also have their own smoke house and I have to say their smoked shrimp is the crack of all food ! Go in the summer time then continue down 95th street to enjoy your meal in Calumet park looking at Lake michigan.

I am a local, but I wanted to get the word out. It has been on several travel/cooking shows.This fish shack is on the far southeasr side, and you will have to drive here. This place sits on a bridge that spans where water flows into the calumet river from Lake Michigan. They sell cooked, raw and smoked fish and shrimp. Its carry out only, and a lot of folks eat in their cars outside.

Quick tips: come early, bring cash, be patient, be flexible in your selections. We have been thinking of checking out Calumet Fisheries for over 10 years, ever since Anthony Bourdain featured it in his TV series “No Reservations” back in 2009. I would intermittently check to see if it was still around and, fortunately, it still was. There is no question that the current COVID-19 pandemic hastened our decision-making to sample their offerings given that several famed dining establishments have folded or are about to go under. I am reminded of Hot Dougs, also featured by Bourdain, that shut down over 7 years ago that I was fortunate enough eat at twice before the owner decided to close that chapter of his culinary career. Glad to see that Calumet Fisheries is likely to avoid that fate and that it is doing well despite that pandemic and perhaps doing even more business precisely because of it. Established in 1948 Calumet Fisheries is the epitome of business simplicity; take-out only, cash-only, no seating, no toilets. Sticking to the basics, smoked and fried seafood the family proprietors do it very well and customers obviously keep coming back for more. On the junction of 95th Street and the Calumet River this is just about as far from a scenic location as one could imagine. Ambiance? You’ve got to be kidding. You are here for the smoked seafood and smoked seafood alone. There were several cars parked in the street and in the small parking lot to the west when we showed up one late afternoon on the weekend for take-out dinner. There was a fairly long line; only 3 customers allowed inside at one time. We were all masked and keeping our social distance but that didn’t stop us from socializing. The gentleman ahead of us had been buying food here for over 20 years, usually to bring with him when heading out to Michigan, but he would also drive in from the western suburbs when the urge arose. He stated he has all their smoked seafood at one time or another but he always bought the smoked shrimp and urged us to do the same. It took us over 30 minutes to get in. We were lucky that the weather was pleasant. Since only 3 persons were allowed in at one time I let my wife do the actual shopping so a customer behind us could enter sooner. Turns out that by 5pm on a weekend they had sold out much of their “inventory”; no more smoked trout, sable, eel or crab cakes. Even many of the side dishes were sold out. Fortunately they still had lots of smoked shrimp. We ended up with fried scallops, and smoked shrimp and sturgeon as well as the slaw for our side dish. We decided not to eat the scallops curbside at Calumet Fisheries but take it all home. It was no surprise that the crust on the fried breaded scallops had gotten damp inside their box on the drive home but a brief period in the toaster oven helped fix that a little. The scallops were still moist, tender, not at all rubbery. The smoked shrimp were as good as advertised; full of savory smoky goodness, easy to peel and still moist. Calumet Fisheries made no claims as to the size of their shrimp (in contrast to our sad experiences with Benihana’s tiny “colossal” shrimp), but these were practically prawns, the headless bodies all 3-4 inches long. The smoked sturgeon was slightly firm but also still moist and not flaky, well-smoked. We regret having waited this long to try out Calumet Fisheries, but having finally done so, are most definitely going back but much earlier in the day so as to give ourselves a better chance at their selection.

While I enjoy the various types of smoked fish that Calumet smokes themselves (the smoker sits to the east of the building), it is the smoked shrimp that I find irresistible. In nice weather, consider driving just a very short drive east to Calumet Park which is on Lake Michigan to eat your food.

I have lived on the Southwest Side of Chicago and just found this little smoke shack....OMG....Either wait for summer or plan on taking it home to drooling company. It's like the ones down in Florida that I grew up with.....Cash Only. Eat in your car, on the curb or take it home but your taste buds will have an unforgettable experience. Smoked shrimp to die for.....fried seafood platters....even frog legs.

My family has been getting smoked fish here since the 1960's. We used to live in the area and it was a real treat to get the smoked chubs. Over the years we have moved away from the area. I come back from Arizona every summer for a family reunion in New Buffalo, MI and the reunion wouldn't be complete without their smoked fish for Sunday brunch. I go straight from O'Hare to Calumet Fisheries. Although the smoked chubs are rarely available we love the smoked trout. And don't miss the smoked shrimp. I always get those to peel and eat in the car on our way to MI. So much has changed in our world since the 60's. It is nice to relive those memories with visit to Calumet Fisheries.

I really enjoyed this place. Nostalgic Industrial Chicago setting, the moving bridge over the river, boat yards, all add to this little smoked seafood shack. Aside from smoking fish they sell fried seafood, the breeding on seafood was light and had great taste. The shrimp they use are 18-20 count, so not huge, but a good bit size... Try their hot sauce, really good combo! It's cash only but don't bring more than you need, because the neighborhood is pretty tough. Definitely worth the drive if you love smoked fish, and go before lunchtime if you want to bring home a selection, they sell out fast.

This is a must visit. I knew I was in for a treat when I saw their James Beard award displayed on the wall. Staff is friendly and fast. Don't be discouraged by the line because it moves fast. The smoked fish is iconic and has been featured on the Cooking Channel. I ordered shrimp, catfish and smoke salmon. It was worth the drive for the food. You don't dine in but rather dine out. It's not usual to see patrons eating their food standing outside especially if you are a cyclist that doesn't want to eat cold food later. Cash only and they do have an ATM inside.

We decided to stop here on a whim; man am I glad we did. The location is awful, the ambiance is non existent, but the food and the friendliness of the staff make up for all of that. We each ordered different things and shared and it was all amazing, but the real winner were the smoked shrimp - - - - to die for!!!! My husband was interested in seeing their smoker set-up and one gentlemen spent close to 20 minutes giving my husband a 'tour' of the facilities. Don't ever let someone tell you that folks from Chicago aren't friendly. If they do, they haven't been to Calumet's.

It may have been a bit of a public transport schlepp, but catching the train right down to 93rd Street in South Chicago was well worth it. Why? Well, this place – Calumet Fisheries. Word has it that it’s here you can find some of the best smoked and fried food in the city and if it’s good enough for Anthony Bourdain, it’s good enough for me. One thing I love is that it isn’t tourist central, and I kind of dig the unglamorous surroundings. It’s in a semi-industrial part of town, a couple of kilometres from the Indiana border, by the Calumet River and smack dab next to the same drawbridge that the Blues Brothers jumped with their car. Since 1928 generations have been flocking to this seafood purveyor; by foot, by vehicle and by boat. Anything smoked is done so onsite in the small smoke-house by the seafood shack. A decent variety of fish and of course the shrimp I fell head over heels with. A good chunk of trout set us back a measly $4.19. Impossibly smoky, oily in a good way and delicious. The shrimp dinner is a tasty tray of fries and crumbed shrimp with coleslaw and hot sauce. And then there’s the half order of frogs legs; also crumbed and fried, seriously juicy and enjoyable with every lip-burning bite. My favourites? The smoked shrimp and trout by far. As for the fried things, well, nothing ground-breaking there.

This little cash only no frills shack sits right next to a bridge in the middle of nowhere on the South Side, serves some of the best smoked fish in Chicago. They sell the smoked fish by the pound and the fried foods is made to order. The service is no frills old school fast food. No seating available for dining. Expect to wait if ordering fried food but the smoked fish will most likely be ready to go when you order. If you find yourself in this food desert off the beaten path be sure to check out this gem.

I waited too long to make this trip! I had the catfish dinner and grabbed a piece of smoked salmon for later. The catfish was delicious but the star was the smoked salmon. Wow!

One of the last if not the last , smoke houses on river . Made famous for being in blues brothers movie . Smoked fish is great , shrimp and smelts also great . Love bring guest here . #porkmafia inda house

Fried and smoked fish from a shack next to a moving bridge; what's not to like. First off, know going in that it's cash only, although there is an ATM machine inside.For the prepared person, a monthly coupon is available on their website. There's no seating except for an outside picnic table or your own car, but the food is worth it. You can't try enough in one sitting, so I've resorted to ordering something fried to eat right away and bringing the smoked fish back home in a cooler. Fried favorites: the scallops and stuffed shrimp. Smoked favorites: Pepper & Garlic Salmon, Shrimp, and Sable. So bring a wetnap and a cooler. And if you're particular about your condiments, bring those too. Only options on site are ketchup and hot sauce, mild (bbq) and hot (Franks Hot Sauce).

Smoked fish including salmon, shrimp, sturgeon and more. If you like salmon you must try the garlic and peppercorn smoked salmon. That alone will be worth the trip. If fried fish is more your style don't leave without an order of smelt. Just remember this is a cash only establishment so bring some real money. No place to eat other than a couple of picnic tables in the sun so drive a 1/4 mile east to Calumet Park along Lake Michigan and picnic on a park bench in the shade.

I have been coming here since I was a kid, I am never disappointed. Always great food, both fried and smoked fish. The fried meals are great comfort food, and the smoke salmon should always be ordered.

We stopped here on July 1st, 2011 on our way into downtown Chicago. Having seen this establishment on T.V. and being a lover of smoked foods, I had to stop by. This is a very non-descript looking building but don't be fooled. The smokey aroma inside adds to the experience. Having a hard time choosing between the selections, I went for the garlic pepper crusted smoked salmon, my piece was about 8oz., the biggest one in the case. Don't know how to put it in writing.......Awesome! I have had many types of smoked salmon, from San Fransisco to some shipped from Alaska, none have been as good as this. This salmon just melted in your mouth! It is no wonder they were a James Beard award winner. They are carryout only and you just park on the street. Service was very quick even though they were fairly busy.

Fantastic place for smoked and fried fish. Try both. If you're ever driving past this area, be sure to stop in.

Iconic fish shack by the bridge on 95th street and I'm happy I have now been. Friendly counter staff who were quite conversational. Fried shrimp dinner included half order of shrimp, french fries, coleslaw, hot sauce and some Saltines for about $11.00. A pair of picnic tables on the sidewalk for seating. On my next visit I'll try the smoked fish because they looked awesome.

Great fried and smoked seafood I always get the fried shrimp with hot sauce wife likes the crab cakes if your ever in the area you should definitely stop in but remember to bring cash they dont accept credit cards but recently I did see they put in an ATM so if you dont have cash you can hit up the ATM

Best salmon I've ever had. Cash only. Also had the trout and the calamari. Calamari serving is pretty small.

This placed serves different types of smoked and fried seafood. It varies depending on the seasons. Absolutely the best. The shrimp are.......you know what just go, GO NOW, IN THE AREA? JUST GRAB YOUR KEYS N $CASH$,no debit cards, AND GO, GO NOW!!!

The Calumet Fisheries Chicago is one of the often recommended culinary adventures around Chicago and even James Beard Awarded. It’s a little shop, established 1928, no place to dine inside, mostly fish on the menu and mostly smoked and fried. You grab your food and eat it hot in your car. Or you visit the closeby bridge which was featured in the original Blues Brother Movie, and eat it there. The offered food is amazing. It's so good that the Fisheries even got its own Wikipedia entry. You can already smell the smoke when walking up to the store, and this wonderful aroma also makes the fish so tasty. Enjoy this special way to eat fish while you are in the area!

Stopped for lunch enroute to Chicago. Had fried catfish, shrimps and scallops. Ate at the picnic tables outside. Breading was rather thick; not the best fried seafood we’ve had - I’d say no more than 3 out of 5. However, the smoked fish (pepper and garlic trout and salmon) we tried was the best we’ve tasted- 5 out of 5 for sure. We stopped again on the way out to get more!

Calumet has been a place I've been dying to visit. I'm not from Chicago but I visit often but normally don't have a car or the time to make the trek down to Calumet. It's my kind of place, in a less than polished side of town serving food out of a tiny building. This fish shop resides in an industrial area on the Calumet River. There is no seating inside so it's take out only. Cash only too! The service is very friendly. Ordering was the hard part for me, everything looked amazing. I went strictly smoked fish ordering the garlic/pepper smoked salmon, smoked trout and smoked shrimp. They were all fantastic and very smoky. If you choose to eat with your fingers, good luck getting the smoke and fish smell to vacate on a 12 hour period. But totally worth it. The sides played second fiddle. I had potato salad and cole slaw, they did their job of breaking up the smokiness but weren't anything to rave about. Can't wait to return and recommend to others.

Fantastic experience. Great fried seafood and excellent smoked fish and smoked shrimp. Cash only, but there is an ATM inside. 2 picnic tables, but most people eat in their cars. Wish they had cocktail sauce; we will bring some next time.

Not impressed by the fish dinner, frozen who knows what kind of processed fish, deep fried with fries. Bland and only made worse by the tabasco flavored hot sauce to dip into. I did buy the smoked salmon, and that might be a redeemer but not for anything on the food menu that is prepackaged frozen and deep fried. Friend had the coleslaw and did say it had great texture, wasn't runny and tasted fresh.

Amazing that a place like this is still around. Fried oysters pretty good, fried shrimp not so much, onion rings soggy. I would go back for the view of the place and its location, and that it is still around.

Although not a place for eating in ... The seafood here is amazingly fresh and prepared well. Having left the area, I crave calumet fishery and try to make it in when I visit. Try the smoked salmon or the smelt ! Fantastic shrimp as well but their smoked fish is a specialty! Check out the blues brothers paraphernalia and Anthony Bourdain even featured this place on his show.

Had terrific fried shrimp and scallops from Calumet Fisheries. Dinners come with cole slaw, french fries, crackers, and sauce. The place does not have any seating inside, though there are a coupe of picnic tables right outside. Note that the place is cash only.

Divey smoked fish shack with great smoked fish and an old school atmosphere. No inside seating, but a few picnic tables outside.