3259 E 95th St

Calumet Fisheries is an absolute must visit when you're in Chicago! Located on a bridge, this unassuming spot is a perfect example of a "hole in the wall" that delivers big. As Anthony Bourdain famously said, "Good food is very often, even most often, simple food," and Calumet Fisheries embodies this philosophy beautifully. The lack of indoor seating adds to its charm; it's all about the fish here. The outdoor smokehouse wafts enticing aromas that instantly whet your appetite. The menu offers a fantastic array of smoked seafood and fried baskets, making it hard to choose just one dish. We tried the garlic and black pepper smoked salmon, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The smoked salmon was bursting with flavor-truly a seafood lover's dream. I also indulged in their fries shrimp, which was equally delightful. The generous portions ensure you get your money's worth, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for the quality of food. Staff is friendly and welcoming. If you're looking for a no-frills dining experience that prioritizes taste and freshness, Calumet Fisheries is the spot for you. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or taking some smoked goodies to go, this place is definitely worth the stop. I can't recommend it highly enough!

I've been wanting to go here since I learned about this place on tiktok. I was excited to get to see the smoke house, and although the person who worked here showed me, there was no fish in there and that's when I learned they only smoke fish on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesdays. So I had just bought fish on Thurs that was smoked a couple of days prior. Not gonna lie--That was kind of disappointing. Although the fish itself was good, but it does have bones you have to watch out for. I got fried fish and fries and that was good with the tarter sauce. The potatoe salad was also solid. Over all, I would come here again when I come in the chicago area.

I stopped here recently for lunch to pickup a few menu items and knew I would be impressed. I placed an order for a half order of stuffed shrimp, fried smelts and 1lb of smoked garlic pepper salmon. I ate the stuffed shrimp + fried smelts immediately since they were fried to order. I had not had fried smelts in a while but this was very comforting and delicious. I got both hot and mild sauce for each. The stuffed shrimp stole the show for me as I wish I ordered more to be honest. I can't explain in words how delicious they were but I loved every bite. As for the smoked garlic pepper salmon, you order by the pound if you're not familiar. The cost is excellent imo for this considering there's not many places you can go to get good smoked fish. I ate this later when I got home and was extremely impressed with the quality and flavor. I paired this with some rice and broccoli. Nonetheless, if you like smoked fish... especially salmon, this is an excellent choice here. The fish is well seasoned, smoked and flavorful. Even if you don't live in the area, this is well worth a trip imo. The cost is inexpensive and the quality of fish is excellent. Don't cheat yourself, treat yourself!

My husband has terminal cancer so to see him actually eat with some zeal is a heartwarming thing. Not only did we love the shrimp from Calumet Fisheries, we opened the smoked trout for a taste of our childhood. Only brined then smoked in oak smoke with no artificial additives this is the smoothest smoked trout we've eaten in a very long time. The flavor of the trout shines through and the smokiness is subtle but delicious. I am ruined for smoked fish from anywhere else. Calumet Fisheries does it right. I can't wait to try the salmon.

Best smoked salmon and smoked trout. Try peppered versions! Friendly and attentive staff. Super cool, chill and low key setting.

What a treat this place was. Located right next to the west side of the bridge over the Calumet River at 95th Street, you wouldn't think to find such a nice little place for food ... but you will. This is not a sit down kind of place but, rather, one where you drop in ... order ... and it comes to go ... whether that is to go in your car outside or to sit on one of the few picnic tables or to go home. Any way you do it, it makes for a very nice meal. When we went we had the two orders of the French fried shrimp dinner, and one order of the Catfish dinner. I must say, they really have this French Fry thing down pat. The dinners were all large servings, and all came with fries, a little slaw cup, and condiments. They were routinely very good. Everything is pretty much pre-breaded in the morning and when you order they fry it up right then ... fresh as can be. It comes out steaming hot from the fryer to your lunch or dinner bag. One of their specialties is their pepper & garlic smoked (they smoke their own in back) salmon, and we'll try that next time. I can easily see this rating going to 5 stars with that item. They can get busy in here and it is a small place inside, so try to plan when you come. In the door, wrap around to your right, place your order, pass the cooler, and you are at the cash register ... and on your way out the same door. Service was nice and they'll help you with the process if you are a first timer ... but it is easy-peasy. PS: this is a cash only place. Recommended.

I got lunch here today after a friend recommends this place. I'm not a fan of smoke fish, but...... I ordered 1/2 lb fried shrimp dinner with fries, slaw, and hot sauce and 1/2 lb of smoke shrimp $30 Was pretty good, just one thing the guy on the counter forgot to put the napkins in my to go order Is only carry out 2 tables ouside you can eat, and also cash only ATM available Tonys favorite menu Chef bourdain was here

I haven't been there since the mid 80's when it was supposedly far better. It was lousy then. I have a very high standard for food as it's generally way over priced. I prepare 99% of our meals myself. My wife and I might eat out 5 times a year. All the rest is scratch made by me. To be fair, the majority of people do not know what good fresh food tastes like. I see lousy restaurants with packed parking lots. That's evidence enough for me. I would normally not do a review on a place I haven't frequented recently but based on recent reviews and my past experience, I'm ok with it. I can distinctly remember feeding this food to the seagulls at Cal park.

This roadside fish operation may look like a small shack from the outside, but inside it's a palace of smoked and fried goodness. Get yourself some smoked shrimp (huge and juicy), some slaw, and a soda then plop down on a picnic bench for a simple joy in life. Or, get yourself some heaping slabs of smoke salmon and trout and be the hit of your next tea party. Any way you go, you can't go wrong with this Chicago institution.

During our most recent visit to Chicago we heard about Calumet Fisheries and were intrigued. This roadside gem on the shore of the Calumet River has been in business since 1928 and the smoked fish they sell is legendary. We had to see and taste for ourselves. We drove out from downtown Chicago one afternoon and found a single building on the side of East 95th Street. The people behind the counter were very friendly as we studied the menu. We ordered the fried fish, fried shrimp, Mac and cheese bites, and macaroni salad to eat at the benches outside. We also ordered 2 of the generous smoked salmon portions to take with us. The fried fish and shrimp orders came with tartar sauce and their signature mild sauce. The fried fish and shrimp were fantastic! The batter was light and crispy accenting the fish and shrimp perfectly! We really enjoyed their mild sauce with the shrimp. Yummy! The Mac and cheese bites were crispy and very cheesy! Quite tasty! The macaroni salad was creamy and sweet with perfectly cooked macaroni which we really appreciated. Finally, the star attraction was the smoked salmon. The generous pieces of salmon were approximately one pound each and had a tantalizingly smoky aroma. The salmon was perfectly cooked falling apart in a flaky festival under our forks. Spectacularly tender with a sublime flavor this smoked salmon was magnificent. We had never had anything as remarkable as the smoked salmon from Calumet Fisheries. We now have a new favorite in the Chicago area and will make sure we return every time we visit the city.

Amazing seafood shack located on the highway. Their smoked fish are great, great prices. We love the fried clam strips, oysters and scallops. Friendly staff too! Cash only. There's an ATM inside. Lots of parking, there's a free lot down the highway ramp or most people just pull over on the side and put blinkers on.

I was happy to see that this Chicago classic reopened recently after a fire last year. The restoration is impressive; it looks almost exactly the same inside. The fried fish and shrimp are tasty but nothing unique. The got smoked fish is incredible. I enjoyed some amazing pepper and garlic salmon recently. It was great on a saltine, and even better at home with some cream cheese and a bagel the next day. There is no seating inside, but there's a picnic table outdoors. Or just eat it on the the hood of your car!

I am sooooo glad they reopened today! Stood in line to order the heavenly smoked salmon!!!! MUST TRY!

Throughly enjoyed the food. This establishment is a must for all who want a real Chicago experience.

Still good shrimp. Get there early and running out of things. Very popular again. But the food tasted just as good.

So are they closed or not? Anyway, the food here is awesome. This is a Chicago landmark and a must stop if you find yourself on the east side.

Calumet Fisheries is a seafood sensation that will make you go wild. This place is a historic landmark that has been serving up some of the finest smoked fish in Chicago since 1928. It's located right next to the 95th Street bridge, which you might recognize from the movie The Blues Brothers. It's a small and simple shack with no seating, but don't let that deter you; it's a seafood extravaganza inside. The smoked fish is the main attraction here. You can choose from a variety of fish, such as salmon, trout, shrimp, sturgeon, and more. They are all smoked to perfection using natural wood and brine, not artificial flavorings or chemicals. The result is a smoky and succulent fish that will make your taste buds sing. The fish is so good that it won the James Beard Foundation Award in 2010. That's how you know it's legit. The service is quick and straightforward, but not very warm. Don't expect any small talk or compliments from the staff. They are busy and focused on delivering the best seafood possible. But that's fine, because you are not here for the service; you are here for the food. And trust me, the food will make you forget about everything else. The place is not very clean, but that's part of its charm. It has a rustic and authentic vibe that makes you feel like you are eating at a fisherman's dock. The place is full of character and history, and you can sense it in every bite. So don't be a snob and enjoy the atmosphere, you pompous jerk. In short, Calumet Fisheries is a seafood lover's dream come true. Their smoked fish will blow your mind, and their simple and honest environment will make you feel at home. Just be prepared to smell like a seafood platter afterward, and don't be too picky about the service or the cleanliness. Just dive in, enjoy the taste, and let Calumet Fisheries take you on a wonderful sea adventure.

open closes 9:45pm updated by phone call 5 weeks ago $10-20 per person reported by 373 people menu · places.singleplatform.com (773) 933-9855 outstanding famm train the vibration 99wattzz of luv man the food waz so good we at in the parking lot ,fresh,presentation made uz digg in ,an yezz large orderzz no problem, feelzz like nephuu & niecezz cooknn lol they were ,when the chi to far i must tagg in at my peepzz, sending datt luv universe teetee

Its really out there but it was a good experience meeting some of the regulars there. They have large steaks of Salmon, catfish and other lake fishes smoked. Something that makes the fish last but on the whole it was a bit bland.

Excellent fried smelt and oysters. Plenty of parking. Cash only. ATM inside. Service is exceptional. Cook to order and very fast, lest than 5 minutes.

If you're looking for some great seafood, this is your spot for some fried and some smoked. Smoked salmons were really good (got garlic pepper and regular), fried oysters (good), fried catfish (love the nuggets style), fried shrimp (they're good too). I don't find myself over this way often but best believe if I'm around and craving food out of water, I'm coming back. It's small and typical takeout style restaurant but they have a couple picnic tables (where we ate) it also had a rush and got busy on a Monday afternoon around 4:30pm after I placed my order (cash only but they got an ATM). Also got to see the bridge go up while we were eating. Haha

What a gem of a restaurant! It's more like a roadside stand. A friend of ours brought us here to have a taste of their delectable smoked salmon. The fish was moist and dripping with smoky goodness. There's not much in the way of seating so we ate outside on top of our car, made a mess of ourselves, but it was worth it for the experience. Bring cash.

I've seen this place for years but never stopped in there so been seen awesome reviews on facebook about this place, so we decided to give it a try Saturday.small little place but they had customers coming n going !! Didn't k ow what to get so asked for suggestions from a customer. I was told by a friend to definitely try the fish dinner which we did , fried scallops, smoked shrimp . Total was 45.00 So we when ti the car to try it out. The shrimp were just ok nothing to brag about. I'm not into peeling and deveining my own shrimp for that price and no shrimp cocktail . Probably wouldn't get them again . The scallops were just ok . I dont know if a live fried scallops but the main attraction was the fish dinner I think he said it was trout. Never had it before so wgst the hell. That was the best of all . It comes with fries and coleslaw . In my opinion fries could have been a little crispier but they were good and the coleslaw was ok . Nothing to write about home about . I would def go back for the fish dinner though but just the fish don't need the other stuff. If it was t for the shrimp, scallops, I would have given it 4 stars. There is a place to eat outside on a table if not busy and the guys were polite . Again I love to eat and forget to take pics but try the fish dinner in my opinion!!

The service was great. However, We're VERY disappointed in the fried food and see no need to return. The fried perch outside was quite dark, and the little "meat" that was in there had the consistency of chicken. The fried oysters were the same. The fried smelt was a little better. All 3 had WAY too much batter that you're eating fried dough with a mystery meat inside. I can't speak of the smoked fish, because we only purchased fried. We've been acquainted with Cal Fisheries, since the 70s. This is our first time, since the "reopening." May other patrons have a better experience. We're extremely unhappy with the "food" that we received, and we don't need another visit to see if this time was a mistake. Also, CASH ONLY with and ATM inside is an inconvenience to the consumer. I wonder who is the ATM owner collecting the fees?

Took the trip from the Northside wanting to give it a shot after waiting so long to check it out. From Blues Brothers, Anthony Bourdain, to politicians and food critics alike, this total dive 1 mile off the expressway certainly preserves the gritty vibe of a no frills, cash only joint. Not knowing where to start, the gentleman taking care of us gave a few recommendations and even gave us a sample of the smoked shrimp. Served chilled, it had a very fresh taste, a peel and eat experience. Went for the 1/2 pound of fried scallops, pound of fried shrimp, along with a 1/2 pound of the stuffed shrimp. That was my favorite, by far, stuffed with crab and mozzarella, certainly a highlight! Eat it right out of the bag, sauce mild or hot; may not be running back anytime soon, but worth paying another visit if I find myself in the area.

This is one of those quintessential Chicago restaurants. That I had passed before but hadn't patronized until 2 weeks ago. Did you know they have earned James Beard award? Did you know it's one of two smokehouses grandfathered into Chicago? Went with catfish dinner and calamari. Was expecting more Rhode Island style calamari with peppers and rings. Still tasty. The catfish was savory and good. The fries were ok. When I come back gotta try the salmon and shrimp. They're cash only but have ATM on site. Some tables set up outside restaurant.

When in Chicago, you gotta make a pilgrimage to the South for great smoked & fried seafood! I grew up in Hyde park, parents would go to Indiana casinos, so this was always on the way. We always ordered the full order fried oysters. Also they give you a lot of fried scallops but there seems to be more breading around them compared to oysters. Don't forget the smoked fish! And please bring cash! They don't take credit. There's an atm in the store but bring your own cash to avoid extra fees Friendly service, fast order, great staff. No place for dine in. Parking is side street. Can take food to home or eat in car. Area is isolated so if you're not from around there go in daytime

The customer service is great and the fish was excellent. I highly recommend this place.

We got here around 3 and a lot of the smoked fish was gone. We had the sable which I liked the best. The trout and the catfish kinda tasted the same. It's a long way to get there. SO not sure I would drive from Evanston to get here.

The smoked salmon is absolutely amazing!!! Get plenty of saltine crackers to accompany it. The fried oysters are the bomb dot com as well!

Just read the Health Department closed this place due to a quantity of live mice (rats), numerous dead mice in the motor of the display cases and mice dropping all over. This is just nasty owners/workers profiting.

Delicious fried smelts! Coleslaw was tasty too. Friendly service as well. Will definitely stop again.

This is a great place they been there forever. My father used to take us there, take us there with my father learn how to drive he used to work in the area my favorite, our family, favorite the smoked shrimp, the best make sure you grab some coleslaw. That's really good to don't get me wrong. The salmon, rainbow trout are good to, but I go there for the Smoked shrimp

Great fish in a setting full of memories with my family! This a real slice of history on the south side!

Nasty and waste of money save your time and currency ! Not sure why they want to stay open

The best can't wait until you reopen i want some smoked fish. Hope you will be open around Easter.

They used to be the bomb diggity... they still ok... but I've had much better in my most recent past... but no one will ever touch them on their smoked fishes ... The customer service is pretty fast & well it's just a fish house off the river

Fish was delicious the place caught fire and still closed. There.smoked Salmon is wonderful.

The fried shrimp wasn't good, the catfish dinner was extremely small pieces. The smoked shrimp was delicious, and big. I think Zi would stick with the smoked fish.

Been a while but the shrimp were so fresh that I couldn't resist eating them right away, tho I knew they were hot. They didn't disappoint.

It is a one of a kind experience. So glad they are back in business. A chicago landmark so worth the visit.....often.

An iconic restaurant on the bridge! The smelts, smoked fish & shrimp are my favorites. Cooked on the spot, no need to order ahead of time.

The food here is honestly amazing!!! My family gets the smoked salmon and it's honestly our faves. The service is great too and it's honestly a vibe. I wouldn't get fish from anywhere else!

We have cheapened the Achievement requirement in the name of wokeness. Being that A James Beard award was given to this establishment, one would hope that you would receive something so incredibly noteworthy that would support such achievement. After our visit here, I visited the James Beard Award website to learn what requirements are necessary for receipt of this award. Wouldn't you know it, someone actually realized that there is a problem... From their website it states, "The Foundation made the decision to forgo its traditional Awards presentation in 2020 and 2021, including the Restaurant and Chef Awards, Media Awards (Book, Broadcast Media and Journalism Awards), and Restaurant Design Awards, in order to take time for self-reflection around who and where we are as an organization. The 2020 Media and Leadership Awards were recognized and presented in virtual events. In the last year, the Foundation conducted an audit of the policies and procedures of the Awards. The objectives: to continue the work to remove any systemic bias; increase the diversity of the voting body; ensure that communities far and wide know about the Awards and how eligible candidates may apply; increase transparency in how the Awards function; and align the Awards more outwardly with the Foundation's mission and values." That being said, it is of my opinion that this place has lost the worthiness & shine it once had if it earnestly worked for the award presented. Our visit here was no better than that of any other half hearted fast food joint. We were incredibly disappointed. I would go to JJ FISH OR SHARKS before coming back here.

Food is delicious and smoked fish fried fish,shrimp etc.Recommend highly. Glad they weren't closed longer than they were.

I hadn't been here since I was a kid. Great service and everything-and I mean everything on the menu is awesome. Had the shrimp, smelt, and scallops. Bring your cash, they do not take a card.

1 of the last great shrimp houses! Everything here is solid, favorites are the shrimp, smoked collars, smelt and clam strips. A definite stop after any day at the 87th street slip. But why's the new mural make the Blues Brothers look like Will Farrell and Cory Feldman??

Update: We've now enjoyed their smoked sable, sturgeon, trout, and pepper & garlic salmon. All were delicious and fresh, and satisfying good buys. They weren't the most deeply smoked fish we've ever had, but good enough.

Waiting for it to be restored after recent fire. Hope they reopen and expand the location with outdoor seating to watch ships go by!