Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop

"We’d gladly eat the garlicky coleslaw from this Lincoln Park seafood market by the gallon, but the New England-style lobster roll it accompanies is just as good. The heavily grilled, buttery roll can barely contain all the perfectly cooked chunks of knuckle and claw meat, and the addition of a single leaf of lettuce adds a tiny, welcome crunch." - veda kilaru

"Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop is a part-seafood market, part-restaurant on the edge of Lincoln Park with every mollusk, crustacean, and fish imaginable to cook at home. There’s also a full seasonal lunch menu of prepared food including sushi, bisques, salmon burgers, and shrimp kabobs—but the best move is to get a lobster roll. The New England-style version comes on a heavily grilled, buttery roll that can barely contain all the perfectly cooked chunks of knuckle and claw meat, but isn’t so heavy that you can’t finish a meal with a slice of Dirk’s key lime pie. And while most people do takeout, there are a few high-tops available so you don’t have to eat standing in the parking lot." - Veda Kilaru

"If you're looking for the most unique selection of fresh seafood in Lincoln Park, Dirk's is a must visit. As you step foot in the door, you'll find Dirk and his passionate crew hard at work to make sure you're feeling welcomed and taken care of. Reminiscent of a family gathering, you'll leave with a full belly as they show off fresh samples of their current catches. Even if you're not eating or scoping their vast array of sea creatures, Dirk's is a visual feast for the eyes. It's as if you've stepped aboard their old fishing boat complete with artifacts, nick-nacks, and memorabilia. Make sure to stop by on a Saturday, when they fire up the grill in the front lot for fresh fish samples!" - Stephen Merlo

"Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop hosts seafood sampling events featuring a variety of fish including copi cakes. Despite the promotional efforts to popularize copi, it remains a hard sell due to its bony texture and consumer misconceptions. Sales of frozen copi patties lag behind more popular seafood items like salmon and tuna, but the shop continues to offer copi in various forms as part of its commitment to the campaign." - Xuandi Wang

"Dirk and Terry Fucik have operated a gourmet fish shop in Lincoln Park for 20 years. Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop expanded during the pandemic and it now offers a wider selection of groceries along with a full lunch menu including lobster rolls, crab cakes and shrimp tacos. Sign up for a BYOB cooking classes for inspiration on how to best use their fresh, seasonal fish." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff